First Meetings

Story list

The collection includes four stories. "The Polish Boy" (2002) follows a young Jan Paweł Wieczorek, later Ender's father, as he is tested by the International Fleet and secures his family's exit from Poland. "Teacher's Pest" (2003), absent from the 2002 edition, recounts how John Paul Wiggin, Ender's father, meets and marries his wife. "Ender's Game" (1977) debuted in Analog magazine and was later turned into the novel, but its continuity conflicts mean it is not considered part of the main universe. "Investment Counselor" (1999) details Ender Wiggin's first encounter with the AI Jane and his path to becoming a speaker for the dead.

Plot summaries

In "The Polish Boy," Jan Paweł Wieczorek (John Paul Wiggin) is a very smart child homeschooled because his family refused to comply with population control laws. Captain Helena Rudolf from the International Fleet arrives to test three of John Paul's brothers for Battle School admission, notices John Paul reading a book, and tests him early. He passes with a very high leadership score. The IF tries to recruit him, but John Paul only wants to get his family out of Poland for a better life and education.

Captain Graff agrees to send the Wieczorek family to America, hoping one of John Paul's children will attend Battle School. The story includes younger versions of John Paul Wieczorek, Hyrum Graff, and Admiral Chamrajnagar, as well as Captain Helena Rudolf and Colonel Sillian. In "Teacher's Pest," John Paul is assigned a Human Communities class taught by graduate student Theresa Brown. Initially annoyed, he changes his mind as she leads a provocative debate about communities, war, and population laws.

Theresa has just learned her research project is being taken away to pressure her father Admiral Brown out of retirement, and she does not want to speak. John Paul waits outside her office, orders food for her while she talks to her father on the phone, and when she emerges he is still waiting. They eat together, John Paul reveals his secret past, and as they talk they begin to fall in love, realizing they were both set up by the government.