1634: The Galileo Affair

In 1634, a delegation from the newly formed United States of Europe sets out for Venice with a mission that will reshape the course of history: to establish trade routes, share modern technology, and advocate for religious tolerance across a fractured Europe. Led by the Jesuit priest Lawrence Mazzare and the scientist Michael Stearns, the team includes the Stone brothers, a Methodist minister, and a doctor, each carrying pieces of the 21st century with them. Their arrival in Venice coincides with the Inquisition's trial of Galileo Galilei, and their intervention in his case becomes a pivotal moment in the struggle between emerging science and entrenched religious authority. As the delegation navigates the treacherous waters of Venetian politics, the intrigues of the French and Spanish courts, and the shadow of the Inquisition, the clash between the old world and the new threatens to ignite a fire that will spread far beyond the shores of Italy.