Miranda reflects on Avrana Kern’s many transformations: from ancient terraformer, to failing hybrid of flesh and machine, to electronic ghost, to replicated consciousness running through Portiid systems and coalition ships. Kern could take a body, but refuses, partly because Kern distrusts what embodiment once led Kern to do and partly because Kern’s identity remains fiercely tied to the ancient human self Kern still insists on being.

As the Skipper prepares to receive two Corvid representatives from Rourke, Miranda considers the contradictions of the species. The birds use preserved ancient human language, protocols and cultural fragments; live among technologies and settlements descended from terraforming infrastructure; and possess power, communications and extensive databases. Yet their apparent civilization is chaotic and hard to classify, with collective construction and social exchange resembling both intelligence and birdlike instinct.

The shuttle docks with the Skipper, and the two birds arrive with unexpected solemnity. Miranda introduces Fabian, Portia, Bianca, Paul, Jodry, herself and Kern. The birds identify themselves as Gothi and Gethli, then answer in formal ceremonial language that Kern interprets as probable hunger, leaving Miranda uncertain whether she is speaking with true ambassadors or sophisticated mimics.

Kern says the birds are now the crew’s problem and has supplied them with the ship schematics in hopes of reducing destructive curiosity. The plan fails almost immediately: the Corvids begin dismantling the organics printer while Fabian panics, Portia jokes, and Kern starts making a replacement. Miranda accepts that understanding the Corvids will be her task, but because consent governs Nodan contact, Miranda cannot simply invade their minds or systems to learn what they are.

With Jodry and Bianca saying farewell to colleagues remaining over Rourke, Kern moves the Skipper away from the planet. Data recovered from the Corvids has restored lost terraforming worlds to Kern’s old galactic map, and the Skipper sets out for one of them. Miranda frames the destination as an open mystery—dead world, biosphere, uplift project or human descendants—while retrospectively noting that no one considered that other spacefaring humans might already have reached such worlds.