Contents
Thirty-One
Overview
Watched by Third Gardener, Jessyn secretly retrieves Corvall’s sabotage cylinder, kills the Sinen overseer and its Rak-hund, and releases the disabling dust aboard her ship. The Carryx attempt liftoff; systems stutter but recover, and the fleet departs amid combat. Later, a hidden note implies Garral’s allies came and left without her.
Summary
Jessyn, still treated delicately after Garral’s death, chafes at the attention while Third Gardener scrutinizes her movements and questions her memories of the enemy attack. When the Sinen abruptly orders all work ended by the next day—signaling incoming ships—Jessyn decides to act that night.
Under moonlight, she returns to the orchard cache. Confronted by Third Gardener and its Rak-hund, Jessyn shoots the Rak-hund and executes the Sinen, then obscures the scene and heads back with Corvall’s sabotage cylinder. Questioned the next day by a Carryx soldier, she plausibly lies about a brief encounter with Third Gardener and is sent back to her quarters as lockdown tightens.
Alone, Jessyn opens the cylinder, releasing gray dust that chills, vanishes, and corrodes the container to flakes. Initially, nothing appears to change; then the fleet prepares to launch. Engines shudder, lights fail and return, and for a moment the ship seems disabled—until systems recover. The Carryx order ascent, and despite turbulence, the ships leave the planet.
After the jump to asymmetric space, still ignorant of the battle’s outcome, Jessyn discovers a covert annotation inserted into her notes: a botanical aside about convincing countermeasures, ending with “forgive me for leaving without you.” She realizes allies likely attempted a rescue during the chaos but departed, and she outwardly assures Holom Coombs she feels fine.
Who Appears
- JessynHuman biologist under Carryx control; kills Third Gardener and Rak-hund, deploys sabotage dust, deceives a Carryx soldier, and later finds a covert farewell note.
- Third GardenerSinen overseer who distrusts Jessyn, orders hasty wrap-up, follows her to the orchard, and is shot and killed.
- Rak-hundBladed alien guard accompanying Third Gardener; charges Jessyn and is gunned down.
- Holom CoombsConcerned member of the human moiety; tends to Jessyn, later checks on her after the launch.
- ManniHuman colleague who helps Jessyn in the common room and reports the sudden lockdown.
- Carryx soldierLarge overseer who interrogates Jessyn about her night visit and Third Gardener’s status.