CHAPTER 26

After nearly five months, the OOB’s drive spines degrade to a quarter light‑year per hour, forcing a repair stop at Harmonious Repose. Ravna studies the ancient, multi-species ring system and arranges contact with the reputed repairer, Saint Rihndell, while sending a cautious parts request and payment options.

Meanwhile, a Net broadcast from the “Alliance for the Defense” calls for action against the Blight’s supposed tools and threatens communities harboring humans. Ravna worries for Sjandra Kei, while Blueshell argues it is too integrated to be easily attacked. The crew resolves to conceal any human presence during the stop.

They scrub the OOB’s interfaces of human cues and prepare a decoy Jovian hold as a last-ditch hideout for Ravna and Pham. Despite their precautions, the ship’s superior refit still reveals origins high in the Beyond. Arrival security proves light, and Saint Rihndell guides them to a vast, ancient ring-arc shipyard embedded amid tamed ring debris.

Blueshell and Greenstalk go alone to negotiate. They traverse lush, ornamental habitats and arrive at a treed chamber where tusk-legged sales representatives perch among trunks. Communication is slow and haggling dense; Saint Rihndell hints the work is difficult and resources scarce, while carefully assessing the Riders’ trade samples.

As the Riders press for commitment, three winged, childlike “butterfly” beings sweep in, speaking fluent Trisk. Claiming an urgent, sacred mission and prior payment, they demand immediate priority and threaten retaliation by their fleet if delayed. Saint Rihndell wavers under the intimidation, placing the Riders’ repair hopes at risk and revealing dangerous competition for the same scarce capabilities.