CHAPTER 16

Weeks of preparation transform the Out of Band II into a rugged bottom-lugger. Ravna coordinates databases and strategy for a risky extraction, argues to accompany the Skroderiders, and wins approval as panic over the Blight ebbs. She keeps Jefri engaged, promises imminent departure, and avoids sharing dangerous ship operations with Steel.

At a beach gathering with Blueshell and Greenstalk, Pham arrives and suddenly Old One hijacks his body, revealing that the Blight’s attack includes replicant disorder rotting Relay’s automation while a massive fleet bypasses defenses. Old One orders them to take the ship immediately, then dies within Pham, leaving him collapsing and grievously injured.

As alarms spread, the night sky shows eerie black blotches—the ultrawave vape-out of distant transceivers. Agravs fail across the Docks; seas drain and terrain tears apart. Ravna drags Pham while Blueshell and Greenstalk fight failing agrav and shifting ground. Blueshell crash-lands the OOB into a sinkhole as they all free-fall; amid debris they barely reach the open lock, Greenstalk catching Pham at the last moment as their suit fields fade.

With spines shattered by impacts, Blueshell dives through thin atmosphere to shed debris, then arcs to inertial orbit. Groundside and Relay’s nets are silent or screaming; Vrinimi Org’s leadership is dead, and out-system defenses are overwhelmed as thousands of ships flee. Blueshell’s frantic repairs restore enough spines to jump; they escape to interstellar space with Pham stabilized by the ship’s medic.

Among ten thousand refugees, Blueshell proposes safe detours, citing Vrinimi’s collapse and unpaid contracts. Ravna insists on obligation and stakes: the Blight killed a Power and threatens all civilizations. After Greenstalk’s private appeal, Blueshell relents—one quest—agreeing to continue to the Bottom to rescue Jefri and seek whatever the Straumli ship may hold against the Blight.