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manipulation-and-control
Lord Steel exerts psychological control over the children, using their trust as leverage while planning to enforce his will through violence once the aliens arrive.
1 chapter across 1 book
A Fire Upon the Deep (2002)Vernor Vinge
Chapter 44
In this chapter, the children Amdijefri and Jefri anxiously await communication from Ravna, which has been delayed, causing fear and frustration. During their wait, they discover a spreading gray fungus behind the ship's quilting, which appears to be damaging the ship's structure. Meanwhile, Lord Steel, accompanied by a cloaked Flenser member, reflects on the stalled military campaign against Woodcarver and his manipulative control over the children, anticipating the arrival of alien rescuers and planning to use the children as leverage.