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ritualistic-proving
Moki seeks to prove his worthiness and gain status by killing the smart-aleck and presenting the trophy to K’tha-Jon.
1 chapter across 1 book
Startide Rising (1983)David Brin
Teeth, teeth are—are—
In this chapter, Moki, a Great Bull controlling a sled, is engaged in a tense underwater chase with a smart-aleck Tursiops. Frustrated by boredom and craving the intensity of bloodlust, Moki strategizes to ambush and kill his opponent using torpedoes, hoping to prove his worthiness to the fearsome K’tha-Jon. The chapter captures Moki's internal struggle between boredom and savage desire, as well as the tactical maneuvers in the underwater pursuit.