space-navigation

In this chapter, the crew aboard the starship OOB approaches the Tines' world at high velocity, struggling with navigation issues and the urgency of an impending threat from the Blight. Ravna establishes tenuous communication with Jefri on the planet, who reports an ambush by the Woodcarvers, signaling immediate danger. Meanwhile, the narrative shifts to Woodcarver's perspective as she strategizes to overcome enemy forces, balancing the cost of betrayal and the tactical advantage gained through captured weaponry.

In this chapter, Jason Kraft confronts Neddi Pulmerto, who holds Tara hostage and demands a pilot to drop off her companion on the planet Xanahalla. Jason agrees to pilot the ship under duress, using the opportunity to execute a risky maneuver to sabotage Neddi's plan by positioning the ship upside down, causing her companion to fall into a disintegrator. The chapter ends with Jason escaping to rally the rest of the crew against Neddi's control.

In this chapter, the characters observe the moon being gravitationally captured by the Wanderer, causing it to deform and potentially break apart due to tidal forces within Roche's limit. Don Merriam pilots the Baba Yaga spacecraft into a vast chasm on the moon's surface, navigating a perilous descent while recalling heroic fictional escapes. Meanwhile, Paul Hagbolt and his group approach a guarded gate on Earth, requesting admission and assistance, highlighting tensions and uncertainty about the new planet's impact.

In this chapter, Don Merriam pilots the Baba Yaga spacecraft through the shattered moon's core, discovering that the moon has entered a tight orbit around a massive, mysterious planet. As he navigates the dangerous environment, he contemplates the surreal and catastrophic changes to the lunar landscape. Meanwhile, other characters react to the strange astronomical events, highlighting the global impact and skepticism surrounding the phenomenon.