Summary

In Chapter 1, Breq wonders why she does the things she does sometimes, and realizes she is still getting used to not following orders all the time. This includes turning over the body of a naked woman in the street to discover it is Seivarden Vendaai, who Breq knew long ago when Breq was an ancillary, artificial intelligence system on a military starship for the Radch Empire. Breq knows the cold atmosphere of the frozen planet Nilt will kill Vendaii, so Breq quickly rents a sledge and buys a hypothermia kit to save Vendaai’s life. Vendaii was neither an officer that Breq liked or disliked, so she does not know why she is now saving Vendaai’s life. Breq discovers the beating of Vendaai is in response to a massive tab she has acquired at a local tavern. Breq rents a room, where she...