Konstance

Konstance is one of the novel's main characters. Konstance is born on the Argos, a spaceship bound for the new planet, Beta Oph2. She is an only child, and lives in the ship's Compartment 17 with her parents, most frequently referred to as Mother and Father.

When Konstance is a young girl, she does not question her reality. She learns that she and the other members of the Argos crew are lucky to be alive, and lucky to have a chance at continuing civilization elsewhere. She relies upon her relationships with her parents, particularly with her father, for joy and comfort. Konstance often visits her father in Farm 4, where he works on cultivating rare plant species. During these visits, Father tells her stories. She particularly loves his tales about Aethon.

When Konstance turns 10, she is allowed to visit the Argos library for the first time. Unlike her contemporaries, Konstance...