Epilogue Summary

By autumn, Richard has flown south to large crowds with whom he pauses to talk until they grow too curious, and he then flies away. No miracles occur, although the Fleet runs better and kills no more bugs. Richard relives the day Shimoda dies, hoping it will change, but it never does. Sad he has no one to talk to, learn from, or banter with to sharpen his newly-bright mind, Richard dreams of meeting Shimoda and passing his hand over the hole Shimoda is laboring to patch manually. Shimoda is proud of him, confirms this is a dream, a different space-time event Richard will remember and will find it changes his thinking and life. Shimoda is ready to go beyond space and time, but they remained linked, should Richard wish to discuss any problems. Shimoda explains Richard needs practice in being unflustered and...