Chapter 17 Summary

The world situation has grown worse and worse. In trying to prevent the Iranians from taking over the U.S. Embassy, a situation that would eventually resolve peacefully, the U.S. initiated a battle that's killed almost 150 people, including 17 Americans. Terrorists have begun making attacks on U.S. soil. The world has changed so much that Jeff doesn't know what's going to happen in the future anymore. Reagan has been elected instead of Carter. Hedges believes that they're just keeping information from him, but Jeff and Pamela have no information to give. They're still kept in custody, against their will.

Pamela suggests that they begin lying to Hedges, but Jeff doesn't believe it will work. Pamela is embittered. She says she's sorry she ever made Starsea or met Jeff. She decides not to talk to Jeff or to Hedges anymore and shuts herself...