Summary

Chapter 10 opens in Commander Markus Leuker's think-tank, where he, Dinah, Ivy, Moira, Salvatore Guodian, and applied mathematician Zhong Hu reluctantly indulge former U.S. President Julia Bliss Flaherty's recounting of her trials on Earth, and the illegal escape that brought her here and endangered the entire Cloud Ark Swarm. Julia is curtly asked to leave, and does. Moira is questioned about the Human Genetic Archive, and stumbles. Markus texts Doc Dubois to join them.

Dubois disagrees with Markus' writing off the HGA, but understands that the Ark population, as is, is sufficient to ensure heterozygosity. Moira says she has the equipment to turn digitally coded DNA into implantable embryos—but it must wait until a permanent habitat is established, which depends on Sean Probst delivering the icy comet core. Finally, Markus reveals Sean Probst's death and states that someone will have to journey...