Part 3, Dissonance (Chapters 28-34) Summary

Sah'ot studies the aborigines, Kiqui, doubts if the genetic engineering that makes neo-dolphin more human-like has advantages, and sees madness in Tom's escape plan. In Chapter 29, the ship's council meeting about this "Trojan Seahorse" plan is, in Takkata-Jim's opinion, a disaster, for the aliens are too advanced to be tricked. K'tha-jon nudges him to take command. In Chapter 30, Akki resents being stuck aboard ship when all but the dregs of the crew are at the wreck or the island and tries to break up a bloody fight that K'tha-Jon ignores. At the wreck in Chapter 31, weary engineers strip it clean inside and are sad that a plan better than Tom's fails to develop. Streaker will be moved soon. In Chapter 32, balances of power and alliances in space have shifted. The Acceptor detects a Synthian trying to communicate...