Summary

In Chapter 52, Journeyman hears rumors as he tries to figure out what is happening in the area. He thinks that the Cordon might be planning an attack, and that the townspeople are preparing Quarry Island as a defense base. However, Journeyman is unable to conclusively determine what anyone around him is actually doing.

In Chapter 53, Journeyman visits Kormentz again, and this time he agrees to safeguard Kormentz’s manuscript. However, Journeyman still does not fully believe that the Cordon will harm Kormentz.

In Chapter 54, Journeyman visits Todbaum, who is depressed because far fewer people have been coming to listen to his anecdotes. Todbaum finally agrees to tell Journeyman about the time Todbaum killed some of the Cordon members. Todbaum says that he was drunk when it happened, and that he was essentially letting the vehicle pilot itself. Thus, when Todbaum was not actively operating...