Summary

Three to four years have passed when Part VI, To the Caldera, rejoins the Community, which has been divided into Hunters and Gatherers. Over these years, the Rangers did not come once, meaning that the study has come to a stop. The plot catches up to the present when a Ranger finally arrives, reveals that there have been many changes in the Administration, and tells the group they must change their campsite, as they have been there too long.

Bea is now in charge of the Community, enforcing that they strictly abide by the rules. Agnes is a teenager of 14 or 15 years, and her body has changed shape. Jake is her “life mate” and they have plans to start a family. They disagree about when they should start trying to conceive; Agnes thinks she is ready because she bleeds every month, but Jake...