18. Not Part of the Plan

Will and Howard explore a ruined Quinlan city in aquatic mannies, investigating the destruction caused by the civilization's internal conflicts. Howard is caught in an unexpected water current, sucked through an underground tunnel system, and crashes, damaging his manny.

Will and Howard arrive in a large, heavily damaged Quinlan city that shows evidence of extensive explosive and biological warfare. Will explains that Bridget's tissue samples revealed an engineered virus was used against the population. They enter a canal to explore underwater, and the swimming experience is exhilarating—moving with otter-like grace through the water. While examining the surprisingly strong current, Howard is suddenly sucked into a tunnel that equalizes water levels between canals. He is ejected from the tunnel into a mostly dry canal below and crashes hard on rocks, breaking several limbs of his manny. Will has the cargo drone retrieve him. Howard tries to keep the incident quiet, but Will blackmails him using the promise of a red ale named after Will to ensure silence.