19. You Did What?

Bob and his team wake early in Garack to observe the artificial sunrise, discussing the habitat's light and climate systems. After breakfast, Bob is accused of theft while examining a cart and flees town in a chase that attracts dozens of pursuers, forcing the group to leave Garack and travel downstream. The chapter explores the Quinlans' temperament and touches on mysterious references to "scattering" among the townspeople.

Bob activates his manny before dawn to observe Heaven's River's sunrise mechanism. He meets Bill outside, and they discuss how the artificial sun is directional and partially holographic, with projectors masking the central cylinder. Will reveals this from segment scans. Officer Friendly (a cop from the previous day) confronts the group for loitering in the street, threatening them with his truncheon. After an hour, Bob ventures into a pub for breakfast and overhears local merchants discussing mysterious arrivals called "blow-ins," including scattered individuals, sabbatarians, and possibly disbanded militia. He notes the oddly-emphasized use of "scattered" and reports this to the team. Leaving the eatery, Bob is arrested for allegedly casing a cart and flees when touched by Officer Friendly's truncheon, using minimal force and reflexive combat techniques while escaping through a crowd and diving into the river. The team regroups downstream, acknowledging Bob's recklessness. They discuss what they've learned: Quinlans are short-tempered and naturally belligerent; the society is pre-industrial but populated by people aware of higher technology they cannot access; and the mention of "scattering" appears to be a threat-laden term unknown to outsiders. They switch to intercom-only conversations going forward and camp on the riverbank that night after floating several hours downstream without finding another town.