21. Getting Involved

Bob and his group arrive at Galen Town seeking information about the mysterious "Administrator" and "scattering." While eavesdropping in a tavern, Bob overhears a plot to kill a Quinlan named Skeve, whom the townspeople blame for causing trouble that could result in their entire town being scattered as punishment. The group pursues the would-be assassins and rescues Skeve, but their efforts end in ambush and apparent capture by unknown forces.

Bob's group—Bridget, Bill, and Garfield—continue downriver and reach Galen Town after a day of swimming. Bob heads to the Growling Guppy tavern to eavesdrop on conversations and gather intelligence. He overhears three Quinlans discussing Skeve, a troublemaker who has been "scattered" twice before. The speakers plan to invite Skeve for drinks, get him intoxicated, and then kill him at one of their homes to prevent another scattering event that could devastate their entire town. The group learns that the Administrator enforces "Limits" and will scatter entire towns as punishment for transgressions. When Bob and the others track the targets to a different tavern, they pursue them down an alley but are ambushed by assassins. The group fights back, abandoning their pretense of normal biological behavior to defend themselves. They find Skeve wounded and provide first aid. However, as Bob finishes treating him, Skeve reacts with surprise, asking if they are with "the Resistance." In that moment, new attackers strike—Skeve goes down on top of Bob, Bridget is tackled by two Quinlans, and a figure shoots Garfield with what appears to be a handgun before the chapter ends.