3. Up the Creek

Bob recovers from his injuries in Three Lagoons and is ambushed by the Resistance at a stream while attempting to evade capture. After a brief skirmish where he defeats Popeye and escapes into the water, Bob retrieves supplies from his hidden mannies and departs downstream to continue searching for Halep's Ending and the mountains that may lead to the Resistance's hideout.

Bob discusses strategy with Will about locating the Resistance, theorizing they hide near the mountains in the Administrator's domain. While recovering in Three Lagoons, Bob discovers his radio has been taken by pursuers. He attempts to travel downstream via stream to avoid detection, moving quadrupedally for efficiency. A net trap catches him, and Popeye attacks him in revenge for their previous encounter, stabbing Bob in the leg. Though Frieda attempts to stop Popeye's escalation, Bob uses android speed to grab Popeye's sword and fend off the attackers, then retreats into the water. Injured and having lost his last spider roamer in the fight, Bob hides in the riverbed for two hours to let pursuers lose his trail. He scouts two more Quinlans setting trap nets downstream and avoids them by taking a long detour through the forest. Bob reaches the river where his other three mannies are anchored and retrieves supplies: additional roamers from two of the dormant mannies, coins, and metal knives (worth a year's wages each). He takes three knives and a third of the accumulated cash, then departs downstream toward the Garack's Spine segment, reflecting on his isolation and the disconnect he feels from broader society despite his preference for solitude.