25. Crossover

Bob and Hugh approach the transfer river that will take them from the Nirvana to the Arcadia system. They restock supplies in the last town, then execute a complex water and overland route to bypass the Crew blockade they've discovered at the transfer tributary's entrance.

Six days after previous events, Bob and Hugh's mannies are hidden beneath a Crew boat in the Garack segment. They discuss their options for crossing to the Arcadia system, concluding that despite risks, water travel offers better odds than overland hiking. They plan to stop in the last town before the transfer tributary to reinforce their equipment's waterproofing. Bob scouts the town alone, detecting Quinlan surveillance at the supply shop they need. After confirming the guards leave at closing, Bob successfully purchases vellum and waterproofing supplies just before the store shuts down. They prepare their backpack and matrix, then devise a multi-stage approach: float as far as possible on the Scrubber (the transfer tributary), walk an overland route through rough terrain to avoid aerial surveillance, then rejoin the water. As they approach the Scrubber, they discover a blockade flotilla and go ashore, hiking uphill to avoid patrols. They nearly stumble into a guard post where Quinlans are gambling and arguing over dice games, but manage to slip past. After exiting the Scrubber wet and exhausted from the pounding they took in the rapids, they establish a hidden camp and return to VR.