Chapter Twenty-Nine: Ready to Go

Howard and Bridget test-pilot newly completed dragon mannies on Jabberwocky, enjoying their newfound flight capabilities. During their shakedown run, they unexpectedly encounter local dragons bearing spears who chase them, raising questions about the planet's population distribution that weren't reflected in earlier surveys.

Howard examines the completed dragon manny design in orbit around Jabberwocky while waiting for Bridget, who returns frustrated from dealing with Luddite harassment before the Trantor city council. They approve the final design and transfer into the new dragon mannies, descending to the planet's surface via drone. After activating their auto-translators, they conduct a test flight over a geothermally active lake. Howard practices diving and aerial maneuvers, and the pair engage in an unplanned aerial mating flight before resuming their test run. While returning to the drone, they are chased by four local dragons wielding spears. Howard and Bridget accelerate to a sustainable pace that causes their pursuers to tire and break off pursuit. Upon reviewing Bridget's survey data, they discover no floater settlements within twenty miles of their location, making the encounter unexpected and potentially concerning. They plan to discuss the incident with Gandalf and his team, who are finalizing their xenopological analysis.