Chapter Forty-Seven: Assimilation

Howard and Bridget investigate Alexander's flotilla after being conscripted into his army. Bridget is recruited for her literacy to analyze records, while Howard infiltrates as a young soldier. They discover evidence of a catastrophic fish shortage and mysterious advanced technology—a canoe made from unknown wreckage bearing unfamiliar markings—displayed prominently in Alexander's quarters.

Howard and Bridget observe the Alexandrians' sophisticated methods of controlling floaters using acupuncture-like spear prodding and binding them together into a unified formation. When Bridget innocently questions the purpose of these modifications, she is brought before Alexander's majordomo and offered work analyzing written records in a vast dragon library. Bridget leverages her knowledge of fish-population dynamics to gain an audience with Alexander himself, who seems genuinely interested in her theory about floaters spreading fish eggs through lakes. Meanwhile, Howard maintains surveillance from a distance. During the meeting, both discover a mysterious artifact: a large canoe on display, apparently constructed from high-technology wreckage bearing an unknown alphabet and containing what appears to be an advanced SCUT transceiver component. Howard sends images to Mario, who confirms the wreckage is neither human nor Bob-made but represents technology decades beyond their own. Bridget accesses historical records showing fish catch statistics have declined significantly and cyclically, suggesting Alexander's campaign stems from a genuine ecological crisis rather than mere conquest. Howard enrolls in Alexander's army as a young soldier to gather intelligence, learning from his squad mates that the fish shortage is becoming critical and people may soon starve. Bridget reports from her research that the shortage is indeed cyclical but that Alexander's response began after the decline started. Both remain puzzled by the origin of the advanced canoe and worry about the implications of their discoveries.