One

Dafyd is summoned to meet with Ekur-Tkalal, the keeper-librarian overseeing the human moiety. The Carryx leadership has determined that humans will focus only on food production and gravimetric imaging work, and demands that the human population begin breeding to supply thousands of workers across Carryx worlds. Dafyd must now implement reproductive mandates or face the extinction of his people.

The chapter opens with archival entries from various Carryx librarians discussing the identification and deployment of animal species for information-gathering across newly conquered territory. Four billion humans from Anjiin were brought to the world-palace; approximately three thousand survive after deaths during transport and from illness. The human habitat has been modified to accommodate their biological needs—wider corridors, proper sanitation facilities—though the space is permeated with an odd resinous-salt odor. Dafyd visits the small garden overlooking vast arcs of the world-palace and reflects on losses: Nöl, Synnia, Else, and Irinna are dead; Campar, Rickar, and Jessyn have been sent on mysterious assignments. He now serves as intermediary between the Carryx and his people, a role that has alienated him from Tonner, his former ally who now resents the new equipment and disrupted research teams. Dafyd's visit to the labs finds Tonner exhausted and grieving his lost original team. Tonner reports that food production will require double the current hydroponic capacity and that training people in protein translation analysis will take months. Dafyd is then brought before Ekur-Tkalal, a massive mantis-like Carryx. The creature, attended by a Sinen overseer, orders that human efforts focus exclusively on food production and gravimetric imaging research, ending all other activities. Most significantly, Ekur-Tkalal informs Dafyd that the human population is insufficient for future empire needs across thousands of worlds and demands that humans begin breeding immediately to generate a new generation of workers. The Sovran's will encompasses eons, and children must be ready when needed. Dafyd, trapped between impossible demands and the threat of genocide, accepts the mandate.