Twenty-Three

The swarm struggles with emotional turmoil following a rejected kiss with Dafyd while its component personalities argue about the humiliation. Meanwhile, Dafyd meets with Brun to reorganize research following Tonner's death, visits Farad Morse to establish new leadership in the visualization group, learns about the Deep Lothark resistance through symbol-communication with a Soft Lothark, and consults with Uuya Tomos about crafting a memorial narrative for Tonner that obscures the truth of what happened.

The chapter opens with the swarm in its room, unable to focus on archival work as it obsesses over a rejected kiss with Dafyd. Its component personalities—Else, Jellit, and Ameer—debate whether the experience constitutes humiliation, with Jellit emphasizing the ethical problems and Else urging against cruelty. The swarm then examines its borrowed body in the mirror and begins reshaping it, particularly the bones of the pelvis, in a process that causes pain. The narrative shifts to Dafyd walking with Brun through the lamb sack facility following Tonner's death. Brun expresses reluctance to replace Tonner as research director, citing the high fetal mortality rates and his own inadequacy compared to his predecessor. Dafyd pressures him to accept, warning that failure to advance research could result in the Carryx deciding humans are expendable. Dafyd then instructs Brun to erase data on the Soft Lothark project. Later, Dafyd meets with Farad Morse and the visualization group, appointing Morse as acting head of the project. Through symbol-shifting with a Soft Lothark, Dafyd learns about the distinction between the Soft Lothark, who serve the Carryx, and the Deep Lothark, a loyal resistance movement that remembers how to rebuild the Stone-Mind and waits for the opportunity to do so. The Soft Lothark explains that the Carryx are war incarnate, incapable of conceiving of peace, and that the Deep Lothark exists as a safeguard against total annihilation. Dafyd stops short of asking how to kill the Sovran. Finally, Dafyd meets with Uuya Tomos in her private quarters to discuss crafting a memorial service for Tonner. Uuya Tomos advises that Dafyd cannot give the eulogy himself, as it would invite gossip about his past relationship with a woman Tonner also loved. She proposes a narrative emphasizing Tonner's complexity and suggesting his death resulted from old wounds and hurt pride overwhelming him. Dafyd agrees this version must become the accepted story, and Uuya Tomos agrees to help organize the service. She notes Dafyd appears unwell, and he admits he is struggling.