Six

Dafyd deals with an angry choreographer named Ver Cannedan who refuses a menial lab assignment and punches him in the face. After writing a report on the incident to the Carryx, Dafyd struggles to master their alien written language with help from his Sinen overseer. Later, he confides in Jellit about his emotional and physical exhaustion, revealing his despair over losing Else and the spy who represented their only connection to outside help.

Dafyd is summoned to the birthing lab where Ver Cannedan, a renowned master choreographer now assigned to janitorial work, refuses the demeaning task. Despite Dafyd's attempt at diplomatic conversation and name-dropping his aunt Dorinda, who once patronized Ver's troupe, the choreographer becomes increasingly agitated about his loss of status. When Dafyd tries to console him with a hand on his shoulder, Ver responds with a lightning-fast punch that knocks Dafyd unconscious. Dafyd then works with his Sinen helper to compose a report in the Carryx's complex spatial-visual language, struggling with its alien syntax. The Sinen provides corrections while Dafyd grapples with the exhaustion of his responsibilities—including overseeing reports from humans scattered across the galaxy being evaluated for inclusion in the arantine. Later, Jellit finds Dafyd resting in a garden and notices the bruising on his face. They discuss the incident; Dafyd mentions he tried to imply in his report that he'd disciplined Ver, though he's unsure what action to take. As they walk away from the half-mind monitoring device, Dafyd breaks down emotionally, admitting his physical and mental exhaustion. He reveals that losing Else and her spy connection—their only link to outside allies and the war—has devastated him. Jellit embraces him as Dafyd despairs that he can no longer reach anyone for help. Jellit cryptically responds that Else and the spy "aren't" gone.