CHAPTER 10

Oscar and Mac's Journey to the High Angel

Focus Characters: Oscar Monroe, McClain Gilbert
Location(s): Kerensk, the High Angel
Core Narrative: Oscar Monroe and McClain Gilbert take the early-morning express from Anshun to Kerensk, where they transfer to a shuttle that takes them to the High Angel. They pass through security checks and are given protective helmets before entering the High Angel's transfer section. The shuttle takes them to the New Glasgow dome, where they disembark and take a personal pod to the Chairwoman's office. They meet with Chairwoman Toniea Gall, who is displeased with Nigel Sheldon's decision to build the starship at Anshun instead of the High Angel. Oscar and Mac then meet with the High Angel, who explains that it has no information about the Dyson Pair.
Broader Implications: This event sets the stage for Oscar and Mac's investigation into the Dyson Pair and their interactions with the High Angel, which will have significant implications for the narrative arc.

Focus Characters: Paula Myo, Hoshe Finn
Location(s): Oaktier, the Raiel habitation dome
Core Narrative: Paula and Hoshe travel to the Raiel habitation dome on Oaktier, where they meet with Qatux, a Raiel who is addicted to human memories. Paula gives Qatux a memory crystal containing Tara Jennifer Shaheef's memories, which Qatux agrees to absorb. Paula explains that she is looking for anyone who could have carried a grudge against Shaheef, and Qatux agrees to help her.
Broader Implications: This event marks a significant development in Paula's investigation, as she uses Qatux's abilities to access Shaheef's memories and potentially uncover clues about her murder.

Focus Characters: Rob Tannie
Location(s): Anshun, the CST starship complex
Core Narrative: Rob Tannie, a security guard, is part of a mission to sabotage the CST starship complex. He and his team infiltrate the gateway control room, where they use kaos software to disable the security systems. Rob shoots the manager and uses a hypotube to knock out the other managers, while his team works to interface with the gateway control room network.
Broader Implications: This event sets the stage for the sabotage of the CST starship complex, which will have significant implications for the narrative arc.

Focus Characters: Wilson Kime
Location(s): Anshun, the CST starship complex
Core Narrative: Wilson Kime, the captain of the starship Second Chance, responds to the attack on the complex. He seals the gateway and orders everyone to head to the life-support ring, where they will be safe. Wilson reviews the starship's internal systems and discovers that they are not in operational status. He contacts the SI and learns that the Anshun special forces squadron will arrive in seven minutes, but that they do not have any weapons that can kill the Alamo Avengers.
Broader Implications: This event marks a significant turning point in the narrative, as Wilson and his crew must respond to the attack and find a way to defend themselves against the Alamo Avengers.

Focus Characters: Multiple characters
Location(s): Anshun, the CST starship complex
Core Narrative: The Alamo Avengers attack the CST starship complex, using their particle lances to destroy the force field and breach the gateway. The Alamo Avengers then begin to dig their way underneath the complex, using their force fields to protect themselves from the environment. Wilson and his crew are trapped inside the complex, and they must find a way to escape.
Broader Implications: This event marks a significant escalation of the conflict, as the Alamo Avengers' attack puts the entire complex at risk of destruction.

Focus Characters: Multiple characters
Location(s): Anshun, space
Core Narrative: Two unauthorized spaceplanes launch from an island close to the equator and head towards the assembly platform. Wilson and his crew realize that the spaceplanes are heading for them and will impact the starship in eight minutes.
Broader Implications: This event adds an additional layer of danger to the situation, as the spaceplanes will impact the starship and potentially cause catastrophic damage.

Focus Characters: Adam Elvin
Location(s): Anshun, space
Core Narrative: Adam Elvin, working for the Guardians, uses the starship's systems to launch the Second Chance into space, where it escapes the destruction caused by the Alamo Avengers and the spaceplanes. The starship accelerates away from the planet, leaving behind the destruction caused by the attack.
Broader Implications: This event marks a significant turning point in the narrative, as the Second Chance escapes the destruction and continues on its mission to explore the galaxy.