The chapter opens with a scientific and cultural account of why humans are believed not to belong on Anjiin. Competing myths offer explanations for humanity’s arrival, but the biological record shows a sharp discontinuity: human-style DNA life and an entire Earthlike biome appear suddenly about thirty-five hundred years ago, then a catastrophic event vitrifies most of the origin island. Since then, the native Anjiin biosphere and the imported human one have largely remained chemically incompatible, unable to truly feed or integrate with each other.

That barrier changes because Tonner Freis’s research team discovers a way to “translate” between the two trees of life. The narrative shifts to the end-of-year celebration at the Scholar’s Common, where Jessyn drinks with fellow team members Irinna, Nöl, and Synnia while Tonner and Else attend as the public face of the breakthrough. Their banter underscores the team’s closeness and the relief of having finally succeeded.

Jessyn reflects on the intense months of work and the intimacy that formed within the group, recalling the pivotal moment when their first uptake results proved cross-biochemical integration: a native biosphere membrane marker appearing in an ordinary blade of grass. The memory feels like a private, world-changing secret shared among the team before anyone else knew what they’d done.

Jessyn dances with Irinna in the plaza, enjoying a rare sense of confidence and satisfaction. Afterward, Irinna thanks Jessyn for letting her be part of the team, insisting the year has been the best of Irinna’s life, and the two part amicably into the ongoing street festivities.

Back at the quiet quarters Jessyn shares with her brother, Jellit, Jessyn lingers in contentment, imagining the team’s place in future textbooks. A message arrives not from Jellit but from Tonner; when Tonner appears on-screen, Jessyn recognizes his rage. Tonner orders Jessyn to attend an emergency meeting at the lab the next day and to tell no one.