In the control room, Viki and Gokna watch the studio through the glass, pulling a mischievous “Ten” on Honored Pedure before Didire Ultmot clamps down. Onstage, Zinmin Broute cues the program as Trixia Bonsol translates Sherkaner Underhill, and Xopi Reung voices Pedure. The debate opens with Underhill insisting his out-of-phase children were never hidden and are decent, relatable people.

Pedure counters on moral and practical grounds, escalating by singling out Brent as a “cretin,” creating a stunned silence. Underhill regains footing, defending Brent and arguing that intelligence varies, then shifts to broader claims: evolutionary adaptation to changing sun cycles and the promise of science to reduce waste and enable births year-round.

Underhill advances a bolder vision: nuclear power will let cities remain awake through the next Dark; “on this one small world, there will be no more real darkness,” and the greater mystery lies among the stars. Pedure times her response to the closing break, springing a trap: millions of Darkstriders awake during the Dark could repeat or exceed deepness massacres from the Great War. Digby cuts the broadcast as Underhill falters.

Off-air, Trixia lunges at Xopi and strikes her, screaming, "Pedure bad! Die! Die!" Handlers restrain both. The outburst shocks the observers and threatens the carefully managed image of the Focused translators and the show’s political utility.

Trud Silipan bolts for Hammerfest, fearing Anne Reynolt’s wrath and blaming lax handling. Ezr Vinh insists on coming to check on Trixia, and Pham Trinli joins to protect their broader deal. En route by fast taxi, they debate excuses—perhaps “valid translation”—and lean on Qiwi’s involvement to mitigate consequences as the rockpile looms.