The Qeng Ho reach the OnOff star first but face a parallel Emergent expedition. After days of cautious maneuvering, the Emergents host a banquet aboard their swiftly built habitat, impressing the visitors with their technical capability and polish. Ezr Vinh observes from a junior table, noting talkative Emergent Ritser Brughel and the aloof Director Reynolt, while Fleet Captain Park and Tomas Nau project cordiality.

Tomas Nau toasts the unlikely convergence of both fleets and outlines the system’s peculiarities: a single life-bearing world orbiting a star that spends most cycles dim, a space swept clean save for strange diamond rocks, and scarce volatiles. He proposes a joint landing using Emergent heavy lifters to raise vast quantities of water and ores from the Spider world, deploy unobtrusive sensors, split the proceeds, and build shielded habitats nearby.

The plan promises relief from resource scarcity and a secure observational posture as the OnOff star nears relight in about a year. Captain Park assents publicly, though unresolved details remain. Director Reynolt is cited as agreeing that the Spiders are dormant and primitive, implying low risk from immediate surface operations.

Back in the Qeng Ho temporary habitat, Trixia Bonsol confides her unease to Ezr. Drawing on linguistic cues, she hears habitual authoritarian turns of phrase and an exploitative mindset toward the Spiders. The banquet’s paintings, precise yet unsettling, reinforce her belief that the Emergents mask deeper cruelty.

Ezr acknowledges the deal seems overly generous and remains wary, but his apprentice status limits his leverage despite his family’s stake. Their conversation clarifies differing concerns—his strategic caution versus her cultural alarm—while deepening their personal bond and resolve to watch the Emergents closely.