Victory Smith and Hrunkner Unnerby race by tri-prop to Princeton after Sherkaner Underhill reports the kidnappings. Sherkaner breaks down; Smith steadies him and sends him to work with his students while she assumes command at Hill House. Unnerby converts the residence into a functioning command post and restarts security coordination.

Counter-Kindred chief Rachner Thract presents new evidence: forensic pollen ratios on two dead kidnappers indicate recent arrival from a specific Kindred base. Combined with survivor interviews from the museum couple, the team infers a professional Kindred operation intended to seize all Underhill children and leave no witnesses, later masking blame as domestic trad violence. Smith orders a joint operation with Domestic Intelligence and city/commercial police.

Rhapsa and Little Hrunk arrive under Captain Daram Downing’s protection and collapse into Smith’s arms. Smith remains controlled but resolute, then tasks Unnerby to invite the civilian couple, the Suabismes, to wait safely at Hill House.

Meanwhile, Gokna, Viki, Jirlib, Brent, and the two babies awaken in a tall, patched shaft. Using attercop webs and “belly-listening,” they deduce they’re high in Princeton, likely a new City Center tower. The kidnappers’ cool demeanor and mixed rhetoric convince the older children they’re soldiers, not local trads. Brent, injured but functional, provides play twine; Birbop climbs to the top grille and threads the twine, enabling Viki to raise a large red/ultra banner fashioned from Brent’s jacket lining.

The flag snaps in the wind above the city, visible from the streets below and even toward Hill House, giving the captives hope of rescue. During the night, a storm strengthens and finally tears the banner loose, leaving the children waiting in darkness.