Chapter 17

The next morning, Petra and the other Zetas are set to travel to the surface of Sagan and do scientific reconnaissance.

The Chancellor, Crick, and Len join the Zetas as they board the shuttle, with the Chancellor giving instructions to each of the Zetas regarding their duties. As a botany expert, Petra will be in charge of collecting samples and creating an airborne herbicide to help defoliate a habitable living area. The Chancellor and Crick then depart, leaving Len and the Zetas to make the journey to the planetary surface.

Len seems anxious and dissatisfied with his role. However, Petra is amazed by the sight of Sagan through the shuttle windows, and she finds it beautiful. As she disembarks the shuttle, Petra laments that this moment is everything her parents had dreamed about for humanity, but they are not here to see it.

Chapter 18

The Zetas immediately begin collecting samples to take back to the main ship for study. After a few minutes, the Chancellor instructs Feathers to remove her breathing mask over a communication device. Petra panics, worried that Feathers will not be able to breathe, but the experiment appears successful. The Chancellor then instructs a panicking Len and the other Zetas to remove their masks as well.

From there, sample collection continues. Len stays close to the ship, while the Zetas each begin to explore the jungle-like surface of Sagan. Petra is mesmerized upon discovering butterfly-like creatures in the lake while collecting fern samples. She also identifies an extremely toxic plant.

As she explores the jungle further, Petra begins planning how she will escape the Collective. She scouts out a cave, believing that it will help hide her heat signature from drone searches. However, just as she is contemplating making a run for it, the Chancellor calls everyone back to the ship.

Petra also realizes that she cannot leave Feathers and Rubio to fend for themselves with the Collective. She resolves that they will all escape onto Sagan‘s surface together, at which point she will reawaken their memories of Earth by telling them stories.

Petra is saddened to leave behind the wonders of Sagan’s surface in favor of the sterile environment the Collective has created on the ship. During the flight back on the shuttle, she notices that Len seems distressed. Upon closer inspection, she realizes that his skin is now covered in boils.