The Toll

Many things have changed in the atoll by the time news reaches them of Citra’s broadcasts. Loriana has successfully supervised the building of the structures in the blueprint: 42 spaceships which the schematics call “cradles of civilization” (455). A fiber optic cable has been laid from the atoll to the edge of the blind spot so that the blind spot is accessible to the Thunderhead. Loriana and Munira have become confidants, working in tandem. Sykora has overseen the building of a convention center, roads, and launching pads for the spaceships. He remains skeptical of the outer space project though, because previous off-Earth projects show this is a futile road.

Munira sometimes feels her task on the atoll is done, and she should leave. However, she refuses to leave Faraday behind on his distant island. Faraday has grown even more reclusive, unable to open the fail-safe.

Munira’s weekly visits to Faraday have continued, as has Faraday’s indifference to her and the Thunderhead’s overtures. Faraday always seems numb to the news Munira brings, including last week’s dispatch that Scythe Lucifer is going to be gleaned publicly. However, Munira knows this week’s news will catch Faraday’s attention. She tells him Citra is alive.