Gene and Hilda defeat McCoy, and the protagonists then escape into space ahead of his men. They get into a game of chicken with a Ctarl-Ctarl ship led by Aisha Clanclan, who ends up destroying their pursuers in a fit of rage after losing. Aisha is demoted after letting the Horus escape and is left behind on Blue Heaven. When the Horus reaches an agreed upon rendezvous point, Hilda finds that the Kei Pirates have killed all her friends. The crew escapes the pirates and they set a course for Farfallus.