XII: Strange Behavior of a Hoobat explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Survival and Ingenuity

  The crew devises a risky plan to land in the radioactive Big Burn to evade Patrol and I-S, using the Hoobat and Sinbad to hunt down the mysterious creatures aboard.

• Risk and Reward

  Rip's plan to land on Terra in the Big Burn is extremely dangerous, but offers the only chance to clear the ship of plague suspicions and avoid destruction.

• Loyalty and Camaraderie

  The crew debates the plan but ultimately agrees to try it together, trusting Rip's leadership despite the odds.

Characters to notice

• Dane Thorson

  Heats broth for Captain Jellico and follows the Hoobat after it escapes its cage.

• Rip Shannon

  Proposes the audacious plan to land in the Big Burn and leads the hunt for the alien creatures.

• Ali Kamil

  Questions the feasibility of the Big Burn landing and carries the caged Hoobat during the hunt.

• Jasper Weeks

  Expresses doubt about the plan and makes a net for capturing the alien creatures.

• Captain Jellico

  Lies ill in his cabin, being fed broth by Dane.

• Sinbad

  Used to detect the alien creatures; wears a harness and balks at descending to the cargo level.

• The Hoobat

  Breaks out of its cage and pursues a strange creature, leading Dane through the ship.

Key passages

• ““We try to set down at Terraport,” Dane found his tongue first, “and they flame us out⁠—””

  Dane points out that attempting to land at Terraport would result in them being shot down.

  Dane expresses the immediate danger of their situation.

• ““Right in the middle of the Big Burn!””

  Rip proposes landing in the most hazardous region on Terra.

  Rip's plan is to hide the ship in the radioactive wasteland.

• ““Greetings, pirates⁠—””

  A com message addresses the crew as pirates.

  The crew learns they have been officially declared pirates.

• ““Let it out.””

  Rip orders the Hoobat to be released from its cage.

  The crew uses the Hoobat to hunt the alien creatures.