Chapter Summaries

Chiba told Ligo she was being transferred to District 1 and explained that Hesta would undergo a year-long recovery assessment before she could return to combat duty. After warning Hesta to avoid violence during her first three months in the Habitable Zone, Chiba watched the two leave and took out her camera.

• Chiba told Ligo and Hesta to give honest accounts to the investigators, while explaining that Jane could seek special protection and that Hesta’s supposed victim Rene had never boarded the ship.
• Chiba informed Ligo that she would be transferred from District 12 to a nine-month assignment in District 1, where Tulan would be her contact.
• Chiba told Hesta that Office No. 2 had suspended her combat assignments and placed her under a recovery assessment lasting about a year.
• Chiba warned Hesta to act friendly and avoid violence or entering Bullet Time during her first three months under strict surveillance in the Habitable Zone.
• Hesta said she wanted to return to the organization, and Chiba promised to find her the assessment guidelines after they disembarked.
• Chiba watched Ligo and Hesta leave, then lit a cigarette and took out her camera.

Chiba watched a recording of her younger self before leaving the cruiser, while Hesta arrived in District 14 and learned about her new civilian identity. As Chiba prepared to disappear amid political changes, Hesta heard about a boat to Vilyuchinsk and showed interest in going there.

• Chiba replayed an old video, then chose to keep the camera rather than discard it after a soldier warned her about electronic waste.
• Twelve days later, Hesta arrived in District 14 on crutches after Ligo had departed without a proper farewell.
• Chiba explained that District 14 might take control of the local AHgAs organization and arranged for Hesta to return to the Habitable Zone as a civilian medic.
• Chiba gave Hesta Yu Xuekun's contact information and said she would disappear for a while.
• That evening, Hesta walked to the shore, where a boat operator offered a trip to Vyborg, formerly called the Vilyuchinsk Wilds, and Hesta recognized the name.

Hesta and Silei traveled by ferry to Vyborg, where Hesta planned to visit a Guard War memorial and Silei hoped to investigate Anna’s past. At the bus station the next morning, a girl with familiar golden eyes offered to help them rent warm clothes for their journey.

• Hesta boarded a ferry to Vyborg and unexpectedly met Silei, who was also traveling there.
• Hesta told Silei she planned to visit a memorial, while Silei said she would search nearby villages and towns for clues about Anna.
• Silei and Hesta found lodging in a former inn that had become a grocery store and warehouse.
• The next morning, Silei and Hesta went to the bus station and met a girl who warned them that snow was coming.
• The girl offered to take Silei and Hesta to rent warm clothes and help them avoid being overcharged.

Hesta and Silei met a group of girls traveling to Orange Town and joined their game of Mad Paka. Hesta sent Silei into a wrestling challenge, and the chapter ended with Yelena pinning her down as the children sang the game’s eerie song.

• Hesta and Silei sat with Yelena and the other girls on the bus, then learned that the group was returning from Orange Town after seeing Ksenia off to university.
• Yelena taught the group Mad Paka, a game in which an elder hunted the marked little daughter while Mad Paka could challenge the elder to a duel.
• Hesta revealed that she had drawn the marked stone and volunteered Silei to fight the other children.
• Silei recognized that the children’s song named Paka and tried to ask Yelena about it while dodging their attacks.
• Yelena tackled Silei to the ground as the children finished singing about Mad Paka’s death.

After surviving a violent game, Hesta and Silei reached a mountain cabin and met a fortune-teller. Hesta asked where she might fulfill her wishes, and the fortune-teller pointed her toward places where life and death were precariously balanced.

• Hesta apologized to Silei for provoking the violent game and explained why a direct confrontation had been their best chance.
• Hesta and Silei arrived at a snowy mountain cabin and joined the travelers gathered around its fire.
• Silei rebuked a man who mocked the young women while they shared Widow's Soup.
• Hesta agreed to have her fortune read and wrote the character for one in the ashes because she did not know her birth date.
• The fortune-teller interpreted Hesta's mark as a sign that her wishes could be fulfilled in dangerous places between life and death.
• An elderly teacher told Hesta that the fortune-teller had said she was destined to do great things and should go where great things were done.

Hesta and Silei reached the Guard War Memorial in southern Viborg and found it weathered beyond recognition. As they returned from the ruins, a carriage passed a lakeside camp where children sang a song naming Anna.

• Hesta and Silei left the cabin after their companions warned them not to approach any similar cabins in the forest.
• A truck driver gave them a ride to New Viborg, where the tavern owner directed them to the nearby Guard War Memorial.
• Hesta descended into the sunken land to inspect the monument and found its exposed stone surfaces completely worn smooth.
• Silei led Hesta back from the ruined memorial after Hesta realized it was nothing like the memorial Liz had once longed for.
• A middle-aged man and a little girl rode through the forest toward the lakeshore, where children sang beside a bonfire.
• The girl asked to keep following Hesta, and the man told her that Hesta would have to face danger herself as the children sang that the daughter’s name was Anna.

Cheng Qiaochu recorded the shelter’s daily struggles and the news that women had founded New District 17, Safo. She hoped to visit Safo someday but remained unsure whether she could leave her homeland and make a life elsewhere.

• During patrol, Team N-A1 killed two suspected bandits, rescued four hostages, and seized weapons, supplies, and an engineering vehicle without casualties.
• Cheng Qiaochu recalled that she and Lin Jiao had delivered a baby boy after his mother died, and the shelter decided to take him and the hostages to a nearby militia group.
• Yelena’s student shared reports that the Women’s Forward Party had established Safo, and the shelter members recognized Hesta in a photograph of its Supreme Council.
• Cheng Qiaochu told Lin Jiao that she wanted to visit Safo but would return because she could not treat an unfamiliar place as her homeland.
• Lin Jiao urged Cheng Qiaochu to consider joining Safo’s future, while Cheng wondered whether she would find freedom or lose her voice there.

Hesta was stranded in Mei County after a transit disruption and failed to reach Yu Xuekun, then encountered a wary red-haired girl who seemed to share her Hesta features. After searching for help and wondering whether she was still under surveillance, Hesta announced that she had nowhere to stay, and a little girl appeared in the tree above her.

• Hesta got off the stopped train in Mei County and chased a red-haired girl, who reacted with hostility and ran away when Hesta recognized her as Hesta people.
• Hesta asked a station vendor where to find a phone and learned from the shop owner that Yu Xuekun's number was invalid.
• Hesta spent the morning at a cemetery and considered whether to return to the organization or call for help from the person who might be watching her.
• Hesta said aloud that she had nowhere to stay that night, and a little girl sitting in a tree asked if she had said that.

Hesta met Eleven, a homeless girl who offered her a place to stay in an abandoned building in Mei County. After Hesta helped Eleven reclaim it, the two shared a meal and settled in for the night.

• Hesta met Eleven, who lived in a tree and invited her to come along because she needed somewhere to stay.
• Eleven led Hesta to an abandoned building in Mei County and asked her to drive out the people who had taken it over.
• Hesta reclaimed the building for Eleven using a branch.
• Hesta returned from the railway station with bread from the grocery store owner and joined Eleven at the building.
• Hesta and Eleven cooked and ate noodles together, and Eleven said she enjoyed talking with Hesta.

Eleven and Hesta bickered over Hesta’s name and food before Eleven insisted Hesta owed her for providing shelter. The next morning, as they walked toward the Quicksilver Needles station, Eleven corrected Hesta for calling her a vagrant and learned that Hesta’s mother was gone.

• Eleven asked Hesta for her real name, but Hesta repeated that her name was Jane Hesta.
• Eleven tried to stop Hesta from eating bread she had saved, then told Hesta she had to repay her for providing shelter and food.
• Hesta and Eleven walked toward the Quicksilver Needles station, and Eleven explained that she was a wanderer, not a vagrant.
• Eleven angrily insisted that she had a mother and a home, and Hesta apologized for calling her a vagrant.
• Eleven asked where Hesta’s mother was, and Hesta said that she was gone.

Hesta and Eleven found a cheap inn after soldiers sealed off the Mei County work station. Hesta rested while Eleven went across the street that evening, leaving the reason for her errand unclear.

• Hesta spotted armed patrols guarding the closed Mei County work station and turned away with Eleven.
• Hesta asked Eleven to find a cheap inn, and Eleven led her to one where the owner showed interest in Hesta.
• Eleven warned the owner not to poach Hesta, then reluctantly accepted a Room Card from her.
• Hesta made Eleven wash up and wash her clothes before resting in their room.
• That evening, Eleven crossed the street as Hesta watched from an outdoor table with a cup of coffee.

Eleven searched for a hidden entrance to an apartment building, then tried to force her way past the guards to collect Eureka’s promised reward of a good meal. Four Quicksilver Needles took pity on her and brought her through a concealed route to an opulent underground restaurant, where she felt out of place among the diners.

• Eleven failed to find the hidden entrance and approached the guarded front door, claiming she had come to collect a reward.
• The guards struck Eleven and threw her aside, but four Quicksilver Needles caught her and intervened.
• Eleven told the women that Eureka had promised her a good meal, and they escorted her through a connecting corridor into the apartment complex.
• The Quicksilver Needles brought Eleven to a lavish underground restaurant, where she nervously joined the dinner line and noticed that no one else looked like her.

Eleven enjoyed a lavish meal with the Quicksilver Needles, then returned to the inn and questioned Hesta about how she had earned it. After learning Hesta might not stay, Eleven decided to take her somewhere the next day.

• The Quicksilver Needles took Eleven to dinner, where she ate until her stomach hurt and noticed a badge that made her realize who they were.
• One of the Quicksilver Needles drove Eleven back to the inn, where she found Hesta talking with the innkeeper.
• Eleven asked Hesta whether she was a Quicksilver Needles, and Hesta reassured her that she was not.
• Hesta explained that Eureka was a Quicksilver Needles, and Eleven guessed that Hesta had received the meal as a reward for helping one.
• Eleven asked whether Hesta would stay or return to District 3, and after Hesta said she did not know, Eleven decided to take her somewhere the next day.

Eleven took Hesta to Vera Maternity Center to meet pediatric surgeon Mikhailo, who spoke Hesta’s language and recognized her as Hesta. As Mikhailo asked about her family, Hesta’s reason for visiting the center remained unclear.

• Eleven brought Hesta to Vera Maternity Center and demanded to see Dr. Mikhailo.
• Eleven asked for an interpreter and breakfast, while Hesta noticed the receptionist acting unusually attentive.
• Hesta could not eat because her stomach hurt, and she saw a middle-aged man arrive and head to his office.
• Mikhailo greeted Hesta in fluent Third District Language and moved their conversation to another meeting room.
• Mikhailo identified Hesta as one of the Hesta people and asked where her father was from.

Hesta met with Mikhailo at the Vera Maternity Center to discuss her return to District 14 and her future plans. Mikhailo warned that her identity paperwork might be delayed and said she did not need the center’s special support yet, though he offered to help with anything.

• Mikhailo welcomed Hesta and Eleven into his office, where Hesta noticed photographs of his family.
• Hesta explained that she had been discharged from an AHgAs workstation after an injury and had not yet processed her District 14 identity card.
• Mikhailo said his friend’s identity restoration had been stalled for six months because of complications involving AHgAs and the Quicksilver Needles.
• Hesta said she might attend school after going to Songxueyuan, and Mikhailo guessed she would study in Orange Town.
• Mikhailo said the Vera Maternity Center offered visitors additional support but advised Hesta not to seek it this year; Hesta asked what help it could provide, and he answered that it could provide anything.

Hesta met with Mikhailo at Vera Maternity Center, where he offered to help her if she faced difficulties and gave Eleven chocolates and money. After learning from Eleven that the center helped people have babies for payment, Hesta waited outside, watching as the red-haired Eucali went in to see Mikhailo.

• Mikhailo gave Hesta his business card and promised to help her, while Eleven left with a bag full of chocolates and extra money.
• Hesta spotted Eucali outside the maternity center, and Mikhailo asked Hesta and Eleven to leave before welcoming Eucali inside.
• Hesta took Eleven to a nearby park and watched the center from behind the trees.
• Eleven explained that Hesta could earn money by helping people have babies, and Hesta realized what the work involved.
• Hesta tried to tell Eleven she was short on money, then fell silent and kept watching the maternity center.

Hesta tried to give Eucali money, but Eucali mistook her intentions and fled before Hesta realized she spoke the District 3 language. Hesta returned to the house with Eleven, then went back to the station to look for information about Eucali, leaving Eleven curious about their connection.

• Hesta chased Eucali and offered her money, but Eucali rejected it and threatened to call the police.
• Hesta realized she had understood Eucali's words and asked whether she spoke the District 3 language, but Eucali ran away.
• Eleven collected the scattered banknotes and took Hesta back to the inn, then they bought food and returned to the large house.
• Hesta ate noodles with Eleven and agreed to go with her to the station.
• Hesta asked the general store owner for information about Eucali, but learned nothing new, and Eleven asked who Eucali was to her.

Hesta met Eucali at the evening market and invited her to stay with her and Eleven after learning she had nowhere to go. The three left Mei County together, with Eucali struggling to keep up as they walked into the night.

• Eleven told Hesta she could stay with her in Mei County, then led her through the closing evening market to gather discarded food.
• Hesta recognized Eucali after catching a potato that had rolled from her arms, and the two spoke in a nearby park.
• Eucali apologized for her earlier treatment of Hesta and confirmed Hesta’s roots were natural, then warned her not to show important documents in public.
• Hesta explained that she had been stranded in Mei County after the trains stopped and invited Eucali to come with them rather than sleep in the park.
• Eleven, Hesta, and Eucali walked out of the city late at night, and Eucali refused Hesta’s offer to carry her bags.

After returning to camp, Eucali and Hesta talked in the dark about Eucali’s childhood near Jiaozhi Mountain and her hopes of leaving District 14. Hesta revealed she had never met another Hesta person in District 3 besides Eucali, leaving Eucali’s questions about her people unanswered.

• The three returned to the base camp late at night, where Eleven grew irritated as Hesta and Eucali argued over who would use a straw mat.
• Eleven chose a mat for Eucali and said she would sleep with Jane, but Hesta settled separately on the floor.
• Eucali asked Hesta about District 3, its churches, and why she had returned to District 14.
• Eucali explained that she grew up near Jiaozhi Mountain, learned several district languages, and had hoped to leave Northern District 14 after seeing relatives prosper elsewhere.
• Eucali asked whether Hesta people in District 3 were doing well, and Hesta said she had never met any besides Eucali and her late mother.

Eucali confronted Eleven after learning she had taken Hesta to Dr. Mikhailo’s clinic, and their argument turned violent when Eleven revealed that her mother was involved in the surrogate business. Hesta stopped the fight and went after Eleven, who hid from her in the fields before demanding that Hesta carry her home.

• Hesta told Eucali that Eleven had taken her to Dr. Mikhailo’s clinic without explaining its purpose, and that she later learned it was connected to surrogate childbirth.
• Eucali woke Eleven and accused her of deceiving Hesta, but Eleven bit her, shoved her, and kicked her after saying that her mother did the work Eucali was condemning.
• Eleven grabbed a stick to strike Eucali, but Hesta stopped her and asked them to calm down.
• Eleven insulted them and ran into the fields, while Hesta stayed briefly with Eucali before going out to find her.
• Eleven hid in the reeds as Hesta called for her, then emerged when she discovered Hesta had been waiting nearby.
• Eleven refused to walk home and told Hesta to carry her.