Mayhem stays with the Sparrow while the others board the Lighthouse to meet Galindria Sunfire in The Corner. They tell her about stumbling across the colony on Mikoa B1. Unfortunately, there is not much any of them can do about whatever happens after the Nariac patrol vessel reports back.
Employee NQ771 SKD9B, aka Sato Klaude Dexter, delivers a friendly warning about the perils of working for Insight. Shortly after SK leaves, a sesheyan hesitatingly introduces himself as Eju Pe’tarah, Minister of Sculptures of Extinct Sheyan Arboreal Rodents. Claiming to know Meganbit, he has been asked to relay a bounty to Wayne, for a corrupt official who hides behind his position. They are asked to contact Jeff Lakons of the October Corporation once they arrive at the superport orbiting Torpoint in the Dewi system.
After the Nariacs investigate further, rumours begin to circulate about 3Ds growing underground on B1. Concord and Insight contract Wayne and Gus, respectively, to fetch samples for examination. During collection, they discover some of the colonists are using their abilities on groups of newcomers to avoid detection.
A portion of Insight’s report, which found transmissivity on par with consumer grade X3Ds, is leaked, prompting every available trader to beeline for the crystal caverns. VoidCorp publicly advises caution while (allegedly) working overtime to secure exclusive supply contracts in the background. Speculation drives up prices. A few altercations occur both aboard the Lighthouse and in space between the system’s two stars. A visiting VoidCorp assault ship altruistically offers to patrol the route.
Concord contacts Wayne with another job offer. The crew meets Wesley Woodsworth, a low-ranking Concord admin, and sign on as temporary security personnel. They spend the day being sent to deal with various incidents – a trade dispute in Sendir Park, the hijacking of the Donath right out of Low Dock by a cadre of freebooters, and attempted sabotage by a group of Concord Free Now operatives.