S. wonders what Maelstrom meant when he said that the young man might “ha somt t’give.” The words are sinister, and it isn’t until much later in the novel that S. discovers the truth.

The activities of the ship continue as usual. S. notices that every three hours or so a sailor appears from the deepest section of the ship and another sailor descends in his place. It seems as though they are doing some painful work down there, but S. has no idea what it is.

Eric, in pencil, comments that the sailors’ mysterious work seems to be draining them. Clearly, something odd is happening on the ship; the ship seems to be more than just a means of transportation.

Eric also comments on Straka’s beliefs regarding art and commerce. “Both extract from the individual, but for different reasons and to different ends.”

Jen suggests that one always loses a part of oneself when devoted intensely to something.

Eric agrees, but argues says that VMS believed that art returned something to the individual, whereas commerce just takes and takes.

Jen wonders where love fits into this. Love is a big issue for Jen; she thinks frequently about Filomela and her love for Straka. Love is also important in Ship of Theseus, as it seems to guide S. towards Sola.

Jen writes that Prague and Munich are “missing some of theirs too,” referring to obsidian pieces that somehow relate to Straka. Oxford and Paris each have one, Uppsala’s are gone, and Lima is not sure about their pieces.

Later Jen adds that Paris thinks that theirs is missing as well, and mentions someone named Desjardins. In scenes like this it seems as though there really is a current conspiracy surrounding Straka and his work. Clearly, someone or some group (besides Eric and Jen) is intensely interested in VMS.