S begins learning more about Vevoda and the conspiracy stories surrounding the disappearances of Zapadi, Obradovic and Ledurga. In the previous year, when Vevoda built the annex which was filled with workers overseas, suspicions arose regarding the identity of these mysterious workers, why the ships came at night with their marks covered, and what was being produced in the annex. The excitedly told stories soon “became the stuff of tight-lipped murmurs,” which eventually became whispers and paranoid glances.

Several weeks before the demonstration, in a tavern, Zapadi, Obradovic and Ledurga told Stenfalk and Corbeau that they were going to sneak into the annex, trusting them for having knowledge of their plans. Stenfalk and Corbeau waited until the morning, only to find out their friends never returned. The prolonged disappearances of the three workers imply that they are being tortured, held captive, or even already killed, but the true circumstances remain shrouded in mystery.

A possible explanation for Straka’s notoriety is his inclusion of political events in his novels that seem realistic. Perhaps this demonstration is similar to a political calamity in Straka’s own country that his government would like to keep quiet.

Jen and Eric’s comments
Jen wonders, “Why is S. just S. Why doesn’t he have a name?” Eric confesses that he wrote a paper theorizing S’s name but refuses to let Jen see. Perhaps S’s ambiguous name symbolizes his lack of true identity and purpose.

Zapadi, Obradovic and Ledurga are not bird-related names, according to Jen, which prompts Eric to ask about the Blackbird paper Jen is working on. Jen replies that she is trying to find a way to hint to Ilsa that her “article on Straka’s birds is simplistic bullshit.” It is becoming clear that Jen is also forming a growing animosity toward Ilsa.