On the planet Anarres a ship from the planet Urras has arrived to pick up the scientist Shevek. A crowd has gathered along the wall surrounding the port; as soon as they see Shevek, they start hurling things at him. Shevek is hit on the shoulder with a rock, and a guard is killed. Shevek boards the ship without being badly harmed. The captain orders him strapped into his seat, and Shevek watches as they take off, leaving behind the world he knows. He instantly feels isolated, and misses his family.
During his ten-day voyage to Urras, Shevek meets the Urrasti, Dr. Kimoe, who handles his vaccinations and attends to him during his quarantine. Kimoe is curious about Shevek's world, so they discuss some of the major differences between their people. Shevek is also.....
