Part 1, Chapter 2 The Sail-Snake Summary

Toby asked to go with the hunting crew in pursuit of the Sail-Snake. Of course, Cermo turned him down. Hunting was for full-grown men and women. Besen and Toby argue that they are better in zero gravity than any of their elders, to no avail. Instead, Toby is sent to consult with Quath, the huge insect-like alien who lives on Argo's hull.

Suited up and wearing magnetic boots to hold him on the hull, Toby ventures outside the ship. Toby addresses the creature by her full formal name "Quath'jutt'kkal'thon" which means "Brave Crawler with Dreams." The two trade insults in a greeting ritual for a few minutes. Quath says Toby is covered with maggots. Toby responds that they must have crawled off her. Finally, they get down to business. Quath admits she has harvested Sail-Snakes before...