Part 1, Chapter 3 The Rule of Number Summary

Besen drops by Toby's bunk to see if he wants to go to the viewing room. He can't. On Cermo's orders, he has to complete five lessons before he can go off-ship again. This is a punishment for leaving the craft with Quath. Besen speculates that the order came from Killeen, through Cermo. She repeats what Toby already knows. Since the death of his partner, Shibo, Killeen has become withdrawn and hostile. He even seems to resent his own son. Besen goes to the viewing room to watch the Chandelier. The only family members who do not resent Killeen's recent behavior are the Cards. They seem to relish leaders who are tough and even crazy.

Besen hates numbers and math because that is how mechs think. Toby defends them, saying that is also...