Part 4: Homesick Summary

The opening of Part 4 discusses the rapid growth of GEMs on Mars, and how genetically modified organisms tend to survive. This section reveals that, built within the GEMs are a suicide gene, where rapid overgrowth leads to death of the GEM. As the plant life grows, however, so do oxygen levels and other plant life, resulting in still more life on Mars.

In Part 4, Michel Duval is homesick. He dreams of home often, but is woken by calls from Phyllis and others, generally about Maya. Maya is consistently in need of assistance, since her life is such a drama. In this case, Maya and John are arguing about politics. Michel finds himself barely listening to Maya's saga as he thinks of his own problems. He and Maya take a walk as Michel continues what he calls the psychiatrist program, even though...