Part 7, The Food Chain (Chapters 73-75) Summary

Akki, in terror of K'tha-Jon's savage cries, knows that he cannot last long and wants to die with honor. In Chapter 74, Keepiru races towards the sounds of vicious battle ending in a scream of triumph. He arrives to see K'tha-Jon devouring his prey. K'tha-Jon declares in Anglic that he is Metz's one real success: a member of the top of the food chain, a judge of the sea—an Orca by brain and blood. Keepiru taunts him: he is a mutant, a failed experiment; his gene-plasm will be flushed down the sewer when Keepiru's report reaches Earth. In a rage K'tha-Jon begins pursuing Keepiru. It lasts into the evening, causing indigenous fish to flee. Keepiru wonders why he has not shaken K'tha-Jon as he is able. Drawing K'tha-Jon into a channel, Keepiru...