Chapter 6 Summary

Spirit and Hope Hubris go to visit the Saturnine ship of Mikhail Khukov. They play billiards, and discuss the possibility of disarmament, if Khukov can become the Saturnine leader. They stage a public meeting, and put on the show that will keep the threat of war alive and remote at the same time, while Khukov can return to Saturn and negotiate to be Karzhinov's successor. Only he, after all, had been able to negotiate with the mad Tyrant, Hope Hubris.

Khukov gives Hope Hubris a gift of a young girl, of thirteen or so, who proves to be mute, when Hope gets her back to his ship. He bunks her in with Hopie, and Amber, the girl, becomes close with Robertico.

Within two weeks, Khukov is the leader of Saturn and the apparatus of war—and the fake occupation—are dismantled...