Chapter 4, Speaker-to-Animals Summary

When Louis and Teela report that she's agreed to go on the mission, Nessus howls with terror, afraid of the upcoming mission. That night, Teela confesses that she loves Louis, and that's why she wants to go with him. Louis realizes that Teela's never been truly hurt, physically or emotionally. She has no fear, and he feels the need to protect her. Still, he comes to terms with her joining the crew.

The four crew members go the Sol system settlement of the Outsiders, a trading species who buy and sell technological knowledge, where the quantum II ship, called the Long Shot, is waiting. The ship is cramped, with hardly any extra room, and built for a human pilot. Speaker, Nessus, and Teela will travel in stasis, while Louis pilots. Speaker objects but is overruled. At the last minute, Louis sees...