Summary

Grant describes the Flotsam neighborhoods where he and Eleanor went to find Ondi’s houseboat, hoping to hack her chip. They could not find her, but days later, Ondi materialized at their house. Ondi seemed resistant at first, criticizing Eleanor’s “courtroom manner” (58), but then suddenly warmed up and began to talk. She admitted that her parents blamed the Cannon-Chastanets for their being Cast Off years ago, and that she had intentionally entered the League unhacked to spite them. Aunt Nettie knew about the Underground League, Ondi told them, and then confirmed that they had been black-coded.

Grant retells Ondi’s story about being Cast Off, which contained new information since she has last shared it. Her grandfather had not simply died but had jumped off the boat, following an agent’s order to “winnow” (62) someone if they wanted to re-enter the harbor...