The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

Jenks tries to fix Ashby’s scrib when they hear Sissix and Corbin fighting again. Sissix has pushed the ship so that a part has worn out. She blames Corbin for not telling her that he had to use a nonstandard part. Ashby chastises Corbin for not communicating and for using a slur against Sissix. Then, he chastises Sissix for pushing the ship too hard. The vox comes on, and Kizzy and Rosemary tell Ashby that a Quelin enforcer is approaching.

The Quelin, a xenophobic, insect-like species, require all ships to submit to random inspections. Ashby has no choice but to agree to it. The Quelin perform blood and genetic tests on the crew. When Corbin is scanned, the Quelin become extremely agitated. They arrest Corbin and take him to their ship. Ashby cannot find out why Corbin is being arrested, and the crew must wait to be interrogated by the Quelin. Corbin is stripped naked and, when he complains, headbutted in the stomach until his ribs break. He is pitched into a deep pit, told that he is a clone with no rights, and ordered to say quiet.

Ashby is the last to be interrogated and return to