Lilith gains more supporters, people who believe she will win the clash with Peter’s group. The opposing group gains supporters also, as Victor joins it and his strong personality encourages newcomers. However, Curt is now the leader of Peter’s group, as Peter suffers with his broken arm and sullenly stays in his room.

After a few days, Peter wakes up and his arm is healed. He is frightened and his own people look at him with suspicion now. Lilith goes to him afterward and tells him he needs to be prepared to see the Oankali in person: “They fixed your arm while you were asleep because they didn’t want you terrified and fighting them while they tried to help you” (181). Peter looks at her with hatred and contempt.

Five days later, Lilith realizes that their evening meal has been drugged. She feels relaxed, similar to how she felt when Nikanj established a neural link with her. This realization snaps her into alertness and she looks around. People are moving into pairs, holding hands and laughing together. Joseph reaches for Lilith, who tells him that they have been drugged. He says he felt something was wrong, and he manages to shake off the effect of the drug also.