The Toughs take a job helping Gavcorps secure an artifact the size of a planet, and learn a thing or two about identity management in the process.
Chapters[]
Part I: Read[]
The Toughs have their memories restored, and false memories flagged as such — with the exception of Nick, who decides to resign instead of having the procedure. Bristlecone agrees to take Flinders and Karl Tagon to Earth to extract her former colleagues, and will leave after the wedding of Dr. Bunnigus and The Reverend.
In the meantime, Gavcorps have developed technology to differentiate themselves from one another, both physically and mentally. They retain the Toughs to provide security at Oisrí, a planed-sized artifact they have found and are investigating.
Part II: Write[]
After the wedding, Tagon briefs the toughs on the Gavcorps contract, quickly finding the contract was disallowing the mercenaries from carrying weapons on site. After Tagon claimed to quit, he outlined an invasion showing the pressing need to carry weapons, and thus allowed to have armed mercenaries on the research base.
There was an accident in Osiri dig base, where Balt Binion ripped his own head off due to improper use of heavy machinery. He recovered, but showed signs of having changed slightly. After an unnanounced drill to cut communications, he broke out and killed other Gavs within medical. With support from the starship, his damage was at least contained to the medical facility.
At the end of the chapter, Thurl became suspicious of TAG's activities, and shut down the AI.