The chapter opens with a description of the "unprecedented tectonic shifts" that have taken place in the world since the end of the Second World War. The narrator tells us that the human race has been acting out in "unimaginable ways" since then, and that the earth itself has been "pushing back" with power. He tells us, however, that this is not the case with the distress beacon. He asks the reader to imagine what would happen if the signal was intercepted by a murderous spy. He says that he prefers the odds against the murderous spy than against the "storm of the century" . He wants to know if he can call on "the kittyhawk" , but she can't be reached. He wonders if she is the only one who can track his watch. He also wonders if the lands are knocking on Dr. Hay-hall, but he doesn't know who they are. He thinks they are probably "knocking on the dr" and that they need to identify which of them they are before they can stop the disaster. He then asks if he is still there, and if only it was that easy for him to call on the "ataseven" lead. He has booked him a room at a hotel in the city, and he tells the reader that the connection to the Ataseven lab has been terminated, but that he will get the doctor there safely.