This chapter's epigraph comes from a letter written by a member of the Boar's Head Guards. The letter is addressed to the Chief of Staff of the Navy, and it is written in the style of a letter addressed to a general. In the letter, the Chief complains that the Navy does not have enough men to go through the bowels of the ship. The Chief says that he will send a team of men to the bowels to investigate the situation, but the men will be killed if they go through. He tells the Chief that he has other ideas. He suggests that the Chief arm himself with a hypodermic pistol and take three men with him. He says that the airlocks are locked but that he can get through the ducts. He sends a signal to the Navy's communications center and says that his signal will be heard by the entire fleet. He asks the Chief if he has succeeded in capturing upacesky, and the Chief replies that he does not. He then asks if he can copy the recording of the petty officer, which was made by Desdemona, and he asks if the Chief will erase all of the black that was recorded of him. The chief replies that Desdemonas has taken control and sealed the doors to the ship, so there is nothing there for him to do. He decides to sneak into the bowels and shoot one of the men who tries to attack him.