In this chapter, we learn that the origins of the fire force company eight lie in the fact that the blue stripes have landed on the scene of the battle. The company's leader, a man named Shmoop, explains that he is in charge of all the fire fighters and that he has to make the right calls at the right time. He also explains how he keeps the men's morale up by giving them points based on their performance. Shmioop is not a fan of the idea of killing a human life. He says that it is not about morale, but about snuffing out a "human life" . He then asks Shmoops if he can join him in the fight, since he is a member of the army and he will be punished if he crosses the blue line. Shmooop says that he will not be able to join the army if he does not cross the line, since the army is the "blue stripe's" jurisdicy. He adds that the baptism and prayer of those who believe in God come from those same feelings, and he believes that they will do the same with those who do not believe in the god. He further explains that baptism and prayers are "a type of salvation" for those who have taken the "instructions" , and that those who take them will be saved from the "black smoke" of the enemy. He concludes by saying that if he had not taken action, he would not have done anything. He believes that even a "reckless idiot like him" can do the right thing, and so he decides to form his own company of fire fighters.