On the route to the Outpost, the Eternal Vigilance comes near a small local "isetis ship" being attacked by small flying creatures that seem to be made of ice. Elijah flies out with the Black Lancers to the rescuer, drawing off the attacking creatures and eliminating them. Although they lose considerable time and end up enough behind schedule that it seems they'll miss the sky island they're trying to catch, Elijah determines it an acceptable setback – After all, they're not in that much of a hurry to get back to Rephidim, and they can catch the sky island the next time around.

Elijah and his companions are led to the sky island where the sabertooths that they rescued live, and they do some trading there. The Kavi navigator discovers that the sky island they went to will actually intercept the one they're trying to reach, and they may be able to save on fuel and supplies this way. Elijah uses a moment of peace to talk some more with Sukara, and about what will be done with her when they head back to Rephidim.