The Wayfarer stops at Paquebot Carnelian, also known as "Little Rephidim West" – an artificial "island" out in the ocean that serves as a refueling station for airships making the trans-continental journey between Ur and Ai. It is soon evident that a great disaster has befallen the station, as apparently nobody has been left alive. A landing party goes down, including Chiaroscuro, Pawtuxet and a Savanite slave named Kurgar. The hard way, it is discovered that spots of black oily goop are extremely poisonous. The central supply station appears to be locked, as well. Chiaroscuro, Pawtuxet and Kurgar go to investigate, looking for another way in to get the supplies the ship needs to make it to the next paquebot stop. They find further signs of death and destruction, and at last meet their goal. Also, Kurgar finds and rescues a couple of fox kits, apparently the only survivors of this disaster