On entering K-Town through a hole high in the wall, Xev and Stan have to deal with the tunnels and the demented inhabitants - the most evil of the souls incarnate. They meet some people who enjoy throwing rocks at them. Kai climbs up the tower, finds them, and then has a systems failure. They also meet Mantrid, who is devoid of memory, but highly encouraged by the idea that he is the greatest biovizier who ever lived. He participates in Kai's diagnostic procedure, does something stupid, and then Kai cleanses him. Xev and Stan manage to throw Kai off the tower to realign him, but it doesn't work, and he gets captured.
