At Ista Weyr in the Second Interval - sixteen turns before the beginning of the Third Pass - wingleader J'lantir angrily berates his wing riders, who have been missing for a sevenday. His riders tell him that they were on an important mission, and that he told them not to say anything about it until the time was right. J'lantir doesn't believe them, and decides to make them do drills the following day as punishment - something he notes they are oddly enthusiastic to do.