Before I go in too far, I do have to comment that the book does go through many digressions into Abh society and into description of the technology. Not too bad to annoy me, but other readers may not like this. Though the technology discussion is important for later events.

Today I read about Jinto arrival on the Warship Gosroth, and his meeting with Lexshu, the captain of this ship. In addition, Jinto makes a discovery that, well, horrifies him. Again, a very enjoyable read. Don't read the rest of this entry if you don't want spoilers.

Chapter 4

Patrol Ship Gosroth (Resii Gosroth)

It's amazing. It hasn't been all that long since Jinto and Lafiel first met yet they're already taking silly jabs at each other like an old couple. Ok, maybe not that amazing, but much of the reason I watched the anime series was for the chemistry between these two. Yeah, the other characters were all interesting too, but the awkward lander and the arrogant Abh really dominate my attention. Fortunately, the novel, where it all started from, is even better than the anime. From Lafiel's pokes at Jinto's ignorance of Abh society, to Jinto's thoughtful questions, it's just mesmerizing.

Jinto's meeting with the captain was a joy, too, with him trying to keep in accordance to Abh etiquette. Of course, the crew notice this, but keep it amongst themselves and largely aprove of Jinto's manner. Apparently, the Abh aren't all robotic monsters that they seem to be hyped to be...

Here, we also read about the ship's entry into a sord, or a gate between normal space and plane space. Plane space is what allows faster than light travel in this universe, but the book can do a better job of describing this than I can.

Chapter 5

Princess of the Empire (Lartnei Frybar)

Right before the start of this chapter, Jinto learns a big secret. Lafiel, who's a pilot trainee, is an Imperial princess. She is actually in line to ascend to the throne! This horrifies Jinto, since he figures that she's pretty high up in Abh society, but he feared his earlier manner was improper for such an important person!

Of course, Lafiel actually welcomed his earlier manner. The fact that she told him to call her by her first name should have bene a clue of this. Jinto, the ever diplomat, jumbles in a brilliant scene where he starts out trying to be proper, then apologizes for trying to do so... It is one of my many favorite scenes in the anime.

The scene where Jinto asks if Lafiel ever got lost on the ship at the end of the chapter is also a laugh!