The sequel to "Thirds." One of the seven great families- Destuta Fel, well-known for stupidity, brutality, and its hatred of tris - tries to use genetic engineering as a means of oppressing the tris and removing them from Suranan society. This tactic splits the great families and angers the tris. Most of the families believe the tris cannot and will not fight. They are wrong. Biology drives politics, and Surana explodes in protests, violence, assasination, murder, and kidnapping. Funerals become part of the Suranan landscape.