Speaker for the Dead

A transcript shows a discussion between Ouanda and Miro in which Miro hypothesizes that the patches of bumpy skin on the pequeninos’ abdomens are their genitals.

When Miro and Ouanda next visit the pequeninos, Human accuses them of lying; Rooter says the Speaker wants to meet the pequeninos. It is against the rules for the Speaker to cross the fence, but Human argues rules can be bent. The hive queen has a gift for them but won’t bestow it until Ender and the pequeninos meet. When pressed for an answer, Ouanda refuses to bring Ender, while Miro disagrees. The pequeninos leave, and Human and Leaf-eater pause to argue, leading Ouanda to conclude that they are rivals. Miro and Ouanda argue. Since her father was the lead xenologer, Ouanda feels she has more authority, and Miro is worried that the altercation will result in Human’s death. They apologize and agree to reverse the damage by bringing Ender to the forest that afternoon.

Ela meets privately with Ender. At first, she accidentally offends Ender by claiming that speakers are disrespectful, but she apologizes and starts again, saying she wants to expose all Novinha’s secrets.