The group that approaches Zane and the Crims consists of a couple of villagers—at least that is what Tally assumes, given that they are wearing animal skins—and some Pretties who are from another city. Suddenly, the ground seems to rumble as Tally catches the sight of a helicopter coming in for a landing. These are the rangers that Tally has heard about, also from another city, one that ignores the Smokies rather than attacking them. She met some rangers once when she spent time in the Old Smoke. They are more concerned with the environment than with city politics.

She watches as Zane, his group, and the others who have just arrived board the helicopter. Tally wonders if Shay made it this far—the position-finder is at its end, so the New Smoke must be nearby—and decides to hitch a ride on the helicopter’s undercarriage.

Tally’s attempts to hang on to the helicopter are fraught with danger, with her hoverboard spinning in the downdraft of the blades. She uses her crash bracelets—magnetized to adhere to metal—to cling to the helicopter’s underside as her hoverboard breaks apart. Her hands have been burned by the hoverboard’s demise, but she can still see the scar on her palm from cutting.