In contrast to the Arachnids’ perfect coordination, the Federation forces must contend with human error and a battle plan that sacrifices safety for an overwhelming show of force. Johnnie’s shakes (Chapter 1) come into better focus when he reveals that he lost friends and comrades in the collision between his ship and another. Moreover, basic training gave Johnnie discipline, but it can’t overcome his instinctive horror of the Arachnids. Unlike the Arachnids themselves, controlled by distant brains, or neodogs that can be bred to be resilient, Johnnie must come to terms with his fear on his own.