It's important to note that Longshot's opening chapters narrate significant events in the early years of our protagonist in order to establish characters, background and setting. Subsequent chapters will sometimes skip five or more years ahead, as most of vessel's inhabitants live very long lives.
Extra notes for Chapter 4:
scimitar oryx
Currently extinct in the wild, but preserved in several zoos and breeding programs
Longshot moved at a tiny percentage of the speed of light
The vessel's velocity is 5% light speed, approximately 15,000 kilometers per second.
superhydrophobic nanoscale patterns on their carapaces
Such patterns trap air, making objects unsinkable. Currently the object of intensive research