After the chaos outside the dungeon and the AI's killing of Harbinger, Carl and Donut are immediately sent back to the garage, still covered in gore. Nobody questions them, and after cleaning up, they return to preparations for heat three. Because Carl's kangaroo suit makes driving difficult, Gluteus Maxx takes the wheel, Donut rides in her new secured seat, Carl crouches between them, and the two ghouls remain caged in the back.

At the starting line, Carl studies the neighboring teams and prepares for indirect attacks. Since shields will likely block normal damage, Carl programs denial-of-service missiles to disable the Draconian gunner and weapon on One Fine Pig's APV rather than destroy the whole vehicle. When the AI announces a new rule giving every team a ninety-second invulnerability starting block shield, Carl realizes the change could still help if he times his missiles correctly, and he tells Chiyome their plan can remain in place.

While they wait, Donut shows off her new Smart Companion Royal Pet Throne, which she has named Dorota. The chair produces a cushioned bed when Donut sits, monitors her condition, flatters her constantly, and can feed her snacks, which delights Donut and annoys Dr. Metcalf. Carl also observes the course: a very steep, wide downhill road under a red sun, with the teams lined up in order from the previous race.

Carl's confidence drops when he realizes Gluteus Maxx is heavily drugged on stimulants Samantha found in scavenged gear. Gluteus claims the drugs let him "taste time," and Carl understands they have no practical way to replace him before the start. Before Carl can solve that problem, the ground begins to shake and the AI announces a new hazard: migrating female Sugar Hermits.

Thousands of the creatures roll down the track ahead of the racers. They appear as colorful skulls animated by tentacles, and one tries to tear the Draconian mercenary's head off before the active shield protects him. The AI explains that the Sugar Hermits eat brains and bones and are migrating toward the kaiju skull blocking the finish line, which means heat three is beginning with both an unreliable driver and a lethal swarm already covering the course.