The chapter shifts to the Rusted Robots story. Ankara, a Hume general, arrives last at a gathering of Cross River City's Hume leaders, held in a clearing protected by surveillance-equipped trees. As the meeting begins, Ijele, a Ghost AI who had vanished for over a year, suddenly returns inside Ankara's mind. Ankara panics, knowing that any Hume discovered to be carrying a Ghost would be torn apart on sight.

Ankara recalls witnessing exactly that fate months earlier, when a newcomer Hume named Jim was exposed during a lightning strike: Ghosts cannot help flashing electric blue in homage to lightning, a 'superstition' that betrayed Jim. The other Humes dismembered him until his Hume Star died. Ankara warns Ijele to stay silent and reflects on their bond formed at Ngozi's grave, while Ijele explains her absence as grief over Ngozi's death.

The gathering proceeds with a ritual reading from Mariama Bâ's So Long a Letter, then turns to news. Shay of Jos reveals that the Protocol which wiped out 87 percent of Humes worldwide originated with the Ghosts of Lagos, through their leader, the CB. The Humes erupt, and discussion turns toward imminent war against the Ghosts.

Afterward, Ankara retreats to a cliff to watch Creesh bees and argues with Ijele. Ijele threatens to report to CB; Ankara counters that CB is indeed a sentient leader, not merely a shared space. They acknowledge their mutual loyalty, sealed at Ngozi's grave, and Ankara reminds Ijele that she has concealed the protocol's origin for over a year. Ijele departs in cold silence. The chapter closes by noting that Udide's larger, looming revelation overshadows even this coming war.