Carl and Donut arrive in the production facility for the AI-mandated warlord council. The teleportation makes Carl briefly nauseated, and Donut worries over his new forearm tattoo before complaining that the sealed saferoom has separated them from the base, worsened hygiene conditions, and forced Tipid to build extra bathrooms. Carl reassures Donut that they will not remain at FUPA long once their offensive begins.

Carl reflects that the council is an unexpected opportunity. Because Operation: Snake Pit depends on subterfuge, Carl and Donut must keep the meeting going as long as possible while their allies infiltrate naga territory and make it appear that their forces are massing north toward former Operatic territory.

Ferdinand teleports into the room in a panic, smelling of smoke and alcohol and looking unkempt. Before Donut can question him much, three gnoll guards in power armor enter to scan everyone for weapons and explosives. Carl and Donut are cleared quickly, while Ferdinand cowers, hisses, and threatens the guards despite being visibly terrified.

Zev then teleports in, alarming Ferdinand again. Donut greets Zev warmly, and Zev reveals that the aftermath of the failed solar failsafe is worse than expected: after Formidable disappeared, orcs aboard her ship manually triggered the failsafe, but instead of destroying Carl's current system, the Aryl system from the previous crawl went dark at the exact moment the button was pressed.

Zev explains that Aryl's tunnel node has vanished, something considered impossible even when stars die. The system still contains tens of thousands of workers, investigators, and ships, and no one knows whether the system has been destroyed or merely cut off. Zev adds that Aryl's AI had already gone silent weeks earlier, during Carl's sixth floor, but remained functional. Before Carl can press further, Ferdinand demands snacks, and Zev announces that refreshments will be available at the meeting and that it is time to go.