Carl opens with a note laying out Operation: Ruin, a coordinated four-pronged offensive meant to end Faction Wars within hours. Florin will handle the orcs, Boomer the Reavers, Donut the Dream, and Carl the Madness, while Rosetta coordinates as theater commander and the 105th Scream Warriors wait as rapid-deploy backup. Carl’s personal mission is to ride with Louis on Party Planner, boost the bomb run over orc territory, then meet Elle and enter Madness territory through the Gate of the Feral Gods to hunt Houston.

As Open Hostilities approach, Cascadia sends a bitter systemwide message urging everyone to kill. Aboard Party Planner, Samantha arrives late after “comforting” soldiers and shows off a wartime hairstyle and a new obscene forehead message. Donut reports that Shanty Town’s wireless PA system is installed, but Carl and Imani warn her not to draw unnecessary divine attention by taunting enemies over the speakers.

The ninety-second warning arrives, and Party Planner lifts off under stealth. Carl checks in with Elle, who has not yet found Tagg, and Louis climbs high through smoke-filled skies toward the first bombing target. Carl then discovers Bonnie and Skarn stowed away despite being forbidden from serving as door gunners, but before Louis can turn back, hostilities officially begin.

Reaver missiles immediately lock onto Party Planner, while the Dream launches long-range magical artillery. The party expected the artillery but not the advanced seeker missiles. Louis dives toward the trees, then turns broadside, and Bonnie calmly uses an upgraded gun and farseer helmet to shoot down the three missiles that survive orc defenses.

As Party Planner resumes its mission under intermittent enemy tracking, battlefield reports flood in. Donut’s flak spell is working against Dream artillery, Elle opens the first gate, and Rosetta reports the first feral god will appear near the Dream castle. The Dream’s artillery is aimed at Tran rather than the FUPA, because Dream forces have mass-teleported outside the Princess Posse headquarters and are rushing the throne room.

Rosetta orders half of the 105th to reinforce Tipid while Justice Light asks for the attackers to be reduced before being drawn into his lair. Elle’s gate releases the feral god Meatus near the Dream castle, creating an opportunity because the Dream army has abandoned its stronghold. Donut orders Britney to move on the elf castle, but Mordecai and Rosetta realize Meatus may summon another deity; Harpocrates appears, and Britney is urgently told to stop the digger before it is used near the god.