A note from Crawler Drakea warns that nagas are dangerously cunning and may be manipulating events even when they seem to be losing. Carl and Donut enter the warlord council, where a Mexx robot seats them along with Ferdinand. Juice Box appears beside Ferdinand in a human form, and her brief nod tells Carl that Britney has likely put Team Retribution’s assets into motion for Operation: Snake Pit.

Carl thinks about needing better maps of the tunnels near FUPA for future troop movement and defense. Chaco unexpectedly appears as the field correspondent because Magnificent Troy refused to come to the surface, and Cascadia arrives in person, looking ill, exhausted, or unstable. The other warlords then materialize: King Stalwart, Warlord Fang, Architect Houston, Epitome Tagg, and finally the Blood Sultanate’s warlord.

The Blood Sultanate’s leader, Princess Vinata, appears as an enormous white six-armed naga. Her presence overwhelms Carl with fear and awe, making the assassination plan feel suddenly impossible. Princess Vinata introduces herself by her faction persona, the Whore, and Carl’s attempted handshake passes through her projection or protected presence.

Chaco tries to dramatize the tension between Carl and Princess Vinata for the broadcast, but Cascadia begins the meeting before being interrupted by Donut and Ferdinand laughing. Donut reveals that she and Ferdinand had bet Stalwart would actually wear his new crown, and they mock how foolish he looks. Chaco attempts to turn the insult into an audience vote.

Stalwart responds by punching Chaco hard enough to knock him unconscious and make him disappear, proving Chaco is physically present in the council space. The room falls silent after Donut still asks whether she can vote yes. A system warning then appears: Scolopendra stirs. The unprecedented message shocks the warlords, and Tagg confirms it has never happened before while Cascadia reacts with bitter, unstable laughter.