Near the Butlerian headquarters, Gilbertus Albans joins Manford Torondo for an elaborate outdoor breakfast before the launch of a Butlerian expedition to the Thonaris shipyards. The peaceful rural setting contrasts with Gilbertus’s unease, because Manford is eager to use Gilbertus’s Mentat projection to justify a major strike against an alleged remnant of Omnius.

Gilbertus tries to avoid accompanying the fleet, saying he is not a military man and must return to his school. Privately, Gilbertus is also anxious because he has left the Erasmus memory core hidden in his office and dislikes being separated from it. Manford rejects the excuse and insists that Gilbertus come along in case further Mentat recalculations are needed, so Gilbertus submits.

At the launch rally, Gilbertus stands beside Manford before a cheering Butlerian crowd and the ships ready to depart. Manford uses the moment to publicly rehabilitate Gilbertus, declaring that previous doubts about the Headmaster’s loyalty were a misunderstanding and presenting the Mentat School as proof of humanity’s independence from thinking machines.

Gilbertus recognizes that Manford can say almost anything and receive the crowd’s approval. Though uncomfortable, Gilbertus accepts the acclaim because restoring his reputation helps protect both himself and the school. When Anari Idaho hands Gilbertus her sword, Gilbertus plays the expected role and cries out in support of the mission to Thonaris.

As the crowd erupts, Gilbertus reflects that the Butlerian destruction of abandoned shipyards is not a true strategic challenge, but it will satisfy Manford only temporarily. Gilbertus understands that the movement will always need another enemy, and fears that once Thonaris is destroyed, the next target could be himself.