After Uncle Weller's death and the loss of the whale-fur shipment, Griffin Harkonnen dreads the arrival of the Celestial Transport supply ship that once linked Lankiveil to the wider Imperium. The delivery brings a cold settlement letter and a payment far below the cargo's value, with terms that would waive further claims. Griffin recognizes the insult and considers legal action, but Vergyl Harkonnen urges acceptance, believing that greed and vengeance would only deepen the family's pain.

Griffin privately calculates that fighting Celestial Transport would drain House Harkonnen's already weakened treasury and distract him from keeping Lankiveil solvent. He thinks about his political ambitions and how, if confirmed as Lankiveil's representative, he might seek regulation and investigation of shipping practices. Yet the family's crisis and his parents' inability to manage it make him feel trapped at home, his broader dreams reduced to preserving the family's survival.

Griffin reflects on his bond with Valya, who has been away with the Sisterhood on Rossak. He remembers how Valya once dove into freezing water to save him after he was washed overboard during a fur-whale outing, and how he later helped her fight off attackers near the docks. These memories reinforce that Griffin and Valya have always counted on each other, almost sensing one another's distress across distance.

Later, Griffin discovers a rare hologram crystal from Valya among the new correspondence. In the recording, Valya reveals that Vorian Atreides is alive, has appeared before Emperor Salvador, and lives on a planet called Kepler with a family. Valya frames Vorian's continued life as a chance for justice, blaming him for House Harkonnen's disgrace and urging Griffin to assassinate Vorian and take away his happy home.

Valya's plea throws Griffin into conflict between duty to Lankiveil and loyalty to his sister. He broods for hours over his obligations, but the memory of Valya saving his life makes the decision feel unavoidable. At dinner, Griffin announces that he must leave Lankiveil on an important business trip for Valya, and Vergyl accepts the explanation, noting that Griffin could never deny his sister anything.