With Desler apparently dead and the Garmilans ceasing their hostilities, the Yamato at last reaches Iscandar, but Queen Starsha is in doubt about providing the assist she promised upon seeing that the Earthlings used the technology she entrusted to them as a weapon of mass destruction. Her doubt causes unease among the crew. As the crew relax to dissipate the tensions by swimming in Iscandar's seas, Starsha hears from all sides, including a grateful General Hyss (Desler's former right-hand) and even Yurisha herself...