Now safe, Arcus Prima is brought into drydock at the Grand Temple. Neviril and Guragief travel to the chambers of the High Council of Simulacrum to try to defend Chor Tempest against Halconf's attempt to disband it. Neviril makes an impassioned speech before the council that offends many council members in its reference to the conflict as a "war", and in Neviril's refusal to blindly follow "the will of God" as Anglas did. Onasia, however, intervenes on Neviril's behalf, as does Sibylla Vura from the rival Chor Rubor. Vura and Neviril return from the Council chambers just as the remaining members of Chor Tempest are performing a funeral Ri MÄjon in memory of the victims of the suicide bombing and right as Argentum launches a cruise missile attack against the Grand Temple. Chor Tempest easily destroys the missiles with the Iron Ri MÄjon, and celebrates the news that the choir is not to be disbanded after all.