Cancer overhears a conversation between Meme and General Gym Ghingham in which they mention assassinating Dianna. Cancer and Muron secretly free Dianna before the Queen can be transferred to Gym's ship, and feign returning to Earth. The trio arrive at Mistletoe, an abandoned Moonrace colony, and notify the Willgem, but Gym intercepts the transmission. Loran and Sochie venture out to Mistletoe to retrieve Dianna. Meanwhile, Harry kidnaps Kihel, with her assent, to offer to Gym as a decoy for Dianna. At Mistletoe, Loran and Sochie come under attack from Ghingham Fleet's Mahiroo Squad, commanded by Sweatson Stero.