Chapter 18 opens with excerpts from a travel advisory, announcing the cancellation of all off-planet transportation, and Yskandr’s reply to Darj Tarats, excusing himself from returning to Lsel Station. On their way to the Ministry of Information, an asleep Mahit, Three Seagrass, and Twelve Azalea reach their first stop at a checkpoint. The driver is allowed to proceed, though the person manning the checkpoint advises against it. Waking up, Mahit looks around, and Three Seagrass asks the driver to lighten the windows. The trio sees a riot. Mahit can’t understand the protestors’ property damage, as doing so for political expression would be fatal on Lsel Station.

The car approaches a mass of people, and the driver can’t proceed. The Sunlit use gas to force the crowds to disperse, and the gas seeps into the sealed car. Yskandr commands Mahit to get out of the car and run, and everyone runs toward the Ministry of Information. The driver takes the trio to a nondescript conference room, where they drink coffee and eat pastries, which Yskandr comments on.

Three Seagrass wants to request a meeting with the Minister of Information, Two Rosewood, but returns to a man named Six Helicopter, adorned with purple larkspur, symbolizing his allegiance to Thirty Larkspur.