Prince Kai arrives late to the meeting and is greeted by a sarcastic comment from Torin regarding his tardiness. The world leaders discuss the problematic relationship between Earth and Luna, and their desire and plan to avoid a war. Discussion of the queen’s timing in relation to Emperor Rikan’s death surfaces during the conversation, along with the awareness of her wish for a marriage alliance with the emperor of the Eastern Commonwealth. At the mention of the marriage alliance, the leaders freeze, leading Kai to remember that “[h]e had always despised the diplomacy of these meetings. Everyone thinking the same thing, no one brave enough to say it” (250).

Torin maintains his stoic professionalism, stating that the Commonwealth’s policy of not entering into a marriage alliance with Queen Levana remains the same as with Emperor Rikan. The leaders discuss other options, but Kai knows that he is what Queen Levana wants and is unlikely to accept an alternate offer. Two other important topics arise during the meeting. The first is the letumosis antidote. The second is visual images of “mutant” (256) Lunars that look ready for a war against earth.