The colonel receives a message that the Iron Ocean is spreading, causing much confusion. Despite a message confirming that the Orbital Elevator is connected, the colonel tells everyone the plan is to get Empress close to the Elevator to destroy it. At the eleventh hour, the Peacebuilding Force begins their bombardment and the final battle begins.

The deadly battle unfolds in the wastelands. Empress rejects Lunatic's offer, and makes it clear that she will fight to the very end. The colonel suffers a drone barrage and faces death. Strength and Dead Master have also sustained heavy damage, and the army is all but destroyed. Is there a way out of this hopeless situation?