Kuniko has a strange dream of Atlas, and learns from her grandmother, Nagiko, that her biological mother lived in Atlas. Takehiko and other Metal Age members raid a train from Atlas for supplies. Kuniko, Momoko and friends celebrate Miiko's departure to Atlas. Momoko entrusts Miiko with reopening the Tropical Fish, a bar staging Burlesque shows. Residents of Duomo get into an argument over Metal Age's responsibility for the attacks and their overall role. Kuniko wonders if everyone would be happy if they are able to live in Atlas, and makes a decision to go to the city. Karin is informed by her peer that she apparently messed with Saudi Arabia's carbon coefficient, thus making the latter rake in less money. She is confused by the apparent spike in the carbon economy. Ryoko's men find no new movements from the owners of the Sun and Moon blades. Kuniko, Momoko and Takehiko sneak into Atlas by faking identities as construction workers heading into the city. Miiko is forcibly recruited to be Mikuni's replacement retainer. Kuniko gets discovered while heading through a checkpoint in Atlas' support column and the group flees. They are chased by security, but fortunately an earthquake occurs and the group uses the distraction to escape. Kuniko wonders why everyone is not allowed to live in Atlas even though there were enough space to do so.

Karin convinces the Japanese government to use Kuwait as bait to lure out Serpent, despite the fact it will destroy that country's economy. Kuniko and Nagiko both watch the manipulation of carbon coefficient. Kunihito intends to resign for the loss of the mimic armor sample, but his superior tells him that Atlas has already pardoned him for this mistake. He is ordered to head for the Moon Palace to meet Mikuni. While Mikuni questions Kunihito on his recent events, Sayoko finds his Atlas rank is classified. She also discovers that his family blade matches the same material and shape as Mikuni's sacred blade. The lord of Atlas, Hiruko, goes hysterical from the thought of having the two blades meet. The government begins its hunt for Serpent. After Serpent takes the bait, Kuniko, with Nagiko's help, locates it originating from one of the islands in the Maldives. Ryoko obtains this information and sends it to America. Kuniko learns that America has dropped thermobaric bombs on the location, erasing Serpent's threat and stabilising the carbon market. Karin discovers it was her peer, Talsian, who created a copy of Medusa for the Maldives, using this incident to teach the original Medusa caution.

Kunihito recovers in hospital. Ryoko orders the survivors of the anti-Medusa operation besides Kunihito disposed of. She makes a press conference announcing the indefinite postponement of the Atlas Settlement Project. Metal Age is outraged and Kuniko decides to use aerial attacks on Atlas. Karin reaps a lot of money in her latest scheme and decides to go shopping outside. However, she wears a bear costume to cope with her fear of communicating with people. Sayoko barges into Ryoko's residence. Kuniko and Takehiko go shopping at Neo-Akihabara for tons of demolition materials and ammo. Ryoko informs Sayoko that the reason Mikuni has not been made successor is because there are two others, but she does not tell her their identities. Kuniko runs into Karin and talks to her, but the girl freaks out and flees. Sayoko tries to hack into Zeus, Atlas' computer system, but is thwarted by Ryoko. Miiko sees Sayoko being led away by Ryoko's men and he picks up Momoko's earring. Momoko wakes up to find herself released and finds her earring and a note from Miiko. As Kuniko and Metal Age plan to attack Atlas with all the forces they have, Momoko returns, to a very much relieved Kuniko.