The Kingdom sends the stealth vessel Aboukir to the Amaterasu with a simple message: "Surrender, or die." The Operators find themselves frantically searching the stars for the elusive vessel.

The Supreme Chairman of the Kingdom dies and Isabelle, his right hand, is the likely candidate to succeed him. The Amaterasu has warped into neutral space so they go to the spaceport of Parnia for resupply. Kouki takes his chances and asks Sinon out, catching her off guard. Mamiya Tatsuma travels to Earth to speak at an U.N. conference and to request the Earth Federation's assistance.