Four months after the destruction of the orbital elevator in Africa, the world is a different place. The AEU's orbital elevator is rebuilt; Katharon has lost most of its fighting strength and its members are systematically hunted down; the Federation grants A-Laws complete control over the entire military. Despite their success in destroying the second Memento Mori, Celestial Being endures wave after wave of A-Laws attacks, thanks to an oblivious Anew Returner's networking with the Innovators. Tieria suggests to the Ptolemy crew that the time is right for them to carry out a mission to take back Veda. For that purpose, Sumeragi designs a plan centered around capturing an Innovator and the plan begins as A-Laws attacks yet again. Meanwhile, Regene gives Wang Liu Mei the coordinates to Veda's core.