When the cargo ship leaves Marsola, it sets course for the world of gold, the seat of the galactic Empire. Meanwhile, in the armory, Bardolph gathers his family and tells them to wait. He tells them not to interfere with his son, who is learning how to use weapons from the prehistoric world. Bardolph tells his son that he is better than him in every respect, except that he always believes that he can win without sacrificing his soul. He reminds him that he has just blown a fuse, and that the empire will crush them. They will offer to negotiate with them, but they will surrender and promise to spare their lives. He says that he could not live if he hated himself, so his father broke his legs to carry him out to his mother's body. The baron tells him that even when the empire outnumbers him, only his willingness to destroy the last one of his enemies will lead him to victory. He kneels before his son and bandages his legs.