This chapter opens with a flashback to the events leading up to the fall of the Xingsu Empire. In this flashback, we see the destruction of the exoskeleton that Gwen was wearing when he was captured and burned down. Gwen's suit is badly damaged, and he is now unable to wear it. He asks a weapons merchant if he can help him find a place to hide and fix the damage. The weapons merchant says that he is only interested in fixing the suit on Gwen, and that he will not help Gwen for free.