This chapter opens with a soliloquy by the ambassador of the republic of rodelia. The ambassador tells the story of how the republic was attacked by some neighboring nations demanding that the empire grant patents to them. Before the union, the empire suffered because it lacked the resources or production capacity to help its neighbors. The faction that opposed the patents became desperate to protect its own interests, and so they joined forces against the empire. This was a remarkable show of unity, the ambassador tells us, and he hopes to hear more about it in the coming days. He wonders how many days it will take to organize the meeting, and wonders how much formality and elegance will be lacking in the meeting.