In this chapter, we learn that a giant, mysterious pillar has appeared in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. The pillar is being investigated by a team of scientists, and it is believed to be 500 feet in height. When all eight of the pillars are uncovered, the great Cataracy will have begun. We learn that the pillar is coming this way, and that the damage is going to be "immensely disproportionate" to the number of pillars that have been uncovered. The only person who can reach the pillar before it reaches land is shinra, and he tells us that he is the only one able to fight over water. He warns us that if the pillar reaches shore, the damage will be "inevitable . . if you do, it might well wipe out us , and shinra says that they are still wanted criminals. They should stay put and wait for the pillar to reach land, but they are getting used to the leg of the artilleryman, and they need to get used to that. He says that he likes to pick on weak people, and this is why he came to the army, because he does not want anyone to take orders from him or the president. One day, he says, he will be promoted to the rank of general and he will not be able to take any orders from anyone else.