At the Rephidim Temple, Inquisitrix Turtle arrives after a journey on the returning Mercy's Cup from distant Ur. On the steps, she is approached by a very large gathering of Knights Templar, and also is bowled into by a clumsy Fenter. She is introduced to her new bodyguards, Rathos and Soran (a couple of Jupanis), and to an Acolyte temporarily serving as her assistant and secretary, a Korv named Neekto. In her "new" office, she is met by Bassai (accompanied by a recovering Tekki), who presents his papers, seeking approval of his expedition to the Vykarin Wastes – which he gets, to his pleasure