Envoy and Maza, split off from Arkold and Raneah, explore the ancient ship known as Sutaranakh, encountering some sort of trap that they can't figure out, and discern may not even be operating. When they are pursued by some of the ship's cannibalistic mutants, they opt to rush through, and discover that the security system is function, though for some reason it vaporizes their pursuer instead of them. They then attempt to explore further, but are intercepted by some more denizens of the ship, who apprehend them. Envoy, drawing upon her lessons in personal defense from her time with the Yodhblakat, wrestles free and impresses an elder with her ability to speak Imperial. In the end, they are taken to the "Throne of Communion", which appears to be a "learning helmet" of the sort that is found in Rephidim Temple. At first, the Nagai are going to put Maza in the chair, but it is evident that this could well be lethal, and Envoy instead volunteers to go, persuading her captors that she is more appropriate.

In virtual reality, Envoy encounters a representation of the ship's artificial intelligence, Sutaranakh, and establishes communication with the entity. She consents to opening up her memory stores to the entity, whereupon Sutaranakh becomes far more communicative, drawing upon Envoy's own experiences. Sutaranakh offers Envoy information about the "Seed" and insights on Envoy's quest, but indicates that taking the ship's power plant would have dire consequences for its inhabitants. Envoy in the end decides that there are other ways for her to complete her quest, and is content that her gathered information has been of use to someone. She breaks off contact, certain that this is a step toward peace between the Nessians and the other peoples of Ashtoreth – and, as a bonus, Maza and Arkold can get some of that treasure they came in search of.