Gaal and Salvor look for a way off Synnax after discovering that another crisis is near. After an attempt on the life of Cleon XVII, he presses on with plans to marry – threatening to upset the Cleonic Dynasty.

Gaal and Salvor attempt to figure out how to get Hari's plan back on course, leading Gaal to a disturbing vision of the future they must avoid. Brother Day entertains his betrothed on Trantor, while in the Outer Reach a pair of missionaries are recalled to Terminus to witness the opening of the Vault.