Siona attends a clandestine rebel meeting in a service burrow beneath Onn, feeling uneasy about the location and the proceedings led by Topri. Reflecting on a recent transaction to acquire a plastic copy of a crysknife from a Museum Fremen named Teishar, Siona feels disillusioned by the transactional mentality of modern Fremen. Her distrust of Topri grows as she observes the meeting and suspects the location could easily become a trap.
The primary event of the gathering is the introduction of Iyo Kobat, the recently dismissed Ambassador from Ix. Kobat reveals that he has been ordered to leave Arrakis after the God Emperor traced an assassination attempt back to him. During the ensuing interrogation, Siona strips off her disguise, realizing that Kobat already recognizes her identity as Moneo’s daughter. Kobat explains that the God Emperor permitted him to leave while carrying a message regarding an ongoing collaboration between Ix and the Guild to develop a mechanical navigation device that might replace spice-dependent Navigators.
Siona deduces that the God Emperor is merely amusing himself by allowing the Ixians to continue their deceit. She hands Kobat a package containing copies of two mysterious ciphered volumes stolen from the God Emperor's fortress, instructing him to take them to Ix as a warning and a message to the Sisterhood and the Guild. Under pressure from Siona and her armed aide Nayla, Kobat divulges additional details about his dismissal and mentions that Hwi Noree will replace him as the new ambassador.
Recognizing that Topri is a clumsy operative and that his introduction of Kobat was orchestrated or anticipated by the God Emperor, Siona dismisses Topri from the rebellion. She realizes the entire encounter is part of a larger game orchestrated by the ruler, and she resolves to accept the challenge, instructing Topri to inform her father that she will play by the rules of the combat.