Deep within a windowless room beneath the city of Onn, Nayla sits at a small wall desk operating a concealed keyboard and screen. Her physical strength strains against her tight blue pyjama suit as she meticulously encodes and transmits a secret message to the God Emperor. In her report, she warns that Siona continues her unswerving path toward a violent attack and intends to distribute copies of stolen books containing enciphered words to the Bene Gesserit, the Guild, and the Ixians. Praying silently, Nayla reflects upon her vow of obedience to Siona, a promise she fears yet must keep, and considers the physical device implanted within her skull by God himself.
Nayla leaves her room and walks down a grey, dimly lighted passage to join Siona and an unpopular, nervous fat man named Topri in a larger room. Upon arrival, Nayla locks the single door and immediately reprimands Topri for talking too much in the corridor. Siona shifts the conversation toward trust, questioning why she trusts Nayla while Topri objects. Siona explains that she measures people by performance and observes that Nayla always speaks and acts truthfully, even regarding her open dislike of Topri.
The interrogation intensifies when Siona demands to know why Nayla always obeys her despite their disagreements. Trapped between her conflicting loyalties and driven to the verge of perspiration, Nayla confesses that she has sworn to God to obey Siona. Siona reacts with glee, laughing and explaining to Topri that their alliance is founded upon belief rather than traditional loyalty. Siona asserts her conviction that a higher power will settle with the tyrant worm, realizing with satisfaction that they represent that very power.
Siona then shares her discoveries hidden within the stolen books on the table. She holds up a thin strand of hair and a starflower blossom, reading a note identifying it as a relic from Ghanima, the God Emperor sister. Next, Siona reads a melancholic poem written by the God Emperor upon learning of Ghanima's death. Recognizing these artifacts, Siona and Nayla realize that the tyrant is capable of love and possesses emotional vulnerabilities they had never anticipated.