Sortie.The departure of Aer, Neviril, and Yun to the Ruins leaves Chor Tempest dangerously understrength, even when reinforced by Vura, who joins the choir to replace Mamina. Before the Messis can return, a black Simoun from the Arcus Niger crash lands on Arcus Prima's flight deck, with the news that the Niger has been destroyed by the alliance. Hard on its heels are not two but five Plumbish Simouns. The rump Chor Tempest gamely sorties to intercept them, only to see the Plumbish choir promptly disengage rather than destroy the sibyllae and the Arcus Prima. Arcus Prima returns to the Grand Temple in company with the Messis. Shortly after they arrive, the alliance launches an all-out attack on the Grand Temple itself. Chor Tempest sorties to intercept the assault. They manage to destroy several waves of incoming cruise missiles. Without the ability to do the Iron Ri Mājon, however, they are unable to intercept them all, and the surviving missiles detonate throughout the temple and surrounding city. Once again, the Plumbish Simouns refuse to engage in direct combat against the Sibyllae...