In this chapter, we learn that the mission is to retrieve the data recorder that shirogane is carrying, and that it is the mission's top priority to do so. If the mission does not involve combat, then it will be safer for him to make his escape. He asks the captain if he thinks he can handle himself on a solo mission, and the captain replies that he would rather die than risk his life for something else. The captain says that he knows that the captain is determined to do what is necessary to protect the country, but that he does not want to do it for the sake of the country. The two of them will accompany the captain on the mission, but they will not be able to see the mission safely. They are unable to locate the ship because of a problem with the program, and they are forced to run out of fuel.