Using information Jacques brought, the group makes contact with the Shiki, a guerilla group opposed to Nippon Tech. The Shiki had been planning their own attack on the meeting, though they had only been planning on attacking Ryuichi Kanawa. It is decided that the Shiki will smuggle the group in in return for assistance in dealing with the Hammers.
The Hammers duly attack the meeting. In the ensuing melee, about half the delegates are killed, but the rest are saved. Kanawa's bodyguard turns out to be Kantaro, who promptly attacks him. Roger LeGrand shoots Jacques in the back and earns his enmity for his trouble. The Hammers who directly attack are decisively beaten, but the tanks get away.
Fujiwara arrives from Russia, while Jacques impersonates a dead Hammer to infiltrate them. Orrorshan reality arrives, turning Zotz mean. Using stelae sense, the group figures out that the Orrorshan stelae is at the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery.
Travelling there, they defeat some spider horrors and Kantaro, then uproot the stelae. That night, they have a dream-sending from the Gaunt Man.
Meanwhile, Sparks leaves the group to accompany Marie to Italy.
A mysterious map provided by Tarenthellin turns out to be the location of the newest Hong Kong stelae and two backups. Instead of yanking them, the group tells Hideki Abe, a rival of Tarenthellin, and the man apparently responsible for the stelae. (Abe was implicated in the Hammer attack.) A meeting is arranged.
A running battle with the Chinese Army ensues, as it becomes clear that the Army, under the direction, or at the request of, Ryuichi Kanawa, is going to destroy the remnants of the Shiki. After taking out three artillery pieces, a headquarters, and two gunboats, the group then has to deal with an attack by Umbras on Kathryn. They deal with it, then take the Shiki, and their 'patron', Ms. Tsushima, away in the Digging Machine.
Meanwhile, Sparks and Marie arrive in Spain and enter the Cyberpapacy.
Meanwhile Sparks and Marie arrive in Ronceveaux, recover the Osprey FGC hid near there, and make it to the abbey (formerly SGJ's base).