Following the sinkhole collapse, Sutherland and his wife Rachel travel to Godley Common in the hope that their daughter Ellie is still alive. Multiple deaths are reported as rescuers work around the clock to retrieve victims just as news breaks that Shirasian Princess Yadira has been kidnapped and forced back to Shirasia. Meanwhile, Francine Bridge, opposition Minister and a tentative ally of the Planet Resistance movement, is stricken by the disaster and begins questioning her support for what now seems to be a terrorist organisation.

The government face scrutiny for legislating an aggressive anti-protest bill, leading to police forces going on an unofficial strike.