Chapter 17

Carl, Katia, and Donut execute a daring plan to hijack the Vahana airship by posing as a healing party delivering the incapacitated Wynne to Commandant Kane. After destroying the escort planes and the majority of the airship's defenses with pre-positioned missiles, they crash back to the surface using a special potion. They succeed in crippling the Wasteland and saving Hump Town from total bombardment, though significant damage occurs.

Carl's team carries out an elaborate deception involving Katia shapeshifting to impersonate multiple characters (the back of the Chariot, Wynne, and Henrik) to convince Leon and the airship crew they are a healing party. The message sent to Commandant Kane claims Wynne cast a resurrection spell and fell ill, requiring a special potion Kane possesses. Once aboard the Vahana, Carl, Katia, and Donut use Langley's coordinated missile strike from the ground to destroy all escort planes and balloons rising to intercept them. They face heavy fire from the Wasteland itself, which reveals cannons and attempts to stop them. Carl fires missiles targeting the Wasteland's bombs and defensive battery. As the airship retaliates with overwhelming projectile fire, Carl orders everyone to jump from the balloon basket. Using the Dolores Doesn't Splat potion—which accelerates falling bodies and softens impact surfaces—they crash-land on the necropolis temple roof with tremendous force. The impact breaks through the temple structure but stops at the quadrant barrier. The Wasteland is crippled, losing most of its armor and defenses. Only a small building with a single balloon remains, carrying Commandant Kane and his young daughter northward toward the ceiling of the bowl. Hump Town survives mostly intact with damage to the western wall and sail covering. Carl decides they must pursue Kane and retrieve the three pocket watches, believing they are pieces of the Gate of the Feral Gods artifact. The chapter concludes with Zev reappearing as a social media manager, reporting on their rising social numbers and audience engagement.