Chapter 6

The guild acquires an airship called the Party Planner, a tier-three stealth light bomber that Louis now controls. Carl and his group tour the impressive vehicle in its dimensional hangar while contemplating the strange nature of their simulated reality. The chapter ends with preparation for traveling to their new base and plans for upcoming faction conflict.

Louis demonstrates the Airship Portal upgrade to the guild, explaining how it functions as a fast-travel system between designated airports and the hangar where the ship is stored. The portal creates a physical doorway on the roof of the saferoom that can be damaged, potentially trapping the airship. Louis reveals a warning that airships are prohibited on the tenth floor, which triggers reflection in Carl about the tiara Donut wears and the difficult path ahead. Carl experiences a moment of existential vertigo while noticing tinsel from an external source on the floor—evidence of their reality being layered between simulation and truth. The group enters the hangar via elevator to view the Party Planner, a 50-foot tilt-rotor stealth bomber with four propellers. Louis explains the ship's specifications: it seats a crew of five (pilot, co-pilot/navigator, tail gunner, ball-turret gunner, bombardier), includes anti-flak and protective shields, and has an upgradeable bomb bay with 50% yield increase on ordinance. The description notes airships may be prohibited on future floors. Florin examines the vehicle and raises concerns about enemy hardware, suggesting immediate work on base defenses. Donut points out that vehicles like this count as tier-three armor and the guild can only field ten at the start of faction fighting, but stolen airships from enemies can be kept afterward. Florin, now appointed general, discusses ramp-up phases and faction war rules with the group before departing with Elle and Imani to prepare. Carl indicates his next move is a reunion.