Shiro slowly begins to read the book and apply its teachings to his views of the world around him. He is also romantically interested in Riqunni, but every time he tries to approach her, she shies away. The Space Force General heads to the capital to drum up funds and it turns out the royal family has been subvertly supporting the rocket program for some time. Now the General is also courting the military so as to get enough money to complete the rocket and get the program out in the open. Dr. Gnomm's new engine blows up in its first test slightly injuring Shiro and ultimately killing the Doctor.
Politicians seize the moment to accuse radicals of sabotaging the program.
Newsreel footage of a Space Center Gala reception and Shiro's training is now contrasted with the poor and antiwar protectors who are convinced the Space Force money could be better spent on food, and are equally convinced the rocket will be a weapon for war. The defense ministry, which now has their hands on the program is doing this diliberartely so as to be a show of force to the Republic's troupes in nearby Rimada. He walks out of a news conference and throws all of his money to the homeless. The Republic's leader is being pressured to steal the spaceship and its technology, and Shiro's assassination is planned as a way to impede rocket-launch progress. Riqunni is still prosteletizing, and Shiro stops to help her.