At the scene of a destroyed powerful entity called the Fallen Nun, Grace denies responsibility. She discovers shattered armor from a high-grade mech, the Ephemera, belonging to a pilot named Cole, who was presumed dead by his faction, the Astras. Another person arrives to claim the valuable Fallen Nun core and offers Grace an advanced mech, the Thunderlord, as payment, settling their deal. Grace accepts, privately noting that the Astras, who cast Cole out, are unaware he might still be a threat.