Oliver, Tito, Axel, and Rosita take up a position inside the farm’s inner wall. Oliver’s old friend Daniel is there, along with other young people he knows, including a young woman named Ariceli and two young men who are both named Miguel. Roger updates them on the status of the battle at the Yanez farm. He says that the fake insurgents are now being widely referred to as RMI, or “Rhythm Mafia Insurgents.” The group talks about whether the RMI recycler unit will be intact enough to steal tomorrow, once the fighting has died down. They badly need it to create more raw materials for their fabricators. Roger warns them that the RMI stronghold has fallen; the few remaining androids are fleeing toward the Lewis farm, deliberately leading the enemy forces to them. Oliver orders everyone to get moving. They must intercept the RMI soldiers and defeat them before they can lead the Apex game players to the farm.

Lulu, Rosita, Ariceli, and a few more New Sonorans head for the Yanez farm. Once their way is clear, they move in to check on the status of the recycler. Unfortunately, the recycler is ruined. Lulu decides to take some chickens and Mr. Yanez’s enormous pig, Cindy.

Oliver and his team wait at the Gonzales farm to intercept the RMI soldiers and the 11 mechs pursuing them. They reminisce about Mrs. Gonzales’s cinnamon rolls. The still-active mechs are piloted by Team Cannon Fodder, an all-female team called team “Thunder Thighs,” and one unaffiliated streamer. Team Thunder Thighs has six members and is older and better organized than Team Cannon Fodder. When the Thunder Thighs’ mechs arrive, Oliver’s team can hear them criticizing the tactics of Team Cannon Fodder, which has just used critical ammunition to blow up three RMI soldiers. The lone remaining RMI soldier fires on the mechs, and dozens of the Lewis honeybees swarm them at the same time, causing them to scatter in confusion. The fighting gets very close to where Oliver and his team are hiding. When a mech piloted by a user called “The Julie Experience” stumbles into the barn, they open fire, disable it, and then scatter just as the barn collapses inward. Roger tells them that all remaining mechs and soldiers have been defeated. One of the Miguels has been badly burned in the fight, so drones sweep in to carry him back to the Lewis farm.

Back at the farm, Oliver’s group meets up with Lulu’s group. Sam is delighted to see the 40 chickens and the pig Lulu rescued. He wonders if these are the magic chickens that Mr. Yanez claimed he was training, and Oliver laughs at him. Lulu has also recovered an immersion helmet from the Yanez farm. They speculate about whether they can use it to remotely control a honeybee or another machine. Oliver tries it on and accidentally activates it, linking it to his own biometrics, which irritates Lulu. A Moderator ship passes overhead, destroying what’s left of the Gonzales and Yanez farms.

Unexpectedly, a shipment of supplies from Apex drops near the Lewis farm. Roger determines that the shipment contains four recycler-fabricators, ammunition, and weapons. Oliver and his friends realize that Apex is arming them so that they can give Apex customers a more entertaining fight.

In the film, Rosita interviews Oliver, Lulu, and Roger about the rules established by Edward Lewis. Roger explains that the rules are intended to protect Oliver and Lulu and help them become productive adults. Rule one is protecting Roger. Rule two is to keep their communicator bracelets in good working order. Rule three is to adhere to the honeybees’ maintenance schedule. Rule four is no swearing. Rule five is to have a positive attitude. Rule six is to get enough sleep. Rule seven is to get enough to eat. Rule eight is to take care of one’s own responsibilities and not those of other people, unless necessary. Rule nine is to observe good hygiene. “Rule number ten is rule number ten. It needs no explanation” (177).