The Mercy of Gods
by James S. A. Corey
Contents
Eight
Overview
As the invasion turns violent across Anjiin, Else orders Nöl and Synnia to flee to her arcology’s hardened shelter, but they hesitate at home under a gridlike sky. A Carryx announcement declares the population has been “measured” and promises to kill one-eighth to enforce submission, after which Nöl is suddenly killed.
Campar races to rescue them amid falling “stars,” shock waves, fires, and alien ground forces, but only manages to extract a traumatized Synnia before losing her in the chaos. Confronted by Carryx servants calling themselves Soft Lothark, Campar refuses to submit and is knocked out, leaving the group’s fate uncertain.
Summary
Explosions and sirens roll in from the military base south of Nöl and Synnia’s home as reports of attacks spread across the world. Else Yannin contacts Nöl through a lagging, overloaded network and urges him and Synnia to come immediately to a hardened sub-basement beneath her arcology, where Tonner and Campar are gathering water and supplies.
Nöl finds Synnia in the garden studying the sky, now filled with a rigid grid of bright points “frame locked” to the surface. They talk about fear, whether hiding would help, and the strange possibility that the invaders are not simply trying to exterminate everyone. With no clear action to take, they fall into the familiar routine of gardening, trying to calm themselves as twilight comes.
An unseen, authoritative voice speaks to them, announcing that they are “under the authority of the Carryx,” that they have been “measured,” and that their roles will be determined. The voice claims it will kill only one-eighth of the population to prove submission is necessary; immediately after, something strikes Nöl and he collapses into the soil, disoriented and bleeding, while Synnia panics beside him.
Else’s communications fail as the crisis escalates, and Campar drives through chaos and collapsed infrastructure to reach Nöl and Synnia, having volunteered to physically haul them to Else’s shelter. A terrifying “falling stars” event turns night into harsh gold daylight as objects streak down from above. Campar arrives to find Nöl dead and Synnia hollowed by shock; he gets Synnia into his transport and heads back toward the city.
Shock waves slam the ground as fighting erupts. Campar sees alien forces near the city, including long, pale, many-legged creatures moving alongside the transport, and the burning of familiar landmarks like the Gallantist cathedral. When the transport fails and Campar and Synnia flee on foot through smoke and gunfire, Synnia disappears in the confusion. Campar runs into furred, humanoid invaders whose translator identifies them as “Soft Lothark” serving the Carryx; when Campar refuses to submit, one strikes him and he loses consciousness.
Who Appears
- CamparVolunteers to retrieve Nöl and Synnia; witnesses invasion, loses Synnia, and is knocked out by Soft Lothark.
- NölElse’s intended evacuee; hears Carryx proclamation in his garden and is abruptly killed.
- SynniaNöl’s partner; survives his death, rides with Campar, then disappears during the street fighting.
- Else YanninContacts Nöl amid overloaded networks; prepares a hardened shelter and sends Campar to fetch them.
- Tonner FreisWorks with Else preparing supplies and shelter; urges someone to physically bring Nöl and Synnia.
- IrinnaMentioned as part of Else’s shelter team, concerned about Nöl and Synnia’s whereabouts.
- Carryx (broadcast voice)Disembodied authority announcing measurement, moieties, and a one-eighth killing to enforce submission.
- Soft LotharkCarryx-serving enforcers using translator devices; demand submission and incapacitate Campar.