In Tabula Rasa’s garden, Darrow challenges the practicality of Quicksilver’s interstellar ark. Quicksilver explains the “heart” of the ship and admits he allowed them aboard because he needs an exit window, wary of the Shadow Armada. He began the project when the Rebellion was winning, out of doubt and hope, conscripting Gold science to realize a long-held dream.

Pressed on his iconic ring, Quicksilver recounts his origin: a beloved partner and four adopted children murdered by a predatory Gold creditor and his family, after a rigged default. Quicksilver chose survival, later exacting cold revenge—taking the Gold’s eye, embedding it in his ring, and exiling him alive in a pod. He wears the ring to remember living under the “golden gaze” and built Tabula Rasa so unsigiled children will never inherit that contamination.

Darrow counsels mercy—destroy the drifting pod when the station overtakes it—to end both the Gold’s suffering and Quicksilver’s chains. Quicksilver, calling Darrow a son, still refuses to return to war but offers repairs, provisions, arms, and information. Darrow takes the ring and requests the station’s telescope.

At the vast telescopic array, Darrow surveys the system. Mars’s siege has stalled: the Rim’s Dragon and Dust armadas departed Phobos twenty days prior, with the Lightbringer following ten days later—all vectoring for Jupiter. Hours of observation yield unexpected good news and a path forward.

Ten hours later, Darrow briefs Sevro, Cassius, and Aurae: Volsung Fá has exploited the Rim’s absence, defeated Ilium’s garrison, and now raids Jupiter’s moons—possibly alongside Far Ink Ascomanni, using the moons as cover. Cassius doubts the Ascomanni claim; Sevro is ambivalent but sees advantage for Mars. Darrow proposes infiltrating Ilium amid the chaos, meeting Athena’s agents at Kalyke with the Helm of Ares to secure her stockpiled ships.

Aurae warns Athena’s invitation was for Sevro. Darrow admits he once bartered the Rim Sons of Ares’ names, enabling a purge, and accepts the risk of refusal or worse. He releases Sevro from any obligation to join, supporting his return home. Committed to the only path left, Darrow prepares to pursue Athena’s fleet under Jupiter’s golden gaze.