Lyria observes the nonstop sealifts as refugees flood below and hastily trained soldiers head up, concluding the Daughters cannot hold if the Obsidians breach. Determined to act, she steals a uniform and bluffs past guards toward the command center, briefly glimpsing Darrow arguing with Athena and Diomedes over Europa operations before Sevro seizes her and ejects her.

Later in the commissary, a worn Darrow grants Lyria minutes to speak. She rejects condescension and admits her conflicted feelings about Mars and the mines, asserting her choice to fight. Lyria claims her true value lies in her bond with Volga and asks to be sent into the Obsidian host to reach her.

Darrow notes Volga now leads a division and is called “daughter” by Fa. Lyria counters that Volga adapts but remains fundamentally good and could be guided home. She proposes using Sigurd as a conduit and reveals she speaks Nagal, arguing a Red can slip beneath the notice of giant warriors and aid whatever operation Darrow is planning.

Lyria appeals to Ragnar’s legacy; Sevro answers with Volga’s past harms, and Lyria replies with Volga’s defense of Victra. Darrow tests her awareness of capture risks and their inability to protect her; Lyria accepts. Sevro then endorses the plan as low-risk to their mission, potentially yielding evidence on Atlas and aiding the larger “Thing,” urging Darrow to give Lyria a chance as he weighs the decision.