Darrow wakes sore from lightwave treatment but finds his mobility improved. Hoping Sevro changed his mind about leaving, Darrow checks Sevro’s quarters and learns the ferry ship for Sevro and Lyria has already departed. Seeking distraction, Darrow inspects the refurbished Archimedes as Cassius and Quicksilver join him in the hangar.

Cassius praises the stealth hull, then trades barbs with Quicksilver, who refuses to shake Cassius’s hand and wounds him by invoking a past killing and Fitchner’s memory. After Cassius leaves, Quicksilver pointedly asks if Cassius knows Darrow intends to kill Lysander, arguing that eliminating Lysander would sever Rim–Core ties. Quicksilver delivers ten sets of new Godkiller Mark I pulseArmor and references manuals, then notes their fragility tradeoffs with the stealth skin.

Matteo arrives with Aurae. Aurae pointedly snubs Quicksilver and boards. Quicksilver gifts Darrow the onyxium Twilight Helm, explaining its “I am Ares” activation, but Darrow refuses to don it yet. Quicksilver and Darrow part with a handshake, his eyes lingering on his ring on Darrow’s pinky. Matteo apologizes for staying to help Quicksilver’s venture, offers blessings “for Pax, for Virginia,” and jokes “for Sevro.”

Sevro then returns, hauling weapons, his hair shaved into a warhawk and his demeanor grim. Darrow tries to engage him with the new gear; Sevro ignores the Twilight Helm and says he cannot go back yet. He curtly commits to the mission: “Drop it. I’m here. Let’s fly.” Darrow heads to the cockpit, and the Archimedes lifts off, leaving Quicksilver’s station behind.