Chapter Twenty-Seven
Contains spoilersOverview
The translators’ strike meets initial silence until Magdalen Tower collapses, exposing Oxford’s dependence on Babel. Robin and Victoire dismantle resonance rods, accelerating systemic failures across the city. A hostile crowd is repelled, the tower is fortified, and nationwide labour strikes surge. London offers amnesty and threatens force; the group debates while Robin presses to hold the line.
Summary
The day after seizing Babel, the translators wait anxiously for a response, juggling shortages and discomfort while the first telegram dismissively orders them to reopen. Overnight, neglected maintenance causes Magdalen Tower to collapse, revealing how much Oxford relies on Babel’s work and on Playfair’s inaccessible procedures.
Determined to force action, Robin proposes targeted sabotage via resonance rods. He and Victoire remove two dozen, triggering cascading failures: clocks freeze, sewage stalls, streetlights die, and transport and post falter, while discordant bells groan over the city. Newspapers minimize the strike, suggesting suppression of news.
A mixed student–townsfolk crowd attempts to burn Babel, but the wards hold. When torches and kindling fail, Professor Chakravarti uses a Sanskrit bar to sow division, and the mob disperses. Chastened, the translators fortify the tower—rationing food, setting watches, studying defensive etymologies—while Robin wrestles with a growing desire for total rupture.
Momentum shifts as London workers strike en masse, echoing Anthony’s arguments and aligning labour with Babel’s revolt. A ceasefire offer arrives: reopen for amnesty or face prison, followed by a warning that the Army is coming. Fearing breach by insider help, they argue over negotiation; Victoire counsels pressure, while Robin insists endurance will win.
Who Appears
- Robin Swift
Co-leads the occupation; pushes sabotage via resonance rods; grapples with vengeful impulses; urges holding firm against London’s threats.
- Victoire Desgraves
Robin’s ally; restrains excess violence; helps dismantle resonance rods; advocates strategic pressure and rejects surrender.
- Professor Anand Chakravarti
Faculty ally; cautions against Armageddon; deploys a Sanskrit bar to disperse the mob; helps organize defenses.
- Professor Craft
Faculty ally managing rations and prudence; debates sabotage ethics; supports fortification and limited negotiation.
- Yusuf
Legal scholar; explains the strike’s illegality as a guild action; helps assess London’s terms.
- Juliana
Student striker; frets over supplies and safety; participates in watch and ration regime.
- Ibrahim
Student striker; worries about mob violence; joins research and tower defenses.
- Meghana
Student striker; pushes for morale (wine); relays telegrams; helps with fortification work.
- Professor Playfair
Hospitalized; his absent maintenance causes Magdalen Tower’s collapse; symbol of the old regime.
- Elton Pendennis
Student agitator leading the attempted arson; blusters but fails against Babel’s wards.
- Vincy Woolcombe
Student present in the mob outside Babel; part of the failed attempt to storm the tower.