Darrow stands before ArchGovernor Nero au Augustus aboard the ship bound for Luna, recalling how favor has turned to embarrassment after his public beating by the Bellona. He feels unfit for political games while Pliny, the sleek Politico suspected of undermining him, and Leto, a principled lancer, observe.

Pliny briefs a spate of bombings against refineries, clubs, and police outposts, prompting debate over whether the Sons of Ares are responsible and even whether Ares is one person. Darrow notes the attacks don’t fit Ares’s prior methods and fears Dancer’s silence. Pliny suggests conventional reprisals; Augustus demands a deeper strategy.

Rejecting superficial strikes, Augustus proposes poisoning the “roots” by coercing Reds into suicide bombings—targeting youth-dense urban spaces and select mines—to alienate other Colors from Red and discredit the Sons and Eo’s spreading song. Leto objects on ethical and strategic grounds, urging a media campaign, but Augustus reframes the issue as political: the Sons are leverage for opponents like the Bellona, and the Sovereign could strip his governorship.

Augustus pivots to Darrow, declaring his contract will be auctioned in three days to placate aggrieved houses. Pliny cites a clause and fabricates tawdry justifications—celebrity, HC gossip, and brawling—while stripping Darrow’s access and status. Darrow protests that this leaves him prey to the Bellona.

Darrow reasserts his Peerless rank, threatens Pliny, and appeals directly to Augustus, reminding him of killing Julian in the Passage, fighting Karnus, and concealing Augustus’s Institute meddling. Augustus remains unmoved, dismissing Darrow’s lack of family power or holdings and concluding that Darrow’s recent defeat embarrassed him—and that changes everything.