Augustus convenes his Praetors aboard the Invictus, declaring their cause “undone” as the Core rallies, Neptune’s reinforcements are months away, and Martian bannermen shirk their duties. The council room is half-empty from recent desertions, and Darrow notes he is being sidelined. Mustang arrives late and irreverent, while Augustus’s assets are seized, cities besieged, and bounties placed on their heads after a month of flight from Luna.

Pliny counsels a continued tactical retreat—or surrender—arguing time will turn the Senate against Octavia’s iron-handed rule and allow a negotiated peace. Kavax explodes at the timidity, demanding violent reminders for disloyal bannermen, though Augustus insists punishment must wait for victory. Asked about alliances, Pliny reports simulations show no support from Saturn or the Galilean moons.

Pliny cites Lorn au Arcos’s isolationist influence and private army on Europa as obstacles. When Pliny says the Galileans doubt their cause, Darrow interjects that there is no ideological cause—only power. He points to desertions and Tactus’s betrayal to argue that running means irrelevance and that only a display of strength will attract allies.

Darrow proposes a ruthless strategy: take ships and hostages by force to make the Galileans fear Augustus’s reach and to demonstrate dominance over the Bellona. Amid uproar, Augustus demands specifics. Darrow promises a two-part plan to terrify the outer powers into alignment.

Using clandestine intelligence, Darrow reveals Ganymede’s shipyards hold a newly built moonBreaker, commissioned by the Sovereign for her grandson. Rather than steal just that warship, Darrow insists they should seize all ships in the yards, a decisive blow meant to showcase Augustus’s power and compel the Galileans to choose his side.