Darrow lands at the Citadel on Luna, unsettled by the low gravity and hostile atmosphere. Roque spots a Bellona ship, then heads to a high-profile conference, promising a serious talk later. Darrow surveys the opulent villa assigned to House Augustus, wary of danger lurking beyond its security.

Inside, Theodora clashes with a condescending Pink steward over Darrow’s cramped quarters, revealing her prestigious Garden background to cow him. She warns Darrow away from the holoNet, where public sentiment predicts his death. A summons arrives from Victra.

On Victra’s terrace, she challenges Darrow’s trust in friends like Tactus, prompting Darrow to recall Tactus selling an extravagant gift. Victra shares her family dynamics, then delivers the crucial reveal: Pliny has been undermining Darrow since his kneeling to Augustus and helped shape the ruinous gossip. She warns Bellona will kill him if he hides and offers an off-Citadel alternative, handing him a dataSlip to a tavern in Lost City while asserting her personal honor.

Darrow accepts. Using ghostCloaks and hidden corridors, he and Victra evade notice to a remote launch pad where Theodora sees them off. They meet Colonel Valentin and lieutenant Sun-hwa, veteran Gray lurchers who arrange disguises and outline a secure route, noting the greater threat from opportunistic third parties. Armed and armored, they board a shabby shuttle codenamed Icarus and lift off, signaling allied elements as they depart toward Lost City.