Darrow wakes in a seaside room beside Mustang, his body newly grafted and his mind raw with trauma from the failed Citadel gambit and near execution. He recalls Fitchner’s intervention and painful surgeries, then steadies himself as Mustang gently brings him back to the present.

Mustang updates Darrow: the Sovereign escaped but was wounded by Fitchner; Nero was rescued from the Citadel by Golds and lurchers coordinated through the Jackal’s reach. Roque is being hailed as a naval genius for capturing over eighty percent of the Bellona fleet, giving him formal claim to a large share of ships and creating a potential power imbalance.

They weigh Roque’s loyalty, with Mustang noting his frequent visits but cautioning that power invites opportunity. Mustang also reveals she has made herself Darrow’s Politico to navigate court intrigue and urges him to sever reliance on the Jackal—remain cordial, but make no further promises.

Broader alliances are forming: Lorn has taken Victra under his wing, House Arcos aligns with House Julii and House Augustus, and the Governors of the Gas Giants and Reformers are coming to Agea for a summit. Mustang believes Nero may legitimately offer the Reformers a seat at the table, signaling the war has become an empire-shaping civil conflict.

They discuss Cassius: his father was killed by the Telemanuses, his siblings are reported dead, and he and his mother are missing. Sevro has gone off with Fitchner, while Kavax remains in orbit; Theodora keeps Darrow’s household apprised.

The strain overwhelms Darrow. Mustang holds him through a breakdown, promising safety even as he fears unending war. Their emotional vulnerability breaks lingering barriers; at Mustang’s plea to “let me in,” they choose each other, sealing a personal reconciliation that mirrors the nascent political unity around them.