Amid alarms in the Invictus’s forward hangar, Darrow surveys thousands of mixed-Color troops preparing for battle while Orion issues orders and Roque coordinates fleets against the Bellona above Mars. Doubting whether Ares is real, Darrow confides in Sevro, who rallies the bay with a howl. The legions raise new standards—wolves and slingBlades—signaling their allegiance to Darrow.

Sevro warns that every action will be broadcast and used by the Sons, the Jackal, and House Augustus to shape allegiance, pressing Darrow to act like a god and to kill Nero to claim the fleet outright. Darrow forbids it, rejecting godhood and insisting this war is about freedom, not worship.

Mustang oversees troop operations with Milia when Proctor Jupiter arrives. Trading barbs, they reveal Jupiter has been slipping through communication interdictions as Mustang’s emissary, waging a covert struggle against her brother’s agents. Jupiter reports the Bellona patriarch commands the house fleet while Cassius and Karnus handle ground operations in Agea; he offers to help find and kill them and notes heavy shuttles landed the previous night, which Darrow pointedly ignores.

With launch imminent, Mustang confirms preparations. Milia mentions seeing Pollux among the enemy. As the team disperses, Mustang admits fear for her father’s life. Darrow argues Augustus is too valuable to kill, believing the Bellona will keep him as leverage. Mustang pulls away, refocusing on the invasion as the countdown approaches.