22: Fire Blossom
Contains spoilersOverview
Darrow appoints Orion to captain the captured warship, publicly accuses the Sovereign, and blasts through the armada to rejoin Augustus’s allies. In the aftermath, Quinn’s death devastates Sevro and Roque. Darrow hands the Jackal incriminating proof, setting a propaganda battle in motion as personal losses strain loyalties.
Summary
Darrow steadies the bridge crew and demands a new captain as the Sovereign’s armada closes. Amid bickering Blues, Orion Xe Aquarii, a blunt Docker with formidable skill, steps forward, floors a rival, and earns Darrow’s trust. Darrow orders minimal casualties and publicly broadcasts the Sovereign’s treachery to the system.
Orion takes command, opens broadsides, and carves a path through leechCraft and men-of-war. The captured dreadnought surges past the Rubicon Beacons and links with Augustus-aligned fleets, while in the hangar Ragnar rallies lowColors, and Mustang and the Howlers reinforce the defense.
After escape, Sevro searches for Quinn as Roque descends carrying her lifeless body. Sevro, shattered, flees; Roque, bitter and broken, prepares her space burial. The loss deepens divisions and grief within Darrow’s inner circle.
The Jackal presses Darrow for evidence, and Darrow surrenders a covert tooth-recording of the Sovereign’s crimes, empowering the Jackal to wage a media offensive to rally Golds. Darrow then helps the wounded to set an example for lowColors.
Alone in the emptied hangar, Darrow struggles with the cost of his choices until Mustang quietly comforts him and urges him to focus on Sevro, signaling the mounting personal toll even as the war broadens.
Who Appears
- Darrow au Andromedus
Leads the captured dreadnought, appoints Orion, broadcasts against the Sovereign, gives the Jackal incriminating recording, and helps the wounded.
- Orion Xe Aquarii
Docker Blue appointed captain; executes devastating broadsides and pilots the ship through the Sovereign’s armada to allied fleets.
- Sevro au Barca
Reacts to Quinn’s death with numb shock and flees; later needs Darrow’s support.
- Roque au Fabii
Carries Quinn’s body, grief-stricken and bitter; prepares to consign her to space.
- Quinn
Succumbs to earlier wounds; her death devastates Sevro and Roque and darkens the crew’s mood.
- Adrius au Augustus (the Jackal)
Secures Darrow’s covert recording to fuel propaganda and attract Gold support.
- Mustang (Virginia au Augustus)
Fights in the hangar, later comforts Darrow and urges him to help Sevro.
- Ragnar
Stained warrior who rallies lowColors in the hangar during the fighting.
- Nero au Augustus
Receives Darrow’s report after escape and returns to the bridge with his retainers.
- Victra au Julii
Assists with aiding the wounded after the battle.