35: Teatime
Contains spoilersOverview
Darrow’s strike team infiltrates the Invictus under disguise, frees imprisoned Augustus loyalists and the Jackal, and bores into the command room. Darrow publicly humiliates Pliny, prompting the assembled Golds to kill their patron and realign. With the Sovereign’s agents standing aside, Darrow reasserts control and declares an impending Iron Rain on Mars.
Summary
Disguised as a supply “camel” ship, Darrow’s force slips into the Invictus’s hangar at Hildas Station. They overawe the deck crew, jam communications, and ride lifts toward key systems. Darrow diverts a Gray squad to escort Mustang and the Telemanuses to engineering, while the Howlers move to engines and life support.
Darrow leads Lorn, Sevro, Roque, Victra, and Ragnar to the brig, where they subdue guards and free about forty Augustus loyalists and the captive Jackal. Sevro toys with prisoners as Roque grows impatient; the Jackal is released, and Roque notes the ease between Darrow and Adrius, widening an unspoken rift.
They regroup in the lowColor galley, where Mustang positions a leechCraft thermal drill. After Sevro’s taunting broadcast to Pliny and Ragnar’s brusque interruption, Mustang powers the drill. Darrow rides it through the deck, crashing into the command room amid Pliny’s assembled Praetors and allies, including Moira the Politico and the Storm Knight.
Lorn secures the room with a lethal ultimatum as Darrow accuses Pliny of treason against Augustus. Moira and the Storm Knight step aside. Darrow methodically humiliates Pliny, then leaves him to the room; the Golds immediately kill their discredited patron and salute Darrow, signaling a swift realignment of loyalties.
Reflecting that power rests on trust, not opportunism, Darrow resolves to mend bonds with his friends. He announces their next move: the Reaper now sails for Mars, calling for an Iron Rain, leveraging the retaken flagship and the cowed Peerless to shift the war’s momentum.
Who Appears
- Darrow
Leads the disguised boarding of Invictus, frees loyalists, confronts and humiliates Pliny, and declares an Iron Rain on Mars.
- Lorn au Arcos
Intimidates the command room with a kill-range ultimatum, ensuring Darrow’s approach to Pliny succeeds.
- Virginia “Mustang” au Augustus
Coordinates engineering, directs placement of the thermal drill, and asserts reclaiming her father’s flagship.
- Sevro au Barca
Frees prisoners with a taunting ritual, hijacks shipwide comms, and helps secure the command room.
- Ragnar Volarus
Newly allied Stained; intimidates crews, halts Sevro’s broadcast, and supports the assault’s shock tactics.
- Pliny au Velocitor
Coup leader on Invictus; publicly shamed by Darrow and immediately killed by his own assembled allies.
- Adrius “the Jackal” au Augustus
Freed from the brig; rejoins the group and coolly aligns with Darrow’s plan against Pliny.
- Roque au Fabii
Secures doors, frees the Jackal, and quietly notes Darrow’s familiarity with Adrius, deepening personal distance.
- Kavax au Telemanus
Helps carry and deploy the thermal drill; boisterously announces his presence upon entering command.
- Daxo au Telemanus
Assists Mustang and Kavax with the drilling setup and supports the engineering push.
- Victra au Julii
Joins the boarding team and brig liberation, backing Darrow during the command takeover.
- Moira (the Politico)
Sovereign’s Fury present beside Pliny; steps aside and declines to intervene during Darrow’s confrontation.
- Storm Knight
Olympic Knight accompanying Moira; steps aside, avoiding combat as Pliny is deposed.
- Pebble
Howler tech; helps crash communications and powers the drill for the command breach.