Darrow keeps his razor to Lysander’s throat to prevent an ambush, but when Quinn convulses on the ground, the Jackal dives in, retrieves her, and they all board a stork. Amid stunned Augustans, the Jackal takes command of emergency care, using a scanner to diagnose brain swelling and hemorrhaging. With no Yellow aboard, he preps improvised neuro care, has Quinn’s head shaved, and orders oxygen, while Roque comforts her with stories, shattered by Aja’s brutal attack.

Darrow and the Jackal trade rapid assessments: the Sovereign’s gala was a trap, the Julii have turned, and only a medBay offers Quinn a real chance. Sevro stands apart, gutted by Quinn’s condition. When Tactus makes a crass remark, Sevro beats him down, revealing the raw grief beneath his bravado.

In the cockpit, Mustang pilots alongside a Blue as Augustus, Pliny, and Kavax debate their next move. Augustus thanks Darrow, questions Sevro’s loyalty, and interrogates Lysander, recounting Claudius’s murder by Karnus. Augustus intends to use the boy for safe passage, while Pliny pleads for peace and Mustang counters; Augustus commits to war against the Sovereign.

As the shuttle nears low atmosphere, an alarm reveals the cargo bay opening. Realizing Tactus “volunteered” to escort Lysander, Darrow, Sevro, and Victra sprint aft. They find Clown and an Augustan lancer unconscious and the ramp yawning over the city. Tactus has already leapt into the dark with Lysander.

Victra seals the bay, but Sevro notes Tactus has gravBoots and will be flagged by ripWing scanners. Their bargaining chip is gone, and Darrow calculates they have roughly two minutes before enemy boarding parties arrive.