Darrow and the Howlers storm a conference room and confront Quicksilver, Mustang, Cassius, Kavax, Daxo, Moira, the Death Knight, and assorted Silvers and Coppers. Quicksilver pleads for calm, but Sevro claims the Bellona and jams Darrow’s com, preparing to kill if the Golds resist. The room mistakes the intruders for Boneriders. Tension spikes as Cassius advances through civilians and Mustang readies her weapon.

When Cassius lunges, Ragnar hurls a razor through the Death Knight’s head. Sevro orders the Howlers to “waste ’em,” unleashing point-blank pulsefire that shreds the chamber and slaughters civilians. Kavax barrels forward but is smashed aside by Ragnar; Daxo joins, and the giants brawl. Mustang’s return fire cripples Pebble. Quicksilver flees behind Coppers who fall under shrapnel.

Moira charges to strike Sevro from behind, but Darrow blasts her until her shield collapses and her armor and flesh char; her errant pulsefire kills more bystanders before she dies. Cassius corners Victra under a collapsing table until Sevro knocks him aside. Amid the chaos, Darrow realizes he is the thread binding these factions and that without restraint the fight will consume them all.

Mustang then ambushes Darrow. Rusty and overmatched, Darrow is wounded repeatedly and nearly decapitated before his mask breaks, exposing his face. Mustang halts, recognizing Darrow. Cassius slips away through a side door as the Howlers pivot toward Mustang.

As Mustang calls Kavax and Daxo to retreat, Darrow and Ragnar subdue Kavax; Screwface and others pin him, and Darrow forbids his execution. Daxo is held at bay. Mustang withdraws, declaring she controls the Pax and that Orion lives, then flees. The failed ambush leaves Moira and the Death Knight dead, Pebble wounded, Kavax captured, Cassius escaped, and any diplomatic path in ruins.