In the Sons of Ares infirmary, Cassius lies shackled among wounded lowColors, placed there for equitable treatment and to witness the cost of war. Supplies are scarce; even painkillers are rationed by patient vote. Darrow arranges a private talk in the pharmacy, refusing theatrics or torture.

They spar over who spared Cassius and the futility of honor. Cassius insists Octavia will not barter for him, citing duty but revealing disillusionment. He challenges Darrow to consider why the Sovereign sued for peace despite Core advantages and Roque’s strength.

Cassius explains that the Sovereign sought to remove the Jackal not just for public reasons but because intelligence uncovered falsified helium-3 loss reports and phantom Ares attacks. The Jackal has been creating artificial shortages, secretly stockpiling helium and buying senators—forty so far—amassing leverage beyond a typical ArchGovernor’s corruption.

He then delivers the grave revelation: an asteroid depot in the Karin Cluster was robbed of 500 nuclear warheads, each thirty megatons. Moira traced the hijacker’s ship tags to a defunct Julii shipping line, pointing away from the Sons and toward the Jackal. Cassius warns that Octavia’s control is fraying—Aja’s status unknown, his own disappearance untracked—and that if pushed, the Jackal may use the weapons on Mars. The rebellion’s success could trigger planetary catastrophe.