Sevro wakes Darrow with an urgent call: Victra has engaged Antonia in the Belt and requests support. Darrow, Mustang, and the Howlers race aboard the remaining Telemanus torchShip, keeping Sefi behind to steady the volatile Obsidian ranks. Darrow worries that their fragile coalition hinges on a few strong personalities.

An hour from the rendezvous, Victra’s message arrives: Antonia captured, Kavax freed, victory secured. On boarding the flagship Pandora, they find Victra resplendent and in command of nearly fifty Julii black ships. Kavax, injured but spirited, reunites with Mustang and Sophocles. Victra explains she leveraged legal ownership and friendly captains to flip Antonia’s fleet, executing a few as example and jailing disloyal Praetors.

When asked if the ships will follow Darrow, Victra asserts they follow her, revealing new independence that unsettles Sevro and prompts Mustang to question her commitment to the Core campaign. Victra insists her revenge is unfinished while Antonia still lives, and she deflects promises beyond that, souring Sevro’s mood.

In the brig, Darrow confronts Antonia and adjacent prisoner Thistle. He offers survival to whoever provides actionable intelligence on the Jackal’s plans, forces, supply lines, stance toward the Sovereign, knowledge of the Sons of Ares, and the location of nuclear weapons. Antonia coolly offers cooperation; Thistle, newly altered to appear more Gold, apologizes and begs Darrow to tell Sevro she is sorry. Darrow rejects her excuses and drives home the betrayal’s cost, leaving them to weigh his ultimatum.