Wracked by pain from his severed hand, Darrow is transported through storm-swept Luna to the Sovereign’s spire. Cassius drags Darrow and Sevro’s limp body while Antonia forces Mustang along. Aja greets them and leads the party via the Dragon Maw into Octavia’s ancient, deeply buried command bunker.

Inside, Octavia coordinates the ongoing battle with the Ash Lord and Praetors via holograms. The Ash Lord’s fleet pins Darrow’s armada at distance while the Jackal’s ships prepare a flanking blow. Lysander observes, and the Truth and Joy Knights assess the coming propaganda broadcast of Darrow and Sevro.

Octavia praises Cassius and probes for Darrow’s plans. When Cassius threatens further mutilation, Mustang counters by revealing that Sefi’s Obsidian Horde already landed on Luna in grain ships with Quicksilver’s help and is pressing the Citadel—forcing Octavia to recall troops. Octavia orders Praetorians to reinforce the surface, forbids any incoming craft, then seals the sanctum with Aja at her side.

Turning inward, Octavia puts Antonia on trial for abandoning Roque at Io. Antonia lies and pleads, but evidence and testimony condemn her. The Jackal withholds support, and Octavia formally sentences Antonia to death for treason and dereliction.

Aja executes Antonia by strangulation and snaps her neck, casting the body beside Sevro’s. Octavia instructs Cassius to clean up, but he refuses to leave her side. With the bunker sealed and the Obsidian threat mounting, Octavia announces it is time to deal with the Red—Darrow.