Virginia approaches rain-soaked Luna, reflecting on the moon’s predatory allure and on walking Silenius’s “stiletto” path between anarchy and tyranny. With Holiday ti Nakamura—newly named Dux of her Lionguard—she considers the need for new symbols and offers Holiday a future Senate seat to replace a bribed Basilus, seeking credibility and unity beyond Gold elites.

As Hyperion churns with protest and factional violence, Virginia calls Dancer to secure temporary control of defense fleets for a rescue of Darrow and the Free Legions. Dancer rejects centralizing military power, warning that what the executive gains it keeps, and arguing Atalantia will lure and destroy a relief armada or slip past to strike the worlds.

They trade hard truths: Virginia argues abandoning Darrow will doom Mars and the Republic; Dancer fears Atalantia’s Praetors, Ajax, Atlas, and the zeal the Reaper inspires. He warns assassination or an “accident” could trigger Vox retaliation, revealing his dread of escalation and loss of control.

After he refuses, Virginia’s anger flares, but Holiday grounds her. Holiday refuses an order to kill Dancer, reminding Virginia that, if Darrow and Orion are dead, Virginia and Dancer are the Republic. Virginia orders strict protection for Dancer and vigilance over Sevro’s restless Seventh, resolving to navigate the narrow stiletto path and avoid civil rupture.