On Park’s bridge, Pham Trinli observes wary joint operations while Qeng Ho microsats flag unusual Emergent line-of-sight traffic and sophisticated e-measures. Convinced treachery is imminent, Trinli leaves the bridge, having hacked a taxi for remote command, and prepares to act independently rather than provoke a mutiny.

Meanwhile, Ezr Vinh’s surface team completes an exhausting ascent. Over fleet channels, controllers report lost views, EM pulses, and accusations about targeting lasers. Displays fail and the fleet goes hard crypto, leaving Diem’s crew at the lowest clearance with minimal situational awareness as their lander is maneuvered by override.

As headaches and nausea sweep the crew, Diem briefly restores local consensus: five high-gee missiles from Emergent positions are inbound on the QHS Pham Nuwen. Defensive lasing forces jinks and one kill, but four warheads detonate in a tight tetrahedral pattern around the flagship, an overbright flare that wipes their view and power.

With systems collapsed to rad-hardened emergency lights, Diem judges the flagship likely gone. Ezr locks down panic in the darkened cabin, groping for contingency controls as their lander drifts between burns. The chapter closes with Ezr’s one comfort: Trixia Bonsol was not aboard the flagship.