Chapter 45: Lysander: Allfather

Summary

• The scene takes place on a bridge where a character named Lysander is observing the situation.
• An imposter disguised as Helios releases a fine mist from his armor that incapacitates Diomedes, Zagria, and their allies.
• Lysander tries to retrieve his weapon but is affected by the same spines that hit the others, experiencing extreme pain and immobility.
• Chaos ensues on the bridge with gunfire as the imposter's allies execute the ship's crew.
• Lysander manages to crawl back into the cover of darkness as the imposter kills Zagria and approaches Diomedes.
• Instead of killing Diomedes, the imposter covers Diomedes's head with an inky substance, most likely a sensory deprivation tool.
• The imposter then gains control of the ship's main systems using a device called the Cestus.
• Lysander realizes there was no reconnaissance of the target moon by Helios, indicating their fleet is walking into a trap.
• The narrative shifts to the imposter sending commands and coordinating a large-scale ambush, revealing himself to be Atlas au Raa who is betraying his own fleet.
• Atlas uses the ship to fire at the Rim fleet, disabling their ships while they are caught off-guard with shields down.
• The rest of Rim fleet reacts but is overwhelmed as hidden forces from the moon and Atlas's own fleet join the attack.
• Lysander, partially recovered thanks to a poison-mitigating leech, considers his options and decides to save Diomedes.
• He struggles against his pain and incapacitation to drag Diomedes to an escape pod and launches it, hoping Diomedes survives the battle outside.
• Gorgons capture Lysander and bring him back to Atlas, removing the poison leech that was saving him.
• Atlas expresses annoyance that Lysander sent Diomedes to what he perceives as certain death.
• The imposter (Atlas) and his Gorgons destroy the bridge and exit the scene, taking Lysander captive.
• Atlas encounters a group of Dustwalkers, but he and his men are seemingly compliant until an ambush quickly wipes out the Dustwalkers.
• Lysander’s Praetorian guard arrives and is revealed to be in league with Atlas.
• Atlas acknowledges the situation and moves towards the shuttle, placing Lysander under the effects of a black egg similar to the one used on Diomedes.