Chapter 6: Darrow: Mortal Concerns

Summary

• The spaceship Archimedes uses stealth technology to avoid detection and approach a dockyard in Venusian orbit.
• Darrow and Cassius execute a risky maneuver to drift in the shadow of a hauler, evading the sophisticated sensors of the dockyards.
• The expense of equipping a ship with the technology used on the Archimedes is discussed and dismissed due to prohibitive costs.
• While hiding in the blind spot of the hauler, the immense size and grandeur of the Venus dockyards are described.
• The Archimedes and its crew witness the Carthii naval forces, cautiously stationary due to a possible threat from Apollonius.
• Darrow pets a creature on the Archimedes for comfort as they prepare for the next phase of their mission.
• A high-tension docking sequence follows, where the Archimedes drifts into the dockyards while avoiding detection and destruction.
• The crew reflects on their survival chances, considers their subterfuge, and prepares for a challenging entry mission.
• A discussion follows between Darrow and Aurae regarding the nature of mastery, service, and the need to change or break to be repaired.
• It's revealed that Aurae's true purpose on the mission is linked to a character named Sevro.
• The crew continue their subterfuge by disguising themselves in specialized armor to infiltrate the Venusian dockyards.
• Simultaneously, Aurae is entrusted with the guidance of the spacecraft and the placement of their lone atomic explosive.
• Darrow and Cassius experience the thrill of their covert operations as they embark on a spacewalk towards the dockyards.
• They witness the construction of warships in reverse as they approach their target, reflecting on the indifference of the colossal Venusian statues to their plight and the passage of time.
• After a perilous journey through hostile territory, they manage to reach a docking point without alerting Venusian defenses.
• The chapter then illustrates the oppressive order imposed by the Carthii and the rewards for compliant workers in the dockyards.
• Darrow and Cassius incapacitate workers in a delirium arcade as they search for an individual with special knowledge or skills.
• Darrow forcefully interrogates a Green architect, extracting necessary information to locate his ally Sevro.
• They find an individual matching Sevro's description, but upon revealing his face, they discover it's not him—it's a trap.
• Darrow and Cassius are then caught in an ambush; they fight fiercely and overcome their adversaries with teamwork and lethal precision.
• Upon finding the Sevro imposter and realizing it's a trap, they attempt to escape but are locked in by a closing cell door.
• As they are trapped with increasing gravity pressure, Apollonius reveals himself through a speaker, welcoming Darrow to his doom.