Chapter 42: Lyria: Rat in the Machine

Summary

• Lyria is a stowaway onboard the Archimedes, silently struggling with hunger and thirst in her hiding place.
• Despite her situation, Lyria's primary preoccupation is food, and she risks capture while venturing out to restock supplies.
• She carefully steals food and water during supply runs, avoiding detection and maintaining discipline not to take fresh food that will be missed.
• Lyria reflects on how her romanticized image of the ship's crew was shattered by their intimidating and dangerous reality.
• Attempting to pilfer food from the galley, Lyria gives in to temptation and attempts to slice a ham, inadvertently triggering a trap set by Sevro.
• Sevro captures Lyria in a sack just as she was about to enjoy the stolen ham.
• Darrow commands Sevro to release Lyria, who is tense due to a personal grudge about Ulysses that the others are unaware of.
• Lyria's presence causes a stir among the crew, including Cassius and a Pink named Aurae, leading to an argument about her fate.
• Lyria asserts her desire to help and argues for her usefulness to the mission despite being a stowaway.
• Darrow finally agrees to let Lyria stay, with conditions, sealing the deal with a spit handshake.
• Cassius and Aurae become responsible for Lyria, with Cassius finding her both accommodations and clothing.
• Lyria enjoys a much-needed shower and receives some of the pilot's clothes from Cassius, along with food.
• A conversation with Cassius reveals past actions, showing Lyria's awareness of Cassius's history and his vulnerability to her knowledge.
• The chapter ends with Lyria and Cassius sharing a moment of mutual understanding and the beginning of a companionship.