Chapter 14: Virginia: The Armor of Love

Summary

• The chapter describes Virginia, addressing space legionnaires and crews at a spaceport, preparing them for a critical, secretive mission vital to the Republic and Mars.
• Virginia feels the heavy weight of not being able to disclose the mission's objective due to high capture risk and potential confrontations with enemies like Volsung Fá.
• Despite the possible grim fate, Virginia rallies the crew members with a speech about the mission's importance and bids them farewell with the salute "Hail libertas!"
• Virginia grapples with loneliness and longing for her husband, Darrow, and differentiates between the powerful symbol of the "Reaper" and the man she loves.
• Five senators from various Color classes are briefed on the delicate nature of the mission, unaware of the missing agent's fate and likelihood of a cold reception.
• Virginia expresses concern over the dwindling military resources and the balance of power in terms of helium reserves with Kavax, who comforts her with confidence in Mars's defenses.
• Virginia reflects on the contrast between everyday life on Mars and the tense battle-readiness in orbit above the planet due to compromised long-distance communications.
• Virginia receives an update on Victra's critical situation with increased casualties and the limitations imposed by enemy actions.
• Kavax, Virginia's guardian, accompanies her to see her son, Pax, at the Darkstar Conservatory, indicating a rare visit permitted by the school's strict isolation policy.
• The Darkstar Conservatory's spartan and militaristic ethos is revealed, aimed at forging the next generation of military leaders amid political and military struggle.
• Virginia arrives at the Conservatory cold in thoughts and weather, contemplating the rigid training regime that contrasts sharply with her maternal instincts.
• Virginia learns about an isolated bombing on Phobos claimed by a religiously motivated lone wolf, which represents the intersection of religion and politics in their strife-torn society.
• Kavax and Virginia discuss traitors, Lysander's rise, and the cost of Virginia's apparently omniscient intelligence-gathering, touching upon themes of sacrifice and personal cost.
• Virginia and Kavax meet Pax, who is now an Adept at the Conservatory, and they have a terse discussion about the war, strategy, and deeply personal feelings around the Rising and Pax's future.
• Pax challenges Virginia's decisions, showing his understanding of politics and his belief that Darrow, his father, is hard to kill and thus potentially still alive.
• The visit ends with a mother's complex mix of pride, sorrow, and regret as she embraces Pax, who is a symbol of the future, but also embodies the deep-seated conflicts of their time.
• Virginia eventually reveals that her coping armor against the coming battles is rooted in her overwhelming love, particularly for those she must fight for.