Chapter 47: Lysander: The Bringer of Darkness

Summary

• Lysander's room opens with Rhone's entry; unlike the usual mute Gorgon who brings meals, Rhone smells of soap and appears weary from outside activity.
• Rhone's tired look is from participating in a Gorgon mission, while Lysander has been confined for ten days.
• Lysander expresses disdain for Rhone, who makes himself comfortable despite a lack of permission.
• The conversation reveals their location on Io, near the volcanic Raa citadel of Sungrave, with fresh concerns about the success of Lysander's fleet given recent events.
• Rhone shares his own history—a backstory involving his rise from a humble origin in Lost City to becoming a Praetorian subLegate, and how his unit's success was unparalleled.
• Rhone highlights the sacrifices made by his unit for House Lune, stressing that Lysander is not alone in feeling betrayed and harboring anger.
• A conversation exposes Rhone as the one who poisoned Lysander on Phobos, motivated by jealousy over Lysander's closeness with someone outside their group.
• Rhone admits his involvement was on Atlas's orders after their victory on Phobos and that his earlier failure was due to interference and Lysander's unexpected resistance to the poison.
• The future of their society is discussed; Rhone believes it should be shaped by patriots, not betrayers, and that the actions taken were necessary.
• Lysander confronts Rhone about the fate of innocents, but Rhone equates it to the destruction on their own home, Luna.
• Lysander and Rhone discuss the recent breach in Demeter's Garter defense orchestrated by Atlas, revealing a hidden route known only to him.
• Lysander observes Gorgons celebrating their victory with a chant, and further details are provided about Atlas's tactics and strategic planning.
• In the medical bay, Lysander confronts a recovering Atlas, who has undergone severe bodily modifications, including eye and arm replacement after impersonating Helios.
• The gravity of Atlas's plans entirely unfolds, involving a meticulously orchestrated invasion and tyranny upon Io, the homeland he holds dear.
• Atlas justifies his treacherous actions as acts of state, necessary for the greater good and beyond personal vendettas or personal desires.
• Lysander considers his options, holding a secretly acquired scalpel, weighing whether to seek retribution or seek knowledge from Atlas.
• Atlas discloses to Lysander the depth of his manipulation and strategy over twelve years, orchestrating conflicts and aligning with the Ascomanni.
• The conversation reveals the extent of Atlas's foresight, successfully pushing the Rim into war and manipulating events in the Core.
• Atlas presents Lysander with a dilemma: join him to stop further bloodshed and become a savior or refuse and be deemed irrelevant with deadly consequences.
• Lysander grapples with Atlas's proposition, torn between ambition, morality, and the weight of his decision on millions of lives.
• Ultimately, overwhelmed by the moment's gravity and seduced by the promise of power, Lysander accepts Atlas's offer, sealing his fate and betraying his own conscience.