Chapter 50: Lysander: Heavy Is the Head

Summary

• The chapter title is "Heavy Is the Head," and features characters Lysander, Fá, and Atlas discussing a change in the power structure.
• Fá is relieved to hear his reign will be shortened from three years to three weeks, as he does not enjoy ruling and would rather live a simple life.
• Atlas promises Fá a comfortable retirement with various luxuries and a chance to live peacefully with his daughter, Volga.
• Fá reveals his daughter Volga has a gentle nature; however, she has shown cunning in hunting and trapping a significant beast.
• There is concern regarding how Volga will react when she learns of the true nature of her father’s actions and who he serves.
• Atlas suggests that Volga may need to have her own hands stained in battle to understand Fá's choices and allegiance.
• The plan for Lysander involves taking a damaged shuttle to the moon Pasiphae, sending a message to his fleet, and then leading an assault to reclaim the Garter.
• Lysander is instructed to eradicate a group of enemies, save some citizens, and eventually confront and supposedly kill Fá in battle for optics, though Fá will actually escape.
• Atlas discloses a secret secondary mission to Lysander, involving a vault on an irregular moonlet called Orpheus with contents that are shameful to Atlas's family.
• Atlas reveals the existence of a virus named Eidmi capable of selectively exterminating any of the fourteen Colors of the Society, potentially ending wars and enforcing obedience.
• Atlas admits he needs the Raa family scar to access the vault containing Eidmi, and plans to undertake a perilous mission to acquire it.
• Fá jokes with Lysander about not killing his mother, suggesting the idea is monstrously beyond consideration.