Chapter 4: Darrow: The Sordid Affair

Summary

• The chapter focuses on Darrow, the protagonist, and opens with him watching a hologram of Sevro, his close friend, being auctioned as a slave.
• Sevro is in a physically and emotionally devastated state, and Darrow is affected by the sight of his torment.
• The scene shifts to Apollonius au Valii-Rath, who sends a message to Darrow, revealing he has Sevro captive and challenges Darrow to come for him or Sevro will be hunted for sport.
• Back in Darrow's quarters, tension rises among Darrow and his allies after watching Apollonius's message.
• Cassius reveals that he didn't arrange for the message; it had been transmitted for months but only recently received due to signal jamming.
• There is skepticism from Screwface, and questions arise about the presence of Aurae, who offers to leave but stays after Cassius's defense.
• Darrow's internal struggle revolves around his love for Sevro and his hatred for Apollonius, balancing personal feelings with strategic war decisions.
• Darrow argues that attacking the Dockyards of Venus, where Sevro is held, can have strategic benefits, including damaging enemy war efforts and drawing attention away from Mars.
• Darrow's group plans to leave, but Char refuses to participate in what he sees as another suicide mission.
• Thraxa and Screwface express their concerns about Darrow's plan, highlighting the risks and the importance of Darrow's leadership at home.
• Darrow and Cassius have a heated discussion about trust and their past, leading to Darrow revealing a weapon he plans to bring—an atomic warhead.
• As Darrow, Cassius, and Aurae attempt to leave for the mission, they are confronted by their comrades, who question Darrow's decision and fear for his safety.
• Darrow is gifted a family heirloom blade, Bad Lass, by Thraxa to take on his dangerous mission, symbolizing their hope for his safe return.
• Harnassus, Screwface, and the other accomplices reluctantly let Darrow go, showing they care deeply for his cause and for him personally.
• The chapter concludes with a sense of solitary determination as Darrow gets ignored by his men but proceeds with his mission, feeling the weight of his choices and their consequences.