Chapter 41: Darrow: To the Stars
Summary
- Darrow wakes up feeling stiff but finds he has improved flexibility after a lightwave treatment.
- He reflects on missing his friend Quick as he goes about his morning routine.
- Darrow finds Sevro's bed made and realizes he has left with Lyria carrying a message for Virginia.
- To distract himself, Darrow inspects the Archimedes's refurbished stealth hull with Cassius and Quick.
- Quick explains the new hull's advanced cloaking capabilities but also its vulnerability to kinetic impacts.
- Cassius jokingly prepares for a hypothetical encounter with mythical sea creatures and criticizes Darrow's choices.
- Quick refuses to shake hands with Cassius, still resentful of his past actions and the murder of his friend Fitchner.
- Cassius appears hurt by Quick's refusal and his comments about the current state of the Solar System.
- Darrow and Quick discuss the potential for Darrow to kill Lysander, the link between Rim and Core.
- Quick provides Darrow with new pulseArmor called Godkiller Mark I and advises not to use it on him.
- Matteo arrives with Aurae, impressing both Darrow and Quick with their charm and presence.
- Aurae ignores Quick's greeting, emphasizing her political astuteness.
- Quick shares with Darrow the Twilight Helm, a helmet made for Fitchner, but Darrow hesitates to try it on.
- Quick and Darrow exchange a final farewell, with Quick expressing doubt in the Republic but leaving its fate in Darrow's hands.
- Matteo expresses his support for Darrow and the importance of his mission to keep danger at bay.
- Sevro unexpectedly shows up with a new haircut and loaded with weapons, indicating a return to his warhawk persona.
- Darrow attempts to engage Sevro about the new armor, but Sevro avoids conversation.
- Sevro dismisses Darrow's attempt to understand his sudden reappearance and readiness to depart.
- Darrow, accepting of Sevro's silence, heads to the cockpit as the Archimedes takes off.