Contents
Chapter 69: Divide and Conquer
Overview
Trapped aboard the Schiavona with comms down and the hangar sealed, the survivors face a relentless Cielcin assault. Hadrian warns Kharn may possess his children as they fall catatonic. Accepting command after Smythe’s death, Bassander leads a volunteer squad through the service umbilical to reach the Mistral and bring the Red Company.
Summary
As the Schiavona’s ramp seals, Hadrian confirms Smythe and Crossflane are dead. Tor Varro counts seventy-three survivors, excluding the unconscious Ren, Suzuha, and Nobuta. Hadrian asserts Kharn Sagara survives by possessing his offspring, explaining the children’s sudden collapse after Kharn’s death.
Legion officers under Lieutenant Cartier report the hangar doors lack an override, the service umbilical remains attached, external comms are down, and ship weapons cannot be used without endangering the vessel. With roughly three hundred soldiers aboard and the Cielcin battering the hull, charging out the ramp would be suicide.
Hadrian proposes contacting the Mistral to coordinate with the Red Company and trap the Cielcin. With comms blocked, Valka points to the umbilical as a covert route. Hadrian realizes Smythe had intended this very pincer with Corvo’s mercenaries.
Bassander Lin, wracked by guilt yet asserting rank after Smythe and Crossflane’s deaths, decides he will lead a small team through the umbilical to reach the Mistral. He orders Commander Sciarra to hold the Schiavona and calls for volunteers; a dozen-plus soldiers and Jinan step forward.
When Bassander inadvertently calls for the dead Lieutenant Greenlaw, the weight of losses visibly strikes him, but he proceeds. Departing with the volunteers, Bassander leaves Hadrian to steady the remaining troops as the Cielcin continue to hammer the ship.
Who Appears
- Hadrian MarloweNarrator; identifies Kharn’s body-hopping method and urges a plan to reach the Mistral for a pincer.
- Bassander LinAssumes command after Smythe’s death; organizes and leads a volunteer squad via the umbilical to fetch reinforcements.
- Valka OnderraSupports Hadrian; proposes using the service umbilical as a stealth route when comms and doors fail.
- Lieutenant CartierReports hangar lockout and comms blackout; assesses defenses and ship limitations under siege.
- Tor VarroCounts survivors and backs the plan to trap the Cielcin between forces.
- JinanVolunteers to accompany Bassander’s strike team to the Mistral.
- RenFalls catatonic, implied potential vessel for Kharn’s possession after his death.
- SuzuhaCatatonic alongside Ren and Nobuta, reinforcing Hadrian’s warning about possession.
- NobutaUnconscious and grouped with the other children as likely targets for Kharn’s survival tactic.
- The CielcinBesieging force outside the Schiavona, battering the hull and preventing a direct breakout.