Contents
Chapter 38: The Face of Failure
Overview
Confined after Kharn’s outburst, Hadrian and Valka assess their isolation and debate abandoning the mission. They infer Kharn grows bodies for clients and suspect an ancient daimon controls Vorgossos’s systems and their ship. Linking this to a hidden descent Hadrian found, they decide to reach the lower levels, hack the daimon, free the Mistral, and recover Tanaran.
Summary
In a bleak diplomatic suite after Kharn’s fury, Valka admits she was wrong about safety. Hadrian, shaken by recent betrayals and Jinan’s memory, argues they have not been dismissed outright and fears for the Mistral. They confirm they are not closely guarded, but Valka’s attempts to reach the ship fail due to layered “ice” network defenses.
They weigh fleeing, but Hadrian refuses to abandon his peace aims and the victims of the war. Valka half-jokes he could be her assistant; the moment sours as grief resurfaces. To distract themselves, they parse Tanaran’s mention of “Akterumu,” debating whether it is a site, ship, or clan.
Hadrian explains what he learned: Kharn grows children as vessels for clients and brings them “below.” Valka is horrified. Hadrian describes a step-well, the Orchid Stair, and a strange guardian near a rock-cut tunnel that seems older than Sagara’s additions.
They speculate the installation predates Kharn, perhaps Exalted-era, and consider legends that a Mericanii daimon aided Sagara. This could explain the override trapping the Mistral. Hadrian proposes using that daimon to access records, release the ship, and locate Tanaran. Though skeptical, Valka challenges his ignorance; Hadrian relies on her expertise.
Rejecting a risky plan to seize Yume, they commit to descending via the hidden stair to reach the lower levels, attempt to contact or subvert the daimon, free the Mistral, and retrieve Tanaran. Valka agrees.
Who Appears
- Hadrian MarloweDetained but resolute; rejects retreat, reveals Kharn grows bodies, recalls hidden stair, proposes using a daimon to free the ship and find Tanaran.
- Valka OnderraAdmits danger, confirms comms blocked by network “ice,” debates Akterumu and daimon theory, agrees to descend and attempt a hack.
- Kharn SagaraAbsent but central; his SOMs detained them; suspected to sustain clients with child-grown bodies and rely on an ancient daimon.
- YumeKharn’s android; prior encounter at the Orchid Stair informs their plan, but kidnapping her is rejected as too risky.
- TanaranCielcin captive; his mention of Akterumu prompts analysis. Rescuing him is a key objective of their plan.
- JinanHaunts Hadrian’s thoughts; her rejection deepens his resolve not to abandon the mission.