Contents
Chapter 51: Lost Time
Overview
Escorted through Kharn Sagara’s colossal flagship, Hadrian is returned to the Mistral and reunited with Pallino, Crim, and Ilex. Learning Valka is safe, he defers urgent questions and seeks rest. Alone, he confronts his guilt over betraying the Empire and Jinan, overwhelmed by memories that underline his fraying resolve.
Summary
Bassander Lin’s escort marches Hadrian off the Schiavona and into the cavernous hold of Kharn Sagara’s flagship. Intimidated by the ship’s oppressive grandeur and the sense of Kharn’s presence, Hadrian is guided along a holographic path through dark corridors and across a glass umbilical leading to the Mistral.
On board the Mistral, the airlock cycles and Hadrian is greeted by Pallino, with Crim and Ilex close behind. They embrace him and quickly report that Valka returned about half an hour earlier and is resting. Pressing questions follow about Kharn, the rendezvous, and rumors of a Mericanii daimon.
Overwhelmed by concerns about Smythe, Hauptmann, Switch’s betrayal, and Kharn’s intentions, Hadrian halts the flood of questions. He tells the others he needs rest, assuring them their problems will remain, and withdraws to his small cabin, still unfamiliar despite hastily gathered personal effects.
Alone, Hadrian tries and fails to order his emotions. He finds a holograph projector loaded with images from happier days with Jinan—hiking on Nagramma, laughing beneath champak trees—which reignite doubts about his choices and betrayals of Empire and love. He smothers the images with a tunic, avoids the pain of remembrance, and succumbs to exhausted sleep.
Who Appears
- Hadrian MarloweReturned to the Mistral; reunites with friends; rejects questions; privately grapples with guilt and memories of Jinan before sleeping.
- PallinoGreets Hadrian warmly, confirms Valka’s return, and presses for updates before Hadrian asks for rest.
- CrimJoins the reunion, angrily mentions Jinan, and adds to the barrage of questions.
- IlexComforts Hadrian, reports Valka arrived and is resting; present during the questioning.
- Valka OnderraOffstage; safely returned to the Mistral and resting after escaping Vorgossos.
- Kharn SagaraUnseen but ominously present through his immense flagship that transfers Hadrian back to the Mistral.
- Jinan JaddAppears in Hadrian’s holographs, triggering grief and doubts over love and betrayal.
- William "Switch"Absent; his earlier betrayal haunts Hadrian’s reflections in the solitude of his cabin.