Hadrian enters Uvanari’s interrogation for what he expects to be the final time, carrying a hidden knife and relying on Valka to disrupt the bastille. Hadrian needs to grant Uvanari mercy, protect Valka’s illegal intervention, preserve his own credibility as translator, and escape the political trap tightening around him on Emesh. Inquisitor Agari questions Uvanari about Tanaran and Aranata; Uvanari says Tanaran may have value in negotiation, but Agari gives only evasive promises about the other prisoners.

Agari then demands the location of the Cielcin fleet. When Uvanari refuses, the cathars remove its restraints and torture it with molten lead. Hadrian protests, but Agari continues. During the questioning, Uvanari repeats that humans are all the same, prompting Hadrian to realize the Cielcin has encountered humans before. Uvanari confirms this but will not explain where.

Valka’s sabotage begins: alarms sound, power fails in the west wing, cameras go down, and Agari learns the other Cielcin are attacking each other. Hadrian persuades Agari to leave him with Uvanari, but Agari orders Cathar Rhom to stay behind. Hadrian whispers an apology to Uvanari, knowing Rhom’s presence prevents the planned mercy killing.

The power then cuts completely. Because the cathars had removed the physical straps and left only electromagnetic clamps, Uvanari is suddenly freed. Instead of collapsing, Uvanari attacks Rhom, smashes the cathar’s head against the wall, breaks his neck, and bites into his throat. Hadrian draws his knife, intending to finish what he came to do, but Uvanari decides that killing Hadrian will prevent further interrogation of the other Cielcin.

Hadrian and Uvanari fight in the dark. Hadrian tries to argue that he wants to save the remaining prisoners and contact Aranata, but Uvanari does not care. Uvanari seizes the heated lead mace and badly burns Hadrian, but Hadrian uses a fallen tray to deflect another blow, closes inside Uvanari’s reach, stabs the Cielcin repeatedly, and pins it against the wall.

With Uvanari wounded and the authorities pounding at the door, Hadrian threatens to keep it alive for more torture unless it reveals where it encountered humans. Uvanari says it was a child on a dark world between the stars, leading Hadrian to think of the Extrasolarians, and finally names the world as Vorgossos, a place Hadrian believes to be a myth. As the lights return and legionnaires enter, Hadrian’s knife wound finishes its work, and Uvanari dies.