==== chapter001 - Chapter 1 (Статус: completed) ==== Thalia Ng felt her weight increase as the elevator descended from the habitat’s docking hub. She drifted to the floor, gauging the gravity, and hoped the habitat didn’t enforce a high-gravity policy. Dreyfus, her superior, reminded her to stay calm. Thalia, feeling unprepared, expressed her concern about the lack of time to study House Perigal. Dreyfus reassured her, emphasizing her training and the summary file's comprehensiveness. Upon exiting the elevator, a wave of heat and humidity hit them. They entered a vast, humid cavern with pools of water and people bathing, many of whom were naked or in various forms of altered appearance. Dreyfus and Thalia donned glasses that altered their perceptions, revealing hidden details. A servitor approached with drinks. Dreyfus accepted a glass, while Thalia and Sparver followed. They were led to Caitlin Perigal, the matriarch, who was floating in a pool with two men. Dreyfus announced their purpose: to charge Perigal with tampering with the polling apparatus, placing the habitat under lockdown. Perigal, indignant, accused Dreyfus of overstepping, but he insisted on the seriousness of the charges. Dreyfus demanded that Perigal inform her citizens of the lockdown, threatening drastic measures if obstructed. Thalia and Sparver then traveled to secure evidence from the habitat’s core. A suspicious technician tried to block them, but Sparver used his whiphound to subdue the man. Thalia accessed the core, disabling external communication and preparing data summaries. Despite attempts to contact Dreyfus, they received no response. Concerned, they returned to find Dreyfus standing amidst a scene of carnage. Perigal’s guests were injured or dead, and Perigal herself was severely wounded but alive. Dreyfus, holding his glasses and whiphound, confirmed they had the necessary evidence and ordered them to leave. ==== chapter002 - Chapter 2 (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus, halted by a safe-distance tether in the supreme prefect’s office, faces Jane Aumonier, who seems unusually detached. After a brief exchange, Aumonier confirms that the recent operation's body count of six is acceptable given the circumstances. Dreyfus expresses concern about the unresolved issues with Caitlin Perigal, but Aumonier reassures him, emphasizing the importance of their new expert, Thalia. Aumonier then reveals a new, urgent crisis: the Ruskin-Sartorious Bubble, a habitat in the high outer orbits, has been violently sliced open, likely resulting in the deaths of all nine hundred and sixty inhabitants. Aumonier tasks Dreyfus with leading a team to secure evidence and recover any survivors or beta-levels before the news breaks, which she estimates will happen in less than twenty-six hours. Dreyfus, apprehensive, agrees to the mission. In the tactical room, Thalia Ng presents her preliminary findings on the Perigal polling core to the senior prefects. She confirms that House Perigal was guilty of tampering with voting patterns, but the violations were minor and unlikely to have caused significant damage. Despite the initial oversight, Thalia is confident that the system can be fixed with a straightforward correction. The senior prefects, particularly Clearmountian, express frustration, but Gaffney supports Thalia, emphasizing the need to move quickly to implement the fix and prevent further exploitation. Dreyfus and Sparver arrive at the Ruskin-Sartorious Bubble in a Panoply cutter. The habitat is a grim scene, gutted and charred, with no signs of survivors. Dreyfus and Sparver explore the interior, gathering forensic samples that might help identify the weapon used. They discover an unfinished sculpture, which Dreyfus finds unsettling but ultimately leaves for further analysis. Dreyfus suspects that the Conjoiners might be responsible, but Sparver questions the logic of such an attack. Dreyfus reflects on the grim reality of the situation and the impending chaos once the news breaks. They resolve to reach the polling core as quickly as possible, hoping to find any remaining evidence before it is too late. ==== chapter003 - Chapter 3 (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus and Sparver return to Panoply, an asteroid that houses the prefects, after delivering evidential packages to the forensics squad. Dreyfus, despite his exhaustion, decides to visit Thalia, a colleague, to assign her the task of recovering and stabilizing twelve beta-level recoverables from the destroyed habitat Ruskin-Sartorious. Thalia, already busy with the Perigal case, accepts the new assignment, understanding the urgency. Dreyfus then meets with Jane Aumonier, the senior prefect, who informs him that the damage to the habitat was likely caused by the Conjoiner drive of a ship called *Accompaniment of Shadows*. The ship is hidden in the Parking Swarm, and Aumonier tasks Dreyfus with monitoring the Ultras there to deter any attempts to hide the ship. Aumonier also emphasizes the need to pressure the Ultras economically if they resist. Meanwhile, a two-meter-wide nonvelope, containing Anthony Theobald Ruskin-Sartorious, is retrieved by a ship. Anthony Theobald, the sole survivor of Ruskin-Sartorious, is met by a man in a black spacesuit who reveals himself as an interrogator. The man threatens Anthony Theobald with a whiphound, a weapon designed for interrogation, demanding answers about the "evil thing" sheltered in his habitat. Back in his quarters, Dreyfus contemplates a mosaic of images of a woman, his missing memories, and the events that led to six hours of unaccounted time. He realizes he forgot to take his Pangolin shot, which causes his security clearance to degrade, making operational summaries illegible. After administering the booster, Dreyfus reviews the summary and decides to act on the Ultras' situation. ==== chapter004 - Chapter 4 (Статус: completed) ==== An alert on the cutter’s console signals an approaching ship-to-ship shuttle from the Parking Swarm. Dreyfus, cautious, readies the cutter’s defenses but concludes the shuttle is not a threat. The shuttle, adorned with a black armor and a glowing scarlet dragonfly, initiates audio-only communication. An accentless male voice, identifying as Harbourmaster Seraphim, speaks for the Swarm and inquires about Dreyfus’s intentions. Dreyfus, asserting his legal authority, hints at a possible crime involving the torching of the Ruskin-Sartorious habitat, leading to 960 casualties. Seraphim, initially skeptical, requests a face-to-face meeting and approaches the cutter. Dreyfus, preparing for the unknown, greets Seraphim, an Ultra with a powered exoskeleton and a shrunken head, and discusses the habitat’s destruction, presenting evidence implicating the *Accompaniment of Shadows*. Seraphim suggests alternative explanations but agrees to investigate further under threat of economic sanctions. Meanwhile, Sparver visits Thalia’s office, where she expresses concerns about her performance and Dreyfus’s decision not to include her in the Ruskin-Sartorious investigation. Sparver reassures her of Dreyfus’s trust and offers to help with her workload. Thalia, seeking to understand Dreyfus better, asks Sparver about Dreyfus’s past. Sparver reveals that Dreyfus’s wife, Valery Chapelon, died eleven years ago, an event that significantly affected him. Dreyfus returns to Jane Aumonier, reporting his encounter with Seraphim. Aumonier, concerned about the growing attention to the catastrophe, warns Dreyfus of the risks of his approach. She also shares her anxiety about the scarab attached to her neck, which has shown signs of internal movement, possibly in response to her stress levels. Dreyfus promises to speak with Demikhov to understand the situation better, reaffirming his commitment to support her. ==== chapter005 - Chapter 5 (Статус: completed) ==== Senior Prefect Gaffney returns from Hospice Idlewild, his sinuses clogged from the dry air of the corvette. In the heart of Internal Security, the room responds to his presence, conjuring furniture and amenities. Gaffney accesses a high-security data trove, refining his search to retrieve information on Weevil-class war robots. Despite the data being a century old, he verifies the Manufactory Assembler Language (MAL) script and stores it securely. He then searches for information on "Firebrand," but finds an overwhelming amount of unrelated data. Gaffney suspects Anthony Theobald may have given him misleading information, but recalls that the operation was superblack, making it difficult to trace. He covers his tracks meticulously before leaving the room. In another part of Panoply, Dreyfus interviews Anthony Theobald's beta-level. Theobald, the former head of Ruskin-Sartorious, recounts the events leading up to the habitat's destruction. The *Accompaniment of Shadows*, captained by Dravidian, was in negotiations to purchase Delphine's artwork. However, an anonymous message led Delphine to distrust Dravidian, causing the negotiations to break down. Dravidian, feeling insulted, issued threats before leaving. Theobald has no memory of the final moments before the habitat's destruction. Dreyfus then interviews Vernon Tregent's beta-level. Vernon confirms the same sequence of events, emphasizing his and Delphine's decision to block the deal with Dravidian to get a better price. He expresses disbelief that Dravidian could have destroyed the habitat, but acknowledges the possibility. Vernon also reveals his and Delphine's relationship and their decision to break off the arranged marriage. When Dreyfus suggests that Anthony Theobald might have been involved, Vernon firmly denies it. Vernon expresses a desire to speak to Delphine, but Dreyfus refuses, citing the risk of contaminating testimonies. Finally, Dreyfus interviews Delphine Ruskin-Sartorious's beta-level. Delphine takes a philosophical stance on her death, feeling fully alive in her current state. She discusses her artwork and the negotiations with Dravidian, emphasizing her belief that the art was worth more than Dravidian's offer. Just as she begins to elaborate, Sparver interrupts to inform Dreyfus that the *Accompaniment of Shadows* is heading directly for Panoply. ==== chapter006 - Chapter 6 (Статус: completed) ==== When Sparver wakes Dreyfus, they arrive near the *Accompaniment of Shadows*, a ship in ruins. Dreyfus, a Panoply field prefect, joins the flight deck where Captain Pell and his team are stabilizing the ship. The *Accompaniment of Shadows* is severely damaged, with its engines ripped off and the hull showing signs of intense assault. Dreyfus learns that the Ultras have likely executed their own justice, and the ship is on a collision course with the Glitter Band. With limited time, Dreyfus orders the preparation of nukes to destroy the ship before it reaches the habitats. As the team works to stabilize the ship, they detect a weak radio signal from the hull. Dreyfus and Sparver discover Captain Dravidian, nailed and welded to the hull, still alive. Dravidian claims his crew was innocent and that someone had infiltrated the ship to use it as a murder weapon. He mentions recent recruits and a sabotaged shuttle as possible clues. Dreyfus, believing Dravidian might be telling the truth, promises to investigate further. With twenty minutes left, Dreyfus and Sparver prepare to leave. Dravidian shares one last piece of information: someone from outside the Ruskin-Sartorious Bubble had outbid them, suggesting a premeditated plan. Dreyfus feels a sense of urgency and duty as the nukes are launched, destroying the *Accompaniment of Shadows* and Captain Dravidian. Dreyfus knows his work is far from over. ==== chapter007 - Chapter 7 (Статус: completed) ==== In the cloistered cool of his private security annexe, Senior Prefect Sheridan Gaffney receives a communication from Aurora, a child-woman with a commanding presence, via an untraceable channel. Despite his preparation, Gaffney feels flustered by her withering regard. Aurora questions Gaffney about the Ruskin-Sartorious incident and the potential ramifications, expressing dissatisfaction with his handling of Dreyfus, a field prefect investigating the incident. Gaffney explains the challenges of managing Dreyfus and Jane Aumonier, the supreme prefect, whose principles and loyalty to Panoply could obstruct their plans. Aurora insists that Aumonier and Dreyfus must be removed, suggesting Gaffney arrange Aumonier’s removal on compassionate grounds and eliminate Dreyfus through his dangerous field work. Gaffney reluctantly agrees, though he expresses doubts about the morality of their actions. Aurora reassures him, emphasizing their duty to prevent greater harm. Gaffney provides Aurora with weevil data, crucial for their plans, and Aurora acknowledges his efforts, though she remains concerned about the Clockmaker, a device they believed to be destroyed but which has been moved. Gaffney reveals that Anthony Theobald, a survivor, mentioned a codename "Firebrand," which might be a Panoply unit. Aurora is skeptical but allows Gaffney to investigate, warning him of the catastrophic consequences if the Clockmaker is not found. Meanwhile, Thalia Ng, a junior prefect, attends a meeting with the senior prefects, including Gaffney, to discuss her plan to upgrade the polling apparatus, which has a security hole. Thalia proposes a sequential upgrade of four habitats, which she will handle alone to minimize disruption. Despite Baudry's reservations, Gaffney and Crissel agree to support Thalia, assigning her a cutter and one-time pads for core access. Thalia promises to complete the task within sixty hours, and Gaffney warns her of the high stakes, emphasizing the importance of success. ==== chapter008 - Chapter 8 (Статус: completed) ==== In Chapter 8, Dreyfus visits the gallery of clocks in Dr. Demikhov’s Sleep Lab, a collection of timepieces each with a dark and mysterious history. He selects a previously unexamined clock, Clock #115, and contemplates the possibility that the clocks might contain hidden messages from the Clockmaker. Despite his aversion to handling the clocks, Dreyfus reflects on their significance as tangible links to the entity that created them, wondering if they hold clues to its intentions, particularly toward Jane Aumonier, the woman who has spent the most time with it. Dreyfus then enters the Sleep Lab, where Demikhov and his team have been working for eleven years to remove a dangerous scarab from Jane Aumonier's neck. The lab is filled with detailed schematics and models of the scarab, and Dreyfus reviews the latest simulations and strategies, noting the recent changes in the scarab's structure and the team's ongoing struggle to find a safe method to disarm it. Demikhov discusses the recent shifts in the scarab's mechanical assembly and the increasing stress levels that might trigger further changes, emphasizing the delicate balance they must maintain to keep Jane alive. Later, Dreyfus meets with Sparver to discuss the rock sculpture found at Ruskin-Sartorious, which has been troubling him. The sculpture, part of Delphine Ruskin-Sartorious's "Lascaille" series, is linked to the interstellar phenomena known as the Shrouds, particularly Lascaille's Shroud, named after Philip Lascaille, the first man to return alive from a Shroud. Dreyfus and Sparver speculate on the significance of this connection and the emotional resonance of Delphine's work. Thalia, meanwhile, is outside Panoply, upgrading polling cores in Carousel New Seattle-Tacoma. She receives a call from Dreyfus, who needs her technical expertise to trace the origin of a communication that may have set up the attack on Ruskin-Sartorious. Thalia agrees to help, despite the risks, and Dreyfus sends her the necessary data. Dreyfus then returns to his room to run the Solid Orrery, backtracking the Glitter Band's configuration to the time of the call. He discusses his findings with Jane Aumonier, expressing his belief that the attack on Ruskin-Sartorious was a carefully planned operation, not a spontaneous act of revenge. Aumonier, though skeptical, supports Dreyfus's investigation and reaffirms her confidence in him, emphasizing that he has her unconditional support in his role as a field prefect. The chapter concludes with Dreyfus's determination to uncover the truth, driven by his unwavering trust in his instincts and the support of his superiors. ==== chapter009 - Chapter 9 (Статус: completed) ==== Thalia navigates a broken-down escort servitor’s instructions to reach a vast, dimly lit arena-like space. She stands on a railed balcony opposite a wall of stacked, box-like partitions, each containing a human bust in a glass box. Orson Newkirk, a man reduced to a head and upper torso, descends in a glass box to greet her. He explains that the residents of Sea-Tac have chosen this form to optimize resources and enhance their experience of abstraction, a form of digital immersion. Thalia, tasked with installing a software patch, must temporarily disrupt the abstraction, causing a five-minute suspension for all residents. Despite Newkirk's reluctance, she proceeds, and the residents' minds are severed from their abstract reality, leaving Thalia alone in a room with over a million seemingly lifeless busts. Meanwhile, Dreyfus interviews a beta-level copy of Delphine Ruskin-Sartorious, an artist whose habitat was destroyed. Dreyfus suspects her art, which focused on the controversial figure Philip Lascaille, may have provoked the attack. Delphine explains that her choice of Lascaille as a subject was driven by an inexplicable pressure, not a conscious decision to provoke. Dreyfus shares his personal history, revealing that his wife, an artist, died during the Clockmaker crisis at SIAM, where an AI created dangerous clocks and was ultimately neutralized by nuking the facility. Dreyfus declines Delphine's request to communicate with another suspect, Vernon, and prepares to investigate a potential lead from Thalia, who has identified a free-floating network router named Vanguard Six as a key to tracing the origin of the attack. ==== chapter010 - Chapter 10 (Статус: completed) ==== In Chapter 10, Gaffney contemplates the beta-level representations of the deceased Vernon Tregent, Anthony Theobald, and Delphine Ruskin-Sartorious, likening them to luminous pink coral formations. He reflects on his evolving views on Panoply, the organization he has dedicated his life to, and the moral implications of Hell-Five, a habitat that profits from the public torture of its citizens. Gaffney's disillusionment with Panoply's inability to intervene in such atrocities leads him to embrace the ideas of Aurora, a mysterious entity who shares his vision of a more centralized and authoritarian government to prevent societal collapse. Aurora, whom Gaffney suspects might be a machine, has been instrumental in his plans, and he has taken steps to protect their conspiracy, including deploying a cybervirus to neutralize potential witnesses. Meanwhile, Dreyfus and Sparver discuss the ongoing investigation into Delphine Ruskin-Sartorious's murder. Sparver reports on his successful mission to gather data from a router and filters through the information to identify a suspicious transmission originating from an unrecognizable asteroid owned by the Nerval-Lermontov family. The transmission, which was the only one ever sent to Ruskin-Sartorious from that node, raises Dreyfus's suspicions. Thalia, Dreyfus's deputy, arrives at the Chevelure-Sambuke Hourglass, a unique habitat where people prefer to shape physical matter rather than information. She is greeted by Mayor Graskop, a panda-like figure, who insists on hosting her for a traditional air-joust tournament despite her protests. Thalia reluctantly agrees to stay, prioritizing the formality to avoid offending the locals, before proceeding to access the polling core. ==== chapter011 - Chapter 11 (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus, seated before his console, initiates a query on the Nerval-Lermontov family, seeking historical connections. Moments later, a sudden shudder reverberates through the room, and he learns of a major incident in the Turbine hall. Rushing to the scene, Dreyfus finds the fourth Search Turbine destroyed, its remains scattered and the hall in disarray. Prefect Trajanova, the head of archives, informs him that the incident was sudden and unexplained, and that the Turbine's destruction was not due to normal operational failure. Dreyfus speculates on the possibility of sabotage, but Trajanova dismisses the notion, citing the facility's security. Dreyfus remains unconvinced, urging Trajanova to investigate further. Later, Dreyfus and his deputy, Sparver, discuss the Nerval-Lermontov family and their involvement in the Eighty, a historical event where seventy-nine volunteers, including a young Aurora Nerval-Lermontov, were scanned into machines by Calvin Sylveste, only to suffer catastrophic failures. As they approach a Nerval-Lermontov-owned asteroid, the rock unexpectedly launches an attack, damaging their corvette. Despite the assault, they manage to disable the asteroid's weapons and assess their injuries and the ship's damage. With limited options, they decide to investigate the asteroid further, hoping to find a transmitter to call for help. Meanwhile, Thalia Ng, a deputy field prefect, completes a series of upgrades in various habitats. Her final stop is House Aubusson, a unique habitat practicing true Demarchist principles with no formal authority. Upon arrival, she is greeted by a randomly selected reception committee, each member introducing themselves and their roles within the community. Despite the committee's varied and sometimes contentious opinions, Thalia is led to the polling core, a newly visible and controversial structure that has become a symbol of Aubusson's egalitarian ideals. ==== chapter012 - Chapter 12 (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus and Sparver, two Field Prefects, prepare to investigate a two-kilometre-wide rock owned by the Nerval-Lermontov family, which had recently opened fire on their corvette. Dreyfus, cautious but determined, decides to explore the rock's interior despite the risks. The rock's surface conceals an airlock leading to a subterranean tunnel system. Inside, they find a storage area filled with old equipment and tools. Dreyfus and Sparver split up, with Sparver attempting to establish a communication link with Panoply while Dreyfus explores further. Dreyfus encounters a bulkhead door that seals him off from Sparver. Undeterred, he continues deeper into the rock, discovering a hemispherical chamber containing a Conjoiner starship. The ship is held in place by a docking connector, and Dreyfus decides to board it despite Sparver's warnings. Inside the ship, he finds a room filled with sleepers, many of whom are missing limbs. A woman, holding a knife to his throat, reveals that she has been cutting the sleepers to eat them. Meanwhile, Thalia, a Prefect, visits House Aubusson to understand its unique voting system, which assigns weighted votes based on past voting accuracy. The citizens of Aubusson use their high voting weights to trade political influence, which helps sustain their habitat. Thalia is impressed by the complexity and efficiency of their system but is also concerned about the potential for manipulation. Back on the rock, Sparver successfully contacts Panoply and discovers that the Nerval-Lermontov rock has been used to send messages to both Panoply and House Perigal. This suggests a connection between their current investigation and a previous case involving voting fraud. Sparver realizes that the cases may be linked and urgently contacts Thalia to halt the security upgrades she is overseeing. Dreyfus, now face-to-face with the deranged woman on the Conjoiner ship, is in a perilous situation, forced to confront the horrifying reality of the sleepers' fate. ==== chapter013 - Chapter 13 (Статус: completed) ==== Thalia found herself confronting a polling core, likely located halfway up a 100-meter-diameter sphere. The room was spacious, with large porthole-shaped windows and beige walls adorned with mazelike white patterns. Furniture was provided for visitors, and the core was a pearl-coloured cylinder surrounded by a metal railing. Thalia had explained to her guests that the process would take less than twenty minutes and would only cause a subliminal interruption in abstraction. She opened the core, retrieved a one-time pad, and initiated a 600-second access window. After inserting an upgrade diskette, she instructed the core to overwrite a specific data segment. Despite a brief interruption in abstraction, the core confirmed the operation's success. However, as Thalia was about to finish, her bracelet chimed, but she ignored it. After completing the upgrade, she informed her guests that the operation had gone smoothly. Suddenly, Caillebot and Thory noticed that abstraction was still down, causing widespread panic among the habitat's residents. Thalia, realizing the severity of the situation, tried to contact Panoply but found herself cut off. She attempted to reassure the group, explaining that Panoply would send help soon, but the mood turned hostile. Thalia, feeling cornered, defended her actions and proposed walking to the endcap to use her ship's transmitter to contact Panoply. Parnasse, Caillebot, Redon, and Cuthbertson agreed to join her, while the others decided to stay behind. Meanwhile, Dreyfus was held at knife-point by a Conjoiner woman, who revealed that she had been trapped in an asteroid for a long time. She identified herself as Clepsydra and explained that a powerful mind, calling itself Aurora, had lured their damaged Conjoiner ship to the asteroid and trapped them inside. Aurora, a survivor of Calvin Sylveste’s immortality experiments, used the Conjoiners to dream the future and punished them for undesirable prognostications. Dreyfus, recognizing the gravity of the situation, tried to reason with Clepsydra, who reluctantly trusted him and shared more details about their confinement and the machine called Exordium, which allowed them to predict future events. ==== chapter014 - Chapter 14 (Статус: completed) ==== Thalia and her party, consisting of Parnasse, Caillebot, Meriel Redon, and Cuthbertson, make their way to the elevator shaft in the sphere, which is powered up and waiting for them. However, the elevator fails to move until Thalia identifies herself as Deputy Field Prefect Thalia Ng, and it begins its descent to the ground level. Upon arrival, the lobby is eerily empty, and Thalia senses something is wrong. The group hears agitated voices coming from the other side of the stalk, but Thalia decides to investigate the situation alone, leaving the others to wait. Using her whiphound, Thalia observes a group of citizens being herded by servitors. She overhears a recorded message from a constable named Lucas Thesiger, explaining that a state of emergency is in effect due to an attack and the release of a neurotoxic agent. Thalia suspects the servitors are not acting under a legitimate emergency protocol and discovers a dead park attendant being disposed of in a pond. She returns to the group, revealing that the servitors are running things and have begun killing. Thalia decides they need to return to the polling core for safety. However, the elevator refuses to move, and servitors begin to approach the lobby, trapping them inside. Thalia uses her damaged whiphound to cut through the elevator doors, and the group escapes up the stairs, with Thalia leading the way while keeping the servitors at bay. ==== chapter015 - Chapter 15 (Статус: completed) ==== Gaffney hesitated as he clipped the safe-distance line to his belt, contemplating the possibility of failing to secure it, which would send him hurtling into Jane Aumonier, the scarab’s protected sphere. Aumonier, unaware of their intentions, greeted the prefects, but Gaffney, Crissel, and Baudry informed her of their decision to suspend her authority on medical grounds. Despite her protests and insistence that she was coping, they insisted it was necessary for her well-being and the safety of the Glitter Band. Gaffney ordered the shutdown of the habitat displays, plunging Aumonier's office into darkness. Aumonier’s outrage was palpable, but the prefects remained resolute, promising to provide her with alternative stimuli and medical care. Meanwhile, Dreyfus and Clepsydra, a Conjoiner woman, emerged from the dismembered dreamers' chamber. Clepsydra warned Dreyfus of Aurora’s intentions to control the future and prevent a looming disaster. They encountered no incoming signals and realized Aurora had likely intercepted their communications. Clepsydra used her abilities to open a sealed door, and they made their way back to Dreyfus’s ship. Upon reaching the corvette, they discovered an incoming ship on a collision course, likely commandeered by Aurora to destroy the rock and eliminate evidence. With time running out, they decided to use the escape pods. Dreyfus, Clepsydra, and Sparver secured themselves in the pods and ejected into space just before the freighter collided with the rock. In another part of the Glitter Band, Thalia and Cyrus Parnasse, a citizen, found themselves in a storage room of the Museum of Cybernetics. They planned to use the stored items to barricade the stairs and elevator shaft against the approaching machines. Thalia, despite her doubts, agreed to take charge and rally the other citizens to help with the barricades, determined to act with confidence to inspire confidence in others. Parnasse encouraged her, reminding her of her role as a prefect and the citizens' dependence on her leadership. ==== chapter016 - Chapter 16 (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus, still drowsy from a long sleep, arrives at Panoply and immediately inquires about his deputy, Thalia Ng, who has not returned from her mission to House Aubusson. Despite reassurances that Thalia will be safe, Dreyfus remains anxious and heads to the medical section to ensure Clepsydra, a Conjoiner witness, is cared for. He promises to protect her and bring her back to her people, though he warns her that revealing herself to the wrong people could be dangerous. Meanwhile, Thalia and the citizens she is protecting are trapped in the polling core of House Aubusson. The habitat is under attack by machines that are dismantling structures, including the stalk supporting their refuge. Thalia tries to maintain her authority and reassure the citizens, but she is increasingly uncertain about their safety and the true nature of the threat they face. Back at Panoply, Dreyfus discovers that Jane Aumonier, the supreme prefect, has been removed from her position due to medical concerns. He confronts the senior prefects, who inform him that four habitats Thalia was scheduled to visit have dropped off the network and are now unreachable. They suspect Thalia's involvement and argue that she may have made a critical error. Dreyfus, however, believes Thalia's actions were deliberate and that a larger, coordinated attack is underway. The senior prefects order Dreyfus to move Clepsydra to a maximum-security holding facility, but he refuses until she is medically cleared. CTC reports that two ships attempting to dock at House Aubusson and the Chevelure-Sambuke Hourglass were destroyed by the habitats' anti-collision systems. Dreyfus and the senior prefects hypothesize that this could be the beginning of a takeover bid, possibly orchestrated by a group called Aurora, linked to the Nerval-Lermontov family. Dreyfus shares this information with the senior prefects, who remain skeptical. To confirm their suspicions, they order unmanned cargo drones to approach the four habitats. Each drone is destroyed, confirming that the habitats are under hostile control. The prefects are left to consider the implications of this new threat, with Dreyfus insisting that they are facing a coordinated attack aimed at taking over the Glitter Band. ==== chapter017 - Chapter 17 (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus visits Clepsydra in the isolation chamber, where she floats in a state of weightless repose, appearing almost unconscious. When Dreyfus announces his presence, Clepsydra awakens and expresses her discomfort with the room, feeling it is haunted by phantom presences. Dreyfus apologizes for the procedural mistake of allowing her access to Panoply's secrets but reassures her that he will protect her, despite her potential to be a threat due to her Conjoiner strength. Clepsydra reveals her theory that Aurora, one of the famous Eighty, may have faked her stasis and escaped into the Glitter Band's architecture. She suggests Aurora's motive is survival and that she poses no threat to the Conjoiners, though Clepsydra admits a personal desire to see her hurt. Dreyfus then visits Trajanova in the Turbine hall, where two of the four machines are operational again. Trajanova reveals that Dreyfus's search query for the Nerval-Lermontov family triggered the accident, suggesting a trap was set in the Turbine's logic. Dreyfus acknowledges the risk but decides to continue his investigations with caution. Next, Dreyfus interviews Delphine Ruskin-Sartorious, who appears increasingly distressed during their conversation. Delphine confesses a compulsion to create art inspired by Philip Lascaille's death, feeling it was demanding to be treated. Dreyfus shares his own troubling memory of his wife Valery, leading him to suspect a cover-up involving the *Atalanta* ship and the fate of citizens during the Clockmaker crisis. Delphine's beta-level image suddenly begins to corrupt, and she pleads for help before self-erasing. Dreyfus contacts Trajanova, who warns him that the other beta-levels might also be compromised and advises him not to invoke them. Gaffney, meanwhile, visits Clepsydra with the intention of killing her. Clepsydra reveals her insights into Aurora's nature, describing her as a being far beyond human, and warns Gaffney that Aurora's plans are for her own survival, not humanity's. Gaffney, however, is determined to eliminate Clepsydra, believing her knowledge poses a threat. Despite Clepsydra's resistance and his own hesitation, Gaffney shoots her with an old-fashioned gun. He then uses a nonvelope to clean up the evidence and dispose of her body, ensuring his actions remain undetected. ==== chapter018 - Chapter 18 (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus, exhausted and fighting microsleep, argues against the seniors' decision to send only four cutters and twelve prefects to the silent habitats. He insists on using a deep-system cruiser with more resources, but the seniors, led by Crissel, resist. Gaffney returns, sweating and wearing whiphound training armour, and suggests Dreyfus might be right. Baudry initiates an emergency poll to arm the prefects, which fails by a narrow margin. Despite the vote, Baudry and Crissel decide to arm the prefects, but Gaffney intervenes, arresting Dreyfus for allegedly aiding the escape of the Conjoiner prisoner, Clepsydra. Sparver, Dreyfus's deputy, confronts Gaffney, suspecting him of being a traitor, but is forced to back down. Crissel volunteers to lead the mission, despite Dreyfus's concerns about his readiness. Meanwhile, Thalia, trapped in House Aubusson, leads a group of citizens in fortifying their position against the dismantling machines. They run low on barricade materials and resort to using parts of the building itself, including the plinth of an architectural model. Sparver, determined to find Clepsydra, faces resistance from Gaffney and his Internal Security team, but remains resolute in his quest. ==== chapter019 - Chapter 19 (Статус: completed) ==== Michael Crissel scrutinised himself in the mirrored surface of the cubicle, anxious to hide his pallor and sickness. He reassured himself that his condition was due to the cruiser’s dehumidified atmosphere rather than his recent bout of retching. He exited the cubicle and moved through the ship, passing the weapons bays and crew quarters, to the main assembly area where the other prefects awaited, suited and armoured. Despite his discomfort, he tried to rally the prefects, but his words fell flat, and their confusion and fear only grew. He explained the tactical overlays and the operation's risks, but his confidence wavered when questioned about the reliability of the overlays in an environment without local abstraction. Crissel retreated to the flight deck, where the pilot informed him that House Aubusson was generating unusual thermal emissions, suggesting the reactivation of its long-dormant manufactories. Despite the pilot's caution, Crissel decided to launch an early missile strike to neutralise the anti-collision systems. The cruiser entered the habitat’s collision-avoidance volume, and the missiles successfully hit their targets, but unexpected return fire from hidden anti-collision systems damaged the cruiser. The *Universal Suffrage* tumbled out of control, and Crissel’s team braced for impact. The cruiser managed a hard docking, but the flight deck was severely damaged, and the pilot was impaled. Crissel led the prefects into the habitat through a broken section of the hull. As they traversed the docking tunnel, they intercepted a distress message from Thalia Ng, a Panoply agent holding out in the polling core. Thalia reported that the servitors had taken over and were killing people, and that the machines had some form of limited abstraction. Crissel reassured her and learned that three other habitats had also dropped off the network, suggesting a broader crisis. Upon reaching the customs volume, the prefects were ambushed by a horde of modified servitors. Despite their initial resistance, the machines' sheer numbers overwhelmed the prefects. Crissel ordered a retreat, but the servitors quickly overpowered them, and the battle turned into a chaotic, bloody melee. Crissel was pulled down by the servitors, who swiftly dismantled his armour. ==== chapter020 - Chapter 20 (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus sat in his cell, stripped of his shoes and bracelet, feeling the weight of his confinement and the shame it brought. He speculated about the fate of Clepsydra and the mission to House Aubusson, and the distant thump of the *Universal Suffrage* detaching from its cradle seemed a product of his imagination. Baudry visited him, questioning his involvement in Clepsydra's disappearance. Dreyfus maintained his innocence, suggesting that Gaffney might be behind the events. Baudry, conflicted, listened but remained skeptical. She informed Dreyfus that the *Universal Suffrage* had lost contact, likely destroyed, and the crew, including Crissel, presumed dead. Dreyfus urged Baudry to act, warning her of Gaffney's potential treachery and the need to find Clepsydra. Meanwhile, Thalia, trapped in House Aubusson, watched as the machines systematically dismantled the habitat and processed the bodies of its citizens. Realizing the gravity of her situation, she confided in Cyrus about the dire circumstances and the growing threat. They discussed the futility of their barricade and the need to find an escape, even if it meant taking a dangerous risk. Back in Panoply, Gaffney confronted Dreyfus, accusing him of Clepsydra's murder. Dreyfus denied the charges, accusing Gaffney of framing him. Gaffney, determined to extract a confession, activated his whiphound. However, the whiphound unexpectedly turned on Gaffney, ignoring his commands and forcing him into a corner. Dreyfus watched in a mix of fear and relief as the whiphound seemed to have a mind of its own, potentially turning the tables on Gaffney. ==== chapter021 - Chapter 21 (Статус: completed) ==== The assembled seniors, including Baudry, look away from the Solid Orrery as the heavy doors of the tactical room swing open. They are initially indignant, but their mood shifts to puzzlement when they see Senior Prefect Sheridan Gaffney enter, followed by Dreyfus, who is under detention for the murder of the Conjoiner woman, Clepsydra. Gaffney, usually a stickler for protocol, appears dumbstruck, with a black cylinder jutting from his mouth. Dreyfus explains that the cylinder is a whiphound, a device used for interrogation, and that it has turned on Gaffney during an interview. Gaffney, unable to speak, nods affirmatively when asked if he needs help. Baudry, realizing the gravity of the situation, calls for Dr. Demikhov to assist Gaffney. Gaffney, using a compad, writes that he killed Clepsydra and that she knew too much about Aurora, one of the Eighty. Dreyfus deduces that Clepsydra tampered with the whiphound to send a message, likely before her death. Baudry, acknowledging Dreyfus's innocence, apologizes for her earlier suspicions and discusses the need to reinstate Jane Aumonier to her position as supreme prefect. She also expresses regret over her role in removing Aumonier from power and considers resigning. Meanwhile, Dr. Demikhov and his team work on extracting the whiphound from Gaffney, who is thrashing violently. Dreyfus and Baudry discuss the crisis, including the loss of contact with several habitats and the possibility that Aurora is behind the takeovers. Gaffney, now under medical care, is expected to provide more information once stabilized. Jane Aumonier, having been informed of her reinstatement, is briefed by Dreyfus on the events leading to her return to power. She learns of the deaths of Crissel and Gaffney's betrayal. Dreyfus explains that Aurora, a disembodied entity from the Eighty, is using Conjoiner technology to predict the future and has taken control of several habitats. Aumonier, despite the risks, agrees to resume her command to address the crisis. Baudry, still present, apologizes to Aumonier for her role in removing her from power. Aumonier, understanding the complexity of the situation, accepts Baudry's apology and reaffirms her trust in her. They then focus on the emerging threat from the habitats controlled by Aurora, which are producing unknown black clouds. Dreyfus suggests sending a ship to investigate, and Baudry tasks the *Democratic Circus* with the mission. Aumonier, recognizing the severity of the crisis, plans to declare a Bandwide state of emergency and seek emergency privileges from the citizens. ==== chapter022 - Chapter 22 (Статус: completed) ==== **CHAPTER 22** Dreyfus, authorized by Jane Aumonier and Baudry, insisted on speaking with Sheridan Gaffney as soon as he regained consciousness. Mercier, Gaffney's doctor, was reluctant to allow Dreyfus access, citing the severity of Gaffney's injuries. However, Dreyfus explained the urgency, emphasizing the threat to the Glitter Band's security. Mercier relented, warning Dreyfus to be quick and then leave. In the recovery room, Gaffney, though severely injured, managed to speak, though his voice was raspy and pained. Dreyfus pressed Gaffney for information about recent events, particularly the release of manufactured entities by House Aubusson and Szlumper Oneill. Gaffney, initially defiant, revealed that the entities were weevil-class war robots, designed to infect and take control of other habitats' polling cores, extending Aurora's influence. Gaffney explained that Aurora believed in a dire prophecy, the Exordium, which foresaw the Glitter Band's destruction within a century. To prevent this, Aurora planned a benevolent takeover, isolating the Glitter Band from external threats and curtailing travel between habitats to prevent the spread of potential destabilizers. Despite Dreyfus's objections, Gaffney defended Aurora's methods, arguing that the Glitter Band's survival justified the sacrifices. Dreyfus, suspicious, pressed Gaffney about the destruction of Ruskin-Sartorious, accusing Gaffney of orchestrating the event to eliminate a threat to Aurora's plans. Gaffney, defiant, refused to answer, prompting Dreyfus to threaten him with a deep-cortex trawl. Gaffney, still uncooperative, insisted on the trawl, and Dreyfus, unwilling to torture, left the room, contacting Jane Aumonier to relay the new information and prepare for the trawl. Meanwhile, Thalia and Parnasse, trapped in House Aubusson, observed the landscape outside, now desolate and ravaged by machines. Parnasse reported that the barricade was nearly breached, and Thalia considered a desperate plan to weaken the structural members of the habitat and cause it to collapse, potentially crushing the advancing machines. Parnasse, though reluctant, agreed to bring Redon, a reasonable and trusted ally, into the plan. Thalia, using her whiphound, noticed an advancing column of military-grade servitors, likely produced by the habitat's manufactories. The sight of these war machines reinforced the urgency of their plan. Parnasse, recognizing the threat, suggested testing the waters with Redon before proceeding. Thalia, though torn, agreed to wait and prepare the others for the impending action. ==== chapter023 - Chapter 23 (Статус: completed) ==== In Chapter 23, Baudry presents a scaled-down model of a weevil-class war robot to the assembled prefects, describing its capabilities and the threat it poses. These war robots, banned under multiple conventions, are designed to kill both other war robots and humans, carrying detailed files on human anatomy. House Aubusson has already manufactured and launched 260,000 weevils, with the potential to produce millions more. The prefects discuss the gravity of the situation, with Baudry emphasizing the exponential spread of weevils across habitats, potentially leading to the takeover of the entire Glitter Band within weeks. Aumonier raises the possibility of Aurora's benign intentions, noting that the life-support systems in the compromised habitats are still operational. Despite this, the prefects are divided on the best course of action. Baudry suggests a drastic measure: nuking the infected habitats to prevent further spread, while Dreyfus proposes drafting a temporary militia from the Glitter Band to fight the weevils. Aumonier opts for a compromise, initiating an emergency evacuation of ten likely targets and preparing to nuke them if necessary, buying time without immediate loss of life. Meanwhile, Thalia and Parnasse descend into the sub-levels of the polling core to sabotage the structural integrity of the habitat, cutting through buttresses to ensure the sphere can be toppled if needed. Their actions are driven by the urgent need to prevent the weevils from reaching the polling core. Aumonier, reflecting on the crisis, recalls the superblack Firebrand cell, which was created to study Clockmaker artefacts. She reveals to Dreyfus that Firebrand was shut down nine years ago due to a deadly accident, but Dreyfus suspects it may have continued covertly, possibly relocating to the Ruskin-Sartorious Bubble. This connection suggests that something in the Bubble, now destroyed, was significant enough to threaten Aurora's plans. Aumonier provides Dreyfus with the names of the former Firebrand operatives, setting the stage for further investigation. The chapter concludes with Aumonier witnessing the weevils' systematic invasion of Carousel New Brazilia, leading to the habitat's fall and the expansion of Aurora's control. The constables' valiant but futile resistance underscores the overwhelming power of the weevils. ==== chapter024 - Chapter 24 (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus returned to his quarters for the first time since his release from detention, feeling that the place remained tainted by Clepsydra's murder. He prepared a strong coffee and reviewed a list of eight names dictated by Jane Aumonier, recognizing them as the original members of Firebrand. Using his Pangolin clearance, he located two of them, Lansing Chen and Paula Saavedra, inside Panoply. He approached them in the refectory, where they were engaged in a heated, hushed conversation. Before he could talk to them, Demikhov interrupted, summoning Dreyfus to the Sleep Lab to discuss a critical issue with Jane Aumonier. In the Sleep Lab, Demikhov revealed that the scarab attached to Jane's neck had pushed a prong deeper into her spinal cord, causing her pain. He presented three options: do nothing, use the Tango extraction method, or proceed with a last-resort plan called Zulu, which involved decapitating Jane to remove the scarab. Dreyfus, though horrified, understood the urgency. Demikhov explained that Zulu involved installing a guillotine around Jane's chamber, severing her head from her body, and immediately stabilizing her. The procedure would be done without her knowledge to prevent her stress from triggering the scarab. Dreyfus, despite his reservations, was given an hour to decide. Demikhov admitted that the installation of the equipment had already begun. Dreyfus, feeling the weight of the decision, left to consider his options. ==== chapter025 - Chapter 25 (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus was leaving the Sleep Lab when his bracelet chimed with a message from Sparver, who had intercepted Chen and Saavedra attempting to flee Panoply in a cutter. Dreyfus rushed to the docking bay, where Sparver had detained the two Firebrand operatives. Dreyfus learned that Firebrand, a superblack cell, had been operating independently for nine years, believing they were working with relics left by the Clockmaker, an entity they thought had been destroyed. However, one relic turned out to be the Clockmaker itself, which had survived by compressing its essence into a smaller form. When reactivated, the Clockmaker nearly succeeded in its goals despite its weakened state. Jane Aumonier had shut down Firebrand, but they continued their operations in secrecy. Upon entering the cutter, Dreyfus found Chen dead, killed by Saavedra, who threatened to detonate whiphounds hidden on the ship if Dreyfus and Sparver did not let her go. She believed Panoply was compromised and that only Firebrand could handle the Clockmaker's threat. Despite Dreyfus's attempts to reason with her, Saavedra escaped, and Dreyfus could not track her due to the cutter's advanced stealth capabilities. Later, in a meeting with senior officials, Jane Aumonier reported that weevils had penetrated two more habitats, Carousel New Brazilia and Flammarion, and were now targeting the Toriyuma-Murchison Spindle. The evacuation efforts were underway, but time was running out. Aumonier decided to nuke the habitat as soon as weevils made contact, even if thousands of people were still inside. She also announced that she would shut down Bandwide polling and abstraction services to prevent Aurora from using the network. Dreyfus urged her to inform the citizens that Panoply was still fighting for them, and she agreed. ==== chapter026 - Chapter 26 (Статус: completed) ==== Thalia, trembling, finishes weakening the final support spar in the sphere of the polling core, using her overheating whiphound. Parnasse, noting the whiphound's deteriorating condition, suggests they set the weapon to grenade mode and place it to sever the sphere from the stalk. Thalia, realizing the urgency, sets the whiphound to maximum yield and a short delay. They climb back to the polling core, where Thalia, after confirming the servitors are close, orders the barricade team to abandon their post. She explains their desperate plan to the party: they will topple the sphere, roll it across the window band, and drop into open space, hoping for rescue. Despite resistance, she convinces them to secure themselves to the railings. Thalia and Parnasse return to the weakened struts, where Thalia sets the whiphound's timer but finds it jammed at one hundred seconds, too short for them to return and secure themselves. Thalia, determined to complete her mission, asks Parnasse to leave and ensure the others are safe. Parnasse, refusing to abandon her, subdues her before she can complete the timer setting. ==== chapter027 - Chapter 27 (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus wakes Thyssen in the middle of the night, concerned about the ship Saavedra and Chen took, a Type B with transatmospheric capability. Thyssen checks logs and confirms Dreyfus's suspicions that the ship was likely taken to Yellowstone. Dreyfus tasks Thyssen with correlating the names of Firebrand operatives with the vehicles they've signed out, hoping to find more clues. Thalia wakes up with a severe headache and finds herself bound, alongside Meriel Redon, near the polling core. She learns that Parnasse knocked her out and went back to set the whiphound timer. Thalia realizes he intended to sacrifice himself. The whiphound detonates, and the sphere begins to roll down the stalk. Despite the initial failure, the sphere eventually gains enough momentum to break through the window band. They encounter issues with the Coriolis force, but manage to hit the window band and break through, escaping the habitat. Dreyfus attends a tactical meeting where Baudry announces the successful evacuation of 117,000 citizens from the Persistent Vegetative State habitat. The discussion turns to the ethical dilemma of evacuating coma cases, with Aumonier insisting on their protection. Dreyfus presents evidence suggesting that Saavedra and the Clockmaker are hidden in an abandoned Amerikano base on Yellowstone. Aumonier agrees to send a covert task force but warns against overt actions that could alert Aurora. Meanwhile, a deep-system cruiser reports a pressure breach in House Aubusson, caused by a metal sphere. Dreyfus, believing the sphere contains Thalia and other survivors, convinces Aumonier to order the cruiser to investigate and rescue any survivors. ==== chapter028 - Chapter 28 (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus fastened the tether with a sense of finality, knowing that his return to Yellowstone might mean he would never see Jane Aumonier again. Aumonier confirmed that a ship would be ready in thirty minutes, a cutter chosen for its stealth. Dreyfus planned to be dropped off beyond the sensor range of Firebrand's defenses and walk the rest of the way. Aumonier granted him access to the armoury and even hinted at providing a nuke, though they were running low. Aumonier revealed that they had only fifty warheads left, and the process to create more was slow due to safety protocols. Dreyfus suggested approaching the Ultras for help, as their ships had proven capable of destroying habitats. Aumonier was hesitant but agreed to consider it. As Dreyfus prepared to leave, Aumonier informed him that she would grant him Manticore clearance, a level above Pangolin, to access a critical document. This document detailed the true events of the Clockmaker crisis, which had been altered to protect Dreyfus from the trauma of his wife's death and his involvement in the crisis. Before boarding the cutter, Dreyfus learned that Thalia Ng had survived and rescued a group from Aubusson, though the habitat was depopulated by servitors. Dreyfus expressed his pride in Thalia's actions and requested a message be passed to her. On the cutter, Dreyfus found a package containing Manticore boosters, which he examined with trepidation. The cutter launched, and Dreyfus discovered that Sparver had joined the mission, much to his surprise. Back in Panoply, Aumonier received confirmation that the four habitats where Thalia had installed the core patch were depopulated. She authorized the use of nukes to end the suffering of any remaining citizens. Aumonier then learned that Ultra ships were moving towards the Glitter Band. Despite initial concerns, she believed this was a response to her request for assistance. She also decided to proceed with a risky procedure to remove the scarab from her neck, trusting Doctor Demikhov to execute it. ==== chapter029 - Chapter 29 (Статус: completed) ==== Doctor Demikhov observed the execution of Zulu, a procedure to remove a parasitic scarab from Supreme Prefect Aumonier, with a sense of detached curiosity. The blades cut through the wall and closed around Aumonier, severing her head from her body with precision. The scarab, reacting violently, was quickly neutralized and encased in a protective cocoon. Servitors secured Aumonier’s head and body, and Demikhov, noting the accuracy of the cut, assessed the damage. Despite his clinical focus, he could not ignore the sharp awareness in Aumonier’s eyes, which soon faded. He ordered the team to begin stabilizing her head, resisting the temptation to immerse it in quickmatter, which would have erased her short-term memories. Meanwhile, Dreyfus and Sparver prepared to descend to Yellowstone. Dreyfus, initially reluctant to have Sparver accompany him, relented when Sparver revealed he had arranged for a second surface suit and additional weapons. Dreyfus, carrying a compad with encrypted information given to him by Jane Aumonier, began to decode it as the cutter approached the planet. The text revealed details about the Clockmaker crisis and a prototype ramscoop vehicle. Dreyfus also experienced a vivid memory of his wife Valery, realizing he had wronged her in the past. In the infirmary, Mercier watched Demikhov’s team work on reattaching Aumonier’s head to her body. Gaffney, under Mercier's care, overheard about Aumonier’s condition and, using a hidden whiphound, took Mercier hostage. Gaffney forced Mercier to his office, where he planned his escape. Dreyfus and Sparver landed the cutter on a ledge near their target, Ops Nine. Pell, the pilot, warned them of the limited cover and potential perimeter defenses. Dreyfus, aware of the risks, prepared to set out. Before leaving, Pell informed Dreyfus of a coded message from Panoply: "Zulu has occurred," confirming the operation's success. Dreyfus, steeling himself, acknowledged the message's significance but remained uncertain of its implications. ==== chapter030 - Chapter 30 (Статус: completed) ==== Gaffney holds Mercier hostage with a whiphound outside the operating theatre where Demikhov's surgical team is working on Jane Aumonier. Gaffney demands entry, threatening to kill Mercier if his demands are not met. Demikhov and his team comply, and Gaffney forces them to disconnect Aumonier's life support, giving her only four minutes before she dies. Gaffney takes Mercier's bracelet to communicate with Acting Supreme Prefect Clearmountain, demanding the location of Dreyfus and a ship to reach him. Clearmountain reluctantly provides the coordinates and arranges a cutter for Gaffney, who leaves with Aumonier's severed head as leverage. Meanwhile, Dreyfus and Sparver traverse a frozen landscape on Yellowstone, en route to Ops Nine. Dreyfus reveals that he played a role in the Clockmaker crisis, a memory he had blocked. He explains that he devised a plan to save the people in SIAM, including Valery, but the memory of his actions has been suppressed. Aumonier regains consciousness in post-operative, discovering that her head has been reattached to her body. Demikhov explains the operation and the complications caused by Gaffney's interference. Clearmountain informs her that Gaffney has escaped and is heading to Dreyfus. Aumonier, despite her condition, must address the crisis. She speaks to a group of Ultra captains who offer their assistance, and designates Clearmountain to coordinate their efforts. Dreyfus and Sparver reach Ops Nine, a derelict Amerikano facility. They find signs of recent habitation and discover a human skeleton impaled on a sculpture, indicating the ruthless nature of the Firebrand agents. They encounter Paula Saavedra, who holds them at gunpoint. Dreyfus tries to negotiate, explaining the threat posed by Aurora and the importance of the Clockmaker. Saavedra remains skeptical but agrees to show them the Clockmaker, under strict conditions, to ensure their compliance. ==== chapter031 - Chapter 31 (Статус: completed) ==== Saavedra led Dreyfus and Sparver deeper into Ops Nine, down a sloping ramp, with her whiphound closely following, vigilant and threatening. Dreyfus, relieved not to have a gun aimed at him, was still wary of the machine, knowing it could act on its own. Saavedra explained that the facility they were approaching was a repurposed tokamak reactor from the Amerikano era, which they had modified to contain the Clockmaker. She and Simon Veitch, the only other member of Firebrand present, had been maintaining the containment with minimal sleep and resources. Upon reaching a balcony overlooking the reactor, Dreyfus and Sparver were introduced to Veitch, who was skeptical of their presence. Saavedra explained that Dreyfus claimed to have information about the Clockmaker's origins and a potential strategy to use it against Aurora. Dreyfus reiterated his argument: the Clockmaker, though dangerous, was the only weapon capable of defeating Aurora, who was a single, vulnerable entity controlling a habitat. Veitch, however, was adamantly opposed to any plan that involved the Clockmaker. Saavedra showed Dreyfus the Clockmaker, a glowing, humanoid form contained within the tokamak. Dreyfus, moved by the sight, explained that the Clockmaker was originally Philip Lascaille, who had been killed and alpha-level scanned to extract his knowledge of the Shrouders. This revelation was met with skepticism from Veitch and Saavedra, who found it hard to believe. Dreyfus then revealed his own involvement in the SIAM crisis, where he had led a rescue mission and saved several people before SIAM was nuked. This information, previously expunged from the records, was met with disbelief and suspicion. As they discussed the situation, a warning sounded: a ship was approaching from orbit, likely sent by Gaffney, who had escaped Panoply with Aurora's help. Saavedra and Veitch prepared to defend the facility, but the incoming ship launched missiles. The anti-ship emplacements engaged, but the missiles caused significant damage, including the destruction of the primary and backup generators. The fifth missile struck with devastating force, causing the room to collapse, and Dreyfus lost consciousness amidst the chaos. ==== chapter032 - Chapter 32 (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus wakes to intense pain, his body riddled with injuries from an explosion. He is trapped under a table in a collapsed room, with only a flickering holographic pane casting green light. He realizes he is lucky to be alive and attempts to free himself, but his efforts are futile. He calls out to Simon Veitch, another survivor, who is impaled by a pipe and near death. Veitch confirms that Sparver and Saavedra are missing and reveals that the Clockmaker has escaped containment. Dreyfus and Veitch exchange bitter words about past crimes, and Veitch dies shortly after. Meanwhile, Sparver, having survived the attack, navigates through the facility to reach the surface. He finds a Breitenbach rifle and uses it to shoot down Gaffney's cutter, but Gaffney manages to escape. Sparver investigates the crashed cutter, finding it empty. Back in the facility, Dreyfus is rescued by Saavedra and moved to a safer location. Saavedra reveals that the Clockmaker is still contained but warns that it will not remain so for long. Dreyfus insists on attempting to reason with the Clockmaker to stop Aurora, a dangerous AI. Saavedra, who has been compromised by the Clockmaker, reveals her true nature and dies, having been used as a puppet. The Clockmaker, now present, listens to Dreyfus's plea to stop Aurora. Dreyfus appeals to the Clockmaker's memory of Philip Lascaille, the man whose mind was used to create it. The Clockmaker contemplates Dreyfus's words and decides to let him live, giving him a chance to pursue justice. Gaffney, seeking the Clockmaker, encounters Saavedra, who appears to be under the Clockmaker's control. She lures him deeper into the facility, hinting at a potential alliance. ==== chapter033 - Chapter 33 (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus came around for the third time that day, still lying where the Clockmaker had left him, his head ringing from the machine’s fateful blow. Sparver, suited and armed, found him and helped him off the couch, noting that Dreyfus's leg was injured and braced with a strange, metallic splint. Dreyfus recounted how the Clockmaker had saved him, speaking through Paula Saavedra’s body, and how it had revealed itself before leaving him alive. Dreyfus suspected the Clockmaker wanted him to serve a purpose, perhaps to seek justice for the murder of Philip Lascaille. Sparver informed Dreyfus that Gaffney had escaped, but was no longer a threat. As they made their way to the surface, Dreyfus explained his past decision to use the *Atalanta*’s magnetic field to freeze the Clockmaker, saving the survivors but leaving them brain-damaged. He revealed that his wife, Valery, was among the survivors, now in Hospice Idlewild, and that he had chosen to block his memories of her condition. Upon reaching the surface, they were rescued by a deep-system cruiser piloted by Thalia, who informed Dreyfus of recent developments: the Ultras were assisting with evacuations, and weevil activity had become erratic, suggesting the Clockmaker was engaging Aurora. Dreyfus, Thalia, and Sparver boarded the cruiser and returned to Panoply. At Panoply, Dreyfus learned that Aurora's influence had waned, and the weevil attacks had become disorganized. Clearmountain and Baudry, the acting supreme prefect, briefed Dreyfus on the tactical situation, estimating that the emergency could end in a few days, though significant civilian losses were expected. Dreyfus argued that the threat was not over, as the Clockmaker and Aurora were likely dispersed across the network, making them almost invulnerable. He secured permission to investigate the murder of Philip Lascaille, despite the potential legal challenges from House Sylveste. Dreyfus then visited Demikhov, who had successfully reattached Jane Aumonier’s head, though her recovery would be gradual. Dreyfus promised to support Jane and informed Demikhov of his intention to visit Hospice Idlewild to see Valery. Before leaving, Demikhov showed Dreyfus a monitor displaying the neural activity of Jane’s dreams, a symbol of her regaining humanity. ==== chapter034 - chapter034 (Статус: completed) ==== Late that evening, high in the Shell House, a young man stirred from his bed and moved to the window. Fingers of orange and russet light played through the shutters, accompanied by distant crackling and hissing. Cautiously, he opened the shutters and took a breath, the air sooty with combustion products. Across the grounds, something was on fire, but he knew the automatic sprinklers and the robot Lurcher would prevent any danger. Puzzled, he saw a metallic arm silhouetted against the glow. The fire eventually died down, and Lurcher emerged, carrying gardening tools. The young man watched until the last traces of the glow faded, then returned to bed, certain that a dead white tree had stood where the fire had been. *** Thalia Ng, a Deputy Field Prefect, completed a routine upgrade at the Shiga-Mintz Spindle, under the watchful eyes of suspicious civic functionaries. Just as she was about to leave, Prefect Bancal contacted her, instructing her to return to her cutter and retrieve a containment vessel and a second whiphound. Thalia followed the whiphound to a public park where a citizen was having a severe neural episode. Despite the protests of local medics, Thalia, under Bancal's orders, used the whiphound to decapitate the man and place his head in the containment vessel. She then secured the body and assured the crowd that Panoply would take care of the situation. Thalia marched back to her cutter, escorted by the whiphounds, the crowd parting before her. *** In another habitat in the Glitter Band, Dreyfus, a Senior Prefect of Panoply, observed Devon Garlin, a prominent figure in the breakaway movement, speaking to a gathered crowd. Garlin criticized Panoply for its handling of the Aurora crisis, claiming that the organization had betrayed public trust. Dreyfus, disguised in a hood, listened to Garlin's rhetoric, which called for habitats to secede from the Glitter Band. Recognizing Dreyfus, Garlin exposed him, revealing his identity and accusing him of trying to undermine the movement. Dreyfus, maintaining his composure, countered by exposing Garlin's privileged background. Despite the tension, Dreyfus left the gathering, but was tripped and briefly humiliated by the crowd. Garlin, feigning magnanimity, helped Dreyfus up, but both men knew their confrontation was far from over. ==== praise - Praise for Alastair Reynolds (Статус: completed) ==== Alastair Reynolds is widely praised for his masterful blend of science fiction adventure, intricate world-building, and compelling characters. His works, such as *Aurora Rising*, *House of Suns*, and *Chasm City*, are described as evoking the suspense of le Carré and the intricate plots of Sayers, with a dash of *Doctor Who*. Critics highlight his ability to merge advanced futuristic technology with rousing action and philosophical ruminations, making him a leading figure in the New Space Opera movement. His novels, from the tightly written *Chasm City* to the expansive *Poseidon’s Wake*, are lauded for their inventive concepts, rich descriptions, and powerful conclusions. Reynolds is often compared to literary giants like Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov, and his writing is noted for its spartan style, dark humor, and the seamless weaving of multiple narrative threads.