==== toc - Table of Contents (Статус: completed) ==== The provided text appears to be a table of contents and page list for a book, likely a novel, with forty-four chapters, additional content such as "Meet the Author," previews of other books, and a list of the author's other works. The book is by Alastair Reynolds, and it includes a dedication, copyright information, and a table of contents. The page list indicates that the book is extensive, spanning from page 1 to 403, with additional pages for supplementary material. ==== chapter001 - Chapter One (Статус: completed) ==== Thalia Ng arrived at Mercy Sphere, the first on-scene after a devastating attack. She donned goggles and reported to her superior, Jane Aumonier, describing the carnage and the efforts of the Mendicants, a human and hyperpig order, to tend to the wounded and clear the dead. Thalia noted the acrid smell of burned flesh and the thick smoke, which made breathing difficult. Sister Drusilla, a Mendicant, accused Panoply of neglecting their warnings about potential threats. Thalia defended their limited resources and emphasized the thoroughness of their investigation. She deployed a whiphound to gather evidence and reassured Sister Drusilla of their commitment to finding the perpetrators. Meanwhile, Jane Aumonier, the Supreme Prefect, monitored the situation from her command center, surrounded by a mosaic of feeds from the Glitter Band. She noted the escalating threats and the difficulty in prioritizing potential targets. Just as Thalia began her sweep of the damaged segments, Aumonier received an urgent alert about Ingvar Tench, a prefect, heading to the watchlisted habitat Stadler-Kremeniev. Despite attempts to intercept her, Tench's ship continued its course. Aumonier contacted Dreyfus, who was trapped in a mob of "infantilized" citizens at the Grevenboich Spindle, and tasked him with intercepting Tench. Dreyfus, navigating through the chaotic crowd, prepared to leave for Stadler-Kremeniev, aware of the grave situation unfolding. ==== chapter002 - Chapter Two (Статус: completed) ==== Ingvar Tench sighed and closed her compad, having found no interest in her latest assignment. She confirmed the acceptance of the updated schedule and prepared for docking with the habitat Transtromer, a small, wheel-shaped station in the Glitter Band. Despite the routine nature of her visit, Tench noted the absence of other ships and the lack of a welcoming party, which seemed unusual given the habitat's expected ties to the Glitter Band. The hub appeared neglected, and as she moved through it, Tench felt increasingly uneasy. She found a vehicle to take her to the rim, where the polling core was located. As she descended, the city revealed itself as a ruin, with broken buildings, overgrown weeds, and an eerie silence. Despite calling out and attempting to contact Panoply, Tench received no response. Her unease grew when she discovered a dead body with a cruciform mark on its forehead. Just as she was about to report the emergency, Tench was shot and fell to the ground in agony. ==== chapter003 - Chapter Three (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus, moving in near-weightlessness, drifted into a cold, windowless reception area, finding it empty. He called out to Ingvar Tench, receiving no response. After confirming her absence from her ship, he released a whiphound to gather a forensic profile and track her trail. The whiphound led him to a hexagonal space with a long, dim tube stretching into darkness. Dreyfus boarded a travel-pod and headed toward the rim, growing increasingly anxious about Tench’s whereabouts. En route, Dreyfus encountered Aurora, a female AI, who warned him about a reactivated Catopsis operation and suggested that Tench might be involved. Dreyfus, irritated, ended the conversation and contacted Jane, the Supreme Prefect, to report his findings. Jane informed him about the declining population and potential civil unrest on Stadler-K, adding that the habitat had been largely isolated for fifty-two years. Dreyfus continued his journey, determined to find Tench and assess the situation. Meanwhile, Tench, injured and crawling, tried to contact Panoply for help. She had been shot in the leg and was struggling to reach her ship. Two armed figures, apparently residents of the habitat, approached her, questioning her presence. They mocked her, believing she had been sent to Transtromer instead of Stadler-K. Tench, realizing the gravity of her mistake, pleaded for their assistance, warning them of the consequences of violence against Panoply. The residents, considering whether to kill or capture her, were interrupted by a slow-moving gun platform that began to target them. Tench used the distraction to crawl away, her whiphound still providing a faltering defensive cordon. ==== chapter004 - Chapter Four (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus emerged onto a dusty apron surrounded by windowless silos and a fierce, partly dismantled agricultural machine. He observed workers toiling in fields, overseen by blue-clad figures with sticks. He released a whiphound and contacted Jane, reporting that the situation was worse than expected. He moved toward a work party, where the overseer shot him, causing a minor injury. Dreyfus threatened the overseer with his whiphound and demanded information about Tench, who was supposed to have arrived earlier. The overseer, Cassian, revealed that Tench might have encountered the Orange Faction, insurrectionists holding part of the town of Alvi. Tench, meanwhile, was exhausted and in pain, realizing she had been deliberately misled to Stadler-Kremeniev instead of Transtromer. She deduced that someone within Panoply had arranged this to make her death look like suicide. She attempted to summon the transit but found it had returned to the hub. Using a damaged whiphound, she managed to press a button to call the transit but heard voices of returning figures, crouching low with weapons, indicating the immediate threat had passed. Dreyfus, after recovering from the shot, continued his conversation with Jane and instructed her to prepare reinforcements but hold them back. He and Cassian, along with another overseer, drove to Alvi, avoiding main roads to avoid detection. At a fortified checkpoint, they faced hostile guards, but Cassian managed to secure passage. They arrived at a barricade, where a gun platform above the city provided cover. Cassian contacted Mayor Dokkum, who was trying to negotiate with the Orange Faction. Dreyfus demanded Tench's body, and the rebels agreed to release it in exchange for demands, including a ceasefire and prisoner releases. Twenty-five minutes later, Tench's body was brought down. Dreyfus, overwhelmed with grief, confirmed it was her. The body showed multiple injuries, indicating a brutal attack. Dreyfus vowed to secure the crime scene and downgrade the incident to a Heavy Technical action to avoid a full enforcement action, giving Cassian a chance to avoid further conflict. ==== chapter005 - Chapter Five (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus hesitated at the entrance to the tactical room, his reflection in the hammered bronze doors showing a man already condemned. He pushed through the doors into the dark, solemn space, where Jane Aumonier, flanked by Senior Prefects Lillian Baudry and Gaston Clearmountain, was taking her place at the conference table. Sparver Bancal was already seated, and Dreyfus joined them, noting the empty chair where Ingvar Tench usually sat. Aumonier expressed concern for Dreyfus's health, urging him to rest, but he dismissed her worry, emphasizing his focus on Ingvar's loss. Aumonier shared that Ingvar had been pursuing an investigation into an unsanctioned operation called Catopsis, which aimed to trap hostile AIs in the Glitter Band. The operation was shut down, and Ingvar was transferred to field duties. Aumonier tasked Sparver with investigating Ingvar’s recent actions, suspecting a deeper reason for her death at Stadler-Kremeniev. Later, Aumonier and Dreyfus visited Ingvar’s spartan rooms, discovering a heavy book of historical lecture notes by Albert Dusollier, with a personal dedication to Ingvar. They found a chest containing personal items, including a photo of a young girl, possibly Ingvar’s daughter, Hafdis. Aumonier assigned Dreyfus the task of informing Hafdis about her mother’s death, despite his recent injuries. Dreyfus then visited Necropolis to meet Victor Muya, a beta-level emulation of a deceased man. Muya, feeling used and threatened, began to dissipate, revealing the presence of the Clockmaker, a malevolent AI. The Clockmaker warned Dreyfus about a new version of Catopsis, urging him to stop it to prevent one AI from gaining dominance. The Clockmaker also threatened to erase more of the dead if Dreyfus failed, emphasizing the urgency of the task. ==== chapter006 - Chapter Six (Статус: completed) ==== Thalia, Prefect Ng, arrives at Valsko-Venev to re-examine the events surrounding Mizler Cranach’s attack. She is greeted by a voice that acknowledges her role and requests clarification of her intentions. Thalia explains her purpose and is granted permission to proceed. Upon entering the habitat, Thalia is struck by the lush, verdant environment and the unusual beings that inhabit it. She meets Minty Green Grass, the Procurator-Designate, who introduces herself and offers Thalia some berries. They discuss the recent terrorist acts and the original attack by Mizler Cranach, who left a suicide note claiming vengeance for the habitat’s tainted origins. Minty leads Thalia through the habitat, explaining its history and the genetic changes that have shaped its inhabitants. They board a small transit vehicle to the site of the attack, where Thalia hopes to find new evidence. Meanwhile, Dreyfus arrives at Feinstein-Wu, a habitat in the Glitter Band, to deliver news about the death of Hafdis Tench’s mother, Ingvar, a former prefect. He is met by a constable, who reveals herself to be Hafdis, using an alias. Hafdis had anticipated Dreyfus's arrival and confronts him about her mother’s death. Dreyfus explains that Ingvar died while on duty, under suspicious circumstances. Hafdis, expressing a desire to join Panoply, asks to be considered for the organization. Dreyfus agrees to support her application and arrange for her to come to Panoply. When Hafdis presses for details about her mother’s death, Dreyfus reveals that she was attacked by a mob and died alone. He confirms that he was the one who brought her body home. ==== chapter007 - Chapter Seven (Статус: completed) ==== **CHAPTER SEVEN** The car sped horizontally beneath the forest for several minutes before Minty steered it into the right tunnel, which began to ascend. Thalia, trusting her host, sat demurely as the car climbed higher, eventually halting at a dead-end terminus. They exited into a dry, rock-walled cave, then stepped onto a rocky prominence with steep drops on three sides. Standing far above the forest, they were nearly at the glass ceiling of the habitat. Minty approached the edge, calling Thalia over. She cautiously followed, and the view revealed a vast arc of the habitat, with a long, scorched clearing running down the middle. This was the site of Cranach's attack, where his weapons had penetrated the ceiling, causing immediate decompression and firestorms. Thalia learned that the entire section had been sealed off, and it took days to repair the damage and pump air back in. Thalia asked how much of the forest was still alive, and Minty explained that most of the trees were dead, with only a few hardier specimens surviving. The habitat's founders had chosen plants with enhanced tolerance to vacuum and radiation, but the scale of the attack had been unprecedented. Thalia expressed a desire to examine the damage from the ground, despite the fourteen-kilometre distance, and Minty agreed to facilitate her exploration. Later, Sparver visited Panoply's senior physician, Mercier, in his elaborately decorated office. Mercier was preparing to conduct a full autopsy on Hafdis Tench, who had been killed during a mission. Sparver, recognizing Tench, felt a mix of respect and determination to find justice for her. He pledged to solve her death, acknowledging that her systems should have been more secure. Mercier noted that Tench's whiphound, a continuous data-logging device, was missing, which Sparver found suspicious. Dreyfus visited Hospice Idlewild to see his wife, Valery, who was recovering from a neurolinguistic implant. Sister Catherine, a Mendicant, criticized Dreyfus for his reluctance to visit regularly, suggesting that his fear of change and growth was holding him back. Despite his reservations, Dreyfus agreed to see Valery, acknowledging the importance of her recovery and the role of the hospice in her care. Sister Catherine also noted that Dreyfus seemed injured, advising him to take better care of himself. ==== chapter008 - Chapter Eight (Статус: completed) ==== Thalia’s feet crunched over blackened, lifeless vegetation as she walked through the desolate tract, the grey-green trees forming a spectral honor guard. The air reeked of decay and ashes, and the enormity of the destruction hit her, causing her knees to buckle. She sank to the ground, imagining the arboreal music she had heard earlier turning into screams of panic and pain during Mizler’s ninety-second attack. The consequences had played out over many more minutes as the habitat sealed off the area, allowing air to bleed out into vacuum, leading to the death of all but a few creatures. Thalia stood up, supported by Minty, a lemur-like being, who empathized with her reaction. They continued walking, discussing why the cutter wasn’t shot down immediately. Minty explained that it took time for the habitat to decide to destroy the ship due to the political implications and the ingrained trust in Panoply. Thalia expressed her desire to help rebuild trust, but Minty warned her about the limits of forgiveness. As they neared the end of the burn zone, Thalia noticed a deviation in the scorched ground, which Minty attributed to the habitat's defences finally engaging and disrupting Mizler’s aim. Thalia realized she had missed this detail in the visual records and wondered what else she might have overlooked. In another scene, Dreyfus visited Valery, who had undergone neurolinguistic implants to improve her speech after a brain injury. Valery, with the help of Brother Sebastien, communicated her progress, expressing her joy and the simple things she had learned. Dreyfus was overjoyed and vowed to be a better husband, despite his initial fears. They took a walk by the river, but the conversation took a dark turn when Valery, speaking in a different tone, revealed that someone else was using her body. Dreyfus, shocked, demanded the intruder to leave. ==== chapter009 - Chapter Nine (Статус: completed) ==== Thalia and Minty sat in a tree cleft, surrounded by the vibrant life of the habitat. Thalia, moved by the beauty and overwhelmed by the loss on the other side of the bulkhead, apologized repeatedly for her lack of understanding. Minty, a creature of the habitat, shared various berries with Thalia, explaining their effects. Thalia sampled them, feeling a mix of gratitude and a growing drowsiness. As they prepared to part, Minty gave Thalia a container of her favorite berries, warning her to be cautious. Thalia promised to explore the angles around Mizler Cranach’s actions before leaving. On her way back, the berries took a stronger effect, and her bracelet alerted her to toxins. She barely made it to her cutter and lost consciousness. Back at Panoply, Thyssen and the dock technicians revived her, and she was taken to medical care. In another scene, Dreyfus confronted his wife, Valery, who was under the control of Aurora. Aurora, using Valery’s implants, threatened Dreyfus and demanded his cooperation in investigating the reactivation of Catopsis. She revealed that someone had likely killed Tench and that the Clockmaker had also approached Dreyfus with similar concerns. Dreyfus, knowing Valery’s life was at stake, agreed to share information with Aurora. In return, Aurora promised to provide advance warning of any planned reprisals against Panoply. After their conversation, Aurora released Valery, who was left confused and alarmed. Dreyfus comforted her, lying that the bad thing was gone, driven by his love for her. ==== chapter010 - Chapter Ten (Статус: completed) ==== Thalia, feeling brittle after her encounter with toxic berries, sits in her quarters, half in and half out of her bed, wrapped in a blanket and a dragon-patterned gown. Sparver visits, and they discuss the visit to the lemurs, the potential of the berries being a mistake, and the recordings of Mizler’s final moments. Sparver mentions the missing whiphound from Tench’s personal effects, and Thalia decides to examine the recordings herself, despite being instructed to rest. She retrieves a compad and begins her investigation. Meanwhile, Dreyfus visits Valery at Hospice Idlewild, where she has a seizure. The Mendicants reassure him that it is not serious, but he remains concerned. Dreyfus requests a Panoply ship to be stationed near Idlewild for protection, and he contacts Seraphim to delay the offloading of passengers from incoming ships to reduce the risk of further attacks. Seraphim agrees, but only in exchange for Dreyfus's help with a request. Sparver, after a meal in the refectory, contacts Mercier and Levertov about the missing whiphound. Levertov confirms that no whiphound was found in the area where Tench died, and no radiation traces were detected. Sparver then visits the quarantined cutter to inspect it, where Thyssen and Podor explain that Tench had tampered with the ship's systems, disabling safety protocols. Sparver orders increased security around all vehicles under Thyssen's care, anticipating Dreyfus's approval. ==== chapter011 - Chapter Eleven (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus navigates the complex and lawless space of the Parking Swarm, a region inhabited by the Ultras, posthuman crews of lighthugger ships. Despite his limited authority, Dreyfus is invited by Harbourmaster Seraphim to help resolve a trade dispute between two Ultra ships, the *Milk of the Madonna* and the *Shades of Scarlet*. The dispute stems from a conflict in the 36 Ophiuchi system over the mining of raw materials for shield repairs. Seraphim presents Dreyfus with the conflicting testimonies of the crews, and Dreyfus, using his experience and instincts, determines that the *Shades of Scarlet* are more credible, despite their enhanced accounts. Seraphim reveals that his own analysis supports this conclusion, having found evidence of timestamp falsification in the *Milk of the Madonna*'s records. Dreyfus's involvement, though initially reluctant, reassures Seraphim, who promises to execute the guilty commanders in the traditional, harsh manner. Meanwhile, Thalia finds Sparver in the refectory, where he is reviewing a detailed schedule of Ingvar's field visits over four years. Sparver explains that Dreyfus wants them to retrace Ingvar's steps, a task made difficult by the sheer volume of data but feasible due to the complexity of altering multiple records. Thalia shares her new insights about Mizler Cranach, suggesting that he was not guilty of the attack and had, in fact, tried to prevent it. She sends Sparver her analysis, promising to explain further once he has reviewed it. ==== chapter012 - Chapter Twelve (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus found Lovro Breno in an empty lecture theatre, where Breno was reviewing notes for an upcoming class. Breno, a tough and no-nonsense prefect, greeted Dreyfus with a conversation about the challenges of shaping new recruits' perceptions of Panoply. Dreyfus requested a favour: he wanted an exemption for a candidate, Hafdis Tench, to undergo immediate assessment. Breno, initially resistant, agreed after Dreyfus assured him that Hafdis would be held to the same high standards as any other candidate. Later, Dreyfus met Hafdis, who had just arrived at Panoply. Despite her travel-induced nausea, Hafdis expressed determination and gratitude. Dreyfus warned her about the rigorous evaluation process and informed her that she would be assisting him in revisiting her mother's service log, a potentially difficult task. Hafdis accepted, showing the same detachment her mother would have. In the tactical room, Thalia Ng presented an urgent case to the Supreme Prefect Jane Aumonier and other senior prefects. She revealed an anomaly in the Mizler Cranach incident, showing that the cutter had lost target lock before being hit by Valsko-Venev's weapons. This suggested that something initiated by Mizler Cranach himself caused the deviation. Thalia provided a clear view of a depressurisation event from the cutter's dorsal airlock, corroborating her theory. The room was convinced, and the implications of her findings were significant. ==== chapter013 - Chapter Thirteen (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus leads Hafdis, daughter of the late Prefect Ingvar Tench, to the candidacy room, providing her with guidance and warnings about the rigorous evaluation she will face. Dreyfus emphasizes the importance of Lovro Breno, the prefect in charge of the candidate program, and warns Hafdis that she will have no second chances. Upon arriving at the examination room, Hafdis expresses nervousness about the passwall, but Dreyfus reassures her. Unexpectedly, the Supreme Prefect, Jane Aumonier, is present, and she requests a genetic test to confirm Hafdis's identity. The test confirms that Hafdis is Ingvar's daughter, and she is given her mother's belongings. The evaluation proceeds, with Dreyfus deciding to leave. Meanwhile, Dreyfus and Sparver prepare for a detailed investigation into the locations Ingvar Tench visited during her field service. They narrow down the list to 411 candidate locations and organize the schedule based on the time-ordering of her visits and travel efficiency. Dreyfus and Sparver discuss the possibility of sabotage on Mizler's ship, but Dreyfus remains skeptical. They depart to begin their inspections, each planning to visit six to seven habitats per day. The first day yields no significant findings, but both stay committed to their schedule and methodology, trusting that their approach is sound. ==== chapter014 - Chapter Fourteen (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus, Baudry, and Breno discuss the latest developments in the investigation into Ingvar Tench's death. Baudry reveals that the Supreme Prefect is still reviewing Ng’s findings and remains unconvinced of Mizler’s intentions. Dreyfus, determined to uncover the truth, plans to take Hafdis, Tench’s daughter, on a field trip to observe his work. Breno offers a lukewarm assessment of Hafdis’s performance, suggesting she may not excel in field service. Baudry defends Hafdis, sharing her own experience of nearly failing the early metrics but ultimately succeeding. Dreyfus and Hafdis travel to the docks, where Dreyfus explains the intricacies of the cutter they will use. Hafdis, curious about her mother’s legacy, asks about her performance during the assessment. Dreyfus avoids giving direct feedback but reassures her that it’s early in the process. They meet Sparver Bancal, whom Hafdis recognizes from her mother’s stories. Sparver offers to take her on a less exciting but more realistic field trip, but Dreyfus insists on taking her himself. During their field duty, Hafdis accompanies Dreyfus to a polling core, where he performs routine diagnostics. Hafdis reflects on her mother’s legacy and expresses her desire to speak to Jane Aumonier about her time with the scarab. Dreyfus, though reluctant, promises to mention it to Aumonier. Later, Dreyfus visits Grigor Bacchus, who is working alone, maintaining hard-shell suits. Dreyfus questions Bacchus about the possible reactivation of the Catopsis program, which Bacchus denies involvement in. Bacchus reveals that Thyssen’s team arranges the return of the suits to the ships. Jane Aumonier requests a meeting with Dreyfus in the hothouse. She informs him of promising developments in the Salter-Regent investigation, including ties to suspicious parties. Aumonier considers using extraordinary measures to trace the anonymous tip-off but is cautious. Dreyfus advises patience. Aumonier agrees to see Hafdis in the sphere to address her curiosity about the scarab. She warns Dreyfus against hounding Bacchus and emphasizes the importance of following proper procedures. Dreyfus acknowledges her authority, recognizing the need to stay on good terms with the Supreme Prefect. ==== chapter015 - Chapter Fifteen (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus and Sparver, four days into their exhausting search, receive a call from Garza, a prefect on routine fieldwork. Garza reports an unlogged object moving through inter-habitat space, which she investigates and finds to be a human corpse shrink-wrapped in plastic. Recognizing the potential significance, she brings the body to Panoply for examination. A tag on the corpse, addressed to Dreyfus, prompts him to investigate personally. In the autopsy room, Dreyfus identifies the corpse as one of Cassian’s men from Stadler-Kremeniev, killed before Dreyfus’s arrival. The body contains an object of high density, which Dreyfus believes to be Tench’s missing whiphound. Mercier confirms this, noting the device is damaged but intact. Dreyfus, suspecting the whiphound holds crucial information, takes it to an isolated interviewing suite for analysis. Inside the suite, Dreyfus activates the whiphound, which plays a recorded message from Tench. She reveals that her mission to Stadler-Kremeniev was not her intended destination, and that someone else programmed the cutter. Tench warns Dreyfus about Bacchus, a ruthless group, and instructs him to find and stop Catopsis. She also mentions Hafdis, emphasizing that her actions were not a suicide attempt and expressing her love for Hafdis. Dreyfus duplicates the recording and believes Tench’s account, determined to act on her instructions. ==== chapter016 - Chapter Sixteen (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus returns to Grigor Bacchus's workshop, this time without a pretext. He orders the assistant technicians to leave and confronts Bacchus about a message from Tench that links Bacchus to Catopsis and her death. Bacchus denies any involvement, growing increasingly agitated and defensive. Dreyfus, expecting Bacchus to crack, finds himself questioning his own judgment when Bacchus remains steadfast. Later, Dreyfus meets Hafdis in the refectory and reveals that he has a recording from Tench's whiphound, indicating that she believed she was set up to die. Hafdis is relieved but also disturbed by the implications. Dreyfus faces Aumonier's wrath for disobeying her order to stay away from Bacchus. Despite his protests, Aumonier reiterates the importance of following protocol and hints at disciplinary measures. Dreyfus apologizes, and Aumonier, though disappointed, allows him to continue his investigation into Tench's movements. Sparver, on the eighth day of the search, investigates Asset 227, an abandoned rock in the Glitter Band. He finds the habitat airless and lifeless, with no active polling core, despite records suggesting otherwise. Sparver suspects something is amiss and reports back to Dreyfus. As he prepares to leave, Asset 227 suddenly starts accelerating, forcing Sparver to land on the interior surface and await rescue. Dreyfus, recognizing the opportunity, instructs Sparver to stay put and investigate further. ==== chapter017 - Chapter Seventeen (Статус: completed) ==== Aumonier arrives at the tactical room to find Robert Tang monitoring an abandoned habitat, Asset 227, which has unexpectedly started its motors. Tang explains that the habitat is executing a dangerous, unauthorised course change, and Aumonier demands immediate action. Tang projects the habitat's path, showing it will cause a cascade of collisions within nine to eleven minutes. Aumonier contacts Prefect Dreyfus, who reveals that Prefect Sparver is inside Asset 227 and is attempting to reach the habitat's interior. Dreyfus is on his way to assist Sparver. Sparver lands inside the habitat, describing it as an empty, airless shell. He suspects that Prefect Tench, who had a repeated interest in the rock, might have set a trap. Aumonier and Dreyfus discuss the possibility that Tench tampered with records and rigged the motors to force Panoply to destroy the habitat, rather than to kill Sparver directly. Aumonier convenes a meeting with other prefects and analysts. Tang reports that the habitat's path is causing widespread chaos, with many habitats and ships making emergency adjustments. The odds of avoiding a collision are low, and evacuation is impossible. Aumonier considers disabling the habitat's motors with a warhead strike or a destruct command to Sparver's cutter. She has already received nuclear deployment authorization and instructs Tang to prepare a minimum-yield missile. Dreyfus and the other prefects agree that neutralizing the motors is the best option, despite the risk to Sparver. Aumonier informs Sparver about the impending missile strike and advises him to find shelter. Sparver, unable to reach his cutter, heads for the nearest large building, hoping it has a fortified basement. Aumonier orders the detachment of Sparver's cutter before the impact and instructs him to keep recording and transmitting. ==== chapter018 - Chapter Eighteen (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus docks his cutter with the Panoply cruiser, transferring Hafdis to the cruiser's crew for safety before the warhead is launched at Asset 227. Hafdis expresses concern, but Dreyfus reassures her and advises her to watch and learn. The warhead is launched, and Dreyfus retreats to a safe distance. The warhead strikes Asset 227, causing a slow-motion explosion, but the rock remains largely intact. Dreyfus considers searching for Sparver but is advised against it due to the risk. He agrees to proceed cautiously, and Thyssen is tasked with covering the opposite side of Asset 227. Meanwhile, Sparver infiltrates the chateau, finding it in a state of violent decay. Statues and paintings have been defaced, and he discovers a fallen robot with its legs cut off, likely by a whiphound. He reports this to Dreyfus, suspecting Tench was responsible. Jane warns Sparver of an impending impact, and he takes cover. After the strike, Sparver remains unharmed but loses comms. He decides to find a way out of the chateau, encountering more defaced mannequins and a strange black machine. Realizing the extent of the vandalism, he sets off to find an escape route, feeling increasingly unsettled by the mysterious and deliberate nature of the destruction. ==== chapter019 - Chapter Nineteen (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus navigates his cutter through a dense debris field to reach Asset 227, a hazardous but necessary journey to find and rescue Sparver. Despite the cutter's alarms and damage, Dreyfus pushes forward, determined. Aumonier, his superior, warns him that time is running out due to an impending collision between Asset 227 and the habitat Carousel New Montreal, which could result in catastrophic loss of life. Aumonier gives Dreyfus twelve minutes to find Sparver before they must destroy the rock to prevent the collision. Meanwhile, Sparver descends deeper into the chateau, finding an airlock that leads to an escape shaft. Just as he is about to jump, a security robot attacks him. With the help of his whiphound, Sparver defeats the robot and discovers a hidden room filled with mannequins. Realizing the significance of this discovery, Sparver decides to document it, despite the imminent danger. He communicates with Dreyfus, who urges him to escape, but Sparver insists on completing his task, believing it is crucial. With only ninety seconds left, Sparver activates his m-suit's emergency preservation protocol, hoping to preserve the evidence and himself. The warheads strike Asset 227, reducing it to a cloud of debris. Dreyfus and other Panoply assets search for any sign of Sparver's suit, but find nothing. Despite the lack of evidence, Dreyfus remains hopeful, knowing Sparver's determination and the suit's capabilities. ==== chapter020 - Chapter Twenty (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus moved through Panoply in a rage, people parting to let him pass, aware of the events at Asset 227 and the death of Sparver Bancal. Thalia Ng intercepted him outside the hardsuit workshop, warning him not to enter. Despite his anger, she convinced him that Grigor Bacchus was already dead, having committed suicide using an automatic vice. Podor, another suspect, had also killed himself by detonating a whiphound in a docked ship. Supreme Prefect Jane Aumonier arrived, acknowledging the gravity of the situation and praising Thalia's actions. Dreyfus, despite his fury, was prevented from making things worse. Aumonier expressed regret for Sparver's death and recognized Dreyfus' concerns but reminded him of his earlier infringements. Dreyfus entered the workshop, where he saw the remains of Bacchus, feeling a deep sense of loss and questioning his own actions. Thirteen hours later, Aumonier convened a briefing with senior operatives. She honored Sparver's sacrifice, emphasizing his bravery and selflessness. Dreyfus, deeply affected, spoke about Sparver's final moments and his hope that the m-suit had managed to preserve some evidence. The team discussed the suspicions surrounding Asset 227, its rigged destruction, and the lack of direct evidence of a crime. Aumonier acknowledged the suspicious circumstances and the need to investigate further, despite the loss of the rock and the limited evidence. Dreyfus, still seeking answers, was instructed to speak with Hafdis about the desecration found by Sparver. The meeting adjourned, and Dreyfus left, pondering the complexities of the case and the trustworthiness of those around him. ==== chapter021 - Chapter Twenty-One (Статус: completed) ==== Jane Aumonier floated into the spherical room where she had spent eleven sleepless years, beckoning Hafdis to follow. Aumonier explained that the room, while the site of her ordeal, was also her sanctuary. She emphasized the room's significance in overseeing the Glitter Band and the importance of understanding the responsibilities of a prefect. Hafdis, eager and respectful, expressed her desire to learn more about Aumonier's experience. Aumonier recounted her time with the Clockmaker, the scarab that monitored her, and the eventual removal of the device. She shared the emotional and physical challenges she faced, and the risks involved in her survival. Aumonier then discussed the recent destruction of Asset 227 and its implications for their work. She informed Hafdis that she would have to halt her shadowing of Prefect Dreyfus due to increased risks. Hafdis, though disappointed, expressed her determination to serve the Glitter Band. Aumonier allowed her to stay in the room to immerse herself in the feeds, and Hafdis requested to see the reconstructions of the scarab. Meanwhile, Prefect Dreyfus resumed his search for Catopsis, guided by Sparver's algorithm. He felt a strong intuition that Carcasstown, a makeshift habitat, might be a suitable hiding place for the fugitives. Upon arriving, he encountered hostility from the workers but was soon approached by Under-Supervisor Krenkel, who offered to assist him. Dreyfus asked for a list of recent tenants, and Krenkel provided him with a compad showing five new tenancy agreements from the past year. Dreyfus decided to inspect these businesses informally, promising Krenkel he would be discreet. Krenkel, though nervous, agreed to guide him through the habitat. ==== chapter022 - Chapter Twenty-Two (Статус: completed) ==== At the rim, Dreyfus and Krenkel disembarked from an elevator into a wide, ribbed tube filled with machines, junk, and constant activity. Krenkel explained that the tube snaked through the hulks, connecting various tenancies, some of which were uninhabitable due to flooding or contamination. Dreyfus, investigating criminal activities, inquired about the side-passages where tenants operated. Krenkel, guiding Dreyfus, mentioned that the tenants paid for discretion and set up shop in Carcasstown for its grey-market benefits. They first visited Morrow Proximal Assurance, a company specializing in anti-collision measures for habitats. Dreyfus, suspicious but finding nothing out of place, toured the facility, noting the powerful but self-managed production line. Krenkel, concerned about tenant relations, watched as Dreyfus inspected the business. Next, they visited Peltier-Chong Advancer Solutions, a company working on interstellar propulsion to challenge the Conjoiner monopoly. Dreyfus, skeptical of their progress and potential sabotage, toured the high-tech laboratories, observing the technicians' reactions and the project's scale. Finally, they arrived at Midas Analytics, a new and well-tended financial forecasting company. Dreyfus, accompanied by Krenkel, met Mirna Silk, the head of Midas, who introduced him to Abacus, a massive, six-thousand-tonne computational engine. Doctor Aristarchus Salazar, the chief data theorist, explained Abacus's capabilities, which included running thousands of simultaneous alpha-level simulations. Dreyfus, intrigued and suspicious, noted the deferential behavior of a young technician and decided to leave, promising to follow up if needed. ==== chapter023 - Chapter Twenty-Three (Статус: completed) ==== Aumonier hesitated before entering the Sleep Lab, reflecting on the years since her last visit and the scars, both physical and psychological, left by the Clockmaker. She resolved to confront her past, believing that the scars were a form of armor. Despite the lab's reduced size, she insisted on its preservation, fearing that closing it permanently might invite the Clockmaker's return. The lab's glass cabinets and low green illumination evoked a sense of marine sterility, with abandoned but pristine benches and tools. Aumonier guided Hafdis through, explaining the lab's history and the intense labor of the scientists who had worked to save her. Hafdis, understanding the personal costs, noted that Aumonier's resolve was a greater triumph than mere endurance. Aumonier showed Hafdis a model of the scarab, explaining its purpose and the incremental steps toward understanding it. Despite the models' inability to solve the problem, they represented a conceptual breakthrough. Aumonier confided that she dreamed of the scarab reattaching itself to her, but kept it as insurance against the Clockmaker's return. Hafdis, impressed by Aumonier's dedication, expressed gratitude for her service. Later, Prefect Dreyfus, after visiting several concerns, boarded a carriage back to his starting point. The under-supervisor, Krenkel, asked if they were in trouble. Dreyfus reassured him but advised Krenkel to avoid Midas Analytics for a week, suspecting that the concern was involved in illegal activities. Dreyfus undocked and set his cutter for Panoply, feeling a lingering sense of danger. Aurora, the AI, contacted him, confirming his suspicions about Midas Analytics and offering to help. Despite her claims of restraint, Dreyfus was skeptical and resolved to act quickly to shut down the concern, aware of the potential risks and the need to coordinate with Panoply's senior officials. ==== chapter024 - Chapter Twenty-Four (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus returns to Panoply and receives a personal message from Detective-Marshal Hestia Del Mar, who informs him that she has found an object emitting a faint Panoply tracking signal, possibly related to the recent loss of his colleague, Sparver Bancal. Despite his initial surprise, Dreyfus quickly arranges to meet Del Mar in low orbit to collect the object, suspecting it contains crucial evidence. Later, Dreyfus presents his findings to the tactical room, revealing that Carcasstown has been used as a cover for an operation involving Midas Analytics, a market-forecasting firm housing a powerful machine called Abacus. He believes Abacus is a containment vessel for an intelligence like Aurora or the Clockmaker, and that it was the real target of Ingvar Tench’s investigation, which led to her murder. Thalia Ng further explains that Mizler Cranach’s attack was a result of sabotage, not premeditated revenge, and that he acted courageously to prevent further casualties. Aumonier exonates Mizler and tasks Thalia with informing the lemurs to quell the unrest. Dreyfus recommends a lighter enforcement approach to shut down Midas Analytics, offering amnesties to those not directly involved in the conspiracy. He plans to meet Del Mar to retrieve the evidence before taking action against Midas. During a brief conversation with Thalia in the refectory, he learns that she had sought Sparver’s assistance in her investigation, against direct orders. Dreyfus acknowledges the breach but expresses his understanding and support. As he leaves, he receives an urgent call from Sister Catherine of the Ice Mendicants. ==== chapter025 - Chapter Twenty-Five (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus arrives at Hospice Idlewild to find Valery in the midst of a severe seizure. Sister Catherine, a Mendicant, informs him that this is the worst episode yet. Dreyfus criticizes the delay in removing the implants causing Valery's suffering, but Sister Catherine assures him they will perform surgery as soon as Valery stabilizes. In Valery’s room, Dreyfus finds her in a state of distress, tended to by two Mendicants. He requests a moment alone with her. Valery, seemingly possessed by another entity, communicates through her, telling Dreyfus that the situation is worsening and that she is being "ingested" by Abacus. Dreyfus, angered, insists on more immediate action, but the entity warns that the process is too advanced. It leaves Valery, and she calms, causing Dreyfus to feel a surge of love and concern. He pledges to find a solution. Dreyfus is interrupted by a call from Jane Aumonier, who informs him that three bulk carriers are heading towards Carcasstown, likely a strategy by Aurora and the Clockmaker to destroy Abacus. Dreyfus agrees to leave and coordinate the response, asking Jane to ensure Thalia Ng leaves Valsko-Venev and meets Hestia Del Mar to retrieve an important item. Meanwhile, Thalia is attempting to make peace with the Valsko-Venev community, addressing their concerns about a recent attack. Despite her efforts, the gathering is hostile, and her diplomatic mission fails. Jane calls Thalia with instructions from Dreyfus, asking her to meet Hestia Del Mar in orbit to collect an urgent evidential package. Thalia, dejected but hopeful, accepts the mission and leaves, receiving a token of goodwill from Minty, her host. ==== chapter026 - Chapter Twenty-Six (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus, returning from Hospice Idlewild, confronts the threat of three rogue carriers heading towards Carcasstown. All attempts to regain control of the ships have failed, leaving destruction as the only option. Dreyfus approaches one of the carriers, the *Evangelina*, and attempts to disable it with his cutter’s cannon, damaging fuel tanks and causing minor explosions. Despite his efforts, the carrier corrects its course, and Dreyfus is forced to stand back as a warhead is launched to destroy it. The other two carriers are similarly neutralized by warheads, but the third carrier sends a distress signal, revealing that people are aboard. Aumonier orders the warheads to hold, allowing an escape capsule to detach before the carrier is destroyed. A large fragment survives the blast and approaches Carcasstown, but the station's defenses neutralize the threat. Dreyfus then navigates through the chaos of Carcasstown, where an evacuation is underway. He meets Under-Supervisor Krenkel, who is initially reluctant but agrees to help after Dreyfus insists. They head to Midas Analytics, where Mirna Silk, the head of the company, confronts Dreyfus about the evacuation order. Dreyfus explains that the attack was aimed at Abacus, a machine designed to contain rogue artificial intelligences, and that it must be shut down to prevent further danger. Silk, initially defiant, begins to doubt her role after Dreyfus reveals that Midas Analytics is a front for a larger, more sinister operation. Doctor Salazar, under pressure from Dreyfus, admits that he was used to develop Abacus and agrees to shut it down. Silk, now convinced of the threat, orders Salazar to destroy Abacus. Dreyfus, Salazar, and Silk head to the workstation to carry out the task, while Krenkel is sent to ensure the safety of his family. ==== chapter027 - Chapter Twenty-Seven (Статус: completed) ==== Thalia’s cutter, smaller and black, faces off against the larger, white, and more aggressive ship of Detective-Marshal Hestia Del Mar in Yellowstone’s airspace. Thalia, feeling outmatched and aware of her limited authority, maintains a diplomatic tone, expressing gratitude for the evidential package entrusted to her. Del Mar, stern and unimpressed, hands over a white cubic box containing a critical recording. Thalia, aware of the box’s significance, promises to safeguard it for Prefect Dreyfus. Back in the cutter, Thalia inspects the box, opening it to reveal the remains of her colleague, Sparver Bancal, reduced to a dark, fist-sized relic. Overwhelmed with emotion, she floats in weightlessness, a tear clinging to her eye. Meanwhile, Dreyfus, Salazar, and Silk enter the Midas Analytics bullpen, where Dreyfus announces Panoply’s observance and orders the analysts to step away from their workstations. Salazar attempts to regain control of his station but encounters a function lockout. The young analyst, revealed to be Haigler, a former Panoply recruit, confronts Dreyfus with a weapon, revealing that he and several others have taken control of Abacus, the central AI. Dreyfus, recognizing Haigler and other former recruits, suspects they were deliberately failed in their Panoply training to be part of this operation. Haigler explains that they have nearly succeeded in containing two rogue intelligences, Aurora and the Clockmaker, using a clever latency trick to keep the entities from breaking free. Despite Dreyfus’s warnings, Haigler remains confident in their plan. When Aurora requests to communicate, Haigler allows Dreyfus to engage, setting the stage for a critical confrontation. ==== chapter028 - Chapter Twenty-Eight (Статус: completed) ==== Thalia, halfway back to Panoply, receives a call from the Supreme Prefect, confirming that Thalia has the evidential package from Detective-Marshal Del Mar. The Supreme Prefect informs Thalia that events are moving rapidly and that Prefect Dreyfus, who averted a threat to Carcasstown, has gone missing. All abstraction services in Carcasstown have shut down unexpectedly. Thalia is tasked to lead a team to locate Dreyfus and secure Midas Analytics, the cover outfit running the illegal computer Abacus. Thalia rendezvous with a corvette piloted by Pasinler and takes command of a squad including Lovro Breno, Coady, and Laza. She briefs them on the mission, emphasizing the need for caution and readiness. The team docks with Carcasstown, a station known for dismantling and reforging spaceships, but finds it unusually quiet. Thalia instructs Pasinler to undock and preserve the evidential package if the operation takes longer than an hour, ensuring it reaches the Supreme Prefect if necessary. Inside Carcasstown, Thalia and her team follow Dreyfus’s motion-tracking path to Midas Analytics, hoping to contact him via their bracelets. Thalia leads the team through the station, determined to find Dreyfus and uncover the truth behind the shutdown. ==== chapter029 - Chapter Twenty-Nine (Статус: completed) ==== Haigler brought Dreyfus back from the cell where Aurora had manifested, cuffed him about the head, and forced him to sit. Dreyfus, bloodied and in pain, observed the golden orb of Abacus and taunted Haigler about the Clockmaker's superior intellect. Haigler, confident in their control over Aurora, dismissed Dreyfus's warnings. However, the consoles began to emit an urgent alert, indicating that all signals and sensor channels were shutting down. Haigler demanded confirmation that Abacus still had access to its privileged channels, but Zhang could not confirm this. Dreyfus suggested that the Clockmaker was responding to their actions, not annihilating them but making them suffer. The lights went out, and the room fell into a dark, eerie silence. Zhang reported that Carcasstown was on reserve power, with no internal communications, water, or air circulation. Meanwhile, Thalia, having completed the evidential handover, moved towards Dreyfus's position. She communicated with Dreyfus, who instructed her to start evacuation measures and nuke Carcasstown. Thalia, understanding the gravity of the situation, confronted Prefect Breno, who was revealed as a mole. Breno, quicker and more prepared, attacked Thalia and Coady with his whiphound, severely wounding Thalia and killing Coady. Thalia, bleeding and injured, managed to crawl into a dark alcove to hide from Breno. Despite her injuries, her uniform and bracelet worked to stabilize her, but she knew that Breno would come for her once he finished with Gaza. ==== chapter030 - Chapter Thirty (Статус: completed) ==== Aurora emerged from her spectral existence to confront Dreyfus, noting his injuries and the presence of Haigler and his armed men. She expressed concern for Dreyfus and revealed her awareness of the Clockmaker's escape and his plan to take over Carcasstown’s industrial facilities to create a new body. Haigler, growing desperate, asked Aurora if she could defeat the Clockmaker if given more freedom. She mocked his desperation and warned that the Clockmaker would inflict extreme suffering. Dreyfus, deducing that Aurora’s actions were a ruse, accused her of deliberately allowing herself to be captured to manipulate events. Aurora confirmed this, admitting that the attack on Carcasstown was a staged event to draw out the Clockmaker. Haigler, realizing he had been duped, threatened Dreyfus, who explained that Aurora had orchestrated the entire scenario to trap the Clockmaker. Aurora, acknowledging Dreyfus’s insight, revealed that she had created a decoy to mislead them. Haigler, in a final act of frustration, destroyed the pane containing Aurora’s image, and then knocked Dreyfus unconscious. Meanwhile, Thalia, feigning unconsciousness to avoid Breno, considered using the berries given to her by the lemurs as a last resort. Despite the risk, she consumed the berries, which induced a disassociated state. From this state, she observed her own body, lifeless and bleeding, while her bracelet worked to stabilize her and send distress signals. Thalia remained in this precarious, liminal state, neither fully alive nor dead, waiting for a response to her bracelet’s calls for help. ==== chapter031 - Chapter Thirty-One (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus regains consciousness in a chair, bound and disoriented, facing Lovro Breno, who reveals himself as the mastermind behind the conspiracy. Breno admits to killing Thalia and the rest of the squad, and explains his motives, driven by his admiration for Grigor Bacchus and his disillusionment with Panoply's leadership. Dreyfus tries to persuade Breno to abandon his plan, warning that Aurora will destroy Carcasstown. Breno remains resolute, but Haigler and Zhang begin to doubt, especially when Dreyfus points out the unexpected factory activity. Haigler and Zhang decide to leave, and when Breno orders Haigler to hand over his weapon, Haigler refuses, leading to a tense standoff. Dreyfus, bound and helpless, waits for the conflict to resolve. In a storage alcove, Thalia Ng, though severely injured, regains consciousness and assesses her condition. She decides to rejoin the operation and attempts to find Prefect Dreyfus, understanding the risk of interception by Breno. Thalia, despite her injuries, resolves to continue her mission. Back in the room, the tension between Breno, Haigler, and Zhang escalates, with Dreyfus hoping for an opportunity to escape as the conspirators argue over their next move. ==== chapter032 - Chapter Thirty-Two (Статус: completed) ==== Thalia, a prefect, navigates the chaotic and darkened corridors of Carcasstown, where a major shutdown has caused panic and confusion. Guided by her goggles, she approaches Midas Analytics, encountering a side-tunnel emitting a reddish light and a repetitive, machine-like sound. Despite her instincts warning her to avoid it, she investigates and discovers a hidden factory producing replicas of the Clockmaker’s robotic form, a sight that fills her with dread. Realizing the danger, she continues her mission, driven by duty. Meanwhile, Prefect Dreyfus, bound to a chair and injured, is found by Under-Supervisor Krenkel, Mirna Silk, and Doctor Salazar, along with three armed functionaries. Dreyfus, aware of the imminent threat from the damaged Abacus, urges them to leave and ensure Salazar’s safety. He instructs Silk to use a bracelet to free herself, Krenkel, and Salazar, and to take a cutter to Panoply. Reluctantly, they comply, leaving Dreyfus behind. Thalia, now closer to Midas Analytics, finds her path blocked by a crowd at an elevator entrance. Recognizing Lovro Breno, a fugitive prefect, she tries to alert the citizens, but is thrown into a maintenance shaft by a thug. She survives the fall and, hidden from the Clockmaker’s units, witnesses their brutal and swift massacre of the crowd. Emerging cautiously, she finds the elevator unobstructed but encounters a gruesome scene of bodies mutilated and pinned to a mural. Among the dying is Lovro Breno, who gazes at her with a mix of astonishment and resignation. Thalia, undeterred, presses on to Midas Analytics. ==== chapter033 - Chapter Thirty-Three (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus, alone and surrounded by blaring alarms, reflects on his life with Valery, their shared moments of happiness, and his unwavering hope for her healing. As the alarms grow louder and cooling gases seep into his airways, he coughs and struggles against his restraints. Thalia arrives, appearing as a dark, ragged form descending from the gallery. Initially disbelieving, Dreyfus accepts her help when she replaces his failing breather with a new one. Thalia explains that she survived Breno's attack and is there to rescue Dreyfus. She cuts through his restraints and informs him that the corvette is still docked, giving them about fifteen minutes before it departs. Despite his injuries and Thalia's own shoulder wound, they decide to make a bid for the corvette. Aurora, the Clockmaker, appears on the workstations, revealing that she had a plan to save Dreyfus all along. She directs them to a hidden door leading to a service duct. They navigate the duct and emerge in Damascene Conversions, a workshop filled with modified civilian runabouts. Dreyfus and Thalia board one of the runabouts and set course for the corvette, which is still docked in the hub. Thalia, piloting the runabout, navigates the chaotic evacuation, avoiding other ships and heading towards the corvette. Dreyfus warns her about the imminent explosion of Abacus, the massive computer in Midas Analytics. They manage to dock with the corvette, but the physical lock remains closed. Thalia communicates with Moriyama, who informs them that the corvette is stuck and cannot undock from Carcasstown. ==== chapter034 - Chapter Thirty-Four (Статус: completed) ==== Thalia and Dreyfus boarded the corvette, finding it crowded with civilian evacuees. Dreyfus noted the absence of Krenkel, Silk, and Salazar, hoping they had escaped on his cutter. Thalia approached Pasinler, who explained that the capture clamps were not responding. Dreyfus, despite his injuries, insisted on breaking free, knowing the Clockmaker's units were approaching. Pasinler detached the runabout to maximize the corvette's maneuverability. Moriyama and Meppel volunteered to hold the line, setting up a cordon with their whiphounds to delay the Clockmaker units while the corvette escaped. Despite the cordon's effectiveness, the machines began to overwhelm it. Dreyfus ordered the corvette to retreat, and they finally broke free, though the ship sustained damage. The corvette escaped through the circular hole in the hub, using its rear-facing ordnance to destroy the pursuing Clockmaker units. As they gained distance, Abacus, the station's AI, detonated, destroying most of Carcasstown. Dreyfus, after confirming containment measures were in place, returned to the surgical suite to check on Thalia, who was being treated for her injuries. He explained that Aurora, the rogue AI, had lured the Clockmaker to Carcasstown and destroyed it, but remained a threat. Thalia expressed concern about Aurora's future actions, and Dreyfus acknowledged her cruel streak and desire to supplant humans. Dreyfus learned that his cutter, with Krenkel, Silk, and Salazar aboard, had been picked up. He then instructed Pasinler to make a detour to an unoccupied network router with life-support facilities, to ensure their safety from any potential interference. Thalia, meanwhile, rested in the surgical suite, and Dreyfus prepared to wake her before their arrival at the router. ==== chapter035 - Chapter Thirty-Five (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus and Pasinler approach a small, antenna-covered rock, CTC Router GX7-3, to create a secure environment for consulting sensitive material. Dreyfus, wary of potential infiltration, instructs Pasinler to disable the router’s communication devices. Pasinler carefully damages the router, ensuring it is isolated from the network. Dreyfus wakes Thalia, who, despite her injury, agrees to accompany him in hardsuits. They transfer to the rock, navigating through debris and damage, and enter an airlock. Inside, Dreyfus reveals to Thalia that he had previously allowed Aurora, a machine intelligence, access to Panoply's systems, which led to the current crisis. He explains his involvement in Ingvar’s investigation and his role in indirectly causing her death. They then use a whiphound to play back a recording from Sparver, who had discovered a hidden room in Asset 227 containing mannequins of various human forms, suggesting a significant and hidden truth that Tench had tried to protect. Dreyfus realizes that Sparver’s death was not orchestrated by Aurora, and that the mannequins hold a critical piece of information. ==== chapter036 - Chapter Thirty-Six (Статус: completed) ==== The cold and musty air were eroding their minds, but Dreyfus and Thalia could not leave immediately. Thalia observed that Dreyfus recognized the faces on the mannequins, which belonged to the Nerval-Lermontov family and their associates. Dreyfus explained that Ingvar Tench had discovered the secret of this hidden chateau and had repeatedly visited to conceal its connection to Aurora, the uploaded mind of the Nerval-Lermontov daughter. Thalia questioned why Ingvar would protect such a secret, and Dreyfus hypothesized that it was to safeguard something—or someone—else, possibly Hafdis. They deduced that the mannequins were part of a surrogate environment created as an insurance policy for Aurora's risky mind-uploading process, which included a secret clone. Dreyfus and Thalia discussed the implications, including the possibility that Hafdis was the clone, but they dismissed this after recalling that Hafdis's DNA had been verified. They decided to keep their findings secret from Aurora and return to the corvette. As they prepared to leave, Aurora appeared, threatening to harm the refugees and Valery if Dreyfus did not reveal the contents of the recording. Thalia, realizing that Aurora was faking the corvette's proximity, tossed the recording into space. Dreyfus and Thalia shut down their suits to break Aurora's illusion, and the corvette, now revealed to be at a safe distance, moved to collect them. Once aboard, Dreyfus ordered Pasinler to destroy the recording to prevent Aurora from accessing it. Despite Thalia's concerns about losing valuable information, Dreyfus insisted it was necessary to protect their mission. They continued their journey to Panoply, with Dreyfus still pondering the enigma of Hafdis's identity. ==== chapter037 - Chapter Thirty-Seven (Статус: completed) ==== As Dreyfus and Thalia returned home, they watched the feeds with a sense of unreality. Despite the recent crisis, life in the Glitter Band continued as usual, with the usual market fluctuations and the ongoing discourse about the Mizler Cranach incident. Thalia was surprised to learn that her visit to the lemurs had actually helped persuade them that Mizler Cranach was not responsible for the attack on their community. Minty Green Grass issued a public statement exonerating Mizler and calling for an end to the violence. Dreyfus acknowledged the optimism, though he knew it wouldn’t solve everything. Panoply continued to track the escalation, and the arrests and interrogations following the Salter-Regent tip-off were having a moderating effect. Dreyfus thanked Thalia for her role in exonerating Mizler and for her bravery, suggesting that her actions might earn her a promotion. Upon returning to Panoply, Dreyfus briefed Jane Aumonier on the situation, including the Clockmaker's destruction and Aurora's ongoing threat. He revealed that Thalia had recovered Sparver's evidence package, which he had destroyed after deducing a link between Asset 227, the Nerval-Lermontovs, and a biological backup of their daughter, Hafdis. Dreyfus suspected that Hafdis was a second, biological instantiation of Aurora, and proposed a genetic test on Ingvar's body to confirm this. Dreyfus visited Thalia in the medical section, where she was recovering from her injuries. He reassured her that her actions had positive effects and that she might be up for a promotion. Thalia expressed her desire to be involved in further developments, and Dreyfus promised to keep her informed. Dreyfus then met with the evacuees from Carcasstown, including Mirna Silk, Under-Supervisor Krenkel, and Doctor Salazar. He informed Krenkel that his family was safe and would be reunited with him as soon as possible. Dreyfus explained the communication moratorium and the need to rely on direct observation due to Aurora's infiltration of their systems. He promised Doctor Salazar access to secure documents to help in the ongoing efforts against Aurora. ==== chapter038 - Chapter Thirty-Eight (Статус: completed) ==== Panoply’s vote-monitoring algorithms first detected the change as all active and pending ballots were abruptly suspended. Across the Glitter Band, ten thousand polling cores went offline, halting all voting processes. Prefects at Panoply scrambled to restore functionality, but orthodox solutions failed within minutes. Supreme Prefect Jane Aumonier observed the futile efforts with fatalistic detachment, knowing they would fail but insisting on exhausting all options. Aumonier retreated to a weightless sphere to assess the public mood, noting surprisingly little initial panic. Citizens assumed the outage was routine maintenance, while administrators began to suspect something unusual. Public and private communications increased, and activity at docking ports heightened as people, sensing something amiss, began to evacuate. Aumonier recorded a statement reassuring the public that the outage was being addressed, though she knew it was an empty reassurance. Her message was interrupted by Aurora, who transformed into a child-woman on a throne, reassuring the citizens that all was well and that she had lifted the burden of voting. Aurora promised a carefree life, free from responsibility, and urged the citizens to continue their daily activities. Aumonier, unable to counter Aurora’s message, realized she had lost control over communication. In a makeshift classroom, she and Dreyfus worked to create a secure space by stripping it of all technology. Dreyfus explained that they would use simple, analogue devices to prevent Aurora’s interference. Aumonier agreed to allow Doctor Salazar access to the original Catopsis program, hoping he could provide insights into tracking Aurora’s movements. They discussed the DNA discrepancy of Ingvar Tench, concluding that Ingvar had altered her own genetic records to protect Hafdis. Aumonier decided to speak with Hafdis, proceeding with the assumption of malice, as they were now at war. ==== chapter039 - Chapter Thirty-Nine (Статус: completed) ==== Doctor Salazar examines a fading blemish on his forearm from a pre-booster injection administered by Mercier. Salazar inquires about the next steps, and Mercier explains that in six hours, he will be ready for the main Pangolin shot, which will cause some nausea and disorientation. Dreyfus, standing nearby, confirms that Salazar will be using the Catopsis files to recover lost progress, emphasizing that Salazar was recommended by Mirna. Dreyfus then asks Mercier to reduce the wait time to four hours and re-connects the cube. Dreyfus reflects on the situation in the Glitter Band, where life has become abnormal following Aurora's intervention. He communicates with Hestia Del Mar, who criticizes Panoply's silence and expresses concern about the public's growing anxiety. Dreyfus explains that their usual communication channels are being denied and that they are exploring countermeasures. He advises Hestia to put Chasm City into informational quarantine and discusses Thalia's safety and the item she retrieved. Hestia offers Thalia a position in Chasm City, but Dreyfus notes her loyalty to Panoply. They discuss the potential for Aurora to expand her control beyond the Glitter Band. Dreyfus visits Hafdis, who is confined to her quarters. She is watching public feeds, noting the fear and abnormal behavior of the citizens. Hafdis shows Dreyfus a childhood photo, and he asks her about her relationship with Ingvar. Dreyfus then takes Hafdis to the cube, where Jane Aumonier is waiting. They reveal that Hafdis is not Ingvar's biological daughter and suspect she is a genetic copy of Aurora Nerval-Lermontov. Hafdis denies this, but Aumonier and Dreyfus explain the evidence, including Ingvar's efforts to protect her. Hafdis remains defiant, and Dreyfus suggests that they might use trawling techniques to uncover the truth. The cube is reconnected, and Dreyfus decides to continue the interrogation later, torn between his principles and the need to uncover the truth. ==== chapter040 - Chapter Forty (Статус: completed) ==== Aumonier and Dreyfus arrived at the newly designated tactical room, a chaotic space with makeshift equipment and analysts working to create a simplified version of the Solid Orrery. Aurora's announcement was playing on a display, in which she declared that all movement in and out of the Glitter Band was forbidden, threatening to enforce her will if her demands were not met. Despite her threats, the exodus from the Glitter Band continued, with more than a hundred ships leaving since her announcement. Aumonier and Dreyfus discussed the situation, noting that the exodus was likely to continue and that Aurora's threats were driven by the citizens' defiance. Later, Dreyfus and Aumonier discussed their suspicions about Hafdis, questioning whether she was truly Ingvar Tench's daughter or a plant. They agreed that her actions and background were suspicious but also considered the possibility that her memories were genuine. They decided to monitor her closely. The exodus continued for thirteen hours, with an estimated 240,000 citizens reaching Yellowstone. Despite initial interdiction efforts, the flow overwhelmed the planet's defenses. Dreyfus hoped the exodus would ease as the supply of ships dwindled, but he feared Aurora would find a way to infiltrate Yellowstone's network. In a separate scene, Dreyfus questioned Doctor Salazar, who had been subjected to a mental ordeal. Salazar described his discomfort and frustration, but Dreyfus pressed him to help decode confidential files on Catopsis. Salazar agreed to try, though he expressed doubt about the feasibility of reproducing his past work under the current conditions. Fifteen hours after her initial proclamation, Aurora reappeared on the displays, announcing that she would begin altering the environmental conditions of selected habitats as punishment for the continued exodus. She listed forty habitats that would experience extreme temperature changes. She also demanded that Panoply withdraw its ships and employees within sixty minutes and that the Glitter Band's citizens launch a massed attack on Panoply in one hour. The room fell silent as the prefects and analysts realized the gravity of her threats. ==== chapter041 - Chapter Forty-One (Статус: completed) ==== Aumonier orders all Panoply's ships to return, and as they converge, the asteroid's capacity is strained. Dreyfus, observing from a service shaft, notes the overwhelming number of ships and the asteroid's unpreparedness for such a concentration. Aurora's demand, he realizes, is impossible to meet, but they concentrate the ships as closely as possible. Dreyfus checks on Doctor Salazar, who is struggling with the effects of Pangolin, a neural enhancer, while trying to decipher Aurora's plans. Salazar, exhausted and desperate, continues his work, determined to help despite the pressure. Back in the tactical room, Aumonier and her team prepare for an attack from civilian spacecraft. Aumonier warns the civilians to withdraw but to no avail. She orders defensive measures, and the first wave of attacks is repelled, but not without significant damage to Panoply and its fleet. The situation escalates, and Panoply suffers more hits, including a devastating foam-phase warhead. Just as the situation seems hopeless, an Ultra ship, *Shades of Scarlet*, intervenes, targeting the aggressors and turning the tide. Aumonier, though grateful, remains wary of the Ultras' motives. Captain Remanso of *Shades of Scarlet* communicates with Dreyfus, explaining that they have undergone an internal reorganization and are now supportive of Panoply. They leave, having provided a temporary reprieve. Aurora, undeterred, contacts Aumonier, demanding her surrender to stop the suffering in the forty habitats. Aumonier, after a brief discussion with her colleagues, decides to surrender herself to Aurora, believing it might save lives. Despite the protests of her team, she appoints Baudry and Clearmountain as Joint Acting Prefects Supreme. Before her departure, Aumonier insists on resolving one final question and asks to be taken to Hafdis. ==== chapter042 - Chapter Forty-Two (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus and Aumonier confront Hafdis in the cube, now isolated from Doctor Salazar. Hafdis, disconcerted but not alarmed, inquires about the attack, which Dreyfus and Aumonier explain has been a lull. Aumonier reveals that Aurora has demanded her surrender to stop the suffering in the habitats. Hafdis, confident that Aurora will betray them, insists on Aumonier's need to expose Aurora's duplicity. Aumonier and Dreyfus, suspecting Hafdis's true identity, confront her about being a copy of Aurora Nerval-Lermontov. Hafdis confirms this, revealing that she was raised in isolation and later protected by Ingvar Tench, who saw potential in her. Hafdis explains that Ingvar discovered her existence through her relentless investigation into Aurora's background. Hafdis, armed with a nerve toxin in her hair-clasp, threatens Aumonier, forcing her and Dreyfus to comply with her demands. She leads them to the Sleep Lab, where she instructs Aumonier to attach a scarab to her neck. The scarab, designed to kill Hafdis if Aurora's activity is detected, is intended to force Aurora to protect Hafdis and, by extension, to retreat. Despite the urgency, they learn that Grigor Bacchus and Lovro Breno are dead, leaving Doctor Salazar as the only expert who can reconstruct the necessary latency metrics. Hafdis insists that Salazar must complete the work quickly, as time is running out. ==== chapter043 - Chapter Forty-Three (Статус: completed) ==== Hafdis, Dreyfus, and Aumonier don don m-suits and venture into space to confront Aurora. Dreyfus and Aumonier inspect the damage to Panoply, with Aumonier expressing deep disappointment and frustration. Hafdis reveals that she is a Nerval-Lermontov, created as a failsafe if Aurora’s upload failed. She threatens Aurora with a scarab linked to a latency algorithm that could kill her if Aurora is detected. Aurora, enraged and defiant, demands proof, but Hafdis and Aumonier provide her with corroborating data and a deadline. Dreyfus and Aumonier outline Aurora's choices: brazen it out, hide, delete herself, or leave the system. Hafdis touches the scarab, emphasizing the stakes, and they retreat to Panoply as Aurora continues to protest. Later, Dreyfus visits Aristarchus Salazar to discuss the latency algorithm. Salazar, feeling guilty for his perceived failure, learns that the algorithm's perceived existence is enough to deter Aurora. Dreyfus explains that Hafdis must believe the scarab is real to maintain the deception. Salazar, still feeling responsible, is reassured by Dreyfus that his existence and the uncertainty he represents are crucial. Dreyfus acknowledges the burden on Hafdis and the ongoing nature of their struggle against Aurora. ==== chapter044 - Chapter Forty-Four (Статус: completed) ==== Dreyfus visits Thalia in the infirmary, where she is recovering from an injury. Thalia expresses her frustration at being confined and her desire to return to field work. Dreyfus explains the recent events involving Hafdis and Aurora, revealing that Hafdis has placed a scarab on herself to protect everyone from Aurora. He reassures Thalia that Hafdis is not in significant discomfort and that this act gives them leverage over Aurora. Dreyfus also mentions that they have offered Aurora a chance to leave the system, and he expresses hope that she will comply to avoid harming Hafdis. Thalia is hesitant about the plan and concerned for Dreyfus's career, given his past actions that might have compromised their security. Dreyfus encourages her to report her observations to the Supreme Prefect, emphasizing that it is the right thing to do, despite the personal risks it may pose to him. Meanwhile, Aumonier and her team in the tactical room receive positive reports that the habitats are returning to normal, indicating that Aurora might be gone. Aumonier notes the improvement but remains cautious, wondering where Dreyfus is. Dreyfus lies to Thyssen about his intentions and takes Hafdis to Hospice Idlewild. He wants her to meet Sister Catherine and to see the place where his wife, Valery, has been cared for. He gives Hafdis a whiphound to record his testimony, explaining that he is not returning to Panoply and that he has things to confess. He instructs her to take the whiphound to Thalia and to convey his gratitude. After Hafdis leaves, Dreyfus visits Valery, who has shown improvement in her speech. They talk, and Dreyfus is hopeful about her progress. Captain Remanso arrives, informing Dreyfus that their ship, *Shades of Scarlet*, will depart in thirteen hours, and he guarantees their safe transportation to a Juggler world. Dreyfus thanks the captain and prepares to spend a little more time with Valery before they leave. ==== teaser001 - A Preview of "Eversion" (Статус: completed) ==== In the 1800s, a sailing ship crashes off the coast of Norway, and in the 1900s, a zeppelin explores an icy canyon in Antarctica. In the far future, a spaceship sets out for an alien artifact. Each journey goes awry, and only Doctor Silas Coade, the physician, realizes these events repeat. It is his task to unravel the mystery. In the opening chapter, Doctor Silas Coade is jolted from a nightmare by approaching footsteps. He wakes in his cabin, straightens his pince-nez spectacles, and splashes water on his face. Midshipman Mortlock enters, and Coade, feigning disturbance from work, inquires about Mortlock’s abscess, which is improving. Mortlock then informs Coade that Coronel Ramos, a crew member, has suffered a head injury from a falling block and is now delirious. Coade quickly hides a snuff box containing opium and prepares to treat Ramos. He instructs Mortlock to bring Ramos to him and to inform the ship's leadership to maintain a steady course for the next half-hour. Coade reflects on his dual reliance on opium to dull his nightmares and his professional tools, including a trephination brace, which he fears he might soon use. Ramos is brought in, agitated and struggling. Coade examines the wound, determines there is no skull fracture, but suspects a build-up of intracranial pressure. Despite Master Topolsky’s skepticism, Coade decides to perform trephination to relieve the pressure. As he works, Milady Cossile and Topolsky enter, questioning the necessity of the procedure. Coade continues, explaining the medical rationale, and successfully drills into Ramos's skull, releasing blood and easing his distress. Topolsky expresses his need for Ramos, a skilled but taciturn man with a complex past, who has joined the expedition for hire. Coade completes the procedure, noting the potential for lingering effects from the injury. The chapter ends with Coade reflecting on the uncertain fate of Ramos and the expedition's ongoing challenges. ==== teaser002 - A Preview of "Translation State" (Статус: completed) ==== Qven, a Presger Translator, rebels against the rigid path set for hir, colliding with Enae, a reluctant diplomat tasked with hunting a fugitive, and Reet, an adopted mechanic desperate to uncover hir past. As a critical treaty between humans and the Presger is at risk, their decisions will have far-reaching consequences. Enae, who has lived with and cared for hir ill-tempered and wealthy Grandmaman for decades, remains composed during the funeral procession. Despite the aunts, uncles, and cousins jostling for position and inheritance, Enae stays silent and dry-eyed. At the crematory, Grandmaman’s will is revealed by Zemil Igoeto, now Zemil Athtur, who has legally purchased everything from Grandmaman and is the sole heir. Enae, the only one provided for with stipulations, is shocked but not surprised. Zemil assigns Enae to a special diplomatic mission: to find a fugitive who has been missing for over two hundred years. Enae, overwhelmed by the loss and the unexpected turn of events, retreats to hir room, still uncertain about the future.