Firelight

Vane confronts Gaius about Prometheus program, threatens coup. Now includes Vane revealing the approaching Vaalin anomalies as additional justification for maintaining secrecy. Gaius discovers the true depth of the machinery, activates ancient Guard network.

Alonso receives a devastating message from his daughter Mira - Ministry agents raided their home, froze assets, and labeled him an enemy of the state. Former colleagues publicly denounce him. Despite personal devastation, he arranges asylum for his family through Dr. Ortiz.

Ailana monitors galactic reaction to walkout from secure wing common room, receives intelligence about Operation Iron Hand from Maven Ophidian, organizes data distribution

Council vote fails 847-523 with 630 abstentions. Empire walks out with military threats. Ailana recognizes Patrick was wrong about Step 7 - he predicted institutional warfare, empire chose panic instead. Characters improvise their own strategy. Coalition of willing forms from 847 green votes.

Council testimony day. Four witnesses testify with emotional transitions between each. Alonso presents expedition findings and faces Flavius cross-exam. Sara delivers devastating atmospheric isotope rebuttal. Elena presents mothers private research corrections that prove authenticity.

First arrival at Libertas establishes full sensory vocabulary: hydroponics/cooking smells, rotation hum and crowd sounds, station warmth, deck plate texture and lighter gravity

*** Sector 4 — Mali Orbital Station, Bay Twelve *** Hammer-Seven The station's security was adequate. Not exceptional, but adequate. Hammer-Seven observed the patrol patterns from the maintenance duct, her augmented vision tracking heat signatures through walls.

Cassius receives Emperor's order to deploy Hammers against Novum survivors. Helena challenges him about his father's legacy of declassification petitions. Cassius descends to authorize the Hammer deployment, then watches the transport leave while reflecting on three generations of cover-up.

*** Sector 4 — Mali Orbital Station *** Dr. Alonso Quentin The jump had burned out half their systems. Alonso nursed the dying transport into Mali's orbital traffic pattern, praying the ancient ship would hold together long enough to dock.