Graveyard of Empires

Traq wakes from three weeks in a medical coma after the Arcadia incident. His implant was surgically removed. He reunites with Oliver, Jim, and Adeline. They plan to head to Haven Station to gather intelligence about the approaching threat.

Dr. Quentin observes Desmond's excitement as the team orbits Novum. Scientific discussions about the planet's independent biosphere and the Decree of Levetus play out while Quentin contends with an impatient Elena and mounting unease about anomalous energy signatures.

Prologue on Tellus/Breitenberg. Naylor family struggles with food shortages during Darius rebellion. Alaina eavesdrops on parents discussing starvation and despair. Explosion rocks the city.

Traq and Everett play in the woods outside Averton. When bullies attack Everett, Traq's psychic powers manifest violently, throwing Remy through the air.

Argus arrives on Geid, adjusts to lighter gravity and overwhelming agricultural smell. Hears news of Darius Gray's rebellion spreading to outer sectors, triggering guilt over deployment grid and fear about consequences for Captain Reyes and others.

“Are those the new shipping manifests?” Oliver asked. “Yeah.” “What did we get?”

“When I went to the market today they didn’t even have bread.”

Wade received the report only a day after it happened. He was in his private chambers on Axis. The words were clear and easy to understand, but he had trouble processing them just the same.

“What is the meaning of this?” Captain Queston asked, settling back into his chair and glaring at the monitor. On the other end was Captain Emilio Finch, traitor, and turncoat to the Republic. “You would dare stop my ships?”