Graveyard of Empires

Dr. Quentin explains the wine catastrophe and quarantine decree to Desmond while orbiting Novum, but escalating energy signature alerts from the planet create mounting urgency. Sara detects the anomaly intensifying and forces a landing decision before someone else investigates first.

Jayson tests a prototype armor suit at the Academy under Alexander Robertson's supervision. Maven arrives, shoots Jayson twice to test the armor's durability, demonstrating both the suit's capabilities and her ruthless pragmatism. The armor survives a pistol round but barely stops a rifle shot.

Abdullah arrives aboard Denigen's Fist, witnesses Captain Grove execute a soldier, and is promoted to Lieutenant Commander. Three weeks later, he experiences his first space combat when Union corvettes and a reconnaissance freighter attempt to scan the Fist's shield harmonics.

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.

Six-year-old Alaina arrives at Ministry compound on transport ship. Flashback shows the night soldiers came - her father hid her under the bed, but when she heard baby Eva screaming, Alaina chose to leave hiding, attacked a soldier to free Eva, and shielded her sister with her body.

Minister Givon Mielo reviews intelligence on Sector Six unrest and signs the Trevmarch pacification order from his Ministry office on Axis. Meanwhile, aboard Denigen's Fist, Abdullah Al Hakir and Eddie Boleman debate military duty, pacification doctrine, and moral complicity.

Jayson arrives at Silvent Academy on Alderson with Richard Dyson, who reveals he joined because of Darius Gray's vision for freedom. They debate whether freedom is worth fighting and dying for.