Graveyard of Empires

Argus and Vivian debate what to do about Traq's powers. Argus refuses to let the Ministry's fear turn them into killers, connecting his choice to the broader rebellion. Vivian agrees to stay and protect the boy.

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.

Wade discovers Abigail found by Ministry, exhausts lesser options (favor-calling, bribery, running) before desperate Envoy plan. Memory of eight-year-old Abigail drawing star charts in a park drives him to commit treason by sending deployment grid to Captain Grove.

Five-year-old Alaina attends Darius Gray's revolutionary speech on Tellus. Her parents argue about the rebellion's risks. Alaina decides to remember everything about this day, sensing it will matter—planting the seed of the determined, observant girl who will later investigate the Ministry and...