Empty Netters Podcast - Sci Fi Section Ep 12: Chapter 25-31

Episode Date: October 14, 2026

We are diving deep into Pierce Brown’s world of the Red Rising saga. Join us for Chapters 25-31 of book 2, Golden Son. It’s Lorn time!! What a legend. But Tactus time has come to an end. Would he have turned around? All our friends are captured and it’s time for a new plan. Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:41 - Chapter 25 Praetors 13:57 - Chapter 26 Puppet Master 25:35 - Chapter 27 Jellybeans 32:17 - Chapter 28 The Stormsons 45:14 - Chapter 29 Old Man's Wrath 1:00:15 - Chapter 30 Gathering Storm 1:01:44 - Chapter 31 Coup 1:08:57 - Honors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explorers, warriors, magi, intergalactic voyagers, and hell divers. Man your battle stations, draw your swords, and prepare for destiny. This is sci-fi section. A journey where we will be taking you through the epic expedition of our favorite fantasy and sci-fi stories. The board is set. The pieces are moving. And this adventure will be a deep dive. Dive, rig for deep submergence into the world of Red Rising.

I am Chris Powers, one of Lorne's grandchildren cowering in a closet waiting to be slaughtered and by my side is a man so obsessed with jelly beans, we might as well start calling him Sophocles. Dan Powers. That's true. I've actually never thought of it. I have a jar of jelly beans in my house at all times. Juan's at the ready, and it is a swish and flick on that subscribe button and that like button, a swish and flick. Those who do not believe in magic will never find it, and those who do not subscribe to these chick.

this channel will never find these videos. Please, please subscribe. Today we will be talking about chapters 25 through 31 of Golden Sun. However, we have read this entire series, so there will be some spoilers. If you venture any further, do so with the knowledge that you may hear things that you wish you hadn't. And now we begin. Tactus has stayed true to his nature and betrayed Darrow by escaping the packs with Lysander, Darrow's only bargaining chip. After a narrow escape, Severo removes the weight of the world from Darrow's shoulders

by telling him he knows his secret. Darrow finally reconciles with Mustang, and it feels like he's getting his family back, but a big issue remains, the jackal. We are now into part three, conqueror. And chapter 25, Praeters. Wise men read books about history, Pliny. Strong men write them.

Darrow is surrounded by praetors and legates who undermine him out of fear of losing their favor and their riches at the hands of the sovereign. Octavia was smart. She got her ships to Mars before Narrow, could and has taken control of all his holdings and even frozen all of his assets. They need a plan and no one is helping. Pliny keeps at his political game and suggests with choice words that they continue to retreat for six months until reinforcements arrive. Dero and the

telemanuses hate this plan. Cavix and his son Daxo are some of the few who have not been bought by Pliny. From the book, it chafes my balls. This pixie talk chafes my balls, Cavick sneers. We should not be in this position. Give me leave, my liege, and I will take a thousand of my guard to treat with the cowards who did not answer your summons. Apologies, my darling, he whispers to his favorite fox, Sophocles, a red gold, sharp-eared thing that flinches at the loud sound of his master's voice. Sofocles eats little jelly beans from Kavix's massive bomb. Darrow picks his spots wisely in the conversation. He makes sure all hear him when he says that to run is to show weakness. This is now and has always been about power. They need to show

theirs. Darrow shows a hollow from a datapad he got from the jackal. It displays a shipping bay on Ganymede. There, he highlights a moonbreaker, a ship even bigger and newer than the packs. A ship commissioned as a gift for Octavia's grandson. From the book, so you want to steal the moonbreaker from Ganymede, Pliny asks. That's an act of war. I chuckle. No, you misunderstand.

I want to steal all of the ships. I somehow need good man used even more in these books. It's used quite frequently, but I wish, like, I need one there. you misunderstood my good man because it just adds that extra stank when you when someone is truly a bitch it is funny because it feels like my good man was like instituted by the golds in the society as a sign of respect and it is only used to motherfucker people there was actually one in this section i meant to flag it that was used to someone nice or nicely and i was like i actually balked at it because i was like what dude that's not how you use that term you only shit on people

It's like buddy. My good man. We have friends who say buddy and they actually mean like, you're my buddy. Yeah. But when they're like this, well, buddy, I was thinking you're like, what the hell did you just say to me? Say that one more fucking time. Yeah, my good man is buddy. It depends on who's saying it.

But most of the time it can be taken as a negative thing. I also saw in the comments somebody said that, and we've said many times that I haven't heard of the audiobooks before. So I'm sure I'm saying some frong. And Roke's last name keeps coming up. I think it's, oh man, I'm going to try to remember it. I think it's Fobbi-I is how you say Rokes last year. It's not Fab-I? It's E-I at the end.

So I don't know if F-O-Fab-Fab, but it's like Fab-E-I, not just one. Okay. And then someone in the comments was like, the way you guys are saying Pliny makes me want to kill myself. And I don't know how they say it in the audiobook, but I was like, how do you? If it is plenty. Then I hate it. There's no way it's plenty. If it is Pliny, I hate it so much.

We've covered this. We've never listened to the audiobooks. We're readers. That's not, there's anything wrong with audiobooks. The audiobooks are incredible. But if it is Pliny. I'll be sad. Pliny is...

Blyne. I'm like, cool. Whatever. But Pliny, I'll be like, what? Pliny is way better. Pliny's awesome. Like, he needs to be pliny. Pliny, bitch. I suppose, though, they're right, because if it was Pliny,

there'd probably be an E in there. Yeah, but... Is it Pliny? No. Pliny. But it should be a hard eye. It should be Pliny. Pliny sounds like a rat.

Pliny sounds like a sweet little boy. Yeah. I like him. I'm going to keep saying Pliny until someone else, more people in the... Yeah, we're going to get it now. Now I've addressed it. So someone, there'll be some comments.

But I'm not sure I'm going to change. Just FYI. We time jump a month, which is actually awesome because I do like how they don't fuck around with space travel. It's very anti-season 8 Game of Thrones where people just cruise across the realm in a night

because HBO ordered less episodes and no problem. But I like it. I like how they go, you know, the ships are on Neptune. It's going to take six months. We don't have light speed travel. So we time jump a month

and it sucks because all the good Darrow did in your recap from the other one. It's just undone. It meant nothing. All of Nero's rats are still scheming. And it makes perfect sense. Right? Because in war, he is the guy, right? When he's got fucking blood on his face, fucking Riego.

What does he say? I want some protein. I want some blood. Yeah, I need blood dripping. I need animal drug blood dripping from my mouth. That's what, when Darrell's like that, he's like, okay, everyone's like, yeah, whatever you say, reap. But then as soon as it gets back into this game, they try to cut down his power. And I get it.

It's just so annoying, but I get it. This killed me, though, Dan, from the book. I sit 10 chairs down from my master at the massive cherry oak table in the war room of his flagship, the six kilometer dreadnought Invictus. The ceiling is 40 meters above us. 40 meters. Dude, 120 plus feet. Dude, that is 12, that is a 12-story building. Like, they're in the war room, but they go like this.

On a ship, Chris. This isn't just a room. It's not like it's just, oh, yeah, we're in a war room. They're on a ship. In a war room. I heard of a high ceiling. I've heard of all the ceilings. Dude, at that point, what is the point of a ceiling?

What are we even doing here? Just be out on a sky deck or something. There's another line where he's like, oh, it's ridiculous. But still, I'm like, 120. That is, how tall is your apartment building? I'm certainly not that high, yes. I think it's six. Over two, you can stack two of your apartment buildings on top of each other,

and the ceiling would be higher than this war. room. It's insane. Do you think there's something painted on that ceiling? You couldn't even see it. Here's a telescope if you'd like to see the murals painted on the ceiling of the war room. The pilot that was paid for that job is like, my work is meaningless. This is so dumb. He was wearing grab boots the whole time. Yeah, yeah. It's unbelievable. There are bounties on their heads. Sick. Yeah. I really like that. The quote, old men don't like that Darrow has the second highest bounty behind Augustus, which I fucking love. It

actually reminded me of dungeon crawler call because they do a they do a crawler ranking and you know sometimes car's at the top sometimes and and donut the cat gets actually very mad at that like i can actually hear her like car you're a party leader now like that is exactly what the old men i i hear donuts voice screaming as the old men's voice being pissed about the changing of the of the princess posse yeah and i'm like ridiculous uh but that is so sick and i always thought being most wanted would be really cool like even in our world I actually think that would be a sick thing to have on your resume well depends on what you did

yeah yeah if if you're in an open act of rebellion against a tyrant cool yeah slaughtering if you did some bad stuff funny innocent people yeah maybe not that cool slightly less cool yeah um

telemanus is goaded yeah this is a cool uh you know we've gotten cool sprinkles of the telemanuses this is a good section for the telemanuses. We get a lot of cool shit here. But this, I love, we're seeing all of these old praetors, just a bunch of bitches. Yeah.

Who are more worried about their own standing than being loyal to narrow who. We don't like, but at least, I mean, you made a vow, dude. And like the telemanuses call them out here. They're like all these bitch-ass families who didn't come. It is like Thrones as well. It's like you're called to your banners and you have not answered the call. You are a bitch. and the telemanuses not only here are showing their loyalty, they're also ready to go to war.

And that's gas. Dude, it's amazing. And I've got to say, too, one thing I forgot, because I had said this in a recent episode, the, I was saying I love how the telemanuses love Mustang, but I'm kind of surprised that they're so okay with the jackal killing packs. And here, and you get that section where they demanded the jackal's head after the institute, Nero responded by banishing you from Mars. So at least, and obviously that's gone to hell now too, but at least there was something there. It's still not good enough.

Like, they're shockingly loyal to Nero, still in my mind, but I'll chalk that up to Mustang. We saw in a previous chapter that the jackal shows up in cavics like frowns. And Darrow's like, it's the first time I've seen him not just being jolly and owning life. So we know that he's not thrilled with him. But I agree. It is we have seen families go to war for much less. But at the same time, I receive. respect that the telemanuses are like, it's the institute, dude.

Like, yeah, you're not supposed to kill each other, but like, it is what it is. And they're not going to not be loyal to Nero anymore because of it, which is pretty gas. They also, uh, it is actually very jackal of Kavix to not have the two fingers added back to his left hand after Daxo or Pax bit them off. So cool. You know, and Darrow says the jackal is the only goal he could ever imagine who would live his life without a hand. He took the sword arm of Cassius Abolona and immediately they're like, oh my God, we need to reattack. We need to get him a new arm. And Cavix is out here fucking ninja turtling.

Yeah. And that is sick. I love lines like this from the book. I sneak a glance at Mustang. She notices and raises an eyebrow at me wondering when we shall begin. And I love those, like, we have a plan. Here it comes. It just, you know, it's that I make this joke a lot, but it's that lean forward meme where you're like, oh shit. Yes. Something. No doubt. Something is about to happen. There's another cool one like that later, too. Yeah. And then I just had this realization where Darrow's in here like, I have a plan. We're going to steal the ships from Ganymede, all of them, blah, blah. I was like, if you weren't on Darrow's side, like we're obviously on Darrow's side, Mustang's on Darrow's side, we're seeing through the eyes. If you weren't on

his side, you would get so sick of him. Just tell me what we're doing. And I'm like this, here we go again. Okay, here's a thought, though. How many times has Darrow been? been betrayed where I'm like this, he shouldn't tell anyone his plans. All you guys are fucking snakes in the grass. Like if I were Darrow, I hear you. But if I were Darrow, I'd be like this, look at what happened with Tactus. Look at, like, I don't trust any of you fuckers. Like, are you kidding me? This is insane. Dude, that's fair. Honestly, for me, it's, I don't mind the secrecy. It's more that his plans are always so insane. And dude, they work most of the time. He's right most of the time. Well, he is right most of the time. But as we talk about all the time, no

goes well. Yeah. So that's what I mean. It's just like every time you get to a meeting, you're like, please just have him say, let's run. Let's run. Just run away. And Darrow's like, or steal every child from every school. I'm like, oh my God. He's out of his mind. Damn it, he's out of his mind. I do love this line from the teleman. I think this is Kavix. He says, we are losing. To run is to wither and die. If we want to rise again, draw the galilands to our cause, marshal the governors of Saturn to our banners. Then we show them we are not powerless. Show them we drip with power. We are arbiters of life and death. We, not the Bologna, are the House of Mars. I think it's Darrow. I can't remember, but it's a sick. Yeah, it might be.

The reason I, I mean, I love fire up lines like that, but the reason I highlighted is how sick would it be to be a Galilean? Pretty sweet, dude. We, of all of the moons and planets to be from and houses to be from being of house Galileo is fucking. It's so sick. I mean, Jupiter, So tight. The rim, we'll get to it. No spoilers, but the rim. My God. Incredible. That brings us to Chapter 26. Puppet master. The hard lines of his face deepen as he stares into my eyes. From a distance, the lines are invisible. But this close, they are the things that make his face. Loss gives a man lines like this, reminding me, this is the man you do not anger, the man you do not owe. Pliny immediately snivels his disagreement with the plan.

Nero simply asks Darrow what part two is. Dero changes the hollow to an image of the academy. Prater Lysenis asks if he plans to steal the ancient ships there. From the book, no Prater Lysenus. My plan is to steal the students. I add another visual. Mars's Institute joins the Academy. Then another institute, Venus is.

Then Earth's two institutes. Then the Galilean Institutes and Saturn's. then more till nearly a dozen images float in the air. I want to steal all of the students, not to fight, but to ransom. Mustang thinks Darrow's plan is reckless and calls him an attack dog, as well as making an ill-advised comment about Claudius and Leto, when Nero challenges her. After Nero insults his daughter, Pliny piles on with a disgusting comment about Virginia with Cassius.

Before Kavix rips his head off, Mustang defends herself, while also humiliating Pliny for being a cuck. Then Nero gives a sign of respect, from the book. Augustus let slip the smallest, barest of smiles, a twin to the first. His love is the most conditional I've ever seen. How quickly he can call his daughter a whore, then smile as she reclaims what power she lost in the room. Suddenly, she matters. When Darrow asks Mustang if she agrees with his plan, she says whether they attack or retreat,

the sovereign will arrange for a peace summit and then kill them all. She lures Pliny into a trap of agreeing with them. Nero agrees to the plan and says he himself will lead the siege on Ganymede. Nero dismisses all but Darrow and asks him a question he does not explain. He asks if he is a Democrat. Then he plays Darrow a hollow of his speech on the Pax. Nero tells Darrow to look at the faces of the low colors. That is hope.

Nero says he cannot have that. He cannot have Darrow seem political. He tells him to stay a warrior and stay simple. From the book, Hateful to me as the gates of Hades is that man who hides one thing in his heart and speaks another. My heart has always been laid bare. So you say, his lips part slightly, hissing the words.

But as terrorists spread lies over the net, as bombings rack our cities as the low colors rumble with displeasure. As we begin a war despite the termites in our foundation, you say this. Any chaos is shut your mouth. Do you know what would happen if the other governors thought us reformers? If the other houses looked at mine as a bastion of equality and democracy, he points to a glass. Our potential allies.

He brushes the glass off the table, letting it shatter. Points to another. Our lives. It falls and shatters too. It is bad enough my daughter had the ear of the reformer block on Luna. You cannot seem political. Stay a warrior. Stay simple.

Do you understand? Finally, Nero asks Dero a favor to ask Lauren Ararchos to join their cause. Two Earth institutes? Pretty sick. I am going to be, I'm going to need. It sounds like there's more on Jupiter and Saturn as well because they pluralize that. But I'm going to need all those backstories. And can you, I can't even fathom the rivalry.

I need the whole journey of Earth. Yeah. Like what, what has Earth been through? because by all accounts, the patroval line, the sun, everything is fucking falling apart. You have to imagine Earth crumbled and then was rebuilt. And now they got two institutes? And dude, do you think there's a rivalry between the institutes is one better than the other? Well, that's what I'm saying, because with the Institute of Mars, it's, you're the man, right?

Like you win. You're the primus of Mars. Yeah. Sounds like Venus, too. I think if you left Earth Institute, one of the institutes as the primus, and you're like, I'm the dog, but then there's some other dude, and they're going arts, it's way better than years, it doesn't matter. Is it, is it public high school based where you have to go based on zoning lines? Is this Friday night lights where I can move a mailbox and get into a different institute if I so choose? Maybe I have a grudge to sell them. I want to kill someone over there. Or is it prep school? Are you applying? You know, is it a tier, B tier? Is it JV varsity? I don't know. These are things I don't know. These are things I need to know. And two institutes. I know. How did this line make you feel? You've been unhinged. since you let that balona boy between your legs walking in here like a pixie pump eating that apple like a child stop being a sideshow horror and live up to your name that dude i included the other

quote up there like where narrow smiles i'm like don't even look at her after speaking about her like that dude piece of shit it is one of the most incredible lines i've ever heard it is so mean and i here's what i like about it nero's darrow's right about nero's Uh, love. It is conditional and Nero is a prick for that. Yes. But Dero and Mustang are always scheming and doing insane shit, right? So, and as you later learn, Mustang is acting a fool. Oh, she's putting on a show. Yeah, yeah, right? They're tricking Pliny. They're getting what they want for their plan. But a lot of weird shit. Because, because Nero didn't know Mustang's plan clearly when she went to the, to the Luna. Yes, of course. So from Nero's POV, admittedly to him, all that's happened is

His one, after he banishes his last remaining son, his one daughter waltzes off to his arch enemy. Well, is in love with the person he names his like, oh, essentially air. Yeah, yeah. And then at that moment, she goes like this, I'm going to go hang with the bologna's. She's like, and he's like, what? And he doesn't even really know that she freed the, how, like, all the stuff that we know that she's been doing behind the scenes. He doesn't even know yet. Correct.

So for a year, for two years, she has been literally unhinged. Yeah. So he goes, you have been unhinged since you let that below the boy between your legs, which he nor I can forgive. I actually was talking to E about this. I'm so mad that Mustang, the gala scene wasn't more like Mustang and Cassius have just started dating. So Darrow has to, he still feels all the horrible shit, but it's not like, oh yeah, she's been blowing him for a year.

I love, that is what has been happening. This is our friend Ethan. I also had a conversation with him. I love how the two of you are just like years and. years later still bent out of shape about the Cassius Mustang relationship. You're like, it's shapely upset. He was like this. She gets let off the hook too easily for that. Darrow has never hooked up with her. Like, she hooks up with Cassius first. It's a fucking nightmare. You are a slut shaming piece of shit. No, I do not shame slots. I love sluts. I've said this many times

across many different airways. But I do Cassius shame. And I will not stand for this. Yeah. That's tough. So he says, you are a psychopath, all true. And then I got to say, in a book with very cool insults. A sideshow whore. Dude, a pixie pomp is bad too. The whole line is so cutting. If this was said to me, I would be like, Jesus Christ

man. I'm using that. Side show whore and not, again, not sloth shaming, not directed at women for their obscurity, more to like you. I also, I think that there's something so medieval about the term letting someone between your legs.

It sounds in Like more invasive than crude language. It's like, oh, that, yeah, I shouldn't have done that. Dude, anytime one of my boys is just out of pocket and I get to call him a side show. You're acting like a sideshow. Quit acting like a sideshow whore. I'm like, good Christ. Incredible.

Incredible. All right, here's another one for you, for the telemanuses and Kavix. You said he tries to rip Pliny's head off when Pliny chirps Mustang. I get, I just said I love the Kavix loves Mustang and that's cool. Yeah. Is that bro doing too much a little bit? No. He makes a trauma, and Caly's like,

and I'm like, no. Sit, calm down, dude. Because Pliny, Pliny, Pliny. Pliny, Pliny, Pliny. Pliny, Pliny. He is a rat, scumbach. Do we dive across the table to attack him? Well, I don't think he, I think he starts to get up.

It says Daxo has to. Yeah, yeah, Daxil holds him back. No, it says he stops him from literally launching a club. Yes, but I don't think he gets on the table. Sit down. I disagree. Dude, Pliny is such a piece of shit. That's what he wants, though.

He wants that reaction. Yeah, but I'm telling you, dude, in a world where duels are allowed and Nero even says in this chapter to Darrow, he's like, I know you fucking hate Pliny, but you need to trust that I am smart enough to keep him around for a reason. Daryl's like, whatever, dude. But like, in a world where duels are allowed, I have to imagine if Kavix cut Pliny's fucking pipsqueak head off, Nero would be like this, well, that's unfortunate. Like, he wouldn't kill Kavix for that. He'd be like this, yeah. My little Politico bitch, Pliny, is dead.

That is a bummer, but I'm not going to do anything about it. Yep. So I'm kind of like, yeah, Kavix. Like, all these golds have on him is like this. I could snap your fucking dick in half, pal. It sounds like everyone hates him, too. Yeah, he's a scumbag. Dude, and then when Mustang chirps him back,

that visual just killed me when she goes, when Pliny's wife is the fucking village biceom. bending over backwards. Now you're slut-shaming. Yeah, for her saying bending over backwards was a choice. That was a choice term.

I know she means the actual expression, but for some reason, I think she meant it literally. She does the London Bridge. Dude, that is so good. It's insane. That really got me. And then the democracy thing, dude,

that was cool because it's another scene where Darrow is almost weirdly out of nowhere caught. because he has this great maneuver. They win. They defeat Pliny. And Mustang is, you know, walking by him on the way out,

licking the back of his ear just how I like it. And then dad is like, who the fuck are you? And you're like, holy shit, dude. And it's because of the raw, raw speeches that Darrow gives are so sick in the moment. I mean the one on the bridge. Yeah. Are so sick in the moment for the reader that we forget about the consequences of that that talk because you're just on the bridge there loving it.

Yeah, because it's not a reach from Nero to be like, what was that, dude? Yes. Like, there is no doubt about it. That speech doesn't give him away, but there is no doubt about it that that speech is Darrow rallying low colors and being like, you are better than the golds make you seem. And Nero watches that and is like, what are you doing? Yes.

You are starting an uprising. Dude, so it's a very fair call out. Darrow said in that scene, the sparks of revolution have been struck. And Nero says here, do you see it? That's spark. Yes. And, dude, it's... I love that he chose that Pierce chose the word spark.

To repeat spark there. When in book one, when he was taking his test for the institute and he steals that girl's stylus. And then we said, the proctors played back and smile on him. One of the observations we had was, they are always watching. Yes. So it's on the bridge here. Be careful what you say.

I really loved that. And then, dude, I just get so fired up when it's time to see Lorne. Oh, yeah. What lore? Because you haven't seen him since the draft. And it's great because Nero's like, I have a request from you. Darrow's like this, you want me to go get Lauren? And he's like, you knew? And he's like, bro. Dude, those are the, those are the, those are the quoth moments with that I love. I'm not sure.

You know what? I get emotional in the scene when Narrow is like, he hates me, but he will potentially help us because he loves you. Yeah. And like, I love how Darrow's like, I don't know. And he's like, dude, he had four sons. Three who died, one died by an accident. And I believe he looks at you as one of them. Like, I get so emotional because I'm like, yes. Dude, the emotion comes from me coming up here. So yeah, keep going. To chapter 27, jelly beans. We know you named your ship for him, and we will not forget it. Once friends, always friends.

That is our family's way. Quick little chapter here, but awesome Telemannis vibes. Darrow is met by Cavax and Daxo. They share their pleasure with Darrow's plan and his spirit. They also tell Darrow that they don't blame him for Pax's death. They know he loved him. They also know he named his ship after their son. They tell Darrow that if he ever needs them, House Telemanus will be there.

Darrow says he needs them now. Kavik smiles and tells Sophocles to investigate. The fox sniffs Darrow and then jumps on him, emerging with two jelly beans from his pocket. Kavik says it's magic, and a sign that they need to help Darrow. From the book, Does he really believe in magic, I ask?

He says gnomes steal earwax from him at night. Mother thinks he's been hit too many times on the head. Daxo backs away following his father, but he can't hide his clever smile as he pops a jelly bean into his mouth, and I see where the ones in my pocket came from. I say he just lives in a more entertaining world than we do. Call on us soon, Reaper. Father is eager. Darrow heads to the bridge of

his ship and has Orion set a course for Europa. Roke joins him there. Derr begins to apologize for Quinn, but Roke tells him he knows he wanted this war, but drugging him was not fair to Roke. It's not what friends do. Darrow attempts to continue his apology, but it doesn't appear Roke wants to hear it. Some unbelievable lines in this section. You've read some already that I love the I say he just lives in a more entertaining world than we do. So cool. And then the finish of that, call us soon, Reaper.

Father Zeiger. Yeah. I'm like, again, that's one of those ones I hear. If I'm Darrow, I hear that. And I'm like, yes, these guys are fucking ready to ride. And then you have this flag here so you can read it. But this one just, this one actually kills me. Yes.

In this, uh, Kavik says, my boy only ever lost to you, Kavik says, Little Pax. if he was to fall to a knee it is no shame to have fallen in friendship I only wish he could have taken Olympus with you that would have been a sight I just you know

we said in the end of book one that chapter goes or those chapters is such a whirlwind that you go oh my god they've got the jackal oh my god he's killed packs oh my god we have to get him oh my god the proctors are cheating for him oh my god

we still got him oh my god darrell just killed the proctor it just all hell breaks loose in a way that you can't even fathom that it's hard to even properly mourn Pax in the moment. Yeah. And this somehow brought it all back to me. That battle, it's not even a battle because they kind of ragged all the Proctor's, but that battle on Olympus with mighty Pax stealing Jupiter's armor, it just made it so sad hearing that.

And you get it. You get how Kavix is feeling here, how Daxo is feeling here. The, actually, I'll save that line for a second. Daxo Losing to Carnus Abalona At the Institute makes my blood boil I It fucking infuriates me

I will say reading it It does make me realize and think Carnus is more Dangerous than we thought Him credit Like sometimes I'm like Oh yeah Carnus but I'm like this

I'm like uh okay He won the institute And dude you cannot win the institute without strategy because that was what Titus did. You know, and you die. You burn out and you die. And I'm sure he was given benefits, but yes, that was, that's an alarming fact that you hear about Carnus.

Here's another quote I had, dude, that is just, this kills me. Cavix again. Summon your sisters and mother. The Reaper calls, House Telemannis must answer. The girls were visiting Neptune father. There'll be a few months. Well, then we must answer. Dude, he's the bad.

Then Darrow goes. I'll have instructions within the hour. Kavix. Great anticipation. Dude, which reminds me so much of the truth. What news? Yes. Cavics reminds me of someone.

A great character in literature, but he is just like these ridiculous, he's a warrior, but he's still happy. And it's the juxtaposition we're going to see from Lorne. Like this is a man who's seen a lot of war and a lot of battle. and he's just like, here we go. Dude, I'll have instructions within the hour. Great anticipation. Great anticipation is an amazing.

He's fucking hilarious. I'm saying that. But then, yeah, him knowing 100% that the girls are gone, and he goes, call the girls. And they're gone. He goes, well, then, we must answer. We have no choice. So fucking funny.

I loved that. Dude, and then to end the chapter, I would like to say to Roke that I've given, I've been hard on him, but I give him Grace that Leah is dead. Quinn is dead. Darrow has drugged you. This is a lot has happened. Yeah. But

poets who he claims to be accept apologies with grace. And this is an opportunity not to go all is forgiven, but to just speak. And Darrell's like, hey, I'm sorry. And he's like, fuck you. And I'm like, all right, dude. Enough.

I know. There's a lot. Yes, right. There's a lot with Roke. But I always come back to Roque was not made for war. And I just don't think he understands these things. And then obviously, what we know, part of the reason Darrow never tells anyone anything is because he's a spy. Darrow is undercover. Yeah, right.

And I think Roak looks at this man that he genuinely loves. He's like, that's my best friend on Earth. And Darrow probably feels close to the same other than several. But Darrow is certainly Roak's best friend on earth. And he's like, all you do is keep me in the dark. And I get fucking captured and beaten. And two women that I loved have been murdered because of it. And I was going to defy my family to save you.

And not only did you not accept that or thank me for it, you drugged me. Yep. And have continued to leave me in the dark. Yes. So I do kind of get Roque being like, bro, I just like, why do I trust you? You don't trust me. Yes. So like, fuck off.

I'm just saying when Darrow tries to talk, let him talk. I hear you. And again, I'm just doing the- And Darrow's going to lie again. I'm doing the response. If I'm Roke at this point, I'm like, I don't care what you have to say. There's no apology. I think Daryl's lucky that Roke is even on this ship, frankly.

Okay? Which is tough. That is tough. This brings us to Chapter 28. The Storm Suns. The old man watches the ocean world move around his island. He is as he always told me to be, a stone amid the world.

waves wet yet unimpressed by all that swirls about him such good writing darrow speaks to lorne he's traveled here to try to convince him to help him but in speaking to him he worries lorne is tired of war of killing of death from the book to think about what hands feel lorne mutters these have felt the lifeblood of my sons as their hearts pumped it out of their bodies they felt the cold of razor's hilts as they stole the dreams of youth they've worn the love of a girl and a woman and then felt those heartbeats fade to silence. All for my glory. All because I chose to ride the sea.

All because I do not die easily as most. He frowns. Hands, I think, were not meant to feel so much. They walked together in Lorne's Citadel. Lauren cuts to the chase and asks why Darrow has come, asking for his men and his ships. Dero says he needs them to fight against the sovereign. From the book, I wonder, arrogant boy,

did you think that if you rode in here with your stolen ship that I, a man of a century, would follow you battle, that I would put in danger all my servants, all my family, all I love for you, someone who rejected me when I asked him to join my house. Darrow tells Lauren he thinks they feel the same way about the society, that it is broken. From the book, no, you're not right, he wheels angrily. I left the society not because it is sick, but because it is dead. The society was created to instill order. Men were made to sacrifice so that humanity endured. They were given colors, lives limited and ordered

so that we could destroy the timeless cycle of our race, prosperity to greed to war. Gold was meant to shepherd the other colors, not devour them. Now we are trapped again in that cycle, the very thing we endeavor to avoid. So the society, the beautiful sum of all human enterprise, it's been dead and rotting for hundreds of years,

and those who fight over it are but vultures and maggots. Lauren asks Darrow if he knows who he serves. He plans to replace one tyrant with another. He tells Darrow's story, when Nero was a boy. His grandfather waged war against the Bologna's. In the dispute, then head of House Bologna, Julius, defeated House Augustus and killed them all, save for Nero as to not kill off an entire house. He even fed narrow grapes, so he wouldn't die of thirst as his city burned around him.

Twenty years later, Nero, who was seen as an honorable man, asked Julius for his daughter's hand in marriage. Lauren said he went to the wedding. It was a lovely affair. From the book. But that night, when the Bologna family returned to their estate with the rest of their family, a package arrived. Inside, old Julius found his daughter's head. Grapes stuffed in Iona's mouth, along with two wedding rings. Nero conspired with the then-daughter of the sitting sovereign, Octavia Al-Loon. She would make him arch-governor of Mars if he would support her in overthrowing her father. Darrow finally makes his final play on Lorne as he shows Darrow his pet-Griffon, Icarus. From the book, I move past him to pet Icarus, so you do care about me.

He does not answer me for a spell, and it's then that I know the movement I've dreaded most is nearly upon us. In another life you would have been one of my sons, Darrow. I would have found you earlier before whatever happened that filled you with this rage. I would not have raised you to be a great man. There is no peace for great men. I would have had you be a decent one. I would have given you the quiet strength to grow old with the woman you love. Now all I can give you is a chance. Lauren shows Darrow that ten ships surround the packs to capture it. A praetorian death squad waits inside with Aja to take Darrow. They arrive days before him. Lauren tells Dero, he wants to let him escape.

There's a saddle on Icarus's back. But Darrow is wise to the scheme, and he tells Lorne that he will join him in this war. And he speaks into his comms for the howlers to make their move. Lorne's response from the book, A Lion After All. Lorne is very Dumbledore in a lot of ways. Very Dumbledore. I think without question, if there is someone to compare Lorne to, it is, he is like, Dumbledore, Gandalf mixed together.

Yeah. But he is a very Dumbledore. And it's, and aided most notably by the fact, and it's funny because in Potter, I don't think there's a great explanation for it. In this, obviously, there's cell rejuvenation and blah, blah, blah.

Yeah. But I love that they're both 100. Like, Dumbledore is like 160 years old. Yeah. And you're like, when I picture him, I just see him as a 60-year-old. And that's what Daryl even says. He's like, Lauren would look 60 to the naked eye.

Yes. Only his scars give him away. Yeah. Like, Lauren is like, I'm 105. Yeah, and still one of the deadliest men in the universe. What the fuck? Unbelievable. Yeah, he's so awesome.

This line, or actually, I can't remember if you read this line or not, but there was a line from this section that said, if all golds were like him, reds would still toil beneath the earth, but he would have them know their purpose. It doesn't make him good, but it makes him true. Yeah. I love this one, too. As we walk through the Stone Villa, Lorne happily greets every servant we pass. He sees people, not colors.

Most have been with him for a year. I should have studied with him, but then I would have ended up here, a better man, but unable to change anything so many months' journey from the core. It is interesting hearing how Darrow talks about so many people. Lorne is one of the most fascinating because he is like, this has got to be the person that Darrow respects the most. But he is still like, he is gold, but like he is a, he is true. I almost don't like it doesn't make him good, but it makes him true because I'm like, I think Lauren is a good person, but he is still a part of all of this. Yeah, and I wonder what he would, I wonder what Dara would say right now in this exact

moment what he thinks about Mustang in terms of if all golds were like her. Would red still toil beneath the surface? I don't know. I don't know what he would say about Mustang. And I don't know what Mustang would say yet in this exact moment. but it does make me think that we talk a lot on this about how trying to find the right goals the mission pretty quickly becomes not kill all goals find the right goals who can fix the society yeah and i don't think he thinks lorne can fix the society he thinks he would be honest and respectful about it yeah but i i brought this up to you when we were joking about the apartments being one by three meters lorne's rant here about the society is one of my

favorite parts of the whole book because or the whole series because the society is dead. He's completely and 100% accurate. Gold's entire pitch was we will create prosperity for all. Like this is how it has to hum along. Everyone in their place, everyone in their role, but we will make it work. And currently, their society is worse than ours right now. Like you destroyed the human race to create something fucking bad. And I believe it wasn't bad at first. And that's what Lauren's saying. He's like, yeah, I believed in the compact. And then you fucking all got drunk on power and wrecked it and now you're all vultures and maggots yeah and i won't be here for it and that is why i'm like okay the the gold society even if it was red toiling under the soil and i'm

sorry about that but even if it was the gold society with lorn and mustang in charge i can live with yeah it's the one with octavia and nero yes in charge that i can't yeah no it's it's brutal i i love the i love this character just this this this guy who was an olympic knight who is one of the great families who has so many connections so high up in the society. He shares a grandchild with Octavia. Yeah. And he is just so sick of it all. I love how he doesn't want to fight. I love how when Lysander's brought up, he says he is not my kid. I know, dude. And what a, what a bit of foreshadowing that is. Like, he is like he has been, Octavia has poured poison in his ear for too long. I can't save him. Yep. Um, what a just remarkably awesome.

character. Dude, so I have a few things from Lauren here. When he says he's trying to go, I'm good. I don't want this anymore. And he says that his great granddaughter was born last night. And he wants that to be the last flesh. Yeah, good one. He ever cuts. Lovely story. I do laugh, though, and I do. I know that Lauren is Mr. Stone's side and all that. But I do laugh, though, that he's like this. Look, there. There's placenta blood on my finger still. He's literally like, if he get in his face. And he's like, look, I hope this is the last blood that these hands spill. And I'm like, is that infant baby vagina blood and shoes on your hand? Like, you're home.

You're at home. Go wash your hands. Wash? We're in your palace. Your hands, you filthy pig. Dude, last night, like, what is it? 6 a.m. It's a little crazy.

And it's a lovely story again, but he's like, Darrell, smell my fingers. And I'm like, Lord, Jesus Christ, man. It's a wild move. It's outrageous decision. Wild move. Outrageous decision. The Nero origin story, incredible. Also reminds me at Peak Game of Thrones, right?

Like, doesn't that sound like some, you know, Barathean? And you know what's interesting? There's a part of me, when I hear that story, there's a part of me that's like, damn. Yep. In the sense of narrow, we kind of heard this story through Mustang several times. Nero kind of broke bad when his wife died. Yeah. And he's just like dead inside now.

And then Claudius has killed. and he's like even more dead. Now I'm kind of like, oh, you were a fucking villain forever. You've been the biggest villain. And he was made a villain, maybe when the balonas were like, we're wiping out your entire family.

But bro is a schemer. Bro is a schemer. Also crazy to hear the story of like him and Octavia in cahoots. And now they hate each other. Yeah, yeah. Well, this is how it goes because power shifts. And dude, it's so good for a couple reasons. The,

it's a lesson that you've got to, You got to kill them all. You got to squash the fucking, you've got to cut out the tumor. Rip them out root and step. Dude, and the fact that even this is later, but Pliny being like, I'll leave Mustang alive because I don't want to wipe out a great family. I'm like, this is exactly what happened already, you fucking moron. And I also think it's great for the books. I'm not chirping.

It's a great moment for the book. But people must know this story. Like Darrow being like, wow, I didn't know that. And I'm like, you didn't? That would be like the most famous story of all time. Yeah. How did Nero get where he is? I mean, that's a pretty big moment.

Yeah. Dude, that's like, that's epic. That's like, that's one of the great, that's one of the great wins in, in power surge history. I mean, talk about a long con. 20 years. Lauren's like, well, the history's written by the victors,

and I'm like, yeah, he won. 20 years, you pretend to be a noble man who's like, listen, it was a house feud. Yep, I understand what happened. And then you, you're just this nice, chill guy. You're just a chill dude. And then you go up to Julius and you're like this, hey, man.

I like to marry your daughter. I really like Ayanna. And Julius says like this, you know what, dude, you're chill. Yeah. You're a chill guy. And he goes like this, cool. I am going to cut her head off and stuff it full of grapes because you fed me grapes once upon a time. I haven't forgotten a bitch.

And I think when you read it, it's the house that did get wiped out, Silas or whatever. Yes. I think it's like that guy that gave him grapes. So if I'm Julius, I'm like, I don't even do that, dude. Why are you fucking scraping my daughter? And then also, Nero is now. I didn't realize he's like, could be on his third wife. I'm like, you would have fucking calmed down.

Bro's out of control. You're out of control. Lorne, when he asked Darif it's about love, when he goes, her to her Mustang banging Cassius. Yeah. So tough. From Lauren. I'm like, dude, you're on a fucking Europa.

Truly, it's like Ted Lassow when Roy and Keely break up and everyone's like this. I heard about you in Keely. He's like, shut the fuck up, dude. Literally, dude. Like at this point, you are like, enough. I don't care. It's like your mentor. I do really respect, though, how Lauren is like this.

understand that. Yeah. Like, he's like, I get it, bro. And then so good. Mustang is a baddie. Yeah. And I get it. You can't be losing her to Cassius.

And then it's also hilarious that, this is classic, Lauren, but Cassius is the premier duelist on Luna, could cut anyone to ribbons. And all Lauren can say is how pathetically long it took Darrow to beat him. I know. I was like, well, no, he doesn't say that. He's just like this. You were sloppy, dude. And Darren was like, well, he goes like, I was making a show of it.

And he's like this, pinks makes. shows of things, you bitch. I was like, yeah, Lauren, come on. God. And then I just wanted to highlight some lines that you had. You kind of said these, but in another life, you would have been one of my sons. That was so spectacular now. Makes me cry. For me, me too. You asked about emotion. Now, if you haven't seen spectacular now, there's an incredible line with Bob Oden and Kirk and Mouse, I know I won't spoil for you, but it breaks my heart. Then it also breaks my heart that Lorne planned this escape for him when he knew he was dead. He's like, you're dead, but I will get you out. Yeah. And then a line after all,

breaks my heart the most because we'll get into it in this next chapter, but it's not even Darrow's fault, but that's just such a sad thing to say to me in that moment. Chapter 29, old man's wrath. I wrap my arms around his armor and try not to cry myself. Even the cruel feel pain, and even the cruel can change. I hope this changes him. Lorne is caught in this war. Darrow's counterplan on the Bolona attack will look like Lorne tipped him off and show an allegiance to Darrow even if he didn't give it. From the book, His eyes seek in me something to give him time, but instead he sees only what made him take me under his wing from the start, himself. Most men would give anything to see that, but here and now he wishes to see anything else.

I put my family at risk to help you escape. I took you in, taught you, and you betray me like the others, like Aja. You look for pity. You let me come here, Lorne. You have co-signed my friends above to torture and death, even as you gave me a path to escape, but my friends will not be prisoners. Asja descends upon Lauren and Darrow with a guard of obsidians. She calls Lorne a traitor. He declares House Arcos knew nothing of this plan.

All he wishes is to be left alone. He has no sides in this quarrel. But Aja says standing in the middle of this is no choice. Lorne knows that Octavia would have Aja killed them both. His hand has been forced. Then, dressed in pretty purple armor, Tactus joins Aja's side. They get in a defensive formation ready for Darrow's tricks.

Lauren says he will take Aja, but Darrow wants them all. He calls for Severo, and he and the howlers rise from the ocean. From the book, My Storm Sons, I say to Lorne. Twenty new recruits have come from the families of the howlers in the Telemannis ranks. Severo held tryouts. I hear it was a bloody bit of fun. Snakes, alcohol, and mushrooms were involved. That's all they let me know.

Darrow sets off the bombs he subtly placed in the forest Citadel as he and Lorne walked. All but three Praetorians and obsidians die instantly. Tactus pulled Aja away in time and both flee before Darrow tells the Howlers to hunt them down. Lauren and Darrow realized that Tacitus and Aja will go for the children. Lauren's grandchildren that he is hidden. In a hidden room beneath the castle, Darrow and Lauren find Tactus standing over three killed obsidians in a room full of women and children. Razor in his hand, Darrow tries to reason with him. Tactus bleeds from the mouth from the bombs Darrow set off. He says his mother insulted him, saying he was always in Darrow's shadow, the mighty servant.

From the book, I'm not sorry I took Lysander, you know. I don't think you've ever been sorry for much. Not sorry, he chuckles. And dips toe in the blood surrounding him, but I think I shouldn't have done it. I was testing you at the institute, but I wanted to see what you'd do if you were worth following. Was I? You know that answer. Am I still? He nods, always, saying it so pathetically that it feels like my heart has been pulled into my throat. He's a traitor, a liar, a cheat. Yet I see a friend. I want to fix him and make him whole. What am I doing? I have to put him down. But I've done that before with Titus. The cycle erodes us. Death begets death begets death and evermore. Darrow asks Tactus,

what if he forgave him? He asked him to come back to his army, to let the children live and rejoin him. People make mistakes. Tactus drops his razor and begins to weep. Darrow pulls him into a hug. Darryl, Lauren and Tactus come out of the castle to find pebble. He says Roak is finishing up the takeover with the ships. Lauren says that now the children are safe. Justice must be done. From the book, his hands flash faster than a hummingbird's wings an ion dagger appears lurches forward four times into tactus tactus's armpit where the armor is weakest i rush to stop lorne but it's already done he twists like he's wringing a towel severing the artery an old man killing a young one tactus's ruined face wrenches with pain and he gasps as though he knew justice would finally find him in the end

lorne leaves and i hold my friend as he dies his eyes fading to some distant place where perhaps he'll find that piece. Roke always wished for him. Do, does this make you sad? Okay, I, let's save that because that's what I want to talk about from this chapter. Quickly, howler tryouts sound electric. Howler tryouts, booze, shrooms, unbelievable. And snakes.

And snakes. Like, what do they do with those? Like, I had that's actually the worst part. Like, I don't want a fucking snake here. Sounds absolutely electric. I need it so badly. Yeah. Lorne

I don't actually like how Lauren tells Darrow Asha, he's like Asha's a person, she has a heart, she loves things and I'm like, shut up, dude, Asha is a psychopath, but her not listening to Lorne here is kind of ruthless because she knows him better than Darrow does, I would say. And she knows all the things he's done for her sweet sovereign that he maybe has earned some peace here. And she's like, no, I will kill you.

Yeah, I think that. Though, Lorne hates Octavia. Yes. And Aja is her dog. And she loves her, yeah. And I mean that not in the like, my dog. I mean, like, she's an attack dog. Yep.

So I think Lauren hates Aja. Like, yeah, I taught you. But Aja is like, Lauren fucking hates us and would probably do anything to destroy us. And I love how he's like, I'll take Aja. Yeah. And it's, he goes, you'll have better luck with the stained. What a fucking comment. That's incredible.

Incredible. Lauren's most famous advice, don't fight Aja. Yeah. Yeah, but this is, this is definitely rattling for a number of reasons because, yeah, it's, it's tough that Lauren is so adamant that he's like, dude, I've been fucking tricked. I want nothing to do with this. All of you leave my fucking house. And she's like, bullshit, you're in cahoots. And he's just like, motherfucker.

Come on, Ozha. Jesus Christ. So in that regard, it makes me be like, well played Daryl. Yes. Oh, yeah. I have something to say about that later. And then before we get into the big meat of this, I got to go at Roke again when he is, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, he's. yamoring into the comms about Aja getting away.

And they're like, hey, our ships are getting lit up on the flank because you're not paying attention. I'm like, dude, do your fucking job. Do your job. I agree. I'm soft on Roke in this section, as we just heard me say. But in this one, it's like we're in the middle of a plan with some of the most dangerous people in the world. Shut your fucking mouth. Literally, dude.

And I'm pretty sure he literally says Quinn's killer is getting away. I'm like, hey, you bitch. Shut up. And, dude, Quinn, Quinn died because of Quinn. I agree. I think it's like, it's one of the most fortunate things in the writing in this book that Darrow didn't do anything to fuck that up. That was just Quinn's fault.

Thank God. I know. Because like, if it was Darrell's fault, I'd be like, God damn it, dude. Like, you do have to avenger. But it's like, I don't know, dude. Like, I think you just fuck this up. Yeah. And, you know, in social network when he's like, me and my engineers are doing things that

your clients are not capable of doing. This is one of those things where Roak is going, go, go kill Aja, go kill Aja. And Dara's like, okay, I'm the only person even remotely capable of doing this. So I am down here trying to do it. You are up there doing your fucking job, I would hope, even though you're not. But don't come at me about trying to kill Aja when you can't fucking hold a razor. And to your point too, dude, it's like, you, bro, like, this chick's hard to kill.

Yeah. Like, let me focus here. Kill Aja. I even in this part, Chris, like, when the howlers rise up and like he's like hunt, I'm like, don't send them out. after her. Yeah. She's going to kill half of them. So true. Fucking crazy. Okay. So here's my takes. Tactis's sob story. I do think it's nice to hear that his mother's been poisoning his mind and, you know, his brothers fucking lagging on him. But it's everybody, right? He's been getting it from everybody. And then Octavia did the same shit to him, right? You know, you can you even live up to Darrow?

You can't. And we even said when he was betraying him when he took Lysander, that actually made sense because if the Augustus star is falling, clearly Octavia is going to make you a Praetorian, which she has. He's in the purple armor. So I kind of get it, and I get that it's, you know,

everyone's going. But what pisses me off a little bit is golds theoretically, as we've been told over and over, value power, right? Like Darrow talks how often he's like, oh, my power seeps and my power grises,

whatever, whatever. Darrow won the Institute and killed Proctor's and took Olympus. He is a fucking golden god, dude. I don't actually get why Tactus's bitch mother is like, you're going to follow him? And I'm like, yes. Yes. He's Tom Brady.

He's LeBron James. Yes. Why aren't we all following him? He has done things no one has ever done. Don't we value that? Darrow says, as my star rises, so to the people who follow me. I do not get why his mother and his brothers and all these people are like, Darrow's shadow. I'm like, you should be so lucky to be Darrow's shadow.

Yeah. That is fucking. insane. What are you talking about? And miss me with the you took me for granted, Darrow. That's the one line I really hate when he's yelling at him. I'm like, he bought you a violin, dude. Oh, he loved So I was going to great call, Chris, because I was going to say, what's brutal is the wraths are the O'Doyles. Yeah. Like they're just fucking meathead idiots who just fucking pump drugs and bedpinks. And they're just lunatics. And I do feel for tactis that it just from Victra and now from his own mouth confirmed that his entire life everyone his family has just been like you're a bitch you're not

good enough the fucking mighty servant fuck you loser so to your point about like this is tom brady it would be great to follow tom brady but it sucks that even when he's when he does like he literally does do it yeah the whole time they're not going yeah you're in good company yeah they're like this you're such a fucking loser that would break anyone yeah it's your whole family i the one big thing i feel and I'm totally with you is the take for granted line not always the case with darrow he could not have done better with tactics yeah he does take broke for granted he brings him in so many times the whipping thing which he mentions the way he did that the way he's brought him back in the way he's forgiven him for all of his treasonous behavior it's just the and the violin it's every step of him going what more

do you want for me dude like I'm not your fucking therapist yeah so I'm do feel bad for Darrow here because he, I actually think, as I said, which is not always the case, Darrow did everything right with Tactus. He could not have done more. And I, but I am like, Lorne is probably up there. He's certainly on my Mount Rushmore of favorite characters in this entire series. This was unnecessary. Okay. So, so. He didn't kill the children. So, dude, yes, he killed servants and that is fucked up. But also, like, you just heard him, dude, this kid, this guy's in trouble. And for someone who hates, for someone who hates war, you would think he'd be like this. Oh, this fucking poor kid. But he, Lorne is just so. He's the rage night, yeah. He is the rage night.

And the only thing that matters to him is his family. And he's like, this. The fact that you had a razor out in the presence of my grandchildren means you must die. And I'm like, fuck Lauren. Why? Because like, this is heartbreaking. Yeah. Like, this scene is genuinely heartbreaking. I can't believe we gave, uh, uh, Tacitus the way of the Benegeserate last episode for good reason. Yep. And now here I am weeping over his dead body. I'm like, fuck. So interesting.

And I love what you said about, uh, it's a great take about, I think Darrow takes tactis for granted the least of any of his friends. He takes several for granted, Mustang for granted, Rogue for, he takes everybody for granted. Yes. Except for tactics. That's an incredible take. Here's where I slightly disagree. I also wept here over his dead body.

But I actually, though, and it's hard for me to remember my first read, but I don't want tactis back. I don't know how you were feeling when Darrow was doing this part, but I was like, fuck yourself, pig. Yeah. Because Darrow is trying to give him his rocky four moment. You know, if I can change, a tactis can change. Anybody can change. And I'm like, pass, dude. It's very sad. And I do weep. But I could never trust this man. I would never go to war with this man again, no matter fucking what. So I actually hate this as it's happening. As it's happening, I'm like, Darrell, no. Are you a fucking idiot? Under no circumstances am I letting this kid back. So on the net net, I'm glad that Tacitus is just gone and dead and not in me and I have to hate him the

whole time. But where I completely agree with you is on the other hand, Lorne has some explaining to do because he literally just rubbed put fucking placenta fingers in my face and said, I pray to God that this is the last blood. The last blood these hands ever touch is cutting the umbilical cord of my great granddaughter. That is my one wish on earth. And then that was three minutes ago. Yeah, but. He just fucking.

But. I'm like, he didn't even do anything. Yeah, she did. He killed Greys. That's forgiven. You're a piece of shit, dude. He literally didn't do anything. Don't sit here and stop caring about low colors just because you're upset.

Don't do that. Don't do that. Because he did, I mean, listen, dude, if you're Lorne in this, I mean, this dude was literally about to kill all of them. Yeah. If not, thank God for Darrow. Right. Thank God for you, Peter.

Yeah. But like, listen, he didn't actually do it, but I understand Lauren's race. I said just a second ago, I'm like, Lord, did we have to do that? But I'm not going to sit here and call Lauren a hypocrite because Lauren's hand was forced. That is, that is what he is saying. He's like, I did pray to God and God did not answer my prayers. Yeah, God, in fact, you put tactics in front of me and I had to fucking cut him like a pig through the arm armpit.

It's just fucking absolutely brutal. Did you want Tactus back? And as that's happening, are you like, yes? Dude, and I don't know why. I just like, I feel so bad for Tactus. I really do. And I think he's been a piece of shit. He has absolutely been a piece of shit, but he was made a piece of shit.

And I think this is so pure Dero because, like, Darrow heard the story Roke told him. He's now heard it from Victor and from Tactus's own mouth. And Darrow is like this, dude, I need to save you. Like, he's clearly trying. Yeah. Like, it's in his own way, it's awful how he's trying. but he is trying and this genuinely felt like he finally had a breakthrough like dropping that razor and being like this i'm so sorry dude like i am a fucking piece of shit darrell's like people make mistakes and he's like people make mistakes and he's like you can't put him in a position of power but like you bring him back almost like fucking sansa brings theon back it's the same thing.

That's a pretty good one. And I'm like, dude, you bring him back and go, you will have no position of power. And I will not trust you. You will not be in my inner circle, but I will give you every opportunity to earn that trust back. And I think he would have been Theon. You see, like, I don't. And I also, Tactus makes a good point where he's like, what about the others? And Dary was like, they're good.

But even though he's like, they will fucking murder you in your sleep if I bring you back. But more importantly, and we can never know this, which is very sad. But I think Tactus doesn't handle Dero's truth well. Like I think if Darrow goes, dude, by the way, I'm actually red and I'm here to kill all the golds. Tactus is like, bro. That's actually probably true. That is where I can never get there for Tactus. That takes us to chapter 30.

Gathering Storm. Any of these blade dancers survive? No. Very quick chapter here. Abord the Pax, Darrow is given information about the surprise attack. He thanks Daxo and Kavix for their aid and agrees to give them 30% of the spoils for their part. he's also told that Ragnar took charge of a squadron and won them a ship. Darrow is impressed with his capabilities.

Orion tells Darrow that a ship is incoming. Virginia is aboard. Dude, just a couple cool teases in the chapter. Insanely shortchap. Yeah, yeah. A couple cool teases. One, which is the quote I read, is Ragnar. And it's an interesting dynamic when Ragnar starts doing shit.

And Darrow's like, whoa, that's awesome. Maybe we should have him do more stuff. And Kavix is like, no. Yeah. And he's like, I was just thinking. Just, I don't know. I was just, I'm just, I'm just, I'm just, I'm just, I'm just, I'm just, I think, Chris, let's just go to chapter 31 as well and do these together.

Okay, well, let me just, I think we just do 31 because it was the Orion thing. Yeah, yeah, all I had from this chapter is one more Kavix line when he goes, they go 50% of the ships, 10%. Well, we lost a lot of men, 20%. And Darrow goes 30% for this. And then Kavix goes, three ships. What a haggle. Sometimes a man needs a good haggle. And like after, like, I think like Darrow says 20 and then he is like 10.

Darrow's like, you are bad at this, dog. What are you doing? Take 30. Take 30. Three ships. What a haggle. God, that's so good. Sometimes the man does need a good haggle. It is amazing. And chapter 31, coup. Thedora, I call. She slips forward. Coffee stims and food in the war room. Enough for 10. I remember the two telemenuses. Make it 20. Nero has been captured. Pliny has staged a coup. He let the balona know of the plan to take the students from the academy and carnis descended upon Virginia's leechcraft. 10,000 men dead. Pliny struck a plan with the sovereign. If he delivered narrow to her, she would give him a position and anything he wants. He said he didn't want House Augustus to be wiped out, so he would leave his wife and offer his hand to Mustang in marriage. He said he always had his

eye on Virginia, so she took one of his. Mustang drops one of Pliny's eyes on the ship deck. The jackal has been captured, too. Mustang says there's more information to share, and they all head to the war room to discuss. They assume Pliny will be tracking the ship Mustang escaped on, One of the oranges, Scyther, tells Darrow he can find the trackers and put them on a long-range scout to send Pliny on a goose chase. Dude. So here we have the plan upstairs in the sky goes well. Roke does his job. Ragnar performs like a stud.

They take tons of ships and now they're making their way out even after Pliny tried to fuck them over by selling them out to the Bologna. Mustang cuts his fucking eye out and it manages. just to get back. So, yeah, Europa goes great. Ganymede goes horribly narrow captured. Yes. And Mustang essentially captured, but the jackal freezer, jackal captured.

So it was like, you know, it was like a two-prong plan. Darrow's like, we're going to do this, you guys do this. Yes. Actually, I guess it was three-prong. Narrow was going to Ganymede. Virginia was going to the schools. Yeah. Darrow was going to get Lorne.

Lorne plan, perfect. Yes. Virginia school plan horrible. Narro Ganymede. Horrible. Really bad. Which is another reason why you're like, Darro's like, my good men.

I have a plan. And it's like, everyone's in jail. We're fucked. And I'm like, Darrow. But again, to my point, this is why Darrow doesn't tell people shit. Yeah, yeah. Because everyone fucking betrays everyone. He told the plan to plan.

Yeah. He's like this. Good call, Nero. You fucking wax poetic about how smart you are to keep Pliny in your circle. And then he fucking betrays you. Idiot. I fucking told you not to tell him shit. Exactly right.

The Mustang Pliny interaction is amazing because the taking his eye is so badass and so not Mustang in a lot of ways. obviously she, I'm not saying she's not a beast, she is, but she's so cunning and outsmarts people and can fight when needed. This was, this was some jackal shit. So, several jackalsh shit. Alice and I just binged the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Yeah. And if you all remember guys in the beginning of this book when we meet Pliny, I was like, he is Grimmow Wormton. Yeah. It, like, listen, I love Pierce to death. This one is absurd. Like, Pliny is literally grim a worm to. Yeah. Like, when he is also like this, the one thing I have always had my eye on is the daughter of my,

I know it's a niece in Thrones, but like he, Grima is obsessed with AOL. Yeah, yeah. So I love this eye cut because I get the impression that Mustang is like, since I was a little girl, this fucking creep fuck boy has just been like sleezing after me. Yeah. Then makes those comments about Cassius fucking me.

And I'm like this, dude, you're, you're going to make a. plan with our sworn enemy to marry me. Eat my ass, dude. Eat my ass after I shit. Yeah. Dude, well, I was dying because literally the last thing, like, I can't get over this when Pliny.

The last thing they said to each other is Mustang saying that it's hilarious that Pliny's wife has been sucking off half of Luna. Yeah. And then he goes, his response to that is, marry me? It's like, are you fucking crazy, dude? Are you out of your fucking mind? So, so good. The back and forth with Mustang and Darrow talking about the variables is backwork.

Yes, so I love this. You mentioned it earlier when they're like having those looks at each other. From the book, In due time, Darrow, grandfatherly concern spreads across Lauren's face as he turns to Mustang. My lady, you've been through a trial. Perhaps you should find rest and we could, the howlers and I back away from Lauren. Rest, Mustang voice rises. Why would I need rest? My mistake, Lauren says politely.

I absolutely fucking love that and then I also love they're having this conversation Darrow and Mustang as they're like she's talking about what happened Darrow predicts what happened and then Lauren goes when did you guys have time to talk about this

and several goes they didn't they just they're odd they're odd yeah and I also love how Darrow pat's Lauren on the shoulder and has fucking gravy and mashed potatoes on his hands and Lauren is like several does yeah several doesn't he's like what are you dude I wrote it's Lauren getting to see that.

It's two athletes knowing exactly where they're going to be. Back shoulder throw out of your hand before he's out of his break. And Lorne better recognize that the new generation is nasty too, right? He's an old head. He's an old head out there standing in the pocket making passes. And now he's like, these guys are doing RPO's and scrambling. And I'm like, yeah. And it's a different game, Lauren, it is.

But they're good too. And that was such a good example of him witnessing. Okay, dude, there's some new players. There's some new players on the board. Yeah. The Cyther, the orange is in this section. Yes. And I thought this was really cool because he comes up with a plan to fuck over Pliny.

Darrow goes, yo, vent that ship. And he's like, or I can send Pliny's people on a goose chase. And it's cool. It's so cool that no one objects in that moment, not even Lauren. I'm not saying Lauren's a bigot. Darrow just said he, you know, he's true and he would be honest. But Severeo and Mustang, we've come to expect at a different level. I mean, several knows the truth about Darrow.

So obviously, he doesn't care. But Mustang, we've always felt like this is okay. But this is something that maybe Kavix could have been a little put off by. He just had that interaction with Darrow about an obsidian. You're given too much power to a low color. And they're sitting here in a room with Kavix and Lorne and Daxo, I think, they go, hey, Orange. And he's like, hey, excuse me, not to interrupt, not to overstep, but I actually have a plan that maybe you guys haven't thought about.

And the golds in the room go, okay. And maybe I'm giving them too much credit, but I just thought that is a cool. This is the thing that Nero pointed out, that Darrow pointed out. These are sparks. These are sparks right in front of your eyes. And all these golds here,

and golds we respect as the readers, don't have an issue with it, and that is cool. And also several collecting planies. I never change, pal. Never fucking change. Yeah. I love it.

The last thing I have from this chapter is the, after the eyeballs cut out. It's talking about Severo. It says he's lording around Pliny's eyeball some 20 meters back. We turn and look at him and he shuffles his feet awkwardly. Can I, he gestures to it. What, Mustang asks, can I have it? Mustangs quince at him.

All yours. Dude, you left out a line where he goes, hoping to collect the set. Yes. Like, he's coming. Dude, he's a, he's rocket. He goes, I want, I'm going to get that arm. He's coming for that arm. Like, it's 100%.

I'm a rocket getting the Winter Soldier's arm is Severeux hunting down the second plying eyeball. So at the end of this section, we get to our honors. First, from the scrolls of Tyrion Lannister, given to the character who provided the most impactful words. This goes to Lorne without question. For if nothing else, the chapter of the Storm Suns, that entire chapter is such a fun read. We get time with Lorne finally. We learn what type of man he is.

And just it is a bombardment of a chapter of lessons to Darrow, of information about Lorne and his life and what he's been through and information that is valuable to Darrow the stuff about Octavia, the stuff about Nero, the stuff about him. It's just an embarrassment of riches as far as a chapter goes. Lorne, as I said, is on my Mount Rushmore of characters in this series and he's just so wise. He is the Dumbledore. He's the Gandalf. He is the Proximo. He is just like such an awesome character who has been weathered by war and life and is in many ways like the most valuable person to Darrow. And it's it's awesome seeing how much you're like, oh, dude, listen to him, like learn from him. And he's just a fucking weapon in this section.

Dude, Darrow's own father dies when he's very young. Uncle Narrow was, did the best he could. I'll put it that way. But Darrow has been lacking a father figure in a lot of ways. I don't think he ever believed it was going to be narrow. But I do think in a lot of ways he thought it was maybe dancer or something. And it absolutely is Lorne, which is so awesome, which is why he got this because, while Cavics and Daxo had hilarious quotes, Lauren has those quotes about in another life, you would have been one of my sons that are just so emotional. And it goes a really long way, Lauren goaded.

Yeah. So Lauren goaded. The next honor is Dobby the house elf given to the character who is the unsung hero providing aid behind the scenes. This one we give to Cavend. We'll give it to both. Cavicks and Dax. Yeah.

The way you treat people matters in life. And Dara was kind to Pax. And Darrow named his ship after Pax. And now because of it, he has the loyalty of the Telemannis family. And the same way Mustang does. They are both absolutely insane. They're feeding fucking jelly beans to a fox and haggling over ships. But as Daxo said, and as I, Chris Powers,

choose to believe the Telemannis men just live in a more entertaining world and they are eager for the fight. Darrow is going to need allies within his team, right? Like his team is the Augustine's right now, but Pliny is no ally of his, even though they're on the same side, quote unquote. The, and you have questions about a roke, about a tactist if he had come back, right? Even about a Lorne, who's his boy, but he's like, dude, I don't want this. The telemanists say, call on a a soon reap. Yeah. And that is a nice, nice thing to have as we approach full-scale war.

Yeah, no doubt. Everything about their aid here is super valuable. Next, the way of the Benad Jeserite given to the character who cannot be trusted or shows outright devious nature. Really only Pliny here for me. I don't think it could be really anyone else. Yeah. And Pliny is, he is just the way he is.

In the early chapters, when he's just being a political. scheming, whispering poison honey in Narrow's ear, you're just so sick of his shit. And then even when he's defeated, it shows how dangerous he is. Darrow mentions that earlier when he finds out the information from the jackal. When he's like, I don't think I really processed how much of a threat and how dangerous pliny is. Now, here again, we see he conspires. He gets narrow captured. He gets the jackal captured.

And he almost gets Mustang captured and or killed. He is a piece of garbage. A piece of dog shit. is such a rat fuck and it's unbelievable how narrow continues to trust him and how much trouble he constantly causes the next time we see pliny hopefully his head is cut off yeah and hopefully we get his other eye first then we cut his fucking head off and and roast him like a pig god he is he sucks early right away in book two you're like this guy's annoying and it just does not stop oh it's it's insane the only weeks he doesn't win this is when he's not in it when he's not in that

section. This brings us to our final honor, the sword, axe, and bow given to the character deemed to have earned our loyalty, belief, and trust above all for at least the third time, and many more to come. Later in the clubhouse, we are going Darrow, Ah, Andromedaus, the Reaper, for a lot of reasons. He is the one, we time jump a month, everyone's up his ass, he is the one that has a plan. He is the one that is able to manipulate Nero, and that whole room, Darrow anticipates what I want. Like none of you can. I want to be king of Mars.

Darrow lays the plan down that we believe would have worked, if not for Pliny being a rat fuck. So then he goes to Lorne and executes his mini plan there, which was going to fail if he didn't do his spike bombs and hiding the howlers and all this stuff. And he got that information out of, not out of Pliny literally, but he knew he found out Pliny was scheming and figured it out.

But this was crucial, right? Because if Mustang gets captured, and Augustus gets captured at the docks of Ganymede and Darrow loses and is captured by Aja, we're done here. Oh, yeah. So massive moves there. Also in this section, we fully are back with Darrow Mustang. I know they were kind of like, they had their bacon and eggs last episode, but now it's like

they are fucking in full swing, lockstep. We are dialed in. I love it. He tried to save Tactus, bigger man than I. I don't even, I don't want Tactus back. You kind of do, but at this point, he, Darrow gave it everything. as you said, he could not have done better with tactics, including to the very end. He is clearly fucking over Roke still a little bit, but Roke needs the timeout chair in my

mind anyway. I don't think he's fucking over Roke. He's just like, Roke is on the back burner. Yeah. And, you know. And it does make me a little sad what Darrow did to Lorne in this section, but big picture, I actually think Dero's right. There is no peace in this.

Even though Lauren is begging, and I just said, Aja's mean, but he's, O'J, Lorne knows they're going to make him pick a side. Yeah, that's why I don't, there was a part of me where when Lauren is like, you betrayed me, just like Aja. Yeah. I like that Darrow is like, dude, look what happened. They got here before I did. They were going to use you as like, as a scheming peace, whereas I am trying to come to you as a friend and bring you into this war on the right side because you're going to get brought into it no matter what. And Lauren would rather be on this side. So at the end of the day, big picture, I think he's right. Lorne knows that the sovereign and aja are fucking poisonous. God, I wish Lauren hadn't trained

Ajah so badly. Like so, so, so, so. Gotta be one of his great mistakes. So, so badly. And finally, Darrow is getting the low colors to believe in themselves. Yeah. And trust him while still keeping Nero and Pliny off his back about doing that stuff. Really, really well executed section from Darrow. You have our sword axe and bow. Yes, you do. That will do it for episode five of Golden Sun and sci-fi section. We will be reading through part three for the next episode. So read to the end of part three. We'll see what

happens with our friends. And we will see you next time. Hail Reaper.