Golden Son

Darrow gains more followers after his call for an Iron Rain—a war tactic in which fighters are shot from ships docked in the air to battle on the ground. Although he presents a strong façade, Darrow is scared. He notes the apathy among Golds but believes they can change. Darrow delivers a speech to rally the troops, playing into the Golds love of power, and he directs them to spare the lowColors and maintain the infrastructure of Mars. Darrow suggests that the Jackal is not as bad as he thinks, as he was captured helping Mustang escape. The Whites—spiritual leaders of the Society—ceremoniously walk among the Golds before battle and cut their hands. The Golds wipe the blood on their faces and helmets. Darrow lies about wanting to fight Cassius, feeling embarrassed by his actions against the Bellonas at the gala.

The fighters disperse to prepare for battle. The Telemanuses tell Darrow not to trust the Jackal, and he replies that he only trusts friends. Orion is concerned that the Sovereign’s forces have not moved against them. Roque suggests they move their attack, but Darrow refuses, arguing Agea’s collapse will bring down other cities. Darrow and Roque briefly reconnect—Darrow admits his fear and apologizes for all the ways he has failed to do right by Roque, calling Roque his dearest friend. Lorn tells Darrow to be a better person if he survives the war and admits that he shouldn’t have killed Tactus. Darrow doesn’t blame Lorn for killing Tactus and suggests Lorn can teach Lysander peace. Darrow has a brief conversation with Victra then Theodora, who places a clip with a red flower into Darrow’s hair. Sevro tells Darrow he sent a message to the Sons of Ares but does not know if it was received. Darrow questions what Sevro will do if his father, Fitchner, is fighting for Octavia.

Darrow entrusts the battle in the sky to Roque, Victra, and Orion. He expresses concern that Ares is not real to Sevro, and Sevro howls—a sign of the Sons of Ares—and numerous people of all Colors, including Gold, howl in return. Darrow sees that the family flags have been replaced with those decorated with slingBlades and wolves. The lowColors have supported him because he gave them the choice. Sevro warns Darrow that the battle will be recorded and tells him to “[a]ct like a god, get followed like a god” (320). Darrow forbids Sevro from killing the ArchGovernor, but Sevro argues Darrow does not need Augustus.

Jupiter, who had been a Proctor when Darrow was at the Institute, says he has been sneaking into Mars and gathering information. He informs Darrow that Bellona is commanding the enemy fleet and says if they kill the Bellonas the fight will be over. When Mustang expresses concern for her father’s safety, Darrow assures her they will use him as leverage rather than kill him.

A fearful Darrow and a thousand others are dressed in starShells and placed in spitTubes to be fired at Mars so they can attack the city under its forcefield. Darrow concentrates on his pendant and thinks of Eo. He and his friends talk lightheartedly over the communication network, but Roque stops laughing and turns his focus onto the battle. Darrow and the others are fired from the Pax.

As he flies through space, Darrow sees Victra’s mother switch sides and attack the Bellona fleet. Some die flying through the atmosphere, and Darrow wishes he could have lived a quiet family life with Eo. Approaching the ground, they activate their gravBoots and destroy the ripWings that followed them. They land and regroup to form a plan because they have landed far from their target. Using the low gravity, they leap their way closer to the city, fighting the enemy forces targeting Darrow. Darrow flies higher to better hear Roque on the comms, and Roque tells him Octavia is on Mars. Darrow admits that is why he wants to strike Agea.

Aja had been allowed to escape so they could track her and Octavia. Darrow plans to capture Octavia and destabilize the Society. Mustang comes to Darrow, and they discuss the lack of resistance. Darrow directs everyone to focus on capturing Octavia, and they dash forward toward the walled-off Citadel where the Reds in the Sons of Ares have dug a secret passage through the river under the wall. Darrow and his crew go through the access tunnel, but when they come out of the water on the other side, a Brown deploys an EMP globe and Obsidians rush to attack.