Nathan takes on the title of Askani’son, after Madame Sanctity announces him to her followers. During the reveling, Aliya pulls Nathan aside and encourages him to re-think his allegiance to Sanctity. She reveals that her teacher has been going mad for some time, and that Sanctity encourages a hive-mind mentality. Nathan now believes that it is Aliya, and not Madame Sanctity, who is destined to become his teacher.
Synopsis
In Ebonshire, Nathan is presented to the followers of the Askani as the Askani'Son. Nathan hates the attention, as he feels he is being made out to be a messiah. Aliya shares his concerns, as she informs Nathan that she fears Madame Sanctity may be mentally unstable.
In the background, Umbridge, who has been pretending to be a loyal servant to Nathan (because he saved her life on the Gender Splay), communicates to Tribune Haight. Haight assures her that it will be mere hours before the Askani are all killed. Aboard the ship, Columbus the pirate frets over the mission with Haight. One of his new pirate recruits, Plough, kills another pirate based on the charge that he had plotted to kill Tribune Haight. Haight appreciates the loyalty and promises to himself to keep this Plough fellow near during the fighting.
Below Tribune Haight's ship, Stryfe travels with Ch'Vayre and Zero in a separate, cloaked ship. Ch'Vayre laments his life with Stryfe and contemplates switching off the cloaking device. Stryfe reminds the old man that they are psi-linked. Then, deeming Ch'Vayre of beyond any use, Stryfe kills Ch'Vayre.
In Ebonshire, Nathan tells Aliya that he has half a mind to leave before becoming some mindless messiah for Madame Sanctity. Time is frozen and Blaquesmith arrives to tell Nathan that he intended Nathan to meet Aliya, not Madame Sanctity. This changes Nathan's mind about leaving. Time is restored and Professor warns Nate about an attack. Nathan throws himself on top of Aliya as the Canaanites begin dropping bombs on Ebonshire.
Madame Sanctity commandeers the minds of several Canaanite pilots and has ships crash into each other. Stryfe watches with a macabre interest.
Below, Nathan and Aliya rise. Nathan's techno-organic arm is all out of sorts due to using his powers to shield he and Aliya. She tries to link with him to fix his arm, but Umbridge shoots Aliya's arm and corners a very depleted Nathan. Before she can kill Nathan, however, Plough arrives and kills Umbridge. He orders Nathan and Aliya to follow him.
In the air above, Madame Sanctity continues her assault. Haight orders a massive strike against her and she apparently vanishes. Aliya laments that Madame Sanctity was the last person who truly knew all the ways of the Askani. Stryfe, however, is pleased, as he has taken Madame Sanctity into his own ship and proposes that the two team up. Madame Sanctity marvels at Stryfe's powers and chooses to help him.
With the fight out of hand for both sides, Haight and Columbus attempt to flee. Plough arrives with his prisoners and Haight marvels at the pirate's resourcefulness. His hopes are dashed, however, when Plough kills Columbus and reveals himself to be Nathan's friend Tetherblood. Nathan then informs Haight that he will lead a new cause against the ruling class. Professor co-opts Haight's escape pod and Nathan, Tetherblood, and Aliya depart Ebonshire.
Log in to comment