Page 13 (1/2)

“The Annihilo was the flagship of the armada that burned Rhea Others contributed,” I reply

“It is hideous Of course, it does come from Venus”

“My godfather never caredlooked Only if it worked” He chuckles at that

When first I saw Dioht he was yet another brute, like so many of the Core duelists with ma somewhere between monk and barroom brawler He shares meals with his Grays and Obsidians He is never the first to speak or last to laugh When he tells jokes, they usually co, unnerving, and brutal

Yet when news reached us that Darrow, Sevro, and Apollonius au Valii-Rath iodfather in his sickbed, Diomedes did not rejoice as did his sister and many of his compatriots Instead he came to offer his respects

They were a peculiar comfort

I loved odfather, despite his deeds Whether that is evidence of a personal failing or a moral imperative to love those ere kind to one as a child, I may never know

“At the Battle of Ceres, the Annihilo was broken nearly in half by Darrow’s flagship,” I continue “Still she ed to destroy t Republic destroyers and hold off his fleet until Carthii reinforcements arrived She is durable”

He leans forward ga to board her”

“Hoould you do it?”

His eyes trace her instruments of death “Quickly”

There’s that Moonie dry wit I have grown fond of the man and his taciturn demeanor, but worry his blunt forames of the Core As Grand Mask is as vulnerable as a Praetor without armor” Still, Atalantia would be unwise to underestio, he watched his father walk to his own death as a htly

“When Atalantia asks how long the journey took, you will tell her three months,” Diomedes says

“You don’t want her to kno fast your ships are”

“Strength always fears speed” His heavy eyes search mine “You profess a desire to make Gold whole We are not fools We know Atalantia will turn on us when she has the upper hand Helios and the council believe you ainst…rash action”