Darrow keeps hold of Lysander as the Jackal returns for Quinn, and the three of them escape to the ship. The Jackal calls for Yellows—medical personnel—that might be on board to save Quinn. Using Darrow’s dataPad, the Jackal sees Quinn’s brain is swelling. He has Howlers hold Quinn down to prepare her for surgery and orders Roque, who loves Quinn, to talk to her; Roque tells her the story of the two pigeons who were in love. The only hope of saving Quinn is to get her to a medical station.

Darrow, Sevro, and Tactus go to the passenger hold, and Sevro, who secretly loves Quinn, attacks Tactus for speaking flippantly about Quinn’s injuries. Victra arrives with Lysander, and they go into the cockpit, where they find Augustus, Pliny, Kavax, and Mustang. After updating them, Darrow says Octavia’s offer was tempting since it demonstrated that Octavia—unlike Augustus—respects him. Augustus apologizes then addresses Lysander, comparing him to Claudius. Tactus offers to take Lysander to the passenger bay but betrays the others and flies away to take Lysander back to Octavia.

Darrow regrets trusting Tactus against his initial instincts. A Blue pilot tells Augustus there is little chance of escaping Octavia’s fleet. While Augustus resigns himself to the idea they will all die, Darrow forms a plan and commands the pilot to fly closer to one of the ships in the fleet, the Vanguard.