In this book, Darrow has become one of the Peerless Scarred and works for the enemy, Nero au Augustus. He considers negotiations with Jackal, Adrius au Augustus to bring down the Sovereign and the Sons of Ares, with Darrow becoming the face of the revolution.
Darrow learns that the terrorist Reds, The Sons of Ares have planted explosives around the city and that Darrow is to set them off. Darrow agrees at first, but then realizes that his late wife Eo would not have wanted him to become so vicious, so stops himself from setting off the explosions. Instead, Darrow tries to cause a civil war within the Gold’s but is unsuccessful and is taken into custody by Fitchner.
Mars is then taken over by the Bellonas, so Darrow plots to overthrow them from power, as well as the Sovereign. Many of Darrow’s friends betray him for the Sovereign, which throws a spanner in the woks and makes him rethink his plans. Darrow then organizes a televised battle against the Sovereign and assassinates Karnus Au Bellona. They celebrate their victory, but Darrow is once against betrayed by his close friend, Roque, who captures him for the Sovereign.
