A Memory Called Empire

Chapter 19 opens with excerpts from a Five Diadem poem and Dekakel Onchu’s message to Darj Tarats and Aknel Amnardbat, the head of Heritage, regarding a potential warship attack on Lsel Station. Onchu threatens to remove them from power and their imago-lines if this attack occurs. Meanwhile, Three Seagrass wants to check on Twelve Azalea, who was last seen in a pool of blood, but Five Agate commands her and Mahit to run. The trio is stopped by the Sunlit, who don’t allow them to go to Nineteen Adze’s residence. Three Seagrass and Five Agate convince one of the Sunlit to let them go. Nineteen Adze’s residence has been turned into a command center, as she observes the coup attempts by Thirty Larkspur and One Lightning. Mahit talks to Nineteen Adze, letting Yskandr take control of her facial expressions, and Nineteen Adze truly believes he lives inside Mahit. When Mahit tries to correct her, Yskandr advises against it. Nineteen Adze asks to speak to Mahit, and Mahit tells her about the alien threat—which puts both Thirty Larkspur and One Lightning in legal jeopardy.

Mahit tells Nineteen Adze that she won’t trade imago devices for Lsel Station’s sovereignty, but the alien threat matters more than a war of annexation. Nineteen Adze admits she was sent the poisonous flower by Thirty Larkspur, and with it, the choice to kill another ambassador from Lsel Station. Mahit and Nineteen Adze agree Emperor Six Direction must hear about the alien threat, but he’s currently in an underground bunker. Mahit, Three Seagrass, and Nineteen Adze share their blood in a bowl, cementing a promise to protect the Emperor.

Chapter 20 opens with excerpts from Eleven Lathe’s meditations on exile and Yskandr’s private correspondence with Nineteen Adze. Mahit, Three Seagrass, and Nineteen Adze journey underground to find Emperor Six Direction, who appears older and frailer than when Mahit last saw him. She details the alien threat, and he asks if she will honor Yskandr’s deal; she refuses.

The Emperor asks Nineteen Adze to protect his heir Eight Antidote, and she swears she will. He asks about the coup, calling it pointless. He asks Mahit what she can give him in lieu of the imago device for Eight Antidote. She explains the alien threat makes One Lightning a hypocrite, liable for ignoring an obvious threat. Furthermore, Thirty Larkspur is liable for trying to take over the Empire’s civil service. Mahit advises that the Emperor admit One Lightning and Thirty Larkspur led him astray in an address. The Emperor and Nineteen Adze argue where to record the address, but he plans to do so in a sun temple, as an imperial warship hovers in low orbit, able to destroy him easily. Yskandr jokingly accuses Mahit of falling for the Emperor in no time, when he did so in 10 years. Mahit and Three Seagrass mourn Twelve Azalea, and then kiss.

Chapter 21 opens with the last lines from Three Seagrass’s poem, composed for Nineteen Adze while they were imprisoned in the Ministry of Information. The Emperor gives his recorded speech in a sun temple, with Mahit’s speech heard in snippets, via holograph. He is flanked by Nineteen Adze and Eight Antidote. He explains the alien threat and the importance of Lsel Station. The Emperor declares the temple consecrated and names Nineteen Adze his successor until Eight Antidote reaches maturity. Taking out a knife, he dies by ritual suicide. A shocked Nineteen Adze regains her composure and addresses the Empire, telling them that order has been restored.

Mahit declares Lsel Station saved, and the rebellion dissipates. One Lightning withdraws his troops, and Thirty Larkspur becomes an advisor on commerce; the Ministry of Information appoints a new minister. Mahit calls Three Seagrass to help with her mail. Three Seagrass tells her that Nineteen Adze offered to make her Second Undersecretary to the Minister of Information, but she wants to remain Mahit’s liaison. Mahit insists she take the position.

Emperor Six Direction is buried with pomp and circumstance. As per his wish, Twelve Azalea’s body is donated to the Medical College, his death commemorated by a monument. Three Seagrass composes a poem as a eulogy for her friend; the poem sent to Nineteen Adze is immortalized. After the funerals, Emperor Nineteen Adze meets with Mahit and asks what she wants: She asks to go back to Lsel Station. The Emperor says she will call on Mahit should she need her in the future. Mahit tells Yskandr that they’re going to find out who they are.