Chapter 72: Praetors – Darrow's Gamble in the War Council
Spoiler Notice
This chapter summary contains major plot details from Red Rising. If you have not finished the book, proceed with caution.
Summary
The chapter opens aboard the dreadnought Invictus, where ArchGovernor Nero au Augustus has assembled his Praetors, Legates, and bannermen. After fleeing Luna a month prior, Augustus’s forces have been relentlessly pursued by the Sovereign’s fleet. His asteroid operations are seized, his cities on Mars are besieged, and many former allies have abandoned him. The mood is grim.
Pliny, the chief Politico, argues for a tactical retreat lasting six months until reinforcements from Neptune arrive under Vespasian. He frames delay as a prudent path to victory, claiming time will fracture the Sovereign’s coalition. Most Praetors support Pliny, partly out of self-interest and partly because they distrust Darrow.
Darrow, seated ten chairs from Augustus, counters that retreat makes Augustus look weak. He delivers a passionate speech insisting that power—not lofty ideals like freedom or justice—is the only currency that matters. He argues that the Galilean moons will never ally with a fading star; they must be terrified into submission. Darrow reveals intelligence about Ganymede’s moonBreaker, a super-dreadnought commissioned by the Sovereign, and proposes a bold plan to seize all of Ganymede’s ships in a single night, by force.
Mustang arrives late, defusing tension with her sardonic humor. Kavax and Daxo Telemanus side with Darrow’s aggressive approach, while Pliny’s faction remains skeptical. Augustus silences the uproar and listens intently to Darrow’s proposal, though he demands a concrete plan—something Darrow has prepared, using data from the Jackal’s agents. The chapter ends with the council divided, but Augustus’s attention captured.
Key Events
- Augustus convenes a war council on the Invictus; many seats are empty due to defections.
- Pliny advocates a six-month retreat, arguing that time will erode the Sovereign’s support.
- Darrow rebukes the retreat strategy, stating it makes Augustus look weak.
- Mustang enters late, teasing her father and the council with an apple.
- Darrow delivers a theatrical speech about power being the only true motivator in Gold society.
- He reveals intelligence on Ganymede’s fleet, including a moonBreaker.
- Kavax Telemanus and his son Daxo support Darrow’s plan for immediate offensive action.
- Pliny’s allies voice doubt about the feasibility of stealing Ganymede’s ships.
- Augustus demands a detailed plan; Darrow presents a holo showing the moonBreaker and proposes a night raid.
Character Development
Darrow (the Reaper) shows his growth from a novice infiltrator to a strategic player. He understands that Golds respond to raw power, not moral arguments. His theatrical presentation and use of the Jackal’s intelligence reveal his willingness to work with dangerous allies. He also demonstrates patience in letting Mustang support his narrative.
Nero au Augustus is depicted as a weary but calculating ruler. His brief smile for Kavax and his quiet demand for a concrete plan show a leader still capable of decisive action, even as his coalition crumbles. He listens to Darrow over Pliny, suggesting a shift in trust.
Mustang (Virginia au Augustus) uses humor and irreverence to deflate the council’s tension. Her late arrival and loud apple bite subtly mock Pliny’s pomp. She sides with Darrow and the Telemanuses, reinforcing her role as a pragmatic strategist.
Pliny remains the cautious Politico, relying on simulations and historical precedent. His irritation at Darrow’s Lorn au Arcos quote exposes the personal rivalry between them. He represents the old guard who fear risk.
Kavax and Daxo Telemanus embody loyal, violent strength. Kavax’s blunt talk of ripping off balls contrasts with Daxo’s cordial menace. Their support for Darrow is conditional—they still resent the Jackal for Pax’s death, a tension that will likely resurface.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Power as the only motive. Darrow explicitly states that Golds care about nothing but power—not freedom, justice, or liberty. This cynicism drives his proposal to terrorize the Galilean moons into alliance.
The illusion of control. Augustus’s dwindling council—over forty empty chairs—visually reinforces how quickly power can evaporate. The carved lion on the table symbolizes Augustus’s former dominance, now ringed by absent allies.
The fox Sophocles. Kavax’s pet fox, which startles at loud sounds, mirrors the nervousness of the Praetors. It also humanizes the giant warrior, showing his gentle side.
MoonBreaker as a symbol. The Sovereign’s eight-kilometer warship represents the overwhelming force of the Core. Darrow’s plan to steal it embodies the underdog’s gambit: using the enemy’s strength against them.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is the turning point in Augustus’s campaign. Before, his strategy was reactive—fleeing and hoping. Darrow’s proposal shifts the narrative from defense to offense. It also deepens the rift between Pliny’s cautious faction and Darrow’s aggressive one. The plan to raid Ganymede sets up the next major military action of the book. Additionally, Mustang’s public alignment with Darrow strengthens their alliance, even as the Jackal’s intelligence raises questions about future betrayals. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger: can Darrow actually convince the council? The answer will define the rest of the novel.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Darrow believe the Galilean moons will not ally with Augustus voluntarily?
Darrow argues that the Galileans depend heavily on trade with the Core and fear the Sovereign’s reprisal (as seen with Rhea). He insists they respect only demonstrated power. Therefore, Augustus must terrify them by seizing Ganymede’s fleet to prove he can still strike decisively. -
How does Mustang’s behavior during the council undermine Pliny’s authority?
Mustang arrives late, takes a loud bite of an apple just as Pliny is speaking, and later dismisses the council’s debate as “dithering.” Her irreverence and physical closeness to the Telemanuses signal that she supports Darrow’s faction, which undercuts Pliny’s attempt to control the room. -
What does Darrow’s quote “Wise men read books about history, Pliny. Strong men write them” reveal about his philosophy?
The quote, attributed to Lorn au Arcos, implies that action—especially violent or decisive action—is more valuable than intellectual caution. Darrow is positioning himself as a “strong man” who will write history by seizing Ganymede’s ships, rather than a “wise man” who merely analyzes past events.