28.4

The Dragonfly’s occupants, including Rachel, Lung, and Sophia, fall silent as they approach the Simurgh. Defiant, piloting the Pendragon, switches to long-range cameras, providing multiple views of the stationary Endbringer. Taylor gathers her bugs, extending her range with two relay bugs, while Defiant monitors the Simurgh’s slightest movements, her silver-white hair blowing in the wind, artificial.

Tattletale revises her certainty about the Simurgh’s origins to seventy percent. Taylor initiates contact, using her bugs to relay Tattletale’s words. The Simurgh reacts, rotating to face the Dragonfly, but doesn’t attack. Tattletale continues, suggesting a parent-child relationship between Eidolon and the Simurgh. The Endbringer remains unresponsive, her expression neutral, her hair catching on her face without eliciting a blink.

Taylor observes the occupants of the Pendragon, including Defiant, Narwhal, Miss Militia, Saint, Canary, Parian, Foil, Golem, Vista, and Kid Win. They are listening in, reacting to Tattletale’s theory. Tattletale speculates about Eidolon’s loneliness and his need for a challenge, suggesting a symbiotic relationship with the Endbringers. Still no reaction from the Simurgh.

They discuss strategies, suggesting using powers to communicate. Tattletale proposes a plan involving Rachel, Canary, and Imp using their powers without targets to express attitudes: a call to arms, cooperation, and nonviolence. Shadow Stalker is added to the plan, representing aggression channeled through her passenger. They move personnel between ships, with Imp and Shadow Stalker on the Dragonfly’s roof, Rachel on the Pendragon, and Canary singing on top of her ship.

The Simurgh moves her head slightly as Narwhal transfers Rachel to the Pendragon. Tattletale continues talking, appealing to the Simurgh’s sense of purpose and suggesting that Scion is a better target than humanity. Leviathan appears to the west, drawing the Simurgh’s attention. Tattletale presses on, suggesting that the Simurgh’s existence is pointless without humans to fight.

The Dragonfly and Pendragon break orbit as the Simurgh follows. They arrive at a settlement under attack by the Yàngbǎn. The Pendragon takes damage, but the crew survives. The Simurgh joins the fight, using her telekinesis to create weapons and attack the Yàngbǎn. Taylor tries to direct her not to harm civilians, but the Simurgh doesn’t seem to listen.

They discuss the uncertain victory, acknowledging the collateral damage and the unsustainable nature of using the Endbringers. The Simurgh continues to fight, targeting a neighborhood already destroyed by bombs. She looks directly at the camera, acknowledging Taylor’s instructions.