Some Desperate Glory


 Contents
 
 Title Page
 Copyright Notice
 Epigraph
 Part I. Gaea
 
 Chapter One. Agoge
 Chapter Two. Sparrow
 Chapter Three. Family
 Chapter Four. Nursery
 Chapter Five. Avicenna
 Chapter Six. Strike
 Chapter Seven. Dreadnought
 Chapter Eight. Yiso
 
 Part II. Chrysothemis
 
 Chapter Nine. Raingold
 Chapter Ten. Ally
 Chapter Eleven. Magnus
 Chapter Twelve. Water
 
 Part III. Wisdom
 
 Chapter Thirteen. Alone
 Chapter Fourteen. The Depths
 Chapter Fifteen. A Door, A Key
 Chapter Sixteen. Cursed
 Chapter Seventeen. The Prince
 Chapter Eighteen. Victory
 Chapter Nineteen. Doomsday
 
 Part IV. Magna Terra
 
 Chapter Twenty. Assignment
 Chapter Twenty-One. Providence
 Chapter Twenty-Two. Journey
 Chapter Twenty-Three. The Halls of the Wise
 Chapter Twenty-Four. The Wisdom
 
 Part V. Victrix
 
 Chapter Twenty-Five. The Beginning
 Chapter Twenty-Six. Sabotage
 Chapter Twenty-Seven. Command
 Chapter Twenty-Eight. Aulus Jole
 Chapter Twenty-Nine. Enemy Action
 Chapter Thirty. Escape
 Chapter Thirty-One. Boom
 Chapter Thirty-Two. Valkyrie
 
 Acknowledgments
 Also by Emily Tesh
 About the Author
 Newsletter Sign-up
 Copyright
 
 
 
 Guide
 
 Cover
 Title Page
 Contents
 PART I. GAEA
 CHAPTER ONE. AGOGE
 Acknowledgments
 Copyright
 
 
 
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 Begin Reading
 Table of Contents
 About the Author
 Copyright Page
 
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 Some Desperate Glory contains sexist, homophobic, transphobic, racist, and ableist attitudes; sexual assault, including discussion of forced pregnancy; violence; child abuse; radicalization as child abuse; genocide; suicidal ideation; and suicide.
 
 
 ὡς τρὶς ἂν παρ᾽ ἀσπίδα
 στῆναι θέλοιμ᾽ ἂν μᾶλλον ἢ τεκεῖν ἅπαξ.
 I would rather stand three times in the battle line
 than give birth to one child.
 —Euripides, Medea
 
 
 
 
 PART I
 GAEA
 
 
 
 
 
 Who are the humans?
 These misunderstood latecomers to the intergalactic stage have a proud history. It is often forgotten that humanity is one of only three recorded species to discover shadowspace technology entirely without external assistance! No one would accuse the lirem of lacking intelligence, let alone the majo zi, so do not underestimate human intellectual capabilities.
 A common misconception is that humans are uncontrollably violent. Humans did evolve as apex predators in a hazardous biosphere and therefore have some remarkable physical capabilities. They are stronger and faster than most people and their adaptable and resilient bodies are capable of surviving devastating injuries. However, the fact that they are capable of violence does not mean that they use it constantly, or for no reason. You should always keep in mind that in the humans’