Wax's sister Telsin, the leader of the Set, a terrorist group working for Trell (actually a Shard of Adonalsium called Autonomy), plots to smuggle a magical equivalent of an atomic bomb into Elendel. Marasi goes on a mission with a mysterious group known as the Ghostbloods, led by Kelsier, to stop Autonomy's forces from invading the world. Meanwhile, Wax and Wayne go to confront Telsin at the Set's base, killing several Set members, but discover that the bomb is not there, and instead is on a ship headed for the city. Marasi stops enemies in time and disables their portal, preventing the invasion, while Wax reaches the boat with Wayne. The duo discover that the bomb can be defused, but the defuser will die in the process. Wayne sacrifices himself to both defuse the bomb and save Wax. Telsin's overloaded body dies upon Autonomy removing her influence. So,” Wayne said softly, dangling below, keeping pace with her instead of going on ahead, “wanna hear my list of ways how women break the laws of physics?” To be of use in even a single burst of flame and sound is worth more than a lifetime of achieving nothing. He took his seat finally, next to Yancey Yaceczko, a good-natured and patient fellow—and one of the senators who’d actually listened to Wax. As the chamber calmed, the governor looked to Wax. “I trust you have proof of this letter’s authenticity, Ladrian.”

And turning down the offer to become a worldhopper? Good job, Marasi. Sometimes the most exciting decision isn’t the right one. The second problem was far closer to home. It was the parts of the Basin that were outside the capital, the people in what were collectively known as the Outer Cities. For years, maybe decades, tensions had been building between the city of Elendel and everyone else. Well-Intentioned Extremist: Some members of the Set turn out to be this, wishing to take over the world by any means necessary on Autonomy's behalf, so she will not just destroy the planet outright. Cryptically Unhelpful Answer: Lampshaded and averted by Harmony towards Wax about Trell, or rather Auto nomy. Harmony notes he's trying to be a bit more straightforward about things now.Nice,” Wayne said, leaning in beside her. “Some first-rate detectivin’, Marasi. How many old surveys did you have to read to find this?”

I’m too old for stories,” he lied, desperately wishing she’d tell one anyway. “I’m eleven. One more year and I can drink at the tavern.” As the shouts finally died down, Wax spoke again, louder this time. “I demand we hold impropriety hearings to investigate Senator Melstrom’s apparent sale of his vote in blatant violation of anti-corruption laws.”She handed him her rifle and investigated the door. He didn’t like her to make a big deal out of it, but he could hold guns these days without his hands shaking. She’d never seen him fire one, but he said he could if he needed to. Bittersweet Ending: Equally heavy on the bitter and the sweet. Wayne dies disarming the harmonium-trellium nuke, but dies a hero finally at peace with himself. Civil war with the rest of the Basin cities has been averted, but the problems that lead to it still somewhat remain. The Malwish retake the Bands of Mourning and close off most channels with the Basin, implying Scadrial is about to enter its equivalent of the Cold War. Autonomy agrees to leave the planet and Harmony alone... for now, and it's implied that other forces and Shards out in the Cosmere are still VERY interested in Scadrial. Wax is finally allowed to retire from Harmony's service, but Harmony's Shards are starting to become more at odds with one another. Harmony nevertheless agrees to help Kelsier start advancing Scadrial's technology to better prepare itself for the wider Cosmere. Marasi studied the footprints in the dust. They appeared to be a few weeks old, as they’d gathered dust themselves. She walked over to Wayne, who was inspecting the path farther down into the depths: an arduous-looking tunnel with a steep decline. He glanced at her. She said MeLaan wanted me to try harder in the relationship,” Wayne said. “But I think in this case Jammi was wrong. Because MeLaan don’t play games. When she says things, she means them. So it’s… you know…” Too many,” she said. “People would be surprised how much of my time is spent in the documents library.”

With all due respect, Lord Ladrian,” Melstrom said. “You are a new parent, and obviously don’t understand how to raise a child. You don’t give in to their demands; you hold firm, knowing that your decisions are best for them. They will eventually see reason. As a father is to a son, Elendel is to the Outer Cities.”She nodded, then led the way onward. When she’d imagined her life as a top detective and lawwoman, she hadn’t envisioned this. At least the smell was getting better—or she was getting used to it.