Fontecchio nearly died himself as the medtechs battled the poison in his system. But as the toxchem was not designed for him, the effects were diminished enough to offer survival. But at a cost. Needing a scapegoat, his superiors naturally blamed him, the sole survivor of the Hand, for dereliction of duty, but the Emperor himself stayed the execution and banished Fontecchio forever. Death would have been kinder.