Contents
Four
Overview
Sma and Skaffen-Amtiskaw reach Crastalier and uncover Zakalwe’s covert genetech empire: he sold his own rejuvenation to aging autocrats to nudge them benignly, instead pushing the planet toward nuclear instability. With Contact demanding extraction within a day, they shadow Zakalwe’s submarine to his island retreat. He acknowledges Sma’s pursuit and invites a meeting.
Summary
Sma spars verbally with Skaffen-Amtiskaw about Zakalwe’s past failure at the Winter Palace while recalling a hedonistic ice-breaker aboard the Xenophobe. En route, they monitor worsening Voerenhutz forecasts and receive news that a fast GSV may divert to assist. The GCU Very Little Gravitas Indeed then reports a lead on Zakalwe at Crastalier.
They descend to the planet, debating Zakalwe’s state of mind, his trauma on Fohls, and Sma’s belief he seeks forgiveness tied to Livueta. Landing covertly in the docks, they surveil the Foreign Ministry, where Zakalwe meets officials. VLGI’s data trawl reveals his shocking enterprise: using cracked code from his own Culture-derived rejuvenation, he sells youth to five rival autocrats, hoping to moderate them.
The plan backfires. One client, Ethnarch Kerian, was assassinated; military coups loom, and thermonuclear escalation threatens. Contact announces an emergency: Sma has one day to extract Zakalwe before a forced snatch. When Zakalwe heads by tube to a naval base, Sma and the drone pivot to the docks to shadow his submarine.
They trail the slow vessel for hours, trading tense words about past collateral killings and their agreed course: lift Zakalwe for Voerenhutz. Data suggests a chain of equatorial islands Zakalwe partly owns as the destination.
The submarine surfaces at an atoll resort. Zakalwe visits a woman, apparently to say goodbye, then pointedly addresses Sma through surveillance, inviting her to speak. Sma, furious yet focused, orders the module to surface and prepares to confront him.
Who Appears
- SmaContact operative pursuing Zakalwe; balances urgency for Voerenhutz with a planetary crisis; resolves to confront and extract him.
- Skaffen-AmtiskawOffensive drone partner; discovers Zakalwe’s genetech scheme; pushes for urgent extraction; trades sharp, ethical arguments with Sma.
- ZakalweElusive agent turned magnate; sold rejuvenation to autocrats to moderate them, destabilizing Crastalier; invites Sma to talk at an atoll.
- Very Little Gravitas IndeedGCU Mind providing intel, surveillance, and strategic urgency; sets a one-day window before forced extraction.
- Unnamed woman at atollZakalwe’s lover or companion; receives his farewell before Sma moves to confront him.