Contents
Chapter 58: The Chalcenterite
Overview
Smythe reels from the parley’s brutality and resolves to prevent Hadrian from letting Tanaran address the Aeta. Tor Varro outlines an imperial path to peace—ceasefire, contacts, trade—and challenges Hadrian for deviating from the script. Their clash over truth versus propaganda hardens stakes: peace on the Empire’s terms or not at all.
Summary
Returning to the Schiavona after the negotiation with Aeta Aranata, Smythe broods over having delivered colonists to Sagara, haunted by the mutilated human translator. Bassander Lin denounces the cruelty; Jinan and Crossflane acknowledge it, but Smythe forces focus back to the mission.
Smythe declares she will block Hadrian’s promise to let Tanaran speak with the Cielcin, fearing the prisoner’s account of Emesh could derail talks. Tor Varro, in atypical scholiast garb, presents the imperial plan: an immediate ceasefire, further dialogue, introductions to other clans, and eventual trade, aiming to make Aeta’s incentives outweigh any prisoner testimony.
Hadrian, overwhelmed by conflicting loyalties and doubts after witnessing Cielcin atrocities, assents outwardly but seeks distance. The meeting adjourns, and Varro privately confronts Hadrian for departing from Smythe’s script during the parley by stating in Cielcin that he wished “to see with eyes unclouded.”
In their exchange, Varro asks why Hadrian is here; Hadrian counters with duty to mankind. Varro labels him an idealist and insists Hadrian must speak “our truth” to be useful. Offended, Hadrian asserts allegiance to Truth and the Good, rejecting propaganda even as he admits his own necessary lies. The conversation ends with Varro’s implicit threat: comply with the program, or be sidelined.
Who Appears
- Hadrian MarloweProtagonist; doubts the peace plan, clashes with Varro over truth versus propaganda, and is targeted for deviating from the script.
- Knight-Tribune Livia SmytheShaken by the translator’s mutilation; resolves to stop Tanaran from speaking and to keep negotiations controlled.
- Tor VarroChalcenterite scholiast; outlines ceasefire/trade strategy, admonishes Hadrian for improvising, demands adherence to the Empire’s narrative.
- Bassander LinOfficer who challenges the morality of the Cielcin’s cruelty and questions leadership choices.
- JinanCrewmate; quietly condemns the brutality and questions the durability of any enforced silence.
- CrossflaneOfficer under Smythe; acknowledges the atrocity and supports maintaining operational focus.