Contents
Chapter 15: The First Treason
Overview
Marlowe initiates the abduction plan aboard Balmung, distributing roles, masking movements, and trusting Valka to blind surveillance. Confronted by Jinan and Bassander, he lies to preserve the operation, shares a final, betraying goodbye with Jinan, and continues toward the cubiculum to take Tanaran. The heist and a personal rupture begin together.
Summary
Landing in Balmung’s cargo bay as the last Norman shuttles prepare to depart, Marlowe confirms his gear and a concealing mantle with Switch, organizing a pilot and two soldiers while Valka, Siran, and Crim peel off to gather items and disrupt surveillance. Marlowe maintains a visible pretext, addressing crew to avoid suspicion.
Dock master Brux questions the movement; Marlowe claims he’s transferring effects to Pharaoh with a stop on Mistral, easing concerns about manifests and authorizations. Trusting Valka’s camera blinding, Marlowe leads Switch and Doctor Okoyo toward the cubiculum, tension mounting as they pass indifferent legionnaires.
Jinan intercepts Marlowe with Bassander present. Marlowe sends Switch and Okoyo ahead and lies that Okoyo is handling Norman fugue patients before his own freeze. Bassander, back in blacks, explains he’s overseeing the Normans’ separation and confirms likely separation at Coritani, showing visible shame over the rift.
Marlowe acknowledges Bassander’s conviction and accepts his promise not to return him to Emesh, rebuffing talk of the Mataro girl. With Jinan, Marlowe shares a final kiss he knows is treacherous, deflecting her declaration of love. The personal break seals as he turns away, refusing to look back.
Marlowe enters the cubiculum, mind fixed on the operation to seize Tanaran, reflecting on how memory compresses and mythologizes moments. The heist advances even as his bond with Jinan fractures irrevocably.
Who Appears
- Hadrian MarloweLeads the covert operation to abduct Tanaran; directs crew, lies to officers, and parts from Jinan with a final, betraying kiss.
- JinanCaptain and Marlowe’s lover; confronts him in the hall, seeks clarity, shares a last kiss, unaware of his imminent betrayal.
- BassanderCommander overseeing Norman separation; questions Okoyo’s presence, feels shame over the split, promises not to return Marlowe to Emesh.
- SwitchRed-haired lictor aiding the heist; provides the mantle, moves gear, and proceeds toward the cubiculum on Marlowe’s order.
- ValkaScientist and ally; splits off to retrieve belongings and to blind Balmung’s cameras to cover the abduction.
- SiranRed Company operative; coordinates with Crim to move gear and support the covert extraction.
- CrimRed Company operative; assists Siran loading and positioning for the planned abduction.
- Doctor OkoyoPhysician accomplice; accompanies Switch toward the cubiculum under the cover story of transferring patients.
- BruxDock master who questions the cargo movements; accepts Marlowe’s explanation and clears the way.
- Pilot officerYoung pilot assigned to prep engines and load gear, kept ready for a swift departure.