Contents
Chapter 37: Leaving Home
Overview
Niko departs Kekon to join GSI despite family opposition. Hilo meets him at the gate, restores his accounts, and offers emergency contacts, acknowledging their rift. Afterward, Hilo deploys covert No Peak agents to infiltrate GSI, gather intelligence, and secretly protect Niko while preserving plausible deniability.
Summary
At the airport, Niko wrestles with second thoughts about leaving the clan to join GSI. Anden, his most trusted uncle, quietly accompanies him, recalling their close bond and Ru’s impassioned plea the previous night for Niko to accept his duty and path within the clan.
Hilo arrives moments before boarding. He returns Niko’s bank access and provides emergency contacts to clan allies abroad, stating that Niko will otherwise be on his own. In a tense farewell, Hilo admits he can’t force Niko to stay and declares his love and intent behind past decisions, and Niko departs.
Leaving the terminal, Hilo meets Lott and proceeds to a nearby hotel suite where Vin Solu, Hejo, and a tech specialist brief three recruits—Dasho, Teije Inno, and Sim—on covert recording devices hidden in everyday items and jade.
Hilo outlines the plan: the men will join GSI on staggered flights under cover as defectors, feed intelligence to No Peak, and, most importantly, keep Niko safe. Families are guaranteed support, and any exposure will be deflected as freelance journalism. The recruits receive tickets, funds, and cover stories, then kneel and pledge to the Pillar.
Who Appears
- NikoLeaves Kekon to join GSI despite family pressure; receives contacts and funds from Hilo.
- Kaul HiloMeets Niko, restores access, declares love; organizes covert infiltration of GSI to protect Niko.
- Kaul Hiloshudon (Anden)Supports Niko at the airport, worried but respectful; earlier argued with the Pillar.
- LottDrives Hilo and distributes tickets and finances to the infiltrators.
- Vin SoluFirst Fist of Janloon; present for the briefing of GSI infiltrators.
- HejoFirst Fist of White Rats; oversees covert gear and infiltration planning.
- White Rats tech expertExplains hidden recording devices and operational protocols to recruits.
- DashoGolden Spider recruit; agrees to infiltrate GSI and report back.
- Teije InnoKaul relative and Golden Spider; joins infiltration to monitor Niko.
- SimJunior Finger; uneasy but commits to spy within GSI and protect Niko.
- RuNiko’s brother; recently begged Niko to stay and pursue clan duty.