Chapter 12: A New Job

Bero is arrested after a new security camera captures him vandalizing a shop during heightened police presence around an Espenian base protest. Expecting a routine fine and release, he is instead handed from police to two men—Galo and Berglund—who hood him and take him to a discreet office.

There, the Espenian agents introduce themselves as Military Intelligence and show Bero a photo of Molovni, the Ygutanian who has been attending CFM meetings. They explain the nekolva: mixed-heritage operatives raised on SN1 and ground jade, powerful but dependent and short-lived, used by Ygutan as covert assets. They believe Molovni’s presence signals state-backed subversion in Kekon.

Galo asks Bero to deepen his involvement in the CFM and report on meetings, Molovni’s appearances, contacts, and statements. Bero refuses at first, but Galo underscores their leverage: they arranged his transfer, can keep his arrest from his No Peak–linked employer, pay off his fine, and will pay him a thousand thalirs monthly, with potential protection if the CFM is targeted.

Appealed to his self-interest and lack of loyalty, Bero calculates the money and safety against clan retribution and legal trouble. Concluding the offer is advantageous, he agrees to become their informant.