Contents
Chapter 55: The Little Knives
Overview
Jaya leads the Little Knives to Lukang, baits Jio Somu with a sham overture, then annihilates him and his guards by fire and gunfire. She frames the hit as retribution after a refused clean blade, publicly inviting Six Hands Unity to realign. Jio’s death destabilizes Lukang, forcing Mountain intervention and serving No Peak’s political aims.
Summary
Tasked by Hilo to upset Mountain influence in Lukang, Kaul Jaya drives north with her core team—the Little Knives—intending to handle matters before reinforcements arrive. Hilo warns her not to underestimate Jio Somu, the long-standing Pillar of Six Hands Unity trained by the Mountain.
Jaya meets Jio at the Big Triple, posing a diplomatic offer: switch allegiance before Ayt Mada falls and No Peak resumes control of Lukang’s docks after embargo changes. Jio belittles Jaya, implies sexual terms for consideration, and refuses a clean-bladed duel, confirming his contempt and underestimation.
On Jaya’s signal, the Little Knives surround the club with machine guns and incendiaries. The building erupts in flames; Jio and two guards escape the inferno using jade, only to be cut down at close range. One civilian in the kitchen dies; the team has pre-cleared neighboring buildings and helps extinguish the fire.
Jaya addresses arriving media, taking responsibility and framing the killing as unavoidable retribution for a refused clean blade and an insult to her family’s honor. She invites Six Hands Unity to talk with No Peak, aiming to split allegiances and avoid a single successor consolidating control in Lukang.
Strategically, No Peak doesn’t seek full control but the removal of Jio as a reliable Mountain ally, expecting Mountain to commit forces to contain the fallout. Jaya equitably distributes captured jade among her team, informs Hilo, and receives his praise and caution as reinforcements head south.
Who Appears
- Kaul JayaNo Peak Fist leading the Little Knives; lures and orchestrates Jio Somu’s assassination, then frames it as honor on camera.
- Jio SomuPillar of Six Hands Unity; dismisses Jaya’s proposal, refuses a clean blade, dies in the Big Triple ambush.
- Eiten AshaSenior Little Knife; supports Jaya in the approach, firefight, firefighting, and media presentation.
- Noyu KainLittle Knife; helps execute the assault, calls authorities, and manages distribution of captured jade.
- Icho TennLittle Knife and local Toshon native; coordinates vehicles, launches grenades, and leads assault timing.
- Kaul Hiloshudon (Hilo)Pillar of No Peak; warns Jaya about Jio, authorizes the mission, later praises and cautions her.
- Lott JinHorn of No Peak; planned reinforcements and broader strategy to unsettle Lukang without full takeover.
- Ayt MadaPillar of the Mountain; cited as nearing removal in Jaya’s pitch, expected to respond to Jio’s death.
- Aben SoroMountain Horn; expected to send Mountain Green Bones to stabilize Lukang after Jio’s assassination.