Chapter 16: All Business

Anden arrives at a covert fighting club in Resville run by Jon Remi and observes an elaborate, illicit jade sparring setup. Assessing Remi’s casual irreverence and local influence, Anden explains No Peak’s concern: the Mountain is buying into Resville casinos, retail, and betting, planning to funnel profits back to Kekon.

Remi reveals the Mountain has already approached him, offering cash, jade, barukan muscle, discounted shine, and tourist traffic. Anden, unsettled but seeing Remi still undecided, reports to Hilo, who instructs him to secure an agreement without conceding status or respect.

At the Blue Olive, Remi tries to unsettle Anden with sex, then lays out the Mountain’s generous terms. Anden counters with No Peak’s practical benefits—matching cash and jade, a Port Massy satellite office in Resville, profit share, training exchange, and jade medicine opportunities—arguing the Mountain would reduce Remi to paid muscle.

Remi escalates by demanding sexual submission as the price of allegiance. Anden refuses and reframes the deal: Remi gets autonomy over Resville if he removes the Mountain and respects Dauk; No Peak will provide resources on request but otherwise stay out. If Remi picks the Mountain, No Peak will bring war to Resville.

Anden sets a noon deadline before his flight, then leaves the nightclub unimpeded. Only once away does the adrenaline hit, underscoring the risk he has taken and the stakes resting on Remi’s decision.