Contents
Chapter 24: It’s Finally Happening
Overview
Bero finally connects with Ema, who reveals the clanless action will occur the next day and shares a post-operation rendezvous tied to Molovni’s escape plan. Torn between profit and conscience, Bero informs his Espenian handler of Ema’s address but withholds the meeting location, prompting Espenian surveillance instead of an immediate grab.
Summary
Bero receives a surprise call from Ema, who invites him to her apartment. He notes her expensive belongings and a family photo showing an older Green Bone brother who was executed. They drink and have sex; afterward, Ema abruptly announces that the planned clanless action will happen the next day.
Ema gives Bero a slip of paper with a Docks address for a 4 p.m. rendezvous after the operation, saying Vastik eya Molovni will have a boat ready to flee the country. She asserts Molovni answers to Ygutanian masters in Dramsk, gives Bero taxi money, and tells him to lie low but be there on time.
Back home, Bero calls his Espenian emergency number and reaches Galo. Despite misgivings, Bero reports that the action is imminent and that there is an escape plan, but initially hesitates to share Ema’s address out of a flicker of concern for her safety.
Galo promises they will not harm Ema, only surveil her to reach Molovni and the Ygutanian pipeline. Pressured, Bero provides Ema’s address. However, he withholds the Docks rendezvous location, keeping it as a personal safeguard. Galo orders Bero to stay out of the way as Espenians prepare to tail Ema.
Who Appears
- BeroClanless informant; sleeps with Ema, learns the strike is tomorrow, alerts Espenians, but withholds the dock rendezvous.
- EmaClanless activist tied to Molovni; initiates contact and sex, reveals timing, gives Bero a post-op meeting and escape plan.
- GaloEspenian handler; takes Bero’s late-night call, promises surveillance over arrest, pressures for Ema’s address.
- Vastik eya MolovniOffstage leader coordinating the clanless action; arranged a boat for escape, beholden to Ygutanian masters.