Contents
VI. Determinism — Callum
Overview
Callum attends Selene Nova’s public interrogation, recognizing it as a stage-managed spectacle she controls with poise. Feeling sidelined and unwanted, he leaves and refocuses on his simmering vendetta against Tristan Caine. At Adrian Caine’s empty pub, Callum seeks Alys, senses sabotage, and is confronted by an unseen gunman, escalating immediate danger.
Summary
Callum attends Selene Nova’s interrogation in a university chamber and immediately recognizes the strategic misstep by the Forum: Selene’s angelic composure frames her as victim, not culprit. Callum notes she cleanly separates Nova corporate conduct from his political activities, neutralizing the venue and committee the Forum assembled.
Realizing his presence adds nothing and reading Selene’s deliberate nonacknowledgment, Callum accepts his displacement within the Nova machine. He speculates Selene will consolidate power as CEO while he becomes the family’s expendable black sheep. Cynically appraising wealth, influence, and public radicalization, he decides his relevance now lies elsewhere.
Callum contemplates returning to Reina, whom he deems truly dangerous because she still cares, but his thoughts pivot to Tristan Caine and the revenge he’s long nurtured. He heads to Adrian Caine’s pub, Gallows Hill, intending to advance his plan by remaining close to Alys Caine as a proxy for Tristan.
On arrival, the pub is unnaturally quiet. Callum calls for Alys and, despite detecting no fear, senses the sulfurous taste of sabotage nearby. Alys’s voice warns him—“You really must have a death wish”—hinting at danger he has failed to perceive.
Before Callum can act, he hears a gun cocked behind him. The scene ends with Callum ambushed at gunpoint inside Gallows Hill, abruptly transforming his idle scheming into immediate peril.
Who Appears
- Callum NovaObserves Selene’s controlled hearing, feels sidelined by family, pursues Tristan-focused revenge, goes to Gallows Hill, and is ambushed at gunpoint.
- Selene NovaCalmly handles a public interrogation, projecting innocence and control, implicitly positioning herself for greater corporate power.
- Alys CaineWarns Callum in the quiet pub, signaling danger just before he is confronted by an unseen gunman.
- Tristan CaineOff-page focus of Callum’s revenge plotting; his family and pub become Callum’s target of infiltration.
- The ForumStages a public inquiry into Nova practices, misjudging optics and enabling Selene’s favorable portrayal.
- Adrian CaineOwner of Gallows Hill; absent when Callum arrives to an unusually empty, compromised pub.