Contents
II. Hedonism — Parisa
Overview
Parisa confronts the Society’s handler Sharon and confirms the Forum orchestrated Nasser Aslani’s death. Shaken, she momentarily comforts Sharon about her dying daughter and reframes her anger into strategy. Meeting Dalton, Parisa commits to a plan that doesn’t require Atlas, resolves to recruit Tristan, and reaches out to the others; Libby replies.
Summary
Parisa meets Sharon, a distracted Society liaison, and demands information about Nasser Aslani’s disappearance. Sharon accesses restricted tracking data and Parisa sees the result: Nasser is dead. Sharon explains threats to their associates are monitored and implies a Forum-linked, intelligence-style operation targeted Nasser, likely because he refused to cooperate.
Reeling, Parisa wrestles with anger and complicated history, confessing the unequal nature of her past with Nasser. She alleviates Sharon’s migraine and learns Sharon’s daughter, Maggie, is dying and was rejected from a new biomancy trial. Their exchange crystallizes Sharon’s stark outlook on loss and privilege, leaving Parisa sobered.
Parisa meets Dalton at a café, confirms Nasser’s death, and asks what Atlas would do. Dalton argues Atlas is no longer objective and that Parisa’s value is clarity, not physics. He outlines the plan: they need Tristan Caine to navigate, plus two physicists and the battery; Atlas himself is now a liability rather than a necessity.
Resolute, Parisa begins recruitment. She messages Nico and Reina and immediately hears back from Tristan’s phone—Libby replies on his behalf to arrange a meeting, signaling the next step in assembling the team without Atlas.
Who Appears
- Parisa KamaliDemanding answers about Nasser, confirms the Forum killed him, consoles Sharon, then commits to Dalton’s plan and begins recruiting.
- SharonSociety liaison with a migraine and a terminally ill daughter; confirms Nasser’s death and other threats; receives Parisa’s aid.
- DaltonMeets Parisa, argues Atlas has lost objectivity, outlines need for Tristan, two physicists, and the battery.
- Nasser AslaniParisa’s husband; confirmed dead after a Forum-linked operation, catalyzing Parisa’s resolve.
- Libby RhodesAnswers Parisa via Tristan’s phone, offering to coordinate a meeting.
- Tristan CaineIdentified as the indispensable navigator for Dalton’s plan; off-page but contacted.
- Nico de VaronaContacted by Parisa; replies he’ll call later while recuperating.
- Reina MoriContacted by Parisa; does not respond within days, expected to be reached later.
- Atlas BlakelyConsidered unnecessary and a liability; needs Parisa’s clarity but won’t be included.
- NothazaiForum chair and biomancer; cited in discussion of biomancy trials and institutional limits.