Contents
26. Kuromaku
Overview
Sally sends Kumiko back to Swain’s fortified London house, where Kumiko retrieves her AI unit and uncovers key recordings. She learns Swain and Robin Lanier are aligned with a plan targeting both Angie Mitchell and Sally, while Swain trades intel with Special Branch. Determined to warn Sally, Kumiko prepares to slip out.
Summary
Sally returns Kumiko to Swain’s London house under Petal’s escort, insisting Kumiko is safer there and giving her a contingency plan to seek Tick at the Rose and Crown if things go bad. Back at Number 17, Kumiko notices a surge of staff and visitors as Swain coolly questions her, while house security tightens around her movements.
Driven by curiosity and resolve, Kumiko retrieves the hidden Maas-Neotek unit from behind a bust, evading a red-faced guard. Activating Colin, she learns to mask the device from a house bug-scan and hears that Swain’s home now hosts a rotating cast of power brokers, including a recent visit by simstim star Robin Lanier.
Colin plays recorded conversations: Swain and Lanier discuss the Sprawl operation, revealing that “they” want both Angie Mitchell and Sally. Petal and Swain speak cynically about the “goods,” while Swain plans to inform Sally that Prior is in Baltimore preparing the Angie substitute. Kumiko also hears Swain bartering with a Special Branch official, signaling Swain’s rapid rise through exchanged information.
Shocked by the corruption and the danger to Sally, Kumiko weighs her options. With Colin’s advice, she decides to warn Sally without using Swain’s phones. She resolves to leave the house immediately under the pretext of going shopping, setting her own escape plan into motion.
Who Appears
- Kumiko YanakaReturned to Swain’s house, retrieves Colin, hears incriminating recordings, learns Angie and Sally are targets, plans escape to warn Sally.
- Sally (Molly/Misty)Sends Kumiko back for safety; under blackmail to abduct Angie; becomes a target in the same plot.
- SwainQuestions Kumiko, hosts powerful visitors, coordinates Sprawl operation, bargains with Special Branch, and tracks Sally and Angie plans.
- ColinAI guide; instructs masking the unit, plays recordings, analyzes Swain’s rising power and advises Kumiko on contacting Sally.
- PetalEscorts Kumiko from New York, enforces respect from staff, features in recordings discussing Sally and the operation.
- Red-faced manHouse security; tries to control Kumiko’s movements and relays Swain’s orders.
- Robin LanierSimstim star; meets Swain, confirms both Angie and Sally are targets, plans to return to the Sprawl.
- Deputy Head of Special BranchMeets Swain; their corrupt exchange reveals Swain’s leverage and growing influence.