II explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Class and Exploitation

  Vye, a state child and lowly swamper, is exploited by Hume and Wass for their own gain, highlighting the power imbalance between the elite and the destitute.

• Deception and Trust

  Hume deceives Vye with a false story of debt and the Fata Rite, while Vye trusts him out of desperation and hope.

• Identity and Memory

  Vye is to be transformed into Rynch Brodie, erasing his own identity and past to serve Hume's scheme.

Characters to notice

• Vye Lansor

  A state child and swamper at the Starfall, recruited by Hume to be transformed into Rynch Brodie.

• Ras Hume

  An Out-Hunter who drugs Vye and delivers him to Wass's organization for identity alteration.

• Milfors Wass

  Referenced as the contact whose techs will alter Vye's identity; his world fringes criminal and luxury circles.

Key passages

• ““Vye⁠—Vye Lansor.” Then he added his other identification, “S. C. C. 425061.” “State child, eh?””

  Vye identifies himself as a state child, revealing his orphaned status.

  Establishes Vye's background and vulnerability.

• ““I’d say Terran stock⁠—not more than second generation.””

  Hume assesses Vye's ancestry as recent Terran.

  Shows Hume's clinical evaluation of Vye's suitability for the plan.

• ““I happen to need a gearman.””

  Hume offers Vye a job as his assistant.

  The pretext for Hume's recruitment.

• ““You resemble someone to whom I owe a debt. I can’t repay him, but I can make the scales a little even this way.””

  Hume claims he is repaying a debt by helping Vye, invoking the Fata Rite.

  The lie that gains Vye's trust.

• “And after Wass’ techs worked on him he would be Rynch Brodie⁠—heir to one-third of Kogan-Bors-Wazalitz!”

  Hume plans for Wass's technicians to alter Vye into Rynch Brodie, a wealthy heir.

  Reveals the true purpose of the recruitment.

• ““This one⁠—he makes trouble?””

  The Vorm-man asks if Vye is causing trouble.

  Shows the oppressive atmosphere of the Starfall.