Hilo replied with impatience. “Don’t bother going there again.”
“ROE Angels don’t start acclimating to jade at the age of ten. That’s not needed when we have modern methods,” Sunto said, stubbornly ignoring the Pillar’s warning. “SN2 is safer than SN1 was ten or fifteen years ago. There are fewer long-term health effects and less risk of overdose. It’s still not good for you, but neither is going to war.”
“I’ve told you before,” Hilo said. “You won’t get any support for the idea of doping Kekonese soldiers. Shine’s legal only when medically necessary.” Even when it was necessary, Hilo thought sadly, the shame was too great. It had been for Lan.
Sunto snorted in defeat. “That’s the same line I get from Ronu. The stigma of SN1 is so high in this country, the Kekonese military’s not willing to consider even voluntary dosing.”
“You’re trying to improve the prestige of the armed forces, aren’t you? No family would want their son to join an army of thin-blooded shine addicts.”
Sunto’s jade aura was ordinarily pale in Hilo’s mind. Not weak or dim, but pale—like a color that didn’t stand out or catch the eye. Now, however, he felt it swell and darken. “Thin-blooded shine addicts,” the man repeated. “I suppose that’s what you Green Bones think of all Espenian soldiers. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re out here protecting this island, this whole region of the world, and we’re using jade to do it, risking our lives and our health. Not everyone is genetically gifted with jade tolerance, but that’s what science is for. That’s what progress is for.”
Sunto’s indignation made no sense to Hilo. The man was not Espenian by blood, he did not use shine himself, and he had voluntarily left the Navy Angels many years ago. But he spoke as if he were still an ROE soldier, so Hilo spoke to him as one. “Progress for us doesn’t mean becoming like you. You should know that by now.”
Sunto sat back. “I do know it,” he said, no longer arguing but clearly dissatisfied. “This isn’t how I wanted to come to the point, but it does help explain my decision. I’ve done all that I can with the training program. General Ronu has been a good partner and we’ve made a lot of improvements, but it’s time for me to move on. I’m leaving at the end of the month. The Kekonese army has a strong foundation to work from, and Ronu will continue building on what we’ve accomplished so far, with someone else in charge.”
Hilo was accustomed to Sunto’s bluff manners, but he wasn’t pleased to hear the former Navy Angel was leaving the job that No Peak had placed directly in his lap, and he disliked the way the man was delivering the news, as a thing that was already done. Sunto was not a Green Bone of the clan, and so was under no obligation to come to the Pillar for permission before making the decision, but they were hardly strangers either. Sunto’s role with the military had raised his profile and wealth, he’d trained with Hilo and his men, he’d been a guest at the Kaul estate many times.
Hilo let a reproachful pause rest between them before he responded. “I’m disappointed to hear that, Lieutenant. I can see you’ve made your decision, though, so I won’t try to convince you otherwise. You’ve done everything I hoped you would when we first met, and I’ve been glad to have you training with my Fists. So let’s part as friends.” He stood and extended his hand to Sunto, who stood as well and shook it.
They walked together toward the gates of the Kaul estate. When they reached Sunto’s car, the man stopped before getting in. He brought a hand up absently to the gold icon of Mount Icana hanging around his neck next to his jade dog tags, then dropped his arm and turned to face the Pillar.
“There’s something else,” he said. “Working with the Kekonese military has been a valuable career experience, and I’ve learned a lot from training with the Green Bones in your clan. I appreciate you giving me those opportunities. I respect you as a leader, which is why I want you to hear this from me directly and not from anyone else later.”
Sunto’s pale jade aura shifted, as did his feet. “I’m starting my own company. It’ll provide training, security services, and combat support to governments and organizations. I’ve been talking about it for some time with a couple of ex-Angel friends who’re coming on as my partners.”
When the Pillar’s initial reply to this announcement was an immobile silence, Sunto explained, “It’s the ideal way to combine all of my experiences as a Navy Angel, an IBJCS instructor, the additional training I’ve picked up in Janloon, and the work I’ve done reforming the Kekonese military. With all the conflicts the ROE military is engaged in around the world, there’s a distinct and urgent need for contractors. My company will be the first with deep military experience and skilled operatives who have the ability to use bioenergetic jade.”