EMTERR, a.k.a. The Bank. Somewhere between a global development bank and a private intelligence service with allegiance to none but itself and capitalism, EMTERR is the Opera's wealthiest enemy -- and therefore yours.

For one, to humiliate his companions.

Kill this lecherous geriatric.

A few metres away, your target continues to pant and sweat as he whispers into the payphone, the cable still wrapped around his neck.

A few metres away, the well-dressed young man continues to pant and sweat as he whispers into the payphone, the cable still wrapped around his neck.

Up. Down. Up. Down. Mmmm, sensual pleasure.

Soft. Smoooooth.

Give it a rest for today. Return when the sensation is fresh and it should once again have its calming effect.

Returning it to the father at the top of the ladder may change his mind about talking to you.

You are faced with two options: return it to the father at the top of the ladder, or...

The words alone have struck awe into his heart.

The Reunión: La Luz's grand annexation campaign -- slow, legal, often bloody. A creeping tide reclaiming, every few years, one more of their old colonies.

A palliative measure at best, but then again...

You could use the liquidity.

What is wrong with this place, no broom can touch.

Influential, feared on the international stage, but not remotely wealthy.

Stop this at once, Operant, before it is too late!

And secret prisoners?

The threat of La Luz has been passed down for generations in Portofiro, the colonial boogeyman in the night -- the shadow that bore them, beat them.

Speak to Constanz. She must have a way of getting in here.

Has the null entity lured you into an obvious trap?

Remember what the MIHO fax said: 'GO ALL THE WAY DOWN'.

A porthole opens into vein-crossed dimness.

A tiny, wet SKIRCH as it slides in.

'Boundaries are illusions; everything looks back.'

Rotanev: angel of predators and prey. Also dialectics and investment banking.

There is only one place in Portofiro that PA could be referring to -- Party Alley.

The Renotel technician had such a device -- the Voskol Auto-Negotiator. Maybe he'll let you borrow it.

The Renotel technician had a device that did exactly that. Maybe he'll let you borrow it.

That Renotel technician you met earlier was carrying a device. Must be that.

Must be a security measure. A Renotel employee could get you through -- or, at least, their tools could...

The Renotel technician had such a device -- the Voskol Auto-Negotiator. Maybe he'll let you borrow it.

The Renotel technician had a device that did exactly that. Maybe he'll let you borrow it.

Must be a security measure. A Renotel employee could get you through -- or, at least, their tools could...

Renotel. A diversified communications company local to the state of Portofiro. Immediately recognisable by its dolphin logo.

The same pen hanging from the subeditor's neck.

The same pen hanging from the younger woman's neck.

The workbench in Constanz's side room at Foto 24 would be an ideal location to assemble your weapon.

The Opera should provide a space for when you need to construct vital equipment. Perhaps Constanz knows something about that.

Half a cipher. The language of spies. You've carried papers like this, folded up and hidden away in secret pockets and compartments.

Your double's. They appear to have been here for some time.

EMTERR, a.k.a. L'Empire sans Territoire, a.k.a. 'The Bank'. Equal parts global development fund and spy service. Linchpin of the Developed World.

She raises her hand to bite her nails. A new habit -- they're bleeding.

Sock merchant. One of the Opera's most battle-tested covers.

Gone.

And he isn't.

She can only ignore it for so long.

Who he is doesn't matter to EMTERR. It's what he did...

Could explain why Dr Hugo dislikes Septimus so much. His daughter's living in an old doss house.

Luzian stuff? La Luz is a techno-fascist state. Are they jackbooting on music now?

Checks