Luciano

Biodata

Background

Luciano and Chu Zu have known each other since childhood. At school, Luciano killed a Mitoli child after Chu Zu initially refused to do so. He then mutilated the child’s younger brother and ordered Chu Zu to kill him 8.

When Luciano was seventeen, his father was seriously ill and the struggle with his younger brother was intensifying. Luciano kept Chu Zu working primarily in the Lower Eighteenth District, refusing his request to return even while he was being hunted. After his father’s death, Luciano recalled Chu Zu to help eliminate the remaining family members 12.

Luciano graduated and took over Esposito at twenty. He eliminated his blood relatives to become the sole key to the family’s genetically locked fortune; he also avoided having an heir who could threaten his control 10 11.

Appearance

Luciano has golden hair and deep-blue eyes. His son Sydney closely resembles him as a child 7 11.

• Hair: Golden-blond 7.
• Eyes: Deep blue 7.
• Childhood resemblance: Sydney shares his coloring and facial features, though Sydney was much thinner than Luciano at the same age 11.

Personality

Luciano is ambitious, distrustful and ruthless in protecting his power. He treats loyalty as a matter of exchange, promising Chu Zu generous rewards while using surveillance and coercion to keep him close 7 8 10.

His courtesy can conceal cruelty. After reassuring Chu Zu that he trusted him, Luciano instructed Jeeves to monitor him and, if necessary, induce hallucinations that could turn him against the Lower Eighteenth District—even at the risk of permanently disabling him 10.

Luciano nevertheless places value on his history with Chu Zu and on the promises he has made him. After learning how long Chu Zu had spent in District 18 on his orders, he reflected on the hardship he had overlooked. Chu Zu interpreted Luciano’s subsequent generosity as a self-interested response to guilt 12 13.

Resources and Technology

Esposito authority

Luciano controls Esposito and holds its highest level of terminal authority 10.

• He assigns Chu Zu missions, including assassinations, and uses Jeeves to monitor his movements 10.
• His family’s businesses and assets are genetically locked. A blood relative who passes DNA and biometric verification can gain corresponding permissions, making Sydney a potential threat to Luciano’s exclusive control 11.

Mitoli neural technology

After taking control of the Mitoli family and its assets, Luciano continued development of its neural technology. Its virtual-reality implants could replace users’ real perceptions, while more dangerous experimental applications aimed to control people through their brains and nerves 8.

• He ordered Chu Zu to undergo a neural adjustment after questioning his loyalty 8.
• Chu Zu’s implant has a listening function 9.
• Luciano later activated a device in Chu Zu’s body, leaving him in severe pain and suffering involuntary spasms 13.

Relationships

• Chu Zu — Childhood companion and trusted operative. Luciano promised him the best things, but their relationship is strained by suspicion, control and Chu Zu’s growing ambition 8 10.
• Jeeves — Luciano’s butler, who investigates suspected betrayal, relays orders and monitors Chu Zu. Luciano turned Jeeves into an AI during a period of emotional instability 8 10 11.
• Sydney — Luciano’s illegitimate son, raised in the Lower Eighteenth District. Luciano accepts him as Chu Zu’s son and offers support; the provided context does not establish that Luciano knows Sydney is biologically his 9 12.
• Dai Xian — An information broker Luciano discovers has contacted rebels. He permits Chu Zu to take her away, later promising to leave her alone 7 8 10.
• Tangqi — Luciano’s opponent. Luciano wants a code from him and suspects that Tangqi has tried to turn Chu Zu against him 8 9.
• Hankao — A subordinate exposed for giving Luciano’s schedule to Mitoli remnants. Luciano shoots him after appearing to aim at Chu Zu 7 8.

Story Role

Suspected betrayal

After Dai Xian is caught contacting rebels, Luciano confronts her and Chu Zu. Chu Zu hands Luciano a gun and tells him how to fire it. Luciano aims at Chu Zu’s forehead but shoots Hankao instead; Jeeves then confirms Hankao’s betrayal while finding insufficient evidence against Chu Zu 7 8.

Luciano questions Chu Zu about letting Tangqi escape and orders him to undergo the Mitoli neural procedure. He also agrees to let Chu Zu take Dai Xian with him 8.

Sydney’s arrival

Dai Xian tells Chu Zu about Sydney, Luciano’s hidden son. Chu Zu brings the boy to the upper district and registers him using Esposito’s name 9 11 12.

Luciano investigates the sudden appearance of Chu Zu’s supposed child and learns more about Chu Zu’s years in District 18. Without meeting Sydney, he tells Chu Zu, “Your son is my son,” and offers to provide whatever the boy wants 12.

Surveillance and control

When Chu Zu refuses to explain a trip to District 18, Luciano promises not to interfere but secretly orders Jeeves to watch him. If Chu Zu behaves abnormally, Jeeves is to induce hallucinations that could cause him to massacre the district 10.

Later, Luciano activates a device in Chu Zu’s body. Chu Zu returns home in severe pain, missing a dinner Sydney had invited him to attend 13.