I am only partially through the first book but can't help but elaborate on a theory that I have. I believe the author strongly hints at it and it may be a simple misdirection, but I think it will be amusing to see how right or wrong it is in the end. Note: I'm listening to the audiobook, so please forgive any spelling mistakes.

Spoilers after this point.

I am at the point of the book where the Apollo proctor is trying to scare off Darrow and Co.'s gang as they approach, so please no spoilers beyond that point. I believe the author strongly hints at the bellow starting with Darrow's interview with Titus before his death.

My Theory

• the Sons of Ares, and other such groups, are simply another means of control.
  • The purpose is to identify individuals with great potential and acquire them for the Golds.
• the school is mostly made up of Reds, or maybe other colors, and only a smattering of true Golds.
• the school exists to replenish the blood of the high Aureate, regardless of where they come from
• the upper crust (Peerless Unsacarred) rule over even the other Golds and represent the pinnacle of one view of humanity
• most Golds slowly fade down the ranks, being replaced over time by the best of the lower orders

Evidence

• The broadcast of Io's (sp?) death to the whole planet and beyond seems more calculated to call out recruits than to subdue anything
• Darrow's transformation leaves the door open to others having gone through the same procedure
• Darrow suspected that Titus was a Red due to the language he used and utter disdain for Golds, and what they did to his mother (?)
• Darrow mentioned multiple times that other people felt more Red than Gold (Sevro off the top of my head)
• Mustang humming the revolutionary song and (I suspect) pretended to not know the lyrics as a test of whether Darrow knew them -- did she suspect likewise?
• Only a handful of characters I've seen so far, such as Priam and Cassius, have the authentic swagger and education that I suspect true Golds would have
• Why do all these privileged Golds have such a massive chip on their shoulder?

Analysis

If this is true, it elevates the Aureate from cartoon villains to something interesting. It's one thing to enslave and lord over others for your own benefit, but to apply the same standard to your own people is quite the thing. Evil as they seem, I must respect that these true believers walk the walk. Maybe you really do need the hardest of the hard to bind together a solar system-spanning humanity.

The weakest link in this theory is why would these Reds willingly become part of the system? Does the game teach them of the necessity? Do they get brainwashed somehow? Does power corrupt? That's yet to be seen.

Thanks for reading!