Beta Earth: Between Worlds 2.0 Edition by J.R. Napier

She slams her hand down on the desk.
    “Look, you made me second in command for a reason! We need to respond to them. If they are a threat we need to know so we can prepare and if they are not a threat we should listen to their offer.”
    “I guess so ... I trust your opinion, set up a meeting.” Vin replies.
    “Good you trust me because I ... already told them you would contact them today.” Vin leans back in his chair and smiles.
    “Confident, aren’t we?” Vette returns the smile.
    “That’s just one of my many good traits,” she says.
    “Well then, I can’t argue with that. Let’s see what the Syndicate has to offer.” Vin replies.
     
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Chapter 23
    Connection
     
    Location: City District 8—tenth floor of the Syndicate building.
     
    Gaidon walks through a busy office while talking to himself. “Damn relics, trying to take the Syndicate from me. I just need a little more time.” He enters his office just as his phone rings. He walks over to his desk, sits down and answers it. Eva, his assistant, is on the line.
    “Gaidon, we’ve found Vin.” The news brings a smile to his face. “Perfect. Put him on.” Eva transfers the line to Gaidon.
    “You are a hard man to track down, Vin.”
    “I don’t want to be found by people like you, Gaidon.” Vin replies. Gaidon is taken aback by the comment.
    “Wait a minute. My alliance with the Syndicate, it doesn’t mean that I’m bad.”
    “Yes, it does.” Vin says coldly.
    “The Syndicate is full of corruption and they feed off the weak and helpless.”
    “This is true but I am not allied with them.” Gaidon replies
    “You’re not part of the Syndicate?” Vin asks.
    “Actually, they aren’t. The Syndicate is my organization and a bunch of greedy old men are trying to take that away.” Gaidon replies.
    “And how is that my problem?” Vin asks. Gaidon can hear the cynicism in Vin’s voice. He knows that he has to appeal to Vin logically in order to win him over. “This situation can end up being your problem ... or your solution. If those greedy old bastards in the Syndicate get their way. Their plan is to wipe out problem gangs like yours and put the sprawls under their protection.”
    “How is that different from what you are going to do?” Vin asks.
    “Listen, I won’t lie. Those old guys have a point and I might do the same if I were in their position. However, they aren’t as smart as me. I recognize potential and you are teeming with it. Also, I like the fact that you fight for the good of your sprawl. That makes you honorable and trustworthy. If you ally with me, not only will I let you keep your territory, but I will also help you expand and protect your territory according to your own rules.”
    Vin remains silent. He certainly didn’t expect that kind of reply. He is now slightly interested in the proposal. However, he still continues to drill Gaidon. “And why should I trust you?” Vin asks. “Rumor has it you killed your own parents.”
    Gaidon is caught off guard. He didn’t think that Vin would have that information. “Ah … well.” Gaidon calms down. “You shouldn’t trust me. And I would assume contracts mean nothing to you but you can trust my motivation and adapt to the situation at hand. Either the old men or I will be running the Syndicate by the end of the month. Either way you’ll have to fight a war. The only difference is. If they are running things, you’ll be fighting a war that you can’t win. Trust me, if they have to, they will use their connections with the corrupt U.F. officials against you.”
    Vin thinks for a moment. Gaidon's reasoning is sound.
    “What’s your motivation? Besides the obvious.” Vin asks.
    “Ah yes. While they stick to the old ways of feeding off the weak and the helpless of the sprawls. You know, by extorting money from the more misfortunate. My tactic is to actually turn the Syndicate into a legitimate business. We will be the owners of clubs, bars, and other