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# A Space Mafioso

Better to reign in Hell, than to serve in Heaven
Yet he who reigns within himself, and rules passions, desires, and fears is more a king
- Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained
John Milton

## 1 Genesis

I am a victim, a victim of greed, circumstances, and my own choices.

I was not really a part of the Brazilian acquisitions, nor the long struggle between Nanotrasen and Syndicate that plagued this place. But as I walk back to my apartment in the city, I would soon find myself conscripted into a completely different war, by my own volition.

Violence and crime were still rampant in the streets of *Prakshaalit*, and I would get sucked into it if I didn't leave eventually...

### January 13th

A red **1** shined from the table. I pressed the button.

***"You Have - One - New Message."***

It was from an old business accociate. They wanted me to call them back as soon as I could. As I punch in the digits to call back de Jong, I unknowingly decided for an uncertain future.

"Hello?" the voice asked.

"It's me." I rattled. "On the voicemail, you told me to call you back about a thing you had in mind."

"Yea mate, that's right," he said. "I've been asking around for people like you for this project. I've been working on it for a bit with Mark."

"And what does this project of yours entail?" I asked.

"A completely new method of doing business," he said. "This is one opportunity you do not want to miss out on, china."

I had worked many different jobs for many different groups for a long time to try to get my life into a state of comfort. For as long as I could remember, I had been pushed around into these kinds of ventures. To take a gamble on something that Jong had not fully explained yet seemed suspicious.

"And you expect me to go with your plan?" I rattled. "You haven't even told it to me yet. Whatever you have in mind is just gonna get swallowed up by the other corporations that control this place."

"We're not doing our business here," he said.

"What do you mean?" I asked. "Where else are we going to do business?"

"Two words," he said. "White Sands."

White Sands. An unincorporated part of the frontier, newly constructed and sponsored by the Sol Central Government Expeditionary and Colonial Corps to accommodate unscrupulous corporations, unscrupulous scientists, unscrupulous militaries, and all other sorts of unscrupulous folk in their business pursuits. What it lacked in architecture was made up in its nature. There was, figuratively and literally, no law in White Sands.

"You honestly think that we can make a name for ourselves in that hellhole?" I went on. "I've heard that place is even more of an an-cap junktown than this place is, and that's really saying a lot."

"It's not like you can trust anybody in that colony you live in," he responded. "It's packed full of gangsters and thugs and all other sorts of positive influences."

He sighed, signaling that what would follow would be his last attempt to convince me.

"Truth is," he said. "Lowlife rumble in White Sands says that there's an opening for the next big corporation to take the throne. I've been on the hunt for people who can do things. People who can pump the gas. People who can do some hits. You're one of the best hustlers I know. And I've invited several of your friends to come work for me as well."

For what little he had told me about his idea, de Jong still managed to get my interest. He was one of the best drivers I knew, and if he were assembling a dream team of businessmen, then I'd love to be a part of it. I wasn't going to miss out on something like this.

"Alright," I rattled in agreement. "What's this thing called anyway?"

He paused for a long second. The next time he spoke would be the first time I had heard of the company.

"**Naxalite**," he said. "I've saved some money and bought an office in one of those skyscrapers over there. Mark and I are willing to help finance your travel and lodging in White Sands. And your plasma gas too."

*Nice.* He had already made preparations. He had gotten Mark on it as well, which only made me feel more confident. Mark had similar strengths to him, and they both made an excellent team. He knew that his plan was going to work, and I didn't doubt him one bit.

"All I need from you," said de Jong. "is your commitment. We need to keep this thing a secret. I promise you that no one else will know except me."

I didn't see any other way out of my current situation at the time. The surge in crime in Centration would only increase, that much was obvious. Finding another actual job would take weeks. Joining de Jong in his venture would be like a fresh start for me.

"Well," I rattled. "This job is still full of if's. But if you're confident in this, I'm in."

"Good," said de Jong. "Pack your bags for White Sands. Unless you've got any other questions, expect a shuttle ticket in the mail. I'll see you soon."

We both said our goodbyes, and I hung up. From this point forward, I became the bearer of the torch. I've been given the duty to chronicle what would be known as Naxalite.

## 2 Congregation

### January 14th

The next morning, there was an envelope under my door. Inside was a shuttle ticket to White Sands, a black key, and $5,000. There was also a note inside.

*Come and make money with us. Head to White Sands and meet me and the others at the designated address. I'll be waiting.*
- J

Since I honestly didn't have anything better to do with my time, I took him up on the request. I got ready and headed over to the airport. When I got there, I saw Omega all suited up in the waiting area. Omega's been a brother to me, and I had no idea that he got hired as well. It would make sense since he has a lot of skill with flying helicopters. I went over to greet him.

"Omega." I rattled rather flatly.

He turned around and looked half surprised to see me.

"*Saluton, mi viro*," he said. "You're here for this Naxa-something too?"

"I am." I responded. "It's like de Jong picked out everybody we know for this job."

"Yeah," said Omega. "I heard from him that more people are coming to White Sands besides us for this thing. I'm pretty sure that Karen is going to be there as well."

Karen is also an acquaintenance of mine. She did mercenary work for several different companies before I eventually met her. While she is a stone-cold killer, I do consider her to be one of my close friends.

"I can tell that Jong's got a dream team in the works here." I mentioned.

"Don't get your hopes up just yet," said Omega. "I'm just as curious as you are to see what Jong's planned for us."

The conversation fizzled out awkwardly. As we stood there, the intercom announced that our flight was getting ready to leave. We both got a move on and headed for the flight terminal.

---

While the shuttle flight was unremarkable to every degree, this was the only way to get to White Sands. We got a bus ride through a harsh desert road to the only train station to the city. After getting off the train, Omega used his cash to buy a Beemer at the nearby dealership.

We rode to the address listed together, which led us to the outside of a skyscraper. It served as a big commercial building for other businesses. The Naxalite suite was on the 50th floor, and the only way up that high was the elevator.

Inside the elevator, I looked at the buttons and noticed that the numbers only went to 40.

"Did you get a key inside your envelope too?" Omega brought up.

I took it out. As it turned out, the key opened a small panel indistinguishable from the rest of the metal plating. Inside were the buttons to the top ten floors, all of which were private suites. I pushed the button for the 50th floor and closed the door. The elevator took a long time to get to the 50th floor, and it stopped a couple of times along the way. *Shouldn't there be stairs leading up and down here? This seems like bit of a safety oversight.*

There were unmarked doors and covered windows in each direction on the 50th floor, which all had empty rooms. In front of the elevator was a giant central room lined with windows where everyone was waiting for our arrival. Inside was a long table with several swivel chairs, surrounded by numerous unopened cardboard boxes. de Jong and Mark were here, along with a couple of other faces.

"Good to see you both," said de Jong. "We're expecting a few more people, so I can only guess that their flight must have had issues, or they merely decided to just not come."

I extended my hand towards Jong in the human fashion and he shook it, him doing the same for Omega. We both took seats in the swivel chairs and waited for everyone else to show up. Shiny and Karen showed up within the next half hour of waiting. I got up to greet Karen, and she looked positively delighted to see everyone.

"I'm glad to see some familiar faces around here," Karen said to me. "It's been a long time since we last saw each other."

Even though Karen considers me close, she treats everybody as business partners and nothing else when we're working together. I wasn't aware of what she did outside of work either.

"That's everybody," said Jong. "We can start explaining our strategy now, Mark."

Mark got up to bring out a whiteboard on wheels. He began to draw the plan on it, when I noticed something. Yes, it felt kind of weird being the only plasmaman in this room. I guess I'll get used to the feeling in time.

"So, this is how our plan will work for now," said Mark. "The six corporations that operate in this town each have a building. Anyone who's qualified in business can just walk in and apply for a job. The same thing goes for the managers. Our strategy is to get us Naxalite members working at as many of these minor companies as we can to take them over."

Several people nodded as Mark further led us on. By controlling all of the business in White Sands, we would be able to make one hundred percent of the money on all the products, mining operations, patents, etcetera all made each day. We would then just deposit the profits into an offshore account and post our net worth within the next couple of weeks to promising investors.

"The goal isn't to exploit the system," said Mark. "but to control the system. If the people working at one of the buildings won't let us take them over, we'll be complicit with them. Right up until we drive their business into the ground."

Mark whinged on some more details, until he let de Jong talk once he was finished.

"Now, secrecy is the key to all of this." said Jong. "If word gets out about what we're doing, we're gonna get a lot of attention. Do what you have to to keep this a secret. Once people start asking you about Naxalite, deny any connection to it and feign ignorance. Silence them if you have to."

After finishing, Jong allowed people to ask questions about the company. When Shiny asked his question, de Jong said that he would consider hiring more people to help out once Naxalite gets on its feet.

"If you have any objections to any of this, I'll ask you right now to leave town. I won't get mad and pursue you for it."

No one objected. I guess everyone realized that we were going to be a part of something special.

"Good," said Jong. "We've got apartments rented out that you all can use for the time being."

de Jong pulled out a fishbowl filled with keys to different apartments.

"Gee," Karen said. "I wonder which apartment I'll get to sleep in."

"Very funny," said Jong. "Also, we only paid rent for the first month. You're all gonna have to cover expenses after that."

After explaining some other details, de Jong let us all go.

"Thank you, gentleman," said Jong. "I can't wait to see you all tomorrow."

Everyone got up and began to head for the door.

"One last thing," said de Jong.

We all turned around.

"Don't let me down."

## 3 Emergence

### January 15th

We all got up at 8 o'clock in the morning and met to discuss our roles. de Jong and Mark would go take the Monsota branch at 9th and Abrash Avenue, Omega and Shiny would go for the Pentacom building at 1st Street and David Avenue, and Karen and I would try to take the Nexaco building at 2nd Street and Garriott Avenue.

The other three corporate buildings were currently staffed with several employees, so we would need to get more people before we tried to take them on. People on the streets kept walking up to the companies looking for work, so we all agreed that we could hire them as long as they remained oblivious of our ulterior motives.

Since all the targets had a few employees, our collective work experience made quick work of them. As we each got information from the fax machine, we all called each other about the tech projects that we were getting, as well as their potential value. We also informed each other of any trades that we could make within our control. After work ended, we brought all of the money to the bank to deposit in the offshore account.

Of course, I made a few mistakes along the way. Karen and I were on a mission with someone who we had hired out of pity. Karen was worried that they would hear us talking about Naxalite, so we both devised a plan to get rid of him. She told the guy to stand at the ledge across from the building of the Nexaco building.

"Here's the plan," she said. "You need to shoot at any Nexaco employees that walk out of that building."

She walked up behind the guy and knocked him down off the ledge. He yelled out as he plummeted twenty feet to the ground. Karen laughed at the absurd length we had gone to keep Naxalite a secret. I only smirked.

---

### January 20th

I've entered a state of limbo. I've begun to lose track of the days.

For the entire week, we have done nothing but extort, steal, or buy tech projects for Naxalite. Today, we finally broke through and became the number one corporation in town. We all celebrated after we regrouped at the Naxalite suite. For my role, I got invited into the Cabinet, where de Jong and Mark discussed future strategies for the company.

Our profits had allowed us to outfit and allocate the other rooms in the private suite to our personal use. We refurbished them to hold various utilities, including but not limited to the barracks, the weapons armory, a break room, a bar and brothel, and an armored vault filled with financial records and any cash we kept on hand.

As we celebrated, I took the time to ask Mark about our exit strategy. We had already made long our profit goals, and I didn't know how long he and Jong wanted Naxalite to last.

"Mark," I asked. "How long are we going to keep doing this? We will soon have attention all over us."

"We'll keep doing this until we're bored," said Mark. "We've made over 7 million dollars this past week alone. I don't see any reason why we should stop."

It probably didn't change anything. We were past the point of no return. To stop now would leave so many people without jobs.

Everyone in Naxalite became increasingly committed to the company for the next few weeks. We all needed the money. The rest was for the entertainment.

---

### January 23rd

We had finished extorting our spate of plasma extracts and tech projects from small businesses for the day, and we prepared to deposit the money at the bank. As we took the money out of each briefcase, I noticed that someone had followed me here.

"Hey, Hippy?" I asked. "What are you doing here?"

Hippy was an old drug addict from my neighborhood. He somehow must have found out that I was in town.

"Maybe you ought to tell me what'sss going on here," he hissed out. "Where isss all this money even going? Is it going to your Game Ssstop hedge fund or sssomethin'?"

Karen looked at him with our arms crossed.

"How about I don't tell you." I rattled. "Maybe what I will tell you is that you should leave."

He stared at me for a few seconds, then looked at the obscene amounts of money we were depositing.

"Leave." said Karen. "Don't make me use force."

"Fine," Hippy hissed. "Keep your little sssecretsss."

Hippy waddled away from the bank and wheeled off on his bicycle. Karen looked back at me with concern.

"Do you think he knows what we're doing?" she asked.

"No." I flatly rejected. "Hippy's a nobody. I don't think he'd do anything with knowledge of our operation."

"Either way," said Karen. "I'm going to bring this up with Mark and Jong."

After we headed back to the Naxalite suite, Karen pulled de Jong aside to address the situation with Hippy.

"de Jong?" asked Karen. "Some lizard man saw us at the bank depositing the money. Do you think he'll be a threat? He could start telling people what he saw."

"I wouldn't worry about it," said Jong. "He's the only person who has seen us do anything. What's he gonna do, tell people we were making deposits at the bank? That doesn't seem like much of a conspiracy theory."

She slowly nodded in agreement. Hippy later told me that he had tried to reverse engineer our future strategies, and he didn't believe that it was what we were doing.

---

### January 25th

Daishi, and his best friend Chrono, were hired today. While I don't know them as much as the other employees, de Jong vouched for their employment. They're both good kids.

As the Cabinet discussed strategies, there was a knock on the door. Shiny walked in and approached the Cabinet.

"Nothing personal, man," said Shiny. "But I'm out of here. I can't stand for you and this company anymore. As soon as I've taken care of today's business, I'm going to haul my beautiful ass out of here."

"If you don't like our operation," said Jong. "Then leave. I don't care if you go out and form some rebel group because I don't care. Good luck putting up a fight against us."

Shiny looked legitimetely angered after de Jong said that to him.

"I'm going to be your worst nightmare, Jong!" barked Shiny. "You'll fuckin' see!"

He flipped us off and stormed out. de Jong and Mark laughed at his threats.

"Don't you think that's a bit hopeful of you?" I brought up. "Shiny knows a lot about our operation. And Hippy saw us the other day as well. That makes two loose ends."

"Neither of them should be a problem," said Jong. "They don't have enough support to put up a fight against us."

I hoped that he was right. In time, this incident should have passed eventually.

It didn't.

## 4 Old Guard

### January 26th

de Jong and Mark had invited me to talk in the meeting room early in the day to talk about several matters. They had hired someone to help reform Naxalite's current methods of acquisitions. Jong told me that I would get a kick out of who it was.

As I stepped into the meeting room, the three of them turned around to face me. An older figure in a black and red militaristic uniform stepped forward to greet me.

"There's someone here I'd like you to meet," said de Jong. "This is Ace. They are going to be helping us streamline the acquisition process."

Standing in front of me was Ace Candy, the former Chief Operations Officer of Cybersun. Founded to exploit the riches of the plasmaman world - *my* plasmaman world, Centration, their company was well-coordinated, still reigning for an incredibly long time with little competition. Supposedly, he just stopped showing up for work one day, and the whereabouts of Ace became unknown.

I had no idea how Jong managed to find Ace. To see the architect of so much professional exploitation before me put me at a loss for words. It wouldn't be later until I suspected that it was the other way around.

"Ace Candy," I rattled as I shook his hand, all the while with an acrid feeling in the back of my mouth. "In the flesh. It will be an honor to work with you."

"I'm sure it will be," he said with absolutely no interest in me. "Let's cut to the chase, Jong."

"Right, where were we..." said Jong. "In exchange for a cut of the profits, Ace has helped develop a new method of acquiring profits from technologies."

He directed my attention to the spreadsheet opened on the computer. There were several columns for each laboratory, office building, and other sources of technology projects we would sell to unscrupulous groups for money, with several rows indicating the different floors and rooms in the building. On the far right was a list of potential project names and a counter next to each of them.

"Here's how it works," said Ace. "I've incorporated de Jong's strategy into this spreadsheet and improved upon it. Instead of relying on the intelligence we manually gather each day, we'll use this spreadsheet to figure out what we need to find. Naxalite members will raid the buildings and write down all of the technology projects on each computer. They will relay that information back to us, which we'll put into the spreadsheet. Once we collect enough information, we'll know which projects are worth a lot of money through the process of elimination since there is only one copy of each of them. And if we already found a project, we can just go back and retrieve it."

This man had cracked the code. After years of being in the business, he had figured out how to exploit the current system. With our current control of the major corporations in town, we could just keep all of the money for ourselves. We no longer control the system, we actively exploit it. Ace was seemingly a master exploiter, given his past track record.

"This is incredible," I rattled. "Are you going to explain to the other employees how it works?"

"No," said Ace. "If this spreadsheet fell into the wrong hands, then we would lose our most valuable trade secret. For right now, only Cabinet members will have access to this."

"As if being the manager of Nexaco wasn't already hard enough," I complained. "Now you want me to go out and get this information?"

"Just have your goons do the work for you," said Ace. "We can use the spreadsheet to help them get the projects for us."

"Sounds good to me," I finished.

Ace sat down and motioned de Jong to start talking. I had only just met Ace, and he was already prodding us around like pieces on a game board.

"The next order of business on the agenda," said Jong. "Is about Shiny and his little splinter cell. They've called themselves the United Front Against Naxalite, and they released a manifesto to the public."

Jong pulled up the manifesto that Shiny had written onto the computer. The manifesto was rife with vitriol towards Naxalite, advocating the destruction of the corporations, and a whole bunch of other anarchist gibberish. We all mocked the absurdity of his empty threats for a couple minutes.

"I highly doubt that this group is going to be much of a threat right now," said Jong. "But we need to stay vigilant. We suspect that a person by the name of Viper is helping them get on their feet."

de Jong passed me one of the only photographs we had of Viper. They were facing away from the camera, and the only detail I could use to identify them was their long orange hair.

"They haven't tried anything yet," said Jong. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, though."

I nodded my head. Our mystique needed to stay secret.

"The last thing on the agenda," said Jong. "is that Ace worked out a deal with the vehicle dealerships in the city. They will be supplying helicopters available for purchase. I know your brother, Omega, is good at flying, and so is Ace. We will experiment with using them in acquisitions this week. I think it will speed up our process significantly."

de Jong wrapped up the meeting, and Ace shook his hand. Ace left the room soon after.

"Jong," I brought up. "How the hell did you find somebody like Ace? I know his presence will certainly help the company significantly, but something in me can't help but think that he wants more control over the Cabinet."

"He was doing work for some associates of mine," said Jong. "He somehow heard of our operation and made me and Mark an offer I couldn't resist. I think his presence will ultimately benefit Naxalite."

"I think you should slow it down with this guy," I said. "He knows what this company needs, but he also seems to know how to get on people's good side a little too well."

"I'll keep your opinion with him in mind," said Jong. "In the meantime, you need to be at Nexaco."

I went for the elevator door.

---

### January 31st

Over the next week, Naxalite got a lot of mileage out of the spreadsheet. It helped the company soar another 10 million dollars in net worth, thereby legally allowing Naxalite to issue private shares of the company.

"You get 35 percent of the total shares since you're the CEO," said Mark. "I'll get 15 percent. The Cabinet members each get 7.5 percent. We'll split the rest among the other employees."

"Excellent," said Jong. "It looks like this will work out after all."

"And what if an employee wants to leave one day?" I asked both of them. "Are you going to cash out their shares for them?"

"Well..." said de Jong. "I don't know about that..."

"Then to whom does this benefit?" I asked in suspicion. "Why give everyone shares in the company if you're going to prevent them from doing anything with them? I don't understand."

"I plan on having Mark personally cash out shares for our trusted employees," said Jong. "We were only thinking of doing that kind of buying and trading stuff for public investors. If you start telling people to follow the money, we'll have bigger problems. I don't want our employees betraying us."

"Fine," I clacked out defeatingly. "You and Mark figure that out then."

I left in disappointment. Jong knew that causing drama over the stocks situation would be unwise. He didn't need everyone turning on each other, and neither did I.

I just hoped that he would keep a level head.

## 5 Betrayal

### Febuary 1st

I joined de Jong in doing security detail at the bank at 5th Street and Bunten Ave. I decided to tag along as extra security this time around. It's not like I had anything else to do.

"I'm arriving at the bank," said Mark over the radio.

While I waited in the parking lot, Daishi and Chrono arrived. Daishi took position by the bank's windows. Chrono circled and perched at the sloped sidewalk overlooking the bank.

After a couple of minutes of waiting, Mark's private helicopter flew in and touched down on the ground. Almost immediately, he and three other faceless employees walked out with several briefcases of cash that would be deposited in the offshore account.

"In we go," a voice said over the radio.

After they finished, I gave the thumbs up to Chrono and called Daishi over to my position. Today's work is done.

Chrono went back into the bank and picked up Daishi. We went back to the office suite in Chrono's El Camino.

Back at the office, de Jong and Mark congratulated everybody on another day of successful work. The Cabinet had bought a bunch of food from the local burger joint for everybody. Afterward, he called for the Cabinet members to congregate in the next meeting.

"Chrono," said Jong. "What's your report on counter-intelligence?"

Daishi and Chrono were assigned to create counter-intelligence to throw off Clay Massive, a private investigator hired by UFAN. Since neither of them appeared to be in Naxalite, the Cabinet believed in using them to throw off anyone that tried to question our employees.

"Clay still doesn't believe that either of us is in Naxalite," said Chrono. "We've produced fake documents and mailed them between myself and a fictional Brazilian investor. I planned to get the investigators to believe that a group of Brazilians are bent on dominating the market. The documents we've prepared connect me to the supposed CEO of Naxalite. After we put the finishing touches on the documents, Daishi visited Clay in disguise and offered the documents in exchange for forty thousand dollars. They jumped at the offer since they had little information about us, and their only information is speculative at best."

Chrono pulls out a briefcase with the money that they received from Clay.

"Nice work," said Jong. "We'll take three quarters of this to fund training for our employees. You and Daishi can split the rest."

There was a disgusted look on their faces as they handed over the money to de Jong's immaculately washed hands.

"You two have been doing good work for us," said Jong. "Your stake in the company has been increased. That means you now own seven and a half percent each of all of our shares."

The expression on their faces mellowed out over the pay raise since they probably wanted to cash out some of their shares.

They would be in for a treat.

---

### Febuary 2nd

As I walked into the top floor suite, I began to hear the tail end of a heated argument between de Jong, Ace, and Chrono. It wasn't going well. I slipped as close as I could to the door to hear what transpired inside.

"What the hell is your motive?" asked Ace. "Why withdraw from the company?"

There was a brief silence. Chrono was about to make his stand.

"Call this what you want," Chrono began. "But I am not one to participate in corporate wars. There will be a war in this lawless land. Naxalite is a lawless company, and the people trying to take it down are even more. I want my money, and you have shown me that there is no other way to obtain it other than blackmailing you for it."

de Jong slammed the table and began an angry tirade against Chrono.

"I cannot believe I got you into the Cabinet on **my** dime," yelled Jong. "You will be paid nothing for your time here, you know that?! The fact that not even Daishi isn't siding with you here should tell you something."

He got up and went close into Chrono's face.

"I told you things that were supposed to stay between only us," he began. "Because I trusted you more than anyone else in this city. Because I thought you were one of the only people in this hellish place that wasn't a vindictive scumbag."

He walked back a little and started wagging his finger at Chrono.

"I don't trust you anymore," said de Jong. "You are a terrible human being. Get the hell out of my sight."

Chrono stood motionless for a few seconds.

"**GET OUT OF HERE NOW!!**" he yelled.

Chrono got up and went for the door. I could see him coming, so I slinked back to the elevator to make it look like I had only just arrived. It didn't matter. Chrono bolted towards the elevator, not even looking at me.

I then heard a loud yell and the sound of breaking glass. I walked into the meeting room to find that Jong had thrown Chrono's chair out the window into the hall.

"Damn," I rattled quickly. "Your girl's a cuckold?"

de Jong chuckled. "Ahh, you don't know, do you? Chrono wants out. They wanted to sell their shares and get paid in full. I laughed at him since I thought they were joking. I'm all like 'Chrono, you can't sell Nax stocks.'"

He proceeded to laugh at his percieved absurdity of Chrono's request.

"Ok, slow down," I rattled. "Rewind this story back to the start."

"Well," said Jong. "In the middle of the night, Viper calls Chrono and grills them about the company. Chrono sends over some more fake documents to them to buy us time, as was ordered for counter-intelligence. They most likely understood that there would be a pitched conflict between us and UFAN."

His face changed from amusement to frustration.

"Now, unbeknownst to either of us," said Jong. "Chrono told Viper that they would sell all of the information about Naxalite - including the spreadsheet - for 2 million dollars. We already knew that Chrono had made a few calls to Clay Massive and Viper, claiming they withdrew from the company."

"They've already contacted Viper?" I exhasperated. "I have no doubt in my mind that they will blackmail us... Shiny could have already done so as well. Why will you not just let them sell their stock and get them out of your skin?"

He put on a serious tone.

"Because it would set a bad example," Jong responded. "I have no idea why Mark wouldn't let them sell their shares. Perhaps they asked for more than their stock was worth. They were only here for a week, too. Either way, they picked me up in their helicopter and tried to extort me. I couldn't let them get away with that."

"Understandable," I responded. "But we already have millions sitting in the offshore account. We could easily make 2 million in a couple of days. Why are you so damn worried?"

Ace and de Jong eerily began to stare at me, directly into my eyes.

"Look," said Jong. "We need to put the betrayal of Shiny and Chrono behind us. I'd hate to lose you too."

Jong got up and walked out of the meeting room. Ace was still looking at me.

"What the fuck?" I clacked out in frustration. "Am I not giving valid reasoning? Shiny and Chrono have both left and are likely collaborating with UFAN now. We seriously need to step up our game."

Everyone agreed with me, but they all filed out of the meeting room without going any further into the matter. There were several moments like this in prior meetings where I felt like the only rational voice in the room. All the Cabinet seemed to care about anymore was the money.

As they all left, I looked out the hole in the window de Jong had made, wondering how tomorrow would respond.

## 6 The New Order

### Febuary 3rd

At the next Cabinet meeting, Ace had a big announcement to make.

"Gentlemen," said Ace. "Thanks to the generosity of the Cabinet, I've founded my own company using 1.5 million dollars from the Naxalite fortune."

As everyone clapped, I could only stare in confusion. None of the other Cabinet members asked for input on the decision to fund Ace's venture, or had even told me he had such a venture.

The company didn't have a name at first. It went through several revisions, and Ace's company later became known as United Stock & Trade. Ace accepted applications from all types of people.

"Soon," said Ace. "People will come flocking to me as they seek jobs that pay well. I will have less of a role in Naxalite from now on as I spend more time refining my company. Despite this, I invite you all to come to the OXS building tomorrow and see what I have planned."

---

### Febuary 4th

It was plain to me: United Stock & Trade was essentially a recreation of Cybersun. Ace had implemented methods he had used before with the money-making strategies of Naxalite to create something unstoppable.

Ace hired dozens of employees off the streets to help serve him, and he brought in some older faces from Naxalite to aid him. Karen was one of the more ecstatic employees that liked working there, as she enjoyed working in teams. I accompanied her a few times at the company, and I was surprised at how rigid and organized the employee hierarchy was - militaristic, even.

There were two teams at US&T - the ground team and the air team. The former wore black suits, while the latter wore red suits. Anyone else who was available to either team wore grey suits. Both teams competed to see who could pull off the most jobs for each day. I'm not sure if this is still how the company operates, but either way, everyone got paid at the end of the day. Ace commanded each squad within the teams from inside the OXS building and requested updates via walkie-talkie.

United Stock & Trade is what Naxalite should have been. A strong leader in charge and with a floor of inexperienced recruits that were willing to do whatever it took to get paid. By the end of the first week, US&T had over 40 people employed.

Despite its success, I felt that it had significant ties to Naxalite. Ace received extensive funding from Naxalite, and they had some control over US&T. Ace has tried to dissuade any naysayers, separating US&T from Naxalite. As long as he played a part in both groups, I remained wary of his intentions.

It was obvious that he wasn't going to need Naxalite forever.

## 7 Anarchy

### Febuary 6th

I had only been at the plasma gas station for about 3 minutes, or about 3 weeks, depending on how you look at things. I don't eat food in the nutritional sense, but I like the taste of it.

While I was eating my gas station fried chicken and filling up my plasma tank, three heavily muscled dark skinned men wearing clothes so cheap looking they almost certainly had to be gangbangers approached me and started asking questions about Naxalite. One of them had long orange hair, just like the photo I had seen of Viper. It had to be him.

"What'chu' know about Naxalite, gasbag?" Viper spat out.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I rattled. "Buzz off."

"We see big groups like you's doing big bank jobs," the second said. "Why? You got something to hide, boy?"

I stood up out of the booth to face them, eye to eye.

"I already told you," I growled. "I don't know what you're droning on about. Now, fuck off or be fucked off."

They unholstered pistols and revolvers and began waving them around in my face.

"*O que você diz sobre isso agora, puta?!*" the third one yelled out, as if the language was native to him.

Everyone else at the gas station quickly ran away after that, screaming in fear.

"EASY pal, eaaasy," I rattled calmly. "Look, I didn't intend any offense, I'm trying to have lunch here..."

"You gonna tell us what we want," said the second goon. "Or we here will bust a cap in your bony lookin' ass."

As I stood there looking for a way out, I noticed that Karen had walked into the gas station. She had a military assault rifle in her hands, aimed at them from the hip in the retro Air Force style. They turned around and noticed Karen standing at the doorway. And then proceeded to slowly inch out of the station.

"DAYUM," Viper exclaimed. "Back to the crib, fast!"

They then proceeded to bolt out of the door much faster than they were already going, presumebly running for their 'whip'.

"Those guys had me in a corner. I guess I owe you a favor for that."

"Just a couple of street hoodlums," she said. "I don't think they knew what they were getting into when they joined UFAN."

"If I had known that they would be trying that," I rattled. "Then I would've brought more people with me. Something to throw them off."

"I suspect that this won't be the last time they'll try something like that," said Karen. "That Viper punk needs to stop trying to get in our way, or they'll lose something important."

---

### Febuary 11th

The past week has been the most stressful period for everyone at the company. There have been several reports of groups of armed thugs interrogating people across the city. While we got jobs done for each of our puppet corporations, everyone noticed more of them waiting for us outside the tech and laboratory buildings, where we made our money. They must have figured out how to track our movements and who's potentially in Naxalite.

Today, one of the more prominent incidents stuck with me.

While we transferred our money at the bank, a bunch of cars quickly surrounded the parking lot's exits.

"We need to get on out of here," I said to everyone. "Somebody tipped off UFAN."

A lot of faceless gangbangers stood with submachine guns and handguns as we walked out of the bank. Standing near the front of the impromptu car barricade was Viper, with backup. They must have gathered everyone they knew to surround us.

As I hid in the bank with Ace, Karen, and some other employees, Ace radioed Mark for backup.

"Mark!" said Ace. "Get everyone over here right now! UFAN has us ambushed!"

"Everybody," said Mark, ever so calmly. "We've got a situation at the 5th Street and Bunten Avenue bank, and we need everyone over there. I'll be flying in from the air."

Ace was lying down, making himself as small a target as possible, and aiming his military charge rifle at the crowd. As I unfolded my folding shotgun, Viper stared at me with a surprised look on their face. I looked to Ace and Karen as they both nodded in approval.

"I'm ready to kill this Viper cunt," she said. "It's about time we took care of these retards."

I fired the first shot in agreement to Karen.

The guy standing next to Viper went down like a sack of potatoes, the shot landing right in his stomach. Viper panicked and yelled out to open fire before running away into the crowded street. Naturally, everyone else on the other side of the street started firing their guns at us.

While they were strong in numbers, they weren't as good as we were. We spent a lot of time taking cover and opening fire in short bursts. I managed to drop a couple of them, but they were getting closer. We really don't bring all that much ammunition with us, so we were down to the wire on our arsenal.

After a couple of minutes, I could hear the sound of Mark's helicopter coming, and I could see some armored company vans barreling down the street, ramming the UFAN car barricades out of their way. Their arrival quickly dispersed the rest of the insurgents, and we made a break for it.

---

We had all regrouped at the Naxalite suite late that night. While the foot soldiers and everyone else waited in the barracks, I watched as the other Cabinet members were having a serious debate over the increasing escalation of violence of the past couple days.

"They knew you were coming," said Mark. "They were sitting there waiting for us. The only reasonable explaination for this is that they've got an informant."

"Damn straight," said de Jong. "It doesn't add up. How did they know when we would deposit the money?"

"The plasmaman," said Ace. "That person with the orange hair seemed to recognize him, and they looked a lot like Viper."

"What makes you think I even know him?" I brought up.

"I don't remember asking *you* a goddamn thing," Ace spat out. "But we've got a traitor, and it's someone in this room. So start talking."

I couldn't think. My mind raced over and over until I could find just one potential explanation.

"Chrono," I rattled.

"You better get real specific real quick," said Ace. "What makes you think they have something to do with this?"

"No, he's on to something," said Jong. "Shiny must have contacted Chrono and convinced him to join UFAN. It could also explain Karen's sudden departure."

"She left?" I asked. "She said that she was ready to kill Viper right before the shootout lit up."

"She called me on the car ride over, after that whole bank shootout, and said that she's done working here," said Jong. "She's been getting harassed for being in Naxalite, and she is refusing to say whom. All I know is that she's promised me that she'll stay quiet about her involvement."

It was here that I realized that Naxalite was more dangerous to some than I had previously believed. It was tearing apart people's friendships.

"Buddy, I trust Karen with my soul," I rattled. "She is not going to pose a problem. UFAN probably just has lots of goons working for them that watch our every move. You're just going to have to be more careful about who we hire from now on."

Everyone agreed with my suggestion.

"I'll tell our other employees about our decision," said Jong. "If they don't feel safe coming into work, then they don't have to. I think we ought to put our operations on hiatus for a couple of days until this whole thing blows over. Lay low until they lose track of us."

Everyone also agreed with this decision. We all got up and went to the barracks to tell the other employees our decision. I drove home.

## 8 Providence

### Febuary 12th

At three in the morning, I woke up at the sound of the phone ringing. The caller ID was unknown.

"What?" I asked.

"It's me, Karen. I need to ask you something serious."

I hadn't heard from Karen since the bank shootout. She had an urgent tone in her voice.

"Ok," I rattled.

"If you had to choose between de Jong or me," she started. "Who would you choose?"

"What are you going on about, woman?" I rattled blankly.

"Don't tell the others this," she started. "I highly suggest you get out of Naxalite. People are starting to find out. It is ruining people's lives. You will become a target for many people."

"I know," I rattled. "I don't know what to believe anymore. This whole thing is getting out of hand."

"... You're fighting the wrong side." she declared.

I could tell exactly where this conversation was going.

"I know that you got harassed for being in the company," I rattled. "Is that why you want me to leave? Or is it because what I'm doing is wrong?"

A brief silence permeated the speaker.

"Both," she said. "I used to be all in on this thing. You know that. I've stayed loyal, but I can't stand for this."

The moment she said the word 'loyal', my mind brought me back to something. That Nexaco goon she threw off the ledge, to keep the whole Naxalite business a secret. She used to devote all her time towards Naxalite, but she was right, things have changed since then. Karen has always been a killer, but her advocating for herself like this when it came to these kinds of battles was something to be said.

"Naxalite is crumbling from the inside," I rattled defeatingly. "The Cabinet can keep pulling math out of their asses, all the while people's friendships are being torn apart over this. I don't blame you for leaving."

"Can I trust you?" asked Karen.

"What will it take for *you* to trust me?" I asked her.

"I need your word because I'm gullible like that," she said. "I thought Jong was cool, but I don't know if I can trust any of them anymore."

"You're right," I clacked. "But what makes you think Jong would tear me apart like with you?"

"I only got paid $10k from Naxalite..." she started. "They don't pay their employees. I heard Jong was planning to scam people by letting them buy their shares and just not responding to them when they wanted to sell. I don't know if he will go through with that plan or if that is true..."

"It's already happened to Chrono," I responded. "It just doesn't make sense why they would do this whole Monopoly-pyramid scheme-Ponzi bullshit. The whole point of this was to do this so we could live comfortably away from the violence and crime of the streets, not squabble over something as petty as money. Why would they bother giving employees their fair amount of company shares but not let them cash out?"

"Because they're greedy," said Karen. "We kept working for them, and they wanted more power, and we kind of just kept giving it to them."

"I feel like I'm in the middle of a conspiracy," I rattled.

"We are," said Karen. "But there is an anti-Naxalite group forming. I'm sure you've heard of it by now."

"You're talking about Viper? The United Front Against Naxalite?"

"Yes," she started. "I'm surprised by their progress. They now have the support of a second anti-corporatist group. They are ready to attack once more. If you can prove that you've left Naxalite, then feel free to join us."

"I don't know..." I started.

"If they find out about me telling you this, they'll likely put me on their hit list too," said Karen.

"I stand with you and your cause," I rattled. "But I need to get everything that has happened thus far. de Jong started the company with his intentions for me to be in it. I am high up in the chain of command, and for me to leave now will cause a power vacuum."

"About that..." said Karen. "It might just be me, but I see a problem in that. They want to keep the money for themselves. If you leave, they are getting your cut of the money."

"I don't care about the money anymore." I declared. "I already know damn well that I'm not going to get a cent out of them. What you're saying makes all the sense in the galaxy. If they can control the accounts, they can control the flow of the money. I've heard that they're putting money in other accounts to throw off UFAN. They don't have to put it in the main offshore account. They can just pocket that money and write it off. But it doesn't explain why the Cabinet is throwing all of their support towards Ace."

"Ace was always there." Karen declared. "I mean, he was the COO of Cybersun, for Christ's sake. Look at United Stock & Trade. He is gaining support through that company as well. While they appear to operate legitimately, it would make sense for Naxalite to use them to meet their ends as well. Despite this, I am still willing to work for them. I gotta pay my bills somehow."

"I still have no clue how they found him," I rattled. "Like, why would he help Naxalite over anyone else? Why help this one promising company refine their methods?"

"Because he is gaining from it too," she said.

I started panicking. Even without legitimate proof, it all made sense. Karen did have a way with words.

"We've stumbled on some Illuminati shit right here."

"Man..." she started. "We were the Illuminati shit. We were the bad guys. I don't want to be the bad guy anymore. I'm hoping to make a fresh start with UFAN. They might be crooked, but you're no worse than me until you leave the company. What are you going to do when this all blows over?"

"I can't leave yet," I said. "You made the right call in leaving with a good reason. I don't know what will happen to me once Dog finds out that I've been collaborating with UFAN."

"**Join us**," said Karen. "Like I was in the company, I'm not a big dog in UFAN. If you think you can be a spy, then meet the leaders and discuss it with them."

## 9 Irresponsibility

### Febuary 13th

I couldn't do anything last night. Karen was serious about requesting my help. I promised her I would show up tomorrow to meet them. To keep working for Naxalite without questioning its methods would be hypocritical.

She told me the address of their hideout, which led me to the Grandview Apartments. I drove over there before my workday started. After I parked, I took time to look at the apartment complex. The walls showed no signs of decay. The building looked much newer in comparison to the other buildings on the street.

Karen was waiting for me by one of the entrances to the building. I got out of my car and walked over to meet her. She then led me through the door and up some stairs. I followed her inside as she navigated through many blank apartment hallways.

"So..." I started. "Who's technically in charge of UFAN?"

"There are actually two different organizations," said Karen. "The United Front Against Naxalite and the Peace Walkers. Both groups have managed to get around fifteen recruits in total. They've convinced people to pool all of their resources for the cause. As for who's in charge, it's Shiny and Viper."

"They seriously expect raw recruits to bring in weapons and support?" I asked. "That sounds a little suspicious to me."

"Oh please," she said. "The last thing I need to hear from you is how bad they're doing. If you're going to help UFAN, then this will be their chance to improve. The next time they fight, they will become stronger because of your advice."

We both stopped in front of a door numbered "49".

"This is the door," said Karen. "But it isn't quite time yet. Let's hang back."

We moved back a bit so we could whisper before we went in.

"Look," she whispered. "You're still in Naxalite. UFAN has given me a genuine purpose in my life, and I want to fulfill it. I'd be worrying less about their weaknesses and more about how you plan to help them."

"You want me to help them?" I asked. "For all I know, there could be corporate plants in there. I wouldn't be so eager to trust them since you just left. You're down to the wire on your cash."

"I'm not saying that I'm right," said Karen. "But I think that this road is worth crossing. If I don't think this is worth it, I'll leave. I promise."

For as long as I could remember, Karen almost always kept her promises. I still wanted her trust in case things got bad.

"Alright then," I whispered. "Let's get into character."

She nodded, and we both walked back to the door. We took a moment to calm our nerves.

She knocked on the door, and I heard the deadbolt getting flipped. Chrono was on the other side and looked surprised to see me. Once they saw Karen next to me, they opened the door fully so we could stroll inside.

There were a few young people who were caught off-guard by our appearance. The two thugs who were with Viper the other week at the gas station were sitting at a table on the right with cheeseburgers and soda. On the other side were Shiny and Viper. Their expression quickly changed from anger to confusion as we walked over to them. Chrono was walking back over to their table as we approached them.

"I thought you were joking when you said that, Karen," said Viper. "I didn't expect you to bring him here."

"I would trust this skeleton with my soul," said Karen. "You can trust him."

Viper raised his arms, inviting us both to sit at the main table. Everyone else went back to whatever they were doing.

"Well," said Viper. "I'm sure you've seen me before. I'm aware of your status within Naxalite. Are you willing to help us in our goal?"

"Am I going to get exposed?" I asked. "If they find out that I'm leaking, then I'm through. No one is going to do business with me if word gets out."

"I fully understand your concerns," said Viper. "I'll try my best to make sure our little thing doesn't get out."

For the record, Viper wasn't exactly good at keeping secrets. We only knew of Viper's exploits because he bragged to people on the street about his progress.

"Alright then, what do you want to know?"

"We need names," said Viper. "We know a few potential people who are in the company, but that's about it. Giving us a proper employee list would allow us to operate without fear of secrets getting out."

I gave Viper a list of people I knew who were working in the company at the time. I detailed the hierarchy in depth to illustrate how the company worked. He had a big grin on their face the whole time while I confessed their secrets.

Chrono had already gotten the spreadsheet, which threw me off. That spreadsheet was their number one trade secret at the time. If they found out that UFAN had found out, it would definitely cause a commotion.

"Viper," said Karen. "Naxalite recently introduced three future employees. Do you think that you can get them on board with us as well?"

"I don't see why not," said Viper. "We might not need extra intel from them, but it will give us that much of an advantage when we try to sabotage their bank depo runs."

We discussed a few other things while we were there. After that, Viper beckoned Karen to talk with her in private, leaving me alone with Shiny and Chrono. I decided to approach Chrono and see how they would respond to my presence.

"Chrono," I brought up. "Did that blackmail plan work out for you?"

They stammered a bit. "Well...no. It didn't. You have any idea why Mark wouldn't let me sell my stock?"

"Only partially," I drawed on. "I don't believe either of you knew what was going to happen."

"Well..." said Chrono. "I guess that makes sense."

After talking to Chrono for a few more minutes, Viper and Karen came back out from the back room.

"I'm glad you could come here today," said Viper. "You've been a big help, and I can't thank you enough for this. I'll call you if I need anything else."

Viper offered out their hand. I looked at them with contempt.

"No," I rattled. "I don't trust you. While this may be discreet for you, it isn't for me. You've got a long way to go for me to trust UFAN."

Viper nodded slowly, understanding the circumstances. I had hoped that helping UFAN would get them to be just a bit quieter.

It wouldn't.

## 10 Fear

I drove Karen back to her apartment. After that, I went back to the suite. Even with the huge crime wave, there was hardly anybody out on the way there. When I got there, the only other cars in the parking lot besides mine were a white sedan and a red helicopter.

As I walked into the suite, I noticed that the Cabinet door was slightly ajar. I got as close as I could to the door, and I could overhear Ace and de Jong talking inside. It didn't sound like my presence would be welcome.

"Your appointment to the Cabinet is almost complete," said Jong. "I've already discussed the matter with the other members."

"I take it that they were agreeable?" asked Ace.

"Definitely," said Jong. "You've been a great help to us, Ace. I can't thank you enough."

Ace basked in de Jong's praise. I could tell that it was what he truly desired.

"However," said Jong. "I've been receiving reports of attacks on our employees while they're depositing the cash. The increase of crime in the city isn't certainly helping any."

"So what?" asked Ace. "Let the bodies pile up in the streets. Once we get the ball rolling with Phase 2, people will beg us to join in."

*Phase 2? The fuck? Why have they not told me any of this?*

"Hmm," said Jong. "I hope you aren't underestimating the problem. The other corps are getting desperate, and the increasing amount of crime won't go away as quickly as you think."

"Of course they're desperate!" said Ace. "They can smell their deaths, and the sound they'll make rattling their cages will serve as a warning to the rest."

"We have other problems," said Jong. "We have intelligence indicating the group behind the attacks."

"UFAN?" asked Ace.

"Formed after Shiny left," said Jong. "They've grown in size and scope. Chrono is with them as well. However, I have someone in place."

*A double within UFAN...*

"A bunch of pretentious youngsters trying to take us down," said Ace. "Their politics may be popular, but our methods are far ahead of theirs. They won't last long against us. We are the future!"

de Jong stood silent for a couple of seconds as he waited for Ace to finish.

"Now," said Ace. "I'm a bit disappointed with the performance of the current project. You've reviewed the second revision of the spreadsheet?"

"Yes," said Jong. "We have enough data to predict what projects will be located at each of the buildings each day. Once we refine it further, it should be operational within the week. I'll explain it to everyone once you're ready."

"We've had to endure much during our time together," said Ace. "But soon, we will control this city. Our vision will become a reality, and we will become kings!"

---

While they finished their conversation, I went to the break room to get coffee. I don't drink coffee, or anything really, but I lost sleep because of last night, and I needed a taste to put in my mouth. I put my coffee on the ground and laid down on the couch.

The idea of Ace colluding with de Jong and Mark without my knowledge scared me. Why leave me out of their plans? Ace seemed genuinely serious about transforming Naxalite into something bigger. Perhaps he was trying to recreate Cybersun. Was he using de Jong and myself to gain an advantage?

I couldn't think. All I wanted to do was sleep. Forget about my role in all of this and forget the company even existed. But Jong would soon realize I had shown up, so I sat up and got my cup of coffee. I took a sip.

It was decaf.

I like to think reality played a trick on me that day.

I dumped the coffee down the drain and bought a soda from the vending machine. The machine made its perturbed screeches, ending in a loud crash. As I reached down and got the can from the slot, I looked up to find de Jong looking at me from the doorway. I cracked open the can as he walked in. I took a long sip.

"You look tired," said Jong. "I can't recall the last time that happened."

I lowered my drink. "I couldn't sleep last night," I responded. "I thought I'd come in early in case you needed anything from me."

He walked over to the counter and made himself a cup of coffee. He pulled out the chair next to the table in the room and sat down.

"I'm sure you've heard about our adversaries by now," said Jong. "We've received more details about who's working for them. But that isn't enough for us. I need you to do some digging and see what you can find out about them."

"They already know who I am," I clacked. "I can't just walk in there and ask for a job. What are you suggesting I do?"

"Follow them after we do our deposit runs," said Jong. "We don't even need to try our hardest to fend them off. They have to have a base of operations somewhere, we know that much."

What de Jong was asking me to do seemed like child's play. There should have been a significant amount of research into UFAN already. Plus, I already knew where the UFAN HQ is. But I would have to play along with his idea.

"Easy enough," I rattled. "As long as I don't spook UFAN, we should be good."

de Jong raised the coffee closer to his lips.

"I'll make a toast with you," he said. "We will make an example out of them. And to this, I toast, for Naxalite's continued growth."

I toasted my soda with him. He took a sip of his coffee and put the cup down. He tried his best to hide his fury in front of me. But he eventually got up after a few seconds and dumped the rest of his coffee down the sink. He most likely noticed the other styrofoam cup in the garbage bin.

"Why didn't you tell me that someone had messed with the coffee?" he bleated.

He walked over to the vending machine, repeating the same path I had taken a minute earlier.

I clacked in laughter. "You want to know how I got to this point?" I asked him.

He put his money in and pushed the button. The vending machine made its infernal racket once again.

"Alright," he said. "I give up. How the Hell did you get to this point?"

The loud crash deafened the room.

"I kept my mouth shut."

"Fuck outta here," he said coldly as he got the can. "This is your rite of passage. Don't disappoint me."

I couldn't help but internally laugh at his demise as I followed him out. Sadly, this would be the last time that he got angry at me for a good reason. It seemed fitting.

---

I spent the next few days feeding information to both sides. The fighting and the power struggle intensified as UFAN repeatedly attempted to stop Naxalite from depositing money into the banks, only occasionally succeeding. I spent a lot of time tracking them down for de Jong, despite what I already knew about them.

The pressure eventually became unbearable for me. I would have no control over what happened next.

## 11 Torn

### Febuary 18th

I got to today's Cabinet meeting a little late. I made my way over to my chair and sat down. Ace was going over a game plan of some sort.

"Screwing up over UFAN cost us big time," said Ace. "But now we've paid that debt in full. Our inside man has told us where they're at."

He had a bunch of stuff written on the whiteboard. He was giving instructions to different people.

"If everything goes according to plan," said Ace. "Then we've got ourselves one hell of a martyr. Now-"

"Sorry, I was late," I rattled. "But who are we killing this time?"

He paused for a moment to recognize my presence.

"Tonight," said Ace. "We kill Viper."

I unslouched myself in my chair.

"When're we doing it?" I asked.

Ace looked down at his watch, even though there was a clock on the table. "About 10 minutes," Ace said. "Once UFAN is out of the picture, nothing will be able to stop us."

His words were flying through my head. All I could think about was warning Karen. After the meeting concluded, I got out of my chair and booked it for the door. de Jong followed me out to the elevator.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"I gotta uh, check on my pizza... it's in the oven..."

"Were you not listening back in there? Are you drunk or something?" he asked. "We're doing this thing tonight. You better stop giving off sus vibes, because you need to be there for this."

As the doors opened, we both stepped inside. I pushed the button for the first floor.

He stared at me as the elevator doors shut.

---

As soon as I got to my car, I realized that my phone was going off the whole time. I got in and turned on my phone.

"What?" I asked.

"It's me," said the voice. "You need to get out of Naxalite."

"And you need to get out of UFAN," I responded. "I don't know what you thought would happen when you joined them, but we found out where the base is. They will attack any minute."

"I know," she said. "Somehow, Viper also caught word of that. I was planning on leaving this place anyway. I honestly don't like either side anymore."

"Look," I went on. "I didn't want you messed up in this. Your life is at stake, too. Call Chrono and tell them to meet at your apartment and hide there. I'll call you once this blows over."

"But why?" said Karen. "Why do you have to show up?"

"There's going to be a giant gang war over there," I rattled. "I have to be there. Ace is bent on killing Viper, which would dissolve UFAN. You will not survive if you're still there."

"Thanks for the warning," she said. "But what are you going to do when this all blows over? I don't think your cover is going to hold up for much longer."

"What I know and what can be proven aren't exactly seeing eye to eye right now," I rattled longingly. "I know I'm on thin ice, but if I could last just a bit longer-"

"I'm not getting a kick out of this," she interrupted. "You've already pieced everything together, and you're more worried about your cover over yourself?"

I sighed. I heard the garage doors of the commercial building open behind me. Naxalite armored vans started to file out into formation on the street. Everyone was getting ready to drive out to the UFAN massacre.

"Do I have to spell it out to you?" she asked. "It's time to get out."

I knew she was right. I trapped myself in a corner with no way out.

"I've got a good hand," I clacked. "And I'm going to play it. You worry about yourself and Chrono right now. I promise you that we will all make it out of this."

She sighed. "Alright then," she said. "I'll see you when this is all over."

She hung up the phone, and I noticed de Jong talking to the driver of the lead car. The vans and trucks and cars and motorbikes were all revving in unison as employees started swerving out of the parking lot down the street. Ace's private helicopter was spooling up beside me.

Ace threw a thumbs up at me out the window. I could only stare back.

---

We had to stop quickly outside the apartments. A bunch of them were already out there, waiting for us to arrive. We had driven head first into a pitched shootout.

I slammed the brakes and took cover behind the engine block, unfolding my shotgun. Everyone was doing the same as shots rang out on both sides. I looked out from behind my car and started shooting at them. Amid the confusion, I hoped that none of them would recognize me as I tried my hardest not to shoot too many of them. But as they fired more shots at us, we fired more shots at them. They were really losing.

I was hiding behind cover as I heard a scream to the right of me. de Jong had gotten hit in the line of fire. I ran over to him, trying to steer clear of stray bullets sailing my way. He had laid himself down on the passenger side of his pickup truck.

"Are you incapped?" I asked.

"Yes," he blurted out. "I am." he responded snarkily. "I think they got my right arm and legs. Maybe my stomach, I can't feel."

As I inspected him, we both looked up to hear the squeal of tires coming from the building. A white hatchback barreled out into the carnage. It was Viper.

"Go after them!" he shouted. "I'll be fine."

"But you're not good!" I responded.

"Just go! I'll get help."

"No. You're hurt pretty bad. We got to get you back to base."

I shut the doors and put him in the back seat of his truck. I slid into the driver's side and put the gear shift into drive. *Of course he drives an automatic.* I started to chase after Viper. I heard him screaming in the back. It didn't take my eyes off the ball.

I took his phone from the cupholder and called Ace.

"I'm chasing Viper," I clacked. "Jong's bleeding out here in the back, and I don't know how much longer he'll last."

"Go after Viper," said Ace. "I'll follow you in the helicopter after we take care of the situation over here."

"But what about J-" He hung up right then and there.

"All this blood is scaring the fuck out of me," said de Jong. "I'm gonna die in here!"

"Just hold on." I rattled. "Ace will be following us. Once I catch Viper, you get to the doctor. Just tell me that you'll be okay."

There was no response from him. He almost started crying.

I pounded the steering wheel. "Just say the words." I rattled unflinchingly.

"Alright!" he shouted. "I'm gonna be okay."

"That's nice."

de Jong swiped my GSW pack from the chest rigging I was wearing and tried to do something about his wounds. Viper made a sharp left drift to the other side of the highway, almost crashing headfirst into the oncoming traffic. It sent de Jong sailing to the other side of the truck's cab, much to his chagrin.

We drove all across the city before turning off onto 1st Street. Viper lost control during the turn and slammed his hatchback through the window of the gun store at the 1st Street train station. I stopped the car and checked on de Jong.

"I'm going to take care of Viper."

He nodded his head, and I got out of the truck and walked towards the crash site. His hatchback was on its top, completely totaled. There was glass all over the place. Viper slowly crawled out of the car and started to panic once they saw me.

Everything that had happened thus far all came to this point. I unfolded my shotgun.

"Why?" asked Viper. "After everything you've done?"

"I'm through with you," I rattled. "I hope you can make it last."

I had my gun on him as Ace and some other goons showed up with my car. One of them tended to de Jong while Ace slowly walked up behind me.

"Well well well," tic'd Ace. "Viper, Shiny, we got them all. UFAN is done for. Now, finish Viper."

I kept the long arm aimed at Viper. Nothing was stopping me from ending Viper's life. But this wasn't what I wanted. A lot of people died over this, and I wanted it to end.

"Do it already," said Ace.

I unshouldered the shotgun. "How many people did you and the Cabinet have to drag down for this?" I asked.

"It's going to take some time for us to figure out what we've lost," said Ace. "But in the meantime, just do it already. Shoot him."

"No," I rattled coolly. "I don't think I will."

"Why not?" asked Ace. "He's right there! He's our **enemy**!"

"I'm through with killing people over this corporate nonsense," I rattled.

I turned around and began walking away to my car.

"Get yourself back here and finish the fucking job!" shouted Ace.

I folded my shotgun back up and put it back in its holster.

"You just bought yourself a whole lot of trouble!"

I got in my car and shut the door.

"This is your last chance!"

I turned around and drove myself home.

## 12 Reconcile

### Febuary 19th

In the morning, I got a call from de Jong. He told me that he wanted me to see him in the meeting room. I drove over there as soon as I could. Oddly, the streets were empty, as if it were the calm before the storm that started later that day.

I got to the building and took the elevator.

As the elevator opened, I walked out and opened the door to the meeting room. de Jong stood at the other side, staring at the traffic outside. He was in a wheelchair and an arm cast.

The condescending look on his face told me everything.

Jong sighed. "Well," he said. "Why the betrayal?"

To explain my thought process through all of this would probably require a therapist.

"What makes you say that?" I asked.

"Don't play dumb with me," said de Jong in a condescending tone. "Thanks for not killing Viper. We interrogated him. We know everything now. You're officially fired from Naxalite, and by extension, United Stock & Trade."

I tried to start over. "I apologize for the deception," I started. "But this company is past its purpose. I can't stand for this anymore."

A brief moment of silence. de Jong sat up in his wheelchair.

"I want to know who talked," I continued. "But you're not going to tell me that."

"Well," Jong started. "You first gave yourself away by refusing to shoot Viper. Plus, they were bragging to Daishi earlier about having a rat. Our interrogation of them confirmed that."

I tried to downplay my role. "UFAN aren't ready yet," I rattled. "They wouldn't know what to do with the information I've given them."

"They have their own front company up and operational now," said de Jong. "They call it Peace Walkers. 1.3 million in funding. Ace can help us beat that amount every day we work. They don't have anybody."

"I could care less about who comes out on top," I declared. "If I'm honest, the only reason I stayed this long was that I felt it was nice enough to hang out with me and my friends. And then everything had to get political and sectarian. Every meeting since the start of the month has been a clash over who controls the money."

He stared at me, eyes deadlocked with mine.

"Well," said Jong. "If I'm honest, I wish you would've started being honest much sooner. Had you told me that you were leaving and joining UFAN, I wouldn't have cared. Shiny told me about his group and how it wasn't personal. I wish you had done the same."

He was right, at the end of the day. It didn't matter if my actions helped out UFAN in the long run. I violated the trust of one of my friends. To do that was as bad as spitting in his face.

"Look," I started. "You are right. I was dishonest. But I can't change the past. This whole thing has gotten out of hand. Drama is breaking out between our friends over this company."

Jong sighed and looked down.

"I'd like to remain on good terms with you," I rattled.

He knew that there was truth to my words.

"I appreciate your honesty," said Jong. "But please, if you take issue with anything I do or anything I plan, like this, be honest with me. You and Shiny were probably the only chances UFAN ever had."

"I'm leaving. Both sides," I rattled. "Naxalite can recover, but they won't."

"Good," said Jong. "Unless they can pull something big, barring something like joining the Syndicate or Nanotrasen."

An idea began to form. It involved payback.

"Honestly," I started. "I'd love to see if UFAN lost their mole. Oh, that would be something..."

"There are spies within the company?" asked Jong. "If you don't want to tell me who they are, then that's fair."

"Well," I said. "You said Viper bragged to Daishi about having a mole, right?"

"Pretty much," said Jong. "They sent Daishi explicit evidence of having a mole. They were smug about it too."

"Oh my goodness, what a retard..." I couldn't even answer maturely. "What kind of terrorist commander tells their enemy that they have a spy?"

"I don't think you understand how unbelievably stupid Viper is," he said. "He's done more damage to UFAN than we have. I still sometimes cannot comprehend that one person could be as braindead as they are."

We both chuckled at the sentiment. I confessed the identities of the mole - some IPC, V85. It turned out that V85 was actually a double agent that fed information to de Jong, turned about a week ago, which explained how they found out about my betrayal. I felt sure that revealing this to UFAN would piss off Viper to no end. Anything to make myself feel better about what I had done.

I had some other advice I wanted to give de Jong as well. Maybe get his mind racing. He had been too naive while everyone started covering their asses.

"By the way," I started. "I know that you and Mark have access to the Naxalite fortune. That's probably for the best if you think about it. If Mark is the only person who still has access, I would've told you that you had a big problem on your hands. Now that both of you have access to the money, I'd be warier of Mark and Ace."

He looked confused, but his expression changed after a second. "I see what you mean. With 15% of the planet's GDP in this single city, it is best to have it in multiple hands..."

"Viper might not know when Naxalite conducts business," I continued. "But you might not know as well."

"What do you mean?" he asked. "You think Mark would take the money and run?"

"It's possible," I told. "With an accomplice, they could do it easily."

"Neither of us is willing to burn bridges over the money," said Jong. "But I get what you mean."

"The money is what makes this company viable," I kept on. "If you want the company to last, you'll have to change how the company gets handled."

"I'm guessing you mean management?" asked Jong.

"The Cabinet is fine," I clacked. "But the employees aren't. Some are fine working for the sake of the company, like our close friends. But the rest are just in for the money, there's nothing stopping them from joining UFAN if they get bored. Or if they aren't content with doing your Mafia labor."

"I've considered that somewhat," he said. "After all, Cybersun is so strong because of how well it treats its employees."

"The methods developed by you and Ace are great," I rattled. "But having this kind of strategy in Naxalite is risky. It's bound to cause more problems."

"You're right," said Jong. "We need reliable people to keep the company afloat. That's why we've cut off invites for now, but I'll certainly take that into account."

After discussing some other miscellaneous things, it was time to leave. My time here was up. People would start showing up for work.

"Well," I rattled. "That's that then. I've said everything I've wanted to. Do whatever you, because I can't object."

"Same here," said Jong. "I'm glad we're still on good terms. You were a great part of my team. But you can't stay here. If you ever want to get back in the game, fund a company of your own."

Fund my own company? With everyone watching? What kind of advice was this? To stay in White Sands and conduct business would be a death wish.

"No..." I finished. "This city is turning into a favela, if that can't be said for it already. I think I'm through with this sort of stuff for now."

"That's a good idea," said Jong. "I've considered leaving myself."

That was an unfinished thought.

---

We said our goodbyes, and I walked out of the meeting room. I fully knew that I was alone with no one from Naxalite to fall back on. I would not receive compensation of any sort. Even if my coworkers didn't have a grudge against me for my betrayal, there was no use in getting them on my side.

The elevator was not kind to me, as it stopped twice for no apparent reason on the way down. I walked outside and got in my car, heading for my apartment. There was only one person left I could trust. Karen and I both knew that the fighting would continue to escalate until it completely swallowed White Sands. I needed to see her before things got worse.

## 13 Exodus

I called Karen and let her know that I got fired from Naxalite. I offered to explain the whole thing, and she asked to meet me at her place.

As I drove over to meet her, I decided to take one last drive through the city. There were a couple of burning cars in the streets. Riots took place at each of the company buildings. There were protests at Central over what happened to UFAN. The city looked like it was going under, and I couldn't have cared in the slightest. I planned to leave and head back home.

As I found her apartment, I parked up next to her car. It was a few feet away from a balcony, where you could get a nice view of the sunset. She found me outside, and we both walked up to each other.

She hugged me for a bit.

"It's finally over," said Karen with a hint of both relief and sadness.

"Yeah," I responded. "It is."

"The past few weeks have felt pointless," she said. "I don't know what I gained from it."

"I'm just glad you're fine." I rattled.

We both let go of each other, and we both walked over to our cars. Karen got on top of the hood of her sedan and lied down. I sat next to her as well.

A few minutes went by as we looked for miles across the desert. I eventually broke the silence.

"Now what?" I asked her. She shrugged.

"I used to believe in something greater," she said. "Now, I don't believe in anything anymore. Love and friendship, I guess."

There was a brief moment of silence.

"Speaking of love," she said. "I'd like to invite you to my wedding. It's a couple of weeks from now."

She smiled at me. I grinned and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I'd like to be there for that," I rattled ever so cautiously. "I didn't know that you were getting married."

We both hopped off her car. She opened her car door and pulled out a bottle of whiskey.

"Want a drink?" she asked.

She stopped herself before she opened the bottle, remembering that I don't exactly drink liquid.

Karen gulped down the alcohol, and she cringed like she ate sour candy.

"Yep," she said. "Stuff's strong as Hell."

She drank until she finished the bottle. Karen was inebriated. She smiled and stumbled towards her car.

"Well," said Karen. "It's been one helluva ride. But it's time to part ways for now. I'll see you-"

She would hiccup.

"-soon."

I nodded and slipped to my car, sharing our last laugh. She must have already packed as she sped off and left dust behind. I stared at the sunset until I felt like I wanted to drive. I wound up falling asleep.

I woke up a couple of hours later with a hangover. Despite it being nighttime, I noticed that Karen had left a briefcase inside the back seat of the car. There was a note and two hundred thousand bucks in the case.

*"Next time I need you quickly, I'll try to give you a head start. Either that or I'll drive myself out of trouble. I found a briefcase full of bills which I nearly had to leave behind. I had a feeling that Naxalite wouldn't get much chance to use them, and I thought it'd be a shame to waste them."*

*Clever girl.*

I shut the briefcase and started my car. I drove back to my apartment through the molotov-cocktail lit roads. Tomorrow, I will buy a shuttle ticket home to Centration and start over. Karen would have her wedding there in a couple of weeks.

To say that I didn't feel anything over what happened to White Sands would be a lie. Naxalite and United Stock & Trade would continue to exist.

But I didn't need them anymore.

---

### Febuary 20th

de Jong took the elevator up to the Naxalite suite after getting lunch at the burger joint. He had made sure that he arrived alone at the building. To get to the 50th floor would take time.

He had done everything right for the company up to this point. He followed all the strategies. And yet, for some reason, things just weren't working out. The company's operations were well known to the public by this point, but no one knew who was in charge. Shiny and Chrono caused significant damage to their reputation. The advice from one plasmaman had deteriorated his mental state, with his apology and confession of the mole confused him. Everyone was fighting over control of the money.

White Sands had become inhospitable because of Naxalite. In its current state, Naxalite would not last much longer.

He wasn't sure what the future held for him at this point, but he felt that it would be alright. Ace would understand that this was all necessary for what was to come.

As the elevator doors opened, de Jong walked out towards the Cabinet door. He took a deep breath and opened the door. Ace eagerly stood up at his arrival.

"de Jong!" shouted Ace. "Everyone's all here. We're ready to discuss Phase 2."

de Jong looked across the meeting room. Ace, Mark, and Daishi were all here.

There was an empty swivel chair next to the chair he sat on.

Jong let out a big sigh. "Alright," he said. "Let's get to work."

He stepped inside and shut the door behind him.

## 14 Union

### March 4th

Two weeks have passed since I left White Sands. Today is Karen's wedding.

The wedding took place near the top of the Bolo Ty's Casino, at the heart of my *Prakshaalit*. As I parked, several people I recognized were walking towards the building. Some of them I knew, and others were people who I had never met before. All of them had come together today to witness something that this place lacked in.

I headed inside with them up to the floor where the wedding was to take place. Some people spent time playing the many casino games they had there, but I just spent time remeniscing with people I knew. I spent a lot of time looking at the view outside. The modern cityscape looked amazing mixed with the grey and purple skyscape.

There was one minor incident before the wedding. A fight broke out between a man I didn't recognize and the groom's father, Jimmy Gideon. As the man shouted, "FUCK you, Jimmy!" the father dodged their fist and proceeded to beat the absolute shit out of him. The organizers struggled to stop the two of them.

Before the ceremony started, rumors started to go around that the priest was sick and couldn't make it. I approached the wedding organizers and offered to recite the pastor's vows. Since no one else was willing to do it, they decided to go ahead with it.

Waiting for the bride at the front with me was the groom, Eris. We didn't know each other that well, but I congratulated him.

I won't go terribly into it, but I recited the vows as best as I could. Karen smiled at my willingness to step up to the task. After I said the pastor's vows, they both kissed, and there was a huge celebration.

I honestly hadn't seen her this happy in a long time.

---

During the afterparty, I took time to reflect on previous events. Many people were still dancing, and I couldn't find Karen or Eris in the mix.

Suddenly, Ace came walking towards me from the sea of people. No one noticed his presence. I didn't know if any of the other Cabinet members had arrived, and I wasn't going to go paranoid over it. If Ace wanted to kill me, he wasn't stupid enough do it at a public wedding.

"I'm a bit surprised to see you here," I rattled. "I don't think you got invited."

"That's not important," said Ace. "I just wanted to ask you a question."

"What?"

"Well," he began. "Do you feel like you've lost anything from this?"

"What are you going on about?" I rattled.

"Not only did you get kicked out of Naxalite," he said. "But United Stock & Trade as well. You don't feel like you've lost anything from it?"

"No," I responded. "I'm a successful businessman in my own right. If I want to make money and live comfortably, then I'm able to do so now."

"You can certainly say that about yourself," said Ace. "But what about the lovely bride over there?"

He looked at Karen and Eris dancing while everyone else watched. She looked like she was enjoying herself with him.

"What about her?" I asked. "She already has her life. She isn't going to work for you forever."

"My company has grown to over 200 employees," said Ace. "When we are doing business, we can seize White Sands by force if we wanted to."

In comparison, Naxalite had around 120 members. Ace had done what had previously taken months of planning and did it in a couple of days. His success was due in no small part to the hard work of myself and the other Naxalite members, which disgusted me.

"Look," said Ace. "I don't want to sound cocky. I want to talk to you later about United Stock & Trade. Tomorrow, perhaps."

"About what?" I rattled.

"I want to make sure you got the memo," said Ace. "Naxalite dissolved after what happened to you last month, and a lot of toxic shit has spilled out from it. It seems like things have calmed down since then."

"I've already made up with Jong," I clacked. "What can you possibly say to me?"

"I now understand that you were on the receiving end of a lot of things," said Ace. "I want to make sure you know of my intentions and maybe offer you a job as well. You would make a great fit."

"No, you greedy motherfucker. I'm stepping away from all this," I rattled. "I'll call you if I change my mind, but right now, I don't want to be a part of anything anymore. Not after this idiocracy that transpired. Both you and Jong are back where you started at this whole thing."

"I don't understand," said Ace. "What's different between me and de Jong? What else is between us apart from our trust in each other?"

"That took me a while time to figure out," I rattled.

He looked at me for a few seconds as I walked away. When I moved into the crowd, I turned and looked back where he had stood.

He had disappeared.

---

After most of the people had left, I joined Karen by the front entrance of the casino. She was watching the sunset, while her new husband was chatting with his father.

She turned around and got up to hug me as I approached her.

"Thank you so much for filling in as pastor," she said. "I didn't know what we were going to do."

"It's nothing at all," I rattled. "That's what everyone else on this planet seems to be here for."

We both sat down and looked at the sunset. We spent a lot of time remeniscing on things, up until the sun was about to go down.

"So," I brought up. "What are you going to do now?"

"Things might get better or worse," she said. "But in the end, it won't matter. We are out of it completely now."

I felt conflicted as she said this, but as she grasped my hand, we both looked at the sunset, and I forgot about what I was thinking about at that moment.

"Our next job," she said. "Live. We are free now."

---

After saying our goodbyes, Karen and Eris rode away in their car. Everyone else left soon after. I took time to reflect on everything that happened as I drove home.

Karen felt that she had been used to line the Cabinet's pockets, which was a reasonable judgment. On the other hand, I had seen what the lust for money and power had done to some of my closest friends. Naxalite started out as something where we had fun while we strived towards a shared goal. But the more I helped Naxalite, the more I felt it overrode my caring of other things as I became increasingly committed to the company.

As Naxalite kept growing, de Jong and Ace spent a lot of time figuring out ways to make money faster and more efficiently. As the company grew, they did more to dominate the playing field. I didn't think negatively of the company until anti-Naxalite personalities started attacking my friends as well as myself.

You can look at Naxalite and say that they were a group that knew how to exploit the system. You can say that their veil of secrecy wasn't anything that should have gotten people jealous. You could also argue that it was a complete waste of time, and I would agree with that.

The fact remains...

I am a victim - of greed, circumstances, and my own choices.

I now realize that time does not heal wounds, it just gives them space to settle and grow more comfortable. I left White Sands by choice because my future seemed blocked by my past actions. I have no idea if I will return there any day in the future, all I hope for is that my children do not.

What happens next is no longer my story to tell. Whether United Stock & Trade will last or fall is not known. The torch will trade hands to another free soul, and they will bear the burden of reciting the chronicles of petty ambitions.

But from this point forward, I believe I can do whatever I want to.

I feel like a great weight has lifted off of my chest.

Because I am free.