Chapter 57: Meeting in the Red Circle 2 (1/2)

Chapter 57: Meeting in the Red Circle 2

"I did take you as a ht on the anization in our line of work growing faster than the Trident

And who could have predicted it?

A ragtag alliance of estranged yakuza, ether after the Monstering in a most meteoric rise It is truly admirable how hardshi+p can ether

If I was an investing man such as yourself, I would place my credits in the Trident

But of course, I should not lecture an experience investor like you"

"By allmindset," said Aldrich He kept his s up within his to riches story to be admired

The Trident built their e of countlessto respect about them

And soon, once Aldrich saw to it, that e is happening, Mr Vane," said Casimir "I can feel it in the air In the fabric of this tumultuous society around us

Can you not? It is in the ever-increasing cases of theft by Nomads in the Wastelands It is in the spirits of the downtrodden in the ghettos and broken-down streets of walled cities

Do you knohat I call this?"

"Entertain er "Desperation The Panopticon and the Alterhu Variants attacks are astronomically on the rise, and I hear whispers that the titans stir in their slumber

Are you familiar with the Prophet, Mr Vane?"

"Ah, the Alter with future sight, correct? The one who makes a prophecy about humanity's safety every fifteen years," said Aldrich "Who wouldn't be? His prophecies are the most watched live broadcasts on telescreen networks"

"Yes, yes, that's the one The doddering old man with that wispy head of white hair and bleak, blank eyes Oh, I do feel for him, that man, to constantly have to foresee the fate of an entire civilization - it must take a toll on the mind" Casi, have you heard of his latest prophecy?"

"Who hasn't," said Aldrich "Two years ago, yes? 2115 If uaranteed huain"

"There is so my sources that it is all a lie A shaency and the Panopticon," said Casimir "I hear that the Prophet has, in truth, foretold hu a brow in interest

"Is it? Who knows? Even my own sources cannot penetrate deep into the internal politics of the AA and the Panopticon All I hear are whispers and rus

But you knohat, Mr Vane?" Casi at Aldrich intensely "Even a whisper is bound to be heard when it is telling the truth"

Aldrich re Casiuarantees, but I feel that perhaps so BIG will happen

With the vast lorified pop stars, prancing about on their live strea for the most likes on their social media platforms, who is left to defend the corowing on the streets reach a breaking point?

And when it does, when that breaking point shatters the order of society, ill pick up the pieces?"

"Ah, I see what you're getting at," said Aldrich "You're saying that the villains want to take control With enough Variant attacks and enough desperation, some perhaps artificially fueled, there's bound to be chaos

And who better to navigate chaos than villains?"

"I a questions Presenting a thought experiment, yes," said Casimir coyly "But you understand what I mean

So, it is quite wise of you to divest some of your investments here, especially if you wish to keep yourself and your dear wife safe in times to come

Now then, for our in-house liquor selections"

Casimir tapped the side of his ht white screen Froes projected outwards onto the dining table These ies formed into profiles that listed out several mercenaries and villains for hire

The profiles listed a threat ranking if the subject had one, or if they were hidden, an estie of them, a list of their successful missions, how many credits and assets they had earned for their clients, their general personality traits, and so on

Like reviewing resumes

Aldrich noted that out of the dozen profiles Casimir projected, only one was at B-rank

"It seems you are a little disappointed with our in-house selection, and that is understandable" Casi without saying anything "Again, we do not have the finest cream of the crop

For that, you would have to travel to a larger city such as Neo-York

However, for you, Mr Vane, I can offer more options

No doubt, if you have researched enough to connect with us, you know of Blackwater One of few acade insider infor the e abetween you and so as they are, they may not be as disciplined, but their potential, I aroomed, will exceed our in-house selections"

"An interesting consideration," said Aldrich "You truly do have a wide selection to offer But could I be just a little greedier and ask to see if there are even reed Greed is good Greed is what drives us all" Casiain This time, Aldrich saw red tinted profiles projected Many of these had far e threat rankings than before

One thing tied theether: they had an affiliation with the Trident

"I know you were interested about the trident Here is a list offor them that they can outsource as independent contractors

Unfortunately, none of them are in such a s for you with any one of them," said Casimir