AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why would I ever agree to such a thing? It would only open the door for an attack here on a planet that the Syndicate has free rein on, from you and your people and the Intergalactic Coalition. Allowing you here would only bring more trouble. More than it’s worth,” he replied.
“My friendship is more than worth a little hassle,” Credare answered, his usual cruelty edging back into his voice, but Bane didn’t flinch, not even in the slightest. Instead, he leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. His eyebrow rose in disbelief.
“You still haven’t detailed how this might benefit me,” he answered.
I saw Credare’s lip twitch. He wasn’t used to being questioned. There were only a few people in space as powerful as him and Bane was one of them. It was strange for him to be in a situation where he wasn’t the one in complete control.
“A cut of the profits. Access to the most up to date and the latest technology from the Coalition. More beautiful women than you can imagine,” Credare described.
“Slave women, you mean?” Bane questioned.
“Of course. Is there any other kind?” Credare chuckled, his ensuing salacious grin disconcerting. Unfortunately, I knew the man was serious. He liked his women beaten, scarred, and trained to be willing to take whatever he wanted. I shuddered, thankful I had avoided that particular fate with him. I don’t know if I would have survived.
Bane tensed for a moment, but it passed quickly. It was clear he didn’t appreciate Credare’s love of slavery either, but he was careful to shake it off.
“I have enough of what I need without having to align with the Association. What else do you have to offer?” Bane pressed and Credare stiffened slightly. He clearly wasn’t used to being pushed like that.
Bane sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. Watching the two of them interact was like a game of chess, each one trying to outmaneuver the other from across the room. Credare bit his cheek and sighed.
“Don’t you see an alliance between us would benefit both of us? Make us stronger against the Coalition? It wouldn’t be too much for us to align together and take them out, rule the galaxies as one instead of having to bow to them,” Credare said.
“The Coalition doesn’t bother us out here. We’re on the very fringes of their rule. It costs too much to come out here, uses too many precious resources, and as long as we don’t inconvenience them, they don’t hassle us,” Bane answered and Credare’s jaw ticked again. He was getting frustrated. To him, he was giving Bane the world with his offer of friendship and it clearly hadn’t occurred to him that he might be rejected.
Bane had worked hard to achieve his position on Dryac. He’d fostered many connections over the years, had developed his own smuggling routes and earned his title as the leader of the Syndicate. His wasn’t an easy journey and I knew that he wasn’t going to hand it over to anyone, especially not the leader of his enemy. Especially not a monster like Credare.
“Name your price,” Credare finally said, the threat in his voice obvious, but then he leaned back against the chair. I narrowed my eyes, watching as he began to relax, almost as though he’d made a decision just now.
I tensed. Fuck. That wasn’t good.
That wasn’t like him. I leaned forward, watching his expression more closely now, but he didn’t give anything away.
“I don’t have a price. I’m only meeting with you to inform you that the Syndicate has no intention of working with the Association, no matter what you offer. I thought that the news was best delivered in person. Man to man,” Bane replied.
Credare’s face didn’t tic this time. Instead, he did something even more terrifying. He smiled and a cold chill raced down my spine. I swallowed deeply. I wanted to warn Bane, but I didn’t know how to without giving myself away.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Credare responded, his tone cold and unyielding.
I bit my lip.
“You may stay the night on Dryac, but I expect you to be gone before noon tomorrow,” Bane warned.
“Sure. No problem at all,” Credare said. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.”
Credare stood, his skin pulsing with darker twinges of green. He moved to walk out of the room, but then he stopped, and I held my breath. He turned back and stared at Bane, his face grim but also ridiculously excited.
“I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this,” he threatened, and Bane stiffened.
Credare raised his right arm, lifted just his forefinger, and bent it toward Bane, almost like he was saying goodbye.
And then all hell broke loose.
Association guards stormed the house, attacking the Syndicate with everything they had. With horror, I watched as they assaulted Bane’s guards with weapons that were equally vicious as their own. Laser cut through flesh with a frightening level of ruthlessness, tearing through limbs, splashing blood across the walls.
Bane’s men fought hard against Credare’s guards, but it soon became quickly apparent that the Association only had one goal.
Bane.
Association men flooded into the parlor, overwhelming the Syndicate guards stationed in the room. They rushed toward Bane and I watched in horror as he began to fight.
