“Ridiculous! That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard!” someone was yelling.
“Your mother’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard!” someone else yelled back and the room was filled with a chorus of “ooohs” as if that comeback hadn’t been dead since long before Kaiden’s lifetime. Another retort was shouted back and then a dozen different parties joined in, all shouting in favor of or against, well, whatever it was they were... debating? More of a shouting fest than a debate, Kaiden thought, his senses still reeling. This is The Syndicate?
He couldn’t see who was yelling – couldn’t see anyone, for that matter – on account of the fact that the room didn’t have anyone in it.
It was a cavernous space full of massive pipes that vented steam up toward the ceiling. Condensation covered everything such that Kaiden began to wonder exactly how watertight the whole place really was. In between the pipes and in every crevice and cranny visible, semi-opaque glass had been installed, creating what appeared to be small private booths. At least fifty of them, tucked into every corner and available spot and each reflecting back an image of Kaiden as he stared at them. The sounds of the ‘debate’ emanated from the front of all of these booths, from speakers there, no doubt. The glass was just translucent enough that shadowy forms could be seen behind it, but there was nowhere near a clear enough view to make out any sort of detail. The most Kaiden could tell was that every booth was occupied, and, at the moment, all of those occupants were seemingly shouting.
Kaiden worked his way to the center of the room, unsure if he was supposed to do something. He half raised a hand, as if to wave, then thought better of it.
“Ahem,” Kaiden tried, but he couldn’t even hear himself over the noise.
“Hello!” he shouted next to no avail, then waved both arms above him. “Hello!”
“Enough!” an echoing voice boomed across the space. Deep and gravelly, it resounded through the room so loud the pipes vibrated with it and Kaiden could have sworn he felt it in the floor beneath his feet. The shouting began to die down. Some voices kept going, but with no one responding to them, they soon fell to silence.
“The next item on the agenda is a pitch from…” The voice paused. Kaiden felt like he recognized it. Why does it sound familiar? It was deep and rough such that each word seemed a struggle to speak.
“...from player name: Kaiden, former warden and now outlaw. He comes before us representing a group of free wardens. The Warden Corps has added each of them to the most-wanted list.”
Thanks for the excellent introduction, Kaiden thought with no lack of sarcasm. Off to a good start. Though The Syndicate are mostly criminals, right? Or see themselves as beyond the law, at least? Maybe being outlaws earns us some cred? He wasn’t sure and there wasn’t time to think on it. The clock was running, as Nando had said. Five minutes to convince them. That was all.
He sucked down a deep breath, and began.
“Thank you for your time,” he said, leading with his best attempt to sound official and respectable. “It’s a pleasure to be here, and I think the plan I bring before you today is one that is going to change the—”
“Get on with it!” someone shouted and a chorus of agreement followed from a few other booths.
Kaiden bit back a curse.
Okay. Fine, then.
“I represent a powerful group of free wardens who have inside knowledge of the Party. This knowledge, combined with our skills, has made us a pain in the rear for the Party and the Warden Corps. They’re after us with everything they’ve got. That’s why I’ve come to this…” He hesitated a moment. Screw it. I’m all in already. “This esteemed organization.”
Someone laughed at that but Kaiden continued as if he hadn’t heard it.
Come on, build some steam. You gotta wrap them up in this. Sell them on it.
“For too long, the injustices of the Party have run rampant and unchecked. For too long, those in power have done whatever they want to whoever they want and faced zero consequences for it. That ends today – or it can, with your help.”
Good, good. Now keep it going.
“You see, my friends—er, the group I represent has taken possession of a database chronicling all of the Party’s injustices as well as the full scope of its corruption. The Party fears this database so much that they’re willing to kill to get it back – and have several times already. I’m here today to ask for your help because with it we can reshape the world.”
Nice one. Dramatic. All right, now let’s ramp it up. Really sell it to ‘em!
“It’s a rare day when the power to completely remake the world falls into your lap. Some would say an impossible day, but I’m telling you right now, that day is today. In this moment, you have that power. Or you can, if you ally with me. The group I represent has formulated a plan that, with the help of this database, will do no less than bring an abrupt and final end to the tyranny of the Party. And you can be a part of it. You can make history.”
He was hitting his stride now, could feel the momentum building. Maybe he was cut out for this leader stuff after all.
“This is the chance of a lifetime. A chance to change the course of history. To correct a generation of injustice. Gentlemen, I’m talking about doing no less than reshaping society as a whole. This wouldn’t just be a service to every person who’s ever felt the sting of the Party’s cruelty; no. This would be a service to the entire world. Ally with us, lend us the strength of your forces in Nova, and together we’ll end the Party once and for all. Together, we’ll unite
