Chapter 87: The Negotiation

Chapter 87: The Negotiation

The private meeting room was dimly lit, a stark contrast to the bright corridors of the refinery. The walls were lined with security monitors, displaying live feeds of various sectors. Sera Volkan sat at the head of the table, her piercing gaze locked onto Raizen as if measuring his worth before he even spoke.

Raizen took a seat across from her, exuding calm confidence. Kain and Liana remained standing behind him, watching the situation unfold with practiced ease.

"You've got my attention, Izumoto," Sera said, leaning back in her chair. "But I don't like playing defense. If someone comes after me, I prefer to eliminate them before they become a problem."

Raizen smirked. "Then we already have something in common."

Sera raised an eyebrow. "You talk big, but so far, all I see is a man looking to use my station for his own gain."

Raizen tapped the table lightly. "Because you haven't seen what I can offer yet. The faction that backed Mouren? They'll be coming for you soon. You know it. I know it. Align with me, and you'll have a force powerful enough to make sure they regret ever considering it."

Sera scoffed. "And in return?"

"Priority access to your mineral refining," Raizen replied. "My ships get first pick. Your business stays independent, but under my protection."

Silence stretched between them before Sera finally chuckled. "You're either a fool or a strategist, and I can't decide which."

Raizen's golden eyes gleamed. "Why not both?"

Sera considered his offer, fingers tapping idly against the table. "You've made a bold entrance. Now let's see if you can back it up. There's a rival syndicate that's been attempting to muscle in on my trade lanes. If you deal with them, you'll prove you're more than just talk."

Raizen nodded. "Consider it done."

Sera leaned forward. "Then we have an understanding—for now."

Raizen smirked. "Trust me, Sera. This is just the beginning."

The deal was made, but Raizen knew that securing the refinery's loyalty would take more than words. He needed results. And the first step was eliminating the threat that loomed over Sera's operation.

Back aboard the Shadow Fang, Liana pulled up a display of their next target. "The syndicate is operating out of an old asteroid facility. Moderate defenses, but nothing we can't handle."

Joran cracked his knuckles. "Sounds like they won't even see us coming."

Raizen stood, his aura radiating a quiet intensity. "Then let's make sure they never get another chance."

The asteroid facility in question was once an abandoned mining hub, now repurposed as a pirate stronghold. According to Liana's intelligence, the syndicate used it as a smuggling outpost, making it a key node in their illicit operations. If Raizen took this place down, he'd not only eliminate Sera's competitors but also gain control over a valuable strategic position.

As the Shadow Fang approached the asteroid belt, Raizen observed the scattered defense platforms guarding the facility. They weren't military-grade, but enough to cause trouble if they got too close.

Liana flicked through the data. "We can disable their communications and blind their outer defenses for about twenty minutes. After that, they'll figure out what's happening."

Raizen smirked. "Twenty minutes is all I need."

He activated his comms. "Kain, Joran, prepare for a boarding assault. Liana, get the hacking sequence ready. We're taking this place fast and hard."

Moments later, the Shadow Fang darted through the asteroid field, weaving between the massive rocks to avoid detection. The moment they were in range, Liana launched the virus, knocking out the station's external scanners.

Raizen led the charge, his team blasting through the docking bay's security forces with ruthless precision. The enemies inside weren't expecting a full-scale assault, and by the time they mounted a defense, it was too late.

The control room was secured, and the facility fell under Raizen's control. The rival syndicate was done for, and now the asteroid base belonged to him.

Back on the Shadow Fang, Raizen sent a single message to Sera Volkan: "It's done. Now let's talk about what comes next."