The gang leader's proposal hung in the air like a challenge waiting to be either accepted or rejected. Every weapon in the area remained raised, though the immediate tension had shifted from combat readiness to tense negotiation. I could feel the eyes of the soldiers, the workers, and President Santos all fixed on me, waiting to hear what kind of deal a criminal organization would offer to an environmental restoration project.
"First," the gang leader began, his voice carrying the kind of casual confidence that suggested he had rehearsed this speech, "we form a non-aggression pact. Simple terms: we don't harm you, you don't harm us. Everyone gets to continue their operations without interference."
I nodded slowly, processing the initial framework while Psychological Insight analyzed his body language and delivery for underlying motivations.
