Bab 7: Future Plan!
The bar was dimly lit, a haze of cigarette smoke hanging in the air as the patrons huddled over their drinks. The steady hum of conversation mixed with the clinking of glasses, creating a low buzz that filled the room.
It was the kind of place where no one asked questions, where people came to forget about their current life, to disappear into the shadows for a while and enjoy themselves.
Maxim Novikov sat alone at a corner table, a glass of tequila in his hand. A hoodie covered his face as he relaxed, being relatively lowkey as he drank the wine and scouted the area.
The burn of the liquor was a comforting sensation, grounding him as he stared into the amber liquid. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, plans, and memories, all of it swirling together in the quiet chaos of his mind.
He hadn't slept well in weeks, always fighting, training and moving. The adrenaline that had fueled him then still lingered, making it impossible to rest.
A small television mounted on the wall behind the bar flickered, the news broadcast playing on a low volume. Maxim's eyes drifted to the screen, catching the familiar blue, red, and white shield that flashed across it.
The headline scrolled across the bottom:
"Captain America Found! Reports Confirm Steve Rogers Alive and Well."
According to the reports, it had been a month since he had been found alive and well, and was currently reintegrating into society. Maxim's grip tightened as he watched the footage of Steve Rogers, America's golden boy, a symbol of hope and justice.
Captain America was one of his or Alex's favorite Superheroes, due to his morals that very rarely ever wavered no matter the situation. In the future Civil War, Alex believed that Cap was right, and having been hunted down by Hydra and Shield due to Hydra's influence, Maxim could also understand where Steve was coming from.
Maxim forced himself to look away, taking another sip of his tequila. As long as he kept fighting, he'd find a way to contact one of the Avengers Shield members who could be called relatively trustworthy.
Black Widow, Hawkeye or Nick Fury. Although he didn't fully trust them, especially Nick Fury, he couldn't live his entire life on the run, so he needed them to clear his name.
The alcohol did little to dull the edge of his thoughts, but it gave him something to focus on. He needed to stay sharp, to keep moving forward. There was no time for distractions, not when he had so much left to do.
Maxim's mind shifted to his immediate goal, the next piece of his plan that would bring him one step closer to his ultimate objective: dismantling Hydra.
For that, he needed resources—something powerful, something that could give him an edge. And he knew exactly where to find it from browsing Alex's memories of Marvel.
Ulysses Klaue.
The name had surfaced in Alex's memories, along with details about a stash of Vibranium Klaue had in his possession. The African Coast, somewhere near the border of Wakanda, that's where Klaue was hiding.
The man was a black market arms dealer, a ruthless criminal with ties to the worst kinds of people. But Maxim didn't care about Klaue's connections or his criminal empire. He cared about the Vibranium, and what it could do for him.
Vibranium was more than just a rare metal. It was nearly indestructible, with properties that made it invaluable to anyone who knew how to use it.
If Maxim could get his hands on some, he could craft weapons, armor, and tools that would give him a significant advantage in his fight against Hydra.
Maxim set his glass down on the table, his mind made up. The path was clear, the next step in his journey decided. He would head to the African Coast, find Klaue, and take what he needed.
The man wouldn't give it up easily, but Maxim wasn't planning on asking nicely. Maxim pulled up his Status to check his progress:
[ Name - Maxim Novikov ]
[ Race - Radiant Human ]
[ Character Integration:
- Omen: 65%
Over time, Maxim had naturally improved the efficiency of his skills. He had learned all of Omen's natural assassin skills, such as disguise, movement, combat training, but now he just needed to control Omen's powers.
However, even Omen at full power wasn't enough for Maxim. Vibranium was a near indestructible metal, and also a metal that was incredibly useful for technological research.
If he managed to get Vibranium in his hands, that was the next way to improve himself. According to Alex's memories, Ulysses Klaue worked mostly on the African Coast, so Maxim had a rough estimate of where he was.
Finished thinking, Maxim stood up, leaving a few bills on the table next to his unfinished drink. The television continued to drone on about Captain America, but Maxim didn't spare it another glance as he walked out of the bar and into the cold Russian night.
The next phase of his mission was about to begin, and there was no turning back. He would find Klaue, take the Vibranium, and use it to bring down Hydra once and for all.
And if anyone stood in his way, they would meet the same fate as those Hydra soldiers in the forest—swift, brutal, and final.
__________________________________
Chapter: The African Coast
The journey from Russia to the African coast was long and arduous, but Maxim Novikov moved with a singular purpose. The cold, unforgiving landscapes of Siberia had given way to the scorching heat of the African sun, but the shift in environment did nothing to deter him.
He traveled under various aliases, using false identities to avoid detection by both Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D. It wasn't easy; the more he moved, the more he felt the net tightening around him. But Maxim was used to the pressure by now, he thrived in it.
Maxim boarded a train heading west, blending in with the late-night travelers, most of whom were weary workers returning home or drunks looking for one last stop before collapsing into sleep.
Russia was mostly a chill place, people minded their business and kept to themselves, which helped Maxim on his travel, all he had to do was watch out for Hydra, but Maxim had plans for that.
Constantly swapping clothes, wearing different masks or hoodies to block any facial recognition technology. Finally, Maxim took a seat by the window, his eyes scanning the darkened landscape as the train began to move.
He pulled up the map in his mind, plotting his route. He would take the train to Moscow, then use the cover of the city to arrange for a discreet flight out of Russia.
From there, it would be a series of careful moves across borders, avoiding detection as he made his way to the African Coast.
Time ticked by and everything went mostly smoothly. The flight out of Moscow was uneventful. Maxim maintained a low profile, shuffling through the shadows to sneak onto the plane.
The next few days passed in a blur of travel and tense waiting. Maxim moved through a series of places, ensuring that his trail was difficult to follow. As a former Assassin, Omen was naturally skilled at anti-reconnaissance.
Finally, Maxim arrived at the African Coast. The climate was a stark contrast to the Russian winter, the heat oppressive even in the early morning hours. Maxim took a deep breath, allowing himself a moment to adjust to the new environment.
The sounds of the bustling port city filled the air—people shouting, machinery clanking, and the ever-present hum of commerce.
Maxim's destination was a remote port town on the edge of the African coast, a place notorious for its black-market dealings and corrupt officials. It was the perfect hiding spot for someone like Ulysses Klaue, a man who thrived in chaos and built his empire on the desperation of others.
The town itself was a maze of narrow streets, crumbling buildings, and hidden alleys, the kind of place where you could disappear without a trace, or find anything if you knew where to look.
As Maxim arrived at the port town, he kept his hood pulled low over his face, blending in with the crowd of dockworkers, traders, and smugglers. The stench of fish and saltwater hung heavy in the air, mixing with the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore.
He moved quickly, his steps purposeful as he navigated the labyrinth of streets, his mind focused on the task ahead.
Finding Klaue wouldn't be easy. The man was careful, paranoid even, and he surrounded himself with heavily armed mercenaries who would kill anyone they didn't recognize.
However, Maxim wasn't just anyone. He already had a plan. To gather info, he naturally needed to blend in with the normal folk, listen to the whispers in dark corners of bars and markets, running into other criminals.
To someone like Maxim, it would be very easy to blend in and find Klaue, and his plan was already afoot.
Soon, Klaue would fall into his lap, alongside that precious Vibranium, and Maxim would be another step closer to his goal.
Bab 8: Learning from the Shadows!
Maxim Novikov moved through the crowded streets of the port town with the fluid grace of a predator stalking its prey.
The environment was certainly a massive shift from Russia. The oppressive heat from the sun weighted heavily on his shoulders, a stark contrast to the frigid cold he had left behind in Russia.
However, after his training, Maxim naturally wasn't effected by the climate, his mind was more focused on his target, Ulysses Klaue, and how to reach him.
This town wasn't a normal one, it was a den of violence and corruption. You could find anything here, weapons, drugs and even people, for the right price of course, like any other crime den, this place ran on money.
However, it remained a normal town on the surface, the air thick with the scent of sweat and saltwater, the pungent aroma of fish from the various venders standing around, shouting out their products and prices to prospective customers.
All of this was a sensory assault on Maxim, but he was unbothered. He had trained himself to ignore discomfort, to push through pain and focus on the task at hand. This drive and focus kept Maxim ahead of his opponents.
His hood was pulled low over his face, and a mask blocking others from recognizing him. He slightly hunched, intentionally reducing his height to not draw too much attention to himself.
The town was a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and crumbling buildings, each turn leading deeper into the underbelly of this forgotten corner of the world, and he didn't want to be easily recognizable.
Maxim blended seamlessly into the crowd, his movements purposeful but unhurried. He knew better than to draw attention to himself. In a place like this, the wrong look or a misstep could be fatal.
He had seen the bodies in the alleys, the signs of violent ends met by those who had crossed the wrong people. Those were the idiots who thought they were stronger than they were, or those who drew too much attention to themselves.
Maxim wasn't dumb enough to make the same mistakes. He made his way to one of the town's more notorious establishments, a seedy bar nestled between two crumbling warehouses.
The building was a relic of better times, showing clear signs of age, but the steady stream of patrons slipping in and out told Maxim all he needed to know.
Looking around, he could see the men walking around, keeping to themselves, weapons holstered, a scent of smoke and alcohol emanating from their bodies. With that information, Maxim could easily deduce where this was.
This was where the town's most dangerous bar, the nexus point of crime where the desperate came to drown their sorrows and make deals in the dark.
Pushing open the door, Maxim stepped inside, greeted by the familiar dim lighting and haze of smoke that seemed to permeate every corner of this world. The air was thick with the smell of stale beer, sweat, and the acrid tang of cheap cigarettes.
A few heads turned in his direction as he entered, but most quickly looked away, disinterested or too absorbed in their own business to care about the newcomer.
After all, everyone had better things to do than to focus on random guy looking to do business, especially in a den of crime. No-one wanted to pay too much attention and offend him.
Maxim made his way to a corner of the bar, choosing a spot where he could observe the room without being easily seen. He ordered a drink, something local and strong, but took only a sip.
The bar was filled with the low murmur of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the occasional burst of raucous laughter. It was a cacophony of sound, but Maxim had long since learned to pick out the useful threads from the noise.
His enhanced senses, honed through training and the integration of Omen's abilities, allowed him to filter through the chatter, focusing on the conversations that mattered, the knowledge that filtered through would be valuable.
At a table nearby, a group of men were engaged in a hushed discussion, their voices barely audible over the other discussions. Maxim tuned in, his attention sharp as he caught snippets of their conversation.
"…shipment's late… Klaue won't be happy…"
"…another attempted thief killed…"
"…new buyer in town… wants something big…"
The mention of Klaue made Maxim's ears prick up. He leaned back in his seat, feigning disinterest as he continued to listen. The men were clearly nervous as they discussed.
Maxim's eyes scanned the room, searching for anyone else who might be worth eavesdropping on. Initially, he didn't find anyone, and kept to himself.
But after another 30 mins, a man came in, sitting alone and nursing a drink as he kept a watchful eye on the door. He had an older, grizzly appearance and the temperament of a man who spent a lifetime in the criminal underworld.
Maxim's instincts naturally told him this man was worth paying attention to. For now, he kept his focus on the group nearby. The men continued their conversation, unaware of the predator in their midst.
"…heard the buyer's looking for Vibranium… willing to pay a fortune…"
"…Klaue's the only one who can get it… but he's spooked…after the last attempted robbery…"
Maxim's heart rate didn't change, but internally, his interest piqued. The buyer these men were discussing might be someone of use to him, or they could be an obstacle.
Either way, knowing more about them would be crucial.
He continued to listen, gleaning what he could from their conversation. The men didn't have much in the way of specifics, but they dropped a few names, places where Klaue conducts business, contacts who could help track him down.
It wasn't much, but it was a start.
As the men finished their drinks and prepared to leave, Maxim made a note of their faces, committing them to memory. He would follow up on their leads later, but for now, he had other priorities.
His attention shifted to the man at the end of the bar. The grizzled figure hadn't moved much, but Maxim could see the way his eyes flickered toward the door every time it opened.
The way his fingers drummed absently on the table as if waiting for something, or someone.
Maxim stood, leaving his drink untouched as he made his way across the room. He approached the man casually, slipping into the seat opposite him without asking for permission.
The man glanced up, his eyes narrowing as he took in Maxim's hooded, masked figure.
"You got a death wish, sitting down without asking?" the man growled, his voice rough and gravelly.
"Maybe," Maxim replied, his tone calm, almost disinterested, "But I'm not here to cause trouble. Just looking for some information."
The man eyed him suspiciously, his hand twitching toward something beneath the table, likely a weapon. Maxim didn't flinch, didn't give any indication that he was concerned.
"What kind of information?" the man asked after a moment, his voice still edged with suspicion.
"Word on the street, someone's selling a good metal here, I need it!" Maxim said, watching the man's reaction.
The man's eyes widened slightly, and his grip tightened on whatever he was holding under the table, "Vibranium. That's a dangerous thing to be throwing around," he muttered, leaning in closer, "What makes you think I know anything about that?"
"Because you're still talking to me," Maxim replied, his voice low and even, "Which means you either know something, or you want something."
The man's gaze hardened, but there was a flicker of interest there too, "What's in it for me?" he asked, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Depends on what you've got to offer," Maxim said. "But I'm willing to make it worth your while."
The man studied him for a long moment, as if weighing his options. Finally, he nodded, a slow, deliberate movement, "I might know where the deals take place," he said cautiously. "But it's not going to be easy. The people who run in those circles don't take kindly to strangers."
"I'm not here for a deal, I just want it," Maxim replied, his voice edged with steel, "I'm someone who gets things done."
The man smirked, a hint of approval in his eyes. "You've got balls, I'll give you that," he said, "Alright, I'll tell you what I know. But this isn't charity. I'm going to need something in return."
Maxim leaned back slightly, considering the man's words. He had expected this, knew that in a place like this, nothing came for free, "Name your price," he said.
The man hesitated for a moment, then leaned in closer, lowering his voice even further, "I've got a shipment coming in, something big. But I've got some competition sniffing around, trying to take it from me. You help me deal with them, and I'll point you in the right direction."
Maxim nodded, his expression unreadable. It was a fair trade, and it would give him an excuse to move around the town, gathering more information as he went. "Consider it done," he said, extending his hand.
The man eyed him for a moment, then shook his hand with a firm grip. "Name's Deacon," he said. "You meet me at the docks tonight. We'll handle this together."
"Sova," Maxim replied, using one of his many aliases, which he decided to just be the names of different Valorant agents, "I'll be there."
With that, the deal was sealed. Maxim rose from the table, his mind already working through the details of the night ahead.
He had made his first contact, and with Deacon's help, he would get one step closer to finding Klaue and the Vibranium he needed.
As he made his way back out into the crowded streets, Maxim kept to himself, ducking into the shadows as he thought about his upcoming mission.
This was a basic transaction, he get the work done for the Deacon, and he get the information he needs, nothing more, nothing less.
The pieces were starting to fall into place, and soon,
Maxim would be ready to make his move!
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