Bab 9: A Simple Transaction!
Maxim stood in the shadow of a crumbling alleyway, the only other inhabitants being vagrants and druggies as he watched the sun sink below the horizon and the moon rise into the sky.
The port town, now draped in the moonlight, took on a more darker edge. The streets, which were once crowded with vendors and fishermen, were now patrolled by the people who really controlled this place, the ones who operated in the dead of night.
Still, Maxim didn't worry. There was no way these normal humans could catch him anyway. He pulled his hood tighter over his head, the mask still in place as he silently moved towards the docks, shifting through the shadows.
Deacon, the man from the bar, had told him to meet there, promising information on Klaue in exchange for assistance with a rival gang trying to muscle in on his shipment.
The job was simple enough: take out the competition, make sure Deacon's goods were secure, and then get the information Maxim needed.
The docks were a hive of activity, even as night fell. It was natural, the docks were always a major force in the crime game of any city or town due to its usability of transporting not so legal cargo.
Cargo ships lined the waterfront, their hulking shapes casting long shadows across the cracked pavement. Men moved about, loading and unloading crates under the watchful eyes of heavily armed guards.
To any ordinary observer, this would look like a busy port. But Maxim knew better. He had already scoped out the place during the day and recognized the subtle signs of a criminal operation running in the background. Unmarked vans, suspiciously discreet shipments, and men who looked more like hired muscle than dockworkers.
Maxim's enhanced senses picked up on the details most people would miss. The faint click of a hidden weapon being loaded in an alley across the street. The smell of gunpowder mixing with the salty air of the sea. The way they constantly checked over their shoulder.
Conversations in the shadows about "moving the goods" and "making sure the boss doesn't know." Deacon's rivals were already here.
Moving like a ghost, Maxim slipped through the maze of shipping containers, sticking to the shadows. He made his way to the designated meeting spot, a small, dilapidated warehouse at the far end of the docks.
The structure had once been used to store fishing equipment, but now it seemed to serve as a staging area for whatever illegal activities Deacon had his hand in.
Deacon was waiting inside, leaning against a rusted metal beam, a cigarette dangling from his lips. His demeanor was tense but focused, the kind of look a man wears when he's used to watching his back.
"You're on time," Deacon said, exhaling a cloud of smoke as Maxim approached, "Good. I wasn't sure you'd show."
Maxim merely nodded, his expression unreadable beneath the hood and mask. He wasn't here for small talk, this was just business, and Deacon seemed to sense that.
"Alright," Deacon said, pushing himself off the beam and flicking the cigarette onto the ground, "Here's the deal. There's a gang that's been trying to muscle in on my operation. They've got a small group waiting at the docks tonight, planning to intercept my shipment. My men can handle the cargo, but I need you to take out the competition before they even get close."
"How many?" Maxim asked, his voice low and calm.
"Five or six. Maybe more, depending on how many reinforcements they bring in," Deacon replied, adjusting his coat as if preparing for the night ahead, "They're holed up near one of the old warehouses, not far from here. We hit them before they can make their move."
Maxim considered the situation briefly. It was a straightforward mission—, take out a small gang and secure the shipment. Simple. Efficient.
Compared to the bonkers attempt to escape a heavily guarded Hydra base, this was easy, straightforward and simple. But Maxim had learned long ago that even the simplest jobs could go sideways. He needed to be ready for anything and everything.
"Lead the way," Maxim said, his voice devoid of emotion.
Deacon gave him a sharp nod and gestured for him to follow. The two of them moved silently through the maze of containers and ships, the sounds of the docks fading as they neared the old warehouse district.
It was quieter here, more isolated, the perfect place for a confrontation away from prying eyes, it seems alot of thought had been put into this.
As they approached the target, Maxim slowed his pace, his eyes scanning the surroundings. His training, combined with Omen's abilities, allowed him to see and sense things others couldn't.
He felt the faint tremor of footsteps in the ground, the subtle shift in the air that indicated movement. There were men nearby, hidden among the shadows of the warehouse.
Others may not be able to sense them, but with Omen's abilities, trying to hide in the shadows from him was actually like placing a Glowing Beacon of Light on themselves.
"They're here," Maxim said quietly, his gaze sweeping the area, "Six of them, three positioned near the entrance, two on the roof, one inside."
Deacon raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed, "You sure about that?"
Maxim didn't bother responding. He didn't need to explain how he knew, he just did. This was business, and everyone had their own ways.
Maxim ditched Deacon, swiftly moving into the darkness, becoming one with the shadows as be prepared to take out the gang members.
Maxim's powers allowed him to manipulate darkness, to blend into it, and to travel through it like a specter. With a simple thought, he vanished from sight, his form dissolving into the surrounding gloom.
The first of Deacon's rivals never saw him coming.
Perched on the roof of the warehouse, the lookout was scanning the docks, completely unaware of the danger lurking below. Maxim emerged from the shadows behind him, silent and deadly.
In one fluid motion, he grabbed the man by the neck, crushing his windpipe with a swift, precise squeeze before letting the body collapse soundlessly onto the roof.
One down.
Maxim moved like a wraith, shifting through the darkness to the second man on the roof. This one had a rifle slung over his shoulder, clearly prepared to provide cover for his allies.
But he, too, was unprepared for the predator stalking him. Maxim appeared behind him, a dark figure in the corner of the man's vision. Before he could react, Maxim snapped his neck with a swift, brutal twist, grabbing the gun to stop it from falling onto the floor and making noise.
Two down.
Below, the remaining men were completely unaware that they were being hunted. Maxim descended from the roof, slipping through the shadows until he reached the side of the warehouse.
He could hear the muffled voices of the men inside, discussing the shipment they planned to intercept.
"Boss said it should be here any minute," one of them muttered to the other.
"Good. I don't wanna be out here all night," another replied.
Maxim positioned himself near the entrance, waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect opportunity to engage.
A few seconds later, the door to the warehouse creaked open, and one of the men stepped outside, his hand on his pants zipper as he was clearly planning to take a quick leak.
Unfortunately for him, he would never accomplish that. Maxim struck, his hand clamping over the man's mouth as he dragged him into the shadows, silencing him with a single, precise cut to the throat.
Three down.
The remaining two men inside the warehouse were starting to grow restless after a bit. One of them stepped toward the door, calling out for their fallen comrade, "Hey! You good out there?"
Maxim stepped into the warehouse, his presence hidden by the dim lighting. The two men glanced in his direction but saw nothing more than a dark silhouette in the shadows. By the time they realized what was happening, it was too late.
Maxim closed the distance between them in a heartbeat, his movements swift and lethal. He disarmed the first man with a flick of his wrist, sending the gun clattering to the ground before delivering a bone-crushing blow to his chest.
The second man barely had time to draw his weapon before Maxim's hand closed around his throat, lifting him off the ground with ease.
"Please…" the man gasped, his eyes wide with fear as he struggled to breathe.
Maxim didn't respond. He squeezed, feeling the man's windpipe collapse under his grip before tossing the lifeless body aside.
Six down.
The warehouse was silent now, the air thick with the stench of blood and death. Maxim stood in the center of the room, his eyes scanning the area for any remaining threats.
When he was satisfied that the job was done, he grabbed all 6 guns, one for each person he killed, and stepped back outside, where Deacon was waiting.
"That was fast," Deacon remarked, clearly impressed.
Maxim didn't respond, just dropping the guns for Deacon to count. Once Deacon was done, he raised his eyebrow, clearly very impressed in Maxim's work.
Still, Deacon knew his place, a man of Maxim's skill couldn't be hired by him, this would probably be their only interaction, so it was best to keep Maxim on his good side and not overcomplicate anything
Maxim had done his part, and now it was time for Deacon to do his.
"The shipment's secure," Deacon said, lighting another cigarette as he glanced at the warehouse, "You held up your end of the deal. Now it's my turn."
Maxim crossed his arms, his eyes locked on Deacon, "Talk."
Deacon exhaled a puff of smoke, his expression serious, "Klaue's been laying low ever since his last shipment got attacked. But I've heard he's planning a big deal soon. Word is he's meeting with some buyer out in the jungle, near an old mining site. That's where you'll find him."
Maxim nodded, already committing the details to memory, "When?"
"Couple of days, 3 or 4 to be exact," Deacon replied. "You'd better move fast if you want to catch him."
Maxim didn't need any further prompting. Without another word, he turned and melted back into the shadows, his mind already focused on the next phase of his mission. He had what he needed.
Now it was time to find Ulysses Klaue and the Vibranium.
Bab 10: Obtaining the Vibranium!
The jungle loomed ahead of Maxim like a living wall, thick and impenetrable. Trees stretched into the sky, their branches woven together in a canopy that blocked out most of the moonlight.
The air was humid, mixed with a heavy scent of wet earth and decaying foliage. Meanwhile, insects buzzed around in their natural habitat, their faint hums mixing with the calls of other nocturnal animals.
Within this unique scene, Maxim stood at the edge of the jungle, taking in the scene, his eyes sharp as he critically analyzed the environment. He had spent the last two days carefully gathering intelligence.
He moved through the port town's criminal underworld, lurking in the shadows, listening to the secretive discussions and gathering information, all to follow up on Deacon's information.
Although he believed that Deacon didn't lie to him, confirmation was ALWAYS necessary. Maxim needed to be more safe than sorry. Being sorry meant being Dead!
However, thankfully, his patience had paid off. Klaue's meeting was set for tonight, just beyond the jungle near an old, abandoned mining site, a remote location perfect for shady deals.
The remnants of the town were far behind him now, and Maxim knew that after tonight, he'd never return, he had better things to do than hang around that town all day after completing his mission.
At this point, Maxim's focus was singular, his mind entirely locked on the mission. Ulysses Klaue had the Vibranium he needed, and unfortunately for Klaue, that meant Maxim was on his trail.
He crouched down, checking the gear he had assembled for this operation. He was wearing an all black combat suit, that easily allowed him to hide in the dark, especially when combined with Omen's abilities.
Within the shadows, Maxim had 2 Silenced Pistols, with extra magazines just in case, although he wouldn't need them if everything went to plan. Within the pockets of the combat suit, tactical knives were held, both useful for throwing and melee combat.
Of course, Maxim's main combat power was Omen's power, which allowed him to manipulate the shadows, to hide where they wouldn't expect.
Recently, his Integration with the Omen template had reached 91%, meaning that he was very close to fully assimilating the template and receiving a new agent.
As for which agent he would choose, Maxim had many ideas, especially with Vibranium in his hands.
Refocusing on his target, Maxim's eyes narrowed as he scanned the path leading into the jungle. As his integration with Omen improved, his power and sensed all improved.
Now, Maxim could effortlessly sense them, all of them; guards posted at different intervals along the way. As an underworld dealer selling the most rare and valuable metal in the World, and unknowingly, the Universe, Klaue had to make sure his meeting was well protected.
Especially after recent hiccups, security was increased, he needed to make sure all of his dealings were safe. However, nothing could prepare him for what was about to be hunting them tonight.
Maxim pulled the hood of his dark cloak lower, and the placed the mask on his face. Without a sound, he began to move, blending into the night like a shadow in the wind.
His footsteps were dead silent, barely brushing the underbrush as he slipped deeper into the jungle. Ahead, two men stood near a small dirt trail that led further into the jungle, their eyes darting nervously around the darkened trees.
They were armed, rifles slung over their shoulders, but their posture showed they weren't expecting anything out of the ordinary.
Maxim approached silently, moving from shadow to shadow until he was close enough to hear them whispering to each other, immediately listening on.
"How long we gotta be out here? These mosquito bites are fucking killing me," one of them muttered, his voice clearly betraying his obvious frustration as he swatted another mosquito on his arm.
"Shut up, man. You know Klaue doesn't like slackers. Just keep an eye out," the other grunted, though his grip on his weapon tightened.
Maxim was already behind them.
In a flash, he shifted into the shadows, his form blending seamlessly with the dark. He reappeared behind the first man, his hand clamping over the guard's mouth as he twisted his knife into the man's throat, the movement precise and silent.
The second guard barely had time to turn before Maxim's hand shot out, catching him by the neck and lifting him off the ground. His eyes bulged in terror as Maxim snapped his neck with a cold efficiency.
Both bodies crumpled to the ground, silent as the night.
Maxim wiped the blade on the guard's shirt and continued his path into the jungle. When you play the game of the underworld, you need to prepare for death at all times.
Maxim might restrain himself from killing normal people or people who do good for the world, but these crooks? He'd seen how the normal folk in the Port Town was oppressed by the underworld dealers.
Although he wasn't such a kind samaritan to liberate the town, as it would just return that way once he left, and he had better things to do, killing these guys would be good enough.
Maxim's eyes scanned the environment, alert to any signs of danger. He could sense more men ahead, but he was moving too quickly, too silently for them to spot him.
As he neared the abandoned mining site, he heard voices, low murmurs of men discussing business. Maxim paused, crouching behind a large boulder as he surveyed the area.
According to information he had obtained, the old mining site had been abandoned years ago, its rusted equipment and crumbling buildings overtaken by the jungle, vibes overflowing everywhere.
But tonight, as opposed to the usual, it was teeming with life. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter, their eyes constantly looking towards the jungle for any sign of movement, of infiltration, while in the center of the clearing stood Klaue himself, surrounded by a small group of men.
A large, reinforced truck was parked nearby, its back doors open, revealing crates of what Maxim assumed was the Vibranium. The buyer, an imposing figure in a tailored suit, stood beside Klaue, discussing the details of their exchange.
Maxim's eyes narrowed. Klaue's appearance wasn't much different from the appearance Alex had in his mind from the movies, just obviously younger, but still the same man.
However, Maxim's eyes remained on the prize, Vibranium!
Staying hidden in the shadows, Maxim began planning his approach, scanning the area and building a mental map of where everything and everyone was.
From what he saw and sensed, there were a dozen men patrolling the area, all armed, and Klaue had set up the meeting in the most open part of the clearing, making a direct assault difficult.
Recognizing this, Maxim immediately got a plan and went into action, dissolving into the shadows before reappearing on the far side of the clearing, hidden behind one of the mining machines.
From this vantage point, Maxim listened in on Klaue and the buyer's conversation.. The buyer, a tall, muscular man with an air of authority, was speaking.
"One-Hundred and Twenty Five Million ( 125m ) worth of Vibranium, as agreed," the buyer said, his voice cool and composed, "But I want assurances. The last shipment was intercepted. I need guarantees this one makes it to my facility."
Klaue grinned, the kind of grin that showed confidence, "Don't worry. This one's fully secure. My men are the best in the business. Nothing's getting in or out without me knowing."
Maxim smirked beneath his mask. Klaue was about to eat his words. Maxim shifted his position again, edging closer to the truck where the Vibranium was being stored. Two guards stood watch by the vehicle, their eyes scanning the area, but no way they could expect Maxim lurking in the darkness.
Maxim phased through the shadows, reappearing behind one of the guards, who collapsed with a gurgle as Maxim slit his throat. The second guard had just enough time to turn before Maxim's knife plunged into his heart.
Now standing beside the truck, Maxim glanced inside. Crates of Vibranium lined the interior. This was it. This was what he needed.
Maxim heard Klaue's voice growing louder, and he knew he didn't have much time. The moment he made his move, Klaue's men would respond. But Maxim was ready.
He slipped a small explosive he picked up and planted it on the side of the truck, setting a delayed timer. He wasn't leaving anything behind for Klaue to use.
As Maxim retreated into the shadows, preparing to make his final strike, he spotted Klaue motioning to his buyer.
That was his cue.
Maxim materialized in front of them, his sudden appearance causing Klaue and his men to recoil in shock. Before they could react, Maxim raised his gun.
~Headshot~Headshot~Headshot~Headshot~Headshot!
Shot after shot flew out of Maxim's silenced pistols, immediately connecting with the heads of Klaue's guards, killing them with ferocious speed.
At the same time, a wave of paranoia was sent flying towards the remaining guards, blinding and deafening them. Simultaneously, a smoke descended onto the area, creating a dome of darkness.
Klaue stumbled backward, his face twisted in terror. "Who the hell are you?!" he shouted, scrambling for his weapon.
Maxim didn't respond. He moved like a wraith, his movements fluid and deadly. The buyer reached for a gun, but Maxim was faster, his blade slicing across the man's throat before he could pull the trigger.
~Headshot~Headshot~Headshot!
Multiple of Klaue's remaining men tried to counter-attack, but Maxim was ready, dispatching them with silenced headshots. In a matter of seconds, Klaue's men were dead, and Maxim stood before him, his eyes cold and unforgiving beneath the hood.
Maxim just grabbed the handle of the knife, before smacking it against Klaue's head, knocking him out cold. Although he thought about killing him, he wanted to see how things would potentially develop, and if Klaue and Killmonger would still meet.
With Klaue knocked out, Maxim moved to the crates, scanning them and removing any trackers, of which there were loads of them placed all around.
Then, he began moving the crates, loading them up onto a nearby vehicle he had prepared, covering the crates with professionally designed stickers, which would allow him to pose as just a normal transporter.
He had other crates, filled with random products just for safety and once he was done, he looked around, smiling before driving off to his next stop.
SOKOVIA!
Status Power Mingguan
200+ Peringkat
Power 
94 Power
stone Anda mungkin juga menyukai
Komentar Paragraf