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  Erwiered his new superior's office for the third time this week. Despite his ret promotion to Sed Level clearaer his successful rescue mission, his superior had already called him in twice tize for overseas cases. Both times, Erwin had devised optimal pns, leading to SHIELD victories. Today, he was here with a mission of his own.

  "Smith, I didn't expect to see you again so soon," his superior, Director Lang, said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "What brings you here today?"

  Erwin took a deep breath, his expression serious. "Sir, I need permission to du iigation. It's a matter of utmost importance."

  Lang raised an eyebrow, leaning ba his chair. "Another one of your hunches?"

  Erwin allowed himself a small smile. "You could say that, sir. But this one's big."

  Lang's curiosity iqued. "How big are we talking?"

  "Big enough that if we don't act, it could escate into a crisis," Erwin replied, his voice steady. "I believe there's a work operating right under our noses, and we o shut it down before it grows any further."

  Lang steepled his fingers, pting. "You've already proven your instincts are sharp. What do you need from me?"

  "Full access to resources, sir. And a small team that work discreetly," Erwin stated, meeting Lang's gaze. "I o move quickly and quietly."

  Lang sighed, rubbing his temples. "You don't make small requests, do you, Smith?"

  Erwin chuckled softly. "Wouldn't be worth your time if I did."

  Lang's lips quirked into a brief smile. "Alright, you've got it. But keep me in the loop. I want to know everything as it happens."

  Erwin nodded, relief washing over him. "Thank you, sir. I won't let you down."

  Erwin sifted through the dots, noting the names of the doctors Donald had tacted and the websites Sofia had identified. Each e painted a clearer picture of the traffig work they were up against. He meticulously piled the data, ensuring it formed a coherent and damning dossier. Satisfied with the evidence, he prepared to meet the team Lang had assigo him.

  Stepping into the barracks, Erwin found the team gathered, ready for a. They greeted him with a mix of curiosity and respect.

  "Alright, listen up," Erwin began, his voice steady and anding. "We have intel suggesting that the Shipyard and several warehouses are being used by the traffickers. Our mission is to iigate these locations discreetly and gather more evidence. We o be thh but invisible. Uood?"

  The team nodded in unison. They were ae group, each member handpicked for their skills and discretion.

  "Let's do this," said Jack, a seasoned operative with a wry grin.

  Erwin smirked. "Jack, you and Emily will take the first warehouse. Use the cover of night to get in and out without being seen."

  Emily, a petite but fierce operative, nodded. "Got it, boss."

  "Mard Lucy, you'll hahe sed warehouse. Be quid silent," Erwin tinued.

  "Piece of cake," Marc said, winking at Lucy, who rolled her eyes but smiled.

  "And I'll take the Shipyard with Leo," Erwin cluded. "We'll revene here at 0300 hours. Stay sharp and stay safe."

  As the team dispersed, Leo approached Erwin, a pyful glint in his eye. "So, boss, what's the pn for the Shipyard? Sneak in dressed as sailors?"

  Erwin chuckled. "Close enough. We'll blend in with the dockworkers. Just follow my lead."

  The Shipyard was bustling with activity even at this hour. Erwin and Leo, dressed in workers' uniforms, moved through the shadows, avoiding the main thhfares. They approached a secluded area where crates were being unloaded.

  Despite the urgency of the situation, Erwin found himself enjoying the salty smell of the sea and the sight of the endless blue he couldn't experien his trapped world.

  "Oi, Leo, you seen the way to the docks?" Erwin asked, his voice gruff to blend in.

  "Yeah, mate, just down this path. Careful, it's slippery as a politi's promise," Leo replied with a chuckle, his eyes sing the area.

  Erwin smirked, "Wouldn't be the first time I've had to tread carefully."

  Leo ughed, "Aye, and it won't be the st. Keep your head down and act like you're cheg the crates."

  They moved with the practiced ease of seasoned workers, nodding to others as they passed. "You hear about that mess on Pier 5?" Leo asked, his voice low.

  Erwin shook his head, "Nah, what happened?"

  "Couple of greenhot into it with the foreman. Word is, they were up to something shady," Leo expined, his tone casual, baiting for other do to join.

  Erwin raised an eyebrow, "Shady? You mean more than usual?"

  A passing worker shrugged, ended with a ughter, "Who knows? Maybe they were skimming off the top. Maybe something bigger. You know how it is."

  Erwin nodded, filing the information away. They reached the designated spot, blending in with the other workers. "Alright, let's get to it," Erwin said, lifting a crate with ease.

  Leo followed suit, "So, you think those rumors about the new foremarue?"

  Erwin grunted as he set the crate down, "Whies?"

  "That he's got ties to the higher-ups. The kind that might get you a promotion or a bullet, depending on how you py your cards," Leo replied, his tone light but his meaning clear.

  Erwin's eyes narrowed, "Well, if he's got friends in high pces, we'd better watch our backs. And maybe see if we make a friend or two ourselves."

  Leo nodded, "Good call. You never know when a favht e in handy."

  They suspected a foreman must be in on this traffig business, and they wao finish the job and sit with other workers over a few cold beers, and learn a thing or two. Erwihe operation, his sharp eyes sing the dockyard for any sign of their target. He turo Leo, his voice low but anding.

  "Keep it casual. We finish here, then we grab a beer with others and see what we dig up. Got it?" Erwin said, his tone serious but rexed.

  Leo grinned, adjusting his cap. "Aye, boss. I already taste the brew. Let's get this done."

  They moved quickly, unloading crates and blending seamlessly with the other workers. The foreman, a burly man with a perpetual scowl, watched them closely from a distance. Erwin made a mental note of his location, keeping him in his peripheral vision.

  "Oi, Leo, you hear about that new shipment ing in?" Erwin asked, his voice carrying just enough to be overheard by the nearby workers.

  Leo nodded, pying along. "Yeah, they say it's a big one. Loads of fancy stuff, probably worth a fortune."

  One of the dockworkers, a wiry man with a tattoo peeking out from under his sleeve, chimed in. "You ds talking about the big haul? Heard the foreman's been keeping a close eye on it."

  Erwin gave a casual shrug. "Foreman's always got his nose ihing. 't bme him, though. Gotta keep things running smooth."

  The dockwhed, a harsh sound that blended with the ambient noise of the dockyard. "True that. But this one's different. Rumor has it, there's more than just cargo in those crates."

  Erwin raised an eyebrow, feigning curiosity. "Oh? Like what?"

  The man leaned in, l his voice. "'t say for sure. Just heard whispers about some special delivery. Something they don't want the rest of us knowing about."

  Leo, pig up oension, pyed his part perfectly. "Sounds like trouble to me. But hey, as long as we get paid, right?"

  The dockwrinned, his eyes gleaming with a mix of greed and caution. "You got that right. Just keep your head down and do your job. Let the foreman worry about the rest."

  As they tinued w, Erwin exged a brief gh Leo. They had what they needed—a hint of something more signifit going on, something the foreman was involved in.

  "Let's this up and hit the pub," Erwin said, his tone light. "I could use a cold oer all this."

  Leo ughed, g Erwin on the shoulder. "Aye, sounds like a pn. Maybe we'll get lucky and catch a few skimpy damsels."

  They fiheir shift, carefully stowing away any tools and making their way to the nearby pub. The atmosphere inside was a stark trast to the bustling dockyard, filled with the warm hum of versation and the king of gsses.

  Erwihe way to a table in the er, motioning for Leo to join him. They ordered their drinks, settling in to observe and listen. It didn't take long for the foreman to show up, his presenanding the room as he took a seat at the bar.

  Leo nudged Erwin, nodding towards the foreman. "There he is. Should roach, or wait and see what he does?"

  Erwin took a sip of his beer, sidering their options. "Let's wait. He might let something slip after a few drinks."

  As the night wore on, the pub filled with more workers, eae bringing their own stories and rumors. Erwin and Leo listened carefully, pig up bits and pieces of information. It became clear that the foreman was more than just a supervisor; he was a key pyer in the operation, trolling the flow of information and keeping the workers in line.

  Finally, after a few rounds, Erwin made his move. He approached the foreman with a friendly smile, a fresh pint. "Mind if I join you, mate? Could use some advice from a man who knows his way around this pce."

  The foreman eyed him suspiciously but nodded, accepting the drink. "Sure, why not. What do you want to know?"

  Erwin leaned in, l his voice. "Heard some iing things about that new shipment. Sounds like a big deal."

  The foreman saking a long drink from his pint. "Big deal, alright. But it's not for you to worry about. Just do your job and keep your mouth shut, and you'll be fine."

  The foreman squi Erwin. Leo, from his seat, sweated, thinking their cht have been blown, but Erwin had faced Titans before. A mortal man's gaze, no matter how deadly, was nothing to him. He kept his gaze steady and smiled.

  "I just want to earn some bucks and visit the Strip Club door more often. If you know what I mean." Erwin said with a knowing grin, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

  The foreman's scowl rexed slightly, a hint of a smirk appearing on his face. "You don't seem like the type who'd settle for p dances."

  Erwin chuckled. "Who said anything about settling? A man’s got needs, and that pce has quite the reputation."

  Leo, attempting to py along, chimed in, io them. "Erw’s got a point. Plus, some of those girls have moves that could make you fet your name."

  The foreman ughed, a rough, gravelly sound. "Alright, alright. I get it. Just keep your nose and don't get in the way. We’ve got a lot riding on this shipment."

  Erwin leaned in, his voice l spiratorially. "As expected of a big shot like you, boss. I heard it is not our usual crates, eh?"

  The foreman’s eyes flickered, tent with the ego boost. "What do you know about it?"

  Erwin shrugged, keeping his tone casual. "Just heard some whispers. Figured it might be something wetting in on."

  The foreman took a long sip of his drink, liked the look of admiration in Erwin’s eyes. "There’s more than just whispers. We’ve got some high-value items ing in, stuff that could ge the game. It is something likes of you ever imagine"

  Erwin’s i iqued. "High-value, huh? Sounds like something worth proteg."

  "Exactly," the foreman replied, his tone delighted. "No peeking. Delicate, valuable cargo. You will carefully carry it, then fet it ever existed. Got it, boy? I am in on it, but you guys will only be in trouble if you are to curious"

  Erwin nodded, giving the foreman a sly grin. "Uood. Mum's the word."

  "Good." The foreman took a long drag on his cigarette, squinting through the smoke at Erwin. "This shipment is top-tier, and the bosses won't tolerate any slip-ups. Make sure you and your buddy over there keep your heads down."

  Leo, who had been listening ily, raised his gss in aowledgment. "We know the drill. Just point us in the right dire, and we'll hahe rest."

  The foreman smirked, taking a swig from his drink. "You'll find out soon enough. Meet me at the docks at midnight. And remember, discretion is key."

  As the foreman moved away, Erwin and Leo exged a quice, their expressions unreadable to those around them.

  "Guess we better get ready," Erwin said, keeping his voice low.

  Leo nodded. "Yeah, let's get a move on. We don't want to keep our new friend waiting."

  At midnight, Erwin and Leo arrived at the docks, their breaths misting in the cool night air. The operation was shrouded in secrecy, with dockworkers moving silently like ghosts in the dim light. Each worker was deliberate and careful with the tainers, casting furtive g the heavily armed guards statio every er. The foreman barked orders, keeping everyone in lih a mixture of threats and the occasional crack of his baton on a nearby crate.

  Erwin and Leo kept their heads down, blending in seamlessly. Erwiic memory, a gift from Nero, recorded every detail: the number of guards, the yout of the docks, the workers' routines, and the suspiciously cautious movements of the foremaed the serial numbers on the tainers, the insignias of the shipping panies, and even the subtle signals exged between the guards.

  Erwin nudged Leo, his voice a low whisper. "Notice how the foreman keeps cheg his watch?"

  Leo nodded, his eyes following the foreman's movements. "Yeah, like he's expeg something—or someone."

  "Keep an eye on him," Erwin instructed. "We o know if he slips up."

  Leo smirked, adjusting his cap. "If he does, I'll catch it."

  As they worked, Erwin and Leo bantered lightly to maintain their cover.

  "Think we'll get a bonus for this te-night shift?" Leo joked, hefting a crate onto a stack.

  Erwin chuckled softly, shaking his head. "If by bonus, you mean a pat on the bad ara ration , then sure."

  Leo ughed, the sound blending into the background noise of the docks. "Better than nothing, I suppose."

  Their versation masked their true i as they moved closer to the heart of the operation. Erwin's eyes flicked to the foreman again, catg him whispering into a radio. Erwin's memory captured the moment in perfect detail—the tension in the foreman's stahe furtive gnce around, the almost imperceptible nod he gave before pocketing the radio.

  "We o get closer," Erwin murmured to Leo. "Something's going down, and I want to know what."

  Leo nodded, adjusting his route to edge o the foreman. "Got your back, boss."

  The foreman, oblivious to the scrutiny, tinued his rounds, occasionally barking orders to keep the workers on task. Erwin and Leo finally mao position themselves close enough to overhear a s of his versation with a particurly nervous-looking guard.

  "Everything's set for the transfer," one of the guards said. "Make sure the truck is ready and the route is clear. We 't afford any mistakes tonight."

  The foreman nodded, his hand trembling slightly as he saluted and hurried off.

  Erwin gave a slight signal for Leo to y low. It seemed this operation was bigger thahought. These men were not to be trifled with. He already had enough reason to suspee of these tainers carried humans. Although it pained him, he couldn't stop it just yet. His mission was to observe. For now.

  "Let's take it easy," Erwin whispered, his voice steady. "'t afford to spook them."

  Leo nodded, his eyes sing the surroundings. "Are we going to leave it just like this?" he whispered back, his tone serious.

  Erwin's jaw tightened. "Just keep your head down and your eyes open."

  The two men tiheir work, carefully the operation. The foreman barked orders, the guards kept a vigint watch, and the workers moved with a practiced efficy that spoke of a well-oiled mae.

  Erwin's sharp eyes caught sight of a particurly rge tainer being handled with extra care. "That one," he murmured to Leo. "Something’s off."

  Leo followed Erwin's gaze. "You think it's the jackpot?"

  "Could be," Erwin replied. "But we 't make a move until we know for sure.”

  Hours passed, each minute feeling like ay. The foreman remaiense, stantly cheg his watd unig with his guards.

  Finally, the guard approached the rge tainer, signaling to his men. "Move it to the designated spot."

  Erwin and Leo left after the st tainer was loaded onto a truck, but Erwin had already memorized each trud the serial numbers of the tainers. As soon as he left the dock, he sent the information to hrough a secure el. Hopefully, Sofia would track them down, and then Erwin would raid them again.

  --

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