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Ch22- The Stork Job

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  Sofia immediately started w oel Erwin had sehe list of tainers and truck lise ptes provided a solid lead. She hacked into various gover systems, trag the trucks through traffic cameras to ehey wouldn't be lost. Her primary focus was oruck suspected to be transp children, as per Erwin's intel.

  Anthony and Diego hovered nearby, occasionally gng over Sofia's shoulder. Nero stood by the window, deep in thought but alert. The room was tense, but Sofia's focused determination seemed to keep them all grounded.

  “You know, if you keep frowning like that, your face might get stuck,” Anthony teased, breaking the silence.

  Sofia rolled her eyes, not looking up from her s. “Thanks for the , Anthony, but I think I’ll survive.”

  Diego leaned in, smirking. “Yeah, Antsy, leave the tech wizardry to her. Or do you pn on charming the traffic cameras?”

  Anthony chuckled, shaking his head. “Nah, I’ll leave the magic to Sofia. Besides, I’m too busy being the muscle around here.”

  urned from the window, a small smile pying on his lips. “And don’t fet the poetry. We couldn’t fun without your daily dose of Shakespeare.”

  Anthony preteo be offended. “I’ll have you know, boss, that poetry is essential for a well-rounded bodyguard.”

  Diego snickered. “Of course, because nothing says ‘tough guy’ like quoting sos during a fistfight.”

  Sofia finally looked up, grinning. “I’d pay to see that.”

  Nero’s smile widened. “Maybe we should anize a poetry sm ime we face Kingpin’s goons.”

  Anthony shrugged. “Hey, if it keeps them off-bance, why not?”

  Their ughter lightehe atmosphere, but the underlying tension remained. Sofia's focus returo the s as she zeroed in oruck Erwin had fgged. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, pulling up live footage.

  “Got it,” she said, her tone serious. “This is the one.”

  Nero moved closer, his expression hardening. “Good. Keep trag it. We ’t afford any mistakes.”

  Anthony and Diego’s banter faded as they gathered around, their faces refleg the same grim determination.

  “Do we really pn on not intercepting it?” Diego asked, his usual light-heartedness repced by a steely resolve.

  Nero looked out the window, the city lights casting shadows on his face. “We won’t. Our aim is t the whole operation down. If we lose our focus by saving a few children now, they’ll get smarter and we’ll lose our ce.”

  Anthony ched his fists, his knuckles turning white. “It’s hard to just stand by,” he muttered, though he knew Nero was right.

  Diego sighed, nodding. “Yeah, I get it. But it doesn’t make it any easier.”

  Sofia gnced up from her ss, her fingers still flying over the keyboard. “You know, Diego, maybe you should el that frustration into something useful. Like getting me some sweet coffee.”

  Diego smirked, his usual charm returning. “Ah, Sofia, always the practical one. Fine, I’ll see what I do.”

  Anthony leaned back, trying to shake off his tension. “You know, if this goes well, maybe we celebrate with one of your infamous barbecues, Diego.”

  Diego chuckled. “Only if you promise not to eat all the steaks before anyone else gets a ce.”

  Anthony ughed. “No promises.”

  urned from the window, a hint of a smile pying on his lips. “Let’s focus oask at hand. We’ve got a lot riding on this.”

  Sofia’s eyes were glued to her ss. “I’m pulling up another set of traffic cams. We’re not letting these bastards slip through.”

  Diego stood, stretg his arms. “Looks like I’m on coffee duty. Anyone else need a refill?”

  Anthony raised his hand. “Just make sure it’s strong enough to keep us awake for another few hours.”

  Diego headed to the small kit area, his mood lighter. “ing right up.”

  Nero's ph, a it on speaker. "Yes."

  Maria's voice came through, clear and calm. "We dealt with our side. Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore will tact the agency to adopt. They were already trying to adopt through local els, now they'll call the number."

  "Stay with them," Nero instructed. "You hide with the Ring of Mist. Donald, you wait for the doctors to tact you. If they don't get close to the meeting point, support Maria."

  Anthony, who had been quietly , couldn’t help but interject, “You think Maria needs backup? I thought she could handle anything with that ring.”

  Maria’s voice held a hint of amusement. “I’ll have you know, Anthony, the Ring of Mist isn’t just for hiding. I use it to make you believe you’re a graceful ballerina if I wao.”

  Anthony ughed. “Please, no one hat mental image, Maria. And trust me, my dance moves are already legendary.”

  Diego chuckled, joining in after pg Sofia and Anthony's coffees. “Legendary for causihquakes, maybe. But seriously, Maria, stay safe. We’ve got enough to worry about without you getting into trouble.”

  Donald answered through the phone, “Got it, boss. I will wait at standby.”

  "Good," Nero said, a note of finality in his voice. "Sofia, have you hacked the website."

  Sofia nodded, her eyes never leaving the s. "I'm already in. Once Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore meet the ts, I'll update the website to give them a valid reason to break the deal. Maria will slip a tracker onto the child, so we'll be able to trace where they're taken. Once we mark the location we will match it with the truck then we'll send it to Erwin and deal with the other side."

  Anthony's jaw ched as he leaned forward. "And if things go sideways? What's the backup pn?"

  Diego chimed in, a smirk pying on his lips. "We improvise, like always. But let's hope it doesn't e to that."

  Sofia gnced up briefly. "I've set up alerts oraffic cams. We’ll know if there are any ued ges in the route."

  Nero nodded, satisfied. "Perfect. Keep monit. We move only when we're sure."

  Sofia's s beeped, and she frowned. "Hold on. There's movement. The truck is ging nes earlier than expected."

  Nero's eyes narrowed. "Why?"

  "Traffic jam ahead," Sofia responded, her voice steady. "They’re taking a detour."

  " we use it to our advantage?" Nero asked, his mind already w through possibilities.

  Diego leaned closer to the s, his eyes sing the map. "Depends. The new route goes through a less poputed area. Easier to intercept but also riskier."

  Anthony's tension alpable. "We need a decision, boss."

  Nero made his decision, "Move. Call Nigel and prepare an assault at the location. We’ll stage an act ahe local police hahe children for now. The anization will be forced to present another child to Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore, ing the o hack the website and will allow us to find their base. Let's go."

  The group got up aogether. ook the driver's seat. Anthony occupied the front passenger seat, while Sofia and Diego settled in the baero anded, "Nyx, full speed."

  The car's engine roared to life with an almost eager response. Nyx’s voice echoed through the . "As you wish, Little Brother."

  Anthony tightened his grip on the dashboard, his usually calm demeanor repced by a rare tension. "Nigel will have everything in pce by the time we arrive."

  Sofia g the passing city lights, her fingers still flig over her tablet. "Traffic cameras show minimal activity oour route. It’s the perfect spot for an ambush."

  Diego smirked, adjusting his seatbelt. "Let’s give them a night they won’t fet."

  When they arrived, Nigel and his men were already positioheir silhouettes blending seamlessly with the shadows cast by the dim moonlight. The roadblock looked natural; a massive tree stump y across the path, with signs of rocks and debris having tumbled down the hillside.

  "Boss," Nigel greeted, nodding as Nero approached.

  Nero returhe nod, his gaze fixated on the se before him. "Everything in pce?"

  "Yes," Nigel replied. "Our men are positioned along the perimeter, and we’ve synized with the local police for their respohey’ll believe it’s a genuine act."

  Nero's eyes narrowed as he studied the setup, ensuring every detail erfect. "Good. Timing is crucial. We only have one shot at this."

  Anthony and Diego stepped forward, their expressions serious. "Nigel, how long before the truck arrives?"

  "Should be any minute now," Nigel responded, cheg his watch. "We’ve got about a two-minute window to execute the pn."

  Sofia, still monit the situation from the back of the car, called out, "The truck is approag the ambush. We’re right on schedule."

  Nero looked down the road, spotting the truck’s headlights pierg the darkness. "Nigel, make sure the tree crashes through the windshield. The driver should appear to have no ce to react. Anthony, the rolling truck will force the trailer doors open. Diego, Sofia, use ys to protect the children inside. Make it look like they survived by sheer luck. Move into position," Nero anded, his voice cold and precise.

  Anthony, his muscles tense, nodded curtly. "Got it, boss." He moved into position.

  The pn was set in motion. Nigel, with precise trol, caused a massive tree to crash onto the road just as the trueared. The driver had no ce to react; the tree smashed through the windshield, killing him instantly. The truck swerved wildly, tipping over and rolling, as Anthony puhe trailer in su ahat it would look like natural force.

  As the trailer door burst open, Diego and Sofia sprang into a. Dieg of Storm summoned fierce winds that cushiohe impact, while Sofia's Ring of Raied a barrier of water to shield the children. The chaotic se was a trolled miracle.

  Nero watched ily, his golden eyes sing the area for any signs of failure. Anthony, his powerful frame a blur of motion, moved to secure the se. "Trailer's open, and the kids are safe. What’s ?"

  Nero didn't answer, and the others waited in silence. Soon, police sirens echoed through the dark night, and the se of the act was surrounded by fshing lights. As the first responders arrived, the sheriff stepped out, his eyes widening in disbelief at the sight of the children. He rubbed his eyes, then swiftly drew his gun.

  "What the fuck?! This is not a normal act. Surround the se. Gather the children and eheir safety. Michael, check the driver and see if there's anyone else around. Move!"

  Nero observed the chaos and was satisfied with the unfolding se, knowing it would cover their tracks effectively. Turning away from the se, he spoke with a calm finality, "Let's go."

  The team moved quickly and effitly, slipping into Nyx. ook the driver's seat, feeling the familiar hum of the engih his hands. Anthony sat beside him, while Sofia and Diego settled in the back, this time with Nigel.

  –

  Donald leaned against the hospital wall, the aic smell filling his nostrils as he adjusted his e. His leg throbbed with each step, a stant reminder of the challenges he faced daily. He looked at his phohe s dispying Nero's call.

  "Maria will meet with the ts in an hour," Donald reported, his voice steady despite the pain. "I doubt they've found a rept yet. I’ve also been called for a check-up."

  "Stay sharp," Nero's voiahrough the phone. "We need everything to go smoothly on your end. Any unusual movements?"

  Donald shook his head, though Nero couldn’t see it. "Nothing out of the ordinary. Just the usual hospital routine. But I'll keep my eyes open."

  A nurse walked past, gng at Donald with a professional smile. He gave her a nod, masking the disfort he felt.

  Keep me posted if anything ges," Nero said.

  "Will do," Donald replied, ending the call and slipping his phone bato his pocket. He took a deep breath, pushing himself off the wall and heading towards the examination room.

  Soon an hour passed, and ten people entered Donald's rented offi the hospital. At the lead was a sinister-looking man, followed by foril-like guards, a couple who Donald presumed were Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore, a small Asian child, and two more people with an official look, presumably corrupt officials who would finalize the adoption. At the er, hiding behind the mists, was Maria, who wi Donald, the only person who could see her. The sinister-looking maed Donald, "Doctor Don. Pleasure to meet you."

  Donald, his posture posed and professional despite the tension in the room, returhe greeting with a nod. "The pleasure is mine. Please, have a seat."

  The sinister man, with a calg glint in his eye, took a seat opposite Donald. "I uand you're the one overseeing the child's medical assessments?"

  "That's correct," Donald replied, his voice steady. "I'm here to ensure everything proceeds smoothly for the adoption process."

  One of the goril-like guards grunted, casting a wary gnce around the room. "You better make sure it does."

  Ign the guard's intimidation tactics, Donald focused on the couple. "Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore, is this your first time adopting?"

  Mrs. Whitmore, a petite woman with a nervous smile, nodded. "Yes, it is. We're very excited to provide a loving home for this child."

  Donald smiled warmly. "That's wonderful to hear. I'll just o go over a few details before we proceed."

  As Donald began discussing the medical history and requirements, the two officials exged gheir impatience evident. One of them, a man with a thin mustache, interrupted. "Let's expedite this, shall we? Time is of the essence."

  Donald nodded, uanding the urgency but maintaining his calm demeanor. "Of course. I'll make this as effit as possible."

  Meanwhile, Maria, cealed by her Ring of Mist, observed the iions closely. She noted every detail, her mind rag with potential threats and outes. As the versation tinued, she moved silently, positioning herself closer to the child, ready to act if necessary.

  After a general check-up, Donald frowned and looked at the dots oable. "There seems to be an issue here."

  Ms. Whitmore's face paled. "What kind of problem?"

  The sinister man narrowed his eyes at Donald, signaling the guards with a subtle nod. They began to circle the room, their preseimidating. Donald gulped but maintained his posure. "The paperwork states the child, Lin, is a girl, but the child in front of me is certainly not."

  Ms. Whitmore looked fused, turning to the sinister man. "We were assured everything was in order," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

  The sinister man’s expression remained unreadable, but a flicker of annoyance passed through his eyes. He stepped closer to Donald, his voice low and menag. "Are you sure about that, Doctor?"

  Donald nodded. "Yes, absolutely. There’s no mistake in my observation."

  One of the guards stepped forward, crag his knuckles. "Maybe you need another look, Doc," he said threateningly.

  Donald, feigning fighting to keep his voice steady, shook his head. "No he error is clear." He looked directly at the sinister man. "I suggest you check your sources. This child doesn’t match the profile."

  The sinister man's face darkened, irritation bubblih his calm facade. The sudden act had thrown his pns into disarray. The truck carrying the Asian girl they had arranged for the Whitmores was now in police custody, thanks to an ued act. He had hoped to substitute an Asian boy, betting on the couple’s ignorand their desperation for adoption. If the Whitmores decided to return the boy ter, he could simply repce him with a girl then. But now, the doctor was exposing the discrepancy, jeopardizing his entire operation.

  Mrs. Whitmore’s sdalized expression only added to his frustration. “We agreed on a girl. We ot accept this,” she said, her voice trembling with a mix of fusion and indignation.

  The sinister man suppressed a curse, f a smile onto his face. “There must be a misuanding,” he said smoothly, casting a sharp g the guards to hold their positions. “This is a delicate process, and errors occur. Let me assure you, we will rectify this.”

  Donald didn’t flinch. “I’m merely doing my job. Ensuring the safety and proper identification of the child is crucial.”

  The sinister mahe situation was slipping from his trol. He o think fast. “Doctor, I uand your s. Perhaps we discuss a way to resolve this quietly?” His tone carried an implied threat, though his smile remained in pce.

  Mrs. Whitmore’s voice broke the tense silence. “We were promised a girl. This is uable. We ’t proceed uhese circumstances.”

  Donald swallowed his disgust and maintained his professional demeanor. "There must be a mix-up with the dots. This child is healthy but does not match the records. I have given you my professional opinion; the rest is up to you."

  The sinister man urning to the couple. "We are truly sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore. There was a mix-up, and we will address it promptly. Let's rearrange another meeting."

  Maria, still hidden by the Ring of Mist, nodded subtly to Donald and pced a small tracker on the boy's clothing. As the sinister man took the child back, they would be able to trace where they were taken.

  Mrs. Whitmore's face remairoubled, and she spoke softly, "We were so hopeful. Please, make sure the arra is correct."

  The sinister man forced a reassuring smile. "Absolutely. We value your patiend uanding."

  The couple left, escorted by one of the goril-like guards. The sinister man turned back to Donald, his eyes cold and calg. "Doctor, let's not have any more mistakes."

  Donald held his ground. "Ensure your dots match the child ime, and there won't be."

  As the sinister man and his ente left with the child, Maria whispered, "Tracker is in pce. We should have a lead soon."

  Donald nodded slightly, watg them leave. "Let's hope it leads us to where they're keeping the others."

  Outside, Donald felt the weight of the enter lift slightly as Maria reappeared beside him. "We did well in there," she said, her voice steady. "Noait for the signal."

  Donald agreed, his expression resolute. "We these bastards down."

  They headed back to their car, Donald leaning on his e as they walked. "I'll drive," Maria offered, sensing his exhaustion.

  "Thanks," Donald replied, grateful. "Let's get back to the others. We've got a lot to discuss."

  –

  Ohey had the signal, Nero and the others moved to the phase. Sofia started to track the signal, sending Erwin the feeds every sed. SHIELD would raid their location to save the children. In the meahey would locate pyers of this operation.

  Nero leaned over Sofia’s shoulder. "Do we have any eviden Harold Givens?" he asked, his voice low and intense.

  "We've ected the shipment to him, but we still need a lot more evide their entire operation down. People like Harold always sniff out danger and disappear before we get to them," Sofia replied, her fingers dang over the keyboard as she pulled up additional surveilnce footage.

  Nero's eyes shoh a dangerous light. "Oh, he will disappear alright," he muttered, almost to himself.

  Sofia’s s fshed with new information. “Erwin just firmed SHIELD is ready to move. They’re just waiting on signal from their superiors,” she said, her voice steady but her eyes betraying a hint of nervous excitement.

  “Good,” Nero replied, his tone final. “Let them know we’re proceeding."

  Nero stepped back, allowing Sofia to finalize the details with SHIELD. Nigel approached Nero, his eyes filled with a calm yet unwavering rage. "Everything is in pce, Capo," he said quietly.

  Nero nodded. "Good. Stay close. We might need your expertise before this night is over."

  Nigel’s eyes twinkled with a rare hint of amusement. "As always, I am here to teach you."

  Sofia's reported. "We're live. SHIELD is moving in. Erwis minimal resistance so far."

  Activating the TV, they watched from Erwin's vestcam. Nero watched the se unfold on the s with a cold satisfa. The SHIELD agents were effit, ruthless, killing whoever they saw ih. They weren't there to question, but save children. They moved through the pound with deadly precision, leaving no oanding in their wake. "Good," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

  Sofia's voice was steady as she reported, "They're in. Erwin firms no evidence directly tying this to Givens, though the warehouse is under his pany."

  Nero's eyes narrowed. "It's not enough," he said. "Won't be enough to prosecute him."

  Anthony, his frustration palpable, smmed a fist into his open palm. "So we just let him go?"

  Nero's lips curved into a grim smile. "No, Anthony. He won't walk away from this. Ever."

  He didn't eborate, but the fiden his voice was enough to quell Anthony's anger. Maria had already set the phase of their pn into motion. Using her powers, she had maniputed the local polito raiding Givens' hidden house, the very pce where Nami had first stumbled upon the child traffig ring.

  From the beginning, it was all a big ami had broken into the house seeking valuables, only to find evidence of the traffig operation instead. She had taken the dots and fled, unwittingly setting the stage for tonight's events.

  Now, the local police were poised to raid the house, armed with the inal dots and additional evidehat Nami had pnted under Nero's instrus. It was a fwless setup. Givens would have no escape.

  "Maria's already handling it," Nero said, his voice low and trolled. "The police will find everything they Givens' house. With the evidence we've provided, there's no way he'll slip through the cracks. Not that it will ge Givens’ fate."

  Anthony's tension eased slightly. "And the children?"

  Nero's gaze locked onto children saved by SHIELD, "They'll be safe. SHIELD will see to that."

  As they watched, the first wave of SHIELD agents secured the pound, ensuring no one could escape. The local police stormed Givens' house, at the same time, seizing the incriminating dots.

  Nero's phone buzzed. He g it, a satisfied smile pying on his lips as he read the message. "All the big shots are in custody," he announced. "It's over."

  Anthony and Diego shared a look of relief, while Sofia allowed herself a small, triumphant smile. Nigel, ever the posed mentor, simply nodded.

  "Well done, everyone," Nero said, his voice carrying a rare note of approval. "Let's get the children to safety and then we celebrate."

  Anthony looked at Nero and asked, "What about Givens?"

  Nero smiled and activated the system. Sorel dispyed the test ping Nero had just received, which read: [Your summon Ezio Auditore da Firenze has just assassihe boss of the Child Traffig Ring, Harold Givens.]

  Seeing the message, the others were dumbfounded. "Since when?" Diego asked, his tone a mix of awe and fusion.

  "You did a good job, Diego. Those rich ers felt threatened, so one of them put a bounty on his head in the Assassin's Guild. I had Ezio take the job," Nero expined with a satisfied smile.

  "Ezio Auditore? The new summon?" Anthony's eyes widened in surprise.

  Nero nodded. "Precisely. Ezio’s expertise ehat the job was done effitly and discreetly. Givens never saw it ing."

  Diego chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "You always have a pn, don’t you?"

  Nero's gaze turned feral. "I had no iion of letting Givens go, even if the whole operation had failed from the beginning. It's justice served." His voice was cold, unyielding.

  Anthony nodded, fists still ched. "You're right, boss. Givens had it ing."

  Nigel chuckled softly, the sound a stark trast to the tension in the room. "Indeed, Boss. With this move, we gained a lot."

  Nero's lips curled into a smile. "Of course. Not only did we stop a child traffig ring, but Erwin also gained signifit reition. And Ezio, who had just joihe guild, assassinated a high-value target others refused to accept. It seems I'll be gaining a few rewards myself."

  Anthony smirked, his usual humor returning. "Looks like a win all around."

  Diego stretched, his demeanor rexed but his eyes still sharp. "So, what's on the agenda, boss?"

  Nero chuckled, throwing an arm around Diego's shoulder. "Now, Diego owes us a barbecue."

  Diego sighed dramatically but couldn't hide his grin. "Alright, alright. I'll fire up the grill tomorrow. But first, we need some rest. It’s early in the m, and I don’t think any of us got much sleep st night."

  Anthony cheered, "Cheers to that!" His voice was full of relief and triumph.

  Sofia, feeling the lightness of the moment, jumped onto Anthony’s back, giggling. "Yes! A barbecue sounds perfect. Just make sure to save some steaks for me this time."

  Anthony ughed, catg her easily. "No promises, Sofia. You know how I get around good food."

  Nigel gave a small smile. "I’ll ehe necessary preparations are made. Rest well, everyone. We've ear."

  --

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