818 The headquarters (1)
Erik and June, having left the chaos of the police station behind, hastened towards the park on the city's opposite side.
As they maneuvered through the streets, Erik shared with June the intel he had extracted from Zachary.
Although Zachary had remained tight-lipped about the headquarters' exact location, Erik's ability to read his mind during their conversation had revealed the crucial details needed to pinpoint the gang's lair.
"The place is near a park, on the other side of the city," Erik said, his pace brisk and determined.
But that wasn't the only thing he told June, as he also explained what he planned to destroy the criminal organization.
While June kept up with Erik's brisk pace, his mind raced. His Master's plan was very easy, and it all depended on Erik's fighting prowess, but if it worked, it would allow them to destroy the Crystal Cross Gang in one fell swoop.
The duo then arrived at the park. Once there, Erik's gaze swept the area.
He was searching for a building he had seen through Zachary's mories—a nondescript ten-story structure.
The park itself was quiet, with only a few people milling about, unaware of the significance of the nearby building.
It stood among a row of similar structures, each designed with a uniformity that made them blend seamlessly into the urban landscape.
The gang's headquarters looked just like any other building in the line, its white painted walls and brick construction offering no hint of the danger that lurked inside.
Yet there was sothing about this particular building that set it apart in Erik's mind.
Perhaps it was the way its windows were slightly narrower than those of its neighbors, or the subtle differences in how the entrance was frad.
These were details Erik had caught from Zachary's thoughts—minor architectural nuances that a casual observer would overlook but were unmistakable to soone who knew what to look for.
"This is it," Erik said to June, nodding towards the building.
"It looks innocent enough, but this is where the Crystal Cross Gang operates from."
June surveyed the building, noting its strategic position near the park. It afforded the gang both visibility and a quick escape route in case they needed it.
Erik took a mont to assess their approach. "We need to be careful. When Zachary thought about this place, he thought about guards. We can't just barge in."
June nodded in agreent. "Sorry, Master, but why did you leave Zachary's body in the open? You could have morphed into him."
"There was no need," Erik said. "I can simply shapeshift into a fly and enter. I don't even need subterfuges since I can read their mind."
"Then why did you need Max's power?" June asked.
"To wreak havoc, but it wasn't needed for now. It will co handy later."
June then thought. "Then what do we do?"
"I will enter and then change my face to learn where their leader is. Then just a couple questions and then I kill him. After that, I have a couple of ideas in mind."
"What about ?" June asked.
"You must tell if you see soone entering. Let know if it is Death or soone else. I also need to know if soone like Volkov or the likes enter. While I'm in, I won't know what happens outside."
"The usual, then."
"Yes. Sorry if I don't give you a chance to join."
With that, Erik and June split up. June went to the park and sat on a bench facing the building, observing the comings and goings, noting any peculiar behavior that might indicate the presence of gang mbers.
Erik circled the building to have an idea of its layout.
After reconvening, Erik and June compared notes. "There are a few disguised guards near the front entrance, and I spotted caras on the corners of the building," June said.
Erik nodded, his mind already planning a strategy. "We'll need a diversion. Sothing to draw the guards away while I slip inside."
"I will take care of that," June said.
"All right." It was then that Erik undressed and gave his equipnt to June. After that, he turned into a fly.
At that mont, after having collected Erik's belonging June approached the building. The guards nearby imdiately approached him.
They weren't guards in the classical sense, as they were faking being passerby or people resting.
For example, one of them was seated on a bench, while another was leaning on a wall that faced the entrance.
"Excuse !" June said. The guards focused their attention on him. At the sa ti, Erik went toward the door. He flew through the door's gaps and entered.
This was it—the mont they had been working towards.
The destruction of the Crystal Cross Gang was within reach, and with it, a significant blow to the Blackguards' operations in New Alexandria.
As Erik, still in his fly form, stealthily made his way inside the building, he was greeted by a short corridor bustling with activity.
Guards were strategically positioned throughout.
Erik zipped through the corridor, bypassing Crystal Cross Gang mbers who were milling around, unaware of his presence.
Reaching the end of the corridor, Erik spotted an elevator.
He buzzed along the corridor, skillfully avoiding detection.
The gang mbers, imrsed in their own worlds, paid no mind to the inconspicuous fly navigating their midst.
Their attention was elsewhere, on the screens of their phones or lost in conversation, providing Erik with the perfect cover to proceed unnoticed.
Erik arrived at the elevator. He hovered montarily before the elevator's panel, timing his approach to precision. In a daring feat, he pressed the button with his tiny body.
The elevator arrived with a soft chi, its doors sliding open to reveal an empty interior.
Erik darted inside, taking refuge in a corner where he would remain unseen by any casual observers.
As the doors closed and the elevator began its descent, Erik was enveloped in the chanical hum of its operation, a sound that signaled the transition from the known to the unknown.
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