The night was calm and moonless, offering the perfect cover as Major Stefan Grau crossed the Valorian border. Dressed in simple work clothes and carrying only the essentials, Grau moved with practiced ease through the dense forest that shielded the crossing. His footsteps were measured, his breath steady, a man accustomed to slipping into places unnoticed.
Several miles behind him, Lieutenant Eva Lind and Sergeant Viktor Hoffmann would be making their own way into Valoria through different routes, each with the same objective: blend in, gather intelligence, and return with crucial information that could change the course of history for Triesenberg.
Grau's entry point led him to the outskirts of a small industrial town. The place was alive with the faint hum of machinery, even at this late hour. Factories never slept in Valoria—one of the many reasons they had pulled so far ahead in industrial production.
Grau took a deep breath, stepping out of the shadows and into the dimly lit streets, careful to maintain the posture and demeanor of an ordinary laborer.
A small group of men passed him, chattering in Valorian about a recent shipment of machinery parts. Grau listened without being obvious, his knowledge of the language solid, though he spoke it with the faintest accent—a fact he'd need to conceal in the days to come.
As he approached the factory gates, he joined a line of workers waiting to start the night shift. From a distance, no one would give him a second glance. His cover was that of a wandering laborer looking for temporary work, a story that would hold up under minimal scrutiny in a town like this, where migrant workers were common.
The foreman, a gruff man with thick arms and a short temper, barely looked at him as Grau gave his name—an alias, of course—and was waved through the gate.
Inside the factory, the sound of machinery was deafening. Sparks flew from welders' torches, the hum of conveyor belts and the steady clang of metal on metal filling the air. Grau moved with the crowd, his eyes taking in every detail: the layout of the machines, the workers' routines, the type of materials being processed.
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Every piece of information was vital, a puzzle he would slowly assemble over time. He kept to himself, avoiding eye contact, playing the role of the quiet, diligent worker.
Elsewhere, Lieutenant Lind was slipping into Valoria's urban centers. Posing as a middle-class traveler, she had already made casual acquaintances with a shopkeeper and a few local women at a market. Her goal was different from Grau's—she wasn't just here to observe the factories but to tap into the social fabric of Valoria.
Through casual conversations and observations, she would piece together how deeply rooted Valoria's industrial dominance was and if there were any underlying tensions or vulnerabilities within the workforce. Her work required patience, subtlety, and above all, the ability to make herself invisible, just another face in the crowd.
Julieanne's face frowned as she listened to the words. And moments later, she stepped forward and approached Alexander.
"Your Excellency," Julieanne whispered, leaning in so only Alexander could hear, "we have received intelligence that foreign agents may have crossed into Valoria. There's been some unusual activity near a few of our border towns."
Alexander didn't react outwardly, maintaining his composure as the diplomats and officials in the room clinked glasses and exchanged pleasantries. "Is it credible?" he asked quietly, his voice low but sharp.
Julieanne gave a small nod. "We've intercepted some unusual chatter. It's not definitive, but the timing aligns with the presence of several new arrivals in those towns—laborers and traders who don't quite fit the profiles of locals.
Every people on every workplace knew who they are working with, so it would be an odd addition of there was someone suddenly appearing and pretending that they are part of the country."
Alexander's eyes, hidden behind his mask, briefly scanned the room. He could not afford to show any signs of concern, as it could be any one of them who sent spies to his country. The diplomats and officials around him laughed and exchanged toasts, completely unaware of the growing unease that tugged at the edges of his mind.
He silently considered the possibilities. The recent partnerships Valoria had forged meant there were more eyes on his nation than ever before. Neighboring countries, eager to tap into Valoria's technological advancements, could have easily sent their own agents to gather intelligence. It was only natural—they feared what they didn't understand. And Valoria's rapid rise had made it an enigma to them.
Without betraying his thoughts, Alexander nodded at a diplomat across the table, exchanging pleasantries as he sipped his wine. All the while, his mind churned through contingency plans. He had built Valoria into a fortress of industry and innovation, but it was clear that outside powers were beginning to test the strength of its walls.
"Julieanne," Alexander said quietly, catching her attention again, "I want a full report by morning. I want to know who these new arrivals are and what their connections might be."
Julieanne gave a subtle nod, her face as unreadable as his. "Of course, Your Excellency. I'll see to it personally."
Alexander knew time was not on their side. If there were spies within Valoria's borders, they needed to be identified quickly—before they could disrupt his plans. But he also understood the delicate nature of the situation. Any wrong move, any public exposure, and the fragile alliances he had carefully built could crumble. He couldn't let that happen.
With the celebration still in full swing, Alexander turned his attention back to the room. His mask, as always, concealed his true thoughts, but behind it, he was already planning his next move.