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Chapter 381: Blending In
When the group passed through the hidden door and returned to their hideout, every one of them was on edge.
Because everyone knew in their hearts that there was a traitor among them.
In the end, Orin Vale didn't force them to root out their leader, but he naturally still had to meet the boss. Orin Vale was no longer a rookie. While it was true that he'd spent millennia cooped up in the Land of Light with no practical experience, he had now seen his fair share of major events.
He was especially experienced when it came to undercover work.
He deeply understood the principle of "using a long line to catch a big fish." So far, he had only encountered human traitors who had received enhancements from Apokolips. But it was conceivable that such people were not trustworthy and held little value to the invaders. They mostly played the role of cannon fodder, and capturing them would be meaningless.
But if he could manage to use this lead to infiltrate them, even just catching one or two of the New Gods responsible for managing this cannon fodder would be a huge step forward.
If he spent a little more time following the trail, it wasn't impossible for him to work his way into the higher echelons. Batman and Steppenwolf from the other universe should have a lot to say about that.
So, Orin Vale changed his face on the spot, single-handedly "escorted" this squad of turncoats, and followed them into the hideout.
The turncoats were under immense pressure, not daring to breathe too loudly the entire time. Orin Vale, however, was relaxed, looking around curiously as he walked.
A preliminary observation revealed that the people gathered here also seemed to be a group of grunts. Those he had seen so far were similar to the group he came with—humans who had been modified by Apokoliptian technology. It seemed this was just a concentration point for disposable cannon fodder placed by Apokolips, convenient for collecting intelligence and doing odd jobs in the city.
The management of this place didn't seem very strict. Orin Vale swaggered in behind the group, and although many people saw him on the way, no one questioned him.
Until a tall, thin hooded man walked out. "Jillian? Weren't you sent on a mission? Where is that World Army officer?"
The tall, thin man stepped forward and gave Orin Vale a strange look.
"Who's this? I don't think I've seen you before."
The group's hearts skipped a beat, thinking their role as guides had been exposed. They immediately lowered their heads, trembling, not daring to speak.
So there were people who could recognize new faces after all, Orin Vale realized.
However, he could have taken on the appearance of any of these turncoats, or he could have directly possessed one of their bodies.
The reason he hadn't done so was that he had a more suitable idea for the persona he was currently playing.
Orin Vale didn't explain, simply pulling something out from behind his back with a calm expression.
"One of your own," he said. "Do you recognize this?"
The tall, thin man focused his gaze and saw a small, square box resting quietly in Orin Vale's hand. It had the cold, hard texture of metal, and it emitted a chill glow that seemed to freeze the very air around it. Its edges were smooth and its corners rounded, like a meticulously designed piece of art.
But the moment the tall, thin man saw its peculiar structure, his pupils contracted. He said in astonishment, "That's... that's... a Mother Box!? Are you from the higher-ups?"
Orin Vale kept a straight face. "Correct."
The Mother Box is the symbol of Apokoliptian technology and the exclusive right of the New Gods. "Only a New God can possess a Mother Box" was an early rule, so naturally, it could also serve as a symbol of status.
Hearing the commotion, the surrounding people couldn't help but cast looks of shock and unease. Even the guides who had led Orin Vale in were baffled and at a loss, the thought "Could he actually be a high-ranking member of Apokolips?" even crossing their minds.
The tall, thin man immediately became nervous. "Are you here with instructions? As you can see, we are all diligent and hardworking, ready at any moment to dedicate ourselves to the great Darkseid—"
"We'll talk later." Orin Vale waved his hand. "I'll just take a look around first."
"Please, look all you want." The tall, thin man wiped his sweat.
He got it. A surprise inspection team had arrived.
To be honest, these low-level nobodies usually only received instructions remotely and never even had the chance to see a real New God. Now that a high-ranking leader who was likely a New God had suddenly appeared, it was inevitable they'd be a little shaky.
Someone hurried off to report, and a moment later, a pot-bellied, balding man came running out obsequiously.
"I am Dilano, the person in charge of this little hideout. My useless subordinates completely failed to inform me that an Emissary would be arriving. We weren't prepared at all, nor did we greet you at the entrance... You see..."
Dilano nodded and bowed.
"It's fine. I was just passing by on business and decided to drop in on a whim," Orin Vale said nonchalantly.
And so, under the disbelieving gazes of the guides, Orin Vale not only successfully infiltrated the place but also suddenly became their supreme superior, gaining the privilege to look and ask about anything he wanted.
Orin Vale scanned his surroundings and was surprised to see two modified soldiers grunting and panting as they moved some goods. Following their path, he saw a large pile of fluffy Teddy Bears stacked in a corner—a paradise for Titano.
Orin Vale was a little surprised. A bunch of Apokoliptian turncoats were dealing in this stuff? Could it be that someone high up in Apokolips was also a fellow enthusiast of Titano, a Teddy Bear lover?
However, a deeper scan revealed that wasn't the case. On the surface, the shipment appeared to be Teddy Bears, but upon closer inspection, he discovered a hidden compartment in each one. The space inside wasn't large, but it was enough to fit a small, sealed bag.
Drugs.
So, these people were smuggling.
It made more sense than Teddy Bears, but Orin Vale was still a bit puzzled. This bunch working for the Apokoliptian Imperial Army also had to run a smuggling business to earn their own funds? Was the pay from the Imperial Army that bad?
He casually asked Dilano, who was accompanying him, and the man hastily explained.
"Oh, this, haha... It's just a small business to earn the brothers some pocket money... but we only do it in our spare time! It absolutely doesn't interfere with our regular work and the great cause of Apokolips!"
After saying that, Dilano paused, hesitated for a moment, and then continued in a low voice.
"Besides, Emissary, you may not know this. If this place ever gets exposed, at worst, it'll just be considered a drug smuggling operation. The ones who'll come after us will be the narcotics division..."
Orin Vale: "..."
Quite the experienced bunch.
These days, drug trafficking really didn't seem to count for much. Especially when compared to the definition of "a super-powered group colluding with alien invaders," it was hardly worth mentioning.
Although Dilano was just another turncoat who had sided with Apokolips, he was, after all, the one in charge here. Since he had taken the initiative to accompany the "leader" on his inspection, Orin Vale calmly accepted.
Asking directly about whatever came to mind was the fastest way to get information. In any case, Orin Vale wasn't too worried about arousing suspicion or exposing himself.
The plan was simple. It was best not to get exposed, so he would ask as much as he could. If he was exposed, he would just beat them all to the ground and then continue asking.
First, try to blend in with the locals.
If that doesn't work, beat the locals into one heap.
(end of chapter)
When the group passed through the hidden door and returned to their hideout, every one of them was on edge.
Because everyone knew in their hearts that there was a traitor among them.
In the end, Orin Vale didn't force them to root out their leader, but he naturally still had to meet the boss. Orin Vale was no longer a rookie. While it was true that he'd spent millennia cooped up in the Land of Light with no practical experience, he had now seen his fair share of major events.
He was especially experienced when it came to undercover work.
He deeply understood the principle of "using a long line to catch a big fish." So far, he had only encountered human traitors who had received enhancements from Apokolips. But it was conceivable that such people were not trustworthy and held little value to the invaders. They mostly played the role of cannon fodder, and capturing them would be meaningless.
But if he could manage to use this lead to infiltrate them, even just catching one or two of the New Gods responsible for managing this cannon fodder would be a huge step forward.
If he spent a little more time following the trail, it wasn't impossible for him to work his way into the higher echelons. Batman and Steppenwolf from the other universe should have a lot to say about that.
So, Orin Vale changed his face on the spot, single-handedly "escorted" this squad of turncoats, and followed them into the hideout.
The turncoats were under immense pressure, not daring to breathe too loudly the entire time. Orin Vale, however, was relaxed, looking around curiously as he walked.
A preliminary observation revealed that the people gathered here also seemed to be a group of grunts. Those he had seen so far were similar to the group he came with—humans who had been modified by Apokoliptian technology. It seemed this was just a concentration point for disposable cannon fodder placed by Apokolips, convenient for collecting intelligence and doing odd jobs in the city.
The management of this place didn't seem very strict. Orin Vale swaggered in behind the group, and although many people saw him on the way, no one questioned him.
Until a tall, thin hooded man walked out. "Jillian? Weren't you sent on a mission? Where is that World Army officer?"
The tall, thin man stepped forward and gave Orin Vale a strange look.
"Who's this? I don't think I've seen you before."
The group's hearts skipped a beat, thinking their role as guides had been exposed. They immediately lowered their heads, trembling, not daring to speak.
So there were people who could recognize new faces after all, Orin Vale realized.
However, he could have taken on the appearance of any of these turncoats, or he could have directly possessed one of their bodies.
The reason he hadn't done so was that he had a more suitable idea for the persona he was currently playing.
Orin Vale didn't explain, simply pulling something out from behind his back with a calm expression.
"One of your own," he said. "Do you recognize this?"
The tall, thin man focused his gaze and saw a small, square box resting quietly in Orin Vale's hand. It had the cold, hard texture of metal, and it emitted a chill glow that seemed to freeze the very air around it. Its edges were smooth and its corners rounded, like a meticulously designed piece of art.
But the moment the tall, thin man saw its peculiar structure, his pupils contracted. He said in astonishment, "That's... that's... a Mother Box!? Are you from the higher-ups?"
Orin Vale kept a straight face. "Correct."
The Mother Box is the symbol of Apokoliptian technology and the exclusive right of the New Gods. "Only a New God can possess a Mother Box" was an early rule, so naturally, it could also serve as a symbol of status.
Hearing the commotion, the surrounding people couldn't help but cast looks of shock and unease. Even the guides who had led Orin Vale in were baffled and at a loss, the thought "Could he actually be a high-ranking member of Apokolips?" even crossing their minds.
The tall, thin man immediately became nervous. "Are you here with instructions? As you can see, we are all diligent and hardworking, ready at any moment to dedicate ourselves to the great Darkseid—"
"We'll talk later." Orin Vale waved his hand. "I'll just take a look around first."
"Please, look all you want." The tall, thin man wiped his sweat.
He got it. A surprise inspection team had arrived.
To be honest, these low-level nobodies usually only received instructions remotely and never even had the chance to see a real New God. Now that a high-ranking leader who was likely a New God had suddenly appeared, it was inevitable they'd be a little shaky.
Someone hurried off to report, and a moment later, a pot-bellied, balding man came running out obsequiously.
"I am Dilano, the person in charge of this little hideout. My useless subordinates completely failed to inform me that an Emissary would be arriving. We weren't prepared at all, nor did we greet you at the entrance... You see..."
Dilano nodded and bowed.
"It's fine. I was just passing by on business and decided to drop in on a whim," Orin Vale said nonchalantly.
And so, under the disbelieving gazes of the guides, Orin Vale not only successfully infiltrated the place but also suddenly became their supreme superior, gaining the privilege to look and ask about anything he wanted.
Orin Vale scanned his surroundings and was surprised to see two modified soldiers grunting and panting as they moved some goods. Following their path, he saw a large pile of fluffy Teddy Bears stacked in a corner—a paradise for Titano.
Orin Vale was a little surprised. A bunch of Apokoliptian turncoats were dealing in this stuff? Could it be that someone high up in Apokolips was also a fellow enthusiast of Titano, a Teddy Bear lover?
However, a deeper scan revealed that wasn't the case. On the surface, the shipment appeared to be Teddy Bears, but upon closer inspection, he discovered a hidden compartment in each one. The space inside wasn't large, but it was enough to fit a small, sealed bag.
Drugs.
So, these people were smuggling.
It made more sense than Teddy Bears, but Orin Vale was still a bit puzzled. This bunch working for the Apokoliptian Imperial Army also had to run a smuggling business to earn their own funds? Was the pay from the Imperial Army that bad?
He casually asked Dilano, who was accompanying him, and the man hastily explained.
"Oh, this, haha... It's just a small business to earn the brothers some pocket money... but we only do it in our spare time! It absolutely doesn't interfere with our regular work and the great cause of Apokolips!"
After saying that, Dilano paused, hesitated for a moment, and then continued in a low voice.
"Besides, Emissary, you may not know this. If this place ever gets exposed, at worst, it'll just be considered a drug smuggling operation. The ones who'll come after us will be the narcotics division..."
Orin Vale: "..."
Quite the experienced bunch.
These days, drug trafficking really didn't seem to count for much. Especially when compared to the definition of "a super-powered group colluding with alien invaders," it was hardly worth mentioning.
Although Dilano was just another turncoat who had sided with Apokolips, he was, after all, the one in charge here. Since he had taken the initiative to accompany the "leader" on his inspection, Orin Vale calmly accepted.
Asking directly about whatever came to mind was the fastest way to get information. In any case, Orin Vale wasn't too worried about arousing suspicion or exposing himself.
The plan was simple. It was best not to get exposed, so he would ask as much as he could. If he was exposed, he would just beat them all to the ground and then continue asking.
First, try to blend in with the locals.
If that doesn't work, beat the locals into one heap.
(end of chapter)
