Marcus Crassus sat on a rickety wooden chair in his new lair deep within the sewers of Centari-IV. The air was humid and thick with the stench of decay, but this desolate place offered the concealment he needed.
His hazel eyes flickered with determination as he observed his squadron of robots. He took a deep puff from his wakeleaf pipe, pondering the next phase of his scheme. The recently acquired goods from the Market laid out before him like a treasure trove.
With the materials at hand, it wasn't long before Marcus had three new squadrons outfitted and disguised. While the first set of robots had cloaks and gas masks to blend in, these new squadrons had different disguises.
One squadron was clad in tattered clothing that could pass for beggars, helping them blend into the underbelly of the city's slums.
The second squadron was disguised as maintenance workers, complete with tools and overalls, allowing them to move freely in both affluent and dilapidated areas without raising suspicion.
The third squadron was dressed in nondescript civilian attire, looking like everyday citizens. They could walk through crowded markets and streets unnoticed.
Marcus leaned on his cane, cracking his neck as he observed the progress. "System, status report on the new squadrons."
[Three new squadrons constructed. Disguises effective. Ready for deployment.]
"Excellent," Marcus murmured.
Although his newfound capabilities were impressive, there was a problem. The Black Hoods had drastically increased security at the Market after the previous incident. Walking in with disguised robots again was no longer an option.
They were enforcing identity, weapon checks and proof of purchases at all check points.
Marcus's mind raced with thoughts and possibilities. He knew he needed more information about the Black Hoods. They were powerful, too powerful to confront directly, but understanding them—knowing their weaknesses—would be key.
Reconnaissance would be needed. He could utilize the squadrons to monitor Black Hoods' activities. Avoid direct confrontation until sufficient data was gathered.
Marcus nodded. The Black Hoods and Mr.Black's organizations were too formidable to attack head-on. Instead, he would turn their strength against them. He also knew he had to consider the police force. They were a wildcard, but one he could potentially manipulate to his advantage.
"Captain," Marcus called to the leader of the first squadron. The Captain turned, its sensors glowing faintly under its cloak. "Deploy the three new squadrons into the city. They will gather information on the Black Hoods and report back. Have your squadron patrol the sewers for intruders."
The Captain saluted.
"Yes, Creator."
And then they moved.
---
The beggar-disguised squadron took to the city's slums, their appearance blending perfectly with the surroundings. Beggars were often overlooked, which made them ideal for observing without drawing attention.
The maintenance-workers squadron navigated the city's infrastructure, moving through restricted areas, repairing broken machinery, and eavesdropping on conversations happening among the Black Hoods' thugs and mercenaries.
The civilian-disguised squadron walked among the people, listening to gossip and casual conversations, picking up any scraps of information about the Black Hoods' operations.
Back in his lair, Marcus continued refining his plans. He knew that he couldn't afford to take on either Mr. Black or the entire Black Hoods organization directly. Instead, he would pit them against each other and also draw in the police force's interest.
"I need something," Marcus said, "I need to create a scenario that forces the Black Hoods and the police into conflict."
Marcus thought back to his past life when he was just starting out as a rebel, at that time any official force no matter how small could crush him. And yet he still managed to beat them all. He had done it throught tactical sabotage.
If Marcus could draw Black Hoods' attention to key assets and simultaneously alert the police to illegal activities and Mr.Blacks organization about a potential opportunity it could force them all to utilize there resources.
Marcus smirked. It was a classic tactic—divide and conquer. He could use the might of the Black Hoods and the police force against each other while he maneuvered in the shadows.
"Very well," he said, a plan forming in his mind. He would need to create false leads and plant evidence. The Black Hoods' attention would be drawn to a façade while he acted elsewhere.
But before executing this plan, he needed precise information about the Black Hoods' key assets and vulnerabilities.
The squadrons began to send reports.
The maintenance-workers reported that the Black Hoods had increased patrols around key warehouses housing illicit goods.
The beggar-disguised squadron provided insight into clandestine meetings occurring in the city's underbelly.
The civilian-disguised squadron located a few safe houses used by the Black Hoods' higher-ups.
Marcus absorbed this information. He plotted key locations on a makeshift map of the city. His fingers traced lines connecting points of interest, visualizing the web of his strategy.
After a few hours he got an interesting report from the beggar-disguised squadron, they had found a numerous amount of individuals buying what appeared to be drugs from an abandoned warehouse. The heat signatures from the scans showcased quite a hotter than normal reading for under the warehouse. They were producing something down there.
Marcus thought back to the truth-telling drug the Black Hoods were producing, something that Mr.Black and the Police would both want dearly and something which Detective Vega had personal connection to via her sister. A new business venture from the Black Hoods, one they had most likely invested much money into without huge return just yet.
Marcus began to grin as plans of chaos formed in his mind.
"It is time to escalate," Marcus declared to the empty room.
"Captain," Marcus called out again, his voice echoing slightly in the damp, dark confines of the sewer.
The Captain of the first squadron approached, its mechanical movements smooth and deliberate.
"Orders, Creator?"
Marcus leaned forward, his thin fingers tapping the wooden armrest of his chair. "Take two squadrons and position them around the abandoned warehouse identified by the beggar-disguised squadron. Ensure they are well-hidden but close enough to act swiftly."
The Captain bowed its head slightly. "Understood."
"Secondly," Marcus continued, "the civilian-disguised squadron will continue to gather intelligence on the Black Hoods' movements. However, I need information from the police force as well. Position two members of this squadron near the police station to listen in. The others will focus on the criminal activities linked to Mr. Black."
Marcus cracked his neck, a routine gesture that helped him think. He pulled out two envelopes and wrote a note in each then handed it to the Captain with a smirk.
"You will deliver these two letters."