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### Chapter 8: THE INFILTRATION
#### The Day – Next Morning
Leon Graves woke before dawn, his internal clock precise, honed by years of discipline and training. The dim, early light filtering through the curtains of his hotel room painted long shadows across the walls, adding to the stillness of the morning. He swung his legs over the bed and exhaled slowly, mentally preparing for the day ahead.
He began his routine with slow, deliberate stretches, feeling the tension ease from his muscles as he worked through each controlled movement. His body moved with the practiced precision of a man who had performed this ritual countless times. Next came the pushups—steady, unbroken repetitions, his muscles engaging in smooth, efficient contractions. He followed with planks, his core locked, every fiber engaged in maintaining perfect balance and control.
This wasn’t merely about physical fitness—it was mental conditioning. A ritual that grounded him, sharpened his senses, and prepared him for what lay ahead.
Once satisfied, Leon stepped into the shower, letting the hot water cascade over his skin, washing away any lingering drowsiness. His mind was already focused on the mission. Matthias K?nig had to die. The planning had been meticulous, every step calculated, every possible contingency accounted for.
A key vulnerability had emerged—K?nig’s personal driver.
Leon had uncovered everything he needed to know about the man: Markus Steiner. A diligent, punctual, and trusted chauffeur, Steiner had served K?nig faithfully for years. But in Leon’s world, loyalty meant nothing when faced with superior strategy.
It was time to execute the plan.
Packing his essentials, he secured his alias as Daniel Weiss, double-checking the forged documents that would see him safely into Munich. Within the hour, he was on his way to the airport.
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#### Munich, Germany – 4:30 AM
Leon arrived in Munich as Daniel Weiss—a quiet, inconspicuous chauffeur with an unblemished record. His new identity was meticulously crafted, the documentation flawless. His disguise was subtle yet effective—his naturally sharp features were softened by dyed, darker hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and a pair of rectangular glasses that subtly altered the angles of his face. Even his posture had shifted; he carried himself with the deference of a man who existed to serve rather than command.
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Matthias K?nig was a cautious man, but even the most guarded individuals had patterns, routines that, when observed carefully, became weaknesses.
K?nig’s reliance on a personal driver was one such weakness.
Leon’s objective was simple: replace Steiner, assume his identity, and strike when the moment was right.
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#### 5:15 AM – The Hunt
The real Markus Steiner’s movements were as predictable as a clock. Every morning, before the sun fully rose, he made his way to a private underground parking garage where K?nig’s black Mercedes S-Class awaited. From there, he would drive to K?nig’s estate and pick up his employer without deviation.
Leon had spent days watching him, noting every detail—the precise moment he arrived, how he moved, his mannerisms, even the way he checked his watch absentmindedly before unlocking the vehicle.
This morning, Markus Steiner would never make it to K?nig’s estate.
Dressed in a dark jacket and gloves, Leon positioned himself in the shadows near the parked car. The garage smelled of damp concrete, gasoline, and the faint trace of cigarette smoke lingering from a careless smoker the night before. A distant hum of early morning traffic filtered through the entrance, muted by the underground structure.
Steiner’s footsteps echoed against the concrete floor, slow and measured as he approached the car. He was alone. He always was at this hour.
Leon moved with the predatory grace of a seasoned operative.
Before Steiner could react, Leon’s arm wrapped around his throat, locking into a precise chokehold. The driver gasped, his fingers clawing at Leon’s arm, his body writhing in desperate resistance. But Leon was stronger, and more importantly, he was trained for this exact moment.
Steiner’s breathing became shallow, his struggles weaker. Within seconds, his body gave one final convulsion before falling limp in Leon’s grip.
He checked for a pulse. Nothing.
It was done. Quick, efficient, silent. A clean kill.
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#### 5:30 AM – Becoming Steiner
Leon wasted no time. Working quickly, he searched Steiner’s pockets, retrieving his wallet, keys, and phone before discarding them into a prepared disposal bag. Anything that could identify the real driver had to be erased.
Then, he changed into Steiner’s chauffeur uniform, adjusting the crisp black jacket and fastening the cap low over his face. He took a moment to examine himself in the car’s side mirror, noting how the uniform transformed his appearance. He then pulled out a small compact case from his jacket, applying subtle makeup to further blend his features, darkening his eyebrows and adding faint lines to mimic Steiner’s face.
His transformation wasn’t just physical—it was psychological. He studied Steiner’s mannerisms, the way he held himself, the slightly stiff posture of a man who had spent years driving for an elite businessman. He adjusted his own stance accordingly, molding himself into the role.
Reaching into his coat, Leon pulled out a burner phone and typed a pre-written message to K?nig’s assistant:
“On my way. ETA 10 minutes.”
The response was immediate.
“Understood.”
Leon smirked. No hesitation. No suspicion.
He turned to Steiner’s lifeless body, hoisting it effortlessly into the trunk of the Mercedes. The weight was manageable, years of training making the process quick and methodical. He positioned the corpse carefully, ensuring it was well concealed beneath the dark lining of the trunk space.
Satisfied, Leon climbed into the driver’s seat and adjusted the mirrors. The leather interior smelled faintly of expensive cologne and polished wood. He gripped the steering wheel, steady and controlled, before turning the key in the ignition.
The engine purred to life, smooth and powerful. He exhaled slowly, letting the moment settle.
Leon Graves no longer existed.
Now, he was Markus Steiner.
And Matthias K?nig was about to take his final ride.
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End of Chapter 8
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