Filu adjusted the straps of her arcane-enhanced combat vest, still getting used to the feel of Tower-issued gear against her green skin. Despite months of training, the sleek synthetic material felt foreign compared to the battle-worn leathers she'd worn in countless skirmishes back home.

  But she couldn't deny its effectiveness—tiny runes embedded in the fabric hummed with protective energies far superior to anything she'd wielded before.

  "This coating doesn't fit properly," she muttered, examining the seams where the fabric met her tattooed arms. The command room's bright lights gleamed off the ritual markings that coiled up her dark green skin.

  Lastly, she adjusted a small earpiece, grimacing as it pressed uncomfortably against the curve of her pointed ear. Orcish ears weren't designed for human technology.

  Like much of Avalon, the device felt alien—functional but fundamentally ill-suited for her.

  Zark'thul stood before them, his unnaturally blue eyes fixed on a holographic display of Avalon's manufacturing district. Despite his human appearance, something about him always felt wrong—a presence too vast for the flesh containing it.

  "The mission parameters are simple," he said, his voice unnervingly calm. "You will track a suspicious shipment from Metcom Solutions to its destination, gather intelligence on its contents and purpose, and return without being detected. Under no circumstances are you to engage unless absolutely necessary."

  Urgan, the largest of their group, shifted his massive gray form. The orc's red eyes narrowed as he studied the projection. "What kind of resistance should we expect?"

  "Minimal, if you maintain proper stealth protocols," Zark'thul replied. "Metcom's regular security is standard corporate fare. However, be aware that Argent Shield operatives may be present. They possess advanced technology, including cloaking devices that render them virtually invisible."

  "Can't hide from Skitters!" The smallest goblin perched on a nearby console, balanced on the balls of his feet. His pale green skin seemed to shift colors slightly as he moved, an unconscious activation of his natural camouflage abilities. "I smell 'em before I see 'em anyway."

  Zark'thul's gaze fell on the goblin. "Do not underestimate them. Squad One nearly suffered casualties during their encounter."

  Filu noted the subtle shift in Zark'thul's tone—a hint of actual concern beneath the cold exterior. Interesting.

  "What about civilians?" she asked, examining the map. "This area appears heavily populated."

  "Avalon's manufacturing district maintains continuous operations. Workers will be present at all hours. Avoid them. The Tower's purpose must remain confidential."

  Filu nodded, studying the unfamiliar terrain. Streets laid out in rigid grids, massive buildings of steel and glass, transportation systems she'd only glimpsed through the Tower's windows. So different from the wild forests and mountain passes she'd known.

  "The transport vessel you're tracking will depart from Metcom's loading bay at 02:00 hours," Elspeth added, her green hair shifting slightly though there was no breeze. "You'll be deployed to an observation point one hour prior."

  The goblin twins, Rakk and Vraza, had stopped paying attention and were now engaged in a silent shoving match at the back of the room.

  "Enough!" Urgan barked, his massive hand separating them with a single swipe. "Show respect or I'll use your heads as throwing weights."

  "Bah!" Rakk bared his jagged teeth in what might have been a grin. "Big gray just jealous he not fast like us."

  "Yeah, yeah," Vraza nodded energetically. "We kill more enemies than you last mission. We count!"

  Filu raised her hand, staff gripped firmly. "That's enough, both of you. I'm trying to listen."

  The twins fell silent, though their yellow eyes still darted mischievously around the room.

  Zark'thul seemed unmoved by the display. "Your extraction point will be here," he continued, highlighting a location on the map. "Squad Two has been chosen for this mission due to your unique capabilities. Filu's magical detection skills, Urgan's tactical experience, the twins' combat prowess should resistance be encountered, and Skitters' unparalleled stealth abilities."

  "We no disappoint," Vraza announced proudly.

  "Yeah, yeah!" Rakk agreed. "We bash good if needed."

  "There will be no 'bashing' unless absolutely necessary," Zark'thul said coldly. "This is primarily an intelligence-gathering operation."

  Filu raised her staff slightly, the runes along its darkwood length glowing in response to her irritation. "The squad will perform as ordered. You have my word."

  Zark'thul's eyes met hers, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. Leader to leader, though the gulf between their powers seemed as vast as the void between stars, despite what she'd seen in the field.

  "Very well," he said. "Prepare your equipment and report to the deployment bay in thirty minutes."

  As they filed out of the command room, Filu gathered her squad with a gesture. "Listen carefully. This is our first excursion beyond the Tower. The real world differs from ours."

  "How different can it be?" Skitters asked, adjusting the custom-made crossbow strapped to his back. "We kill things in Tower, we kill things out there."

  "There will be no killing," Filu reminded him firmly. "Observation only."

  Urgan nodded in agreement, the iron rings piercing his tusks clinking softly. "The mission is clear. We observe, we document, we retreat. Nothing more."

  "Boring," Rakk complained, spinning his oversized cleaver.

  "Yeah, boring," Vraza echoed, mimicking the motion with her own identical weapon.

  Filu fought the urge to blast them both with a minor shock spell. "Not boring—essential. This supports the Tower's objectives and our employer's interests."

  "Filu's right," Urgan said, adjusting his massive shield. "We do this job properly, and the boss will entrust us with more significant missions. Better missions."

  "With more killing?" Rakk asked hopefully.

  "Perhaps," Filu conceded, knowing it was sometimes easier to motivate the goblins with promises of future violence. "Now prepare. I want flawless execution."

  The night air hit Filu's skin like a physical blow as they emerged from the Tower's side entrance.

  She'd known Avalon would be different from the sanitized environments of the Tower's floors, but nothing had prepared her for the assault on her senses. The city hummed with energy—both technological and magical—creating a background vibration that made her horns tingle.

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  Skyscrapers pierced the night sky like jagged teeth, their windows glowing with artificial light. Roads stretched in all directions, vehicles moving along them with a soft whine. The air carried a thousand unfamiliar smells—metallic, sweet, and tangy. She flexed her fingers against her staff, drawing on its grounding power.

  Urgan stood beside her, red eyes scanning the skyline. "Dense. Far denser than any city in our world."

  "What that smell?" Rakk wrinkled his nose, sniffing loudly.

  "Civilization," Urgan rumbled. "Get used to it."

  Their transport waited at the curb—a nondescript black van with tinted windows. Nothing like the horse-drawn wagons or magical conveyances Filu had known before.

  "We're traveling in this?" she asked, examining the metal exterior with professional curiosity.

  "It's a common civilian vehicle," Elspeth explained, materializing beside them. "It will draw less attention than more... distinctive transport options."

  Skitters had already clambered inside, examining every button and switch with rapt fascination. "This better than battle wagon! Much quieter for sneaking!"

  Rakk and Vraza followed close behind, elbowing each other out of the way to claim the rear seat.

  With a resigned sigh, Filu climbed in after them. The interior was spartan but comfortable enough, with padded seats and darkened windows.

  "Remember," Elspeth said as she closed the door, "you're representatives of the Tower now. Maintain discipline and follow the mission parameters."

  The vehicle pulled away from the curb, guided by an automated system programmed with their destination. Filu watched through the window as the Tower receded behind them, its spire dominating the skyline.

  "I have a question," she said, turning to the others. "Why select us? Why not humans like Squad One?"

  Urgan considered this, absently adjusting his leather wrist straps. "Perhaps they've been recognized. After their warehouse mission, Argent Shield would be watching for them."

  "We better anyway," Rakk declared. "We stronger!"

  "And sneakier!" Vraza added.

  Skitters, who had his face pressed against the window, suddenly pointed. "Look, look! Flying food box!"

  They all turned to see a levitating vendor stall drifting between buildings, advertising "Midnight Snacks" in glowing holographic letters.

  "That's not for consumption," Filu corrected, though she wasn't entirely sure. Avalon's customs remained largely a mystery to her.

  The city flowed around them as they traveled, changing character as they moved from the business district toward the industrial zones. The pristine towers gave way to broader, squatter buildings, belching steam and crackling with industrial energies. Fewer pedestrians roamed these streets, but those who did wore the uniform jumpsuits of factory workers or the distinctive garb of realm-travelers.

  "These beings," Urgan observed quietly. "They come from many worlds."

  Filu nodded. "Avalon is a convergence point. Many realities intersect here."

  "Like Tower," Skitters said, still pressing his nose against the glass. "But messier."

  Their vehicle slowed as it approached a designated drop point—a shadowed alley between two manufacturing facilities. According to the briefing, they were now three blocks from Metcom's main shipping depot.

  "From here, we proceed on foot," Filu said, checking her staff's enchantments one last time. "Skitters, take point. Twins in the middle. Urgan, watch our backs."

  They exited the vehicle, which promptly locked itself and entered a standby mode. The industrial district loomed around them, a maze of loading bays, storage facilities, and humming machinery.

  The artificial lights of Avalon cast harsh shadows across their path as they moved through side streets, avoiding the main thoroughfares. Steam vents periodically released clouds of vapor into the night, and the distant clang of automated machinery provided a constant backdrop.

  "This place unsettles me," Filu murmured. "Too many blind corners. Too much ambient noise. It's difficult to properly sense magical energies."

  "Good hunting ground," Rakk countered, yellow eyes gleaming. "Lots of places to hide."

  "Lots of places for others to hide too," Urgan reminded him.

  Skitters darted ahead, his small form blending remarkably well with the urban environment despite his green skin. He moved from shadow to shadow with practiced ease, occasionally scaling walls or pipes to gain better vantage points.

  They paused at the corner of an enormous warehouse, the Metcom Solutions logo illuminated across its facade. Loading bays lined one side, most dark and inactive, but one blazed with lights where workers loaded crates onto a hovering transport vehicle.

  "Target spotted," Urgan whispered, gesturing toward the illuminated bay.

  Filu narrowed her eyes, extending her magical senses. The crates emitted a faint aetheric signature—not powerful enough to be weapons, but definitely not ordinary cargo either.

  "Those containers have magical properties," she said. "Not particularly potent, but... strange. I don't recognize the signature."

  "Can we get closer?" Urgan asked.

  Filu assessed the security—two guards at the bay entrance, automated drones patrolling the perimeter, and surveillance cameras mounted at regular intervals. Standard precautions, but effective.

  "Skitters," she called softly. "Can you place a tracker without being detected?"

  The goblin sniper grinned, revealing needle-sharp teeth. "Easy peasy! Skitters best at sneaky-sneaky!"

  From his pack, he withdrew a small device—one of the R&D department's newest creations. No larger than a coin, it would attach to the vehicle and transmit its location directly to Zark'thul's database.

  "Wait for the opportune moment," Filu cautioned. "Take no unnecessary risks."

  Skitters nodded, then seemed to vanish into the shadows. Filu knew he hadn't actually disappeared—his Camouflage ability merely bent light around him, making him difficult to spot. Still, watching him fade from view always unnerved her slightly.

  Minutes passed as they observed the loading operation. The workers moved with the dull efficiency of those performing routine tasks, unaware of the significance of their cargo.

  "Something's not right," Urgan murmured. "The shipping manifest holoprojector—it's displaying a different logo than the crates."

  Filu squinted, enhancing her vision with a minor spell. Sure enough, while the physical crates bore Metcom Solutions markings, the digital manifest showed them registered to "Avalon Agricultural Supply."

  "Falsified documentation," she noted. "They're concealing the true purpose."

  A soft click in their earpieces signaled Skitters' return to communication range. "Tracker placed! Under rear bumper! They no find!"

  "Well done," Filu replied. "Return to position."

  The loading completed, workers sealed the transport's cargo bay. A driver climbed into the cabin, accompanied by a second figure—this one wearing more formal attire than the loading crew.

  "That's not regular staff," Urgan observed. "Executive level, maybe security chief."

  The transport hummed to life, its propulsion systems lifting it several inches off the ground. The bay doors slid open, and the vehicle moved out into the night.

  "Follow," Filu commanded. "Maintain distance. The tracker will assist if we lose them."

  They moved through the industrial maze like shadows, trailing the transport at a safe distance. The vehicle maintained a moderate speed, following main roads at first, then turning onto progressively smaller streets.

  "They heading to Lower Sectors," Skitters reported from his forward position. "Bad area. Lots of abandoned buildings."

  The cityscape around them deteriorated as they proceeded. The gleaming industry of the manufacturing district gave way to neglected structures, many showing signs of abandonment. Fewer lights illuminated these streets, and those that did flickered uncertainly.

  "Why would they bring supplies here?" Urgan wondered. "Nothing to supply."

  "Unless," Filu reasoned, "the supplies aren't intended for legitimate business."

  They tracked the transport to a massive warehouse complex surrounded by a chain-link fence topped with holo-barbed wire—energy filaments that would deliver a painful shock to anyone attempting to climb over. Signs warned of automated security responses and prohibited entry.

  The transport approached a gate, which slid open automatically. Once inside, it proceeded to a loading dock attached to the central building.

  "Now what?" Vraza whispered. "We follow inside?"

  Filu considered their options. The fence presented an obstacle, but not an insurmountable one. More concerning were the security measures likely in place inside the compound.

  "I'll scan for magical defenses," she decided, kneeling and placing her palm against the ground.

  She closed her eyes, sending her awareness outward in a rippling wave. The warehouse complex appeared in her mind's eye as a network of energy signatures—electrical systems, security grids, and...

  "I've found a vulnerability," she reported, opening her eyes. "An old drainage tunnel. It runs under the fence and connects to the basement level. No magical alarms, only physical sensors."

  "I can disable those," Urgan offered. "Basic counter-surveillance is standard for tank-role training."

  Filu nodded. "Good. Skitters, locate the tunnel entrance. We'll follow when it's clear."

  The goblin sniper disappeared again, his form blending into the darkness. Minutes later, their earpieces crackled to life. "Found entrance," he reported. "Fifty meters east. Behind broken concrete blocks."