The Moroccan desert sun beat down on the asphalt, creating trembling mirages on the horizon. After losing Marissa Wiegler's trackers in the dunes, Arthur and Hanna needed something crucial that wouldn't attract the CIA's attention: legitimate civilian transport to cross the maritime border into Europe.
Hidden near a rest stop on the side of a secondary road, they watched the traffic. Then a large, conspicuous camping trailer with British license plates pulled up.
From the out-of-place vehicle in the middle of that arid landscape, a typical family emerged: a somewhat stressed middle-aged man, Sebastian Phillips, his wife Klara, and their teenage daughter, Sophie, who observed everything with a mixture of boredom and curiosity typical of her age. They were on an "alternative" holiday trip through North Africa, completely oblivious to the lethal world of espionage operating in the shadows of that country.
In the original timeline of events, Hanna sneaked into that trailer to get food and an escape route, eventually befriending Sophie. This time, the approval needed to be subtle, since Arthur was there too.
"It's our ride," Arthur whispered, adjusting the hood of his generic jacket obtained at the outpost. "The family man is distracted trying to fix the GPS on the dashboard. If we act naturally, we can pass ourselves off as backpackers who missed the tour bus."
Hanna nodded slightly. She had already analyzed the blind spots of the trailer's rearview mirrors.
While Sebastian cursed in British English at the malfunctioning electronic device, and Klara organized water bottles outside, Arthur and Hanna approached from the sides, appearing as if they were just walking down the highway.
"Excuse me," Arthur said, adopting a friendly and harmless tone. "Sorry for the inconvenience. My car broke down two miles from here and the cell phone signal is dead." "Are you heading towards the northern port? We just need a ride to the next town."
Sebastian looked at the two of them, blinking in surprise at Arthur's British accent and Hanna's quiet, youthful appearance.
"Oh, heavens... Broken down in the middle of this oven? What a nightmare," said Sebastian, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Sure, get in the back. We have room, although it's a bit chaotic with my daughter's things. Sophie, darling, make room at the table for our guests."
From inside the trailer, Sophie appeared in the doorway, staring intently at Hanna. There was something about the blonde girl—a mix of silence, subtle scars, and intensity in her eyes—that immediately caught Sophie's attention. She didn't seem like your average backpacker. But the typical naiveté of a teenage girl on vacation prevailed.
"Hi," said Sophie, offering a friendly smile and making room. "I'm Sophie. My parents decided that camping in the desert would be 'fun,' but I think my dad is about to have a nervous breakdown." Hanna hesitated for a second. She glanced sideways at Arthur, seeking tactical confirmation. Arthur gave a slight nod, maintaining a relaxed posture. Hanna then entered the trailer, sitting on the upholstered bench by the window, while Arthur took the seat next to the table.
[You successfully infiltrated a civilian transport using basic social engineering.] Proficiency gained: +2. [100x Multiplier Talent Activated!] Proficiency gained: +200!
[Unlocked Skill: Social Engineering / Civic Disguise (Rank F) ➔ Evolved to (Rank D)]
As the trailer's engine roared and Sebastian returned to the paved road, heading towards the port where they would embark for Europe, Sophie tried to strike up a conversation with Hanna, fascinated and intrigued by the mysterious girl.
Arthur watched from the side window, feeling the vehicle advance kilometers away, beyond Marissa Wiegler's reach. The Phillips family thought they were only helping two lost young tourists. In reality, they barely knew they were transporting Utrax's most dangerous weapon and the man who held the power to turn the tide.
[HOST STATUS] Name: Arthur Vance Level: 5 Class: Ex-Guard / Tactical Survivor
[ATTRIBUTES]
Strength: C
Agility: B-
Stamina: C
Perception: C
Intelligence: D-
[SKILLS]
Firearms Mastery (Rank C-): Balanced tactical efficiency for quick confrontations.
Military Hand-to-Hand Combat (Rank D+): Solid defense and immobilization techniques.
Extreme Survival (Rank D): Stable resistance to arid environments and fatigue.
Tactical Empathy / Behavior Reading (Rank D-): Accurate interpretation of microexpressions and body language.
Social Engineering / Civic Disguise (Rank D): Ability to blend into civilian environments and manipulate basic social interactions without raising suspicion.
[INNABISH TALENT]
Multiplier 100x (Active): Multiplies by one hundred all experience, proficiency, and gains obtained by the host.