"Is the rendezvous point... reliable?" the Chief Officer asked a critical question.

Black Mamba flashed a sinister smile, "Reliable. It’s our ’new friends.’ Eastern European ’engineers,’ they provide the ships, the routes, the... European connections. They want half the profits but can open the channels for us. As for who’s behind them..." he shrugged, "Not important. Just mutual exploitation. Once we have a foothold in Europe, who exploits whom is still uncertain."

Just then, a few faint dots appeared on the radar screen’s edge, rapidly approaching.

"They’re here," the Chief Officer said nervously.

Black Mamba picked up the night vision binoculars. On the distant sea, three fast boats with sleek lines but no lights were cutting through the waves at astounding speed. These are not the usual boats seen in African waters.

A few minutes later, the speedboats docked alongside. Several people wearing black waterproof suits and masks agilely jumped onto the rocking deck of the "Far Seer." Leading them was a tall, thin man, speaking English with a heavy Slavic accent.

"Mr. Diawlo? I am the representative of the ’engineer,’ you can call me ’Ghost,’" the man’s eyes beneath the mask were cold as a machine, "The ship is ready, behind an island reef twelve nautical miles away. Two modified semi-submersible transport vessels, each capable of carrying fifty tons of ’cargo’ and twenty armed personnel. Small radar reflection, moderate speed, with enough range to reach the Southern European coast without refueling." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Route and reception?" Black Mamba asked.

"The route is here." ’Ghost’ handed over an encrypted tablet computer, showing a complicated route map avoiding major international shipping lanes and naval patrol zones, "The endpoint is an abandoned fishing port off the coast of Sicily, Italy. We have already ’handled’ the local guards and customs contacts. After unloading, the goods will enter the European distribution network through underground tunnels. For the first time, we are transporting twenty tons of ’Black Pearl’ products and five tons of raw material. As a sign of goodwill, we only take thirty percent profit and provide full ’escort’."

Black Mamba carefully studied the route map, calculating swiftly. The risk is extremely high, but the profits are astonishing. Twenty tons of high-purity ’Black Pearl’ entering the European market could impact the existing price structure, quickly establishing a foothold.

"Escort? What kind of escort?" he asked.

’Ghost’ pointed to the speedboat, "Our men are nearby. And... some ’friends’ provide satellite and electronic support. Ensuring no accidental naval patrols disturb us. Of course, if faced with unforeseen forces, such as a sudden appearance of a major country’s navy, we will retreat immediately, and you will be on your own. This is business, not charity."

Black Mamba stared into the eyes beneath the mask, trying to discern anything, but found only ice-coldness. He knew these Eastern Europeans must have a more complex background, possibly remnants of Russian arms dealers, or forces aimed at destabilizing Europe. But for now, he needs their technology and access.

"Deal," Black Mamba extended his hand.

’Ghost’ did not shake hands, just nodded, "Wise choice. Let’s start the transport. Must be completed before daylight; we don’t like sunlight."

Over the next few hours, the crew of "Far Seer" worked nervously in the dark to transfer sealed boxes of ’Black Pearl’ products and raw materials via ropes and small boats to the two semi-submersible transport vessels hidden in the shadow of the island reef. Most of these transport vessels are submerged, with only the lookout tower and ventilation holes exposed, appearing more like large marine life or ocean debris on radar.

Simultaneously, forty armed individuals selected by Black Mamba also boarded the transport vessels. These are his most ruthless and loyal outlaws, many having brutal tribal war experience in Congo and Rwanda. They will serve as the vanguard, entering Europe to establish the initial beachhead and distribute armed guarantees.

When the first pale light appeared on the eastern sea horizon, the transport was completed.

"Far Seer" would turn around and return to their secret processing base at a hidden river bay on the West African coast. Meanwhile, the two semi-submersible transport vessels, like two black giant fish, silently submerged into deeper waters, heading north, into the heart of Europe, beginning the first stage of this mad ’Drug Blitzkrieg.’

Black Mamba stood at the stern of the "Far Seer," watching the direction the transport vessels disappeared, feeling little excitement but only cold calculations and a slight unease. This was a high-stakes gamble, with his entire fortune and life at stake. If he won, he might truly become the drug warlord who could converse with ’big shots.’ If he lost, nothing would remain but his bones.

But he had no retreat. The old world is collapsing, and new predators are rising. He doesn’t want to be the ant crushed by the collapse; he wants to be the wolf devouring flesh amidst the ruins.

"Europe..." he murmured, his lips curling into a cruel arc, "Taste Africa’s ’gift.’"

At the same time, Italy, Rome, Ministry of Internal Affairs Crisis Response Center.

Smoke-filled air.

The smell of coffee, sweat, and anxiety mixed in the air.

A huge screen displayed the Mediterranean map, marked with dense dots: red indicates ’suspected human trafficking vessels,’ yellow indicates ’overloaded refugee temporary camps,’ blue indicates ’coast guard patrol units.’ Most dots concentrated in the central and eastern Mediterranean, particularly near Italy’s long coastline.