Over the centuries wars have ravaged the world. The reasons for these wars vary; land, power, religion, bravado, the list goes on. One war, however, has raged for thousands of years. The Assassins and the Knights, or agents of the Templar Order, have fought for control of the world since the very beginning.

The abdication of power over the last few centuries has shifted. I've studied this in great detail; after all, it's part of my heritage. I am Malcom Drago, and I am an Assassin. The Brotherhood is all I've known, that and our constant war with the Templar Order, who now hides behind the façade called Abstergo. We've sent agents in, we've sent initiates into the animus, the device that allows us all to relive the events of our ancestors, and made some progress, but we're losing this war. My colleagues believe I'm wrong, but the amount of losses we've taken and the lost opportunities have only made our jobs that much harder…we can't win this way…we need to deal a crucial blow to the Templars and make sure we can exploit the weakness we create. I have some ideas on that.

There are ancient artifacts that we both seek; personally, I put little faith in the Pieces of Eden. It's just another way to hide behind something for safety rather than facing the problem. I've seen what the pieces can do, don't get me wrong. The technology is amazing, but it's also too much power for even the Brotherhood to hold. But I have my orders, and my Master would most certainly kill me if I disobey…but I could go on forever about that. I think it's time to really get to the point.

Unlike most of my brothers and sisters, who prefer to relish in the past and learn their ancestor's abilities, I prefer to watch tapes of our enemy, the Templars. I've watched over three hundred hours of tapes, I've seen their moves and I've seen the technology they command, and it's impressive. I can't deny that, but all my research and study has led to one irreparable fact. They've become overconfident. I've found several weaknesses in their formations and have found several high ranking Templar agents who practically drip with information about the pieces and the other leaders of the order. My interest in them isn't just business, it's also personal. I've lost friends to them, and one of them has gone missing. My good friend, Ishara Malcom, has gone missing, and much longer than our undercover missions would allow us to be. I had to find her.

I took it upon myself to go to the Master and make my case for a search and rescue for her, and for the capture and or interrogation of one of those juicy targets. I walked up to her chambers and knocked on the door. "Come." I entered, removing my hood and throwing my long chest nut hair back.

I got on one knee and bowed my head. "Thank you for seeing me, Master."

She rose from her high back leather chair. She wore long purple and black robes, our ensignia raised on the tip of the hood and on the sides of the robes. Despite the hood covering most of her face I could tell she smiled. "It's good to see you, Malcom. What have you to report?" That's one of the things I liked about her, she didn't beat around the bush.

I remained bowed. "Master, after months of searching and watching formation videos of our enemy I've found several weaknesses that could be to our advantage."

She motioned for me to rise and I did. I stood at attention, looking into her gray eyes. The dim light of her desk lamp illuminated her face. She was much younger than I'd given her credit for. Being in her position I assumed she'd be older, maybe in her fifties or sixties, but she appeared in her late thirties, possibly forties. She was, striking, by all accounts, but I knew behind those grey eyes and softened features lay a skilled and vicious killer. I'd heard stories about her, stories that made me seriously think about my request, but I had no choice. She smiled. "What kind of weaknesses?" she asked, calmly.

I cleared my throat. "I've noticed that when they have high ranking Templars for transport they only have five guards, but they don't guard sufficiently."

She raised an eyebrow. "It's not like a Templar to be insufficient or inefficient at anything. You've intrigued me. Go on."

I pulled out the notes from my right pocket and flipped to my dog eared page. "Templars have one man stationed in the front of the vehicle, and two on either side. They leave the rear exposed. One of us could easily slip under the vehicle unnoticed or quickly pick open the trunk and climb in. Once in, one of us could continue to gather information, or even get close to the target."

"Target?" she asked. I nodded. "Malcom, you're initiative is impressive, but you don't make the targets, I do."

I nodded again. "I understand, Master, but suppose one of them had important information. We could tail them, get the information and run out. I've been in their compounds before; I know how to avoid them."

She sat back down, holding out her hand. I handed her the notes and she flipped through them. Her eyes went wide at some parts. That was promising, to say the least. She looked back up at me. "You mention here that you think Isharra was taken…do you have evidence to support this theory?"

I nodded. "I do. I have the evidence on page twenty seven." She flipped to it and found a photo of Ishara's locket. A picture locket with our emblem etched in it. She nodded. "I see…the Templar in the center has it…hmmm…" She rose from her seat, her face flushed and her eyes narrowing in rage. "I see…you've been very thorough. Just how close have you got to them?"

At that juncture, holding things back would have been a death sentence. I blew out a sigh. "I…beat it out of some their associates…" I expected her to be upset, but she just looked me at, disappointment hanging heavy in her eyes. It stung a little.

"I see…did you kill them?"

"No ma'am," I said. "I wore a mask. They never saw my face."

She nodded. "Blessed relief," she began. "Malcom…" She moved towards me, sitting next to me. "What is your relationship to Ishara?"

I was startled by the question. "I…beg your pardon, ma'am?"

"You know our policy about dating within the Brotherhood. It is prohibited…have you two…"

I shook my head. "No!" I exclaimed. She seemed startled. "I…I apologize…" I said. "No. There is nothing going on between us, but she's a dear friend, and she's skilled. She would have contacted us by now. I know she would have. How else could they have her pendant?"

She nodded. "That's an interesting question…" she said, tapping her chin in reflection. "And one you get to answer."

I smiled. "Thank you, Master."

She leaned back in her chair, flashing me a curious look. "I can spare only a few assassins to help you," she began, "Are you sure you want to undertake this assignment?"

I nodded. "Isharra was my partner on many occasions, she and I have chemistry, I don't think I can establish that with anyone else so rabidly. I'd prefer to go alone. I'll send updates on the situation of course."