ii: All The Stars Are Closer
"You sure this is the one we are to retrieve?" His voice was low. It might have been hard to hear since the crowd in the arena was alive with energy. The music was blaring from the speakers and the voices of chatter of others, waiting for the fight to start.
They were but one hour away from their target. "You doubt them? Her DNA is in the system. It took them long to find a match, but this is her. Her DNA matches another's. She also has an impressive deployment."
Mark has heard the stories about US troops sending boots to Egypt. One particular unit was sent overseas for an escort mission and security. She was one of the few women to be a security guard in that place. The mission was to find Bayek's tomb, but the government had no idea. The Templar's manipulated documents and sent a decoy to act as one of the US's target. It did not succeed as the decoy was killed by an outside source.
"How are we going to retrieve her? She has much skill under her belt. Even though she does not know it, assassin blood runs deep in her. Her fighting skills are like that of the brotherhood." His partner was worried that they would fail the mission.
"You don't think I know this, Mark? You worry too much for your own good." Mark could see the impatience his partner was holding. They had days, weeks even, to prepare for this. It was not easy as the money had to be within their grasps. They negotiated a good sum of money with free advertisements and announces. All the money would go the fighter- if she won.
Mark was the more cautious of both of them. He always did things by the book and if something were to be out of place, Mark would see it as a failure.
"I mean, there are too many people. Is it necessary to cause a commotion. People can die." Mark looked around to see if any ears were listening. This was a live event that would be seen around the world. Big leagues are keeping their eyes upon the fight.
"It is a necessary evil that lives be taken. How else are we to send a message to those damned assassins? Besides, a big pay is on our way once we retrieve her." Mark could see the grin upon his face. Money. That is all what this is about. There was no care for innocent lives and how it could ruin their chances of survival. All he cared about was the big paycheck waiting for them.
"Let's get her and get out without many deaths, please." Mark pleaded.
"Whatever." Both men walked into the arena where they were seated up front. Within the hour, the attack would happen. None would be the wiser as to who it was behind the plot. The news would go haywire into conspiracy of who was behind the attack. Terrorists? The government? There were many scapegoats around and the easiest would be the enemy America was at war with.
《-》
No Role Modelz blared against her headphones. She made a fist to see how tight her wraps were as the arena was booming with chants and adrenaline. Her eyes looked to her entourage surrounding her. They could hear the excitement of the crowd as tonight's fight was going to be a spectacle. She fought for more than one year in underground clubs. Earning respect amongst the vagabonds that- at first- did not accept her. She shown her worth as a street kid growing up in foster care.
Her memory of the past did not effect her will and strength to fight. That is all she's been doing since her parents were murdered. When she turned eighteen, she had outgrown the system. With nowhere to go, she decided to join the military. At least she would have a job that paid and a place to stay. She went overseas and saw combat in the remote places. Unfortunately, one mission almost cost her.
Four years later, she decided not to reup.
She stood to her feet and looked to the mirror that was slightly slanted against some lockers. The smell of the changing room was foul with many bodies going in and out. She was of average height with muscles that were ready to fight. Her hair braided tightly to her scalp. She held many scars from past fights. Some wins and mostly losses.
"You ready?" She did not hear the voice of her mentor talking to her. She was too focused on the beat and of the songs meaning. Before every fight, she would make sure to get pumped up. Her opponents were some of the most talented people out there in the ring. She was excited to fight some of the very best.
She pulled out one headphone as she could see the irritation upon her mentors face. "Let's get this show on the road."
The crowd was pumping with electricity. The lights shining bright with different colors. She could feel the crowd chanting her name. Her heart was pounding hard and a smile was upon her face. The announcer was a ecstatic, charismatic man with a voice dripping in honey. He made the crowd go silent for a moment, before the lights turned off. The feeling around the arena was tense.
For twenty-five grand, she agreed to go into the arena. If she won the fight, she would get the money. But everything comes with a cost. If she lost the fight, she would only get one grand and her name would be dragged through the mud. This was her chance to show those who doubted her why she was called the gladiator.
She took in a deep breath before all chaos erupted. The crowd screamed in terror with gunshots echoing around her. She did not know she was in danger. She did not know that there were others searching for her. All she knew at that moment was that she needed to stay calm.
The sounds of shots blaring through the arena was a cause for concern. There were going to be heavy causalities. Going into a panic state would bring the numbers up. Instead, she kept her focus on the noise coming from weapons and those behind her.
"Find safety and stay low and quiet." She said.
But it was not enough. She felt a sharp pain going through her shoulder. The pain coarsed through her body as her blood spilled to the floor. She fell to her knees and the world around her became black.