LEP Chute 88, Sarajevo, 28 June 1914
"Codename?"
"Firefly"
"Password?"
"Vergil"
"Alright, here is your briefing," said a red faced elf, his head crowned by a a halo of smoke coming from his cigar "A man named Gavrilo Princip has been mesmerized. Princip is a freedom fighter, working for the Bosnian liberation front. They have been fighting Austro-Hungarian oppression for the last four years. Over the last year, however, the rebels have been more daring in their attacks. We suspect an fairy is behind this."
"A fairy?" queried the other elf, an inquisitive look in his eyes
"Yes, one we have codenamed "Bad Dog". It would seem that Princip has been mesmerized and ordered to attack Prince Franz Ferdinand."
"What?!"
"You heard me. Whatever this elf is planning, it involves turmoil among the humans. Your objective is to follow Princip and secure Bad Dog. Whatever you do, do not stop Princip. Bad Dog must think he has succeeded. Do you understand?"
"Roger, Commander Root, Sir!"
"Oh, and Codename Firefly..."
"Yes, sir?"
"What's your name soldier?"
"Rowan, sir, Rowan Hemlock."
"Got a family back home?"
"Yes, sir, one son, age 25."
"You stay alive soldier, your son needs you."
"Will do, Sir."
Appel Way, Sarajevo, 28 June 1914
Codename Firefly hovered over the street where the assassination was to take place. Activating the shield filter on his LEP Helmet, he scanned the street.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand's vehicle was approaching Schiller's, a pub on the riverside, and Firefly could make out Princip standing outside the pub, waiting for the Archduke to drive past.
Zooming in his helmet on the approaching vehicle, he could clearly see the Archduke and his Wife in their formal dress, whereas the driver seemed like a normal Austro-Hungarian soldier, but something was wrong, he seemed to relaxed. Usually a Royal Driver was nervous, this young man wasn't at all, he seemed relaxed, almost distracted. Something was definately fishy here.
Firefly zoomed in on the driver's face, and what he saw confirmed his suspicions. The driver's pupils were extremely ragged, showing signs of continued mesmeration.
"Root, this is Firefly. We have a situation. I repeat, we have a situation!"
"What is it Firefly?"
"Commander, the driver has been mesmerized too. Request permission to investigate."
"Negative, Firefly, maintain position."
"Roger."
A bomb was lobbed at the car, but bounced off the hood, destroying the military convoy, but the driver refused to gain speed. Firefly waited until the vehicle passed the pub, and watched as Princip fired to fatal shots and ran off.
"Target is on the move, repeat Target is on the move!"
"Follow him Firefly!"
"Roger! Requesting Sarajevo Map Specs."
"Uploaded."
Firefly followed the young man through the air as he ran down Frans Josef Street, followed by rioting people and soldiers. Firefly noticed that Princip was trying to swallow something. Poison. Firefly saw the young man keel over and throw up the contents of his stomach. He was about to approach the man when he noticed a shimmer above the Latin bridge, one of the many bridges spanning the river Miljacka.
"Target is down, repeat, Target is down. Possible shielded elf on Latin Bridge. Investigating."
"Copy that, Firefly. Proceed."
Activating the shield filter on his helmet, he scanned the Latin Bridge, and, sure enough there was a shielded fairy on the stone railing of the ancient bridge.
"Sighting confirmed, approaching."
"Roger." came the reply.
Firefly landed on the bridge, on the railing opposite to the other Elf. The Elf was wearing a black firesuit and a Heavy Duty helmet, similar to his own. Suddenly, voice sounded in his helmet.
"You're dead, Firefly." came the rasping voice
Just then a single shot caught him in the back, killing him, and, wordlessly, he fell into the shallow river.