If you find that you are at your wits end, and cannot go on without exposing yourself, let them have the satisfaction of discovering you. For they will soon realize that doing so.... was a big mistake.
Desmond studied the two pistols in his hands, given to him by the assassin to "protect himself" or so she said. But he knew these weapons were nothing but bringers of trouble and death. Having ran away from the life-style of fighting and killing many years ago, he had never thought he would be doing what he was about to do.
"Mr. Miles, did you hear me? I said get up."
Jumping from the sudden command, Desmond looked up from where he was sitting on the stairs to find a very irritated assassin looming over him. Even though he couldn't see the woman's entire face, chills still swept his body from the death glare he was receiving.
"Y-ya, sorry. I spaced out," he stuttered, getting to his feet.
The master assassin sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose and turned away.
"We do not have time for your daydreaming," she said, pulling open the door from the stairwell to the 29th floor,
"Now you know the plan, I presume," she said, glancing behind her to see him nod, "I expect you to carry out your part or we will all be in serious trouble."
The assassin walked onto the floor and turned to leave down the hall but Desmond grabbed her arm, stopping her.
"Wait! I still don't know your name," he said. She glanced down at the hand holding her arm and then back to him.
"Nina," she replied.
"Huh. Ni-"
Suddenly, he found himself lying on the ground, gasping for air with her standing over him.
"And that's so you don't forget it." Desmond couldn't help but smile as he watched Nina vanish down the hall. She reacted exactly how he had expected her to, knowing that Altair most likely would have done something similar.
Ever since Nina had come into his "cell" and told him she was here to rescue him, Desmond immediately noticed the similarities between her and his distant ancestor. They moved with the same air, walked with a confident stride, and talked in the same serious manner. Pulling himself to his feet, Desmond began walking down the way opposite of Nina which sharply turned left, leading him towards the door where the soldiers and the assassin's apprentice were located.
"Breathe, Desmond. You can do this," he told himself, gripping the guns in his hands tighter and kicked the door open.
Soldiers were packed into the room all facing away from the windows and towards the door. Behind the sea of guns and armor, stood the assassin's apprentice (Aiden?) held by two disgustingly huge guards and the smug Dr. Warren Vidic. As Desmond entered the room, there was a chorus of clicks as the soldiers trained their weapons on him, ready to riddle him with holes.
"Hold your fire! He is no use to me dead," yelled Vidic, stepping in front of the soldiers towards Desmond.
"Well, Mr. Miles, I think this game of hide-and-go-seek has gone on long enough."
"What, Doc? You don't like to play games? I guess it's understandable at your old age," commented Desmond, pleased that he could finally insult this man and get away with it.
Vidic's faced darkened. "Enough. Where is the assassin that was with you?" his voice taking a menacing tone.
"Isn't it the point of an assassin that you don't know where they are?"
"You are getting on my nerves, boy."
"Glad I could be of service," said Desmond. As he spoke, he saw movement in the ceiling above but did not risk looking just in case Doc or the soldiers would notice.
"I'm sorry, Doc, but I think you're right. Time is up." Raising his borrowed pistols, Desmond trained them onto the scientist in front of him.
Suddenly, a black form fell from the ceiling and with two extended hidden blades, Nina took down the two guards holding her apprentice. It was done with such precision, that no one noticed anything as the master assassin and her apprentice cut down several more men. Nina leaped over the soldiers to land behind Vidic and grabbed him, holding a hidden blade to his throat.
"Now the game is over," she whispered into his ear and turned so that her and her captive faced the soldiers who looked stupidly at them, not sure what to do.
"Anyone so much as move and this man is dead," Nina threatened, putting slight pressure from her blade onto the doctor's neck, drawing a small amount of blood.
"Do as she says!" yelled Vidic, his voice now panicked.
"Not so brave anymore are we, Doctor?"
Nina glanced back at Desmond behind her and jerked her head towards the windows. He took this as sign to jog over to where Aiden was, who was setting up some sort of climbing gear, as Nina followed with a still frightened Vidic.
"Aiden, you and Miles need to hook up," ordered Nina, keeping a wary eye on the anxious soldiers in front of her.
"Sorry, Nina, but I'm not that kinda guy," said the apprentice, smiling at Desmond who was trying to suppress his laughter," I don't think Desmond is either."
Nina sighed," Oh funny," she replied.
"You're not going to get away with this," choked Vidic underneath Nina's blade," We will find him and bring him back."
The master assassin let out an amused grunt," Now that's even more funny."
Within a few seconds, Aiden had Desmond and him in tight harnesses ready for... something.
Bang!
The glass window next him was shot out by Aiden and the ropes that connected to the harnesses were thrown out.
"Wait...We're not gonna...." said Desmond, trailing off as he looked down to see cars and people mingling.
"Yup," replied Aiden. "Please, remain in your seat at all times," he said waving his arms around like a flight attendant," Also, your cushion can be used as a floatation device."
Desmond laughed," Oh thanks for the information."
"Anytime!"
A deep rumbling sound met their ears. To Desmond it sounded like a stampede.
"Aiden! Get him out of here!" yelled Nina.
Without warning, the apprentice shoved him out of the window and jumped right after him. Desmond wanted to scream but his terror wouldn't allow him to as he held onto the rope for dear life. The night air was cold and, violently, it whipped against him, making him shiver and wonder how Aiden could stand being in short sleeves. As they descended to the half way point, gun fire erupted from where they had been previously. Desmond looked to Aiden for an explanation but he remained focused on the upcoming ground. As they landed, Aiden remained upright but as for Desmond, his legs buckle underneath him and he fell flat on his behind.
"Told ya you would need your cushion," chuckled the apprentice, helping him up.
"Where is Nina?" Desmond asked as they both looked up," Do you think she is ok?"
"This is Nina we are talking about. She is probably just fine. Look."
A dark figure, most likely Nina, jumped from the building in a perfect swan dive. Her figure blocked the setting moon and casted a dark shadow over the two men on the ground. Desmond immediately thought of Altair and the many times he had seen his ancestor do the same thing.
"Show off..."muttered Aiden.
"Wait," said Desmond, squinting his eyes to make sure they weren't fooling him," She doesn't have a harness on."
"What?!"
Nina was falling fast, her long coat whipping behind her as she plunged head first. The two men looked on in horror as she plummeted down. Suddenly, she grabbed Desmond's and Aiden's ropes in an attempt to slow her down and, fortunately for her, it worked. Gradually, she began to slow and touched down to the ground softly. Both Desmond and Aiden looked at her with wide eyes and couldn't help but notice that she was breathing hard and somewhat shaky in her hands.
"You didn't know that was going to work, did you?" questioned Aiden, looking at her incredulously as he removed his harness and prompted Desmond to do the same.
Nina raised her hand and wiped cold swear from her brow as she replied.
"No, I did not.... I took a leap of faith."
Side notes:
The part where Nina flips Desmond on his back and says "And that's so you don't forget it" was a spin off from Kingdom of Heaven when Balian's father smacks him after he takes his oath.
