Chapter 4
Michael kept looking at Sarah's face and Doctor checking and treating her wound and thought about these people, what they were fighting for, that they were maybe the last ones in a world that has gone crazy. James interrupted his line of thoughts by patting him on his shoulder. „C'mon, nothing we can do here, we beter start your training". James motioned with his head for Michael to follow and went to a doors on the opposite side then the library. The room wasn't big, but had the strongest sound isolation. There were mats in the center, some weights and many kinds of weapons on the walls. Michael hesistantly went inside. „I'll be teaching you how to fight, and you need to get some muscle. Not much, you need to be fast and agile, but man... you can't be an assassin looking like this" James poked Micheal's upper arm and laughred. „It's pretty weak, man. When we're done, I assure you you're gonna hate me. But it's for your own good. Now, get on the ground and show me some push ups". Michael blinked. „Now!" shouted James.
Thirty minutes later, Michael was spent, breathing heavily, his muscles were sore and his whole body covered in sweat. James, on the other hand did the same exercise as Michael, but he didn't seem that his body even noticed. James looked at Michael and sighed. „Five minutes. Drink something and try to relax a bit, so you don't die on me..."
Five minutes later James got Michael to stand up again to resume their training. „Alright pal, so... Have you ever been in a fight before?" Michael shook his head. „Figures... Now, show me a punch, try it". Michael made a fist and shot his arm forward.
„No, no... That's almost completely wrong. First, your thumb has to be under your fingers, never on the side, in front of them or inside fist. Never. You would broke it. Second, your knuckles, wrist and forearm should be in one line at the end of the punch and third, you should use your whole body, from your feet to rotation of your torso. Like this". With that, James showed a punch a professional boxer wouldn't be ashamed of. „C'mon, try it! See, much better, eh? Now, repeat, repeat and repeat"
James was sitting and watching Michal repeat left and right punches, later hooks, uppercuts and some kicks. They were bot quiet for several minutes, but suddenly James asked „Say, did you talk with my father?" Michael was suprised by the question, but nodded. „I guess he gave you one of his People ale held in ignorance speeeches". Michael chuckled.
„Yes, several times."
James sighed. „I know he can be pretty boring sometimes, but he's great. And he used to be a great Assassin too. But twelve years ago during one action he got shot in his right leg. He can walk, even without limping, but he just can't run or climb anymore. So, he begun to take care of the library, planning and such things. I guess that's when it started. Don't worry, he's gonna stop it, it's just that you're new here" he said and smiled. „Anyway, we're done for today. Take a shower and clean clothes and go to him. He's going to teach you something else."
For several minutes, Michael just stood under the shower, his forehead pressed against a wall. He was feeling tired like never before, but there was also a strange self-satisfaction he never felt either. The hot water felt better than anything in this world and he never wanted to get out but he knew he had to.
When he changed into clean clothes, he started looking for Arthur. Well, it wasn't a long searching since he was in the library as usually. He was sitting at a desk, reading, and raised his head when Michael entered. „Ah, Michael, come in, I will just... Or maybe not, get dressed, we will go for a walk, a more practical one this time" he said as he got up and started looking for his own coat. Michael saw it, so he grabbed it and handed it to Arthur. „Thank you, now go, go we don't have all day". Michael turned to go and get his clothes. „Wait a second, I forgot something" shouted Arthur. „The first lesson. What to wear. Don't wear anything too bright or too dark, nothing that draws attention. Assassins used to wear long hooded robes, but those times are long gone if you ask me. Some Assassins still wear them, James loves it. You will get yours too, but today, wear ordinary clothes. And NOW you can go" he added with a smile. Like I would go out in some hooded robe. I would look like a fool thought Michael as he just took his ordinary clothes.
They left the hideout and the building the same way as last time, including saying hello to Munsey at the gate. Michael felt much more relaxed this time. They walked side by side and Arthur was giving him tips on how to behave. „When you walk on the street, don't look into anyone's eyes. Don't talk too loudly, but don't whisper either. Or at least don't lean to that person's ear... Try to look like you're busy, people won't try to talk to you. Always try too look around, scout your surroundings for escape routes. In time, you will do that without really thinking about it. You have to see everything without being caught looking. Now, what did you see in that shop we just passed?"
„Ehm... people?"
„How many people were in there? What were they wearing? Men or women? What were they buying?
„I... didn't notice."
Arthur sighed a bit but then smiled. „You will learn it in time. For your information, two men and four women, the firs woman was buying a sack of potatoes, the rest was waiting in line. Do you want me to tell you anything else?". Michael shook his head.
„Where are we heading?"
„Oh, you will see..." They got to a small square with groups of talking people. It looked like a celebration. „Oh, I almost forgot, the celebration of our... great victory over Eurasia." Micheal would have to be deaf to not hear the sarcasm in Arthur's voice. You old liar, why don't you just admit you led me here on purpose? thought Michael.
„Well, it's a great place for our next lesson. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I will teach you how to blend in the crowd. Stand here end watch me". With that, he went to the other side of the square, turned to Michael and waved. Michael waved back. Then some people went in between them and when they left, Arthur was gone. Michael looked to left and right, surprised.
„You're dead."
Michael jumped a little as he heard a voice behind his back. Luckily it was Arthur and he looked like he was barely containing laughter. „You didn't have to scare me like that!" protested Michael.
„I couldn't help myself, you should've seen yourself"
„I thought you were here to teach me, not scare me to death..." mumbled Michael.
„Now now, don't get mad at me. Come, I will teach you the basics. Try to move with the crowd and move between the groups. Try not standing alone, it could draw the attention to you. One of the hardest and the most crucial parts of every mission is getting close to your target. Now, let's try it other way around this time. It's the first training, is I will play a little dumb. Maybe a bit like a regular guard". Michael went to the point where Arthur stood before and waved. Arthur waved back. Again, there was a group of talking people passing by. I could just go on a left side of that group so they will block his view. Unfortunately, they continued towards a street leaving the square. That fruit stand on the right. He went to it and pretended to look at the fruit. After a while, he left with another walking group. He was getting closer. There was no way to get behind Arthur from the square. Oh, I see... I will just leave the square, walk around that house and get right behind him he thought with satisfaction. Michael did so and was getting closer to Arthur, trying to walk as quietly as he could.
„Took you long enough" said Arthur without turning. „But it wasn't so bad for the first time. Come on, it's time for today's last lesson."
„Arthur, two policemen behind us".
„So what?"
„What do you mean So what? What if-"
„We aren't doing anything and they aren't looking for us. Relax. Usually you don't have to worry about them at all".
The two policemen walked right past them. „Now come on, it's almost time."
„Time for what?"
„You will see".
They left the square and after turning left and right several times, they got to a small cafe.
„We're here" said Arthur while looking at a sign with name of the cafe. „And what exactly are you gonna teach me here?"
„Pickpocketing" answered Arthur calmly.
„Are you kidding me? Am I supposed to steal from people?" asked Michael angrily. „Calm down, will you? Sometimes it's the only way to obtain vital informations. Your target is wearing a blue shirt and has a folded paper in his back pocket. Two minutes of hate are starting soon so you should have enough time when everyone is distracted. Blend in the crowd, do what others do. And bring me the paper. Try to steadily and slowly pull it from his pocket without touching him, only the paper. Now go."
„But how do you know-" wanted Michael to ask but stopped when he saw Arthur's face. He walked in right on time. Everyone was already looking at the telescreen (and it was probably watching them too) and soon the Two minutes of hate started. Goldstein's face showed on the telescreeen and people started yelling insults towards it. No one was paying any attention to their surroundings. Michael put on an angry face and started yelling too, using the worst insults he knew, but his mind was clear. Very slowly he was moving through the crowd, trying to look like he wants to be as close to the telescreen as possible. After a while, he got behind his target. He tried not looking down, camera that was in telescreen would know he's doing something. Slowly, he moved his hand forward at the level of his hips. If I move like this, I should get to the paper. I really don't want to miss and get caught touching this guy's ass... Then he felt something rub against his fingers. The paper! Michael grabbed the paper between his thumb and index finger and started slowly pulling it. Luckily, the guy wasn't moving much so it wasn't that hard. Michael hid the paper in his own pocket and got a little further from the guy.
When the Two Minutes of Hate ended, Michael went outside to Arthur and handed him the paper. „Good job. Now let's get out of here, they surely noticed something. „Arthur? Can I ask you something? What was that paper and how did you know about it?".
Arthur smiled. „Remember how I said the false paper are being made for you? Well, you just got them".
„So this was...".
„Of course, it was all planned. That was our man and this was a handover. Now really, let's head back, it's getting kinda late and I still have a company to run. I shouldn't be out all day. Tomorrow, you will study in the library, I will give you some books and then I will leave, I have some other ".
Lisa, several miles from them
Ever since she received the task, Lisa collected every piece of information she could about her target, local police chief, Henry Thorpe. Thorpe was a balding man in his fifties. His mostly calm job as a chief has rob him of his former condition and his growing belly was quite straining his uniform. Among his subordinates and some local residents he was known as a cruel and unforgiving man who didn't hesitate to make anyone he wanted disappear.
Right now, Lisa was tailing two patrolmen and eavesdropping on them.
"Hey, why was Harwey leading the briefing today? Not that I complain but boss was always there".
"Oh, right, you were gone. It's been like this for couple of weeks, every morning boss just takes a car and leaves. Rumour is, higher-ups got some kind of errand for him, but who knows. And who cares. I for one-" he leaned to the other patrolman and was whispering something, probably that he was glad the boss is gone. Lisa smiled. If they were regular citizen, I would bet the first one would report him. But I guess the Blue Shield still works. He won't say anything.
"It's strange. You know where our district ends, right? The railway?" The other one nodded. "Well, he always go there, somewhere outside of our district. Every morning. "
"It would probably be better to just let it be. Questions can get you in trouble..."
"Tell me about it... Oh, we have to part here. Nice seeing you, man" he said and turned to the left.
Lisa went to take a look at the railway crossing. It was perfect. No railway barrier, just lights. The street was narrow, high fences covering the view and only factories and warehouses around. Next two morning she came there again to see Thorpe. The train was passing the crossing a 7:26 and 7:24am. Thorpe once drove right in front of the train, barely passing and once had to wait.
The next day, 6:00am, the house of Henry Thorpe
The alarm clock started ringing. Thorpe reached his arm and hit the top of the damned machine. His wife just unintelligibly mumbled something that resembled "Good morning", to which he paid little attention. He went to the bathroom, back to the bedroom to get dressed and downstairs to make himself some breakfast. He cursed when he saw how little of food his son left in the fridge. After the breakfast he left his house, started his car and left. This was the last day of that weird assignment and he was glad. He wondered what kind of mess did his subordinates make while he was gone. He turned his car to the street with railway crossing.
At the same time, right behind the railway crossing stood an apparently damaged lorry. A man in a blue overall was lying under it and trying to find out what's wrong. Thorpe stopped near the crossing and cursed. He leaned out of the window. "Hey! What the f*ck are you there?! Move that thing out of the way dammit!"
The man looked from under the lorry. "I would like to, but-" rest of the explanation couldn't be hear over the train's horn. Thorpe didn't notice rather big car getting behind him. But he noticed when Lisa pushed the pedal to the floor, the motor roared and her car started pushing Thorpe on the rail.
Thorpe barely had time to react. The train hit his car at full speed, pushed it for about fifty meters before throwing it aside. Both Lisa and the young man ran to the wreck. It was badly damaged, but Thorpe still wasn't dead.
In his last moments, he looked at Lisa, chuckled and patted hid breast pocket. "Heh, you were after this, right? Well, too late. I got them all."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"..."
"I hope your death is the beginning of the better world. Rest in peace."
Lisa got a paper from his breast pocket and looked at it, then at a young man. "Arthur will want to see this. You, good job. Now get out of here, fast. I'll get rid of the car". With that, each ran away in opposite directions.
That evening, the top of Ministry of Love
It was a big, dark room at the very top of the pyramid. The only light was a faint golden shine coming from above and veins of golden light, pulsating in the walls. There were five people, sitting in comfortable armchairs with small desks beside them, making a half circle.
"One of them is dead. Hit by a train. His list was gone."
"It doesn't matter. He did what he had to. He wasn't needed anymore. And he didn't know the rest".
"That's not what concerns me."
"Assassins?"
"This is as far as they get."
"We can't underestimate them. Never. Even a single one is dangerous."
One of them picked up a phone on his desk. "Tomorrow morning, send Berks here".
"Of course, sir" was the answer.
The one in the middle got up and so did the rest. "Today, we're done here". He looked at the four others.
"May the Father of Understanding guide us".
"May the Father of Understanding guide us" repeated others.
