(12) I'm The First, Last…And Only
"Where's Karimah and her unit? They haven't reported back in the last five days."
"Witnesses' claim they were ambushed while out on patrol. A white man in a brown fancy suit was there but none could describe facial features. That is the information known to us Serge."
"They have crossed over to the other world by now."
"I think we know who sent them there – your Diana Burnwood. It appears she finally has unleashed Mr. 47 upon us, kidnapping our troops."
"She has no need for him to know about me. He is nothing more than a glorified attack dog. All a dog wants is to be fed a bone Basil."
"You had best be right. Is this why you have most of your soldiers present?"
"Diana wanted them here. And as a favor to you and her, no children will partake in this.
"This has to be a setup Serge."
"Maybe she'll take our lives but that won't stop our progress and she knows it."
"Didn't seem to matter when you saw her last."
"Those who do not learn from the past are doom to repeat it. With that, it is not possible I'll relive the same error Basil."
"Only time alone will tell. She's coming."
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Football stadium is now in visual range. Unlike the one I've visited previously, this one is still under construction. The stadium is in the center of a vast empty parking lot. Upon our approach the gates were opened and we proceeded to drive into the middle of the field. There are stacks of steel beams, trucks and other parked vehicles scatted about in the grass. My phone has been turned off because I'm not accepting contracts from clients at this time, but after today I may never again. Serge, his brother Basil and a large number of their bodyguards are waiting for us or me rather. I've brought twenty men but they are outnumbered, as well as in the center of the field. For certain there are snipers hidden within the stands. I am at a tactical disadvantage, however I need to be if there's a chance of this succeeding.
"Welcome back Diana. Although I'm glad you've returned. I'm at a loss as to why you chose to meet here. As I recall you don't care for Football."
"And why did you want our soldiers here, Ms. Burnwood." Basil said.
Unlike Serge he wears a dark green military uniform and has long Dreadlocks and a goatee. Perhaps long enough to strangle the both of them with.
"I wanted you to be comfortable in familiar surroundings. You also have the high ground if need be."
"Try anything and we will-"
"Precisely."
"It won't go that far." Serge responded to Basil.
"Impressive isn't it? The empire we have built."
"I won't deny you've made an impression but I am far from impressed."
"I don't see why. You've become a powerful controller for the Agency after our time together. It has helped shaped me into the man I am today."
"I'm listening."
"It's something I learned when I lost you. In fact it's the only path for people to evolve: Through loss. The brightest days are always overshadowed by the darkest nights. Sweetness in victory, bitterness in defeat, but it plants roots that run deeper. That's what really drives us forward. It pained me deeply when you left, and as I learned of your achievements, I knew I had to elevate myself to your level. It leads to dealings in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil. The Comando Vermelho gang was at war with the Terceiro Comando Puro and Amigos dos Amigos."
"And you traded weapons and information to all sides than joined the winning party."
"You haven't forgotten how I work or use to for that matter. Terceiro Comando Puro, the TCP came out on top and rewarded us with access to their youth."
"Where you step in and brainwash them."
"I am to blame for that? Those children were stealing and killing before Basil and I even set foot in Brazil. The TCP came across a wonderful idea with infinite potential but all they wanted to do is drug running. It's such small scale thinking. We gave them a purpose. A chance to live a violent free…mostly a violent free life away from the all the wars and out of harm's way. They abandoned the TCP in droves."
"Surprising the TCP let you escape in one piece."
"Not much they could do at that point. And it's not just Brazil; there're children who are lost and abandoned in other parts of the world as well and we offer guidance everywhere we can. For this I have to thank you. If you never left I may have never reached this point, where we are now."
"There are no similarities between us Serge."
"The bottom line is you kill for money, or rather your Mr.47 does it for you. I'm disrupting the slave trade, saved more lives than you have taken, and bringing about change. I want you join me in this ambitious undertaking. Forget about the Agency. Bring your pet hitman if you wish."
"Compared to you Serge, he's an up-standing citizen."
"Is that a joke Diana? He couldn't possibly fill my role in this lifetime or the next."
Thank god for that, I thought to myself. Not that it matters, since 47 is mostly likely…
"So, are you ready to leave?"
"There's something that needs to be cleared first; all your female bodyguards."
"They can protect us as well as your men can."
"No. It's the fact that you slept with them. If we are to have a new beginning then I must be the first, last...and only."
I drawled my pistol and shot one of them in the head. Everyone is shocked at my sudden action and takes a few steps back. The guards are on alert with their AK-47's pointed at me. They want to return fire but I know they won't. I began pacing from left to right.
"What is the meaning of this!?" Basil shouted.
"My men will provide the protection from here on out. So rest ashore."
I shoot and kill another one.
"Stop this Diana!" Serge yelled.
"As I stated, I'll protect us, and there can be no one else. You recall that's how our relationship ended. Either they go or I do." I stop in front of him, put the gun to my temple and squeeze the trigger. Click.
"God!" Terror is building in his eyes and at that moment, all felt right with the world.
"Oh dear, it appears my weapon has misfired. Suppose I'd forgotten to perform the basic maintenance. Can one of you lend your sidearm please?" I spoke to my men.
"It is a sigh that it is not your time Diana." Serge said in an uneasy tone of voice.
"We'll know for certain in the next five seconds." This time I place the second gun under my chin.
"Enough! No more! Alright, my soldiers in the stands come down, as a sigh of good faith."
"This puts us at greater risk Serge!" Basil claimed
"We still have the home field advantage. All snipers leave your post. Now."
They hesitated at first but then followed instructions. Are these women really willing to compromise themselves on his orders? Their devotion to this man is unnerving. Moments later they appeared in the far corners of the field. This is playing out better than expected but I'm not in the clear by far.
"You can't possible think-"
"I know this is difficult so I'll try to make this transition somewhat easier by offering another option. One of three things happens next. It's them, me…or Basil. Sharing and being shared are not both acceptable options for me."
"Hahahahahahahaha. Then it's you Burnwood. Hahahahaha." Basil laughed.
Serge wasn't amused at all. His eyes remained locked on mine.
"Come on she's bluffing." Basil concluded.
"In the time you've known me, have I ever bluffed about anything Serge?"
"No, you haven't Diana."
"Like it matters. We're not throwing away our forces for you. And nothing is thicker the blood." Basil stated.
"Then we are in agreement, I die. Isn't that correct Serge?"
He looked down on his feet and didn't respond. Instead he takes a deep breath and slowly looks back and forth on Basil and me.
"You can't actually be considering this! I've looked after you all my life, through all the blood and pain, always being there where needed! After everything we've created together…"
While Basil was trying to reason with him, I step forward until standing directly in front of Serge with the gun still pressed against my chin, and kiss him. Gradually he took me in his arms. It was difficult hiding my disgust and resisting the urge to vomit.
"Goodbye." I said backing away.
He stopped me before I was out of reach and I allowed him to pull the pistol away from me.
"This isn't goodbye." He replied and then turned to face his brother.
He has chosen me over Basil which is exactly the desired effect. Removing him from the picture brings me multiple steps closer to undermining their operation completely. Basil drew his firearm and in turn, the guards pointed theirs in his direction. The women were loyal to Serge but not his brother for some reason.
"She has turned you against me, against us!"
"I am sorry Basil."
"Fuck your sorry. You made your decision."
"We have a truck approaching." A guard spoke through a radio. "Orders?"
"Detain and investigate." Serge replied.
"A friend of yours?" Basil asked me.
"None those are still alive."
I turn around to see through the way we entered that a white truck was indeed driving toward this location. It stopped perhaps 20 yards from the gates and 65 yards from us I presume. It then turned to the left and backed up until all I could make out was its side door. Two of Serge's soldiers are making their way to it. As they arrive the driver steps out and talks with them.
"Sir, he claims someone paid him $5,000 to drive this truck here but doesn't know the person's name, or what he is carrying."
"Make him open it."
At gunpoint he walks to the side door facing us. The guards take a few steps back with their weapons ready. Sensing a threat, I slowly move away until I'm near some cover but remain in sight of the truck. I fear it could be a bomb of some sort. The driver slides open the door. Whatever is inside is has been cover. Something large. The driver is reluctant to unveil it but the guards fire warning shots and he follows suit. Underneath…is a…it's hard to tell from this distance but I believe it's a US. 50 Caliber Heavy Machine Gun on stilts. Everyone's full attention is now on the truck. The two guards claim inside and inspect it, then question the driver once more.
"Execute the prisoner?" One of them asked.
"Not yet. Leave the vehicle and bring him. We'll soon learn where he brought it from."
"Understood."
As they started dragging him, the suddenly came to life, turned in their direction and blasted all three, transforming them into Ketchup. Then returned facing us and opened fire. Clearly its remote controlled. I scrambled behind a stack of steel beams and reload my Witness Elite. Only loaded it with two bullets to fool Serge but that no longer matters now. Thanks to whoever is attacking, my plan has just gone up in smoke.
Serge took cover behind another stack of beams eight yards to my left, but I couldn't see Basil. Both sides are taking casualties – theirs as well as my own – but our forces were quick to adapt. They positioned themselves on both sides of the open entrance and returned fire.
"Target the gas tank!" I ordered.
That proved easier said than done. With the steady stream of bullets incoming, everyone had to rely on blind fire instead of precision shots. A few of Serge's troops began making their path back up the stands, trying to reach the roof of the dome I presume. Whoever is behind this is nearby, that much I can say for certain. Some of our vehicles are directly in the line of fire, and after taking a beating, one of them explodes with another not far behind. I'm protected by the beams but I much prefer that not happen again. However, I wasn't in much of a position to improve the situation. Morris, one of my still breathing men, rushes over to me with a blood covered cell-phone, which belongs to one of my now deceased bodyguards. At the present moment, I couldn't care less who was trying to reach me or for what reason.
"Why on earth would you answer a dead man's phone in the middle of an assault? Never mind, just get rid of that thing and keep focus on the matter at hand!"
"Shut up and answer the phone Diana." The voice on the line said.
Felt as if my heart skipped a beat. I…know that voice. Is that…?
"47? I…I can't believe your still alive!"
"I could be worse. After today I probably will be. The Agency gave me the numbers of all the personal you took with."
"Sorry, I'll turn my earphone back on. Any idea who is behind this?"
"The same man who captured me. He's now there for Serge."
"Why?"
"Can't go into detail now. Whatever your intentions are will no longer work. Escaping is the only option."
"Are you trying to recuse me 47?"
"I tracked my target to your location. Your survival…is an optional objective."
He's…he's teasing me! It's the first time I've been on the receiving end of it. He's always on the field executing assignments with his life on the line, while I feed him Intel from an earpiece or laptop. Today our roles are in reverse. The irony of our predicament is annoying but also oddly amusing.
"What's your plan?" I asked.
"No choice but to improvise."
"Where are you?"
"A few miles from the stadium. How many of you left?"
"Can't tell exactly but fewer than twenty. Can you eliminate the target before his objective is complete?"
"Diana…"
"Make no mistake 47; Serge's demise is inevitable. But it must not be today. Not yet."
"I can't guaranty my own safety, let alone yours or his. As I stated, we're improvising."
Like it or not this is the best I'm getting from him. Despite the UK disaster, neither of us had a better plan of action in dealing with the enemy. He possesses a tactical prowess and hunger for bloodshed that has proved to be overwhelming. Between him and Serge the odds were not looking kind on us. I suppose it's time I stop denying the reality of the situation.
"Just…do what you can. And 47; It's been-"
I was going to say it's been a privilege working with him when I notice from the corner of my eye that Serge was eagerly watching me, trying to listen in on the conversation. I…have a hunch on what he is thinking, and feel a smile slowly spread across my face. Here we are between life and death but yet I'm talking on a phone, and he must have witness my sudden elation upon discovering the identity of the caller. I decide to reconstruct my choice of words.
"It's been a pleasure being in your company and I look forward to seeing you again." I spoke loud enough for him to hear, then hung-up.
Serge's face dropped then and there. He has a sheer expression of sadness and disbelief. Just as I expected, he's jealous. And it hurts him deeply. Probably not a wise move on my part but I must say, it feels utterly fantastic. Anger began to slowly build in his eyes and he was about to respond when the shooting stopped. The may have finally used all its ammunition. Each of us chanced a glance at the truck. When our forces felt confident enough, they came together and unleashed everything they had on that truck. But once they did, something flew overhead from behind me and hit them with an explosion. None of them survived, and we're down to a handful guards now. I turned around and looked into the stands and saw…him. He's wearing a black bulletproof vest over a white shirt, with brown colored pants and Snakeskin boots. His face is largely covered with stiches and Band-Aids and it looked as if a chunk of his left cheek was missing. He is a few rows for the top with an RPG aimed in our general direction. I see now: The was used as part of a suppressive fire and flanking tactic. It effectively distracted all of us while he was in the clear to sneak in the back door. Now that I'm down to less than half the manpower I came with, he is holding all the cards.
"Guns on the ground." He demanded.
Reluctantly, I comply and ordered my team to do the same. Serge instructed his people to follow suit, but instead of placing his own on the ground, he hoisted it.
"It goes for you too, Serge."
"In a moment. If you can't wait, than kill me now."
"Have I given off the wrong impression?"
"If that's all you came for, I'd be on my way to the next life. So allow me an indulgence if you will."
They stared at one another for a short time and to my surprise; the assailant smiled and waited but kept his rocket pointed at us. Serge then walks over to me and snatches the phone away and redials the most recent call. He spoke almost in a whisper but was clutching the phone harder and harder.
"It's been you all along, hasn't it? You're…influence. I've been trying to pin-point the reasons she's been acting this way and I now know you are the source. You have turned her against me. I may have been out of the picture for some years, but I'm back now. And I intend to pick up where I left off. There's only enough room for me for I am the first, last...and only!"
He put enough pressure to finally break the phone and threw it away, then tossed his sidearm before returning his attention to the uninvited guest, who seemed taken aback by the display.
"Wow. I'd hate to be that guy."
"Yes. You would. Don't know why you're here and I don't care. You're trespassing on my property and normally I would respond differently. But since there's a more pressing matter I want to deal with even more than this, I'm gonna forget you made the mistake of setting foot in my world. Now vacate my Football field before you become part of it."
Now I'm the one who's taken aback. Serge has transformed into a different character since provoked. Gone was the whole Mr. Nice guy persona and in its place is Mr. Fire and brimstone. Not only threating the world's top assassin over the phone but even the psychopath who currently holds all of our lives in his hands.
"You're talking about the cops who are coming to your rescue in case you didn't call at a certain time? Your brother set that up right? Where is he? Hopefully not hiding by one of these cars I can easily blow up."
Upon hearing this, Basil rolled out from underneath one of the Venzas and stood up.
"You must be the one who took Karmiah. You couldn't have possibly turned her against me." Serge stated.
"Oh, she was tough as nails at first but…I gave her a blowjob she'll never forget." He replied then slowly ran his tongue over his front teeth. I don't want to know what that means.
"And how do you expect this story to play out in your favor exactly? The police who are in route are on my payroll and when-"
"Actually dear brother, their on mine. Following my orders." Basil interrupted. Serge turned his glare on him.
"Your pursuit of this woman has blinded you and put everything at risk, including my own life! So I took precautions. It's sad to see the action was indeed necessary. The cops on the way will fucking murder all of you! And I guess I should thank our friend up there for making their job easier."
The assailant seems to have a surprised expression which causes his stiches to bleed.
"Damn, wasn't expecting it to be a day of hidden truths and revelations. I have to say – hell, here I go being greedy again. I was only here for Serge but…now I gotta insist all three of you need come with me."
"And if I refuse?" I challenged.
"No loss to me. There's never a short supply of fish in the sea."
"How can you expect to-"
"I tell you this much: Regardless of whoever is coming, they won't get here in time to stop me from pulling this trigger. One way or the other, you three are going on a trip. So what's it gonna be?"
"I suppose one good fact about death is all my life's worries cease to be relevant."
"Isn't that the truth. Funny how most would rather hold on to those worries."
Nothing more to do but brace myself. However, something seemed to catch his eye and he immediately turned and fired several rows to his right. Caught a glimpse of the two bodies hit from the blast falling through the air – some of Serge's remaining troops. They must have been trying to sneak close enough to subdue him without setting off that rocket. I don't wish to waste time thinking about it. I grabbed my weapon and started shooting before he acquired time to reload, and fortunately everyone else had the same idea, forcing him to take cover behind the seats.
"Keep the pressure on him! I'll try to get up to his level!" Basil shouted before running off.
Interesting to see the Kayaru brothers put their conflicts aside for a common goal, at least temporally. None of us wanted to be that lunatic's prisoner. And it is a sound strategy but I had other plans, such as getting the hell away from here. But right then the came back to life once more, thus making leaving in one piece a near astronomical task.
xxxxxxxxxxxx
I can hear sirens echoing behind me. There isn't much time left. I approached the truck from behind and dropped off a pair of RU-AU mines, then got a safe distance before detonating them and taking out the heavy gun. Waited until I was right outside the stadium before calling Diana, who hopefully turned her phone back on by now.
"The exit is clear. Get to it before the police arrive."
"I've been trying since the truck blew up but my transportation is full of bullet holes. Having trouble making it start."
"Then find another set of keys."
"I'll have to search the bodies of my men in the center of the field, leaving me a bit more exposed…"
"Already have you covered."
"Your here?"
"On the roof."
Wasn't hard finding a ladder since this place is still under construction. I'm near the center coming from the north which means I see everything on the south below. I knew this mission would be bloody so I brought extra firepower: A custom SMG, some RU-AU mines along with my Sliverballers, W2000, and Fiberwire. With the sniper scope I watch Serge Kayaru and the few ground forces he has left fire up into the stands trying to eliminate the target, who was staying low while moving. Basil Kayaru is climbing up the rows trying to reach him. After a few minutes of searching through pockets, Diana finally picked up a new set of keys and made for what is hoped to be a still functioning car with only three of her guards remaining. Mr. Rick&Roll had begun firing back and hit one in Kayaru's group. All I needed to do is wait for the clean shot. Serge is already in clear view but first I want to take out the bigger threat, and the way they are exchanging bullets tells me it's only a matter of time.
And under the circumstances, Diana would think they killed each other. At last she is driving off out of the stadium but I hear the police arrive behind me. She's more than capable of navigating her way past them, and Serge doesn't want her dead. Or so I thought. The sound of gunfire rings and tires start screeching behind me.
"Diana, what's happening?"
"I'm pinned down in the parking lot! The police have no intention of letting anyone walk out alive."
"But Kayaru wants you alive."
"His brother Basil is not my biggest fan however, and the cops here work for him. Their closing in on me 47. I don't suppose you could turn your optional objective into a primary one?"
The time required to help Diana would almost certainly mean missing my chance of eliminating both targets. If I stop to save her then there's the possibility they'll survive and continue to wreak havoc. It'll also lower my chances of escape. On the other hand, both men would be dead and business resumes as usual…without Diana. The time has come for me to choose a side.
