Chapter 2: Interesting Times.
The sniper was still, silent. She had lain on this rooftop for hours, armed not with a sniper rifle but binoculars and a parabolic microphone. She wasn't here for a take-out, not today, though she thought, a Chinese would be nice around now, no, she was here to observe. This target was going down, but the target was sensitive, if this was screwed up, the repercussions would be disastrous. No, this target had to be taken out and it had to be done right the first time. That meant learning all there was to be learnt about her target. She stiffened suddenly, like a deer caught in a trucks headlights, they could not be serious. Her free hand dropped to the Braille readout on her recording device, recording, good, lots of free space, even better, she shifted slightly to get a better view. This had to be recorded and reported. This was big, very big.
The sniper grabbed her equipment and left her snipe post, ahead of schedule this was too important to waste. Once she was a reasonable distance away, she shifted herself subtly. Suddenly she was not a sniper on assignment, she was an office worker, just one of the crowd. A useful skill to learn, just make everyone see what they wanted to, and you were home free. She walked to a phone a few blocks away, blending in with all the crowds seamlessly. The security goons who hid amongst the crowds near this house never even glanced twice at her, whilst she once again memorised their positions and identities, ready for her report.
She got to the phone, and dialled. The voice at the other end was still as accent less and unremarkable as when the admiral heard, but there was a slight tint of worry in it now.
"Murielle! Didn't expect to hear for you for hours, phoning from work now?"
"No, just calling to say I got a present for you"
The control officer stiffened in his chair, 'a present? What the hell?'
"You didn't have to do that"
"Well, I saw it, and I couldn't resist, thought your father would adore it"
A package for the admiral, and the sniper leaving her post ahead of schedule, something was up.
"It'll have to be sent courier though, it's too good to lose on-route, oh, heard about your brother by the way, hope he gets out of jail soon, its such a pity"
"It is, well catch you later"
"Same place, same time?"
"Of course"
The control officer sat back in his chair and let out a whoosh of breathe. His brother, that was the signal for the target, with a reference to jail and an important message for HQ. This should be Interesting. Aye, he thought with a wry grin, like a Chinese curse.