A man walked casually down the street his eyes on his phone. But his true focus was on another man a few yards ahead of him. The man he was tailing just left the Laundromat. A backpack in hand. As he continued to follow, a few more men came up beside him. They had been told to eliminate the target. But since it was broad daylight. They would have to resort to batons, knives and silenced pistols.
The target seems to be aware that he was being followed because he began making sharp turns and even entered a few apartment buildings. The 5 pursuers struggled to keep up with him. Finally that target Turned into an alley. This particular alley happened to have a dead end. This was a fact that the 5 men were aware of. They smiled to themselves knowing that their mission would soon be over.
They entered the alley and found to their shock that there was around. Heavy foot steps caught their attention, they turned and saw their target standing there grinning at them. "Hello...Prey," he said gleefully. The man pulled out a high-tech flashlight from his belt and started twirling it as he advanced on the men. "Alone at last."
The groups suddenly smiled as five more men came up behind their target. The Target looked behind him and his grin broadened. "This should prove interesting."
Holiday returned a few hours later with Desmond's clothes cleaned. Everyone else had already started working. Holiday had set up his own space near one of the Statues. Desmond was already in the animus by the time he returned so Holiday pulled his maglite and began cleaning the blood from it. As he was cleaning he turned to Lucy. "So how long do you think we have before the Umbrella Corporation finds us?"
Rebecca chuckled, getting the reference. "Umbrella Corporation huh, interesting comparison."
"it's the most evil corporation i could think of." Holiday replied with a grin.
"They won't find us Holiday," Lucy said assuringly.
Now it was Holiday's turn to chuckle. "Don't kid yourself deary. With the resources these guys have. It's only a matter of time. You and i both know that these people will never give up. Especially given how much they've invested in this undertaking."
Lucy's argument derailed and she looked back at her computer, knowing he was right.
After he finished cleaning he looked at his watch and nearly leaped out of his chair.
"Aw jaysus," He exclaimed. "All this time almost made me forget."
"What?" Rebecca asked mildly interested.
"Feeding time," he answered reaching into his backpack.
"We're working here and you're thinking about food?" Lucy asked incredulously.
"Not for me Luce." Holiday replied in exasperation. He had in his hand a small round carton. He took out a pair of tweezers and pulled a leech from the carton. All three assassins watched in shock as Holiday put the leech on his arm. "There you are, don't be greedy now," He seemed to tell the leech. Holiday Looked back into the carton. "Oh, you're hungry too?" He pulled out another leech and placed it on his other arm. Holiday set down the tweezers and relaxed on his chair, letting the leeches feed.
"Do you do that often." Rebecca wondered still bewildered.
Holiday nodded. "Everyday."
"Why the bloody hell would you do that?" Shaun asked.
"So I won't have to go to the 'bloody' hospital that's why." Holiday countered.
"Does it really work?" Lucy asked
Holiday smirked, "do you think I would be doing this if it didn't? I've been doing this since I was twelve and I've never been sick a day in my life."
Lucy shrugged, "fair enough."
"You are one strange bloke." Shaun remarked.
"I try," Holiday replied proudly. "And nothing says normal like e-mailing someone that's a whole meter away from you." He added sarcastically.
"We need to be quiet Holiday." Lucy explained. "With Abstergo looking for us, we can't afford to draw any attention."
"We're underground in the middle of a private Estate though." Holiday countered.
A moment later Lucy looked up at him. "Hey listen if you're up for it would you mind going into town to get some supplies? Usually I'd ask Shaun or Rebecca to do it, But since we don't have anything else to do-"
Holiday raised a hand to stop her, "No problem, I'd be happy to contribute in any way I can. It's the most I can do, so what do you need?"
"I made a list." Rebecca explained. beckoning him to come over. Holiday came to Rebecca's computer, whipped out a notepad and started writing things down. Shaun and Lucy added a few things themselves.
Apples
Melon
Mango (For Shaun)
Lettusce Lettuce
Cucumber
Celery
Tomatoes
Carrots
Eggs
Milk
Butter
Fresh Pasta
Fresh Bread
Chicken
(Canadian) Bacon
Chips
Humus
Buns
Diet Cola
Orange Juice
Toilet Paper
Shampoo
Batteries (AA), (AAA), (9V)
Red Wine
Beer
Sausages
Potatoes
Antibiotic Ointment
Ibuprofin Ibuprofen
Duct Tape
Yogurt (For Lucy)
Rum
Pepperoni Stick
Holiday closed the notebook and sat back down. After the leeches stopped feeding. He tucked them back in the carton. "O.K then be back in a tick." He holstered what appeared to be a smaller version of his maglite and headed out.
Holiday returned just as Desmond was exiting the animus. "Welcome back to the living Desmond."
"Where were you?" Desmond wondered, noting the bags of stuff in his left arm.
"Shopping," Holiday said cheerfully. "Your friends heeded some things so I volunteered." He set the bags down and walked over to Lucy. "Here," he handed her a pack of yogurt.
Lucy's expression lit up instantly. "Oh my god, " She got up and threw her arms around him. This took Holiday completely by surprise, he just stood there wide eyed as his hands on her back returning the hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," She said. "When I found out Shaun ate the last of mine I thought I would die."
Holiday smirked. "I had to beat an old hag with a stick to get it, but in the end I got it. I even got us a chicken if you guys are interested."
Desmond grinned and Shaun raised his hands to the heavens. "Finally I can eat REAL food for once."
Rebecca hmphed. "Carnivores."
"And proud of it Deary." Holiday replied smiling.
"Why can't you guys just eat a salad?" She asked in exasperation.
Holiday shook his head. "I don't eat junk food."
"HEY," Rebecca leaped out of her chair and stared daggers at Holiday. "You take that back, Vegetables and fruits are NOT JUNK FOOD."
"OH Please," Holiday rolled his eyes. "They get their nutrition from DIRT, the FUCKING DIRT. Who the hell would eat Dirt."
"Oh you're right," Rebecca responded sarcastically. "Instead let's all eat the flesh of a LIVING CREATURE instead."
"Plants are living things too, what about their feelings." Holiday returned his own sarcasm.
"Hmph," Rebecca went back to her work.
"O.K Fine," Holiday snapped. He pulled a carrot from one of the bags and began munching on it. "Nyahhhh, what's up doc?" He leaned against the wall. "There I'm eating a plant, feel better?"
Rebecca shook her head. "Whatever, I've got work to do."
"So who were you after here in Rome?" Shaun asked.
"Cardinal Marion de Rochfort," Holiday replied.
"That man was well respected in the Vatican." Shaun noted. "What was his crime?"
"Pedophile." Holiday answered before spitting on the ground in disgust.
"Good lord." Lucy exclaimed in shock.
While Desmond talked with Shaun and Rebecca Holiday walked over to Lucy.
"Can I help you?" She asked mildly irritated.
"Pardon me for asking, but what is your game plan here."
Lucy looked up at him. "We find the Pieces of Eden before The Templars. With luck it will give us a clue to how we save the world from disaster."
Holiday cocked his eyebrow his expression confused. "I don't mean to criticize but it seems that plan is missing a few key details. Namely between getting the piece and saving the world."
"What do you mean?" She asked curious.
"After you find the Piece of Eden then what. I know you have no intention on staying in the villa so where will you go after this?"
"After we get the Piece, I will contact William and he will lead us to another location." Lucy replied.
"But Where," Holiday asked again. "You said that this place is your last safehouse in Italy and with these Templars are guarding the border. You people seem to lack any form of water craft boat or aircraft.
Shaun who couldn't help but overhear, turned to them. "I hate to say it but the hitman's got a point. I don't see how we can get out since we don't have anyone in Italy to back us up."
"We should focus on one problem at a time." Lucy replied calmly.
"I have a suggestion if you're up for it." Holiday quipped.
Lucy looked at him suspiciously. "I'm listening."
"Well the work I do requires me to be constantly on the move. Hopping from country to country. In order to keep from drawing attention, I have a system of safehouses of my own spread across the world. As it happens, I have one here in Italy that would suit your needs well enough."
Lucy looked down thinking about this. On one hand she still didn't trust him. Something about him set her off the wrong way. Then again He was right about one thing. With assassin hideouts all compromised, they had very few options. Then there was Desmond, As tense as thins were between Holiday and the other assassins. He and Desmond got along rather well. the two seemed to have a brotherly bond of sorts. Lucy trusted Desmond so she would leave it to him. "What do you think Desmond?"
Desmond looked at Holiday and shrugged. "Why not, I mean what do we have to loose. If Abstergo finds us then we fail anyway."
Lucy nodded satisfied by his decision.
Meanwhile Desmond walked over to the statue of Altair. Noting it for a moment Desmond Began talking to it with a crude Italian accent. "Hey wassa-matta-you Altair?"
Holiday who had heard him came up and did a rather good impression of Marlon Brando's Godfather. "Desmond, Desmond, wha hav I done to make you treat me so disrespefully. I can't rememba the lass time you invited me ova for a Shirley Templaar. You must hav respec fo tha famly if you want to lead it one day."
Desmond and Holiday chuckled at their little improve. They were about to continue when Rebecca who heard what was going on cut into their fun. "That's racist!"
Desmond and Holiday whirled around and faced her. "Nobody asked you Rebecca, so how bout you make like a fly and BUG OFF!" Holiday snapped
Rebecca reeled back slightly intimidate, then Lucy joined in. "Really? This is what you guys are doing?"
Holiday looked at her incredulously. "She started it" he growled pointing to Rebecca.
"And heaven forbid I take a little break," Desmond added sarcastically. In case you've forgotten. I've only spent the last three weeks in that fucking Animus
"No, No you're right," Lucy countered with equal sarcasm. "Let's all screw around while the world fall apart around us."
Holiday continued to stare at her. Geez we were just doing a skit here until Ms. PETA butted in
"Look Lucy this isn't exactly easy for me!" Desmond explained
"Yeah like were all on vacation here." Rebecca quipped.
"Easy for you to say." Holiday countered. "It ain't YOUR mind that's in danger of turning into a FUCKING TRAINWRECK now is it?"
Rebecca fell silent after that ans turned back to her computer. Lucy sighed deeply. "Okay we're all under a lot of pressure right now. But we need to remember that we're the only ones who can stop Abstergo."
"Anyone up for some solitary Yoga?" Shaun suggested. That got a laugh from everyone even Holiday. After a moment he started heading out.
"Where are you going?" Lucy asked.
"Well unless you've got anything else for me to do, I'm going to cool off. Maybe see if Rome has anything resembling a Big Jim's around."
"Big Jim's?" Shaun questioned.
"Yeah, it's a grill in New York." Holiday replied with a grin. "For twenty bucks I can get a bottle of rum, a large appetizer and a steak the size of a fat baby." He spread his hands out to demonstrate the size. Holiday turnaround and continued on his way.
"Next time I visit New York I must to find this place." Shaun said now intrigued.
When Holiday was out Lucy went over to his backpack and began rumaging through it.
"Hey," Desmond objected. "What are you doing?"
Lucy looked at him. "Look I know he's your friend be we know little to nothing about him. I can't take it anymore."
Desmond looked around nervously. 'Well hurry it up before he comes back." He said nervously. But Holiday didn't come back. As Lucy snooped Shaun and Rebecca questioned her.
"Anything?" Shaun asked.
"Nothing that really stands out," Lucy replied. "The dufflebag has a whole amory in it, Uzi, shotgun, sniper rifle, pistols, baseball bat, sword, pickaxes, and C4. the backpack looks more fit for a vacation trip. Personal Hygene products, cloths, pen, stationary and what's this?" Lucy pulled out a laptop. "Here," Lucy handed the laptop to Rebecca. "See what you can find."
Finally she came to the frontal pockets. When she opened toe bottom one, Lucy dropped the bag in shock. Her face looked as if a snake was inside.
"What's wrong?" Desmond asked quickly coming over.
"Guys," She said reaching into the bag and pulled out a Templar ring.
"I KNEW IT" Shaun declared.
"No Shaun," Rebecca replied, "Look."
Lucy pulled the ring out only to find another Templar ring attached to the first by a key ring. pulling further they saw a third, then a forth then a fifth, then a sixth. The several became a dozen. the dozen became several dozen. A whole chain of no less than fifty Templar rings held together by key rings.
The assassins looked at each other, then at Desmond. "Some of these still have blood on them," Shaun said examining one closely.
"Holiday was prone to collecting trinkets from those he killed." Desmond said quietly. He wasnever one to take credit for another person's kill.
"So all these rings are from Templars he has killed?" Rebecca exclaimed in shock.
"Bloody hell, this guy's killed more Templars than our entire order has in the last decade." Shaun replied
"Something tells me that your friend know more that he lets on Desmond." Lucy muttered grimly.
