Here it is, Chapter 5! I'm trying to get chapters out at a consistent pace, but it doesn't seem to be taking off at the moment. I've decided to alternate between my AC and GTA V stories, so expect Epsilon Part 4 after this.
"You've done well," Jones commented. He had introduced himself after I had agreed to join, "I have to say, you've gotten through most of the training faster than even your father." He stroked his beard. "Well done to you too, Angela."
Angela looked at him and holstered her combat blade.
"Thank you sir," she said, bowing slightly out of respect.
"Please, call me George," he replied. He'd been different from what I expected. He was more of a mentor than a leader. He never asked to be called "sir" or "Master" unless it was important Assassin business. Even then, he usually didn't call people out on slip=ups.
After joining the Order, I was given a room with Ethan. The next day, I'd found that Angela had also been accepted. We were told that the Grove Assassination was meant to be a test of sorts for Ethan and his team, who were currently two members short. As a result, we studied together.
We trained for three weeks. Each day we had three theory classes: History, Combat and Operations, and two practical activities: Stealth and Combat. The classes took place at a compound outside Los Angeles. We had nine buildings: one for each class, the dorm rooms, the cafeteria, the library, the animus room, the lounge and the infirmary. A training ring was used for Combat, and a course was set up for Stealth.
Each day, we'd wake up at 6:00 AM, and have breakfast at 6:30. At 7:20, we'd have Combat Theory, where we'd learn about tactics, analyse battles and organize tactics for a hypothetical battle, which would be simulated using an Animus.
At 8:00 AM, we'd have Stealth, which would involve practicing on a course and the Animus, competing against each other and A.I. This was an essential part of the Assassin's Order, I later learned. Luckily, I was good, as was the team.
At 8:50 we'd have Combat Training. This involved sword, blade and bare fists fighting, usually without the Animus. We'd keep it up for two hours until we finally had some time to clean ourselves up for the remainder of the day.
At 11:30, we'd be back at it with History, learning about famous Assassins, the effect they had on the Order and also famous battles, as well as the "Pieces of Eden": strange forerunner objects that the Templars searched for. At noon, we'd have lunch, then our last class: Operations. This was by far my favorite. Simulating assassinations and sieges using the Animus, and watching the scales tip in your favor was extremely satisfying.
We'd have some free time, then dinner. Lights out was at 10:30 PM, then we'd get up and repeat.
About 7 weeks after Grove's death, we faced our trial: A team assassination in a Templar-controlled New York City.
Our target was at an event in lower Manhattan, making a speech at the Freedom Tower. He'd be unprotected for a brief moment after reaching one of the top floors of the building. That was when we'd strike.
Angela piloted the helicopter high above the building, and Ethan and I sat on each end, ready to parachute onto the building. Dave was positioned in a neighboring building, ready to take out the target's guards.
"Alright," Angela shouted over the sound of the helicopter blades, "You're good to go!"
"Got it. Let's do this, team," Ethan yelled back, and we jumped, free falling down quickly towards the roof.
"Deploy your shoot!" Ethan said over a mic, and I pulled the lever that let the shoot catch the wind, and I went from free falling to drifting down smoothly. Not far away, Ethan floated down too. Below us, the lights illuminating the two large memorials to the victims of 9/11, and the unfinished buildings around them.
We landed softly and silently on the roof of the Freedom Tower, and I knew Dave was watching through his sniper scope.
"Alright," his voice cracked through my mic, "Target's just below you. Elevators are shut down and I'm taking out the guards."
A shot rang out, and that was our cue to act. We quickly descended the stairs to the floor below as two more shots rang out, and I heard the thud of a body hitting the floor. As we made it to the bottom and entered the cafe, I saw a man, surrounded by three dead bodies and three puddles of blood. Upon seeing us, he stumbled backwards in terror.
"No.. please... don't!" he sputtered, crawling away. Before he could go anywhere, I'd pounced on him, ejected my blade, and ended the man's life.
The entire room fell apart, the man disappeared, and Ethan and I stood surrounded by pale blue fog. Then, I woke up to see Jones standing over me, along with the rest of my team.
"Well done Ryan," Jones commented, "I think you're ready."
Two days later, we were out on the field, back in L.A, and mixing with the gangs of the city.