A/N- I just now noticed that past uploaded documents are leaving out my page breaks so, in order to make sure no one gets confused, I'm using the "XxXxXx" as time breaks between Desmond's time and Altair's while I'll use "aaaaaaa" as a break within the section. Sorry for any past confusion.

XxXxXx

1191 Assassin fortress, Masyaf, Syria

"Are you talking about the gathering?" Badoura asked, "The selection of a new master? I didn't think they would be done for another week or so."

"Yes, well, something has come up, something that is making me nervous." Malik said, frowning, "I think I'm getting a whiff of a conspiracy."

"Dear God!" Badoura stood suddenly, agitated, "As if we haven't had enough of that lately!"

"True, but this time I don't think it has anything to do with the Piece of Eden."

"No? Where is it anyway?" Badoura asked, "No, never mind. I don't want to know."

"I couldn't tell you anyway. Altair has it." Malik motioned to the unconscious assassin, "Forget that. A new master has been elected. One that none of the more respected bureau leaders remember voting on. In fact, I'll bet you haven't even heard of this man."

"Oh?" Badoura asked, "Your tone suggests that this one has personality that would make even Sayid seem pleasant."

"Unfortunately." Malik said sourly, "His name is Kamal. He normally operates out of the Alamut branch in Iraq, the main fortress of the assassin brotherhood. Normally they are too far away to really influence us, thank God, but the news of Al Mualim's betrayal reached their ears. Kamal is not very high up in rank, not even a passable fighter if what I've heard is correct, but he's good at getting what he wants."

"This doesn't sound too bad." Badoura accused, "It may not be overly desirable but you made it sound like it was the end of the world."

"Badoura, Altair and I have met him before. He's an ass, and that's being nice." Malik said blandly, "And he and Altair didn't exactly get along. In fact, if I remember correctly, it took ten of us to separate them after Kamal took a jab at Altair. Don't remember what it was exactly, there are so many things that can set Altair off, but he went off in a rage. I've never seen him so angry before. Anyway, when we finally go them apart you could see the sparks flying from them. They've hated each other ever since and I don't think either one has forgotten their last meeting."

"Where was I during this?"

"I think you were in Acre getting information on that shady camel merchant. The one who was smuggling children as slaves in the baskets the camels carried."

"Oh yes, that one." Badoura said absently, "Wait…so now that he's our master do you think he's going to…" Before Badoura could finish her sentence she was interrupted by someone knocking on her door.

As she started to get up, Ghaddar rose suddenly from her bed, growling like any good guard dog, claws sliding out. Badoura had raised the lioness from a kitten and trusted her completely. If the cat ever indicated something was wrong, it usually was. She glanced back and forth between the door and her snarling pet a few times before her gaze settled on her little brothers. Malik, for his part, frowned a little. Something in him was screaming to not open the door.

Finally, Badoura looked at Altair, still deeply unconscious. Ten of us to separate them…never seen him so angry before…hated each other ever since…don't think either has forgotten…

Ghaddar snarled again, much louder this time, and stalked over to the door. There was a slight shuffle, then near non-existent footsteps as whoever it was finally left.

"Malik?" the bureau leader looked at her, "If this is as bad as you say. I want some of your men. Preferably the ones who are really good with throwing knives."

XxXxXx

2012 Masyaf, Syria

In the pre-dawn light the fortress loomed surreally over them, looking almost as impressive as it had been nearly 900 years ago despite the ruins it was in now. It was a solemn moment for the assassins, standing there in the shadows of the past. Back then they had been great, in numbers, influence and power, but now they were almost nothing, barely struggling for survival.

"Well, best get going then." Sura said, breaking the silence, "Where do we start looking Desmond?"

"Well, when Altair was demoted, he was put in an underground room, one that was rather hidden. It was the room where they usually perform the assassin initiation ceremony, the one where they cut off their ring finger." Desmond said, never taking his eyes off the fortress, "I can't really explain where it is…I'll have to show you."

Desmond started off up the path, Gerson, Lucy and Sura in tow, towards the fortress. A sudden longing, not unlike homesickness, filled him. Time had been cruel to the fortress, time and people. Both had chiseled away at the once intimidating walls, taking it down piece by piece. Once it had seemed indestructible; now it seemed to be waiting to crumble into dust, to be forgotten forever. It was sad, really, to even think of it.

Suddenly, Gerson grabbed him by the back of his shirt and hauled him and the girls backwards, sending them sprawling behind a large boulder.

"Hey, what gives?!"

Gerson clamped a hand over Desmond's mouth and pointed up towards the entrance to the fortress. All four carefully edged around the side of the rock and looked up.

There were trucks and tents and people crawling all over the place, all bearing a very familiar logo. Apparently Abstergo had had a similar idea to Desmond's.

"What the hell?" Desmond whispered, "Lucy, there's no way they could have tracked us, right? I mean…the only reason they have to be here…"

"Is the same reason we have." Lucy finished for, "But I don't know what they are looking for. As I have said about a hundred times before, the library was destroyed when the Mongols invaded. Almost all the records were destroyed, virtually erasing all knowledge of the assassins who lived here. They know that, but there's no way they'd really know about this room you are talking about. In fact I don't really remember this memory quite as well as you though I know what you are talking about…"

"So what in nine hells are they looking for?" Gerson demanded impatiently, "If there's nothing there…"

"You are an assassin are you not?" Sura interrupted.

"Hmm, lemme think on that." Gerson replied sarcastically, "No fucking shit."

"So does that mean your're going to sit here on your ass bitching about it or are you going to act like an actual assassin and gather information?" Sura asked, "Go on, off with you. You have some spare flash drives if I know you, so hack into their computers. Go, shoo."

Grumbling to himself, Gerson started off, slinking around boulders and scrub with far more dexterity and stealth than one would think for someone his size.

"Desmond, go with him." Lucy whispered suddenly, "He might need your help. Plus I want you to make sure that no one is killed. No need to alert them to our presence just yet."

Desmond nodded and slunk off after Gerson, with a heck of a lot more stealth than anyone, himself included, would have ever thought. Maybe the Bleed Effect had its upsides…

The girls watched as the two assassins disappeared and sighed; so much for an easy field trip.

XxXxXx

1191 Masyaf, Syria

"You are one lucky bastard, you know that?"

Badoura's words echoed in Altair's head. True, he was rather lucky but he sure didn't feel lucky right about now. In fact, he felt downright miserable as he fought to suck in an agonizing breath as he coughed. Well, the word "coughing" wouldn't have done the fit he was in justice; he felt like he was trying to hack up both lungs, his stomach and maybe even a kidney or two.

When the fit finally ended, he fell back, dizzy, throbbing and breathless. And slightly irritated. Even though he felt horrible, he did not like being bedridden. It made him feel helpless, which led to him being infuriated, which, in turn, led into him being rather irritable and difficult to deal with.

And it had only been a few hours since he had woken up. A few hours since he told Malik and Badoura exactly what happened in Acre. Like him, they were very interested that the woman who had set him up knew so much about him. That and the conformation that Conrad was up to something.

However, the down side was that Malik was never going to let him live down the fact that he had flubbed a leap of faith for the first time since his novice years, despite the fact that he had been struck and knocked off balance by an arrow.

While he hadn't said anything, yet, Altair knew it was coming. His friend had that look in his eyes as Altair told them what had happened. The assassin strongly suspected that Badoura had had something to do with Malik's silence and, for the first time, was truly happy that she had a rather over-protective streak. If it kept Malik's mouth shut, at least until he was strong enough to counter the inevitable teasing, then he wouldn't complain too much about it. In fact, he vowed, he would even behave himself while recovering as way of thanks. God only knew just how difficult he could be when he was bored and restless.

However, it was over-kill to have Malik's men baby-sit him while Badoura was out and about. I'm not that bad, he thought as he eyed them warily, I take back what I said. She's getting hell for this.

Aaaaaaa

While Altair was fuming over being left with Malik's boys, Badoura was out taking a walk around the courtyard, trying to clear her troubled mind. She had taken Ghaddar with her as much for companionship as well as safety, enabling her to leave Malik's men to watch Altair. She smiled a little as she remembered the insulted look Altair had given her when she left. Since his tongue was as sharp as hers she took her hits when she could get them.

She hadn't told him about the new master yet. Given the history of bad blood between him and Kamal, coupled with the fact that he needed his energy to be focused on healing, Badoura thought it prudent to keep him in the dark until he healed up sufficiently. Let him think that the presence of Malik's men was just to tease him.

But while she could put her mind at ease about Altair, what Malik had told her disturbed her greatly. She was worried about the brotherhood, still recovering from Al Mualim's betrayal. Could they truly survive with yet another master they did not trust? But, on the other hand, truth be told, she was also worried about herself.

Her position in the brotherhood, as a female in a male dominated cult, was tentative at best. Despite her strength and skill, she was at the mercy of the master, who could force her into the garden or the streets or even just as easily have her killed. While Altair and Malik afforded her much protection, if the new master, Kamal, hated Altair as much as Malik said he did, then Altair's influence was now null. Malik himself was in hot water just for being friends with Altair and Badoura didn't want to jeopardize his position for she felt they might need that influence further down the road.

However, she didn't think she needed to worry just yet. If Kamal was smart, he would wait until everything settled down and until he had everyone's trust before trying to do anything to her, if he even felt like he had to do anything about her at all. For, even without Altair and Malik behind her, Badoura was well liked and respected among the assassins. Kamal would have a hard time getting through them. At least, she hoped he would.

Ghaddar growled suddenly, jerking Badoura out of her musings. Three men she didn't know were walking towards her, two of them, with their hands on the hilts of their swords, were flanking the third. Though she had never seen the man before, she knew instantly that he had to be Kamal.

"Ah, Badoura, am I right?" He asked, "So nice to finally meet you."

"As it is you." Badoura said, a little stiffly perhaps, but polite none-the-less.

"Yes, well, it is not everyday that one meets a female assassin." Kamal said. Did she hear contempt in his voice or was that some trick her mind was playing on her?

"I am not an assassin." Badoura said, "I merely keep my ears open and tell the assassins what I have learned. I am a woman, after all, and I hear gossip better than anyone."

Kamal looked as if he comment on that but Ghaddar growled again, louder this time, making Kamal think better otherwise.

"I see." He said, one eye on the white lioness, "Tell me, have you seen Altair Ibn La-Ahad around? If I remember correctly you are fairly close to him, so you would know where he is, yes?"

"Why ask me? I don't know the comings and goings of the assassins. Their affairs remain their own." Badoura said, playing the part of an ignorant woman, "Ask the other brothers. They might know where he is, though, I will admit, Altair keeps much to himself."

"Alas, no one seems to know where he is." Kamal said, giving an over-dramatic sigh, "Oh well, he is probably off creating more trouble for the brotherhood. I will have to do something to rein him in I suppose."

Badoura immediately sensed the trap he was trying to goad her into. He wanted to see just how close she was to Altair, she realized, trying to squeeze information out of someone he considered easy prey. Poor fool had no idea who he was dealing with.

"Oh praise be to God! Finally someone is willing to step forward to do something about him!" Badoura said, "He's utterly incorrigible, that one."

"I wouldn't worry about that for much longer." Kamal said, seemingly pleased, "By the way, there was a disturbance by the gate late last night. Since you seem to be up to date on all the latest gossip, can you tell me what that was? I can't seem to get a straight answer from anyone."

"One of the horses got loose and scared himself silly, like a horse will do when he finds himself separated from a herd. You know how some horses are." Badoura said, smiling inwardly, "One of the novices got too close and it kicked him. They caught the horse; I stitched the novice up and sent him on his way. The only reason it caused such uproar was because the guards were bored after hours of nothing happening. Such an occurrence was a good break from the monotony."

"Ah, I see then." Kamal said, sounding rather disappointed, "Well, as pleasant as it if talking to you, I really must be going. We must talk again soon. Oh, and if you see Altair, be a good girl and let me know?"

Badoura smiled and nodded like it pleased her to serve the master but as soon as he was out of earshot her smile turned to a snarl.

"Arrogant bastard." She growled, "You think you can trick me into being your personal informer like some stupid whore, you have another thing coming."

She stopped her ranting and glanced up suddenly, realizing that the guards up on the walls had been listening. They all pointedly looked away, smiling in amusement, with a look that Badoura recognized as saying they hadn't heard a thing, nor would they say anything to anyone. It had been an amusing interlude, that was all.

Badoura reached down and ruffled Ghaddar's ears, smiling. So, the brotherhood still stood behind her and Altair. After meeting with Kamal, she wasn't surprised; the man was an ass and that was putting it nicely, as Malik had said. He actually made Altair look extroverted! Well, that maybe going a little too far, Badoura amended, but all of Altair's shortcomings will be forgiven rather quickly in the face of this idiot.

Then she made a face, "Damn!" she muttered, "How in the nine hells am I supposed to convince him to stay hidden until he's fully recovered?"

XxXxXx

2012 Masyaf, Syria

"Look for a tent with as many computers as possible, the more the better." Gerson whispered.

"How come? Don't you want hard copies?" Desmond asked.

"And alert them that a thief is in the area?" Gerson asked, "Heck no. This isn't the twelfth century, you know. We do have other pieces of these things called technology that makes things much easier and less obvious that we've been here."

"Knock it off." Desmond growled, "Last I checked, flash drives went out of fashion 10 years ago."

Gerson rolled his eyes, "That would be Sura, not me, who's out of touch." He said, "I haven't used a flash drive since I graduated from high school. No, I use this little princess. All I do is plug her in and their hard drive is my play ground."

He pulled out what looked like a small MP3 player about the size of his palm. Instead of a screen it had several adjusters and a USB plug stuck out from the top of it.

"We're all something else, you know." Gerson said, tucking his 'princess' back into his pocket, "Lucy's a science nut, you're a bartender, Sura's strategist and me…well, let's just say I'm a hacker. Come on, let's find us a computer."

It didn't really take that long to find a laptop just sitting unsupervised on a table under a canopy. It was so tempting, like a carrot dangling in front of a horse, but it seemed too easy. There was no way that they could just simply walk in, scoop up the laptop, and walk away…it was just too easy.

"How long does it take your toy to download the computer's information?" Desmond asked.

"Depends on how much memory it takes up but on average about…oh, say, thirty seconds." Desmond stared, "Hey, I told you the more computers the better. I can download about five computers worth of information on this baby."

Desmond turned around to survey the area around them. "Five computers? Ok, stay here. Don't move."

Gerson moved to stop him but Desmond was already gone, moving so quickly and quietly that even Gerson, as well trained as he was, couldn't keep track of him as he slipped around tents, through shadows, even under cars, all the while ducking in and out of various tents and canopies. Less than a minute later he returned, carefully placing five laptops on the ground in front of his friend.

"Hurry, I want to put these back before anyone notices." Desmond whispered.

"Sure." Gerson said, a little slack-jawed, "And here I thought Kitty was a damn good thief. She just got out-classed."

Desmond ignored him as he went about stealing the computers information, eyes busy watching for any unwanted visitors. He felt edgy and impatient. It would have been so much easier to simply steal hard copies…at least he wouldn't have had to put them back.

"Got it." Gerson said, "Which one went…never mind."

Desmond had already taken off.

Aaaaaaa

"Did you get anything yet?"

"I'm working on it, dammit." Gerson snapped, waving the girls away, "I got five freaking computers I have to shift through. When I find something I'll let you know, now go the hell away."

"Aren't you Mr. Sunshine right now?" Sura teased.

To his credit, Gerson kept his cool. He didn't yell or chase her out. He simply stood up, easily scooped up Sura over his shoulder and dropped her outside his room before giving Lucy a pointed look. She got the hint and quickly scurried out after Sura, the door slamming shut behind her.

"Oh I love doing that to him." Sura said, grinning impishly, "Gives him something to look forward to everyday."

"You're more like Badoura than you'll ever know." Desmond said, leaning casually against the wall, watching the whole thing with great amusement, "Except Gerson gets the full brunt of you with no one else to share the misery with."

"Be careful how you say that." Sura said, her eyes twinkling, "I might decide to make you his partner in desolation."

"No, thank you." Desmond said, making a wry face, "I got enough on my mind without you messing with it even more."

"Tell me something." Sura said, leading them into a living room of sorts and plopping down on the couch, "What was she really like? I mean, I know what my family has told me, but things tend to get muddled when passed from word of mouth over 900 years."

"Badoura? Not much to tell that you don't show yourself." Desmond said honestly, "Strong, smart, beautiful, with a tongue and nerves of steel. Though she had a motherly streak in her. She tended to fret over the assassins like a mother hen over her chicks."

"Is that all?"

"No. You look like her, except that her eyes were light brown and you're not as tan as she was…and you're a little taller than she was." Desmond said, "I haven't really known you long so I can't really compare the rest to you but Badoura was good, and I mean really good, at getting information. Not sure how she did it, but she always got reliable information and quickly. Not only that but she was a good pickpocket as well. She had been secretly taught how to be an assassin so she also knew how to carry and use a blade…and how to kill. She was an assassin, there's no other way to put it, and damn good one."

"Good." Sura said, looking pleased, "You don't know how good that made me feel, knowing that the stories were true. Now let me ask you one last thing; was your ancestor Altair Ibn La-Ahad? You certainly don't strike me as a descendant of Malik Al-Sayir."

"Yeah, but how did you…?" Desmond asked, a little dumb founded.

"I told you; my family takes pride in its assassin background." Sura said, "Stories were told of how two assassins that Badoura was close to, Malik and Altair, taught her the assassin trade, like you just said. Only those two would really now about that, so I guessed that Altair was your ancestor. Besides, your painful arrival made that abundantly clear."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing really." Sura shrugged, "Altair was more belligerent than Malik was, that you know already, but also because I know you're not related to Gerson."

"Excuse me?"

"You and Gerson are not related." Sura sighed, "You men are so dense sometimes. Desmond, you were subject seventeen. If you failed to yield anything, Gerson was set to be subject eighteen. They knew his name, but that was just about it. Lucy managed to destroy that as well."

"What do you mean; we're not related?"

"Still on that? Fine, I'll spell it out for you; I am Badoura's descendant, you are Altair's and Gerson is Malik's."

Desmond's jaw dropped.

"Yup, so don't be surprised if Gerson starts asking the same questions I was. He's just about dying with curiosity but he's letting you settle in a bit…I'm not as patient as he is." Sura said, smiling.

"Hey, I got something here!" Gerson called out, making them all jump, "Oh damn…you really need to see this. This is bad, really bad."

XxXxXx

A/N; Finally, now the fun can begin! Intrigue, sexism, ignorance, arrogance, betrayal, blades, blood, sweat and tears!! Explaining and introduction is over, it's time to play!! Yikes, I think I have issues

-Vanillathunder215