Master nodded. "I look forward to your reports."

I bowed once more and got ready to walk out. I looked back to her, she still had my notebook. I walked back to the desk. "Who are my targets?"

She slid the book to me. "Any of the Agents in your research are fair game. Don't forget our tenants, Drago."

I nodded. "Stay your blade from the flesh of the innocent, Hide in plain sight, and never compromise the Brotherhood."

She nodded, a smile ruling her face. "We work in the dark to serve the light."

I smiled. "We are Assassins."

She chuckled. "I have to admit, I had my doubts, Drago. But you've reinforced my belief in you. Go forth and silence our enemies, and rescue our sister."

I nodded. "By my honor, Master, I will go forth with our teachings and silence our enemies."

"You may go." I nodded and took my notebook. I walked out and was met by an old associate of mine, Thomas.

He was waiting for me. I walked towards him, giving him a nod. "Thomas."

He returned the nod. "Drago." I started to walk away and he caught my arm. "So…are you going in alone or do you have back up?"

I turned to him and he released my arm. His deflated tone made irritated me, but I wanted to hear him out. "I don't have back up, but remember. No Assassin is truly alone. We all have the support of the Brotherhood, Thomas. Don't forget that."

He shrugged. "I meant no offense," he said.

I noticed his eyes were shifting, he was either nervous or he was about to lie about something. I decided to press him. "What's on your mind?"

He blew out a sigh. "I've been going through my contacts in the Underworld, hoping that they may have seen something to help us…they haven't…it's difficult to ask them to look for something when we can't give them the whole picture."

I also sighed; for he was right. "I know…" I began, "And I'm sorry. I wish there was a way we could tell them without potentially endangering us."

He shrugged it off. "It's alright. I just want us to do something meaningful…this is frustrating…"

I looked him over. He seemed genuinely concerned, which shocked me. He usually had a slimy, untrustworthy vibe and tone. Sometimes I forgot he was an Assassin too. "We will," I started. "We will. I have a plan that will help."

He finally smiled. "Good. I can't wait to hear about it."

I gave him a bow. "Stay safe."

He returned the bow. "Stay safe." I smiled and moved away, looking through my cellphone for what few 'contacts' I had. It was dangerous to have a phone, especially with Abstergo's technology. They could track a phone from anywhere, and not even with satellites. The can track the very cell phone signal itself. I found Ishara's photo and frowned. I wanted to call her…but if she was deep in cover I didn't want to give her away. I shook my head. No, she would have reported back…something was wrong. I put the phone away and walked out, flipping through my notes once more to find my first target. It was generous of the master to allow me to choose which target I wanted, and in which order I eliminate them.

I found the target closest to us, ie, the most logical target. I looked over the photo of him. Ernest Humprhies. He was a formidable man, a former mercenary. For fifty five he still had a rather youthful appearance. I smiled at that. I would have felt a little bad about killing an old man, no matter how great a threat to the Brotherhood. But just then, my thoughts drifted to Altair, the Assassin who reformed us under the new rules that we still abide by today. It was he who first learned to master the first piece of Eden, The Apple of Eden. The scrolls and scriptures were quite explicit in their telling of his battle with his mentor, and then leader of the Assassins, Al Mualim. Altair killed Al Mualim for siding with the Templars, and for compromising the Brotherhood to gain access to the Apple. Every time I thought of that a piece of me would doubt my ability to kill someone like that. But I as looked to my phone and found the names I'd crossed out and the photos of fallen brothers and sisters removed I knew I could. I knew I would. I would strike down anyone who interfered with our mission.

Ah…I'm sorry…I got carried away there. Ahem…back to Ernest. Ernest was known to frequent a snazzy night club for his usual evening drinks, which he took every Tuesday night, rain or shine. I remember smiling when I tailed him for the seventh time in a row and saw the same result. It's nice when a target is consistent. I walked to the night club and looked to my phone; Tuesday…6:45 pm. It wasn't quite time. He would arrive at 7:45 pm sharp. I would be there, waiting for him. Since I couldn't wear my robes, I decided to go in as one of them, but I had to fix my face so that they wouldn't notice anything. I applied some tanning cream to my face and it tanned my usual pale complexion up a little bit. A little too orange, but an orange person will be easier to remember than a pale one, so it would have to do. I

This would not be an ordinary killing. Among my targets, he knew our attire more than any…namely because he was a tough bastard who could take a few shots. Personally, I don't use guns. Even with a silencer they're not all that discreet. Plus it's easy to tell where a shot came from with the right ballistics. No. I used my hidden blade or my dagger. I have a beautiful cutlass that I would have preferred to slay him with but it's too bulky to escape with, not to mention that blood glistens, a little too beautifully against the bright lights of a night club. I snuck in through the kitchen staff's entrance and adorned one of their uniforms. Until he got there I prepped some things for the guests, pretending that each vegetable I cut was piece of Ernest. I tried not to cut too quickly though, for when I increased my pace some of the other workers stared.

7:15…only a half hour…my ten years with the Brotherhood taught me to control many things. I could handle just about any weapon, I could scale large buildings with no gear, and I could blend into crowds with the best of my brothers and sisters. But my patience over the ten years had not improved to the level I had hoped. I grabbed my tray of vegies and moved towards the chef, presenting them with a small smile, after all, I was playing the part of a prep cook. I couldn't be all doom and gloom, could I? He looked them over, stroked his greying beard, and nodded, motioning for me to place them on the table so he could use them. I nodded and put them on the table opposite him.

The smell of the cooking food started to make my mouth water, but not as much as the thought of taking Ernest's life with my own two hands. It would be like a main course and dessert all rolled in one. I looked to the kitchen clock. 7:35.

A tall man in a shiny black suit walked in, presumably the owner, and gathered the cooks. I blended in to listen. "Alright," he started, "Mr. Humphries will be here any moment, and he wants the best vegetables for his salad! He was explicit about that, THE BEST!" he looked at my tray and his eyes went wide. "These are beautiful…who did this?"

The chef rolled his eyes and motioned towards me. I shrugged. "I'm just doing my job, sir." I said with my best Russian accent.

"You did an excellent job! He will be most pleased! I think you've deserved a break!"

I nodded but kept my apron on. "Thank you sir," I said, keeping the accent. I cursed the accent, for it was the only language I couldn't speak fluently, or mimic, for that matter. I started to walk out on the floor but he stopped me. "No, no. Take off the messy apron." I nodded, untied it, and hung it up with some loose aprons. I made my way out and took a look at the people.

The dance floor was full of young people swaying and dancing to the House Music that pulsed throughout the club. I couldn't help but smile. It'd be so easy to get him in here, just get close, prick with the blade, and out the door...but knowing this bastard he won't make it that easy. He goes up to the top floor…'ll follow him up there, rob of him of his secrets, and his very life. He would not escape me. A young blonde haired woman in her late twenties bumped into me.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I'm so sorry!"

I wave it off. "I'm fine," I said, "Please don't worry."

She flashed me a look with glassy blue eyes and smiled. "You're cute," she said, "Let me buy you a drink."

I smiled. "Thank you, but I have to get back to work in a little bit, my boss will kill me if he smells liquor on me."

She nodded. "It's okay. She fiddled for something in her purse and pulled out her phone. "Can I…" She staggered back a little and I caught her. "Can I have your number?"

Of course Ernest walked in as she pressed me. I had to think of a convincing lie to follow him. "555-827-4333." She put it in her phone.

She smiled. "What's your name sweetie?" I followed him with my eyes. He moved to the bar, slamming his massive fists on the table. I couldn't hear him, but I could tell he was mad.

I looked to her again. "Maxi Daniel." She staggered again but caught her balance. I looked at her and smiled.

"I'm afraid I have to go…" I started.

She smiled. "Is that big guy over there your boss?"

I nodded. "Yeah…he looks pissed…"

"Yea…" she said, looking him over. "Hey, when you get a minute shoot me a text okay?" I nodded and started to walk away. She turned back. "My name's Cindy."

I smiled. "Thank you, Cindy." She winked at me and staggered into the pulsing crowd. I blew out a relieved sigh. I looked at the bar and found him eating his salad. I raised an eyebrow. …Liqour and a salad…odd combination…unless he's not really drinking…and just putting up a front…but what does he do upstairs? I put that out of my mind and the owner walked to me, gently taking my arm and leading me back to the kitchen.

He smiled. "He loves the salad! He said it's the best one he's ever had! He wants to meet the one who made it and thank him personally. It's a big thing for him to give credit I guess. He wants you to meet him upstairs."

"Me?" I asked, playing coy. "He wants to see me?" He nodded and led me to the closed off stairwell. I went up to the stairs and he was waiting for me. This would be easier than I thought. He smiled and led me into a room with large tables and regal chairs.

He offered me a seat and I accepted. His smile was unchanged. "Hello…I'm Ernest Humphries. I bet your wondering why I asked you up here." I nodded. "It's nothing against this place, great cooks, but I want the best cooks in Abstergo. I want only the best for my employees, and for me, naturally. You see, no one can properly do veg in our area. Seeing how nice the salad was, and how nicely cut the veg was made me want the one responsible. You care about your work. I appreciate that." I nodded. Oh, you have no idea. I care deeply about my work, as you will soon see. He patted my shoulder. "I would like you to come work for me in Abstergo's kitchen, what do you think about that?"

I nodded, pretending to mull it over. "I'm honored sir," I said, "But I'm just a commie…I've never been in a professional kitchen like yours."

"You keep doing what you're doing and you'll be fine. What do you say? Take a few minutes to think it over. It's not every day that we offer this to just anyone." He got up and walked towards a liquor cabinet. I rose from the chair, and snuck up to him. "Can I get you a drink while you think?" he asked.

I smiled. "The blood of my enemy would be great," I said. He set the glass down and I released my hidden blade, jamming into the side of his throat. I watched the blood flow from his neck and his body slowly collapse to the ground. He spun around, grasping his throat and looking up at me with shock.

I knelt before him. "How does it feel, Templar, taken down in your own club? You've all become arrogant and overconfident. Even with guards I would have found you."

His eyes looked to the liquor cabinet again, I saw something glistening. I rose and pulled it out. It was a key with a safety deposit box number on it. I smiled and slid it into my pocket. "I'll take this, along with everything else on your person and in this office." His eyes held such shock and disappointment. I loved it. The waiting, the hours of Intel, it was all worth it. His blood spilled through his fingers and covered his black uniform, and stained the white carpet as he rolled on his back. I shook my head. That's what you get, you arrogant bastard. I reached through his pockets and pulled out his phone, keys, all loose paperwork. I went through his phone, looking over every memo, every document, and all contacts. I smiled to myself and pulled out my phone. I took pictures of everything on the phone and pocketed all the paperwork. I almost took his Templar Ring but I didn't. I didn't want that to be traced back to us.

I was about to leave when I noticed his eyes were still open. I shook my head. "Even though you're my enemy…" I knelt down and closed his eyes. "Requis cat in pace." I rose and looked to his phone again. I used my steel toe boot and stomped on the phone, shattering it to pieces. I looked around, seeing some liquor and some Templar memorabilia. I knocked over the liquor and the Templar items. I emptied the wallet of all money and cards, but left his regular driver's license in. I took his Templar Key Card from the front flap of the wallet and tossed the wallet to the ground. I pocketed the money and card and quickly went through the window.

I looked down to see no one in the streets. I swung myself up and climbed up the building to the roof. I felt something was off as I got near so I hung on the ledge, focusing my ears on the surroundings. I could hear an argument.

"You bitch!" a male voice shouted. "I saw you! You were all over that guy! How can you be with me if you're all over every guy in this party?"

"I tripped and knocked into him you asshole!" she screamed. It sounded like Cindy. I blew out a sigh. Really? Shit…

"I've been trying to introduce you to Humphries so you can be set in a new job, but you've thrown that all away now! He was going to talk to you!"

"I don't want to work for Abstergo! I don't like people like that! He's an asshole, and that place has turned you into one too! Ever since you accepted the ring you've changed! Have they brain washed you or something?"

"You'd better go…" he said.

"Fine! I will go! I'll go for good, we're through!" She stormed off, slamming what sounding like a metal door behind her. I peeked over the ledge and found a young man sitting on a ledge opposite me. He shook his head. Through the light of the street lights I could see a Templar Ring on his hand. He was fair game. I'd take pleasure in his death too. I used our signature whistle and he looked around. "Whose there?" he demanded. I did it again and he moved towards me. I could hear him pull something out his pocket. He cocked it; it was a gun alright. He approached the ledge and I leapt up, grabbing his collar and pulling him over the edge, holding onto him so he wouldn't fall to his death and cause me un do attention. He freaked out. "What? You…you're still alive? I thought we killed all of you!"

I smiled. "So did Humphries, but he's dead now."

"No…" he started.

"What was your connection to him? He was your boss, right?" He nodded. "What do you know about Templar plans for this area?"

"We…we….we gather information…I mean…I gathered information."

"On what?" I pressed.

"On some chick named Ishara…she's a hacker, that's all I know, I swear!" I nodded. "What about her?"

"She's hacked into Templar databases…we wanted to bring her in for questioning, to see if she was in league with the Assassins…that's all, I swear! Please don't kill me!"

I shook my head. "Typical. You hunt us down with no mercy and you beg for mercy when your end is near? You Templars lack conviction. But thank you for your information." I brought him close to me, my grip was weakening. I put my hand over his mouth and fell with him, pressing my body down on his so I'd land on him instead of the concrete below. His head hit the ground with a wet smack, blood oozed from the back of his skull and his eyes wide with fear and confusion. I rolled off of him and straightened, feeling a slight crick in my arm from when I lurched forward. I decided to plant on the money I had taken on him, so it's look like a robbery gone wrong and suicide. I smiled to myself once again and walked away, taking the cook's uniform with me and wiping the orange spray tan away, revealing my pale complexion once again. I would be a different person if anyone saw me.

I looked back to the club and grinned. I went in, killed one target and an accomplice, and came out unscathed, and undetected. What better way to end a long day of research and planning than by some results. I went back to my Den and went to find the master, wanting to let her know what I'd learned about Ishara.