by Nick Braker
She sighed inwardly.
Your first failed assassination, girl. No payoff for this one and likely a long time in jail. Fuck, and the client did say he would be displeased if I failed. Damn it, he’ll come after me now. I won’t be safe, even in prison.
The client had been strange, not like any of her normal ones. Why had she taken the job in the first place? The client was an arrogant shit. Somehow, this one had managed to get her current home phone number, something she only used as part of a front. Having a phone lent itself to some measure of legitimacy. She thought back to the call and where it all started.
Earth - Amsterdam, Netherlands
Wednesday, October 14, 1987 - 11:30am
Tess
Tess’ bullet pierced the front of her target’s skull, traveled through and then exited from the back. The wind had complicated the shot for her as the distance was not in her usual comfort zone. She calmed her breathing. Even after all these years and all the assignments, she still had to focus on keeping her cool after a hit.
Time to move and get far away from here.
The silencer felt slightly warm from the shot as she twisted it off.
Quickly now, break it down, each step, one at a time.
She nodded, satisfied as the lid closed around her rifle. Tess stood, case in hand and headed toward the other side of the roof. She had set her hair into a bun to keep it from blowing during the shot. She didn’t care, she’d fix it later. Tess released it, letting the dark strands fall to her shoulders. The oppressive heat from the roof’s blacktop left her covered in sweat. She consoled herself knowing she wouldn’t have to put up with it much longer. Tess pulled a small wheeled pulley from her backpack that had a thick leather strap on one end. She slipped her hand into the strap and attached the other end to the metal cable connecting this roof to the building next to this one.
Here we go, girl.
She lifted her legs. Gravity took hold and pulled her along the cable to the top of the other building’s roof. Tess scanned the alley below and the streets it connected on each side. No one noticed her zip across. She squeezed the grip and the mechanism applied the brakes on the pulley. It slowed her. Tess let go, walking along the roof toward its entryway leading down.
Made it.
Her journey home took nearly a day. She went through her routine of ensuring no one followed her, always back tracking along busy streets, taking taxis along heavy trafficked highways, stopping to eat in the worst dives; all of it until she felt confident she was alone traveling through a sea of people. To those around her in the cities and towns in the Netherlands, she was simply a woman with a backpack going about her normal active lifestyle.
The search from her assassination attempt was well behind her now but that wasn’t the reason for the laborious route home. Getting away from any law enforcement searching for a sniper was the easy part. No, her complex route was to ensure that the person that had hired her wasn’t trailing her. Her client was the only one who would know ahead of time that a hit was to take place and be in a position to follow her in an attempt to take back the first half of their payment.
It was a necessary precaution in her line of work. Satisfied, she boarded a commuter train, taking a seat next to a window. The train ride took under an hour and one of its stops would bring her within minutes of her parked car. Security on trains didn’t exist, and since she wasn’t crossing a border, there was little to worry about. Tess left the train and drove the next few hours to her current home near the town of Valkenburg.
Tess walked through her front door, stowed her gear in a room concealed by a hidden wall she built herself, disrobed and stepped into her shower. She scrubbed the sweat, grime and filth from the last 48 hours off her. She checked herself for any marks or cuts, finding none.
“Clean hit. Job done,” she said, smiling at herself in the mirror.
Terence, you better put the funds in my account and on time for this hit.
She grabbed a bath robe and headed for the kitchen. The phone rang.
What... the... hell.
She frowned, narrowing her eyes as she stared at the ringing phone. It kept ringing.
Shit, I forgot to set it to rollover to voice mail.
“It has got to be a wrong number,” she said aloud.
She reached her hand out, hovering it over the receiver. It rang again.
“Fuck.”
She picked the receiver up and placed it to her ear.
“Hello, Tess,” the voice said.
The voice was male with an American accent, likely from one of the mid-eastern states.
“You have the wrong number, asshole.”
“No,” the man said. “I have the right number and the right person. You do odd jobs for people... for a price.”
The man’s inflection on the word odd was clear.
He knows what I do. I’ll have to kill him.
Tess didn’t like his tone. He sounded smug and the relaxed arrogance he exuded knowing who she was and what she did pissed her off.
“I said, you have the wrong number.”
“I have a job for you. 300,000 U.S. dollars.”
Tess took a step back. The money was damn good depending on the target.
“Oh? What kind of job? I still think you have the wrong number.”
The man laughed.
“Sweet as ever. Why don’t you use your charms on me right now?” he asked.
Tess’ eyes widened and her jaw dropped open. How did he know about her talent? She must have met him before and was smart enough to have figured it out.
“Speechless?” he asked.
She recovered.
“No, just waiting on you to hang up. I would normally hang up, but I’m really bored and you’re kind of entertaining right now. Better hurry though, I feel boredom creeping up on me.”
He laughed again.
Damn, this piece of shit is confident. He knows me. Fuck, he knows...
“The offer is there and it’s real. The target’s name is Magnus Carson.” The man paused waiting for her response. She pondered his offer along with several thoughts of tracking him down. Apparently, she didn’t respond fast enough. “For what it’s worth, if I wanted you dead, I would’ve just killed you already. Me knowing your phone number and address doesn’t compromise you at all. You can trust me to keep that secret. I’m just a guy who needs one of your special talents.”
“Well, if you know where I live, come on over and let me show you my charms. You have a sexy voice. It’s rugged with that full, alpha male authority. Damn, it’s turning me on actually. I bet we could show each other a real good time.”
Tess hoped he would accept. It would be his last rendezvous with anyone.
“Interesting proposition,” he said.
“Seriously, why don’t you come on over, show me what else you can offer. I bet I’d drop my price, too.”
Tess knew he wouldn’t take the bait.
“Tempting, very tempting. I know all about your charms and I must say I would enjoy them thoroughly, even when you try to kill me at the end. I’ll pass, though, as this is strictly business.”
I called that one. Still, he knows where I live, knows what I do and claims he could have killed me if he wanted. Arrogant fuck.
If she declined, he might make good on his threat. If she took the job, it might be a setup. Either way, she was fucked. On the other hand, if the job was real, the money would go a long way.
“I’ll take the job, with conditions. I need information first, so start talking,” she ordered.
“Watch that tone,” he said smoothly. “The target is Magnus Carson, an agent for the WSO. He’s currently on a plane heading to D.C., but is scheduled for surgery this very night on the thirteenth floor of the Municipal Hospital. You can be in D.C. from your current location with enough time to plan your hit, perhaps before he wakes from his surgery.”
“WSO? Never heard of them. Top secret organization? If so, how do you know we’re
not being monitored?” she asked.
“This is not my first rodeo. I know the drill. Normally, I’d be insulted, but I really do like you too much. I already know you’re going to accept the offer. The money is a bit more than normal, and besides, you like what you do.”
How wrong you are, you fuck. He doesn’t know everything apparently.
“How do I break into a hospital that caters to agents of a high security organization?” she asked.
“I’ve secured the arrangements.”
“So, the hit is tonight in a hospital? I gather you understand how this arrangement works. I get half up front, I finish the job, and the other half shows up within an hour. I promise, if it doesn’t, I will find you.”
“You’ll find me. I’m sure, but know this. When... excuse me, if you fail, I will be very displeased-”
“You can stop right there,” she said, interrupting him. “I never fail. Your threats are wasting my time.”
“Fair enough. I have your account number and you’ll find everything you need in the top drawer of your desk. Goodbye, Tess.”
The line went dead. His words echoed in her head... ‘top draw of your desk’.
“Son of a-”
Tess grabbed one of her guns taped under the kitchen table. She planted her back against the kitchen wall, pointing the gun back and forth between the door to her living room, bathroom, hallway and the back door. She stayed there several moments, listening. Satisfied there was no immediate threat, she searched her home, finding nothing unusual and no one inside. She carefully opened the top drawer of her desk, making sure it wasn’t booby trapped. Inside was a large envelope. She opened it. It contained half the payment, a photo of her hit, and a single sheet of paper with details on the target and entry codes to the hospital.
Magnus Carson. An agent for the World Security Organization. Nice looking, too. I hope he deserves what’s coming.
Tess returned to her kitchen, taking a seat with her back against the wall, still holding the gun in her hand.
That asshole was in my house. Damn it. 300 G’s. Shit, I can’t pass this up.
The man sounded serious. He would kill her if she either didn’t do the hit or if she failed. She stared at the secret panel in the wall that housed her weapons.
Fuck, I’m going to have to move again.
Tess put the back of her hand to her head, rubbed it and then slammed her hand on the table in frustration.
“Shit,” she screamed.
I lose either way. Damn it, I liked the Netherlands, too.
Earth - WSO Headquarters
Thursday, October 15, 1987 - 07:10am
Tess
The opening door interrupted Tess’ reflection of the previous night’s events.
Holy shit, Magnus himself.
Tess stared at him as he crossed the room and took a seat in the empty chair. Her eyes stayed on his.
Don’t break eye contact. Don’t let him get to you, girl. Wait a minute. What the hell? He doesn’t look injured. He can’t possibly be walking around with a set of crushed ‘nads. I beat the hell out of him.
She shifted in her chair.
Holy hell, he’s making me uncomfortable with that stare of his. Who the fuck is this guy and how did he get that strong?
She’d never fought anyone who could put that much force, so quickly, into a blow designed to break her arm. Tess had fought many opponents, all of them with varying levels of martial art backgrounds, but this guy snapped her forearm way too easy.
Tess kept her eyes on him, trying to unsettle him. Magnus smiled at her.
Smiling? Arrogant fuck.
“What’s your real name? It certainly isn’t Rhea.”
“How would you know?” she asked.
“You’re smart, experienced and methodical. You’d never give your real name, even to a target you know you’re about to kill. So, do you mind telling me who you are? Won’t do any good to hold back the information. We already have our best talent researching you and I can assure you we are far more advanced than you know.” Magnus’ smile was warm and sincere. He appeared genuinely at ease and in control. Now that she thought about it, his demeanor wasn’t arrogant nor was he even smug, but he did want something from her. “Speechless?” he asked.
“No, just trying to understand my position right now,” she looked up at him, leaning forward.
Magnus’ eyes glanced down at her breasts.
That’s right. Let’s get this started there. Let’s place the thought in your mind. Now for the next step.
“You are the sweetest thing. You work out a lot? It’s easy to tell,” she said, holding up her cast as exhibit ‘A’. “Strong, too. I like that in a man.”
She brought one of her chained hands up, reaching out to touch his. The simple stuff always worked, no need to put any effort into it. All males fell for her when she exerted herself.
“Interesting,” Magnus said.
“What-” Tess said, startled.
No one had ever resisted her talent, but he just did and he found it interesting.
“Listen up, things are not hunky-dory here on Earth. I just went to bat for you with my superiors.”
“Oh?” Tess asked.
What is he up to?
“Yes,” Magnus said, “they want to put you on trial for attempted murder of a federal agent, which means life at best.”
“Why are you going to bat for me?”
Magnus paused. He was letting her stew, holding out for something.
“I want to hire you,” he said, completely straight faced.
“You’ve got to be joking?”
“Nope.”
Insanity or stupidity, either way, he had to be bluffing. She recovered.
“You want to hire me?” she smirked. Tess couldn’t see the point. Something didn’t add up here. Magnus wanted to hire her, but he knew she was an assassin, so he must need someone killed. “Who’s the target?”
“No, no. I’m not hiring you to kill someone. I’m asking you to join WSO. I want you on my team. You’re done killing people for money. You like the work, but you hate it at the same time. You want out, but you like the money. Killing bad guys is not a problem for you, but killing the good guys, which you’ve done, is a problem and each time you do it, you lose a piece of your soul. Am I right?”
How the fuck does he-
She ignored his question and tried again, whispering so only he could hear.
“I want you to let me go,” she said, her eyes pleading with him. “I’m your friend and you know I don’t deserve to be locked up and treated like an animal.”
She pouted her lips, letting a tear fall from her eye. She had long ago learned how to cry on cue.
“Okay, do you really think a body that turns heads and a face of an angel are enough to con me into letting you go?”
Tess’ eyes grew wide and she looked down at the center of the table.
No fucking way. How is he resisting me? No one has ever resisted me. Damn it, get a grip, girl. He’s watching you.
“Worth a shot,” she said, recovering her composure.
He chuckled, shaking his head at her.
“It certainly was a great start, but the answer is no. Join up. The offer is on the table. You work for me, you report to me, but more importantly, you get to work for the good guys.”
“Tempting and I’m leaning heavily on saying yes, but why offer me the job? You can’t trust me. I might run.”
She tried again. Tess winked at him. She tilted her head forward so she’d have to look slightly up at him. She smiled, keeping her eyes on his. She focused her talent on him again.
“You will let me go,” she demanded.
She put every effort of her will behind her ability. Magnus looked surprised, but her effort didn’t appear to be working again.
“Okay, that’s the third time you’ve done that. What are you doing? I felt something each time, but I dismissed the first two as after effects of my surgery and the head s
hots you gave me earlier. This third one was stronger.” Magnus stood up, putting his fists on the table and leaned forward. “Tell me what you are doing.”
Tess stood up as well, getting close to him, but her chains prevented her hands from touching him.
Keep it smooth and sexy, girl. That’s what they like.
“I want you to know, I’m in love with you, Magnus. I need you to let me go.”
“There it is again,” he exclaimed. “Holy shit, you have some kind of mental influence on others. Don’t you?”
Tess straightened up, stunned. He was the first man she’d ever met that could brush off her ability. She sat back in her chair reeling, the chains on her wrists rattled loudly.
Not one single man, ever. How is he-
Her musings were interrupted.
“Well?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Mental influence? How can that be possible?”
Magnus’ eyes narrowed. He wasn’t buying it. “Fine, let me cut to the chase-”
“Cut to it then,” she said, interrupting him. She folded her arms across her chest and leaned back.
“One more piece of information to factor into your decision. Actually, two, if you decide to join,” he said. Something thumped the mirrored glass in front of Tess. Magnus held his hand up as if he were motioning someone off. “We have been invaded by aliens from another planet. Aliens have been here for at least—” Someone thumped the mirror again, this time harder. “-fifty years. They’ve tried to destroy the planet twice now. You won’t run because there is nowhere to run to. You help us or you’ll die like every other human being on this planet. You’ve heard the strange reports of top governmental officials, researchers, ambassadors and the wealthy being killed? How their deaths were explained away, but each one making you more and more suspicious? You’ve heard about the strangest storm in human history centered in France? It killed tens of thousands of people across the planet. These are all attempts by an alien race to destroy us. Aliens are not rumors, they’re real and your life and the rest of humanity depends on us stopping them.”