Solo missions are never fun. I’ve always found having a partner, or a group, at your side was more ideal. You could cover more ground, more quickly, and have multiple chances to hit the target in the best possible way. This is not true when it comes to a solo mission. You have one shot, maybe two, if you’re lucky. Depending on the target, I can get lucky. But usually not, since most of my solo targets are under siege from multiple assassins at the same time. We all have the same goal, to successfully take out the target. However, not all of us get so lucky in the arena of battle.

So far, I had been a busy assassin. The first week of this mission, I had taken out five of my intended targets. It had taken multiple tries though, since these were merely minions. They were fast, they were aware, and they always came with hidden surprises. Not all minions were like this, but from the Dominion, it was to be expected. Their leader was especially cruel and cunning to those who tried to take out his workers. I always hated coming after these minions, as their superiors were much easier to take out for me. I never understood why I was sent after these low lifes anyway, since I usually only injured them and then another assassin took them out. Nevertheless, my current targets were three more of these minions.

I laid flat on my belly, peering through the scope of my gun at the sandy streets below me. My targets would soon be approaching, from what I understood. The information I had been sent said they’d be coming back through this town before heading to their hideout. I was to take them out before they reached their destination. Usually I would be much more relaxed in this type of situation, but all three of my targets were already aware that someone was after them. I had tried to take them out earlier, with the other five targets I had disposed of last week, but these three had proven to be especially tricky. My employers did not have near as much information about them as they had my other targets, resulting in these three being sort of wild cards. The other five targets I was able to somewhat easily track and get within a shot or two. However, Agents II-III, IV-V, and XII-XV had proven to be of a different variety than the rest. This was most likely the last chance I’d receive to take these three out. I would have to aim true.

I recognized their red cloaks immediately. They walked single file, one right behind the other. In front was Agent II-III, with IV-V and XII-XV right behind him. This was going to be a tricky shot, but I could manage. I shifted my Barrett ever so slightly and sucked in my breath. Squinting my eye, I tightened my finger on the trigger. I counted the passing seconds in my head, and then, just as the red cloaks came into view, I pulled the trigger. The bullet shot through the air like a lightning bolt. I watched as Agent II-III fell immediately and blood erupted from Agent IV-V’s shoulder. Curses! I had missed the triple hit. Agent XII-XV grabbed his still living partner’s shoulders and began to dash through the crowd, leaving poor II-III behind. Fine, I could deal with the chase. The crowd began to scatter at the sight of the dead body and parted for the two red figures.

Slinging my rifle across my back, I leapt out into the open from my perch. I tucked and rolled as I hit the ground, taking off into a run as soon as I was up on my feet. With my left hand, I drew my Beretta Cheetah from its holster on my thigh. With one slick hand movement, the safety was off and the gun was cocked. My targets were in sight, Red Barons in this desert town. I opened fire and hit both targets several times, but the two were still able to run, despite their overflowing wounds. I growled to myself. I’d have to get closer. Focusing my energy into my sprint, I swung the gun to my side and began to gain on my targets. XII-XV made the mistake of looking over his shoulder and I saw the terror in his eyes at the proximity of II-III’s killer. I raised my gun again, slowing down ever so slightly to get a better shot, and aimed at IV-V’s head, when suddenly blood shot like a sprinkler from the man’s head. His body collapsed and XII-XV did not miss a beat, darting off into a nearby alley. I turned to chase after the agent when a bullet grazed my face. My cheek stung but I received the message. I knew exactly who this daredevil was, the second best assassin that regularly went after the Dominion clan, the French Cavalier. I raised my sights to the rooftops far above me and caught sight of the French Cavalier at his perch when I heard a gun fire and everything went black.