I was sitting in the lounge room of a deluxe suite in the Jefferson Hotel in Washington DC. I sighed. Why was I dragged back into this? Just when I had planned to resign from my life of villainy, destiny pulled me back into it. I speculated why James Winter had come all the way to Kiribati to drag me out of retirement. I suspected that the election of Eva Moreno as the next American president had something to do with it. Eva Moreno was an independent politician who had won an upset victory in the American presidential election a few weeks earlier. She had defeated both the Republican and the Democrat candidate. An unprecedented occurrence.
Eva Moreno had based her campaign on exposing the corruption within the dominating political parties. Corruption abetted by the CIA and its director James Winter. The American population had enough of corrupt politicians starting phony wars, and voted for a change. This was something that would not be in James' interests.
Speaking of the devil, he entered the room carrying a folder.
"Isn't a folder with papers a precarious way to deliver information?" I remarked.
"Quite the contrary. In our world with hackers and advanced digital encryption. Paper copies are the safest option. Particularly the way I make them." James replied and smiled a crooked smile.
James handed me the folder, and I glanced at the pages. They were full of incomprehensible gibberish.
"What is this nonsense?" I asked in bewilderment.
"Exactly. That what people checking this folder would think. But use encryption key X72 in your monocle and the truth will show." James replied.
I did as James instructed, and the text became legible. As I had expected, it was about Eva Moreno. 'Project Safe Eagle: Termination of Eva Moreno's presidential ambitions.' The header of the document read.
"So, you are planning treason, and I am the tool? How unpatriotic." I needled.
"I would never commit treason!" James hissed.
His remark confused me. Wasn't he about to ask me to kill the next president? I tapped document the document a few times and gave him a questioning look.
"Oh, you mean the document?" James asked.
I nodded without saying anything.
"Well, technically Eva Moreno is still only a presidential candidate. The electoral college hasn't ratified her yet." James explained.
"What's the difference?" I asked.
"It's a monumental difference. At this moment, Eva Moreno is just a regular citizen. A regular citizen who poses a threat to national security can and must be eliminated. That is my patriotic duty. Once the electoral college has ratified Eva, then she is the president. And as you remarked, killing her when she is the president, would be treason." James argued.
I shook my head. I wasn't particularly interested in meddling into American politics. Besides, I couldn't see how killing Eva Moreno would prevent the apocalypse from happening in the year 2131.
"I am out. I am not going to abolish American democracy through killing president elects that you don't approve of." I snarked
"Martin. Please read the document before you make uneducated statements. I never tasked you with killing Eva Moreno." James taunted.
I grimaced at James, but I didn't say anything. I read through the document. The rest of the monocle conspiracy had convened in the Harapan Conglomerate headquarters in Jakarta. During the meeting, they had agreed to eliminate Eva Moreno. This was so to make sure that the corrupt and corporate-friendly Damien Vanderbilt would become the new president. Damien was currently ranked second among the candidates and would become president if something happened to Eva Moreno. The monocle conspiracy had not hired a shooter for the assassination. But they were aware that a Taiwanese nationalist, Tzi Tsong planned to kill Eva to cause conflict between China and the USA.
After finishing reading the document, I felt confused. What did any of this have to do with me? I decided to ask James. "Hey James, I don't understand. What am I meant to do?"
"Oh, yes. Sorry about that. We want Tzi Tsong to kill Eva, but there is a problem. The Secret service has counter snipers that will scan the rooftops for potential attackers. Someone will have to eliminate these obstacles. You are that someone." James replied.
"Why would I agree to that?" I asked.
"Because you owe us. I brought you back from the dead. Both Elaine and Pierre have also helped you on several occasions." James replied.
"And if I don't feel like repaying you?" I sneered.
"That would be unfortunate. But I am sure you will be cooperative. After all, I can cause you immeasurable pain at any moment" James smirked.
Suddenly, terrible pain gripped me, and I collapsed to the floor, shaking uncontrollably. A few seconds later, it all ended, and James looked down on me. "Do you see what I mean?" James taunted.
"How did you do that?" I asked.
"When we had you in our medical care, we filled your body with nanorobots close to your nerves. If you dissent, I can turn your own bioelectricity into terrible nerve pain." James revealed.
"I guess I have no choice but to comply. What are the specifics?" I asked.
"Excellent. Let me help you up now that we have resolved this misunderstanding." James said and lent me a helping hand to get up from the floor.
Once I got seated by the table, James spoke again. "Eva's speech will start at 1300. Your job is to swiftly take out the counter snipers at 1259 just before she comes out. I will provide you with a list detailing the positions of the counter snipers. I'll also supply you with the with a silenced sniper rifle without a scope."
"Why no scope?" I asked.
"Because the monocle gives you a lot better aim than any scope would do. You're not a trained sniper. Besides, with a silenced rifle, and no reflection from your scope, you'd almost invisible to your enemies." James explained.
I nodded and realised that I only had one question. "Hey, James. Why don't you kill the counter snipers yourself? You'd be a great shot, and you also have a Zetan Monocle." I asked.
"I will stand next to Eva Moreno during her speech. That's the only way for me to avoid becoming a suspect. Let's hope that Tzi Tsong is a good shot!" James replied.
"I am sure, the monocle would help you to miraculously dodge the bullet if you came into the firing line," I replied.
"Yes, but it would ruin my alibi," James remarked.
James walked towards the door. "I'll see you tomorrow, Martin. Be prepared." James said and left the hotel room.
After James left, I poured myself a big drink from the minibar. I had been back to civilisation for less than 24 hours, and I was already involved in another murder conspiracy. How I missed my solitude on Kiribati.
***
After a few too many drinks from the minibar, I decided to do what anyone would do. I decided to confront my estranged wife, Elaine, over the phone. Normally, I don't condone this kind of behaviour, but when your ex involves you in a murder conspiracy against your will, it's reasonable to feel upset.
As Elaine picked up the phone, I ranted. "Hey, bitch. Why did you agree to send me on this mission? I had withdrawn. I was trying to make amends. I was trying to start a new life for myself."
"Martin, it's not that easy. You can't disappear and expect everyone to forgive you. I have done you many favours. Now you need to stop Eva Moreno for the rest of us." Elaine replied.
"But, it's not the right thing to do. The people voted for change. They deserve change." I objected.
"Bah, the people. The masses lead unremarkable lives and never account for much. We are not going to give up our long-term goals to please their whims and wishes. Killing Eva and blaming the assassination on China will yield the best results. Damien Vanderbilt will not do anything to impede our progress. Starting a new cold war will accelerate the space race, improving our prospects of building space colonies by 2131." Elaine explained.
I realised that there was no point in arguing. I could either complete the mission and keep the others satisfied, or I could refuse and have the entire world coming after me. "Okay boss. I'll do as you say." I sighed and hung up the phone.
***
The next day I was on a rooftop in Washington. It was a chilly November day, and the wind made me shiver to the bone. I had lived on a tropical island for the last two years, so I wasn't used to the cold. I entered combat mode on my monocle, and I realised that I could only spot three out of four counter snipers. What would I do? I thought of shooting Eva Moreno myself, but that wasn't an option, as I didn't have the view of her from my position.
'12:58'
Tzi Tsong would show up at any moment, and as soon as he pulled out the rifle, the Secret Service agents would kill him. I saw Tzi take his position via infrared vision. I had to move now.
I swiftly shot the three secret service snipers from my position with my silenced sniper rifle. Tzi Tsong was just about to shoot Eva when he got shot himself. Getting shot, Tzi Tsong's shot was off its target.
My perception of time froze. My monocle shoved the estimated trajectory of Tzi Tsong's shot, it would miss by five metres. But, if I could shoot and nudge the bullet mid-air, that could change its trajectory to kill Eva. 'Probability of success: 1 in 1 billion' my monocle revealed. 'Oh well, I have already won the Powerball,' I thought, and I took the shot.
'Double kill!' appeared on my monocle, and I didn't understand anything at all. "Is Eva dead?" I transmitted to James via the monocle. "Yes. Get the hell out of there!" James replied.
Reading this, I disassembled the rifle and packed it into a backpack. After that, I used the avoid confrontation mode on my monocle and got back undetected to my hotel.
***
There is a scientific theory that one could strike straight through a wall without any contact. This is due to the gaps and positioning between the atoms. I don't recommend anyone trying it, as it would take trillions of years of attempts to get it right. The replay of my double kill shot that killed Eva Moreno and the fourth counter-sniper reminded me of this theory.
Not only had I managed to hit Tzi's misaimed bullet mid-air redirecting it to a collision course with Eva's head. The collision had also changed the trajectory of my bullet, causing it to hit the fourth counter-sniper who I hadn't even seen. I reckon that if time was reset an infinite amount of times, I wouldn't be able to replicate the shot.
James entered my hotel suite, brandishing a smug grin. "Excellent shooting, Martin. You are no longer in my debt." James said.
"Did you see those shots? The last shot was a miracle!" I said in awe.
James gave me a sceptical look and replied. "I don't know what you are talking about. Your fourth shot was the easiest of the four. It's a shame you couldn't kill the counter-sniper in time, but as soon as he had revealed himself, it was an easy shot."
"But I shot the Tzi's bullet mid-air. This changed the direction of both bullets, causing Tzi's to hit Eva and mine to hit the fourth sniper." I replied.
Hearing this, James studied me for a while. After a long pause, he replied. "Look, that's not how it happened. When explaining something, always go with the easiest explanation. If our jobs weren't so secret, I'd recommend you seek out a mental health professional."
I realised that there was no point arguing my case. James' explanation made a lot more sense, and what did have to gain from proving my crazy story?
"So, what happens now?" I asked.
"Well. We have placed a dead Iranian agent at your Sniper's location. I have framed a senior Secret Service employee with giving out the Secret Service snipers locations to help the attack. Washington police found Tzi Tsong where he got shot. We will claim that this was a coordinated attack by Iran and China." James revealed.
"So, will there be war?" I asked.
"Not a proper war. This outcome delights everyone in Washington. It's business as usual and there in no more threat to your average politician and their wealthy donors. There will be retaliatory strikes, of course. But we in the CIA will coordinate these strikes with China and Iran. That way, they can fill the attacked sites by undesirables from their own countries, while blaming it all on us." James explained.
"So, you got it all figured out. What happens to me?" I asked.
"You'll re-join with the Templars and the Mossad." Ben and Szymon have been struggling to open that damn door in Jerusalem. Go give them a hand, will you?" James commanded.
"I'd rather go back to my home in Kiribati!" I objected.
"I am not stopping you, and your debt to me is repaid. But I doubt Ben, Szymon and Pierre will see it the same way." James replied.
I walked over to the couch and collapsed on it in resignation. When would this damn nightmare end? I realised that I couldn't go back to Kiribati until everyone considered my debt to be repaid. I studied the photo of Alani. Now that I was back in civilisation, I saw it for what she was, a 40-year-old plain-looking widow. Even though this itself wasn't a problem, the facts remained. The only way that I could keep Alani and Elenoa safe was to stay away until I had fulfilled my destiny.
Next stop, Jerusalem.