Andalas was in the queue for the first audience to enter the opera house. He was completely blind to Lady Amarilla's situation. It was better if he was in the room first so he could calculate all the possibilities.
The theater was spacious. There were no hidden balconies or high places to carry out missions. The audience seats were similar to a movie theater. It rised towards the back. On the right and left was an empty space for people to pass.
Andalas racked his brain. Where do you think Lady Amarilla will sit? He left the bag containing the Sako TRG 42 outside. There was a metal detector at the entrance so he couldn't possibly take it.
While it was still a bit quiet, Andalas slipped backstage. It was quite crowded here. The opera performers were busy making up while the support team was preparing everything to ensure the show run smoothly.
Andalas continued walking without attracting attention because the clothes he was wearing were casual. People would have thought that he was a building staff. There was an exit on the right. Andalas turned the handle of the small door.
"Where are you going? This door is closed during the show!" A voice startled Andalas. Two well-built people holding Uzi blocked and told him to went back in. Wow!
Andalas tried to comb the left side of the building. There was a small door here too. But he was sure there must also be someone standing behind the door. Are they Lady Amarilla's bodyguards? Andalas guessed.
This time Andalas continued to walk to the back of the main building. Logistics equipment, a dry kitchen, a room that seemed to be for preparing meals on a mass scale, and a large door for goods in and out.
The door was locked. Andalas put his ear to the door. He didn't hear anything. There was no sound. Andalas decided that it was the only entrance for him.
Andalas returned from where he had entered the main hall. Then exit the building in a casual manner. The show hadn't started yet. The people were already very crowded. Andalas could see several stocky and armed personnel. Hmm, Lady Amarilla's bodyguards were on standby in all positions.
But there was one thing that made an impression in Andalas' mind. The armed men inside didn't seem all from one group. For a hitman who had navigated the mercenary world, he was familiar with how they operated.
Even the presence of the two groups of bodyguards was noticeable. One group was well-dressed and formal with guns hidden under coats and tuxedos. While the other group wore casual clothes with gun butts sticking out from their shirts.
Andalas was even more surprised. The strength of the two groups of bodyguards was very balanced. But which was Lady Amarilla's bodyguard? And who was the important person guarded by another group?
Andalas arrived at the parking lot. He would figure it out later when he was inside. He found the best spot for his shot. But he must smuggle Sako TRG 42 into the building first.
Andalas's eyes caught a group of logistics and catering vans queuing up at the gate. He quickly approached the second catering car.
"I brought equipment for the opera performers which was left behind. This bag is really heavy. I can't carry it by hand. Can I hitch a ride up to the back door?" Andalas said in Mandarin as he handed a large bundle of Hong Kong Dollars to the car driver.
The driver's eyes lit up.
"Come in!" he gestured to the empty seat next to him.
Andalas thanked him and then dragged his travel bag and opened the van back door. He quickly transferred parts of the Sako TRG 42 to a small trolley filled with neatly arranged plates and glasses.
The driver grumbled because Andalas was not quick enough to load his things into the van. Andalas bowed his head apologetically. Saying that the gear was heavy and bulky. He didn't care that the driver just saw him carrying one big bag. And the driver didn't really care. This bundle of money was a lot. Enough for him to go to the brothel a dozen times this month.
The catering car reached the backstage. The big door opened with several people standing by there to carry all the logistics into the building. Andalas was also busy helping move things. The building people just thought that Andalas was one of the employees of the caterer.
When no one was paying attention, Andalas sneaked in while pushing a trolley containing cutlery under which there were parts of a Sako TRG 42. He carried the trolley to a corner of the room. He needed to find a bag to carry the rifle. He saw an empty bag for sound equipment lying around. Andalas hastily grabbed it.
Amidst the sheer flurry of logistics, sound system, and catering people, Andalas climbed the small staircase to the lightning. Andalas shouted to the two people who were setting up the floodlights that he was asked to check the newly replaced lamp at the end. The two busy technicians just waved at him.
Area lightning seemed to be ready. Only one person left on standby here. Maybe just in case there was a problem with the lights. An advantage for Andalas because this area was covered by a giant curtain at the front. Andalas approached the lighting technician.
"I'm done. Can I stay here and watch? I can also help you if something goes wrong with the lights. You can relax in peace."
The man looked at Andalas from head to toe. His eyes looked questioning.
"I am Lady Amarilla's secret bodyguard. I have to be on guard here because it seems that a big enemy is also watching here." Andalas pointed to the handle of the Sako TRG 42 which was propped against the fence at the end. He speculated. If this person didn't know Lady Amarilla and was suspicious of her, then he must subdue him.
"Lady Amarilla? Whoa, whoa! Please friends. Do your job. Let these lights remain my business." This person seemed very frightened to hear the name of Lady Amarilla mentioned.
Andalas smiled. He walked back towards the position of the headlight in the corner. He used his utility knife to cut a small hole on the curtain. Everything was set. He was just waiting.
Below, onlookers flocked to enter the hall. Andalas watched carefully through his sniper binoculars. Every now and then he noticed the lighting technician sitting there smoking a cigarette. That person didn't even dare to look at him at all.
A group of important people came. A middle-aged woman with fashionable makeup walked in surrounded by well-built men in casual clothes. Lady Amarilla! Andalas glanced at the open X-One next to him.
The next group that was no less fierce also entered the room. A man who was probably a Korean and dressed very elegantly walked in accompanied by well-dressed bodyguards. Andalas was looking closely through his sniper binoculars. Frowning again remembering. He shifted the X-One to the left. Here he was! Target O-07 was here too! Andalas returned to focus on his binoculars.
The two important people sat in their seats. Lady Amarilla was on the far right wing. While the Korean man was on the left wing, also in the front row. Andalas held his breath for a few seconds. Maintaining concentration while controlling his adrenaline. He had to be fast. He usually only had two bullets in his rifle, but this time he put four.
The noise stopped as an emcee came on stage. Andalas continued waiting. His eyes were watching the only way out through the stairs. He then gazed at the two large spotlights that illuminated the entire room on the opposite side.
The audience clapped again. Now! Andalas pulled the trigger four times in a row. The first bullet pierced Target O-07's chest followed by the bursting of the left spotlight. In a split second, the third bullet hit Lady Amarilla's heart followed by the blackout of the large spotlight on the right side.
The room was dim because it was only lit by a few small lights on the ceiling. Andalas walked calmly past the lighting technician who looked confused by the sudden blackout of the lights on the other side. Moreover, the noise and screams from downstairs also made him even more panicked. He thought the audience's shouts were caused by the lights that were off.
The Xiqu Center's main hall was chaotic! The guards were running, checking everywhere including the spot that Andalas had just left. Meanwhile Andalas strolled to the back door pushing a food trolley. He loaded the trolley into a standby catering van, then drove slowly out of the building after he managed to hotwire the van.
Andalas did not expect to complete two missions at it was like receiving blessings from both God and the devil at the same time.