I jolted awake, my heart pounding in my ears. Beside me, Psyche stirred, her brow furrowed in concern. "Eros? What is wrong?"
I let out a shaky breath, running a hand through my sweat-damp hair. "Nothin', darlin'. Just...just a bad dream, is all."
She didn't look convinced, but thankfully she let it drop. "Well, it's time. Lucky and Lavinia are waiting."
I nodded, pushing myself up from the lumpy mattress. "Then let's not keep 'em waiting."
Out in the living room, Lucky and Lavinia were already prepped and ready, their faces grim and determined.
"Mornin', sunshine," Lucky drawled, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Sleep well?"
"Like the damn dead," I replied, flashing him a wry grin. "You two look about as rested as I feel."
Lavinia arched a perfectly sculpted brow. "We've had better nights, that's for sure. But we're ready when you are."
I clapped my hands together, feeling the familiar thrill of adrenaline start to course through my veins. "Alright, then. Time to get this show on the road."
Psyche stepped forward, her movements graceful and assured. "The speech will be at Embassy Row, 3066-3048 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008," she recited, her tone brooking no argument. "Forty-point-nine-five-five-five north, seventy-seven-point-zero-six-one-one west."
With a flick of her wrists, she tore open a shimmering portal, the edges rippling like a mirage. "After you, gentlemen," she said, her eyes glinting with a touch of dark mischief.
I grinned, feeling the familiar weight of my katana at my side. "Alright, boys and girls. It's D-Day. Let's go make some history."
And without another word, we stepped through the portal, to find ourselves beneath the earth of that street, in the sewers.
I crouched down in the dank, musty confines of the sewer, the stench of decay almost enough to make my eyes water. "Alright, let's take a look around, see if we can spot anything off."
We fanned out, our footsteps splashing in the murky water as we scanned the area. The silence was deafening, broken only by the occasional drip of some unseen leak.
After what felt like an eternity, I signaled the others to gather round. "Well, I'll be damned. Looks like our little hidey-hole is clear as a bell."
Lucky let out a low whistle, his eyes gleaming with a familiar intensity. "Too damn clear if you ask me. You sure we got the right place, Eros?"
I nodded, feeling a familiar knot of unease in the pit of my stomach. "Yeah, I'm sure. Which means those snipers are probably holed up right where they're supposed to be."
Lavinia's lips pursed into a thin line. "In those four buildings, I assume?"
I gestured toward the peephole Lucky had found, my gaze following the line of his sight. "Bingo. That's where our friends are gonna be waiting. Lucky, you stay here - keep an eye on those buildings, and the second you see those bastards, light 'em up with your Django."
Lucky flashed me a feral grin, his fingers drumming against the grip of his imaginary rifle. "Oh, you can count on that, boss. Just make sure you and the others are ready to move when the time comes."
I clapped him on the shoulder, feeling the coiled tension in his muscles. "We will be. Psyche, you know what to do?"
She nodded, her expression grim but determined. "Yes, Eros. I'm ready."
With one last nod, I turned to Lavinia, my voice urgent. "Alright, darlin', your part's up next. Make sure that guard is good and under before I make my move, you hear?"
Lavinia's eyes narrowed, a wicked smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Consider it done, Eros. Just don't keep me waiting too long, hmm?"
I grinned, feeling the familiar thrill of adrenaline start to course through my veins. "Wouldn't dream of it, sweetheart. Alright, everyone knows what to do. One hour till action."
The streets were crawling with cops, their uniforms crisp and their expressions wary. I spotted two guards, their bulky frames and tense postures marking them as one of the president's personal detail.
"That's our guy," I muttered, catching Lavinia's eye.
She didn't need to be told twice. She summoned her Sixmile Wayfarer Inn, beckoning the unsuspecting guard to follow her through using one of her 7 little Devils. I trailed close behind.
Once we were safely sequestered in Lavinia's twisted little inn, I set to work. Stripping the guard's uniform with practiced hands, I studied his features, committing every detail to memory. Then, with a few deft movements, I donned the get-up, the material molding to my frame as if it were made for me.
I took a moment to look myself over in the cracked mirror, the transformation complete. "Wayne," I murmured, testing out the name on my tongue. "Well, Wayne, let's go see how the rest of the show is shaping up, shall we?"
When I rejoined the other guard, he eyed me warily. "Everything set, Wayne?"
I gave him my most convincing smile. "You bet. Just took a little pit stop, is all. Say, you mind if I tag along? I'd hate to miss the big speech."
The guard shrugged, his expression relaxing minutely. "Suit yourself. We're just waiting for the old man to arrive at this point."
I clapped him on the shoulder, my grip just a hair too tight. "Excellent. Lead the way, my friend."
As we made our way through the bustling streets, I couldn't help but marvel at how smoothly everything was going. Too smoothly, if I'm being honest. But I quickly pushed that nagging doubt aside, focusing instead on the thrill of the hunt.
Soon, the presidential motorcade would arrive, and then...well, then the real fun would begin.
The roar of the crowd was deafening as the presidential motorcade pulled up, black SUVs and gleaming limos cutting through the chaos like sharks through open water. I could feel the hair on the back of my neck stand on end, the anticipation thick enough to cut with a knife.
When the old man finally emerged, the cheers reached a fever pitch. Waving and smiling, he strode up to the podium, his weathered features set in a mask of practiced statesmanship.
"My fellow Americans," he began, his voice booming through the speakers, "these past few days have been...trying, to say the least."
I felt my grip tighten as he spoke, the words dripping with false sincerity.
"The Carrington Event," he continued, "has dealt a devastating blow to our infrastructure, our communication networks. And in the aftermath, we've seen a wave of senseless vandalism and theft, with opportunistic criminals taking advantage of our vulnerability."
The crowd erupted in a smattering of boos and jeers, their outrage palpable. I couldn't help but smirk - they had no idea what was coming.
"But I want to assure you all," the president pressed on, raising a hand to quiet the crowd, "that we will not stand for this. Those responsible will be swiftly brought to justice, no matter how high or low they may be."
A ripple of murmurs swept through the throng, and I could see the wary glances being exchanged among the guards. Good, let them stew in their fear. It would only make what was to come that much sweeter.
I caught Lucky's eye, giving him a subtle wink to unleash his Django on the snipers. The time was almost upon us. I tightened my grip on my concealed katana, the familiar weight of the blade a comforting presence at my side.
"We will not be cowed by these acts of cowardice," the president declared, his voice rising in conviction. "We are the United States of America, and we will emerge from this trial stronger and more resilient than ever before!"
The crowd roared its approval, their cheers echoing off the surrounding buildings. But amidst the din, I heard a single, ominous crack - the sound of a rifle firing.
And that's when all hell broke loose...