Time: Modern Day
Location: New York City

Tamara came to the microphone as her father's PJL for President Campaign opening song came to a close.

"Welcome everybody to New York. The Big Apple and we are going to get the worms and the rot out of this once great city once and for all. My father believes in law and order and enforcing the existing laws to the max. We want you to reclaim your city from the criminals who currently run it in all forms of government and governance.

"To help him achieve that we have, up here on the stage, the architects of his media election campaign. Give a big New York welcome to, all the way from Australia, Layla Hart and her partner Malcolm Shoebridge.

The crowd erupted in applause as Layla had become quite a Youtube sensation since she took over the campaign. She and Mal waved to the crowd as the applause came to a crescendo as PJL made an appearance stage left and gave Layla a kiss on the cheek and pumped Mal's outstretched hand, waving to the crowd with his left arm. He almost ran to the centre stage and embraced his daughter, Tamara in a bear hug lifting her till both her feet were well clear of the stage.

Tamara yelled into the microphone to get above the laughter as her father lowered her to the stage, "New York! Welcome to the stage, my Dad, and best friend in the world, the next President of these United States of America - Pee, Jay, Ell, Peter Joseph Lush.

The camera started to pull back to show the crowd. Before it did Anton pointed to PJL on the TV screen.

"That's the target. I will take him out with this baby!"

He pulled one of the sniper rifles from the portmanteau bag that he had picked up from the guy who had left it behind on the train.

'"Holy fuck! What is that?"

"It's a Dragunov. It's Russian, my favourite, and I get to blame it on the Russkys. As a German that's a bonus."

"Where's mine?" Carlos asked.

Anton pulled out another sniper rifle, put down the Dragunov and showed Carlos his.

"That's not the same as yours Anton, what gives?"

"Very observant Carlos. No, this beauty is a MacMillan TAC- 50. The longest range of all and possibly the easiest to use. You know how you were training before we left with an AK?"

"Yeah that was fun."

"Yes, because it's easy to use. Well if you can use an AK, and you certainly can, you can use this.'

"Why can't I have the same as you?"

"Because I'm used to this monster and it has the most deadly ammunition. I'm going to be taking the first and hopefully only shot at PJL. We are going to be in radio contact throughout. I showed you yesterday on our way to the hotel our positions didn't I? Don't tell me you've forgotten already. You will be on the left side of the water tank on top of the adjacent building to the podium.

Layla and Mal will be positioned by the CIA on the right of the podium in the open.

"I will be on the other side of the water tank where I showed you. You have the TAC - 50 because it has a silencer and 5 round cartridges. These bullets can pierce through metal and concrete. Once I have shot and killed PJL Layla and Mal will likely dive for cover. You have five rounds to kill Layla. Once you are certain she is dead you then take out Mal got it? The Secret Service will be looking in my direction. They will know where the fatal shot came from. You will have time to get off maybe five shots before they realise there are two shooters.

"What if you miss? Do I try to shoot PJL?"

"I won't miss Carlos, not with this scope. It has been especially designed for me to my physical specifications. I have been practising with this rifle for six weeks. I will not miss. You just concentrate on taking out Layla and then Mal if you get the chance. I will make a run for it while you are firing. The Secret Service will be running towards the front right of the building to get the lift and directing the search helicopter.

I will scale down the rear of the building and head straight to FDR Drive near the East River and enter the United Nations Tunnel and wait by the car which is a Black Porsche parked in the Emergency Zone with hazard lights on. You can't miss it. You scale down the left side onto the roof of the other building and get the goods lift I showed you yesterday to the basement and run up the ramp onto FDR Drive and into the tunnel to meet me. Is all that clear? Any questions?"

"Just one. Why are we killing PJL? I like him. He's the one I'd be voting for if I was American. I wouldn't vote for the President, that Republican woman, don't like women in politics or religion. But that other Democrat, what's his name? He seems like a real arsehole to me. Why are we killing the good guy and helping the arsehole?"

"Then you answered your own question haven't you? Too bad my father isn't around to train you in the Assassin's Creed. He would have already trained you to kill something or someone you loved!"

"I don't get it. I get why Graz wants Layla and Mal dead to stop them investigating the murders. But they seem to be a side issue."

"How long have you worked for the Vatican Carlos?"

"Ten years since I was first ordained, this year in fact."

"Have you met anyone you liked at the top?"

"No, I guess not?"

"So, there you go. The only way these arseholes get to the top is through lies, deceit, blackmail, bribery and treason. The only way they stay at the top is they pay us extraordinary money to do their dirty work for them. I like PJL too, fuck I've even developed a liking for Layla and even Mal. She's sexy and sassy. I might've gone for her myself given other circumstances. I don't blame Mal wanting to please her. Shit, in another life Mal and I could have even been friends, Carter too for that matter. But we have a contract. So I killed Carter and tomorrow I'll kill PJL, that's just the way it is?

"Did Andre train you to kill someone you loved?"

"Yes."

"And did you?"

"Yes."

"Who did you kill?"

"Ringo!"

"Holy fuck you killed Ringo Starr?"

"Of course not stupid. He's not even dead. My dog, Ringo. I killed my best friend in the world." Anton sniffled still.

"And Netty does she know?"

"That I killed Ringo? I don't think so. Maybe Dad told her. She's never mentioned it though. We agreed to tell her he got run over by a car on the way to the vet to get his shots. She was just a teenager and then we sent her to Japan for two years studying.

"So, tomorrow don't you dare let your emotions take over or it WILL be a suicide mission and Peter will win."

Anton was interrupted by a knock and a voice from outside, "Room Service."

"Just a minute . . . '' Anton grabbed the TAC-50 out from Carlos' hands and put it back in the portmanteau then placed the Dragunov in on top of it and slid the bag along the carpet silently under the bed. He went over to unlatch the Security chain and opened the door for dinner to arrive.

He left CNN on as they had their dinner and had red wine. He had ordered lobster and prawns as fitting dishes that may turn out to be a last meal. Ever since living in Rome he now preferred red wine even with seafood dishes.

After dinner he turned off the TV.

"Hey, I was watching that!" Carlos yelled softly.

"We are going over our plans for tomorrow." Anton said as though Carlos should have known.'

"Is that really necessary, Anton. I think I get it."

"You think you get it? You THINK you get it? You've obviously never heard of the six Ps.'

"No, what's that?"

"That's what's possibly going to save your life tomorrow. The six Ps . . . Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. Carlos, those are the six Ps. So we go over it again, and again, if I think it necessary. For if something goes wrong tomorrow I'll probably see you in the morgue."

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