Fall of the Mighty ★ [4] ✔

Assassin

★★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★★

ACT 1

★★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★★

⏳ 1991

"Longing. Rusted. Seventeen. Daybreak."

The machine that tore my memories roared, folding back into submission with its purpose fulfilled. The shakes started. They did that straight after, a coldness rushing over cruelly.

"Furnace. Nine. Benign."

The cogs began to turn, the words taking on meaning, flipping a switch that put forth future events into motion.

"Homecoming. One. Freight car."

Like a match striking to flame, the door had opened for the orders to be heard.

I watched as he closed the little red book, the vault of secrets too deep to truly comprehend, too terrible to take in the destruction and death it had the power to inflict.

"Good morning, solider," Karpov greeted, his formal fashion familiar.

"Ready to comply," I said.

"I have a mission for you." He held up two manila folders. "Sanction and extract. No witnesses."

My breathing grew heavy as the orders registered. I had work to do. 

★     ★     ★

⏳ 1991

The roads were quiet at this time of night. The forest stretched out as far as the eye could see, a lonely road splitting through it. It was dark, nothing but owls and crickets piercing the night, such peaceful sounds for what a terrible night it would soon be.

I waited. I waited for hours, sitting in the night like a patient predator waiting for its prey. I waited some more. I'd wait all night if I had to. Time never truly fazed me. It never had. I had orders to carry out and I would do so no matter what.

Lights penetrated the darkness as a car rumbled past. I sat up from leaning on the bike's handlebars and flicked the beam to life. My bike roared as I followed after them. Light poles lined the road now, though even their vigil didn't light much of the darkness. 

I road beside the driver's side of the car. An aged face peered back at me, confused, his wife leaning forward to look too. With a metal finger, it pinged off the window. A tire exploded. The car swerved. I heard it collide into a nearby tree. I swung my bike back around to see the front bumper smashed, a small fire burning the engine. I drove up to the trunk and parked.

I kicked the stand up, leaning it to balance, and swung my leg over. I slunk my metal fingers under the trunk, busting the locking mechanisms and threw it open.

All but sat was a briefcase. I opened it, coldness hissing as I did. Five packages, blue and nestled in ice.

Sanction and extract. 

And extract I did, taking the briefcase, the roar of my bike loud in the silence of the quite forest.

I did nothing but stare at the case upon my return, sitting before it and examining it. The blue glow looked strangely familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on where I'd seen them. I knew they were important. Why else would I be ordered to seize them?

I waited for Karpov to return. I waited patiently as I did in the forest. I knew what was to come next. I always knew. I didn't relish in the last few moments of freedom I had left. There was no point. I would not remember it anyway. Any of it. The ice would come to claim me soon. The ice was my only companion, the one I always remembered. The companion that I hardly dreaded meeting again.

The heavy doors behind me thundered open. Boots loud on concrete reached my ears. My eye caught the familiar red beret.

He stepped beside me. He said nothing at first as he looked at the packages of the mysterious fluid. He turned to me. He watched me curiously.

"Well done, Soldier," was all Karpov said.

❈Author's Note: Hey, there! I hope you're excited for this fourth and final instalment of the Time Walker series. Sorry for the short first chapter. Don't worry, they'll be a lot longer from here. I thank you for taking time out of your day to read this [hopefully] amazing story.

If you liked this chapter, please consider giving it a quick vote! Thanks for reading!