Tale of The Broken Sword

Chapter Twenty Two : Chance Encounter

24th September, AD 2056

Melbourne, Australia

Descending down the stairs from the top level of the Main Hall, I kept my head down and headed quickly towards the centre of the room. Trying to avoid any eye contact with the rest of the people in the building, I kept my head facing forward the entire time. I tightened my grip on the hidden holster, hoping that no one could’ve caught a glimpse of it. Screw Simmons, he slipped a rather shiny pistol into my bag. It was because of this that I had to avoid bright places.

Walking past the guards, I felt something was vibrating in my breast pocket. It was the transceiver. Quickly pulling it out and clicked onto the button, I pressed the earphones deeper into my ears.

“Hey, Kelson,” Warren said. “Don’t you think that the target’s already here?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “If he had known about us from the start, he might not be in this building at all. Chances are slim though.”

“Heads up,” Janice interrupted. “The PM’s here.”

“I’ve got a view on the Prime Minister.” The voice of another one of our own spoke out. “I’m following him now.”

“Kelson, what happens if the target had shot the PM before we’d even managed to apprehend him? Shall we take the shot too?” Warren asked.

“Then, kill him.” I replied.

“Okay, let’s say we’d killed him, how in the hell are we supposed to dispose of him?” Warren demanded. “We can’t just waltz in and grab the body like no one's gonna give a shit about.”

“Let the Aussies deal with it.” I smirked. “Diplomatic relations will handle the rest.”

I scanned eastern side of hall. Peoples are really getting on my nerves here. If only I had the chance, firing the gun towards the air and forcing everyone to crouch except the target would be a good idea for now. I restrained my hands itching for a grasp onto the pistol, trying to remain calm and composed.

“Wait,” Warren whispers loudly. “I think I’ve got some movement.”

“Where?” I frantically searched around.

“Hold up,” Warren paused for a while before continuing. “He’s acting strangely enough. Where are you, Kelson?”

“Near the podium on the north end of the hall.” I replied.

“Alright, he’s just a few steps ahead of you. A man with a faded yellowish overcoat near the table. Approach him nice and quiet, else he’ll freak out and make a run for it.”

I craned my neck to see if the man was around. Noticing a man wearing a faded overcoat not very far from where I’d stand, I quickly approach him. “Got it,” I said. I wove through the crowd of people laughing and conversing with each other. At least, they would’ve expected a lavish period of fine music, a myriad of grandeur furniture and happy conversations.

Shame that it might gonna be interrupted if the target had taken the first move. I was only a few steps away from the man who was rattling something underneath his long overcoat. My intuitions came in fast, I was easily convinced that this man was the target and he was ready to have a shot at his prime target.

I jerked his shoulder backwards and he turned around, revealing a face of an old and innocent looking man. Actually, he was reaching for his phone tucked in the pocket of his overcoat.

“Sorry, sir.” I apologized to him. “I mistook you for another friend of mine.”

Suddenly, another person’s arm tightens around my neck, drawing me closer. “Don’t make a single sound,” a voice whispers into my left ear, “or else, you’ll be dead long before you’d reach the floor.”