The Liberal Assassin

"… more incentives."

A pair of beady eyes bored into my forehead when silence ensued. I flashed the famous hundred watt smile after realising that I hadn't registered anything for the past ten minutes.

"Naturally!" I smiled. "Everything can be arranged. However, I hope that you understand that I am a business person."

Juma West was an ugly, fat and bald thing whose grubby fingers only worshipped the credits in his account. Although this man was unrelated to the human experiments, he was a target on that list. Twelve targets, twelve purposes. Juma was the first because he was the least important.

Tiny eyes narrowed. "What are you asking for in return?"

I smiled charmingly but it did nothing to soothe the man's wariness. To be honest, I'll really like his death but I doubt he would react very well if I told him so. Biding my time, I took a small sip from the Pantiumite champagne. The drones were in already in position and Kevin had started the countdown. The glass made a clinking sound on the table and I was glad nobody noticed my hands shaking a little. Things could go very right or very wrong and everything depending on my acting skills.

"Well, Mr East…" I sighed.

"It's West."

"Right, Mr West. What I want is very simple. No, don't worry. You don't need to spend a single credit on what I'm asking for."

This seemed to have caught the Parliament's Sixth Seat's attention. I leaned forward as Juma c.o.c.ked an eyebrow.

"What I want…"

A shrill alarm sounded causing mayhem to break out in the high-class lounge. "What in Spxtro?" I cursed as Juma steadied himself from the impact. Getting into my character, I looked around as if I was lost and confused.

The beautiful tinted glass windows had been shattered and there he was in all his glory – the Night Walker version two.

Screams of terror could be heard as people scampered away. Both Juma and I were trapped with Night Walker version two 'throwing' a stun mine. Rendered immobile, Juma remained on the chair with eyes dilated from fear. He looked like he would pee in his pants and I was briefly reminded of Raoul.

I pretended to be unable to move too although I wasn't the one who was standing on a preplaced stun mine. The "Night Walker" walked over like a predator towards a captured prey. If I wasn't so busy acting, I would take the time to admire how perfect it looked. It was tiring to retake the movements just because the angles weren't right. However, it paid off because everything progressing without a hitch.

In five minutes, the Patrol Guards would arrive. Spencer was carefully taken out of the picture with sleeping gas that I prepared beforehand. I believe he would be soundly asleep when the "Night Walker" makes his bold appearance.

The Night Walker walked around and pressed a laser pistol at my temple. "It's so nice to have two of the most influential people here with me. Titus Crowley… I must applaud you for your brilliant strategy. Did you think that with your miserable prank, the Slums would forgive everything that has happened and everyone would live happily ever after while you enjoyed the o.b.s.c.e.n.e amount of credits in your bank?"

I made no attempt to reply. Pretending to be terrified and forcefully willing myself to go pale was no mean feat. Shutting my eyes in time to the laser pistol tapping against my skull, I recalled my script.

The aim was shifted to Juma who already wet his pants. I knew it was only a matter of time… Why do arrogant people always have incontinence issues?

"Please don't kill me…" the obese man begged. His eyes seemed to light up as if he thought of the perfect plan. "It's credit, right? It's credit you want, right? I'll pay you three… no, five! I'll pay you five times the amount whoever hired you!"

Honestly, I wanted to roll my eyes at the pathetic bargaining attempt. If you really wanted your life you should offer everything you had. Even till the very end, this man was an incorrigible fool. Credit still meant more than his life. I guess he'll just have to learn the hard way.

"Juma West," the Night Walker drawled. I caught from the side of my eyes the drones moving into position for the third part of the grand opening plan. Technically, a holographic image is incapable of murdering anyone which was why I rigged the meeting place in advance.

Juma was grinning as the Night Walker made no attempt to pull the trigger. It was absurd how he thinks he was going to live. Anyone with eyes could see what was going on. The hunter was simply toying with its prey.

"I've heard of your various accomplishments as a member of the Parliament. A little bird also told me of how rich you are. Unfortunately, I'm not here for the credits you have."

With that, Juma's face fell. "What do you mean?"

Night Walker responded as rehearsed. "You want to know why? Let me give you a hint. Mia Elliot."

The sixth seat Parliament member showed confusion. "Who's that?"

I would have snorted if not for the situation. Of course, the name of a Slum girl wouldn't ring a bell. Night Walker version two merely continued as if he hadn't heard Juma's question. Then again, this was a holographic image and a video recording. It couldn't reply even if it wanted to.

"The Parliament will pay for their actions. Let this be a message to those who sit in the comfort of their homes. I have no grudges with the Inner City or the Slums, my feud is with the ones responsible for playing with human lives. Juma West, be honoured for you will be the first."

The doors broke down when the Patrol Guards entered in the most timely and dramatic fashion. "Freeze! You are surrounded, Night Walker. Surrender now."

The squad leader was probably new. Anyone who had encountered the Night Walker knew better than to tell him that. Protocols were a waste of time with him.

"That's my cue to leave. Enjoy the rest of the day and say hi to Spencer for me!" With those parting words, the Night Walker leapt out of the building and vanished. Another perfect escape by the marvellous Night Walker! If Spencer had been present, he would have prepared another team below the building. Thankfully, I sent him to bed early.

Before the squad leader could give the command to pursue the Night Walker, a bloodcurdling scream was torn from the Parliament member's throat. Blood sprayed everywhere as his heart exploded from an unseen force, leaving everyone on the scene horrified.

Even with mental preparation, the sight was too gory and the blood on my face was too warm. The smell of rusty iron smell filled the air almost immediately, overwhelming my senses. The way those eyes dulled and reminded me of Raoul's last moments and I felt sick again. Witnessing every moment of life drain from Juma West, I couldn't keep track of what was happening around me.

In a minute, Juma was no more. Air eluded me and with impeccable timing, Titus Crowley was out of commission. Raoul's murder had been gruesome but Juma's murder was grotesque art.