A very nervous looking Elroy, Mohawk buzzed down under his hat, strolled with his yellow reflective vest and ladder to the stairwell to avoid people near the elevator. He opened the glass door and almost ran into someone who he assumed would ask questions, but just nodded and moved on, as if telling him to keep up the good work. He reached the 5th floor and the roof access, stepping out into the breeze and sunlight, heading to the corner rail where the pipe was taped. He unscrewed the lid and removed the rifle, a very old Mosin Nagant with a small 4 power scope on a welded rail he did himself. He racked the bolt back and forward, just barely turning it to keep it in place and safe, and moved to the door, wrapping the handle in the bike chain and locking it shut, he took position and got situated, padded gloves on the stone roof ledge to rest the wooden hardware.

  “In position.” He said, propping his phone up and setting a timer before playing a movie to kill time, volume quiet.

  Yuri scaled the fire escape of the car dealership, huffing to himself at the visible barrel sticking out from the rooftop a hundred yards closer and up.

  “Fucking idiot.” He muttered, opening the case for his SVD sniper rifle in matte black and keeping it low. He lifted his phone to his head. “Yes Nadja. In position. I can see him.” He said lifting a handful of brown rifle casings” The first round will fire, all of the rest are just bullet and primer. It will malfunction. The first shot, that is the signal. Look for the window on the second floor. I am with you, redneck has no idea. He did not even check the gun after I left it. Dumb shit has the barrel sticking out and visible. I would worry about him being arrested if I was not planning his failure already. Yes, I can see his head. He will be fully visible when he goes to take the shot. All is correct. I will not fail you.” Yuri said, hanging up the phone.

  Nadja smiled and put her phone back in her pocket, turning to mike with blue eye contacts and blonde hair, makeup covering her tattoos. Mike looked back at her, a bushy red beard covering most of his face and a bald cap discreetly fit.

  “We good?” he asked her.

  “Da. Fox is in the hen house, as you say. You look ridiculous.” She jabbed.

  “You still somehow look ravishing, but I would never call it an improvement, just convincing. Carl…you ready to go?” he asked as Carl struggled, now heavily made up in a fat suit and a sock in his mouth. “Good to hear. Time for your medication.” Mike said giving him a dose of something and calming him down to the point of drooling, removing the gag and adjusting the oddly long wig. He gave him a sprits of something from a bottle, and Nadja hopped out of the car, heading to the entrance as Mike prepped the wheelchair.

  Young Lincoln sat in the coffee shop, watching the alley and keeping his coat in place over the Tech 9 nestled under his left arm. He peered across the room at Theo, reading the paper, leather jacket buttoned over his own Tech 9 as he nodded back discreetly.

  “The coffee is ready... over.” He muttered.

  Tanner rolled her eyes at the shitty code line as she double-checked her wooden knives were secured under her phone case, and Rowan increased his limp as they rounded the entrance. The first open door was guarded by a single police officer.

  “I.D. and pass.” He yawned.

  “I.D. right here, good sir, but about that pass. I drove a long way here before realizing I bone-headedly forgot them at home. It’s for a college course, I’m sure we can make this right.” He suavely gleamed.

  “This event requires a pass in advance.”

  “Cash in advance, you said?” he said, faking the misheard reply and getting out his wallet. “How much per person? It’s quite necessary for our political exam.” He said flashing a lot of hundreds. The officer looked around and took the money, checking the IDs just in case.

  “I.D. looks clean, proceed to the line near the metal detectors.” He nodded, moving them along. Tanner and Rowan discreetly moved along, and to the walk-through search.

  “Any implants, medical or otherwise?” asked the next security guard.

  “Um…” Tanner said, looking uncomfortable. “I actually forgot about…” she sighed, stepping aside, discreetly patting her breasts as the distracted guard ran the wand slowly up and down, the wand beeping as it reached her piercings. She pulled her shirt tightly and raised her eyebrows.

  “Okay,” he nodded. "That's...fine." he said wanding the rest of her with no beeps and nodding uncomfortably along.

  “Sorry.” She whispered.

  “No you’re fine.” He said, as Rowan finished dumping his wallet and keys in the x-ray tray and his shoes, before walking through with the cane without a noise. He re-shoed and the next guard handed back the cleared tray. They rejoined and turned to follow the arrows.

  “That was an unexpected twist.” He smirked at her.

  “It’s the only twist of those you’ll get, creepo. How’s the leg?”

  “Uncomfortable.” He said, as they branched off to the restrooms to un-tape their weapons and get them in a more desirable position.

  Caleb and Alex sat on some crates in the back alley, looking bored.

  “Nervous?” Alex asked.

  “Little bit.” Caleb sighed.

  “It shows. Have a drink. Relax. Our part in this play is supposed to be drawing as little attention as possible, whereas you look like you’re planning a grand heist and quite anxious about it. It’s immeasurably simple. Our job is to do nothing. Merely exist, till the first shot is fired, load your dart gun and wait. That is likely your entire job. We are little more than a backup option, and in the event someone comes through that door, I highly suggest you keep doing nothing.”

  “We’re supposed to dart Mike on sight unless he’s with Nadja. Carry him to the car.” Caleb said, accepting the flask of peppermint schnapps.

  “Listen closely. Do nothing. Nothing shall happen. If something happens, do nothing and SAY you tried and missed. This is not your fight. If I happen to get a clear shot at his back, I shall make the shot, sedate the preacher, and only then your job goes from nothing to helping me carry him. If I don’t act, neither do you. Survival 101. Know your pay grade. Yours is quite low. If Mike is armed, simply let him walk and live to fight another day. Do not engage Nadja, under any scenario, even if she is hogtied and rolled out on a cart with an apple in her mouth. She will kill you somehow from that position.” He insisted.

  “Fine, but if he’s unarmed and alone, I’m taking the shot. I’m not letting him go, under orders to bag him." Caleb insisted.

  “Your funeral. I’m sure Tanner will be very impressed at the wake, and your chances of getting laid will go from zero to still zero but with death. I don’t take her for a necrophile. Now Rowan, on the other hand...I would not comfortably make any wagers.”

  “Sounds like chicken-shit talk to me. Maybe I’ll do this alone and you can wait in the car. It’s safer in there.” Caleb said, glaring with annoyance.

  “As I have said, your funeral is your business.” Alex shrugged, checking his dart gun again to be sure it didn’t break.

  Mike smiled, showing his fake pass and ID and Carl’s as the security guard assessed how to approach him. They paused at the fat man in the chair, drooling and looking around.

  “My brother, he’s got a lot of problems, but he still follows the politics and wants to support.” Mike said in a gruff tone. “He can’t stand up for it anymore.”

  “You mind if we check the chair?” asked the awkward guard.

  “Not at all, just be careful not to break anything.” He said, as carls Eyes moved around, and he tried to talk. Only a soft moan came out. “It’s okay, Bob, they’re just scanning you. You’re fine. I should let you know about this, My pills and his insulin.” He said, handing them the pouch, stepping through the detector, clean and without a sound. They wheeled him around the side and inspected the needles.

  “He’s good. You be safe, elevator doors close fast.” The guard said, as he wheeled Carl along, pushing on the suppressor grips. Mike made his turn to the bathroom, where Nadja was filling her water bottle very slowly. She dropped her purse and Mike picked it up, pocketing the magazines and knee brace discreetly, as he smiled and said a polite “here ya go miss.” And moved on the to the bathroom, to the far stall.

  “Okay Carl. You did great. I always knew you could pull it off.” He said removing the grips of the chair and ripping the leather away, assembling the folding Glocks with their custom hinge pins. He used his teeth to rip the stitching from the knee brace and removed the 4 magazine springs. Mike unscrewed the handles of the wheelchair, removing a strip of tape containing the ammunition, as Carl sat paralyzed, watching him complete the weapons and send a silent text, the door opening as planned. He gave him a little more of the medication and unlocked the stall door, sliding the now fully assembled folded pistol to Nadja and tucking his own in his belt, wheeling Carl along by the other hand grips as if nothing was different. Nadja went far right and took her seat as Mike rolled Carl to an end spot on the far left to wait.

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  The room was silenced as a bald man with glasses and a slightly protruding belly took the podium, adjusting his mustache and clearing this throat.

  “I would like to begin by addressing some rumors.” Said Mayor Sandlin, proudly standing tall with his navy-blue tailored jacket.

  Tanner discreetly texted: “is the weather cloudy or clear?” and awaited a response. A moment later a text from Yuri saying “partially cloudy”. She looked frustrated, not sure if that mean he had the shot or not. Yuri peered through the scope at the mayor, clearly in his sights through a 45 degree piece of glass, his finger off the trigger and calmly holding the gun as if there was no rush in the world. He tapped his phone.

  “Elroy, is the new window delivered?” he asked cryptically.

  “Window is delivered and in position, whenever you’re ready to start, just let me know, and I’ll go ahead a take-out the old one. Whenever you wanna go, boss.” He said dropping the bolt handle into firing position and lining up the window glass.

  “I’m on my way. There is traffic. I will let you know when I get there.” He replied. Waiting for Nadja’s signal instead of giving the order. Mike got up silently, mid-speech, whispering apologies and rolling Carl down the open hall to the left of the main room. A man with an earpiece and black suit stood guarding the exit. He nodded and turned into the bathroom just before it, locking the door and wheeling Carl into the stall. He quickly began removing Carl's disguise, Carl now eyes open and without the wig and rubber mask, revealing a shaved head and only his mustache remaining, dyed black. He kept some of the belly padding on as he chose the appropriate black shirt collar, taping it down and propping him up against the wall. He stepped outside the bathroom and carefully approached the security guard.

  “Hey, can I get some help? My brother had a bit of an accident. It’s pretty bad, and damned if I didn’t forget his insulin with my wife. Can you make sure nobody goes in there till I can get something to clean up and bring his insulin?” he asked.

  “Yea.” He reluctantly nodded. “Hurry up, I’m not supposed to be guarding the bathroom, people may need it.” he explained.

  “Thank you so much, I’ll be back in a jiffy.” Mike nodded. Rushing down the hall as the guard moved his post about 20 feet closer, standing near the restroom doors, technically still blocking anyone from going down to the exit. Mike rounded the corner and locked eyes across the auditorium with Nadja, peering over her sunglasses and parted blonde wig. Mike texted the word “GO” and waited to hit send, he got his fanny pack of syringes, selecting the black one and rushing down the hallway. The guard looked relieved as he pretended to fumble with the medical supplies.

  “Can you get the door for me?” he asked as the guard nodded and opened the door, stepping just inside to hold it. Mike uncapped the needle and silently stabbed him in the neck, holding his mouth as he struggled for a brief moment and slid down the wall. He shut the door and locked it, giving Carl a shot marked with red tape His pupils dilated, and he began looking around the stall groggily.

  “The fuck is… where?” Carl muttered.

  “Couldn’t risk your bad acting ruining the mission, so listen closely. Nadja is going to take you hostage, put a gun to your head, and you’re gonna go with it because the gun is real, and she will actually kill you if you don’t play along. That bomb under your nuts, still active. You want it removed, we’ll remove it in the ambulance when we’re all on our way out of here, alive. You do anything stupid, and you’ll actually need the wheelchair.” Mike said, “Now listen very carefully. When Nadja is done using you as a human shield, she’s going to shove you aside and run. You run the opposite direction and straight to the exit where the ambulance will be waiting. Get in and sit down. That’s your job, don’t fuck it up. Wait here.” He said, removing his costume and undressing enough to swap to the security guard’s outfit. Tucking the Beretta behind his belt and the machine pistol in front. He walked outside and slowed down as he sent the text. Nadja received it and sent her own text, getting up and making sure everyone saw her wide, padded ass move past them.

  Yuri tapped the phone and read the words "Bird nest" turning his sights on Elroy.

  “I’m ready to install the glass, Elroy. Remove the window.” He ordered. Elroy took a deep breath and fired, breaking the glass with a loud crack as the second shot struck him in the neck, folding him to the rooftop. He clutched the arterial bleeding wound and braced the wall as his life flashed before his eyes and Yuri retracted his rifle, grabbing the phone as he ran for the parked ambulance. Tanner lifted the phone, looking annoyed that he didn’t text confirmation, as everyone began to panic and security moved to locate the shooter.

  “Plan is compromised.” Yuri huffed. "I think security shot Elroy, I am evacuating position. Abort.” He said clearly.

  “FUCK!” Tanner silently mouthed, discreetly drawing her blades and tucking them under her arms to hide them. Getting up as the buzz of the crowd began to grow towards chaos. 2 armed men moving the mayor left and away from the podium.

  “Shots fire, we’re moving the mayor.” One of them said in his earpiece.

  “West side is clear, move to first floor exit.” Said Mike, still dressed as a security guard and both guns out. Tanner spotted Nadja near the hallway and made a run for it, Rowan following her as the crowd scattered. An undercover security guard drew a Beretta 9mm, aiming for Tanner to stop her, as Rowan drew his sword cane and ran the wooden blade through his neck, the gun firing into the crowd as he dropped, pulling the wooden shiv down and getting stuck. Rowan struggled to free it as Tanner rushed past, and another security guard got in her path. She slashed the wrist holding the gun, stabbing his neck with the punch dagger and trying to pry the gun loose as Rowan passed her and went for Nadja. She grabbed the incoming wooden blade and stepped out of the stabbing line. Grabbing his wrist to stop the smaller wooden dagger, and twisting his arm to jam the blade into his own shoulder, dropping him with a knee to the face and snapping the blade off. She delivered a stomp to the shin, crippling Rowan. She moved in with the crowd and hunkered down as Security failed to notice her and kept targeting Tanner. Nadja dropped into the row of folding seats, returning fire almost as they began firing.

  The two armed guards rushed the mayor down the hall and past Mike, as he pretended to guard the hall, turning and drawing the suppressed Glock, taking 2 rapid headshots and sending them to the floor, taking out the 2 hall cameras he spotted earlier, and pressing the gun to the mayor’s head.

  “Bathroom. NOW!” he ordered, as Mayor Sandlin obeyed and went in, Mike dragging the bodies by the wrist with the gun in his teeth. Locking the door and quickly pointing the gun. “Put this on.” Mike ordered, handing him the fat suit and the wig.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Sorry, but time is crucial here. Your security team has been compromised, sir. Some of the guards are working for the wrong side. We need to get you out of here without them knowing it. I’m part of the freelance security team, we anticipated there might be an attempt on your life. Anonymous tip. This is the backup plan. Get in the chair.” He said, turning discreetly and unloading the bullets from the Beretta mag and quickly reloading them backwards, magazine left slightly out. He took out a syringe of fake blood and spraying it on his costume as he went with it in a terrified manner.

  “What’s this?” mayor Sandlin asked.

  “Distraction. We don’t know who’s on our side and who’s not.” Mike said hitting the earpiece. “Mayor is secure, and we’re moving east, I got a wounded civilian and an ambulance on the way, he’s been shot pretty bad.” Mike said, slapping the mayor’s hand on the fake blood. “Hold that and pretend to be in pain, we’re evacuating you out via ambulance. You’re gonna be fine.” He assured, wheeling out the mayor and stopping carl with a look and a gun.

  “Wait, Carl. Backup is arriving.” He winked, almost threatening him as he lifted and racked the Beretta, loading nothing and bumping the clip in place discreetly, tossing it to Carl as if it was just loaded and ready. He questioned nothing, taking the safety off.

  Mike wheeled the mayor out and turning the corner, tossed his security jacket and earpiece, down, donning a baseball cap and nodding his head down, so the other cameras couldn’t see his face and his 3rd wardrobe change. He frantically rushed past the other pedestrians at the front exit, the front desk security assisting the wounded man and Mike passed the others, as priority, as a medic met them at the door and guided them along.

  They got to the back of the ambulance and Mike drew the Glock, taking 3 rapid shots.

  “Wrong ambulance, sir. EMT’s don’t carry Uzis.” Mike lied as he rushed the mayor around the back.

  Nadja ran for the hallway and stopped, turning and firing a shot into Tanner’s chest as she landed back first on the carpet, dazed.

  “You’re lucky Mike loves you, or that would have been your head.” Nadja hissed, tapping her forehead with the barrel. “Get in my way again, and I’ll make an exception and lie to him.” She said, as Tanner crawled to her feet and fell back towards the auditorium, noticing Rowan on the ground. She grabbed him up as he let out a grunt.

  “Oh, save it for later, pussy, it’s a shoulder wound.” She huffed as he moved on his own power.

  “Thank you for the vests. They clearly helped stop a wooden sword to the arm.” He sarcastically groaned. "I think my leg might be broken."

  “Bitch, I got shot in the vest. They clearly came in handy!” She barked as another gunshot sounded and struck him in the back, sending him reeling as they crashed through the side door. “See? Glad you had it now?” she said snidely. Heading to the alley, half-carrying him like a spare leg.

  Nadja opened the bathroom door and waved Carl along, taking him at gunpoint as he hid the Beretta in his mayor’s jacket, now looking a lot like Mayor Sandlin if you squinted a little. She wrapped her arm around his face to hide any giveaways and charged out of the bathroom, a security Beretta at his chest and the Glock pointed forward in full auto. She moved down the auditorium, the guards aiming and afraid to take the shot with the mayor as a human shield. She sprayed down 3 of them, all trying to get a clear shot, and one remaining, ducking for cover. She kicked open the emergency exit and pushed Carl away, splitting off and firing a round over his head. He turned and clicked the gun, realizing it wasn’t chambered, and racking it, jamming the slide with a backwards 9mm round and frantically trying to eject it, running like hell down the alley as the remaining security followed him to cover the mayor, they didnt realize was a decoy. Nadja turned the street and a few rounds struck the brick wall beside her. She pulled the Glock, spraying full auto fire into the coffee shop and killing 4 random people, Theo and Lincoln, as well, hopping into the ambulance that rolled up next to her and then circled the block. She got in and reloaded as Yuri gave a thumb’s up and she nodded.

  “Good terms now?” he asked.

  “If you get Michal and the mayor alive, you just became my favorite bodyguard.” She smirked.

  Mike rounded the corner alley, casually putting a round into Carl’s knee and dropping him, kicking the gun away and moving on as Alexander and Caleb stepped from behind 2 dumpsters and Caleb drew his dart gun, immediately getting his brains splattered by a well-placed shot from Mike. Alexander dropped the dart gun and backed away, hands up as if to say “don’t shoot.” And another shot rang out. Alexander hit the brick and dropped to the pavement as the ambulance stopped and dropped the loading ramp. Mike wheeled the real mayor in, and the ambulance took off, sirens going and building up speed. Mike removed his disguise and looked to the front, Nadja in the driver’s seat and grinning.

  “We good?” Mike asked.

  “Da, we are good.” she replied, flooring it, as the Mayor sighed with relief, oblivious to the fact that he was better off dead than here.