1 LAST DECISION ON A FRIDAY

<National Security Agency HQ

UTC-4 0900 PM

Meeting Room 3034>

The atmosphere was neither heavy nor light. Friday night, only one last agenda point was left before the officials would get off. The projector had heated up to the point where – had there been insects in the room – they would have crowded around it like a campfire. But no living thing without an invitation would be able to enter this facility, let alone this room. Only those preregistered had the access granted, and after three hours of continuous discussion, the posture of those invited had slowly drifted towards a more casual stance. The only one with a straight back and a firm grip on the pointer was the presenter himself.

"For our last point of the agenda," he stated in a matter of fact manner that had been with him since middle school, "we have the evaluation and selection among the nominees for a level 7 civil servant promotion. Since this will imply a potential security risk with new access to sensitive information including –"

"Chris, please, spare us the preamble. We are all aware," Brian Spencer, the senior agent with an impressive beard hiding away half of his visage as he was presiding over the meeting interrupted, one hand rubbing his temples, the other spinning a pen around his fingers, hovering over the documents spread out liberally over the glass table in front of him. "As I understand the nominees have undergone the required security screenings and are ranked by the independent panel of judges beforehand. Who's number one?"

"As you wish, sir." Another click on the pointer and a face popped up on the screen. A pale face, void of all emotions. Still young and neat with his raven-black hair groomed to frame his face but somewhat indifferent, yet not without leaving an impression on whoever would meet his bright green eyes. "Alexander Knight, 28 years old, recruited on his first year of military service due to his recognized excellence among certain areas, including strategic thinking, long-range sniping, and technology affinity. Currently on a mission. He holds the top score among the three candidates due to his uninterrupted history of successfully completed missions in the past."

"Which earned him the nickname One Shot, yes. Anything speaking against his promotion as G7?" Spencer glanced around the room; a few chairs squeaked as the occupants shifted their weight around but otherwise no objection managed to penetrate the silence. Spencer leaned back in his seat. "You said he's on a mission?"

"Yes, sir. A solo sniper mission in downtown Athaire; estimated completion within the hour."

"When he completes his mission successfully, congratulate him on his promotion. Meeting adjourned."