Chapter: The Mission

Elle had just finished disassembling her pistol. This was her favorite midnight activity: gunplay. She picked up a piece, examining it for rust and grime.

She had her soap and oil ready. Just as she set down the first piece, her cell phone rang. It was Charles.

Elle and Charles were partners. She was a meticulous young woman, making sure that the only person her clients interacted with was Charles.

He was her middleman, the person who negotiated with her clients directly, while also relaying her information.

All these extra steps were because Elle was an assassin. One of the world's most wanted criminals.

But the world governments only had a name. No face. Her identity was unknown even to her clients.

With every hit that Elle would complete, she'd make sure to leave a death card, which was her trademark. On the card were various silhouettes of cats, and cat's eyes.

And Elle had never failed a mission. She was known as 'Catseye, the Devilish Assassin.'

"Catseye. I have a mission for you," Charles said. He skipped pleasantries.

"My target?" Elle asked.

"Jorge Arison. Head of the Skull Gang," Charles answered.

"Oh. The Skull Gang," Elle nodded. "The Dark Knight Organization's strongest competitor right now. No wonder they want him dead…" A mischievous smile appeared on her lips.

"How did you know the hit was called by the Dark Knights? I haven't told you who our client is yet," Charles gaped. He sounded amazed.

"Isn't it obvious? Who'd dare put a price on the Skull's boss if not them?"

Charles laughed, "Right again Catseye," he said. He silently marveled at how she was always two steps ahead of him.

"You've got to be smart and dangerous in this line of business," Elle thought for a moment. "Tell them that this is a difficult job. Big money for a big fish."

"Their starting offer was 50 million."

"Double it. And I want 50 million as down payment, or else they can move on to someone else. Is that clear, Charles?" Elle said. She had gone back to examining parts of her pistol.

5 minutes passed before Charles returned to the line.

"Okay, we got it. They said it's a deal."

"Excellent. Transfer the money to my account. Once I receive their payment, tell them to wait for good news. It'll come in three days," then Elle hung up.

After her conversation with Charles was finished, Elle opened her laptop. She started to gather information about her target. 

Through her computer skills, she could easily check the background of her targets.

Once her job was accepted, Elle would make sure to find access to vital information that would help her accomplish her mission.

A tap-tap from the keyboard could be heard through the entire room. In minutes several pieces of information regarding her target flashed on the screen. 

She had gained access to the Skull Gang's servers a while ago. Elle worked quickly, opening the portal.

She successfully hacked the security system of one of the Skull Gang's Headquarters in under an hour. 

Thrill and excitement were reflected in her dark eyes as she read the details. A sly smile appeared on her beautiful face.

"The thought of killing a high-profile target like this excites me," Elle said, talking to herself.

"Tsk tsk... Not an easy mark though," she mumbled as she absorbed information about Jorge Arison.

Elle also gathered information about the Skull Gang's various operations.

Once her next move was set in stone, she got up from her laptop and headed to her private elevator. This elevator went deep.

Moving down into her secret basement where all her weapons and gadgets were stored. She was getting ready for her next mission.

Little did she know, that accepting this mission would bring about sweeping changes in her life. Elle's dull routine was over.

Whether she liked it or not, fate had a funny way of messing things up. It was up to Elle to choose the right path. Only then could she live in the future she wanted.

Enemies would keep coming to her way. Her dark past would slowly be revealed. The unexpected would become normal, and strange things would keep happening to her.

*****

[ Edited by Lilliny ]