Vantage Point

'I'm sorry', he mumbled, brushing past one of the few pedestrians on the cobbled sidewalk. His each step was calculated and with precision at the exact time he was supposed to make it. Today was not as usual. He had to make it big. His target today was not the usual low life double agents. But someone big, bigger than he could imagine when assigned the task. It was the chance to prove himself and be there amongst the best; the top league. A difficult assignment on it own and that too in broad daylight. But, no worries here. He had everything planned out, perfect, no errors. He was confident.

He rounded a corner. Just a couple of blocks and he would be there at the Town Hall. The Ambassadors big speech and one move of the finger to finish it all; and he would escape unscathed. Cage smiled to himself. He walked briskly, yet steadily. He was after all a seasoned assassin.

WhiteSnake kept low, stepping into alleyways and occasionally pausing to stare at the shop windows. She had Cage in view. She couldn't lose him. She had to take him out quietly without arousing suspicion. She knew Cage and his methods. That was why they had picked her. She had tried to talk her way out of this but they had ways to persuade her. She carried a bag with her. Something heavy. It was difficult to follow Cage without getting noticed. Owing to the few people on the streets and the keen eyes of Cage.

By the time he reached the Town Hall, people had crowded the entrance. He was not worried as he knew another way in. The Ambassador had not yet arrived. He waited outside. He looked around casually. He froze. Something or rather someone had caught his eye. A familiar face some distance back on the opposite side of the street.

WhiteSnake knew she had been spotted. She needed to act before Cage realized he was targeted. She got into an alleyway and up the stairs of an unusually distorted building. She reached the top. This would do. She had the perfect Vantage Point. She opened her bag and drew out the Sniper and adjusted the view. She had Cage right where she wanted; at the center of the crosshair.

Although he had seen the face only for a moment he was dead sure. He knew the face. A second look around didn't give any leads. She was gone by then. He wasn't sure his mission had been compromised. May be it was just a coincidence. But he thought against that. The two of them at the same place at the same time, wouldn't be a coincidence. That was how they had worked, away from each other. Cage began to contemplate his next move. He was the hunted now and in perfect view of the hunter. He had to act fast and think faster. He moved on from the town hall and started walking. He glanced back for any sign of her. None.

Suddenly he felt numb. He couldn't take a step more before he fell on the pavement with a THUD.

WhiteSnake had taken her aim. She was about to shoot when she saw Cage falling. Even before the thought reached her brain, she felt a strong kick from behind. She fell down the building and onto the pavement.

Kannan watched as the whole world crumbled before his eyes. It was not a battle any more. The war had begun. 'SHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAMMM , I am going to kill you.....' , Kannan got up and ran after his brother. The G.I. Joe figures and Lego blocks scattered every where.

Cage lay there, his mission failed. It will take weeks of planning before he can complete the assignment.

--Rahul AKA Frozenmist [;)]

--With special Thanks to Tony for the review :)