Post by Gjenrei on Sept 25, 2011 2:17:57 GMT -6
----Several Years Ago----
Garett met us at the car, a block away from the warehouse. We had, over the years, developed a sixth sense of nearby locations we would use as safe zones and meeting points. He slid himself half way out of the window at our approach.
We go?
We go.
Code for, we have a place to be, I will explain on the way. He does not bat an eyelash at Wendells appearance, only guns the engine and takes off in the general direction I wave my hand in.
We need to get to the Plaza Hotel. Mayfield is giving a speech in.. Holy sh--, seven minutes. Gary was a marine sniper, I know him.. he'll take the shot then.
Plaza.. on it..
I filled Garett in on the details. The assassination, Wendells refusal, Gary covering for his brother.
So, you're the one in debt?
Yea.. can't pick a decent dog to save my life..
We burned down the streets, Garett taking a back route that shaved time, but clearly not enough. We arrived on the scene to find things in a panic. Mayfield was spotted getting into a vehicle that pulled away. I had to make a decision.
Garett, take Wendell and go get Gary out of here. Try to cover it as best as possible. I'm going to go after Mayfield.
You got a hunch brother?
I'm pretty sure the driver of the car he's escaping in is the man, Landon.
Ok, Call me if you need me..
He has learned in a crisis situation that arguing wastes time we cannot afford. They departed the car and I burned out after Mayfield. They seemed to be headed to the Ford building, which was where I guessed the campaign headquarters would be located. But they veered off track into the industrial district of town. I knew how this would play out. There is always a plan B. The car parked and the three men got out. It was, as I figured, Landon and Albert, the latter holding a gun on the aspiring Senator.
What do you want? I don't have anything you can steal..
We're just here to settle a little deal with have. See, some of my friends, were going to be some of your co-workers pretty soon, and they asked if I could.. oh, how shall I put this.. make their workplace a little less..
Conservative..
That's a good a word as any.
So, what will you do, just gun me down in cold blood?
For lack of a better method, yes..
But you're assassin failed.. shoot me now, and it will be traced to you!
Not if I shoot you with the assassin's military sidearm.
Cell phones are good for a number of things, you can make calls, you can send texts.. or you can use the alarm to provide an adequate distraction.
What's that stupid beeping sound?
Landon began to search around. He did find my cellphone, hidden behind a stack of steel girders. However, he also found the realm of unconciousness after I put him in a choke hold. Very effective maneuver.
Landon..? Find anything?
He goes down as I dropped on him from above. It was a simple matter of removing his leather gloves, and then placing a nice fat fingerprint on the trigger assembly of my unregistered handgun, not even the best lawyer can explain that way. When the police found aspiring Senator Mayfield, they found his two captors armed and unconcious. They went away for a very long time.
----Now----
Why?
Turns out attempting to assassinate someone running for public office incurs some hefty charges.
So what happened to the family?
Neither Gary nor Wendell were ever suspected of being involved. They tried to finger Gary as the shooter, but Garett did such a good job cleaning the scene they could never prove there was a sniper at all.
Did they pay?
Yes. They covered our expenses, plus a standard fee.
How standard?
Five thousand US dollars.
Wow.. would you...?
Would I what?
Still do that?
If the circumstances were right.. Yes.
Sweet, I'm going to be your handler slash negotiator!
Hey, do not get ahead of your..
She was no longer listening. What did I volunteer myself for this time.
Deanna
The Handler
[/center]The Handler
You may be asking yourselves, why did I bother showing you all of this? Was it to try and make some statement about being dangerous? Some kind of ego wave to say that you should all respect and fear my power?
No. Nothing of the sort.
The lesson to be learned from this, is that power comes from within. It is a mere matter of timing, persistance, and perspective. Just like any man can win a fight against any other, thus can any wrestler win or lose a match against any other. The easiest way to defeat, is to believe that you will always win. Overwhelming power, impossible odds, all are mere obstacles in the path that can be overcome with the right sense of intuition, focus and bravery. Courage forges a mighter blade than any metal. Tenacity is a sturdier armor than any ever crafted.
To win the battle ahead, you must understand what it means to fight.
Fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves, is a small example of how you can draw motivation to win, when all paths seem to lead to a loss. How you can bend the reality to shape the dream, instead of dreaming the reality is what you want it to be. So, the most honest question ever posed is..
What do you fight for?
And the answer that I have found to be the most inspiring is. Everything..
But not myself.
Xander,
I know that these circumstances we are in now, do not favor the "who is the better man" argumentative. In all truth, I would love nothing more than to stand across that ring and feel that power. To see if I have the internal fortitude to stand up again where so many men have fallen. I regret that such circumstances were not permitted us this time.
If, however, you would like to make such a thing a reality in the future. I would be more than honored.
I fear that I do not possess the influence to make such a thing occur. But you, with the power you hold, both in your fists and your status, can do such a thing, I believe.
Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to match my skills against yours.
Jason,
Perhaps some time away from the gym would be more helpful. It seems that you are more concerned with this mystery surrounding your life, than what is staring you straight in the face.
If you look away from the dragon, that, is when it strikes.
Remember that.
Seth,
Need I remind you that this aggressive determination is what caused you so much pain? I understand you want to be respected, I understand that you want to be admired, I even understand your desire to be called Champion. But as they say, the brightness of gold is more blinding than the sun. Do not be so focused on trying to win, that you miss the beauty in what is in front of your face.
They also say, the saving light at the end of your tunnel is a freight train coming your way.
The funny thing about balance, Seth, is that it encompasses everything and nothing. The ability to do everything, and the mastery of none. What you consider to be a strength in versatility, comes with a unique weakness, as each of us would have one facet that we perform better. I say this to you, because with the right mental apptitude, you could be one of the most fearsome warriors I have come across.
The warrior, I seek death against.
Let yourself be free of the desire for success, the rage of failure, and all will be well.
Caleb,
I wish I had the time to explain to you what you are missing. Perhaps later, we can share.. what is it Americans share for a time of comeraderie...? Beer, I think? Whatever you please. What you must understand, is that not everyone lives for the same thing. Should I win this match, I will take that belt and honor it, as is my duty. But it is not something I want. It is not something I desire to have. Not something I think about every night before bed. I do not have a special place reserved in my home for it.
No, the pride in what I do, comes from the battle itself.
We are warriors, combatants, like the gladiators of old. Why the crowd comes to see us, what price we pay for the battle, these are just small pieces of the whole. When you know that, when you can be at peace with that, you will have the only understanding one would need in this business. Then the thought of failure holds no meaning, the thought of loss is unimportant, and pain.. no longer hurts.
It is not neccessary to understand my words, only to understand my actions.
We, as a species, are unable to shy away from conflict. As a whole, we are prideful and vengeful, unable to live with the slightest insult to our names. That is why people come to see the blood, to feel the emotion in the air. Why people hang on our every word, whether it be.. "trash talking" as it was called, or the interactions of our lives. We do not have to accept their reasoning, only abide by it. But we..
Warriors, embrace the battlefield as home, and the battle, as dear as every breath we take.
We have our skills, we have our focus, it is time to put it all together, and see what this night holds. It is not the end, not the beginning, but merely, a piece of the puzzle.
I shall see you on the battlefield, gentlemen.
戦士は心によって、そらで彼の道をない選ぶ。
A Warrior chooses his path, not by his mind, but his heart.