Big Ben and A Cup Of Cappuccino.
Westminster Bridge, London.
"The scenery is beautiful, isn't it?"
Two men, dressed formally. Both had sunglasses on, even though the weather was quite cloudy today. One of them was lean, with broad shoulders, dressed in a three piece suit, while the other was of average height, and a slightly narrower body type.
"When is the target scheduled to arrive?"
The shorter man said. He was here to complete the mission, not for sightseeing.
"The boss has asked us to enjoy for the time being. The target is going to be here next week. So loosen up, and try to blend in."
The taller man took a sip of coffee from the use-and-throw cup in his right hand.
"Then why are we here?"
All the preparations were in place. They still had a week. What the hell was going on?
"Mock practice sessions. We will be training for around 4 hours everyday, and utilizing all the time we have to prepare for the mission. Here."
He took out a envelope from the inside pocket of his suit, and handed it over.
"Place of contact, Vantage points, Escape routes and suppliers. You can pick up our equipment if you don't want to relax."
The shorter guy read through the page.
"Done. I will meet you at the safehouse tomorrow, master."
The taller guy palmed his forehead.
"I guess you don't want to use your teeth anymore."
He had already asked him to not address him in that way during a mission. He had already graduated, and they were partners now.
"Force of habit. After all, you drilled that in me. Remember?"
Johann, the master. And Yuya, the student.
"Yeah. I guess I did."
He continued to stare at the Big Ben. There was a lot at stake here.
"The boss isn't going to listen to our reasons if we fail. Keep that in mind."
Yuya looked at him and said,
"We won't fail."
Johann smiled.
"That's the spirit."
Yuya left him alone. Johann continued to enjoy the scenery and his cup of cappuccino in peace.
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"An escort mission?"
He had the file in his hand.
"Go ahead. Read it."
He read through the file. It was nothing special.
"Is this the best you can do?"
He was not impressed. This was a very cheap mission when compared to what Zhao or the Grey family gave him. A bodyguard job, for 2 days.
"Her life is in danger. She has the money. Although her priority level is low, I believe that you can do it."
The job was to protect a middle-aged proprietor that had collusions with many mafia families around the world. Due to a certain accident(It was no accident. She fudged up some finances.), the Serbian mafia decided to put a price on her name. They made it an open invite, without involving the collective into this. The woman named Laura Bell was a British national, and she had approached the collective with a substantial offer for an emergency request.
"Does the Smirnov family not have any more missions?"
"We distribute the missions according to our Quota and based on merit at the beginning of the year. People who don't get any missions are stationed outside the family to work as informants. Emergency missions are assigned according to the training aptitude of the individual. So yes. We don't have any more missions to give you. An emergency mission is the best we can do right now."
A proper system was in place for everyone. Alex had to follow this as well.
"What about my equipment?"
Aglaya rested her chin on her hand.
"Already taken care of. I asked Jane's grandfather to give me your measurements. I have a selection of bodysuits prepared for you. A Gunsmith will be here by tomorrow to take your preferences, and you are scheduled to leave for London in 3 days with 4 days of preparation and arrangement in hand after that. Your mission is to take out all the hostile parties aiming for Miss Laura's head and keep her safe until she can go underground. You will be with her for 7 days at maximum. The rest of the plan is up to her, so make sure that you base your strategy accordingly."
He looked at the picture inside the file.
"Do the mafia families know that Collective is protecting her?"
A devilish smile.
"Of course not."
That would classify it as an important piece of information. They would have to pay for that, and they are already drying up their coffers by executing this manhunt.
"So they don't know what is going to hit them?"
"And your job becomes 10 times easier. They want to ambush her. And just like a fly, they will be trapped in your web."
This sounds easy. But there was a lot to be done.
"I'll take this mission. What is the payout?"
"No payout. Collective takes everything."
He was being hoodwinked.
"Then what do I get in return?"
"The same thing that all the assassins at the training camp are getting for their missions. Favorability points and recognition."
So nothing. His expression soured.
"Alright. There is one thing."
She didn't want to end this on a bad note.
"Speak."
"Methods of movement. Advanced series Two, Three and Four."