Present Day: 3034

**

Tiara stood there, motionless, on the precipice of the man-made monstrosity. Crackling bits of energy gushed forth from the giant engine; blue sparks that cascaded down the featureless walls of the reactor. Raw energy bit the night air, the brilliant flashes of light giving brief moments of illumination to the otherwise self-run facility. It was different, she knew. She could spy them, huddling beneath the canvases of the rafters and overhangs. The rain... that rain gave her that edge.

The strap bit on her thighs, a sharp abrasion that annoyed more than hurt. The suit felt tight, just as usual... just like every time. Tiara didn't appreciate the leotard, a black seamless cloth-like material hand-woven just for her.I should have shaved. A nagging sense of duty, that's all that thought was. But she had been hesitant to bear off her flame red hair, even for the benefit of the mission.That's it, Hold on Tiara. Delude yourself into thinking that one-day you might have a life. She wished it was more than that; wished that it was more than her pathetic self-worth that was endangering the mission.

Calm. Calm and truth. By the numbers.

She vaulted into the rain from her overwatch position on the water tower nearly ninety feet apart from the sheer face of the reactor.How hard it had been to climb that damn thing. The rain splashed at her feet as she pitter-pattered across the narrow beam. Concentrate... Concentrate on the task at hand and you might live another day. It was the voice of her father, whispering in her ear... giving her strength. She didn't think about how the rain might slip beneath her, nor did she dwell on the ten-story drop that no-doubt would lead to her death.

Run Tiara. Run.

That's when she spied him, that sniper on the far outcropping on the connected warehouse. She could fix on the flash of his scope; a vision that was no doubt locked on her every movement.Wait. A Flash? Something wasn't correct, that abstract horror of miscalculation when one realized the error of their ways nagging her brain.

That's when she slipped. She felt the jerk of her foot, the swing of her body and the crackle of energy that brushed the side of her face.Missed... She felt the rush of wind sweep across her body, the rain as it soaked every inch of body like a crutch. She was falling, squirming vainly in the air in that hope that she could do something... that she could prevent her own death. She fell into the shadows of the reactor, the moonlight blocked by the immense wire-engraved mountain.

My gun! Tiara reached for it on the far side of her belt. She was spinning now, spiraling revolving twist that she could neither avoid nor embrace.The Sniper! He's still out there! That's when she hit the plasma injector, feeling the cool liquid course through the veins of her suit. A rippling sensation shot through her body, like ice touching a warm hand it bit into her skin.No time. No time to think.

She reached for her gun this time, recognizing the ground coming closer and closer with each passing second. That's when the suit kicked in; her waist disappearing just like her contact had promised it would. She felt another crackle of energy, just inches from her face. Did he miss?

She didn't have time. She upholstered the gun, twisting in mid air.Two Seconds. Two seconds more and I'm dead. She aimed, then pulled the trigger.

**

Two Years Before...

**

"Are you faking now?"

Tiara grinned, "Am I ever?" The small apartment was nearly two hundred stories far above the poison clouds of the surface, was a small respite. She couldn't help but feeling the warmth of home, what little that meant anymore. Hovel, she reminded herself. It was a Hovel and nothing more. Four walls... another place to leave after my mission is accomplished.

"You've never told me if you faked it with me." David asked, smiling meekly in that way he did when he was unsure of himself.

"Your pathetic don't you know that?"

"Oh?" David slipped forward, his arms encircling her waist.

"Fishing for compliments like that, It's a wonder I'd put up with you for as long as I have." She responded smugly.

That's when he kissed her, a deep wanting kiss as his hands slipped under her tight fit skirt, feeling the contours of her bottom. Tiara felt that tingle too. And, while she'd never admit it to his face, she felt safe.Safe. She laughed at that, as if that was true anymore... as if they were truly safe and it was as simple as their secret moments at night.

"Is something funny?"

"Oh nothing," she responded "I'm just amused that you'd let it come this far."

David grinned, that wide arrogant smile that told others he was privy to information they had no access to. "And what else might two spies do during the off hours?"

"Your shirt..." Tiara changed the subject.

He stepped back, holding her at arms length. "What?"

"Your shirt," she continued, "It feels rough against my skin. I told you never to wear silk."

"Oh, am I to blame now?" He kissed the nape of her neck, just above the collarbone.

She squirmed against him, feeling that rush of adrenaline she'd only experienced in combat...in combat and in..."Your feisty today." She stated pointingly.

"Ok," He relented. His dark brows creased as he calmly pushed her back against the soft cushions of his brown comforter. "You don't like the shirt, then there's no shirt." He unclasped the buttons, one by one as he stood above her.

Tiara felt her nipples harden, erect against her satin white blouse. She bit her bottom lip, tossing her hair back as she stared, brazenly as he undressed before her.He's a specimen. She'd no doubt that, if given the chance, she'd be drooling. Her hands moved as if on their own, wiggling out of her tight skirt. It was a tight fit...This is taking too long. That's when his fingers slipped along that hardened nub between her thighs. She licked her lips, felt the anticipation tingle along... just above her skin.

"Patience." His hands gripped her wrists, demanding obedience.

She stared then, blank faced into his eyes like an animal caught between the headlights of a hovercraft. "Oh you mean to subdue me?" She challenged.

That's when he kissed her, once more as he held her shoulders firm. His tongue explored this time, a relentless assault that demanded all of her... all she had to give. And when his eyes lifted from the kiss he smiled again, a broad genuine smile. "You talk to much." He only said.

That's when she reached for his cock.

**

Tiara lifted the latch, a rusted thing that periodically stuck in place. She found it amusing; that of all the cheap mag-locks one could acquire... or steal, David would choose the one place devoid of any security. She guessed she should have been concerned but there was something about breaking the rules... something that appealed to her; unspoken rules but rules nonetheless.One does not commit. Wasn't that rule number one? Never put your guard down?Do not fraternize with the enemy. Is that what she was doing? Is that what defined their relationship...

Relationship...

She wore that satin skirt again, hugged just above her knees. It was tight, laced with shiny latex that shined in rays of light that protruded from the lampposts that were strewn at the local bar she frequented. It was a hard assignment, wading through the proverbial mud of prostitutes and whores and, more than once, she'd have to spurn off advances of drunken businessmen looking for a good time.

No one said she had keep up the act if the target wasn't in sight.

Tiara froze, just before entering the door to their small home. Reaching into her dainty purse, she withdrew the small piece of scrolled up paper.Eagle. That's what it read, as if that word alone would explain all she needed to know. The mark had an Eagle as a pet? Maybe his name was Eagle? At first she'd supposed that she'd figured it out, gone to great lengths to track down his black arms dealer only to learn, on her knees, that he was a small player of no importance to anyone.My jaw still hurts.

"Close the door, it's cold outside." A voice said from inside.

"I thought the Syndicate hired tough men?"

A head popped out from the other room, "Nice try but not even close." David's head disappeared behind the wall, "The Syndicate won't even pay full price for a job, god forbid they hire anyone full time."

Tiara flopped down on the cushioner, throwing her purse nonchalantly on the floor. She reached underneath her skirt, releasing the tiny clasp that held her pistol in place. "Free lance?"

"Ha! You wish. When's the last you've heard of a freelancer living past two jobs?"

"You're such a liar," She chuckled, splaying herself on, what she had to admit, was a rather hard mattress. She was tired, kicking off her high heels and, for the first time in months, not caring where they fell. It was hard to be focused at all times of the day, knowing where everything was and how one might defend them self if an enemy were to show up.

"A liar?"

"You're telling me you didn't start out freelancing?"

"Ah! Nice try."

"What?" She laughed, audibly "You're afraid to answer the question."

"It doesn't count if you fish for information."

"I wasn't fishing." She held the bottom fringes of her blouse, pulling it over her head, mussing up her hair. She'd have to tape her breasts to her blouse. And, while it was advantageous to show as much cleavage as possible, it was equally true you had to hide enough to entice the buyer for more. It helped that her competition were all potato faces. Tiara smiled at that thought.

"You're such a liar!" He accused "You forget who you're talking to."

She snaked her way to the other room, "What're doing in there?"

The other room was equally as squarish as the main chamber. It held metallic walls, sheet wide and riveted with bolts up and down the borders. The walls never helped stave off the cold, often walking along it's surface felt worse than standing outside naked which would explain why they didn't actually have to lock the door. A small pipe extended on the far side of the room, brown stains rusted on small portions of the floor where it was evident they'd clean up. She found David huddled in the center of the room, hovering over a small pot while stirring a ladle periodically.

"No, you didn't!" She clamored in disbelief.

"It's Mid-Year."

"Mid-year?" She asked, confused.

"Time to celebrate!" He took a small cup, dipping it into the water that bubbled form the burner he'd held below it, then offered it to her.

Coffee! She lunged toward the cup, gulping it down faster than she realized, what was safe.

"Careful!" He laughed, "Or you'll burn you're throat." David got up from his squatting position.

She took gaping breaths, "How..." She tried to ask but paused to take another gulp. "How did you know? Wait, is this one of you're tricks, to get me to tell you more about myself? You know that's cheating."

He shook his head, turning to carefully examine the remnants of his soon-to-be empty coffee pot.

Tiara sauntered over behind him, feeling the cold gush of wind, which seeped in through the partially open window. She was biting her lip again, that telltale sign she couldn't ignore. Her breasts felt cold, as she began to drag it, inch by inch, up his backside. Her nipples grew taut as she pressed them together, using them to massage his spin, as slowly as she could muster. Her arms wrapped around his broad shoulders, her lips kissing the side of his shoulder, her arm snaking between his loose fitting slacks.

"No bra?" He asked, his voice almost shaking.

"You'd notice it through the blouse." She whispered into his ear, biting it gently. "You can see my cleavage better without it." That's when she felt the head of his pole.He was circumcised. Tiara loved that about him, an insignificant detail that could have a number of reasons behind it. She thumbed the ridge of his cock, feeling him arch his back against her naked chest. "You're so sensitive."

"Now whose feisty?" He said between inward drawn breaths.

"Complaining?" She teased, moving her hand in a jacking motion up and down, his foreskin dragging as her grip tightened.

"Well..." He began to say before she cut him off with a kiss, hard on his lips.

He twisted his body around to face her, his face falling down onto her generous mounds. He bit her erect nipples, squeezing the other with his free hand. She breathed a sigh of relief, feeling the aches and worries of the day seep into his expert ministrations.There have to be training there. Tiara was able only brief moments of concentrated thoughts, before she felt his arms slip within her tight skirt and begin to finger her.

She didn't know how they ended up on the mattress but she found herself squirming against his fingers, giving yelps of pleasure with each piston thrust of fingers deep within her pussy. "Oh David, that's it."

"You're a slut, I can tell."

"You...don't...know..." She challenged between deep breaths.

His lips were upon her pussy before she was able to finish the sentence, his hands generously groping her tits, which bounced freely as she jerked her waist up and down on his moving fingers. It was that need, a hunger that was so close to her. "Faster...Harder..." She begged, wanting more. It felt so close, that climax that felt just beyond her reach. It was indulgence, throwing oneself in reckless abandon without concern of the consequences.

"You like that don't you?" He pressed, spitting on her pussy before inserting his three fingers once again. "You want more, don't you slut?"

"Yes!!!" She answered, knowing that he could ask her anything and she would answer. He could ask her about her mission and she would of told, about what her real name was and she would comply.

But David didn't, only pistoned faster... faster... faster until she felt that familiar rise. She felt the wave descending, that sensation that promised hours of blissful relaxation.

Yes. Yes!Yes!

**

Present Day: 3034

**

Did he miss? The sniper checked his scope once again, searching the length of the base of the reactor floor. The rain phased obscured portions of the ground floor, hiding large expanses between his vantage point and the grounds beyond. What disturbed him is that he didn't see the impact. One moment she had her in his sights, the next she'd pulled the trigger and she was gone.

He tracked his scope, using the red dot to trace his movements for the fifth time. "One thousand one... One thousand two... One thousand three..."

No, it was impossible. He was certain that his shot had to be dead on. He had to, that's what his training told him. His vision shook, vibrating at a visible rate. The sniper dug into his sack, popping another pill down his throat.No. I wasn't shaking during the shot. He reassured himself.

It wasn't his first kill but it still disturbed him. Who was he? A terrorist?

SQUAK! His radio blurted once, "Eagle Three, report in."

He held down the square red button. "Eagle Three, contact eliminated."

"Eagle Three, confirm last."

Don't think about it. Don't think about how you're not a murderer. "Eagle three, kill confirmed." He managed to respond back, hearing the resounding click as he released the button.

"Good job Eagle three, Recovery to you're position. Time, fifteen minutes. Out."

The sniper put down the Rectangular Radio with a sigh.Was he sure? He was hesitant to lie...No, you didn't lie. You hit the target. His instructor had always told him not to alter the truth, not to say what was not confirmed.Even if I missed him, one of the others will find him. Then I can just say it was another one.

"David?" A voice asked behind him.

His pistol was already in his hand as he rolled away, holding up the sights as he scanned the area.Nothing. The room was empty; he crept slowly forward, not wanting to speak. The door on the far side of the room was empty. He'd have to move from the ledge since he took the shot;it's impossible that he'd track me here. Am I hearing things? But he felt the presence even though he couldn't see it, could feel that someone was there even without seeing him. He squeezed the trigger, spraying the burst-bolts in a wide arch around the room. It hit the far sides of the room, each dissipating in the wall in turn. The sniper let the silence extend, letting the sounds of his pistol fade into the rain which pelting the roof over his head.

"You should really not use burst-bolts while it's raining. The electric proportion is retarded in the aqueous water of the rain."

That's when he felt the barrel of the gun, on the back of his head. "Please." He found himself pleading, "Please spare my life."

**

It wasn't David, that much was certain.No older than twenty. She could examine the clear shock on his face, as she rolled his head body over. She tried not to dwell on his expression... not like it mattered anymore. She'd like to say it was hard, that she felt the pain of the ones she killed but that would be lying.

It wasn't my David. Why was she dwelling on David? Now of all times? She swore she wouldn't mention that name. She'd promised herself that she would forget the betrayal that shown in his eyes that fateful night.

SQUAK! "Eagle Three, confirm status. Eagle three, confirm status."

Tiara cursed her folly, wishing she'd brought that voice synthesizer. She let it go, listening the voice, memorizing it's tone and accent.

"Switch to Emergency Channel D. Coms Violated. Switch to Emergency Channel D," the radio said, then turning silent.

Was it death? Was that why he was thinking of David? No. She wouldn't go there. She wouldn't... couldn't distract herself from the mission. Eagle... she had to laugh at that.

David...my David...

She could remember that shock on her face when she finally saw the tattoo on his ankle. Imagine her surprise to see an orange beak and craned wings displayed proudly.How had she'd missed that earlier? She'd asked herself that same question over and over throughout the years.

But why had she'd thought the Sniper was her David? Her David wouldn't have missed. Her David would have taken the shot and secured her body.

Sunrise began to peer through the clouds, the otherwise heavy droplets of rain replaced by a light shower.Just on Cue. She thought, noticing the red and orange reflecting off the clean metallic sheen of the reactor's face. She could see the length of the warehouses now, noticing tiny dots in a quick trot toward her section of the city. Back to the task at hand. Tiara hafted the heavy sniper rifle in her hand, resting her shoulder on the base of the windowsill. She lined up the dots in the infrared sight.David... was all she thought, even after she began to pull the trigger.

**

The End???