Assassination 2136

Chapter 7: Eco-Disaster

As I sat, I saw a small note lying on the floor.

"Saggitaria" it said on the front. I opened the note, to see handwritten pen scrawled on the inside. It was the same hand writing as in the folder I had received. There was also an earpiece inside, which I switched out for my own earpiece.

"Wait until Lindsay is called forward. Let her finish her speech. Afterwards, she will be escorted out the back of the building into the car park. That's where you take her out" was what the note said. Great. Not only do I have to attend an eco-talk, but I have to listen to one? Oh man.

I turned the ear piece on, and found myself able to listen in to the talk. I squinted through the sniper lens, pointing it directly at the podium next door. It was through a glass panel roof, so I was able to see clearly but would be unable to take a shot through there without hurting all the people in the building with shrapnel from the pane. My client must have known this, hence why they want me to wait.

"And now for our next speaker, the leading expert on theoretical biology, Lindsay Burge!" An announcer squawked, hidden from view. Lindsay stepped up to the podium, looking identical to the photo in the file I had received. Just in time, 8pm.

Five minutes.

She had been greeted with a loud applause, and was waving regally at the crowd. There were at least three hundred people in the room, the swarm of people applauding in unison. She then leant towards towards the mic, causing the crowd to silence themselves. She had them wrapped around her finger.

"Thank you for that warm welcome," she smiled. I could hear her breathing, loud and unsteady. She was nervous.

"For a decade I have been the head of the theoretical biology department, and our main focus has been how can we introduce plant matter into our MASH mixture. The Government has been striving to improve the nutritional component, to keep it's citizens happy and healthy," she said. The crowd cheered at this, and I rolled my eyes. It's easy to love the Government when they're on your side.

Three minutes.

"But today, I would like to talk to you about my passion project, something I have been working on for a while now. It's about reclaiming the Earth, so we don't have to live in the dome anymore," she continued. The crowd was silent, over the ear piece I couldn't even hear a peep or a murmur. They were completely engaged, hanging on to every word she said.

"If my calculations are correct, using the strategy I have designed we can make the air breathable again by 2165. That's within our lifetime!" The crowd cheered at this once more, egged on my Lindsay's passionate demeanor.

It sounded like a fantasy. No more dome, no more crowded living quarters. We could be free, with clean air. I was no expert on theoretical biology, but it was easy to see why Lindsay was so popular with the crowd. She was selling them a new world, a fresh start. Who wouldn't want that?

"Thank you for your time, please make sure to check out my research, and I bid you all a good night," Lindsay concluded.

One minute.

As planned, Lindsay was exiting the back of the stage that led to the car park. I was crouched, one knee underneath me, the other hugged close to my chest. I was using the window ledge as a prop. Lindsay exited the building, walking briskly to her car. She was fumbling with her keys, taking her time.

I lined the shot up, cross hairs pointing directly on her head. Deep breath in. My hands are steady, calm, I am in control. My finger moves over the trigger, hovering as Lindsay stands by her car. I then exhale, forcing my breath out of me and emptying my lungs completely of air. Shedding all forms of doubt, shaking off every fear hiding within me.

And I pull the trigger.

I hit my mark, and Lindsay crumples to the floor. The silencer works perfectly, not a sound to be heard from the gun. However, people soon come out from the eco-talk. They see her body lying dead on the ground, a trickle of blood trailing from her forehead. The screams follow. Panic ensues.

I pack my gun up, and fled the scene.

***
So what do you guys think? Why was Lindsay chosen to be assasinated? Something sus is definately afoot 👀

Stay tuned for the next update in two days time. Things are definately starting to heat up now.