SevenBulletsDemo_vine

You shove the stun gun against the yellow and black wires. This isn’t the craziest thing you’ve done, but it’s nearly the stupidest. You take a deep breath. It’s not like you have a lot of choices at this particular moment.\n\nYou turn on the stun gun. The rubber wire covers melt, and sparks fly toward you. The wires are so hot they fuse to the tip of the stun gun. The dish behind you spasms and the floor shakes.\n\nThe strange sphere suddenly flashes above you. It feels so hot your skin tingles.\n\nYou try to run for the elevator, but your feet can’t find any traction. You’re being pulled toward the sphere.\n\nYou grab for one of the wires, but it’s too late. You’re in the air, heading toward the sphere.\n\nAs it pulsates, burning waves of heat crash into you.\n\nIn the distance, you see Wilson step into the elevator. He looks at you with terror, and then the elevator doors close.\n\nYour foot feels like it’s on fire – your leg too. You look up toward your foot. It’s entered the sphere. Your whole body is being pulled in.\n\nYou sweat as the temperature jumps exponentially. It’s like your whole body is on fire. You scream in pain and try to move, try to fight it, but you’re helpless.\n\nThe purple goo of the sphere inches up your chest, up your neck. You cover your mouth and try to pull away.\n\nThen everything goes black.\n\n[[Overcome the agony]]\n

If you’d like to see what mysteries and dangers lurk on the other side of the portal, you’ll have to buy the book! This is the end of the demo.\n\n<html>\n<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Bullets-ebook/dp/B00FXF0E30" target="_blank"><img src="img/sevenBulletsCover.jpg" align="left" width="149" height="224" hspace="6"></a>\nIf you enjoyed this story then support the author and buy the book! It's only $2.99 and here's what you get:\n \n<center>\n<table border="0" cellpadding="12" cellspacing="10">\n <tr>\n <td width="75%">Full Version</td>\n </tr>\n<tr>\n <td>280k words (1200 pages)</td>\t\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>470+ unique choices</td>\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>80+ different endings</td>\n </tr>\n</table>\n</center>\nBuy the book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Bullets-ebook/dp/B00FXF0E30" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="http://goo.gl/krXG4S" target="_blank">iBooks</a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seven-bullets-cloud-buchholz/1118069480?ean=2940148147336" target="_blank">B&N</a> <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/367868" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>\n \n</html>\n[[Re-read the story...|Intro]]

“Hhhmm,” Maurer nods. “Zhat is a very good choice. I hope it will serve you vell. I ask only that you remember zhis act of friendship and tell no one of zhis place or my secrets.”\n\nYou nod and take the red case.\n\nThe woman leads you out the mansion and back to the BMW. She remains emotionless, but you feel as though there is a softness to her expression. Maybe you’re just seeing things.\n\nYou put the car in gear and drive, staying a little under the speed limit. When this is all over you may have to pay Maurer another visit, but for now, you need to put this little detour on the back burner. You still haven’t managed to start a crime war and Gillian isn’t getting any safer.\n\nYou take a long breath and try not to think of what the Boss might have done to her. Either way he’ll get what he deserves soon enough.\n\nBut first, a little distraction to set the gears of war in motion. You pull a burn phone from your bag and text Jimmy Lee. If he really was trying to take the kid from the Russians, then he probably still thinks they have him.\n\nYour Russian is a little rusty, but you text him to bring a ridiculous amount of money to the docks for a trade. You send the same text message to the Russians.\n\nSince the address just happens to be a heavily guarded building owned by the Boss, everyone’s guns and tempers should make for a nice mess. It’s almost too bad you won’t be able to see it.\n\nWith any luck, it should clear out most of the thugs from the Boss’s penthouse and with this beautiful sniper rifle you should be able to clear out the rest. Now it’s just a matter of set-up.\n\nYou’re about a block from the Boss’s penthouse. You see two good vantage points to the top floor: the highest level of a parking garage or an adjacent office building. The parking garage provides easy access to an escape vehicle and gives you a better view of the streets if the cops get involved. The only problem is that twenty percent of the penthouse is obscured.\n\nThe office building provides better visibility which means fewer surprises, but getting in and out will take time, leaving Gillian unprotected while you try to exit the building.\n\n[[The parking garage]]\n[[The office building]]\n

With a profound sense of satisfaction, Alana drags your corpse to the incinerator in the basement. She digs out the two bullets before shoving your body into the flames.\n\nWith her biggest rival out of the way, she knows there will be no limits to her success.\n\nShe fashions the two bullets into a necklace which she wears for the rest of her life. The necklace is a symbol of her skill, determination, and success.\n\nJust before each mission, she rubs the two bullet fragments for luck and smiles at the thought of killing you.\n\nIn an odd twist of fate, while on an assignment in Holland, Alana is ambushed by another assassin and choked to death by the same necklace she attributed to her success. A cruel joke you would happily enjoy...if you weren't already dead.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

Being both a master manipulator and incredibly rich, the Boss covers up your death by creating a skydiving shell company, saying that your fall was a skydiving accident. He uses your death as an excuse to fraudulently collect the insurance money, 850k dollars, which he gives to Gillian.\n\nShe accepts the money and moves to France where she starts a new life. She gets married to a kind and honorable man. They have two kids and remain, for the most part, happy.\n\nGillian is reminded of you only two times: once when her husband is in a car accident, and later when her daughter briefly goes missing at a museum. Both times she imagines that you are somehow the hidden cause of the chaos, and she feels a guilty sense of relief when she remembers that you're dead.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

The Boss is profoundly disappointed when he learns that you're dead. It takes nearly two weeks to properly clean your body parts from the stairwell walls. During which time the Boss makes peace with your absence and decides he has no other choice but to move forward with his plans.\n\nHe orders one of his other assassins to have plastic surgery to look like you. He has a microscopic chip implanted in their throat to mimic your voice. And he has them memorize your mannerisms to the minutest detail.\n\nThey're so convincing that everyone believes the rumors of your death were greatly exaggerated. You were always so difficult to kill. It's no surprise that you would suddenly turn up alive.\n\nThe imposter is so convincing that not even Gillian can tell the difference.\n\nAs far as anyone is concerned, you're alive and your working relationship with the Boss couldn't be better.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

It's impossible to know where that last bit of strength was hiding, but you manage to kill the thug before he can radio what happened. You steal his drivers license and use it to create a new passport and identity. With Gillian dead you have no reason to stay in the city.\n\nYou travel to South America and bartend at a rundown tavern. You live in a persistent state of self-loathing and regret for the rest of your miserable life. Sometimes, when you see a woman that almost resembles Gillian, you cry profusely.\n\nEveryone in the small town thinks you're crazy and only bothers you when they're thirsty for liquor.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

The thug, having never actually killed someone before you, feels a sudden and overwhelming pain in his chest which he eventually realizes is guilt. In a daze of disillusionment and remorse, he quits the mercenary business, joins the Peace Corps, and travels to third world countries to appease his aching conscience.\n\nNikola, who miraculously survives, takes credit for killing you. He is immediately promoted and heralded, in secret circles, as the greatest assassin in the city. Just in case anyone doubts him, he chops off your ears and wears them as a necklace to remind everyone that you are in fact dead...or at least deaf.\n\nThe Boss, having no real use for Gillian, and still doubting the validity of your death, implants a GPS chip in Gillian's skull and releases her unharmed, hoping that one day she will unknowingly reveal your location.\n\nThe Boss and a team of henchmen monitor Gillian twenty-four hours a day for the rest of her life. Occasionally, when she gets the strange feeling of being watched, she thinks of you and wonders if you a guarding her from beyond the grave.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

Since the blue gelatin was so experimental, the Boss has no safe way of getting you free. Instead, he integrates you into a fountain sculpture in the lobby of one of his buildings. Whenever he passes by, he tosses a penny in just for you and reminds you that he will always be the Boss. \n\nThere is little you can do to argue since you're already dead.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

Nikola, suddenly regretting his overzealous hatred of you, realizes the Boss will punish him severely for killing you. In a panic, he drags your body to the kitchen, hacks it into six pieces, and stuffs the pieces into a potato sack. He immediately drives to his timeshare cabin just outside the city and hides your body under the floorboards.\n\nYour body would have remained undiscovered if it had not been for a pack of hungry raccoons which tore through the floorboards and gorged on your decaying body. A family, attempting their first vacation in years, discovers your gruesome remains and notifies the authorities.\n\nAfter the horrid event, the family never attempts another vacation because all their money is spent on therapy for their children who were irrevocably scarred upon finding your severed head.\n\nThe police would investigate a man named Alex Vice, one of Nikola's many personas, but never find a substantial lead. The case would eventually go cold and interest in finding your killer would ultimately wane.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

The Boss, having grown fond of you over the years, has your cubed remains collected and bronzed.\n\nHe places the cubes in a box beside his desk.\n\nWhen his grandchildren visit, he lets them play with the cubes. They build little square forts and towers which, like everything else in your life, are ultimately kicked into crumbling pieces and ruined.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

“Thugm guh kiuhm,” you mumble. Your eyes glance down at your right hand.\n\nThe thug follows your gaze. He sees the grenade in your fist, then he slowly pulls the gun out of your mouth.\n\nYou smile. “What is that expression about shooting the messenger?” You grab the thug’s jacket with your left hand, push the grenade next to his face. “I’ve always preferred explosions.”\n\nHis gun angles away from you. His eyes tear up.\n\nYou don’t make it a habit of sleeping with grenades, but sometimes being a workaholic has its benefits.\n\n“I-I-I didn’t want to k-k-kill you,” the thug whimpers. “Really, I didn’t. I’ve always respected you. I-I-I have a son.” He lowers the gun and drops it on the bed. “Please don’t kill me.”\n\nYou sigh and take his gun. You never meant to earn such a vicious reputation, but you can’t deny that it fits nicely.\n\nThis thug is going to talk to the Boss, now it’s just a matter of what he ends up saying.\n\n[[Shoot him|Shoot/Knock him unconscious]]\n[[Knock him unconscious|Shoot/Knock him unconscious]]\n

Before he finishes, you quick draw. Your arm’s a little shaky from the loss of blood. The bullet only nicks his neck. He draws less than half a second after you. The bullet hits your shoulder so hard it knocks you to the ground. The pain is intense, and it takes all your strength to keep from blacking out.\n\n“Ooh Doggie,” you hear him shout. His boots tap against the floor as he dances a jig. “I always knew I was the quickest.”\n\nIf the bullet doesn’t kill you, his gloating will. He saunters toward you, grinning ear to ear. You can barely move your arm, but you manage to grab the submachine gun and tilt it up.\n\n“Aint that the way it—” Bullets rip up through the couch and hit him in the chest. He stumbles back with a look of confusion and defeat. He crumbles to the ground.\n\nYou grab the back of the couch and slowly pull yourself up.\n\nYou stare at his dead body. “Yippee ki yay, partner.” You toss the machine gun next to him and stagger toward the bedroom leaving a trail of blood behind you. “Gillian,” you shout. “Gillian.”\n\nYou push open the door. Gillian is tied to a chair with a gag in her mouth. You untie her, but your strength is going quick. Your eyelids feel heavy.\n\nGillian slides under your arm to keep you from falling. “Come on,” she says, lightly slapping your cheek. “Stay with me.”\n\nThe room spins, but with her help you stumble to the elevator. It descends.\n\nYou take a clip from the bag and load it into your pistol. “When the doors open,” you mumble. “Run as fast as you can. Don’t look back.”\n\n“But,”\n\n“I’ll be right behind you.” Blood streams down your arm and pools on the carpet. Gillian stares at it with worry. \n\n“Just trust me,” you say trying to keep your head from drooping. The elevator dings and the door slides open. Gillian runs for the exit.\n\nYou take a few steps forward and try to raise your pistol. Your arm doesn’t have the strength, and as you take another step, you realize your legs don’t either.\n\nYou collapse against the tile floor. More thugs appear from the hallway. You shoot two as they turn the corner. Gillian runs through the exit and out of sight. You turn back to the hallway and empty your clip into the wall, giving Gillian as much of a head start as possible.\n\nYour head swirls with pain and everything goes black.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 10]]\n

You head toward the flower van. \n\nThe guy in the driver’s seat sees you coming. He starts the engine and guns it straight for you. \n\nYou sprint back toward the motorcycle. The van is gaining on you. \n\nYou push off the motorcycle and land on the hood of the van as it slams into the stone fence. \n\nThe driver hits his head against the steering wheel, and the van swerves back into the street. You roll over the edge and hit the asphalt. \n\nThe van collides with a street lamp and jolts to a stop.\n\nYour arms are scraped up pretty good, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. You get up, sprint for the driver side door, and yank the thug out of his seat. He’s dazed, and it doesn’t take much to knock him unconscious. \n\nYou get in the van and check the back. The walls are lined with weapons, enough to make an assault on the Boss’s penthouse a viable option. \n\nYou close the driver’s side door and drive. If you play this right, you just might be able to rescue Gillian without getting yourself killed. It’s a long shot, a really long shot, but she’s your sister and there are just certain lines that shouldn’t be crossed. You need to send a clear message.\n\nYour knuckles go white from gripping the steering wheel so tightly. You take a breath and try to relax. Getting worked up and being overly emotional is the kind of thing that will get you killed.\n\nYou need to be at your best. You’re already outnumbered and outgunned. Just getting through the lobby is going to be a challenge.\n\nYou turn the van down a side street and park in an alley across from the penthouse lobby. You twist around the seat and into the back. There are a variety of weapons, some more interesting than others.\n\nYou pull a duffle bag from under the rack and open it. You grab two silenced pistols and a box of grenades. You slide both into the bag.\n\nYou need to choose your tactics carefully. Gillian’s life is at stake. The sniper rifle and the shotgun catch your eye. They look different than the ones you’ve seen on the market. Jimmy must have gotten a hold of some prototypes. \n\nThey both look deadly, but it’s only practical to take one. \n\nThe sniper rifle requires some distance and a lot of height. The Boss’s room is on the fourteenth floor, which is probably where he’s keeping Gillian. There’s a parking garage and an office building that could provide a good vantage point. \n\nThen again, the further you are from Gillian, the harder it will be to keep her safe if something goes wrong.\n\nThe shotgun will definitely send a message. You’d have to assault the penthouse directly though – either make an aggressive push through the main entrance to the lobby or try to sneak back around through the service entrance.\n\nIt all comes down to tactics, and you don’t have much time to plan this out. All you can do is grab your weapon of choice and double-time it to one of the locations. \n \n[[The parking garage]]\n[[The office building]]\n[[Take the main entrance]]\n[[Take the service entrance]]\n

It’d be foolish to rush the room. You can’t be sure where they’re keeping Gillian. It’d be better to flank them, and maybe, if you’re lucky, catch them off guard.\n\nYou move to the study and force open a window. You crawl out onto the ledge and inch your way toward the back room. You peek through the window.\n\nGillian is sitting in a chair. One thug is beside her. The other is behind a dresser on the other side of the room. Both of them have their guns pointed at the door.\n\nYou’ve only got one shot at this. If they realize what’s going on, Gillian is dead.\n\nYou climb up the building and move to the other side of the window. You work your way around the corner to the south facing window.\n\nYou shoot the thug behind the dresser. His body slumps forward. The other guard shouts something. You hurry back around the corner to the first window and shoot the remaining guard in the back. His body falls onto the bed. Gillian screams and falls out of the chair.\n\nLuckily she isn’t tied down.\n\nYou tap on the window glass. She turns and, for a brief moment, she looks relieved. She opens the window and helps you inside.\n\nHer arms tremble. Her eyes look frantic. She’s not like you. She’s not so comfortable with death.\n\nYou grab her hand and squeeze until she acknowledges you.\n\n“We need to get out of here now. Gillian, Gillian? Hey,” you lightly shake her, “We’re going to get through this, but you need to be strong for a little while longer. Can you do that?”\n\nShe pushes you away. “Of course I can you idiot. Why’d you have to kill them?”\n\nYou look at her dumbfounded.\n\nShe hits you in the arm. “I bet you killed all the guards in the lobby too.”\n\nYou shrug. "Maybe."\n\n“Oh,” she shouts. “Unbelievable. You killed everyone?”\n\n“Just the ones that got in my way...which I guess was most of them...okay, maybe all of them.”\n\nShe hits you in the chest. “You idiot! We’re going to die now.”\n\n“Didn’t you hear what I said? They’re all dead.”\n\n“No, no. You don’t understand. They were protecting me.”\n\n“Ha,” you laugh. “They weren’t doing a very good job.”\n\n“Yeah, no thanks to you.”\n\nYou scowl. “You’re my little sister, I’ll protect you.”\n\n“You can’t protect me from this.”\n\n“From what?”\n\nShe shakes her head and turns away from you. “It’s bigger than you. It’s bigger than anyone. I don’t even think your Boss can stop it.”\n\nThe Boss being powerless? The thought gives you chills. Whatever’s coming, it’s obvious your sister is terrified – terrified enough to get mixed up with the Boss. “Why him?”\n\n“I-I,” she sighs and lowers her head. “I needed someone with a global reach, and with his...history, I knew I could trust him.”\n\n“Trust //him//?”\n\n“Sometimes the enemy you know is safer than the one you don't.” She takes a step closer. “This thing, it’s so big most people don’t even know they’re a part of it. It’s in everything. Don’t you—” Her face is distorted in pain. She looks down at her chest. Red spreads across her shirt. She looks back at you in horror.\n\nYou sprint to her, pulling her down as another bullet flies past.\n\n“Sniper,” you snarl. “Stay down.”\n\nShe grabs your arm and coughs up blood. The bullet must have hit her lung. She doesn’t have much time. Moving her is only going to make it worse.\n\n“Hey stupid, where are the shots coming from?”\n\nYou turn. Alana, one of the Boss’s top assassins, is hiding in the hallway.\n\n“South window. Adjacent building.”\n\nAlana smirks then ducks out of sight.\n\nYou try putting pressure on Gillian’s wound, but it doesn’t seem to help. She’s starting to drift. “Hey,” you shout. “Stay with me.” You squeeze her hand. “You’re going to be fine.”\n\nAlana just barely steps into view. “I need a distraction.”\n\nYou grab your pistol. “I’ll be back.” You let go of Gillian and crawl to the window. Two bullets burn past your shoulder. You prop your gun on the windowsill and blindfire toward the shooter.\n\nSuddenly Alana stands over you with a giant rocket launcher.\n\nUh oh.\n\nYou plug your ears as the rocket hisses out of the cradle. It spirals through the air and blows a chunk out of the distant building and, with any luck, the shooter.\n\nAlana tosses the launcher on the bed and rushes to help Gillian.\n\nYou try to stand, but your strength is gone. You look at your hand and follow a trail of blood to your chest. The bullet must have done more damage than you thought.\n\nYou slump forward.\n\nYour vision blurs and the last thing you remember is the blank and empty stare of your dying sister.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n

You turn right and follow the cop car. There’s a good chance it’ll lead you head-first into trouble. This is becoming a recurring theme today. Hopefully you won’t get shot again.\n\nThe cop car makes a hard left and screeches to a halt.\n\nYou drive past it slow and study the scene. The thugs are cornered. There are maybe six of them. One has his arm around the cop’s throat and a gun to her head. Another is holding the kid up as a shield.\n\nYou count four police cars and at least eight officers – each with a gun.\n\nEach side is shouting at the other to lower the weapons, but neither one will listen.\n\nIt’s about to get real messy if you don’t step in.\n\nYou hesitate for half a second, then you grab the sniper rifle from the bag. You said you would help her, and you always see a job through to the end.\n\nYou sprint to the fire escape of a nearby building and climb to the roof. It’s not the best venue, but it’s not like you have the time to be picky – especially if you have to use a silencer. That’s going to cut your range almost in half.\n\nIt’s a small price to pay for a little anonymity. You can’t get bogged down by a police investigation. You’ve still got a crime war to start.\n\nYou assemble the rifle and aim at the first thug’s mouth. The bullet slices through the air and rips through his head and neck. It has enough velocity to hit the thug behind him too. Both crumble instantly.\n\nThe other thugs drop their weapons and raise their arms in surrender.\n\nThe cops look at each other stunned.\n\nOkay, so maybe it still got a little messy, but at least it was only the bad eggs that got scrambled – and by eggs you mean brains.\n\nThe cops can handle the paperwork and the glory. You need to get out of here before they realize what they’re looking for.\n\nYou sprint back to the car and shove it in gear. You hear someone shout to your left. You swallow hard and glance out the window. It’s the kid. He waves at you. The cop stands next to him. She smiles at you and nods her head.\n\nThat’s about as close to a happy ending as you’ve been. Too bad it’s not yours to enjoy. Gillian is still being held by the Boss, and if you don’t start a big distraction soon, you’ll never be able to make it through the army of goons waiting at his penthouse.\n\n[[Go to Wong’s restaurant]]\n

The money is important, but it’s better to do this right. Gillian is counting on you. You can’t let her down. You keep your distance and let the drug deal go through. The moving vans pull into the warehouse and the twelve thugs exit with two duffle bags. The bags look heavy with cash. They toss them into an SUV and drive off. There goes your retirement plan. You grit your teeth and try to control your anger.\n\nTime for plan B.\n\nIf you do this right, no one will ever know you were at the warehouse, and it’ll be months before the Boss realizes the safe is empty. At most, he checks it every two months.\n\nYou sprint and duck behind a stack of crates.\n\nDodging the cameras and the guards will be tricky. You peek over the edge of the top crate. The guards are locking up and leaving. Quitting time is early today – must be a baseball game later. You smirk. Lackeys just aren’t what they used to be.\n\nThis will be easier than you thought, but you still need to hurry. Gillian can’t wait.\n\nYou climb the crates, jump to the lamppost, and do a few wall steps to reach the window. You slip the lock with a magnet and slide through the small opening. You climb down some shelving and drop silently to the ground. The warehouse is empty and dark. Luckily you’ve been here enough times to have the floor plan memorized. You make your way to the back office where the safe is kept.\n\nYou kneel down next to the keypad. You’ve seen the Boss use it before, each time you made certain to catch a glimpse of the next number in the code. It took you months, but you managed to learn it all. You never planned on stealing his money. You just know the value of owning someone else’s secret.\n\nYou enter the code and the air tight seal hisses open. You pull a bag from the adjacent shelf and put the money in it. There are only four stacks, not as much as you had hoped, but it’ll have to do.\n\nYou also see a manila folder. You don’t recall the Boss ever putting it in the safe. It must have been there before you started working for him. You pull it out and open it.\n\nA photograph of your mother slides out. It looks old. It must have been taken before you were born. You can’t understand why the Boss would have it. You look at the other documents in the folder, but they’re in some kind of secret code. You’ll need a cipher.\n\nThis information complicates things. Your mom disappeared a long time ago. Everyone told you she was dead, but Gillian was too stubborn to believe it. She never stopped searching for her. Maybe it wasn’t the Boss who found Gillian. Maybe it was Gillian who found the Boss.\n\nYou swallow hard. Maybe this whole thing is not about you at all...But what would the Boss want with your mother or your sister. It doesn’t make sense.\n\nThere’s an address on the back of the photo. It might be worth checking out. Then again, whatever the causes may be, Gillian is still in danger. If you don’t get to her soon you may lose your chance. Plus, she may have dug up some answers on her own.\n\n[[Check out the address]]\n[[Burn the warehouse and rescue Gillian]]\n

You sprint back to the elevator and head for the highest floor. If you’re going to take down the helicopter, you’ll need to get close. You unzip your bag. Eight grenades, two silent pistols and four extra clips – not exactly the arsenal you need, but you can make this work.\n\nYou get out of the elevator and move north. Looks like they’re renovating this floor – how convenient. You move through some scaffolding, grab a hammer, and slam it into the glass. It barely leaves a mark.\n\nYou roll your eyes, draw your pistol, and shoot three rounds, shattering the glass. You peer over the edge. It’s a long drop. You look to the right – helicopter’s getting closer. You’ve only got one chance at this.\n\nYou yank some wiring from the wall and use it to tie two of the grenades together. You pull the pins, count to three, then lob them to the left of the helicopter.\n\nThe helicopter swerves toward you as the grenades explode. You count one pilot and two armored goons in the back – one carrying an assault rifle. The chopper’s in range.\n\n[[Jump for it]]\n[[Finish them off]]\n

You grab Jimmy and shove his head against the wall. Blood squirts from his nose as he stumbles to the floor.\n\n“What the hell,” he gurgles.\n\nYou grab his foot and drag him to the balcony.\n\n“Whoa. Hey. What are you doing? Come on, let’s talk about this. Hey—”\n\nYou slap him in the face. “I’m not one of your half-wit enforcers. And I’m not falling for one of your stupid schemes.” You shove him halfway over the edge. “We made a deal Jimmy, and if you’re not going to keep up your end, why should I keep up mine?” You push him out a little further. His arms scramble against the wall, but can’t find a grip.\n\n“This is crazy. Hey. Hey. Just calm down. We-we can talk this through.”\n\n“I don’t know,” you say coldly. “I’m starting to like the idea of someone scraping you off the pavement with a shovel.”\n\n“Come on.” Jimmy squeals. “You think this is helping your sister?”\n\nThe question hits you by surprise. “What do you know about my sister?”\n\n“The Boss has her. Everybody knows it. We just don't know why.” Jimmy gloats, “I guess he has you on a short leash.”\n\nThe comment hits you in that emotional part of your brain. You’re pretty sure it knocks something loose.\n\nYou grab the lamp from the desk and wrap the electrical wire around Jimmy’s throat. Then you toss the lamp over the side. Jimmy chokes.\n\n“I bet you didn’t realize how heavy that lamp was until now.”\n\nJimmy coughs. He struggles to speak. He tries desperately to say something.\n\n“What was that Jimmy?” You pull the wire a little tighter. “You’ll have to speak up. Were you going to say something else about my sister?”\n\nHe frantically shakes his head.\n\nYou loosen the wire. “Good. The next thing you say had better be something I want to hear.”\n\nHe coughs, still frantically grabbing at the rail. “Alright, alright.” He coughs again. “I’ll talk to Wong.”\n\nYou pull Jimmy up and remove the electric wire. The lamp drops and shatters on the sidewalk outside. Jimmy looks over the edge and rubs his neck. “That was my favorite lamp.”\n\n“Yeah. Let that be a lesson to you.”\n\nJimmy shakes his head and rolls his eyes. “You’re a bastard you know that.” He reaches for the envelope. “So, if I show Wong these files is he going to shoot me in the leg?”\n\nYou shrug. “That’s a possibility. Then again, if you do it right, you might get a promotion.”\n\nJimmy swallows hard like the thought is caught in his throat.\n\n“And if you don’t show Wong—”\n\n“Yeah, yeah,” Jimmy waves his hand at you. “You’re going to come back and assault more of my furniture.”\n\nYou smirk. If you didn’t hate him so much, you might actually like him. “Deliver the files now and don’t screw around.”\n\n“Fine.” He wipes the blood from his chin and under his nose. “Next time you can just ask.”\n\n“You know how shy I am.”\n\n“Right,” Jimmy says sarcastically. “I forgot.”\n\nYou exit the building and head back to your motorcycle.\n\nBy the time you reach the Boss’s penthouse, Wong will have made his move and the Boss will be busy cleaning up a mess. At least that’s the idea.\n\nThis is a rush job, and a dangerous one. A lot of things could go wrong, especially to Gillian.\n\nYou pull into an alley and stare up at the Boss’s penthouse.\n\nThe lobby looks barren. You count two guards. The rest must have already cleared out.\n\nSomething feels off. You’re good, but this is too easy.\n\n[[Play it safe and go around back]]\n[[Make quick work of the guards in the lobby]]\n

You grab the tan key and head out the door. You click the security button on the keychain. The lights on a Jaguar flicker.\n\nNice.\n\nThe car seems vaguely familiar like you’ve seen it somewhere recently – a restaurant maybe. No, that’s not it.\n\nYou shake your head. There’s no time to worry about that now. You open the door, toss the bag of guns in the passenger seat, and get inside.\n\nYou need to put some distance between yourself and the Russians. If they saw you driving off with their car, you’d have some serious explaining to do.\n\nYou turn the key. The alternator clicks, but the engine doesn’t start.\n\nCrap.\n\nThe car could be busted. This is a repair shop after all. You take a deep breath and turn the key again. The alternator clicks twice and the engine revs.\n\nYou sigh with relief, put the car in gear, and pull out as silently as possible.\n\nThe thought is still itching at your brain though. Why is this car so familiar? You’ve seen it before. Was it parked? No, but it wasn’t moving.\n\nA photograph – that’s where you saw it – in the Boss’s files. The car belongs to John Davis, the senator. But what would the Russians be doing with the senator’s car?\n\nThe senator made some bold statements about cracking down on crime recently, and he already allocated more funds to the police.\n\nThe Boss thought about having him killed since he couldn’t be bribed. The Russians were probably thinking the same thing. They may have even worked it out together.\n\nYou’re struck by a sudden pang of fear. You reach under the seat.\n\nYou sigh.\n\nLuckily there’s no bomb.\n\nYou better check under the car as well. You pull to the side of the road and tap the brakes.\n\nThe car doesn’t slow down. You tap the brakes harder. Instead of slowing down the car accelerates.\n\nYou swerve left to avoid a car. Then right to avoid another. The car keeps accelerating. You jump past 50mph than 60mph.\n\nThe Russians must have rigged the brakes.\n\nYou try grinding into the cement divide. It barely slows you down.\n\nThe car hits 90mph.\n\nYou veer right to avoid a semi. The Jaguar breaks through the metal railing and crashes into the river below.\n\nYou hit your head hard on the door. By the time you come to, the car is full of water. You fight to get your seatbelt free, but it’s too late.\n\nYou feel the water seep into your lungs and then—\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 14]]\n

<center>Other Books</center>\n<img src="img/theLastDarlingCover.jpg" height="250" width="166" align="left" hspace="6"><a href="http://www.cloudbuchholz.com/theLastDarling.html" target="_blank">The Last Darling</a>\nThe beautiful and naive Clover Collette has been in the clutches of her overbearing mother for twenty-four years, but when Francis Darling unintentionally penetrates her defenses, the two suddenly and secretly fall in love. Within hours they’re engaged and on the run.\n\n<img src="img/21NightsCover.jpg" height="250" width="166" align="left" hspace="6"><a href="http://cab35.blogspot.com/2014/06/21-nights-excerpt.html" target="_blank">21 Nights</a>\nThe arrangement was simple: meaningless sex, no strings. That's what she wanted. That's what she told him she needed. But when their game of desires crosses the line between love and sex, she knows their kinky escapades are more than just a casual fling.\n\n<img src="img/theAmericanIdlersCover.jpeg" height="250" width="166" align="left" hspace="6"><a href="http://www.cloudbuchholz.com/americanIdlers.html" target="_blank">The American Idlers</a>\nThe American Idlers is a collection of 75 poems that explore the fragile and fleeting moments of two young lovers as their relationship and intimacy gets punctuated by political tension, disillusionment, and the invisible hand of freedom.\n\n<img src="img/chewingOnPenCapsCover.jpg" height="250" width="166" align="left"><a href="http://www.cloudbuchholz.com/chewingOnPenCaps.html" target="_blank">Chewing on Pen Caps</a>\nLemon, an eccentric and compulsive recluse, learns his estranged, Vietnam vet father is ill. The news forces him to reconnect with relatives and uncomfortable stories from his childhood.\n\n<img src="img/DeadSexyCover.jpg" height="250" width="166" align="left"><a href="http://www.cloudbuchholz.com/deadSexy.html" target="_blank">Dead Sexy</a>\nDead Sexy is satirical zombie apocalypse set at the Playboy Mansion.\n\n\n<<back>>

You think of the meanest, most horrible thing you could say to the Boss and then you try to say it. You try so desperately to say it. You struggle and fight to say it. Your muscles clench and twitch as your will struggles against the blue gelatin.\n\nThen suddenly you feel something in your lower gut.\n\nOh no...\n\nYou know that feeling...why'd you have to think about peeing earlier... Struggling against the blue gelatin only made it worse. You have to use the toilet so badly, but the blue gelatin is blocking all of your body parts.\n\nIt's too late now...\n\nNo one can see the panic on your face because your expression hasn't changed. If only they could read your mind.\n\nYour gut twitches and suddenly your intestines explode. The Boss and the thugs have no idea. The gelatin hasn't moved.\n\nEven though you can't close your eyes, everything fades to black. Of all the explosions that could have killed you...intestines were the only one you weren't prepared for...\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 5]]\n

Whether you like it or not, this kid is your problem. Suppose he dies because you weren’t around. If Gillian found out, she’d never forgive you.\n\nYou sigh.\n\nTurning a new leaf is harder than you thought; not to mention how exhausting it is trying to keep someone alive. Pulling a trigger is so much easier. Then again, no one said being decent was easy.\n\nYou drive a few blocks and turn right where the kid and the cop should have exited the alley. No sign of them. You drive a little further and take another right.\n\nUp ahead you see the cop and the kid get into a sedan. There are three other guys with them wearing suits and ear pieces – probably private security. Expensive too if the suits are any indication. How many cops or two-bit criminals buy from Gucci?\n\nYou decide to tail them. Subtlety is one of those overlooked weapons. It’s definitely not as fun as a bazooka, but sometimes it’s the quickest way to get a job done. There are too many questions surrounding this kid. A little distance may put some of those to rest.\n\nNot to mention the cop. She knew how to shoot, and a broken arm barely fazed her. It was almost inhuman. She was trained by a professional, that’s for sure.\n\nYou follow the sedan across town and up the mountain to a secluded mansion. You park about a mile away and pull a pair of binoculars out of your bag.\n\nThe cop and the kid get out of the car and walk to the entrance. The cop swings her arm like nothing happened to it.\n\nYou remember hearing the bone crack. Either she has some really good pain killers or you’re going crazy.\n\nYou grab a gun and the binoculars. This is worth a closer look. You hop the cement wall and sneak through the trees and shrubbery until you’re up against the house. You work your way around a corner and peer through a window.\n\nAn old man embraces the kid and the cop. You try to read the kid’s lips. It looks like he called the old man //papa// or maybe //popcorn//. You were never very good at reading lips.\n\nThe old man kisses the cop on the cheek and then examines her arm. He motions for her to sit down. Then he leaves the room for a moment.\n\nThe old man’s probably Maurer. He looks too old for the kid to be his son. He’s got to be pushing ninety, but who are you to judge.\n\nMaurer returns with a toolbox. He pulls out a hand drill. He turns it on and moves it toward the woman’s arm.\n\nHe’s gone mad.\n\nYou shatter the window with the butt of your gun and roll inside. You jab one guard in the solar plexus and the other in the throat. You try to reach her in time, but you’re too late.\n\nYou hear the gurgly sound of the drill bit entering her arm. She sits casually and gives you a perplexed stare.\n\nTalk about Zen. It’s like she doesn’t even feel it.\n\nYou move closer. There isn’t any blood – not even a drop.\n\nMaurer pulls the drill back and looks at you with surprise. “Oh dear,” he says with a thick German accent.\n\nYou stare at her arm. Instead of bone and muscle you see wire, rubber, and gelatin. You look back at Maurer.\n\nThe kid takes your hand. “I knew you’d come back,” he says with an eager grin. “Do you want to see my turtle?”\n\n[[Look at the kid’s turtle]]\n[[Don’t look at the kid’s turtle]]\n

Compromise is for the weak. You’ve got a tank strapped to your arm – no point in letting it go to waste. You grin and suppress the pain tingling through your arm.\n\nThe elevator dings and the door slides open. The arm cannon automatically targets the thug at the end of the hall and turns his body into wall art.\n\nYou struggle to pull your arm back. It seems to have a life of its own.\n\nIt jerks right and blows another thug to bits. The blast is so powerful it takes out two walls in the process.\n\nYour fingers feel numb. It’s hard to breathe. You grab the nearest wall for balance. The screen on the arm cannon flickers and beeps. Your vitals are sporadic.\n\n//WARNING...//\n\n//Organic tissue exceeding safety parameters...//\n\n//WARNING...//\n\n//Automatic shutdown initiated... ... ...//\n\n//Error...//\n\n//Unable to retrieve disengage protocols...//\n\n//Manual override required...//\n\nThe arm cannon jerks left, disintegrating a thug, three walls, and a chunk of the adjacent building.\n\nYou groan with pain and drop to one knee. A regular person would have passed out by now. The pain is almost unbearable. You can’t find the manual override. With your luck today, it might be one of the features that never made it into this prototype.\n\nPerfect.\n\nYou randomly select options in the menu. The screen flickers, displaying a blueprint of the building. It adapts the image into a 3D model. Red dots appear in different areas.\n\nThe arm cannon hums. It gets hot. Steam hisses out from the vents. The screen flashes.\n\n//Thermal-mapping protocols engaged...//\n\n//Organic targeting active...//\n\n//Range – maximum...//\n\n//Power – maximum...//\n\n//Parameters initiated...//\n\n//Weapon ready...//\n\n[[Engage weapon]]\n[[Disengage weapon]]\n

Sneaking around back is what you would have done anyway and besides, the lobby has too many cameras. You grab two pistols and head around the building to the rear entrance.\n\nIf you’re lucky, the guards won’t see you coming, and they’ll go down quietly. That’s a big //if//.\n\nYou enter the password you stole from Alana six months back. The keypad light turns green and you walk inside. Before you can take a second step, the butt of a gun slams into the back of your head. You collapse to the floor, seeing stars.\n\nYou twist around.\n\nJimmy stands over you with a gun pointed at your head. He grins. “I bet that hurt; at least, I hope it did.” His eyes sparkle with excitement. “Your little visit really got me thinking. What you said about promotions – your head on a platter would get me a big one. And if you’re wondering, this is business,” he shrugs, “but it’s also personal.”\n\nYou hear the gun go off and then—\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 22]]\n

Seven Bullets (Demo)

Money can be just as deadly as a gun, but far more versatile, and if you want to start a new life, money will accomplish more than any bullet. Plus, you have to think of what’s best for Gillian.\n\nYou take a taxi to the docks and get out a block from the warehouse. There’s a camera at each entrance and probably two or three thugs inside, at least that’s what you’d normally expect. You see three moving vans backing into the warehouse and about twelve thugs standing around outside.\n\nUnfortunately for you, it looks like the negotiations with the Chinese have moved the Boss’s drug shipment ahead by three days. The Boss probably figured the deal with the Chinese might not go through, in which case it’s better to have his drugs inside the city and nearby.\n\nIf you let that drug sale happen, you can kiss your money goodbye. You’ll still have time to blow the warehouse, and with the drug stockpile destroyed, the Boss’s drug trafficking will be crippled for months, but without the money your escape plan will be resting on shaky legs.\n\nOn the other hand, the Boss always keeps a little bit of cash in the safe. It won’t get you far, but it’s enough to get you started. Clearing out four guys is easier than trying to clear out twelve, not to mention the time constraints you’re under. \n\nBetter decide quick; they’re almost done unloading.\n\n[[Move on the money now]]\n[[Wait for the thugs to thin out]]\n

You hit //Disengage//.\n\nNothing happens.\n\nYou hit it again. And again.\n\nThe screen flickers.\n\n//Disengage initiated...//\n\n//Power exceeding upper limit...//\n\nYou scream in pain. Your arm shakes uncontrollably, as if it’s being stabbed by thousands of tiny needles.\n\n//WARNING...//\n\n//Organic tissue exceeding safety parameters...//\n\n//WARNING...//\n\nYou stumble against a wall. Blood drips from your nose and eyes. Your chest feels tight.\n\n//Synaptic Interface exceeding heat limit...//\n\n//Bandwidth failed to meet minimum requirements...//\n\n//Data corruption detected...//\n\n//Shutdown initiated...//\n\n//ERROR...//\n\n//Power discharge imminent...//\n\nThe tip of the arm cannon ignites with a blinding light. Your vision blurs from the pain. Your arm droops against the wall.\n\nThe light expands. The floor vibrates. You feel a sharp pinch in your shoulder. The arm cannon bursts with energy, blowing a hole through the floor. It’s so powerful you can barely see.\n\nThe light fades slightly – enough for you to glimpse the destruction. The beam of energy travels down through the building, tearing a hole through at least seventeen floors.\n\nYou can hear faint screams.\n\nYour shoulder rips in three places. The pressure is too much. It feels like something in your brain is being squeezed.\n\nFinally the beam stops. Steam erupts from the vents on the side of the arm cannon.\n\nYou collapse and cough up black goo.\n\nYour vision gets hazy around the edges. The hole reaches down to the lobby. If you weren’t aching from every part of your body, you would probably be impressed.\n\nYour head swims with pain, and you don’t have the strength to lift it. You can barely keep your eyelids up. And then the darkness takes you.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 11]]\n

You pry open the doors to the elevator shaft. It’s a long drop. You shouldn’t have looked down.\n\nGillian grabs your shoulder. “You can’t be serious?” \n\n“We don’t have a lot of choices.” You lean into the elevator shaft and grab a thick metal cable. You turn back to Gillian. “And don’t worry about the fall. From this height, the impact would kill us instantly.”\n\nShe scowls at you. “That’s really comforting.”\n\nYou smile. “Hold on to me as tightly as you can. It’s fourteen floors so we might be sliding for awhile.” You slip the cable between three hooks around the frame of the shotgun. “Just remember not to let go.”\n\n“Like that’s something I would forget.” She locks her arms and legs around you. “You know what you’re doing, right?”\n\n“Don’t I always?”\n\nShe rolls her eyes. “We’re going to die.”\n\nYou grin and jump into the elevator shaft. Sparks erupt from the points where the shotgun and cable intersect. \n\nYou tighten your grip and bound off the wall to slow down. \n\nThe cable is shorter than you thought. You fall the last twenty feet. \n\nYou do your best to absorb the brunt of the impact, but Gillian’s leg hits hard. She yelps in pain. \n\nThe impact has you seeing stars. It takes you a minute to realize Gillian is crying. You didn’t hear the bone snap, but there’s a good chance her leg is broken.\n\nYou push yourself up. Your vision is blurry, and it takes you a moment to orient yourself. You slide under Gillian’s arm and help her up.\n\n“It hurts. It hurts,” she pleads.\n\n“We can’t stay here.”\n\nShe grits her teeth and fights the pain. \n\nPart of the elevator shaft is busted, and there’s enough room for you and Gillian to get through. You lower her into the stairwell and then drop down behind her. \n\nYou slip back under her arm and guide her to the lobby. You kick open the door.\n\nThe Boss and his five most menacing killers are patiently waiting for you. You’ve still got the arm cannon, but using it would mean you’d have to drop Gillian. She’d be as good as dead.\n\nThe Boss tilts his head, “Fascinating,” he stares at the arm cannon. “Most test subjects didn’t survive the binding process. Even fewer were capable of firing it.” He sighs. “At least some good will come of your childish tantrum.” He raises his cane and points it at your sister. “If you want her to live, you’ll give her and the weapon to me.” The Boss calmly removes his hat. “You have one minute to decide. By that time your sister will pass out from the blood loss.”\n\n[[Give him your sister and the arm cannon]]\n[[Use the arm cannon on the Boss]]\n

You slip open the box and count eight grenades. That should be enough to do some damage. You put the car in gear and slam down the gas pedal. The tires screech as you turn through a few corners. You pull onto the main street and turn the car so it faces the Boss’s penthouse.\n\nYou look at your watch. One minute and forty seconds. Gillian should have reached the first basement level by now. Time for a diversion.\n\nYou toss your bag on the sidewalk, put the car in neutral, and shove the box of grenades onto the gas pedal so the engine revs.\n\nAt this distance, with a 2.0L engine at full RPMs it should take less than eight seconds to crash into the lobby of the Boss’s building. You take one of the grenades, shift the car into drive, pull the pin and toss the grenade into the passenger seat.\n\nYou pick up your bag and count backwards from ten.\n\n10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5,\n\nThe car shatters the glass entrance and demolishes part of the inner wall.\n\n4, 3,\n\nYou casually walk to the adjacent building.\n\n2, 1...\n\nNothing happens. You scratch your head and glance at the lobby.\n\nThen BOOM. Eight small explosions go off in unison. A cloud of smoke thrusts the shattered windows into the street and obscures the lobby.\n\nNow that’s a distraction.\n\nYou enter the building and double time it down the stairs.\n\nDue to his overwhelming paranoia, the Boss had a secret passageway built connecting his building with the office across the street. Only the Boss’s most trusted employees know about the passageway and you happen to be one of them.\n\nIt’s hard to say why the Boss turned on you and kidnapped your sister. Guess he just has a hard time saying goodbye.\n\nYou sling the bag onto your other shoulder and kick open the door to the parking level. You walk through two maintenance doors and pull up a metal drain cover. You hop down and walk in the dark for about a minute until you reach another metal cover. You take your silenced pistol from the bag and lightly push open the drain cover.\n\nYou’re in the other parking garage. It should be empty except for Gillian, but one or two of the goons may have followed her down.\n\n“Gillian,” you whisper into the phone. “Where are you?”\n\nSilence.\n\n“Tap the phone twice if you can’t talk.”\n\nYou hear two taps.\n\nWell that’s just perfect. You open your bag, disconnect your sniper scope, toggle it to thermal and scan the parking garage. Three heat signatures. One of them is horizontal. At least she made it to the SUV.\n\nYou slide the bag over your shoulder, keeping the scope in one hand and the silenced pistol in the other. You walk to a cement pillar, keeping out of the goons’ line of sight. You toggle the scope to x-ray, angle your pistol around the pillar, and take down both of them. Normally you’d hide the bodies, but there’s no time.\n\nYou open the SUV door, toss your bag in, and embrace your sister.\n\n“We have to go.”\n\nHer body shakes from the adrenaline, or maybe from the sight of the two men you just shot. It's hard to tell. At least she’s alive, and you’re almost certain the blood on her clothes belongs to someone else.\n\nYou take a bottle of pills out of your bag and give her two red ones. “These will calm you down.”\n\nShe takes them without thinking.\n\nShe might be able to drive.\n\n“Hey,” you take her by the shoulders, “I need you to focus. The exit to the parking garage is guarded. I won’t be able to shoot him from the car. I’ll need you to drive so I can sneak up to him on foot. Do you understand?”\n\nHer eyes are glazed, but she nods.\n\nYou know she’s tough, but she’s been through a lot today. Maybe she’s not up for it. You can’t afford to make a mistake now.\n\n[[“I’ll drive; just keep your head down.”]]\n[[“Gillian, I need you to be strong for a little bit longer.”]]\n

Nikola doesn’t know how bad you’ve been hit. You’ll have to use that to your advantage. You push yourself up. The pain is excruciating, but through years of training you've learned how to suppress it. You focus your mind and take a deep breath. As you let it out, the pain dissipates.\n\nYou glance at the elevator. You’ve only got one shot at this. You’ll need to time it perfectly. The light above the elevator reads: 3...2...1. There’s a second ding and the door starts to slide open.\n\nYou blindfire toward Nikola and sprint for the elevator. Two goons exit. You right hook one with your weak hand and shove the other back into the elevator while shooting him in the chest.\n\nThe other thugs are caught off guard. You kick one in the knee and grab his hand before he can draw his gun on you. He fires two rounds into the elevator and two more into the ceiling before you can twist the gun back toward his head. You hit his arm so he shoots himself, then you twist to elbow another goon in the face.\n\nThe goon groans as blood erupts from his broken nose. You shove him into the other thug and pull the trigger twice. They both slide to the floor. The elevator’s covered in blood. You take a moment to catch your breath then press the button for the penthouse suite. The elevator ascends.\n\nYou hear a woman crying. You look down and roll over one of the goons.\n\nGillian.\n\nShe sobs uncontrollably.\n\nYou reach down to pick her up, but she whimpers in pain. You glance at her stomach.\n\nTwo bullet holes and a lot of blood.\n\nHer breathing is weak. You press your hands against her stomach trying to stop the bleeding, but you know it’s not going to change what happens next.\n\n“Gillian, hang on, please, please hang on,” you whisper.\n\nHer body goes limp.\n\n“No, Gillian...Gillian.”\n\nThe elevator dings and the door slides open. Six thugs aim their guns at your chest. You’ve lost the will to fight. You’ve lost the will to live.\n\nWhat happened to Gillian is your fault.\n\nThe goons throw you against the floor and bind your hands. You stare at Gillian’s body. All you can think about is how this is your fault – this is all your fault.\n\nThe thugs carry you to the Boss's penthouse and throw you onto the couch. You roll onto your side, ready to vomit. How could you let that happen to Gillian...How could you be so foolish...You feel sick.\n\n"A tragedy," the Boss's soothing voice coos from the other side of the room. "I wouldn't say that I was disappointed, but I am hurt."\n\n"You!?! How could you possibly be hurt?" Your words come out as a snarl. "You're not the one who's dead...at least not yet."\n\nThe Boss laughs. "Empty threats will do you no good. And to be fair, they are hardly warranted." The Boss steps into view. He's old. The wrinkles on his face show. He casually leans against his cane and waves toward the hallway.\n\nThe thugs drag in Gillian's dead body and lay her on the coffee table in front of you.\n\nYou give the Boss a cold stare and try your best not to look at her.\n\nThe Boss reluctantly smiles. "I really must know what gave her away."\n\nYou swallow uncomfortably and try to pretend you know what he's talking about.\n\n"The doppelganger," he presses. "The double, how did you know she was a fake? The plastic surgeons assured me she was a perfect likeness."\n\nYou can't help but look surprised.\n\n"Oh," the Boss laughs again. "You didn't know. Well, I suppose keeping someone alive is much more difficult than killing them, at least for you. There's no point in keeping up this ruse any longer. As I've so blatantly misspoke, you obviously now know that this woman is not your sister. I had hoped to use her as a ploy to motivate you, but plans have unfortunately changed."\n\n"Where's Gillian?" You say sharply.\n\nThe Boss sighs. "Do you honestly think me foolish enough to keep her here?" He shakes his head chastisingly. "She's alive and safe. That is all you need to know. I do hate being blunt, but our circumstances require it. You and your sister share a gene that when manipulated properly can have a profound effect on the human body. Using the doppelganger, I had hoped to convince you to join the project willingly."\n\n"Right," you groan. "Sending a thug with a gun is just begging for cooperation."\n\n"Yes, well," the Boss shrugs. "The plan did deviate a bit."\n\n"That's one way of putting it."\n\n"In any case," the Boss says calmly. "Here we are. The cards are on the table. I have your sister. You want her back. And I want you to work for me. A reasonable arrangement can be made."\n\nYou glower at him. "I'm listening."\n\nThe Boss smiles and sits down across from you. He casually crosses his legs as if he had all the time in the world. "The details of the project are unimportant...for the time being. What I require are some of your more abrasive skills."\n\n"Get to the point," you growl.\n\n"Yes, of course," the Boss nods. "A new drug is being tested in Montana. Some of the human test subjects have gone missing. Retrieving them would be...very productive for the project. The subjects, like you, suffer from the same genetic abnormality. I hear the drug trials are almost near completion."\n\n"That's it? You just want a stupid drug? You could have sent anyone for that."\n\n“It's hardly that simple, as you'll soon be aware." The Boss reaches for the teacup and takes a sip. "There is another option. As infinite as my wealth may appear, it is not always enough to motivate some people.\n\n"There is a doctor, a genius, who is quite knowledgeable in matters concerning the project. I offered her a small fortune, which she rudely refused. If you could persuade her to work for me, it might accelerate your sister's return. \n\n"Choose carefully. There's plenty at stake, not the least of which being your sister's life.”\n\n[[Go to Montana]]\n[[Look for the genius doctor]]\n

If you’d like to seek out the genius doctor and learn the fate of your sister, you’ll have to buy the book! This is the end of the demo.\n\n<html>\n<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Bullets-ebook/dp/B00FXF0E30" target="_blank"><img src="img/sevenBulletsCover.jpg" align="left" width="149" height="224" hspace="6"></a>\nIf you enjoyed this story then support the author and buy the book! It's only $2.99 and here's what you get:\n \n<center>\n<table border="0" cellpadding="12" cellspacing="10">\n <tr>\n <td width="75%">Full Version</td>\n </tr>\n<tr>\n <td>280k words (1200 pages)</td>\t\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>470+ unique choices</td>\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>80+ different endings</td>\n </tr>\n</table>\n</center>\nBuy the book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Bullets-ebook/dp/B00FXF0E30" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="http://goo.gl/krXG4S" target="_blank">iBooks</a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seven-bullets-cloud-buchholz/1118069480?ean=2940148147336" target="_blank">B&N</a> <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/367868" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>\n \n</html>\n[[Re-read the story...|Intro]]

It's been awhile since you've relied on stealth for a mission, but if you want the Boss constantly looking over his shoulder, you'll need to attack from the shadows. He needs to believe that you can hurt him no matter where he is or what he's doing. If you can get to him with nothing more than throwing knifes, you can get to him with anything.\n\nYou wrap a belt around your waist and notch the throwing knifes onto it. It only holds twenty, so you need to make every single blade count. You slide a silenced pistol on each side of the belt. You've got one last thing to do. \n\nYou walk to another crate and push it over. A few missiles roll across the cement floor. Heh, this should be interesting. You crack open another crate and pull out four cubes of C4. You place two on the biggest struts of the warehouse, you leave one near the crate of missiles, and you attach one on the main door frame.\n\nYou peek through the window. John Two Toes bawls like a baby as his car burns. The two other thugs jog toward the warehouse. You sprint for the opposite door and twist around the side of the building, avoiding the security camera's line of sight. As you make it to the street, you hear the warehouse explode.\n\nThat should get the Boss's attention.\n\nFire billows through the sky. You glance over the hood of a parked car. Three smaller explosions take out what’s left of the walls. The warehouse crumbles in on itself.\n\nYour arms and legs tingle with excitement. The fun’s just getting started. You shatter the passenger window of a nearby Buick and unlock the doors. You tear out the plastic cover underneath the steering wheel, revealing a tangle of wires. You cut four of them and twist two of them together. You strike the other two together while tapping the gas pedal. A few sparks singe your finger, but the engine revs. You twist the other two wires together and put the car in gear.\n\nYou've got limited range using the throwing knifes which means you'll need to get close and getting close will require darkness to stay concealed. The Boss has a generator room in the subbasement. Taking that out will cut the electricity to most of the building. You'd need to travel through the sewers to get to the subbasement which isn't exactly comfortable...or sanitary.\n\nOn the other hand, you could sneak in through a second story window and work your way to the penthouse from there.\n\n[[Take the sewers to the generator room]]\n[[Sneak in through the second story window]]\n

Keeping your distance and being able to monitor every angle means you’ll be able to control the situation, at least you hope. Every plan has its weaknesses, but you can’t worry about that now.\n\nYou slide the sniper case into your bag and walk to another crate. You open it and sling the bazooka over your shoulder. You fire a rocket at the distant wall, blowing half the warehouse into the ocean. You hurry through the opening, reload the bazooka, and fire another rocket into the multitude of crates.\n\nThe warehouse explodes into a mushroom cloud of fire and smoke. A handful of smaller explosions occur as the other ammunitions catch fire. The warehouse and its contents are destroyed.\n\nYou double time it to the street and take a left into an alley. Given what’s about to go down, it’s best not to be seen. You’ll have to steal a car and dump it near the penthouse. The cops won’t find it for a couple of days and by then you and Gillian should be out of the country. You should pick something discreet, but it’s not like you have a lot of options.\n\nAn old Honda will do the trick. You take a thin wire from your bag, slide it between the window and the door, then lightly tug until the lock pops open. You toss your bag into the passenger seat and get in.\n\nYou don’t have much time. It looks like John Two Toes is already calling the Boss. If you factor in traffic and set-up time, that gives you less than 30 minutes.\n\nYou put the car in gear and drive, staying a little under the speed limit. After years of covert assassinations, you’ve learned to push fear and paranoia out of your mind. You’ve learned to stay calm under the most deadly of circumstances. Running and gunning will only get Gillian killed.\n\nYou take a long breath and try not to think of what the Boss might have done to her. Either way he’ll get what he deserves soon enough, but right now Gillian is your priority.\n\nThere are two good vantage points to the Boss’s penthouse: the top story of a parking garage or an adjacent office building. The parking garage provides easy access to an escape vehicle and gives you a better view of the streets if the cops get involved. The only problem is that twenty percent of the penthouse is obscured.\n\nThe office building provides better visibility which means fewer surprises, but getting in and out will take time, leaving Gillian unprotected while you try to exit the building. You’ll have to decide before you get too close.\n\n[[The parking garage]]\n[[The office building]]\n

“Just give me the painkillers and some bandages.”\n\nThe Doctor yawns. “You won’t get far.”\n\n“I’ll worry about that.”\n\n“You don’t understand.”\n\n“Just hand them over,” you say sharply.\n\nThe Doctor yanks open a few drawers. He gives you some bandages and a bottle of pills. “Take two every eight hours.”\n\nYou can barely lift your arm to take them. You push open the door and shuffle to the lobby. You bump into someone. It takes you a moment to realize it’s Chu – Wong’s top assassin and personal chef. The chef thing was always confusing.\n\nOf course, now’s not the time to ask for his BBQ recipe. You keep your head low and hope he doesn’t recognize you. He doesn’t look hurt so he must have brought someone else.\n\nWith the blood loss and the pain, your reactions are slow – a little too slow. By the time you reach the lobby, you’re staring Wong in his old wrinkly face.\n\nHe shouts something you can’t understand.\n\nYou turn and sprint for the door, but before you can even take a step, Chu punches you three times in the back.\n\nYou drop to the dirty tile floor. The pain is gone, but so is your ability to move. You can’t even tilt your head. Wong’s wanted to kill you for years, but since you were working for the Boss you were protected. That isn’t the case anymore.\n\nWong shouts a command. Chu raises his leg and brings it down on your face.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 18]]\n

The thugs, following standard protocol, toss your body in the back of a truck, drive to a meat processing plant, and dispose of any evidence suggesting you ever visited the warehouse or even existed at all. They hack your body into three parts and feed each part into a meat grinder.\n\nThe last time someone thinks about you is when a woman bites into a hamburger only to discover your severed finger. She sues the restaurant and wins $700,000. Your finger remains in an evidence bag in a cardboard box in the dark corner of an evidence locker.\n\nWith you gone, the Boss has no reason to keep Gillian, and he disposes of her in a similar fashion. \n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

You grab another grenade, pull the pin, and aim for the pilot. Before you can lob the grenade, a bullet slams into your shoulder. The pain and force throw you off balance.\n\nThe grenade slips, bounces off the henchman’s rifle and out the other side of the chopper. The explosion launches another henchman into the air. You don’t have time to see him fall to his eventual pancake death. You’re too busy trying to avoid the chopper.\n\nThe pilot overcorrects and the blades chip away at the glass. You stagger toward the bag for a pistol. The thug sees you and empties a clip in your direction. His aim is horrible, but he manages to hit the bag.\n\nThe explosion flings you across the room into the opposite wall. The impact stuns you for a second and you’re half-blind from the burst, but you still manage to see the floor crumbling around you.\n\nThe blast must have torn through some of the lower beams. The room slants toward the street.\n\nYou slip and try to grab for something – a pipe or a board, but they’re all tumbling toward the opening with you.\n\nYou plummet through the air with all the debris. The chopper swirls below you.\n\nAnd the blades...\n\nYou feel dizzy as you see your lower half a distance away. So that’s what intestines look like, you think as you twist helplessly through the air.\n\nThe pavement gets closer and clos—\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n

Gillian is fading fast. There’s no time to prance around like a ninja. It doesn’t matter how much ammo you have if you’re dead. You press Gillian against the wall. “Stay here. Wait thirty seconds and then follow me. You understand.”\n\nShe nods nervously.\n\nYou ready the machine gun and point the barrel down the stairs. You’re going to need to make these bullets last. Six guys and ten bullets – if you don’t miss, that leaves you two for the lobby. Two won’t be enough to kill them all, but you’ll just have to make it work.\n\nYou turn a corner and duck behind the railing. You pull the trigger twice as two thugs overzealously round the corner. They both drop.\n\nOne scrambles back up. He’s wearing body armor.\n\nCrap.\n\nHe lifts his pistol and fires. The bullets ricochet off the metal steps. You sprint up and around the landing. Two more bullets whiz past. The other footsteps are getting louder. Sounds like an extra four set of feet – eight guys total.\n\nNow it’s a party.\n\nYou hate parties.\n\nYou peek over the railing and line up your shot. He keeps his head low. You can just barely see his gun. He fires one or two rounds without aiming, waits a few seconds then fires two more. He’s smart – obviously waiting for backup.\n\nIf he wasn’t in your way, you might commend his pragmatic nature. Then again, this isn’t a time to be handing out trophies.\n\nYou pull the trigger. The bullet knocks the gun out of his hand and maybe a finger or two. He screams.\n\nYou sprint down the stairs and kick him hard in the face. He’s dazed, but not out. You’re about to punch him in the throat when you see four thugs round the corner below you.\n\nYou drop to the ground and use the thug as a shield. Bullets slam into his vest, and he groans from the pain. Good to know there’s loyalty among henchmen.\n\nYou grab his pistol from the ground. His severed finger is still clutching the trigger. You pry it lose and fire down the stair well.\n\nTwo thugs crumble while the rest dive for cover.\n\nYou grab the vest tight and force the thug forward. He limps. Looks like a bullet nicked his thigh. You have the gun angled over his shoulder.\n\nYou fire two rounds as one of the thugs peeks over the railing. His head explodes against the nearest wall. You turn the corner in time to see his eyeball rolling down the stairs. The other thug sees it too and darts for the nearest exit. Who could blame him?\n\nYou slam the vested thug into the wall. He slides to the floor. You turn back to get Gillian, but your leg is caught. You look down. The vested thug is grabbing your ankle with his left arm. He stretches out his right and opens his hand.\n\nA grenade slips out and rolls underneath you.\n\nHe’s bold. You’ll give him that.\n\nYou grin.\n\nHe kind of reminds you of yourself when you were—\n\nThe grenade explodes, filling the stairwell with smoke and flames.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 6]]\n

After an intensive ennee minnee minee mo vote, you load the blue round into the shotgun. You raise the barrel and pull the trigger. You hear a click and then a grinding sound.\n\nUh oh.\n\nThe shotgun quakes then gets so cold it burns your fingers. Before you can drop it, the chamber explodes with blue gelatin. The gelatin covers your arms and expands up and around your body.\n\nYou can’t move. It enshrouds your legs and chest and finally your head. Even your eyeballs are frozen, but you’re still fully conscious.\n\nThe goons circle with their guns aimed at your head, though they seem more confused then you are. Being frozen like this is going to make rescuing Gillian almost impossible. It’s going to make just about everything almost impossible. You try not to think of what’s going to happen when you need to pee. Okay, this is probably like the second worst rescue mission you’ve ever attempted.\n\nWell done.\n\nIf you weren’t frozen you’d pat yourself on the back.\n\nThe thugs stare at you blankly for a few more seconds then one of them slides a dolly under you and rolls you to the elevator. You're completely frozen. There's nothing you can do to stop them. The thugs prop you in the Boss's penthouse, in front of the Boss.\n\nThe Boss grins.\n\nYou want to punch that smile off his face, but you can't move your arms.\n\n"I knew you were giving me the cold shoulder," the Boss chides. "But I never thought it was so literal."\n\nYou try to glare at him but your expression won't change...It can't.\n\n"I had intended to enlist you in one of my plans, but the thought of you becoming a permanent trophy in my collection is almost too good an offer to refuse." The Boss's old wrinkled face beams with happiness.\n\n[[Insult the Boss]]\n[[Stay calm and endure the Boss's chastising]]\n

You awkwardly grin. “How could I miss it?” You take a bite of cake and inch your way toward the exit. You take another bite and nod approvingly.\n\nShe smiles back but holds her gaze a bit longer than normal.\n\nYour arms fill heavy. And your legs lose their strength. You lean against the wall as the room spins. Your eyes won’t stay open. You try to fight this feeling of exhaustion, but it washes over you in a sudden wave.\n\nYou collapse against the floor just steps shy of the exit.\n\nThe elderly woman kneels down next to you. “Oh dear, I may have put a bit too much chloroform in your slice.” She sighs. “Not to worry though. That just means you’ll wake with a splitting headache.” She shrugs. “But I suppose that’s a small price to pay considering the trouble you’ve caused across the street. I know someone who’s very eager to have a chat with you.” She smiles and wipes a smudge of frosting from your cheek.\n\n“Oh, don’t look so surprised,” she coos. “You didn’t think the Boss could amass such an empire without a little help.” She laughs. “It's ironic how you endearingly call him the Boss when he’s such a small player.”\n\nShe continues to talk but the drugs take hold and you drift into darkness.\n\n******\n\nYou wake up handcuffed to a chair.\n\n"You've gotten soft," an old familiar voice coos. "I thought I trained you better than that."\n\nYou glance up and open your eyes. It's the Boss.\n\nHe sits down in front of you. "I had hoped we could reach an understanding before it came to this, but unfortunately my hands are tied...perhaps not as literally as yours, but there's nothing more I can do."\n\n"Do?" You growl. "You mean kidnapping my sister wasn't enough?"\n\nThe Boss rubs the bridge of his nose. "I know it may be difficult for you to believe, but I had very little to do with your sister's kidnapping. It was not my idea."\n\n"Am I supposed to believe someone else is running the show now?"\n\n"Unfortunately, yes." The Boss glances at a tinted window. You see several shadowy forms.\n\n"Where's Gillian?"\n\n"Safe...I assume. There's very little they're willing to tell me."\n\n"Then what is this all about?" You growl and yank at the handcuffs.\n\n"Honestly," the Boss shrugs. "I have no idea. They wanted you specifically, and they mentioned the Moscow job. They said you were exposed to some kind of alien particles or radiation or something of that nature."\n\n"There was an explosion...but I'm fine."\n\n"They believe otherwise. They're going to run some tests. I only wanted to say goodbye."\n\n"Do something," you growl. "Don't just leave me here."\n\n"As I said," the Boss turns away. "My hands are tied." He leaves the room and closes the door behind him.\n\nYou see the shadowy figures shuffling back and forth with excitement. Maybe the Boss was telling the truth, maybe not. Either way, he's going to get what's coming to him. You'll see to that.\n\nSuddenly a set of giant fans spin. The floor vibrates. It sounds like an engine kicking into overdrive.\n\n"Hey," you shout at the tinted window. "Let me out of here."\nThe walls sweat with blue and purple globs of goo. The goo pools at the center of the room and congeals into a giant glowing sphere. The room feels hotter, almost like an oven. The sphere pulsates.\n\n"Hey," you shout again. "Let me out." You struggle and yank at the handcuffs, but it's no use.\n\nThe chair slides closer to the sphere, almost as if the giant gooey ball was emitting its own gravitational pull. The chair tilts, and you hit the ground. You slide closer. It pulses with waves of blinding light.\n\n"You're making a mistake," you shout. "Please!"\n\nYour foot enters the sphere. Your skin feels like it's on fire. You try to move, try to fight it, but you’re helpless. You feel the light envelop you. Then everything fades to black.\n\n[[Overcome the agony]]\n

Yeah, okay maybe you’re a killer, but you’re not heartless. He’s just a kid and, from the looks of it, a scared one.\n\nYou lean in. “Alright kid, I’m going to pull the gag out of your mouth, and I need you to stay quiet. You understand.”\n\nHe nods.\n\nYou pull the gag out of his mouth.\n\nHe coughs and spits over the side of the car. “You’re rescuing me?” He says full of hope and wonder.\n\nYou scratch your head. “Yeah, something like that.” You help him out of the trunk and untie the ropes. “So, you recognize this car?”\n\nHe looks at it and shakes his head.\n\nThat’s good news – that means there’s a good chance the cops aren’t looking for it.\n\nIt’d be easy to leave the kid here – just call the cops and let them sort it out, but your little sliver of a conscience is tugging you in the other direction.\n\nYou motion toward the door. “Get in.”\n\nThe kid gets in the backseat. So he’s used to getting chauffeured around. That’s just swell.\n\nYou stare at him from the rearview mirror. “Alright kid, where do you live?”\n\nHe shakes his head. “I don’t know. We just moved here.”\n\n“Right,” you groan. “Of course you did.” The private school’s your only lead. Good thing it’s in the same direction as Wong’s restaurant. You glance back at the kid. “Buckle up.”\n\nWhen he does, you start the engine and head for the school.\n\nThe Russians have plenty of money so they must have taken the kid for leverage. “Hey kid, what’s your name?”\n\n“Seth.”\n\n“No, your last name.”\n\n“Maurer.”\n\n“Maurer?”\n\nHe nods.\n\nCrap. That explains why the Russians snatched him. Three months ago every global conglomerate wanted a piece of the Maurer patents when they went to auction. Even the Boss threw in a bid, but before a deal could go through, the patents were pulled and Maurer disappeared.\n\nWhy the Russians waited until now to take the kid is a mystery. Then again, it’s not your problem.\n\nYou see the school up ahead. All you have to do is drop the kid off at the front office, but something in your gut is screaming get out of there.\n\n[[Walk the kid to the office]]\n[[Keep driving and circle back]]\n

You drive around to the back of the Boss’s building. Most of the thugs will be on the twelfth floor. The silent pistols will be quicker, and obviously quieter than explosives.\n\nThe longer the guards waste their time searching for you in the building, the more time you’ll have to navigate the city.\n\nYou grab your bag, the sniper scope, and the silenced pistols. You’ll need to avoid the cameras. If security sticks to regulations at least four guards will remain on the ground floor – one at the desk, one at the back entrance, and two patrolling.\n\nKilling them won’t be a problem. The hard part will be keeping their attention focused on the upper floors.\n\nThe rear door has a camera. If you destroy it, they’ll figure out your plan.\n\nYou go to the adjacent building, climb the fire escape; and from there, you jump across the small alley and grab the molding of a second story window.\n\nThe window’s already open. Some of the thugs like to smoke and never remember to close it.\n\nThere’s a noise in the hall. You stay low and move to the shadows.\n\nIt’s the two guards patrolling. You let them pass, then slip out the door and down the hall in the opposite direction.\n\nYou toggle the sniper scope to detect heat and scan the lower floor. If you avoid the front desk, you’ll be in the clear.\n\nYou slip around the corner and make it to the elevator. You check your watch. Gillian should have made it to the SUV by now. Hopefully she’s waiting for you.\n\nThe elevator dings and the door slides open.\n\nYou hear two goons checking cars.\n\nWell that’s just perfect.\n\nYou slide the bag over your shoulder, keeping the scope in one hand and the silenced pistol in the other. You scan the parking garage. Three heat signatures. One of them is horizontal. At least she made it to the SUV.\n\nYou walk to a cement pillar, using the shadows for concealment. You toggle the scope to x-ray, angle your pistol around the pillar, and take down both of the thugs. Normally you’d hide the bodies, but there’s no time.\n\nYou open the SUV door, toss your bag in, and embrace your sister.\n\n“We have to go.”\n\nHer body shakes from the adrenaline, or maybe from the sight of the two men you just shot. It's hard to tell. At least she’s alive, and you’re almost certain the blood on her clothes belongs to someone else.\n\nYou take a bottle of pills out of your bag and give her two red ones. “These will calm you down.”\n\nShe takes them without thinking.\n\nShe might be able to drive.\n\n“Hey,” you take her by the shoulders, “I need you to focus. The exit to the parking garage is guarded. I won’t be able to shoot him from the car. I’ll need you to drive so I can sneak up to him on foot. Do you understand?”\n\nHer eyes are glazed, but she nods.\n\nYou know she’s tough, but she’s been through a lot today. Maybe she’s not up for it. You can’t afford to make a mistake now.\n\n[[“I’ll drive; just keep your head down.”]]\n[[“Gillian, I need you to be strong for a little bit longer.”]]\n

You walk to the table and inspect the components. At first they just seem like bits of wire and circuit boards, but as you look closer you see the frame of a body. It’s a small body, perhaps resembling a child.\n\nYou gaze at Maurer with shock. “The kid—”\n\nHe grins. “Yes.”\n\n“But how?”\n\nHe chuckles. “You would not understand. Sometimes I do not understand. I am responsible for only some of zhis.” He shrugs, “Zhe other architects elude even me.”\n\nYou look back at the woman. “So she?”\n\nMaurer nods. “She is an earlier design. Stronger, but less intuitive – zhough, it is strange, she seems to trust you.”\n\n“Why are you telling me this?”\n\n“You are good for my boy.” He motions for the woman. She walks to the console. Her finger splits in two and attaches to a hole in the machine.\n\nSuddenly an image appears on the screen beside you. It’s a slideshow of events from the woman’s perspective, as if her eyes were cameras – though that’s probably because they are cameras.\n\n“You zee here,” Maurer points at the image of you carrying the kid. “You have kept him safe and returned him to me. My zhanks is not enough. Come.”\n\nYou follow him down the hallway and into another room. It’s an armory. The walls are lined with weapons of all sizes and types. Their designs seem familiar, but their technology and craftsmanship seem alien.\n\n“My earlier work. I have no use for zhem now. You may take one of your choosing.”\n\nYou examine the weapons on the wall and the metal cases on the floor. Each gun is one of a kind. It’s almost impossible to choose.\n\nAfter what feels like an eternity, you limit your selection to two cases: a red case containing a sniper rifle with a very impressive scope and an orange case containing a shotgun with an assortment of ammunition.\n\n[[Take the red case]]\n[[Take the orange case]]\n

You veer left, run a red light, and take a hard right until the school is at least three blocks away. You park in a side street. “The kid and the car are yours as long as you leave me out of the report.”\n\nShe pulls another gun out from under her dress and points it at you. “What report?”\n\nCrap. “How many guns do you have down there anyway?”\n\nShe grins. “The car and the kid are already mine. And you were dead the moment I saw you.”\n\nThe good news: she’s a fake cop. The bad news: her gun’s not, and it’s currently pointed at your stomach.\n\n“A bullet to the stomach is a slow way to die.” She says with a sadistic smile.\n\n“Listening to you jabber is a slow way to die.”\n\nShe sneers and pulls the trigger. You feel a sharp pain in your stomach, and when you touch it; your fingers come back red.\n\nShe hits you with the butt of the pistol then reaches over you to open the door. You grab her arm and squeeze the broken bone. She groans with pain.\n\nYou spit blood into her eyes. “You think I haven’t been shot in the stomach before?”\n\nShe looks at you wide-eyed. “Who are you?”\n\nYou yank her out the open door and twist so her head hits the pavement hard. She lifts her arm and the pistol, but you hit the inside of her elbow and twist the gun into her chest. “You’ll never know,” you growl and squeeze her finger and the gun's trigger.\n\nShe’s dead instantly.\n\nYou take the gun and try to stand; instead you fall against the pickup. The pain is excruciating. You press your hand into the wound hoping to stop the bleeding. It doesn’t work.\n\nYou haven’t got much time.\n\nYou pull the fake cop’s shoes off and check the inside of the sole. There’s a folded sheet of paper. It’s a map and list of instructions – looks like it leads to Maurer and explains how to kidnap his son. You look down at her dead body. It seems she was a little late to the party.\n\nYou pull yourself into the driver’s seat and wait for your head to stop spinning before you start the engine. The kid sits next to you. He looks shaken.\n\n“Did you kill her?” He asks.\n\n“Uh, no kid. She’s just taking a nap.”\n\n“Oh,” he nods his head. “Okay.”\n\nYou put the pickup in gear and backup over her skull. “Now she’s dead,” you say with a smirk. And Gillian thinks you’re bad with kids.\n\nYou drive to the kid’s house. Your head feels heavy. You can barely keep it up. Your fingers and toes tingle, and your shirt and pants are drenched with blood.\n\n“My house,” the kid says with excitement. “Do you want to see my turtle?” He hops out of the car and hurries in through the front entrance.\n\nThat’s one problem you’ve taken care of. Now what to do about all this blood?\n\nYour head falls against the steering wheel. Your arms spasm, and your vision gets fuzzy, then the darkness overtakes you.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 21]]\n

“Sure, you can take him off my hands.” You say, throwing the kid into the woman.\n\nShe falls against the wall. You grab her hand before she can raise the gun and break her arm at the elbow. She groans and slides to the floor. She obviously knows how to handle pain.\n\nYou lift the kid off her and set him under the cover of the desk. “Stay.” Then you drag the woman into a corner out of the window’s view.\n\n“Why,” she groans through gritted teeth, “Are you so interested in Seth?”\n\nYou glance at the kid. “I’m not.”\n\n“Then why do you have him?”\n\nYou can’t help but laugh. “I’m trying my best to get rid of him.”\n\nShe looks at you with horror.\n\n“I’m not trying to //get rid of him//. I’m trying to get rid of him. I would have given him to you if you didn’t try to kill me.”\n\n“Why would you steal him just to give him back? What kind of monster are you?”\n\n“I didn’t steal him. Well, okay so technically I did steal him, but only from the people who had already stolen him. And I wasn’t even trying to steal him in the first place. Hey, why are you asking all the questions? I’m the one with the gun.”\n\n“Maurer already said he would do what you wanted.”\n\n“What //I// wanted?”\n\n“He said he would build it. Now leave his son alone.”\n\n“Build what?”\n\n“What you told him to build.”\n\n“What I told him to build?”\n\n“Your people.”\n\n“And what people are those?”\n\n“The bad ones.”\n\nYou laugh. “There are a lot of bad people in this city. You’ll have to be more specific than that.”\n\nShe looks down and away.\n\n“Who else is out there?” You say. “How many shooters?”\n\nShe doesn’t respond.\n\nYou examine her gun. It’s police issue. You search the desk. There’s a badge. She’s a cop.\n\nCrap.\n\nYou just assaulted a police officer and she knows what you look like.\n\nAnd you thought things were complicated five minutes ago.\n\nYou toss the badge at her. “You’re a cop.”\n\n“And you must be Sherlock Holmes.”\n\nYou rub the bridge of your nose. Yeah, this is definitely going to be a long day. “Alright,” you kneel down next to the cop. “There’s been a little bit of a mix up. The kid’s all yours. And for the record, I’m not the scumbag you’re looking for.” You get up to leave.\n\n“What about the snipers?”\n\n“They’re yours, aren’t they?”\n\nShe shakes her head.\n\nYeah, that probably would have made things too easy.\n\nShe gives you a desperate look. “If you really aren’t responsible, then you’ll help us escape.”\n\n[[Help her]]\n[[Leave her]]\n

That’s just peachy.\n\nYou slam your foot on the gas. The engine revs and the BMW jumps forward. You swerve between traffic trying to lose the cop.\n\nHe blinks with surprise then yells something into his radio.\n\nHe’s at least three cars behind you now. You’re not in the clear yet.\n\nYou take a hard right and then a hard left. You can’t stay with this car for long. The cop may have gotten a glimpse of your plates.\n\nUnderestimating the local cops is a mistake. They’re organized and surprisingly skilled at manhunts. You can’t run for long.\n\nYou grin. Running’s not really your style anyway, and Wong’s restaurant is just around the corner. You hit the gas and push the BMW as hard as it'll go. The tires squeal as you run the red light and tear through the corner.\n\nThe car smashes through the front window of Wong’s restaurant, shoving tables and chairs into the far wall. You grab the assault rifle and empty a clip into the ceiling. You sling the bag over your shoulder, toss the pack of cigarettes onto the dash, throw a grenade toward the bathrooms, then run for the kitchen.\n\nThe explosion shakes the whole building. Pipes burst from the walls and erupt with water. You shoot three rounds into the stove until it blows. The fire and water mix into steam, providing a little cover as you sneak out the back.\n\nYou hear five or six cop sirens blare behind you. Talk about a close call.\n\nYou sprint through the alley and hail a taxi. You give the driver the address to the penthouse. You take a deep breath. This isn’t exactly the plan you had in mind. It’ll take Wong awhile to find the guns – but you definitely gave him something to think about.\n\nHopefully it will be enough for the Boss’s negotiations to fall through...hopefully.\n\nYou tell the driver to circle around the building once. The amount of guards in the lobby is double the normal amount, and it doesn’t look like they’re moving any time soon. Either the Boss knows about your plan or it’s the henchmen ball. Either way you slice it, your chances don’t look good.\n\nYou’ll have to use all your ammo just to get to the elevator then hand-to-hand from the top floor back down. It's a good thing you have a hard time saying no to impossible odds.\n\nBut then again, no matter how horrible the odds are for you, they're going to be worse for Gillian. You could still give yourself up willing.\n\n[[Let the bullet casings fall where they may]]\n[[Give yourself up willingly]]\n

The thug holding Gillian swallows hard. “We’re willing to negotiate. The Boss just wants to talk.”\n\nYou shoot three thugs in quick succession. The others don’t realize until the bodies hit the cement. You point the pistol at the leader. “I’m listening.”\n\nHe staggers back in fear. His pistol hand shakes. “The Boss, he needs you for one more mission. It’s, it’s important.”\n\n“It must be.”\n\n“He said you were the only one that could pull it off. He said it had to be you.”\n\n“Did he?”\n\n“We weren’t going to hurt her. We just needed you onboard. You understand, don’t you?”\n\nYou shrug. “Fine, I’ll do it. Let her go.”\n\nThe thug looks at his buddies nervously and then back at you. “Promise?”\n\n“Do you want me to pinky-swear?”\n\nThe thug lowers his gun and lets Gillian go.\n\nHer body shakes with fear and adrenaline. She walks to you.\n\nYou keep your gun pointed at the leader. “I //am// going to have to shoot you though.”\n\n“What?”\n\n“You kidnapped my sister and used her to blackmail me. Where do you want it: arm or leg?”\n\nHe scrunches his eyes and thinks it over. “Arm.”\n\nYou shoot him in the arm. He drops to the ground and screams in pain.\n\nYou look at the other thugs. “Alright, take me to the Boss. He and I need to have a little chat.”\n\nThe thugs keep their guns pointed at your chest. There's no way they'll let you pull a stunt like that again...at least not willingly. Gillian hurries to you. You hug her and then lean on her for support. Your body's weaker than you thought. The guards lead you down the stairs to an office. The entire floor is clear except for one desk, three chairs, and a small table for tea.\n\nThe Boss casually glances over at you. "You're late. I hope your skills haven't dulled since you left." He waves his hand toward the guards. "You may leave now."\n\nThe guards stare at him with confusion.\n\n"It's fine." The Boss assures them.\n\nThey don't know what else to do but follow his orders, so they leave. It's just you, Gillian, and the Boss.\n\n"Please," the Boss gestures toward the chairs. "Sit. Would you like some tea?"\n\n"What makes you think I'm not going to shoot you where you sit?" You say sternly.\n\n"If I wanted to kill you," the Boss says calmly. "You would be dead. That's true for your sister as well. Aren't you curious why I orchestrated this little game?"\n\n"Because you're insane."\n\nThe Boss chuckles softly. "You and I both know that's not true. Come. Sit."\n\nYou and Gillian sit down across from the Boss. He pours two cups of tea and slides the cups in front of you. "I've been presented with a particularly difficult problem. I believe there is a traitor within my organization, and I'd like you to find out who it is. You, of all people, are one of the few employees I can still trust. I put on this little show to convince my adversaries that you and I had a falling out."\n\n"We did have a falling out."\n\n"I required a more public display of your dissatisfaction. Which I might add was a superb delivery on your part."\n\n"Tell that to your dead employees."\n\n"It was important the action was believable."\n\nYou stretch your arms and legs. "Whatever," you groan. "Let's skip ahead to the part where I kill you."\n\nThe Boss rolls his eyes with a pang of boredom. “Your life could have been extingished at any moment had I but said the word. Or did you think I would be unable to anticipate your emotional outbursts when your dear sister was at jeopardy?”\n\nAs skilled as you are, the sad truth is that everything you know, you learned from him. He’s always been five steps ahead of you...even now. “Well,” you glower at him. “I’m listening.”\n\nHe smiles. “I have been pursuing several new revenue streams and the returns have proven...disappointing. I am a patient man, but progress is slower than I would prefer. I have constructed this elaborate ruse not only to confuse my enemies, but also to force your hand.”\n\n"Get to the point," you growl.\n\n"Of my several investments, two have proven to be especially troublesome. Progress on a new drug being tested in Montana has come to an unexpected halt. Some of the human test subjects have gone missing. Retrieving them would be...very productive for the project. The subjects, like you, suffer from the same genetic abnormality."\n\n"What?" You interrupt. "What genetic abnormality?"\n\n"Oh," the Boss smirks, "Did I forget to mention that? Yes, I took the liberty of having my scientists infect you and Gillian with a rare genetic abnormality."\n\n"What!?!" you growl.\n\n"Calm yourself," the Boss says soothingly. "You and your sister are fine, for the moment. No unnecessary harm will come to either of you as long as you do as I command...just like old times."\n\nYou mull over the notion without speaking. Killing the Boss now would be very satisfying, but there's still a chance you can get Gillian out of this alive. You have to do what's best for her.\n\n"There is another option," the Boss says. "There is a doctor, a genius. I believe she may have stolen some of the research that belongs to me. If there is a mole, this woman should know who. I sent a small team to retrieve her, but they have yet to return which means I underestimated how dangerous she is. \n\n"If you could bring her in or perhaps persuade her to work for me, it would help to accelerate a resolution between the three of us because, as you already know, your sister is staying with me until I get what I want.”\n\n[[Go to Montana]]\n[[Look for the genius doctor]]\n

Gunfire will only alert more guards. You need to stay hidden and hope the fire upstairs is enough to occupy the rest of them. You grab the throwing knifes - sharp, silent, and deadly - the perfect combination...although, you have a feeling Wong's guards won't see it that way.\n\nAs the first thug steps into view you fling one of the knives. It hits the guard center mass. He slides down the rest of the stairs and hits the floor with a hard thump. You step over him and climb the stairs back to the freezer. You stop before you reach the top. You see the silhouette of a figure...someone guarding the door.\n\nLuckily the stairs are dark enough to keep you concealed. You twirl the throwing knife around in your hand. This'll need to be a close kill. You silently slink up the rest of the stairs.\n\nIn a single, fluid motion you wrap your arm around the figure's neck and shove the knife into its chest. The knife clicks against metal...body armor?\n\nThe figure lurches forward. You swing for his neck as he flips you over his shoulder against the cold floor. You cough and wheeze as the breath goes out of you. With that second swing the guard should be dead, but he's standing over you. Black goo drips down his neck and chest. There's some on your hand. It smells like oil.\n\nOil?\n\nYou twist and roll around a crate of frozen fish. "Chu? Is that you? I thought you were dead?"\n\n"I was...for a time."\n\n"I felt really bad about setting off those explosives in Paris. You know it wasn't personal, right? They were never meant for you."\n\n"Yes. We each must serve our own masters. You must serve yours just as I must serve mine."\n\n"Are you sure we can't make a deal? I must have something you want."\n\n"My desires in this life are no more. My will is but a mirror for my master's."\n\n"Uh...You really don't seem like yourself Chu..."\n\n"I am not myself. I am something better."\n\nYou've got a bad feeling about what comes next. You twist around the crate and fling two throwing knifes. One hits Chu in the chest. The other sinks into his cheek.\n\nHe doesn't back pedal or flinch. He doesn't even try to avoid them. He stares at you calmly. "A deal has already been reached," Chu says calmly. "You will become like me." He pulls the knife out of his chest and cheek. Instead of blood, you see more black goo. He drops the knives on the ground.\n\nYou take a cautious step back. "What happened to you?"\n\n"I am more than bone and blood. I am the next stage of humanity and soon," he walks closer, "You will be too."\n\nYou see wires protruding from the gash in his neck...and it looks like a circuit board inside his chest. "You're..." You hesitate. It's almost impossible to believe. You knew the Chinese were making advancements in cybernetics but this...this is just insane. "You're a robot..."\n\n"The Boss has made arrangements to provide you with the same procedure. My master, Mr. Wong, is preparing for the operation now."\n\n"You mean this was the Boss's plan all along...He knew I would come here...He knew I would try this..."\n\n"Yes," Chu says calmly. "Your movements have been anticipated."\n\nYou turn to run, but Chu sprints to block your path. He's so fast you can barely see him move. His heavy metal hand punches you in the face. It's like getting hit with a bag of bricks. You hit the ground hard. Everything spins.\n\n"You will find great satisfaction in serving your master." Chu flings you over his shoulder. "You will be programmed to find pleasure in nothing else."\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

This plan was going to get messy eventually. You walk to a parked truck, slide your hand under the rear wheel well until you feel a key. You use it to unlock the doors. You get in and drive to the Boss’s penthouse.\n\nYou pull around a corner so the lobby is visible. It looks like a goon convention inside. Whether they know you’re coming or not, they’re prepared for a fight.\n\nEven if you shoot your way through, you may not get to Gillian in time. You’ll have to use all your ammo just to get to the elevator.\n\nYou could give yourself up and maybe the Boss will let Gillian go. Then again, he’s never been the generous type. Either way the odds are stacked against you.\n\n[[Let the bullet casings fall where they may]]\n[[Give yourself up willingly]]\n

There’s no way to play this safe, and you can’t go wasting bullets. You press Gillian against the wall. “Stay here. Wait thirty seconds and then follow me. You understand.”\n\nShe nods nervously.\n\nYou sprint down the stairs. The years of training have taught you to stay silent and agile. The thugs don’t notice you until it’s too late.\n\nYou swing the butt of the machine gun into the first thug’s jaw and twist over him so your foot slams hard into the second thug’s left ear. His head bounces against the wall. As you land, you hook your foot behind his and elbow him in the chest. He somersaults backwards down the metal steps. You hear a crunch as his neck hits the lower platform.\n\nAs you turn, the first thug throws a right hook just barely nicking your chin. You slip backwards and grab the railing to keep your balance. The thug comes at you again with his left leg. You grab his ankle and thrust it over the railing. His crotch hits the metal bar, and you hear him whimper.\n\nYou twist with the momentum and kick him over the edge. He hits the opposite railing, tumbles down the stairs, and crashes into the second set of thugs.\n\nTheir machine guns discharge in random directions and ricochet off the walls.\n\nYou drop to the ground as a bullet slices past your shoulder.\n\nThey know you’re coming now. You can’t waste time with a silly thing like pain. You dash to the lower platform and jump across the gap to the next platform, knocking one of the thugs into the wall with your knee.\n\nYou push his machine gun against the rail. Four bullets hit his recovering friend and paint the wall with bits of brain. You yank the machine gun forward, then shove it back into his nose. He rolls against the wall and down the stairs.\n\nYou twirl the machine gun around and shoot the two remaining thugs as they round the corner.\n\nBlood drips down your arm, and your shoulder hurts bad. You turn and look up the stairs. “Gillian, it’s safe.”\n\nShe doesn’t respond.\n\n“Gillian.” You painfully climb the stairs. “Gillian?” You see blood on the steps. Gillian holds her stomach. Blood seeps out between her fingers. A stray bullet – what are the odds.\n\nMoving her won’t be easy. There’s so much blood. It’s hard to say what organs have been hit.\n\nThe door behind you kicks open, and a thug has his pistol pointed at the back of your head. Part of you wishes he would pull the trigger. Instead, he hits you in the back of the neck. You crumple forward.\n\nWith your last ounce of strength, you reach for Gillian’s hand. Her fingers don’t move. You try to shout her name, but only a faint mumble comes out.\n\nYour vision blurs and your head falls into a pool of blood which you can only hope doesn't belong to her.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 7]]\n

You push open the door to the first office. It’s empty. The vantage point is a little off, but with your skills it won’t matter. You shove everything off the desk and push the desk against the wall below the window.\n\nThe windows are reinforced and, unfortunately, don’t open. Normally you would have brought something to deal with that, but you’ve been a little busy.\n\nIt’ll be messy and loud, but the bullet will do the job...It’ll have to.\n\nYou assemble the sniper rifle on the desk and align it with the Boss’s penthouse. You lay flat on the desk and adjust the scope.\n\nSuddenly you realize you forgot to lock the door.\n\n[[Get up and lock it]]\n[[Don’t bother]]\n

You fought this hard to get Gillian; you’re not going to lose her now. “Drive,” you shout, running toward the backseat. You flip open the door and jump in as she pulls out of the parking garage.\n\nYou hear the goons shout as they fire their weapons. Four bullets ricochet off the SUV. You take out both pistols and return fire. You manage to hit three of them, not fatally.\n\nTwo more goons exit the parking garage and squeeze off a few rounds. You hear one of the tires squeal as the SUV swerves right. It careens into a parked car and rolls to a stop in the middle of the street.\n\n“Gillian. Gillian?” You rush to the front seat.\n\nShe’s slumped over the steering wheel. Her chair is red with blood. Her eyes look empty. You frantically try to find where the bullet hit her, but there’s just too much blood. You get out of the SUV and gently lay her on the street.\n\n“Gillian,” you barely whisper. “Gillian, please.”\n\nThe goons have you surrounded. You’re out of options. The Boss is probably going to kill you, but all you can think about is Gillian and how you let her down.\n\nBefore you can say or do anything, a goon smacks you in the head with the butt of his gun. Your vision blurs, you hit the pavement, and everything goes black.\n\n******\n\nA hard slap across the face wakes you. You’re tied to a chair. Ada Wolff slaps you again. She’s one of the Boss’s more refined assassins. The last time you saw her, she tried to strangle you with a piano string. Hopefully this conversation will be more productive.\n\n"Owah," you groan. "I'm awake."\n\n"So," Ada grunts. She's about to hit you again when the Boss stops her. He sits down on the chair in front of you.\n\n"Your little temper tantrum has cost me quite a bit of money."\n\n"What did you expect?" You say, still a bit groggy.\n\n"Yes, I suppose the events of today have spiraled out of hand."\n\nYou look around the room. "Where's Gillian?"\n\n"Alive," Ada says with a pinch of disappointment.\n\n"And quite safe," the Boss adds. "Though the doctors have delivered some very interesting news. Your sister appears to have an abnormal gene, one that could have a very negative impact on her life."\n\n“I’m going to have a very negative impact on //your// life.” You scowl at him. "Why should I believe you?"\n\n"Because you have the gene as well." The Boss leans back in the chair. "That is what all of this has been about. You're dying, and now I know your sister is no better off."\n\nYou laugh and shake your head. "This is some game you're playing. When I get out of these ropes, I'm going to kill you."\n\nAda immediately slaps you across the face. The Boss pulls her back before she can do it again.\n\n"I'm sure this is difficult for you to understand, but despite the manner in which we parted, I still consider you a valuable part of my company. I always assumed you would return so, you see, I have no incentive to kill you. On the contrary, you're worth more to me alive, even if you are no longer under my employ."\n\n"Sorry if I dozed off, but I think I've heard this story before."\n\nThe Boss opens a folder and lays it on your lap. "The results from your sister's exam. She has months to live. You have weeks."\n\nYou're not a doctor, but the stats look real. Gillian really is dying...and so are you. "Weeks?" You whisper.\n\n"I have been making heavy investments in medical research related to your condition the returns of which have proven to be...disappointing. Of my several investments, two have shown the most promise, but there have been setbacks.\n\n"Progress on a new drug being tested in Montana has come to a stop. Some of the human test subjects have gone missing. Retrieving them would be very productive in finding a cure. The subjects, like you, suffer from the same genetic abnormality.\n\n"There is another option," the Boss says. "My wealth, as infinite as it may appear, is not always enough to motivate some people. There is a doctor, a genius, who is quite knowledgeable in matters concerning the project. I offered her a small fortune, which she rudely refused. If you could persuade her to work for me, it might accelerate your sister's recovery...as well as your own.”\n\nThe Boss motions toward Ada. She grimaces, but cuts you loose.\n\n[[Go to Montana]]\n[[Look for the genius doctor]]\n

Cloud Buchholz is an indie author writing on the California coast. He's written a novel, <a href="http://www.cloudbuchholz.com/chewingOnPenCaps.html" target="_blank">Chewing on Pen Caps</a>, a book of poetry, <a href="http://www.cloudbuchholz.com/americanIdlers.html" target="_blank">The American Idlers</a>, a novella, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Darling-ebook/dp/B004SY5P04" target="_blank">The Last Darling</a> and an erotic romance, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/21-Nights-Cloud-Buchholz-ebook/dp/B00KR1RWQW" target="_blank">21 Nights</a>.\n\nYou can read more of his short stories and poetry at:\n\n<center><a href="http://www.cloudbuchholz.com/" target="_blank">www.cloudbuchholz.com</a></center>\n<<back>>\n

The sniper isn’t that great of a shot, but at this range he just might hit you. Safety is one of those unfortunate necessities in this situation.\n\nYou keep pushing the dumpster. The thugs start jogging. It looks like you’ll reach the car about the same time they do.\n\nThis’ll be close.\n\nThe dumpster hits the front of the car. You reel back as a bullet bounces off the hood. You put a little too much weight on your right arm, and your shoulder feels like it’s on fire again. You sweat and your vision blurs around the edges. You’re about to pass out.\n\nNo, no you can’t pass out. Gillian is counting on you. She needs you. Besides, you’ve only been shot once. You can start to feel woozy after getting hit by three or four more bullets. You lean your head against the dumpster and let the cold metal calm your nerves.\n\nYou glance at the hood – barely even a scratch. The Russians must have reinforced it. If you’re lucky the whole car is bulletproof.\n\nYou stay low and push yourself forward. You’re almost to the door when a thug rounds the back of the car. He’s holding a shotgun, and it’s pointed at your chest.\n\nYou swing open the door and use it as a shield as the shotgun erupts. The door rocks forward, but remains intact. You’re alive. Unfortunately, that trick will only work once.\n\nThe thug steps around the door and grunts with amusement. He’s not likely to miss from this range. At least it’ll be over quick.\n\nYou hear a gunshot, but it’s not from him...or the sniper.\n\nThe thug crumbles to the ground. You glance to the right. The woman stands near the window with her gun. She gives you a nod. Looks like you owe her one.\n\nYou twist around the door and get in the driver’s seat. You close the door and lock the rest. You’ve got maybe a minute and a half before the cops arrive. That’s still plenty of time for the thugs to get the kid.\n\nBeing in debt to a cop is just embarrassing. You’ve got a reputation to maintain.\n\nYou take an assault rifle from the bag and lay out in the back seat. Based on the trajectory of the bullets the sniper is probably on the roof of the building to your front-left, and he’s probably stupid enough to still be there.\n\nYou roll the window down a crack and shove the rifle through. Once you see the reflection of his scope, you take the shot – three quick rounds evenly spaced. You may not have killed him, but he won’t be moving for awhile. The cops can tidy up the rest.\n\nYou climb back into the driver’s seat and put the car in gear. You nod at the cop. She nods back. Hopefully she won’t go bragging to everybody how she saved your life. That’d be so embarrassing. All the other assassins would laugh at you.\n\n[[Drive to Wong’s restaurant]]\n[[Find someplace to patch up your wounds]]\n[[Drive to the penthouse and give yourself up]]\n

You press //No//. The console blinks. You hear fans spin on the other side of the lab.\n\nAnother line of text appears: //Error. Simulation cannot be terminated at this time. Input variables are outside the parameters of the system...//\n\nAnother line of text appears: //Attempting re-calibration...//\n\nThe screen flashes.\n\n//Re-calibration failed. Memory corruption detected.//\n\n//Simulation initiated with errors...//\n\nThe screen flashes again.\n\n//{dhhkoe :/29xr 9 = = - 03] @jsll ;/&#kjdim..\ni(#8jd + =38.8 %jdj .uq {:k/od ] [opp]\n[23> dki :/dd <dk [23!xr] {ps&45} .s]//\n\n//... ... ...//\n\n//Error: system operating outside parameters.//\n\n//Error: heat limit exceeded.//\n\n//Error: hardware failure imminent.//\n\n//Please input shutdown override code://\n\nThe fans spin louder. Sparks erupt from the machines. The floor begins to vibrate. You hear what sounds like the hum of an engine. Bright purple and blue lights flood the room. A glowing sphere appears in the center, pulsating and pulling machinery into its center.\n\nThe room gets hotter. The light whips through the room like tiny tentacles. The gravity shifts toward the sphere. Everything is being pulled toward it. You try to grab hold of the console, but one of the tentacles twists around your leg, pulling you into the air.\n\nYour foot enters the sphere. Your toes feel like they've been set on fire, and your ankle, and your leg. You try to move, try to fight it, but you’re helpless. You feel the tentacles of light envelop you. Your skin feels like it's being dipped in acid. Your brain reels from the pain. Then everything fades to black.\n\n[[Overcome the agony]]\n

You tear off part of your shirt and wrap it around your neck. The bleeding has slowed down, but the wound will leave a scar.\n\nYou take a deep breath and keep the gun concealed as best you can. Since you don’t have the kid or the cop hanging from your coattails, the thugs will have a harder time noticing you. It’s best to keep it that way.\n\nYou’ve got a few blocks to run and not much time to get there. The cop’s a good shot and smart. She should be fine on her own for awhile, but not forever.\n\nYou duck behind a parked car as the second SUV drives past. It looks like they’re doubling back. They must have lost sight of the cop and the kid.\n\nWhen they turn the corner, you sprint for the school. The sniper would have moved by now. The police should be at the school any second. You can already hear sirens.\n\nYou stay low and count four points of cover just in case. You make it to the BMW and rest until your chest stops hurting.\n\nYou pop open the door, get inside, and pull the bag onto the passenger seat. You can’t be sure how soon you’re going to need it.\n\nYou start the car and drive away from the school. If the police start a perimeter search, you have more than enough evidence in the car to go away for life.\n\nA police car flashes its lights and drives past you. It’s going in the opposite direction of the school. The woman may have called for backup. If she did, those cops have no idea what they’re getting themselves into.\n\nThe cop car takes a hard right, but the alley where you left the cop and the kid is to the left.\n\nYou sigh. This isn’t even your problem. You handed the kid off. You’ve done your good deed. \n\nThe cop car is almost out of view.\n\n[[Follow the police car]]\n[[Look for the cop and the kid]]\n[[Go to Wong’s restaurant]]\n

You sheath your pistol. It’s too risky. You’ll have to wait for another opening. “Yeah, alright, I’m listening.”\n\n“Splendid.” The Boss says, clasping his hands together. “Do come out now.”\n\nYou step out from behind the wall. All the guns are pointed at your chest.\n\nYou see Gillian in the helicopter as it lifts into the air. You stare at the Boss. “So talk.”\n\nHe rolls his eyes. “Manners, please. Haven’t I taught you anything?”\n\nYou scowl and toss your pistol out of reach.\n\nHe takes a step closer to you. “This isn’t the place to discuss such...sensitive and urgent matters.” He motions for the door. “After you.”\n\nYou turn in time to see a jet cut through the sky overhead. It fires a missile and in an instant the helicopter erupts into a ball of flames. It plummets into the roof. The blast sends you and the Boss through the air like a pair of rag dolls. You both flop and slide across the lower platform.\n\nYou reel in pain. Your rib is broken, and you’re bleeding bad from the side of your head. “Gillian,” you groan and try to stand. You stumble toward the flames but collapse. Everything spins.\n\nThe Boss stands over you and shouts something you can’t understand. Two thugs drag you to the stairwell. You see the Boss sprint to the wreckage and pull a body out. Your vision blurs before you can tell who it is.\n\n“Gillian,” you try to say, but only a faint groan comes out. Then everything goes black.\n\n******\n\nYou wake up in a bed. Your wounds have been bandaged. You're on some serious pain killers, but you still feel achy. "Gillian," you say, but the words come out scratchy. You look around the room. The Boss is sitting next to you. "Gillian," you say again.\n\n"Alive," the Boss assures you. His expression suggests that's not the whole story.\n\nYou sit up. "I want to see her."\n\nThe Boss lowers his head and points to a curtain on the other side of the room. You get up and shamble to the other side of the room. You take a deep breath and pull back the curtain.\n\nYour sister floats in a large glass tank. It's filled with a light blue gelatin. Tubes stretch from her nose, chest, and arms to a machine that's monitoring her vitals.\n\n"Is she--"\n\n"Comatose," the Boss says.\n\n"What happened?"\n\n"One of my projects is set to disrupt the financial interests of several competitors. The stakes...and costs have never been higher. We are on the precipice of a new age. When my plans are fully realized, humanity will never be the same. There are other parties hell-bent on stopping me."\n\n"What else is new? That's why I wanted to quit this business." You stare up at Gillian's limp body.\n\n"Then it seems you cannot quit yet. The explosion contained a toxin. We were all exposed. We are all dying. We have weeks...perhaps less. We must put aside our disagreements and seek vengeance jointly. I've traced the origin of the toxin to a facility in Montana. I have intercepted several secret transmissions. There appears to be a cure, but the facility is in disarray. Some of the patients have gone missing."\n\n"What?" you grunt. "Am I just supposed to believe this isn't another one of your elaborate stunts?"\n\n"I truly wish it was. Trust me, I would send all of my agents if I thought it would make a difference, but in this particular situation, I think you have the most to lose. And that means you have the greatest reason to fight. You see your sister there. You see her wounds are real."\n\nYes, you see her wounds. You look away shamefully. If this is a ploy, the Boss knows what strings to pull. "Is that it?"\n\n"There is another option," the Boss says. "My wealth, as infinite as it may appear, is not always enough to motivate some people. There is a doctor, a genius, who is quite knowledgeable in matters such as these. I offered her a small fortune, which she has rudely refused. If you could persuade her to work toward a cure, it will accelerate our recovery."\n\n[[Go to Montana]]\n[[Look for the genius doctor]]\n

You slide your finger in front of the hammer then use your other hand to punch him in the crotch. He groans and falls on the floor. You swing around to kick him in the face. He rolls, pulls a knife from his belt and flings it at you.\n\nYou deflect it with the gun, then twirl the gun with your fingers and fire three rounds. He slips into the kitchen before a bullet can find him. You take cover behind the adjacent wall – can’t be sure if he’s still packing.\n\nYou inch around the corner. Two kitchen knives fly past your ear and stick to the wall across from you. That’s just great. He’s trying to kill you with your own cutlery.\n\nYou decide it’s time to end this quick. You aim the revolver at the cupboard across from him and pull the trigger.\n\nThe cupboard explodes, sending the goon into the opposite wall. His head bleeds, and he’s out of breath. He probably didn’t realize you keep a box of grenades in with your dishes, but then again, you can never be too sure who’s stopping by for a meal.\n\nYou smirk and point the revolver at him.\n\n[[Shoot him|Shoot/Knock him unconscious]]\n[[Knock him unconscious|Shoot/Knock him unconscious]]\n

There are too many goons to make a clean escape. You’ll have to stay and draw their fire. It’s the only way to keep Gillian safe. “Drive,” you shout, “Go now.”\n\nThe tires squeal as Gillian peels out of the parking garage.\n\nThe goons outside pose more of a threat. You pull out your second pistol and twist around the corner with lightning speed. You fire two quick shots, taking out one of the henchmen, then you duck behind a car.\n\nYou see another henchman trying to flank your right side. You drop to the ground and shoot from beneath the car. You clip his ankle and he falls to the ground screaming.\n\nThe other thugs are still advancing. They’re too spread out for you to do serious damage, but maybe you can make a hole. You fire a few rounds at one of the thugs so he’ll keep his head down. Then you make a sprint for the lobby and the smoke cover.\n\nYou feel a sharp pain in your chest and you stumble forward. Your shirt turns red. Your vision blurs. You drop to your knees as the strength leaves your body.\n\nYou glance over your shoulder – the thugs from the parking garage. You almost forgot about them. You try to raise your guns, but you feel another sharp pain in your chest. You drop the weapons and slump against the pavement. In the distance you see Gillian pull around a corner, out of sight. She's made it. She's free. You actually saved her. \n\nYou cough and blood splatters down your chin. The bullet must have pierced your lung. You've beaten the odds before, but this...\n\nYou've seen death enough times to know what it looks like...\n\n"No," you hear an old familiar voice shout. "You were supposed to live."\n\nYou don't have the strength to tilt your head, but you recognize the voice. It's the Boss. He kneels down beside you, cradling your head in his arms. "It was never supposed to end like this," he whispers as the tears well up in the corners of his eyes.\n\nYou try to speak, but only blood comes out.\n\n"No," the Boss cries, "No, no, no, no," his voice trails off. "I had so much planned for you." \n\nYour grin is faint but full of satisfaction. No one thought you'd stay in retirement...maybe this is the only way to prove them wrong. You think about Gillian one last time and then everything fades to black.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

You pour yourself a glass of alcohol, sit on the couch facing the door, and try to look as comfortable as possible. You can only hope your shabby attire doesn’t give you away.\n\nThe three suits walk through the door and stare at you with surprise.\n\n“Hello gentlemen,” you say, taking a casual sip at your glass. “I’m not late, am I?”\n\n“Late?” One of the old men scoffs. “Who are you? How’d you get in here?”\n\nYou keep your head tilted down and glance up at him. “Are those really the questions you ought to be asking right now?”\n\nHe swallows hard. “What is that suppose to mean? You know there are five guards in the other room with guns.”\n\nYou chuckle lightly. “Don’t be so dramatic. If I wanted to kill you, we wouldn’t be having this stimulating conversation.” After years of watching the Boss negotiate deals, you’ve learned how to stay vague, threatening, and charming all in the same sentence. Of course, the Boss is still your superior when it comes to that. You’d hate to think what would happen if he ever decided to become a telemarketer.\n\n“Alright then,” one of the old men says with a southern drawl. “What is it you want?”\n\nYou smile and motion for them to sit down. “Gentlemen, it’s not about what I want. It’s about what I can do, more specifically, what I can do for you.”\n\n“Quit yanking the bull’s tail and get on with it,” the southerner says, rubbing his chin.\n\nYou really should have thought this part through. You keep smiling and try to stay casual. “Men such as yourselves, important men with money, become targets for obvious reasons.” You take another sip from your glass. “At some point in the future you may require the services of a professional.” You pull a business card from your pocket and lay it on the table.\n\nThe old man picks it up and gives you a skeptical look. “This is for dry-cleaning.”\n\nOkay, so dry-cleaning is a bit of a curveball. It was the only business card in your pocket. Which reminds you – your shirts should be done by three. You’ll have to pick those up on your way out of town.\n\nYou give the old man a stern look. “As I said, I’m a professional, and I know the value of discretion.” You set your glass on the table and standup. “It took me less than three minutes to break into this mansion and pour myself a glass of your bourbon. I don’t even like bourbon.”\n\nThe southerner grins and slips the card into his jacket pocket.\n\nYou walk to the far door. “I’ll see myself out.” You close the door and step into the hall. Your heart races, and you lean against the wall to catch your breath. You’ve learned a lot from the Boss, but you’re not the liar he is. You’d take a knife or shotgun over an awkward conversation any day.\n\nLuckily, since there aren’t any alarms going off, it seems like they believed you. You’ll have to go back for the kid later. You didn’t even get her name.\n\nYou could just leave her in that cupboard, but something’s tugging at your conscience, which is strange because until a few minutes ago you didn’t realize you had a conscience.\n\nYou hurry through the hall until you come across an elevator. You get inside and hit the button for the basement. It jerks to life and travels for awhile. Based on the time and speed, the basement must be really far underground.\n\nOnly the most dangerous experiments require that kind of precaution.\n\nThe elevator halts and the door slides open.\n\nYou step into a large cement bunker. It’s only one room, but it’s huge, maybe the size of a stadium. There’s equipment setup, but it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen.\n\nPeople are in the distance, staring at a computer screen.\n\n[[Try to blend in]]\n[[Stick to the shadows]]\n

If you’d like to learn more about the secrets of the missing patients and the mystery enshrouding the covert facility in Montana, you’ll have to buy the book! This is the end of the demo.\n\n<html>\n<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Bullets-ebook/dp/B00FXF0E30" target="_blank"><img src="img/sevenBulletsCover.jpg" align="left" width="149" height="224" hspace="6"></a>\nIf you enjoyed this story then support the author and buy the book! It's only $2.99 and here's what you get:\n \n<center>\n<table border="0" cellpadding="12" cellspacing="10">\n <tr>\n <td width="75%">Full Version</td>\n </tr>\n<tr>\n <td>280k words (1200 pages)</td>\t\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>470+ unique choices</td>\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>80+ different endings</td>\n </tr>\n</table>\n</center>\nBuy the book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Bullets-ebook/dp/B00FXF0E30" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="http://goo.gl/krXG4S" target="_blank">iBooks</a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seven-bullets-cloud-buchholz/1118069480?ean=2940148147336" target="_blank">B&N</a> <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/367868" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>\n \n</html>\n[[Re-read the story...|Intro]]

You turn around and head into the kitchen. Customers scream in the other room. Most of them run for the exit, at least that’s what it sounds like. A few little explosions can have that effect.\n\nYou’ve heard rumors about the exotic weapons Wong has collected. The guy you talked to said Wong kept them in a giant freezer, and, as it just so happens, restaurants have giant freezers. A couple of the chefs yell at the waiters. They’re trying to put out a blazing fire on the far wall. Luckily, they haven’t noticed you.\n\nYou slip into the freezer. There are shelves of frozen food, but no guns. Your contact wouldn’t have lied about something like this. Then again, this could be the wrong freezer. Or maybe there’s a hidden passage somewhere. Or worse still, Wong may have moved the guns already.\n\nYou’ve made it this far; it’d be a waste not to at least look. You rub your fingers along the shelves and the walls searching for a switch or a button, something that might open a hidden door.\n\nThere, behind a package of chicken, a small red button. You press it.\n\nThere’s a faint click, and the whole shelf hisses open. You pull it out all the way, revealing a set of stairs. You follow the stairs down into a small, well lit room. The walls are lined with guns and the corners are lined with crates of equipment. It’s an armory befitting a small army. Some countries don’t have this many guns.\n\nEach weapon looks custom made and handcrafted to perfect specifications. They look exotic, elegant, and particularly deadly. It’s almost impossible to choose one.\n\nWong must have spent a fortune to have these weapons built...or stolen. Your contact was right. It’s an impressive collection. Wong won’t mind if you take just one. You grin and imagine his crazed expression when he learns some are missing.\n\nYou grab a bag and peruse the isles. It’s a tough decision. They’re all so incredible.\n\nAfter what feels like an eternity, you limit your selection to three weapons. A light and durable sniper rifle with a very impressive and unusual scope, a large and oddly shaped shotgun with an assortment of ammunition, or a metal case containing a collection of strange and exotic throwing knifes.\n\nSuddenly, you hear voices coming from the stairs. You’ve spent too much time drooling over these weapons. Wong’s thugs are probably making sure his stash is safe.\n\nThose stairs are the only way in and out. Looks like you’re in a bad way.\n\nYou better grab a weapon quick and get ready for a fight.\n\n[[Grab the sniper rifle]]\n[[Grab the shotgun]]\n[[Grab the throwing knifes]]\n

You duck behind the kid with your arm around his throat.\n\n“You think I won’t shoot him too.” She says. “I will. I’ll do it.”\n\n“If you wanted the kid dead you would have shot him when we walked through the door. Now lower your gun.”\n\nShe swallows hard and keeps the pistol aimed at your head. “No, you listen to me. Put your—”\n\nYou shoot her in the arm before she can finish the sentence.\n\nShe drops her gun and falls against the desk. She groans with pain, but manages to keep from screaming.\n\nShe’s been trained. She’s not as good as you, obviously, but she’s good. You pick up her pistol.\n\n“You won’t get away with this,” she says through gritted teeth.\n\n“Really?” You say while pushing her onto her side to search her pockets. “And what is it you think I’m trying to get away with?”\n\n“He doesn’t belong to you.”\n\n“Who said I wanted him?”\n\n“Don’t hurt him,” she pleads. “He hasn’t done anything.”\n\nYou find her wallet then push her into the corner. “You’re in timeout until you can learn to play nice.”\n\nShe groans as her arm hits the wall.\n\nThe ID in her wallet says she’s private security and a cop. You look back at the kid. “You recognize her?”\n\nHe nods his head.\n\nYou sigh. “Well who is she?”\n\n“My nanny.”\n\nYou glance back at the woman. “You’re doing a bang up job – a regular Mary Poppins.”\n\nShe scoffs at you.\n\n“The kid’s yours.” You toss the wallet onto her lap.\n\n“Wait, is that it? You’re just leaving?”\n\nYou stop and turn around. “You’re absolutely right. A thank you would be nice.”\n\n“What?” She shouts. “I’m not thanking you. You shot me in the arm.”\n\nYou shake your head. Some people are impossible to please.\n\n“You can’t just go. You have to help us.” She pushes herself up. “If you’re not one of the people who kidnapped Seth then prove it.”\n\n“I’d really love to indulge your morality but,” you count your remaining ammo, “I’m already late for a meeting.”\n\nShe smirks. “What are you going to do about the snipers?”\n\n“They’re yours, aren’t they?”\n\nShe shakes her head.\n\nYeah, that probably would have made things too easy.\n\n“If you really aren’t responsible," the woman says. "Then you’ll help us escape. And besides, there’s no way you’ll get to that car on your own.”\n \n[[Help her]]\n[[Leave her]]\n

This is too important to make stupid mistakes. You get up and lock the door. Depending on the amount and positioning of the guards this could take up to fifteen minutes. Given the noise, someone in the office is bound to hear you. If you’re lucky, the confusion and panic will disguise your escape.\n\nYou pause for half a second. It sounds like singing on the other side – //Happy Birthday//.\n\nWell that’s nice. Maybe you can grab some cake on your way out.\n\nWith everyone occupied, you just might pull this off. There’s no time to cross your fingers though.\n\nYou slide back onto the desk and get a comfortable hold on the sniper rifle. You toggle the scope to detect heat.\n\nThere are eight bodies on the floor, one of those being Gillian. You zoom in and toggle on the x-ray scope. Gillian is on the bed. Two thugs are in the room with her. Three thugs are sitting at the table in the living room playing cards. One thug is in the kitchen. The other is in the bathroom.\n\nThere are two ways of going at this. You can try picking them off one at a time. It might take a little longer, but it’d be safer for Gillian.\n\nThe other option is to cause so much chaos the thugs won’t know where or who was attacking. If you create enough of a distraction, Gillian could slip out unnoticed.\n\n[[Pick them off]]\n[[Cause panic and chaos]]\n

Sure, you and Gillian will be out of the country by the time they realize you were the one who stole their guns and started a war on their behalf, but you have a feeling they’d have a hard time letting that go. It’s probably best if they never see you.\n\nYou turn right toward the front entrance. It’ll take too long to double back for your bike. You’ll have to steal one of their cars. Talk about adding insult to injury.\n\nAnyway, a Russian car at a Chinese crime scene with one of the Boss’s guns in the back – that should be a very interesting police report. And when the media gets wind, it’ll be a bloodbath.\n\nYou pause for a moment. If you set these events in motion, a lot of people will die; of course most of those people probably deserve it.\n\nYou shrug.\n\nA lot of people were probably going to die anyway. At least this way you’re not one of them and, fingers crossed, neither is Gillian.\n\nThere are three sets of car keys hanging from a board in the front office. They aren’t labeled, and there’s no time to check each of them.\n\n[[Take the silver key]]\n[[Take the tan key]]\n[[Take the square key|Take the silver key]]\n

You push yourself off the dumpster. The momentum gets you halfway there, but a bullet slices the back of your leg, and you somersault forward just shy of the car.\n\nTwo more bullets hammer the grass beside you.\n\nGood thing this sniper is an amateur or you’d be dead already. Of course, it’s a lot harder to miss with a shotgun, which is what the two thuggish guys are pointing at you right now.\n\nYou twist against the car as shrapnel tears through the rear taillight of the BMW. Talk about cutting it close. Another shotgun blast shreds the back tires. There goes your escape plan. At least you still have the assault rifles in the backseat. Getting them won’t be easy since the thug is making his way around the trunk.\n\nYou’ll have to take him out.\n\nYou haven’t got much room to maneuver. As bad as that sniper may be, he’s still got you pinned.\n\nYou lean into the car and grab the shotgun barrel as the thug turns the corner. The gun goes off – luckily you’re able to shove the barrel down in time.\n\nYour torso doesn’t have a gaping hole. The thug’s foot, on the other hand, is in about a hundred pieces. He screams and drops to the ground. You swing the shotgun around so it’s pointed at his head.\n\nBefore you can pull the trigger, a bullet slams into the trunk. You duck behind the car.\n\nThat sniper just won’t give up. Is he even bothering to use his scope?\n\nYou reach in your pocket for the keys to the car. They’re gone. They must have fallen out.\n\nYou glance back at the dumpster. You see the glint of metal in the grass. It happens to be just outside of cover.\n\nThat’s just perfect.\n\nYou hear the second thug rounding the other side of the car.\n\nYou drop to the ground, slide under the car, and shoot the thug in the legs.\n\nHe screams and hits the ground hard. In that split second before the pain overtakes him, he sees you and manages to pull the trigger.\n\nHis shotgun blast ripples through the underbelly of the car.\n\nThe gas tank explodes, hurling you and the car into the air. You hit the ground three times and slide across the lawn.\n\nThe car lands on the thug, and he’s consumed by the flames.\n\nYou try to move, but it’s almost impossible. Your arm has third degree burns and your leg is broken in two places. You’re alive though, which is probably a miracle.\n\nJust as you think the words, a bullet hits you in the stomach. You reel from the pain. The sniper finally hit his mark. It was sloppy though. A wound like this will take awhile to kill you – hours maybe.\n\nYou hear tires screech from the other side of the school. A car pulls out and guns it through the corner.\n\nYou catch a glimpse of the driver. It’s the woman. The kid’s in the passenger seat.\n\nShe sees you. For a moment it looks like she might even stop the car and help you, but she doesn’t.\n\nThe car hurtles down the street and out of sight.\n\nYou stare up at the sky and wait to die as the blood slowly leaks out of the gaping hole in your stomach.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 16]]\n

You press the button. A gust of wind erupts from the floor. The edges of the circle glow, and you sink – the whole circle sinks, faster and faster. You feel dizzy. You drop to one knee. The strange elevator suddenly slows and stops. You take a moment to regain your balance. You can’t tell how far down you’ve gone.\n\nThe door opens, and you’re immediately blinded by a light almost as bright as the sun. You shield your eyes. \n\nIt appears to be some kind of spherical object in the distance swirling with blues and purples. It floats near the ceiling, and you get the sense that it’s very, very hot.\n\nThe room is a large cement bunker. It’s huge, maybe the size of a stadium. Computer equipment lines the wall, but it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.\n\nIn the distance, two people stare at a large screen.\n\nA woman’s voice punctuates the silence. “It’s destabilizing.”\n\nYou quickly conceal yourself behind one of the large metal machines.\n\n“We need to adjust the frequency,” she says.\n\n“To what?” The old man next to her replies.\n\n“I don’t know, but we have to-” The light flickers then slowly fades. The woman sighs. “That’s just perfect. There goes another week’s worth of work.”\n\n“We’re getting closer,” the old man says, trying to sooth her.\n\n“No, we’re not any closer than we were seven months ago.” She slams her clipboard against the desk. “Quintus figured it out.”\n\nThe old man shakes his head. “Your brother was smart, but he over-reached and that’s what got him killed. I-”\n\n“He’s not dead. He’s just...misplaced. I know we can find him. I know we can,” she says sternly. “We can save him.”\n\nYou understand where she’s coming from. You think about Gillian. You should never have let her get mixed up with the Boss. It’s your fault she went poking around. And now, if you don’t hurry up and rescue her, she’ll be misplaced permanently.\n\nTrusting Jimmy was a bad idea, and he’ll get what’s coming to him, but for now you need to get out of here and focus on Gillian. You peek your head around the corner. The woman enters data into the computer while the old man studies the contents inside a microscope.\n\nBefore you can move, the alarm blares and red lights flash. You hear footsteps down the hall, and the click of guns in the elevator. So much for subtle.\n\n[[Elevator]]\n[[Hallway]]\n

The Boss has had plenty of time to explain himself. You know who he is. And it's time someone finally put an end to his power hungry ego...and life. You probably won't make it out of this alive, but at least you can take the Boss down with you.\n\n"Alright, fine," you groan. "I'll go along with your little plan." You lift your hand to shake on it. You just need to get a little closer, then you can use the Boss as a human shield, fight your way to an exit and finish him off as part of your escape...you just need to get a good grip on him.\n\nYou take a step closer and then lunge at him. You try to grab at his arm, but your hand passes through his body. You stumble forward, falling through him.\n\nA hologram.\n\nYou twist around to see his image flicker.\n\n"Did you honestly think I would be foolish enough to stand in the same room as you?"\n\n"Call it wishful thinking," you groan.\n\nThe image of the Boss pixilates and then abruptly repositions to face you. "I had heard rumors that you had defected after the Switzerland job. I thought this might be an opportunity to prove those suspicions wrong. Alana was more than willing to finish you off at your apartment, but I wanted to give you one final chance. I'm......How can I put it....disappointed."\n\nYou get to your feet. "I'm sure it won't be the last time."\n\n"Perhaps," the Boss agrees. "But it will be the last time that you disappoint me. Goodbye." The holographic image disappears.\n\nYou hear the safeties click off on all the assault rifles. Suddenly a barrage of bullets rip through your back. You lurch forward, dead before you hit the cold concrete floor.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 1]]\n

This is starting to feel like a bad idea. “Do you ever clean this place?”\n\n“Oh, don’t worry. The cockroaches don’t bite, and the spiders are practically a decoration.” He taps the examining table expecting you to sit.\n\n“I’ll stand.”\n\nThe Doctor licks his lips and shrugs. “Suit yourself. You’re about to fall down anyway.”\n\nYou are feeling woozy.\n\nThe Doctor puts his glasses on and examines you from his seat. “I’d say you’ve lost a lot of blood.”\n\n“Is that your professional opinion?”\n\n“Hhm,” he groans. “It seems your funny bone’s intact.”\n\n“Just patch me up and give me some painkillers.”\n\nHe takes another puff of his cigarette. “If only it was that easy. The bullet's still lodged in your shoulder.”\n\nThat’s what you were afraid of. “How long will the surgery take?”\n\nThe Doctor pulls a whiskey bottle from his coat pocket. “I’d say,” he points to the top of the bottle. “From here to here.” His finger slides to the bottom of the bottle. He chuckles.\n\nThat’s reassuring.\n\nYour knees are feeling weak, and your head’s getting heavy. You could probably get by with a twenty minute nap. You paid enough for that much. Then again, this place will probably give you nightmares.\n\n“Well?” The Doctor grunts as he lights another cigarette.\n\n[[Rest your eyes for just a minute]]\n[[Take the painkillers and go]]\n

The pickup looks like it knows how to take a beating. “Over here,” you say, helping Wilson and the girl into the truck.\n\nYou rev the engine and slam through the flimsy metal garage door. The tires skid through the grass, kicking up dirt. You turn back onto the cement drive and slam your foot down on the gas pedal.\n\nThe truck lurches forward with colossal speed.\n\nYou crash through the metal security fence as the tires squeal across the asphalt. You switch gears and merge into traffic.\n\nYou’ve got at least two minutes before they realize the truck is gone and another five minutes worth of a head start. That should give you enough time to reach the Boss’s penthouse unnoticed. They’d have no reason to think you were going there anyway.\n\nYou’ve wasted enough time with this little detour. Gillian can’t wait any longer. You’ll be sure to deal with Jimmy Lee appropriately once you’ve got this business with Gillian sorted.\n\nAfter driving for awhile, you pull into an alley near an office building. “Alright.” You turn to Wilson. “This is my stop.”\n\n“You’re just leaving?” The little girl says, grabbing your arm.\n\n“Yeah, I’m just leaving. I’ve got some business on the other side of town. If you’re going to get out of this alive, we need to part ways.”\n\n“We could help,” she says.\n\n“No. This is,” you pause, trying to think of how to explain it. “This is personal business.”\n\n“Oh,” she says crestfallen. “We’ll see you again though, right?”\n\n“Maybe.” You turn to Wilson. “The truck is yours, just be careful. They’ll be looking for it. I’d say you’ve got about fifteen minutes before you need to dump it.”\n\nWilson nods. His eyes look sad. “Thanks,” he says.\n\nYou smile. In your line of work you seldom hear that word.\n\n“Hang on a second,” you say, grabbing a duffle bag from the bed of the truck. You unzip it. It contains a strange shotgun, some grenades, and two silenced pistols.\n\nWhat a lovely care package. Someone at that mansion is going to be missing it.\n\nYour smile gets wider. At least you won’t be completely empty-handed going into the penthouse.\n\nYou tap on the truck twice and wave it onward. “Good luck,” you shout.\n\nThe little girl waves at you as they pull into the street and turn the corner.\n\nYou jog to a parked car, pop the driverside lock, and toss the bag in the passenger seat. You break the plastic cover under the dash, and twist the wires together until the engine revs. You put the car in gear.\n\nYou glance over at the duffle bag.\n\nThe shotgun is only useful close-up which means you need to be quick and direct. The only way to the penthouse is through the lobby, but the lobby has two entrances: the main entrance, and the service entrance.\n\nThe main entrance is the most direct route to the elevators, but it’s also going to be the most heavily guarded.\n\nThe service entrance leads through a series of small hallways and the kitchen before it reaches the lobby. It will take a bit longer, but it might give you a tactical advantage.\n\n[[Take the main entrance]]\n[[Take the service entrance]]\n

Your hesitation causes your foot to slip. Your hand catches the ledge, but the molding is loose and breaks free. You twist back around, hitting your head on the balcony ledge. You tumble over the edge and fall through the air.\n\nGillian appears more and more distant. The wind blows through your hair and you feel almost weightless. If you weren’t about to die, it might be relaxing.\n\nYou turn to face the pavement. It’s better than looking at Gillian and knowing you let her down. As the pavement gets closer, you close your eyes and let the darkness overtake you.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 9]]\n

“You really think I have time to eat cake? I’m trying to run a business!” You shout. “Do you like your job?”\n\n“Yes,” the voice says timidly.\n\n“Do you like your job more than you like cake?”\n\n“Yes.”\n\n“Then get back to work and deduct the cost of the cake from your next paycheck.”\n\n“Uhm...Okay.”\n\nYou look back at the penthouse. They’ve subdued Gillian and they’re moving her. You don’t have a clear shot. You’ll have to get close.\n\nIt’ll take them less than two minutes to reach the lower levels where they’ll be better equipped to move her. After that you’ll lose the small advantage you had. You’ll need to improvise.\n\nYou still have the box of grenades and the silent pistols. A diversion could give you some extra time, but if the authorities haven’t been alerted already, an explosion will definitely get their attention.\n\nYou could use stealth to keep the situation compact and controllable, but every thug that gets in your way is going to slow you down.\n\n[[Create a diversion]]\n[[Use stealth]]\n

You wake up in a kitchen. Your arms, legs, and body are tied to the counter. Wong stands over you, sharpening his butcher knife. Saying you have a bad feeling would be an understatement.\n\nWong slams the cleaver down on your fingers, and then your wrist, and then your arm. He chops your body into little bits. As he chops off pieces of you, he slides the pieces into a frying pan...and cooks you alive. You try to tell him you're out of season and mostly gristle, but you pass out from the pain.\n\nWong mixes your cooking flesh with chow mien, egg rolls, wontons, sweet & sour batter, and several other dishes. He wraps them in a nice box and signs the card: //May our future endeavors be warm like this meal.//\n\nHe has the box of food (or what's left of your corpse) delivered to the Boss's penthouse. The henchmen, who have been waiting anxiously for your arrival, eagerly devour the food, noting that the meat is a bit salty, but very delicious.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

This kind of situation requires all the facts. If you go in guns blazing the wrong person is going to get hurt. This problem requires a surgical and precise solution.\n\nYou stuff the folder into your bag and close the safe. Burning the warehouse will have to wait. You pull a set of keys from the wall and exit from the side door. You keep your head down and covered so the cameras won’t capture your image.\n\nThe Boss is a reasonable man. He may appear sadistic sometimes, but his motivation has always been about profits. Kidnapping Gillian is out of character. That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t do it; it just means there are more moving parts to this than you’re able to see.\n\nYou use the keys to unlock a windowless van – one the Boss uses for drug transport. You drive to the address. It’s in a rundown part of town. The buildings are old and crumbling. Windows and doors are boarded up. You see eviction notices on some of them. Even during its best years this neighborhood couldn’t have been a safe place. You leave the bag in the car, but make sure to keep your pistol handy.\n\nYou walk to the front door. It looks like the house has been abandoned for years. You push it open. It’s not even locked. You click off your gun’s safety and get ready for trouble.\n\nThe house is empty.\n\nThe furniture, the appliances, even the carpet’s been ripped out. If this place had anything valuable, someone probably already took it. Or maybe the address meant nothing.\n\nYou cautiously walk down the hallway, glancing into every room. They're each the same – completely barren.\n\nThis is starting to feel like it might have been a waste of time. When you get to the end of the hall you lean your head against the wall and sigh. The photo was probably nothing.\n\nYou hear three clicks and the hall light turns on. You twist with your gun raised and ready. No one’s there.\n\nThe wall behind you flickers with text: //DNA accepted. Processing...//\n\nYou realize it’s some kind of screen. A new line of text flashes: //Authorization approved. Elevator engaged.//\n\nSuddenly the floor sinks. Air rushes up from the edges. The interior doors become blocked by reinforced metal. The whole hallway descends with rapid speed. You try to balance yourself.\n\nThe hallway jolts to a stop and one of the walls slides open.\n\nYou steady yourself and glance through the doorway. It looks like a laboratory, but the machinery...You’ve never seen anything like it before. It looks almost alien.\n\nYou step out of the elevator. A console displays the word: //Welcome//. As you walk into the room, a beam of light scans your face. Another line of text appears: //Continue Simulation?//\n\n[[Press Yes]]\n[[Press No]]\n

It’s time to get your hands dirty, literally.\n\nYou unlock the door and yank the vocal employee inside. You jab him lightly in the throat and fling his head into the bookshelf – not hard enough to knock him out, just enough to daze him. You slam your knuckle into his thigh, then pinch his cheeks hard until they’re rosy red.\n\nYou prop him against a wall, open the door, and shout, “Security.”\n\nYou pull the sniper rifle apart and put the pieces in the desk drawers. It’s too cumbersome to take and wouldn’t be much use once you’re inside the penthouse. The only thing you pocket is the scope. You run back to the doorway and shout, “Security.”\n\nThe employee is wide-eyed. He mumbles something at you and shambles your direction. You lead him out of the office and act as if he’s threatening you. “Security,” you shout.\n\nYou let the employee grab your collar and shake you. Two guards restrain him.\n\nYou shake your head and straighten your clothes. “You think you can come to work drunk? You’re fired.” You look at the security guards. “Would you escort this degenerate out of the building.”\n\nThey nod and carry him off. He tries to fight them.\n\nThe other employees stare at him bewildered.\n\nYou use the outburst to your advantage and slip around the corner in the opposite direction. You take the stairs to the lower floor and use the elevator to reach the lobby.\n\nYou glance across the street. There are maybe five guards in the lobby. You can’t see Gillian. She should have made it there by now. That incident in the office couldn’t have slowed you down that much.\n\nYou hear a faint noise in the distance – a sound unusual for the city. You glance to your right.\n\nA helicopter.\n\nCrap. \n\nLooks like they’re taking her to the roof.\n\nOnce they get her in the air, it’ll be almost impossible to get her free. You have to move quick.\n\nIt’d be tough to takeout the helicopter from here – the bazooka is still at your apartment. The guards in the lobby shouldn’t be a problem, but you may not reach the roof in time.\n\n[[Focus on the helicopter]]\n[[Race to the roof]]\n

You park in front of the school. “Come on kid.”\n\nHe doesn’t move. “You’re supposed to open the door for me,” he says.\n\n“Is that right?”\n\nHe nods eagerly.\n\nYou rub the bridge of your nose and open the door. The kid hops out and takes your hand.\n\nYou have a feeling it’s going to be a long day.\n\nThe kid tugs your arm. “Do you want to see my drawings?”\n\nBefore you can respond, a bullet slices across your shoulder and ricochets off the pavement in front of you.\n\nYou stumble forward and grab the kid. Based on the sound, the bullet belonged to an assault rifle. That’s probably the only reason your head is still in one piece. And given the trajectory, the shooter must be across the street to your right, maybe seven stories up.\n\nYou push open the office doors and slide behind a desk. You glance at the secretary. “Get down, there’s a gunman outside.”\n\nShe pulls a pistol out from under her dress and points it at you. “I know.”\n\nYou glance down at the kid. “This would have been a good day to play hooky.”\n\nHe shrugs.\n\n“Give him to me and you’ll die quick. I promise.”\n\nThe threat doesn’t even make you flinch. She points the pistol at your kneecap.\n\n“Well, when you put it that way...”\n\n[[Give her the kid]]\n[[Use the kid as a shield]]\n

Security is easy enough to elude or incapacitate, but avoiding them altogether is best. You yank free the electric wire from the lamp on the floor, wrap it around the leg of the desk, and loop it around your hand.\n\nYou peer over the edge. It’s a long drop. You inch your way out the window. The desk scrapes against the carpet as it takes your weight.\n\nYou draw your pistol, shoot a hole in the window of the lower floor, push off the building and release the wire, using the momentum to curve into the opening. Some of the glass cuts your arm. It’s not bad, but the amount of blood will make you conspicuous. You grab a newspaper from the desk and stuff the sheets into your shirtsleeve. It’s not ideal, but it should hide the blood until you can get out of the office.\n\nYou’re about to leave when you hear a faint noise in the distance – a sound unusual for the city. You glance to your right, out the broken window.\n\nA helicopter.\n\nCrap.\n\nLooks like they’re taking her to the roof.\n\nOnce they get her in the air, it’ll be almost impossible to get her free. You have to move quick.\n\nIt’ll be tough to takedown the helicopter without an RPG. You pulled it off once before in Helsinki, but you were using that experimental mech suit at the time. Two pistols and a box of grenades aren’t quite the same.\n\nThe guards in the penthouse lobby shouldn’t be a problem. You could blaze through them in moments, but you may not reach the roof in time.\n\n[[Focus on the helicopter]]\n[[Race to the roof]]\n

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If you’d like to know why a giant pterodactyl attacked your jet, and what monsters may lurk in the freezing waters below, you’ll have to buy the book! This is the end of the demo.\n\n<html>\n<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Bullets-ebook/dp/B00FXF0E30" target="_blank"><img src="img/sevenBulletsCover.jpg" align="left" width="149" height="224" hspace="6"></a>\nIf you enjoyed this story then support the author and buy the book! It's only $2.99 and here's what you get:\n \n<center>\n<table border="0" cellpadding="12" cellspacing="10">\n <tr>\n <td width="75%">Full Version</td>\n </tr>\n<tr>\n <td>280k words (1200 pages)</td>\t\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>470+ unique choices</td>\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>80+ different endings</td>\n </tr>\n</table>\n</center>\nBuy the book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Bullets-ebook/dp/B00FXF0E30" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="http://goo.gl/krXG4S" target="_blank">iBooks</a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seven-bullets-cloud-buchholz/1118069480?ean=2940148147336" target="_blank">B&N</a> <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/367868" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>\n \n</html>\n[[Re-read the story...|Intro]]

What's that saying third time's the charm? Hopefully that applies to offices. You walk to the third office and assertively push open the door. Three heads turn toward you.\n\n"Do you mind? This is a private meeting," the woman behind the desk says.\n\n"You have no idea," you say, showing her the pistol.\n\nHer face goes white. "Please," she begs.\n\nThe two men in front of her stand and stagger back with their arms raised over their heads.\n\n"Calm down," you say softly. You quickly flash your wallet as if it were a badge. "I'm with the FBI. We've received a bomb threat regarding the building across the way. We're conducting a slow evacuation of the surrounding buildings in order to keep panic to a minimum."\n\n"What?!?" The woman gasps. "That's ridiculous. Why aren't there any authorities on the ground?"\n\n"There are," you say confidently. "You and the terrorists aren't meant to see them. We'd like to catch these criminals in the act. For your own safety, you need to calmly exit this building. Your employees are under the watchful eye of the US Government."\n\n"But--"\n\n"Now!" You interrupt. "Every second I have to explain myself is another second for the terrorists to get the upper hand."\n\nThe three office workers grab their things and move to the door.\n\n"Remember," you say. "Walk calmly to your vehicles and speak to no one."\n\nThey nod nervously.\n\nYou watch them leave. It's hard to tell if they really bought it, but fear is a powerful motivator. Even with their doubts, you should have at least a few minutes. You need to make them count.\n\nYou twist one of the desks around and push it against the window.\n\nYou adjust the blinds then assemble the sniper rifle on the desk and align it with the Boss’s penthouse. You slide onto the desk and adjust the scope.\n\nSuddenly you realize you forgot to lock the door.\n\n[[Get up and lock it]]\n[[Don’t bother]]\n

The Chinese are a good distraction. Not to mention that nagging fear of the Russians getting involved. The Boss will have his hands full playing politics which will leave only a few goons guarding Gillian. You might even be able to rescue her without killing anyone, but there’s no time to worry about that right now.\n\nYou pull a laptop from your bag then boot up the backdoor hack you installed on the Boss’s servers. You download some sensitive information about the Chinese, translate it into Russian, re-upload it and print out a hard copy.\n\nGetting it to the Chinese will be tricky. You don’t want it to seem too obvious or easy and, more importantly, they can’t know it was from you.\n\nOne of their low level hitters, Jimmy Lee, owes you a favor since you spared his life four years ago. He should be middle management by now. He could have stumbled onto the info. They’d believe that. Then again, you never really trusted him.\n\nThe other option is a bit more violent. You could attack the Chinese using the Boss’s guns, throw around some Russian paraphernalia and let the cards fall where they may. Both are risky, but the bigger risk is doing nothing.\n\n[[Jimmy Lee owes you and it’s time to collect]]\n[[You can’t waste time, a gunfight will expedite things]]\n

You slam through the kitchen door swinging your fist hard. It hits the first thug square in the jaw. His head thumps against the counter and then the floor.\n\nThe second thug grabs a knife and jabs it at your stomach. You twist and grab his arm, breaking it at the elbow. He screams. You grab a half eaten sandwich and shove it in his mouth. He chokes for a second. You twirl him, face first, into the refrigerator. He goes limp and drops to the floor.\n\nYou were quick to gag his scream, but someone had to of heard.\n\nYou listen at the opposite door. The thugs playing poker get up. You recognize the distinct metallic click of guns.\n\nYou grab the two unconscious bodies and drag them through the door into the hallway. You prop them against the door. They’re not going to stop anybody, but the pseudo-barricade might slow someone down.\n\nYou sprint down the hallway and turn left. \n\nIt’d be easy to run, but you promised to help the girl find her dad. You shouldn’t have promised that. This is a big pile of mess you’re in now.\n\nYou turn left again, almost smacking another guard in the face. He’s more stunned than you are, but he manages to reach for his gun. \n\nLuckily you’re quicker and pull it from his holster. He grabs your wrist with one hand and tries to choke you with his other. \n\nYou lock his arm under your shoulder and slam your forehead into his nose.\n\nHe yelps and stumbles back.\n\nYou slam the butt of the pistol against the side of his head. He drops into a crawl, but he doesn’t go down. He lunges back up, yanking at the pistol. You knee him in the ribcage twice. He coughs and drops back to the ground. \n\nThe pistol slips from your hand and slides down the hall. You punch the guard in the face until he blacks out.\n\nYou turn to get the pistol when you hear more guards approaching from that direction.\n\nYou hurry through the hall until you come across an elevator. You get inside and hit the button for the basement. It jerks to life and travels for awhile. \n\nThe elevator halts and the door slides open.\n\nYou step into a large cement bunker. It’s only one room, but it’s huge, maybe the size of a stadium. There’s equipment setup, but it’s like nothing you’ve seen before.\n\nPeople are in the distance, staring at a computer screen.\n\n[[Try to blend in]]\n[[Stick to the shadows]]\n

“Fine,” you shrug. “Then you’re on your own.” You turn and walk toward the window.\n\nThe girl screams as loud and shrill as possible.\n\nYou twist around. “What do you think you’re doing? Be quiet.”\n\nShe sucks in another chest full of air and screams even louder.\n\n“Shut up,” you half whisper. “You’re going to alert the guards.”\n\nShe smirks and screams again. You’d think someone was dragging her over hot coals she was shrieking so loud.\n\nYou grab her by the arm and cover her mouth with your hand. “Quit that. Do you want the guards to come back?”\n\nShe nods her head.\n\nShe’s obviously insane. Maybe you should have left her in the cuffs. Before you can think what to do with her, she bites your finger. You yelp and pull your hand away. She screams again.\n\nYou cover her mouth, but not soon enough. You hear someone fiddle with the locks on the door. The guards are probably coming to gag this little brat. You look down at her. “I hope you’re happy.”\n\nShe nods and pushes your hand away. “Now you have to help me.”\n\nYou stare at her with surprise. She’s a clever kid. You toss her onto the bed. “Act like you’re still cuffed,” you whisper while ducking behind a large dresser. “And keep screaming.”\n\nShe slips her arms under a pillow and screams again.\n\nThe guards walk in looking angry. “This kid is more trouble than she’s worth. Her pops will never know if we killed her. I say we just get it over with now.”\n\nThe other guard chokes out a laugh. “If you kill her, Miss Wasylyk will kill you, and then she’ll probably kill me too. She doesn’t pay us to think, remember.”\n\n“Yeah, well, I didn’t sign up to babysit either.”\n\nThe guards walk to the bed and stare down at the shrieking little girl. “You sure you want to use the gag.”\n\n“What else would we use?”\n\n“I could just zap her with the stun gun so she passes out.”\n\n“Man, what’s wrong with you? She’s just a kid.” He reaches back his hand to take the gag. “Come on Steve give me the gag. Let’s get this over with. Steve?” He turns around.\n\nSteve is on the floor. His head’s bent crooked and you’re standing over him.\n\nThe other guard looks panicked. “Oh shi—”\n\nYou punch him in the jaw, grab his shirt, and slam his face into the dresser.\n\nHe groans and drops to the floor. You punch him one more time across the temple. He goes limp. You take their gear – radios, phones, stun guns, keys, handcuffs, etc. – and toss them on the bed.\n\nYou handcuff and gag the two guards together and then stuff them in the closet. You poke your head out the door in each direction. It’s still quiet.\n\nYou glance back at the kid. “Alright you little nut case, we can look for your dad. You know where he’s being held?”\n\nShe shrugs.\n\n“Of course not.” You scratch your forehead. “Do you at least know the layout of this place?”\n\n“There’s a basement.”\n\n“A basement?”\n\nShe nods.\n\n“That’s it?”\n\nShe shrugs.\n\n“What happened,” you say surprised. “Did you suddenly lose your nerve?”\n\nShe glares at you and punches you in the shoulder. “We’re rescuing my dad!” She demands.\n\n“Alright, alright,” you say, trying to calm her down. “We’ll just have to do this blind.” You take the stun gun with one hand and the little girl with your other. “Stay behind me,” you tell her. “And don’t try that screaming trick again, got it?”\n\nShe nods, looking a little too serious to be a kid.\n\nThe hallway goes in both directions. You’ll just have to pick a direction at random.\n\n[[Turn left down the hallway|Turn left/right down the hallway]]\n[[Turn right down the hallway|Turn left/right down the hallway]]\n

You press the button. The edges of the circle glow.\n\nThe floor vibrates.\n\nYou feel strange...almost weightless...then your stomach lurches into your chest, and the gravity triples. A white light glitters down from the ceiling, surrounding you.\n\nYour body feels disconnected...disjointed down to the cells. The light is so bright, it's blinding. You collapse...\n\n*** ***\n\nWhen you open your eyes, you realize the floor is different...so is the air. It tastes...recycled. You're not in the garage anymore. But where are you?\n\nYou look around. The floors and walls are metal. A thick paned window is in the distance. You can't believe your eyes.\n\nIt's Earth.\n\nYou're staring down at Earth...but that means you must be...in outer space...\n\nHow is that possible? You were on Earth only a second ago. No. You shake your head. No. This must be some kind of illusion or trick. It can't be real.\n\nAs you move toward the door, it automatically slides open. You step into the hallway. Jimmy was definitely holding something back when he sent you on this little excursion. You'll have to give him a good talking to when you find him, and by //talk// you mean //stab//.\n\nYou hear voices from around the corner. They're getting closer. You shouldn't let them know you're here until you know where //here// is.\n\nYou sprint for the closest room and hide inside. The footsteps march past. You grab at the door handle, but there is no handle. It's just wall.\n\nYou search for a light switch, but it's gone too. You're trapped.\n\nMuffled voices echo from the adjacent room. You barely make out what they're saying.\n\n"We need to adjust the frequency," a woman says. "If we can't overcome the three second threshold, they're going to cut our funding."\n\n"We still have time," an old man says. "We shouldn't rush this. That's how mistakes happen."\n\n"We’re not any closer than we were seven months ago," she says sharply. A clipboard slams against the desk. “Quintus had the equations. He knew."\n\n"No," the old man says wearily. "Your brother was smart, but he over-reached and that’s what got him killed."\n\n"He’s not dead," she interrupts. "He’s just...misplaced. I know we can find him. I know we can," she says sternly. "We can save him."\n\nYou're suddenly reminded of Gillian. She's your little sister. It's your job to keep her safe. How can you do that when you're not even on Earth? You push the thought aside. Thinking about it won't do you any good.\n\n"Commencing test #1371," the woman says.\n\nThe floor feels hot. The room lights illuminate. You see the woman and old man through the window in the wall. They stare at you with shock and surprise.\n\n"Who?" The woman gasps then turns to the old man. "Turn off the machine."\n\nThe man fiddles with dials on the computer in front of him.\n\n"Turn it off," the woman repeats.\n\n"I can't," the old man says full of panic. "Something's wrong. It's not working."\n\nThe woman pushes him aside and types on the keyboard.\n\nThe walls glow. It's hot like an oven. The floor vibrates more violently. You hear the hum of an engine. Blue and purple lights swirl out from the walls like beads of sweat. They pool at the center of the room and congeal into a large sphere. The sphere pulsates with violent waves of heat.\n\nYou look back at the woman. She stares at you helplessly. "I'm so sorry," she says.\n\nThe gravity in the room shifts. Everything is pulled toward the sphere. You try to grab hold of something, but the room is empty. You slide across the floor toward the sphere.\n\nIt's so hot. Your sweat makes you slip faster. Your foot enters the sphere first. Your toes burn. You try to escape, try to struggle free, but the pull is just too strong.\n\nThe strange light envelops you. Your body spasms as if you were being dipped in lava. Then everything is consumed by a bright, blinding light.\n\n[[Overcome the agony]]\n

Who doesn’t love a good explosion...except maybe the guys getting exploded. You shrug. Can’t make everyone happy.\n\nYou grab three grenades from the bag and slide the pistol into your belt. The elevator dings and the door slides open. You pull a pin and toss a grenade down the hall while diving into the study. You hear it clank against the floor, then blow a hole through a wall. You sprint through the hole and slam into a dazed guard.\n\nHis head hits the wall hard, and you swing your fist into his jaw before he can recover. He slumps to the floor. You pull the pistol from his jacket and fire a few rounds down the adjacent hall. You hear someone shout in pain.\n\nYou keep the pistol drawn and walk down the hall. A guard pivots from a doorway. You shoot him in the shoulder then swing the grenade into his forehead. He cringes. You pull the pin, drop the grenade down his shirt, and kick him back into the room.\n\nYou hear him frantically pull at his body armor, then a loud BOOM.\n\nYou step into the room and walk through the blown wall into a closet. You pull out your second pistol and kick open the closet door. Gillian’s tied to the bed with two thugs standing over her. It takes them a moment to realize you’re not coming from the main door, but that’s more than enough time.\n\nYou fire two bullets. Both hit their mark. The thugs crumble to the ground.\n\nYou untie Gillian and pull the gag from her mouth. “We need to move. Can you walk?”\n\nShe nods her head. Her body shakes. She has bruises on her face and arms. It makes you feel sick. You try not to imagine what they’ve been doing to her. If you had the strength you’d kill them all, and who knows, you still might.\n\nYou stick one of the pistols in your belt and take her hand. “Come on.”\n\nYou hurry to the elevator, but it looks like someone’s using it to come up. It’s the only exit...the only reasonable exit.\n\nCrap.\n\nYou push Gillian against the wall. “Stay here.” You take the last grenade from your pocket and pull the pin. When the elevator dings, you toss it down the hall. It bounces into the elevator.\n\n“What the--” The explosion cuts him off.\n\nYou glance back down the hall. The elevator is covered in body parts. It’s probably busted now too. Have to find another exit. The only way out is through a window. You’re on the top floor. It wouldn’t be hard climbing to the roof. You glance over at Gillian. Her shaking hands may not be up for it.\n\nThe first grenade did some damage to the floor. If you could find some way to make the hole bigger, you could drop to the next floor and take the stairs.\n\n[[Climb to the roof]]\n[[Drop to the next floor]]\n

You sneak silently behind the wall of computers. There’s enough space for you to walk without catching on anything and just enough shadow to keep you obscured. \n\nIt’s hot though. Whatever these computers are doing, it must be intense because the fans are spinning loud, and the heat is searing your skin.\n\nYou cover your face with your jacket and hurry through as fast as possible.\n\nYou stay low and near the wall. Some technicians adjust one of the machines near you, but they’re too involved to notice your presence.\n\nYou peek around the final colossal computer tower. A bright sphere of light hovers in the air. It pulsates and swims with color. It expands and contracts in dangerously large bursts of energy.\n\n“Stabilize it!” A woman shouts.\n\n“I-I,” a man fumbles with the control panel. “I can’t. It’s fluctuating too rapidly.”\n\n“Adjust the frequency.”\n\n“It’s not that simple. There are too many variables. It’s becoming volatile. We need to terminate the sequence.”\n\n“NO!” The woman shouts. “We’re too close. I won’t allow another failure.”\n\nThe man shrugs helplessly. “We don’t have a choice.” He hits a large red button on the center of the console.\n\nThe sphere sputters and disappears.\n\nThe woman slaps him across the face. “I told you not to do that.”\n\n“We would have died,” he pleads. “Everyone in this facility would have died.”\n\n“When I tell you to do something, you do it,” she growls. “Maybe if I bring your daughter down here it might help motivate you.” She grins. “I’ll start with her right index finger. Maybe tomorrow it will be her whole hand.”\n\nHe looks at her with horror. “You wouldn’t.”\n\nShe shrugs smugly. “Nothing’s stopping me.”\n\n“Wait, please. She’s just a child.”\n\nThe woman’s face turns vicious. “I want results. When I come back, I expect that field to be stable.” She turns and walks to the elevator.\n\nThe man slams his fist against the console and stands. \n\nHe must be Wilson.\n\nHe mutters something under his breath and walks to the computer your hiding behind. He examines the display. \n\nNow’s your chance.\n\nYou put your hand over his mouth and yank him behind the machine. “If you want to see your daughter again, you’ll listen to what I have to say. Don’t make a noise, understand?”\n\nHe nods his head.\n\n“I’m on your side,” you whisper. “And your daughter’s safe, for now, but we need to hurry. If we don’t get back to her soon, well, there are a lot of people in this place with itchy trigger fingers, you know what I mean? And for the record, I’m the only person capable of getting you out of this alive. I’m going to let you go now. Don’t make a sound.”\n\nYou release your hold on him. He falls to the ground and crawls to the wall. He breathes heavy.\n\nYou wipe his slobber off your hand. “We’re going to need a distraction. If I fiddle with your machine is it going to blow me up?”\n\nHe shrugs helplessly. “I don’t know. There are a lot of unstable elements. I really can’t explain it all.”\n\n“Something bad will happen though, right?”\n\n“Yes, something extremely, definitely bad will happen.”\n\n“Good,” you say. “Now give me your lab coat and your goggles.”\n\nWilson takes them off and gives them to you.\n\n“Get to the elevator as fast as you can,” you say, sliding the coat and the goggles on. “I’ll catch up to you.”\n\nHe stares at you blankly.\n\n“Go,” you say. “Go now.”\n\nHe turns and nervously walks toward the elevator. \n\nYou twist around the machine and duck behind the console. Four large wires – red, blue, yellow, and black – stretch from the rear of the console to a large dish where the sphere appeared. If you short the machine, some sort of chaos should ensue. The stun gun should have enough power to get things started. Now it’s just a matter of picking the right wires. \n\n[[Join the red a blue wires]]\n[[Join the yellow and black wires]]\n[[Join the blue and yellow wires]]\n

You lug the bag over your shoulder and double time it to the top of the parking structure. It’s nearly deserted. You count five cars. At least you don’t have to worry about civilians getting in the way.\n\nThe Boss’s penthouse is on the southeast side. Luckily the afternoon sun will be working in your favor. If all goes as planned, the guards won’t discover your location until after you’re done shooting. You let out an uncomfortable sigh and click open the sniper rifle case.\n\nIt would take six months to plan this assault properly. You’ve got six minutes. This day has just been one disaster after another. First Jimmy Lee, then Wilson and the kid, now this. If you make it out of this alive it’ll be a miracle.\n\nYou assemble the sniper rifle and line up the shot. You’ve done this enough times it’s second nature. Your hands and fingers move on their own.\n\nGiven the small earthquake you caused earlier the guards should be preoccupied with securing the Boss’s more delicate products in the subbasements. The building won’t be empty, but the guards should be spread thin. \n\nIt’s not the kind of distraction you were hoping for, but you’ll take what you can get.\n\nYou slide the scope into place and lay flat along the cement barrier on the very edge of the building. Your foot dangles off the edge. You try not to look down. The drop may not kill you, but it wouldn’t feel good. You flick out the metal stand and position the sniper rifle toward the penthouse. \n\nYou take a deep breath and try to relax your muscles. The slightest twitch or tremble could send the bullets in the wrong place, like the back of Gillian’s head.\n\nYou look through the scope and adjust the focus until a lamp on the far side of the room is visible. You toggle the scope to thermal. You count eight bodies: three in the bedroom, four in the adjacent room, and one in the hall.\n\nYou’ve got more skill than most, but there’s no way you can get all of them before they get to Gillian.\n\nAnd Gillian doesn’t have the stomach to kill someone, so when the chaos erupts; all she can do is run. If you can get her to the east elevator, she’ll be safe until the ground floor...but the guard in the hall is blocking the elevator.\n\nYou’ll need to take him out eventually. Given the amount of walls you’d have to penetrate, the bullet may never reach him, and even if it does, there’s no guarantee it will kill him.\n\nOn the other hand, you’ve got a clean shot of the two thugs guarding Gillian. If you take them out first, you might be able to lure the others into a weak position and guide Gillian around them. You glance at your watch. There’s no time to think about it. You’ll just have to choose.\n\n[[Shoot the thug in the hallway]]\n[[Shoot the two thugs guarding Gillian]]\n

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You turn right at the corner just in time to see two cop cars barrel down the street. It’s a good thing you were keeping the car at a reasonable speed and wearing your seatbelt. The seatbelt hurts though, and you’re still bleeding some.\n\nYou’ve been shot before. You can handle the pain, but the blood loss is making you weak. Your hand’s already starting to shake. You need to be careful. Even at full strength, assaulting the Boss’s penthouse is a coin toss.\n\nAny tiny mistake and Gillian could die or, worse, remain his prisoner. You’re not strong enough to use brute force to solve your problems, at least not today, not now. You’ll have to be smart about this.\n\nThat’s why you’re driving to Wong’s restaurant. If you can cause enough collateral damage to divert the Boss's attention, you won’t have as much trouble getting through the thugs at his penthouse.\n\nWong won’t be an easy target though. He’s almost as vicious as the Boss, and his thugs are twice as skilled.\n\nYou pull through an alley and turn left into the employee parking lot of Wong’s restaurant. You park the car near the back, a little out of sight.\n\nYou grab the Russian cigarettes and light three of them. After they burn a bit, you stamp them out and leave them on the pavement near the car as incriminating evidence.\n\nYou grab the assault rifle from the backseat and a couple of grenades. You could start shooting into the building, but a lot of innocent people would die and a brutal massacre may make it easy to get into the penthouse, but it would make it impossible to get out of the city.\n\nThis needs to be a precision strike, probably best if you destroy their stash of drugs. That makes it seem more business oriented.\n\nYou get out of the car. Your whole body aches. It hurts to move and one of your arms is limp. You hobble to the restaurant and climb the stairs to the second story where they keep the drugs.\n\nThe door is reinforced steel with a little slide window. You tap on the door. The window slides open.\n\nThe guy looks surprised to see you. He tries to close the window, but you shove the barrel of the gun through the opening.\n\nYou pull the pin from a grenade and push the grenade through the tiny hole. You hear shouting in Chinese then a loud explosion.\n\nSmoke and dust blow out the opening and the edges of the door. You toss two more grenades inside.\n\nThe blast destroys part of a wall. You crouch through it, shooting two of the henchmen as they try to attack you.\n\nA crate of liquor shatters against the floor and soaks into the carpet. You light another Russian cigarette and toss it into the cracked bottles. It immediately ignites.\n\nThe fire should destroy most of the drugs – enough to make this little attack very personal. You toss the assault rifle into the fire and duck through the hole in the wall. You jog down the stairs and back toward the car.\n\nYou drop to one knee after a couple steps. You’re out of breath, and you’re bleeding worse.\n\nMaybe you pushed yourself a little too hard.\n\nIt’s difficult to stand. You manage two more steps then you fall to the pavement hard. Everything is spinning. Your eyelids feel heavy. You can’t keep them up. Your shirt and pants are drenched with blood. You've got a strong feeling the blood is yours. Everything is...slowly.....\n...fading........to....\n......black......\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 17]]\n

The Boss has to respond to an act of aggression. He has too many enemies to play things soft. You know blowing the warehouse is the quickest way to get his attention, and if you plan things right he’ll spend the next few hours running around like a chicken with its head cut off, giving you enough time to get Gillian out of his grubby mitts.\n\nThe only question is which warehouse to blow. He has three, but they’re spread out so you’ll only have time to hit one of them.\n\nWarehouse A has guns and ammunition which would prove useful for the assault on the Boss’s penthouse. And if things go south with the Chinese or the Russians he wouldn’t have anything to defend himself.\n\nWarehouse B has drugs and money. Blowing that would cripple the Boss’s long term income, and the money would give you and Gillian a better chance at starting a new life.\n\nWarehouse C is the Boss’s personal storage. It has exotic cars, motorcycles, and boats. Blowing that wouldn’t cripple his business, but it sure would make him angry. Plus, you could use one of the vehicles in your rescue attempt. And who knows, maybe it'll give the Boss a heart attack and he’ll die, but that's probably just wishful thinking.\n\n[[Warehouse A – you can never have too much firepower]]\n[[Warehouse B – money makes the world go round]]\n[[Warehouse C – this is personal]]\n

You veer right. A bullet shatters the rear window and cuts across your neck. You swerve the pickup across traffic into a parked car. There’s a lot of blood and it hurts bad, but it could have been worse. All your main arteries are intact...at least you hope.\n\nYou regain control of the truck and hit the gas before the sniper can get another lock on you. Their only leverage is the kid, and they won’t risk shooting him. They’re either going to track you and kill you when you run out of gas or they’re going to blow out the—\n\nYou hear an automatic pistol and then your rear tire explodes. You tap the brakes and realign the steering wheel. You glance at the side mirror. Two SUV’s are hot on your tail. The thugs inside have assault rifles and automatic pistols.\n\nThe cop reaches into your lap and grabs the gun. She shoots three bullets into their radiator. Smoke and steam spit into the air. The SUV swings into the opposite lane.\n\nThe second SUV slams into the side of the pickup and you spin. The cop shoots out the windshield at the exact moment you’re hood-to-hood with the SUV.\n\nThe thug driving takes a bullet to the head. The SUV takes a hard right and flips.\n\nYou twist the wheel into the spin and realign the pickup as best you can. The rubber on the rear wheel is gone and the metal ignites the road with sparks.\n\nThe second SUV catches up to you. The thug in the backseat sends a barrage of bullets into the front of the truck. You feel the engine give as some of the belts snap.\n\nYou’re losing momentum and if you aren’t careful your life will be next. You tap the brake and make a quick right down an alley. The truck sputters to a stop and black smoke billows from the edges of the hood.\n\nYou look at the cop. “We’re walking. Get the kid. And give me the gun.” She tosses you the gun and takes the kid with her good arm. She stumbles into the wall.\n\nYou pop the hood and prop it up. “Use the black smoke as cover.”\n\nShe nods and heads down the alley.\n\nYou check the clip. Five rounds left. You’ll have to make them count. All your goodies are still in the BMW. Hopefully five bullets will be enough to get you there.\n\nIt’s impossible to say how many thugs are waiting for you. The only thing you can say for certain is that it won’t matter.\n\n[[Take out the second SUV]]\n[[Make a dash for the BMW]]\n

Maybe if you keep Maurer talking he'll let something slip. You can't let him know you're frightened, or even suspicious. You need to play it cool. "So...uh...tell me about becoming a candidate..."\n\n"Wonderful," Maurer grins. "I knew you would be interested." He waves his arm in the air and suddenly a dozen metal arms protrude from the ceiling and floor. The little metal claws grip your arms and legs before you can run.\n\n"Hey," you shout. "Wait a second."\n\nMaurer is too enamored with the process to register your pleas. "You will become a fixture of zhe future. All zhe knowledge we have learned will be unlocked to you, but we must be rid of your pesky organs.\n\n"What?" You growl.\n\n"Yes, yes," Maurer continues. "Zhey will only be in zhe way."\n\n"Me and my organs are very close," you say struggling against the metal bonds. "I'd hate to part with them."\n\n"Ho," Maurer laughs. He points to the woman and the boy. "Zhey felt zhe same way at first, but zhey are so much more now...and you will be too."\n\n"Hang on," you plead. "Maybe I'm happy being unhappy."\n\nMaurer taps your stomach. "Don't be foolish." He pulls a giant drill down from the ceiling. "It will only hurt for a moment."\n\nYou feel the drill puncture your stomach. Suddenly your insides feel like mush. Maurer inserts a small metal box into your stomach. You feel a jolt of electricity. The box explodes into a flurry of wires and circuits. You feel them snaking through your body, merging with your muscles and nerves.\n\nIt's as if you're burning from the inside out. You scream with pain.\n\n"Zhe pain is only natural," Maurer says trying to calm you. "And when you wake up, you will be one of us. You will be perfect."\n\nYour head slumps forward and you blackout.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

You look down at the baton in your hand and smile. A gun would make things easier, but for some reason you know this will be more satisfying. You make a quick dash toward the thugs, smashing the baton into the back of one's legs while pulling back on the guy’s helmet. The thug spins in the air and lands hard against the floor.\n\nAnother thug lifts his gun toward you. You grab the nearest henchman's wrist and wrench it behind his head as you spin, using him as a shield. The bullets slam into his vest. You can hear his ribs crack.\n\nYou let his body fall, then quickly strike the gun with the baton. The henchman’s fingers bend in a way they aren’t supposed to. The gun drops.\n\nYou swing the baton into his nose then throw him into the final thug. They both fall over a desk. You slide over it and strike him in the face one last time.\n\nBefore you can pat yourself on the back, you hear the click of a gun. You turn in time to see the broken handed thug pull out a second pistol.\n\n“Down,” you shout, while pulling the woman to cover.\n\nThe thug empties his whole clip. The computers spark and flash. Glass shatters from the windows. “No,” the woman cries.\n\nThe floor vibrates. You hear what sounds like the hum of an engine. A bright blue and purple light floods the room. The sphere reappeares behind you. It pulsates with violent spasms. The room gets hotter.\n\n“We have to shut down the system,” the woman shouts. “It’s going critical.” She pulls a keyboard from the desk and tries typing, but the computer won’t respond.\n\n“What can I do?” You shout.\n\n“Are you a theoretical physicist?”\n\n“Uh... no...”\n\nShe shakes her head. “Then I don’t know.”\n\nYou look back at the sphere. The light whips through the air like rabid tentacles. One of them grabs the thug and pulls him off the ground.\n\nThe gravity in the room shifts. Everything is pulled toward the sphere. You try to grab hold of the desk or the computer or something, but it doesn't do you any good. The pull is too strong.\n\nThe thug screams as his legs enter the sphere. He seems helpless, completely overpowered. His whole body is pulled into the spasming sphere, and his screams become muffled, as if he was drowning. Then suddenly, you can’t hear him at all.\n\nYou look at the woman. “Turn it off.”\n\n“I can’t,” she yells. \n\nYou both slide closer to the sphere. You're being pulled toward it just like the thug.\n\nYou sweat from the heat. It feels like you're inside a volcano. Your foot enters the sphere. It’s like your toes are on fire. You try to move, try to fight it, but you’re powerless. You feel the tentacles of light envelop you. Then everything is consumed by a bright, blinding light.\n\n[[Overcome the agony]]\n

You pull into the parking garage and drive to the top story. There are only a few cars. It’s deserted. At least you don’t have to worry about civilians getting in the way.\n\nYou park the car and grab your equipment. The Boss’s penthouse is on the southeast side. Luckily the afternoon sun will be working for you and, if all goes as planned, they won’t be able to figure out your location until you and Gillian are almost out of the city.\n\nYou click open the sniper case and assemble the weapon. You’ve done this enough times you don’t need to think about it. Your hands and fingers move on their own.\n\nGiven the distraction you caused earlier the guards should be minimal – probably five. The two guarding Gillian should be visible from here. The other three may pose a problem, and that’s assuming there are only three. It’s a good thing you nabbed the x-ray scope. You slide it into place and toggle it to the standard sight.\n\nYou lay flat along the cement barrier on the very edge of the building. Your foot dangles off the edge. You try not to look down. The drop may not kill you, but it sure wouldn’t feel good. You flick out the metal stand and position the sniper rifle toward the penthouse. This isn’t the most comfortable or secure position, but it’s the only one that keeps Gillian and the east elevator in your line of sight.\n\nYou take a deep breath and try to relax your muscles. The slightest twitch or tremble could send the bullet in the wrong place, like the back of Gillian’s head.\n\nYou look through the scope and adjust the focus until a lamp on the far side of the room is visible. You toggle the scope to thermal. You count eight bodies, one of those being Gillian. That’s two extra guards.\n\nEven if you take out the two guarding Gillian, that leaves four in the adjacent room and one in the hall. There’s no way you can get all of them before they open fire.\n\nGillian doesn’t know how to use a gun, so she won’t be much help. If you can get her to the east elevator, she’ll be safe until the ground floor; unfortunately, the guard in the hall is blocking the elevator.\n\nYou’re going to have to take him out eventually. Given the amount of walls you’d have to penetrate, the bullet may never reach him, and even if it does, there’s no guarantee it will kill him.\n\nOn the other hand, you’ve got a clean shot of the two thugs guarding Gillian. If you take them out first, you might be able to lure the others into a weak position and guide Gillian around them. You glance at your watch. There’s no time to think about it. You’ll just have to choose.\n\n[[Shoot the thug in the hallway]]\n[[Shoot the two thugs guarding Gillian]]\n

A sane person would spend at least three months planning an assault on the Boss’s penthouse. You’ve spent about three minutes. But then again, no one has ever accused you of being sane. You grab two pistols from the bag and sprint for the entrance.\n\nYou aim at the front desk, but the guards are gone. The lobby and hallway are empty too. It’s a little early for a lunch break, but you really, really hope this is a lunch break.\n\nYou run for the elevators and tap the button a few times. Nothing happens.\n\nCrap. This is beginning to feel a lot like a—\n\n“Hello,” the Boss says. He adjusts his bowtie and gives you a toothy grin. “It’s so nice of you to visit. I had a strong sense you’d be stopping by.”\n\nYou turn to face him.\n\nHe motions to his left. “I believe you’re already acquainted with Mr. Lee and Mr. Wong.”\n\nJimmy Lee and Wong step into the hallway.\n\nJimmy shrugs. “Sorry.”\n\nYou glare at him. “You will be.”\n\n“Come on. What’d you expect me to do?”\n\n“You shouldn’t blame him,” the Boss says soothingly. “The business between Mr. Wong and I is far more important than a few questionable documents.”\n\nYou glance back at the Boss. “So what now?”\n\nThe Boss sighs. “I think Mr. Wong would like to see your intestines ripped from your stomach and dipped in boiling oil.”\n\nWong licks his lips.\n\n“Of course,” the Boss continues, “I had something more agreeable in mind. You could always come back and work for me.” He pauses for a moment. “You have been missed.”\n\n“What about my sister?”\n\n“When you return, she’ll be covered by our health and dental insurance. And if anything ever happened to you, she’d be well taken care of.”\n\nYou cringe at the Boss’s implication.\n\n“This is a time-sensitive decision.” He points his cane at your chest.\n\nYou glance down to see three red dots over your heart.\n\nThe Boss grins.\n\nIt’s not comforting.\n\n“I do hope you understand, you were one of my best employees and I would consider it a personal failure if you decided to leave.”\n\nYou’ve still got the two pistols. You might be able to hit one of them before the snipers kill you. Of course that doesn’t leave Gillian with much of a chance. It’s not like the Boss is going to let her go just because you’re dead.\n\n[[Take the Boss’s offer]]\n[[Test how quick those snipers really are]]\n

Quick and messy – sounds like every relationship you’ve had. Maybe the Boss will get the idea and stay out of your life. Yeah, fingers crossed for luck.\n\nYou pull the shotgun out of the box. It’s big, but light. Looks like it has an enhanced stabilizer and recoil counter balance; the metal seems different too – must be an updated model.\n\nHow the Boss got a hold of these prototype weapons is still a mystery. It’s no secret that he has friends in the Department of Defense, but you were never able to figure out who or what they were being offered. The money trail didn’t exist.\n\nThe only thing that //is// certain is that every six months the old crate disappears and a new crate takes its place. The Boss never spoke of the guns and, from what you could glean, he never found a buyer. The crates just keep showing up and disappearing. It’s one of those mysteries that make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Something just isn’t right about it.\n\nThe Boss has a way of keeping his business investments slinking from one shadow to the next. His skills of deception are, unsurprisingly, better than yours. Sometimes, when he looks you over, you get the distinct feeling that he’s examining one of his projects. Creepy doesn't do the feeling justice.\n\nWell, it doesn’t matter now. All that matters now is getting Gillian back...and maybe blowing up some stuff.\n\nYou flip open another sleeve in the case and pull out some clips and attachments. You toss them all in the bag and sling it over your shoulder.\n\nYou walk to another crate and push it over. A few missiles roll across the cement floor. Heh, this should be interesting. You crack open another crate and pull out four cubes of C4. You place two on the biggest struts of the warehouse, you leave one near the crate of missiles, and you attach one on the main door frame.\n\nYou peek through the window. John Two Toes is bawling like a baby and the two other goons are jogging back to the warehouse. Uh oh. No time to move the C4.\n\nYou sprint for the opposite door. You turn and wave at the security camera, adding a little insult to injury. It’s important to make time for the little things.\n\nYou roll behind a parked car in time to hear the explosion. Fire billows through the sky. You glance over the hood. Three smaller explosions take out what’s left of the walls. The warehouse is in ruins.\n\nYour arms and legs tingle with excitement. The fun’s just getting started. You shatter the passenger window of a nearby Buick and unlock the doors. You slide into the driver seat and toss the bag into the open seat.\n\nIt’s been awhile since you’ve hot-wired a car. You tear out the plastic cover underneath the steering wheel, revealing a tangle of wires. You cut four of them and twist two of them together. You strike the other two together and tap the gas pedal. A few sparks singe your finger, but the engine revs. You twist the other two wires together and put the car in gear.\n\nThe shotgun is only useful close-up which means you need to be quick and direct. The only way to the penthouse is through the lobby, but the lobby has two entrances: the main entrance and the service entrance.\n\nThe main entrance is the most direct route to the elevators, but it’s also going to be the most heavily guarded.\n\nThe service entrance leads through a series of small hallways and the kitchen before it reaches the lobby. It will take a bit longer, but it might give you a tactical advantage.\n\n[[Take the main entrance]]\n[[Take the service entrance]]\n

You grab a lab coat from a hanger and a pair of goggles from the counter. You put both on and walk toward the crowd.\n\nSuddenly a burst of light floods the room. You lift your hand to cover your eyes. The light flickers, and a bright sphere appears above the crowd. It pulsates and swims with color. It expands and contracts in dangerously large bursts of energy.\n\n“Stabilize it!” A woman shouts.\n\n“I-I,” a man fumbles with the control panel. “I can’t. It’s fluctuating too rapidly.”\n\n“Adjust the frequency.”\n\n“It’s not that simple. There are too many variables. It’s becoming volatile. We need to terminate the sequence.”\n\n“NO!” The woman shouts. “We’re too close. I won’t allow another failure.”\n\nThe man shrugs helplessly. “We don’t have a choice.” He hits a large red button on the center of the console.\n\nThe sphere sputters and disappears.\n\nThe woman slaps the man in the face. “I told you not to do that.”\n\n“We would have died,” he pleads. “Everyone in this facility would have died.”\n\n“When I tell you to do something, you do it,” she growls. “Maybe if I bring your daughter down here it might help motivate you.” She grins. “I’ll start with her right index finger. Maybe tomorrow it will be her whole hand.”\n\nHe looks at her with horror. “You wouldn’t.”\n\nShe shrugs smugly. “Nothing’s stopping me.”\n\n“Wait, please. She’s just a child.”\n\nThe woman’s face turns vicious. “I want results. When I come back, I expect that field to be stable.” She turns and walks to the elevator.\n\nYou grab a clipboard from the nearest desk and twist around to face one of the machines. You try to blend in with the other tech grunts. She’s too agitated to notice you.\n\nTalk about a close call, and what’s with the light show. If you didn’t need to rescue Gillian, you’d spend a little more time poking around down here. Instead, you amble over to the guy at the console, who is obviously Wilson.\n\nYou sit down next to him, but stare straight ahead. You direct your voice to him. “Stay calm.”\n\nHe glances at you. “What?”\n\n“A series of events are about to happen that might frighten you. It’s important that you stay calm.”\n\nHe looks scared. “Who are you?”\n\n“I’m a friend of your daughter and if you want to survive, you’ll do exactly what I say.”\n\n“You know, I’ve been hearing that a lot lately. What makes you any different?”\n\n“Do you want to see your daughter or not?”\n\n“Alright, alright,” he whispers. “What do you want me to do?”\n\n“Can you get to the elevator?”\n\n“Yeah, but there are guards everywhere on the upper floors.”\n\n“Let me worry about them. We’ll need a distraction. How volatile is this stuff anyway?”\n\n“It’s, well, it’s...” He shakes his head. “With the fields disengaged there’s enough material here to cause a small earthquake. If the fields were active it would destroy everything in a three mile radius. I mean...” He shrugs. “Theoretically it could stretch as far as six miles. I-I don’t know though.” He gets anxious and fidgets with his hands. “It’s-It’s not, I-I can’t—”\n\n“Just relax. We haven’t done anything yet.” But you’re going to have to soon. You’ve still got the stun gun in your pocket. You sigh and look at Wilson. “Your daughter is hiding under the bar in the den.”\n\nHe gets wide-eyed and pale. “Is she—”\n\n“She’s fine. Start walking to the elevator now. I’ll catch up to you in a second.”\n\nWilson nervously nods and starts walking.\n\nYou twist around the console. Four large wires – red, blue, yellow, and black – stretch from the rear of the console to a large dish where the sphere appeared. If you short the machine, some sort of chaos should ensue. The stun gun should have enough power to get things started. Now it’s just a matter of picking the right wires.\n\n[[Join the red a blue wires]]\n[[Join the yellow and black wires]]\n[[Join the blue and yellow wires]]\n

Your conscience gets the better of you. Gillian’s safety comes first. \n\nBlah. Blah. Blah.\n\nYou stuff the shotgun in the bag and slide the bag behind you. You grab the two grenades with your off hand and take the pistol with your other.\n\nThe elevator dings and the door slides open. You fire two rounds, dropping one of the thugs in the hallway. The other sticks his gun out from around the corner and blindfires. Two bullets graze your arm. You fall against the wall, dropping the grenades. They roll toward the thug.\n\nYou'll just have to make due. You fire at the grenades and twist for cover. They blow a hole in the wall and the thug. You grab his submachine gun as you dive into the opening.\n\nBullets fly past your legs. One grazes your foot. You groan and take cover behind an oak desk. Your shoulder bleeds badly, and blood oozes out a hole in your shoe.\n\nThat’s disappointing. Those were your favorite pair of shoes. You take a second to morn.\n\nYou glance around the room. You’re in the study. Gillian must be in the bedroom on the other side of the penthouse.\n\nYou check the submachine gun clip. Less than half. Should be more than enough. If you killed two thugs already that leaves three at the most.\n\nYou hobble to the door on the other side of the room. The door’s slightly open already. You lunge through it, firing the submachine gun as you slide behind the couch. You hit the thug twice in the chest and once in the head.\n\nAs you fall, you glimpse a large cowboy hat, which means Chuck Laroche is here.\n\nCrap.\n\nYou prop yourself against the couch. “Hey Chucky. It’s been awhile.”\n\n“Indeed it has,” he says with an awkward southern drawl.\n\n“You still lugging around that revolver?”\n\n“I’ve got two now.”\n\nThat'll make him twice as hard to kill. “You're definitely not compensating for something. And it sounds like you’re still using that ridiculous accent.”\n\n“It sounds tough, don’t it.”\n\n“No, it sounds like you belong in a bad carnival. You’re the only Frenchman I know who thinks he’s a cowboy. How do the other assassins take you seriously?”\n\nA bullet tears through the couch just above your head.\n\nYou rub at your hair, hoping there’s not a bald spot. “Forget I asked.”\n\n“You got nowhere to go, but how bout I give you a chance.”\n\n“Ha,” you laugh, “You still want a showdown?”\n\n“I gots to know who’s the quickest.”\n\nIt’s not like you can out maneuver him. “Fine,” you sigh. “The rules?”\n\n“One bullet a piece.”\n\nYou look at your pistol clip. You only have one bullet left anyway. “Yeah, alright.” You push yourself up and square off with him. “The mustache is a nice touch.” You try to keep from laughing. “It really brings the wardrobe together.”\n\nHe grins with pride. “Don’t it though.”\n\n[[Draw first]]\n[[Wait for him to flinch]]\n

Cloud Buchholz

You've seen almost all of the beautiful cities in the world, unfortunately; you've also seen their sewers which, unsurprisingly, really ruins the experience. It seems like every mission you've been on involves slogging through garbage and filth. One more sewer won't make much of a difference.\n\nBased on the schematics you stole from the Boss years ago, there should be a secret tunnel system leading into his building. The tunnels were originally meant to be a secret escape route, but the plans were never completely finished. A few hammer strikes and the wall separating the sewers and the building should crumble.\n\nYou drive across town to the penthouse, then cut through a side street and park near the rear of the adjacent building. You take the tire iron from the trunk and use it to pop open the sewer grate. You climb down the stairs. The stink hits your nose harder than a punch.\n\nYou reel back and pull your shirt over your nose. It doesn't help.\n\nYou knew this city was dirty, but it's only gotten worse. You focus your mind on the task at hand...saving Gillian. You're her only chance at getting out of this alive. You can't let her down. You won't let her down. You'll need to take a hundred scolding showers to get this stink out of your hair and skin, but that's a small price to pay for your sister's safety.\n\nYou slink through the sewers. Left, right, right, left until you see the discolored brick. The Boss's building is above you. You kick out the middle brick and yank the others loose until there's enough room for you to fit through.\n\nYou see a small metal door up ahead.\n\nYou take a step forward. The floor //clicks// and suddenly a light flashes over your body.\n\n"Identification necessary," a friendly computer voice says. "Please wait..."\n\nThis is new...and a lot more advance than you remember...\n\nThe light abruptly flashes red.\n\n"Verification failed. Access denied," the computer voice chimes. "Please wait for a representative to escort you off the premises."\n\nEscort?\n\nThat really doesn't sound like the Boss. Kill, maim, disembowel...those are more his style. Either way, his thugs know you're here. You better run and regroup.\n\nYou turn back toward the exit. A grid of red light blocks your path. A red beam singes off a piece of your shoe as you step forward...lasers.\n\nThe laser grid jerks forward. There's no way around it.\n\nYou're trapped.\n\nYou backpedal to the small metal door. You grab the handle, but it's locked. There's no way out. You feel the red hot lasers pass through your body as if it were made of butter. The lasers jerk to a halt and turn off.\n\nEverything feels strange...incoherent...\n\nYou try to take a step back, but your body collapses into a dozen tiny cubes.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 3]]\n

You shake your head. “I’m on a diet.”\n\n“Oh, nonsense. I insist.”\n\n“No thank you,” you say in the politest way possible, then turn to leave.\n\nShe grabs your arm and shoves a stun gun against your neck. You convulse and drop to the floor.\n\nThe old woman kneels down. “You should have gone with the cake.” She motions at two other employees. They grab you by the arms and drag you into a dark room. You feel the cold squeeze of metal cuffs, then the pinch of a needle. Your head swims and your vision blurs, then you pass out.\n\n******\n\nYou wake up handcuffed to a chair.\n\n"You've gotten soft," an old familiar voice coos. "I thought I trained you better than that."\n\nYou glance up and open your eyes. It's the Boss.\n\nHe sits down in front of you. "I had hoped we could reach an understanding before it came to this, but unfortunately my hands are tied...perhaps not as literally as yours, but there's nothing more I can do."\n\n"Do?" You growl. "You mean kidnapping my sister wasn't enough?"\n\nThe Boss rubs the bridge of his nose. "I know it may be difficult for you to believe, but I had very little to do with your sister's kidnapping. It was not my idea."\n\n"Am I supposed to believe someone else is running the show now?"\n\n"Unfortunately, yes." The Boss glances at a tinted window. You see several shadowy forms.\n\n"Where's Gillian?"\n\n"Safe...I assume. There's very little they're willing to tell me."\n\n"Then what is this all about?" You growl and yank at the handcuffs.\n\n"Honestly," the Boss shrugs. "I have no idea. They wanted you specifically, and they mentioned the Moscow job. They said you were exposed to some kind of alien particles or radiation or something of that nature."\n\n"There was an explosion...but I'm fine."\n\n"They believe otherwise. They're going to run some tests. I only wanted to say goodbye."\n\n"Do something," you growl. "Don't just leave me here."\n\n"As I said," the Boss turns away. "My hands are tied." He leaves the room and closes the door behind him.\n\nYou see the shadowy figures shuffling back and forth with excitement. Maybe the Boss was telling the truth, maybe not. Either way, he's going to get what's coming to him. You'll see to that.\n\nSuddenly a set of giant fans spin. The floor vibrates. It sounds like an engine kicking into overdrive.\n\n"Hey," you shout at the tinted window. "Let me out of here."\n\nThe walls sweat with blue and purple globs of goo. The goo pools at the center of the room and congeals into a giant glowing sphere. The room feels hotter, almost like an oven. The sphere pulsates.\n\n"Hey," you shout again. "Let me out." You struggle and yank at the handcuffs, but it's no use.\n\nThe chair slides closer to the sphere, almost as if the giant gooey ball was emitting its own gravitational pull. The chair tilts and you hit the ground. You slide closer. It pulses with waves of blinding light.\n\n"You're making a mistake," you shout. "Please!"\n\nYour foot enters the sphere. Your skin feels like it's on fire. You try to move, try to fight it, but you’re helpless. You feel the light envelop you. Then everything fades to black.\n\n[[Overcome the agony]]\n

You yank the kid out of the room and travel down the hall for a bit. There’s a set of stairs twisting around to a lower floor. You look back at the kid and signal her to be quiet.\n\nShe nods.\n\nYou get the stun gun ready and make your way down the stairs as quietly as possible.\n\nYou hear voices, and you push the kid against the wall.\n\nYou hear two sets of feet shuffle closer. The voices talk about an experiment – something about Wilson taking his time. You suck in a breath as the two guards walk past you.\n\nYou wait for them to turn the corner then you look down at the kid. “Who’s Wilson?”\n\n“My daddy,” she says, looking like someone just poked her with a needle.\n\n“And what, he’s a scientist?”\n\nShe nods, wiping a few tears from her cheek. “The best scientist ever.”\n\n“And who decided it was 'bring your daughter to work day'?”\n\nShe looks at you confused.\n\n“Never mind,” you say, taking her hand, “Come on.”\n\nYou follow the hallway into a kitchen. To the left, through a small crack in the door, you count five guards sitting around a table. It looks like they’re playing cards. Best to avoid them.\n\nYou take the right door. It leads into a large, open room. The whole left wall is made of tinted glass and you see the guards patrolling outside. The fireplace in the center of the room is lit, and there are three glasses on the table still half full.\n\nHalf full – whoever was here is bound to be coming back soon. You sprint to the door on the other side of the room and glance through the opening. Three men with graying hair and expensive suits walk toward you.\n\nYou race back toward the kitchen, but stop just shy of slamming into the door. You hear someone rummaging through the cabinets. The guards must be taking a snack break.\n\nYou’re trapped.\n\nYou grab the kid and push her into a small alcove under the bar. “Don’t make a sound. No matter what happens just stay here, stay quiet, and wait for me to come get you, got it?” You turn before you can see her response.\n\nYou haven’t got a lot of options here. If you take on the guards in the kitchen, the noise might alert somebody. If you try to confront the three suits, they might figure out you don’t belong here and alert somebody. Looks like you’re going to have to pick the lesser of two evils and quick.\n\n[[Confront the three suits]]\n[[Fight the guards in the kitchen]]\n

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.\n\nCopyright © 2014 by Cloud Buchholz\nAll rights reserved.\n\nEbook originally published in 2013\n\nDemo Edition 1.0.2\n\n<<back>>

After an intensive ennee minnee minee mo vote, you load the blue round into the shotgun. Using untested prototype ammunition based on its color...what’s the worst that could happen?\n\nYou push yourself against the wall and peek around the doorway. The thugs are still stunned from the first blast, but they’ve got their guns aimed in your direction.\n\nYou raise the shotgun and pull the trigger. You hear a click and a grinding sound.\n\nUh oh.\n\nThe shotgun quakes and then gets so cold it burns your fingers. Before you can drop it, the chamber explodes with blue gelatin. The gelatin covers your arms and expands up and around your body.\n\nYou can’t move. It enshrouds your legs and chest and finally your head. Even your eyeballs are frozen, but you’re still fully conscious.\n\nThe goons circle with their guns aimed at your head, though they seem more confused then you are. Being frozen like this is going to make rescuing Gillian almost impossible. It’s going to make just about everything almost impossible. You try not to think of what’s going to happen when you need to pee. Okay, this is probably like the second worst rescue mission you’ve ever attempted.\n\nWell done.\n\nIf you weren’t frozen you’d pat yourself on the back.\n\nThe thugs stare at you blankly for a few more seconds then one of them slides a dolly under you and rolls you to the elevator. You're completely frozen. There's nothing you can do to stop them. The thugs prop you in the Boss's penthouse, in front of the Boss.\n\nThe Boss grins.\n\nYou want to punch that smile off his face, but you can't move your arms.\n\n"I knew you were giving me the cold shoulder," the Boss chides. "But I never thought it was so literal."\n\nYou try to glare at him but your expression can't change.\n\n"I had intended to enlist you in one of my plans, but the thought of you becoming a permanent trophy in my collection is almost too good an offer to refuse." The Boss's old wrinkled face beams with happiness.\n\n[[Insult the Boss]]\n[[Stay calm and endure the Boss's chastising]]\n

"Maybe it's just all the guns pointed at my head, but for some strange reason I'd really like to hear what you have to say."\n\n"Excellent," the Boss nods. "I knew you would eventually come around. Please follow me," he says, walking toward the center of the warehouse. "I've put some precautionary upgrades in place since your last visit." He stands in a medium size red circle painted on the floor. As soon as you stand beside him the circle glows, and the floor sinks.\n\n"As I said," the Boss continues, "Power has a strange effect on the peripheral aspects of one's life. Respect, fear, adoration...these are not uncommon emotions in the hearts of those around you. The weak will always submit to the strong, but power should not be wielded without mercy."\n\nThe platform lowers into a large laboratory. Scientists, deep in thought, are hunched over microscopes and computers. You glance over at the Boss. "What is all of this?"\n\n"Your sister came to me. She was sick, and her condition was only getting worse. She had spent several years consulting with doctors. It was a genetic disorder accelerated by certain, unknown triggers. She wanted to warn you...I won't say abandoned, but you were away. That's why she came to me, you see. She knew that I could find you."\n\n"You mean she's here? Gillian's here?"\n\nThe Boss hesitates. "It's best if you follow me." He leads you through the laboratory, down a long hallway, into an ornately furnished living room. "There was a point in time when your sister did not have the strength to leave this laboratory, and so I had living quarters built to accommodate her."\n\n"Where is she?" You demand.\n\nThe Boss sighs and gestures at a thick red curtain.\n\nYou rush to the curtain and yank it aside. You're frozen in horror.\n\nYour sister floats in a large glass tank. It's filled with a light blue gelatin. Tubes stretch from her nose, chest, and arms to a machine that's monitoring her vitals.\n\n"She came to me for help," the Boss whispers over your shoulder. "She's dying."\n\nYou press your hand against the cold glass. "What have you done to her?"\n\n"We've slowed the deterioration of her body on a molecular level. She's still dying, but at a much slower pace. There still may be time for you to find a cure."\n\n"Me? I don't know anything about this stuff."\n\n"No," the Boss agrees, "But there are people who do." He walks to the couch near the center of the room and sits. "I have the utmost confidence in you. And I'm certain you won't have any trouble finding the motivation to see this through." He motions toward the adjacent chair.\n\nYou ignore him and remain standing. "What am I supposed to do?"\n\n“I've reached out to certain persons and companies to aid me in finding a cure, but they have been less than agreeable."\n\n"And you'd like me to make them an offer they can't refuse?"\n\n"I've been civil and patient with them, but your sister is running out of time. There is a new drug being tested in Montana. Some of the human test subjects have disappeared. Retrieving them would be...very productive. The subjects, like you, suffer from the same genetic abnormality. I hear the drug trials are almost near completion."\n\n"You said there was another option?"\n\n“Yes," the Boss says. "My wealth, as infinite as it may appear, is not always enough to motivate some people. There is a doctor, a genius I hear, who is quite knowledgeable in matters such as these. I offered her a small fortune, which she rudely refused. If you could persuade her to work for me, it might accelerate our chances at finding a cure.”\n\n[[Go to Montana]]\n[[Look for the genius doctor]]\n

Your hands are shaky, but you put the car in gear. You step on the gas and a wave of pins and needles shoot up your side.\n\nYour arm feels like it’s screwed on backwards, and your shoulder feels like the seat is made of razor sharp forks. You’ve made it through worse before, but you didn’t have to worry about Gillian then. And if things got really bad, you could always count on a team to extract you. Now, you can’t even count on your arms to work.\n\nYou could use a few days of rest, probably a few weeks, but Gillian doesn’t have that long. Who knows what the Boss is doing to her right now – or having done to her. He’s more the voyeuristic type.\n\nJust thinking it makes the hairs on your neck stand up.\n\nYou rub the dry blood from your cheek and try to clear your head. You’re not the type to fall on your sword, but getting stabbed one more time is really the least of your worries.\n\nGillian wouldn’t even need to think about it. She’d risk herself to save you no matter the cost. That’s what family does, and she’s all the family you have left.\n\nYou twist the car around and drive to the penthouse.\n\nYou can’t count on the Boss to be merciful – you can’t even be sure he has a conscious – but he is a business man, and he’ll be willing to make a deal if the terms are compelling enough. He knows you’re one of the best, and he doesn’t know how badly you’ve been hurt. As long as he doesn’t call your bluff, this just might work.\n\nYou pull into an alley near the penthouse. You reach into the backseat, which hurts tremendously, and take a burn phone from the bag.\n\nYou call Alana. She’s not like your BFF or anything. The last time you saw each other she tried to massage your back with a power drill, but of all the Boss’s assassins, she’s the only one that never leaves his side.\n\nYou hear her pickup. “Hey besty,” you say coldly. “I have a message for the Boss.”\n\nYou can tell she’s biting her tongue.\n\n“Tell him to let Gillian go and I’ll turn myself in. Otherwise,” you keep the pause long for dramatic effect. “Boom.”\n\nYou hear her cover the receiver with her hand. A moment later you hear her silvery voice. “Can you see the entrance?"\n\nYou pull a pair of binoculars from your bag.\n\nGillian is standing in the lobby. Alana is behind her with an arm wrapped around Gillian’s waist. Something glitters in her hand – probably a knife.\n\nAlana’s voice is crisp and playful. “Come inside now or we get to see what your sister’s intestines look like.” She almost hangs-up, then pulls the phone back to her mouth. “Bring whatever toys you want, just remember what happens if you try to play with them.”\n\nYou hear Gillian whimper over the phone as the knife presses into her stomach.\n\nSo much for that whole bluffing idea.\n\nYou grab a pistol and a grenade. You probably won’t get a chance to use either, but just having them is reassuring.\n\nYou cross the street and approach the entrance from an angle.\n\nThe Boss waits for you inside. Alana grins when she sees you. She reminds you of a shark that’s caught the scent of blood.\n\n“Alright,” you say, making sure they see the gun in your hand. “Let her go.”\n\nThe Boss glances at Alana, and she begrudgingly releases Gillian.\n\nThe Boss opens his arms in a helpless manner. “You know how enthusiastic Alana can get. I only wanted to speak with you.”\n\n“Try using a phone next time.”\n\n“We both know I would need more than a phone to get your attention.”\n\nHe’s right about that.\n\n“Well, you’ve got my attention now.”\n\nHe smiles. “It would seem so, though I wish it was under different circumstances.”\n\n“Yeah, that’s one way of putting it. So talk already.”\n\n“There’s no delicate way to put this,” he sighs, but continues smiling. “Your sister is dying. So are you for that matter.”\n\nYou aim the pistol at his head. “What did you do?”\n\n“I am acting entirely as a friend in these matters,” he says soothingly. “I recently received information concerning your condition. Your sister has been my guest while I investigated the matter further.”\n\n“I didn’t know //trigger-happy// was a condition.”\n\n“Humph,” he laughs. “The condition I speak of is genetic. I’ve already run the tests. Your sister has been very helpful.” He motions toward her.\n\nShe opens her jacket. Tubes and electrical wires run from her chest to a small box around her waist. “I’m sorry,” she says.\n\nThe Boss turns his attention back to you. “The gene is something you both share. We don’t know what or how it’s triggered, but if we can’t find a cure, you’ll die just like her.”\n\nYou look at the tubes jutting from your sister’s side. “How do I know you aren’t the one that did this to her...or me?”\n\n“Modify your genes? You give me too much credit.”\n\nYeah, that’s true. The Boss is a lot of things, but this just isn’t his style. “So what’s the catch? Why are you helping us?”\n\nHe smirks and rolls his eyes as if the answer was obvious. “My employees are my family, and I always take care of my family.”\n\nThat last bit makes you feel a little nervous. You bet Lizzie Borden said the same thing.\n\nThe Boss continues, “A new drug is being tested in Montana. The results have been impressive, to say the least. The subjects suffer from the same genetic abnormality as you and your sister. I hear the drug trials are nearly complete. Unfortunately, some of the human test subjects have disappeared. Retrieving them would be...very productive."\n\nHe pauses for a moment. “There is another option, of course. My wealth, as infinite as it may appear, is not always enough to motivate some people. There is a doctor, a genius I hear, who is quite knowledgeable in matters such as these." The Boss strokes his mustache. “I offered her a small fortune, which she rudely refused.\n\n“If you could persuade her to work for me, she might be able to accelerate your sister’s recovery.”\n\n[[Go to Montana]]\n[[Look for the genius doctor]]\n

The money is too important. The plan won’t succeed without it. You have to move now. If you get any closer they’re going to spot you. Subtly is out of the question.\n\nYou pull out your pistol and point it at the moving van. You aim three inches in front of the rear wheels. You fire two rounds into the van. The thugs drop and scatter. One of them spots you and readies his assault rifle. You take a deep and calming breath, then fire another round into the van.\n\nAs soon as the bullet hits, the van erupts in a mushroom cloud of fire and smoke. Four of the thugs are thrust into the air. They hit the ground hard and stay down. The gasoline from the van catches the surrounding crates on fire.\n\nThe goons are frantic and confused. They swing their guns in every direction. The smoke and chaos keeps you concealed. Now’s your chance.\n\nYou sprint to the warehouse and duck behind some burning crates. You fire two bullets into a thug as he rounds the corner. You grab his submachine gun before he hits the ground. Then you twist behind the unharmed van.\n\nYou pop open the door, grab the coffee cup on the dash, and use it to wedge the gas pedal down. You secure the submachine gun against your shoulder and shove the shifter into first gear. The van moves forward into the warehouse. You use it as cover and unload the submachine gun into any thug that crosses your line of sight.\n\nThe van grates against some shelving and swerves into a wall. You see the two duffle bags of cash on the table. You’re about to make your move, but the submachine gun is out of ammo.\n\nYou duck and roll as bullets chip away at the shelf and wall. You push yourself up and swing the butt of the submachine gun. The gun collides with a thug’s face. You swing it again, and he blacks out. The bullets whiz past you, but the duffle bags are still out of reach.\n\nYou throw open the thug’s jacket pocket and pull out a lighter. It’ll have to do. You lob it at the two thugs, draw your pistol, and shoot when it’s in front of their faces.\n\nThe lighter explodes with liquid fire. The thugs scream as their shirts ignite. You sprint for the duffle bags, throw both over your shoulder, and slide into the rear office. You kick the door shut behind you.\n\nThe fire outside is starting to die down. Time to start another one.\n\nYou peek through the window. On the opposite side of the warehouse you see cartons of chemicals used to synthesize the drugs. A little spark should do the trick.\n\nYou wait for the rest of the thugs to enter the warehouse, then fire two quick shots at the table legs so the chemicals gush and splash against the floor. You hear the thugs duck for cover. You fire one more shot at the cement.\n\nThe chemicals blaze with blue and orange flames. The shelves and crates catch fire. You see the flames inching toward the van. Uh oh.\n\nYou double time it to the exit and sprint for the water. You hear a loud BOOM as a gust of hot air thrusts you off the ground. You twirl uncontrollably and hit the water while the flames nip at your feet.\n\nYou reorient yourself and swim for the surface. The cash is wet and heavy, but it’s yours and there’s a lot of it.\n\nThe warehouse buckles from the heat of the explosion. Part of the roof caves in. Looks like some of the goons made it out alive. If they can identify you, which they probably can, and the Boss finds out it was you, he might do something unpleasant to Gillian. You try not to think about his collection of fingers.\n\nCatching up to the goons will be tough, and even if you do kill them, they may have already warned the Boss, in which case you’re wasting time thinking about it. You might be better off rescuing Gillian as fast as you can.\n\n[[Eliminate the goons before they can talk]]\n[[No, rescue Gillian now]]\n

<html>\n<center>\nSeven Bullets (Demo)\n \nCloud Buchholz\n</center>\n \n<img src="img/sevenBulletsCover.jpg" align="left" width="260" height="391" hspace="5">\nYou’re a skilled assassin ready to retire, but before you can call it quits, the Boss kidnaps your little sister, and now you need to use your arsenal of deadly skills to get her back.\n \n \nWill you make the choices that bring her home safely? Or will you get caught in a web of intrigue, assassins, and deadly combat?\n \n \nOnly you can decide how this story ends...Do you have what it takes to survive?\n \n \nNote: This is a demo. It only contains about 30% of the original book. If you want the full Seven Bullets experience, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Bullets-ebook/dp/B00FXF0E30" target="_blank">buy the ebook</a>.\n</html>\n\n[[Start Reading...|Intro]]\n

Help her escape? Does she think you’re a charity or something? “You’ve got the kid, be grateful.”\n\n“You really are a scumbag.”\n\n“I never said I wasn’t. I'm just not the one you’re looking for.”\n\nShe scoffs at you and shakes her head. “At least give me my gun. We’re defenseless.”\n\nIf she ends up dead, which is likely, and you’re found with her gun, that won’t look so good. You wipe off the finger prints and put the gun on the desk. “Don’t try anything stupid until I’m gone.”\n\n“Like I have a choice?”\n\nYou smile at her and shrug. “I never said you did.”\n\nYou stay low and work your way down the hallway to the side exit. If the sniper is still out there you’ll need to double back to get the car. This little detour will be a complete waste if you can’t use the car to start a crime war.\n\nYou take a quick survey of the exit and the surrounding landscape. It looks clear.\n\nBefore you can take three steps out the door, a bullet hammers into your shoulder. You stumble forward and hit the ground hard. You roll behind a dumpster as another bullet ricochets off the pavement.\n\nThe adrenalin is immediate, but not enough. You feel the warm blood soak your shirt. You’re feeling light headed.\n\nYou know staying here isn’t an option. The sniper saw you with the kid which means he probably thinks you still have him. With this much gunfire, the cops should be just around the corner. Too bad you don’t have that much time.\n\nThe sniper won’t be acting alone. He’ll have at least two spotters and three footmen. This isn’t an assassination; it’s an abduction. They want the kid alive and they think you have him, which means the footmen will be on you soon – and so will their shotguns.\n\nThe pain in your shoulder is overwhelming. Your right arm is useless. You can barely lift it. You lean all your weight into the dumpster and roll it toward the street.\n\nIf you can just get close enough to the car you’ll be able to grab one of those assault rifles.\n\nYou see two thuggish guys exit a building across the street. They’re heading straight for you. The gunshots don’t faze them, which means they know they’re not the target.\n\nThe car’s maybe four long steps away.\n\n[[Sprint for the car]]\n[[Keep pushing the dumpster]]\n

“Just tell me what’s going on now,” you shout.\n\nMaurer looks annoyed. “Must I explain for a small child?”\n\n“Yeah,” you say, pointing the gun at him, “Before I have a tantrum.”\n\nBefore you can pat yourself on the back for such a witty retort, the woman grabs your arm, nearly ripping it from the socket. She twists you into the air and slams you into the tile hard. The gun slides across the floor out of reach.\n\nMaurer grins. “Time for that tantrum, yes?”\n\nYou’re about to respond, but the woman steps on your shoulder and you groan in pain.\n\nMaurer walks toward you. “Everyone wants—” he points to his temple. “But,” he shakes his head. “It is mine. You will not take it."\n\n“Who says I wanted it?” You groan.\n\n“You are a liar. You take and take, but I will not let you take zhis.” He makes a grand gesture to his laboratory. His eyes suddenly become wide with excitement. “I will give you somezhing zhough, somezhing for your hard work.” He points at a chamber.\n\nThe woman lifts you off the ground and throws you inside. The doors seal around you.\n\nYou kick on the glass. “Let me out of here.”\n\nMaurer gets so close to the glass that you can see the white hairs in his nostrils. “Soon,” he says. You have a feeling he doesn’t have your best interests at heart.\n\nHe types at a console. The walls of the chamber glow. The floor vibrates. You hear what sounds like the hum of an engine. A bright blue light floods the chamber.\n\nYou see Maurer’s slightly crooked teeth as he glares at you with a haunting grin. “My recent work is still untested, but zhe simulations suggest it must be very painful.”\n\nThe light whips through the chamber like tentacles. One of them grabs your leg and pulls you off the ground. The whole chamber pulsates. It’s so hot you can barely breathe.\n\nThe gravity in the room shifts and you feel weightless. You try grabbing hold of something, but there’s nothing to grab.\n\nYour body feels like it’s being torn apart, like every molecule is moving in the wrong direction.\n\nYou look at the woman. She remains motionless and stares at you blankly.\n\nYour fingers glimmer and disappear. The same happens to your arms and legs.\n\nIt’s like you’re on fire, like you’re burning from the inside out. You try to move, try to fight it, but you’re helpless. There’s nowhere to escape to. You see Maurer rub his hands together like a maniacal villain.\n\nYou almost expect to hear him laugh, but instead, you feel the tentacles of light envelop you. Then everything fades to black.\n\n[[Overcome the agony]]\n

The green really makes your eyes pop. You load it into the shotgun. Using untested prototype ammunition based on its color...what’s the worst that could happen?\n\nYou push yourself against the wall and peek around the doorway. The thugs are still a little stunned from the first blast, but they’ve got their guns aimed in your direction. Don’t they know it’s rude to point?\n\nYou raise the shotgun and pull the trigger.\n\nThe green round whizzes through the air, thuds against one of the guard’s body armor, and drops to the floor. It rolls by his feet.\n\nThat was a bit anticlimactic.\n\nYou duck behind the counter. “Yeah,” you shout. “And there’s more where that came from.” Maybe you can confuse them to death. It probably wouldn’t be hard.\n\nYou hear a click and the hiss of gas. You take a quick glance over the counter. The green round spins on the tile floor, spraying green mist from its casing.\n\nThe mist drenches the guard’s pants. It eats through the material, and then his skin. In less than a second his bones dissolve. He drops to the ground, screaming. The mist spreads toward the other three guards. They run for the exit as it eats through their clothes and armor.\n\nThe guard stops screaming. His body is mush. His skin seeps between the cracks in the tile. You shake your head. Some people just don’t know how to keep it together in pressure situation.\n\nYou pull out the clip and stuff it into your bag. Too dangerous to use around Gillian. You double time it to the elevator and head up to the penthouse.\n\nYou better figure out how to come at the thugs without getting Gillian hurt. The pistol is a safe choice. Of course the guards will probably be sporting automatic weapons. You’ve still got two grenades...they could be useful. Then again, the shiny blue shotgun round is very tempting.\n\n[[Lead with the pistol]]\n[[Lead with the grenades]]\n[[Lead with the blue shotgun round]]\n

You slip through the bushes along the side of the garage. The guard pulls out a cigarette. His gun hangs from a strap around his shoulder. You pin his arm back and lock your other arm around his throat. He struggles a bit then blacks out. You slide the gun out from under him and throw it in the bushes.\n\nYou examine the door to the garage. Instead of a keyhole you see a palm scanner. Even a rich, paranoid person isn’t going to have security this tight. It’s looking more and more like Jimmy lied to you.\n\nYou lug the guard against the wall and place his hand on the scanner. The door hisses open with an air tight seal. You pull the guard inside and lay him in a corner.\n\nThe garage is uncomfortably empty. There are no other doors or windows. All you see is a red circle painted on the floor and a small console near its farthest edge. You walk to the console. It has a full keyboard and a set of buttons similar to an elevator. Up or down. It’s almost impossible to resist.\n\n[[Up]]\n[[Down]]\n

You jerk your arm up and pull the trigger. Instantly, the sniper rounds knock you to the ground. You can't breathe. The bullets must have punctured a lung.\n\nYou cough up blood.\n\nIt hurts to move, but you tilt up your head.\n\nJimmy holds his groin. Blood runs down his pants.\n\nHe stares at you with rage. “You shot me in the—” His words trail off as he falls against the wall.\n\nYou smirk. Looks like there won’t be any little Jimmies running around.\n\nYou cough up more blood.\n\nThe Boss kneels down next to you and shakes his head. “How disappointing. I had such plans for you.”\n\nIf you could lift your arm, you’d use it to slap him in the face. Instead you glare at him.\n\nYou try to speak. You want to tell him to let Gillian go. You want to tell him to smoke a stick of dynamite while taking a bath in acid. The words come out a painful gurgle.\n\nWong stands over you. He reveals a sword concealed within his jacket. Like a bolt of lightning, he draws the sword and shoves it into your chest.\n\nYou feel it pierce your heart and then—\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 23]]\n

You keep driving – slow and steady. You don’t want to draw any unwanted attention, but something feels off. You can’t say what exactly, but you’ve learned to trust your gut.\n\nBesides, this kid is a valuable commodity. Just because the Russians had him doesn’t mean other organizations aren’t looking for him too. There’s plenty of—\n\nThe BMW rolls onto two wheels as a parked car explodes next to you. You twist the steering wheel hard and lean into the blast. The BMW bounces back onto the street. You hit the gas and turn as another RPG flies past you.\n\nIt explodes into the side of a building. You slam the brakes and make a stiff right to avoid the falling rubble.\n\nSo much for a slight detour.\n\nYou scan the building tops. You count at least four thugs, each one with a rocket launcher. You shift the car in reverse, but not in time. A rocket hits the pavement just in front of your car. The blast flips it backwards.\n\nYou feel a sharp pain in your shoulder from the seatbelt. The blood runs down your forehead. You push the airbag out of the way and slide out through the window. You glance in the backseat. “Hey kid, you still breathing?”\n\n“That was fun. Can we do it again?”\n\nYou almost laugh. This kid might be crazier than you. You grab his arm and pull him out through the window. You can smell gasoline. “Hurry up kid.”\n\nYou yank him into a nearby store as the BMW explodes. You sprint for the back exit, but a thug blocks your path – or more specifically, his shotgun blocks your path.\n\nYou reach for your pistol, but your hand comes back empty. The gun must be in the wreckage.\n\nThe thug smiles.\n\nYou wipe the blood from your forehead and give the thug a hard stare. “What do you want with the kid?”\n\nHe looks surprised. “What kid?” Then he glances to your left. He laughs. “Are you babysitting now?” He turns his attention to the kid. “Beat it. The grownups are talking.”\n\nThe kid looks up at you.\n\n“Go on. Do as he says.”\n\nThe kid runs out the door and around the corner.\n\n“Good,” the thug says. “I’d hate for him to see this. By the way, the Boss sends his warmest regards, whatever that means.”\n\nThe shotgun blast rings in your ears, and you suddenly feel very heavy. You look down at your stomach or what’s left of your stomach. You’re not sure how you ended up on the floor, but you have a feeling it doesn’t matter now.\n\nThe thug steps over your body and heads for the door. He stops and turns. He says something, but you're too far gone to understand him.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 15]]\n

You toggle on the x-ray switch and align the sniper rifle with the elevator turbine. One bullet should put it out of commission. That should buy you a few extra minutes and keep the guards winded.\n\nYou pack up the sniper rifle and try to look business casual. If you’re lucky, the employees will still be clueless. It’s strange though; despite years working for the Boss, this building has always been a bit of a mystery. The paperwork indicates corporate lawyers and accountants, but now that you’ve seen the interior offices and security that just doesn’t make sense.\n\nBest to ere on the side of caution and keep your head down. Once you make it out of the country none of this will matter. No reason to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.\n\n“You aren’t leaving without cake, are you? The party planning committee put a big effort into this. You really shouldn’t miss out.” An elderly woman smiles and offers you a plate with ice cream and cake.\n\n[[Take the cake]]\n[[Decline]]\n

You look out the window and click the security button on the keychain. The lights on a BMW flicker.\n\nNice.\n\nYou unlock the doors and get in. When the Chinese run the plates and realize the car belongs to Burundukov, the deal with the Boss will fall apart. It’s almost too easy.\n\nYou back out, pull into the street, and drive around the corner. You’re in the clear, at least for now. It’ll take them awhile to realize the car is missing, and by then a crime war will cover your tracks.\n\nNow you just need to figure out where to ambush the Chinese.\n\nYou hear something thumping in the trunk like maybe a part came loose.\n\nYou pull into an alley and park behind a dumpster. The last thing you need is for a cop to pull you over on a technicality.\n\nYou pop the trunk and stare down at a young boy who's bound and gagged. He couldn’t be more than eight. He’s wearing an expensive private school uniform. You recognize the emblem. The school is on the nicer side of town.\n\nHe mumbles and moans at you frantically.\n\nThis is probably some sort of ransom. There’s a good chance someone’s already looking for this kid, or worse, the car. Either way, you’ve got a giant bull’s-eye painted on your back.\n\nThat doesn’t change the plan – start a war, kill a bunch of people, and save Gillian.\n\nYou look down at the kid.\n\n[[Close the trunk]]\n[[Untie him]]\n

You slam the trunk shut. The kid’s not your problem.\n\nAnd who knows, there’s a shot he could live through this. It’s not like you’re setting the car on fire or driving it off a cliff. The kid’s got at least a 50/50 chance. Those are better odds than you ever had.\n\nThe kid kicks at the trunk again.\n\nYou would tell him to shut up, but you’ve got a feeling it won’t do any good. Wong’s restaurant isn’t far off. You can probably make it there before the noise becomes a problem.\n\nYou can’t let this complicate things. You have to stick to the plan. During the week, Wong always has an early lunch at his restaurant. You need to start the gunfight before he arrives or there’s a good chance his bodyguards will overpower you.\n\nJust because this crazy plan relies on chaos doesn’t mean you get to act reckless. You take a deep breath and try to forget about the kid.\n\nYou get back in the car and pull out of the alley. You drive under the speed limit, making a point to follow the law exactly. This is the kind of situation where it’s best to stay under the radar.\n\nYou see blue and red lights in your rearview mirror. Maybe you spoke too soon. Suddenly the siren wails and the cop signals for you to pull over.\n\n[[Pull over]]\n[[Hit the gas]]\n

Even if you do find answers at the address, what good are they if Gillian is dead? You stuff the folder in your bag and close the safe. Maybe when all of this is over you and Gillian can check the address out together. Until then, you have to stay focused.\n\nYou still need to set this warehouse ablaze. You push over a few shelves, spilling chemicals on the floor. The fumes are so strong you have to cover your mouth and nose. It’s best if the Boss never learns who to blame for this mess. You’ll need to make it look like an accident, like one of the lackeys screwed up. That means you can’t be caught on camera. You’ll need to go out the way you came in.\n\nYou climb the wall, grab hold of the window ledge, and toss the bag through.\n\nThe chemicals have spread across the room, underneath the drugs. You pull a pack of matches from your pocket, light them, and let them fall to the ground. The floor lights up in a flicker of blue and orange.\n\nYou slide through the window, push yourself off the wall, roll off the crates, and silently land outside the view of the security cameras.\n\nYou don’t bother to look back. Even if the warehouse is still standing, the drugs will be useless and by morning the Boss will be too preoccupied to chase after you and Gillian, but that doesn’t do much to help you now. The fire is burning too slow to be noticed and if you make an anonymous call to one of the thugs, they’ll put the fire out too soon. Looks like that army of goons guarding Gillian is still in the way.\n\nThis plan was going to get messy eventually. You walk to a parked truck, slide your hand under the rear wheel well until you feel a key. You use it to unlock the doors. You get in and drive to the Boss’s penthouse. The Boss may not know when you’re coming, but he’ll be prepared for anything. That army of goons won’t make it any easier. There’s one option you hadn’t thought of till now. You could give yourself up and hope the Boss lets Gillian go. At least that way you don’t have to worry about a stray bullet hitting her.\n\nYou pull into an alley with a clear view of the penthouse lobby. It looks like a goon convention. You’ll have to use all your ammo just to get to the elevator. Maybe messy was an understatement.\n\n[[Let the bullet casings fall where they may]]\n[[Give yourself up willingly]]\n

You toggle the scope to x-ray and adjust the secondary focus so the first and second walls are transparent. The thug in the hallway is sitting in a chair reading a book. He looks unassuming, but in your experience those are usually the ones to watch out for.\n\nYou adjust the angle of the rifle slightly so the bullet hits his center mass. You relax your body and pull the trigger. His body slumps over and out of the chair.\n\nThe noise will have alerted the other guards. You’ll have to be quick now. You’re about to realign the rifle when you see the guard you just shot stand up. Even if he was wearing body armor, a bullet with that velocity would have killed him instantly.\n\nHe turns, and for a moment it’s as if he’s staring directly at you. You glance at his chest. There’s no blood. Instead, black goo drips from the wound – if you could even call it a wound.\n\nHe sets the book on the hall table and steps in your direction. His movements are mechanical, and his expression is unnaturally calm.\n\nYou fire the sniper rifle a second time. The bullet cuts through the air. The guard steps left avoiding the bullet.\n\nBefore you can say //impossible//, you fire again. Another miss. You swallow hard and rethink your strategy. Okay, so this man, or thing, can dodge bullets – that just means you’ll have to shoot something you know you can hit.\n\nYou align the rifle with the hall closet and fire three rounds, igniting the crate of booze the Boss had been saving for a special occasion.\n\nThe hallway is consumed with flames. “Dodge that,” you jeer. Your victory is short-lived. The guard emerges from the flames. His clothes and skin are burning, but he continues to calmly walk toward you.\n\nOkay. “//Impossible//.” There, you’ve said it.\n\nBits of flesh and clothes slide from his frame. A metallic hue resides underneath. He walks to the edge of the room and kneels.\n\nIn an instant he thrusts himself into the air. The remaining flesh is ripped from his blue metallic body. He lands on the roof of the parking garage with such force the cement ripples and cracks.\n\nHe, if you can even call it a he, sprints at you, grabbing your neck before you can roll over the edge.\n\nIt stares at your face, deep into your eyes.\n\nYou see Chinese characters and numbers engraved on its chest.\n\nWell, that explains what the Chinese were bringing to the table for the Boss’s big deal. You stare into its black oval eyes. You’re about to be killed by a glorified toaster. Great.\n\nYou feel your neck snap and a gust of wind as the robot drops you over the edge.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 13]]\n

You just got comfortable, and you’ll be moving soon. It’s better not to waste time.\n\nYou toggle the scope to detect heat.\n\nThere are eight bodies on the floor, one of those being Gillian. You zoom in and toggle on the x-ray scope. Gillian is on the bed. Two thugs are in the room with her. Three thugs are sitting at the table in the living room playing cards. One thug is in the kitchen. The other is in the bathroom.\n\nYou align the rifle with the thug in the kitchen.\n\n“What’s going on here? What is this!”\n\nThe voice jars you. Your arm twitches slightly, offsetting the angle. The bullet shatters the window in the living room. The guards drop and roll. You didn’t even hit one.\n\nYou turn toward the voice. A man in an overpriced suit stares at you with horror. “This is my office!” He grabs the phone from the floor. “Get security to my office now!”\n\nCrap.\n\nYou slide off the desk, grab a thick book, and slam it into the side of his head. He groans and slumps to the floor. You grab the phone. Dial tone. Security will be here soon.\n\nPlan needs to change. Sniper rifle is out. You’ll have to adapt. You take the man’s ID badge and slide the sniper scope into your pocket. You need to move now.\n\n[[Use the ID badge]]\n[[Find an alternative exit]]\n

You walk to the elevator and check each machine gun until you find one that works. You wipe the blood and bits of people off. You motion to Gillian. “Over here.”\n\nYou point the machine gun at the floor where the first grenade went off. You grin at Gillian. “Plug your ears.” Then you empty the clip around the weakened floor. Not quite a perfect circle, but it’ll do.\n\nYou stomp until the circle of floor splits and crashes to the room below. You glance at Gillian. “Let’s go.” You drop down the opening and motion for her to follow.\n\nShe hesitates, but does what you ask. You catch her as she drops. Her knees seem weak and her arms still shake, but she manages to walk.\n\nThey really did a number on her. You can’t think about that now though. The thugs will be coming soon, and you’re her only chance at getting out of here alive.\n\nYou’ll get her justice, just not today.\n\nYou grab her hand, and she flinches. “Gillian, it’s going to be alright,” you tell her.\n\nHer eyes faintly meet yours. \n\n“Now come on,” you say, pulling her toward the stairs.\n\nYou ease the door open and listen. Footsteps – about six guys, paired up in groups of two. You’ve got about ten bullets left in the machine gun and a few in the pistol. It’s enough to get you down the stairs, but it doesn’t leave you much once you get to the lobby.\n\nThe stairwell is thin, makes for good hand-to-hand combat. You won’t have that kind of luck with the lobby. The thugs are getting closer and quick.\n\n[[Fight hand-to-hand and conserve ammo]]\n[[Use the machine gun]]\n

You twist behind the corner and lean Gillian against the wall. “Stay here.” You tap the screen on the arm cannon and select burst mode. You turn back into view and squeeze the gel. The metal constricts your arm. You groan in pain and drop to the floor.\n\nThe Boss lowers his tea and lightly tugs at his gloves. “How disappointing.”\n\nYou try to stand, but the pain is too overwhelming. You look back at your sister. She’s slumped over. You can't tell if she's breathing.\n\nThe Boss stands. “Did you think a weapon of that caliber would lack a failsafe?” He sheepishly chuckles. “You foolish pup. I’ve trained you better than that, haven’t I?” He sighs. “Well, no matter.” He nods at Alana. She presses a series of buttons on a small device. Your arm jolts with pain.\n\nThe metal dislodges from your skin. Steam rises from the vents on the side of the cannon. The weapon returns to its compact design. The gel drips from your arm, and you’re suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of exhaustion. Your brain feels like it’s been lit on fire. You can barely keep your eyes open.\n\nThe Boss kneels down next to your sister and brushes the hair out of her face. “It’s strange, isn’t it?” He turns back toward you. “The lengths a person will go to keep their family safe. You know,” he stands and walks toward you, “I’ve always thought of this company as a family. I’ve always thought of you as one of my many children. That’s why this is so difficult.” He raises his cane and swiftly slams it into your head.\n\nYour vision blurs and you blackout.\n\n******\n\nA hard slap across the face wakes you. You’re tied to a chair. Ada Wolff slaps you again. She’s one of the Boss’s more refined assassins. The last time you saw her, she tried to strangle you with a piano string. Hopefully this conversation will be more productive.\n\n"Owah," you groan. "I'm awake."\n\n"So," Ada grunts. She's about to hit you a third time when the Boss stops her. He sits down on the chair in front of you.\n\n"Your little temper tantrum has cost me quite a bit of money."\n\n"What did you expect?" You say, still a bit groggy.\n\n"Yes, I suppose the events of today have spiraled out of hand."\n\nYou look around the room. "Where's Gillian?"\n\n"Alive," Ada says with a pinch of disappointment.\n\n"And quite safe," the Boss adds. "Though the doctors have delivered some very interesting news. Your sister appears to have an abnormal gene, one that could have a very negative impact on her life."\n\n“I’m going to have a very negative impact on //your// life.” You scowl at him. "Why should I believe you?"\n\n"Because you have the gene as well." The Boss leans back in the chair. "That's what all of this has been about. You're dying, and now I know your sister is no better off."\n\nYou laugh and shake your head. "This is some game you're playing. When I get out of these ropes, I'm going to kill you."\n\nAda immediately slaps you across the face. The Boss pulls her back before she can do it again.\n\n"I'm sure this is difficult for you to understand, but despite the manner in which we parted, I still consider you a valuable part of my company. I always assumed you would return so, you see, I have no incentive to kill you. On the contrary, you're worth more to me alive, even if you are no longer under my employ."\n\n"Sorry if I dozed off, but I think I've heard this story before."\n\nThe Boss opens a folder and lays it on your lap. "The results from your sister's exam. She has months to live. You have weeks."\n\nYou're not a doctor, but the stats look real. Gillian really is dying...and so are you. "Weeks?" You whisper.\n\n"I have been making heavy investments in medical research related to your condition the returns of which have proven to be...disappointing. Of my several investments, two have shown the most promise, but there have been setbacks.\n\n"Progress on a new drug being tested in Montana has come to a halt. Some of the human test subjects have gone missing. Retrieving them would be very productive in finding a cure. The subjects, like you, suffer from the same genetic abnormality."\n\n"Drug tests? You could have sent anyone for that."\n\n"The tests, aside from being exorbitantly expensive, are more dangerous than you might expect. There is, however, another option," the Boss says, taking another sip of tea. "My wealth, as infinite as it may appear, is not always enough to motivate some people. There is a doctor, a genius, who is quite knowledgeable in matters concerning the project. I offered her a small fortune, which she rudely refused. If you could persuade her to work for me, it might accelerate your sister's recovery...as well as your own.”\n\nThe Boss motions toward Ada. She grimaces, but cuts you loose.\n\n[[Go to Montana]]\n[[Look for the genius doctor]]\n

<html>\n<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Bullets-ebook/dp/B00FXF0E30" target="_blank"><img src="img/sevenBulletsCover.jpg" align="left" width="250" height="376" hspace="6"></a>\nIf you enjoyed this story then support the author and buy the book! It's only <strike>$4.99</strike> $2.99 and here's what you get:\n<center>\n<table border="0" cellpadding="12" cellspacing="10">\n <tr>\n <td width="75%">Full Version</td>\n </tr>\n<tr>\n <td>280k words (1200 pages)</td>\t\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>470+ unique choices</td>\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>80+ different endings</td>\n </tr>\n</table>\n</center>\nBuy the book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Bullets-ebook/dp/B00FXF0E30" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="http://goo.gl/krXG4S" target="_blank">iBooks</a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seven-bullets-cloud-buchholz/1118069480?ean=2940148147336" target="_blank">B&N</a> <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/367868" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>\n</html>\n\n[[Re-read the story...|Intro]]

The truck engine is blown. You’ll need a car to get back to the school – might as well take theirs. You step out from the alley and walk to the center of the street. The SUV makes a U-turn. The driver sees you and revs the engine.\n\nYou smirk. Nothing like a game of chicken to get your blood pumping.\n\nThe tires squeal and the SUV barrels down the street.\n\nYou calmly raise your pistol and fire a single bullet. It cuts through the windshield and hits the driver in the ear. He screams and twists the wheel. The SUV barrels through a fire hydrant and slams into a building a few feet from you.\n\nA pillar of water shoots into the air.\n\nYou walk to the SUV and pull out the driver. His forehead is covered in blood. The thugs in the backseat are dazed. You should probably find out who they’re working for.\n\nYou drag the driver to the spewing water. You speak into his good ear. “Who are you working for?” Before he can answer you shove his head into the erupting water.\n\nHe squirms and convulses.\n\nYou pull him back and let him catch his breath.\n\n“Talk. Now.”\n\n“Jimmy,” he coughs. “Jimmy Lee.”\n\nYou laugh. “Jimmy? And what did Jimmy want you to do?”\n\n“The kid. He wanted us to bring him the kid.”\n\n“Just the kid?”\n\n“I-I don’t know.”\n\nYou press the pistol against his remaining ear.\n\n“Wait, wait. All he said was he wanted the kid, and we were supposed to keep him safe.”\n\n“Safe from what?”\n\n“Jimmy wouldn’t say, but he hired the whole crew. He seemed real scared. That’s all. Don’t kill me man, please.”\n\nJimmy’s gotten ambitious since the last time you spoke. That is, if Jimmy is actually behind this. He could be just as much of a puppet as this dope. Either way, he deserves a visit.\n\nYou yank the three other thugs out of the SUV and take their guns. “You come after me or the kid, I’ll kill you. Now lay on the pavement belly down.”\n\nThey cry and plead for you not to shoot them.\n\nTalk about amateurs. Whoever hired them was looking for cheap labor or expected them to fail. Their interest in the kid still doesn’t explain how he ended up with the Russians.\n\nYou get in the SUV and drive to the school. All these questions are getting hard to keep track of. You could always stop asking them.\n\nYeah, that’s not really an option.\n\nYou park the SUV halfway up the curb, cut off the engine, and toss the keys in the backseat.\n\nYou get in the BMW and put it in gear.\n\n[[Look for the cop and the kid]]\n[[Go to Wong’s restaurant]]\n

“You know I would,” you say, lunging for the whisky bottle on the table. “But I have this thing about getting shot in the back of the head.” You twist over the couch and throw the bottle into the ceiling above the woman.\n\nShe shoots two rounds into the couch. They miss you by about an inch.\n\nShe laughs and wipes the alcohol out of her eyes. “You have horrible aim.”\n\n“Are you sure about that?”\n\nHer face turns stern like someone told her a joke she didn’t understand. “I’ve still got the girl, and it’s hard to miss when the gun is pressed to her temple.”\n\nYou grab a pack of matches from the table and light the whole pack on fire. You knock a lamp over as a diversion and then toss the flaming matches into the woman’s hair.\n\nHer whole head lights up like a candle.\n\nShe shoots frantically at you, missing every time. She pats at her head and falls to the floor. The little girl breaks free and runs to Wilson, who catches her in his arms.\n\nThe woman rolls on the ground screaming. The flames won’t kill her, but she’s going to have a bad hair day for the rest of her life.\n\nYou grab her gun and glance at Wilson. “Come on.”\n\nYou head through the kitchen toward the entrance. Three guards burst through the door.\n\n“Turn around,” you say, pushing everyone back. “This way.” You lead them through a door into the garage.\n\nThe guards run past you.\n\n“Hey,” Wilson says. “Look at this.”\n\n“Shh, quiet,” you say.\n\n“Hey,” Wilson whispers. “Look at this.”\n\nThere are three vehicles in the garage with keys still in the ignition. It’s just a matter of picking one.\n\n[[Take the rusty Chevy pickup]]\n[[Take the blue Subaru]]\n[[Take the Ferrari]]\n

This blood is becoming a real problem, or at least the fact that it’s not staying in your body. The leather seats are covered with it and your face is starting to look pale.\n\nYou’ve got a medical kit in your bag, but even if you had the strength to keep from passing out, you’d need two hands to sow your shoulder back together. You’ll have to find a doctor – someone who’s willing to work off the books.\n\nNormally you’d go to the Boss’s personal physician, but that’s obviously not an option.\n\nYou’re heading towards Wong’s restaurant anyway – there’s a surgeon you’ve heard rumors about. He does a lot of work for criminals. They say he’s good enough, and better still, his loyalty is only to money.\n\nYou pull into an alley. Sounds are starting to seem muffled. That’s not a good sign.\n\nYou glance in the mirror. You have dark circles under your eyes, and your cheeks look sullen. Your arm feels numb too. It seems a doctor is just what you need.\n\nYou grab two stacks of cash from the bag and hobble to an old wooden door. It creaks open. You stand in a tiny waiting room. The wallpaper peels at the corners, and the ceiling is stained from leaking water.\n\nThe receptionist sits in a small room protected by metal bars. A cigarette hangs from her lips. She casually glances at the blood dripping down your shoulder. “Cash only, and upfront.”\n\nYou set the two stacks on the counter.\n\nShe sighs and takes both. “Have a seat. The Doctor will see you in a moment.”\n\nThere are only three chairs. Each is caked with blood and other bodily fluids. They probably haven’t been cleaned for months...or ever.\n\nYou look at the wall. It’s not much better, but you lean against it. Working for the Boss did have its perks. He knew how to take care of his employees – when he wasn’t sending them to their death. You’re still not sure how you came out of that last mission alive. And the look on the Boss’s face; he seemed more surprised than you were.\n\n“You,” the secretary belts. “The Doc’ll see you.” She points her cigarette to the door across from you.\n\nYou take a deep breath and force your legs to carry you there. The room’s not much cleaner than the lobby. You’ll probably die from an infection before you bleed out.\n\nThe Doc takes the cigarette from his mouth and licks his lips. “So, you here for a checkup?”\n\n“Yeah, let’s call it a checkup.”\n\nThe Doc grins and rolls toward you on his stool. He points to a well used examining table. It looks like something he stole from a morgue in the 1800s.\n\n[[Lie on the examining table]]\n[[Don’t lie on the examining table]]\n

In a haze of confusion you gaze down at the kid. In his hand a little mechanical turtle wattles forward. It looks too real and lifelike to be a toy, but there’s no way it could be alive.\n\nYou reach down to touch it. Its head darts back into its shell.\n\n“This is Arty,” the kid says. “He’s kind of shy.”\n\nYou look back at the woman’s arm. You stare at the wires and circuit boards. “This is—” You shake your head. “This is impossible.”\n\n“Ho,” Maurer laughs. “Only zhe impossible is impossible.”\n\nYou look back at the old man. “Is she?”\n\n“Yes.” He points at your gun. “Would you please?”\n\nYou holster it. “How is this possible? Your patents didn’t have circuitry this advanced.”\n\n“You have read my work?”\n\n“I understood about a third of it.” You kneel down next to the woman and examine her arm more closely. “How were you able to integrate the circuitry so fluidly with the rest of her body? The responsiveness is incredible.”\n\nMaurer grins. “Integration is zhe lezzer problem.” He walks behind the woman and presses on her shoulder, neck, and forehead.\n\nYou hear a click and the front layer of her face swings up like the hood of a car. Underneath lays an intricate pathway of circuits and micro-components. Even her eyes are a collection of diodes and mirrors.\n\nShe stares at you as you stare at her. “How did you create such—” You can’t find the words to describe it. “The realism is uncanny.”\n\nMaurer looks away with shame. “Zhe credit is not precisely mine. Zhough I am zhe engineer, I am not zhe creator.” He presses a few buttons on a small electronic device. The wall of the room slides down and apart, revealing a set of monitors.\n\nOne screen displays a slideshow of earlier events from the woman’s perspective, as if her eyes were cameras – though that’s probably because they are. There are images of you carrying the kid as bullets fly past. From this angle you look almost heroic.\n\nAnother screen displays a set of numbers and graphs that constantly fluctuate. Whatever object or event they’re tracking isn’t displayed on the screen.\n\n“What am I supposed to be looking at?”\n\nMaurer points to the third monitor.\n\nIt’s a video feed of Earth from some distant planet.\n\n“I don’t understand.”\n\nMaurer nods. “It was difficult for me to understand too. I have already spoken with zhe others. Zhey agree; you would be a good candidate.”\n\n“Candidate? Others? What are you talking about old man?”\n\nHe points to the first screen. “We have seen your potential. Zhere is a place for you here, if you so desire.”\n\nYou swallow hard. The room feels claustrophobic. You glance at another monitor. It’s a video feed of a room – the room you’re in right now. You see the back of someone’s head. It takes a moment, but you realize it’s your head. You turn in a panic.\n\nThe kid’s standing behind you. “You’re—” you glance at the monitor and then back at the kid. “You’re a—” You look at Maurer.\n\nHe nods.\n\n“And you?”\n\nHe nods again. His crooked teeth beam through an ominous smile.\n\n[[Ask about becoming a candidate]]\n[[Tell Maurer you’re not interested]]\n

“Wait,” you shout, “Don’t shoot. I give up.” You slide your pistol across the floor. “I surrender.”\n\nNikola cautiously walks toward you with his pistol raised.\n\nYou painfully push yourself up and lean against the wall. You clench your side, trying to stop the bleeding. Blood seeps out between your fingers anyway.\n\nNikola stands over you. His gun lines up with your right eye. “The Boss wants you breathing but,” he shrugs and slowly rubs the scar on his face, “Mistakes happen.”\n\nYou hear the click of the chamber and the thunder of the bullet exploding from the barrel, then the cold and immediate clutch of darkness.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 2]]\n

You grab the sniper rifle and sprint for cover behind the largest crate. You kneel to stay out of sight, so the thugs shouldn’t see you unless they’re standing right next to the crate.\n\nYou grab a combat knife from the wall behind you and throw it into the lights. They shatter and the room goes dark. That should buy you some time.\n\nYou weren’t able to grab the box of ammo, so you’ll still need to do that before you can get yourself out of this mess.\n\nYou hear the voices move closer. They’re in the room now. Based on the shuffling of feet, there are at least three of them. You can take out three guys without a problem, but who’s to say how many would be waiting in the kitchen if there was gunfire or one of them radioed up top.\n\nYou’ll have to be stealthy about this.\n\nOne of the figures is getting close. He’s dressed as a waiter. You wait for him to pass then grab him around the neck in a choke hold. He flips you over his shoulder, and you fly into the opposite wall. So much for being just a waiter.\n\nYou roll to avoid his kick; unfortunately you roll right into one of the other waiters. He yanks a katana from the wall and swings it toward your head. You parry with the sniper rifle and scramble to your feet.\n\nHe swings again. You twist around it and slam the butt of the sniper rifle against the back of his head. He staggers forward. Before you can hit him again, the first waiter kicks you across the jaw, and you stumble over a crate.\n\nYou grab the combat knife from the floor. When he kicks again, you shove the knife into his foot. He screams and falls back into a shelf.\n\nYou twist around the shelf and punch the second waiter as he gets up. You toss the combat knife aside and take his katana.\n\nSuddenly you’re flung forward from a kick to the back. It’s the third waiter.\n\nYou hit the wall where the sniper rifle was originally displayed. It wasn’t the most elegant way of getting across the room, but you lean down and grab the box of sniper rifle ammo.\n\nThe third waiter sees the katana in your hand and keeps his distance until he notices the katana on the wall beside him. In a fluid motion, he pulls the sword from the wall and swings it at your chest. He’s quicker than you, but you manage to deflect his attack.\n\nYou push past him for the stairs. He swings again, knocking the katana from your hand. You stumble back, pushing a crate into his path.\n\nYou have one grenade left in your jacket pocket. You pull the pin and throw the grenade at his face as hard as you can.\n\nIt hits him in the forehead, and he’s stunned for half a second – long enough for you to climb the stairs and slam the secret door shut.\n\nYou hear a faint explosion and the floor rumble beneath you.\n\nYou think about saying something about leaving a tip, but you’re too tired to be witty.\n\nWith the sniper rifle and the ammo safely in the bag, you shamble out of the freezer and the restaurant. You head back to the other vehicle and get the rest of your goodies.\n\nWith any luck, this little adventure should clear out most of the thugs from the Boss’s penthouse and, with this beautiful sniper rifle, you should be able to clear out the rest.\n\nYou jog through the back alley and hail a cab once you reach the street. It drops you off about a block from the Boss’s penthouse.\n\nYou see two good vantage points for the penthouse: the highest level of a parking garage or about half way up the adjacent office building.\n\nThe parking garage provides easy access to an escape vehicle and gives you a better view of the streets if the cops get involved. The only problem is that twenty percent of the penthouse is obscured.\n\nThe office building provides better visibility which means fewer surprises, but getting in and out will take time, leaving Gillian unprotected while you try to exit the building.\n\n[[The parking garage]]\n[[The office building]]\n

“Oh, jeeze,” you awkwardly stutter. “I must have,” you franticly search your pockets. “I must have lost my ID. Oh,” You scrunch your eyes and let your lower lip quiver a bit.\n\nYou glance over the receptionist’s shoulder at the placards on the wall until you see the biggest name. “Jenkins is going to kill me.”\n\nThe receptionist looks wide eyed. “You’re Jenkins’s new intern?”\n\nYou shrug helplessly and pat your bag. “If I don’t get him his lucky clubs, I’m dead.”\n\nThe receptionist shakes his head. “I wouldn’t want to be you. Alright look, I’ll buzz you in this time, but you better have your ID when I see you again.”\n\n“You’re a lifesaver,” you say with an exhausted sigh.\n\n“And hey, a little advice," the receptionist adds. "Jenkins will want you to get him an afternoon cup of coffee. Grind up four Tylenol tablets and mix them in. He’ll be mellow the rest of the day. Consider it a little gift for everyone.”\n\nYou nod eagerly. “Will do.”\n\nA light on the door frame turns green and you slip inside. You’re a little surprised the receptionist bought the story...and your acting. Jenkins must be a real jerk.\n\nYou walk past some cubicles and turn toward the north offices. Everyone has their heads down. They must be working on a big project. If everything goes smoothly, they’ll never know you were here...if things go smoothly.\n\nOkay, three of the offices will work. Which one is it going to be?\n\n[[The first office]]\n[[The second office]]\n[[The third office]]\n

You tilt the rifle toward the thug in the kitchen as he paces between the refrigerator and the cupboard. He eyes a bag of potato chips on the counter.\n\nYou wait a few seconds for him to walk behind the center island. He reaches for the bag. You squeeze the trigger, and instantly he drops to the floor. You smirk. Greasy foods are a real killer.\n\nYou realign the rifle with the thug in the bathroom and fire another round. It cuts through three walls and knocks him off the toilet. He slams into the shower door making what you can only assume is a loud noise.\n\nThe thugs at the table look at the bathroom. One stands and walks that direction.\n\nUh oh.\n\nOne of the guards exits the bedroom and moves toward the kitchen. Here’s the chance you’ve been looking for. Now there’s only one thug in the room with Gillian.\n\nYou reposition the rifle and squeeze off a round. The thug bounces off the bed onto the floor.\n\nGillian screams.\n\nThe thugs turn toward her in unison. Things are about to get messy.\n\nYou target the next closest thug and pull the trigger. The bullet rips through his shoulder, disconnecting his arm. The other thugs stare at it in a daze, which gives you enough time to get off another round.\n\nWhen the next guy’s head explodes, the other thugs dive for cover. It won’t do them any good.\n\nYou take out the other four without breaking a sweat.\n\nNow it’s just a matter of navigating Gillian through the army of thugs heading up the stairs and elevator.\n\nYou pull out your phone and dial a number you’re more than familiar with. The phone next to Gillian rings. “Come on, pick up,” you say to yourself.\n\nGillian, obviously in shock, reaches a shaky hand for the phone.\n\n“Okay, Gillian I need you to-”\n\nShe drops the phone and frantically runs in the opposite direction of the door.\n\nYou glance over. Two thugs. Crap. Two more in the hallway. How’d they get there so fast?\n\nYou take a deep breath and realign your shot.\n\nA knock at the door startles you. “Excuse me, Mr. Jenkins. Would you like a slice of cake? It’s really very good.”\n\nThe two thugs are almost on top of Gillian. You really don’t have time for this.\n\n[[Take the shot]]\n[[Address the person behind the door]]\n

Just because you have a people shredding shotgun strapped to your arm doesn’t mean you need to throw tactics out the window. Plus, if you’re heading through the kitchen you can grab a little snack. Mass murder and destruction have a way of building up an appetite.\n\nYou drive across town to the penthouse, then cut through a side street and park near the rear of the building. You sling the bag over your shoulder, walk inside, and duck into a janitor closet. You pull out the shotgun and equip some explosive rounds. The pistol is still handy, but why bother using it.\n\nYou move through the hall and turn into the kitchen. The chef is grilling something that smells delicious. He normally keeps his recipes a secret, but you’re feeling especially persuasive today.\n\nNo, no. You need to stay focused. You hit him across the back of the head and drag him to the freezer. You hear voices in the hall.\n\nCrap.\n\nYou duck behind the counter.\n\nTwo fat goons enter the kitchen. They rummage through the refrigerators, then turn their attention to the simmering pan. They dip their dirty fingers in the sauce for a taste. They both nod and stick their fingers in the sauce again.\n\nThose double-dipping barbarians. You grab two knifes from the counter and throw them without thinking. One hits the front goon in the chest. He collapses into the stove and knocks over the sauce.\n\nThe butt of the other knife strikes the second goon in the forehead. He’s dazed for half a second, but manages to pull his gun and get off two rounds.\n\nSacrebleu! The sound will definitely alert the other guards.\n\nYou aim and fire the shotgun as a reflex, forgetting about the explosive round. As soon as it hits the fat goon, his body explodes into a million tiny pieces. The whole room is immediately covered in gooey bits of blood and flesh.\n\nWhat a waste. Now the sauce is ruined.\n\nYou hear shouting from around the doorway. Time to move. You pull a grenade from your bag and toss it around the corner.\n\nYou sprint through the other door without waiting for the BOOM. You shoot an explosive round into the wall at the end of the hallway and dive through it.\n\nYou quick draw your pistol and take out the two thugs in the office, then fire an explosive round through the doorway into the lobby. The blast sends four guards into the opposite wall, though you can’t tell what body parts originally belong to whom.\n\nYou pull the trigger again, but nothing. Clip’s empty.\n\nYou grab your bag. Need to find some more ammo. The shells aren’t labeled, just two colors: green and blue.\n\n[[Equip the green rounds]]\n[[Equip the blue rounds]]\n

You lug the duffle bags to a parked pick-up, throw them into the bed, smash the passenger window, pop open the door, and slide into the driver seat.\n\nIt’s been awhile since you hot-wired a car. You tear out the plastic cover underneath the steering wheel, revealing a tangle of wires. You cut four of them and twist two of them together. You strike the other two together and tap the gas pedal. A few sparks singe your finger, but the engine revs. You twist the other two wires together and put the truck in gear.\n\nThe goons are almost out of eyeshot. They're in an old Chevy. Smoke seeps out from under the hood. The radiator must have been hit in the gunfight. That should slow them down, but you need to reach them before they hit traffic – can’t have witnesses for what’s about to happen.\n\nYou drive the truck as fast as it’ll go. Your only hope is to run them off the road and take care of business discreetly. You make the corner without slowing down. The tires squeal. You hear a fire truck and cop sirens in the background. You can’t slow down now.\n\nYou slam into the side of the Chevy, hoping it’ll spinout. No luck. The vehicle’s too heavy, and the driver is surprisingly good.\n\nOne of the passengers pulls out a gun and shatters your window with a few bullets. You slam into them again and harder. They rub paint with a few parked cars. You pick up your pistol and aim for their tires. From your angle it’s a tough shot. You manage to hit the hood instead. Smoke billows from the holes.\n\nBefore you can take another shot, you swerve to the left, just barely missing a police car. It makes a hard turn, flips on its sirens, and dogs you. Like you didn’t have enough problems already.\n\nThe Chevy rams you this time and you almost lose control of the wheel. You need to stay focused and end this quick.\n\nThe second passenger pulls out a shotgun and blows a hole in your front tire before you can avoid it. Part of the shrapnel burns through your thigh. You bite back the pain and shove the pick-up into the side of the Chevy again. This time the driver over compensates, twisting the steering wheel so hard the car is hurled into the air.\n\nYou squeeze off a full clip into the car before it hits the ground. Unfortunately, due to the blown tire, your handling is shot and the truck spins into a streetlight. You hit your head against the door and your vision blurs.\n\nYou unbuckle the seatbelt and fall out of the pick-up. Your leg is bleeding badly. It’s almost impossible to stand.\n\n“Don’t move! Hands where I can see them!”\n\nYou look up at the cop. His gun is pointed at your head. You won’t be able to get out of this one. You glance over your shoulder. No one in the Chevy is moving. At least that’s taken care of.\n\nThe cop shoves your face against the pavement and cuffs you, keeping his knee pressed against your back so you can’t move.\n\nYou glance at the back of the truck, where the money is. It was almost yours.\n\nNow the Boss is going to have his way with Gillian, and there’s nothing you can do to stop him. \n\nYou failed.\n\nYou close your eyes hoping to suppress the pain and guilt, but it doesn’t work. You've heard bad things about prison, but you have a feeling you won't survive long enough to see a cell. The Boss has connections everywhere. You're as good as dead already.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

You swipe the screen on the arm cannon and disengage the combat mode. The metal dislodges from your skin. Steam rises from the vents. The weapon returns to its compact design. The gel drips from your arm, and you’re suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of exhaustion.\n\n“Yes,” the Boss nods, “The chemical enhancements wear off quickly. You’ll experience dehydration and a splitting headache momentarily.” Before he finishes the sentence your head swirls with pain.\n\nThe Boss motions toward Victor. He catches your sister as you collapse. He tends to her wounds as you shake uncontrollably. The Boss kneels down next to you. “We’re family. You know that don’t you,” He props your head up with his cane. “And you can’t quit family.” He nods at Alana. She slams her foot into your face.\n\nYour vision blurs and you blackout.\n\n******\n\nA hard slap across the face wakes you. You’re tied to a chair. Ada Wolff slaps you again. She’s one of the Boss’s more refined assassins. The last time you saw her, she tried to strangle you with a piano string. Hopefully this conversation will be more productive.\n\n"Owah," you groan. "I'm awake."\n\n"So," Ada grunts. She's about to hit you again when the Boss stops her. He sits down on the chair in front of you.\n\n"Your little temper tantrum has cost me quite a bit of money."\n\n"What did you expect?" You say, still a bit groggy.\n\n"Yes, I suppose the events of today have spiraled out of hand."\n\nYou look around the room. "Where's Gillian?"\n\n"Alive," Ada says with a pinch of disappointment.\n\n"And quite safe," the Boss adds. "Though the doctors have delivered some very interesting news. Your sister appears to have an abnormal gene, one that could have a very negative impact on her life."\n\n“I’m going to have a very negative impact on //your// life.” You scowl at him. "Why should I believe you?"\n\n"Because you have the gene as well." The Boss leans back in the chair. "That's what all of this has been about. You're dying, and now I know your sister is no better off."\n\nYou laugh and shake your head. "This is some game you're playing. When I get out of these ropes, I'm going to kill you."\n\nAda immediately slaps you across the face. The Boss pulls her back before she can do it again.\n\n"I'm sure this is difficult for you to understand, but despite the manner in which we parted, I still consider you a valuable part of my company. I always assumed you would return somday so, you see, I have no incentive to kill you. On the contrary, you're worth more to me alive, even if you are no longer under my employ."\n\n"Sorry if I dozed off, but I think I've heard this story before."\n\nThe Boss opens a folder and lays it on your lap. "The results from your sister's exam. She has months to live. You have weeks."\n\nYou're not a doctor, but the stats look real. Gillian really is dying...and so are you. "Weeks?" You whisper.\n\n"I've been making heavy investments in medical research related to your condition, the returns of which have proven to be...disappointing. Of my several investments, two have shown the most promise, but there have been setbacks.\n\n"Progress on a new drug being tested in Montana has come to a halt. Some of the human test subjects have gone missing. Retrieving them would be very productive in finding a cure. The subjects, like you, suffer from the same genetic abnormality.\n\n"There is another option," the Boss says, setting his cup of tea on the arm of the chair. "My wealth, as infinite as it may appear, is not always enough to motivate some people. There is a doctor, a genius, who is quite knowledgeable in matters concerning the project. I offered her a small fortune, which she rudely refused. If you could persuade her to work for me, it might accelerate your sister's recovery...as well as your own.”\n\nThe Boss motions toward Ada. She grimaces, but cuts you loose.\n\n[[Go to Montana]]\n[[Look for the genius doctor]]\n

You glance down at the red dots on your chest and then back up at the Boss. "You really have a way with words."\n\n"I take it that's a yes," the Boss says wryly.\n\n"It's not like you've left me with much of a choice. Either I do what you want or I end up dead."\n\n"Just the way I like it," the Boss says with a smile. He turns to Wong and says something in Chinese. Wong frowns and then glares at you. His desire to sauté your intestines is obviously going to have to wait.\n\nThe Boss snaps his fingers and one of the red dots disappears. A few seconds later Alana emerges from a side room.\n\nYou scratch your head and yawn. "I thought you said this was time sensitive?"\n\n"Yes, of course, but one can never be too careful." He nods to Alana, and she takes all of your weapons and gear.\n\n"There is a doctor," the Boss says calmly. "She is one of the greatest minds in her field. I have offered her a disgustingly large sum of money to work for me, but she has--"\n\n"A conscience," you interrupt.\n\nThe Boss frowns. "A set of desires that elude me. Since she will not adhere to reason, she must succumb to force."\n\n"Which is where I come in?" You groan. "If this is just a glorified kidnapping, why don't you send Alana? That's the kind of low class thing she's good at."\n\nAlana growls something under her breath and stares daggers at you. You smirk and give her a little wave.\n\nThe Boss slaps your fingers with his cane. "I would prefer the scientist remain alive. Alana, as you know, is capable of many things, but keeping hostages alive is not one of them. I have arranged for a private jet to deliver you to the island where the scientist conducts her research. Several other parties have shown an interest in her work. I have invested too much time and effort into this project to allow them to reap the rewards before me."\n\n"Yeah, fine. I get the picture."\n\n"If you fail to bring me the scientist, your sister will die. If you attempt to run, your sister will die. If you try to assault my penthouse or other holdings again, your sister will die."\n\n"Alright," you groan. "I get it. There's only one scenario where Gillian doesn't die. Can we just get this over with?"\n\n"Very well," the Boss says motioning toward Alana. "As long as you know the stakes of the game. Alana will take you where you must go."\n\nYou follow Alana to the parking garage. She drives you to a private hanger at the airport.\n\n"What about my equipment?" You ask.\n\n"What," she grunts. "A private jet isn't enough?"\n\nYou roll your eyes and climb into the jet. She really knows how to hold a grudge. There's not much you can do about that now. You try not to think about Gillian or the Boss or the mission. You need to clear your head. Maybe this scientist can give you some leverage against the Boss, but there's no way of knowing that until you find her. It's best to conserve your strength until then. You lean into the leather seat and drift to sleep while the jet takes off.\n\n*** ***\n\nYou're jostled awake by heavy turbulence...and screaming.\n\nThe jet dips hard to the right. You hit your head against the wall. Out of the corner of your eye...you see something on the wing...but it can't be real...It's impossible...It looks like a giant pterodactyl. The creature claws and thrashes into the metal wing.\n\nSuddenly the jet barrel rolls as the wing snaps. The intercom hisses with static...something about remaining calm. The jet nosedives. For a moment you're weightless, then the plane collides with the water. The metal frame shreds from the force and rips in two.\n\nWater floods the cabin.\n\nYou're disoriented...the blood gushing from your forehead is nearly blinding. You don't have much time. You take a deep breath and block out the pain. You need to escape. The jet is sinking. The water is up to your knees and rising. Every second you waste takes you further from the surface.\n\n[[Swim through the tear in the plane]]\n[[Pop open the emergency door]]\n

That ordeal at your apartment forced you to leave in a hurry. Being on the run means you have to travel light. Your sniper and assault rifle were too cumbersome to carry, not to mention your bazooka.\n\nYou’re good with a pistol, but it will only get you so far. Plus, you’ve only got three clips left. A withdrawal from the Boss’s personal armory is just what you need. Not to mention shooting the Boss with his own guns has a certain kind of irony that makes you feel warm and fuzzy.\n\nYou take a taxi to the docks and get out a block from the warehouse. There’s a camera at each entrance and probably two or three guys inside. Not much security considering the stash of weapons.\n\nYou climb to the roof of the adjacent warehouse and pull a rope from your bag. You string it into a hand launcher and fire it into the wall of the Boss’s warehouse. You shimmy across and peek through a window.\n\nTwo guys are at a table playing cards and a third is in the back room.\n\nYou recognize one of them – John Two Toes. He’s an undercover FBI agent, a detail you learned recently and neglected to tell the Boss.\n\nIf you kill him, the FBI will hunt you down. They take that kind of thing personally, or so you’ve heard. Best to be civil.\n\nYou pull out your pistol and aim at a green Camaro in the parking lot. You fire two rounds into the hood. The alarm goes off. You wait a few seconds then fire one more round. The hood erupts with smoke and flames.\n\n“John, John!” One of the goons shouts. “Your car’s on fire, man.”\n\n“What!”\n\nYou hear the table shuffle and three sets of feet run out. That should keep them busy. You pop the cover off a vent and slide down. After two turns and an incline, you kick another cover off and drop into a small office. You’ve been here enough times to know where the best guns are kept.\n\nYou take a set of keys from the wall and walk to a locked trunk in the back room. You unlock and open it. You take six more clips, three more pistols (silencers included) and a box of grenades. You put them in your bag.\n\nYou also find a sniper rifle, a shotgun, and a carton of throwing knifes. You’ve only got enough space to carry one, especially if you want to keep your mobility. Each one will require a different tactic for assaulting the Boss’s penthouse.\n\nThe sniper rifle comes with an assortment of scopes and sensors, including an experimental x-ray scope. You could clear out the thugs and guide Gillian from a distance, but the farther you are from her, the harder it will be to protect her if something goes wrong.\n\nThe shotgun would send a clear message, and the Boss would think twice before trying to hurt Gillian again. Plus, cleaning out the penthouse would be quick and messy just like your relationship with the Boss. You’d just have to make sure Gillian doesn’t get hit in the crossfire.\n\nThe carton of throwing knifes and the silenced pistols would get you to Gillian undetected, which means she has the best chance at staying alive. Being stealthy is going to cost you some time though and when it really comes down to it; a knife is no match against a shotgun or an assault rifle.\n\n[[Take the sniper rifle]]\n[[Take the shotgun]]\n[[Take the throwing knifes]]\n

"A trophy would be nice," the Boss shrugs, "but you play an important role in my plans. Besides," the Boss smiles. "Who's to say you weren't one of my trophies already."\n\nYou try to glare at him, but your eyeballs won't move.\n\nThe Boss snaps his fingers at one of the guards, and they hand the Boss a spray can. "I had yet to see the effects of the blue rounds. Truly fascinating, though I suppose they're meant to incapacitate the target and not the shooter. You have such a tendency to act rash. Did you even bother to read the instructions? Never mind," the Boss laughs. "I know you never do."\n\nThe Boss sprays the blue gelatin, emptying almost the entire can. The blue gel cracks and splinters. You feel a bit of leverage in your arms. You twist and jerk your way free of the goo. You smell like rotten eggs.\n\nThe Boss pinches his nose. "Obviously there is more than one side-effect worth noting. Please, don't bother sitting. I would prefer not to have the furniture reupholstered."\n\nYou stretch your arms and legs. "Whatever," you groan. "Let's skip ahead to the part where I kill you."\n\nThe Boss rolls his eyes, smiles, and sits down across from you. He casually crosses his legs as if he had all the time in the world. “Do you think your sister would appreciate wasting time with petty threats? And if the thought of your sister’s safety isn’t enough to calm your hand...I could always kill you now.”\n\n“Well,” you glower at him. “I’m listening.”\n\n“Splendid,” he smiles. “I’ve been pursuing several new revenue streams and the returns have proven...disappointing. I’m a patient man, but progress is slower than I would prefer. I’ve constructed this elaborate ruse to force your hand.”\n\n"Get to the point," you growl.\n\n"Yes, of course," the Boss nods. "Of my several investments, two have proven to be especially troublesome. Progress on a new drug being tested in Montana has come to an inconvenient halt. Some of the human test subjects have gone missing. Retrieving them would be...very productive for the project. The subjects, like you, suffer from the same genetic abnormality."\n\n"What?" You interrupt. "What genetic abnormality?"\n\n"Oh," the Boss smirks, "Did I forget to mention that? Yes, I took the liberty of testing your DNA after I found the gene in Gillian."\n\nYou take a threatening step forward. "What did you do to Gillian!?!"\n\n"Calm yourself," the Boss says soothingly. "She's fine. No unnecessary harm will come to her as long as you do as I command...just like old times."\n\nHe has a point. Killing him now won't get you any closer to rescuing Gillian. You need to be patient and play his little game. "Is she sick?"\n\n"Thanks to my doctors, she's stable, though her condition could change at any moment if it remains untreated. You realize I'm providing you with an opportunity to save your sister...to save yourself. This is mutually beneficial." \n\nYou mull over the notion without speaking.\n\n"There is another option," the Boss says. "My wealth, as infinite as it may appear, is not always enough to motivate some people. There is a doctor, a genius, who is quite knowledgeable in matters concerning the project. I offered her a small fortune, which she rudely refused. If you could persuade her to work for me, it might accelerate your sister's return.”\n\n[[Go to Montana]]\n[[Look for the genius doctor]]\n

“Do you know who I am?” You say with a stern and condescending voice.\n\nThe receptionist is taken aback. “I, uhm, no. No, I don’t know who you are.”\n\n“Really, well then maybe you’ve heard of my Father,” you glance over the receptionist’s shoulder at the placards on the wall until you see the biggest name. “Mr. Jenkins.”\n\n“Jenkins? Wait, Jenkins doesn’t have any kids.”\n\nCrap. That’s what you get for going into an op without doing your research. You’ll have to change tactics. You force your eyes to tear up, and you let your lower lip quiver. “No children that he knows of.”\n\n“Uh,” the receptionist looks a little uncomfortable.\n\n“It’s just been so hard not having a dad, you know?” You cry a little. “I thought he walked out on us. I thought he didn’t want me – I thought,” you grab the receptionist and sob into his shoulder. “He doesn’t even know I exist.”\n\nThe receptionist puts an arm around you. Looks like he’s buying it. Better not oversell it though.\n\nYou pull back and lower your gaze. “I just wanted to meet him once. I just,” you shake your head with a faint sense of regret, “I just wanted to know what he looks like in person.”\n\nYou look up. The receptionist is crying. “I didn’t know my father either.” He nods, “I understand,” and hugs you.\n\nWow, what are the odds?\n\nHe presses a switch on his desk. A light on the doorframe turns green. He gives you an approving nod. “Good luck.”\n\nYou’re a little surprised he bought the story...and your acting, but the truth is, you can use all the luck you can get. You sigh. “I’ll need it.” Then you slip inside.\n\nYou walk past some cubicles and turn toward the north offices. Everyone keeps their heads down. They must be working on a big project. If everything goes smoothly, they’ll never know you were here...if things go smoothly.\n\nOkay, three of the offices will work. Which one is it going to be?\n\n[[The first office]]\n[[The second office]]\n[[The third office]]\n

“If you wanted to talk, you should have called.” You twist around the corner, fire four rounds and roll behind the stairs. Three bullets hit their mark. You stay low and crawl across the metal grating as a wave of bullets ricochet off the stairs.\n\nYou pull yourself up and sprint for the chopper. It’s already in the air and moving away from the building. You thrust yourself off the ledge and into the air.\n\nYour arm catches the landing gear, and the chopper dips from the added weight. You drop the pistol and wrap your legs around the metal bar.\n\nA thug slides open the door and stomps at your hand. Your fingers slip and you dangle by the loosening grip of your legs.\n\nThe pavement is a long way down.\n\nThe chopper jerks right to avoid a building. You’re thrust into the air and hit the side of the building hard. Then you tumble backwards into freefall. The ground gets closer with every twirl until you feel a sharp and overwhelming pain. Then the darkness takes you.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 12]]\n

The plumbing van is parked away from you, so it should be easy to sneak up on the driver, assuming the driver is someone you need to be sneaking up on.\n\nYou sprint across the street and try to stay in the van’s blind spot. You peek around the side of the van and glance at the passenger side mirror. There are two guys sitting inside. Both are wearing expensive black suits. \n\nIt’s hard to imagine a plumber leaning over a toilet in something like that. They must be the rest of Jimmy’s retrieval squad. \n\nThe passenger window is rolled down, which should be enough to start some trouble. You run forward and yank the guy in the passenger seat out the window. You jerk the seatbelt around his neck and tug it down hard. His eyes bulge, and his cheeks turn purple.\n\nYou take the gun from inside his jacket and slam it against the back of his head. He goes limp. \n\nThe other thug sprints around the front of the van with his gun drawn. You twist quick and shoot him in the chest twice. \n\nHe hits the pavement and groans in pain. You kick the gun out of his hand. He’s not bleeding. You rip open his shirt. The two bullets are smushed against his bulletproof vest. He’s smart; he’s just not very good.\n\nYou kick him in the face, and he’s out cold.\n\nYou loosen the other thug and pull him all the way out the window. He slumps against the street lamp. You get in the van and drive. You didn’t see any witnesses, but that doesn’t mean the gunshots went unnoticed. Between the guards in the mansion, the rest of Jimmy’s thugs, and the possibility of the cops, it’s probably best if you were gone before they realized you're the one they should be looking for.\n\nYou take two lefts and a right, until you reach the freeway. \n\nYou take a quick inventory of the van. The walls are lined with weapons, enough to make an assault on the Boss’s penthouse a viable option.\n\nFingers crossed, maybe you aren’t too late. You take the next exit and head for the penthouse. \n\nGillian is counting on you, and you can’t let her down.\n\nYou turn the van down a side street and park in an alley across from the penthouse lobby. You twist around the seat and into the back. There are a variety of weapons, some more interesting than others.\n\nYou pull a duffle bag from under the rack and open it. You grab two silenced pistols and a box of grenades. You slide both into the bag.\n\nYou need to choose your tactics carefully. Gillian’s life is at stake. The sniper rifle and the shotgun catch your eye. They look different than the ones you’ve seen on the market. Jimmy must have gotten a hold of some prototypes. \n\nThey both look deadly, but it’s only practical to take one. You need to stay light and quick.\n\nThe sniper rifle requires some distance and a lot of height. The Boss’s room is on the fourteenth floor, which is probably where he’s keeping Gillian. There’s a parking garage and an office building that could provide a good vantage point. \n\nThen again, the further you are from Gillian, the harder it will be to keep her safe if something goes wrong.\n\nThe shotgun will definitely send a message. You’d have to assault the penthouse directly though – either make an aggressive push through the main entrance to the lobby or try to sneak back around through the service entrance.\n\nIt all comes down to tactics, and you don’t have much time to plan this out. All you can do is grab your weapon of choice and double-time it to one of the locations. \n \n[[The parking garage]]\n[[The office building]]\n[[Take the main entrance]]\n[[Take the service entrance]]\n

The Subaru is versatile, and there’s room for three. “Get in the backseat,” you say, flipping the switch for the garage door to open.\n\nA guard sprints up the driveway when he glimpses Wilson.\n\nYou grab a hammer from the wall and fling it at the guard. He turns into it. The hammerhead clocks him in the forehead. He tumbles backwards, sending a spray of bullets into the ceiling of the garage.\n\nWilson screams louder than his daughter.\n\nIf the guards weren’t looking for you before, they’ll be looking for you now. You grab the guard’s machine gun and twist around the hood of the car.\n\nYou get into the driver seat, put it in gear, and slam down on the gas pedal. The tires squeal and thump over the unconscious guard.\n\nThe little girl sticks her head out the window. “Sorry,” she yells.\n\nYou roll your eyes and stick your head out the window. “Get back in the car,” you say, pressing the butt of the machine gun against your shoulder.\n\nYou aim at the hinges on the metal gate and pull the trigger. A wave of bullets rattle the gate.\n\nThe machine gun clicks empty. You toss it aside and duck back into the car.\n\n“Hold on,” you say as the car slams into the gate. The hinges snap and the car pushes the gate into the street.\n\nYou hit the brakes. The metal gate skids across the asphalt into traffic.\n\nYou shove the car in reverse, turn the wheel hard, and drive in the opposite direction.\n\nAfter awhile of breakneck speeds, you slow down, merge into traffic, and try your best to stay inconspicuous.\n\nYou glance at the rearview mirror. “You alive back there.”\n\nWilson groans.\n\nThe little girl pokes her head over the seats. “That was fun. Can I shoot the machine gun next time?”\n\n“No,” you groan and shake your head. “Sit back down and get your seatbelt on.”\n\nYou glance at the passenger seat. There’s a black duffle bag. “Hey,” you say to the backseat. “Did either of you put this bag here?”\n\n“What bag?”\n\nYou unzip the bag. It contains a metal case, two silenced pistols, and some grenades. You pull out the metal case and pop it open. There’s a disassembled sniper rifle inside. It looks new – newer than any you’ve seen. It’s probably a prototype.\n\nLooks like the ride you just stole belonged to another assassin, and since all the bullets are still in the clip, the assassin is probably still at the mansion chasing their tail.\n\nHow unprofessional.\n\nYou grin. Good thing it’s not your problem.\n\nYou twist around a few side streets and park in an alley across from the Boss’s penthouse.\n\nYou look back at Wilson. “This is my stop. The car’s yours, but don’t hang on to it for too long. I have a feeling someone's going to be looking for it soon, and they won’t be happy.”\n\nWilson swallows hard. “Where are you going?”\n\n“It’s personal.”\n\n“But I-I don’t know what to do? I don’t think I can keep running.”\n\n“You don’t have a choice. You've got the kid to worry about.” You can tell he’s too scared to think straight. “Alright,” you sigh. “Drive the car to the airport and dump it there. Then take a taxi out to the suburbs and stay at this address.” You write the address on a piece of paper and give it to him. “Once you get there, call this number.” You point to the phone number below the address. “It’s a police detective who owes me a favor. Tell him what happened, but be sure to leave me out of the story, got it?”\n\nWilson nods.\n\n“Good. He’ll look out for you.” You open the car door and throw the duffle bag into the alley. A sudden thought strikes you.\n\nYou twist around. “Remember, only use cash. No credit cards or ATMs. If you really need to, you can use an ATM while you’re at the airport, but only the once, you understand?”\n\nHe nods again.\n\nYou get out of the car and stretch.\n\nThe little girl kicks open the door and hugs your leg. “I knew you could do it,” she says into your leg.\n\n“Alright kid.” You kneel down next to her and put your hands on her shoulders. “Remember to take care of your dad. Nothing is more important than family.”\n\nShe nods.\n\nYou put her in the passenger seat as Wilson gets into the driver seat. You watch him pull into traffic and drive around the corner toward the airport.\n\nYou glance back at the Boss’s penthouse.\n\nYou take a deep breath and try not to think of what he might have done to Gillian. Instead, you think of all the horrible things you’re going to do to him. You grab the duffle bag and walk to the opening of the alley.\n\nThere are two good vantage points to the Boss’s penthouse: the top story of a parking garage, or an adjacent office building. The parking garage provides easy access to an escape vehicle and gives you a better view of the streets if the cops get involved. The only problem is that twenty percent of the penthouse is obscured.\n\nThe office building provides better visibility which means fewer surprises, but getting in and out will take time, leaving Gillian unprotected while you try to exit the building. You’ll have to decide.\n\n[[The parking structure]]\n[[The office building]]\n

You aren’t planning to fall on your sword, but Gillian is the only family you have left. If anything happened to her...well, you’re not going to let anything happen. That’s why you’re giving yourself up. Once she’s out of the Boss’s crosshairs, you and he can settle up. Right now, she’s your only priority.\n\nYou leave the guns and gear in the vehicle and walk to the lobby. The thugs are speechless. They can’t decide whether to pull their guns or run for their lives.\n\nStupid and jumpy is a recipe for disaster. You slowly raise your arms in a sign of surrender. The thugs seem to calm down. They strong-arm you inside and signal to the front desk.\n\nThe closest thug frisks you. “The Boss wants to meet in the penthouse. Don’t try anything stupid.”\n\n“Stupid? Of course not,” you shrug. “Irresponsible, dangerous, and reckless are more my style.”\n\nThe thug sighs and shakes his head. “None of that either.” He pushes you to the elevator. Three other thugs get in.\n\nYou get out at the penthouse and walk to the living room. The Boss shoos the guards away. “Your presence won’t be necessary.”\n\nThey look at each other confused, but do as he commands.\n\nHe crosses his legs and glances up at you. “I’m sure you’re curious as to why your sister is in my care.” He motions toward the couch. “Do sit down. Would you like some tea?”\n\n“Where’s Gillian?”\n\nHe sighs. “You were never one for etiquette, but I suppose that’s forgivable considering your other, hmm, more interesting talents – or have you put that behind you now?”\n\n“I won’t ask again.”\n\n“Tsk. Tsk.” He says with a bashful smirk. “You shouldn’t be so rude to an old friend, especially one as generous as me.”\n\n“We’re friends?”\n\n“Oh,” he huffs. “Don’t be so hurtful. Your sister is in the room behind you. Though you should know, it was she who sought me out.”\n\nYou rush to the door and push it open. You’re frozen in horror.\n\nYour sister floats in a large glass tank. It’s filled with a light blue gelatin. Tubes stretch from her nose, chest, and arms to a machine that’s monitoring her vitals.\n\n“She came to me for help,” the Boss whispers over your shoulder. “She’s dying.”\n\n“Why wouldn’t she tell me?”\n\nThe Boss shrugs. “People do strange things for strange reasons.”\n\nYou press your hand against the cold glass. “What have you done to her?”\n\n“In simple terms, we’ve slowed her body on a molecular level. The disease is still spreading. Though, instead of killing her in days, it will take months.”\n\n“What good will that do? She’s still going to die.”\n\nThe Boss calmly rubs his right temple. “And what if there was a way to keep that from happening? How far would you go to save your dear, dying sister?”\n\n“What’s your angle? How do I know you aren’t the one who got her sick?”\n\n“Humph,” he laughs. “Even my reach has its limits. The disease is genetic. I’ve already run the tests. You have the gene as well. We don’t know what or how it’s triggered, but if we can’t find a cure, you’ll die just like her.”\n\nYou look at your sister floating in the tank. “What do I have to do?”\n\n“A new drug is being tested in Montana. Some of the human test subjects have disappeared. Retrieving them would be...very productive. The subjects, like you, suffer from the same genetic abnormality. I hear the drug trials are almost near completion."\n\n"Is that it?"\n\n“There is another option," the Boss says coolly. "My wealth, as infinite as it may appear, is not always enough to motivate some people. There is a doctor, a genius I hear, who is quite knowledgeable in matters such as these. I offered her a small fortune, which she rudely refused. If you could persuade her to work for me, it might accelerate your sister’s recovery.”\n\n[[Go to Montana]]\n[[Look for the genius doctor]]\n

You take the shot. The thug’s head explodes, and his body falls on top of Gillian. She screams frantically as a geyser of blood erupts from his neck.\n\nThe three other thugs lunge into the adjacent room. They probably think Gillian is the one with the gun. Have to take them out fast, before they shoot her.\n\n“Oh dear, are you alright? I heard a crash. Mr. Jenkins?” There are three loud knocks at the door. “Mr. Jenkins? Was that, was that a gun? Mr. Jenkins?” The door handle rattles. “The door’s locked. Sir, is everything alright?”\n\nYou fire another round as one of the thugs turns the corner.\n\n“Sir,” There’s another two knocks at the door. “That definitely sounded like a gun. I’m calling security.”\n\nGreat, like there weren’t enough guests at this party already. You fire another two rounds. Both find their mark. Gillian’s safe, but she’s alone and covered in blood. Even if she was calm enough to make a run for it, she wouldn’t make it past the guns in the lobby. You need to make it to Gillian before they do.\n\nOf course, you have a more pressing problem just outside the door.\n\n[[Force your way out]]\n[[Find an alternative exit]]\n

"I'll take the Ferrari," you shout to Wilson. "You and the kid take the Subaru. Whatever happens, just keep driving. Don't worry about me. You and the kid need to get out of here now."\n\nWilson nods. "You don't need to tell me twice." He and the kid get in the Subaru.\n\nYou open the garage door then slide into the Ferrari. You notice a metal briefcase in the passenger seat. You pop it open.\n\nIt's a disassembled sword and a collection of throwing knives. The blade is familiar. You've seen it before...but where?\n\nWas it the job in Hong Kong?\n\nYeah, that was it. You ran into a crazy assassin who only used blades. What was her name...Fei Yen? She took out an entire building of soldiers with a butter knife just to prove that she could. You just barely got out of there alive. You're not exactly eager for a rematch, at least not right now.\n\nIf those blades are hers that means this car must belong to her too. She's not the kind of person you should steal from, but then again, this is a really, really nice car.\n\nYou start the engine and put it in gear. You motion for Wilson to follow you. You lead him down the drive and through the back gate. Four black SUVs swerve through the gate behind you. You hear machine gun fire.\n\nYou tap the brake and twist the steering wheel. The Ferrari spins behind the Subaru. You swerve left and right, slowing down the SUVs. Wilson manages to get a little bit more distance.\n\nThe bullets tear through the Ferrari. You can't take much more. You're about to slam on the gas pedal when you hear something thump against the roof. It's louder than a grenade...\n\nSuddenly a sword stabs through the car roof, nearly slicing off the tip of your nose.\n\nFei Yen.\n\nUh oh.\n\nYou swerve right and then left. She dangles from the handle of her sword. You slam on the gas and veer around a steep bend. The left guard rail is gone and there's a vertical drop down a ravine.\n\nFei Yen swings around the side of the Ferrari and kicks through the driver side window. You lose grip of the steering wheel and the back tire dangles off the side of the cliff.\n\nYou grab a throwing knife from the briefcase and slam it into Fei Yen's leg. She screams and loses her grip.\n\nThe car twists. You try to reach for the steering wheel, but it's too late. The car barrel rolls over the edge. You push open the passenger door and leap for the rock face. Your fingers manage to snag a jagged rock, and you dangle. You watch the car roll down the ravine. The gasoline ignites and smoke spits up from the wreck.\n\nSuddenly the gas tank explodes and a mushroom cloud of fire sets the nearby trees ablaze. It doesn't look like Fei Yen made it out. You hear the SUVs squeal to a halt. You press against the rock face, out of sight. The guards peer over the edge.\n\n"There's no way someone survived that," one of them grunts.\n\n"Yeah, we better get out of here before the cops show up."\n\nYou hear the car doors open and close and the SUVs drive away. You climb up the cliff and pull yourself up over the ledge. You see the blue Subaru parked by the road. Wilson and the kid help you up and to the car.\n\n"I thought I told you to get out of here?" You groan.\n\n"She made me come back for you," Wilson says sheepishly. "You've made quite an impression."\n\nYou glance down at the kid. "Thanks for coming back."\n\nShe nods as if there never should have been a doubt.\n\n"The guards had one thing right. We need to get out of here before the cops show up. Come on." You get in the driver seat of the Subaru. The other two follow you. You put the car in gear and drive. \n\n“Alright,” you sigh. “I can't protect you forever, but you came back for me, and that means something."\n\nYou pull the car into an alley and park. "Drive the car to the airport and dump it there. Then take a taxi out to the suburbs and stay at this address.”\n\nYou write the address on a piece of paper and give it to Wilson. “Once you get there, call this number.” You point to the phone number below the address. “It’s a police detective who owes me a favor. Tell him what happened, but be sure to leave me out of the official report, got it?”\n\nWilson nods.\n\n“Good. He’ll look out for you.” You open the car door and step outside. “I’m heading in the opposite direction so this is where we part ways.”\n\nWilson slides into the driver seat.\n\n"Wait," the girl says. She hefts a big duffle bag out the window. "This might help."\n\nYou unzip the bag. It contains a strange shotgun, some grenades, and two silenced pistols. "Where'd you get this?"\n\n"In the backseat," she says.\n\n"Thanks," you say tapping the trunk of the car. "And stay safe."\n\nYou watch them drive toward the airport, then you jog to a parked car, pop the driverside lock, and toss the bag in the passenger seat. You break the plastic cover under the dash, and twist the wires together until the engine revs. You put the car in gear.\n\nYou glance over at the duffle bag.\n\nThe shotgun is only useful up close which means you need to be quick and direct. The only way to the Boss's penthouse is through the lobby, but the lobby has two entrances: the main entrance, and the service entrance.\n\nThe main entrance is the most direct route to the elevators, but it’s also going to be the most heavily guarded.\n\nThe service entrance leads through a series of small hallways and the kitchen before it reaches the lobby. It will take a bit longer, but it might give you a tactical advantage.\n\n[[Take the main entrance]]\n[[Take the service entrance]]\n

Stupid conscience. “Fine, I’ll help, but I’m keeping the gun.” It’s not like it’d be much use to her anyway. You grab the kid and help the cop up.\n\nThe kid’s the key to all this and whoever has the sniper rifles won’t try to kill him. You and the cop, on the other hand, well, that’s a different story.\n\n“So where are the rest of your cop buddies?”\n\n“I’m here unofficially.”\n\n“Have you radioed for backup?”\n\n“No radio and the telephone lines are cut.”\n\nShe’s not going to be much use to you right now and neither will her badge.\n\nYou head for the side exit. All your gear is in the BMW which means you’ll have to double back for it. You can’t lose sight of your main mission. Gillian still needs to be freed from the Boss’s unpleasant grip.\n\nYou look at the cop. “Are you able to drive?”\n\n“If it’s an automatic, yeah probably. You did a real number on my arm.”\n\n“You’re lucky that’s all I did.”\n\nShe glowers at you.\n\n“Alright,” you lift the kid up to your chest. “We’ll head for the pickup.”\n\n“What about the keys?”\n\n“You leave that to me.” You say, peeking through the window of the door. “With any luck, both of you will cease to be my problem soon enough.” You pull back from the window. No sign of snipers, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. You’ll have to be careful and quick.\n\nYou kick open the door and sprint for the pickup – though sprint is maybe an overstatement. The kid and the cop are weighing you down. You elbow the passenger window and unlock the door. “Get in,” you tell the cop as you slide the kid across the seat.\n\nYou dash to the other side and shove your head under the steering wheel. It’s been awhile since you’ve hot-wired a car. You tear out the plastic cover underneath the dash, revealing a tangle of wires. You cut four of them and twist two of them together. You strike the other two together and tap the gas pedal. A few sparks singe your finger, but the engine revs. You twist the other two wires together and put the car in gear.\n\nIt’s not the most elegant solution, but it should work.\n\nThere’s a flash in the rearview mirror – like maybe a scope reflecting the sun. You hit the gas and swerve out of the parking spot. The exit’s ahead.\n\n[[Turn left]]\n[[Turn right]]\n

You pull the submachine gun from your bag. It’s identical to the ones issued to the Boss’s grunts. You check the clip. It’s full, plus one extra in the bag – more than enough for a little chaos.\n\nYou wonder why Hallmark hasn’t made ammunition. Nothing says //I’m thinking of you// like a bullet.\n\nYou shove the gun in the bag and sling the bag over your shoulder. First stop is a car repair shop on the outskirts of town.\n\nSince the FBI recently upped its interest in gun trafficking, the Russians have been disassembling their guns and packaging the pieces with car parts. So far they’ve stayed under the radar, but rumor is the cops have finally picked up the scent.\n\nYou’ll have to be careful. If the Russians catch you, they’ll cut off your fingers and drown you in the lake. If the cops catch you, you’ll spend the rest of your life in jail. Either way Gillian will be stuck with the Boss. Those are not good options.\n\nYou’ll just have to make sure not to get caught.\n\nYou get on your motorcycle and drive across town.\n\nIt’s early. Most of the lower level thugs will still be asleep, but at least three of the leadership will be working. They have to report back to Russia and the time difference isn’t kind.\n\nYou park across the street behind the garage and scout for security cameras. You count two. Both are easy to avoid. You crouch behind some rundown cars and slowly work your way toward the garage.\n\nYou hear the clatter of tools.\n\nYou peek around the corner. You see a pair of legs jutting out from under a car. He hasn’t noticed you and probably won’t. Best to avoid him.\n\nYou turn down the hallway.\n\nLast time you were here, they kept the guns in the second room on the left. With any luck, they still do. You open the door.\n\nIt’s packed with crates. You crack one open. Guns – lots of them.\n\nYou stuff two assault rifles in your bag. And grab a few grenades.\n\nYou also nick the pack of cigarettes on the desk. They should be useful as incriminating evidence down the road.\n\nYou exit the room, but before you can make it down the hallway, you hear voices approaching.\n\n[[Exit out the front]]\n[[Confront the voices]]\n

When the car is finally fished out of the water, your violent drowning causes a brief scandal involving Senator John Davis. Did he know? Was he there? Who was driving? Does he have a drinking problem?\n\nYour death consumes the national media for one news cycle until allegations are directed at another congressman who made the foolish mistake of appearing in some elicit topless photos attached to an oddly worded text message sent to a young, though not impressionable, girl.\n\nConspiracy theories flourish concerning your drowning, but none are ever substantiated or seriously investigated. Senator John Davis is re-elected that year, but loses the following election on account of his wife’s extramarital affair which resulted in an illegitimate child.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

Once your death is confirmed, the thug that killed you, Sanders Long, is awarded a big bonus and your parking spot which, incidentally, is the last thing he said to you: "By the way, I'm getting your parking spot."\n\nSanders' career as an assassin, though promising, is cut short when Gillian exacts her revenge for your murder. You did fortunately teach her a thing or two about starting a new life. She steals what's left of Sanders' fortune, acquires a new identity, and moves to Canada where she becomes a history professor at a small university.\n\nUsing a pen name, she writes several best-selling novels about an assassin who has an uncanny resemblance to you. She assures her publisher the books are based on true events, but for the safety of everyone involved, the writing is classified as fiction.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

With the last bit of your strength, you scrawl a message in your own blood. It's a confession with a server address and password that contains detailed information about every mission and assassination you've preformed for the Boss. An FBI agent, John Two Toes, who has been working undercover in the Boss's organization for months and is familiar with the case, deciphers the code and arrests the Boss.\n\nThe evidence is so thorough the trial only lasts two weeks. The Boss is convicted and sentenced to several lifetimes in a state penitentiary.\n\nUnfortunately, the confines of prison do little to impede the Boss's illegal activities. He continues, quite successfully, to run his operations from jail.\n\nSeveral days after your death, one of Gillian's co-workers files a missing persons report on behalf of your absent sister, whose mysterious disappearance is never explained or resolved, not even after the authorities open an investigation.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

The gun tastes like iron. It rattles against your teeth. You look up at the thug holding it – not exactly how you planned on starting your day. You hope bullet isn’t on the breakfast menu.\n\nThe thug leans in. He looks nervous. His eyes dart around the room. He won't face you.\n\n“I’m sorry,” he says. “The Boss wanted you to know that Gillian is in good hands.”\n\nThe phrase cuts at your heart. You did your best to get her out of the city – guess it wasn’t good enough. The Boss probably has her at his penthouse with his army of goons – each one of them itching to have their way with her.\n\nGetting her out won’t be easy, but then again, there are more immediate problems like the gun French kissing your mouth.\n\n[[Try reasoning with the thug]]\n[[Let your fists do the talking]]

You wake-up in the chemical stink of a taxidermy office. Your hands and legs are bound. The Boss smiles from the corner of the room. You've seen that expression before. He's going to make an example out of you.\n\nSuddenly you feel a needle pierce your stomach. Your insides are being sucked out and replaced with chemicals. You scream at the taxidermist beside you. He continues his work...You're being stuffed alive.\n\nOnce the taxidermist is finished and you're dead, he mounts your body on a stand, places it carefully in a shipping crate and delivers it to the Boss's office.\n\nThe Boss positions you beside his desk and when anyone questions his authority, he simply points at your stoic body and lets them stare for a moment.\n\nThat usually shuts them up...it kept you quiet after all.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

Having no feasible way to explain the immense damage to the building and city, the authorities deem the incident an act of terror, which the Boss eagerly agrees to.\n\nYou are demonized as a traitor and terrorist by the media, a falsehood which the Boss vehemently encourages. Some of your exploits as an assassin are anonymously leaked to the press by the Boss. The footage is so disturbing that critics question your sanity. Somehow the bad economy, global warming, and the extinction of several species are linked to your heinous acts. Your legacy, if you ever had one, is forever ruined.\n\nIn an odd twist of fate, the media and citizens sympathize with the Boss so much and hate you with an equal though opposite fervor, that thousands of donations are made to the Boss's organization. The contributions are so generous that within three months the Boss's wealth doubles...and it's all thanks to you.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

In order to cover up your death, the Boss convinces the authorities that you were a news reporter with a drinking problem, and the whole incident was an unfortunate accident...this only works after the Boss pays the Chief of Police a large sum of money.\n\nAs an extra precaution the Boss also acquires your body from the morgue and cuts off your hands, feet, and bits of your hair. He gives a small vile of each to his top assassins with the strict order of leaving some at each kill zone.\n\nOver the next five years your fingerprints and DNA show up at over one hundred crime scenes. You quickly reach the top of the FBI most wanted list. Unfortunately, the massive amount of resources and money the FBI spends to catch you is entirely wasted since you are already dead.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

The robot grabs your leg before you fall to your death. It throws you over its shoulder and delivers you to Wong.\n\nInstead of killing you, Wong decides to use your body as part of his new project. Your arms and legs are removed and replaced by hoses. Your stomach and organs are integrated with electronics and tiny engines. Microprocessors are implanted in your brain, and you lose what's left of your freewill.\n\nBy the time the conversion is finally done, you realize you're nothing more than a glorified, voice-controlled vacuum.\n\nWong is full of pride with his new creation. You spend the next 375 years involuntarily cleaning the many homes of the Wong dynasty.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

You take the man’s jacket and glasses, put both on, and try to look business casual. You shove the sniper rifle under the desk and take a stack of folders from the cabinet. It’s not the best disguise, but it should get you off this floor.\n\nYou take a deep breath and exit the room. The rest of the office seems unaffected – business as usual.\n\nYou turn left, avoiding two security guards. Two more block the exit you were eyeing. They haven’t spotted you, but they’re heading your way.\n\nYou swipe the badge against the nearest door. It unlocks and you calmly walk inside, doing your best to avoid suspicion.\n\nYou’re standing in a long white hallway. It’s empty and unusually clean. It’s almost like you’re in a different building. You can’t help but feel uneasy.\n\nYou walk to the only other door and slide the badge against the lock.\n\n“I’m sorry,” a computerized voice says. “To proceed further, DNA verification is required.”\n\nA strange urge comes over you and without thinking you place your hand onto the scanner.\n\nYou hear three clicks behind your head. You twist with your gun raised and ready. No one’s there.\n\nThe wall beside you flickers with text: //DNA accepted. Processing...//\n\nYou realize it’s some kind of screen. A new line of text flashes: //Authorization approved. It has been 21.7 years since your last visit. Welcome back.//\n\nSuddenly the floor sinks. Air rushes up from the edges. The interior doors become blocked by reinforced metal. The whole hallway descends with rapid speed. You try to balance yourself.\n\nThe hallway jolts to a stop and one of the walls slides open.\n\nIt looks like a laboratory, but the machinery appears to be almost alien. You’ve never seen anything like it before.\n\nYou step out of the elevator. A console displays the word: //Salutations Doctor//. As you walk to it, a beam of light scans your face. Another line of text appears: //Continue Simulation?//\n\n[[Press Yes]]\n[[Press No]]\n

Wong, being the truest kind of psychopath, brings your almost dead body back to his estate. He personally nurses you back to health, taking special care with each of your wounds. Once you've fully recovered, he tortures you again and again.\n\nTwice a day he cuts off a small chunk of your body and feeds it to the dozens of koi in his elaborate pond. It takes nearly three years, but eventually there's nothing left of you.\n\nWhen you're finally dead, Wong delicately puts your head in a wooden box, wraps it with pink paper and ties it down with a yellow ribbon, colors symbolizing happiness. When the wrapping is perfect, he hand delivers the box to the Boss.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

After the Doc removes your heart and several other organs, he shoves your body in with the other //hazardous materials//, a skill he's mastered over the years. There's no trace of you at the hospital. No one even realizes you're dead.\n\nAfter several weeks of waiting, the Boss comes to the conclusion that you are a coward and that you have little interest in saving your sister. The Boss is so frustrated with the disrespect you've shown him that he takes it out on Gillian. In a fit of anger, which he will later regret, the Boss sells her to a rich oil sheik. The sheik, a man who is known for his perverse passions and disturbing desire for western women, confines Gillian to a room on his yacht. She is never heard from again.\n\nAs for the Doc, he continues his wayward practices, butchering 341 operations until the police finally kill him during a raid at one of his clinics.\n\nThe Boss and his other assassins assume that you have discarded your sister for a life of leisure. Though no evidence supports their theory, they imagine you on a tropical beach drinking mojitos while watching the waves crash against the shore...a scene which couldn't be further from the truth since you are most definitely dead.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

Subtlety is for insecure sissies. Besides, the Boss already knows you’re coming after him – why waste time hiding in the shadows.\n\nYou drive across town to the penthouse. The lobby’s packed with goons. A few of them have submachine guns. There are probably shotguns tucked under the check-in counter, not to mention what’s waiting for you in the actual penthouse.\n\nYou grin. The odds are stacked against you in every way and you feel euphoric. And to think, you planned on sleeping in today.\n\nYou slam on the gas, and the car punches through the plated glass wall of the lobby. You twist the steering wheel left into the counter, pinning two thugs to the wall. You grab three grenades, pull the pins, and lob them across the room. The wall explodes as bits of furniture and tile rip through the air.\n\nYou slide the bag behind the counter and use the smoke as cover. You quick draw your pistol and drop two thugs trying to flank you, then duck behind what’s left of the counter.\n\nYou unzip the bag, take the shotgun and load a clip. You pop over the counter and pull the trigger. Nothing happens.\n\nUh oh.\n\nYou drop behind the counter as bullets whiz by your head.\n\nThat’s just perfect. Maybe you should have brought the instruction manual; or maybe you picked the one prototype that was defective.\n\nCrap.\n\nYou examine every crevice of the shotgun. A latch on the back pops open. It reads: Insert and Pull.\n\nYou shrug and shove your hand in until you feel a gel substance, then you pull.\n\nThe weapon clicks twice, then the metal body splits in four places and expands up your arm. You hear another click, and then the metal clamps into your skin. You grunt with pain. The gel encircles your arm.\n\nA screen flickers on the side of the weapon.\n\n//Initializing...//\n\n//Bio-imprint acquired...//\n\n//Customizing system...//\n\n//Environment and ammo presets engaged...//\n\n//Combat ready...//\n\nThe screen flickers again. It displays your vitals, ammo count, and shell selector. Your prototype shotgun just turned into an arm cannon and it’s not even Christmas.\n\nYou raise the cannon over the counter and squeeze the gel. A jolt of electric buckshot rips through the air and melts the goon in front of you.\n\nYou turn and squeeze the gel again. The buckshot tears a hole through the cement pillar and half of the guy behind it. He slumps to the ground.\n\nThe other thugs stare at his very visible insides, then frantically race for an exit.\n\nYou pick up the bag, casually walk to the elevator, and tap the button for the penthouse. The gel on your arm and hand starts to burn. Your vitals are sporadic, and your chest goes numb. That explains why this is a prototype.\n\nThere can’t be more than four or five guards in the penthouse. You could probably take them with your pistol, but you’d be using your off hand which means your accuracy would only be a little bit better than theirs.\n\nIt seems like the arm cannon needs a cool down, but maybe the pain is normal. Two or three more minutes of use wouldn’t hurt...probably wouldn’t hurt.\n\n[[Use the pistol]]\n[[Use the arm cannon]]\n

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Gillian’s strong. She can handle it. You can’t stop now. “We’re almost there, just a little farther.”\n\nGillian climbs to the next outcropping. You grab hold and help push her higher. She grabs the ledge and pulls herself onto the roof. You’re right behind her.\n\nYou dust yourself off. “Alright, over here.” You pull out your pistol and point it at a door. You blow off the handle and kick in the door. There’s a slim metal ladder leading down. “This way.”\n\nYou slip the pistol into your belt and climb down the ladder. It leads to a set of metal rafters in the elevator shaft. You take the rafters to another metal ladder. It should lead to the breaker room for the top five floors. From there you can reach the main stairs.\n\nYou turn back. Gillian is still descending the ladder.\n\n“It’s not much farther,” you whisper. “The hard part is over.” You wait for her to catch up, then you climb down the second ladder. You drop into a small hallway and follow it to the breaker room.\n\n“Shhh,” you whisper.\n\nGillian freezes.\n\nYou hear voices. The explosions from earlier...the Boss must have sent someone to fix the power. Judging by the sound there’s at least two.\n\nYou ready your pistol and keep to the wall, walking as quietly as possible. You peek around the corner. Two thugs, armed, and absorbed with fixing wires.\n\nYou sprint from around the corner, kicking one in the knee. He screams and falls into the wires. The other thug pulls his gun, but you grab his arm and twist it behind him until you hear something in his shoulder pop. You shove his head into the wall and punch him in the kidney. He drops to a knee and groans.\n\nYou turn back to discover the first thug grunting into the radio.\n\n“...in the breaker room. Send everyo--.”\n\nYou shoot the radio and part of his hand, then slam the butt of the gun against his temple. He slumps over unconscious.\n\nThe second thug comes at you with a metal bar. You duck and slam your fist into his stomach. He winces. You kick in his knee and slam his head into the wall again. This time he stays down.\n\nThe radio call went through, which means they’ll be waiting for you, unless you can reach the lobby before they do. You have to hurry.\n\nYou grab Gillian’s hand and pull her down the corridor. You push open a door to the main stairs and descend.\n\n“Wait,” Gillian gasps. “Slow down.”\n\nYou glance up the stairwell. You see movement. Maybe four bodies. You tug on Gillian’s arm. “We have to keep going.”\n\nShe coughs and grabs her side. “I can’t.”\n\n“You have to try. Here," you slide under her arm. "Put your arms around my shoulders and hang on.”\n\nShe rests most of her weight on you.\n\nYou adjust your balance and keep descending. By the time you reach the lobby, you’re gasping for breath. You head for the back exit. The halls and rooms are empty.\n\nYou kick open the door and run through it without thinking.\n\nThe Boss and his five most menacing killers are patiently waiting for you.\n\nCrap.\n\nThe Boss calmly tilts his head. “I didn’t expect you to disappoint me.” He takes a step forward leaning heavily on his cane. “But somehow you always do.” He sighs. “Of all my employees, you had the most potential. That’s why this is so difficult for me.” He pauses. “You see, I can’t even do it myself. Alana,” he motions with his hand. “Would you please?”\n\nShe raises her gun and pulls the trigger.\n\nTwo piercing jolts resonate through your chest. You drop to one knee. It’s hard to breathe. Your vision blurs. Gillian shouts something. Maybe it’s your name. You can’t tell.\n\nYou collapse to the pavement.\n\nThe Boss stands over you. He props your head up with his cane. He looks as if he’s going to scold you, but instead he shakes his head and walks away.\n\nYou see Alana smirk in the distance, then the darkness overtakes you.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 8]]\n

Dealing with more of Wong’s thugs, not to mention the fire, sounds like a real hassle. The silenced pistols should be enough to take out at least two of the Boss’s thugs. Their machine guns would make quick work of the other henchmen in the lobby. You need to be mindful of the entrances to the –\n\n“Hey,” someone shouts, interrupting your train of thought. “Stop and turn around.”\n\nYou sigh and turn. It’s Chu, one of Wong’s top assassins. He’s wearing a chef uniform and a scowl.\n\nYou’ve heard rumors about him, none of them pleasant. You’re still a distance from the vehicle. The pistols and grenades are out of reach.\n\nYou’ll have to resort to a fist fight. You’re quick with your fists, but you’ve got a bad feeling Chu is quicker. You’ll have to find a different kind of advantage.\n\n“So,” you say, relaxing your shoulders. “Were you a chef before you were an assassin, or was it the other way around?”\n\nChu gives you a hard stare.\n\nYou take off your jacket and toss it on the parked car nearby. It rolls off the hood and lands on the asphalt. “I heard that massacre in Berlin was your handy work.”\n\nChu calmly unbuttons his jacket, carefully folds it, and lays it on the hood of the car beside him. He turns toward you and nods.\n\nYou laugh. “Leaving a fortune cookie for each of the dead guys, that was a nice touch.”\n\n“That was Mr. Wong’s idea.”\n\n“I guess it was more of a //misfortune// cookie then, huh?”\n\nChu shrugs. “It would seem.” He pulls his right leg back and lifts his arms in a fighting pose.\n\n“Yeah,” you swallow hard. “I guess it’s about that time, isn’t it? Any chance you’d just let me go?”\n\nChu sprints at you and twists his body in the air. You pull back, his foot barely grazing your nose.\n\nHis other foot spins at you. Your arm blocks as a reflex, but the force sends you staggering into the nearby car.\n\nYour arm is already tingling from the blow. You can’t take too many more hits like that.\n\nChu’s leg comes at you again. You duck and twist, punching him in the side of the thigh. He winces and pulls his leg back. There’s a huge dent in the car.\n\nHe comes at you with a flurry of punches. You’re only able to block about half of them.\n\nYou grab his arm and slam your forehead into his nose. He’s stunned for half a minute, long enough for you to catch your breath. You cough and spit out blood where your lips been cut. Your nose is bleeding too, not to mention the soreness around your ribcage.\n\n“Arhg,” you groan. “How many times did you hit me?”\n\nChu wipes the blood from his nose. “You are still standing. Impressive.”\n\n“Yeah,” you say, rubbing your jaw. “I get that a lot.” You’re closer to the pistols now, but the bag is still out of reach. You give Chu a wily grin. “You ready for round two?” You signal for him to come at you.\n\nHe faints with his right hand, then swings with his left. Your right arm goes up, and you move with the blow, dispersing the force. You send your left fist into his gut and push him back.\n\nHe counters with a swift kick at your chest. You redirect the impact with your arms up as a shield. You let the blow send you closer to the window. You see the bag in the passenger seat.\n\nYou reach for the pistol, but your arm goes limp. You feel a sharp pain in your chest. It’s immediately hard to breathe.\n\nYou glance down. There’s a circle of red at the center of your shirt. It slowly expands. You look back at Chu. He seems as surprised as you.\n\nYou look past him at the rear entrance to the restaurant. A waiter aims a pistol at you. He’s a pretty good shot, but he really should have got you in the head.\n\nYou drop to your knees and collapse against the dirty parking lot.\n\nChu kneels down next to you. “I am sorry our dual was interrupted. Perhaps we will fight again in another life.”\n\nHis words are muffled and distant. You suddenly feel cold and extremely tired. Then everything fades to darkness.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n

You shove the stun gun against the red and blue wires. This isn’t the craziest thing you’ve done, but it’s nearly the stupidest. You take a deep breath. It’s not like you have a lot of choices at this particular moment.\n\nYou turn on the stun gun. The rubber wire covers melt, and sparks fly at you. The wires are so hot they fuse to the tip of the stun gun. The dish behind you spasms and the floor shakes.\n\nYou’re knocked off your feet and land hard on your shoulder.\n\nThis is happening a lot faster than you expected. You push yourself up and sprint for the elevator. The cement floor splinters under your feet. You leap to one side and run faster.\n\nYou hear people scream as bits of machinery explode and the floor crumbles.\n\nYou catch up to Wilson and push him into the elevator. You hit the button for the ground floor.\n\n“Wait,” Wilson says. “What about them?”\n\nYou glance through the glass plated window. The strange sphere pulsates above the dish. It looks unstable and particularly deadly. People scream and run in panic as the room is consumed with flames and bursts of electricity.\n\nYou calmly glance back at Wilson. “I bet their funerals will be very sad.”\n\nHe looks at you with horror. “You’re just going to let them die?”\n\n“They held your daughter hostage. Is their safety really your first concern?”\n\n“But they’re human beings,” he says opening the elevator.\n\nYou pull him back and shut the doors. “In about a minute they’re going to be little bits of molecules floating through the air. And if we’re lucky, everyone is going to think you’re just as dead as them.”\n\nHe opens his mouth to speak, but suddenly realizes the logic of the plan. He sighs and leans against the back wall of the elevator.\n\n“I’m glad you decided living was a good idea,” you say, hitting the button for the ground floor again. The elevator jolts to life and hurtles upward. “So what is the damage going to look like up there?”\n\nWilson stares vacantly at the corner.\n\n“Hey,” you say, shaking his arm. “The damage up top, what’s it going to look like?”\n\nWilson blinks. “Uhm, it could be similar to a mild earthquake or it could be nothing. I don’t know.” He rubs his forehead in shock. “No one has ever blown up the laboratory before.”\n\n“What about that glowing sphere thing?”\n\nHe shakes his head. “Without power it should dissipate – theoretically, of course.”\n\n“Well, there’s not much we can do about it now.” You take off the goggles and the jacket. “Alright, when the doors open, we take a right. I go first, got it?”\n\nHe nods.\n\n“Hey, are you going to be able to move or am I going to have to drag you?”\n\nHe looks up at you with an empty stare. “I can move.”\n\n“Well you better. Your daughter is counting on you.”\n\nHe nods again.\n\nThe doors slide open. Paintings have fallen from the walls. Bookshelves are on their sides with books strewn across the hallway. Tables have toppled. A mild earthquake is a good description.\n\nYou head down the hallway to the study. The three suits are gone. You go to the bar. The alcove is empty.\n\nThe girl’s gone.\n\nShe’s a smart girl. She wouldn’t have moved unless she had to – or she thought she had to. Maybe the earthquake scared her.\n\nNo, she’s too tough for that to have forced her out of hiding.\n\nSomeone must have—\n\nYou hear a gun cock behind you.\n\nA silky female voice says, “Don’t turn around or I’ll put a bullet through your brain.” The woman glances to her left. “Wilson, I didn’t think you had it in you. I’m almost impressed.”\n\nWilson takes a step forward. “I just—”\n\n“Shut up,” she says with a sharp smoothness like the edge of a knife.\n\nHe cowers back.\n\nShe directs her voice at you. “Who are you, and why are you here in my business? This little brat can’t be your only reason.”\n\nYou hear the little girl mumble through a gag. You try to catch a reflection off a glass bottle. It looks like the woman has her arm around the girl’s neck.\n\n“Get on your knees,” the woman commands.\n\n[[Get on your knees]]\n[[Don’t get on your knees]]\n

Your body’s aching bad, and your eyelids feel heavy. Just a few minutes of rest won’t hurt. You barely need to try and you’re asleep.\n\n*** ***\n\nYou’re jostled awake by a sharp pain in your chest. It’s impossible to say how long you’ve been out. The room doesn’t have windows.\n\nYou try to move, but your arms are strapped to the examining table.\n\nThe secretary stands over you. “Doc,” she says, “The anesthetic is wearing off.”\n\n“I told you to use a full dose.”\n\n“There wasn’t enough left. You’ll just have to be quick.”\n\nYou glance over at him. His hands and shirt are covered in blood. Someone is lying on the table next to you. His chest is cut open. You see two bodyguards at the door.\n\nThe Doc looks down at you. He gives you a tough-luck smile. “You should have left kid.” He sticks his hand into your chest and you feel something snap. “It’s nothing personal. Rent is expensive.” He tilts his head toward the body on the other table. “My landlord really appreciates what you’re doing. I may have told him you were terminal.” The Doc shrugs. “I suppose I should have said you will be terminal after I pull out your heart.” He smiles. “If it’s any consolation, your little contribution will keep this place open for at least another six months.”\n\nBefore you can react, you feel another hard snap in your chest and everything goes black.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 19]]\n

You toggle the scope to x-ray and adjust the secondary focus so only the first wall is transparent. Gillian is sitting in a chair. One thug sits next to her with his legs propped up. The other paces on the other side of the room.\n\nYou target the pacing thug. You take a deep breath, and as you let it out, you pull the trigger.\n\nHe crumbles to the floor.\n\nYou slightly tilt the rifle, setting your crosshair on the other thug. He stands with a confused look and walks toward his fallen friend. You take another deep breath and pull the trigger.\n\nHis body drops. Blood and brains streak the wall. Gillian screams. That’s just perfect. The one thing you weren’t counting on.\n\nYou toggle the scope to thermal. The other guards have pulled their guns and are about to assault the room. You toggle back to x-ray and target the door. You manage to get a round off in time. One of the thugs drops before he can open it. The others take cover. You have less than ten minutes before more goons arrive. It might have been easier just to ring the bell.\n\nYou pull out your phone and dial.\n\nThe body next to Gillian rings. She stops screaming and looks at it. It rings again. She pushes it over, closes her eyes, reaches into his pocket, and pulls out the phone.\n\n“It’s me,” you say calmly. “Don’t speak, just listen. I know where you are, and I know what’s going on. If you want to live, you need to do exactly what I tell you.”\n\nShe nods.\n\n“Good.”\n\nShe frantically gazes out the window.\n\n“That's right, I’m watching you, and I’m going to walk you through this.”\n\nShe looks relieved, but only for a moment. You can hear the goons shouting at her.\n\nYou keep your voice steady and calm. “There are four guards outside your room. When I tell you to run, get to the east elevator as fast as you can. Nod if you understand.”\n\nShe nods nervously.\n\n“Good. The man you took this phone from, I need you to reach into his back pocket and take his wallet. Inside his wallet you should find an ID badge. You’ll need that to get out. Inside his other pants pocket you'll find a set of car keys. Take those too.”\n\nHer hands shake, but she manages to do what you ask.\n\n“Okay, good. Once you get to the elevator, go to the basement parking garage on level three. I’ll meet you there. Look for the black SUV that matches the set of car keys. Hide there until I reach you. Are you ready?”\n\nShe nods.\n\n“Good.” You position the sniper rifle on the closest thug. “Run.”\n\nAs she runs through the door, you squeeze off two rounds, taking out the two closest guards. One jumps behind the kitchen counter. The other dives further into the hall, blocking the elevator.\n\n“Stop,” you shout. “Get behind the wall.”\n\nGillian drops to the floor and curls next to the wall, clutching the phone to her ear.\n\nYou wait until the guard peeks his head around the corner. You pull the trigger. Blood splatters against the wall and onto Gillian.\n\n“Gillian,” you calmly say. “Take the radio from his belt then run for the elevator.”\n\nShe shakes and cries on the floor. She’s not like you – so cold and calculating. She doesn’t know how to compartmentalize. She’s not a killer...not like you. \n\nYou focus your crosshair just above the kitchen counter. “Do it NOW,” you shout.\n\nAs she grabs the radio and runs for the elevator, the guard rises from behind the counter. You pull your trigger before he can pull his.\n\nThe elevator doors close and Gillian is safe, for now.\n\n“Press the twelfth floor, let the door open, but don’t get out,” you say, angling the sniper rifle downward. When the elevator doors open, you take out two more thugs on the twelfth floor.\n\nYou can hear the radio through the phone, “Shots fired on the twelfth floor. She’s getting away.”\n\nYou toggle the scope to thermal and count at least seventeen goons heading for the twelfth floor. That should buy you some time.\n\nYou grab the sniper rifle and run for the car. It’ll take Gillian less than two minutes to reach the SUV. That’s two minutes she’ll be unprotected. You’re going to have to improvise.\n\nYou still have the box of grenades and the silent pistols. A diversion could give you some extra time, but if the authorities haven’t been alerted already, an explosion will definitely get their attention.\n\nYou could use stealth to keep the situation compact and controllable, but every thug you face is going to slow you down.\n\n[[Use the grenades to create a diversion]]\n[[Use the silencers to stay incognito]]\n

Gillian can’t afford to wait any longer. You stole this car for a reason, and it’s time you pay Wong a little visit. You drive down the street for a while, take a right, and keep driving.\n\nYou pull through an alley and turn left into the employee parking lot of Wong’s restaurant. You park the car near the back, a little out of sight.\n\nYou grab the Russian cigarettes and light three of them. After they burn a bit, you stamp them out and leave them on the pavement near the car as incriminating evidence.\n\nYou grab the assault rifle from the backseat and a couple of grenades. You could start shooting into the building, but a lot of innocent people would die and a brutal massacre may make it easy to get into the penthouse, but it would make it impossible to get out of the city.\n\nThis needs to be a precision strike, probably best if you destroy their stash of drugs. That makes it seem more business oriented.\n\nYou grab the assault rifle from the passenger seat and a couple grenades from the bag. There are a few cars in the parking lot, but otherwise it looks deserted. \n\nYou get out of the car, calmly walk to the restaurant, and climb the stairs to the second story where they keep the drugs.\n\nThe door is reinforced steel with a little slide window. You tap the door twice. The window slides open.\n\nThe guy looks startled to see you. He tries to close the window, but you shove the barrel of the gun through the opening. He slams the metal against the gun, but it won’t close.\n\nYou pull the pin from a grenade and push the grenade through the tiny hole. You hear shouting in Chinese then a loud explosion.\n\nSmoke and dust blow out the opening and the edges of the door. You toss two more grenades inside.\n\nThe blast destroys part of the wall. You crouch through it, shooting two of the henchmen as they try to attack you.\n\nA crate of liquor is shattered against the floor and soaking into the carpet. You light another Russian cigarette and toss it into the cracked bottles. It immediately ignites.\n\nThe fire should destroy most of the drugs – enough to make this little attack very personal. You toss the assault rifle into the fire and duck through the hole in the wall. You jog down the stairs.\n\nYou pause, struck by a sudden flaw in your plan. If you go to the penthouse now, you’d be unarmed. Wong is bound to have some high-powered weapons stashed somewhere in the building, but that would mean you’d have to go back in and fight your way through the fire and thugs.\n\nYou’ve still got a couple grenades and some pistols in the car. Those might be enough to get you through the lobby. You could always improvise from there.\n\n[[Fight your way through fire and thugs]]\n[[Use the grenades and pistols plus a little improvising]]\n

You know the guns are going to be a problem, best to KO the guards before they have a chance to point them at you.\n\nYou sprint toward the elevator and jab one guard in the solar plexus. He tumbles back in the elevator. The elevator’s your only way out so you follow him in. The other guards are wide-eyed with surprise. You punch one in the throat while kicking another in the knee.\n\nThe fourth guard manages to get a solid hit on your jaw. You fall against the wall, but use your momentum to pull a baton from the guard’s belt. You use it to parry the second punch, then slam the tip into the attacker’s nose. He drops to the floor with the other three guards.\n\nYou hear the others coming from the hall. You push yourself flat against the wall hoping to avoid their sight and gunfire.\n\nNothing happens.\n\nYou glance around the corner. The guards have their guns pointed at the woman and the old man. They’re either the worst guards ever or their agenda is not what you expected. As long as the guns aren't pointed at you, it’s not really your problem. You slip back into hiding.\n\nYou hear one of the guards give a command. He’s speaking Chinese. Looks like Jimmy is a bit smarter than you thought. This facility must be housing some impressive tech, and he probably figured his crew could steal it, leaving you to take the fall.\n\nYou smile at the thought of dopey Jimmy getting the better of you. That won’t be happening again, and not just because you’re going to kill him.\n\nThe elevator's clear. Leaving won’t be a problem. Then again, Jimmy’s thugs are looking for something, and it just doesn’t seem right for them to find it.\n\n[[Escape is the priority]]\n[[There’s always time to knock a few skulls together]]\n

You slow the car down and swerve to the side of the road. The cop speeds past you. Two more cop cars follow suit.\n\nYou let out a sigh of relief. Talk about a close call. You wait a full three minutes before starting the engine again. If someone had reported the car missing, stolen, or used in a kidnapping, the cops would have been all over you by now. It seems you’re in the clear.\n\nYou put the car in gear and merge into traffic.\n\nWong has no idea you’re coming which should make for a nice surprise when the dust settles – and there should be plenty of dust when you empty two clips of assault rifle rounds into his restaurant.\n\nYou pull into the parking lot across the street. There are at least five henchmen waiters and three civilians in the restaurant. Wong’s car isn’t out front which means you have a few extra minutes to set the scene.\n\nYou take a pair of black gloves from your bag and put them on. You grab a cloth and rub down the steering wheel, the doors, the buttons, the knobs, the trunk, and everything else you touched. Fingerprints would be a dead giveaway – emphasize the dead part.\n\nYou grab the pack of cigarettes you stole from the Russians and light three of them at once. After they’ve burned a bit, you shove them into the cement next to the car.\n\nYou sling the bag over your shoulder and take the car keys. If everything goes smoothly, this could be over in minutes. Then again, if Wong catches you, you’ll be dead, and that’s only after he tortures you for days or weeks. He's not exactly known for his self-control.\n\nThere’s a story about a henchman who showed up twenty minutes late for his shift. Wong was so angry; he chopped off the henchman’s ear, ground it into dust, baked it into a fortune cookie, and then made the henchman eat it.\n\nJust thinking about it makes you cringe. It's more like a mis-fortune cookie. You’re almost glad you skipped breakfast.\n\nYou sneak into an antique shop through a side door and make your way to the roof. From there you’ve got a great vantage point of the restaurant.\n\nYou light three more of the Russian cigarettes, wait for them to burn, then shove them into the cement roof. That should do it. The car, the guns, and the cigarettes should be enough to incriminate the Russians and throw suspicion on the Boss.\n\nNow all you need are some fireworks.\n\nYou align the assault rifle with the restaurant lobby and take a deep breath. The secret to causing chaos is simple: make a loud noise and keep exit points to a minimum. People can usually handle the rest. Dead bodies just cause a lot of people to ask a lot of questions, which is why you make sure no one is in your line of sight.\n\nYou fire a few rounds through the front window and wait for the henchmen to run out with their guns. You nick one in the leg and the other in the arm. You fire another round through the remaining window. The glass shatters across the sidewalk.\n\nThat should be enough to get their attention. Best to leave now while the getting’s good.\n\nYou sling the bag over your shoulder, hurry down to the antique shop, and exit out the back. You jog for two blocks and turn right. You hail a taxi and head to the Boss’s penthouse.\n\nWith any luck, the Chinese will have pulled out of the negotiations and retaliated by the time you reach the penthouse.\n\nYou tell the driver to circle around the building once. The amount of guards in the lobby is double the normal amount, and it doesn’t look like they’re moving any time soon. Either the Boss knows about your plan, or someone forgot to invite you to the henchmen ball. Either way you slice it, your chances don’t look good.\n\nYou’ll have to use all your ammo just to get to the elevator then hand-to-hand from the top floor back down. It's a good thing you have a hard time saying no to impossible odds...but what about Gillian's odds. So many thugs and guns...her chances aren't good. You could always give yourself up willingly.\n\n[[Let the bullet casings fall where they may]]\n[[Give yourself up willingly]]\n

There’s a reason it’s experimental. Who knows what kind of side effects it’s having on you. Hopefully you don’t grow a third arm somewhere.\n\nThe pistol will have to do. You press into the corner of the elevator and slide the pistol into your belt. You take a grenade from the bag and pull the pin. Based on the floor plan, the Boss is probably holding Gillian in the study which is down the hall on the right. That puts two walls between her and the grenade. The guards in the hallway...well, that’s a different story.\n\nThe elevator door dings and slides open. The goons blindfire through the gap. You roll the grenade toward the noise. You hear a panicked voice shout, “Get Dow-”\n\nA thundering explosion cuts him off. Dust and smoke flood the elevator. You slip through the chaos into the living room. You shoot two thugs as they turn the corner.\n\nYou count three down the hall, plus the two in the doorway. That leaves two more at the most. You stay flat against the corner and listen. You hear a woman’s voice behind the door, probably Gillian. There are two other voices, neither one is the Boss.\n\nYou’ve got one grenade left. You could use it to create a distraction and then rush the door. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to shoot both thugs before one of them shoots Gillian.\n\nOf course, you’re using your off hand, and the arm cannon is weighing you down so you won’t be as quick. It might be better to flank them, or you could be completely unpredictable and try negotiating.\n\n[[Create a distraction and rush the door]]\n[[Flank them]]\n[[Try negotiating]]\n

Screw it. This isn’t your problem. You grab the thug’s machine gun and shoot at two of the other thugs. You nick one in the leg and the other in his bullet proof vest. It won’t kill them. It probably won’t even leave a scar, but it might slow them down enough for the scientists to make an escape.\n\nIt’s better than nothing.\n\nYou get in the elevator and hit the button for the ground floor. You’ve already wasted enough time with this little detour. If you’re lucky, the Boss is still holding Gillian at his penthouse. Sure, it might be a fortress, but it’s the only chance you’ve got.\n\nThe Boss has connections all over the world. If he moves her, you might never be able to find her. He’d have leverage against you for the rest of your life or, more precisely, the rest of Gillian’s life. You can’t let that happen. It’s hard enough to imagine what he’s already done to her; a whole lifetime would be unbearable.\n\nThe elevator slides back into place at the floor of the garage. The guard you knocked unconscious and threw in the corner has a bullet hole in the side of his head, probably the work of Jimmy’s thugs.\n\nYou open the garage door and glance outside. It’s quiet, dead quiet. You sprint through the trees, shimmy up the stone fence, and land gracefully on the other side next to your motorcycle. \n\nDespite your best efforts, the bike won’t start. You examine the engine. Someone stole your sparkplugs. Probably another annoyance you can attribute to Jimmy’s thugs. \n\nThe bike’s useless. You’ll have to find another vehicle.\n\nJimmy’s thugs had to drive here just like you. Their car must still be here, probably nearby. \n\nYou glance down the street in both directions. You see two vans. One has a giant flower shop logo printed on the side. The other one belongs to a plumbing company. \n\nBased on the amount of thugs, it’s possible both vans belong to Jimmy. There’s only one way to find out for sure though. \n\n[[Check the flower van]]\n[[Check the plumbing van]]\n

You glance at the second story balcony. It’ll have to do.\n\nYou slink behind some bushes and drop flat as a guard walks by. He doesn’t notice you. Based on how he’s holding the gun and his general demeanor, he’s probably military. You could take him, but it wouldn’t be easy. Someone would hear the struggle, and then you’d be in a bad way.\n\nYou’ll have to keep out of sight for now.\n\nYou stay low and work your way to the side of the house. You count at least two cameras positioned on the second story. Getting to the balcony will require a slight detour.\n\nYou look back at the three guards. They’re busy staring at the fence, walking the perimeter. The fourth patrols the wraparound balcony. You won’t be able to avoid him.\n\nKeeping this quiet just got a lot harder. As soon as the guard turns the corner, you shimmy up the side of the house, using the window ledge and the moldings as footholds. The security camera is positioned on the balcony so you climb all the way to the roof.\n\nYou creep across the roof and lightly tilt the camera in the opposite direction. The guard rounds the corner. He doesn’t seem to notice the skewed security camera.\n\nHe stops midstride, and your heart skips a beat.\n\nHe pulls a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and lights one. You let out a silent sigh of relief.\n\nYou grab an outcropping with your legs and lower yourself, headfirst, behind the guard. As he reaches up for the cigarette, you yank his arm back and shove your other fist into the back of his neck, strangling him with his own arm.\n\nHis body goes limp, and you let it slide against the wall. He’ll wake up with a headache and a stern lecture from his boss. You smirk and flip down to the balcony. You push the guard into a corner and take his radio.\n\nYou debate taking his gun, but decide against it. Submachine guns aren’t really known for being stealthy. Instead you take the magazine from the gun and toss it on the roof.\n\nWith that done, you jimmy open the window and slip inside.\n\nIt’s a bedroom. Judging by the posters and stuffed animals, it probably belongs to a young girl.\n\nAs you near the door, you hear voices in the hall.\n\nCrap.\n\nYou run to the closet, push your way between some clothes, and try to close the door. It catches and you don’t have time to jostle it free. You’ve got some cover at least, but if they spot you, you’re as good as dead.\n\nThe bedroom door swings open. Two security guards carry a little girl into the room. They’ve got a hand under each of her arms. She kicks her legs helplessly in the air. “Let me go!” She shouts.\n\n“Now, now,” a calm female voice says from the hall. “Until your father can give us what we need, you have to do exactly what we say.”\n\n“No I don’t,” the little girl yells. “You’re not the boss of me!”\n\nThe woman steps into the bedroom. She’s tall and slender with long black hair and a scar across her right cheek in the shape of a seven. Her body has the shape of a supermodel and, aside from the scar, she’s exceptionally beautiful, but there’s something about her that makes you feel uneasy, like that time in Africa when you were being tortured by Adwoa the insane warlord.\n\nThe woman smiles and slaps the little girl across the face. The girl is shocked into silence.\n\n“I //am// the boss of you,” the woman says soothingly. “And if you want your daddy to stay alive, you’ll be a good little girl and do as I say.”\n\nThe little girl immediately kicks the woman in the shin. The woman yelps than quickly regains her composure. She looks furious, but her words come out calm. “Handcuff her to the bed.”\n\nThe two guards lift the girl onto the bed, slip the handcuffs through the metal frame of the headboard and lock the little girl’s wrists into each end. The little girl yells and struggles and kicks, but the two thugs are far too strong.\n\nThe woman casually walks toward the closet. You swallow hard and try to think quiet thoughts. She leans down and picks up a fluffy stuffed bear. She pets it and turns to the little girl. “Behave yourself or,” the woman twists the bear’s head until it rips free. Stuffing flies out and floats to the floor.\n\nThe woman tosses both pieces of the bear onto the bed. “I don’t want to hear another word out of your disgusting little mouth.” Her voice is silky and seems to cut through the air. She leaves the room and the two guards follow after her.\n\nYou hear the door lock and two deadbolts slam into place. Wow. What have you gotten yourself into this time?\n\nObviously Jimmy was screwing with you. The only question is whether he sent you here to get killed or to cause trouble. Either way, you’ll deal with him soon enough.\n\nYou hear the little girl yank at the handcuffs. That’s right; you’ve got more pressing matters to deal with. Jimmy will have to wait.\n\nYou step out of the closet and //shhh// the kid. She stares at you wide-eyed. You think about leaving her to her fate, but you just can’t. Her tenacity and complete disregard for danger has struck a chord. You’re kindred spirits.\n\nYou examine the handcuffs. Your lock picking gear is still at the apartment. You’ll have to find another way to get her free.\n\nYou remember the guard on the balcony. “Wait here,” you say to the little girl.\n\nShe glares at you and yanks the handcuffs against the headboard.\n\n“Oh right,” you laugh. “It's not like you have a choice. I’ll be right back.” You slip out the window and search the unconscious guard. You find a ring of keys in his vest pocket. You hurry back inside and test them on the handcuffs. The third key clicks and the handcuffs pop open.\n\n“Alright,” you say. “Let’s go.”\n\n“Not without my dad,” the little girl says sternly.\n\n“We don’t have time for that.”\n\n“Then I’m not going.” She crosses her arms and scowls at you.\n\nShe’s stubborn too.\n\nYou really must be kindred spirits.\n\n[[Help her rescue her dad]]\n[[Leave her to fend for herself]]\n

You slip further behind the large machine and wait for the guards to come out from the hallway. It sounds like five, maybe six of them. If you wait for the last one to turn the corner, you might have a small advantage. The odds, like always, are still against you.\n\nThe first guard comes into view, but it’s not a guard. It’s a man dressed in a lab coat and goggles. He carries a stack of papers. Three more scientists are behind him and a fifth trails a little farther behind.\n\n“Still no luck?” He shouts.\n\n“None,” the woman replies. \n\n“Did you try adjusting the frequency?”\n\n“Yes,” she says with frustration. “It was the first thing we tried. Do you think we’re in here baking cookies or something?”\n\n“Alright, alright,” he lifts his hands in defeat. “Relax. I wasn’t trying to start trouble.”\n\n“I’ll decide when we need to relax,” she says firmly.\n\n“We’ve been at this for six months and the vortex still isn’t sustainable,” he says, plopping the stack of papers on top of the desk. “We may need to approach this from a different angle.”\n\n“Quintus got it working, and so will I.” \n\nYou twist around the large machine and glance back at the elevator. The guards should have made their presence known by now. The fact that they’ve stayed so quiet makes you nervous and, given your drought of luck today, that probably means the worst.\n\nYou count six guards, each with a matching suit, haircut, and machine gun. They’ve fanned out across the large bunker in a row. They stare at the woman working the console and march toward her.\n\nIt doesn't seem like they're down here searching for you. It's more like they're trying to be intimidating. You take a second look at one of the guards. He’s familiar, but you can’t quite place him.\n\nThen it hits you. He’s one of Jimmy’s henchmen – some low level guy. In fact, all of the guards look like guys you’ve seen at Jimmy’s apartment.\n\nCrap.\n\nThey aren’t guards. They’re Jimmy’s retrieval squad, and you just led them straight to what they were looking for. \n\nYou’ve been used by Jimmy – dopey Jimmy. You feel a chill down your spine like maybe Hell just froze over. \n\nThere’s no question about it; Jimmy has to die, but first you’ll have to dispose of his thugs.\n\nYou sneak behind the closest one and snap his neck, then slowly lower his body to the ground. You slink behind the large computer equipment and back into the shadows. \n\nYou get close to another thug. He has his gun pointed at the old man. You shove your finger behind the trigger, pull the knife from the thug’s belt, and stab him in the throat. There’s a faint gurgling noise.\n\nYou yank him into the shadows and out of sight as another thug turns to examine the noise.\n\n“Come with us now!” A thug shouts.\n\nYou swallow hard, but stay motionless.\n\n“No,” you hear the woman shout. “Let me go.”\n\n“Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.” He lifts his gun and fires into the air.\n\n“Stop,” the woman cries. “Please.”\n\nThe thug grabs the old man. “You come with us or his head goes splat.”\n\nYou shake your head. Jimmy needs to get his thugs some better one-liners. You sprint through the shadows back toward the elevator. One thug guards the door.\n\nYou throw the knife into his chest. He blinks and looks down at the knife, then he collapses against the wall. You grab the baton from his belt and slam it across his face for good measure.\n\nThe elevator's clear. Leaving won’t be a problem. Then again, Jimmy’s thugs are looking for something, and it just doesn’t seem right for them to find it.\n\n[[Escape is the priority]]\n[[There’s always time to knock a few skulls together]]\n

You need to send a message. If you don’t go at this hard and messy the Boss may decide it’s worth trying a second time – not to mention all the governments and criminal organizations you’ve angered over the years. Without the Boss’s protection they’d be more than eager to exact revenge.\n\nYou’ll have to make an example out of these poor saps. You grin. It’s not like they don’t deserve it.\n\nYou exhale slowly, align the rifle with the thug in the bathroom, and lightly pull the trigger.\n\nThe bullet cuts through three walls and tears through the back of his knee. He slams into the shower door making what you can only assume is a loud noise. He rolls on the tile floor while the other guards run toward his screaming.\n\nOne of them kicks open the door, slips on the blood, and falls on his side. His face lands on the detached leg. It takes him a moment to realize what it is. He screams and pushes it away.\n\nAnother guard steps over him and presses a towel against the spurting blood. He frantically shouts at the others. You can’t make out what he’s saying, but one of the others takes off his belt and hands it to him.\n\nWhat a perfect opportunity.\n\nAs he steps into the small bathroom, you pull the trigger. The velocity of the bullet causes his head to explode with such force pieces of bone shatter the mirror. Blood erupts from his neck drenching the wall and floor. His body tumbles on top of the others. That should keep them occupied for a bit.\n\nYou turn your attention to the bedroom. The two guards look nervous. The screams must be getting to them. It’s almost too easy.\n\nYou pull out your phone and dial a number you’re more than familiar with. The phone in the bedroom rings. The guards nearly jump out of their skin. The closer one reluctantly answers.\n\n“Run,” you say ominously. You keep your voice vague. The Boss has a lot of enemies. Any one of them could be trying to kill him. Before the guard has a chance to finish counting all of the Boss's enemies, you shoot the phone receiver.\n\nThe guard falls back against the wall. He scrambles up and out the door. The other guard follows after him. You shoot him in the shoulder. He twists and falls, squirting blood in a descending arc against the wall and desk.\n\nYou glance over. The two thugs from the bathroom are heading down the hall. They must have given up on their buddy.\n\nYou take a deep breath and realign your shot.\n\nA knock at the door startles you. “Excuse me, Mr. Jenkins. Would you like a slice of cake? It’s really very good.”\n\nThe two thugs are almost on top of Gillian. You really don’t have time for this.\n\n[[Take the shot]]\n[[Address the person behind the door]]\n

You quick draw your pistol and fire two rounds into Maurer’s forehead. Sparks and shrapnel pierce the air.\n\nYou roll left to avoid the kid as his foot splits the oak table you were leaning on. His head pivots and his eyes lock on to you. His fingers and hand twist into a cannon. You tumble over a chair as a beam of energy seers the wall beside you.\n\nYou stare back at the kid. They grow up so fast. You spend half a second reminiscing, then you shoot three rounds into his stomach.\n\nThey don’t even faze him. In fact, it looks almost like he’s smiling. Talk about creepy.\n\nYou glance back at Maurer. His body is putting itself back together. Wires slither and whip through the air as they climb out of his chest and reconstruct his face. Some people just don’t know when to die. Wait, is he even a person?\n\nBefore you can get philosophical, you hear the woman come at you from behind. You duck and roll, just barely missing her fist.\n\nYou sprint around the corner and down the hall, back to the window. You’re about to jump through it when you realize there’s nothing on the other side. All you see is the darkness of space with the faint glimmer of stars in the distance. What happened to the backyard?\n\nMaurer rounds the corner. His arm, like the kid’s, has morphed into a cannon. He points it at you. “Quite zhe view,” he says. His voice sounds synthetic since his throat is still being assembled. “Zhe others will be disappointed.” He shrugs. “Ah vell.”\n\nThe cannon glows and a beam of light slams into your chest. The force thrusts you out the window. You twirl helplessly through zero gravity. Your chest feels like someone lit a fire in your ribcage. The pain is brief though. The harsh coldness of space has already frozen your fingers and toes – soon your legs, arms, and chest.\n\nAs you twirl, you glimpse Earth. It’s beautiful – like nothing you’ve ever seen before. You try to hold on to the image, but soon your jaw and nose are frozen solid. You feel a slight pinch in the back of your head and the darkness overtakes you.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 20]]\n

The Boss made this personal when he took your sister. You're just returning the favor. The only thing you regret is that there won't be enough time to watch all of his exotic cars burn.\n\nYou take a taxi to the outskirts of the city, near a barren stretch of land. The warehouse is almost the size of a football field. Completely destroying it may take longer than you expected.\n\nThere are a few security cameras positioned around the building. You avoid them easily, sprint a few steps up the wall, and shimmy through a window.\n\nYour feet make a soft tap as they hit the concrete floor. The interior is pitch black. The Boss might have a guard posted nearby. It's best to stay silent until you're certain the building is clear.\n\nYou've been to this warehouse once before, a long time ago. It takes a moment to recall the floor plan...the light switches were to the right, along the wall. You slink quietly through the darkness until you feel the switches. You flip them on.\n\nThe lights flicker to life. You turn to examine the exotic cars, but instead of cars, you see three dozen thugs, each one armed with an assault rifle. You're about to attack the closest thug when the Boss's voice jolts you to a halt.\n\n"I'd rather not kill you," the Boss says calmly.\n\n"Really?" You groan. "I thought death was part of your severance package?"\n\nThe Boss frowns. "Don't be so cynical. I value my employees...all of them...especially you. Not to mention how difficult it would be for me to make money employing a corpse."\n\n"I'm beginning to think there's more to life than money."\n\nThe Boss's smile returns. "Yes, there's also power."\n\n"You think you can just do whatever you want and no one will stop you?"\n\n"Many people have tried...and failed, but that is beside the point. I knew that you would come to this warehouse, just as I know what needs to be done concerning Gillian. Would you please allow me to explain?"\n\n[[Allow the Boss to explain]]\n[[Try to kill the Boss]]\n

After Maurer hears the odd tale from his son and realizes you're dying in his front yard, he hurries to your aid. He takes you to his private hospital and research facility where the drugs and technology mirror the miraculous.\n\nWith great difficulty and skill Maurer manages to save your life, but only after forcing you into a coma. After two years of unconsciousness, you finally come around; unfortunately, you have no recollection of who you are or the events that transpired prior to your accident.\n\nMaurer, knowing only that you adamantly cared for his son, hires you as a nanny.\n\nYou have the strange feeling that your life was meant for greater things...though you can't seem to articulate what those things might be. The only certainty you know is that you have the strong desire to blow things up and the sense that you've lost someone very important.\n\nYou attribute these strange feelings to your accident and think of them very little.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

You press //Yes//. You hear fans spin on the other side of the lab.\n\nMore text appears:\n\n//Power active...//\n\n//Turbines engaged...//\n\nThe room gets warm and the air gets hazy.\n\n//Calibrating input variables...//\n\n//Parameters within acceptable range...//\n\n//Processing data...//\n\n//System active... ... ...//\n\nAt the center of the room, three pillars glow. Their tips ignite with flickering blue flames.\n\n//DNA confirmation required to proceed...//\n\nYou wipe dust from the screen, looking for a button or a keyboard.\n\n//... ... ...//\n\n//DNA accepted. Simulation engaged... ... ...//\n\nThe flickering tips spark and a chain of lightning surges between the pillars. The air feels heavy and electric. Small smoke clouds form between the pillars. They thunder with light and strands of electricity.\n\nAt the center of the pillars a glimmer cuts through the air. It distorts and bends the light.\n\nYou move closer, shielding your eyes. The glimmer expands. It looks like something could be inside it. You move closer trying to glimpse what it might be.\n\nA spark of blue lightning catches your arm and then passes through it. You take a step closer. The lightning passes through your body as if you weren’t even there.\n\nThe glimmer grows larger, encompassing your foot. It’s ice cold. Suddenly your foot won’t move. It feels like something has grabbed a hold of it. You’re being pulled in.\n\nYour whole body is being dragged into this glimmering thing, and you’re not strong enough to stop it.\n\nYou feel an overwhelming rush of cold and darkness.\n\n[[Overcome the agony]]\n

To say that Jimmy became distant after his manhood was so violently removed would be an understatement. He avoided his wife almost entirely. The shame and embarrassment were too great for him to ever explain. \n\nWhen she mentions the prospect of having children, he becomes stern and violent, telling her they must wait until after his next promotion. After three years of waiting and arguing, Jimmy's wife leaves him, taking with her the fine china, the car, and the dog. \n\nThe doctors tell Jimmy he's lucky to be alive. Another inch and a half on either side and the bullet would have nicked an artery. He would have died in minutes. The news does little to raise his spirits...or his manhood. He spends the rest of his life alone and lonely.\n\nEvery year on his wedding anniversary, he goes to your grave and spits on your tombstone.\n\nAt least it's nice to know you weren't forgotten.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

Taking the phrase very literally, Jimmy saws off your head, puts it on a platter and delivers it to Wong. Wong is so pleased with Jimmy's initiative that he promotes him to the head of his drug division.\n\nUnfortunately, after killing you Jimmy's greed and ambition become more unwieldy. In a feat that most would consider suicidal, Jimmy manages to embezzle and escape with nearly 45% of Wong's funds.\n\nThe shame of being swindled by Jimmy is so great that every lowlife trying to prove themself thinks they can steal from Wong. A gang war erupts, thousands of people die, and the city turns into a violent wasteland...all because you weren't willing to deal with Jimmy when you had the chance.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

The violent tremors fracturing the lab are not exclusive to the facility. As the machine spits and spasms uncontrollably, tremors and earthquakes ripple throughout the world. Japan, South America, the entire West Coast of America...they are hit the worst.\n\nWhen the convulsing finally stops, California is gone and Nevada is prime waterfront real estate.\n\nMillions die and even more are injured...all because you had to connect two wires.\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

You feel exhausted, but you manage to pull yourself up onto the examining table. The Doc takes a pair of scissors and cuts your shirt open.\n\n“Huh,” he says with the cigarette drooping from his lip.\n\nYou can smell alcohol on his breath and see the deep wrinkles on his face. At least his hands aren’t shaking. “Don’t tell me you're confused Doc.”\n\n“No, no,” he says, waving his hand. Some of the cigarette ash falls on your stomach. “I’ve seen this sort of thing plenty of times.” He pulls out a pair of latex gloves. “The bullet is lodged against your bone. It’s gotta come out.” The latex gloves slip onto his hands with a snap. He leans over you and grabs a pair of tongs from the table.\n\nHe glances at the other scars on your chest and arms. “So this isn’t the first horse to kick you at the rodeo.”\n\nYou look at him hard.\n\n“Now calm down. I’m not looking for your life story here.” He laughs. “Hell, I’m better off not knowing your name.” He shakes his head. “You kids are wound so tight these days.” He shoves the tongs into your wound and digs for the bullet. “You need to learn to relax.”\n\nYou grit your teeth and fight the pain.\n\nThe Doc pulls the tongs out and drops the bullet in a tin cup. “Well,” he says. “Looks like I only got half of it. Ready for another go?” He looks down at you.\n\nYou reel from the pain.\n\n“Oh,” he grins. “Anesthetic is extra. Did I forget to mention that? I’m so forgetful.” He shrugs. “It was only one bullet. You’ll be fine.” He pats you on your other shoulder.\n\nHe shoves the tongs in a second time.\n\nYou fight the urge to blackout. You try to focus on something – anything. You think about Gillian and how much she needs you. You can’t let her down.\n\n“There now. That wasn’t so bad.” The Doc’s voice sounds muffled. Your vision blurs at the edges.\n\nThe Doc leans in close. “You aren’t going to die.” He blows smoke across the side of your face. “But I sure hope whatever that horse kicked you for was worth it.” He takes some bandages and wraps your shoulder. “It’s a slow day, so you can take a few minutes to rest up, just remember this isn’t a motel.” He slides a bottle of painkillers into your pocket. “You better not be here when I get back.”\n\nThen you hear the door close.\n\n[[Rest your eyes for just a minute]]\n[[Grab your jacket and go]]\n

Title: Seven Bullets\nAuthor: Cloud Buchholz\n\nOther Credits:\nThis story was created with [[Twine|http://twinery.org/]] and is powered by [[SugarCube|http://www.motoslave.net/sugarcube/]], which is based on [[TiddlyWiki|http://tiddlywiki.com/#HelloThere:HelloThere%20GettingStarted%20Upgrading%20Features%20Community%20RoadMap%20Docs]]\n\nSugarCube (v0.9.9)\n\n<<back>>

You toggle the x-ray switch and align the sniper rifle with the fuse box. One bullet should put it out of commission. With the building dark, you should be able to sneak in and out with fewer problems.\n\nYou pack up the sniper rifle and try to look business casual. If you’re lucky, the employees will still be clueless. It’s strange though; despite years working for the Boss, this building has always been a bit of a mystery. The paperwork indicates corporate lawyers and accountants, but now that you’ve seen the interior offices and security that just doesn’t make sense.\n\nBest to ere on the side of caution and keep your head down. Once you make it out of the country none of this will matter. No reason to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.\n\n“You aren’t leaving without cake, are you? The party planning committee put a big effort into this. You really shouldn’t miss out.” An elderly woman smiles and offers you a plate with ice cream and cake.\n\n[[Take the cake]]\n[[Decline]]\n

You take the grenade from your pocket, pull the pin, and smile.\n\nHe looks at you with horror. “You wouldn’t.” He jerks your sister closer. “Not with her this close.”\n\nYou shrug. “You were going to kill her anyway.”\n\nHe swallows hard. “Was not.”\n\nYou glare at him with the cold viciousness of an assassin. “Let her go.”\n\n“Fat chance. As soon as she’s out of reach, you’ll shoot me in the head.”\n\n“If I wanted to shoot you in the head, I would have done it already.”\n\n“Ha,” he laughs nervously. “Look at your arm. You can barely lift that heavy piece.”\n\nYou slowly point your pistol at his head. The pain is excruciating, but you hide it well.\n\nHe starts to sweat. “The Boss, he just wanted to talk. He needs you, and you weren’t returning his calls.”\n\n“You’ll have to do better than that,” you snarl and take a step closer.\n\n“Wait, wait,” he pleads. “The Boss said he would only talk to you about it. He said it was //that// important.”\n\nYour strength is dwindling fast. You won’t be able to keep this charade up for long. “Fine, I’ll hear what he has to say. Now let my sister go.”\n\n“And you’re not going to shoot me?”\n\nYou lower the pistol. “I promise not to shoot you.”\n\nHe nods. “Okay.” Then he lets her go.\n\nHer body trembles. She walks to you.\n\nYou motion toward the upper platform. “You might want to check on your buddy.”\n\nThe thug nods at the others. “Take him to the Boss.” Then he jogs past you up the steps.\n\nYou grin and toss the grenade back. It bounces twice and rolls next to him.\n\n“What the—” The explosion cuts him off.\n\nThe other thugs frantically point their guns at you.\n\n“What?” You shrug. “I only promised not to shoot him. Now take me to the Boss.”\n\nThe thugs keep their guns pointed at your chest. There's no way they'll let you pull a stunt like that again...at least not willingly. Gillian hurries to you. You hug her and then lean on her for support. Your body's weaker than you thought, but you need to keep up this bluff...if not for the guards, then for Gillian.\n\nThe guards lead you down the stairs to an office. The entire floor is clear except for one desk, three chairs, and a small table for tea.\n\nThe Boss casually glances over at you. "You're late. I hope your skills haven't dulled since you left." He waves his hand toward the guards. "You may leave now."\n\nThe guards stare at him with confusion.\n\n"It's fine." The Boss assures them.\n\nThey don't know what else to do but follow his orders, so they leave. It's just you, Gillian, and the Boss.\n\n"Please," the Boss gestures toward the chairs. "Sit. Would you like some tea?"\n\n"What makes you think I'm not going to shoot you where you sit?" You say sternly.\n\n"If I wanted to kill you," the Boss says calmly. "You would be dead. That's true for your sister as well. Aren't you curious why I orchestrated this little game?"\n\n"Because you're insane."\n\nThe Boss chuckles softly. "You and I both know that's not true. Come. Sit."\n\nYou and Gillian sit down across from the Boss. He pours two cups of tea and slides the cups in front of you. "I've been presented with a particularly difficult problem. I believe there is a traitor within my organization, and I'd like you to find out who it is. Surprisingly, you are one of the few people I can trust. I put on this little show to convince my adversaries that you and I had a falling out."\n\n"We did have a falling out."\n\n"I required a more public display of your dissatisfaction. Which I might add was a superb delivery on your part."\n\n"Tell that to your dead employees."\n\n"It was important the action was believable."\n\nYou stretch your arms and legs. "Whatever," you groan. "Let's skip ahead to the part where I kill you."\n\nThe Boss rolls his eyes with a pang of boredom. “Your life could have been extingished at any moment had I but said the word. Or did you think I would be unable to anticipate your emotional outbursts when your dear sister was at jeopardy?”\n\nAs skilled as you are, the sad truth is that everything you know, you learned from him. He’s always been five steps ahead of you...even now. “Well,” you glower at him. “I’m listening.”\n\nHe smiles. “I have been pursuing several new revenue streams and the returns have proven...disappointing. I am a patient man, but progress is slower than I would prefer. I have constructed this elaborate ruse not only to confuse my enemies, but also to force your hand.”\n\n"Get to the point," you growl.\n\n"Of my several investments, two have proven to be especially troublesome. Progress on a new drug being tested in Montana has come to an unexpected halt. Some of the human test subjects have gone missing. Retrieving them would be...very productive for the project. The subjects, like you, suffer from the same genetic abnormality."\n\n"What?" You interrupt. "What genetic abnormality?"\n\n"Oh," the Boss smirks. "Did I forget to mention that? Yes, I took the liberty of having my scientists infect you and Gillian with a rare genetic abnormality."\n\n"What!?!" You growl.\n\n"Calm yourself," the Boss says soothingly. "You and your sister are fine, for the moment. No unnecessary harm will come to either of you as long as you do as I command...just like old times."\n\nYou mull over the notion without speaking. Killing the Boss now would be very satisfying, but there's still a chance you can get Gillian out of this alive. You have to do what's best for her.\n\n"There is another option," the Boss says. "There is a doctor, a genius, I believe she may have stolen some of the research that belongs to me. If there is a mole, this woman should know who. I sent a small team to retrieve her, but they have yet to return, which means I underestimated how dangerous she is. If you could bring her in or perhaps persuade her to work for me, it would help to accelerate a resolution between the three of us because, as you already know, your sister is staying with me until I get what I want.”\n\n[[Go to Montana]]\n[[Look for the genius doctor]]\n

You’ve got a sick feeling about this place, and it isn’t because of the cockroach crawling across the counter or the cobwebs behind the door. Wong’s thugs traffic this establishment often enough, and it’s safe to say you’re not on the best of terms.\n\nYou choke down one of the pain pills and push yourself up. The room spins. You lean against the counter. Luckily the cockroach doesn’t mind.\n\nYou grab your jacket, painfully slide it on, and zip it up. Your shirt’s done for, but if you can keep it together, no one will realize you’ve been shot.\n\nIt’s not like you have time to rest up anyway. If you can’t get to Gillian before the end of the day, there’s a good chance the Boss will move her to a secondary location – a location obviously out of your reach.\n\nYour legs feel heavy. It hurts to lift them, but you make it to the door and out the lobby. You fall against the car. At least it’s in better shape than you.\n\nYou see blood on the seats and dash. It’s hard to believe it’s all yours.\n\nYou open the door and get inside.\n\nEven with the pain pills, your shoulder is throbbing and your arm is almost useless. You can barely hold the steering wheel.\n\nTaking on Wong and framing the Russians may be a pipe dream given your current condition. Driving may be just as difficult.\n\nYou could always give yourself up. The Boss might let Gillian go.\n\nOf course, he might kill her too.\n\nYou put the car in gear and drive.\n\n[[Drive to Wong’s restaurant]]\n[[Drive to the penthouse and give yourself up]]\n

Taking out a helicopter here would mean a lot of collateral damage – best to leave at least a little deniability. If the Boss disposes of the bodies, which he will, no one will be able to tie the gunshots to any crime, and with a little bribe the media will publish whatever he wants them to. Of course, if you takedown a helicopter in the middle of downtown people are going to have some questions.\n\nThe Boss would do just about anything to keep your name out of the papers, or more specifically, his. Anything incriminating you incriminates him. Plus, getting out of the country will be a lot easier if your face wasn’t plastered on the television.\n\nPenthouse lobby it is.\n\nYou cross the street and grab a newspaper. You flip it open and use it to hide your face, clutching your pistol lightly in hand. You casually walk into the lobby. The guards are jumpy. Someone must have radioed that you were coming to cause trouble.\n\nYou grin.\n\nNo reason to disappoint them.\n\nYou fire two rounds through the newspaper. One hits a guard in the shoulder. The other hits the adjacent guard’s thigh. They both collapse and scream with pain. You calmly slip behind a large stone pillar that rises up to the ceiling.\n\nYou take a deep breath. Some jobs require an invisible hand and deadly precision. Then there are other jobs that require an overt and sloppy enthusiasm.\n\nThis is one of the latter.\n\nYou twist out of cover with an expression of giddy insanity. The guards are terrified. You shoot three more before they can draw their guns. You make a point not to kill them, just wound them badly.\n\nThe screams are your real weapon. You grab one of the guard’s radios and turn it on. You set it on the counter so it can capture all the cries and screams with perfect clarity.\n\nThe guards were frightened of you before – now they’re terrified.\n\nYou run to the elevator and head for the highest floor. From there you climb to the roof.\n\nTwo thugs are waiting for you. They’re trembling. No reason to waste a bullet.\n\nYou slip between them, elbowing one in the nose while kicking the other in the side of the head. The first falls down the stairs. The other pulls you through the door and onto the roof.\n\nImmediately a flurry of bullets cut at you. The guard gets hit in the chest and arm. You roll under a metal railing and behind a wall.\n\nYou can hear the helicopter land. Another wave of bullets chip away at the wall you’re hiding behind.\n\nEven if you had a clear shot of the pilot from here, it’d be too dangerous with Gillian in the back. You have to get close.\n\n“Now, now,” a calm and caring voice interjects. “Is that any way to treat your dear friend and benefactor?”\n\nYou swallow hard. It’s the Boss. “I hate to be childish," you shout, "But you started it.”\n\n“That couldn’t be farther from the truth. After all, you were the one who abandoned me.” The Boss speaks as if his tongue was a cold knife.\n\nYou laugh and silently twist around a corner. “I quit. Do you have to take everything so personally?”\n\n“Only when it matters,” He says smugly. “Your sister’s perfectly well, that is if your little stunt hasn’t traumatized her. Now, if you don’t mind, there’s a matter I’d like to discuss.”\n\nYou stay low and twist around another corner. You see the helicopter and Gillian. You count five thugs with automatic weapons, plus two in the helicopter, not to mention the Boss.\n\n[[Hear what the Boss has to say]]\n[[Finish what you started]]\n

You get on your motorcycle and drive across town. Jimmy’s been running some insurance scams the last couple of months. There’s a good chance you’ll find him at the North Office.\n\nYou make your way through traffic and park the bike in a side alley. You see him in his office shouting into the phone. He always had a temper.\n\nYou climb the stairs and get to his door in time to hear something smash against a wall. It’s comforting to know someone else’s day is going as badly as yours. You knock twice and push the door open.\n\n“I said I didn’t want to be dis-” Jimmy lowers his voice when he sees it’s you. He swallows hard. “What do you want?”\n\nYou tilt your head in a threatening way. “A favor.”\n\nJimmy groans. “Last time I did you a favor, I lost a finger.”\n\n“That’s better than your life.”\n\n“Yeah, yeah. You’re a real saint. Now what do you want.”\n\nYou pull an envelope from your jacket pocket. “I have some information I’d like you to pass along.”\n\n“Is it legit?”\n\n“Do you care?”\n\nHe sees a stack of 50’s in the envelope. “Not really.” Then he sees the Russian documents. “Wait, wait. This is-” Jimmy shakes his head and throws the envelope back. “This is a death sentence, and I’m already down $10K. A war is bad for business.”\n\nYou glare at him. “So is a funeral.”\n\nHe shakes his head and paces. “Okay, okay. Look, Wong wants me out. I’m losing territory and bleeding cash. He’s not going to listen to me – not with something like this. I mean, maybe if I had his money then he’d hear what I had to say.”\n\nYou sigh. “What do you mean his money?”\n\n“Well, okay, so there was some property – completely legit. It was supposed to double in value, but then the real-estate bubble popped, and now my cash is tied up in vacant buildings for the next six months. But if you were able to get me some money before then—”\n\nYou reach for your gun.\n\n“Wait, wait, not your money. There’s this kid, real rich, throws his money around, starts gambling and losing big. We squeeze him for the cash, but then his pop dies and all the money goes to his sister.” Jimmy shrugs. “If you convince her to pay his debt it’d be good for both of us.”\n\nKeeping Jimmy in Wong’s good graces will pay off in the long run, but Gillian doesn’t have that kind of time. Maybe you need to be more persuasive. Once you get Gillian and leave the city, you're never going to see Jimmy again...his usefulness has an expiration date.\n\n[[Keep Jimmy in Wong’s good graces]]\n[[Gillian doesn’t have that kind of time]]\n

You drop to your knees. She’s got you dead to rights.\n\nYou’ll have to talk your way out of this. “Wait,” you say confidently. “What about the money?”\n\nShe stops. “The money?”\n\n“Of course the money,” you lie. “What else would this be about?”\n\nIn the glass reflection, you see her gun hand lower. You grin. The megalomaniac types always care about the money, or the power, but a lot of times the two aren’t exclusive. Seems like she took your bait.\n\n“Now that I’ve gotten a look at your operation here,” you try to secretly motion toward Wilson. “I’m not so impressed. My organization’s weekly profits easily //overwhelm// yours.” You gesture at Wilson again. “Your technologies are interesting though, and I believe your setbacks are something our two organizations could //tackle// together.”\n\n“Really?” She says.\n\n“My organization would act as a silent benefactor. As I said, money really isn’t a problem for us.”\n\nShe lowers the gun and takes a step closer. “What kind of assurances can you pro—”\n\nHer voice cuts off as Wilson tackles her to the ground. The gun fires two bullets into the opposite wall. You grab the little girl and pull her out of the way. The gun goes off two more times. \n\nYou twist back around, ready for a fight.\n\nWilson and the woman lie on the floor. Neither one moves. You take the gun and roll Wilson over.\n\nHe cries pathetically. “I didn’t mean to. I-I-I-”\n\nThe woman has two bullet holes in her chest. Blood soaks through her shirt. She’s already dead.\n\nYou pull Wilson up. “She had it coming. If you didn’t kill her, then I would have.”\n\nHis hands shake uncontrollably. “I’ve never done that before. I don’t think I can—” He runs to the sink and vomits.\n\nYou sigh and scratch your head. “Hey,” you say cheerfully. “She’s breathing. I think she might pull through.”\n\nWilson looks up at you wide-eyed. “Really?”\n\nYou point the gun at her head and pull the trigger. “Nope.”\n\nWilson jumps at the sound.\n\nYou smile. “See, you only roughed her up a bit. I’m the one that finished her off. Feel better?”\n\nHe vomits into the sink again.\n\nYou sigh and shake your head. Some people just don’t know how to say thank you.\n\nYou lift the little girl into your arms. “Quit fooling around Wilson. We need to go.”\n\n“Yeah dad,” the little girl adds. “We need to go.”\n\nWilson looks at her with surprise then wipes the vomit from his chin. He wearily nods and follows you.\n\nThe entire mansion shakes from another tremor. You fall against the wall.\n\nYou look back at Wilson. “We’ve got enough time to get out of here, right?”\n\nHe shrugs.\n\nYou crack open the door and glance down the hallway. The guards are running through the mansion in a panic. They’re not really looking for intruders. “Let’s move,” you say, sprinting down the hall and through another door. It looks like the garage.\n\n“Hey,” Wilson says. “Look at this.”\n\n“Shh, quiet,” you say.\n\n“Hey,” Wilson whispers. “Look at this.”\n\nThere are three vehicles in the garage with keys still in the ignition. It’s just a matter of picking one.\n\n[[Take the rusty Chevy pickup]]\n[[Take the blue Subaru]]\n[[Take the Ferrari]]\n

From the roof you’ll have access to the maintenance stairs. It’s not likely the Boss will have guards posted there. You grab Gillian’s hand and pull her to the balcony. You point up. “That’s where we’re going.”\n\nShe looks up and swallows hard.\n\n“We’ll be fine, just don’t look down.”\n\nShe automatically looks down, then grips your arm in a panic. Okay, this might be harder than you thought. “If you slip, I’ll be right here to catch you.”\n\nShe doesn’t look convinced.\n\n“This is just like climbing a tree. Come on, you first.” You gently push her to the ledge. She grabs the wall. You push her up, and she manages to get a foothold, but she looks nervous.\n\n“Keep going. I’m right behind you.”\n\nShe goes up a little farther. Her legs tremble. You can’t tell if it’s from fear or exhaustion. Both could be deadly. You can still go back.\n\n[[Keep climbing]]\n[[Go back and regroup]]\n

You can’t avoid them and hiding in one of their side rooms all day isn’t an option. Maybe this can work out in your favor.\n\n“Hey,” you shout. “I’ve been waiting for nearly an hour. I expected you guys to be punctual?”\n\nThey look at each other confused. “We don’t have anything scheduled.”\n\n“Not officially. The Boss wanted this off the books.”\n\n“The Boss? We heard you were no longer under his employ.”\n\n“Yeah, that’s what eveybody else thinks too.” You give him a coy grin and hope the lie is convincing.\n\n“Hmm,” he ponders. “And what about this business that you’re so eager to discuss?”\n\n“The Boss wants to renegotiate the agreement you’ve made concerning the docks.”\n\n“Really? The arrangement is already mutually beneficial. What are his revised terms?”\n\n“You know he only discusses those details in person. He’s going to be at the docks all day if you’re interested in voicing your objections.”\n\nHe looks at you with a sour face. “Why would we have objections?”\n\n“Like I said, that’s something you’ll have to discuss with the Boss.” You lightly bow your head. “Have a good day gentlemen.” You turn and walk toward the front entrance. You stay calm and casual. If they don’t shout after you, you’ll be in the clear.\n\nWhen the Russians go to the docks, which they inevitably will, they’ll discover the merchandise the Boss is importing from the Chinese. When they see how much business the Boss is doing with their rivals, stern accusations will be made. The Russians are too smart to use their guns, but when you start trouble on the other side of town with the Chinese, the Russians will look more than guilty.\n\nYou pause for a moment. If you set these events in motion, a lot of people will die; of course most of those people probably deserve it.\n\nYou shrug. A lot of people were //probably// going to die anyway. At least this way you’re not one of them and, fingers crossed, neither is Gillian.\n\nYou turn into the front lobby. It’ll take too long to double back for your bike and if the Russians press you further you’re bound to slip up.\n\nYou glance to your right. Three sets of car keys hang from a board behind the desk.\n\nYou grin.\n\nHow convenient.\n\nThe car keys aren’t labeled, and there’s no time to check each of them.\n\n[[Take the silver key]]\n[[Take the tan key]]\n[[Take the square key|Take the silver key]]\n

You zip up your jacket, sling the bag over your shoulder, and casually walk to the office. You were never much for the spy stuff – getting close, dealing with idle chatter, and putting up with fake people. It was all so exhausting.\n\nA reliable gun and some distance are all you need to get a job done. Of course this is not just a job; this is your sister. If you can’t deliver, she’s going to die.\n\nYou take a deep breath and confidently walk past the security at the front desk. You’ve learned how to blend in – jungle, forest, desert, or a crowd – it doesn’t matter which; you’ve trained to be invisible.\n\nCrowds are the most dangerous though. People can be...unpredictable.\n\nYou step into the elevator with a group of suit wearing workers. You don’t exactly look the role, but the office holds enough employees to give you a little bit of anonymity – at least for now.\n\nOnce you reach the fourteenth floor you’ll need a cover story to reach a north facing office. The elevator dings and the door slides open. Fourteenth floor already.\n\nYou step out and walk past the receptionist without a second thought.\n\n“Wait. Wait please. Excuse me. You can’t just go in there.”\n\nYou groan under your breath – almost made it. The receptionist grabs your arm. He doesn’t look happy. You’re going to need that cover story sooner rather than later.\n\n[[Act like an intern]]\n[[Act entitled]]\n

You’re a trained assassin. You don’t need bullets to get a job done. You check the few clips you have left. It’ll have to be enough. You stuff them in your pockets and casually walk to the lobby. A thug smoking a cigarette near the entrance does a double take when he sees you.\n\nYou shove your palm into his throat before he can call for help. As he lurches forward, you pull the pistol from inside his suit jacket and hit him across the head with it. He drops to the pavement.\n\nYou walk inside. The other guards don’t seem to notice you. Then you feel the cold metal of a gun barrel against the back of your neck.\n\nCrap.\n\nGood-bye upper hand.\n\nYou hear a raspy growl, “Hands up. And don’t be stupid.”\n\nYou recognize the voice. “Hey Nikola.” The two of you were friends once, but it ended badly. You glance over your shoulder at the long deep scar across his face and his crooked nose – yeah, maybe badly is an understatement.\n\nHe pushes the pistol hard against your neck, “Move.” He motions for one of the guards to frisk you. This rescue mission is off to a rocky start. You'll need to change that.\n\nYou twist and duck, using the guard as a human shield. Two of Nikola’s bullets hit the guy’s chest. You grab his belt to keep him up while quick drawing your second pistol. You drop the two closest thugs and take cover behind a cement pillar.\n\nYou take a swift peek around the edge: four guards behind the counter, three behind the lobby furniture, two by the entrance, plus Nikola – not to mention the ones that’ll be coming from the elevator. You’ve got about two minutes before you’re surrounded.\n\nYou fire two shots at the counter and three more toward the entrance. You hear two bodies hit the floor accompanied by painful screams.\n\nYou slide right across the tile floor, firing two bullets into the couch and one into the flipped table. Two bodies slump lifelessly into view.\n\nYou aim at the entrance, but before you can pull the trigger, a bullet grazes the side of your chest and your arm falters from the pain. You turn to see Nikola hopping over the counter, his crosshairs pointed at your heart.\n\nAnother bullet whirls by your shoulder. You roll to the right as three more bullets ricochet off the floor. You push off the pillar and return fire. Nikola ducks and slides behind cover.\n\nYou use the lull to reload your pistol. You hear the elevator ding. Uh oh. You’re about to be pinned down.\n\nIt hurts to move, and your side is sticky with more blood than you'd like to admit. The bullet must have done more than graze you.\n\nYour arm trembles from the pain, and your accuracy is sixty percent, at best. There’s still time to hand yourself over and try to talk this out. Then again, you’re closer to the elevators now. You could make a run for it.\n\n[[Take your chances and sprint for the elevators]]\n[[Surrender and try to make a deal]]\n

There's no way the Boss would leave the passage way in the sewers unguarded. It's been a long time since you checked it. The Boss probably put an automated security system in place...something you don't have the tools or time to mess with.\n\nRight now, the Boss thinks you've been dealt with...that's the only advantage you have. He won't be expecting you to attack through the second story window. If you can hit him fast enough and hard enough, you and Gillian should be alright.\n\nYou drive across town to the penthouse, then cut through a side street and park near the rear of an adjacent building. You count four SUVs exiting the parking garage. \n\nThe tinted windows make it impossible to see who's inside. You've got a good feeling it's a bunch of thugs the Boss sent to check out the burning warehouse.\n\nFour cars with five people per car...that's about a third of the Boss's manpower. The building won't be barren, but the odds are looking better.\n\nYou sneak through the alley that leads to the left of the Boss's building. At this time of day, Nikola always takes a smoke break in the rear offices. He cracks a window and thinks no one notices.\n\nYou climb up the dumpster and grab onto a tiny ledge. It's barely a finger hold, but it'll do the trick. You shimmy up the side of the building stopping just shy of Nikola's window.\n\nYou hang there for about five minutes until you hear the window slide up. You see Nikola lean his head out the window and blow out a mouthful of smoke. You jump up, grabbing the window. It slams down on his neck.\n\nHe squirms and flails, trying to reach it, but he has no leverage. His eyes flash with surprise when he realizes it's you.\n\nYou smile. "Don't you know, smoking will kill you?"\n\nHe grimaces and you see the rage in his eyes...until they roll back in his head, and he stops moving. You grip the window ledge, push open the window, and slide inside. You'll need to make your way to the penthouse. That's where the Boss must be holding Gillian.\n\nYou hear footsteps in the hallway...\n\n"Hey Nikola, is everything alright? I heard a--"\n\nYou fling the throwing knife at the doorway as the thug steps into view. The knife bounces off his body armor.\n\nThe impact surprises him.\n\nYou have time to throw another knife. It ricochets off his helmet.\n\nYou're beginning to think the throwing knifes may have been a bad idea...\n\nThe thug lets loose a flurry of bullets. You feel two hit your chest and another hit your leg as you dive behind a desk.\n\nWhat kind of idiot thinks they can use throwing knifes to storm a building guarded with fully automatic assault rifles and body armor...You're such a moron.\n\nYou never even stood a chance...\n\nYou feel cold. A pool of blood swells beneath you.\n\nYou failed Gillian...If only you had a second chance...If only you could make a different set of choices...if only...if...\n\nYour eyelids feel heavy...so does the rest of your body...Everything goes dark, and you feel...hollow...\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 4]]\n

You point your pistol at Maurer’s face. “What’s going on here?”\n\nHe looks away from the gun a little nervous, but otherwise calm. “Zhis is no place for you.” His German accent is thick. “You must go.”\n\n“I want answers. What’d you do to her? And why is everyone interested in the kid?”\n\nHe shakes his head with a hint of disgust. “Answers are useful only when zhey belong to zhe proper questions.”\n\nYou take a step closer to him. “I didn’t ask for a fortune cookie. I want the truth.”\n\n“Yes, yes,” he sighs. “Zo pushy,” He shakes his head and walks around you to the cop – if she ever was a cop. \n\nMaurer takes a soldering gun from his tool box and roughly connects some of the wires in the woman’s arm. “Zat should do,” he nods.\n\nShe bends her arm and flexes her fingers. You watch with bewilderment.\n\nHe pats the young boy’s head. “Schoolwork,” he says and points to the opposite room.\n\n“Oh, do I have to?”\n\nMaurer gives him a stern look.\n\nThe boy grabs his bag and shuffles into the other room.\n\nMaurer walks past you down the adjacent hall. “Come,” he says, motioning with his hand. The woman stands behind you and waits for you to move. You feel uncomfortable, like maybe you aren’t calling the shots anymore.\n\n“Nutzlos,” Maurer grunts as he walks past the security guards. He looks back at you impatiently.\n\nYou follow him.\n\nHe leads you down a long staircase to a basement level of the mansion. A row of networked servers line one wall, while five large tables, evenly spaced, span the center of the room. Each table contains an abundance of electrical components. It appears to be something like an assembly line.\n\nMaurer walks to the third table. “Your answers,” he says pointing to the components. You can’t make them out from here. You’ll have to get closer. You’ve got a bad feeling about it.\n\n[[Look at the components]]\n[[Demand answers]]\n

“Hhhmm,” Maurer nods. “Zhat is a very good choice. I hope it will serve you vell. I ask only that you remember zhis act of friendship and tell no one of zhis place or my secrets.”\n\nYou nod and take the orange case.\n\nThe woman leads you out the mansion and back to the BMW. She remains emotionless, but you feel as though there is a softness to her expression. Maybe you’re just seeing things.\n\nYou put the car in gear and drive, staying a little under the speed limit. When this is all over you may have to pay Maurer another visit, but for now, you need to put this little detour on the back burner. You still haven’t managed to start a crime war and Gillian isn’t getting any safer.\n\nYou take a long breath and try not to think of what the Boss might have done to her. Either way he’ll get what he deserves soon enough.\n\nBut first, a little distraction to set the gears of war in motion. You pull a burn phone from your bag and text Jimmy Lee. If he really was trying to take the kid from the Russians, then he probably still thinks they have him.\n\nYour Russian is a little rusty, but you text him to bring a ridiculous amount of money to the docks for a trade. You send the same text message to the Russians.\n\nSince the address just happens to be a heavily guarded building owned by the Boss, everyone’s guns and tempers should make for a nice mess. It’s almost too bad you won’t be able to see it.\n\nWith any luck, it should clear out most of the thugs from the Boss’s penthouse and with this elegant shotgun you should be able to clear out the rest.\n\nThe shotgun is only useful close-up which means you need to be quick and direct. The only way to the penthouse is through the lobby, but the lobby has two entrances: the main entrance and the service entrance.\n\nThe main entrance is the most direct route to the elevators, but it’s also going to be the most heavily guarded.\n\nThe service entrance, on the other hand, leads through a series of small hallways and the kitchen before it reaches the lobby. It will take a bit longer, but it might give you a tactical advantage.\n\n[[Take the main entrance]]\n[[Take the service entrance]]\n

You hit Engage. The tip of the arm cannon ignites with a blinding light. Your arm feels as if it was on fire. Your vision blurs from the pain.\n\nThe light expands. The floor vibrates. You hear what sounds like the hum of an engine. Bright blue and purple tentacles of light slither from the tip of the arm cannon.\n\nThe beams twist into a sphere.\n\nIt pulsates in front of you. The room gets hotter.\n\nYou can’t seem to look away from the sphere. It glows and distorts the objects behind it.\n\nYou look closer. There’s something inside the sphere. You can’t quite tell what it is.\n\nThe gravity in the room shifts. Everything is pulled toward the sphere. You try to grab hold of the wall or a table, or doorframe, but it’s no use.\n\nYou slide across the floor and into the air. You manage to grab the couch, but the pull is too strong. The legs of the couch scrape against the tile as you slowly inch closer to the sphere.\n\nThe room is hot. You sweat profusely. You feel your foot enter the glowing sphere. Your toes feel like they’re on fire.\n\nYou try to move, try to fight it, but you’re helpless. The radiance pulls you in. You feel the tentacles of light envelop you. Then everything fades to black.\n\n[[Overcome the agony]]

Chucky was always quick, but he was never much of a shot with that hand cannon. Best to play his little game for now.\n\nHe draws and fires. The bullet whizzes past your shoulder and shatters a picture frame on the wall behind you.\n\n“Dagnabit,” he shouts and stomps his boot. “At least I was closer than last time.”\n\nYou smirk. “Last time I was standing at 50 paces.”\n\nHe shrugs. “Alright, let me have it.”\n\nYou quick draw your pistol. The bullet hits him square in the chest. He falls against the bookshelf. You twirl your pistol and slide it back into the holster.\n\n“At least you sent me out right,” he says, pulling a few books down as he smacks against the floor.\n\n“For what it’s worth, I always thought the hat was cool,” you say, stepping over his body. You push open the bedroom door. Gillian is tied to the bed. You try not to imagine what they’ve been doing to her.\n\nYou untie her and pull the gag from her mouth. “We need to move. Can you walk?”\n\nShe nods her head. Her body shakes. You see the bruises on her face and arms. It makes you feel sick. If you had the strength you’d kill them all, and who knows, you still might.\n\nYou’re a little light headed from the blood loss, but you help her up. You take her hand and walk back into the living room. “Stay behind me.”\n\nShe nods.\n\nYou drop your pistol and grab the two revolvers from Chucky’s dead body. You stuff one in your belt and lead with the other. “Come on.” You say, pulling her to the elevator. She stares at the dead bodies...or at least what’s left of the bodies.\n\n“Those,” you say innocently. “Those were there when I got here.”\n\nShe gives you a stark look.\n\n“What?” You press the button for the lobby.\n\nThe elevator descends, but suddenly jolts to a halt.\n\n“I never expect you to disappoint me,” the Boss calmly says over the intercom. “But somehow you always do.” He sighs. “Of all my killers, you had the most potential. That’s why this is so difficult for me.” He pauses. “You see, I can’t even do it myself. Alana,” he shouts. “Would you please?”\n\nThe intercom cuts out. You hear an elevator cable snap. The elevator drops a few feet and bounces. You grab Gillian. You try to reach the escape hatch on the ceiling, but the remaining cables snap.\n\nFor a moment you’re weightless. You reach out for Gillian’s hand. You know this is your fault. You know Gillian is going to die. You know that you’re going to die. The only thing you don’t know is what to say.\n\nAs you grab her hand, the elevator smashes into the pavement and the darkness overtakes you.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n

You push open the door to the second office and walk inside. A guy sits behind one of three desks.\n\n“Excuse me,” he says sternly. “What do you think you’re doing in here?”\n\nThis must be his office, and there’s a good chance he won’t be too happy about your plans. You’ll have to keep him distracted for awhile. “Someone in the lobby wanted to speak with you sir. They said it was urgent.”\n\nHe scowls at you. “Well who are you? I’ve never seen you here before. Who do you work for?”\n\n“Uh, I’m new.”\n\nHe looks you over and then walks toward the door. “I didn’t think we were hiring. I’ll have to speak to Walter about this. The budget really isn’t flexible enough for—”\n\nYou slip your arm around his neck in a choke hold. He struggles for a bit then passes out. “Sorry,” you say while laying him against the bookshelf behind his desk.\n\nAt worst he’ll wakeup with a slight headache. He’s seen you though, and when he wakes he’ll describe you to the authorities. By then you and Gillian should be out of the city, so you won’t need to kill him...probably.\n\nYou twist one of the desks around and push it against the window. There are three desks total, which means he probably shares the office with two other people.\n\nYou adjust the blinds then assemble the sniper rifle on the desk and align it with the Boss’s penthouse. You lay on the desk and adjust the scope.\n\nSuddenly you realize you forgot to lock the door.\n\n[[Get up and lock it]]\n[[Don’t bother]]\n

If you think this is the end of the book, you’re //dead// wrong. It is unfortunately the end of the demo. If you really want to know if you’ve got what it takes to save your sister, you’ll have to buy the book!\n\n<html>\n<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Bullets-ebook/dp/B00FXF0E30" target="_blank"><img src="img/sevenBulletsCover.jpg" align="left" width="149" height="224" hspace="6"></a>\nIf you enjoyed this story then support the author and buy the book! It's only $2.99 and here's what you get:\n \n<center>\n<table border="0" cellpadding="12" cellspacing="10">\n <tr>\n <td width="75%">Full Version</td>\n </tr>\n<tr>\n <td>280k words (1200 pages)</td>\t\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>470+ unique choices</td>\n </tr>\n <tr>\n <td>80+ different endings</td>\n </tr>\n</table>\n</center>\nBuy the book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Bullets-ebook/dp/B00FXF0E30" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="http://goo.gl/krXG4S" target="_blank">iBooks</a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seven-bullets-cloud-buchholz/1118069480?ean=2940148147336" target="_blank">B&N</a> <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/367868" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>\n \n</html>\n[[Re-read the story...|Intro]]

“Fine, give me the address.”\n\nJimmy opens a drawer and gives you a file. “The girl is stubborn, and she has bodyguards. I’ve already had two guys come back with broken parts.”\n\nYou glare at Jimmy.\n\n“But I’m sure you can handle it. I mean, you’re you so,” he gives you a dopey smile.\n\nYou weigh the pros and cons of shooting him in the leg. You decide it’s not worth wasting a bullet. An assassin of your caliber doing grunt work, that’s just embarrassing...Almost a reason to unionize.\n\nYou leave the office and drive to the address. It’s a mansion, well guarded and remote. The girl sent Jimmy’s guys home busted up – that means she has moxie. She also didn’t call the cops which could mean something illegal. Best to keep your guard up. You’d normally do some reconnaissance, but you don’t have that kind of time.\n\nYou hop the stone fence and take cover behind a tree. You peek up the hill toward the mansion: four guards with submachine guns, eight security cameras and five heavy duty flood lights. Jimmy obviously wasn’t telling you something. You’ll have to beat it out of him later.\n\nThe two least guarded entrances to the main house are the garage and the second story balcony. The odds are even for both. How to get inside...\n\n[[The garage]]\n[[The second story balcony]]\n

You back up as far as you can, slip both pistols into your belt, and sprint for the opening, hurling yourself into the air. The rifle toting thug is mesmerized at your insanity. You twist your legs, hitting him in the chest.\n\nHis head slams into the metal, then he twirls backwards into the air. His safety rope catches and he dangles below the chopper.\n\nThe other thug stomps at your face. You deflect his foot with your arm, and kick in his knee. He drops hard against the metal. You swing at him again, but the chopper makes a sharp left and you both grab the seat to keep from falling.\n\nHe eyes the pistol in your belt. You grab his hand as he reaches for it.\n\nThe chopper swings left.\n\nYou’re flung in the opposite direction and out the opening. You grab the landing gear. You glance at your belt. The goon has one of your pistols. You look up in time to see him point it at you.\n\nYou release, just barely dodging the bullet while twisting in freefall. You draw the remaining pistol, and fire two rounds at his chest as you grab the dangling thug.\n\nThe goon drops the pistol and falls out of the chopper. You see him plummet past you.\n\nThe chopper swerves again. The momentum sends you up. You shoot the safety rope, arc through the air and tumble onto the penthouse roof.\n\nThe landing is rough. Feels like you dislocated your shoulder. You unlatch the assault rifle from the thug in time to shoot a guard coming up the steps.\n\nYour body aches and standing feels impossible, but you’re going to see this through. You can’t let Gillian down. You limp toward the only door.\n\nSeven guards burst through with Gillian in front of them. You don’t have a clear shot. And even if you did, you couldn’t kill seven of them with one bullet.\n\nThe thugs spread out in a half circle around you, guns aimed at your chest. One of them has his arm locked around Gillian’s throat. His pistol is pressed against her temple.\n\n[[Talk things out]]\n[[Bluff]]\n

You grab the shotgun and sprint for the wall beside the door. As the first thug steps into view you slam the butt of the shotgun into his nose. He yowls with surprise and stumbles back into the other two thugs behind him. They slide down the stairs and onto the floor.\n\nThey’re dressed as waiters, but you know better. At Wong’s restaurant even the busboy is a skilled assassin. These waiters must be at least two steps above that.\n\nYou shove one of the heavy shelves on top of them. There’s a harsh crunch of bones breaking. You scramble over the shelf, up the stairs, and into the freezer.\n\nYou pause when you feel one extra grenade in your pocket. You run back and open the secret door. You pull the pin and toss the grenade down the stairs. It clanks against the steps twice.\n\n“I always tip my waiters,” you shout, slamming the secret door shut.\n\nYou hear a faint explosion and the floor rumble beneath you.\n\nYou sprint through the kitchen and out the back door. You head back to the other vehicle and get the rest of your goodies.\n\nWith any luck, this little adventure should clear out most of the thugs from the Boss’s penthouse and, using this vicious shotgun; you should be able to clear out the rest.\n\nYou jog through the back alley and hail a cab once you reach the street.\n\nIt drops you off about a block from the Boss’s penthouse.\n\nThe shotgun is only useful close-up which means you need to be quick and direct. The only way to the penthouse is through the lobby, but the lobby has two entrances: the main entrance and the service entrance.\n\nThe main entrance is the most direct route to the elevators, but it’s also going to be the most heavily guarded.\n\nThe service entrance, on the other hand, leads through a series of small hallways and the kitchen before it reaches the lobby. It will take a bit longer, but it might give you a tactical advantage.\n\n[[Take the main entrance]]\n[[Take the service entrance]]\n

You stay behind the corner and reach your arm around to lightly knock at the door. “You know who I am?”\n\nA skittery voice chokes out the word, “Yes.”\n\n“Then you know what I’m going to do to you if I don’t get my sister back.”\n\nThere’s a slight pause.\n\nThe skittery voice returns. “The Boss gave orders.”\n\n“The Boss isn’t the one standing behind this door. Now give me back my sister or you’re going to die.”\n\n“What does it matter? If we don’t give her to you, then you kill us. If we do give her to you, then the Boss kills us. Either way we die.”\n\n“Ha,” you laugh. “I never said how I was going to kill you. It’s not going to be with a bullet or a knife. That’d be too quick.”\n\n“What?”\n\n“Your buddies out here had it lucky.”\n\n“They’re dead?”\n\n“Every last one of them. I’m giving you a way out of this that doesn’t involve a layover at the morgue. You should take it before I change my mind.” \n\nIt’s silent for a moment.\n\n“You promise not to kill us?”\n\n“As long as Gillian is unharmed, you can walk out of this alive.”\n\n“Alright then, we’re coming out. And you promise not to kill us, right?”\n\nYou sigh. “I promise.”\n\nThe door creaks open. The two henchmen walk out with Gillian in front of them as a shield. “We’re walking to the elevator.” His voice is shaky. “We go down first, then you can do whatever you want, deal?”\n\nYou nod.\n\nThey walk backwards to the elevator. They step inside and push Gillian back into the hallway. When the elevator doors slide shut, you rush to Gillian and wrap your arms around her. “It’s going to be alright.”\n\nShe cries into your shoulder.\n\nYou hear something in the elevator shaft snap. There’s a shrill sound of metal scraping and a loud crash. Dust and smoke blow through the tiny openings of the elevator.\n\nThe grenade and the gunfire must have taken their toll. You had a funny feeling that elevator wasn’t going to make it to the lobby in one piece. Maybe you should have shared that information with the two henchmen. You shrug and smile. “Justice is a funny thing.” \n\n“Yeah," Gillian looks at you. “But how do we get down?”\n\nYou look at the floor. It was heavily damaged from the grenade you threw. If you could find some way to make the hole bigger, you could drop to the next floor and take the stairs. \n\nIf you take the stairs, you’re bound to run into more thugs. The shotgun is durable enough; you might be able to lock it onto one of the metal cables in the elevator shaft and slide down to the lobby. It probably won’t be any safer though.\n\n[[Drop to the next floor]]\n[[Slide down the metal cables]]\n

You shove the stun gun against the blue and yellow wires. This isn’t the craziest thing you’ve done, but it’s nearly the stupidest. You take a deep breath. It’s not like you have a lot of choices at this particular moment.\n\nYou turn on the stun gun. The rubber wire covers melt, and sparks fly toward you. The wires are so hot they fuse to the tip of the stun gun. The dish behind you spasms and the floor shakes.\n\nYou're beginning to think this was a bad idea, but it's too late to turn back now. You sprint for the elevator. You can hear the scientist screaming at one another and the machine.\n\n"The machine...Who turned on the machine!?!"\n\n"It's unstable!"\n\n"Reverse the polarity!"\n\n"It's not working! Nothing's working!"\n\nSuddenly the floor tilts. You slide backwards. The machine is imploding. Everything is being pulled toward it, even the concrete floor. Streaks of electricity spasm from the computers. The scientists flail from one keyboard to the next trying to stabilize the machine, but they have no idea what happened or how to fix it.\n\nThe ground cracks, and a giant chasm splits the lab. Computers and desks and equipment slide into the massive hole. You reach for something to grab...a cord.\n\nYou dangle over the ledge, staring down into the black pit. Several scientists slide past you, tumbling into the darkness. Their screams echo off the jagged rock walls.\n\nMaybe you underestimated what sabotaging the machine would do...Maybe you don't have to blow-up everything you come into contact with...Maybe you could--\n\nSuddenly the cord slips. The lamp it's attached to jerks free of the rubble. You fall into the pit. You twirl helplessly. The light from the room becomes smaller and smaller as you tumble in circles. You're beginning to think this was a really, really bad idea.\n\nYou bounce off a protruding rock and slam against the ground. Two or three of your ribs are broken and maybe your leg too, but you're alive. You glance up. The light is barely a sliver.\n\nHow far have you fallen?\n\nSuddenly you hear the faint sound of an explosion and the walls of the chasm shift. They're moving closer. You try to escape or at least move, but your muscles don't have the strength. Your body's in shock.\n\nThe walls shift closer. They're smashing together...\n\nYou're caught in the--\n\nYour organs pop out of your body like a bug being squeezed between two fingers.\n\n[[I'm not quite dead yet...]]\n[[Epilogue 24]]\n

You squeeze her hand. “Just drive normally and stay calm. You won’t be able to see me, but I’ll be with you the whole time.”\n\nShe nods nervously.\n\n“We’ll get through this,” you say reassuringly.\n\nHer hand trembles as she turns the key. It’s not the reaction you were hoping for, but it’ll have to do.\n\nYou sprint up the ramp to the next level. You see the exit. Only one guard. He’s old, probably one of the Boss’s first henchmen.\n\nYou shake your head. So this is what retirement looks like. You keep your pistol at the ready. It’s a good thing you got out of this business when you did. You hear Gillian turn the ramp and pull onto this floor. Okay, so maybe you should have got out a little sooner.\n\nIt still doesn’t make sense. The Boss doesn’t need you to keep his empire running. There’s no reason – no financially sound reason – for him to kidnap your sister. You shrug. It’s not like it matters now.\n\nYou slink between the parked cars, staying shrouded in shadows. You slip behind the guard room as Gillian pulls up.\n\nYou hear the elevator ding in the distance.\n\nCrap.\n\nMore thugs are on the way. Hopefully they haven’t figured out your plan. Either way, you need to leave now.\n\nAs the guard leans forward to check Gillian’s ID, you twist his arm back and pinch the veins in his neck until he passes out, then you lay him gently on the floor. You flip the release switch for both blockades.\n\nThe goons from the elevator spot you and start sprinting your direction.\n\nThe blockades aren’t going down fast enough. You fire three quick shots, nicking one of the goons in the shoulder. The other two dive behind cars.\n\nYou glance outside. Four more thugs race toward you from the lobby. You fire two shots, and they scatter for cover. The blockades still aren’t down, and you’re running out of time.\n\nIf you stay and shoot it out, Gillian might have a chance to get free. The Boss was never really interested in her. He only wanted to use her to get to you. It’s your fault she got dragged into this, and you’re the only one who can get her out.\n\nThen again, you’ve got a chance to escape with her and start a new life. Gillian can drive while you shoot from the backseat. You only need to make it a few blocks and the rest is easy.\n\n[[Stay and shoot it out]]\n[[Jump in the backseat]]\n

You rub the bridge of your nose and sigh. “Alright kid, we’ll look for your dad, but if things get serious we’re out of here, you got it?”\n\nShe nods.\n\n“Good,” you sigh. “Now we don’t have a lot of time. Do you know where your dad’s being held?”\n\nShe shakes her head.\n\n“Alright, do you at least know the layout of this place?”\n\n“There’s a basement.”\n\n“A basement?”\n\nShe nods.\n\n“That’s it?”\n\nShe shrugs.\n\n“Okay. That’s probably a good place to start.” You examine the door. There’s no way you’re getting it open without explosives. You walk back to the window. “Come on,” you say over your shoulder.\n\n“But my dad?”\n\n“We’ll get to him. We’re just taking a detour. Come on.”\n\nShe huffs, but follows you.\n\nYou glance back at her. “Stay behind me and don’t make a noise, got it?”\n\nShe nods.\n\nYou slip through the small opening of the window and then help her through. Something feels off. You glance at the corner. It’s empty.\n\nCrap.\n\nThe guard must have woken up.\n\n“Hey,” the little girl shouts.\n\nYou turn in time to dodge the butt of a machine gun swinging toward your head. You duck and twist around the guard, elbowing him hard in the kidney.\n\nHe groans and stumbles forward.\n\nYou shove him into the wall, pull the stun gun from his belt, and give him a good zap to the side of the neck. He convulses and drops to the floor, making a loud thump.\n\n“Get down,” you whisper to the girl as you drop flat against the cement. “Now,” you whisper again, grabbing her by the shirt and pulling her down.\n\nYou crawl to the edge and stare down at the other guards. They haven’t noticed you.\n\nYou keep the stun gun and crawl to the nearest window. “Stay low,” you whisper back to the girl. The other guards haven’t made a move yet which means you bumped into this guy before he could alert anyone else – at least you hope he didn’t alert anyone else.\n\nYou push open the window and slip inside. The girl follows you.\n\nYou’re in a library or a study. The walls are lined with books. There has to be hundreds of them. They look old – collector’s items maybe.\n\nYou walk to the door. It’s unlocked. You peek around the door. The hallway is empty and quiet. It’s long too and stretches in both directions for awhile. They both lead further into the mansion.\n\nYou’ll just have to pick one at random.\n\n[[Turn left down the hallway|Turn left/right down the hallway]]\n[[Turn right down the hallway|Turn left/right down the hallway]]\n

As your lifeless body drifts through space, you collide with a satellite orbiting Earth. For several minutes the television broadcast on the west coast of the United States falters. The service providers, after receiving several dozen angry emails, issue 20% off coupons and a free movie rental to resolve the matter...which, considering your involvement, is technically your last contribution to humanity.\n\nAs your body dissolves in the atmosphere, only a small handful of people see a faint streak in the sky, though none of them know that it's you.\n\n\n[[The End|Buy the book]]\n

You pull the pin on the grenade and toss it in the adjacent room. As soon as you hear it blow, you kick in the door. Portions of the wall splinter and fly through the air. One thug flops against the floor. The other shields his face. His arm locks around Gillian’s throat.\n\nYou tap your trigger twice. One bullet grazes Gillian’s cheek, shattering the thug’s teeth, disconnecting his spine. His body goes limp and falls into the bookshelf.\n\nThe other bullet burns past Gillian’s inner thigh and hits the fallen thug in the chest. His gun goes off as he gasps for breath. The bullet hits Gillian in the back. She lurches forward. Her face twists with pain.\n\nYou catch her before she hits the ground. “Gillian.” You feel the warm blood soaking her shirt. Her eyes look blank. Her head dips. \n\n“No. Gillian stay with me. Gillian.” You put your arm around her and pull her up. This is going to be a problem.\n\nYou drop the pistol and use both arms to keep her from falling. You carry her to the elevator and hit the button for the first floor.\n\nGillian tries to say something. It's barely a whisper. You can’t understand her. Blood bubbles from her mouth. The bullet must have nicked her lung.\n\nYou press against her wound, but the bleeding doesn't slow down. The elevator dings and the doors slide open. You lift her to the stairs and guide her to the lobby. You kick open the door.\n\nThe Boss and his five most menacing killers are patiently waiting for you. You’ve still got the arm cannon, but using it would mean you’d have to drop Gillian. She’d be as good as dead.\n\nThe Boss tilts his head, “Fascinating,” he stares at the arm cannon. “Most test subjects didn’t survive the binding process. Even fewer were capable of firing it.” He sighs. “At least some good will come of your childish tantrum.” He raises his cane and points it at your sister. “If you want her to live, you’ll give her and the weapon to me.” The Boss calmly removes his hat. “You have one minute to decide. By that time your sister will have drown in her own blood.”\n\n[[Give him your sister and the arm cannon]]\n[[Use the arm cannon on the Boss]]\n

This is a fine mess you’re in now. There’s no way you can come back to the apartment. You pull a bag out from under the bed. It has money, clothes, guns, and documents to get you into or out of just about any country.\n\nHopefully it'll be enough to get Gillian away from the Boss. He hasn’t killed her yet. He’s too masochistic for that. Since he knows she’s your sister, he’ll drag her suffering out for years.\n\nYou don’t have years. You don’t even have hours. If you’re going to get her back you need to act now. Going after the Boss head-on is suicide – have to hit him sideways, knock him off balance. You’ll need to thin out his army too.\n\nHe hasn’t worked out his trade routes with the Chinese yet, and if they think the Russians are involved they won’t deal. He’ll have to keep the peace with a display of force and money. That should keep things wound tight enough for you to slip in and out unnoticed. Of course, there are a lot of moving parts, and things could go bad quick.\n\nThe other option, though not as subtle, would involve blowing up one of his warehouses. With an unknown enemy he’d have to protect his other facilities, thinning out his goons at the penthouse. The threat of a war might make them jumpy. Getting out could be a problem. You need to think of what’s best for Gillian.\n\n[[Keep him occupied with the Chinese]]\n[[Blowing the warehouse is quicker]]\n

You take the car keys and the ID badge from Gillian. “Everything is going to be alright,” you say assuringly, though it’s hard to tell if she understands you. She lies down on the floor of the backseat.\n\nYou keep the silenced pistol in your left hand, obscured by the door. You’re an okay shot with your left hand, better than most, but it won’t matter. The guardroom is enshrouded in bulletproof glass and reinforced cement. Even if you hit it head on with the SUV the guard will remain unharmed. At best, he might spill his coffee.\n\nThen, as soon as he sees you, he’ll alert the others which will make leaving the city very difficult. Your best chance at escape is to weaken the blockade with some bullets and hope the momentum of the car will do the rest. Once you’re far enough away, you can switch vehicles and work on a plan to get out of the country.\n\nOf course, there are more immediate problems like the three goons that just exited the elevator. There’s no reason to be subtle now. You hit the gas. The tires squeal as they grip the road and the SUV lurches forward with incredible speed.\n\nThe goons behind you pull their guns and manage to hit your bumper and taillights. Luckily their aim sucks.\n\nYou twist around the incline to the second level, then the first. You see the exit. You punch it. The engine roars. You pull out your gun and shoot at the first blockade. Your aim is perfect, but it doesn’t matter. The guard raises the second blockade. The goons must have warned him.\n\nYou slam on the breaks. The SUV skids to a stop. “Gillian,” you shout. “Get in the driver’s seat now.” You have to lower both blockades manually, which means dealing with the guard. You can hear shouting from the stairwell. The goons are on their way.\n\nYou pull the second pistol from your bag as well as a thin metal box. You click open the box and take out what looks like two thin pieces of gum – one red and one blue.\n\nYou get out of the car and casually walk to the guardroom. You press the two pieces of gum together, then stick them to the bulletproof glass. The guard looks at you with bewilderment.\n\nYou walk behind the SUV, then point your pistol at it. When the gum turns purple, you pull the trigger. The whole side of the guardroom explodes, sending the guard in the opposite direction. He hits the desk hard and blacks out.\n\nYou step over the rubble and flip the release switch for both blockades.\n\nThe goons in the stairwell see you and sprint in your direction. The blockades aren’t going down fast enough. You fire three quick shots, nicking one of the goons in the shoulder. The other two dive behind cars.\n\nYou glance outside. Four more goons race toward you from the lobby. You fire two shots and they scatter for cover. The blockades still aren’t down, and you’re running out of time.\n\nIf you stay and shoot it out, Gillian might have a chance to get free. The Boss was never really interested in her. He was only using her to get to you. It’s your fault she got dragged into this, and you’re the only one who can get her out.\n\nThen again, you’ve got a chance to escape with her and start a new life. Gillian can drive while you shoot from the backseat. You only need to make it a few blocks and the rest is easy.\n\n[[Stay and shoot it out]]\n[[Jump in the backseat]]\n