••TURKEY/IRAQI BORDER••

A young farmer and his wife sat on two donkeys, a third donkey pulled a chart filled with perishable goods and vegetables behind them.

The farmer looked shabby on a skull cap and a dusty gown which covered his dust claded legs.

His wife looked more decent with a hijab wrapped around her beautiful body, she was all covered up leaving only her eyes visible.

They were silent as they approached the military check point.

Nine soldiers watched as the couples approached, they looked tired and seemed to be suffering under the hot sun. The chief military officer on duty walked towards the couple.

“Good afternoon officer” the man greeted in Arabic. His wife hid her face from the piercing gaze from the officer who nodded his head and rounded their goods.

“I can see that you are farmers and traders, I hope there are no strange and illegal objects inside this chart?”
“No Mister, we are legal, honest and upright farmers, we don’t do any illegal things, we would return back later this evening when I finish selling my farm products” the farmer replied.
“Ok, safe journey mister” the soldier said and signalled that the barrier be lifted up for the farmer and his wife to go through. The farmer winked at his wife whom turned the other way.

---

••Al Mawsil(Mosul) town••

Xavier and Rita stopped in a stall and jumped off their donkeys, their GPS had directed them to the small town just fifty kilometres from Baghdad. They pushed away the vegetables and perishable goods to the ground, three bags were laying beneath, they took them out and spread them on the ground.

“I hate this clothing” Rita cursed under her breath as she stripped off her former garment and changed into a loose gown. Xavier removed his fake nose and beard and also extracted additional piece of skin from his forehead but he left his custom on. They sat and waited for the assassin that was to lead them in their mission in Iraq. Each lost in their own thoughts. Trying to figure out what Karma had in store for them, Xavier was still a tad mad at Rita for locking him up the even though it happened two days back.

She still looked lovely.

“Xavier down” Rita screamed too late when a man hacked down on Xavier who was too lost in thoughts to defend himself. She stood up and faced the man who was wearing an all black outfit, covered his face with a mask and held a dog chain.

“I always knew you fake farmers were up to something, now open those bags or die” the strange man threatened.

“Well you would have to kill us first” Xavier said from behind him, the man was in a fix, Rita was in front of him while Xavier was behind, they both rush at him same time, he flunged the chain up and caught a wood cut out from the roof of the stall, he circled above them and landed three feet in front of them. They charged again, both threw punches at the same time, the man blocked and sent a reeling kick to Xavier’s groin, Xavier held his balls and slumped down in pain.
“Get up idiot, help me” Rita begged as the man turned his full attention on her, she coped better, blocking and counter attacking while the lazy Xavier was still rolling around muttering ten reasons why he still need functioning balls in this life.

The stranger kept taunting Rita with blows till he tired her out, he faked a left punch before using the sole of his boot to hit her left knee, sending her crashing before him.

“Are you sure this fool is the person that can pull through this mission?” He asked Rita who looked up and smiled, he dragged her up with one hand.
“And you are?” Xavier said sitting up.
“Fatalveli aka Shadow walker” the man said smiling. He took of his face mask which revealed his handsome face with a slight cut at one side of his temple. He was not more than twenty-five.
“Am a Nigerian” he added and dragged Xavier up.
“What? A Nigerian?” Xavier mimicked as the young black man sent another reeling kick to his groin, Rita chuckled.
“Damn, I would produce children someday so please take it easy bro” Xavier cried out.
“Do you think Iraq is a child’s play ground, we are going to infiltrate a well guard dome and you are kidding around, how old are you for fu’ck’s sake” Fataveli taunted.
“Well nice to meet you Mr shadow walker, I guess your fondness for blending into shadows prompt your nick name right?” Rita asked.
“Sure Miss, just like I have been here ever since you guys came in, and I love watching the moment, including while you undressed” he added showing his nice sets of teeth.
“Ok, back to business, where are the weapons, nice job taking them pass the border safely. You are free to leave us till we notify you, Rita, take this GPS and go to the green spot on the screen, that’s my hideout, everything is set for you to have a fun time in Iraq, just be careful, I brought a power bike, packed at the back of this stall, covered in bushes, take it” he instructed as Rita nodded and walked out.
“Now back to you Xavier, I heard you are currently the best assassin in the creed, I don’t know how credible that rumour is but I would advice you to drop all those rumours one side and face this mission whole heartedly, this might be your most toughest mission yet, my only job is to help you infiltrate Nouri al-maliki’s compound located in Baghdad, he supplies weapons to even the Iraqi military hence his house is a strong hold that can not be infiltrated even with a hundred men but there is a way to enter the compound” Fataveli said as he brought out a large map of Baghdad from one of the bags and spread it out.

“The river Tigris, it runs through Baghdad and it is connected to a water fall in Nouri al-maliki’s compound, you have to make it before you are caught. Al-Maliki is a very wise man, his guards are one of the best in this region so you really got to be careful or your head might be flowing in his soup pot by morning. I would back you up and supply intelligence reports as well as protect your arse, try to interrogate him and find out what he knows about the location of Al-ahmad Mahmud Dhiyab then make sure he is exterminated before getting out of there. Then when we get back we would search for Al-ahmad, any questions?”
“Yes, how are you gonna protect my arse?” Xavier asked.
“Good question kid, using this” Fataveli said bringing out a Knights SR-25 carbine, civilian version sniper with a 16″ barrel and telescopic butt stock and An AS500 12.7x99mm NATO sniper weapon.

“This babies here could easily aid me to create a route right through the white house. I would exterminate any obstacle you might come across, just be careful that you don’t come across any enemy that sees you first. Now rest a little, your swimming customs and weapons are in the third bag, we have three hours left before your mission starts” Fataveli instructed as he slumped down and dropped a note on Xavier’s laps, the picture of the arms dealer, the blue print of his mansion and family info were all detailed in it.

Time; 3.15pm