GUN MAN

Chapter 1

The target's torso was in the exact center of the reticle.Although this wasn't exactly where I would aim when I fired the shot, it served as a useful point of reference until I was ready.Using the mil dots on the reticle, I had calculated the distance.It wasn't necessary because I had used the range finder to choose this location, and the scope was set to the six hundred meter range. However, I always liked to use both methods just in case something happened.Cut only once, measure twice.Since the sight had dialed in the range, I didn't have to change my vertical aiming position.I only needed to think about the wind.With a flick of my eye to the left, I could see the small flag I had put on top of a nearby building.I estimated the wind's direction from left to right at 8 mph from the silk's slight ripple.I knew it was equivalent to four MOA, or minutes of angle, at this level and range.I shifted my aiming point just over a mil to the left to accommodate the 3.375 MOA in a mil on the reticle.

The CheyTac Intervention M300 was spread out in front of me on a bipod as I lay prone.It was the ideal weapon for this range.My right elbow rested on the mat I had laid on the ground to make things more comfortable, and my cheek rested on the stock.I had my left arm collapsed before me with my left hand on my right shoulder in an exemplary sharpshooter position for a rifle with a bipod.Naturally, it wasn't like the movies, where the sniper typically holds the hand guard under the barrel.After taking two inhalations, I allowed my body to relax.I didn't need to be nervous because I had a solid foundation from which to aim.

The time was right.As I applied tension to the trigger, I exhaled slowly after taking a final inhale.

As if it were the beginning of a headache, pressure slowly built up on my temple.It wasn't a jab that caused me to jerk away; rather, it was an ever-increasing force.Then it was, then it wasn't.However, it shouldn't have been there.It stood out even though it seemed out of place.A gun barrel had been pressed against my side of the head by someone.

As I slowed my breathing, a calmness came over me like a cool shower on a hot day.I needed to come up with a way to get some control back.When I was lying on the floor with a gun to my head, that wasn't easy.

I said, "That's impressive."to get this close to me and not let me hear you.

I made sure not to move and kept my cheek close to the stock.Despite automatically returning the target to the center of the reticle as I continued to look through the Steiner M5Xi scope, I was still very focused on the room.My head was under constant pressure.

"I like to be impressive," I say.

I grinned.A woman surprised me.She sounded very English in her accent.either from the Home Counties or the upper middle class.Usually, I can't tell the difference.To be honest with myself, I doubt there was one.

But why not a woman, I questioned to myself?A woman would be a much better assassin than a man.In general, women were more subtle.Simply put, there weren't many female assassins and this wasn't a large community.Was the industry sexist?Most likely not.It's more likely that women avoided such a short-lived industry because they were far more sensible than men.

I continued to look through the scope at the target while remaining relaxed.

I responded, "I'm not sure which is more impressive."capturing me, or finding me in the first place."

“Like I said...” The voice sounded a little bit Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and had a slight smoky undertone.It probably would be sexy in other situations.Hell, in these circumstances, some men might find it sexy.However, not me; TPT was not my kind, and these circumstances were definitely not motivating.

"Why didn't you go ahead and cock your gun to let me know you were here?"It would have been so much better.

Yes, racking the slide to eject the chambered perfectly good round is the coolest thing ever.I have experience;This is not like the films.In any case, I didn't think the dramatic entrance would be necessary.

I had tried unsuccessfully to upset her.She was, on the contrary, making fun of me.She wouldn't have found me or put me in this situation, with a gun to my head and me completely at her mercy, if she hadn't been a professional, which I already knew.I was fortunate to have obtained the data from her.Although it was a start, I still lacked complete control.I had to keep talking to her.

"So, now what?"I pressed.

"Maybe I'll just shoot you and leave here," I thought.The tone of her voice was somewhat mocking.

"I don't believe so."

Why might that be the case?Despite being a challenge, it was friendly.

You would have already completed it if that were all you were going to do.Your risk is increasing every second you spend talking to me, which goes against your incredible professionalism.I responded with interest to the teasing.That's what I thought.There may be more to this, but I'm having trouble figuring it out.However, you ought to proceed with it.I'm getting sick of it.

I might just be taking in the moment.Nobody has ever seen or heard of the assassin.She sneered once more, "right here, under my gun."However, for someone with a gun to their head, you are extremely salty."

I grinned once more.She gave as much as she received.In fact, I believe she was winning this conversation.I was hardly making any headway.

Being the one who receives it is the kind of thing that makes me bitter.Additionally, I must complete a task.Additionally, I detest having to press this button.

Between us, there was a silence.

“Button?Which switch?I can tell it's a scam.

I've made it this far.Numerous people would prefer that I die.I exercise caution.Don't you?"

She was unable to see my left hand because my left arm was folded underneath.

I have a button in my jacket's pocket that will activate the security measures I've set up.It won't go as planned.Naturally, she was correct; it was a ruse.I had never been approached before.I had no justification for taking this level of precaution.The lady was directly in that nobody knew what my identity was, what I resembled or anything about me.

So, should I just shoot you right now?

I wouldn't want that to end well.I needed to think quickly.

I responded, "Ah, I wouldn't do that either."It is, after all, a dead switch.It has now been activated, and if I let go, it will become noisy.She understood what I meant when I said I was implying a bomb.

She yelled, "I know what a dead man's switch is, fucktard," before recovering.It appears that we are at a dead end.a conflict with Mexico.We will both die if I kill you.You'll probably kill me if I don't.At this point, it appears that I will die regardless.

I took a chance.I cannot make any guarantees.So, as I mentioned, what now?I hoped it would be seen as a joke by her.She might just shoot me and hope my bluffed bomb didn't kill her if she didn't.

"Maybe you ought to simply take the shot."

My eyebrow started to rise.That was unexpected for me.I guess I had assumed she was the target's guardian.I hadn't even thought about it;I had just agreed to it.I assumed that she was detaining me.What's going on?

Despite my inability to move, I had not diverted my attention from the scope's image.All the while, I had been focused on the room and had made the minute adjustments to follow the target unconsciously.I refocused, made one last adjustment, and then pulled the trigger because it was pointless to delay.After all, that was why I was here.The rifle's and the.375 match grade round's maximum range of 2500 meters was well within the range.The round reached its target in less than a second.

“Hit?”She inquired.

That was simply offensive.I removed my eye from the extension and turned my head to gaze toward her.

“Seriously?”

She squatted in front of me, but as I turned, she pulled the gun away from my temple.It did not budge as it continued to point at me.Consistent as a stone.

She had a stunning beauty.Given the small population, I had assumed her identity, but this proved it.I had heard that she was attractive, but I wasn't sure what that meant in real life.It came as a surprise.

Again.

The pistol that was still pointing at me was an SP2022 Nitron polymer frame 9mm, which was not a burner but rather a very professional weapon.It probably belonged to her.I learned a little more about her from it.