Genies most lucrative contract yet, puzzled her. The fee offered of one hundred times her normal five hundred K, was certainly eye catching. The usual security measures meant as usual she knew nothing of the client’s identity, just as they knew nothing of hers. It was always easy to work out from the name of the target and how easily the client could stump up her fee. Normally the victim was some rival drug baron or gangland leader, occasionally a political leader from some state not affiliated to either the Alliance or the Confederation upsetting the applecart. Politcals normally doubled her tariff. Who would be worth fifty million and who could afford such a fee? It wasn’t an easy job either, all she had a date, time and location and the instructions, ‘You’ll know the target when you see them.’ Neither the Confederation nor the Allies outsourced this sort of work. They kept it purely in house; the global situation was far too dangerous. With the two blocks constantly squaring off against each other, they could not risk the risks of a leak by engaging a private contractor like Genie. Twice this year, local misunderstandings had nearly led to global conflict. With all military leave cancelled for the foreseeable future, and rocket silos permanently open, the missiles clearly visible to the satellites orbiting in space. When, not if was the question on the world’s lips. Genie checked the time and as if on que a black limo turned the corner and stopped outside the select nightclub in the street below. Men and women in dark suits seemed to appear from nowhere and cleared a path through the bystanders. Genie pulled the scope to her eye. The door of the limo opened. A woman in her fifties climbed out of the car, her thick brown hair coiffured into elegant waves. The woman turned and Genie saw her face. Joanne Stanwick, smiled at the nightclub’s owner as he stepped forward to greet her. Genie ignored the pleasantries and set her sights on the open door of the limo. Genie knew the face to look for, the Speaker of the Alliance’s Senate. A popular statesman, and someone who knew how to be discrete when necessary. However, Genie had contacts and knew the Speaker had been in secret talks with the Confederation. He had developed a plan, which would not only mean peace, but increased trade between the two blocks. He would be responsible for saving millions if not billions of lives. Genie saw a shadow moving inside the limo. She knew client’s now. Barnwood Industries, the biggest supplier to the Alliance’s military. They would know how good Genie was and they would want the best. The Speakers silver hair flashed between the door and its frame. Genie, felt the cold scope against her eye. The Speakers smile revealed just how close the world was coming to lasting peace. The Speaker was not only good at his job, but he acted with true professionalism. The trouble was so did Genie.