Ego or Mercy
Details.
It's what every sniper has in common: the ability to pick up of certain... Mistakes. Seeing the odd one out, seeing the dark to the light, seeing things that the common eye wouldn't see. It's all in a days work.
I sat on top of a forest-covered hill, gaining a perfect view of my target's location.
A party I guess... Not surprising there.
The estate seemed pretty expensive from its high-end location to it's posh interior/exterior. Though, I still didn't get why my target's household was so, flashy, in the way that it could be seen from space.
Now I'm just getting off target...
Just, focus...
I inhaled a deep breath, and continued my hunt.
Funny isn't it. My target organised a massive, over the top party and doesn't attend. Or she's here, but just in a discrete location. Hopefully she arrives into my vision or I'll go home unsuccessful, once again.
It's kinda hard to talk about things when your situated at a secretive location, watching as they call it 'the world go by'.
"Just one thing..." I whispered to myself. "just one thing..."
Scanning the local area once again, I managed to find something, familiar. I exited my eyes from the snope and onto the documents I was given. I gave a quick peek of my target's photograph, then shifting back into my scope only to find, that was my target...
She was a lightly tanned pegasus supporting a dark brown mane and tail. She perfectly matched the description my general stated in my document. All I needed to do was finish the job...
I shuffled in to a prone position, stretching my limbs inside and out, ready to take the shot that could change history...
I slowly watched her as she strolled over to the balcony, my scope directly pointing to her head. She stopped and leaned against the balcony, giving me the perfect moment to strike. I pulled a 7.62 caliber bullet from my side pocket and slowly slotted it into my rifle. Once armed, I pointed my rifle right in between her eyes. I stared down my spoce, ready to pull the trigger.
She moved... And I hesitated.
I pulled back and continued to hold. She pulled out a mobile phone and started scrolling through it. She put the phone to her ear, then stared at me.
I was reluctant to call it a coincidence, but when phone started ringing, it was too obvious...
I pulled out my phone and answed.
"your pretty good at your job. I'd almost hadnt seen ya then..." she said.
I said nothing.
"come on, don't give me that silent treatment. I've seen it all before with you soldiers."
I scowled down my scope, not saying a damn thing.
"listen, I don't have time for this, contract killer..." she spoke up
That phrase annoyed me a bit, and wanted to say something about it, but I knew it was a bad idea. Still answered back anyway...
"I'm no contract killer..." I answered back, In quite a harsh manner.
"Ahh... So you do talk then. I honestly thought you where a mute" she smirked.
I rolled my eyes, and continued to talk.
"I've seen your files, I've seen what you can do. Cut the act or I'll end this right here, right now." I warned her as I strained the trigger.
"Now, now, thestrial. Following blindly to your general's commands. You really need to have a mind of your own..." she said. "it would be better for you, for me, and for all of us."
I grimaced at the word thestrial. She obviously knew something that I didn't.
"do you know who I am?" I questioned.
"yes I do know who you are, Spectre 'Il' Cacciatore." she answered. "I know almost everything about you."
I generally panicked in fear. My eyes were wide, my heart was racing and I felt discombobulated. I didn't know what to do or what to say.
She chuckled softly. "I find it funny when the hunter becomes the prey. They become so... scared. It tickles me every time."
I went to speak, but she continued.
"I wouldn't become too obsessed with that rifle... Wouldn't want to hurt anyone with that."
"I-I don't understand-" I spoke up, yet again being interrupted by her.
"come on." she spoke softly. "why don't you put that gun away and you know... Chat it out like, reasonable ponies.?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't. I've got a job to do..." I aimed my rifle at her head, ready to shoot. She looked at the ground with a sadistic tone, then began to speak.
"I'm trying to save all of you... From this..."
Her words exactly resembled this scene. I put my work over everypony else. I let my Ego take control of me.
I had to process this. Clearly it had to be one or the other; her life taken by me, or her life spared by me. It was too much to take in at once. I couldn't shoot innocent ponies. It just wasn't right.
"Dr. Scarlet rain." my ear twitched . I guessed that was here name. Though, was it really.?
"I used to create life-saving technology. My creations saved lives and I'd finally found my place. Then, the government came. Corrupt as always, came in like they owned the place and seized everything, claiming it's dangerous. I shook it off and make more, and became wanted."
Damn... I mean, harsh.
"the government use ponies, as in this case, bat-ponies to do the dirty work for them.." she continued. "yet I've created something, something to rid us of them, something stronger than
them. Though, are you willing to accept...?"
Was she hiring me!? To join a resistance?
Great... More things to process. I unmounted my rifle and stood up. I thought to myself about the rights and wrongs about what could happen. Better safe than sorry, I guess...
I stood there for some time, scratching my chin and rubbing my temples. I was quite a stressful decision. On one hoof you've got a resistance needing your help to gain freedom or on the other you have a job that supplies you for the rest of your life.
"so... What will it be?" she asked. "Ego or mercy?"
I gulped and hesitated for a moment before answering.
"ill take the wiser choice." I answered. Hope she didn't mistake that for the wrong answer.
She smiled. "wise choice indeed..."
She ended the call, and destroyed the phone. She signaled her hoof telling me to join her before walking off.
I dismantled my rifle, burned all my paperwork and walked towards her direction. The only thing was missing was my mind filling with questions, though, that could wait another time...
Only time will tell this story...