### Chapter 2: Long Shot
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#### Frankfurt, Germany – 1:03 AM
Leon sat in a dimly lit room, the glow from his laptop screen casting a soft blue hue on his face. The secure web platform he used for contract assignments blinked with a new message.
"New contract available."
With a click, the message opened, short and direct.
> **Target:** Theodor Krause, Chairman of Langley Industries.
> **Payment:** €5,000,000 (€1.5M upfront, remainder upon completion).
Leon’s gaze remained unreadable, but €1.5 million upfront wasn’t enough. His fingers moved over the keyboard, typing with practiced precision.
"€2.5 million upfront, or find someone else."
A brief pause followed.
> "That's unreasonable."
Leon’s response was instant.
"I don’t take risks on promises. You know my reputation. Pay €2.5 million now, or the deal is off."
Another pause. Then—
> "Transfer initiated."
Seconds later, his account balance updated—€2,500,000 received. Leon typed a final response:
"Accepted."
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#### Research – 3:12 AM
Leon delved into meticulous research about Theodor Krause, Chairman of Langley Industries. Krause was a formidable man, known for his ruthless business tactics and extensive network of connections. Leon needed to understand his target thoroughly to execute the mission flawlessly.
He combed through financial records, news articles, and any available personal information. Krause’s routine, security measures, and personal habits—all details were scrutinized. Leon's eyes moved swiftly over the data, committing crucial information to memory.
Satisfied with his research, Leon knew exactly where and when to strike. The preparation could now begin.
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#### Preparation – 4:30 AM
In his meticulously organized workshop, Leon stood before his custom-built sniper rifle, assembling it with smooth, practiced motions. Unlike mass-produced rifles, this one was crafted for speed and precision, lightweight yet powerful—a weapon tailored specifically to his needs.
No digital enhancements. No auto-correcting scopes. Just raw mechanical perfection.
He ran his fingers along the high-density barrel, engineered for minimal recoil. A weapon that could strike with surgical precision even at extreme distances. The .50 BMG rounds sat neatly beside him—each one capable of piercing armor, destroying bone, ending lives in an instant.
Leon locked in the manual scope, calibrating it by instinct. He wasn’t relying on technology this time—only his own skill. He loaded a round. The sniper felt weightless in his hands—a testament to its craftsmanship. It was time.
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#### Test Shots – 7:30 AM
Leon had stationed himself on a rooftop parking structure, 3,825 meters from Langley Industries. Before taking the real shot, he needed to confirm bullet trajectory. At this range, even the slightest miscalculation meant failure.
The rooftop offered a clear line of sight to his target, but it also presented challenges. The high winds at this altitude, the humidity in the air—all variables that could affect the bullet's path. Leon lay prone, his body perfectly aligned with the rifle, reducing any chance of movement that could throw off his shot.
He steadied his breathing, each inhale and exhale controlled and measured. His heartbeat was the only sound he focused on, timing his shots with the natural rhythm of his body. He adjusted the scope, accounting for wind speed: 6.2 m/s, and humidity: 72%.
Leon fired the first test shot. The rifle's recoil was minimal, just as he expected. He watched through the scope as the round hit a steel structure near the company building. It was a near miss, but not perfect.
He made a slight adjustment to the scope, recalibrating based on the data from the first shot. He needed to account for the slight drift to the left caused by the crosswind.
Leon fired again. This time, he felt it. The bullet trajectory was flawless. The round struck precisely where he aimed, the steel structure resonating with the impact.
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He wasn’t done yet. To ensure consistency, he fired two more rounds, each one hitting the same mark with pinpoint accuracy. The confirmation shots were crucial—there could be no room for error when it came to the real target.
With the test shots complete, Leon felt a surge of confidence. He had calculated every variable, accounted for every possible deviation. Now, he was ready.
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#### Mission Day – 7:58 AM
Langley Industries’ entrance was a storm of reporters, cameras flashing, journalists shouting. Security was on high alert, snipers on adjacent buildings scanning for threats. Leon lay motionless, sighting through his manual scope. The convoy approached—three armored SUVs, security detail prepared for an ambush.
Krause’s routine was predictable: Exit the vehicle, rush inside under guard. That window—the moment before he crossed the entrance—was all Leon needed.
Door opening. Krause stepped out, flanked by bodyguards. Leon exhaled. And pulled the trigger.
The .50 caliber round cut through the morning air. Three seconds later, just as Krause stepped past the entrance, his skull exploded. His body collapsed forward, blood splattering against the glass doors. Panic. Chaos. Reporters screamed. Security dragged his corpse inside as guards frantically searched for the shooter. But Leon was already on the move.
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#### Escape
Leon swiftly disassembled the sniper rifle with practiced efficiency, breaking it down into its component parts and packing them into a nondescript black duffel bag. He had planned his exit meticulously, knowing that speed and precision were crucial to his survival.
Fire. Relocate.
He moved with a fluid grace, leaving his rooftop perch and heading toward the stairwell. Each step was calculated, avoiding any creaks or noises that might alert someone to his presence. He descended quickly but silently, reaching the third floor where a stolen black sedan awaited.
A police helicopter swept the skyline, its searchlight cutting through the early morning haze. Sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder as law enforcement closed in on the scene. Leon slid into the driver's seat, started the engine, and smoothly pulled out of the parking structure.
The streets of Frankfurt were beginning to fill with commuters, the morning rush hour providing perfect cover for his escape. Leon navigated the city with ease, blending into the flow of traffic. He drove with purpose, avoiding any sudden movements that might draw attention.
As he approached a major intersection, he reached into his duffel bag and retrieved a change of clothes. At a red light, he quickly removed his gloves and jacket, replacing them with a casual shirt and a baseball cap. The disguise was simple but effective, transforming his appearance enough to avoid recognition.
The police scanner in his car crackled with updates about the lockdown procedures being implemented around Langley Industries. Leon listened intently, noting the locations of roadblocks and checkpoints. He adjusted his route accordingly, steering clear of areas with heavy police presence.
He crossed the Main River, the city's skyline reflecting off the water as the sun began to rise. The tranquil scene was a stark contrast to the chaos he had left behind. As he merged onto the Autobahn, the open highway stretched out before him, offering a clear path to freedom.
Leon glanced in the rearview mirror, ensuring he wasn’t being followed. Satisfied, he accelerated, the powerful engine responding instantly. Within minutes, he had left the city limits, the urban landscape giving way to the countryside.
He drove for hours, the tension slowly dissipating as the distance between him and Frankfurt grew. By the time authorities closed the area, he was far from their reach—just another car on the highway. Another ghost in the city.
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End of Chapter 2
