Chapter 118: Sloan's Scheme
Chris didn't respond to Fox's curiosity about his temporary partner in this operation.
After all, he couldn't exactly admit that the little pervert was hot and bothered and wanted to have "the talk" with someone.
After deflecting her question, Chris took everyone back to the hotel while simultaneously pitching his grand vision to Wesley.
"Dude, you need to appreciate what you've got. You know how many people go through their entire lives being nobodies, unable to make even the smallest difference in this world?
But you're different—you've got talent, born to do big things. My brother and I have already mapped everything out for you; you just need to follow our lead."
Stewie sat perched on Chris's shoulder. He'd gotten used to this bird's-eye view spot, and he'd throw a fit if Chris didn't let him up there.
So Chris had no choice but to carry Wesley with his other arm, brainwashing and lecturing him, completely overwhelming this naive, working-class guy.
"First, we spend three days getting your shooting skills up to par, then we're gonna hit the Assassin Brotherhood's headquarters. We'll use this elite raid as a warm-up.
After we take down the Brotherhood—and let's be real, they're basically a gang with delusions of grandeur—we'll look for an opportunity to go global.
We won't mess with the two toughest ones; the Eiffel Tower situation is still ongoing, and the Russian Winter scenario isn't right for a small team.
So, according to my plan, we're focusing on the 'London Underground' operation. Going for that has a high success rate.
When that's done, you'll have earned your seat at the table. We'll see what role the big players give you, and then we'll figure out the next move."
Chris laid out his vision with genuine enthusiasm, which immediately ticked off Fox. After all, she was part of the Assassin Brotherhood. How could she just stand there while someone trashed her organization like that?
"You really think that little of the Brotherhood? Look, I'll admit that with your abilities, maybe you don't see us as a threat, but with just this guy? Even if his dad attacked our headquarters with him, they'd never make it out alive!"
Fox's expression stayed mostly neutral, but the fire in her eyes and her quickened breathing showed she was genuinely pissed.
Seeing this, Chris immediately pushed the confused Wesley aside, pulled the beautiful woman into his arms, and said with a grin, "Hey, I never meant to disrespect your organization. Calling your group a gang depends on who you're comparing them to. You know what I mean by the 'London Underground' operation?"
Wesley and Fox were both curious about Chris's video game analogies, and even the well-informed Stewie was intrigued.
Although he knew plenty of things beyond his timeline, there were still gaps in his knowledge.
Like comparing the five permanent UN Security Council members to the five hardest boss fights in the world.
"No need to explain all of them, or you'll say I'm crapping on France again. I'll just give you the quick version of what 'London Underground' means.
You just need to know that to beat this level, you'd need to completely wipe out the British Royal Navy, seriously damage the RAF, and then leave your mark on London itself.
Only after pulling all that off, without getting sanctioned by other world powers, would you complete the mission. Make sense now?"
After hearing Chris's explanation, Wesley looked shocked and terrified, as if thinking, "Am I really capable of something like that?"
Fox also gasped, looking skeptical, increasingly convinced that Chris was completely insane.
In contrast, Stewie's eyes lit up with excitement. He thought this game sounded pretty fun and worth trying when he got bored.
Chris looked at Wesley, who seemed frozen in fear, and chuckled, "Don't freak out, man! Like I said, you have no clue how much potential you're packing."
Wesley stared blankly at Chris, waiting for him to continue the sales pitch.
"Haven't you already learned from Fox what kind of man your father was? You just need to understand that once you unlock your abilities, you'll be even more badass than him.
When that happens, you'll see how vulnerable Britain really is right now. With your—well, mostly with my—backup, you can absolutely pull off what I'm describing."
Seeing Wesley still hesitant, even too scared to imagine it, Chris encouraged him, "Don't sweat it, I'm not asking you to go big right now. Like I said, we'll practice shooting first, then use the Brotherhood as a training run, and THEN we'll do the major stuff."
"So for now, just focus on your marksmanship practice, and don't worry about anything else."
Just as Wesley was being won over by Chris and was about to regain his confidence and gear up for something major, an assassination attempt targeting Chris was already in motion.
At the Brotherhood's textile factory headquarters, Cross was meeting with Sloan.
"You're saying Wesley was killed by this guy—so where's your proof?"
Facing Cross's gun aimed at him, Sloan was panicking inside, but he kept his cool on the surface.
This was all to earn the trust of the organization's former top assassin.
Only with Cross's help could Sloan feel confident about completing the mission fate had assigned him.
So when other organization members drew their weapons and faced off against Cross, Sloan raised his hand to stop them and motioned for them to leave.
To Cross's confused look, Sloan said with a smile, "The letter I gave you makes it crystal clear. Fate has provided its guidance; this kid is now the criminal we must eliminate."
Sloan's eyes were sincere, as if he truly was following divine instructions.
But in response to his smooth talk, Cross had only one answer: "I don't buy it!"
"Hand over my son, even if it's just his body. Otherwise, you're dying here, and every other member of this organization dies too."
Saying this, Cross unzipped his jacket, revealing that his bulky coat was packed with detonators.
This was his insurance policy for daring to accept Sloan's invitation and walk into enemy territory alone.
Seeing the explosives strapped to Cross's body, Sloan's heart skipped a beat, then he confessed, "No. I don't know where Wesley is. I'll admit I sent Fox to grab him before, planning to use him to take you out.
But you know how that ended—Fox's car got blown to hell, and your son and Fox both vanished.
That's why I followed fate's guidance, tracked you down, and I'm asking for your help to get through this crisis together."
To gain Cross's trust, Sloan also showed him the text printed by the Loom of Fate.
Previously, to protect his position, Sloan hadn't let other organization members see this information.
However, Cross already knew what kind of man he was, so showing him didn't really matter.
And Cross, looking at the photo in his hand, seemed shaken, then said with a dark expression, "What exactly are you planning?"
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