They Shall Breathe Ashes, the famous assassin, and her assistant Shelby are in a HALO jump. They is wearing a Kevlar-polypro-spandex white bodysuit with red accents; Shelby, an insulated brown coverall.

“Ten seconds to opening altitude,” crackles Shelby over the link.

“Remember, we’re splitting east-west once the chutes open,” says They. “You’ll steer onto the roof, penetrate security, poison his spoon and rendezvous at the maintenance tunnel exit. Try to avoid the dogs this time? I’ll change clothes and smirk at the front gate.”

Radio silence.

“Shelby?” says They.

“You always take the goddamn hard part,” Shelby responds.