James Bond was lying on the muddy ground behind a garbage can. This was one of the worst parts of his job; not because his coat was ruined, but because he never liked being responsible for somebody else’s life. Bond was more than willing to put his own life in jeopardy for his country, but Bond was never fully responsible when somebody else’s life was at risk.
James’ target was on the left; his target’s target was on the right. To the average person walking through the park that night it would look like a meeting of two old friends. The two men hugged, then took a step back and faced each other. The man on the right was a New York congressman. The man on the left was a killer. Michael Bond had made a good living for himself as an assassin-for-hire in England. James was glad he shared nothing more than a last name with the man, and that was merely a coincidence. James would have been ashamed to be related, even distantly, to that murderer.
James had been tracking Michael Bond for several weeks. Michael was to be brought in alive if possible, to be questioned in a half dozen murders he was suspected of being involved in. Michael’s trail had now led to New York City. It seemed as though Michael had been hired not to kill the congressman, but to deliver something to him. James couldn’t understand why anyone would hire a great assassin as a delivery boy, but whatever the delivery was it must be important.
James had found out with help from the FBI that congressman Moledo had been receiving communications from an unknown source, telling him to expect the delivery. The last communication had told him to meet a man in the southeast corner of Central Park at two o’clock in the morning. The sign was to be a hug.
James had suggested that the congressman show up, but with protection. James would be the first line of protection. Michael was a professional, and if he saw any signs of police or FBI interference he would break off the meeting. However, one man could hide well enough to not be detected. Therefore, Bond was essentially alone. The police and FBI were several hundred meters away from the park. Bond was now watching the meeting take place through one of the world’s most sophisticated dart guns. The gun could fire a dart with extreme accuracy up to four hundred yards. James was just under three-fourths of that distance from the two men. He was to shoot Michael the moment anything looked dangerous. However, if possible the meeting should go on for as long as possible. If it was information only that Michael was to deliver, shooting him to soon could mean that the information would never become known.
* * *
The man glided along the rooftops, looking for trouble. He found it in the southeast corner of central park. It looked like someone was preparing to kill congressman Moledo. Moon Knight jumped from the building, falling gently to the ground, and was off running. His strides were silent; his feet barely touching the ground. Within seconds he was behind the gunman. With a swift motion he grabbed the man’s shirt, tearing him to his feet. With another move the man was disarmed.
James reacted quickly, delivering a few quick blows to his attacker, forcing Moon Knight to take a few steps back. James got a quick look at Moon Knight and realized he wasn’t dealing with an ordinary man. This was probably one of New York’s ‘super heroes’.
“You don’t understand,” James whispered. “I…” Moon Knight attacked again, thinking that James’ initial hits were proof that he was an enemy. James did his best to fend off the punches, but Moon Knight was very strong. It was a full moon that night.
James took a few steps back as Moon Knight threw more punches. A hit connected, and James was thrown back many feet, and the wind was knocked out of him. Since James knew he was dealing with a person with enhanced powers, he felt it was safe to use stronger attacks. He stooped to pick up a large rock, disguising the motion by making it look as though he fell to his knee from Moon Knight’s last attack. With the rock in hand, James swung out and smashed it against Moon Knight’s back. Moon Knight staggered, but prevented himself from falling by tucking into a roll that put him quickly back on his feet, facing James.
Moon Knight used James’ proximity to a tree to his advantage. With several well-placed throws, James’ coat was pinned to the trunk. Moon Knight had thrown several throwing knives through it at several places, while managing not to hit James’ body.
James glanced over at Michael and congressman Moledo, who apparently hadn’t noticed the fight yet. James could still finish his mission. As Moon Knight stepped forward, James tore his right arm free, grabbing one of the knives pinning his jacket. He pulled it out and slammed the hilt against Moon Knight’s temple. James took another quick glance, and was worried to see that Michael was reaching into his jacket. From that distance, James couldn’t see what he was taking out, but it glinted in the light.
James jumped from the tree. Only a few shreds of his jacket went with him. James rolled to his rifle, took aim, registered in a fraction of a second that Michael was swinging a knife toward the congressman, and fired much too quickly. The small ‘thwimp’ sound made by the rifle had just occurred when a rope wrapped around James’ arm and the gun. With a pull, the rifle shot out of James’ hands and he was pulled to his knees. James glanced over at the two men one last time to seem Michael slumping to the ground. His shot had found its mark.
James hit the button on his watch, which called the police and FBI in. Maybe given a few more minutes, Moon Knight would be able to defeat James. However, having accomplished his mission, James had no desire to find out. As Moon Knight saw the police rushing in, he realized James was one of the good guys. He made a quick exit, wanting to avoid any unpleasant questioning.
Looks like the score is: BOND=4 MOON KNIGHT=3
WINNER=Bond