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-Missed you this morning, Doc. -Get in the Animus!
Quit wasting time, and enter your memory, Mr. Miles!!
Come in, Altair. I trust you're well rested, ready for your remaining trials?
I am. But I'd speak with you first. I have questions.
Ask them. I'll do my best to answer.
The Merchant King of Damas murdered the nobles who ruled his city.
Majd Addin in Jerusalem used fear to force his people into submission.
I suspect William meant to *** Richard, and hold Acre with his troops.
These men were meant to aid their leaders; instead they chose to betray them.
What I do not understand... is why.
Is the answer not obvious? The Templars desire control.
Each man, as you noted, wanted to claim their cities in the Templar name; that the Templars themselves might rule the Holy Land, and eventually beyond.
But they cannot succeed in their mission.
Why is that?
Their plans depend upon the Templar treasure: the Piece of Eden. But we hold it now. They cannot hope to achieve their goals without it.
What is this treasure?
It is temptation.
It's just a piece of silver...
Look at it!
What am I supposed to see?
This... piece of silver... cast out Adam and Eve. It turned staves into snakes. Parted and closed the Red Sea.
Eris used it to start the Trojan War. And with it, a poor carpenter turned water into wine.
It seems rather plain for all the power you claim it has. How does it work?
He who holds it commands the hearts and minds of whoever looks upon it. Whoever "tastes of it", as they say.
And Garnier's men?
An experiment. Herbs used to simulate its effects, to be ready for when they held it.
Talal supplied them, Tamir equipped them. They were preparing for something. But what?
War.
And the others, the men who ruled the cities. They meant to gather up their people, make them like Garnier's men.
The perfect citizens. The perfect soldiers. A perfect world.
Robert de Sable must never have this back.
So long as he and his brothers live, they will try.
Then they must be destroyed.
Which is what I've had you doing.
There are two more Templars who require your attention:
One in Acre known as Sibrand, one in Damas called Jubair. Visit with the Bureau leaders; they'll instruct you further.
As you wish.
Be quick about it. No doubt Robert de Sable is made nervous by our continued success.
His remaining followers will do their best to expose you. They know you come, the Man In The White Hood.
-They'll be looking for you. -They won't find me. I'm but a blade in the crowd.
Here, my gift to you. In gratitude for the good work you've done.
We're close.
Not a lot of time, Vidic.
Understand there's a narrow margin, you know...
Wherever it's hidden... time to retrieve it.
-Working on it. -And when it's done?
He'll be taken care of.
I want that progress report by tomorrow morning.
I've... got some work I need to do. So you've got the rest of the night to yourself.
I think there's a problem with the Animus.
Nope. It's working fine.
-I'm pretty sure it just ejected me... -I'm pretty sure you should shut up.
You ready to finally tell me what's going on?
We have to stop them, Desmond. When they access that last memory of yours... they're just getting started.
They want to change everything. The way we live, the way we think, the way we are.
You've gotten the lecture from Vidic, about what's wrong with the world? How we need "order and discipline"?
So, they're going to give it to us. Only, we don't have a say in the matter.
How?
-The Templar treasure. They think it–- -[phone rings]
-Ms. Stillman? -I'm here.
I need you to upload Desmond's files to the database.
Got it.
So... what? You're using me to find this Templar treasure?
-What do they call it? The "Piece of Eden"? -Yes.
Well, it's looking like it's at Masyaf. So I don't know why they're wasting all this time with me.
Why don't they just send their people to pick it up?
They can't... it's not that simple. The artifact from Masyaf... they had it. It was destroyed in the accident.
Then, what are they hoping from me? You know, for my ancestor to tell them?
They're hoping he'll show them where the other ones are.
You mean there's more than one of these things?!
Oh, Desmond. You have no idea.
[phone rings]
-Is there a problem, Ms. Stillman? -No, Warren. Everything's Denver on my end.
Then, where are the files?
I've gotta move these files before he gets suspicious. We'll talk more later.
Wait... what's that mean, "Everything's Denver"?
-It means everything's fine. -Why Denver?
It's a reference to Denver International Airport. There's an underground facility there.
It's where the accident happened.
Aren't you tired?
Time's wasting, Mr. Miles!
-Yeah, yeah. I'm coming–- -We're nearly done, you know.
And then what?
You'll see. Maybe they'll even let you watch when it begins. It's not as terrible as you think.
Look, I know you're not gonna let me leave. So why not tell me what's going on? Humor me.
I'm not an idiot, Mr. Miles. I think you've already learned quite a bit.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Of course not.
All right, let me ask you something else then.
Yes?
Some of the stuff I'm seeing in the Animus... sometimes it seems... wrong.
Untrue, like the history's off somehow. It doesn't–-
It doesn't what, Mr. Miles? Match up with what you read on an online encyclopedia?
What your high-school history teacher taught you?
Let me ask you something: do these supposed experts have access to secret knowledge, kept hidden from the rest of us?
There are books, letters, documents, all sorts of source material from back then.
Some of it seems to contradict what the Animus is showing me.
Anyone can write a book, and they can put whatever they want on its pages. Anything.
Used to be we thought the world was flat.
Some people still do.
Yes, and they publish books about it. Or that the moon landing was a hoax.
I believe there's also a book claims the world was created in seven days. A best-seller, too!
Where's this going, Doc?
The point, I suppose, is that you shouldn't trust everything you hear. Everything you read.
What's that your ancestor said? "Nothing is true..."?
"Everything is permitted."
Yes, exactly. It's part of what makes the Animus so spectacular.
-There's no room for misinterpretation. -There's always room.
Touché, Mr. Miles. Now that I've answered your question, can we begin?
Come in, my student. We have much to discuss.
We are close, Altair... Robert de Sable is now all that stands between us and victory.
It is his mouth gives the orders, his hand pays the gold.
With him dies the knowledge of the Templar treasure, and any threat it might pose.
I still don't understand how a simple bit of treasure could cause so much chaos.
The Piece of Eden is temptation given form. Merely look at what it's done to Robert.
Once he tasted of its power, the thing consumed him.
He saw not a dangerous weapon to be destroyed, but a tool... One that would help him realize his life's ambition.
He dreamed of power then.
Yes and no. He dreamed --and still dreams, like us-- of peace.
But this is a man who sought to see the Holy Land consumed by war!
No, Altair. How can you not see when you're the one that opened my eyes to this?
What do you mean?
What do he and his followers want? A world in which all men are united.
I do not despise his goal... I share it. But I take issue with the means.
Peace is something to be learned, to be understood, to be embraced.
He would force it!
And rob us of our free will in the process.
Strange, to think of him in this way.
Never harbor hate for your victims, Altair. Such thoughts are poison, and will cloud your judgment.
Could he not be convinced then? To end his mad quest?
I spoke to him, in my way, through you.
What was each killing if not a message? But he has chosen to ignore us.
Then there's only one thing left to do...
Jerusalem is where you faced him first. It's where you'll find him now.
Let this final offering lend you strength. Go, Altair. It's time to finish this.
It's done then. Your schemes, like you, are put to rest.
Haha... You know nothing of schemes. You're but a puppet.
He betrayed you, boy... just as he betrayed me.
Speak sense, Templar, or not at all!
Nine men he sent you to kill, yes...? The nine who guarded the treasure's secret?
What of it?
It wasn't nine who found the treasure, Assassin. Not nine... but ten.
A tenth? None may live who carry the secret. Give me his name.
Oh, but you know him well. And I doubt very much you'd take his life... as willingly as you've taken mine.
Who?
It is your Master: Al Mualim.
But he is not a Templar!
Did you never wonder how it is he knew so much? Where to find us, how many we number, what we aspire to attain?
He is the Master of the Assassins!
Oui... master of lies. You and I are just two more pawns in his grand game.
And now, with my death, only you remain. Do you think he'll let you live, knowing what you do?
I have no interest in the treasure.
Ah... but he does. The only difference between your master and I... is that he did not want to share!
No...
Ironic, isn't it... that I, your greatest enemy, kept you safe from harm?
Listen!
-[gunshots over the intercom] -Oh, no...
Seems your Assassin friends found us!
-What? -How'd you do it, Desmond?
Hey, look, I don't know what you're talking about, but whatever's going on down there has got nothing to do with me!
They're here for you! And I sure as *** didn't invite them!!
What's the situation down there?
-[more gunshots] -We're taking heavy fire!
Can you contain it, or do I need to evacuate the prisoner?
Only five or six! We've got them outnumbered!
Couple of wounded, but we'll pull through. We'll get it under control.
God damn you, Desmond! You couldn't leave well enough alone!
I told you, I had nothing to do with this!
How would I even contact them? Telepathy?! Come on!
Doesn't matter, they'll be dead soon enough. Here, have a listen.
Threat's been neutralized.
Looks like the cavalry won't be coming.
Don't know, Doc. You were freaking out a minute ago...
Your little research facility not as secure as you thought it was?
Worried they'll be back with more?
I don't think so, Desmond.
What Lucy here is trying to say is that there aren't any Assassins left to come for you.
We've been very busy this past year, hunting down your little enclaves, your desert communes and whatnot.
I'm afraid you're on your own.
Rest up, Mr. Miles. Tomorrow... we finish this.
I'm sorry, Desmond.
He mentioned the desert. Do you think–-
They sent a team there, but the place was deserted.
I don't know where your parents are, and I can't promise they're still alive. But I think they got away.
Thanks. Thanks for checking.
-It's not as bad as it seems. -What are you talking about?!
They just killed... literally KILLED... my only chance of getting out of here!!
And then, I find out the Assassins are all but destroyed and... and...
Christ, I still don't know what these people are planning!
But I do know they plan to kill me when they're done!
I am screwed, okay?! What do you want me to do?!
Just try and have a little faith.
You're...
Have faith. Rest up, Desmond. You're gonna need the energy.
Get up!
Even earlier than usual, Doc.
I'd like to get this over with as quickly as possible.
If you say so...
Don't be so glum, Mr. Miles.
Today is a historic day, one that will be remembered for years to come.
Remembered by some of us, anyway...
No!! What's happening?!
So... the student returns!
I've never been one to run!
Never been one to listen, either.
I still live because of it.
What will I do with you...?
Let me go.
Oh, Altair, I hear the hatred in your voice, feel its heat.
Let you go? Now that would be unwise.
Why are you doing this?
I've found proof.
Proof of what?
That nothing is true, and everything is permitted!!
Come, destroy the betrayer! Send him from this world!
Have you any final words?
You lied to me! Called Robert's goal foul, but all along it was yours as well.
I've never been much good at sharing...
You won't succeed. Others will find the strength to stand against you.
And this is why, so long as men maintain free will, there can be no peace.
I killed the last man who spoke as such.
Bold words, boy! But just words.
Then let me go. I'll put words into action.
HA HA HA!!
Tell me, "Master"... why did you not make me like the other Assassins?
Why allow me to retain my mind?
Who you are, and what you do, are twined too tight together.
To rob you of one would have deprived me of the other. And those Templars had to die.
[Sigh]... But the truth is, I did try... in my study when I showed you the treasure.
But you're not like the others. You saw through the illusion.
Illusion?
That's all it's ever done, this Templar treasure, this... Piece of Eden.
This Word of God.
Do you understand now? The Red Sea was never parted. Water never turned to wine.
It was not the machinations of Eris that spawned the Trojan War, but this!
Illusions, all of them!
What you plan is no less an illusion. To force men to follow you against their will.
Is it any less real than the phantoms the Saracens and Crusaders follow now?
Those craven gods who retreat from this world that men might slaughter one another in their names?
They live amongst an illusion already.
I'm simply giving them another, one that demands less blood.
At least they choose these phantoms.
Oh, do they? Aside from the occasional convert or heretic?
It isn't right.
Ah, and now logic has left you. In its place, you embrace emotion. I'm disappointed.
What's to be done then?
You will not follow me, and I cannot compel you.
And you refuse to give up this evil scheme.
It seems then we are at an impasse.
No! We are at an end.
I will miss you, Altair. You were my very best student.
Impossible! The student does not defeat the teacher!
La'a shay'a waqi'un moutlaq bale kouloun moumkine. ["Nothing is true, everything is permitted"]
So it seems. You have won then. Go, and claim your prize.
You held fire in your hand, old man. It should have been destroyed.
Destroy the only thing capable of ending the Crusades and creating true peace? Never.
Then I will.
We'll see about that...
[voice of Al Mualim]: I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly.
I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.
For in much wisdom... is much grief.
And he that increaseth knowledge... increaseth sorrow.
Destroy it! Destroy it as you said you would!
I...I can't!
Yes... you can, Altair... but you won't.
[voice of Viddic]: We've got it!
What the hell was that?
-Well?! -We've got the map.
-How many? -At least half a dozen.
We don't need them all.
We should assume some amount of decay.
I can't imagine they'll all still be functioning.
At least two appear to reside on landmasses that no longer exist.
We'll dispatch teams to each site and determine viability. We only need one, after all.
What about the rest?
Collect them. Let's not leave anything to chance.
Last thing we need is some damn survivor making trouble for us in the New World!
-And the Assassin? -We have what we need. Kill him.
Wait! You know how these things work. I doubt we'll be able to walk right in.
What's your point?
We might need him, his memories.
I'd recommend we hold him until we have confirmation that there aren't any surprises waiting for us at the sites.
This is a waste of time.
You said it yourself. We shouldn't leave anything to chance.
Very well. Ensure we have no further need of him, then kill him.
Fine.
Stop undermining my authority!
I just saved your ***!
Let's go! We've got a lot of work to do.
Don't get too comfortable, Mr. Miles! We'll be back for you soon enough.
What the hell is that?!
Oh my God! It looks like... is that blood?!
Who the hell were they keeping here before me? What happened to him?
What does it mean, I wonder...?