It had always been competition between the two of them. For a career spanning decades, both had built a reputation for themselves. Highly effective though entirely different methods. Carter came to be known as the Big Bang guy. His targets ranged across all the continents. Where he did not do the job himself, he supplied his 'expertise'. He did not leave any pattern, used different kinds of explosives in different killings. It was difficult to pinpoint for how many he was responsible, he was like a true professional.

Seventeen, on the other hand, was a west guy. He worked only in Americas and Europe. He was also the more cautious one. Never worked more than two or three times an year. It was heard that he simply disappears after a job, probably has a hideout someplace where he laid low. He was also equally good. His shots once fired never missed their target. That made him highly effective in places where the target was surrounded by people. He once killed a man in the middle of the New York evening crowd.

A proud man is also a dangerous man. They started crossing each other's paths. Carter once killed a man whom Seventeen was to kill. Just to show he was better. One year later, Seventeen shot dead a man who was about to sit in a car rigged with explosives. As time passed by, the competition became bitter. Seventeen started taking more assignments. Carter started taking lesser time for each job.

But there was one thing common between them. Even though they were getting older, they were still not making any mistakes. And then the Paulo assignment came. The Paulo mafia head was the target. Both Seventeen and Carter got the assignment, though they did not know about the other. It was the old man's birthday. Seventeen was hired by his son, who wanted to ascend the throne. Carter was hired by the rival gang, to target the old man and if possible, his son and his top associates.

The party was in a park adjacent to a hotel. Seventeen took position in one of the buildings surrounding the area. The garden had lots of oak trees and his only problem was to get a clear view. The old man's family, his children and grandchildren would be coming. Carter rigged a toy car with explosives and got himself parked in a car near the garden. The wait now began.

The garden started filling up with people. At one side, the live band entertained people, on the other side, the people kept the bartender busy. The old man arrived late with his bodyguards. He then shooed them off and joined the party. The cake was cut and then people dispersed. Seventeen took his position and Carter placed his toy on the ground and started guiding it towards the garden. The old man never stayed at one place for more than two minutes. He was the perfect host, engaging all the people at his party.

The toy car moved forward, the camera at its front guiding Carter. Seventeen followed the man through his scope for a clear view. Finally the old man stopped near his birthday cake. Someone offered him a glass of wine. He cut himself a piece and stood at the edge of the table. The toy car moved forward towards the man. The rifle took aim. Now was the time. The toy car reached the leg of the man. The rifle made final adjustments. One finger moved towards pressing the trigger. The other finger moved towards squeezing the trigger.