The End of the Beginning...

A lone figure shrouded with darkness sat before a glass wall looking out at the peacefulness of the space. He drank from his wineglass before smoking his cigarette.

�I have waited long enough, I won�t wait any moment longer,� he said.

�My sentiments exactly. There�s no perfect time to wreck havoc than this,� answered the man on the monitor.

He released another puff of smoke and gave a throaty laugh. �Just when they thought they have finally found the peace they were looking for�� the man on the monitor trailed off.

�They will not get away that easily. I want everything back, and I mean it.�

�Relax. Soon, my friend, soon.�

The man laughed without humor, his eyes glinting in the darkness of the room. His vision of the serene space before him was shrouded with the smoke from his cigarette.

�I�ll drink to that.�

The man raised his empty glass as a salute that he meant what he said, and he would do it no matter what.