The calming rhythm of the violin combined with the soft baritone horn slowly roused me from my deep sleep. As I sluggishly opened my eyes and rolled onto my side, I looked at my phone on the headstand beside me and picked up my phone to shut off the alarm radio. It’s been weeks since I’ve moved here but the local classics radio station has been slowly becoming my favorite. Looking at the phone once again, I spotted the name, The Blue Danube by Strauss, and made a mental note to save it to my playlist for later.

When I get out of bed, I always make time to stretch and breathe in the morning air. My room was small, just barely enough to fit a bed and a desk, but I had my own bathroom, and rent is free, so can I really complain? After my morning stretch, I went into the bathroom and made sure to shave my stubbles before brushing my teeth and washing my face. Exiting the bathroom to get dressed, I made sure to empty out my shoe before putting my foot into it. Fortunately I haven’t had a first hand experience yet, but when I first moved here, some of my friends warned that scorpions and snakes like to burrow into your shoes in the night, giving you a nasty surprise when you went to get dressed in the morning.

Leaving the building immediately basked me in the glory of the desert Arizona heat, and within minutes, sweat was beginning to drip down my neck and back. But any discomfort was drawn away as my thoughts brought me back to the song I’d just heard. I could almost imagine Strauss canoeing on a picturesque Swiss lake, surrounded by mountains with white snowy peaks while composing this masterpiece. Or perhaps while sitting at a fancy Parisian cafe while eating strudel and while watching people walking along while going about their busy day. 

Before I could get too deep into my thoughts, I had arrived at the ‘office’, as the guys lovingly call it. The cool air conditioned air blasted me in the face as I walked through the door and looked for the usual meeting room. A smile creeped into my face as I recognized the familiar chuckle of my friend.

“Jackson,” I greeted with a nod.

“Graham,” he said with a dumb smile. “We missed you at the bar last night,”

“What a pity,” I replied with a monotone voice.

“Ha, sorry,” he said this time with slightly more remorse. “Quinn really wanted to go, otherwise you know we would’ve stayed with you children.”

“Very funny,”

“Hey, don’t blame it all on me. Should’ve asked to be born earlier,” he shrugged.

“Right. Really missed out when I didn’t ask my mom to give birth 3 years sooner.”

A couple other people entering the room interrupted our conversation and soon the meeting started. Me and Jackson met by chance, and in that time I’ve learned so much about him, and all my other friends I’ve met here. Growing up as the child of a marine, he grew up moving places to places with his father being stationed around the world. One of the reasons why I took this job in the first place was because I wanted to travel the world. Since I was a small boy growing up in Bethel, Alaska, surrounded by nothing but snow and mountains, I’ve wanted to explore the world and see the beyond. From the curvy sand dunes of the Sahara to the lively street markets of Istanbul.

Walking to my station, I popped an ear bud into my ear before putting my headset on as I logged on to the computer. Listening to music always makes me feel at peace, even during the most hectic moments of my work. Putting the Blue Danube on loop, I focused my attention on the screen as the landscape changed. From the black tarmac, the video feed shifted to a grassy field, to a mountain range, and finally cloud cover, all while the sounds of the orchestra echoes in my ear. I imagined myself flying through the sky, watching the happy people of earth enjoying their daily lives and learning all about their culture.

As the song ends for the 12th time, I dived back underneath the cloud to be greeted with the view of a sprawling city. God, how I wish I could be there right now. I’ve seen this city a thousand times before, across a thousand days, each time a different part of it. I’ve nearly memorized the busy lanes and roads. I think I could even navigate the city without a map if I ever went there. Even just looking at the tiny screen which was showing a busy intersection, I knew instantly there was a busy open air market just 500 meters to the Northwest. Everything from fabrics, clothes, spice, washing supplies, raw meats, and even alcohol can be found there. Sometimes I even saw merchants unload their goods from their trucks and vans from its side entrance.

Looking to my second monitor, I made sure to double check my heading as I made the final approach. The Blue Danube was building onto its 2nd Coda as the symphony bloomed and rang its beautiful tune through my ear. It made for a spectacular view as my eyes consumed every pixel on that little screen and soaked up its glory. I pulled back on the throttle as I reached my destination. It was an alluring little house. With a gated front gate, but behind I could see a bed of jasmine flowers surrounding the central courtyard. I wondered what the inhabitants were doing right now. Did they know I was watching them right now? I moved the controls to circle the residence as I admired the intricate design on the central badgir, the tall tower in the middle of the household designed to catch cold air and capture them into the house for cooling.

Even through the pixelated screen I could see a great amount of detail had been put to the side. I doubt anyone would be able to see it from the ground. Did the buildings intend for it to be a message to God? I wondered. Circling to the back of the house, was another open courtyard, surrounded by a field of flowers of different colors. God, I wish I could be in that pretty flower field right now, listening to nothing but Strauss all day. I didn’t even need to be the flowers. The open structure the way the backyard was designed made it perfect for gatherings and friends. If I wasn’t on duty right now I’d get out my notebook and sketch it down for later. Maybe I’ll have time afterwards though.  I think when I have enough of traveling and finally settle down, I’m going to design a backyard just like that one. 

At the center of the courtyard I finally spotted my target. Just as the mission briefing described, he was at the location with his family. Locking my reticule onto my target, I could see my target stand off to the side of the courtyard as he watched two children playing in the center. To his side sat a woman, appearing to be weaving something.

“Lima Victor Seven Two to Control. I have eyes on the target. Requesting permission to engage,” I say into my headset.

A short static followed before a voice replied, barely audible over the sounds of violins. “Control to Lima Victor Seven Two, permission granted. Weapons free.”

“Lima Victor Seven Two to Control, weapons free acknowledged,” I replied as I pulled the trigger.