I perceived that this also was a chasing at the wind...for in much wisdom...is much grief.

And he that increaseth knowledge...increaseth sorrow.

We've got a problem.

I can't anchor him to the memory, too much psychological trauma. He's rejecting the treatment, retreating.

Desmond, I need you to try and relax.

Let me try and stabilize it...

Focus. Listen to the sound of my voice. Recognize that what you're seeing isn't real.

Just a picture of the past. It can't hurt you.

Damn it! It's not working.

Give it a moment, Ms. Stillman. He'll adjust. The first time is never easy.

We're losing him!

That's enough, Ms. Stillman!

We need to pull him out. Now.

Alright, Desmond. We're going to try and bring you out now.

-You okay? -[gasp]

I told you he'd be fine.

Bastards!

Now, now, I just saved your life.

Saved my life?! You kidnapped me! You strapped me into that... thing!

Animus. It's an Animus.

I don't even know you people! Why are you doing this to me?

You have information we need, Mr. Miles.

Information? I'm a bartender, for Christ's sakes!

What do you want me to do, teach you how to mix a martini?!

We know who you are. WHAT you are.

I-I don't know what you're talking about...

Don't play coy with me, there isn't time. You're an Assassin.

And whether you realize it or not, you've got something that my employers want, locked away in that head of yours.

But I'm not an Assassin! Not anymore.

Yes, your file indicated as much. Something about an escape. Most fortunate for us.

What do you want from me?

For you to do as you're told. The Animus will allow us to locate what we need.

Once we have it, you'll be free to go.

I am not going back in there!

Then we'll induce a coma, and continue our work. When we're done, you'll be left to die.

Truth be told, the only reason you're still conscious is because this approach saves us time.

You're insane!

So what is it, Mr. Miles? Live or die?

Lie down!

Lie down, Desmond.

A wise decision.

Whoa. Where am I?

You're inside the Animus.

Which is...?

It's a projector that renders genetic memories in three dimensions.

Genetic memory?

Seems you'll need a bit of a tutorial. Very well, we'll start simple. What is a memory, Mr. Miles?

It's the... recollection of a past event.

Specific to the individual remembering the event.

Yeah, sure.

What if I told you that the human body not only housed an individual's memory, but the memories of his ancestors as well?

Genetic memory, if you will.

Migration, hibernation, reproduction. How do animals know when and where to go? What to do?

That's just animal instinct.

Now you're arguing semantics, Mr. Miles.

Whatever you call it, the fact remains. These creatures hold knowledge, absent the requisite first-hand experience.

I've spent the past thirty years trying to understand why. I've discovered something most fascinating. Our DNA functions as an archive.

It contains not only genetic instructions passed down from previous generations, but memories as well. The memories of our ancestors.

And the Animus lets you decode and read these DNA files.

Precisely.

But there's a problem. This is the specific memory we're trying to access.

Unfortunately, when we try and open the memory, your mind withdraws. You lack the confidence to step into your ancestor's body.

That's what happened earlier. You got knocked out of the target memory and pushed back to a more stable state.

Why?

It's your subconscious. It's resisting.

We found similar reactions among patients who undergo hypnosis to relive traumatic events.

They can't jump directly into the specific memory. They need to be eased in. Even then, there can be problems.

So how do we fix it?

We find a memory you CAN synchronize with and we move forward from there. You'll get used to it.

This is the closest we can get, so it's where we'll have to start. I'm uploading the tutorial program now.

Warning: Data Stream Unstable. * Attempting to restore Synchronization... *

Hello, Subject 17.

This Tutorial has been prepared in order to better acclimate you to the Animus' Intro System.

Instructions will follow shortly.

The Synchronization Bar represents how in Sync you are with your ancestor's memories.

If you ever fall completely out of Sync, the Animus will restore you to your last Synchronized position.

You are currently dangerously close to Desynchronization.

Please follow all forthcoming instructions in order to restore system stability.

The Animus utilizes a Puppeteering Concept to control the actions of your ancestor.

* Unloading subroutines to validate your body's adaptation to the Animus... *

We will begin by exploring the default actions of each input.

While standing still, use the Head Button to observe your environment.

Good.

Use the Empty Hand to walk through these jar carriers without causing them to drop what they're holding.

Proceed to the Marker to continue the synchronization process.

Well done.

The Animus differentiates between two fundamental actions: Low Profile and High Profile.

Low Profile actions are socially acceptable.

High Profile actions are more action-oriented.

Hold the High Profile button to see how your Heads-Up Display changes the context of the Puppeteering inputs.

Excellent.

We will continue your Synchronization process by testing some high-profile actions.

Grab and throw this individual onto the Marker by using the Empty Hand Button in High Profile.

Good.

Using your Legs Button in High Profile will allow you to sprint.

Sprinting is useful to escape from Soldiers or to get closer to a fleeing target.

However, be careful not to bump into anyone for you can lose your balance and tumble to the ground.

While sprinting, reach the Marker before this man does.

Well done.

The Animus will also provide other important information.

The Social Status Icon gives you information on your social status.

The different states will be explained in context soon.

This Icon appears when a Soldier's looking at you.

The yellow color means the Soldier's either Unaware or Suspicious of who you are.

To illustrate the change in awareness level, you will stealth assassinate this soldier.

First, Lock onto your target.

Then, select your Hidden Blade.

With your Blade selected, walk up to this Soldier and assassinate him by using your Armed Hand Button.

Damn! Where are you?! I know you're here somewhere!

The dead body has alerted this Soldier and changed his awareness to Informed as represented by the Red Witness Indicator.

Aggressive actions or socially unacceptable behaviour undertaken at this time will likely provoke an armed response.

Provoke this Soldier.

-Assassin! Kill him! Stop him! -Notice that the Social Status Icon has changed to Exposed.

Use the ladder and try to break the Line of Sight.

I'm catching up to you!

- Oh, so now-- - Excellent.

The Line of Sight has been Broken.

Now, run into the roof garden to hide from the Soldier.

Good. Your Social Status indicates that you are hidden.

But the Soldier's still looking for you.

Wait until your Social Status changes again.

Damn you with this! Got better things to do.

Well done. The Soldier has lost your track.

You are now Anonymous and you can exit the hide spot.

Excellent.

Being Anonymous will fill your synchronization bar and make your job as an Assassin easier.

There are different places which you can use to hide.

However, you must always break the Line of Sight first and then use a hide spot to vanish.

Let us continue with the demonstration of Blend.

Blend can be activated with the passive use of your legs.

You can mimic a scholar and pass near Soldiers without arousing suspicion.

Use this to reach the Marker behind the Soldiers.

Good.

Now, that you are fully Synced, a new ability is available to you.

Referred to as Eagle Vision, this sixth sense helped your ancestor understand the intentions of people around him.

Well done.

Remember: Eagle Vision will only be available once you are fully Synced.

Please note that following the Assassin's Creed, your ancestor's way of life, will assist you in staying in Sync.

The Creed consists of three tenets. First, never hurt an innocent person.

Second, always be discrete.

Third, do not compromise the clan.

Should you lose Sync, you can restore Synchronization by reliving key moments of your ancestor's life, or by respecting the Creed.

You have successfully completed the Tutorial. The most stable memory block will now be loaded.

Wait! There must be another way, this one need not die.

An excellent kill. Fortune favors your blade.

Not fortune... skill. Watch a while longer and you might learn something.

Indeed. He'll teach you how to disregard everything the Master's taught us.

And how would you have done it?

I would not have drawn attention to us. I would not have taken the life of an innocent.

What I would have done is follow the Creed!

"Nothing is true, everything is permitted." Understand these words.

It matters not how we complete our task... only that it's done.

-But this is not the way-- -My way is better.

I will scout ahead. Try not to dishonor us further.

What is our mission? My brother would say nothing to me... only that I should be honored to have been invited.

The Master believes the Templars have found something beneath the Temple Mount.

Treasure?

I do not know. All that matters is the Master considers it important, else he would not have asked me to retrieve it.

There! That must be the Ark!

The... Ark... of the Covenant?

Don't be silly. There's no such thing. It's just a story.

Then what is it?

Quiet! Someone's coming!

I want this through this gate before sunrise. The sooner we possess it, the sooner we can turn our attention to those jackals at Masyaf.

Robert de Sable! His life is mine.

No! We were asked to retrieve the treasure and deal with Robert only if necessary.

He stands between us and it, I'd say it's necessary.

Discretion, Altair!

You mean cowardice. That man is our greatest enemy... and here we have a chance to be rid of him.

You have already broken two tenets of our Creed... now you would break the third. Do not compromise the Brotherhood!

I am your superior, in both title and ability. You should know better than to question me.

Hold, Templars! You are not the only ones with business here.

Ah! Well, this explains my missing man. And what is it you want?

Blood.

No! No!

You know not the things in which you meddle, Assassin.

I spare you only that you may return to your master and deliver a message: The Holy Land is lost to him and his.

He should flee now while he has the chance. Stay, and all of you will die.

[grunt]

Men! To arms! Kill the Assassins!

* Skipping part of memory to a more recent one... *

Altair, you've returned!

Rauf.

It is good to see you unharmed.

I trust your mission was a success?

Is the Master in his tower?

Yes, yes. Buried in his books as always. No doubt he expects you.

My thanks, Brother.

Safety and peace, Altair.

On you, as well.

What's going on? What are you running from?

You almost killed me!

Ah. He returns at last.

Abbas.

Where are the others? Did you ride ahead hoping to be the first one back? I know you are loathe to share the glory.

Silence is just another form of assent.

Have you nothing better to do?

I bring word from the master. He waits for you in the library. Best hurry. No doubt you're eager to put your tongue to his boot.

Another word and I'll put my blade to your throat.

There'll be plenty of time for that later, "brother."

It is an honor.

The Master waits within.

Altair.

Master.

Come forward. Tell me of your mission.

I trust you have recovered the Templars' treasure?

There was some trouble, Master. Robert de Sable was not alone.

When does our work ever go as expected? It's our ability to adapt that makes us who we are.

This time it was not enough.

What do you mean?

I have failed you.

The treasure?

Lost to us.