and to know madness and folly.

I perceived that this also was a chasing of 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 him.

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 Miss Stillman.

He'll adjust.

The first time is never easy.

We're losing him.

That's enough, Miss Stillman.

We need to pull him out.

Now!

Alright Desmond,

we're going to try and bring you out now.

You okay?

*gasps*

I told you he'd be fine.

You 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.

Uh...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.

A wise decision.

Whoa...where am I?

You're inside the animus.

Which is...

It's a projector

that renders genetic memory 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.

Heh, 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 their requisite firsthand experience.

I've spent the past thirty years trying to understand why.

I 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've 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.

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 masters 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 of -

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 arc.

The..arc?...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 us through this gate by sunrise.

The sooner we posses 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, Altaïr!

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, don't!

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.

Men, to arms! Kill the assassins!

*metal clashing and grunting*

Skipping part of memory,

to a more recent one.

Altaïr, 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, uh...buried in his books as always.

No doubt he expects you.

My thanks, brother.

Safety and peace, Altaïr.

On you as well.

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 ascent.

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.

Altaïr.

Master.

Come forward.

Tell me of your mission.

I trust you have recovered the Templar's 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.

And Robert?

Escaped.

I send you, my best man,

to complete a mission more important

than any that has come before,

and you return to me

with nothing but apologies and excuses.

I did -

Do not speak!

Not another word!

This is not what I expected.

We'll need to mount another force.

I swear to you, I'll find him!

I'll go in -

No!

You'll do nothing!

You've done enough!

Where are Malik, and Kadar?

Dead.

No. Not dead.

Malik?

I still live at least!

And your brother?

Gone. Because of you!

Robert through me from the room!

There was no way back, nothing I could do!

Because you would not heed my warning!

All of this could have been avoided!

And my brother...

my brother would still be alive!

Your arrogance nearly cost us victory today.

Nearly?

I've what your favored failed to find.

Here. Take it.

Though it seems I've returned with more than just their treasure.

Master, we are under attack!

Robert De Sable lays siege to Masyaf's village!

So, he seeks a battle!

Very well, I'll not deny him.

Go. Inform the others.

The fortress must be prepared.

As for you, Altaïr,