Acquisition

Acquisition was a virtual representation of one of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's genetic memories, relived by Desmond Miles in 2012 through the Animus.

Description

Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, Malik Al-Sayf and his brother Kadar were sent to Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem by their master, Rashid ad-Din Sinan to recover an important artifact. Shortly after the three Assassins discovered the main chamber, which housed the Ark of the Covenant, Robert de Sable and his men appeared, unaware of their enemies, and also attempted to claim the treasure.

Altaïr showed no regard for the Assassin's Creed - killing an innocent old man inside the temple, drawing attention to the Assassins before attempting to kill Robert, compromising the mission. Malik attempted to restrain Altaïr but ultimately failed, and after a brief struggle Robert threw the latter from the room into an adjacent chamber, with no way back as the archway collapsed, leaving Malik and Kadar to fight for their lives.

With no other options, Altaïr navigated the room and found a way out of the temple, after which he returned to Masyaf.

Dialogue

Malik and Kadar witness Altaïr killing an innocent.

• Malik: Wait! There must be another way. This one need not die.

Quick footsteps were heard as Altaïr ran up behind the old man and forced him to his knees, before plunging a Hidden Blade into his neck, killing him.

• Kadar: An excellent kill. Fortune favors your blade.
• Altaïr: Not fortune, skill. Watch a while longer and you might learn something.
• Malik: Indeed. He'll teach you how to disregard everything the Master has taught us.
• Altaïr: And how would you have done it?
• Malik: 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.
• Altaïr: "Nothing is true, Everything is permitted." Understand these words. It matters not how we complete our task. Only that it's done.
• Malik: But this is not the way of the--
• Altaïr: My way is better.
• Malik: I will scout ahead. Try not to dishonor us further.
• Kadar: What is our mission? My brother would say nothing to me. Only that I should be honored to have been invited.
• Altaïr: The Master believes the Templars have found something beneath the Temple mount.
• Kadar: Treasure?
• Altaïr: I do not know. All that matters is that the Master considers it important, else he would not have asked me to retrieve it.

Altaïr and the others made their way through the temple, and killed a lone Templar guard before reaching the main chamber.

The Assassins discover the Ark.

• Malik: There! That must be the Ark!
• Kadar: The Ark of the Covenant?
• Altaïr: Don't be silly. There's no such thing. It's just a story.
• Kadar: Then what is it-?
• Malik: Quiet. Someone's coming.

Below the Assassins, two Templar soldiers, led by Robert de Sable entered the room. Robert pointed up at the Ark.

• Robert: 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!
• Altaïr: Robert de Sable. His life is mine.
• Malik: No! We were asked to retrieve the treasure, and deal with Robert only if necessary.
• Altaïr: He stands between us and it. I'd say it's necessary.
• Malik: Discretion, Altair-!
• Altaïr: You mean cowardice. That man is our greatest enemy, and here we have a chance to be rid of him!
• Malik: You have already broken two tenets of our Creed. Now you would break the third. Do not compromise the Brotherhood!
• Altaïr: I am your superior, in both title and ability. You should know better than to question me.

Altaïr climbed down and approached the Templars, announcing the presence of the Assassins on the way.

Robert thwarts Altaïr's assassination attempt.

• Altaïr: Hold Templars! You are not the only ones with business here.
• Robert: Ah! Well, this explains my missing man. And what is it you want?
• Altaïr: Blood.
• Malik: No! Don't!

Malik tried in vain to stop Altaïr as he lunged at Robert with his Hidden Blade. Robert was able to easily deflect the strike and grabbed Altaïr. A struggle ensued.

• Robert:: 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.

Robert threw Altaïr from the room, as the scaffolding supporting the archway collapsed, and separated Altaïr from Malik and Kadar.

• Robert:: Men, to arms! Kill the Assassins!

Outcome

Altaïr failed to obtain the treasure and was defeated by Robert de Sable. While Malik lost his arm and his brother, Kadar.

Gallery

• 
  Altaïr, Malik and Kadar in the tunnels beneath the temple.
• 
  The Ark of the Covenant.
• 
  The collapsed entrance.

Source

• Assassin's Creed