The Assassination of Mara Aramov and Elsa Weissenger was the final conflict that put an end to the Syphon Filter Conspiracy. It involved Gary Stoneman as well as Aramov's forces.
The mastermind of this operation was Gabe Logan, who decided to end Mara's reign of terror once and for all which contradicted his previous choice of letting her retire in peace.
Events
Prelude
”Dear Mara, I just wanted to thank you for your help. Without it, I'm sure a lot of innocent people would have died. I've enclosed a copy of the deal you signed with the Myanmar army. Which resulted in the deaths of 291 innocent people, including my friend, Imani Gray. I wanted to let you retire, as we discussed, but in the end, the price was too high. I know you'll understand. Signed, Gabe Logan.
—Gabe Logan's voiceover, Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror
Following the Omega Strain crisis, Gabe allows Mara to live in peace when she discloses the location of Ivankov's base, but later changes his mind. He puts in a Discrete Personnel Elimination order for her; having always worked against the IPCA, Aramov had a significant role in manipulating Rhoemer, Hadden, and even Niculescu, all the major players in the fiasco. To this end, Gary Stoneman is sent to neutralize her.
The Assassination
READERS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THIS WITH A GRAIN OF SALT! THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY CANON
”Teresa, I'm in position and the bug's been deployed in Mara's room.
Copy that Stone. Gabe wants you to wait until Dr. Elsa Weissenger shows up before you take the shot.
Affirmative. I see Dr. E now. She's heading up to Mara's apartment.
We've already recovered Elsa's research, so when you get the shot, take them both out.
I hear ya.
First I have to deal with Mara's hired muscle. If I time it just right, these three thugs will never know what hit 'em.
Stone, you can't afford a fire fight.
Nah, it'll be alright. Looks like they're packing silenced AR 15s. No one will hear a thing.
In the aftermath of the Omega Strain incident, Dr. Elsa Weissenger leaves the Agency and is declared missing. In her depositions prior to her departure, she had admitted her intentions to change the world, and had met with Mihai Niculescu prior to the assassination of Aramov. Fearing that whatever conspiracy Mara and Elsa might cook up together, Gabe requests for Dr. E to be similarly terminated.
THIS IS TRUE CANON
Upon setting up a sniper position in an apartment adjacent to Aramov's, Stone takes down her bodyguards and watches an argument between the two, who were secretly lovers. He kills the pair and then leaves, bringing the entire Syphon Filter incident to a closure.
Aftermath
Stone: Teresa, tell Gabe the DPE has been filled. Target's down. Job's finished.
Teresa: Copy that Stone. I'll let him know.
Stone: You know something darlin'?
Teresa: What Stone?
Stone: As many years Gabe's been trying to take out Mara, hard to believe she's finally gone.
Teresa: I know. It's like a nightmare is finally over.
Stone: When it come right down to it, Mara may have been evil incarnate, but she had a heart, just like the rest of us.
Teresa: A heart of ice. The gendarme are on their way. Come home Stone. Lipan out.
Stone: Good night sweet hearts.
Mara: *Evil laughter.*
With the job complete, Stone contacts Teresa, discussing with her that Mara is finally gone. Lipan suggests that the ex-CIA assassin leave before the Gendarmarie show up. As Stone departs, mouthing 'goodnight sweetheart', he somehow hears Mara's trademark laughter.
Retcons
- Mara uses a chair on her balcony in The Omega Strain's version of this event, but is strolling indoors in Dark Mirror.
- There are a trio of guards in Dark Mirror, yet in The Omega Strain Stone is seen zooming in on Mara, who is alone.
- Elsa Weissenger is absent from The Omega Strain's variant.