Empty. The entire van was empty. I had torn the entire thing apart in search of the lockbox, but it was nowhere to be found. The bitch lied to me. I ran back to the warehouse. But it was quiet. Too quiet. I drew my knife and opened the door. Laying dead in a pool of their own blood were my two men. The girl had escaped.
A maniacal laugh burst from my lips. Oh, this was just perfect. I had not recovered the plans, my two best men were dead and the girl was lost to the wind. I walked over to my bike and donned my helmet. At least I'll have time to clear my head while driving. With a few revs of the engine, I was on my way back to the base.
"I can't believe this. From you, of all people!" Commander Stone yelled, pacing back and forth in front of his desk covered in papers.
I took a deep breath. "I know I screwed up-" I began.
"Oho! You screwed up?" Stone laughed. "No, you fucking botched the most important mission we have! Do you have any idea how important those documents are?"
"YES! Yes, I do!" I said, jumping up from the chair, slamming my fist on his desk.
"Sit down. How DARE you jump up in righteous indignation after what you've done," the commander said, his tone low and threatening.
"I'm very sorry, sir. I understand that this mission was entrusted to me because of my perfect record and I understand the consequences of failure. I will not fail you again." I said, sitting down.
"No, you will not, or it will not be your mission anymore. Now get out of my face."
I got up and left the office. I was fuming. I was angry at the commander. Didn't he realize how hard I tried? I was angry at myself. Yes, I tried hard. But I could've tried harder. But most of all, I was angry at that girl. The dirty little rebel slut who defied me. Ooh, she probably thinks she was so clever. But no. It wasn't her that fooled me. I used her. I fucked that whore raw. That worthless piece of shit thinks she can get away with this?
I made a beeline to the nearby bar. It was a filthy place with cheap liquor and cheaper whores, but it was exactly what I needed right now. The minute I walked in, I could feel every set of eyes on me. But, that's something that comes with the territory of being the most feared warrior in the Imperial Army. The bartender looked up from his conversation as I approached.
"Ah, Butcher. How are you," he said, with cheeriness in stark contrast to the state of the bar he worked at.
I rolled my eyes. "I'm fine, Jack. You know what I want."
"Yes, I do," he said, sliding over the drink he had already poured for me - whiskey, neat.
"Thanks."
I downed my whiskey and asked for another. Two more and I wasn't feeling any better. That's when a random girl walked up to me.
"Hey," she started. "You're the Butcher."
I remained quiet, facing my glass. She hadn't asked a question and I wasn't in the mood for playing games.
"I am a huge fan of yours," she continued.
"Thanks," I said.
"Is it true?" She asked.
"Is what true," I replied.
