"Darius," the Grand Empress started, but couldn't help but thrash the man again with her whip.
*Smack*
"I know men are incompetent, good for nothing, with zero worth in the Multiverse, but you are the lowest of the low."
*Smack*
"I'm sorry, Grand Empress," Darius tried to say, but as he was gagged, all that came out was: "Sow-wa... sow-wa... sow-wa... sow-wa..." It sounded like the wheezing of a broken car engine. His body shook from fear and pain as he hung over the ground, his legs tied together so they didn't fall apart under him.
The Grand Empress walked back and forth before him. Then, she stopped suddenly, turning around slowly.
"Every one of the people you send to watch subject one is dead. And nothing! Nothing! Nothing to show for it!" she screamed.
"No intelligence on why they died or who killed them," she continued. "You have failed me."