All that matters is the next job

Robertsport, Liberia

Lucius-42

"All that matters is the next job"

Those kids were sound asleep on the bedroom floor, cuddled up with each other. I close the door to give them a quiet moment and pour myself a drink in the living room of my suite. I didn't have to imagine what they went through since that night in Freetown. I've been watching ever since I left that rooftop with Antony and Shaunna. I couldn't blame them for being so wary of me then. I'm not the most emotional individual and my demeanor isn't very likeable when I'm around colleagues. That's what made this tricky to complete, they would never lower their guard while I'm around. However, what if I got their supposed dead children involved? Finding them was luck in itself. I wasn't sure that they would survive the killing field Antony and Shaunna set up. When I found them they were beaten up sure but they were alive. So, from there it was just about suppressing the information about them surviving and making sure they disappeared. Until the moment Antony and Shaunna were fat with complacency and success. They may be experienced and talented killers who never cared for their children, but they still nursed and cared for those same children for over a decade. They would hesitate when they see that type of innocence. It surprisingly didn't take much for them to do the job for me. Amazing how easily humans can be pushed to commit violence.

I never had any bad blood with either Antony or Shaunna, I was just doing the job. The company didn't feel like they were needed anymore so I fulfilled my duty. It's a shame really, I've been training, working alongside, ordering them since they were 18. As a leader I think it's a waste to clip off assets you've been raising and investing in for 20 years but it's not my place. I'm just a weapon. I fire where I'm told, and I like it better that way. Don't have to think too deeply about things. I don't care about other people, just myself and my job. I've been working here for as long as I can remember. I killed my first man at 5 years old. Left a teddy bear loaded with a bomb on a bus in Poland. I did my job well and the company has reciprocated the goodwill over the years. I get vacation, sick days, and my insurance is taken care of. Just like any 9-5 corporate job. The only thing negative thing about the job I must navigate, is working with people. I hate other people. Everyone has goals and most aren't hard working or talented enough to get it done. It's annoying that they get mad at me when they don't get the bonus or promotion. Just take it if you feel it's yours. That's what I've done my whole life, being disliked is just my destiny.

A hear a ping near the dining room table in the suite. Must be the bosses ready to review the day's work. I down the rest of my drink and take my phone with me out to the balcony. Once the phone pings again I connect to the video call.

"Good evening Red 1, mission report?" Straight to business.

"Hotel Liberia is complete, targets eliminated, one with a slit throat and another with a bullet to the forehead, convenient earthquake covered the tracks." I could see nothing but positive body language on the call.

"Another exemplary job Red 1, the performance bonus has already been sent to your account. You've earned some time off as well; they were top operatives so the work you did shouldn't go unrewarded." The room seems to be in a good enough mood.

"Thank you, sir." Let's see if I can pull this off.

"If there's nothing else to report we'll leave you to it. We'll contact you again for your next assignment in a month." This was the best time if any, but I hesitated. This really isn't necessarily for me. Although, it would help to have extra soldiers to give me more options on missions. I don't really need it and I'm not in the business of helping other people either. The desperation in the eyes of that little girl was something I just couldn't ignore. It wasn't sympathy I felt when I looked at them, it was an instinct that I would regret it if I didn't go with her wishes. My instincts have never steered me wrong before, so I need to follow through.

"I have something else to report sir, I have required some new tools that helped finish the job. With your permission I would like to keep them." The room grew quiet at this point.

"This isn't like you Red 1; we have plenty of tools available to use for you if needed. What's the model of these tools."

"It's a male and female family of parts. They're new but very versatile and flexible. I don't believe we have any tools available to us of this model at this quality. I wanted to break them in to my liking, if that's okay with the room." More silence and questioning looks. I've never asked for something so selfish and pertaining to someone else, so the reaction is to be expected. The mummering started but I ignored it and waited for a definite answer. If I was to be denied, then it's fine. They will die here and now, that will be the end of it. Nothing to do about it.

"Red 1." Finally, after deliberation a response.

"Let me tell you a story." I'm getting lectured? This is a first. "I met this orphan maybe 2 or 3 years old on the street of some slum. No parents in sight and nothing but a blanket wrapped around him. You would think this child would be bawling his eyes wondering where his mommy was right?" I nodded obediently "It was the most indifferent baby you would ever meet. He just looked straight ahead, not making a fuss, just trying to keep out the way. I felt something from this child that could be honed and grow. So, I took this baby and everything I felt ended up surpassing my expectations. It was an instinct. I'm wondering if you're getting the same feeling from these new tools you've acquired. I tell you this to say that I understand your request and I'll permit it." I don't think the story was needed but if you need to justify the decision to the board I won't comment on it.

"Thank you, sir" I was about to end the call but he continued.

"I'll also tell you this, please keep your same philosophy, the moment you compromise yourself is the moment you die in this business. That wouldn't be best for the company so keep that in mind. Go set up somewhere in the U.S we'll still give you a month to get things in order and we'll expect you back in action."

"Yes sir. Red 1 out." The call ended with that. The last bit was good enough advice, but I doubted that I would ever put it to use. I was never the type to put a lot of myself into anything but myself or my job. I didn't see that ever changing.