1 Back To The Beginning

"I just wanted to thank you for coming, I know it's not a very easy trip,". I adjusted my bulletproof vest and sat on the edge of the desk.

"Yes sir,"

"Good, good," I started shuffling through some papers. "And...you're the newbie...Johnson, is it? I asked.

Of course, I knew his name. Sometimes it's funny to see if they're going to let me call them the wrong name, and if so, for how long.

"No sir," he replied.

Honesty... I like that.

"No? Then what is your name?"

"I am rank ten officer Katsu Matsumoto, sir," He said.

Rank ten is the second-highest rank in this organization.

"Most people assume I'm everything but what I am," He pointed to his eyes.

Matsumoto didn't look Asian unless you really tried hard to imagine it.

"I can see that, so..." My voice faded off as I began to read his file. "Tell me about yourself," I said.

"I like fighting," He replied.

It sounded a little more like, 'I like killing'.

"Interesting,...what else do you like?" I asked.

"Loyalty, honesty, trust, and food...and exactly in that order," He said

A wise man.

"And why in that order?" I questioned him.

"Because with loyalty, there's honesty, with honesty, there's trust, so you know that person isn't going to poison your food," He replied.

Remind me to poison him, a little later...unless I change my mind.

"You're a very wise man, Matsumoto," I said.

"I don't get that very often,"

"A shame," I replied.

"It sure is," He said.

He looked like an idiot to me, so I suppose many others thought the same thing as well.

"Well, in the case you need something," I reached across to him and grabbed the collar of his shirt.

"Um, sir...?" His voice squeaked.

He must think I'm some weird rapist.

I let him go because as sick as I may seem, I hate when people I'm not going to hurt give me that look. The one that allows you to pretty much see the inner depths of their soul as they cry out-

"Don't hurt me, please!" he cried.

Darn it why did he have to say it?

"I'm not going to hurt you,"

"O-oh okay, s-sir w-well c-can I g-g-g-o?" He stuttered relentlessly.

I nodded.

He scrambled off like a fool.

"Back to the beginning," I muttered.