Chapter Text
The room is dim. The only light comes from the dozens of TV monitors, all aimed at the Old Woman. This means that the corners of the room are dark. Perfect to sit and observe. The air reeks of that Hag's perfume. Makes it difficult to monitor by scent alone. So unfortunately, I actually have to keep my eyes open.
I lean on the wall, watching the Old Woman. She finds some sort of sick entertainment in watching the every move of the two groups of nearly identical men. Doesn't really matter to me. I do my job, I get fed. As I breathe out, I wince a little. The hard leather and metal of that obnoxious face plate "muzzle" presses against the bridge of my nose. It's sore. I want it off.
The familiar clicking of heels in the hallway draws my attention to the door. The Hag doesn't even pry her eyes away from the TVs.
"Come in, Pauling" The Old Woman barks.
A young woman with crooked glasses, dark frazzled hair in a bun, and a pencil skirt enters the room. She's holding a clipboard and checking her watch. I actually quite like Pauling. She's not too loud, and she smells like the outside world. I stare at the small leaf stuck in her hair. She speaks.
"Administrator, as you know, RED team hasn't been winning any battles. Not Since BLU got their Spy back." She fixes her glasses, and the Old Woman signals for her to continue.
"They've been asking if I can hire someone else for them to work with. Said that they're tired of losing."
The Old Woman finally drags her eyes away from the screens for a split second, glancing at me. I know I'm not allowed to move while Pauling is over. I don't think she knows I even exist. The Hag goes back to her screens.
"Yes, go ahead and look into getting a new hire for them. It would certainly make things more interesting on my end."
Pauling nods, writes something on her clipboard, and checks her watch again.
"Great! I'll let the guys know I'm looking into it. Thanks, Administrator!"
And with that, Pauling leaves. I sigh as her heels click back down the hall and out of the bunker. The Old Woman scoffs.
"She had no idea you were even there, Mutt. Be a good dog and get me something to drink. I have the feeling I'm going to be saying 'no' to a lot of job applications."
I stand up straight and walk to the small, mostly empty kitchenette. The one good wine glass is already out. I take it and a new bottle of wine to the Hag, nose scrunching as I get close. She really uses too much perfume.
As I set down the glass and bottle, a chill runs up my spine. A familiar sensation. My eyes narrow as I look around the room, listening and smelling as I go.
There it is. The quiet shuffle of an expensive leather shoe sneaking into the room alerts me to his location. With one smooth motion I strike. My hand shoots out to grab around his neck. As the butterfly knife clatters to the ground, the Spy's grey pinstripe suit materializes under my grip. He practically claws at my grasp, a sad choking sound escapes his lips as he pleads for mercy. The low, involuntary growl that comes from my throat solidifies his fate.
The Old Woman finally looks over from her wine and screens. She pulls a small key from the chain around her neck.
"Get over here, I'll unlock the muzzle so you can eat. Just don't make a mess. This place is filthy enough..."
I oblige, leaning uncomfortably close to the Hag. She swiftly unlocks the covering, and I leave the room, dragging the grey Spy with me. He's barely alive. Good
Just how I like them.
I drag him to my room. Well, I claim the room as mine. I sleep there, the plain mattress in the corner, on the floor, with a single pillow and thin blanket. The window blacked out with curtains, making the room dim and cave like. Many a Spy have died in this room. The faint smell of blood lingers, oozing from the walls and floor. The much stronger, sharp smell of hydrogen peroxide concentrate stings my nose slightly.
I swiftly bite, ripping the throat of the Spy out. He was almost asphyxiated anyway. The little gurgle that bubbles out is the last breath he will ever take.
As I sit in the corner of my room, careful to not get blood on my mattress, I take the first bite. It's a bit too bitter. Ugh. I think, Too much cologne.
While I eat, I can hear the Hag call someone in the other room. I can't hear who is on the other and, other than a vague gruff and deeper voice.
"Yes, I think it's time... The blast proof one, obviously... Finger print scanner? really? They're practically clones. It won't work. Use your brilliant mind... Yes, keypad is fine... Okay... Yes install ASAP... alright... Bye. I'll warn the beast"
The Old Woman's voice almost echos in my head. What is she planning now?... Last time there was a call like that my jaw was sore and shut for weeks...
"Mutt!" The Hag practically barks at me. "When you're done eating and cleaned up, come talk to me." I huff in response, letting her know I heard. Almost down with the best parts anyway.
The Old Woman picks up her phone again. She dials a number, and this time I know who she's talking to. Because she addresses them.
"Pauling. Just kidding on the 'New hire' thing. There has been a slight change of plan... No you'll still get a new mercenary, you just don't have to hire them or do any extra paperwork... Yes... Just come back. I'll have your newbie ready... Yes, I'm sure... Goodbye Pauling."
As she hangs up, I'm done with what I want to eat. Still too much cologne. I dump the rest into the incinerator chute in the hallway, and go to the small dingy bathroom to clean up. After I wash my arms and face, I walk back to the Old Woman. She tosses a red tank top at me. As far as I could tell, she hadn't moved. I don't know where she got it from.
"Change into that, out of your bloody clothes. You'll be working for Pauling as of today. Well, Pauling and Saxton. Technically. But I'm not telling him. I'll still have you do things for me, but that will be occasionally."
My heart flutters and starts to soar. Oh my god, I'm going to leave this hell hole for more than one job! This is the best! Sunshine! Outdoors! I can't wait-! My thoughts race and a small, awkward smile crawls across my face. My expression drops, however, when the Hag lifts the muzzle up for it to be replaced on my head. I sigh, leaning over for the device to be locked to my head again.
"Also, Mr. Conagher is coming over. He's installing a new door. So you won't have to be here all the time."
I freeze, staring down the Old Woman. She seems unbothered.
"Don't kill him when he walks in, GuardDog. Don't even touch him. While he's here you'll be in your little 'area' until Pauling comes to get you."
I simply nod. Now that the muzzle has been replaced, I take the tank top and go change. I also fold any clean, not shredded clothes I have. It's not a lot. Mostly some socks, a few pairs of pants, and one set of soft pajamas that I've never gotten to use. Have to always be ready to help the Old Woman. I set everything aside in a box, and wait for the demanding old Hag to call me again. I can almost taste the freedom and fresh air of the outside world.
After a little while, I can hear the metallic clanking of that horrible 'Conagher' man. His metal legs trudging forward. I hate that man. Hate him with every fiber of my being.
He made me like this. Physical changes anyway. He stole my fingers, giving me metal claws instead. I know he changed my jaw, making it easier to rip and shred through tissue. I rub the scars on my chest with my palm. He did that too. That horrible man made me look like a monster. I'll get him back. I can feel it.
The Conagher man waddles into the Old Woman's TV room. He's carrying a large box and a tool kit. He glances towards my room, and I growl a low warning as we make eye contact. He quickly turns to speak with the Hag.
"Got the door you wanted. Blast proof, bullet proof, and the keypad for it. Give me a code and I'll set it up. No more unwanted guests sneaking up on you and the beast in here, no Ma'am!"
He's trying to be overly cheerful. I can smell the fear dripping off him from here. The Old Woman hands him a small paper, and he gets to work. The sounds of drills and mallets echos around the bunker and my brain. I can't stand it. It's too loud. I didn't even hear Pauling walk down the hallway. Too busy holding my ears in a feeble attempt to get the sound to stop. I do spot her as she walks to the Hag. They chat. I wish I could hear it. The Old Woman raises a hand, and the sounds stop. I sigh in relief.
That relief is short lived, as the Hag then beckons for me. I huff, stand, and head over to the Old Woman's side. I'll have to get my box later.
Poor Pauling looks absolutely terrified. Her jaw drops, along with her clipboard. Her eyes widen in fear and surprise. She smells like fear too. But also like outside. My mind starts to wander. She smells like sunshine and wind, sand and cactus, apples and pears, and the lightest gentle perfume... she wasn't wearing it earlier... she wanted to impress me! The thought flickers across my mind before I snap back to the present. The Hag is handing Pauling that curs-ed little remote. I crouch to grab the dropped clipboard, and hand it back to Pauling. She gasps when I move.
"This is Mutt. It is my personal GuardDog. and Assassin. and Mercenary. You may borrow it, Pauling. It means we don't have to hire anyone new, and maybe RED team will get their asses into gear and win. They're not getting paid to lose." The Old Woman sneers to Pauling, gesturing loosely to me.
"Will they um... follow my instructions?" Pauling stammers out, eyeing me warily. She's cute. I'd rather guard her than the Hag.
"It will" The Old Woman assures her. "Saxton has the list of trained commands. I'll tell him to bring you a copy. And a spare key to it's muzzle"
Pauling gulps and nods. She rocks on her heels, glancing towards the doorway. The new fancy door is almost on. The Conagher man just has to program and install the keypad.
"Are you ready to go then, Mutt?" Pauling looks back to me as she asks. I rock my head sideways a few times.
"Not yet? What... What do you need?" She tilts her head sideways a little bit.
"It doesn't talk much Pauling. Don't expect a response." The Hag jeers, not looking away from her precious screens.
I roll my eyes, and swiftly walk to my room. I grab my box of clothes under one arm, and walk back to the lady in her pencil skirt. She glances into the box.
"Oh! Clothes! That makes sense. You'll have most of that provided at the base, But if you have favorites that makes sense."
Pauling rationalizes to herself before looking at her watch. She clicks her tongue and looks frustrated.
"Behind schedule now... Let's go then, Mutt. Van is waiting outside." She turns to leave. I follow her. The Conagher man is nowhere to be seen as we leave. Pity. He's hiding like a coward. We reach the door to the outside world. Pauling pushes it open. I blink in the bright light, trying to adjust from the cave like darkness of the bunker.
It might be bright, but the smells are really what get to me. I didn't realize how musty that bunker was until the fresh air practically slapped me in the nose. It was wonderful. All of it. The heat, blinding brightness, even the smell of the worn out old van sitting in front of us. Pauling opens the back door, gesturing. I hop in and sit on the floor, under a shelf. My box is placed next to me. I look at Pauling. She looks back, confused.
"I thought you were going to put your box here, and come sit up front..." She states, only a little bit worried.
I nod, and sheepishly get back up and out of the van. I leave my box where it is on the floor of the van, and make my way to the side of the vehicle. Pauling gets into the seat behind the wheel, and I climb into the other one. She starts the van, and we leave, driving into the desert.