Capturing any member of Pax Humanis is no small feat, but capturing a Pax Humanis leader and not knowing who they are is a mistake you won’t live long enough to regret
https://www.britannica.com/story/the-time-julius-caesar-was-captured-by-pirates -- LatinoThor45
Pax Humanis don't form teams. They make packs. They don't plan to eliminate a large problem for the CRC. They hunt. They are, at their core, the Humans that all the stories warn you about. They are the very rare few who are barely better than animals.
The CRC does what they can to ensure they have a good life, but they also make sure that they can't hurt anyone. Well. Anyone that doesn't need to be removed from the rolls of the living.
It's understandable that many members of Pax Humanis don't get out often. They get to expend their energies hunting wildlife and occasionally terrifying their therapists. When they do get out, someone is going to die. Most of the time, it's the target. Sometimes, it's the killer sent after them.
Kach sat quietly in their heavy restraints, looking around the dungeon with calculating appreciation. As far as dungeons went, it was fairly spectacular. The owner had gone for a true medieval aesthetic, instead of clinical. The people in charge were letting Kach stew, hoping to build terror in their heart.
Joke's on them. Kach didn't feel fear. They spent most of the time pondering the possibilities on display. Some of them looked like they'd be fun to strap the target into.
Finally, the target arrived. Slick. Polished. Heavy on the Nazi-esque clothing choices. Yeah, this was why they were a target[1].
"Ah, the alleged Doctor Nanen. I don't believe you ever acquired a medical degree. Something about not having a bedside manner, or being unable to care for patients[2]. Nice dungeon you have here. Very barbaric."
This was not what Nanen was expecting. Ze seemed annoyed that the victim wasn't behaving like one. This was clearly not in hir script. "All that bravado is going to melt away once I get started on you," said Nanen. "You're going to experience exquisite pain and terror."
"First time for everything," said Kach. "I've never been afraid before. I'd like to try it."
This was definitely not in the script. "I have sent a notice of ransom to your quote-unquote 'team'. If they do not deliver three hundred and fifty Hours[3] by the appointed time, they may not get you back in one piece."
"You think I'm only worth three fifty Hours? That's insulting. I'm worth at least ten Years. Ask for fifteen." Kach let that sink in. "And by the way, if you want to put me in any of your devices there, you're going to have to unshackle me. And when you unshackle me, it's only a matter of time before I kill you."
"My men got you here. They can move you whenever I choose."
Oh good glory. A rank amateur. Ze got hir paid soldiers to do everything for them. No wonder they were a twig. No doubt, Nanen's script included bon mots like, "scream all you want," or, "beg me," and other tired villain cliches.
On the plus side, Nanen had also made the rookie mistake of sending a ransom demand. Which meant that Kach's crew could sift out the metadata and hunt this loser down.
"Okay," said Kach. "By my calculations, you probably have three months to live. Give it four on the outset. Three weeks if I get loose."
Nanen was not happy. Honestly, Kach was prepared to give hir points for not having an Iron Maiden in the dungeon[4]. That is, until ze said, "We shall see if a little starvation will soften your attitude."
Every tin-plated wannabe dictator defined 'attitude' as "not acting the way I want you to". Idiots. The lot of them.
Kach theatrically rattled hir restraints. This sponge-brain had left them alone in restraints that rattled. That meant that they could be shaken loose. Further, there were no cams to monitor things.
It would barely take Kach a day to work their way loose. The rest of those three weeks were for playtime.
When the crew caught up with them, Kach had some interesting vivisection samples to show them, and some freshly-trained ex-goons, late of Nanen's employ.
The CRC could do what they wanted with the goons. They were only doing their jobs. Just following orders. Kach had only shown them how bad that was. In their own unique style.
[1] Anyone bloviating about purifying their species has never heard of the dangers of inbreeding.
[2] Mediks train for their doctorate by spending some significant years as a Nurse. Those who do not practice sympathy, understanding, compassion, or listening skills are doomed to wash out.
[3] Time is literally money. You can't save it, you have to spend it, and you never get it back.
[4] The Iron Maiden was invented in the Victorian era to display just how barbaric the Middle Ages were.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / welcomia]
If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends!
[108 remaining prompts] Please don't send any more prompts for now. Thank you.
