The Liberal Assassin

"And pray tell. How did I end up becoming the babysitter of three fully grown men?"

"It's a long story."

Nash shot me a look that promised a long talk afterwards. I ignored it in favour of sticking my tongue out at Khronos who was now at Nash's mercy. The old bag of bones received no less than twenty bruises from me. Rush's eyes were still watering from the effects of Baby Blue. It had been tough carrying Khronos back and trying to keep a half-blind Rush from going astray but we made it safely to Nash's place.

"Quit acting like a baby!"

"Then you should be gentler! I'm a scientist, not an athlete!"

"Rush is not an athlete either and I don't see him crying like you. Man up!"

The green haired scientist whimpered as Nash patched up a nasty bruise on the side of Khronos' rib.

"I'm really disappointed in you, Titus. I thought I taught you better."

"You said not to kill for credits. Last time I checked the man was still breathing."

Rush sniggered. "You're just taking it out on him because you couldn't win him in an argument. I'll have to agree with what he said. You really are prettier than normal women. If you wore a skirt, your target would fall for it."

Before I could pummel the remaining life out of the infuriating gang leader, Nash hauled me by the ear painfully.

"If you don't stop this nonsense now I will hang you on the nail by your shirt and leave you there for three days this time."

Blood seemed to drain from my face. Three days… The last time he left me there for a whole day I nearly died holding in all that pee. I wouldn't survive three full days. I turned to Nash with wide eyes as he smirked.

"You wouldn't dare."

"You are welcome to try."

Knowing defeat, I backed down. Nash released my ear and I scowled. If he pulled any harder, the whole thing might just come off. Surely it was red and raw now. From the corner of my eye, I saw Rush trying not to laugh aloud at my misery.

"So," Nash turned back to Khronos. "What did you say that made him so prissy?"

Khronos shrugged casually. "I only said how he would look better with something to fill up that washboard c.h.e.s.t."

Rolling on the floor with tears in his eyes and hands clutching his sides was Rush Rhodes – the man on my to-kill list after all the Parliament members. Unfortunately, Nash took that rambunctious behaviour as a cue to join in laughing at my expense. Soon, three out of four men in the room were laughing, that was if they considered me one.

"Oh my," Nash breathed in between fits of laughter. "That's a good one. I always told him how poor his fashion choices were. He cared too much about how he looked and I thought the mirrors would crack one day."

"I think he uses conditioner for his hair."

"I bet he shaves his legs."

"Probably uses make-up from time to time as well."

"Don't forget the perfume," Nash added and two pairs of eyes stared at him. I could only sigh through my nose.

"It's not perfume. It's cologne. Cologne! How could you get that wrong?"

It didn't matter to them because they were snorting and hooting all over again. Done... I was so done with these men.

"Whatever. Unlike the three of you, I have business to attend to tonight. Oh, Nash? Khronos and Rush are going to help the Night Walker on the mission. I'll have Rush help me coordinate the Pantiumite distribution. Khronos has the perfected formula so just get it from him. The old man here will assist me for my nightly operations."

The smile on the ex-hitman's face dropped. "You are aware that there is some kind of bad blood between them, right?"

It didn't hurt but the loud smack was enough indication. I was such a fool. If a facepalm wasn't good enough I'll smash my head against the wall for good measure. Titus Crowley! How could you overlook something so important?

"Let me think of something by the end of the week. I have a few people to visit tonight."

"Don't stay up too late boy! We start work tomorrow."

I gave the scientist a weak grin before leaving for the main show for tonight.