The floor of the interrogation room was covered in bloodstains. Sheldon drew shallow breaths as he lay there, covered in scrapes and bruises. His whole body ached and he kept his eyes closed, trying to drown out the unignorable pain. The President’s bodyguards hadn’t broken any bones but they had roughed him up enough that he had been laying in the same spot they had left him all night. Every time he tried to move, the only thing he felt was throbbing pain.

      Reaching back, he firmly planted his right hand, then his left. Exerting all the strength he could, he pushed himself up, pulling his knees forward and bringing himself into a kneeling position. His dog tags provokingly clinked together as he slowly eased himself back up onto his feet. As soon as he had stood up, his vision became clouded with a grayish haze and he stumbled back, bracing himself against the wall so as not to fall over again. 

      Suddenly, he heard the door creak open…footsteps…the door slammed shut and a familiar voice was heard… “I hope they didn’t rough you up too much, Colonel. I merely intended for a point to be made.” Sheldon would know that voice anywhere - it was President Knowles. His vision was still clouded and hazy, but he looked up and shot a hateful glare in the direction of the door. “Oh, don’t look at me like that,” laughed the President. “Considering all things, I’d say I let you off easy. But I still need you alive.” Sheldon’s vision slowly started to return and he began to make out the President standing a few feet away, smiling. “You’re a valuable asset, Colonel Barnes.” Sheldon maintained his vicious glare - he couldn’t stand it when the President called him ‘Barnes’...His name was Banes! 

      President Knowles lowered his voice and took on a serious tone. “I have big plans, Colonel Barnes. But, before any of those plans can be a reality, I need you to go back out there and kill the girl and those two men who rescued her from your clutches.”

      “I fail to see how they affect anything, Sir,” Sheldon bitterly replied. His head had finally cleared and his vision was no longer blurry - he let go of the wall, taking a step towards the President. “They stand no chance against us!”

      “Then you should have no problem wiping them out,” chuckled President Knowles. “After all, they’re just three people. You’ve handled much more.”

      Sheldon couldn’t argue with that. “How many men can I take with me?”

      “Hmm…” The President took several steps forward, bringing himself only a foot or so from Sheldon. “None.”

      Sheldon gasped, “Sir!”

      “You’ve shown that you’re very irresponsible when it comes to working with my men. This mission is for you, and you alone.”

      “How will I stand a chance against them if it’s just me?!” begged Sheldon. 

      “You will have plentiful resources. Take as many weapons as you need to get the job done. And, as indefinite pieces of proof, I want you to bring back all three of their heads. I need proof that the mission is completed and seeing their heads will be quite sufficient enough.”

      Sheldon stared at the President for a long moment before replying. “Understood.”

      “I trust that you will not fail me and do exactly as I have asked, Colonel Barnes. Your valiant stand during the wars was truly an inspiration to us all. I’m sure you’ll sail through.” President Knowles reached up, placing a gloved hand on Sheldon’s shoulder. “You’ll find a way. You always do.” 

      Sheldon begrudgingly shoved the President’s hand away and limped towards the door. He paused, turning back. “Sir,” he muttered. “It’s Colonel Banes.” And, with that, he left the room. The President only smiled, proudly examining his silver-studded fingerless gloves. Looking down, he saw the mess of bloodstains covering the concrete floor and let out a menacing laugh.