[WARNING -- EXPLICIT VIOLENCE]
[WARNING -- EXPLICIT VIOLENCE]
Egon stood up. "Then we'll do it the messy way."
He went to the open crates, got the case labeled "Enhanced Interrogation Unit," and returned the blind man. He knelt down and flipped it open. "I really like this armor." he said to himself. "Shame it has to get wet."
Inside was a set of tools. He picked up a small blade, with a smooth handle and a small energy core at the base: a clear diamond. Twisting the core, Egon activated the blade. Its edge glowed with a yellowish-red laser.
Egon crouched by the blind man, gently lifted one of his feet, and removed the shoes and socks. He rolled up his trousers past the ankle and brought the blade's edge to touch the skin.
"This knife uses CO2 laser." Egon told him, for some reason. "Cuts cleanest and cauterizes instantly. The pieces can even be restored, if you earn them."
"Start with the neck?" The blind man joked,
Egon replied, "I'd rather not. It's too Thick. Wouldn't seal properly."
"Do as you please."
Egon pinched the man's toe, pressed the blade to the skin, then, he hesitated. His hand froze. As if fighting him. But he managed to do it. The toe fell leaving only the sealed flesh.
"I thought it would hurt more." the blind man said.
"You hesitated." Alfred said. "Have you gone soft?"
"No," Egon muttered, "I'm a bit rusty, that's all."
He steadied himself and cut the next toe. The second hit the ground. He asked again. "Any other outposts besides the villa in the city center?"
The blind man still didn't answer.
Egon sighed, then turned to the next toe, but this time, his hand wouldn't move. He tried to do it, but the moment stretched longer than he wanted.
"What's taking you so long?" Alfred asked him, almost accusing him of weakness.
Egon looked down for a long moment with himself.
"I don't think I can do this." he admitted, but without same. "maybe I have gone soft."
Alfred rose, went to him, and took the blade off his hand. "You don't have to. I'll take it from here."