“So,” said Dante. “Why all this talk about killing and regret? You’re gonna try to tell us we shouldn’t kill the criminals we’re after, right?” Adam, leaning against the wall by the door, lowered his head. His beekeeping hat obscured his eyes. “I am.” Dante laughed. “If you’re looking for the moral high ground, I […]

Dante cracked his knuckles. “What about you, almighty Beekeeper? What’s your first kill?” “The robot who attacked me and killed my friends,” Adam said. “And no, I feel no regret.” Dante nodded. “After that were the SecGov ambassadors, even if I did not directly kill them. I do regret their deaths.” “Not directly?” asked Gladys. […]

“Gladys. What about your first kill?” “Uh,” she said. “Well, I killed some otherdimensional monsters on my first mission. I don’t know if they count. I’m told they were sub-animal level of intellect.” “Still. Monsters. That’s a cool kill,” said Dante. “My first actual person kill was a SERPENT Agent back on Stanislav Day. Right […]

Adam said, “Jason, tell me-” “Don’t call me Jason.” “Dante then. Tell me of your first kill.” “Back in training at the army. A cadet got pushed too far and tried to shoot a drill sergeant. I snapped his neck before he could do it.” “I see. And you were probably rewarded for this action.” […]

Gladys asked Dante, “How the hell did you wind up owning a souvenir store anyway?” “Killed the owners,” Dante said without looking up from the television. “You’re proud of this,” said Adam. “You are delighted that you killed them.” “Sure,” said Dante. “The guy was a cyborg fascist and this place was a front for […]