THE MOMENT
"What's your favorite number?" Phoenix asked the soldier. Phoenix, the soldier, and his Handler, George stood in Phoenix's spacious, spartan white office. It resembled an empty, undecorated room with only a single red desk that he used for work.
"Enemy count's my favorite, Sir!"
"Uhuh," Phoenix chuckled. He turned his attention to George while the soldier remained facing forward at attention. "It feels like you didn't give orientation all your attention," he smirked.
"I got the basics about alternate universes," George nodded with a grin. "But, unlike the rest of you, I decided to pick someone actually trained as a warrior; he's the best marine in the multiverse that I could find."
"You walked out on Mundo?" Phoenix chuckled and shook his head. "Even if you think you can do a job better than someone else, it's still helpful to know the basics." A flash of confusion washed over George's face. Why didn't Phoenix recognize how qualified his soldier was?
"Test him!" George blurted out. The marine seemed eager and somehow stood straighter. "He can take out any 14-year-old girl you have running around this building!" George was slightly offended by his own words; but, he understood the context.
"Sure, okay," Phoenix nodded. "I'll give you a chance to keep your job."
"Keep...?" George was taken aback. "This is my first recruit...," he replied with a sad, defensive tone.
"And, you walked out during training, convinced that you could do better," Phoenix replied with a nod. When George joined the organization everyone seemed so friendly and welcoming. Mundo was especially warm and it honestly didn't occur to George that the visit was part of his training. He was having a pleasant time but realized he should get to work. Mundo did look surprised that he wanted to leave; but, didn't say more than that. He was always quick to own up to his many mistakes and sighed in understanding.
"This is a fight to the death," Phoenix addressed the soldier. "Are you ready to die for George here?"
"Ready to do what's needed, Sir!"
"Alright," Phoenix ran his hand through his orange-red hair and grinned. "Then, you get a special opponent." Phoenix gestured at the empty air next to him and a horizontal black hole opened at eye level. It was parallel to the floor and as soon as it opened, a large, thick, viscous drop of golden, translucent honey fell out. It lingered for a moment at the edge of the hole while it grew; then, it fell to the white tile floor with a 'plop'.
The dollop grew upward and changed shape once it landed and its color changed. In seconds it took the form of a 12-year-old blond girl with tan skin. She wore a white tracksuit and she smiled at George with sparkling, golden-yellow eyes.
"This is Honey," Phoenix said.
"She's not normal!" George was quick to point out the obvious. Phoenix chuckled.
"Did you think we just chose random kids off the street?" Phoenix asked with obvious amusement. It wasn't until George heard those words in that order that he realized that was exactly what he thought. He already made several mistakes with the job and it was clear to him that it was his own fault. He deserved to be fired and no one needed to die.
"I'm sorry," he shook his head. "We're done here, we don't need to go through with the challenge."
"She's just a kid, Sir, I got this," The marine interrupted. George looked at the soldier in confusion.
"Did you not just see how she got here??" he asked.
"Saw it, Sir, but I'm ready for anything."
"Honey...," Phoenix spoke up. "... Kill." The girl dashed forward and threw herself at the marine. She enveloped him in a translucent golden cocoon as he tried to wrestle her off him. He pulled out his combat knife in the struggle and tried slicing through her; but, he cut through without inflicting any permanent damage.
"Wait, stop! I quit already! He doesn't have to die for my ignorance!" George pleaded with Phoenix; he went so far as to grab the man by his white lapels. Phoenix grinned and slid his arm around George's shoulder.
"Sharp Development appreciates employees that own up to their mistakes and are willing go grow. You might have a place with us after all, assuming you sit through Mundo's lecture properly this time."
"Yes! Please, anything!" George couldn't take his eyes off the struggling marine. He was on the ground and struggling to breathe with notably less energy. "Make her stop!"
"And keep him from doing his job? Nah," Phoenix shook his head as he walked George into a black portal. "Sharp Development is happy to give you another chance, we're glad to have you. But, if you're going to be any kind of leader, we're going to have to start working on that pesky conscience of yours."