System S.E.X. (Seduction, Expansion, eXecution)

The heavy steel door to the isolation wing groaned open, and the temperature seemed to drop ten degrees. Ethan walked alongside Miller, their footsteps echoing like hammer blows against the concrete floor. When they reached cell 4-B, Ethan stopped and peered through the small, reinforced observation slit.

Inside, Prosecutor Carter was unrecognizable. The man who once stood in expensive Italian suits, looking down on the world with a sneer, was now huddled on a thin cot. He was Haggard, his face covered in dark, blooming bruises and dried blood.

"He looks like he's had a rough first night. Did he trip on the way in?" Ethan said.

"Not exactly. Let's just say the boys had a lot of pent-up frustration to release," Miller said.

Ethan noticed a particularly nasty gash over Carter's eye. "You guys really went to town on him. I didn't think you cared that much about his legal policies," Ethan said.

"It wasn't just us, boss. We got specific orders from the new District Attorney, Brown. Apparently, they have some deep-seated personal grudges from years ago. Brown made it very clear that Carter shouldn't find a single moment of peace in this facility," Miller said.

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "I like Brown more and more every minute. He's efficient."

Ethan signaled toward the lock. "Open it up. I want to pay my respects to the fallen king," Ethan said.

"You want me to stay in there with you? He's pathetic, but cornered rats still bite," Miller said.

"No, I can handle this garbage myself. Go take a walk around the block. Give us some privacy," Ethan said.

"Consider it done. I'll make sure nobody even breathes near this hallway until you're finished. Take your time, Ethan," Miller said.

Miller swiped his security card and punched in the code. The electronic lock disengaged with a sharp clack, and the heavy door slid open just enough for Ethan to slip through. Miller gave a quick nod and disappeared back down the corridor.

Ethan stepped into the dim, cramped room. The air smelled of sweat, copper, and fear. Carter didn't even look up at first; he just pulled his knees tighter to his chest, trembling.

"Good morning, Prosecutor. I hope the accommodations are to your liking," Ethan said.

Carter flinched violently at the sound of the voice. He slowly lifted his head, his one good eye widening in pure, unadulterated terror as he saw Ethan standing there, bathed in the faint light of the hallway.

"You... you're supposed to be dead. They said... they said the Scavengers would handle you," said the prisoner.

"The Scavengers are busy counting their losses, Carter. And you? You're just a loose end that I'm about to tie up," Ethan said.

Ethan grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the concrete wall with a dull thud that knocked the air right out of his lungs. Without giving him time to recover, he lifted him by the neck, leaving Carter's toes barely scraping the floor.

"When you brought me to this place, I bet you never imagined we'd one day be in this position," said Ethan.

"Let go... please..." said the prisoner, his voice choking from the pressure on his throat.

Ethan didn't let go. Instead, he delivered a sharp blow to the stomach that made Carter fold in half. The pent-up frustration from that unjust arrest, from Vance's terrorist lies, and from the humiliating treatment he received when he first arrived in chains was boiling to the surface. Ethan grabbed him by the hair and forced him to look into his eyes.

"You looked at me like I was trash, Carter. You locked me in a hole while you laughed with Vance," said Ethan.

"Don't mention that pig... Vance is a son of a bitch! He forced me!" shouted Carter, his mouth smeared with blood.

"Don't mention him. He's just a cold corpse in a morgue now, and soon you'll be exactly the same, so you shouldn't be in such a hurry to catch up to him," said Ethan, before throwing him back to the floor like a sack of garbage.

Ethan dusted off his hands and adjusted his jacket, looking down with contempt at the man sobbing at his feet.

"I hope you have a nice stay here. I'm leaving you in the care of my friends, the guards. I've already spoken to them; I asked them to give you 'special' treatment from now on. You won't sleep a single minute without feeling the weight of a boot in your ribs," said Ethan.

Carter grit his teeth, terror overcoming his physical pain. He crawled across the floor until he reached Ethan's boot, clutching at it desperately.

"Wait! I have information! Information that can be useful to you!" shouted the prisoner.

Ethan paused, one eyebrow raised. "Information? And what do you think your word is worth now?" asked Ethan.

"I know you're the boss here! I know if you order it, things won't be so hard for me anymore! I'm not asking you to release me... just stop the torture. I'll do whatever you want! I'll tell you what the Scavengers are planning with Parthenon!" shouted Carter, his voice cracking with desperation.

Ethan crouched down, bringing his face level with the disfigured man. A terminal coldness crossed his eyes.

"Talk fast, Carter. Convince me it's worth leaving a few teeth in your mouth," said Ethan.

"Before I was locked in here... before the arrest was even official... several families came asking about you. The Scavengers, the Clovers, and a few others. They wanted every scrap of information I had on you since I was the one who processed your intake the first time," said Carter.

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "Go on," said Ethan.

"My lawyer came to see me this morning. He brought a message. He said the Scavengers are planning to fuck you over so hard you'll wish you were dead, and once they've finished with you, they're going after Thompson. They want to make an example of his betrayal," said the prisoner.

Ethan let out a cold, sharp laugh. "Is that so? I've been out in the open all day, and nobody has made a move on me. What the hell are you talking about?" said Ethan.

Carter's eyes widened, a flicker of genuine realization crossing his bruised face. He started to tremble even harder, his voice dropping to a terrified whisper.

"They haven't made a move yet? I see... then you're in even graver danger than I thought, Blake," said the prisoner.

"Explain yourself before I lose my patience," said Ethan.