I'm no trooper

Chapter 23: Rescue plan

3rd person

F/N sat alone in a prison of ice; dark bags hung under his eyes as he curled in the corner, his body an unhealthy shade of paleness. Having been forced into this pertinent from defiance, he has a full view of the goings-on in Esdeath's throne room.

Before F/N sat Wave, tied to a pole and forced to endure the weight of three heavy stone slabs crushing his legs. The torment as punishment for his failure the day prior in letting Tatsumi escape from under his nose.

Wave: "Ma'am, I'm sorry!"

He whines as Esdeath stares down at him, a frown etched like a stone on her face. The general taking no pleasure in what she was doing, the sly grin that she had when tortured her victims absented even when she spoke.

Esdeath: "Tatsumi got away because you weren't paying attention. That alone is punishable. However, I can not overlook that you let a member of Night Raid slip through your fingers. Kurome, add another slab."

She said; Akame's sister, without a word, moved over and dropped another slab on top of the others. Wave let out a cry of pain from the added pressure, though none could do anything for the poor guy to not endure the same fate as their comrade.

Esdeath: "Oh Wave, your marshal skills are nothing to scoff at, yet it is wasted if you don't use your head. Please try to correct this in the future."

Wave: "Y-yes ma'am."

He said, Esdeath's expression changing as she gave him a death glare. An aura of unbridled danger erupting from her person in a noticeable wave.

Esdeath: "And if you are to fail again, I will punish you myself."

Wave: "Yes, ma'am."

He repeated, his eyes wide, sweat cascading down his brow as he looked away from the women. Though thankfully for him, Esdeath's looked away as Seryu walks in. The young woman stands at attention, her imperial arm tucked under one arm.

Seryu: "My deepest apologies, commander, but Koro has yet to track down Tatsumi. Even after searching through his and Echo's things for a scent trail."

She stated; Esdeath sighed before waving her hand a bit. She seemed to have expected this result still had held out a small amount of hope in tracking down her lover.

Esdeath: "It's fine. Hekatonkeiru is built for combat. Don't let this get to you; however, where is Dr. Stylish?"

She said, noticing the absence of the crazed doctor. Seryu shrugs a bit as she walked into the room from the doorway.

Seryu: "He is still searching, ma'am."

Esdeath sighed again and glanced in F/N's direction, her aura dimming as she laid eyes on his freezing body.

Esdeath: "Then he probably hasn't found anything, and our only lead refuses to talk."

F/N's eyes drifted up to meet the general's. His teeth chattered as he spoke.

F/N: "I've already told you I don't know anything, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."

F/N said with a weak growl, all the present Jaegers looking upon him as he curled up more. They all noticed the state of his fingers and toes, the phalanges turning a harsher shade of purple.

Esdeath: "I find that hard to believe-what is it Run?"

She asked, the blonde looking at her with his neutral face as he pulled his arm back. Though his gaze drifted to the prisoner every few minutes when he asked his question.