he soon realizes it’s hunger that is crippling him. it is only one of many HUMAN fundamentals that are suddenly COMPROMISING his functionality. the soldier is used to needles && tubes pumping the necessary nutrients into his body; he is used to FORCED, cold sleep; stepping into the chamber with injuries that are gone the next time he opens his eyes. self-preservation has never been a concern of his. everything came second to the mission -----------but he had FAILED his mission. now he wandered without PURPOSE. he didn’t know what he should do; where he should go. protocol DEMANDED he return to the nearest safe-house to await instruction ( && appropriate punishment ) ---------and yet, he DISOBEYED. instead, tired feet continued to guide him to the smithsonian and he would spend hours staring at the face of his TARGET before spending even longer staring at the face of a GHOST.
he isn’t helpless. he has PERFECTED the art of killing. he knows how to defend himself; how to SURVIVE the elements - but he doesn’t recognize the pangs of hunger. the asset doesn’t fully understand the risks of NEGLECT. eventually, he stumbles into a small diner located just a few blocks away from the smithsonian. the instant he opens the door, the smell of coffee and grease plows into him, punching him right in the gut. calculating eyes sweep across the room, observing every window, every entrance && exit in case of an incident. he blends in pretty well as long as he hides his arm in his pocket. he is still wearing the same civilian clothes he stole a week ago, but no one gives him a second glance. he chooses a seat in the back of the restaurant but FALTERS after that. all he knows is that he needs food. there is a menu in front of him; pages of dishes to choose from. the soldier knows how to choose which gun will best suit a mission; he knows which weapon will execute the quickest kill, but he is not use to making these types of decisions.