On one of the planets near the galaxy—
Thud.
Alfred collapsed onto his knees, his hands bound tightly behind his back by heavy restraints that cut into his wrists. Blood dripped steadily from the wound on his head before splashing onto the ground beneath him, while a deep puncture tore through the area around his liver, soaking the front of his clothes crimson. Numerous bruises, cuts, and burns covered his face, leaving him looking less like a defeated prisoner and more like a man hanging onto life by the thinnest possible thread after forcing his body far beyond its limits.
Even so—
Smack!
A man stepped forward from the side and drove his fist violently into Alfred's cheek with enough force to twist his head sideways.
"You worthless bastard!!"
