The Time Variance Authority's agents were living, breathing humans. There was no doubt about that.
But after tailing the patrol for a while, Deathstroke had not sensed a single thing about them that resembled a living person.
They seemed to have no souls, no personal desires. They were more like robots carrying out a mission; even the rhythm of their steps never changed.
This squad would not slack off or chat over the comms while patrolling. Even Deathstroke's Space Marines, the finest individual combat force, were allowed to make small talk over the communication channel during routine patrols.
Yet these feeble guards clearly had no such habit. They simply held their weapons and walked in silence, their black combat boots making no sound at all on the carpet.
There were not many surveillance devices in the corridors. Clearly, the Time Variance Authority was confident in its choice of location and had never considered the possibility of being infiltrated by a single operative.
At the next corner, Deathstroke fished from the ceiling, having Strangle form an optically camouflaged Pitcher Plant that directly bagged the last man in its "pouch."
The patrol continued onward, unaware that one person was missing behind them. That man had already been eaten by the terrifying symbiote monster, leaving behind only a clean set of equipment.
After repeating the trick six times, Deathstroke silently wiped out the entire squad. They were not given even the slightest chance to sound an alarm, and he kept their equipment as clean and intact as possible.
"Why seven again? A seven-man squad isn't a very practical arrangement for a unit made up of ordinary people, is it?"
As he packed up the equipment and headed back, Deathstroke silently chatted with Strangle.
"Eek."
Strangle found it strange too, though it did not