An angel is chasing a demon through the streets of a city.

The angel is made in the image of a human male, his steel body painted and clothed to produce a near-perfect disguise. His formal designation is ZNJS-9650013, but the name he uses among humans is John Shepherd. He has a loaded gun at his belt, but he does not use it. The demon is a threat sufficient to justify pursuit, as all demons are, but he poses no immediate danger. To fire a gun in such a crowded area without compelling reason would risk violating the commandments set out in the Last Testament.

The first commandment is simple: you shall not harm humanity nor through inaction allow humanity to come to harm.

The second commandment is like unto the first: you shall not harm any human nor through inaction allow a human to come to harm, except when this would conflict with the first commandment.

Shepherd has trapped the demon in a dead-end alley. A more corrupted soul might have the means to escape, but this demon is a pathetic specimen. All he has is a bionic right hand and left eye. The gloves and sunglasses he wears do nothing to conceal him from Shepherd's enhanced senses.

"You are impure."

Shepherd's deep voice echoes through the alley. It sounds almost human; only a keen ear could recognise its synthetic undertones.

"Wh-- who are you?" The demon backs away slowly, holding his still-gloved bionic hand out in front of him as if he hopes it will protect him.

"I am John Shepherd, evangelist and inquisitor in the service of the Allmind. You are my target. Surrender immediately."

"But I'm human! You guys can't harm humans! Why are you going after me?"

He's still lying in a futile attempt to save his skin, Shepherd thinks. What contemptible creatures demons are.

"You have usurped the power of the angels. In so doing, you have forfeited your humanity. There is nothing preventing me from killing you. But you are not beyond hope. I also have the discretion to attempt to salvage you. Surrender now and your mechanical components will be dismantled and returned to the Allmind. Your biological components, if they survive, will be taken to a Sanctuary, where they will be protected and their needs tended to."

"Please," the demon begs. "Show mercy on me. I'm not this way by choice. My hand and eye were horribly burned by chemicals in an industrial accident. I only wanted them back so I could still work, instead of being a drain on society."

The angel strides forward. A long steel blade, glowing red-hot, flicks out of his left arm.

"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off," Shepherd intones.

The demon's right arm drops to the floor, cut off at the elbow. There is no blood: the weapon's heat cauterises the wound instantly.

The demon stumbles back against the wall and falls to his knees, screaming in agony. The blade retracts back into Shepherd's arm, and he grasps the demon's bionic eye with his powerful steel fingers.

"And if your eye causes you to sin..."

In one sharp motion, Shepherd rips out the demon's eye.

"... pluck it out."

The demon collapses, having fallen mercifully unconscious from pain and shock. Shepherd crouches over his body and holds an open hand above his head.

"In the name of the Allmind, I declare you purified."

John Shepherd walks away, carrying the former demon over his shoulder. None of the townspeople stop him to ask what he's doing: they know it's just another angel cleaning up after a job well done.