The Cyborg System-Chapter 72: Last Supper

The Officer’s Mess was far less busy than the main canteen, with a dedicated table service, rather than a queue. The relatively young servers seemed happy in their roles, away from the violence of warfare of the front lines.

Colonel Wood guided the eclectic group of combat masters to a large table at the centre of the room, one reserved for himself and his guests. The Colonel took a place at the head of the table with his niece to one side without much fuss; however, as they went to sit, he called out: "Master Yamamoto, please, come sit with us."

Master Reed inwardly seethed at being asked to move aside, a slight against him, but it was lessened by the distinguished nature of their guest master from the Eastern Suns. After all, there were not many people who could lay claim to having killed demon tier beasts.

Master Yamamoto gave a small bow and came to sit next to the loquacious Colonel, detaching his swords and laying them by his side. This action was noted and quite unusual, as the others had placed their weapons on a rack by the door.

"Worried it will go missing?" said Colonel Wood with a slight smile.

"Please, do not take offence. These weapons are owned by my family, not myself. I do not have the right to discard them so carelessly."

"Please, no offence taken. Besides, two demon-tier blades are a treasure that no one could afford to part with."

"One demon-tier blade," said Master Yamamoto. "The wakizashi is only of the monster tier."

Master Wood scoffed. Only of the monster tier? She was the only other one in the squad to possess a weapon of such calibre.

The Colonel made note, re-assessing his knowledge of their foreign guest. Understanding the strength of an opponent or an ally was an essential part in using them or defeating them effectively.

A server came and placed a few small chalkboards on the table. They seemed to have essentially three menu choices to pick from: a hearty soup, with native vegetables and fresh bread; an aquatic spirit beast and rice dish; and a hearty stew with "steer root", whatever that was.

After placing their orders, they seemed to form separate groups. The Colonel, Master Wood and Yamamoto one side of the table and Master Dunn and Apprentice Karelin on the other, with Master Reed, Mancini and Ackerman flitting between the two groups.

"Did you really bring no weapon?" asked Master Dunn to his companion.

"I never do," said the Apprentice.

"What beasts have you killed, then?"

"Many predators. I have never fought anything higher than that, but from what I have heard, the jump is significant."

"Yes, that is certainly true," said Master Dunn. Although technically he had laid suppressive fire in several fights against monsters, being one of the few there to have experienced it, he had never managed to kill one himself. In truth, it was difficult for many to understand the leap in difficulty and strength between the two tiers.

"What about you?" asked the Apprentice.

"Me?" said Master Reed. "No, I have fought several predators. Like Karelin, I need no weapon."

Master Mancini snorted slightly. He had little regard for transformation. Though his own discipline did not rely on spirit weapons, there was no doubt amongst anyone there that elemental powers had their place.

At the other end of the table, a similar exchange was taking place.

"So," began the Colonel. "How are you finding your stay with the Western Alliance? Not bored, I hope?"

"It is very different," said Master Yamamoto after a long pause. "I am surprised by the strength of your elemental users. However, I have been disappointed so far with the students’ skills with spirit weapons."

Master Wood seemed to glare at that remark.

"That’s your discipline, right?" said the Colonel, looking to Master Wood. She glared back at him, not amused by his teasing.

"I assure you," said Master Wood. "We have had limited time to perfect the skills of the students we have been handed, but we have done so with a firm hand."

"Yes," said Master Yamamoto. "The instructors present are not to blame. I believe this is simply a cultural difference. In my family, at least some degree of proficiency is expected in the sword by age six. Here, many do not start weapons training until they are sixteen. This is a large bridge to gap."

"And yet," said the Colonel. "The Eastern Suns are the only major power not to have a nightmare-level hunter..."

"This is true," said Master Yamamoto. "However, Nikandros is growing old. I have heard no one from the Olympians is ready to replace him. This puts the Heartland in the position of being the next great power."

Master Ackerman nodded. "That may be so."

"I see you have a weapon from your leader’s gift," said Master Yamamoto. "May I take a look?"

"Can I take a look at your wakizashi?"

He nodded in return and the foreign guests exchanged weapons temporarily.

"It is beautiful," said Master Yamamoto, looking at the smooth black material of the war scythe.

"I could say the same," said Master Ackerman.

"Can we order some food, while these two lovebirds gush?" asked Master Wood.

Though there may have been some subtle jabs in the conversation that had preceded this, this was the first openly hostile comment.

Master Yamamoto did not react at first, but after a long while, he spoke softly. "You know, I was aware you would say that before it was said. I could see far enough to know what your reaction would be. However, I prefer things out in the open." He smiled and passed back Master Ackerman’s blade.

"Please," said the Colonel. "Let’s not have argument. We are allies after all, no?"

Those around the room eyed one another warily.

"Now, waiter...?"

A man in his early twenties came over.

"I believe I have an unopened bottle of scotch tucked away in the kitchen somewhere. Could you please bring me it and eight glasses?"

"None for me," said Master Yamamoto.

"You don’t drink?" said the Colonel, surprised. It was usually considered polite to drink with your host.

"No, I prefer to keep my wits about me."

After a short, tense pause, the Colonel burst out laughing.