Kira maintains his uninterested demeanor, greeting, “Yo, Alex. Is something up?”

  Alexander doesn't hide his annoyance at Kira's behaviour, reprimanding, “Captain Kira. Remember what we said about attitude and appearance.”

  Kira audibly groans and corrects his posture. He sits upright and crosses his arms, greeting, “Good day, Captain Alexander. How can I assist you today?”

  “Better.”

  Danzo and Gusto watch the interaction play out, unsure how to react to the exchange. The Captains finish speaking with one another and turn to the two Slayers. Kira asks, “You are requesting a new bed and frame from another division? Pretty bal–” he notices Alexander's expression and corrects himself. “That is unusual but not unheard of. Could you please explain the reason for your request? I will fill the request form for you.”

  Danzo steps forward and answers, “The beds and frames that are currently available in our tents are broken, due to age and poor maintenance. I would request from our secretary, but those idio–”

  Gusto immediately covers Danzo's mouth to stop him from creating further issues, answering, “I'm sorry– What he meant to say was that our own secretary is unable to assist us.”

  “Mhm,” Kira writes on the form. “Two mattresses and two frames, correct?”

  “Yes,” Gusto answers as he removes his hand from a disgruntled Danzo.

  “And whose budget is this going to be on?”

  “Budget?” Danzo repeats.

  “Yes. Due to stricter budgets and to avoid reckless spending, each division's sector is allocated a monthly budget that they have to work within.” Kira looks at them.

  Gusto shoots Danzo a worried look, unsure how to proceed.

  Danzo’s eyes narrow, and he continues, “We would like to request on behalf of Commander Sterling.”

  Kira smirks and raises an eyebrow as he writes on the form. “Alright then. Just sign here.”

  Danzo signs the form, and Kira takes it back. After double-checking for errors, he stands up and says, “I will be right back.” He walks through a door at the back.

  Alexander waits with them, watching quietly. After a few moments, Kira returns with another piece of paper and stamps it. “You are clear. Just present this to our supply management near our stores, and you are clear.”

  “Thanks,” Danzo says as he reaches for it.

  Before Kira lets go, he smirks, “Just know, you are playing a dangerous game here, Danzo.”

  Gusto becomes nervous, and Danzo’s eyes remain locked on Kira’s. Danzo asks, “What do you mean?”

  “Cap-” Alexander tries to interject, but Kira raises his hand to shush him.

  “I had to pull some of my own strings so your Slayer buddies don’t get in trouble for this,” Kira continues.

  “I can tell that there is something about you. I have my eyes on you,” Kira finishes and lets go of the form.

  Danzo looks at the form. It details what he and Gusto requested: Two bedframes and two mattresses. Danzo looks up at Kira and says, “Thanks.”

  He and Gusto follow Alexander, while Kira returns to his desk. The door slams behind them.

  As they walk to the stores, Gusto asks Danzo quietly, “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

  “Probably not, but I don’t see any other preferable way to get what we need,” Danzo answers, his eyes focused on Alexander. Gusto leans away from him, unsure how to feel about what they are doing.

  They arrive at a large grey building with massive doors, probably for shipments or supplies. On the outside, a large sign reads ‘Storage Gamma 4’. On the right of the building is a small door that they enter through. Stepping inside, it is an office block with a small group of people sitting behind desks and writing. The room is cool and has a neutral smell. Although the windows allow some natural light in, it isn’t strong enough to overcome the formal atmosphere inside. It feels like he is back at the port getting his documents ready.

  Alexander walks with them to one of the officers. Their desk is covered in neatly stacked papers and a computer. From the height of the stacked papers, there is no rest for them.

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  “Greetings. I am here to acquire the requested items for our brothers in arms,” Alexander greets as he presents the paper.

  The officer glances at Alexander as he takes the form. After reading it, he looks at Danzo and Gusto before returning to Alexander. He sighs, “Captain Kira already sent word ahead of your request, and we do have a surplus of bed frames and mattresses. In addition, he also requested we issue some of our sheets, pillows, and blankets.”

  Gusto shares a surprised look while Danzo can only feel troubled by Kira's addition, unsure if it is due to kindness, regulations, or reasons beyond him.

  After typing on the computer, the officer gives another form to Alexander, “Just show this to the soldiers inside, and you should be fine. Officer Buril will be accompanying you.” He points to an officer standing by a sturdy-looking steel door.

  Alexander gives a salute to the officer and walks to the soldier. Adopting the culture, Danzo salutes as well and follows him. Gusto nervously salutes and follows the two.

  Officer Buril swipes a card on the reader next to the door, and a mechanism is heard moving behind the door. After a loud click, he opens the door, and they enter a large storage area. Large shelves containing various crates and items stretch from the large steel doors to the back, spaced evenly to allow vehicles and personnel to move through without accidentally bumping or knocking over the shelves. By the entrance stood two guardsmen, each holding a Tri-shot rifle to deter any thieves.

  Alexander hands them the documents, and they immediately contact the office to double-check their validity. After a few seconds, they make another call, this time to one of the handlers inside the building, requesting assistance. Shortly after the call, a tired man in a safety vest and a hard hat arrives with a forklift holding a large crate.

  “Two bed frames, two mattresses, four bed sheets, two pillows, and four blankets?” the handler shouts at the guardsmen. They double-check the form and nod, giving a thumbs-up.

  “Confirmed.” The handler answers, “I will load it up on one of the trucks and dispatch it immediately.” He looks at them, “If that is all, we can drop them off with the delivery.”

  Alexander turns to Danzo and Gusto. He turns back to the handler and shouts, “They’ll be accompanying you to the Roost.

  “Understood,” The handler drives toward the large door to load the crate.

  One of the guardsmen walks up to Alexander and shows him another form. He says, “Signatures.”

  Without complaint, he takes the papers and signs his name, date, and identification number. He then passes it to Danzo with a pen. He and Gusto will also need to sign.

  Danzo takes it and signs it for both him and Gusto. Handing it back, Alexander raises an eyebrow. “He isn’t signing?”

  “No. He is only accompanying me,” Danzo answers.

  “Dan-” Gusto tries to object, but Danzo interrupts him.

  “It’s fine, Gusto. I am the one who wants the beds and the frames. No need for your name to be mentioned.” Gusto nods in response.

  Alexander's eyebrows furrow. He takes the form and hands it back to the guardsmen.

  “If that is all, they will accompany you there,” Alexander answers.

  “Wait a minute,” One of the guardsmen stops them. Danzo’s eyes narrow, wondering if they have an issue with what they witnessed. “Identification. We need to verify the signatures before you may leave.”

  Danzo feels relieved upon hearing them, and he can hear an audible sigh from Gusto behind him. “Oh, right.” Danzo and Alexander pass their documents to the guardsmen. After a few minutes, the guardsmen have them back and return the document. As they leave storage, Danzo hears them communicating that the procedure is over and that they are clear. All of this for a place to sleep.

  They wait outside the Gamma Storage 4, by the loading area. The sun is beginning to set. Gusto and Danzo’s first day has been spent outside of their own division. Not that they will miss anything. A group of handlers is busy loading the mattresses and bed frames while Danzo is checking his bags, making sure nothing fell out.

  As he checks, Alexander's foot stops in front of him. Looking up, Alexander is glaring at him. Danzo goes back to checking his bag, finishing counting the vials. Admittedly, Alexander's glare isn’t helping. After triple-checking his items, Danzo closes his bags, stands up, and looks up to meet Alexander's eyes.

  “Do you need something?” Danzo asks.

  “I am not sure why Kira helped you, nor how he got the funds to acquire surplus on the Slayer’s dead budget, but you are overstepping too many boundaries,” Alexander warns.

  “Dead budget?” Danzo asks, he looks back to find Gusto patiently waiting in the truck before returning to Alexander, “Explain.”

  “Every month when the Slayers' budget is renewed, it's often wasted on amenities and useless items.”

  “That doesn’t sound like an issue. They won’t notice a little less, will they?” Danzo answers as he crosses his arms.

  “You misunderstand, I mean, they already spent it. Dead budget is just a fancy term to mean a budget that is already spent,” Alexander answers. The weight of Danzo’s actions is suddenly clearer.

  “Does that mean there will be an investigation or disciplinary action?” Danzo asks, his eyes focusing and mind thinking of all the possibilities.

  “No. As Kira said, he pulled his strings to get it swept under the rug while getting the funds somehow.” Alexander turns to the Den and answers, “There must be something he gains from helping you. But like the other Captains, we just stay out of his way. Even Captain Aster avoids him.”

  “Why are you telling me this?” Danzo asks as Alexander looks back at him.

  “To make you understand the type of people you are involved with.” The truck's horn interrupts their conversation, signalling Danzo to hop on. “Be more careful from now on. This is my only warning.” Alexander walks off, denying Danzo the chance to ask more questions. Danzo stares as he leaves for a couple of seconds before he turns to the truck and leaves.

  The drive to the Roost is quiet. Danzo’s mind is bothered by what Alexander told him, recounting everything he said and what has happened during the day. Gusto suddenly nudges Danzo’s arm, and he points to the Roost. The trip back feels shorter, especially with his mind elsewhere. As they get closer, Danzo sees a small group of Slayers awaiting them, Commander Sterling in front.