“Reignite?” Gusto asks.

  “Yes,” Danzo pauses for a moment, listening for any movement outside.

  “Danzo?” Gusto asks.

  Danzo can only hear the movement of the tent's canvas and the echo of the music coming from the Tower. “Apologies, I was making sure we weren't overheard.” He clears his throat. “To start, I will need to assume control of the division.”

  “That's a pretty tall order already. Why can't we just try to convince Commander Sterling to reform or lead by example?” Gusto asks.

  “Pointless. The entire unit has fallen into a sense of comfort. What's worse is they accepted it as a part of their culture.” Danzo looks at the orange light bulb quietly humming above him. “I'll need to find a way to remove Sterling from his position.”

  Gusto takes a sip of his drink, adding, “How will we accomplish that?”

  “I have a couple of ideas, they mainly involve convincing him, going the bureaucratic route, or, at worst… forcefully removing him. I want to keep that as the last resort.”

  “Let's avoid that last one,” Gusto adds, not reacting to the proposition of murder. “But say we remove him. Brutus will most likely take command, and something tells me he will be worse.”

  “I figured that much already. What's more is I have the feeling that as long as The Slayers can maintain the status quo, they don't care who leads.”

  “Meaning you are out of the running.”

  “Undoubtedly.” The two sit in silence, thinking about how to approach the first step. “I could wipe out the Slayers myself. Start afresh?” Danzo says.

  Gusto laughs as he hears that, “Heh, never thought I would hear a joke from you.” He notices Danzo's expression and leans in, “Wait, you're serious, aren't you?”

  “I am,” Danzo replies. “I know my limits.”

  “Ho-” Gusto pauses, “I'll save that question for another time. But even if we clear them all, won't it be only the two of us? The military may just abolish the Slayers. What then? Take over the Claws?!”

  “No… I will need to prove the Slayers' purpose while also justifying the small numbers.”

  Gusto takes another sip of his drink, and his face cringes. “You'll struggl– hold on,” he takes some of Danzo’s juice and mixes it with his drink. After taking a sip, he continues, “Better. As I was saying, you are going to struggle to have the higher ranks listen to a recruit.”

  “I agree. At that point, we will need to adapt to the situation at that point. But for now, let's see what will happen,” Danzo finishes.

  The two spend the rest of the evening chatting. Usually about life back home and what they miss.

  The first night in his new bed is more comfortable than he expects. He feels like he is catching up with the past week's rest he missed out on.

  On their second day, nothing much happens on the Slayers' side. From what Danzo can surmise, the Slayers, including Gusto, are suffering from a massive hangover. Uncomfortable with sitting idle, he heads to the Rescue and Sustenance Division with his medical bag in hand.

  In front of the gate toward the R&S Division Lark, he presents his identification card to them and explains he is there to find out about his Fleeting Lifeline duties. Due to his clearance, they only direct him to the building but don't escort him. After walking around for a couple of minutes, he arrives at a large, obsidian building with the words Sustenance Division Lark.

  Opening the double doors, he enters the reception. The walls are painted white with the R&S logo in red on the floor. Instead of portraits on the wall, numerous signs point to different rooms.

  The reception area is busy as numerous soldiers in red and white uniforms are moving around, carrying supplies or pushing injured soldiers on gurneys, each with a different uniform. The sounds of chatter, alarms, and squeaking fill the room.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  The receptionist's desk in front of him has two lines. The board hanging above the left line reads ‘NON-R&S DIVISION PERSONNEL ONLY’ while the one for the right line reads ‘R&S DIVISION PERSONNEL ONLY’ with two large arrows pointing to their respective lines. The left line is much longer while the right is vacant.

  Danzo uses the right line, earning the scorn of the soldiers in the left line.

  A bulky soldier places his arm in front of Danzo, blocking him from continuing. From the blue uniform and white stripes, he is from the Fracture Division. From his condition, it doesn't seem like he is a patient. “Can't you read Slayer? It says R&S personnel only. Back of the line,” the soldier tells him.

  Other soldiers in the line cheer for the soldier, while some jeer Danzo.

  “Yeah, that's right!”

  “You're not special!”

  “Beat him up!”

  “Back of the line, idiot!”

  Danzo lifts the man's arm and walks past it, saying, “You're in the way.”

  The same soldier grabs his collar, shouting, “Tch! Don't ignore me, you filthy Slayer!”

  The crowd becomes louder.

  Danzo stands still and grabs the man's arm behind him. After a few seconds, he coldly says, “This is your only warning. Let go of me this instant, or else I will make you.”

  “Huh?! Are you–” Before he can finish, Danzo punches the soldier's elbow joint, causing him to scream in pain as he lets go. “YOU LITTLE BA–”

  But he is interrupted as Danzo grabs his mouth and pulls him close, suppressing his voice. “Consider this your final warning,” Danzo threatens.

  A nearby security officer places his arm on Danzo's shoulder. He shrugs it off and throws the man back.

  Another one?

  The security officer is wearing the usual Claw Division uniform but has a small white armband. The word ‘SECURITY’ is printed in black across it.

  Before the security officer can say anything, Danzo answers, “I felt threatened and acted in self-defence.”

  “From my point of view, you were the first to lay hands on him,” the security officer responds.

  Is this officer blind?

  Before Danzo can speak, a doctor in a white gown and rolled up sleeves appears behind the soldier. His black hair is long and messy, grey hairs revealing his age. From the bags under his eyes, it’s been a while since he slept. He carries a disinterested expression while a cigarette rests on his ear. “Is there a problem here?”

  The security officer turns to the doctor and responds, “Doctor Visser, sir. This man started a fight in the reception and caused injury to one of our soldiers. Rest assured, I am already detaining him.”

  “Interesting.” The doctor scratches his chin, “A Slayer caused fights with other divisions in the R&S Division. I could provide eyewitness testimony if you'd like.”

  Danzo's eyes furrow upon hearing the doctor. A smug grin appears on the officer's face, and the crowd behind them starts to snicker. “That will be appreciated, doctor. We–”

  “Wait, wait! But our case will be even stronger if we have proof, right?”

  “Ye-yes, sir.” The officer grows confused by the doctor's increasing enthusiasm. Unsure how to respond to it. Danzo watches in silence, the developing situation intrigues him.

  Doctor Visser points at a camera in the corner of the wall. “That camera over there recorded the whole thing. As long as this troublemaker over here laid first hands, it's an open and shut case, right?”

  A worried look appears on the officer's face, “Sir?” The officer's previous enthusiasm disappears.

  “I mean, it would be stupid for you to have a recording of the fight and you sitting idly by while the scuffle happened, right?” Doctor Visser says, his enthusiasm disappearing.

  Before the officer can say anything, the doctor interrupts. “We don't pay idiots like you to be judges and enforce your own misguided laws. Do your job right or do something else. We don't have time for ego here. And you!” He points to the Fracture Division soldier, the one Danzo hurt. “You pull that self-righteous hero stunt in front of me again, I'm personally reporting you to Commander Meld myself and keep you stuck on toilet duty for your career.”

  Danzo continues to watch the doctor set them straight. His confrontational ability and his presence are worth noting.

  He walks up to the scared Fracture Soldier and warns him, “This is my Division. You don't decide who gets treatment or who steps where. If that idiot over there goes to the wrong line.” He points to Danzo. “That is our issue. We will handle it and apply proper procedures. I don't need every second idiot walking in here trying to be the badass.”

  He turns around and looks at the officer and the soldier, “Now, both of you get out of my hospital! You're banned for the rest of the day.”

  The security officer and Fracture Division soldier leave embarrassed after Doctor Visser's brutal lashing.

  Doctor Visser takes the cigarette to his ear and bites it while he walks to the receptionist. The candy cigarette crunches in his teeth.

  “Request the Claw Division to send a security officer who isn't an idiot. And send reports about them to their divisions. I don't want them going unpunished,” Doctor Visser instructs the receptionist.

  After speaking to the receptionist, he turns to Danzo and says, “You! I need to speak with you. Follow me.”