Chapter 370: Friendly Reunion
"Yeah, at that point there was no point in keeping it. It was just to make me distinct from others. So when I became a Spectre it became obsolete." Jace explained as they sat down and the man who he took a moment to recognize waved over a waitress.
The man in question was from his initial Coble Squad at the Academy. Peter Reese, if Jace recalled, had an E level system. He did not have much potential but he worked as hard as the rest of his squad did to keep up with Jace. But he was never really the aggressive soldier type. Although the few times he did recall the man getting irritated or mad was when food was involved.
Not in a way where he was greedy for food. More like whenever someone put the wrong ingredient in the shared pot during meal time. He was always particular about what he put in his body. He thought it was a body image thing, but it might have just been his desire to be a chef.
The man ordered them drinks and an appetizer. Then Peter turned back to him, "hope you don’t mind. But you are paying. I know for a fact you can afford it." Peter pointed out with a chuckle.
Jace shrugged. "Yeah, I do not mind. Now tell me about what happened to you when you became a cadet?" Jace asked as he leaned to the side as the waitress started setting down glasses of water.
"Oh it was hell. I was actually in the Waterswan system as well. I got sent right to the planet where we fought through some heavy rain against those damn kitinol. Then after a few days we were called back to the ship. Where we only got to relax for a few hours before we were told about a possible boarding action. We had to scrabble to get ready but then we learned that it was just a test because of the federation’s surprise attack on your ship." Peter explained with excitement.
"You know we actually had a bet going which of you would cause more problems. Between you, Salem, and the Ice Princess. I can tell you now that we were all expecting it to be the Ice Princess. Mostly because you are a lot more tame than the other two. But it turns out you are just always in the right place at the right time." Peter quickly ran through how the whole academy was in on the bet. Apparently they decided that between the three of them, it was Salem who was the trouble maker.
Jace did not know this but apparently she gained a lethal reputation for shooting down business men and nobles. As well as beating them down when they tried to get handsy. Jace knew that she faced some issues but it sounds like she took care of it just fine.
"Can you tell us a bit more about them?" Allie asked. Jace must have let his mask slip. Because he noticed her glance at his face. "As well as about the academy itself. I will be going next month."
"Oh really? Then maybe I will see you." Peter declared getting an inquisitive look from Jace. "Not as much need for a chef aboard the Victorium Military ships. While I am a bit overqualified for the human militia ships. So the plan is to teach at the academy. Apparently they want me to teach a squad of cadets. While also helping in the kitchen in my downtime. They really want to cut down on wasting manpower."
Jace nodded, "then you might just see her. Are you teaching at the nearest one?" Jace asked.
Peter nodded in response. "Sure am. Although they are adding tests for both students and teachers before sealing up the academy. They are worried about one of those orius getting in and causing trouble."
"Then you will definitely see her." Jace answered. "These girls are from the Waterways orphanage so they will likely be going to that one."
"Then I will definitely detail all the dirty little details about Jace’s time at the academy. Just to give you an idea about what academy life is like. Although from what I understand, they want us to be harder on our students to sort out those not capable in the service." Peter detailed before he pushed back as a waitress put the appetizer on the table. They were an array of fried foods. "Oh, I forgot to get you menus." He looked at the waitress who rolled her eyes before she began placing menus around the table.
Jace watched as the girls looked over them. Although both Jordan and Cho were looking more at the pictures and were ignoring the words. Jace looked over the menu quickly and decided on something quickly. [Jordan wants this thing in glass while I want one of those cheesy things.] Cho told him.
Jace raised an eyebrow before reading the menu. "Jordan, that thing is a desert. That comes after the meal. I will get it after you eat some actual food. Cho, there is cheese pasta in here and a cheese burger. Which do you mean?" Jace asked aloud, causing Peter to get confused as he watched them figure out what they wanted to eat. Allie ignored it since she was used to it.
"Jace is responding to a telepathic message from his adopted daughter Cho. She is the one with white tiger ears." Cain answered, startling Peter as he looked down and looked over Cain for a moment.
"Oh my heavens... you are Cain aren’t you?" Peter asked, "you look way better than the last time I saw you. Last time your bits were all showing."
"Please sir, I do have some form of shame." Cain looked away and Jace could feel a faint spark of embarrassment coming from him. That was unusual, Cain had an emotional reaction or was Jace now just able to sense it. He would have to look into it later.
Peter then looked at Jace as if he just realized something. "So you have an adopted daughter? How did that happen?"
Jace thought for a moment and tilted his head before shaking it. "I actually do not think I am allowed to answer that."
"Boo!" Peter booed him as he reached down and patted Cain’s head causing him to freeze for a moment.