Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

Ignoring Joe's confused expression at the moment, it wouldn't be too far off to have him be under Quinn's mantle because like me, her own garage was an offshoot from the De Leon Family and she had as much freedom to do as she pleased—and wasn't held down by Mauro's providence.

And while most of my group had pretty much accepted Quinn's presence and her actual background, it might be a different case for everyone else in this area.

"I don't mind them, really—I'd like a simple one though?"

"How about numbers?"

"Can I pick the number?"

"Umm~ No."

"Ah— Why?"

"That's one of the only ways you can join her ga— I mean, camp. And you'd have to shave your head."

"That's a problem, I'm not sure if— Aren't there any other way?"

"To make your custom designs? Have another engineer look at 'em. The brand is a prerequisite to join Quinn's troupe so that's already a door closed if you're not into that. But yeah, anything works for you as long as you have a shield on one hand and a one-handed melee weapon on the other?"

"Uh, yeah. Again, is there a problem with that?"

I shook my head again, "No problem at all but your masteries in each of them would be pretty spread out."

"That's by design. Unless I'm bound to fight another samurai like you or a HEMA practitioner like her, I'm set with the dead."

"I guess that's true in a sense. Basics, consistency, and building a foundation are the most important shit and the way to go but do know that it gets harder and harder the bigger the foundation is."

"I thought the bigger the better?"

"That's the usual case but having it too big could cost ya. Just imagine how much time you'd have to spend to finish the building or to get really, really good at each discipline?"

"Hmm~ The way I look at it, sir, is not a big foundation. I look at it like multiple ones. I tend to make bigger ones to the ones I like and reserve a small spot for the others I don't really like but had to learn on the way."

"Hah! Then you're a little like me, I like that. It's more of a city than a big building, right?"

"YES! That's so right, sir! T-There's some stupid shit that you don't want to do but it's gotta be there in order for things to work, right?!"

"Absolutely. What's the thing you don't like?"

"Guns. I do just fine without them but it's part of the training process. Thank god for 00 buckshots."

"Wait a sec, I've seen you flinch a few times earlier, is that—"

"Hyperacusis. I can do well outside since we're wearing ear protection—I double them with ear plugs—but while we're in here, our blades clanging could get painful. I would've worn them when we fought but I forgot about it and only remembered it whilst in transit. It sucks but I dunno, the added disadvantage made it a little more sweet for me."

"Is that why you live in that RV too?"

"Yes, sir. Everyone bunks in the barracks and I love their company but it gets really uncomfortable when we get all too rowdy. I need sleep too."

"So what's your treatment plan, now? And can I ask where and when you got it?"

"Nasty fall from skateboarding a few years ago. Saw an EENT when I felt the first thing and all I could do was avoid loud noises and wear ear pro as much as possible."

"Ah~ Have you tried hearing aids?"

Joe never looked so confused, "Hearing aids— Sir, respectfully, have you listened to a word I said?"

I waved him off, "Nah, nah, they're special hearing aids. Basically, you wear this 'noise generating' plugs that plays white noise that's barely audible, and over time, you'd get accustomed to it and you'd eventually naturally ignore it."

"Huh. Does that really work?"

"It's worth a shot, no?"

"But… Where can we get these special hearing aids?"

"Umm… we make them?"

"You have a specialty clinic?!" Stay connected via empire

"N-No, no… I mean, we make them as in DIY. Aren't they basically earplugs that play white noise? We can just ask our EENT Doctors how loud they play and go from there—get you another check-up while we're at it."

"Fuck. Me."

"Hmm? If you want that type of service too, we have 'em. You just gotta be tested first and—"

"Dammit, man! I mean, sir! Dammit! Ain't I just super lucky today?! Maaan~ I'd give you all of my stuff but I have a business to run! Fuck it!

I'll have whatever number tattooed on me and shave my head just for this thing to go away!"

"Hah! Trust me, you're better off here— she didn't even have the facilities to cater to ya, I do."

With that said, I easily got Joe an appointment over to my hospital and he'd drive back with us tomorrow.

However, I didn't even realize how restless Tatiana was to have a spar with me using her new sword, and she was just being respectful to both of us because the new sword she was building technically came from us both.

I was more inclined to see how good it could cut bamboo or tatami mats but I guess seeing how deadly it was could work as well.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Because yeah, compared to her nameless bastard sword, the blade length was about the same but its overall length was longer by a few inches due to the handle made for two hands instead of one and a half.

In addition, the way the grip was wrapped by this cord and leather felt nicer as well—when I held it before—and its center of balance was just right as Tatiana mentioned after the short bout.

"It's closer to the handle compared to your other sword, right?"

"Yeah, though compared to yours— we really should stop using real swords in spars…"

Joe never looked so distraught:

"IS THAT A FUCKING NICK?!"