Was this their last meal?
In all of Sergeant Sam's short life, this was the first time he had ever encountered something like this.
And of all the places in the galaxy to experience it, the most elaborate meal he'd ever seen was happening right there—within full view of that still wiggling, half-dead, half-alive giant creature outside.
But somehow, despite that revolting sight, no one could look away from the feast spread before them.
There were colors.
There were smells.
And actual solid food.
It was like being teleported to another dimension, one where soldiers didn't eat nutrient paste or drink metal-flavored energy shots.
"Line up properly," someone from House Kyros called out, tone polite but firm.
And so, like children afraid of being scolded, Sam and his comrades lined up in an awkward mirror formation across from the Kyros soldiers, following every motion as if imitating a holy ritual.
They didn't know what they were doing, but it felt sacred.
