A mechanic, Lane, critiques a powerful weapon at an event, drawing the ire of major Federation figures. Arthur Davis, a military industry leader, and the heads of the Ross Group and Holt family each challenge him, asserting their power and questioning his right to speak. Lane dismisses them all, claiming they are unworthy. His ex-wife Evelyn accuses him of disrupting the 'Sword Bearer' ceremony out of anger over their divorce, saying it only lowers her opinion of him. Lane retorts that the family's status and the entire ceremony are meaningless without him, revealing the revered sword is only powerful because he wields it, and threatening that the event's guest of honor will not appear.