章 10: Welcoming Party

Author's Note:

This chapter is going to be little bit shorter than the rest at 1000 words. But the story starts to pick up speed here. Adren, or Axel Silverguard, will start to experience the discrimination of joining a new community, especially one like the Kylmia.

Hope you enjoy <3

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Barh and Adren stared each other down before Adren leaned back in his seat. It may have seemed like Adren was backing down to Barh, but Rebecca recognized the action for what it was. He was posturing himself to make it easier to draw his knives for a clean strike under the table if it was required.

Rebecca glared at Adren. No matter how annoying this cousin was he was still family.

Adren was clearly disappointed, by returned his hand on the table, to show her that his hand was away for the knives.

"Adren," she said quickly, "Let me introduce you to my cousin Barh"

"Barh, this is Adren, the man who save Lilya."

Adren passed Rebecca a annoyed smirk, "Nice to meet you."

"You seem familiar. Have we meet before?"

"Barh…" Drawing his attention back, "Is there something you need?"

"Yes, Tyren is looking for you at the office, something about ship modifications."

"Okay let's go." Rebecca nodded, "Sorry Adren, we will have to cut this breakfast short. Good luck at your new job."

"Thank you." Adren replied before she paid for the meal and left with Barh.

Adren was going to leave soon after, but his path was blocked by a stocky tanned man. Maybe it was because he had been sitting that they thought he was weak and intimidated.

"Do you know who the fuck she is, cock?" Cock was the term for new members, atleast untill they were granted full citizenship.

"I know."

"No, it doesn't seem like you do. We don't like outsiders. You don't touch our woman. Especially not the Captain for the Golden Lion."

"Thank you for informing me about you culture." I incline my head and try to stand up.

Again Barh's lackey stopped him from standing.

Sigh

"Do I have you kick your asses on my first day of work?"

"Falren," A woman who seemed to be the owner warned. "No energy shots in the restaurant."

"No need to worry, Marthr. We don't need our guns to teach this piece of shit a lesson."

"Ass-whooping it is." Adren pushed Falren back and stood slowly. "Last chance to walk out on your own."

Falren and the rest of Barh's lackeys hesitated as he realized the size of Adren.

For some reason even when people knew they were going to lose they still try.

Like now

Refusing to back down the Falren reached for him.

In one fluid movement, Adren caught Falren's arm and pulled him towards him. Caught off guard by the sudden force, Falren tumbled forward to be welcomed by Adren's knee knocking him out.

Seeing Falren knocked out on the ground the rest of the group went for him.

Adren dodged the first and with on sure chop to the back of his neck knocked him out. He went to catch the second by his throat and lifted him up and looked at the last one.

That one wisely stepped back and held his hands up. "I've got no problem with you, friend."

Adren scanned the restaurant to make sure that there weren't any more threats before releasing his grip on the man's throat.

The man who was in his grasp slumped down, clearly pale from lack of oxygen.

Marthr and Tushie stood there staring at him, slack=jawed.

"Sorry, I didn't want to make a mess."

Marthr inclined her head to him, "Thanks."

Adren quietly made his way out the restaurant while keeping his back away from the last crewman. Hopefully no one had recognized him, otherwise would have just signed his Blood Warrant.

Pushing the thought aside, he fixed his coat and scarf and headed to the shipyard for work.

@@@@@

Inside a clean office, "Can I help you?"

"Becky told me to report for work today."

"Ahh… you must be the new blood…" looking at the paperwork, "Adren, is it? Hold on." She got up and went off to another room before returning with a blonde man.

The man scanned him from the ground up before speaking, "I was told to introduce you to the work we do. Becky said you knew about ships?"

"I do."

"How about Kylmia technology?"

"Limited."

"Follow me I'll give you a little tour. First you can change into your work clothes and store your gear."

Adren started to take off all his knives and gun, but a bad feeling crept through him. Honestly, the only thing he truly trusted was himself and his weaponry.

Weapons…

"You can't work in the yard armed. It's regulations."

He figured.

Adren placed his weapons in the locker and followed the manager to the yard.

"Before we start anything let me give you a quick run through about Kylmia culture and how things run here." he pointed at his sleeve where the Kylmia wore their insignia and badge. "Represents the empire we fight for, and the crew we sail under. Those two things represent my citizenship and rights in this empire."

"I know."

"No I don't think you understand. See that empty badge. It means your a cock, with no rights or privileges. You don't speak unless spoken too. You don't count as anything here. A ghost with no rights or voice."

Two dozen men armed with wrenches and hammers came out from behind pillars and moving in to form a circle around him.

"You damn don't dine with our women and beat our brothers. Because you attack one of us. You attack all of us."

Adren winced as he silently did the math in his head. Not that it made a difference. One against two dozen… a child could tell him his chances.

Fuck

He swept his gaze through the group and held a cheeky smile. "Well, if I had known you were going to throw me a welcome party I would have brought drinks."