Chapter 9: Unusual Knight
"How does it feel? I know I'm a bit taller than you, but I'm sure those should still fit you just fine." The knight, Bridge, beamed as he leaned against the walls of the storage room on the ship with his arms crossed. He watched Arbus slowly try out some of the clothes belonging to him—helping him pick out the right ones.
Arbus had just finished washing up in the bath located in the men's wing of the ship. Naturally, that was because he had been drenched in dried blood throughout their journey here.
Yome was the one who suggested he got the chance to change, since they were about to meet the Sentinel very soon.
She had also asked him to get a check up in the med bay, but Arbus refused—simply saying there was no need since he wasn't injured.
Now that the blood was gone, they could see that was the case as well.
Arbus knew they found that strange, considering the state of his clothing, but none of them said anything on the matter.
The ship landed on Paradis half an hour ago, settling in a parking station beside the largest tower on the moon that dominated the skyline with its imposing silhouette—The Hold.
They had been told to wait patiently for a while.
"It's fine. Thanks." Arbus said, calmly adjusting the sleeves of the shirt.
After he was done, he looked over to Bridge with a curious expression.
He considered this Knight rather unusual, to say the least. He had never met a knight that didn't care too much about the difference in ranks between them and a sentry.
Most of them were proud and boastful about their status—taunting those who they know might never be able to achieve the same due to lacking the connections they had. Not only that, this knight also didn't seem bothered by his human appearance compared to the others on the ship.
He glanced away, an unreadable emotion flickering in his eyes. "I'm thankful for you and your team's help so far. Honestly, I'm a bit confused on why you seem so eager to help me out. But I'm thankful nonetheless."
Bridge's brow raised in puzzlement. "Really?What's so confusing about it? You're the last survivor of a terrible tragedy. The likes of which has been unseen in our star system for years now. It's only natural that we would help you as much as we can, especially since you've been officially cleared of all suspicion."
Arbus stared at him silently for a moment. "Yes, but I'm also half-human. Aren't you uneasy about my presence, at the very least? I know that's how many feel about my kind."
Bridge's hand suddenly covered his mouth for several moments as he laughed softly.
Then he straightened, a smile still playing on his lips. "And why exactly would I feel something like that?"
"Don't get me wrong, there's a lot about you that draws all sorts of questions." He added "But I can feel that you don't mean us any harm."
Arbus grunted slightly as he wore the long black jacket resting on the table, completing the outfit. "Hmm, is that so. Well, it doesn't seem like your team agrees with you that much." He said bluntly, his thoughts drifting to the male red mornan with ocean blue eyes filled with killing intent.
Bridge let out an audible breath A he shook his head. "Yeah... and that's terrible. But I understand where they're coming from, somewhat. You'd be surprised if I told you how many of them have encountered a full-blooded human in their home Star System, or even a member of the Second Chance group." He said with a frown.
"Still... I don't believe they should be directing that animosity at half-humans like you who have nothing to do with it."
"I believe It's quite a sad thing, really." He muttered, his tone discouraged. "The 'Renegades' is an organisation built on the foundation of protecting the populace of Rendes and the victims of the Humans."
"…And yet, a majority of it discriminates against those that can truly be considered to be the biggest victims in this war."
"It's most definitely unfair." He breathed.
Arbus studied his saddened expression silently for a long while, wondering if he really meant any of the words he was saying. It was the first time he was seeing anyone besides those he considered family speaking so openly in his favour.
Eventually, Bridge's dazzling smile returned as he glanced toward the room's door.
"I want to apologize on behalf of my team. I would really appreciate it if you don't judge them off your first impressions."
"trust me when I say they are all great people. The best people I've ever met, really."
"Especially our Vanguard, despite her um, intimidating personality," he chuckled.
He paused for a moment, then added slowly. "…In a way, this crew is kind of in a similar position to yours, although to a lesser extent, I'm sure."
"We're all Red Mornans. The weakest of our species, looked down on by everyone."
"And yet, we didn't let that label define us."
"We're still Renegades, and we're still fighting to rise up the ranks little by little, until we prove everyone wrong."
"Just because we had a worse start, doesn't mean we can't surpass everyone else!" he bellowed.
Bridge realised how loud he was a moment later as a hint of embarrassment appeared in his expression.
"...Well then, I wish you luck in your journey." Arbus replied with a small smile. The only smile he could offer currently.
Bridge blinked for several moments, then smiled back. "Thank you friend. I wish you the same, as well."
Both of them emerged from the doors leading into the ship's main room shortly after, heading to sit beside the others that were already waiting patiently.
Arbus glanced at everyone present again. Bridge had already told him the names of each of them at some point during their talk.
The ship's pilot, who he hadn't seen earlier, was called Caster. He was a tall Mornan with dirty blonde hair tied back in a loose ponytail.
Arbus noticed the bandages beneath his clothes, most likely due to a recent injury. An anxious expression rested on the Mornan's features as he snuck glances in his direction.
The woman who sat sprawled in a chair was Arya. The towering old Mornan in a bulky Knight's suit was called Damian.
The youngest member of the crew was simply nicknamed Trix, since no one knew his real name. He still seemed as downcast as before.
And finally, the young Mornan with ocean blue eyes and dark blue hair, watching him like a hawk, was called Kai.
They were all sitting in silence, waiting for their Vanguard's orders.
Finally, After a long while, their Vanguard—Yome, emerged from the ship's communication hub in the bridge.
"It's time." she announced, her voice cutting through the quiet.
Her eyes scanned her team for a moment, before finally landing beside Arbus. "Bridge, you'll follow along. Everyone else, remain here and wait for our return."
The blue haired girl, Arya, suddenly straightened in her seat as she looked at her Vanguard with an indignant expression. "What? That's not fair, Yome! we want to see the Hold too!"
She scoffed, glaring at Bridge. "Why does Bridge of all people get to go instead of us!?"
Yome's eyes turned towards her as she simply stared down at her with an aloof expression.
To Arbus's surprise, Arya—a knight, pouted like a child being disciplined as she grumbled in response.
"Understood, Vanguard Yome," came the hoarse voice of the towering old man with a small laugh. The red Mornan reminded Arbus of his grandfather in some ways.
Bridge nodded in excitement as he stood. "Of course, Vanguard!"
The ship's door slowly hissed open as Arbus accompanied by one knight and one Vanguard strode out of it.