“Fuck this, Nick.” Sophia scowled. “We don’t need to deal with their shit, and I don’t trust them a whit. Ken and Jim seem like the type to stick a dagger in your back the moment that you lower your guard. Elizabeth seems nice enough.” Sophia smiled at the woman, who was looking back and forth between the groups, uncomfortable with how things were proceeding but unsure what to do about it.

“Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere with them,” Nick replied. “But I do have something to say before we part ways. One,” he raised a finger into the air.

“You’re not my leader. I don’t know you, I didn’t vote for you, and I doubt that these people did either. Two, I don’t like you and I don’t trust you. You say that you can smell the blood on us? Well, right back at you, Jim. Your friend is itching for a fight, and it’s clear that you’re hiding far more than you’ve revealed. And three,” Nick spat on the ground. “If you suggest separating Sophia and me again, we’re going to have a problem, and I promise that you won’t much like my solution.”

Nick was surprised to hear the anger in his own voice. But after everything they had been through, to receive a greeting like this, filled with subterfuge and intimidation, set off a part of himself that he hadn’t realized was there. A part that had come to accept violence and death as a way of life. That wasn’t about to let him get pushed around, and that wouldn’t back down from a fight.

“Finally, a friendly bit of advice. Don’t try ordering people around until you earn their trust. Trust isn’t earned with innuendo and veiled threats. I genuinely hope that we never see one another again, so I’ll leave you to your work and only ask that we stay out of each other’s way.”

By now, Jim’s jaw was clenched so tight that Nick could hear his teeth grinding together. He knew that he could have handled this better, but he honestly didn’t care. After everything they had endured to make it this far, he wasn’t about to be manipulated and bullied by others of his own kind. Even still, I should try to end this on a better note. Defuse some of the tension and let the man save a bit of face.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“I’m going to look for my friends and then I’ll consider working together with your team. A bad first impression isn’t a reason for us to start anything we don’t have to. If what you say makes sense, I’m willing to cooperate to some extent, but not until I have a better understanding of what’s going on.

“Either way, I’ll wait to enter the tower until everyone is ready. We’re not here to cause any trouble, and I agree with what Elizabeth said. We’re all in this together. If you have a problem with any of that, step up and let’s get this over with now. Otherwise, kindly step aside. You’re delaying me from a well-deserved dinner.” So much for the high note.

Both men looked ready for a brawl, but Elizabeth threw herself in front of them before they could attack. “No. You can’t. Not again and not here. If you pick another fight in public, no one will listen to us. It’s hard enough as it is considering what you’re asking of them.”

Those words were enough to cement Nick’s certainty that he wanted nothing to do with Jim’s group. It sounded like they had clashed with other new arrivals, and it was clear they were more than happy to solve their disputes with violence. Reading between the lines, whatever they were asking of team Earth was probably something that benefited themselves at the cost of others.

For a moment, Jim seemed like he was going to push past Elizabeth and bring their confrontation to a head. Then he visibly regained control of himself and put that fake smile back on his face. “She’s right, Ken. It’s not the right time. We’ll talk again soon friend.” Jim gave Nick a long, lingering look and then turned to leave with the others. “I’ll remember your name, Nick. You can count on it.”

With that, the group disappeared into the crowd, leaving Nick with a bad taste in his mouth. “Whatever they’re planning is going to be a problem. I’m sure that we’ll be seeing them again if we don’t enter the tower soon,” Sophia said, mirroring his thoughts verbatim.

“Me either. Hopefully we can avoid them for now. I’m sure that it won’t be more than a day or two before we all head inside. Now, how about we mingle and try to find some of our friends?”