We follow our guide, Anika, to a residential area when she stops at the door of one of the dwellings and faces us. "Due to your refugee status our program is setting you up with a small family home, however you should work towards finding suitable work for the adults of the house. And as her legal guardians you should enroll your girl in school. As you do come from a more primitive civilization I would be remiss in my duties if I didn't explain what modern amenities you are provided." And with that we are shown in and shown how all our new, quite frankly amazing luxuries work.

After she leaves we gather around the dining area table to devise a plan.

My father was the first to speak up. "I know she said blacksmithing wasn't very popular, but perhaps I could do handiwork in order to learn how to fix these amazing devices and make coin as well."

I of course nod at that. "It's a smart decision. And solves two problems at once. With this world being a "Frontier world" I figure I can take up work as a guard or mercenary. Help make home safer and bring in more coin. Being a healer would draw too much attention to me if I use my magics. Really everything does but at least this way I could claim I have hidden weapons of some kind."

"You know I didn't approve of you becoming a court mage." My father replied. "But the results speak for themselves. Please just be careful. Okay?" The worry in his voice was obvious.

I smile and look him in the eye. "Of course dad. If I get hurt I'll return and rest." And with that we start looking over information on local schoolhouses before deciding on a one on one program for Leeda. After that and a hearty supper we retire for the night.

With the morning sun I rise, and after a quick but thorough wash I dress myself and head out to find a local guard house. After a couple hours on the wing and a polite request for directions I find it and set down with a jog out front. As I enter they of course require me to disarm, and after being assured that my items will be returned I do so. They then wave me through and I approach a desk. "Greetings. I don't really know how to phrase this but I'm looking for paying work as a mercenary." And the tired looking Lyka man behind the desk looks over me and points to a door. "Bounty office is through there. Get certified and they'll provide you work. And good luck." He says in a very dull and tired tone.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

I walk through the designated door and am provided a slate to fill out. After a quick explanation as to what I need to do specifically I fill it out. I'm then given a ticket and seated. The course is pretty basic all things considered, it only takes about an hour and a short test after. After all that I'm given a certification card, a badge, and some restraints to use on my catch.

Myself and a few others are given some basic bounties as a "field test" to which the others are eager to take. I of course take mine and look it over.

Human male, age 67 Terran years, height 5 foot 7, weight 183 pounds. No head fur, tattoo markings on arms, pale skin. Ex Terran marine. Wanted for vandalism.

Great, I'm being sent after an elder. Do they think I'm frail or something? Maybe I can talk him into coming peacefully.

With that information I collect my things and take to the wing, stopping at every bar, tavern, and eatery before stopping at one and spotting him within.

I decide the best option is to lean on the bar next to him and lay the Bounty tablet down in front of him. He glances at it before finishing his drink and says something unexpected. "Yeah? So what?" In an angered tone. And a very gravely voice.

This immediately puts me on my guard and I respond "Come quietly and I'm sure you can get it dropped pretty easily." He then responds and my blood runs cold. "So we're doing this then." And he breaks his bottle on the bar before slashing at me with it. I duck under it and come up connecting my gauntleted fist with his chin with everything I have, causing his head to whip back and him to fall on his back. I quickly restrain him and notice almost too late several other patrons standing up to face me, all of whom have those tattoos on their arms.

Seeing the threat for what it is I draw my sword, however this does not deter them as they draw their own blades and clubs. Suddenly a loud bang rings out behind me and I turn to see the Lyka barmaid gesture with an object in her hands and she shouts out "Let the bird do her job! Otherwise your all banned from my bar!"

I nod my thanks to her and carry this man out. Thankfully I don't get stopped by anyone before dropping him off at the guard station and collecting my bounty. It's only a couple hundred credits but it's a start. With my payment collected I return to my new home and ponder over the days events. All in all it was an easy start. And it looks like father has found some work.

I find my data slate has some new data on it. Oh. It's paperwork needed to enroll Leeda in her classes. May as well fill it out. She needs to learn after all.