Test of Manhood: Half-Blood

"I think I'll stick with hard tack and beans." said the Captain. "Thank you though. I hope everything is well for you. Excuse my men if they seem a wee bit nervous. Most of them have only seen martians through the sights of their rifles. I happen to be the only one in this company to have met the Nautatons before. I hope we are not taking you away from anything back your in village." The Captain was sincere and hoped to make a new ally with these people, something the British were having an issue doing as of late.

A few small animals scurried about but nothing followed. The company rested for the night under the stars. In the morning camp broke and the company moved on along the water. By late afternoon the company reached the walls of Port Albion. Buildings were crowded together and some of the roof tops and chimneys poked up past the walls. The wall was made of martian resources while the buildings appeared to be made out of the same materials as those on earth. British flags were flown along the walls, towers, and even rooftops and men in red jacketed uniforms patrolled the streets and walls. Gatling guns and cannons lined the walls and towers. The gate was made of two slabs of steel made on mars by the Ror as a false peace sign. It was reinforced with bands flown in from earth. The gates opened to the company of mounted soldiers who rode through the sea of cheering and roaring.

Molavard garnered extra attention as he noticed he was the only martian in this sea of pale men and women. The company travelled to the Barracks, the unofficial name of the part of the city where all the military buildings were. The men stabled their horses in their own private stables and dispersed after recieving their weeks pay from the quartermaster, set up just outside the stables. The Captain dismounted and collected his pay, a significantly heavier coin purse was tossed at his chest.

"What say you lad, a drink on me? Get to know the town?" The Captain asked.

The Captain realized his mistake and trie dot correct himself.

"No no, would you like to go get a drink? I will pay for it ladie." The Captain tried talking with his hands to help get the point across.

The crowded pub of uniformed men got quiet and looked at the spectacle, some curious and some with anger and disgust. The Captain followed quickly through the door and saw the broken table.

"First round on me boys!" The Captain explained. The room erupted in cheers and the festivities continued. "What shall it be blue man? Whiskey, Rum?"

The Captain examined the strange liquid and it smelled or rancid fish. Quickly he slammed the flagon of nauseating fish juice. He launched himself up from his chair and stumbled back a foot before catching himself. The fellow patrons watched, waiting for him to crash to the ground. Instead he tipped forward and grabbed his shot of whiskey, downing that as well before grabbing his new martian friend and cheering him on. Soon enought he whole pub was singing and regaling each other with stories. A handful of men had left, not wanting to drink with a martian. Soon enough one of these disgruntled patrons walked up to Molavard.

He was in his early twenties and a looked no older than 16. He was thin and obviously drunk and looking for a fight. His uniform was undone and dirty, on Earth a man in this condition would have already been locked up.

"OY, blue boy!" yelled the young soldier. "Eh, fish man, you hear me?"

The pub became silent and the Captain tossed a handful of coins at the bartenders and leaped over and past the young drunk to catch up with Molavard.

"Molavard! Stop!" the Captain yelled out, "We're not all like 'em. Some of these young bloods have something to prove, others have become bitter from war with the Ror. Some of 'em lump all of you together, but not all of us do that!"