“The line starts back there.” Renni stood, her legs splayed, hands on her hips, the silver in her gauntlets gleaming as they swirled in anticipation. She felt them read her body language and the tension suddenly in her muscles. Mina stood next to her, puppy fuzz along her spine standing on end, her lip slightly curled. All eyes suddenly were upon them, many understanding and two glaring furious.

The man glowered before suddenly tilting his lips into a big toothy smile. The anger in his eyes never dissipated. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice dripping with forced allure. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“The line starts back there,” Renni repeated, pointing towards the door at the other end of the mess hall. The man looked to where she was pointing and then turned back to her, his smile broadening. He spread his hands wide, taking on an almost mock-hurtful expression.

“Now, there’s no reason to be rude. What is your name, my dear?”

Renni tensed all the more and felt the gauntlets start to creep closer towards her palms. She forced herself to relax. She’d heard of this man, one of the new refugees. “My name is Renaissance. And you?”

“Norman. Norman Kindle. Renaissance, eh? Oh, you must be the one that alien called Shepherd. I guess you’re the sheriff around these parts?” He asked the last question with a southern accent before turning around and grabbing a bowl from the food tables. Renni hadn’t missed the distain when he’d said the word alien.

“The line starts back there, Mr. Kindle. If you would be so kind as to begin there, as everyone else in this mess hall has done.”

He turned back to her, again smiling, his expression this time as if an indulging parent correcting a child. “Oh, but you must not know. They’d said you were patrolling, or what ever it is you do, when I arrived.” He straightened up. “I am the elected leader of the camp your people so graciously took in.”

“Good for you. The line starts back there.” Several people chuckled and Renni allowed herself a slight smile. The gauntlets slunk back to her forearms, knowing they would not be necessary at that time.

“My dear,” he practically growled, still never losing his smile. “You don’t understand. As an elected official, I am afforded certain privileges. You don’t expect someone with the responsibilities that I possess to have to spend precious time waiting in line, do you?”

“Yes.” More people chuckled and some stood, preparing if the confrontation went south. No one had seen Renni as such a presence before, and as they looked into the cold determination in her face, many thanked their stars that they were her friends.

“Excuse me, dear?” His smile faded just a little more. “I really don’t think you understand. I am a very important man.”

Renni spread her arms wide, motioning to the entire building. “We all are very important, Mr. Kindle. Every single person in this camp, your people, my people, everyone, is equal. Everyone gets into line just like everyone else. It is a sign of respect. Whether you were elected by your camp to lead them does not matter here. We are all the same, those who plant, those who build, those who tend to the children or the sick or the weak. Everyone is equal, to me and to you.”

Several people clapped. Norman Kindle glared, the smile now gone completely. “I’d like to speak to your mayor,” he said.

“Our what?”

“Your elected official then, whatever you call him.”

“We don’t have one.” This time Thomas spoke, his voice carrying from behind the food tables where he helped serve.

“We don’t need one,” Carter said, standing from his seat at a nearby table.

“This camp has functioned as a group, each respecting, each working towards the betterment of the others.” Renni walked to within inches of the glowering newcomer. She had to look up to meet his gaze, but to every person watching it was as if he shrunk before her, withering under her calm words. “I understand we are different from what you are used to. But you must understand that this is the way we work here. No one is given special privileges simply because of rank or occupation. Privileges are given to the sick or injured. Every man, woman, and child understands this, even your own people. I would hate for you to be branded as one without respect for his fellow man.”

The man stared a moment, the anger never leaving him. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw his hands ball into fists. Again, her gauntlets shifted, preparing to aid her if need be. Then he smiled.

“Of course. You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking.” He held out his hand to her. “Forgive me for my rudeness.”

Renni placed her hand into his and he shook it profusely. He gripped her tight, nearly crushingly. She returned the pressure, her eyes like cold stone, her face frozen in the quiet determination that still racked her tense muscles. He then let her go. She watched him walk to the back of the line of her fellow campmates.

The show having concluded itself, everyone turned back to their food and conversations, each glancing up from time to time to spy on the two players, taking in their expressions, their reactions. Renni looked down at her still full bowl of stew and steaming cup of coffee on the table near Carter. She carried them to the massive bins where several women took them to wash. She then walked to the door. “You not eat, Shepherd.” Marshal said, standing sentry near the portal.

“I’m not hungry.”