Company:New Horizons/Renegade

Past
Not much is known of Renegade's past. The furthest back he can remember is waking up on the sands of Aeternum, after being washed ashore...

His head in a daze and bloodied, he stands and studies his surroundings. To his surprise there is no one in sight, and the coast is littered with shipwrecks. Far too many to feel normal.

Bulkheads, decks, tattered flags, all disjointed and thrown about as if ripped by leviathans. Sifting through, he spots the butt end of a musket half buried in the sand, and covered by rotting wood. For some reason, he feels relieved at the sight... before he is struck by the realization.

Who am I; and why do I feel joy at the sight of this weapon?

He doesn't dwell for long, as three unknown figures limp into view a hundred yards off. Immediately, he falls prone, the rifle's stock against his shoulder, and his aim toward the characters. He glances at them as he inspects the weapon he's found. Their skin peeling, & some bones piercing through... this isn't normal.

With hectic, but calculated movements he clears the barrel, and prepares a shot right before they spot him. They stagger and sprint in his direction with irregular movements, almost dragging their bodies forward. Clumsy, and desperate; like starving prey chasing a last bit of food... The hairs on his arms stand. He doesn't know himself, but he trusts his body to defend him, to guide him... and for his aim to be true. He surrenders control to his forgotten past.

He breathes, steadies his aim, & pulls the trigger at the end of his exhale. The ecstasy of the shot remind him...

''The rifle is a part of me... in some way.''

The creatures fall to the ground.

For a moment he stays there, shocked. Then, he stands and moves forward, as their bodies are blown away in the wind like ash.

Aeternum Calls
The man spots smoke, and holding his rifle crossed against his chest, he trails down the path. After a few minutes he reaches a campsite, and reluctantly, he approaches. A grumble in his stomach leading the way.

People... disoriented and wounded. Their faces read terror and they move as if resigning to an approaching death. There is no food here, but he sits by the fire for a moment. Wringing saltwater from his clothing, patting sand off of himself, inspecting his wounds... until he notices an old man staring a him.

"Renegade..." he whispers to him, a crazed look in his eyes. "Renegade!", he yells this time, attracting the attention of everyone in the camp. "I was there... I saw you throw the man overboard! I saw his body hit the sea, you cursed us!" In a frantic flare of rage the old man picks up a stone and throws it in the Renegade's direction.

The Renegade is hit in the chest, and before he can figure out a response, the muzzle of his rifle is already aimed in the old man's direction. "Shoot me then, renegade!" the old man spits with trembling lips. Every person's stares dig deep at Renegade's skin; he lifts his aim, and walks away.

Is my name disdained by memory..?

On an empty stomach, and reciting the thoughts that remain, he follows the trail deeper into the island.

New Horizons
Eventually, he reaches a town bustling with people, strangers. For a moment, he considers entering the forest and committing himself to it, when a girl's voice regards him, "You look fresh," her voice is worn, but host a hint of curiosity, "Just arrived?"

He responds with a nod, wary. She seems a tad clumsy in all the armor she hosts on herself.

"Welcome to Monarch's Bluff," she says, her arms gesturing the town, "It's a nice place don't you think? What's your name?"

He thinks for a moment. At the only lead of his past, the words of a maniac, "Renegade."

"Samantha Whitlock," her face welcoming, and understanding, "let's get some food & drink in you, yeah?"

Renegade finds himself amongst a group of people who don't resent him; Facing a New Horizon.