Chapter 303: Rhys’ speech and introduction

"With that being said, I am sure that you are wondering as to why I, the Captain of the Saturn Guild, would come all of the way here. It is by no means an easy trek, one full of perils. So, I would like to make a few things clear while I have your attention. By now I am sure that you’ve heard that an S Class meeting was called." Rhys explained.

Brent groaned. He was never going to be able to top Rhys of all people when it came to public speaking. He should have had someone less talented do it. Except Rhys was the perfect coverboy to do the talking.

Despite his eyes, he was the prettiest of them all, about as pretty as Kellen’s Mom when she was the covergirl for all Espers. The public was going to riot when they saw his ring. Millions of people would weep. Kellen would not be one of them.

"That meeting was to discuss the issue that the E.A.G poses on the world as a whole, what that means for us, and our responsibility." Rhys said. Brent wasn’t sure that was true, given what he knew of what they had discussed, but it wasn’t like he could stand up and call him out.

He’d get shot. Immediately. That, and he was inside of the Guild building.

"We debated for quite a while, and while there is an acknowledgement that we have taken too long to come to any conclusion on the E.A.G, we did come to one." Rhys’ expression didn’t give away a single thought he had. Damn perfect bastard. "Given the crimes that the E.A.G. continue to perpetrate, and the fear and death that they leave in their wake, we, as S Classes who must take on a heavier load then even other Espers, have decided thus. The E.A.G. is an organisation that is not allowed to continue as it is. We have an obligation to dismantle them at every possible opportunity and rescue those that are clasped in their clutches. We have deemed them not just a terrorist organisation, but a cult. They cannot be left alone." Rhys’ words were impassioned, but it was the blazing yellow fire in his eyes that Brent was sure caught everyone else’s attention.

Kellen would be proud.

"With that said, we acknowledge that as a whole, we have let some people fall into their clutches. That is not something that can be easily forgiven on our part. So, we are willing to accept any and all of those who have been recruited, spoken to, accepted money, anything that has led to an interaction with the E.A.G. into our Guilds. You can be redeemed, you can be accepted, and whatever situation forced you into the arms of homicidal maniacs will be addressed and treated with kindness and care." Rhys’ words caused a stir amongst those listening and Aunt Dina next to Brent sighed heavily.

"Some of us don’t have space to expand, Rhys Thatcher." She muttered darkly and Brent kept his mouth shut. He bit his lips, hiding his smile. Maybe that part hadn’t been discussed with the others, it seemed.

"There was an acknowledgement that powers unlike those we have seen before and classified are coming into existence. That’s what happens when we live in peace for so long and are able to intermingle, but tragically our ways of cataloging and helping those has led to many people, Espers and Guides included, feeling as if they are being neglected. My partner, Kellen Woods, is a good example of this fact.

After he had awakened he kept getting tested because something felt wrong. Instead of listening to him and helping him, the Center sneered at him and told him he was crazy. It is a miracle that Kellen didn’t listen to them and turn jaded. Instead, he worked hard, dedicated himself to his craft, and proved that through hard work and dedication that he could achieve anything he wanted. It is not widely known to the public, but Kellen has given me permission to disclose this. He was raising his Class every time he worked. He was a B Class before his sudden rise to A Class." Gasps rose up from the crowd.

Chittering from the crowd picked up and Rhys had to wait a few moments for everyone to settle down. He gave a small smile.

"I know that the news is quite shocking, but Kellen’s case showed me, showed us, that the way we thought of Guides and Espers before now was old fashioned. We were stuck in the past, and that just wasn’t going to cut it. Who knows how many other potentially talented individuals we have thrown to the wayside all because they didn’t meet the specific standards that we had set in place? This thought has worried me deeply over time, which is why we are extending our arms out to those that the E.A.G. has recruited."

Rhys leveled his eyes to a camera, and suddenly the shot of his shifted, catching the full brunt force of his look. Brent shivered. It felt like the man was staring into his soul.

"I speak for all S Classes who attended the meeting when I say we are sorry that it took us this long to realise you were in pain. I know better than most what the cost of being an Esper can be, what it can feel like, but it is not too late. If you have had even a moment of hesitation in what you have been doing, it’s okay. Come to us. We will help you. You have not been the first to break ranks with them, and you will not be the last. Make the right choice, and come back to us." It was an impassioned plea, one that even stirred Brent’s heartstrings.

The man was too good at public speaking and it seemed that Aunt Dina begrudgingly agreed. Mr. Caulder wasn’t as quiet about his support of Rhys. Brent blocked him out so that he could continue to listen to Rhys.

"Now, for those of you who have never doubted for a moment the plan that the E.A.G. has been forging towards, I have some words for you as well." Rhys smiled, showing off his perfect, white teeth. "There is not a hole deep enough for you to hide in. From me, from my people, and from the loved ones of those you have hurt. Make no mistake, if you continue to align yourself with these hateful, cruel people, it would be best to take yourself out before I get my hands on you." Brent covered his mouth with his hands.

"Is he allowed to say that?" Brent asked, glancing at Aunt Dina. She let out a low, guttural growl.

"He’s speaking for all of us." She snarled and Brent turned back to the t.v. Well, that answered one question. None of the Espers were going to protest, just the civilians.

Rhys let out a soft, sweet laugh, shifting his hand so that his ring was even more on display, so obvious that Brent would have rolled his eyes if shivers weren’t running down his spine.

"And mark my words, while I might be scary, it’s my fiancé you need to worry about. I’m the one who has reason." Rhys warned, and Brent had no thoughts. Nothing to add.

Yup, they were well and truly cooked. If Rhys didn’t get a gun shot at him as he was leaving, what was even the point? The E.A.G. would look weak if they didn’t try to attack. It was either his brother acted, or the E.A.G. at this point, and Brent just hoped that Kellen had accounted for both.

"With all of that said," Rhys pivoted like he hadn’t just uttered a threat on live t.v., "thank you so much for coming out and giving us your time. I am thankful that my friend has given me time to speak before him as he’s the reason you came here in the first place." Rhys’ smile softened, his face dimming slightly from complete handsome monster to just a regular S Class Captain. "He might be a familiar face to some of you, or not. I only recently found out he was a local here, as he’s been a close friend to my fiancé for the last few years. Apparently, he left here to go and learn under my fiancé, Kellen Woods." He was really rubbing it in now.

He also was lying, but Brent didn’t think anyone would call him out on it. After all, Brent didn’t even know who Kellen was when he fled. Okay, well, maybe he did, but not enough for him to actually do anything about it or search him out.

He would have been someone he had heard about when he was a kid and maybe felt sympathy for when he had awakened but not at the same level as the rest of his family. Kind of the reverse of what Brent had been going through.

"For those of you who might not know who I am talking about, I am speaking of the great Field Guide, Brent Jameson, a man known for being able to lead team after team into fluctuating gates and gotten them out safely. One of the few A Class Field Guides who is not affiliated with a Guild, until recently, who worked as a complimentary pair to my fiancé, Kellen Woods. His reputation precedes him, along with his dry humour, his handsome appearance, and a loyalty that has meant that if he promised to get you in and out of a gate before it closed, you would trust him." Rhys smiled warmly.

"That man is the very same Brenton James who is now the head of the James family, the only A Class Guide of the family, and a man who I can call a dear friend. He’s given me the honour to do the introduction before he comes out to speak to you about why he has been unavailable." Rhys’ eyes curled up at the corners in a smile that was that of a predator. "You see, he has been quite busy elsewhere, so it would be best for you to reconsider those rumours you’ve heard." Brent was so glad that Rhys was on his side. So, so glad.

But when the hell had he given him the go ahead to say something like this? Brent couldn’t remember ever agreeing.