The cute, reddish-blond woman was sweating and greasy. Most of the men watching would have gladly done it for her, to get her attention, but Adrian had made it clear that each person needed to be able to fend for themselves as well as function as team, and the males offered advice, but no actual help.
Peggy struggled to break the last lug nut and Adrian shook his head at the bald, black professor who stepped forward to help. The portly man carried his profession proudly, from his thick glasses to his plaid-patterned suit, and Adrian didn't look away from the baleful glare the teacher sent his way. He also didn't keep his voice down and the gusting wind carried it further than just the class.
"She has to learn. What if she gets separated?"
The dark man frowned, able to feel the thick, disapproving silence from the others, "You sure it ain't 'cause I'm black and she's white?"
Adrian's eyes narrowed at the accusing tone. Joseph had been here long enough to know how things worked. Was he still holding onto that shit? They didn't have many of the other races represented here yet, but that wasn't because he didn't want them. The War had split more than just families. The old segregation lines had slammed down, making most races look for their own kind. It was something he needed people like this bitter teacher to help him with.
"You're from Salt Lake City. You were almost dead when we found you. Group of white men had beaten you up so bad, we didn't think you'd live at first. There were only twenty of us then and no one knew what to do with you. About you."
"Because I'm a nigger."
It wasn't a question and Adrian's tone grew sharp as the people around them frowned at the word. No one used it, not even in joking. Adrian would throw you out for that, even if you meant it affectionately.
"We had only our basic laws and race was something we hadn't even talked about. We saw you bleeding and had to make a choice. Let you die, and continue America's 'quiet' racism, or let you in and find a way to deal with all the problems 'your' people inevitably bring with them."
Adrian's words were blunt and he had the attention of everyone close enough to hear. "We made the choice in about fifteen seconds. Because you're a survivor first, not black or white, but American, and that's the only one that matters to me."