AN: I'm back. After getting fired, a minor existential crises, and finding my new way forward. I am back. i know a new story isn't what all 6 of my lovely faithful readers want but this is what got be back. Promise i'm working on the others. life may get in the way but i will always come back. i hope you enjoy.
Chapter 1
A swift and silent shadow ghosted threw an equally silent neighborhood. It was late at night or early in the morning. Either way it was the wrong time for anyone to be awake according to most of the upstanding people in the tidy little rows of houses. Not that any of those normal people would have noticed the shadow even without the shadow's cloak.
The silence was broken by a tiny wail. Instantly three tiny dots appeared and tracked onto the source of the outcry. The shadows well trained hunt skills and instincts taking over before rational thought kicked in. Seeing as the source was too small to be an immediate threat the shadow slithered its way over to the source, noting whatever it was it was wrapped in some kind of cloth. Shimmering in the darkness the shadow suddenly solidified in to a muscular biped partially covered in armor plate with sharp weapons and alien looking devices adorning what looked to be a female of some kind. Again not that any of the normal people of the tidy rows of houses would notice at this time.
Kneeling down closer to the bundle the she-creature stared to run a series of scans from her bio-mask. Thermally the object was starting to cool to fast in the chilly autumn air which was very concerning since this thing as obviously alive. Even with her mesh under suit she could still feel the harsh bite of on coming winter. A low series of clicks, grunts, and sounds came from the creature. If anyone was awake to hear and could understand that probably would not be impressed as they lacked the cultural context to know why the she-creature was calling someone an ancient senile toothless unblooded whelp for leaving a suckling out in this weather.
The large at least by human standard female slowly slid her bio-mask loose and perched it on top of her head, so she could look in the bundle with her own eyes. She gently unwrapped a bit of the cloth to find a soft and fleshy head of a suckling of this backwater planet's dominant species. It was colored in reds and peachy pinks. She could still see the heat coursing through tiny veins. The cooling effect wasn't as evident without the bio-mask filters. However, she could still tell. She recalled why she detested this particular duty. The clans may not be responsible directly of these uninitiated species but they had affected there development in the past. So it was their responsibility to check on there every few galactic intervals. Make sure they didn't find any leftover tech and annihilate themselves. Not that they didn't annihilate themselves without help. Some did provide a satisfying hunt and rare few became hunters themselves.
A new sound drew the she-creature from her thoughts. A soft gurgle that sounds amused and interested as she clacked her mandibles in a light chuckle at the suckling. Crystal blue met emerald green. A shared look of interest passed between sets of eyes and a tiny pudgy hand slipped from the cloth wrapping to reach out and grab a mandible. The she-creature jerked back a bit in shock. One did not grab another mandibles in her clan. She was forced to stop because the small creature before her didn't let go. The she-creature slid a large hand under the small suckling being careful of her claws and lifted the tiny suckling up with her. It still having a hold of her mandible.
There was something fierce hidden in the tiny emerald chips. The she-creature decided to take the suckling back with her. They had adopted several adults of this species over the centuries. If she remembered right there was a small colony now of Yutja trained Terrans. The would probably relish any new blood, especially this young. She knew it was somewhere within this galactic arm but she couldn't remember the exact nav location. Oh well, that's what date storage was for. This would also not be the first wayward creature she had brought back to her clan elder. The last being a particularly large and vicious hellhound pup. Well vicious to everyone but her.
Standing up and keeping the small suckling close to her in order to keep the thing warm, the She-creature noticed a small folded object flutter to the ground. As she picked it up she noticed marking on the front and back. She did not read any of this planets multiple languages. She wondered why a planet needed so many disparaging ways to communicate. Simply tucking the object into a belt pouch to save till she could consult the archives.
The large She-creature knew her cloak would be useless with the small suckling but she wasn't a master hunter for nothing. Lowering her bio-mask back into place with her free hand, she simply disappeared into the shadows as she made her way back to her landing craft. She did turn her mesh under suit up another notch for her and the small thing she held against her chest plate.
As she leapt between shadows the she-creature wondered why she couldn't have gotten lucky and drawn the lot for the equatorial region. The universe seamed to hate her. She really did disliked the cold northern section of this backwards little mud ball.
Upon reaching her craft. The she creature opened the hidden panel to reveal the key pad. While most lone hunters or scouts just used the stock ship. She loved to tinker with her ship, adding hidden spaces or special features. Some of the others may have given her a hard time but that hidden stun field did come in handy when she had been cornered by that idiot from the berserker clan.
She heard a low growl coming from within the shadow of her ship. It was followed by the clicking of nails on deck plating. A shadow seemed to detach itself from the wall. As the shadow turned into a head of some monstrous kind of animal emerged into the light a single dead eye with a scar set on its right side. As the beast turned a second eye could be seen, this one alive with the fire of a dangerous creature. The she-creature still holding on to her xeno suckling flared her mandibles in what for her species was a smile and let out a low series of clicks. At least as much as she could behind her Bio-Mask. The shadowy monster instantly turned in to her faithful hellhound she had found several years ago. He leapt at her woofing and whining as he sniffed at the bundle she held.
She gave him a quick pet on his good side before she continued in her clicking growling language, "Down boy, let me get out of my gear. Then you can play with the new one." Smiling again at her smart companion. Hellhounds were smart and usually used to guard areas or drive prey as part of a pack. To her clans knowledge she was the only one who had ever taken one as a pet. The hellhound intelligent and faithful qualities had taken and unprecedented turn. A single hellhound took to their Yautja hunter as a pack lead. Utterly obedient, frighteningly scary, and capable of vast understanding.
Quickly realizing she would need both hands to get out of her armor and prep to get off this mud ball. She snagged a spare blanket and made a temporary makeshift nest and laid the suckling down. The small creature fussed a little before wiggling and getting comfortable. Bright green eyes turned to watch her. The She-creature pulled the two lines from the side of the mask, disconnecting the filtration system. She hated the smell of all the chemicals and pollution this planet produced. For that matter she couldn't understand why some other clans insisted on inhaling chemicals, massive gene graphing, or clans like the Berserkers who just bread themselves bigger and dumber.
Dragging herself from her thoughts she quickly finished removing her armor and mesh under suit. Sighing a great sigh of being back in just a comfortable leather loin cloth and halter top. Now in less restricting clothing the She-creature ran her claws through her dreadlocks loosening them up. She always found her bio-mask bit slightly into the roots and caused them to bind slightly. Not that she would ever show signs of pain over something so minor. Great pain was worth a display but it should be warranted. Her Clan didn't hold with that nonsense of showing no emotion but aggressive ones. Maybe that was a flaw inherent of Patriarchal clans. The thought made her happy that she was part of a Matriarchal clan.
Comfortable and relaxed, she quickly went to the command control, turned the ship's cloak back on, and set the ship to reach orbit. It wouldn't be as smooth or as efficient as if she watched, and made little adjustments to her custom tech. However, she had bigger priorities right now. With that taken care of she proceeded back to do a little investigating, only to find her hellhound already had two massive paws on the counter and sniffing at the blanket wrapped bundle.
"So, Brute, is whatever it is worth it?" she asked of her companion, as she ran a clawed hand along the back of his neck and scratched just behind his jaw line. This particular breed lacked the forward thrusting spines but made up for it with extra muscle mass, broader body, and denser plating. A much better breed for protective detail, at least in her mind. The beast looked up and her and gave a soft wuff of acceptance, before hopping down and curling up in one of his favorite corners. The single glowing eye watching the whole situation made her feel good. Made her feel at home. She had made this little ship her home.
Like most long term scout hunters, she had moved into her ship when she had earned her blooded status. She still made time to see her mother. Her father having been claimed by the Great Hunter some years ago on a trophy hunt. Various challenges, arena matches, or just sitting around drinking and showing off new trophies: all this made of a good time among her clan.
Seeing her companion's obvious approval, she unwrapped the small suckling who had begun to fuss at being wrapped up so tightly. While it had been cold outside, the inside of the ship was pleasantly warm and humid.
She lifted the small pink thing and bounced it slightly with one arm, and made clicking sounds at it. While this was a normal noise to make for her own species young she had no idea how this small soft thing would react. She was pleasantly surprised to see the small thing react the same way. It even snaked a hand around a few of her braids. She felt a slight tug. While few other would normally grasp a Yautja's hair due to the potential pain, it was a test of bravery at the threshold of becoming a blooded warrior. Motherhood was a constant test of bravery. While she had no plans to become a mother so soon, it was always good practice to suckling watch for when she did. She simply smiled as she passed the young things test of pulling at her braids.
Her foot claws clicked along the deck plating as she rode out every little bump of turbulence. Her path was momentarily interrupted as the ship broke atmo and full artificial gravity kicked in. Neither her nor her hellhound much cared, having made the transition to many times to count.
She felt the slight thrust of acceleration. One of her many modifications was to turn down the inertial dampers. It was another way she could connect with her ship. The ship picked up speed and headed for the largest moon of the sixth planet in this system. One of their main clan ships was currently in obit gathering raw materials form the nitrogen rich atmosphere, hydrocarbons from the lakes, and water ice. In return non toxic waste was left being in equal parts. Every planet would eventual cycle the unwanted material in to the ecosystem and balance out. Their clan did not hold with stripping a planet to its bones. A clan level ship could easily support dozens of single scout ships, several full family level ships, and its three dreadnaught class escorts.
Their clan was currently spread across fifteen systems. Like all clans they did maintain an enclave on the home world, but they had not yet claimed a clan world for themselves. Clan worlds were governed strictly by internal clan law. So as long as one clan did start basically a full scale civil war The Conclave would not interfere. Trade and travel were usually encouraged and part of inter-clan relations.
And while most clans were friendly, well as friendly as an alpha predator species could be, everyone knew of the clan worlds you did not visit. The Berserker clan saw everyone not of their clan as fair prey. They barely restrained their opinion when in conclave with the other clans.
Then there was even the rumor of a clan that engaged in genetic experimentation and extraction.
The She-Creature suppressed a shudder at the thought as the ship shuddered and docked with the clan ship.
She flexed her mandibles in what passed as a sigh for her people before smiling and bouncing the giggling pink suckling again. The trip hadn't taken long enough for her. She didn't want to put her armor back on, but one simply did not report to the council in casual leathers. Plus, she didn't want to give the impression that earth was easy to the unblooded. A class 3 civilization was one of the most dangerous. Especially an un-initiated and dogmatic civilization such as humans.
She quickly checked her com board to make sure that there were no important messages waiting with in the ships computers and that the council was still open for her report. Seeing that the meeting was still on schedule and no important messages awaited she gentle set the small creature in her arms down and quick got back into her armor. The one exception is she clipped her mask just behind her right hip.
She picked up the small sucking with her left arm and held it close. She made soft growling noises and wiggled a claw at the tiny thing in her arm. There was no better time than with the young to introduce new ideas.
As the large She-creature exited her shuttle, Brute quickly followed her. She let a single upper mandible click against her lower mandible in a smirk. Her clan had long since given up trying to understand or stop her rebellious nature. While she had never violated a clan tenant, she behaved very oddly for a Yautja. Having a pet much less having it follow you everywhere was just, odd. She had also stayed a scout far long than was customary. It was a good thing no one but those extremely close to her knew about her passion of the engineering disciplines. The Sciences were viewed as the realm of the old who had out fought everything but ravages of time.
Mostly because of Brute but also because of the small bundle she carried, she didn't take the main climbing shafts that were spaced every few hundred meters apart. Instead, she found one of the spiral ramps that were mainly used for the grav sleds.
In relatively short time, she made it to the Alphas' chamber. The council currently consisted of the thirteen strongest hunters that had yet to take honored retirement. Eight females and 5 males. They sat at a table curved into the shape of a quarter circle. Control screens sat in front of each member and holo screens lined the walls to either side of the table. These great warriors would lead in the event of a full xenomorph purge or a clan war. They had enough personal trophies and now focused on the trophies of the clan.
The She-creature met each of the thirteen pairs of eyes in mild challenge, as any fit warrior would, before she held her free hand palm up and lowered her head in a small bow. Her intent clear, I bear no weapons, no ill will, and I see all you have accomplished. A fairly standard greeting among her people.
"Greeting, Scout." The female in the center of the group said calmly. The currently residing matriarch of the clan was a tall imposing female, her hide tattooed and scared by her victories. She had risen and led her clan for the last 50 years. She had survived several changes, a few even being death challenges from rivals. "Your report?"
The She-creature resisted the urge to splay her mandible in a grin. Of all the cultures she had seen, she still appreciated her cultures brevity.
She creature creature nodded slightly. "Nothing to report from society perspective, the cash at local designation Stonehenge still secure, planetetary section, stupidly cold."
"Civilization wise they haven't really progressed much in a century. The humans on this…" The she-creature pause, while she didn't personally have much of a liking for this planet. She knew not all humans were bad. The humans of her clan protected colony were fun to hang out with. What she had in her arms was an unknown quality, yet. She mentally shrugged at the random thought and pressed on, "The humans of this world were technologically inferior, they have learned some dangerous things in the last century, like splitting the atom. They still have no space travel to speak of. Nor have they found any of our caches, at least in my section.
She paused for a moment consider what to say about the thing in her arms. She was interrupted thought, he was obviously one of the five males, and on the right side of the table. She wasn't sure which one as all of them but the council leader wore Council masks. To represent their dedication to the clan and not themselves. She thought it might have been Kor'jal. He was always a little cranky. Reports nothing you wasted council time by bringing your dirty laundry with you or perhaps you might have something slightly interesting that's worth our time. His comment edged on insulting.
The she-creature paid the old male no nevermind she didn't care. She turned to the leader of the council "The humans on this planet had left the baby out the night cold. And I know they are more adapted to it than us, however this one probably would not have survived the night. I know the blood colony has been asking for fresh blood for the last decade. I figured we could drop it off on her way to our next location."
The same male ground out, "What are we now a delivery service for lesser species."
One of the females on the left side table stated in call. "We agreed to support our human colony. When they asked for separation in sanctuary for other humans."
The council leader let out an impressive roar. Which stopped the developing argument in its tracks. the She-Creature felt her manables twitch trying to spread in to a large grin, at her Matriarch. This was the reason why she still led the council at such a venerable age.
"You have done well, Scout. You have also shown wisdom in judgement of clan concerns." The council leader stated. The cranky male on the end simple huffed in annoyance but let the mater drop.
The leader chose to ignore him as she often did. She would smile and with the subtlety of a dagger grinned at her long term scout. "You will however tend to the human until we reach the blood colony in 3 weeks." Well so much for dodging that plasma blast the scout thought. "Take it down to Medical. All other scouts or ships have returned. We will be departing shortly."
The she-creature tilted her head a bit wondering which other scouts had not returned but didn't think it was appropriate to ask the whole council for information she could get from a database. She simply saluted in farewell and turned to leave. She couldn't help as a small grin spread across her mandibles as she headed towards medical and a certain Liara. Liara had lost her right eye in a Xenomorph purge several years ago, and during her recover had pestered the old medics in her boredom until they literally threw medical holos at her. She had taken to it like a hellhound to the hunt. She hadn't bothered with a prosthetic or modify her mask to resume hunting. She had simply kept her useless eye and very attractive scares and said she would now hunt for ways to heal her people.
She could feel the engines spin up under her feet as she entered Medical. It wouldn't be long now before they jumped. Calling a greeting as she entered she couldn't resist the slight tug on her mandibles as she saw Liara turn and smile back. There was just something about his woman who made her smile. Yes the scars and slightly damaged upper mandible added to her physical beauty but it was something about the way she would walk in slam 3 or 4 hormonal Males across the room before patching them up. There was just something about her.
Liara smile as far as her damaged mandible would cost the sight of Kora, the tall powerful perpetual scout. "Kora! You are back" the scarred medic noticed the bundle in the scouts arms. She clicked her left mandible in wonderment. "Ooh have you brought me something?"
Kora held out the small suckling. "She needs to be examined. Some unblooded fool left her out in the planets cold."
Liara let out a string of explicatives that rivaled her own on finding the little creature. The medic indicated for the scout to place her on the biobed. "put her there and i will make sure whatever Ke'Zal addled idiot didn't do any permanent harm." she began running her claws along a few buttons and bathing the small human in a soft glow of scanning equipment.
Kora felt the deck beneath her her give a little rumble as the faint acceleration alarms flashed on the wall. she flicked her dreads back behind her shoulder, the suckling had liked playing with them. She watch Liara's mandibles tighten in a frown. her one good eye darting over the red output on her screen before she said, "Age one year and 3 months planetary standard. Beginning to mild case of hypothermia. What is this strange energy field she is emitting." Both female yautja peered closely at the screen trying to understand the reading they were seeing. They were so used to the acceleration alarms they didn't pay any attention to the ten second jump waring.
Neither one could make any sense of the energy that was coming off the little human. Then the ship Jumped and in a flurry Machines exploded the suckling began to scream and wail. something she had not done before. She had also started to emit a light that encased her whole body and began to grow and warp around the small child.
Both Jump back from the sparking instrument panel and the glowing human. Weapons were drawn without conscious thought. After several long minutes the panels stopped sparking and the glow diminished to nothing. What was left shocked both of them. Where a young child had laid before was now a child of approximately four human years, without the scanners there was no way to be sure. What was even stranger was there was a fresh tattoo of a clan brand on the right side of her neck. Her flame red hair was done up in traditional clan braids as well that reached past her shoulders.
Both Warriors felt there mandibles go slack in shock as the young girl opened her mouth and in perfect Yautja said, "Are you my mommy?"
AN: Reviews help writers write more. even if its just to yell at me about Loki finding Astrid =P 3