Sixth month. First day of the second week. Twenty Earth hours after the takeoff.

Ter'kan was sitting alone at the pilot posts. He glanced at the bay window one more time before he began to operate again the instrument panel or the holographic screen.

A small bunch of flowers was hanging to the back of his seat. Emma had the idea to pick up some flowers hours prior to the takeoff because she needed to have a long lasting souvenir from her home planet. She soon appeared next to the leader just as he was typing on a console situated to his left. He greeted while continuin his operations: 'How are you doing, love?'

Emma answered with a smile:'Hi, my Ter'kan! I'm fine. Thank you!' She then asked while touching the bunch of flowers: 'How long is going to take until we arrive on Yautja Prime?'

'Six Yautja days!'

She added as she continued touching the bunch: ' i can imagine how impatient you must be. You've been away from your home planet for such a long time.'

'That's true. Besides my next return wont be like any others due to the fact that you are with me.'

'I'm feeling the same, my Ter'kan and I'm sure that our arrival on Yautja Prime will result in unforgettable memories for both.'

The leader agreed with a nod. She asked him after a brief silence: 'When are you going to be relieved of your surveillance time?'

'Shun'ji will stand in for me very soon.'

Emma moved then said while leaning against the console situated on the right of the instrument panel. 'I see! In that case I'm going back to our quarters.' She left the control room after having given Ter'kan one last glance. She saw a group of five hunters including Mar'ten while passing by one of the weapon rooms. Each male was holding a different weapon and talking alternately. She then stumbled across Shun''ji just as she engaged into the corridor of the leaving quarters. She greeted him with a faint smile because she knew where he was going. She also found Lorik, sitting in his room, obviously unoccupied. Seki'sen was in his, nearby. She stopped in the doorway and waved at him with a smile. The second just nodded.

Emma retired to her room and sat at the table. She kept looking at the door situated in front of her, pensive. Her love leader's home world was just a few days away. The anxiety of the new unknown was tormenting her and this no matter how hard she was trying to reassure herself. Suddenly the sound of footsteps drew her out of her thoughts. The doors slide opened right after and Ter'kan entered, holding a tray in his hand. He said while putting the tray on the table: 'I'm a bit hungry! I thought you might be too.'

Emma confirmed: 'Yes I am!'

The leader sat in front of her. A long silence followed as they were taking time to enjoy their meals. Emma was the first to finish. So she got up from the table, saying: 'I'm going to take some rest.'

She drank a glass of water then went to lie in the middle of the bed. She added, stretching: 'I'd like you take some rest with me.'

Ter'kan simply nodded after having swallowed a piece of fruit. This made her smile.

A moment later the leader got up from the table and joined his mate. Emma got closer and nestled against his chest. She sighed with comfort, closing her eyes. Ter'kan took her hand. He soon began to emit low and soothing trills. She whispered, keeping her eyes shut: 'It's so relaxing. Don't stop!'

The leader reassured her as he gently pressed her hand: 'I won't.'

Emma ended up succumbing to sleep quite fast. So the leader released her hand carefully and got off the bed. He covered her with a sheet before he left the room after having glanced at her one more time.

Emma went out of her room again later after her long sleep. At first she felt confused because the corridors were silent and deserted. And then she thought the clan might be in the control room for a reunion. So she went to check in there and only found Seki'sen. She kept wandering here and there until distant rumors coming from the training area drew her attention. So she headed over there without hesitation. When she entered one of the rooms, she found a group of hunters standing on the platform. She threaded her way among the males right after. She was instantly struck by astonishment as soon as she stood in an ideal position, leaning against the iron bar that prevented from falls. There he was her Ter'kan, her love leader fighting against Jin'tei and Dal'serah.

Of course she had the opportunity to see him battling countless time before due to the training sessions but this time it was different. It was different because that scene brought in an instant the vision of his fights during the hunts. And the more she was following his moves the more her love and admiration were becoming stronger too. She was already so much in love with him but seeing him battling against two opponents at the same time, that was definitely adding more strength to the love she felt for him. He was so handsome and impressive to look at. Her heart was hammering due the increased desire she felt for him at that very moment. She has no idea for how long he's been fighting but his skills didn't seem to weaken one bit.

Meanwhile the battle was at its fiercest moment. Ter'kan was delivering fast blows as he kept defending himself against his opponents. Jin'tei was the first to be defeated, after having received one powerful strike that instantly discouraged him to continue. Dal'serah kept fighting for quite another long while before he was finally vanquished too. After all sort of praises and exchanged words, the hunters evacuated the training room at last. Ter'kan and Emma were now all alone.

They sat on the platform one in front of the other and engaged into a conversation. They realized how new events would always give them new sensations and so their love was always meant to have no boundaries. Ter'kan spoke about life on his home planet for a long time. Emma listened with great interest and didn't hesitate to explain what she wished for them. He was really pleased. Her words proved that she was ready to meet his expectations. They stayed together for the rest of the day and got busy with various tasks. Ter'kan took also the opportunity to teach her some new facts that would help her to be prepared for the coming training lesson.

Later the leader showed Emma videos again so giving her the opportunity to witness bitter and pleasant moments of his past life that took place in different parts of the galaxy.

Emma had to go back to her quarters alone once their meeting had come to an end because it was Ter'kan's turn to be on surveillance duty. She tried to get some sleep but she was unable to do so in spite of her tiredness. So she dressed herself and left the room again. She joined the leader in the control room. She sat next to him and explained the cause of her presence while she kept looking straight ahead at the dark outer space: 'I couldn't sleep so I thought it would be better to keep you company.'

The leader responded without looking at her while touching a series of bright signs on the holographic screen: 'You were right.'

A long moment went by. Emma ended up falling asleep as she kept staring at the bay window. Ter'kan contemplated her with a satisfying expression in his eyes. He carried her back to their quarters as soon as Shun'ji came in and stood in for him.

Sixth month. Third day of the second week.

Emma has just entered the control room. Ter'kan and Shun'ji were engaged into a conversation, sitting at the pilot posts. She greeted them with a faint smile: 'Hi!'

Ter'kan turned around: 'How are you doing?'

She simply answered with that same smile: 'Fine!' She hen took a seat not far from them. Meanwhile Ter'kan was exchanging words with Shun'ji as he kept pointing at signs on the holographic panel with his index. He did so for another moment before he addressed his mate again: 'I intend to make contact with my father. He is the commander of a mother ship.'

Emma exclaimed: 'That's surprising for the least to say! When are you going to contact him?'

'Now!'

Emma raised her eyebrows, feeling a bit uneasy. Soon after hissing sounds alternating with eerie radio signals of different frequency filled the room. Ter'kan operated the console until the sounds had stopped completely. And then suddenly a deep and guttural voice resounded, speaking the strange language she had already heard countless times before. Ter'kan said in turn something. She kept listening to the conversation passively while relaxing on the reclined seat. She heard Ter'kan pronouncing her name several times. And then something unexpected happened as the conversation between the leader and his father was getting more lively. Suddenly Emma sprang to her feet and looked at the leader, astonished because the Elder has just spoken to her in English.

She got near to the console but didn't say anything. The Elder rephrased his greeting: 'Good evening, Emma!' But she still refused to respond due to her increasing timidity. She just waved her hand as a refusal. However Ter'kan insisted by pointing at the console with his whole hand in order to encourage her. So she took a deep breath before she finally spoke: 'Good evening, Honorable Elder!'

The Elder paused a few seconds then went on: 'I've heard many things about you! I am looking forward to our next meeting.'

Emma glanced at Ter'kan then expressed her thoughts with modesty in the tone of her voice: 'I am very grateful for your kind words, Honorable Elder and I am also looking forward to our next meeting.'

The Elder made another brief pause before he concluded : 'Good! I wish you a pleasant voyage!'

Emma said with that same modest tone as her tension had augmented even more. 'Thank you, Honorable Elder!'

Ter'kan nodded while looking at her in order to show his satisfaction. He addressed his father for another moment and that was all.

Emma didn't hesitate to complain as soon as the leader cut the contact: 'Talk about an emotional moment! I can't believe you've done this to me. So you've waited all this time to tell me that your father can speak English.'

The leader responded, eyeing her with interest: 'I knew that the surprise would be greater if I throw you into the conversation without any warning.'

Emma went on after a sigh: 'I can assure you it's a success.' She added more calmly as now a smile appeared on her face. 'I can't deny the fact this makes me happy because I will be able to communicate with your father as well.'

Ter'kan added, in turn, so augmenting the suspense: 'Well...that's not all! There is somebody else that you will be able to communicate with. My son is 230 years old and can also speak English.'

Emma had a joyous laugh before saying: 'It's getting better and better. Do you teach him?'

'Absolutely!'

She sighed with a seemingly satisfying expression on her face then concluded: 'Now I must admit that I'm really looking forward to our landing on Yautja Prime.'

They left the control room after the leader had given Shun'ji one last instruction. They retired to their quarters and engaged into a conversation about the contact they just had with Elder Erisei Ren'ka.

Sixth month. Fourth day of the second week.

Emma was wandering around, thinking about the ways she could kill the boredom. And then, upon further reflection, she decided to visit the room in which her love leader always put his hunting gear on display because she had a sudden need to touch each piece. She smiled at the sight of the fish net because its utility was so much different from the one she had always thought. It wasn't there for making him look more attractive but in order to help him regulate his body temperature and most importantly each time he was cloaking.

She moved on and continued her visit. Now she was standing in the front a console which powered his bio mask. She loved that piece more than the others because it always reminded her the day when they met for the very first time in the Amazonian forest. She began to slowly brush her fingers on the metallic surface as if she was caressing his face. She enjoyed touching that essential piece of his equipment without being aware that someone was watching her at that very moment. Ter'kan was there, indeed.

The leader observed her for another short while, half-hidden by the door before purring softly in order to let her know about his presence. Emma turned around and smiled. He approached her and knelt so they could face each other. Ter'kan emitted another soft and low trill. So she hugged him by putting her arms around his neck just the way she did it the night when they made love for the first time. The leader embraced her with both his arms and pressed her against his chest gently:

Emma whispered, her lips next to his neck with her eyes shut: 'I want you.'

The leader gently stroked her back a few times then got up. They headed to their private quarters, holding hands. They stripped naked as soon as the sliding doors closed back and indulged in a passionate foreplay which added awesome sensations to their excitement. They took care of each other until they felt the need to pass from foreplay to sex. Ter'kan made love to Emma in the middle of the big bed. They took a long rest once their session was over before going went out again. They headed back to the control room due to duty matter. That day it was Seki'sen's turn to sit at the pilot post. The second in command addressed Emma as soon he saw her standing next to him. The leader translated: 'Seki'sen is looking forward to see his home planet again. Not only that but all his mates wish for his return too.'

Suddenly Emma's face clouded over. She gave Seki'sen a piercing look then ran away. The two males were staring at each other, visibly bewildered.

Later on Ter'kan found her in one of the weapons rooms. She was handling her spear with a sulking expression so he asked: 'Emma, why did you act in that awkward way inside the control room? Is there anything wrong?'

Emma stopped her moves and stared at him a few seconds with that same sulking expression before declaring dryly: 'There is nothing!' She then displayed her spear on the rack and left the room. Ter'kan remained standing in the middle of the room, more puzzled because he knew she didn't tell the truth.

Sixth month. Fifth day of the second week.

Ter'kan and Emma have just finished eating. That's when the leader tackled a very important and new subject which left his mate very surprised. So the leader had decided to change the itinerary of the voyage and stop over on a planet. That was the planet on which he had always hunted Xenomorphs.

Emma spoke calmly as sadness appeared in her eyes: 'So, it began! I remember when you told me what is about to come upon me and for this I'd better be prepared.'

Ter'kan took her hand. This encouraged her to continue: 'But don't you worry for that! I promise I will do my best in order to accept the situation with different feelings and thoughts from those I had last time you've been away for that hunt on Earth.' She paused briefly then asked: 'How long it's going to take once we will land on that planet?'

'I don't know yet!'

She sighed then went on: 'Are all our comrades going to go on that hunt?'

Ter'kan nodded once before he confirmed his thoughts with words: 'Yes, all of them. First I will go on mission with nine of them. Seki'sen will be out with the others once my group will return.'

Emma lowered her gaze, sighing again. She then got up from the table, saying out of the blue: 'I need some more rest. The medicine I took before the meal makes me sleepy. Will you come?'

'No! Seki'sen will join me any moment from now.'

She added while walking towards the exit: 'Here he is! Just in time.'

Ter'kan turned around. The two males exchanged greetings just as Emma exited the place. She headed straight back to her quarters and took a long rest. She laid on the bed and kept thinking about the conversation she just had with Ter'kan.