So I have decided to post the first chapter of my new Predator story because I want to see how it will do, if I should pursue this idea further. I just got the idea today after looking at some broken glass on the ground and decided that it was really good and had much potential. So, I hope you will all enjoy this muchly. Ooh, what would you all think of a new X-13 story, written sometime after this and Slayer or Savior? It is called X-13: Alternate Life. Basically, it is an alternate life for X-13 if she had been raised differently. I really want your feedback because I'm not sure if I want to write about X-13 like that. It will be MUCH darker than the original. So yeah. Onto the story.
Disclaimer of spooty-ness: I don't own anything but the personalities of Edan and Kemiri. Everything else belongs to some other people, unless you don't recognize it. Then it's mine and will be guarded jealously.
Awu'asa: Suit of armor.
Chapter 1
A lone hunter was perched on the spreading branches of a large tree. He was leaning against the trunk, one foot propped up on another branch, the other dangling freely. He was utterly relaxed. It was shortly after sunset, the humid air still pleasantly warm, even to the hunter. It was the tail-end of summer; those long, lazy, boilingly hot days where everything and everyone seemed to move as if they were surrounded by thick caramel. Insects buzzed and whined faintly in the air, cavorting in the wavering curtains of air rising from the heated earth, dancing around the many couples out for their evening walk, who only batted them away half-heartedly. The harsh sounds of traffic even seemed muted, reducing to a faint rushing like the wind, though no wind stirred the evening air. Now other sounds dominated the lush park; the sudden, high laughter of children, their playful shrieks, the low, private chatter of the adults, the loud, rare, staccato barking of dogs; all creating as much presence in the air as the heats and scents. Ah, the scents… Sun baked ground releasing its rich, dusty, earthy smell. Hot rocks and the heavy, lush scent of warm vegetation. The perfumes of the humans, combined with their sweat and sunscreen and lotions into pungent, flowery, tropical, spicy, musky and sour smells. The welcome, stomach rumbling aroma of a barbeque cooking meat, the fat and sauce dripping onto the coals to sizzle and burn, the humans raising their noses to the sky and inhaling deep breaths as if they could eat the very smell. Even the colors seemed different, everything covered with a thin patina of dust that softened all hard edges, dulled the colors pleasantly. The light from the sunset was still strong enough to give the humans a faint burnished gold hue whenever they strayed from the indigo shadows into the open. Not that it mattered to the hunter, for he could not see what the humans saw. He was caught up in the human's last attitude, envying their blissful ignorance to anything stressful or dangerous. His life was not relaxed and easy, but for now, he could enjoy this. He would much rather observe than participate in the noisy, messy business of the hunt at the moment.
Kemiri clicked and purred to himself, relishing the solitude. A few oomans glanced about, but blamed the sounds on the insects. He spent many of his hunts like this; resting and watching. Often he would come back with naught but a single trophy, sometimes hastily collected, sometimes laboriously gathered from a prey item he tracked the entire hunt. Kemiri's trophies were few, his status confused; fellow hunters, older hunters and the Elders themselves did not know if his few kills were the sign of great or little skill. Certainly many of the kills were from those he stalked relentlessly, learning their every habit and pattern and mannerism until they were as close as a friend. But what about the ones he killed quickly and randomly? Certainly that was more like the work of a Newly Blooded warrior, not one with many hunts under his belt. He perplexed them; uncaring about his status, happy with his simple, unadorned weapons and armor. Were they looking at the ultimate hunter, greater even than them, or were they looking at the worst. There were Yautja that agreed with both sides. Kemiri didn't care; he liked seeing them unsure of him and confused. They left him alone that way. Most of his kills were oomans since most of his kills were on Earth, because he liked it, perhaps more than his own Homeworld.
Glancing about, he dropped out of the tree, landing with a crunch on the gravel below. It was getting cooler now and soon the happy, dream-like oomans would leave, to be replaced with hard-edged, jangly ones, ones that would be noisy and full of rage. That kind was only good for killing and he didn't feel like it. Confidant the darkness and his cloaking device would keep him concealed, Kemiri strode off boldly down the path towards his temporary lair.
…..
Edan blinked, scarcely believing what he saw. A man-shaped, impossibly tall, wavering apparition had just dropped out of a tree like an apple! He crept forwards a few steps, parting the leafy branches of a prickly bush to get a better look, ignoring the occasional stab of pain. Yep. There it was, walking away. Any other person never would have seen it in the darkness, but Edan was not an ordinary person. His sensitive ears caught the sound of its gravel grinding footsteps. This was not ghost. Besides, one had never shown itself to him before in his long life, so why should they start now? Whatever could it be? No human should have technology so obviously advanced. No normal human was so tall and muscled. Edan darted through the shadows of the treed area, his dark colored clothing blending well. What was it? he wondered, wanting to scream with curiosity. Was it what he was looking for? Perhaps. He would have to study it further. Ignoring his hunger, the tall young man pursued this elusive form into the city. Once out of the park, it rapidly scaled a building, disregarding the nearby fire escape, which any intelligent human would use, and leaped across the gap that was an alley. Edan stared for a moment before continuing to follow. While it would be easier for him to follow in the same manner, his presence would surely be noticed. A half dozen times or more, he lost sight of the entity, only to again spy it at the last second. His swift, erratic path drew the attention of many people, but they did not matter. His concentration was focused with laser intensity on the apparition leaping the roofs.
…..
Kemiri landed with a thud on the flat, ornately statued roof of an ooman place of worship. He switched off his cloaking device, feeling safe amongst the sculptures. He dropped most of his armor between the feet of a particular grotesque beast, leaving only the bare minimum on. The oomans never had to worry about complicated awu'asas; their clothing seemed very light and comfortable and practical. He sat down by a vent that exhaled warm air, blooming brightly in his vision. That would keep him warm another couple of hours before he would have to switch on his thermal netting. Kemiri mused over a daydream that he had been cultivating for sometime. Maybe he would not get back on the ship when it came. Maybe he would stay here, learning and relaxing, then returning with great knowledge when he was much older; to give it to the Youngbloods and whoever else needed his wisdom. The only thing that kept him from his dream was his lack of equipment; his own netting suit and awu'asa was entirely unsuited to the frigid weather that this place experienced. If he hunted more, he could get a batter awu'asa. Then Kemiri could set up a much more permanent camp. Maybe… But he didn't want to hunt this trip. Next one…
…..
Edan clenched his fists until the knuckles stood out white and strained, lips contorting into an ugly grimace as he fought back a venomous curse. He had lost the trail! HIM! How could he? He was a great hunter! A killer! He would just have to watch this area closely, spend all his night here, and in the park. The apparition had shown a liking for it and would most certainly return. Unable to ignore his painful hunger any longer, Edan left in search of a meal.