Chapter two: Going nowhere fast..

Ze'reikich'ja..

Stood on the roof of the house of my hosts i tap my sat com to get my bearings once more, i do not know what Delilah shot me with the other night but it did a number on me.. Though i am thankful the family helped make me better, now with mobility and a slight clean bill of health i can finally concentrate on finding my ship, it may not have fuel but at least the systems still run.. I will cross the bridge when i get to it on fuel.. My hud pings my ship several miles away, and i make a move.. As i land. I am hit by another memory..

"Ghardeh.. What are you doing? Let's get out of here before the whole place blows!" i shake my head with a growled breath.. Ghardeh.. Ghardeh.. She.. Yes she.. Was a friend..? Something more.. Yes.. She was my mate.. But where is she now? Nevermind another time.. I launch on forward, heavy strides press me on forward.. With an added benefit of my cloak, i still feel the sting of my wounds no doubt they are still healing.. As soon as i reach my ship i can address them fully.. I take to the twisting trees. Flying on out of sight. As wildlife below hunt and feed. Uninteresting noises of chirps and coos fill the air.. A flock of blue four winged birds fly away as i pass. I jump into the water as a waterfall crashes down from rocky outcrops. My cloak fizzles but remains online. I see the destruction my ship has caused with its landing. Many trees flattened and snapped whole. Mounds of dirt from the collision as it slid to a stop.. It has remained cloaked, good..

I enter the back ramp and walk into the ship. The lights activate along the wall as they sense my presence, Ghardeh is going to kill me when she finds out her ship is in this state.. But i have more pressing concerns like getting off this planet.. And finding where i am exactly.. I enter the cockpit and press down on the star map, it shows me off the rim of the adonis system. Currently on the planet Aurora. This system has 5 planetoids.. And sure enough.. Herox is on one of the planetoids.. "Pauk." The human.. Delilah has a ship.. Not complete by any means.. But she has a ship.. I lean on the terminal in deep thought.. I swipe the panel away and walk to the medlab. I take off my armour and take off the bandages and clotting pads which were doing nothing at all.. Opening up a medicomp i apply the clear liquid to my wounds and immediately let out a restrained growl. Then my head wound.. I take the stim gun and with a hiss the stims are shot into my system.. I never get used to the pain of wounds being forcefully closed and i let out a strangled bark gripping the bars of the medical bed. My head wound is a little more tricky and i use a blue grit. It sears the wound and with a long gaited groan the large wound is melted shut.. I re supply the medicomp and attach it to my back slot between my shoulders. I check my weapons and armour system before heading back. I need to speak to Delilah.. I shut the ship down and engage its cloak. But before i head on out i take some rest…

Delilah..

After the excitement of having an Alien pin me by my throat i finally remember what i was supposed to do.. Which was call the school about Kalls bullying.. I call them via video link and the headmistress answers, "Aah Delilah Berkley.. It seems there is a problem we must discuss.. Involving your son.."

"Yes Mrs Nevara.. It looks like we must.. I do not appreciate my son being violently attacked by a constant group of bullies. As a mother it is my duty and damn right purpose to protect my children.. I have had this out with you before.. And i want to know exactly what the hell is going on with this.. 'Anti-bullying policy' that's been brought about.. It's getting to the point i have considered sending my son elsewhere." the spindly woman with black shoulder length hair and brown eyes and soft face in her black formal wear with a white blouse clasps her hands together. She clears her throat. "Mrs Berkley.."

"It's Ms Berkley.."

"Alright apologies.. Ms Berkley.. Let me assure you that your children's safety and wellbeing is our top priority. But we can only act on such transgressions when they are brought to us directly.. If your son does not come to us and let us know.. We are none the wiser.. And it appears it happens when there is no witnesses. Now what happened the other day? You daughter defended your son.. Yes she was in some trouble but i will have you know that the boy in question has been suspended and his parents notified that this behaviour is not acceptable. If his behaviour does not improve.. He will be permanently banned and removed from the school.".

I nod quietly. "That will suffice thank you Mrs Nevara.."

"Is there anything else i can help you with Delilah?"

"No, no that will be all thank you.. Good bye.." i disconnect the video link.. Then something hits me.. That alien saw my son injured.. Maybe he thought i was the one who did it? It would explain the way he tensed up when i grabbed Kal.. Fuck he was so tall.. Shit.. Here we go again.. He.. Was.. Just.. An.. ALIEN! I carry on doing odd jobs when i notice everything is quiet.. The kids aren't laughing and joking in the backyard..

"Has somebody pressed the mute button on the terrible two? Hey! Tootsy and wootsy! What are they doing?" i ask myself afterwards.. I go out to the backyard to find them not there but the utility building is open.. "If you are both in there I'm drenching you both with water!" I pick up one of Kaylums super drencher 9000's and fill it with warm water and the water cycler vibrates as the motor inside activates ready to smash the two with water.. "Ten seconds little sprogs! Nine, eight, seven, six, five, four! Three!" I walk into the building when they both spin around in shock.. "Out! Now! What on Aurora are you doing?" i aim the water gun at them when they both smile.. It was a devious smile.. Someone just walked over my grave and i have a shiver sent up and down my spine.. "Oh.. There's something behind me isn't there?" I spin around and squirt.. The water jets out and hits nothing but the floor outside.. I turn back around and let out an almost moaned shout of "Oh shit!..!" I squirt.. The huge hulking alien in the mask jumping back when the two little shits jump up and down laughing hysterically..

"What the fuck are you doing back here alien?! Giving me a fucking heart attack!"

"Mom, language!" Kaylum says smiling as wide as my ships wing span..

The alien just stays stood dripping with water.. As the droplets from his mask hit the ground or his chest plate.. It is also then i notice the markings along his chest piece. And mask.. With pale gold accents along the edges.. He is a good seven foot or so tall..

"Why are you back here? And furthermore.. What are you? Do you have a name?"

"Beefeater!" Kaylum shouts almost laughing.. The brute looks back at Kaylum and shakes his head..

"No it's Tumnus!" Elli retorts..

"No it is whatever the guys name is.. Look we got off on the wrong foot before.."

He says nothing but walks past me..

"Well it's going to be polony at this rate.."

I hear the two children snigger and follow him out.. He enters the house.. When the kids jump on the settee.

"Hey! Don't just walk anywhere you please i want a name first mister!" i say as i throw Kaylums drencher down following the three.

He stops at the living room and clicks.. What is that noise for?

"Ze'reikich'ja…" He says.. His voice like.. I can't explain it.. Deep.. Echoey but.. Coarse.. Guttural..

"And you are? Come on tell us.. What are you?"

He turns to me fully his mask slits with a sweeping motion clear and for the first time i see his eyes.. And they are like gorgeous emerald gems.. But with flecks of yellow.. Stunning peepers… like i said before. A pretty alien.. I turn from his calculating gaze when he growls.

"Mom don't look away from him it might be a sign of.. Weakness.." Kaylum says leaning in the settee.. I look him in his green orbs again and he slowly blinks.. "Yautja.."

"Yootcha? Yaaatcha.." Both of the kids say.. He looks at the pair and makes a chuffing trill.. "M-di.. Yah..oot..ja.."

"Wait what is meh deeee."

"Ok alright that's enough! Hey Zerithingeemeebob.. You need to leave right now. I don't feel comfortable with you around my kids.. Come on.. Out.."

"Mooom!" Kaylum moans but he gets the mom stare.. Ellida sits on the couch when i shoo the alien out to have a one oh one with him.. "Come with me.. Please.. I have questions.."

I walk to the utility building and he oddly enough follows me.. We walk in and i sit on the right wing of my ship.. I lean my arms on my knees.. And let in a deep breath.. He leans against the wall arms crossed.. "Can you take your mask off Z.. Can i call you that for short?" He gives me a dive of his head. "Sei-i.."

"English.. You spoke it before.. Look.. Can you tell me what you are doing here? I understand you were injured.. And I'm so truly sorry for hurting you further, but it isn't everyday i get a creature that makes kratu look like monitor lizards.. And i just panicked.. Was you going to hurt me?"

He trills at the question.. And shakes his head.. "M-di.."

"What is that no?"

"Yes.." he takes off his mask and it makes a clicking sound.. Admittedly my heart jumped several beats.. Actually no.. It flew out of the roofing windows.. Seeing everything move was absolutely terrifying but at the same time.. Strangely.. Eerie.. But.. Could i say.. Interesting? His head wound seems to be melted shut causing his maroon pattern to become deformed slightly.. I jump off and walk just a little bit closer.. "So.. Yautja.. What did you come back for? I doubt it was for the steaks or company.."

"Your ship.." i let out a laugh.. "Ahh you see it's not for sale. It isn't even finished and even if it was.. You'd have to get to know me way better than this to ask for my ship.. You won't even fit into it you are huge!" he growls and it sends a vibration into the pit of my stomach..

"Ok.. Why do you want my ship? Why don't you steal one from the city? You have a cloak.. Use it.."

He moves away from the wall uncrossing his arms. And approaches me.. "I need herox for my ship.. I need your ship to retrieve herox from a planetoid 853 light seconds away.." he brings up his right gauntlet pressing on the blue display and a blue map of the system blinks into existence. A yellow flashing with runes shows the planetoid he is talking about..

"Look.. I'd love to help.. But i can't.. If anyone finds out about you.." He barks and turns away from me his black appendages waving as he does so and walks away..

"Will you listen to me?! Hey!" I storm after him when he barks with a dry growl turning towards me tensed tighter than a coiled tensile suspension.. His hooded brow frowned and his mandibles flared, his eyes almost.. Burning.. His gaze sears into my soul and it is terrifying. I back off when he carries on walking towards me until i find myself bunched into the desk..

"I'm listening.. Delilah.." he stops and i remain locked on his gaze.

"It will take me years to finish this ship Z.. It needs a systems flush. And re-circuit.. Fuel lines aren't even in place.. Nothing works.. It is just a shell.." he turns around and roars.. Ramming his arms down with clenched fists. "Pauk!" It makes me shudder.. I don't need him to floor me to realise.. He is something to be feared.. I have never heard of a.. Yautja before.. I slowly walk up to him as he leans on the wing of the ship just staring out of the open doors..

"Can you tell me more about yourself?"

"I don't remember.."

I frown.. "You.. Don't remember? How hard did you hit your head?"

"Hard enough.."

"Look.. If you want to help me build my ship fine.. If you need it badly, but i am setting a few rules.."

He lets out a huffing chuff..

"Don't give me that.. Rule one.. Don't you EVER.. EVER.. Put my kids at risk.. Or i will fuck you up.. Warrior or no.."

His mandibles twitch as i say this..

"Rule two.. At night.. If you can't or don't want to run back and forth to your ship you can stay here.. In this building to sleep.. If you go into the house you can only stay downstairs don't ever go upstairs." he slowly nods..

"And rule three.. Don't go breaking anything.. Don't get noticed by anyone.. If the USM find out about you.. You will get captured.. I can't help you there.." he growls.. "USM.." He says with vehemence..

"Have you ran into them before?" he shakes his head.. "It sounds.. Familiar.."

"Ok.. rule four if you can hunt.. Do so.. I can provide for you but.. You have to help out once in a while.. Call it earning your keep while you are in residence here.."

"I understand.."

"Well now that's out of the way.. Welcome to casa de Berkley.. Yautja.." i hold out my hand to him.. He looks then shakes my hand.. Its huge.. But smooth.. Slightly warm.. But not clammy.. I smile.

"First handshake with an Alien.."

"Indeed."

"I was referring to myself Zerri.."

He lets out a huffy.. Laugh? It sounded like rapid clicking.. I make my way out then tell the sprogs the good news.. The Yautja can stay.. For now.. Who knows he could prove to be helpful.. They are both watching the screen when I tap Kaylum on the shoulder.

"What was you going to ask about the alien before when i said no?"

He turns his head.. "Can we keep him?"

I give him a nod.. When he jumps up and down on the settee.. "Ah ah!" i say holding a finger up to the pair of them..

"There will be a few new rules.. One, he can enter the house only during the day and not ever upstairs.."

"But mom.. He needs to clean himself! We do, so he has to!" Kaylum says with raised brows making three wrinkles along his forehead, I roll my eyes.. "I'll sort something out.. Rule two.. Neither of you sneaking off in the middle of the night to disturb him. And three.. Don't do anything that will anger him.. His a huge alien.. Not a toy, not a pet.. Treat him with respect.. And dare i say.. Dignity." i see Ellidas eyes light up as her eyes follow someone behind me.. With my finger still in the air i see Zerri walking around just exploring.. My eyes bulge slightly. At the sight of his sword on his back.. "Zerri.. Rule five, big guy.. No.. Weapons in the house.. Lest you accidently blow a hole in my beautiful walls.." i say calmly.. He gives me an affirmed nod.. And releases his cannon like weapons on his shoulder frame. His sword.. Then his disc item.. He stops as i interrupt him at his gauntlets.. Are those weapons? You can keep those on.."

He lowers his arms and we all shudder at the loud 'Tssing!' as two large wrist blades shoot out from either wrist.. Both as long as my whole arm with a jagged design.

I lower my finger.. "Ahh.."

Elli sniggers. "At least he is honest mom.."

"That he is.." i watch as he walks past me and places the weapons in my hidden wall..

He clicks at the two children.. And waggles a finger at them.. "Dangerous.."

I point to them.. And in a growly voice i say "Stay away from that wall! Or Zerri will eat you!"

"Could you eat Elli first Zerri? She's a big meany.."

He shakes his head with a clicking laugh and walks around.. I am surprised by his size because he is really quiet.. Maybe body language depends on what they feel.. I catch his markings on the back of his arms and daydream.. "Don't.. Do that.." I am snapped out of it as i see him staring at me fully turned.. Head straight.. "Do what.. I was thinking about tomorrow.."

"Deceit."

Elli laughs and Kaylum walks up to Zerri..

"Kaylum.." he says holding out his tiny hand.

He crouches down. And shakes his hand.

"Gkaun-yte.. Kaykum.."

"Faaaww what did you just say? Is that your language?"

He gives Kaylum a nod "Sei-i.."

"Did you say Hello and yes?"

Zerri nods again..

"I just learned some yaacha lingo!"

Elli approaches and bows her head.. "Ellida." i smile.. In a matter of one day.. My two children have met a new friend in the form of another species.. It is then i wonder.. Are all yautja like this? Are they hunters? Or even predators? Who knows.. But apart from our outburst earlier today.. He seems.. Friendly.. A little unpredictable.. Maybe.. But i have a feeling.. Once i established the boundaries he will follow them.. This is my family. My kids lives matter to me, his does not.. I know it sounds mean and barbaric but it is the truth.. He is my guest but.. I don't know him at all.. A sudden thought hit me again.. Will we get to know each other better? What impact will he have on the kids? I watch as Kaylum.. In his strange way.. Interacts with the huge, mountain.. No.. Fear.. And the yautja appreciates it.. The way he makes subtle noises.. I'm sure in time i will figure it out.. But right now, I'll let him stay in the house.. I blink.. "Right, where was i? Ahh yes.." I begin to do the laundry taking the kids laundry boxes then heading to the washer i put all loads in then set the cycle going, it's a modest machine opening at the front then adding the detergent to the draw then when the wash cycle is finished the dryer mode begins.. Simple and easy. As the doors are open due to the heat, i hear the two kiddos splashing around in the pool when i do the plates and dishes, i place them on the orange drying rack and then i wonder about the aliens home planet? Is it like ours? Is it a war torn mess? Jiminy, Delilah.. But he is a different race after all, can't help to think about it..

After i finish the crockery i give the floor a good clean hoovering and mopping the whole first floor. And just for a split second.. It was like normal.. No yautja.. Just me and the kids.. Once that is done i decide to sort the upstairs out, cleaning the bathroom… it is then i have an idea.. The bathroom downstairs.. Sure it's smaller.. But it has a shower.. A basin as well.. And.. Another thought just hit me.. Bathroom breaks.. "Oh.. No.. Don't even go there woman.. These toilets won't hold anything he bangs out.. Uh uh…" i say to myself.. I stop what i am doing and go round to the utility room of the house and move all the boxes and other unwanted items that barricade the not used downstairs restroom.. And open the door.. Needless to say its spotless.. It was used only a few times but i still give it a once over listening to my music, i am bent down to pick up the mat when a foot hoofs me in the back side.. There is a Thwap followed by Kaylum laughing and running off. "Right you little scud! C'mere!" I scramble after him and he runs around the living room and kitchen trying to escape. I grab a white sheet and cover him with it. His giggling becoming more breathy as i tickle him as he falls to the floor in a heap kicking out. I tickle his front and pull away the sheet revealing his smiling face as he laughs more.. "Sorry but i couldn't resist.. It's sooo big!"

"Oh i have a big butt do i?!"

"It's equatorial sized! Would take 5 years to walk along it!" he barely manages to get the last half of his sentence out as i tickle his sides making him squirm..

"Zerri could.. Could la.. Land hi.. Shi..!"

He can't hold his words as i laugh while tickling him more making him curl up crying with laughter. I get up and as he recovers i slap his backside.. "Cheeky little critter." i say turning back to my cleaning of the downstairs bathroom. With no further interruptions i finally make it that bit more presentable by getting rid of the barricade and leaving the door slightly ajar. I go to the pool to see Elli swimming while Zerri is nowhere to be seen which probably explains why Kaylum decided to have a moment. "Ell where has the yautja gone?" She stops "I think he went to go look for some food.. I heard a loud rumble.. Must have been his stomach." She says with a slight humming laugh as she says the last part. "Ok.."

"Mom, he is so.. Cool.. He.." She leans in and i walk closer kneeling down at the walkway of the pool, "Remember that story I'm writing? He reminds me of.. My character.. Only i might.. Change it to a he instead.. It is strange.. And Kaylum? Wanting to see an alien and gets his wish?" I nod to her.. "Do what you want with your story hun.. And yeah. Kaylum gets his wish, but sooner or later.. He has to go so don't get too attached.. Ok?!" she give me a fervent nod and smiles. "Alright mom.."

She swims back and i leave her to it.

I walk across the way and enter the utility building to work on the ship, i leave the doors closed but leave the entrance door open.. Just in case Zerri returns.. I am scrubbing the systems one by one and finally fire up the console.. The red and green display lights up but then shuts down as expected.. "Shit.." i power up the system again so i can at least have my lighting when i get the fright of my life…

"Jeeeebaassss!" Do you want a knuckle sandwich Zerri?! How do you do that?!"

"Ancient Chinese secrets.."

"I didn't know you come packaged with something called sense of humour squib.."

His massive frame takes up almost the whole area.. And i squeeze past him.. He is undeniably warm.. But something else.. I swear i felt.. A shock coming from him.. A slight tingling.. Maybe i brushed his armour.. I use both arms to use the clamp which seems to be the problem. Everytime the system wipes it resets.. Only it is a bastard to reset.. It's supposed to be.. I pull down when it stops a quarter of a way.. "Come on you mother...fffff…"

I let go and wobble my arms.. I give it another go.. Again it goes quarter of a way.. It jams.. I put my feet against the wall and pull but my hands slip and i fall back.. "Oh for fuck sake!" it is now stuck in the quarter position.. I start kicking the switch but it still doesn't budge like a stubborn twat wanting to be difficult. I swipe my auburn fringe and look at Zerri who was watching me with a cocked head.. I was expecting him to laugh when i fell on my backside but no..

"Could you try and release the switch Z?"

He grasps the clamp with one hand.. And.. He made it look like it wasn't jammed at all.. Like i was lying.. He resets the clamp to its original position then the lighting fades back on..

"Nice mitts Z! Thank you!"

He nods and i return to the console and retry the flush. By not using the same route i used before.. It works and as i type away i feel.. Zerri directly behind me as he watches me type code to make sure the ship doesn't conk out mid calculation.. It is then that i get a whiff of something familiar.. Demitev.. He.. Wasn't hunting.. He was.. Cleaning himself up in the.. Downstairs bathroom.

"Was it adequate for your colossal size?" I ask with a smile.. Still typing..

"Sei-i.. A little small but i manage.."

"Good.. The one downstairs is your area.. You know.. I'd really.. Like to umm.. Get to know your species.. Like what makes you tick.. Are you a hunter race? A predatory race? I get that sense from the weapons you carry.. The way you move.."

He lets out a grumbled.. Throaty.. Warble.. It sounded.. Reptilian.. I can't even begin to explain the noises he makes but i can somehow tell when it's.. Regard.. Anger or.. Question.. And right now it's.. Regard.. There is bleeping and the screen flashes complete, i decide not to tamper with it but as i turn.. "Zerri.."

He's gone.. Though he was just behind me.. How does he do that? It is fecking scary.. It was strange i still felt his unmistakable presence.. Is he having.. An effect on me or is it just nerves secretly playing with me? I think it's just nerves.. He still has that unpredictability about him.. But i want to know more.. No.. He is having an effect on me.. Creepy alien yautja..

Ze'reikich'ja..

Once her question hits me, i am hit by a vivid memory.. I'm.. Of a different species.. I'm human.. With.. Ghardeh again.. Watching her put in commands on her ships navigation.. She turns to me as i asked what was wrong.. She shows me the scorpions previous jumps to find we are going in a u turn. I silently move away from Delilah, to get out of this tiny environment.. I hear her say my name as i leave the door of the building. Several more memories hit me.. I look to see Danny run towards me.. But it flickers between Danny and Kaylum..

"Danny? Who is Danny Zerri?" My head pounds and i move away..

"Are you alright?!"

In a beat I'm sprinting trying to get away from the family.. But i hear Kaylum follow me on a floating creation.. I run and take to the trees cloaking.. "Zerri come back! Where are you going?!"

He knows he's not supposed to be going near this area yet he carries on regardless.. Not realising i have stopped and crouched in one of the trees above him.. Memories leak into my thoughts.. They are disturbed by howls and groans nearby.. I switch view modes to see three Large wolf-like creatures with. Fungus and growths covering their backs running towards Kaylum..

"Pauk.."

As they close in i land with an explosion of leaves, in front of Kaylum as he notices the creatures land on a log to his left.

"Zerri.. They don't look friendly.."

I clench my fists and stance with my left arm ready.. As they circle the pair of us..

I let out a bark as one of them snarls showing glistening silvery teeth.. I sense Kaylum take a breath as behind me one of the creatures dives for Kaylum..

"Drop.." i say to him.. As he bends his knees to hit the floor i grab the creature and throw it into the tree with a roar snapping its spine and ribs in one side. Two left and another latches onto my back it bites into my armour with little effect and i slam it into the ground and punch its head before kicking it across the floor causing a swirl of dirt leaves and a trail.. The final one and Kaylum gets on his hover device and tries to escape.. The wolf creature follows him as i twist and launch forward.. Both are no match for my speed and i dive on top of the wolf creature.. I wrestle it to the ground and pull its jaw wide open snapping it then breaking its neck.. It flops to the ground. Making a gargled throaty noise before i ram my fist to its head.. Killing it. Kaylums face is full of both.. Fear.. But excitement.. "That was so cool! But scary! Can we do that again?" I huff and grab the wolf creature.. "M-di.." i say while hoying the creature over my shoulder..

"Where are you taking that thing?" He asks.. "We can use the meat.."

His eyes widen.. "We haven't tried a Wuldren before! Wait till mom hears about this!"

"Bad idea.. You are not supposed to be here.. You will get in much trouble.."

"And you are a Bad Star.. I didn't do anything you killed them.."

Delilah…

"Elli have you seen either Kaylum or Zerri?" i ask her as i walk past to get a glass of juice.. "No.. Maybe Zerri changed his mind and went to cook him?"

I tut at Ellida, "Ellida… Don't say things like that.."

She smiles.. "Ok so i have made changes to my character.. She is now a he.. With deep maroon markings.. And.." I let out an unexpected and unintentional laugh..

"Moom! Don't laugh!"

"I'm sorry sweet pea it is just.. I like how Zerri has swayed your character design.. Have i made the right choice letting him stay?"

"Mom.. How many people can you say has said.. So yeah I'm living with an Alien who makes a kratu look like.. A pet woggy or something.. He's.. Really.. Cool.. I wonder how old he is? Is he a parent himself? How many.. Yeah.. This is getting weird.. Maybe we should mind our own business.. Maybe… We could find out?"

I nod clinking the glass.. "Do you.. Ever feel.. Edgy around him? Or.. Calm?" i scooch round and sit with Ellida.. She blinks.. "Isn't it weird? Two days.. And.. Yeah.. I do.. You?"

I give her a subtle nod.. "Yeah.. He is.. One of a kind.."

"Yeah and you SHOT him.. Aaaaagghhh.." Elli says quietly with a laugh and makes a padoo sound like the ejector.. I laugh when we both hear Kaylum run in with slaps of his footwear from the back.. He kicks them off and jumps on the settee…

"Kaylum no jumping on the settee!" i say tapping him at the back of the head.

Ellida and i both see Zerri.. With a Wuldren over his shoulder.. I point several times waving my finger from the corpse to Zerri.. "Where and when.. Did you get that?"

"Several minutes ago.. Helping Kaylum escape.."

My eyes narrow to Kaylum.. "Zerri you spoilsport tell tale nitpicking scud! I didn't mean to go that far out i was trying to find him! Three Wuldren ambushed me.. But Zerri landed in front of me and was like.. Wuuhh! And killed them by throwing them into trees and.. Snapping their spines and stuff! It was naaasty! He's a predator!"

I squeeze my eyes with my index finger and thumb.. "Kaylum what have i said about going beyond the wall?"

"I won't do it again.. It's scary out there.."

"Ok Zerri.. Put it.. On the island.. I'll go online and see how to cook a Wul…" he doesn't.. Instead he takes one of his gauntlets and leaves..

"I so want to see him skin that thing!"

Kaylum says diving off the settee.

"Yep me too!" Ellida says closing down her pad and leaping over the back.. And curiously.. I would also like to see how a yautja skins a kill.. We are no strangers to skinning for our meat we do it on a weekly basis. So none of us are squeamish.. He aims his armed wrist and fires something at the floor.. He then fires something else into the lip of the roof of the utility building.. Then i see it.. A snare.. Only he ties up its front and hind paws in a stretched out layout then reaches for his boot.. It is then when he presses a button on the side of his boot, a concealed dagger.. Slots out it makes a vibrating wail and the design is almost tribal.. A very sexy dagger.. With a red gem at the hilt.. On either side.. "Thought i said no weapons Zerri?" he turns holding it reversed as if not to threaten me.. "Not a weapon krit.."

"What's a kreet Zerri?" Kaylum asks.. Blinking.. I hear Zerri let out a throaty laugh.. Then delicately skins the animal like a fine craft.. From belly to broken jaw he slits then pulls the fur away revealing the red and white meat.. With so little blood.. I was half expecting him to savagely calve, slice and dice.. But no.. He even neatly folds up the fur gently like he is taking great care and due attention.. This species is truly a remarkable race.. Damn it i want to know more! After an intense session of skinning with Ze'rethingymeebob. We helped separate white meat and red meat and after finding several recipes on how to cook a Wuldren, we settled on one that didn't require exotic butters, alien bollocks or kratu phlegm.. Ok, the last two was a joke but disgusting i know.. Sorry..

I gently fry the meat and add the stated ingredients, and while I'm doing so i turn to see Ellida talking to Zerri about her story.. I smile and lean against the sink while just.. Observing.. There is something very.. Visceral about him but at the same time.. Calm.. Collected.. When he first woke i was expecting to be meet the dragon upstairs.. But.. From the get go he has shown.. An incredible amount of.. Calm.. No that's not the word.. Genuinity there is no lie between what he feels and how he conveys it.. If he is angry you know.. If he is questioning.. You know.. So he does have empathy possibly sympathy.. He does possess emotion.. There is subtle hints in the way he moves or looks at you or.. Makes a sound.. And here i am still trying to figure out why I'm so damn interested.. But there is no mistake about it.. I am interested.. But is he in the same boat? Do we as humans interest him? Maybe.. Hard to tell.. But i watch how he interacts with my eldest, crouched beside her as she is sat on the floor in front of the settee.

Kaylum is upstairs playing in his room.

My daughter is quietly talking to the yautja like he is her friend and as a mother that's heart-warming.. In two days an extraterrestrial has found his way into our life.. She is explaining who her new alien warrior is and what he does, which come to think about it is very similar to how maybe a yautja is? I turn to stir the hodge podge and take a slight taste to make sure it doesn't taste like ass.. Yet it tasted amazing.. I turn and get another fright as the yautja is stood behind me looking at the pot.

"You keep on like this I'm going to shove this spoon up your ass! Stop doing that.."

He lets out a rumbled laugh with a trilling. And shakes his head while making his way outside. I blow out a breath and check the downstairs bathroom to see how much of a mess he made.. I open the door and my mouth drops..

It is spotless.. No water on the floor.. No grime.. Nothing.. Is he human on the inside or something? He treats a woman's home like it should be.. I smile and close the door when i hear the thudding footsteps of Kaylum,

"Do you want a monkey with that elephant you noisy shit?" i ask..

"No I am the monkey i wouldn't mind a banana!"

"How about a slap?"

"No thanks just a banana.."

With a snort i turn to the grub and stir until the meat is nice and brown then add it to the rest of the hotpot… After several minutes it's ready. I turn to see the living room empty. I walk to the front door and shout.

"Come and get it!"

I place four plates on the island and serve up the meal.. The three enter and the two children sit in the usual spots.. Leaving the big brute to stand beside me. He towers me as i sit opposite the kids. And he looks down picks up the fork.. I dart my eyes to the kids when they are watching Z eating with mouths wide open..

"Eat up you two it's rude to stare. He's just eating like the re-.."

I stop and look up at him.. And i just stare at him like the kids.. As he eats his mandibles help the food enter his mouth as he chews.. He stops to look at all three of us.. He lowers his fork.

"Rude.. To stare.."

I let out a laugh and we all carry on.

We all go for seconds because it was so damn good and i decide to freeze the rest for another time, after i finish the washing up the terrible two help with putting everything away while the yautja looks at the various photos on the wide pillar that's just to the right with a T junction left heading to the room with the washer and back door and the right that loops round to the stairs. Once he has analysed them all he stands at the front door.. With his arms crossed. I decide to sort out the weapon stash wall. It opens up showing my LS assault rifle, my pulse ejector, my GK377 handgun and my FJ2 mk2 shotgun.. Along with boxes of ammunition. With his very alien weaponry.. Apart from the sword.. Its white scabbard is immaculate and the white hilt has an ergonomic grip but has a wolf engraved on the end.. "May i take a look Ze'rei?"

I ask looking at him.

He bows his head.. The sword is almost as long as i am tall but is incredibly light to hold.. It looks to follow a katana style blade.. Built for a yautja.. I take the scabbard and as i unsheath the blade, it scrapes smoothly out with a very light vibration of metal.. The detail is absolutely stunning.. The blade itself is smooth and incredibly sharp but the opposite side behind the blade it is serrated. From the tip of the blade on either side there is an engraved pattern with intricate markings like a wave that curls half way down the blade. Then in red markings there is what appears to be a message in the yautja language. I can see my own reflection it is so polished.. "What does it say Z?"

He walks up to me relaxed and points.

"When my last breath has been taken, i hope that i will have lived. And stood for what i believe in."

"And this small part here?"

I point to the red markings just above the guard at the hilt on the left side of the blade..

He makes a croaky.. Clicky warble and i can't tell his emotion because his mask slits are black..

"Ze'rei Sain'ja.. My.. Old name.."

"You have two names?"

He.. Jolts.. Like something just hit him.. He holds out his hand.. And i sheath the blade and hand it over.. He takes it and without saying a word.. He leaves for the utility building and closes the door.. I watch him enter the building then closes all of the doors.. I get the feeling i have upset him, which i absolutely had no intention but he showed no hostility.. I fold my arms and just close the wall up the kids are up stairs getting ready for bed. After i watch several hours of Ebony.. My favourite entertainment series. I go to bed turning out all the lights.. I give the utility building a glance out of my bedroom window as i open it then tuck myself in.. I close my eyes..

Sometime later..

I hear something, i open my eyes.. It is Ze'reikich'ja.. He is shouting.. But it is more of an.. Emotional shout.. I hear him shout "Ghardeh! Ell se set'eska!"

I shudder at his roaring.. I don't need a translator to tell he is deeply upset.. I sit up.. Then i hear the door of the utility open then hear the thumping as he runs.. I don't get up to see where he goes.. But i feel like i may have caused that moment of grief.. And it makes me feel bad.. What has happened in this guys life? Should i ask him? It's none of my business.. But maybe.. It was the photos.. Does he or did he have a family? Was this.. Ghardeh his.. Wife.. Or.. Mate of some kind? I feel a slight tear.. Why am i upset? It is nothing to do with me..

I roll over and try and sleep…

Ze'reikich'ja..

I sprint towards my ship.. My outburst.. Surely woke up Delilah i didn't mean to but.. A memory.. Something i had done.. Broke me.. I remembered the war.. Ghardeh my mate and i were defending our position when the matriarch of the black sun clan hijacked my mind.. And in the confusion.. I attacked Ghardeh.. I couldn't hold the position but Ghardeh told me to fall back as she armed her bomb trying to do what she could.. It took 4 yautja to drag me back.. I punched one of the yautja so hard i snapped his neck.. The rest is foggy.. I remember being chased.. It seems i have given my tail the slip once i jumped.. I make my way to the ship when i enter the ready room.. The old Photo of Ghardeh and i along with the rest of the family.. Before the war.. Ki'xal.. Our son.. Who sacrificed himself smashing his ship into the dreadnaught.. Blowing both ships up.. Then it hits me.. Delilah.. Where is her mate? Is he alive? Are they separated?

I sleep on the bed in comfort knowing i won't disturb anyone.. Yet it doesn't stop the recurring nightmares..


Author note: Chapter two and it seems we get some info about our alien! Will Delilah eventually warm up to Ze'reikich'ja? Will he eventually warm up to Delilah? We will see! The next chapter will be up on 9/Apr. As i am working on my other story both stories will have staggered updates weekly. Thanks for reading! Fare thee well!

P.s Danny, Nina, and in later chapters, Osh'ikeille and Uzkielle are Werewolfbleu's (My besty!) characters from her previous stories. I have a long standing previous story arch with them in other stories I have written. But in this story they are memories! Just getting it out there to save some confusion!