Chapter three: Close Encounter.
Delilah…
I open my eyes and see it's drizzling outside. And also the final day of the weekend which means kids go back to school and i go back to work. I work part time, but the wage is decent, working as a patrol officer. Simple work, get the odd scum but you get that anywhere. I work in the main city Sussa In Vordyne. Traffic is usually bad on the first work day.. But hey.. I am immediately hit with the thought of Ze'reikich'ja.. The poor guy.. I really need to apologise to him.. The last thing i need is to be unintentionally upsetting the beaut.. I get sorted then head straight on out. It's early enough that the terrible two won't be up yet.. And i want some real alone time with the yautja.. No.. Not in that way either! I'm not that kind of woman! I just want to talk to him.. Seriously talk to him.. He has admittedly grown on me since yesterday.. But what am i going to do with him while we are all away? I mean i feel like i can trust him.. He's been a real gent so far.. I'll have to talk to him..
I walk to the utility building with confidence.
I knock on the door and say his name. "Ze'reikich'ja are you up?" i slowly enter to see his covers folded over but not here. I enter the ship in case he is tinkering but no.. I turn and leave when i see the yautja just de-cloak, he gives me a subtle nod and slowly walks up to me..
"Are you alright? I heard a commotion last night.."
He trills.. "I'm sorry.. I did not mean to.."
"No.. No don't apologise.. It is me who is sorry.. I brought something up that i shouldn't didn't i?"
He crouches down to my level..
"No.. It was.. My memory.. They are beginning to resurface.. I.. Remembered somebody.. Close to me.."
I walk closer to him and sit down.. He takes off his mask and slots it to the back of his belt..
"Who.. Is Ghardeh.. Z..? Was she a friend? Your.. Mate?"
He nods at the last iteration..
"What.. Happened?"
His gaze.. For the whole entirety of him being here.. Has never faltered.. Yet in this one instance… It leaves my gaze and hits the floor.. A sign of regret? Remorse?"
"Hey…" I inch closer twisting my head under to meet him eye to eye.. He slowly stands up and walks out of the building.. I don't pursue him.. I can tell when someone even an alien wants to be left alone.. I re-enter the house to hear the shower going off in the downstairs restroom. I make some coffee and the terrible two rush down the stairs. As they reach the island i place down several slices of toast and two bowls of cereal. Moments later i see Ze'reikich'ja leave.. I only just noticed that his melted wounds have all healed. Damn he fixes up quickly.. His markings on his head are gorgeous.. Three explosions of deep maroon markings curve in 3 V's along his large forehead.. His emerald green orbs study me as he walks past then, past the pillar he goes to leave then re-enters the utility building. "Right i'm sorting out the ship today will you two be alright if i leave you to your own devices? They both nod.. "Hey you didn't hear.. Anything last night did you?" I ask quietly, they both shake their heads. Both wearing their pyjamas and gowns. Ellidas is purple while Kaylums is Blue. Wearing matching slippers. I head on out and tidy the garden up when i walk to the garage just to the left side of the house which houses my car. A yemen vsd. A sporty but luxurious vehicle. It is silver but the lighting on the hud is blue. The engines also give off a blue light each charge lasts the whole week. I test the engine and when everything checks out i make my way into the utility when i see a sight.. He isn't naked. But he is maintaining his armour. I only see his back as he is using my desk to clean his gear.. I don't mind of course he has shown to respect the house.. The weather outside may be crap but his markings are such a contrast to his cream skin tone very.. Pretty.. His markings on his back start at his large spine and bleed outward towards the sides of his body.. His broad shoulders have clusters of black hardened mottled flecks that are also on his hands and large feet. I see on the back of his foot there is a single horn that's also deep maroon. He is cleaning his chest piece. Which again shows incredible detail.. He finishes with it and sets it down in the corner.
As he turns around the front of him is just as easy on the eyes..
His front is of a cream colour with streaks of deep maroon just at the edges of his chest and torso, his Chest is well chiselled and his abdomen has a strange set of abs that are ribbed diagonally opposed to each other with a thin slit going vertical in the middle.. He seems to be ignoring my gawking.. His wounds on his chest have light scarring and the bite marks on the left of his torso also lightly scarred. As he cleans the boots.. Then his gauntlets.. I lean in to get a better look at the right one when there is a T'ssing! I gasp out loud and jolt back as a wrist blade shoots out.. Then immediately re-enters the housing with a Tshik! Sound. I frown as i see Ze'reikich'ja laughing with a warbled chuffing.. "Asshole!" i shove his arm but not only was it as hard as the four walls within to which we stand in, he didn't move.. Is nothing on him soft?Though i'd expect a warrior race to be a wall of muscle.. This guy takes the cake. I try and claw back some dignity and enter the ship. He was beginning to turn up the room a few degrees. No.. I'm not that type of woman! My mother would.. Well she would question if i was her daughter if i was to ever tell her i had the.. Steam for an alien. Hell if she had seen what i'd just witnessed.. She might be tempted to ask for a bite..
Joke.. She wouldn't..
"Don't.. Come out here.. I am cleaning my lower armour.."
I see his taloned hand hit the ramp button and with a whining the ramp closes then thunks to a locked position..
Great..
"And what if the kids come in?!" i shout.
I don't get an answer but saying that they will be too busy in the pool.
I get to work on the wiring of the ship, i know my way around most civilian and commercial ships, comes with being in the police force, i did a lot of flying back in the day, learning how to replace systems and maintenance on the fly was paramount. So along the way I learned to build a ship from scratch. It is pretty easy but it is getting the parts that is the hard part. It's expensive. And takes a lot of time and patience, but I'm nearly there.. Though a fair few years off from completing the ship. Moments later i hear the ramp lower and hear the clicking of Z.. I look at him to see his wrists are still bare. And get the opportunity to see the structure of his arms which like the rest of him are well honed.. Several veins flow under his inner arm like canals.
"Stop it zabin.." he says..
I let out a snort.. "What can't a girl look once in a while? I'm curious.."
"That's not the kind of attention you want Delilah.. Stop looking your scent betrays your nature.."
"Err what's that supposed to mean Mr hunter? I'm not.. Attracted to you.. At all I'm just.. Curious of your stature is all."
He leans forward and lets in a breath..
"M-di.."
"Are you calling me a liar headasshole? I will throw a wobbly mister!"
"Bring it.."
I grab a tool.. A spanner and hold it up..
"You asked for it scud muffin.."
Before i get to bring it down he grabs my hands with one giant hand and lifts me up.. There is a grab pole that's vertical behind me when he grabs it with my legs between his large forearm and lifts higher.. I am eye level with him.. His mandibles so close i feel like if he wanted to he could poke my eyes out.. He clicks several times.. Held in this position he isn't letting up.. His arms not even tense.. Yet feel like i'm sat on a log.. The wrong way.. As he begins to let go i feel the muscle in his forearm between my legs shift as he lets go and then slowly drops me down taking the spanner.. "Not a fair fight, not in a mile."
"You could have gone easy on me you twerp." i say with a smile.. "Maybe.."
He hands me back the spanner..
"Now.. What are we doing on this ship today?" he asks.
"Connections.. And a long talk my scaly friend.." i say.. He gives me a short nod..
"I shall begin at the cockpit.."
He walks to the cockpit section and walks to the small console, his huge frame takes up the entire area.. And begins work immediately. i carry on with the wiring on the right.
"So.. How old are you Z? Are you young? Middle aged? What does your own planet look like? And do you have children?" I quietly whisper "The lucky yautja.."
"My age is 288 years.. And my homeworld Maia is much like this one but much larger.. I am young in yautja years. And i had a son.."
My gaze leaves my work, and i see Z working away. "I'm sorry.. I did it again.."
He trills.. "Enough about this one, what about Delilah and the male in the photos who is absent here?"
My gaze hits him like a homing missile, no.. It is fair.. I'm asking about his personal life.. He may ask also.. I find my opportunity to break the ice with him.. As much as this is going to sting.. "That male was my husband, or my mate in your eyes.. He is dead.."
I see his arms lower and his head..
He turns to me with a slight form of regret.. "It's fine.. I asked about your personal life.. Garrett was his name.." I stop what I'm doing and sit in the pilot chair and face him.. He crouches down.. "This planet was very dangerous it still is, everything here wants to snag a meal even the plant life, one fateful day ten or so years ago. My husband was infected with sporepox, a virus that ate away at the brain.. The second year he had escaped quarantine and made his way home.. At that time we three was inoculated so were immune to the contagious horrible virus that turned my husband into a mess.. I couldn't risk him harming my babies at the time so i sent him out into the forest where i.."
I still hear the gunshot as i shot him..
"I shot him.. In.. The head.. He was too far gone.. Luckily the kids were far too young to understand. But i still tell them.. What a wonderful person he was.. We met in my policing years. He'd be a regular trucker in space I'd be protecting to and from the systems.. Eventually we blossomed from there and once i found out i was pregnant with Elli i quit. To be a mom.."
I nod to myself and i see Z crouched regarding me with a cocked head to the side.. "Anyway it has just been me and the kids ever since, no dates no boyfriends.. I can't risk that pain a second time.." i say turning back to my work after moving back over..
He lets out a low slow clicking as if to decide..
"Ghardeh was my mate, i met her when i was human.."
My body shudders. And i drop my wire strippers.. "Di.. Did i just hear you correctly?! You were HUMAN?! No… No you are playing with me.. Don't be like that.." i say looking round the corner but he stops working and turns…
"I am telling the truth.. I was human before i became a yautja, it was a great gift bestowed upon me.. I was 27 when i met Ghardeh, she saved me from sovereign ic'jit on a rotting planet, she had lost her children and tribe so she hunted those who took everything away.. She later accepted me to be her bloodkin. Which was the start of our relationship.. She saw much of herself in me at the time.. Two years we worked on the relationship.. With varying degrees of success of course.. Later we enter a cave.. An Alien race known as the Deuanali hijacked my mind and had me attack my family.. When i recovered i noticed i had an elemental power known as sol.. I could create anything i wished but later found out it was killing me. So Ghardeh had me go through a blood transfusion.. It is then her blood stopped me from dying and fixed much of my ailments. However.. I began to have black outs.. It seemed slowly but surely a yautja side was surfacing.. A side effect of having a yautjas blood in me.. It also expanded my life expectancy.. But eventually.. My body was giving up.. Ghardeh.. Not wanting to lose her longest lived with mate.. Convinced me to go through the procedure of being stripped of my humanity and turned into a yautja.. A great honour in their eyes.. They saw my strength, commitment and skill as a human.. And so.. Here i stand.. During my human years.. Ghardeh and i somehow.. Created a son.. Ki'xal.. He died during the war.. He smashed his ship along with a bomb to destroy a mothership so we didn't die after we ended the war.. Many of my friends have died.. Including Ghardeh.."
He lets out a saddened trill..
"Holy shit Z… What a life.. I mean.. Exciting for sure.. But also.. I'm sorry about your friends and family..
And how on earth.. In fact nevermind.. I don't think i want to know that part.. Were there others like you and her at the time? Pairings i mean? Yautja and human?"
"Many.. More than you would believe.."
I nod and carry on with my work..
"So.. Are you a human body inside that body like a symbiote or something? Are you like a man in a mech suit?"
I hear his chuff warbled laugh..
"I am 100% Yautja now.. The machine used strips you down.. Then modifies your body. It is a very very complicated procedure.. Anything and everything can go wrong only i had two combining factors.. One i had Ghardehs blood.. And two i was ascendant.. With the sol power.."
"Can you still set things on fire?"
"No.. I sacrificed the power to kill the matriarch of the enemy clan.. She couldn't handle two powers at once so it tore her apart.."
"Oh.. Well it was for the best.."
"Indeed.. But is also means i am no longer ascendant, which means i can die.."
We carry on with the wiring when eventually we call it a day.. As i leave i hold Ze'reikich'ja's arm as he walks past. "What was your human name?"
He clicks and turns to me fully.
"Shane Hunter Dixon.."
I smile.. "That's a lovely name.. Shane.. Why…" i let out a sigh.." Nevermind.."
He walks on by. "As you wish.."
He takes his gauntlets and we notice it is sunny outside.. We leave the utility building and my hands are marked with scratches. From fiddling with wiring all day. I see Elli and Kaylum playing with their wooden swords. In the garden.. It is then i see Zerri.. Stop and watch.. I like the way his head slants to one side when he regards something then holds his attention on it.. He sees me smiling then snorts walking into the house..
"God he is so alien.." i say to myself.
I watch as Elli throws Kaylum to the floor then stands over him. "Yield buttercup.."
"Not fair you cheated!" Kaylum whines. Getting up.
I see Z come back out and stands beside me. When Kaylum looks..
"Why don't you go up against someone 60 million times stronger and taller than you?"
"Mom is not six-.." She stops realising who he meant. She stiffens up and waves her hair.. "He can try! I have the grace of a thousand birds!"
I feel Z's rumbled laugh and he approaches Kaylum taking the sword and stands opposite my daughter.
"Go easy on her.." i say with a hint of caution..
He nods.. She stances with both arms around the handle. Where Z stands with it level not stanced at all..
She moves in as she strikes out, he deflects her strike and her arm flies out wide. She goes for him again but he parries causing her to stumble forward. She restances and with a girly roar she swipes left then right twisting her arms down then as she swings round to strike vertically downward Z grabs the weapon and holds her arm locked.. "Ok you lose!" I say.. Z lets go and Elli smiles.. "I felt that.. It was good.. You try mom!"
"What? No! I'm no good at swordplay.."
"Liar! Zz she is very good at swordplay.. She had swords and she used to practice with them so she is able to wield it." Kaylum says.. The little shit.. Spill all my secrets why don't you..
"Go on mom if i did it then you can sissy."
"Ffffbbb" i say walking towards my daughter. I snatch the wooden weapon from her grasp and she laughs standing next to her little brother. "Alright three.. Two one.. Go!"
I see Ze'reikich'ja tense up almost like a memory hit him but he flicks the sword in his wrist for comfort. God his armour is beautiful.. But so is his.. Never.. Mind.. I move around him and he slowly arches his back. Like a hunter ready to pounce its prey. He slowly stances.. Legs in a 90°degree stance.. The wooden weapon level horizontally facing me but his left arm slightly bent but his hand in a clawed manner.. I'm getting the real deal.. And I'm getting unnerved.. He's a mountain.. No.. He won't hurt me he's just showing his prowess which leaks all over him.. He is the predator and i am his prey.. Fuck that.. I'm the predator he's my prey! I frown and strike out i am much faster than my kiddos and he doesn't even flinch just blocks my strike and blocks again.. Then again.. Holy shit i can't even get a strike in on him he is FAST. It is then his turn and with clicking he swipes quick and short.. But i swear he has tempered his strikes because even though they are just a blur as they connect its very soft.. And it's hard to believe.. I'm watching his strikes and blocking but i realise i have been backing into the wall and shed.. He has me cornered and he gets way.. Waaay too close.. And he is warm.. His eye slits shift showing his green eyes.. But something is different.. They are missing the yellow flecks they once had.. Maybe it's the proximity.. Something.. Is strangely calming with him.. Then in an instance he moves away.. But it's in the manner he moved away that.. Sent my heart fluttering.. It was wholly predatory.. He slowly turns his back to me and walks back to the kids throwing the wooden creation to Kaylum.
He turns to me.. "Come on.."
Predator jerk.. I think.. I walk up to him and subtly tap his arm with the weapon then smile.. But something happens and it makes the kids laugh.. But me shout.. He shoves me hard knocking me over but he let out what i believe was a playful snarl.. I roll on my back to see him leant into me.. "That's it.." i grab his mask and try to pull it off but he grabs my arm and growls.
"M-di.."
"Fine.." instead i try and squirm away but he grabs my ankles with one giant hand and he drags me back.
"No!"
I try and claw myself away but he does it once more and the kids are having a ball the little shits..
He lets me up and picks up each of the kids unexpectedly causing them to scream.. He has each in one giant hand.. We all weigh so insignificantly to him.. Or maybe it's the gravity.. I run and clamp onto his back playfully.. How in the world did i get into the whole.. Playing with an Alien thing is beyond me.. But he has shown incredible restraint so far.. I can't get my arms around his neck.. He lets the kids go and reaches round i feel a grip on my ankle then I'm ripped off i feel being dragged along the floor then I'm held upside down.. My top trailing up i make it my priority to keep my top from flashing.. "Please don't drop me Z.." he looks at the kids and as he laughs i feel the vibration roll from his chest down his arm down my leg and to my chest.. He walks with me dangling when i realise where he is taking me.. "No! Nasty alien!" I flail at thin air when he dangles me over the pool.. But looks at the man cannon.. "Nooo don't do it i implore you!" i wail, the kids are laughing hard. He plonks me head first into the cannon then I'm launched with a womanly scream into the pool.. As i surface i hear the echoey sharp guttural laugh of the yautja and i swim to the side of the pool.. He walks over and holds out a hand. "Apologies Delilah.." I take his hand and he helps me out.. No he doesn't, he throws me back in.. A wave of water explodes from my back and over my hair and face. And the laughter coming from the kids is monstrous..
But Ze'reikich'jas laugh is just the best.. His shoulders heaving up and down.. As he does so.
He holds out his hand again.
"If you throw me back in ape i will shoot you with the ejector again!"
He holds out his hand palm facing down so i can latch on. No..
He just torpedoes me underwater.. I shout and scream underwater as i swim up and scramble out when he is nowhere to be seen..
"Z that ejector is calling t-" I feel an invisible force pick me up and as i fly through the air.. "Z I'm gonna ki-"
I let out a scream of playful anger as i see him de-cloak slapping his knees as the kids are on the floor crying with laughter. I get out of the pool and squelch towards the towering brute and I slap his forearm.. "Bad yautja!" i say laughing but he stops abruptly.. In that instance i feel the happiness slip from him like water from a waterproof coat.. He nods to me holding my shoulder as he passes the kids finally recovering from their fits of laughter. The Yautja comes out with a towel and i take it from him, he gives me a subtle nod and i deliberately rub his forearm in an assuring manner.. He moves away and roars at the children playfully as he walks past.. They jump and laugh.. I suppose being a father he knows how to behave but more than that he was human.. No wonder he acts so.. Natural around us.. I wonder what he looked like as a human.. Hell i wonder what his son and Ghardeh looked like.. Strangely enough.. Being day three.. I feel safe around him. Oh.. God.. It's beginning to happen isn't it? No… Not now, not later, not ever.. Pfff..
I dry what i can when i decide to get some dry clothes on. Then the day goes as one might expect. Moaning about school tomorrow and watching a movie together. Well we do.. Ze'reikich'ja disappears probably back to his ship. Night time creeps up on us and the kids go to bed. I decide to see if Ze'reikich'ja is back.. I enter the utility building and see the huge brute almost.. Naked.. His armour laid neatly on my desk.. The covers i gave him over his lower body..
"Are you alright Z?" I ask him crouching down near his head. I sit next to him and he looks at me.
"Sei-i.. I was just.. Reminiscing.. My old life.."
"I really appreciate your company today.. It was pleasant.. The kids.. Z.. They.. Look they've become attached to you.. I told them not to.. You wouldn't be here long.. That was before.. Our current predicament.. Look tomorrow, the kids have school. And i have work.. So.. If you want to stay here and work on the ship that's fine.. However.. There is a male.. He comes with my post.. He is not a threat.. Please.. Stay out of sight.. I.. Don't want anything bad happening to you.. Ok?" i look at his black hair-like appendages.. That are sprawled out all over the floor like spindly tentacles.. There's easily eighty or ninety of them, i take one when i hear a noise.. Is.. Is that purring? It then stops as if he forgot himself.. He takes the appendage from my hand and trills.. "Don't do that.."
"Why do you not like it? Are they sensitive?"
"I do like it, and they are very sensitive.. You don't want that kind of attention.."
His eyes are seemingly beginning to glow.. And it unnerves me.. I clear my throat.. "I'm.. I'm going to go now.."
I turn to take my leave when he grabs me and pins me against the wall..
His taloned hand digging into my right side as he grips me.. He lifts me to his catchy eye level but close enough so i can only see his face. "Did i offend you Z?" I say catching my breath in my chest.. His eyes scanning mine for.. Something. He slowly blinks and lowers me.. He slowly backs away.. The white moonlight causing a strange glow over his alien contours.. "Thank you for today also.." He says laying back down.. He clicks..
"Your welcome Ze'reikich'ja.." i say.. Almost shakingly so.. I leave closing the door calmly but slowly lean my back into it.. What was he doing? Was he displaying his respect? Or was it something more.. Seeded.. It wasn't dominance.. Or anger.. No it was maybe his way of appreciation.. Criminy he is so full of mystery for a human.. Alien.. Maybe.. That was his human side peeking through.. Oh god Dee listen to yourself there is nothing human left in him.. That was the point.. It must be respect.. And was i feeling.. Something towards him? Fuck it's been three days Dee! No it was just.. Nerves.. He could have crushed me! I make my way back into the house and go to bed. There is silence on the winds tonight and for the life of me if I look at that holo clock on my ceiling one more time I'll gouge my eyes out.. But that 7ft alien is on my mind. My ears pick up on every tiny noise of the house.
I roll over to see Zerri laid next to me..
I gasp and open my eyes.. The suns rays peeking over the horizon.. It was just a dream.. Crap now he HAS invaded my head.. Why is an alien on my mind? I huff and get up.. I reach for my midsection where he grabbed me.. There's no cuts or marks of any kind.. Weird.. I shower up.. Then i prepare the kids lunches then their dinners just in case I'm late back.. I've always had a plan B and i know Elli will sort Kaylum and herself out.. They are used to me sometimes coming back a little later than usual but now they have an alien also to deal with.. Though he has shown himself to be more than capable of keeping himself controlled around them so I'll give him the shadow of a doubt for now.. As he enters the house.. I feel my pulse spike.. Before he even rounded the corner.. "Z.. If i run late.. Don't worry ok? It will be me at work.. The kids can look after themselves.. You just take care of you… umm if you are hungry.. Just use the rest of that hotpot from the other night.. Or.. You can always give your legs an exercise and go.. Hunting.. Anyway.. I'll see you later.. Don't blow up my house while I'm gone.. And don't.. Get spotted.. Please.." I say clasping my hands together facing him. He gives me a short nod of affirmation then enters his bathroom.. It makes me smile.. He must be in there everyday.. I thought aliens were supposed to love being smelly.. Or maybe he is sensitive to bad smells? Who knows.. Wait until Kaylum lets out a parp or two.. Then Z will know about it.. But then Kaylum might never beat his farts.. Ok why the hell am i going on comparing a human and an aliens farts.. Both stink so what's the difference..
After hearing the kiddos upstairs they both come down in their uniforms. They eat their breakfast take their packed lunches then head for the school transporter.. I go and put my patrol uniform on and tie back my hair. It is a navy blue uniform with white epaulets i put my arm band white armband on showing my name and officer number five oh five. Then make my way to the garage door to the left of the stairs when i see Ze'reikich'ja leave with his chest plate in his hand. Positively glistening.. "Later Ze'reikich'ja.. Be good.." he walks past me and nods. "You too Delilah.." mmm that voice..
I enter the garage biting my bottom lip and enter my yemen. I press the button on the vehicle to open the garage door when i see Ze'reikich'ja stood watching from the side. I give him a salute of two fingers to my forehead and towards him and he.. Strangely mirrors it back.. He is one beaut.. Here we go again.. No Delilah that's not the attention i want.. Blah blah blah..
He has grown on me.. Bite me..
I drive on listening to the radio on my car when a song comes on.. That i love.. I begin to quietly sing it.
"I was calling, for the last time. We've been here before, they found the pictures in the snow. I can tell your eyes, looked beneath the blue, I walk underneath the trees, for the first time.."
I drive further on following the signs to Vordyne, Sussa and something pings in my mind.. Kaylums bullies.. Then it hit me like a bullet.. What if Ze'reikich'ja finds another mark on Kaylum.. "Oh shit.." i bring up my display in the middle of the driver cockpit and call home.. Jee i hope he answers.. As soon as i think that his face materialises. "How did you know it was me Z?!"
"Because it says Momma bears number.."
"Well it could have been my mother! Anyway.. Look.. One other thing.. If Kaylum comes home with anymore bruises or marks.. As much as you may want to protect him and seek revenge.. Leave it to me will you? I'm begging you.. Refrain from taking action.."
He nods.. "Very well.. And your daughter?"
"Anything regarding my kids is my business and mine alone Ze'reikich'ja.. Just send a text if anything is wrong.. I'll do the rest.."
"Are you sure i won't be more effective?"
"It's not about being effective it's about be-.."
He lets out a laugh. "I joke.. I understand Momma.. Bear.." he disconnects.. Frick he has a way with mind games.. Tosser..
I finally give my mind a rest and focus.. Well try to.. His image just keeps popping in and what about last night? Was that a dream or.. Did he knock me out when i found him beside me? No.. No i would have marks on my head I'd feel it for sure.. Fuck Dee stobbit!
No wrong word!
I drive on towards the city and the spires and city scrapers glint in the morning sun light.. The stalls open up every first day of the week and traffic is horrendous as a result, i patiently wait when i start to think about how Z would traverse this bustle.. I look up.. He'd probably use the buildings.. Getting the vantage point.. And least traffic.. Aaand again.. Z just pops in.. Today's going to be a fun day.. A shame i can't tell anyone as much as I'd love to.. The USM will jump all over me like stink on shit and Z would probably wipe the floor with them.. He's huge and powerful but i still haven't seen him actually.. Get angry yet or kill anything.. But Kaylum has.. Silly kid.. If he does anything like that again I'll ground him for a month.. Or two.. Before long, thinking about the Predator.. Yeah i like that… Yeah sure he is a hunter.. Where a predator kills for survival but still.. The Predator sounds much more dangerous and better than.. The Hunter.. I find myself pulling up to my workplace.. I lock my vehicle up and try desperately hard not to think about HIM..
Clearing my mind i use my keycard to enter the building which is almost like a mirror with all the windows.. And enter the cream and white atrium has a flight of stairs leading up to the second floor then several more stairs at either side of the atrium on the second floor are stairs that lead up to the third floor then an elevator for the remaining 30 floors including the bosses penthouse style office at the top. I enter the third floor and walk into the offices. At my station i find several assignments for today.. With a holocard on the with "Movies this weekend? Need a babysitter?" I sigh.. I completely forgot about that.. But I'm very militant so i reply with "Yes and don't need one Elli is a big girl.." I slide the card to office 101 and flick through my assignments i have only two today.. Patrol the waterfront and patrol the eastern lower side Boulevard.. At beyten crescent.."
I am also informed i have a rookie with me today.. A Robert Eagan.. I like having new people with me. Maybe my usual partner Suzie is ill.. Or hung over the scudder.. She loves a night out. She misses me on the scene but ever since i had the terrible two i haven't had a drink since. I go to the quartermaster and load up when i see Robert Eagan with a FS34 shotgun and sidearm. The zeta 3 heavy pistol. I request a LS454 assault rifle a lighter and upgraded version of my own at home. This one comes with the same bullpup design as mine but the paint work is silver and white. With a holographic 2x zoom scope and flashlight/laser module. And for my side arm i take the G12 Valkyrie LMP with single shot alternator and laser/flashlight module. I clip on my webbing and fill up on several clips of ammunition. And introduce myself..
"Mr Eagan? You are my new partner today? Welcome to the SPD.. I'm Delilah Berkley." he is slightly taller than i and a bit on the chubby side but not too large.. He smiles and shakes my hand his greenish brown eyes full of life and commitment to the job.. He is wearing his tactical eyewear also. I can see the hud on his left eye lens in a reversed text. "So where to first ma'am? I'll follow your lead.."
"We can start at the crescent first.. And hey loosen up I'm not your boss. But i expect you to keep my ass covered.. Look after me i'll make damn sure you are well looked after.. We are a team.. Let's go.. You want to drive the first round?" we head on to the car pool when we enter our patrol vehicle. He gets in the driver seat and i slot my rifle into the rifle slot to my right. He is still smiling, bless him..
"Alright crescent it is.. Delilah."
"So you not long got the job Robert? You enjoying it so far?"
He looks at me in short bursts as he drives on out then head for our assigned area. "Week two now, i just got transferred from Callahan they were too full so i got transferred here it's pretty great.. Being in this city, just the way everything flows.. So much smoother you know? And the crime rate is much lower here.. Plus i get to meet new people everyday.. What about you.. Judging by your band you are a grizzled ancient huh?!"
I smile and look out of my window as we slow down for the monorail crossing..
"I used to be in the main police force.. Then i went and had two kids.. So i had to pack it in.. I moved down to the patrol division. Still has the same pay but much more subdued.. Less of an action infused life and more support… I mean i miss the space flying and system patrols but.. Too long hours.. Even now it would be too much.."
"You a single parent or something? If you don't mind my asking.."
I laugh with a breath. "Yeah single mom.. Not planning on another man anytime soon.. I'm happy as i am.. Free and fleeting.."
"Man.. My wife and i are trying.. For a baby I mean.. The stock doesn't seem that great if you know what i mean.. Eh.. Sorry.. I shouldn't be saying things like that we've known each other for five minutes.. So.. You live local or somewhere a little.. Out there?"
"Waaay out there.. We live just off the High road to Jymsveir West Cordis. Don't go there often though. Too small.. I don't like small villages. So tend to spend most time here. You?"
"In city at the moment we did a lot of moving while i was transferred. Just off Stowick crescent.. A grand little apartment we have. But it's our home. Ahh.. Here we are partner.. Ready?"
I unclip my rifle and get out "Ready let's go partner.."
Ze'reikich'ja…
As Delilah's vehicle disappears round the bend past the trees i make my way to the utility building. I continue with the wiring of the ship when an hour later there is a knock on the door.. "Mrs Berkley i have a package for you along with your mail where do you want it?"
I remain quiet.. "Delilah?"
I quietly mimic Delilahs voice..
"Just.. Just leave it at the door sir I'll pick it up when I'm finished with this job.."
"Oh ok.. How's the ship coming along? Can i take a look?"
My pheromone vision shows him coming round when i close the ramp while cloaking. "Aww Delilah stop teasing me! You've been hinting at it for so long!"
"Not yet it isn't ready! Eventually!"
"Ok alright.. Well I'll leave your mail on this desk.. Did you have an accident with some of the wildlife Dee? There's claw marks on your desk.."
"Yes but i sorted it.. It was a.. Wuldren.."
"Criminy well as long as you and the kids are alright.. Take care Delilah.."
"Bye.."
I watch as he leaves.. Enters his vehicle then drives off.. I lower the ramp and take her items and put them on the island of her kitchen.. I huff then decide to take a wander upstairs.. I put a large foot on the first stair but there is a creaking.. Instead i jump and land on the landing. It is a long corridor a room to my right. I open the door my weight making the floor creak. It is Kaylums room the cobalt theme from downstairs is the same in here with the white wooden flooring and in a horrendous mess.. A typical human boys room, i would know.. I pick up his toy guns and figures along with his clothing and place them in the box or the laundry basket..
Within minutes his room is spotless.
I leave and close the door. A room slightly further up shows Delilah's room it is spacious and overlooks the garden and the two buildings. Her room is spotless. But i make her bed for her..
I leave and enter Ellidas room it shares the same white and deep yellow color as her mother's room and very orderly apart from the clothes strewn around i place it in the laundry basket. I see her pad on the desk and open her blinders.. I take my leave and enter the bathroom which is clean and tidy.. I take both laundry baskets and land on the first floor with a loud thud. And place their clothing in the washing machine. I enter the detergent and begin the cycle.. I click several times waiting for it to end. And after an hour i set the machine to dry. Then after another hour i replace all of the clothing. I look at the skinned Wuldren and cut off its head i clean the skull and take off its paws. I take off the claws clean them and find some vines from the nearby trees. I lace one of the vines and punch holes into the base of each claw creating a necklace. I find the ribs of the Wuldren and carefully remove one of them. I then take one of its femur and fashion it into a handle of a dagger. Then with the rib i carve it into a slightly curved blade.. I nail it together on both sides giving it strength and durability.. I examined the blade before taking the other femur.. I craft it into a scabbard for the weapon.. After several hours of planing i slide the bone blade into its housing. Then with the other claws i fashion a toothy armband and bracelet.. Small enough for a child's arm but i make the lacing so it can be adjusted.. Just like the necklace..
Once I'm finished i place the gifts in the draw of the desk when i look at the claw marks on the desk.. I decide to fix it.. I pull away the whole desk from the wall which funnily enough was just slid onto the base.. I move it outside and find more of the metal round the right hand side of the building. My mask remembers the correct measurements and i begin to cut out the appropriate size and get rid of the yellowed markings from being outside perhaps for years.. And slot it in only this time i use the nail gun tool to lock it into place i polish the metal when i look at the time with a clicking..
The children will be home soon..
I use Delilah's computer to find a recipe then using her ingredients i make a meal for their return.. I serve it up and leave it on their island with glasses of juice and go back to the ship.. I carry on wiring the ship when i hear the transporter vehicle pull up and hear the two children talking.. I finish with the console when i look into the cockpit console wiring when i hear both of them shout for Delilah.
"Mom are you back? Are you in there?"
"Yes give me a moment Kaylum.. I'll be out momentarily.."
I mimic Delilah's voice once more..
I hear one of them run round and enter the ship.. "Mom? Where are you? I just heard you!" Kaylum says i turn around and he looks up at me..
"I'm right here Kaylum.."
"Zerri! How do you do that that's sooo cool! Aha haha! Do me! Do me!"
He hides round the corner as Ellida comes round to the ramp.
"Kaylum if mom finds us in here she will kill us! Get out! Z.. Where is he?!"
"Here." i say in his voice.. But she looks at me with a hint of fear. "Kaylum.. Where are you? seriously!" He runs out from his hiding spot and laughs." Zz can mimic voices.. Isn't that cool?! Zerri i dare you to do that to mom! Pretty please?!"
With a laugh i nod.
Ellida relaxes. "Ze'rei did you cook that food for us?"
"I did.."
Both of them look at each other with mouths open.. "You are so cool!" they both say at the same time.. "What about you?" Kaylum asks raising his left brow..
"I eat every few days.. Not like humans. Yautja have very slow metabolism.."
"What's a metobolsmy..?" Kaylum asks butchering the word.
"Metabolism is how fast food is processed in the gut Kall. And how fast it distributes around the body.."
"Oh.. So you aren't as hungry all the time?" He asks.
I give him a short nod.. "Go eat before it gets cold.. And do not come back in here or else i will tell your mother.."
"Spoilsport.." Kaylum says before running out with his sister..
Children will be children..
Author note: Ok so I'm having way too much fun writing this story! I decided to release this chapter ahead of schedule. I hope you are all enjoying it so far, still much much more to go! And it looks like Ze'reikich'ja IS having an effect on Delilah! So much for not getting attached! Ha! Chapter 4 coming soon! I'll keep them coming if you keep reading! Take care readers!
P.s The meaning of Ze'reikich'ja's name is currently being withheld for now. As for his name change it is explained in a later chapter! Any questions don't hesitation to pm me i won't bite!
