CHAPTER 28:
Meetings
Kantra stared at his parents after not seeing them for 6 years. He stood in an awkward silence awaiting their first sentence.
"Could we see him outside the cell?" Aru'Kar asked the guard.
He sighed and opened the cell carefully. He put cuffs over Kantra's wrists to make sure he wouldn't try anything unexpected. Afterwards, he walked out and glanced at his family again.
"It's such a relief to know you're alive" Bai'Kar, his mother, said and hugged him.
His mother looked thinner than the last time he saw her. Maybe his disgrace sorrowed her for having such a son and thinking it hurt him. She wore orange color robes over her brown skin while having her dreads tied up in a bun. He loved his mother just like all his siblings and he hated to think his stature hurt her pride and feelings of him.
"I'm delighted to see you to again, Mother" he smiled at her. "I've missed all of you."
He looked at his father and awaited his response. His father looked exactly like he remembered; an 8'1 Leader with yellow eyes and green skin tone with brown stripes here and there over his body. All his brothers admired him and tried not to disappoint him. His dad was much stricter than his mother and he didn't know if he appreciated his getaway.
Hope he doesn't yell at me, he thought.
"Have you found who's set you up, son?" Nak'Aru asked, carefully.
"Yes, I have" Kantra nodded, which surprised all of them.
"Who is it?" Aru'Kar asked, curiously.
Aru'Kar looked mostly like his mother and was twelve years older than Kantra. He was about 7'10 with taupe skin and dark brown stripes. His eyes were gold along with his black dreads clasped in gold like his armor. He looked exactly like the captain of a ship and leader of a pack he had always wanted to be.
"No one believes me and I hope you do," he said, exhaling. "Do you remember Malkor?"
They all nodded and then realized what he meant. Their faces were overcome with doubt making Kantra shake his head.
"I knew you wouldn't believe me, he's made it so sealed that no can" he sighed.
"If you say he did it, I believe you," Aru'Kar said, gripping his shoulder. He smiled at his brother.
"Are you sure?" his younger brother, Ani-De, asked.
Ani-De was the older of a set of twins his mother had and 10 years younger than Kantra. He followed his mother's footsteps and became a doctor for children in the clan. He stood inches shorter than Kantra and shared the similar skin tone of Kantra along with his father's eyes. His younger twin, Nak-De, wasn't able to come due to training one of their other younger brothers, Badru, for his first hard meat trial.
"I'm sure, I've investigated it and he's told me himself," Kantra said, firmly. "Before he tried to kill me on Earth."
"Have you told this to the Arbitrators?" his father asked, concerned.
"They won't listen," he answered quickly. "I've tried and tried, but no one cares. I'm working on something right now but I don't know if it'll do much until the trial begins."
"You have to do something now because those Arbitrators won't hesitate to carry out a sentence," his sister, Sali'ah, pleaded.
Sali'ah was older than Kantra by three years and loved her younger brother since he'd been born. She'd taken care of him as a pup until he became Blooded. She was a pilot on her father's ship since Nak'Aru didn't want his daughter to be a huntress, as it was a harder life for a female. She was the built in the same image as her mother with brown skin, green eyes, and black dreads at a height of 7'5.
"I am, you have to trust me" Kantra assured her. "I wouldn't reject any of your help though."
"Good because I'd have to knock some sense into you if you did," Nak'Aru told his son.
"You've taught me to look after myself and I am," he said, looking at his father. "I just want to spend my time with my family whom I haven't seen in years. I've missed you all and I want to catch up in how your lives have been, all right?"
"Father, how have your hunts been? Mother, how many pups have you taught healing to since I left? Aru'Kar, have you found a mate yet? Ani-De, have you found your own healing center yet? Sali'ah, have you started commandeering your own ship?" Kantra asked them, curiously.
They looked at him and seconds later, they took him through all the years he'd missed. For once since his capture, he felt like he was at home.
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Malkor finished dressing in his garbs for the day and to celebrate Kantra's soon execution. He had finished every thing he had set out to do all those years ago. He'd humiliate Kantra for casting him out of his popularity group to make room for special little Kahet. By the gods, how he hated both of them when they acted like brothers and he looked like the straggler.
"Now it's your time to be humiliated," he laughed gleefully. "Soon, Kantra, your trial will be done and you'll be executed in front of the whole clan without anyone that can save you."
He heard someone open the door and walk through. He turned to see Eliok in his underwear walking through while scratching his head. Malkor growled causing him to hiss back. The blue alien had slept through the whole night snoring like hell causing Malkor to lose hours of sleep.
"Please tell me you've killed the ooman" he threatened quietly.
"Nope but I'll get her today" Eliok said, grabbing his armor. "She's here and I'm just waiting for her to go to a quiet area on the ship to do away with her."
"You better or else you're not getting paid" Malkor hissed.
"I'll bring you your proof soon, then you can go see for yourself" he said, firmly. "If I didn't want my money, would I still be here? You gave me a job and I'll finish it. But if I lose another limb-"
"I don't care as long as you finish it!" he roared and walked out of the room.
"What a grouch" he muttered. "No wonder he can't find a woman or friend with that attitude. If I would've been Kantra, I would've thrown him out of an airlock."
He put on his armor carefully with his only arm. Afterwards, he secured every weapon he had and looked into his pocket. Iliana's hair was in it and soon he'd bring it as proof. Now, he just had to wait for Kantra's brother, if he showed up, to continue the plan.
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"Time's up for visitation," the guard said aloud.
Kantra's family growled but nodded their heads. Each of his family embraced Kantra one by one while he thanked them for coming. They each wanted to help him but they didn't know how. Once Arbitrators made up their mind, no one could change it without hard concrete evidence.
"We'll try to change your case somehow, son," Bai'Kar said, patting her son's cheek. "It was truly a blessing to see you again, my child, and I'll see you again."
She embraced him tightly and patted his arm afterwards. He was sad to see his mother go but he wouldn't make it harder for her. He squeezed her hands and dipped his head respectfully.
"Thank you, mother, for all you've done for me" he smiled at her. "No one could've asked for a better one than you."
"Don't say such things, child" she said, softly. "You will be happy again like before along with the rest of us."
She walked over to Sali'ah and they both walked out. Ani-De shook his brother's shoulder and nodded in farewell, then followed after them. Nak'Aru embraced his son and shook his shoulder afterwards.
"I believe you, your mother and I will try to find something to help you out," he said, firmly. "If there's one thing I am proud of you, my son, it's your honor and honesty. I will see you in the courtroom and take care of yourself till then."
"Thank you, Father" Kantra nodded. "I am proud to be the son of a wide Leader."
His father nodded and walked out to his family outside. Aru'Kar stayed behind and looked at his brother.
"This plan of yours better be genius," he whispered, leaning over so no one could hear them.
"Yes, but I need your help" he answered quietly.
"All you have to do is ask, brother" Aru'Kar grinned.
"Do you remember when you were on Earth years ago and met an ooman named Iliana?" Kantra began.
How does he know?, his brother thought.
He hesitated but said, "Yes, how do you know that?"
"I met her there a while ago and she's been helping me in my investigation ever since" he explained. "We became allies and now we're lifemates."
He what?, Aru'Kar thought.
"Are you joking with me?" he asked, disbelieving. Kantra shook his head. "You never looked like the ooman loving type."
"Yes, well, neither do you" he said, quickly. "But that's not the point. She's hiding in the ship I came in the dock space 3B1. I need you to get inside and keep her safe on your ship. When my trial begins, I want you to bring her so she could testify in my defense if possible. If she is afraid, then don't. She was kidnapped by Malkor and hasn't been the same for a while."
"Is that it?" Aru'Kar asked, crossing his arms.
"Nope, there's more" he grinned at him.
"I thought so" he chuckled.
He told his brother the remainder of the plan before their hour ran out.
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Iliana had finished the remainder of any food she found in Kantra's ship. She'd slept in his bed despite it wasn't the best choice, but luckily she wasn't caught by anyone. Hearing the door knocked on, she guessed it was Eliok so she went to open it. When the ramp lowered, she was even more surprised to see who it was.
"Aru'Kar?" she asked, surprised.
"The one and only" he nodded to her.
He got inside quickly and she pulled up the ramp and closed the hatch. She observed him and noticed he hadn't aged at all since they met. Did yautja age at all? Looking at him, she wondered whose side he was on.
"You better be on Kantra's side" she said, placing her hands on her hips.
He owes me so he better, she thought.
"Of course" he said, quickly. "Who else would I be loyal to?"
She smiled and hugged him causing him to be surprised. He wrapped an arm around her and purred to her soothingly. He knew she was worried over her mate like the rest of his family. She let go and regained her calm composure.
"Have you been doing all right?" he asked, concerned.
"Yes, but not compared to Kantra" she sighed and brushed her hair back.
"I heard you two are mates?" he smiled at her. She nodded. "Congratulations."
"Yes, he's a great man" she said, smiling. "I love him dearly."
"Never would I have figured we'd meet again under these circumstances" Aru'Kar said, crossing his arms. "I hear you told him that we'd already met before. Am I to guess you also told him what happened on Earth?"
Uh oh, she thought.
"You mean helping you escape? Yes" she said, getting nervous.
"Including the part when we kissed after I gave you the mark?" he asked, raising his brows. She groaned.
"I may have skipped it for a reason" she said, biting her lip.
Oh boy, she thought.
3 years ago. . .
Aru'Kar finished placing his mark on her making her sigh in relief. She looked down but only saw the end of the sign and its lines. Looking back up, she noticed Aru'Kar putting his pencil thing back and walking back to his group.
"Are you sure you'll be all right? The government here could even try to shoot you out of the sky" she said, worriedly.
"We will be fine and you've helped us more than possible" he assured her.
"You're sure?" she asked, looking at him. "I don't want you all to end up dead after all this."
"We will be heading back to our clan ship but if there's any trouble we can handle ourselves" he said, squeezing her shoulder. "We're not rid of that easily."
"Good" she smiled at him. "It'd be a shame to after what I just went through."
"I appreciate everything you've done for me, Iliana" he said, nodding. "I will never forget it."
"Good because I'd hit you over the head if you would" she laughed softly.
He leaned down and opened his mandibles to place his mouth over hers. She parted her lips and kissed him back. She had developed a small affection for him despite he was the first alien she'd met. Obviously, he did too or else he wouldn't have kissed her. After a few seconds, they let go and smiled awkwardly.
"You do know this can't happen again" he said, softly. She nodded.
"Imagine the controversy" she said, smiling. "That and the fact you're who knows how many galaxies away. So go before it's too late for you to leave."
He nodded and shook her shoulder. He headed back to his crew who was waiting for him so they could leave.
"I wish you the best along with a safe hunt!" Iliana called out to them.
"You've learned a bit, Iliana" Aru'Kar said, turning slightly while walking. "We will meet one day again."
"I hope so but under better circumstances" Iliana smiled. He nodded and his group laughed quietly.
"But it doesn't matter" she said, quickly. "It was a one time thing and if I told him that before I knew he was your brother, he would've probably blown. I really liked Kantra then so I lied and I love him now."
"I know you do and I'm happy for you" Aru'Kar smiled. "I just don't want it to come back and bite both of us in the ass."
That and my brother will probably beat me up, he thought.
"Not if either of us says anything," she said, firmly. "Out of all the people in the universe, I didn't think you'd be related to Kantra."
"You couldn't see the similarities?" he asked, surprised.
"Ahem, your skin tones are way different along with your eye color!" she pointed out. "And the fact that there are who knows how many yautja in the universe!"
"True, I suppose" he sighed and shrugged. "But what are you doing inside the ship?"
"Kantra didn't want the guards to take me somewhere he couldn't find me," she explained. "I've only seen him once and the only contact I have to him is this bounty hunter named Eliok. However, I'm glad to know you're here to help your brother. Have you seen him?"
"Yes and he's still on his plan" he nodded. "He seems to be taking it rather well than last time."
"Really? No one's hurt him though?" she asked, concerned.
"No, he's all right" he assured her. She smiled in relief. "But I think he's more concerned about you."
"That's my Kantra," she said, softly. "So, what is this plan he's thought up?"
"To trap Malkor and get a confession out of him," he explained. "I have to find Eliok while keeping you safe."
"Is that all?" she asked, warily. "It sounds too easy."
"That and to capture him ourselves" Aru'Kar sighed. "I may need your help if you could offer it. My team isn't here and no one here will likely help me out."
Take down Malkor?, she thought.
"I don't know if I can help you," she said, quickly.
She felt panicky and almost trapped at thinking she'd see him again. Her whole body seemed to freeze up at his name and even thinking of fighting him made her frightened. Her whole ordeal with him surfaced to her mind again causing her to try to put that memory away again.
"Why? You are strong and my brother needs you," he pleaded. She shook her head. "Are you afraid of him?"
She hesitated but answered, "Yes. I know Kantra needs me but I don't know if I can do it."
"Why are you afraid of him?" he asked, tilting his head.
"He. .it's. .it's complicated" she faltered.
"I'm a good listener" Aru'Kar smiled. "If I can help you with anything, I will. And since you're my brother's mate now, we're family."
"I haven't had family for a while," she said, softly. "Kantra is the only one I have. I want to do everything possible for him and I know I can, I just. . ."
"Sit down and talk to me," he said, leading her to chair. "You listened to me back in that humiliating cell years ago and now I'll do the same."
She sighed and sat down on the chair while he sat across from her. She didn't know the words to explain it or if she could even get the words out. She glanced at Aru'Kar who sat patiently for her answer. Back when they met, she comforted him despite he was ashamed to say what had happened when they tested on him. He was here now to help her with her problem this time but she was afraid Kantra would find out.
"Promise me you won't tell Kantra," she told him. He nodded.
"Nothing will leave this room" he assured her. She nodded back and took a deep breath.
"I was captured by Malkor on Earth and taken to a ship," she said, closing her eyes. "He wanted to know where Kantra was but I would tell him. He locked me in a room and interrogated me until he started hitting me since I gave him nothing. When. .when he got angry with me for fighting back. .um. .he tied my hands and . ."
Her voice broke off and her eyes swelled with tears. She wanted to tell it to someone so they'd understand but she didn't want to seem weak. Aru'Kar saw her struggling with her words so he instantly knew he wasn't going to like what he'd hear, and neither would his brother. He soothed her hand from where he sat and nodded for her to continue.
"He pinned me down and . .and he wouldn't let go of me" she cried and wiped her eyes. "He. .he. .he raped and he. .laughed about it."
No one deserves that, he thought. This poor female.
"How. .how can someone do such a thing?" she sobbed while he squeezed her hand. "To. .to hurt someone that way and. .and enjoy it?"
"I am deeply sorry for what happened, no one deserves that," Aru'Kar said, softly. "That is the more reason why Malkor must be stopped."
"I know, I know" Iliana said, wiping her eyes. "But part of me is afraid to look at him because I'll remember what he did to me."
"I cannot pressure you, Iliana," he said, dipping his head. "But I am going to fight him anyway. My brother deserves justice and so do you. If we could take him down together, you can get your justice. Show him you have no fear and that you can survive anything he puts in your way."
She thought about what he said. Yes, she was afraid of him but if she could be rid of him, that would be better. He was much bigger than her but if Eliok and Aru'Kar could handle him, she could aid and definitely seal his capture. Kantra was running out of time and he needed anybody that could help.
"If you think I can help, then I will," she said, breathing deeply. "I won't lose my husband because of my fear of him."
I can't, she thought. We've come too far.
"I am proud of you" he nodded to her. "I'll look after you in case of anything happens."
"Thanks" she said, smiling. "You know, out of all the yautja I've met, I think your family is the kindest of all."
"We are but you haven't met all of us yet" he grinned at her. "There's nine of us in total: my mother and father, my two sisters, one set of twin brothers, another brother, Kantra, and me."
"That's a lot" she said, surprised. "I only have three members in my family."
"We can have many children over the years of our lifespan," he said, chuckling.
Geez, how many? 30?, she thought. I really hope not.
"Well, Kantra's going to have to make peace with three" she said, laughing.
"Good luck on that" he said, grinning. "But back to business, are you ready to go?"
"Let me grab some weapons" she said, standing up. "It's now or never."
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Kantra was led in cuffs to the room his trial would take place in. Most trials took place on an Arbitrator's ship but since he'd tried to run away before, they were going to finalize it there. He hated being dragged through the familiar procedure and entered the room filled with warriors, his family, onlookers, and Arbitrators.
He was led in chains to the middle of the room in front of the council. Sau-Trul was overlooking the trial once again to Kantra's displeasing. He sighed and looked at his family who stood behind him. After everyone settled down, the trial began.
"Kantra, you are being sentenced after your last trial was. . .skipped" Sau-Trul stated. "You were once charged for the murder of Warrior Kahet 6 years ago."
"I did not do it then but I know who did" Kantra said, quickly. "If you-"
"You're not allowed to speak!" he barked.
"Then how am I going to defend myself?" he demanded angrily.
"We have enough proof to convict you," Sau-Trul pointed out.
"Haven't you wondered why it's such perfect evidence?" Kantra asked him. "You've never let me find the real killer but I've found him. He's on this ship himself overseeing that I am executed."
"And who is this real killer?" he asked, uninterested.
"Malkor!" he exclaimed. Murmurs were started through the room. "Haven't you wondered why he gave up hunting to work in this field before Kahet died? He framed me for it!"
"I doubt it and if it were remotely true, where's the proof?" Sau-Trul demanded.
"I'm getting it as we speak," he said, knowing it wouldn't help.
"Not good enough!" Sau-Trul silenced. "Continue with the trial."
Come on, you guys, Kantra thought. Hurry up and trap Malkor for me. I don't know how long I can hold him off here.
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End of Chapter 28. Thanks to all my reviewers and readers once again! Thank ya! Sorry about not having action in this chapter either but I will in the next one when Aru'Kar, Eliok, and Iliana start to capture Malkor and what happens at the trial. Thanks for reading and review please!
