The Predator: A Bad Star

by Vakrian

When a family witness a shooting star, never in a million years did they expect it to be anything but. Yet when they come into contact with an Alien their world is turned upside down. Especially when the Alien turns out to be a yautja.. Trying to find a way out of his current predicament.. Now includes story arch two ten years later!

27. Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Espionage and Sabotage..

Ellida…

I look deeply at the schematics of the liquid cooled mainframe. To realise that the whole thing is being cooled with 250,000 gallons of pressurised water.. Underneath the GDR base.. No venting shafts or exploits to speak of.. And getting into the base is hard enough.. It's in a city RUN by the GDR..

"I will need to cloak.. That's the only way in.. Then I need an ice pick for the locks.. Then ghost chips for keykard slots.. The only difficult part is getting into the mainframe to download the data.. I will have to swim down this shaft where the mainframe sits directly below the base.. You will have to hack the water flow so it reverses.. Then give me enough time to download the data.."

"Wait.. How long will that take?" Joe asks leaning on the desk looking at the schematic.

"Say one minute to get down there.. Thirty seconds to download all the files.. Then another minute or so to get back up to the surface via the hatch in the mainframe.."

"Wait.. Hold on.. You have to hold your breath AND swim for over two minutes? What about exertion?"

"That's why you won't turn the waterworks on until I've opened the hatch.. Otherwise I'm getting hit by 250,000 gallons of pressurised water and probably die.."

"What about using the harpy?"

"No, any metal will halt the flow, the system is designed to detect metals.. Meaning no Sat-com, no rebreathers and no harpys.."

"What about manually going into the archives?" Joe asks. Pointing at the hexagonal room.

"Only authorised personnel.. Not enough time.."

"What about through the glass dome.. Drop down?"

"The dome is sensor protected.. To deactivate the grid and cut through the glass.. Not enough time.."

"What about getting into the mainframe from the outside? That hatch is leading out to the edge of the cliff.."

"Joe.. If I open the hatch from the outside.. I'm getting blasted into the ocean.. And being crushed with TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND GALLONS OF WATER."

"Ok alright.. Just covering all angles.. So, you get in.. Get your swim gear on.. Dive into the shaft.. Let the current take you to the mainframe, you find the correct strut then download directly.. Then I turn off the water.. Then you escape through the hatch.. Then i pick you up from the nearby extraction point.."

"I'm counting on you for timing Joe, if the installation is turned on before I can get out.. There's a strong likelihood I'll drown.."

"We don't want that do we.. I mean.. This all seems.. A bit.. Excessive.."

"It was my mother Joe.. She was dying.. I have to find out.. Now if this is the only way? So be it.."

"Surely your mother doesn't expect you to risk you life though? I mean listen to what you are saying.. If this goes wrong.. I can't get you out.. Now i am your boss.. I have a duty of care to my staff.. And i deem this.. Too risky.."

"Joe.."

"No Ellida.."

"Joe! Will you listen to me? If Aquinox reaches our station it will kill everyone.. If the GDR have access to it via the USM then we have to act!"

"Based on what a criminal said Ellie! He's a criminal! For all we know he is GDR! Sending us into a trap! He already wants you to kill someone you know!"

"Then explain why he would help me at all? Why not just hand me over to the USM and get his payment? As far as I could tell he despises the GDR.."

"Sods Ellie.. He could be playing both sides off.. Who knows? If you want this info that badly then fine.. I-"

His comms go off then he answers.

"Joey here.. Where? When? You sure? Ok.. Pull out, we're on the way.. Keep that ship tagged.. Good work.."

He flicks down his comms unit..

"Lucky us, Five seven found a safe house containing information.. On several prototypes.. There could be information there on Aquinox.. So.. Do you still want to try this.. Or.. Go to the safe house first?"

"Let's go.."

"Good call.. If we don't get the info we'll drop back here.. Five seven we are in bound, move on to your next sector upon our arrival.. See you soon, out."

We drive to the city and eventually pull up to the safe house when we see the first team move off to their next objective.

Joe turns to me then leans his head towards the door.

"Alright, let's do this.. W-"

Our Interceptor shudders.. Then bounces up and down as if something heavy landed on it.. I unclip my holster and aim towards the ceiling.. Then without fear I press the switch to open the door, when I get the shock of my life when I see a toned orange appendage grab my sidearm and knock it away..

"Tet'va! What in the crap are you doing here?!"

"Hell how does she know you are here is what I want to know.." Joe says lowering his weapon..

She looks at my boss.. And lowers her frame to fit through the door then heightens as she enters.

"It had been many cycles since this morning and I decided to see what you are doing.. If you wish, I could leave and return back to your mothers house?"

I look at Joe who brings up his arms in a submissive stance..

"As long as she doesn't screw up this mission.. I'm not.. Saying to leave.."

I look at her and shrug.

"As long as you don't muck up the op you can stay.. But next time give me some indication you are turning up? I don't want you getting shot a second time."

"Your girlfriend was shot?"

Tet'va growls at Joe, probably at the use of 'girlfriend'..

"Right now she's my.. Umm.. Pairing.."

"So.. A Predfriend?" Joe asks twisting his brows with a confused look.

"Right now we are companions.." Tet'va says walking past me then towards Joe.. He sits in the chair.. Trying not to seem scared or fearful but Rains snort addresses the fact he is one bowel strain from shitting in his underwear.

"E-llie.. Are we doing this? Get into that safe house and find some information.."

"Yeah, on my way, don't get into trouble Rain.." I say with a smile but a quick stroke of her hand on the way past. She nods then watches me leave, I flick on my hud specs once more and enter the safehouse which has seen better days. It looks in a state of disrepair. The wallpaper brown and peeling. Dust everywhere forming little floating orbs as the dim lighting shows their trajectory. I see many footprints on the dusty floor.. Then the main front room where data pads and servers are hooked up.. Some look destroyed as if the members here were attempting to destroy as much as they could..

"So Tet'va.. That means rain right? I heard Ell call you both.." I hear Joe ask..

A smile creeps up on my face as i sift through the data pads..

"Rainfall, but the family call me rain for short.."

"Does that bother you?"

"Your name is Joseph yet others call you Joe.. Is it any different?"

"No.. I guess not.. Fair point. So.. You have been Ellida's and Kaylum's guardian angel? Ellie speaks highly of you, you know.."

"I can hear you both.. Just for your information.." I say smiling..

"Oh.. I forgot about that.. I haven't spoken with a yatty before.. Sorry.."

As he says yatty I heard Tet'va clicking..

"To answer your question, yes.. I have been the siblings protector for many cycles.. Until recently, the other day when Ellida and-"

"No Tet'va.. That's private.."

I didn't finish my sentence when I swear I could hear her distinct rapid clicking.. She's laughing..

"Ooo.. Now I'm interested.." Joe says.

"I'll impale you if you press her for it Joe.. We are on mission!"

"Hey.. Come on I'm playing.. But hot damn.. You both are lucky.."

"How so?"

Oh lord joe.. Now you've done it.. Tet'va will drive it out of him when he should have kept his mouth shut. This time I let it play out as I carry on collecting as much data as I can..

"Well.. I mean Ellie is a great soul.. Has a fancy personality.. Good.. Looks.. Wink wink.. And then there's you who.. Err.. Who is an alien species.. That has known Ellie way longer than most of the team and has created a strong bond with her.. I mean don't get me wrong I'm not into aliens.. But.. Well.. I.. You.. Have some nice.. Markings.. I think I'm going to shut up now.."

"PFFFFFFF!" I try not to laugh but I let out a puff..

"Thank you for your input Joseph.." Tet'va says almost dryly.

I move on to the servers, then download what isn't corrupted or missing. So far there's nothing on Aquinox.. Just various conversations about covert meets and plans to move key personnel.. Inventory stocks and locations. Nothing much of use, I plug in my whisper chip into one of the laptops, it downloads directly to my Sat-com, Joe decided to come out and give me a hand, we are plying through when we hear noise coming towards the front door, I aim my weapon at the door when Tet'va lowers my weapon before we even get line of sight, I frown but it turns upside down when I see yet again.. The serpent beauty.

"We have to stop meeting up like this Vi'rassi, people will think there's something going on."

She smiles.. "Apologies Ellida, I mean no such intent. I came to give you a hand. Especially since I have found out that you may be entering a GDR run city.."

This time I do frown.. I look at Joe who is trying his hardest not to smile.. I can tell.. Because his lips are crushed sealed..

"Joe? Is there something you wish to add?"

He lifts his head up and his smile glistens. He looks to the ceiling then at me..

"Alright, look.. Vi'rassi has been on it for days.. She's the reason we knew where to hit. And has been feeding us information. She's one of us.. I roped her in didn't you figure it out already?!"

"No.. I didn't.. I thought she was working for a different company.."

"Joe needed you to stay on task, he wanted you to get the data in the storage bay. He knew you could decrypt it. I have been working with the SLSD for several weeks, but since working with Joe's branch it has been much more eventful." Vi'rassi explains.

I nod, I'm glad she has found her place. And now I come to think of it, it falls into place why and how she knew to meet me at specific points..

"Alright, so we have the band together.. Tet'va you ah.. Fancy a job working for me with your lady friend and whooping ass?"

"No."

I let out a laugh.. Tet'va's response was so deadpan that I couldn't help it.

"I see how it is.. You are too badass for such a task.."

Joe says unclipping his whisper chip.

"We have everything we can take that isn't damaged, let's sift through this crap then see what we can find. Hopefully it was worth it. Otherwise your original plan might be in the pipe after all."

"Which is what?" Tet'va asks.

"Getting into a water cooled mainframe.. Without drowning.." I indulge her.

"Do not put yourself in needless danger Ellida, how long must you hold your breath?"

"Two and a half mins give or take."

"M'di I'll go.. What must I do?"

I blink at her response.

"No Tet'va, I have it covered. Trust me.. I'll be fine."

"Supposedly.."

"Joe.."

"I'm sorry Ell but I still don't like that plan.."

We enter the interceptor where Joe and I show the two beauties what the plan is.

Tet'va tilts her head.

"I can hold my breath for over ten cycles.. Let me go.."

I lean on the desk..

"You won't fit through the hatch.."

"Ellie.."

I fire Joe a glare.

"She won't fit.. Through the hatch.."

I say stabbing my finger at the hatch to the ocean.

"She might get stuck, but I won't mussera.." Vi'rassi says..

"And I can hold my breath for around five minutes, not as long as Rainfall but long enough."

"I'll be going and that is that, I have everything in place. That's all I'll say on it."

Tet'va and Vi'rassi both nod.

Joe let's out a blow of air and slaps his knees standing up..

"Alright fine.. Let's see here.."

I lean on the display and look over every angle.

Joe begins getting the gear needed for the task. Then sets it down on the worktop.

"Alright, so the only way through is going into the base, I'll need joe to make me a passable I.D badge. That should get me through the main areas.

I'll need an ice pick for the key doors, then a bypass kard for the keykard locks, gettting in is easy, getting to the mainframe is the most important. Joe, just to reiterate.. I'll need you to reverse the flow.. And shut off the waterworks. Only after I've downloaded the data do you turn it back on. Then I leave through the hatch here.. Where you will pick me up from the ocean, then we get back to base and then we are homefree."

Tet'va clicks and I see her brows descend slightly.

"Rain I know that look, it's the same look you gave Kaylum the first time he ever suggested going off and exploring.. I'll be fine, you have to trust me. We need this data.."

Joe begins to drive us back to the road towards the GDR base.

While I get ready to blend in..

Ze'reikich'ja..

I watch as Delilah and Kaylum fly back to Sisters Law station and think about what they said, maybe I should have thought more on the fact that Delilah would not have known why I was angered, but then I also should of just spoken to her in the first place.. It doesn't matter, we have cleared it up.. I look at the bow on the wall.. As I take it from the hanger I release it watching and feeling the weapon unfold with a slight clicking. I remember designing this weapon, it is made from the sandworm tooth many years ago, Ghardeh walks to the Kehrite and my eyes hit the floor for a second then at the door then decide to see what she is doing, I walk up to the arena and can hear the sound of a weapon being swung as it powers through the air, I enter and quickly catch a kunai being thrown towards me I swiftly throw it back and Ghardeh swipes it away with her sword, there's a distorting twang as both blades connect and the dagger hits the floor.

"Why don't you spa with a real target, Ghardeh?"

She lowers her posture, legs spread sword resting on her forearm as she aims it towards me, slowly taking out my own sword I stance legs parted. Weapon diagonally aimed at my mate slowly we circle as we always have, a staring match, who will make the first move? Who will blink first.. Every detail every anticipated move on both sides.. We have done this many times, to the point we don't even think about it, we just act, my thoughts are centered entirely on the warrior in front of me.. Everything else drowned out, she begins.. Before Ghardeh even arches her blade my two-handed blow swipes her sword to the left, she uses the momentum to strike back, our two weapons smashing blade to blade with a loud 'Twiiing'! Sparks fly like fireflies then bounce around us.. She goes for a right strike downward, i move back before striking with a clean slice towards her head, she ducks before spinning and connecting with my left slice and kicking me back staggering me, she follows up with a precise diagonal swing. And knocks my sword arm wide.. Then rests her sword on my unarmoured stomach..

"Strike one, you left yourself open."

With two fingers I remove the tip of the cold blade from my skin and Ghardeh moves back with an amused clicking we stance exactly the same for the next and final round. We both dash, I'm coming in with a low to high swipe, while Ghardeh comes down with a high to low, the kehrite echoed with the sound of d'lex blades.. The music of rhythmic battle we both parry the increasingly difficult flurries we precisely challenge each other with.. When a figure distracts me.. I feel a smack of Ghardehs blade as it hits me across the head then a powerful force in the stomach as she kicks me sending me flying towards the east wall, there is a clicking.. "Strike two Ze'rei-te.. You slipped.." Ghardeh stops also sensing the figure in the doorway.

"I was distracted.."

"Hunters mind their surroundings, Shane.." The female says.. I look tilting my head..

"Nina? What are you doing here? Is something wrong?"

"I don't know, Zelda and Danny nagged me to get out.. So I decided to pay you a visit, though it looked like Ghardeh was whooping your ass!" She smiles with slight creases along her eyes and cheeks.. She swipes her red hair from her face as it slips.

"No! I was distracted by your scent.. You made me lose.. So now.. I'll have to hug you.. Come here!"

I sheath my sword and walk up to her then enter a warm embrace but something feels off with her I crouch down knees parted and hold her jaw up as her gaze hits the floor.

"How's the search going Neens? Anything?"

I can see it in her eyes, I can feel it.. Every fibre of her is trying to stay strong and not show emotion.. That would be weak.. But it isn't working.

"I've received reports, rumours. That Uzkielle has be-.." She closes her eyes and lets in a shaken inhale.. As a veil of sadness hits her facade.

"He has been killed.." She finishes with a swallow.. "But.. I don't believe it, he's never so careless.. He's far too hot headed to be careless.. I won't believe it."

I look back at Ghardeh as I slowly stand, as she approaches me and takes Nina by the shoulder walking past me.

"Let's go inside and discuss this more comfortably." She says tenderly.

The three of us enter our home then Ghardeh puts the water on.

"It's been years now, I don't know what to do. On one hand Osh'ikeille has been telling me to leave it but on the other.. I can't.. It's driving me insane.. That I can't contact him.. What the hell is he doing that's so damned important?" She says with gritted teeth, I slowly shake my head.

"Wasn't he hunting the last of the traitor clans? They were dwindling after the war.. Or maybe it's Wey yu or USM?"

"I thought Wey Yu had died off?" Nina asks.

"I don't know, but it's been too long since we have crossed paths.. The USM have acquired more Yautja technologies.. Ghardeh and I are planning to destroy a particular vessel, but not yet."

Nina nods as Ghardeh passes each of us a large mug she sits next to Nina.

"Would it help you, if I went in search for him after our current task?"

"You would do that? But I thought you said if he doesn't want to be found you won't be able to find him? You said that.."

I shrug my head to the left in truth of those words.

"I also said he might try to kill me for trying to find him.. But I believe that not to be the case."

"If you do this, we'll be best friends forever Shane.."

"Ze'reikich'ja, Nina.. Shane died those years ago.."

Nina smiles with a huffed laugh.

"Sorry, I'm so used to calling you Sh-.. Hmm.. Ok Ze'reikich'ja.. We'll be best friends forever."

I nod. Then we change the subject to why Ghardeh was kicking my ass.. Then we talked about the good old days.. Good times.. Minus the killing and blowing up bases.. And.. Dying.. Eventually Nina gets in her ship, the Venoms Accolade. And flies back to Asteria. While Ghardeh and I head to the berth to sleep, it's then darkness falls.

Fire surrounds me, the heat almost unbearable the flames blinding the air being choked from my lungs.. I can't comprehend my surroundings..

"Shane where are you?! I can't see! Help me!"

I can hear the faint voice over the roaring fire as it destroys the walls of this place, as I make my way through the twisting winding ruins of black charred mortar I see a woman on her knees with her head in her hands crying uncontrollably.. My human arms reach out to hold her shoulder in comfort.. I don't know why.. But then in an instant.. The fire implodes, then explodes.. Leaving me in a black void.. Still with the woman with blonde hair in a white dress.. But she has moved.. I bring my arms up.. But they are back to my Yautja physiology, I approach the woman once more and hold her shoulder but in a blink.. Her face is turned to my direction, her eyes are missing. But she's not crying.. Shes laughing.. Her face morphs and i see Ghardeh stood beside me.. The woman morphs into a Yautja I have seen before.. The Matriarch of the Black Sun Clan.

"Do you accept being a Yautja Shane Hunter Dixon? To take away your humanity and live to protect those you love?"

"Yes.." I say.. As if she is controlling my thoughts..

"And Ghardeh, would you die for him? To leave him alone to think on all that he has lost and swallow him into darkness? To live out the rest of his life as a sick twisted wraith of his former self?"

"No.. Stop.. Stop it.. No.. Don't do it Ghardeh.."

She looks at me.. And nods..

"I would.."

The matriarch looks at me with burning yellow eyes that pierce the black void..

"You never killed me Ze'reikich'ja…"

There is a white flash that blinds me.. And I grab Ghardeh and embrace her as a wrist bomb goes off in the distance.. The full force hits us and just before darkness hits me I see our skeletal structure smash like porcelain.. I shoot up with a snarl and throw my arm out to the right.. Where the matriarch stood.. My arm plows into the wall with a fleshy thud.. Still feeling the thudding of my heart, My eyes skip to Ghardeh who is still asleep. I slowly feel my heartbeat regulate, I get out of the berth and walk to the cliff edge and stare out to the turquoise sea, I look down and my mind goes off, I look about myself.. For eleven years I have been a Yautja.. But many nightmares plague my sleep. I dig a talon into my stomach just to make sure I'm awake.. I feel a slight stabbing pain as I push hard enough to draw blood, Ibring up my bloodied talon and stare at the bright glowing blood that slowly loses its glow as it mixes with the air until it is a dull green.

I nod silently to myself, I'm very much awake. I know Ghardeh is walking up behind me as I feel her eyes at my back, I feel her arms reach around my front and wraps them around as she rests her jaw on the back of my head.

"Another nightmare Ze'reikich'ja? Was it the same as before? The matriarch?"

"Sei'i.. The same every time, we are long past it but she still plagues my thoughts.. The fire.. The bomb.. We die.."

I feel her jaw shift as she nods. She turns my body around.. But the matriarch is staring back at me.. I shove her back with an angered growl but in a blink.. It is Ghardeh stood in front of me..

"Ze'reikich'ja?" She asks cocking her head in question. But her arms are held in a defensive manner.

"You need to see the medical team.. You need to get checked out.. This isn't normal."

I nod and approach her.

She gently holds me close, I lean my head into her chest just barely hearing the very slow beat of her heart.

"I'll go in the morning."

We then headed back to bed where I try and get some more sleep.

Ellida..

As the interceptor glides along, I take the items I am going to need, data kard, ice pick which is an auto lock pick and whisper chip. I also slip on my swimsuit under my uniform. I slot everything i need into various pouches then wait.

"I don't like this Ell.. It is incredibly dangerous. Don't raise any alarms, and don't get caught.. If you are.. As I said this morning.. I won't be able to get you out.. We are approaching the base.. Your I.D badges set?"

I take my new I.D badge branded with GDR credentials..

"I have managed to splice Ellida into the data banks.. She should have free reign." Vi'rassi says looking at Joe from the console.

Tet'va nods at me. "Good luck.. Olivia Silverman.." I take the slim backpack,

I smile then take my leave. They dropped me off within the city. I have to make my way to the base, that's the easy part. Once I'm in the fun starts.. This city is quite compact.. It is strange, the people here seem. Normal. I suppose not everyone is bad but do they even know what's going on? I kept my glasses on me.

"Quite a quaint little city.. Wouldn't mind getting a property here.. You reckon the renting is good?" I hear Joe say..

"Yes.. Considerably.."

"Ellida you say that like you are about to nuke the whole place.. This is exciting!"

"You sound fearful to me." I hear Tet'va say in the background.

"Oh come on.. I'm.. Anticipating.. I have a bad feeling.."

"You always have bad feelings.." I say with a smirk.

"Which implies you aren't relaxed.."

"Ellida is like this all the time!"

"No I'm not.."

"No she's not.." I hear Tet'va again.

"Thanks Rain!"

"Look the fact is it is entirely possible to be relaxed and have a bad feeling.. It's not like she is breaking into a small data bank here.."

I walk on through the streets when i come up to a compound. The security guard within the booth gets up from his chair as I approach him.

"Can I assist you ma'am?" He is wearing a deep blue battle dress uniform with padded shoulders and knee guards wearing a type of body armour.

I don't have any weapons with me, but I won't need them I flash my badge and he uses a scanner. It flashes green twice with a singing bleep.

"A little late Ma'am?"

"I'm on the night shift, fun times."

I smile at him then wink. He laughs then sits back down in his booth.

I enter the courtyard.

The hexagonal base looms in front of me and I take a breath. Never have I attempted to infiltrate a base before. But desperate times call for desperate measures and I'm going to find out what I need to know by any means necessary.. Mom will no doubt kill me if she finds out I'm doing this..

"You should leave it to those more qualified." She would say.

And leave it to who exactly? Zee? Rain? Ghardeh? They wouldn't even be able to access the mainframe without getting into difficulty getting out.. And admittedly this is very reaching of me to even contemplate doing this but the fact remains, if I don't. Who else will?

I enter the sliding doors. My credentials get me into the massive atrium of the base I see several patrols and they look at me then nod.. I play the part then nod back. The place is like a prism.. Glass everywhere.. Mirrored.. With only white and grey metal for the desks and doors. I see several sign boards showing directions to various parts of the expansive base I need to be on level four.. I enter the elevator and key in level four. When a female ai voice asks me.

"Please enter your keykard to access this level.. Authorised personnel only."

I enter my kard..

"Please place your hand on the scanner for final verification.."

I do so.. There is a green sweep then a blue sweep.. It flashes yellow..

"Thank you Olivia Silverman.. Access granted."

I feel the elevator glide down. Then feel it slow down.

"This is going too well.. Something is bound to go wrong.." I hear Joe say quietly.

"Shut up boss.. Now's not the time.."

The elevator opens.. And my jaw drops.. There are floors and floors of servers.. In a water cooled tank..air bubbles dance and swirl.. But where i need to be is further down.. I walk past rows and rows.. When I see an automated security unit. Stomp on across not several metres away.. I walk on and swipe my badge, it unlocks the next room and I'm now in a corridor with handled rooms..

I see an administration room.. I insert my lock pick and in seconds it unlocks the door.

"Ell what are you doing? Your target area is further down.."

I ignore Joe and use the slender monitor and search the database for clues.. Anything on the slaves.. Or operations.. I enter the whisper chip and it ghosts a signal then downloads all files.. It glows green then i remove the chip and move on.. I turn off the monitor then walk out when a bot stops me.. It has two large inverted joint kegs with a rectangular head which houses its sensors and minigun and taser style weapon.. It whirs and bleeps.

"Olivia Silverman.. This is not your office.. Please vacate the area.. You are in violation.."

"I'm ever so sorry, I had forgotten my glasses.. It won't happen again!"

I move on and make my way to the next area..

"What the hell am I looking at Ellie?"

"A hydro plant.. And my means to enter the mainframe.."

This area is massive.. There are several people working on the machinery.. O can see the systems room where the staff make sure all systems are running.. I make my way up to a loader and climb the stairs my heart begins to quicken.. It's been easy up until this moment.. I position the loader above the hydro cooling chute.. Where water is being flushed down and around the mainframe.

"Alright Joe. Get ready to turn off the water system.. Once I'm in I won't be able to communicate so please.. Don't mess this up?"

I carefully unclothe and make sure everything is in place for easy access.. I put my hood on and my specs sit nice and snug.. I put my clothes in the backpack then make sure its nice and sturdy..

"Alright.. Jumping in 5.."

4, 3, 2, 1..

I drop.. And take a massive breath.. I hit the water.. And the force of it being carried shoots me through the chute..

"Ok… Ok.. Deactivating the water… Now!" Joe says as I glide into the mainframe.. A circular water tank filled with nodes and massive cpu banks.. The area is luminated by a ring of white..

"OK Ell.. You are looking for bank 0451..

That's the node.. Then you will need row Q then 2578.. That's the locations of the data.."

I swim past the yellow nodes.. And insert the whisper chip at bank 0451. I'm beginning to hear my heartbeat in my ears above the water and muffled bleeping. Of my vitals on my right forearm, I feel a vibration in my left forearm as the data transfer is completed… But I feel like I'm being pushed..

"No no no! Ell! The eggheads have turned on the water! Find Q2578! Quickly! I'll try and shut it off again!"

I let the current take me when I see it.. I grab onto the node and pull myself towards the cpu bank.. I'm trying to limit my movement.. I take the whisper chip then insert it.. Then let the current carry me around and around.. My heartbeat begins to boom.. This needs to go faster.. I'm literally at the last minute.. I feel like i want to take a breath but I can't.. My left forearm vibrates.. I grab onto the nearest node but I slip..

"Ellie! I can't stop the water! My commands won't respond! I don't have enough time to find another path!"

"Ellida.. Just get out.. This is not worth it wei'gheh.." I hear Tet'va.. Barely as my body begins to struggle.. I feel like im shaking.. I take the chip and float towards the Hatch but the current is now getting stronger.. Seconds.. I grab the handle of the hatch.. I let out a breath.. As i begin to struggle.. I can't.. I lift the hatch.. But i can't push.. I need to push.. Push.. I let out an underwater panic.. Push.. My body begins to shake violently.. Push…

"Push the Hatch Ellie!"

I push.. And am thrown out of the mainframe.. I take in water as my need for air overtakes… I choke.. Too late.. I'm too late.. I begin to drown.. Too late.. I go limp and accept it… sound slowly drowns out as my whole body screams for oxygen in a vibrating thumping that begins to die off.. Too.. Late..

"Ellie! Move!"

"Ellida…!"

"Ellida.. Sw-..."

….

….

….

Tet'va..

I watch as Joe bangs on his consoles.. And feel an almost pulsed shaking throughout my body as the realisation hits me Ellida is in a critical situation..

"Ellida what have we done?! What do I say to Delilah?!" He shouts in a panicked state. He sweats profusely..

"Fly us to her location.. Do it now.. Or I will kill you.. There may be time to resuscitate her. Remain calm.."

He Jumps from his seat as I watch as Ellida is swept through the chute motionless.. Still not in the ocean..

"Take me to the waterway where she will be thrown out of.."

"Ok.."

He flies us over as he engages silent running mode.. I jump from the ship and dive into the salty water.. It is then I see Ellida lifeless hit the water and sink.. I torpedo towards her then launch out of the water with her over my shoulder.. To land.. Just under the water way.. Joe throws down a medical kit with an oxygen mask and defribilator and flies towards safety.. I use the handle and charge it.. Once I see the bars fully lit I hold it to her chest then press the trigger. There is a zap and her body jolts slightly.. Nothing.. I engage immediate CPR.. Gently pushing down on Ellida's chest..

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.."

I put the mask to her face then press the tab for oxyen bursts.. I repeat again.. Gently pushing her chest with compressions..

"Anything? Her vitals are st-"

"Ervut vei pauk-de.." I say with impatience.. And annoyance..

I press the trigger again.. Nothing..

"Wake up Ellida! Wake up you insolent insect!" I shout with anger..

I begin compressions a third time.. And remove the mask.. I put my head to her chest.. I feel water jet into the side of my mandibles and a gasp.. A cough.. Ellida waves her arms in panic.. Coughing and spluttering.. But I grab her in an embrace… "Ellida.. It's alright.."

"I - an't bre-.. Et'va.." She says weakly..

She lets in a sniff..

"I don- wanna do th-t again.." She coughs out loudly.. Holding my back shaking..

"Ellie?! Criminy! Ell! I effing told you! It was dangerous! We need to go so ge-.."

There is a deafening crackle..

"-IT! We are made! We'll get you when we can! Stay safe!"

There is a whining alarm from above.. Joe has been made.. But my main concern is Ellida..

"Can you stand Ellida? We must go.." She shakingly rises and looks up.. She coughs.

"Where are we? At the spillway?" She brings up her right arm and presses on my Sat-com. Bringing up the map she looks across to the west..

"Across the beach head Rain.." She frowns… "Why are you here?!" She shouts at Joe.

"Oh I'm sorry! Tet'va wanted me to fly her here or else she said she would kill me and I plan in living past today!"

"I've got the data.. Let's get out of here.." Ellida staggers up and stumbles towards the beach head. My whole vision changes to an orange hue as i scan for threats. I see a wheeled vehicle approaching with four armed personnel on board.

"Tet'va now would be an amazing time to flex those Huntress muscles.. I'm unarmed.. Remember?" Ellida whispers to me as the carrier drives on closer.

I cloak.. My hud fades into position as i place my mask on. The four security guards walk closer when my shuriken slices through two of them.. The final two fumble with their holsters when i fire my caster at one and throw my second shuriken at the final target as I catch my first one.. Ellida runs towards the vehicle and gets in the driver seat.

"Whoa whoa! Are you good to drive?! A moment ago you were dead!" Joe shouts through the comms.

"No I wasn't.." Ellida says pulling the stick into gear then speeding towards the base.. I lower my mass and crouch down as she smashes through the barriers a ship begins to take off..

"Now we have a problem.. The GDR are sending a ship!" Joe shouts..

"Why are you always yelling?" We hear in the background from Vi'rassi..

Ellida throws her arms around as she makes a sharp right the tires moan with a screeching, we smash through the final gate then into the city.

"We have to ditch this vehicle at the earliest convenience.." Ellida says.. She seems dazed and shakes her head blinking in rapid flicks, she looks up through the windshield.. Then parks up the vehicle in a clean alley way.. She looks past me to see firearms and takes a sidearm.

"Let's go.. And let's not tell mom about this dead thing? Ok?"

"Most unwise Ellida.. But.. I see the benefit.."

I follow her and take my leave of the vehicle..

"I need to get out of this swimsuit and back into my clothes.. Cover me would you?" She says immediately getting out of her black swimsuit and unzipping her slim backpack. Then taking out her clothes. She dresses then places the chips and devices in her pockets then throws the backpack and swimsuit in a trash bin.

"Ellida did you just throw department property away?"

"It won't be traceable trust me.. Can you meet us at the coordinates that Tet'va is about to send you?"

"Yeah.. Let us lose this ship."

I send him a set of coordinates just outside of the city..

"Got them.. See you both soon.. And Ell.. I'll need to see you after this.. And we need to tell Delilah.."

She looks at me slightly shaking her head and walked out of the alleyway before I threw a timed detonation in the bin.. Causing a mild explosion.. Ellida looks back and frowns.

"Wake up the whole city why don't you darling?"

She quickens her pace then I cloak we make our way through the city streets.. Storefronts are darkened and white lights speck the buildings, a GDR vehicle drives on by and Ellida remains calm. The sidearm is tucked in the back of her jeans.. No trouble finds us as we leave the city and go cross country.. But Joe still hasn't lost the ship.. We wait at the location.. A small wilderness area miles away from the city.. This is one night I will be happy that's over..

Delilah..

As we fly back home Kaylum is sat watching the star map, he turns to me and puts his hands in his pockets.

"Do you think Ellie will find anything about that Aquinox?"

"I don't know, but the way things are going.. Z might just locate that ship and destroy it.."

He nods.. "Look mom, I know I've done a lot of crap I'm not proud of.. Like getting locked up.. But.. The other day? When we thought we might lose you? It got me thinking… MaybeMaybe I should have followed you and Ellie? I mean.. I did get that offer for in house security at S.L.S.D.."

"No, no you followed what you wanted to do, you went out and explored.. It just so happened you didn't do your research sometimes.. But I knew you never meant bad intentions.. Even if Tet'va would be seething at the core.. But putting yourself in danger.. That was the big no no.. That was the reason she left.. Not because you had bad intentions but.. She didn't want to be put in those situations.. You forget the life she once had.."

"Yeah, that was stupid of me.. Ell is lucky to have her, she's cool.. Especially for a crush! How many people can turn around and say I had a crush on a Yautja?! HEH! Not many.. Not many.."

His smile slowly fades.

"Well, maybe I'll break the mold and find another person.. There was this barrista lass.. Always had a good laugh with her, maybe I'll talk to her when we get back."

We fly back to Sister's Law station then I carefully land back inside my utility building then walk with Kaylum back into the house. The rest of the day goes pretty quietly, until I finally get a message from Ellida. She managed to get into a GDR base and acquired a plethora of intelligence.. And is currently heading back to HQ.. She seemed, shaken.. Like something wasn't right.. Even Kaylum raises his brows and looks at me in a questioning look. She's done something.. And I intend to find out exactly what she did..

After all she can't hide much from her own mother, as much as she tries.

---

Author note: Well that didn't go to plan did it?! Hello and welcome to 2020!

Sorry I'm a little late with this one, the original version wasn't working so I've had to rewrite it, plus I also had to go back and read a few chapters so I could get back into the characters! So we had a mission that most definitely almost killed Ellie.. When Dee finds out.. And she will.. She's going to explode.. Even for Ellida that was Reckless but now she has to watch herself.. The GDR will be looking for that ship..

Next chapter, Chapter 28: Smoke and Lies.. Is underway. See you then! And thanks for your patience!