Chapter 56
Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.
[A few days later . . .]
"Are you sure everything is alright?" Fi'ka asked as they walked back to the building of their former master. Since there hasn't been any news of where Master S'wqua is, new arrangements for his property and servants were being conducted. As much as A'stea and Fi'ka were nervous about returning, it's only to keep up appearances and make sure no one suspects them.
She sighed. "To be honest, I don't know. I would say differently if we knew who the spy is but you didn't find anything and neither have I."
"And you think it's that D'alg who's behind it?"
"I don't think so. It seems too easy to pin it on him when he knows very little. And I trust Kaail that he's not it."
"Let us hope so." She watched as her friend played with her claws . . . a nervous twitch she picked up for all the time she's been with her.
"Don't worry." She smiled, holding her hands. "We'll make it through this. Whether you decide to leave with the others or fight with us, I'll support you."
She got some notion that Fi'ka wanted to leave. She doesn't like conflict, let alone be a fighter. It pained her but she knows it's not her choice. That is what freedom means. She watched as Fi'ka smiled. "You're right."
They walked onward until they made it to the building and entered. But upon entering, they didn't see anyone at all. It was empty . . . silent . . . too silent for her. She can see the nervousness in Fi'ka . . . from her shoulder shaking. She felt it too.
"Where is everyone? Shouldn't they be here?"
"Yeah, I know." A'stea pulled Fi'ka behind her. "Stay close to me."
They moved through the hallway of the building towards the lift as A'stea checked for any signs or clues of any kind. So far, it seemed too neat in her opinion. Items haven't been moved or stored, not even any scratches or claw marks if there was a struggle. And the quietness . . . it was too suspicious. A'stea decided to proceed more so she could find out where the rest of the servants were, heading into the lift with Fi'ka close behind.
When they got to the highest level of the building, all of their former master's stuff was still where they are. A'stea didn't like it one bit. Her heart pounding at the negative feeling she was having, making the hairs on her arms stand up.
"A'stea . . ." Fi'ka whined.
"Be quiet." She listened carefully, listening to any unusual sound. A minute passed before she relaxed somewhat but was still looking around.
"Maybe no one came yet. They could be somewhere else. Or—"
All of a sudden, the doors to some of the rooms open, and a pour of Amengi guards come flooding in with guns. Instinctually, A'stea pulled Fi'ka behind her, shielding her as a dozen guards surrounded them. "What is this?"
The leading guard pulled forward from the others. "We came, upon orders from the masters, to take you and your friend here to the desired location. Come quietly and no one needs to get hurt."
"Upon whose orders?"
"We have no obligation to tell an ooman the agenda of the masters. Either you come with us or we'll force you." The guards clicked their guns and pointed straight at them. Fi'ka whined and made her body smaller behind A'stea as she growled.
"What makes you think we'll go?"
The leading guard huffed. "You will come with us. Whether you want to . . . or not."
A'stea glared at the guards as they inched closer, staying strong. But she feared that something terrible was about to happen . . . and she couldn't help that what they did has caught up to them much sooner than expected.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kaail rubbed his shoulders as he followed the line of warriors heading into the holding area of the stadium for more matches but he sensed the air was completely different than the last time he was here. He thought it could be his nerves about what happened recently and hearing the news of Master S'wqua's disappearance. They got to it pretty quickly . . . but expected. There haven't been any reports on the details if they are still searching or found other things. He'd hoped to talk to D'lag about what they found out but he'd been saying he was busy since the investigation began, being as he needed to run tests for them and now with everything, he was being constantly watched. So their interactions were limited to communicators until they could find a way to see each other in person.
And now . . . his nerves were on edge. Is he the traitor? Or is it someone else . . ?
"Take it easy, Kaail," Bu'at spoke as he caught up to his side. "We don't know anything yet."
"I don't like this." His eyes wandered to the Amengi guards standing in a line formation, guns loaded, and their fingers on the trigger. Their eyes are what got his attention the most . . . like they were watching out for traitors. Kaail knew the curfew was becoming more strict but this was excessive, even for the stadium. Unless the masters know something. If only I can talk to A'stea . . . but I haven't heard from her in a while. It worried him but there was nothing he could do now.
They were inside the holding area with a few others, gathered in the middle like a herd of sheep. No one was allowed to get their weapons or sit down and chat. They were being watched, causing some of the Hish to get irritated. Kaail couldn't blame them one bit.
"What the pauk is going on?" One male asked the guard but they didn't budge.
"Come on. What do you have planned for us?"
"Hey!"
When many Hish began to gather and behave violently, the guards suddenly aimed their guns. "Back off! Now!"
Kaail watched as the males shrank but didn't back down. Kaail understood their frustrations in some way or another. Based on how expensive their armor was, most belonged to high ranking masters, which made it seem odd. They always bring those from every rank to fight . . . but it's only us.
"Bu'at." Kaail nudged his shoulder to his friend. "Do you see what I see?"
His friend hissed. "Yeah. Only high ranking Hish are here. Where are the others?"
"You don't know? I thought you were a spy." He whispered silently in the last part.
"I'm in the dark here. But if there were all of us, then where is Mor'dath? He's supposed to be here as well."
That part worried Kaail the most. Mor'dath would never miss a match at the stadium and even during the tournament no less . . . but he isn't here. The more he thought of the differences between then and now, his heart strained in his chest to keep the fear and anxiety in him, not wanting to show any changes to the guards until they found out. But when the males began to get angry towards the guards, Kaail decided to take action before it got out of hand.
He walked towards them and put himself between the Hish and the Amengi guards, not minding the guns pointing right at him. "Back off. No need to shed blood here." He waited as the Hish warriors debated silently until they moved back to the center. Kaail gave a little growl at the guards and being feared by them, they lowered their guns and lowered their heads. He went back within the circle, exhausted.
"You took care of that problem well," Bu'at commented.
"It's only temporary." He looked to the warriors and raised his chest, lowering his voice within the circle. "I know you guys don't like this but bear with it a little longer."
A young male shook his head. "When will the Rebellion make their move?"
It was a question that Kaail wished he had the answer. Most of these males were part of the Rebellion so there wasn't much he could say that would ease their anxieties. As much as the raids have given them lots of supplies, it was only cracking the surface. They were still planning on what their big move will be but that was another fight in and of itself, mostly between A'stea and the members.
They are the most stubborn Hish I ever met . . . but so am I. If only we can convince them fully, we might . . .
He lowered his head for a moment. "It will soon." It was all he could say.
The door suddenly opened and another guard came in. The other guards looked in his direction, receiving a nod before their guns were out again. "Get moving."
The males didn't like the tone of the guard and growled, asking again why they were being herded and with all of them going at the same time no less. Kaail and Bu'at remained compliant for now, much to their disgust, and followed the crowd through the door and next into the heart of the stadium under the burning suns. Again, Kaail noticed the changes in the crowds now. There weren't as many Hish servants in the crowds anymore. The majority belonged to the masters but although there were cheers, the low ranking Amengi had stern looks on their faces. Something's wrong.
"This is strange," Bu'at commented.
You're right.
The guards lined them up in a straight formation by the stadium wall, facing the opposite door. The Hish warriors clicked their mandibles and grunted in confusion. It wasn't a surprise; they could see the same as he was. Kaail looked up to the top floor and the high ranking masters were watching but with strange looks in their eyes. There was a longing of bloodlust in them but what's worse is that he couldn't see Master Thu'at anywhere. Shouldn't he be up there?
"Where's Mor'dath? He should be here." As soon as he heard Bu'at whisper those words, Kaail looked around the line of Hish warriors and noticed he wasn't here either. His heart paced quickly as the growing concerns he was sensing in the stadium.
"I told you something's wrong." Kaail looked in front of him but flickered his eyes at Bu'at each time he spoke. "Have you talked with Fi'ka lately?"
"I haven't. Why?"
"She was with A'stea the last time I spoke with her. But I couldn't reach her either. I'm worried." Kaail bit into his fleshy flaps that connected his mandibles. He could taste the blood running down his throat. A'stea . . . Where are you?
The volume of the crowds grew suddenly and his attention and everyone else's looked around to see where the source of why the Amengi were cheering, along with the gasps and concerned whispers from the other Hish warriors. This is definitely out of the ordinary.
"What pauk?" Bu'at said out of the blue.
Before Kaail could ask, the door on the other side of the stadium creaked opened but instead of a guard like before, Kaail's eyes widened when he saw it was none other than Master Thu'at with Mor'dath walking beside him and other guards carrying what appeared to be metal buckets that were twice the size of a normal one. What are they going to do with those? They stopped in the middle and the look Mor'dath gave to him was worrisome. He's smirking? Why is he so happy?
This time . . . Master Thu'at spoke. "My people and allies . . . I know that this is not the usual way we start things but we have a special show to give you . . . and to all our warriors who bravely fight our battles to make us all rich and powerful."
Kaail rolled his eyes. Really?
"But now . . . everything is under threat with this so-called Rebellion that thinks they can do whatever they want. After everything we gave them, the traitors rebel against our way of life and the Amengi don't take too kindly to threats."
The crowds cheered louder, shaking the ground like an earthquake was starting. Kaail felt uneasy as was Bu'at, who looked onward at the magnitude of the cheers. They watched as Master Thu'at and Mor'dath moved to the side of the stadium but the other guards stayed put, which Kaail noticed.
Master Thu'at lifted his head, almost enjoying the sounds from the crowd. "And now . . . we have found that they have killed one of our own . . . a master with such a high rank and a dear friend of mine, killing him with no mercy and much brutality."
The crowds booed in response.
"Never fear though . . . We have found the culprit that murdered Master S'wqua and is the wretched leader of the Rebellion." He turned to the door and raised his hand. "Bring them in!"
Everyone turned their attention to the side door opening. The crowds grew quiet a little, watching in anticipation of who was coming. Kaail squinted his eyes to see better but the angle of the light was making it difficult. But it wasn't long before he caught sight of two beings pushed by several guards behind them.
Oh no . . . Kaail felt his heart come out of his chest painfully but he was too shocked to feel anything. What have they done?
It was A'stea and Fi'ka being pushed forward with chains on their hands and ankles. There were bruises and cuts all over her face with one eye almost shut closed. Despite the obvious injuries, she fought back as hard as she could. He knew she wouldn't give up without a fight, even if it was to no use. He watched as they threw A'stea in front as Fi'ka cried out. A puff of dirt showed how hard they were forced to the ground.
"C'jit. How did they find out?" Bu'at whispered but barely contained the shock in it.
Kaail couldn't answer. He was too stunned and didn't have one at all. Pauk! Pauk! Pauk! How did they find out so quickly!? His brain worked double time to figure out how or whether they knew if he was part of the Rebellion. But if they did, they would have imprisoned me by now. He shook his head . . . it wasn't the time to worry about himself. All he could think about is A'stea and what they were planning to do with her. But with certainty, it wasn't going to be good.
"This wretched being has caused us too many problems for far too long. Her use to us has become worthless and she will be taught humiliation as will the rest of those who dare to follow her."
Master Thu'at signaled the guards and they moved around them. They held the metal buckets over her and tipped them over, pouring vast amounts of green neon blood with bits of flesh and shattered bone. Kaail and the other Hish warriors turned their heads in disgust at the foul smell of death overwhelmed them, even at this distance. The crowds, however, only cheered harder, showing the Amengi's cruelty. Kaail could only watch in horror, seeing A'stea in such pain but attempting to be brave for Fi'ka. I have to do something! Something!
"Let her be bathed in the blood of the traitors and of the low ranking Hish warriors who dare to betray us. So now . . . she will be betrayed by them, for it will serve in her demise."
Master Thu'at walked over to A'stea. Kaail couldn't understand what he was saying but it caused her to swipe at him. He kicked her in the head and she cried out in pain. It sent a jolt of pain through his head and heart as well . . . like he could feel hers. He bit his mandible as Master Thu'at, followed by Mor'dath and the guards who took Fi'ka away, left to the safety of the door, and exited the ring.
In that instant, the ground shook as large metal pillars rose a few feet from the inner ring. Kaail and the others jumped back as the pillars stopped in front of them and turned on, creating an electric barrier between them. Kaail had seen this only once or twice in his lifetime, used to contain the most dangerous of species. With only A'stea in there, he feared there was more to come.
The speaker rang as Master Thu'at's voice spoke. "So what better way to end the creation of the Engineers than to pit it against another. One that proved to be the deadliest creature of the entire universe. Let the battle commence!"
Suddenly, the two side doors opened once more but no guards or anything came out . . . at least for the moment. The crowds grew quiet for a moment until they saw something emerge from both sides. A creature of black-armored skin and elongated head crawled across the ground on its hands and feet, about three or four slithering around with a bony tail at the end. Kaail could hear them hissing in the air and the crowds cheered again. Their sights were on A'stea as they stalked her.
"What are those things!?" Bu'at roared as did the other warriors.
Kaail was frozen in his place. Will I watch her die? Is this it? He shook his head. No! I need to help her! But how?!
"Here you are, ooman." Master Thu'at spoke again. "Meet the newest creation of the Engineers as they rip you and your friend apart." He paused almost in delight and the crowds cheered once more.
"Meet the kainde amedha!"
Hi everyone!
Drum rolls, please!
A'stea is about to take on the common (or rather future enemy) of the Hish/Yautja . . . the kainde amedha! But this does not bold well for her and Kaail has to painfully watch as she fights for her life. Will she survive? Of course, he'll try to help her but how? What can he do?
And how did they know who's involved? Whatever the reason, the story is taking the turn for the worse and inching closer to the final step in the Rebellion.
Find out when Chapter 57 comes tomorrow!
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Happy Hunting! :))))