Chapter 59

Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.

"Let me go, Kaail! Please!"

A'stea struggled in Kaail's arms as he ran as fast as he could, not knowing if any guards were following them. The chaos from the stadium grew soft and distant and it worried him. Who knows if they're watching us? The worry pushed him onward and his grip on A'stea tightened as she struggled more.

"Kaail! Stop! We can't leave her!" Her mind still didn't register that her friend was dead. It felt like a complete dream to her, a nightmare that she would wake up at any moment. She needed to return . . . she needed to save her. She fought Kaail with all she had, desperately clawing at his arms.

"Kaail!"

He growled. "We can't stop. Fi'ka is dead and if we go back, then so will we."

"No, she's not! Let me go or so help me . . !"

A'stea grabbed a few strands of his dreadlocks and yanked hard. He growled and staggered in his steps until he fell on his side, trying to prevent from crushing A'stea but she was making it hard. Pauking female! They skid on the ground, forcing him to let go of her and she rolled on the ground for a bit. The pain was terrible, especially on her injuries, but she staggered on her good leg. She met Kaail's angry gaze, showing the same intensity. "I'm not going to abandon her . . . not like that."

He clicked his mandibles. "She's gone, A'stea. There's nothing we can do. Now that they know who we are, they won't stop until we're imprisoned or dead."

"But I can't! I let her die and she trusted me! I failed her!" A'stea bit the corners of the inside of her mouth. A small taste of metal enveloped her mouth and her voice quivered. "I abandoned her . . ."

Kaail watched as she began to falter. Her legs and arms quivered and he thought she was going to drop to the ground. He wanted to help her but he thought best to stay at a distance. With her in such a state, he was more likely to get hit with her 'technique' and he learned fairly quickly not to approach unless he was confident she wasn't going to do so. He kept listening in case trouble wasn't far behind but it was becoming hard. His focus couldn't leave her as she lowered her head and began to tremble, holding herself.

"You don't understand . . . I promised her that we would be free. I promised everyone that I would set them free but I couldn't do either."

Her emotions were getting the best of her and the will to keep them controlled was wavering. "I did everything I could to help those that were suffering! But I failed them! In the end, the members don't trust me! The members don't trust me! No one trusts me!"

A'stea's lips and voice began to quiver. "I . . . failed them . . . as a Leader. It's my fault."

She fell to her knees and curled her back, trying to shrink into nothing so she could hide from the world. All she ever did was to help . . . but it wasn't enough. She fought for them . . . for others that wouldn't have done the same, she realized. She tried to lead them but no one did. And now, her best friend was gone and the Rebellion might be finished at this point.

Who would fight after this whole pauking mess?

Kaail felt helpless, seeing her in such a state. In some way, it was like she was broken and left with nothing but despair. After all of the time he'd been with her, this was the complete opposite of herself, strong and confident but now submissive and weak. His heart quivered at such a sight.

No . . . A'stea . . .

He kneels in front of her and wraps his arm around her. She tensed for a moment but didn't move, shrinking once more. Kaail gently grabs her chin and brings her face to his. The coldness and sorrow in her hazel eyes were evident. "Don't you dare give up. You did everything you could and that is more than enough for anyone."

He caresses her cheek as she looks into his red eyes. A light flickers for a moment, giving Kaail some hope to bring her around. "Fi'ka is gone but she knew the consequences and wouldn't have stayed by your side after all this time if she didn't trust you. As well as myself."

He sighed, pausing for a moment. "You haven't given up before so don't you dare give up now. And I won't give up on you."

A'stea, listening to each word, lost it. She tried to keep herself composed but all the events and the feelings that were picking up a storm inside her were spilling out. Despite her trying to deny it, he spoke some truth. Fi'ka had been with her for so long and knew what would happen if they continued down this path. There was no denying it. The happy memories of herself and Fi'ka began to flicker in her mind and it broke her. Out of nowhere, she felt something wet gathered in the corners of her eyes until one trickled down her cheek. She caught it and brought it between their faces.

"What is this?" She'd never had this happen before. There were times when she felt close enough to what she was feeling now but this was a first. It was wet but clear as water, shining from the reflections of the sun.

Kaail saw the confusion in her and it was reflected on him too. Curious as well, he brought her hand and observed it for a second. He'd seen it in many of the creatures he'd fought and killed before, now ashamed by it. He'd only seen them when his prey expressed sorrow or fear, accompanied by whines and cries, an expression of pain and despair. He'd heard a master or two explain it once. He didn't bother to listen before but he heard one thing that they repeated.

Tears . . .

Although he didn't know much about them, he understood their meaning. A'stea was hurt emotionally and he wanted to comfort her as much as he could. If he could take the pain away from her, he would gladly do whatever it took to make it so.

"We will figure something out. But we have others to still take care of. Fi'ka wouldn't want us to give up. Not now, not ever."

After a moment, A'stea shakily nodded her head and chuckles, sniffling and wiping off the rest of her tears. "Yeah . . . you're right. You sound like a Leader for a moment."

Kaail smiled. "I learn from the best."

He pressed his forehead on her, taking in her honey scent before kissing her softly. Her lips were softer than other times but she met him with such passion. But he kept things calm, not wanting to push it too far after she almost had a breakdown, only wanting to lift her spirit and it worked. Her hands wrapped around his neck, pushing the strength of his willpower for a moment. She broke it off when her leg began to bother her, seething as they looked at it.

"As much as I want to continue this, we need to get you to S'aha and inform the others."

A'stea nodded and Kaail got her to her feet but tensed when he smelled a presence nearby, the musk of a male followed by heavy footsteps coming fast. Kaail pulled her behind him and she clung onto his back for support. "Stay right behind me."

It wasn't a moment later that someone came through. Kaail opened his mouth to roar in warning but stopped midway when he realized it was Bu'at, looking ragged and covered in a mixture of blood, both green and milky white.

"Bu'at! Don't jump on us like that."

"Sorry, but I thought you would be at the hideout or captured by now." He wiped a drop of sweat and blood from his forehead. "Everything is a pauking mess."

"What has happened?" A'stea asked.

Bu'at struggled to clear his throat. They could see the struggle and strain of his body, riddled with exhaustion. A'stea noticed some cuts on his arms and a small burn mark on his hip . . . like he got shot by a plasma blast.

"After both of you escaped, it was a massacre. The masters sent their forces upon us, killing some Hish warriors and even servants who took no part in it. The rest of us managed to escape and we split apart so they can't track us. But what's worse is that the Amengi have declared martial law. They're going to start killing all Hish who even have the slightest hint of defecting, no matter how small."

"Pauking c'jit . . ." Kaail rubbed his forehead, grumbling. "Things are getting better and better. We should have expected this."

"Yeah. But I don't understand how they figure it out that A'stea was involved." Bu'at turned to her. "Did they say anything to you or give any indication of how they knew you?"

She shook her head. "I don't know. But Mor'dath did say that he had a source that told him, confirming what I already know."

"But if he did and having too many coincidences that there's a spy within our midst, who can we trust?"

A'stea lowered her gaze. Yeah . . . who can we trust?

She swallowed. "We need to find out who it is before he or she causes more damage. Until we know who it is, we'll keep it quiet so as not to spook them. So with that, I want you, Bu'at, to oversee the departure of the members and any Hish that are leaving on the ship. They'll probably hurry when word reaches them. Don't tell us anything and trust only those you deem."

Bu'at bows his head.

"Kaail, I'll need you to speak with D'alg and find out if he knows anything. Many will see him as a threat but don't panic him until we find more."

"Do you still suspect him of being the spy?"

She calmly looks to him, noticing the concern in his eyes. "I can't say right now. It could be anyone but I fear they will point at him first."

Kaail, understanding what she meant, purred. "I will. It might be until some time when things calm down enough I can sneak about . . . now that they know of my involvement."

"Good. Then let's get going. There is much work to be done."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Preparations were underway and the urgency among the Rebellion was high and tense. After all three of them arrived at the hideout, word had caught up to them before they could speak and everyone was in a state of panic. A'stea and Kaail had to explain themselves and things almost went into a mess, many blaming herself for it. She expected it but what was done was done. It was clear that they had to get moving and so the labor of work to plan and prepare began.

Days and days of running frantically around put a huge strain on Kaail, mostly simple labor like transporting supplies and cargo into the ship and then going hunting to resupply the meat reserves. It was harder since he and a few others had to take the longer route to get to good prey but knowing it might help A'stea in any way, he sucked it up and kept working.

"Good work, Kaail." S'aha smiled as he put down a few medical supplies she asked for while working on a patient. "You didn't have to do that."

"I'm fine with it. Anything I can do to help."

"You've done more than that. Many of our warriors look up to you more each day."

Ever since they began the preparations, Kaail had taken a huge role in directing the warrior class and getting them ready for a huge fight against the Amengi. It wasn't a surprise to anyone and it wouldn't be long before it would come crashing and send the whole planet and its occupants into war.

Kaail smiled and bowed his head. "I hope I can do more . . . especially for A'stea." He lowered his head for a moment. She had to take care of strategizing and speaking with warriors with key influences on the rest and then something else with weapons. He barely got to see or talk to her but the few times he got a glimpse of her, she looked very tired.

"Me too." S'aha cleaned herself off from the dried blood from bandaging a wound on a patient. "I was thinking she needs to take a break. She hasn't been able to since she arrived and more pressure is put on her shoulders. If she doesn't, I think she'll break."

Kaail thought for a moment. "I'll keep that in mind. I was about to—"

"Kaail."

Both turned around and saw A'stea coming from the curtains of the healing tent. He watched as she staggered to them like she didn't have much control over her legs. The bag under her eyes were indicators that she hadn't slept much. "Hello, S'aha. Everything well?"

"Smooth, so far. Been busy more than before but I'm fine with it."

"Good. Kaail . . . can I talk with you for a moment?"

"Of course."

Both of them said goodbye to S'aha and left the tent and walked across the less busy parts of the cavern. They watched as the Hish scrambled across like ants protecting their home but rather the opposite. In the distance, a massive ship settled with its ramp open and Hish carrying carts and bags inside. "They're doing a good job. I wouldn't be surprised if they're ready to leave within the week . . . on time since we'll be starting the fight soon."

Kaail nodded. "Of course."

He glanced at her for a moment until they stopped in their tracks. The members were walking across their path, discussing things with Bu'at at the helm and Nu'kha close behind. Mu'at caught a glance at her and growled before heading on his ways. The others merely gave dirty looks and Bu'at lowered his head in a sort of apology. He couldn't do much to soothe the severity of the situation. Ever since they found out what had happened at the stadium, they refused to speak with her. It didn't matter since they'll be leaving but she couldn't help but feel regret.

"Don't worry about them." Kaail held her hand and glared at the group until Nu'kha came last. The two males stared off for a moment, angry at each other for various reasons. The death of Fi'ka didn't settle well with Nu'kha and, of course, he blamed it on Kaail first before targeting A'stea for defending him. Now . . . even their relationship was estranged.

As soon as A'stea got in between their views, Nu'kha chuffed and went to catch up with the others, taking most of the tension with them. Almost . . .

A'stea sighed. "I'm so tired of this."

"Then why don't you take a break? You need to rest."

"I'm fine."

Kaail wasn't convinced. Before she could take another step, he stepped in front of her and blocked her path. He gave a stern look when she squinted her eyes in frustration. "No, you're not. Even you told me that a hunter needs rest just as equally as training. Please, A'stea."

Seeing the plea in his eyes and hearing it in his voice, along with the burning light in his red eyes, she relents. Her body relaxed for a moment. "You're right about that." She looks up to him once more. "Are you free at the moment?"

Kaail tilts his head. "For you . . . anytime. Why?"

"I would like to show you something . . . and give you my gift."

A smile formed on his lips. "The one you've been working on?"

She rolled her eyes, seeing his happy expression like a pup getting a present from his parents. To see it in a full-grown Hish was weird and funny at the same time. "Yes, it is. But not here."

"Where?"

"I have a place but I do have a question for you."

Kaail folded his mandibles inward and crossed his arms over his chest. "What is it?"

She bit her lips, tapping her fingers before she stared into his eyes. He could sense the nervousness in her.

"Do you know how to swim?"

Hi everyone!

A very stressful time for Kaail and A'stea and I can't blame her for wanting to go back and save her friend. Even she knows she's dead, A'stea can't help but go back. Denial is a strong emotion that many tried to use to admit the pain they, which makes Kaail a key figure to her and maybe to each other.

But things are becoming strained and even the members look down on her for the mistake. Many want to blame the person closest to them since they can't get to the masters.

But now . . . I wonder where A'stea is leading Kaail. I wonder . . . a lot.

Will the Rebellion manage to stay together?

Find out when Chapter 60 comes tomorrow! And I can say that the next one . . . will be good. *wink*

Thank you for the reviews (Anonymous-E, Mariah, and IanAlphaAxel)! They are very important for me and I hope I see more readers posting as well. All opinions are welcomed. I hope you keep on reading! ;)

And thank you for your support. :)

Happy Hunting! :))))