Chapter 61
Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.
"Where is A'stea and Kaail?"
"I don't know . . ."
S'aha paced back and forth to get the last of the preparations going for the ship to leave while Bu'at leaned on a pole. As much as she desired to stay, she'd honor the wishes of A'stea to keep watch over the pups and females . . . and to keep the members in line when the time comes. But for now, they had war preparations to attend at the main tent and they couldn't start without the main leaders there. Some of the male Hish were starting to get antsy inside the tent. S'aha and Bu'at waited outside to keep the peace and watch for Kaail and A'stea.
"Calm down, S'aha." Bu'at grunted. "They'll come."
Just when they finished the conversation, they saw Kaail and A'stea coming towards them a few meters away. They hurried towards them while zipping through the crowd. By the time they reached them, they were struggling to catch their breaths.
"Sorry that we're late." A'stea spoke nervously. "We had to take care of a few things."
"What things?" S'aha crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot, looking angrier than she was. She could tell something was up between them and the nervousness in both of them, surprisingly in Kaail.
"Just some things." He recovered faster than A'stea, raising his chest like a proud Hish. "We went on a hunt last night and couldn't return until the morning."
"Are you sure that is all you did? Both of you?"
Of course, Bu'at had to delve into the conversion, getting as much detail as he could. A'stea turned away, hiding her blush at the indication of where he was going. Kaail was the opposite and snarled his mandibles and inner teeth, hunching his back to make himself look fierce.
"Okay, okay. I get it." Bu'at raised his hands. "I was only asking."
"You should have more consideration of everyone else before you blurt out everything you think," Kaail growled. "And it's none of your business."
"I can't help it, given that I can smell what both of you have been doing."
A'stea blushed harder, realizing the fact that Hish can smell the mating musk easily on herself and him. She tried to wash before she came here so she didn't cause a scene. It didn't work out apparently. "It doesn't matter, Bu'at. Is everyone waiting for us inside?"
He nodded. "Of course. Right, this way . . . my lady." He smiled at the last part, deliberately bowing for her to go.
"On second thought . . . why don't both of you go in first?" A'stea grinned, turning the tables on him. "I'm sure you got a lot to talk about."
Kaail turned his head to her in confusion and shock at her proposal. Bu'at, of course, was delighted. "Of course."
With that, he moved to the side of Kaail and clicked his mandibles to him in delight. Kaail gave him a swipe with his claws, not enough to scratch him but a warning that the first understood immediately . . . but not really since he was still smiling. Kaail rolled his eyes and walked into the tent to get to the others.
"So . . . did you do the deed? Finally?" S'aha asked.
A'stea tried again to keep her blush hidden and suppressed. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"I can smell his musk all over you."
"Wait . . . really?" A'stea pulled a piece of her loincloth and took a whiff of it. She stopped when S'aha began to laugh. A'stea puffed her cheeks in anger. "Come on."
"You're so silly. I can still smell a bit of it but you don't reek. Besides, I can already tell you mated with him and it was only a matter of time."
S'aha winked at the last part and A'stea's cheeks began to burn. "Stop it. I have to get into the meeting now."
She began to walk toward the tent when her legs faltered for a moment. S'aha grabbed her from behind, giving her support until she recovered. "Are you alright?"
A'stea chuckled nervously. "Yeah. My legs are just really sore. Had a bit of a slow start this morning."
"Mhmm."
S'aha gave her a curious look and A'stea shook her head in embarrassment and frustration, taking off before she could say any more while she followed. Geez . . . My legs just had to give up on me. But then again . . . it was worth it. She held in a smile, thinking about the time she'd spent with Kaail. Despite the embarrassment, she was happy.
As they disappeared into the tent, Nu'kha watched. Despite his urge to be at the meeting, A'stea gave him an order to help the members get the ship ready with the final preparations. It was frustrating but he did as he was told. But now, he can tell something was different. Even for a few feet away, he could tell she was acting happier than before, almost glowing with her light. He'd only seen that once at the beginning of their relationship . . . maybe more now.
But one thing's for sure . . . he could smell the musk of a certain male all over her from here. He tightened his fists and growled low. You . . . bastard.
Anger filled his chest and he took off before he could do anything stupid. He needed to end things now . . . before it was too late.
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The meeting was going smoother than expected. Not having to bother with the members, the rest were easily persuaded. But there isn't much they could choose and may of the Hish warriors were eager to fight. The back-to-back massacres were driving everyone to stand their ground. It was sad to think they needed this to happen but there was nothing we can do now.
"So as I was saying, the best time to strike is when the Amengi have all gathered at the stadium for the final matches. They want to keep the tournament going but with slight changes."
"Typical Amengi. They want to enjoy themselves during a bloodbath." Bu'at grumbled, placing a fist on the table.
"It doesn't matter. It works to our advantage." Kaail touches the pad that controls the holograms that they've stolen a while back and have recently installed for use. It helps to give a visual of their plans for those who aren't paying attention or plain stupid. He displays the stadium and the males look closely.
"All of the masters of high rank will be there. That is who the targets are for now. They'll be seated in the private section."
"Why only the higher ranking masters? Shouldn't we kill all of them?" One of the males asked.
"They are the leaders that control all of the Amengi. If they were to be eliminated, the rest will scatter in confusion and fear. Without their heads, they are no more than beasts."
A'stea takes over. "But we have to attack the technology building first. They'll try to use any weaponry they have stored there."
"But doesn't that building have guards with plasma guns?" A short male packed with muscle cane forth. "They'll shoot us down before we even get close."
A'stea nodded. "Good question. We've been thinking about it for a long time and we have a solution to take on such a future problem."
She signals Bu'at to fetch something and he bows, going toward a metal box that was sitting idly by. He opens and shuffles his hands inside before pulling out a metal piece that was the size of his arm. He places it on the table and shows it to everyone. It had a small plasma gun that was sitting on a round metal piece with an opening on the underside, curling to the shape of a shoulder.
The males take a glance and even Kaail seemed interested. "What is that?"
"This is a shoulder plasma cannon. One of the most powerful weapons we've created, thanks to the material we stole from the technology building a long time ago. It's still in the initial phase of refining but when finished, it can be shot with using your mask alone."
The males clicked their mandibles in interest. Kaail remembers now when he and A'stea snuck into that building. She stole something that he never really knew about. Now he realized it was to make this in front of him. It looked strong and expensive. How was she able to make this?
"But even without this, we can storm the building easily from two entrances to the basement." A'stea presses in the panel and shows the technology building. On command, the hologram zooms toward the basement and highlights the entrances.
"Guards will be posted here but we'll sneak inside first instead of blasting our way in. So when we get to the higher levels and the rest figure out what's going on, it'll be too late. Can you all do that?"
Ramped up by the strategic plan, the males nodded in agreement and so the meeting ended with the plan to raid the building tomorrow night. Even though it went well, A'stea leaned her head on the table in exhaustion. "Man . . . I'm pooped."
Kaail tilted his head. "How can you not be? You pushed yourself a bit today. We could have stayed at the cave and handle this at a later date."
He moves behind her and places his hands on her hips. Before she could stop him, Kaail gave small kisses on the crook of her neck. She held in a gasp, closing her eyes on concentration. This and the memories of last night ignited her desire for him. He can't get enough of me . . .
"As much as I wanted to, we had to take of this today. Especially with everything now." She pulls away before his fingers reached between her legs, turning around to face him. She could see the disappointment in him.
But she smiles. "We have tonight to continue where we left off."
Kaail grinned. "I thought you were tired. And don't you want me to take care of that thing with D'alg?"
"It can wait."
She pulls Kaail behind by his hand and takes him out of the tent. Sometimes, he swears that this ooman female knows no bounds. But he didn't complain and followed her willingly through the hideout and to their little world.
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D'alg looked out from the window, watching a different scene than he was used to. After usual work hours and long days of labor, he would look out to the city below and the sky where the twin suns shined brightly. It was peaceful . . . until now.
All he saw was the dark shadow of death that loomed over all of them and the city itself. Dark clouds covered the suns today, a perfect setting for down below where he could hear the screams and death rattles of Hish being slaughtered. It was bad enough that he heard them but now he had to see the dead bodies being carried around and tossed into shallow graves at the edge of the city, only to be eaten by scavengers or predators who were brave enough to come out of the jungle and drag one away. He's lucky that he was somewhat far enough away not to smell the rotting flesh. But then again . . . he had to get out eventually.
Which reminded him for a split second that he needed to prepare to meet with Kaail, saying something like they needed to talk about things. It worried him based on the serious tone when he spoke through the communicator. But he promised to meet him at a secluded spot a little ways from the facility. He packed any items he'd need to leave in case something happened. With the masters on high alert and the Hish ready to put up a fight . . . things are going to get heated up soon.
D'alg got everything in a small bag and after checking it twice, he headed for the door. Alright. Got to be careful now. Hate taking a long way out but I have no choice. He pressed on the panel and the door clicked open.
Let's just get out of here before—
As soon as the door slide open, he was met with an Amengi guard right at his face. D'alg gasped and took a step back, catching the breath he'd lost for that moment. "You scared me. What are you doing here?"
The guard didn't speak or even twitch a muscle. He stood there like a statue that someone placed there as a joke. Despite being a lower-ranked Amengi, this was disrespectful even to his level. "I say again . . . Let me through. I have some business to attend."
He tries again, trying to shove his way around. But the guard pushes back, even hard enough to slam him backward. He almost lost his footing and staggered up, pissed and frustrated. "Let me pass! As I said, I have urgent business to take care of."
"I'm sure your 'business' can wait. You have bigger problems to deal with."
The guard moves out of the way and in comes Thu'at, walking towards him with such superiority. D'alg's eye widened and he backs up in reaction. "My Lord. I didn't know you were here."
"Oh, I'm sure. Given what has happened in a short time, you thought I would be focusing on obliterating the Hish that dare to rebel against us." His tone began to change into sarcasm. "Where are you going exactly at such a time?"
D'alg shook his head. "No. I didn't mean to be disrespectful. I was only going to change buildings . . . to get away from all this scrutiny. I can't blame you"
All of a sudden, Master Thu'at stares at D'alg straight on. It sends a chill down his spine seeing the darkness in his yellow eyes. "Given that you feel guilty for instigating this whole ordeal."
"What?"
Before he could have a chance to explain himself, D'alg was punched in the gut by Master Thu'at and he doubled over, dropping to his knees with a groan. He had no time to recover when the guard flung him on his back and pinned him by the neck.
"What the pauk is this!? Let me go!" D'alg struggled but the guard was bigger than him and it was nearly impossible to get freed. "I demand to know what's going on!"
"Really?" Master Thu'at kneels and lowered his face to him. "Because I think you know a lot more than any of us in the room."
What is he talking about?
He hissed. "I don't know anything."
"Is that so? Because my friend here told me that you were involved long before all of this started. And that you helped the Rebellion by giving information about our workings."
"What friend?"
Master Thu'at stood up with a smirk, turned to the door, and nodded for someone to come in. A figure comes strolling in but showing some hesitation as if they didn't want to be there. D'alg waited until the stranger came out from the shadows and revealed his face. D'alg's face turned white as a ghost and his eyes widened in shock.
"You . . ." His voice staggered. "You're with them!?"
D'alg's rage came through for a split second. "How could you!? You traitor!"
The guard slammed his knee into his chest when D'alg tried to get up. His heart felt heavy afterward and the strain forced him back down.
"So you don't deny that you're involved with the Rebellion. Not that it matters since we know the truth now."
Master Thu'at chuckled. "As for my friend, he's not the traitor but you and your Hish friends. Which is why I haven't killed you yet."
D'alg widened his eyes as Master Thu'at bent his knees to crouch above his head. He caught sight of the traitor on the other side, turning his head away in shame. Really? D'alg screeched when Master Thu'at grabbed his broken tusk and pulled his face until he was inches from each other.
"So you're going to tell us everything. Either you cooperate or we'll force it out of your rotten, charred corpse from you." Master Thu'at's mouth twisted into a grin, scaring D'alg to think of the possibilities of what they were going to do to him. Whatever it was . . . it was going to be Hell.
"Your choice."
Hi everyone!
I'm burning up again . . . in a way that can't be cured with a cold shower lol.
This is going crazy. While A'stea and Kaail are preparing to make the final decision to defeat the Amengi once and for all, Master Thu'at is playing his role and got D'alg under his control. Things are getting heated as the final battle is coming. What will D'alg tell him?
Well . . . we did know that D'alg is not the traitor but he'd seen the person himself and recognized him. Who could it be?
Will this come back to bite them in the ass and bring chaos that will explode into a full-blown massacre or war?
Find out when Chapter 62 comes either Saturday or Monday power to my house was turned off for fire safety of course. I apologize for the sudden change :(
Thank you for the reviews (Anonymous-E, Mariah, HuntressQueen22, 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! :))))