Chapter 34: I'm Sending You Away..

Ze'reikich'ja..

I rush over to Ghardeh and Ra'zele shifts her with a slow but trilling clicking, shifting her to my arms, I take off my biomask and keep hold of her, she is shaking probably due to blood loss. She sports several projectile wounds with a 7-8 centimetres hole through her chest just above her right breast that travels all the way through.

Her breathing staggered then her eyes opened slowly then widened.

"It seems I've become too clumsy this time Ze'rei-te.."

I shoot a look at Ra'zele and Shane then a frown descends as I try to remain calm.

"How did this happen?"

"There was a lot of shooting Z, when the bombardment hit, it knocked us about.. When I got up I saw one of those bots throw Ghardeh underwater over there.." Shane says pointing.

"I tried shooting the side of the thing but I didn't penetrate the armour. That's when Wolf dropped down and managed to distract it but the damage was already done.."

"Ze'reikich'ja, give me the detonation device.. I'll finish the task.. Before I succumb to blood loss.. Take this.."

She shakingly takes her sword and lays it next to my leg.

"Take it t-"

"No.. I'm not leaving you here.. Not again. Don't ask me to do it.. I won't.."

She closes her eyes bringing her unmasked forehead to mine.

"Not for me.. Ze'reikich'ja.. Not for me.."

"I made a promise Jewel.. All those years ago.. I'll keep her safe Tenjra.. Just get up.." I say just beginning to feel a tear in my chest..

"We were supposed to keep each other safe Shane.. And we did.." She says this with a saddened shaken tone it was full of emotion.

"No second chances Shane.. Not this time.. Help me up.."

I wrap her arm around my shoulder and she growls as I hoist her up then she holds out her hand but I shake my head and step back.

I can't lose her..

"Endeavour to the away team.. The vessel is on a high vector approach.. We are still on with repairs.. If we get in a fight now we will lose.. We have to go.."

"This is Shane, wait one moment, we have a problem.."

"Ghardeh we can carry you to the ship-" Delilah says with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"That's not possible.. My injury is fatal, there is no treatment..I'll be dead before I reach the vessel" She turns back to me stumbling forward.

"Give.. Me.. The device."

I eject the detonator.. She takes it.. And backs off.

"Go.. Make your way to the ship.. I'll finish this task.."

Wolf approaches her.. He quietly tells her something in yautja. It makes her laugh and she embraces him. She holds his shoulder.

"This is Endeavour the vessel is firing pods down to the surface! We are engaged! Make it quick Xero out!"

We all look up to see pod after pod drop down like a meteor storm.

"Now!" Ghardeh shouts.. As I remain..

"No!" I Roar. But her casters unfold.

"I'm ordering you to go! Save yourself and live! I will always be with you! Go!"

She fires a shot down in front of my feet making me back off, Shane quickly approaches her with his pulse rifle and his remaining magazines. "Just in case you need it Ghardeh.. Good bye.. It was a pleasure meeting you one last time.."

He runs with Delilah and Wolf she then approaches me.. Knowing what she is asking of me is too much to bear and embraces me tightly.

"All these years you have been my friend… And barrier to anything that would fall upon me.. I'll take that to my grave.. But you have so much more to live for.. I want to preserve that.. Go.. I love you Ze'rei-te.. Go.. Now.. Please…"

"Good-bye.. I'll never forget.."

I hear whirring joints and thudding feet of the automatons getting closer. I see them in the staggered treeline all around us, I can't help the white crystal tears hitting my mandibles. As I look past Ghardeh as she looks behind seeing the machines.

"Go.. Go!"

"Pauk!"

I force myself away from Ghardeh as she moves back. I sprint towards my waypoint, on my way back I see a drone lumbering towards it's coordinates when I smash into it tearing it in half with Ghardeh's sword with a roar. I catch up to the others and we enter the ramp of the Shadows Wraith. I see Kaylum who meets us but notices we are one member short.

"Where's Ghardeh?! We have to go now!"

We are silent and I enter the cockpit..

"What the hell has happened Z? You look pale.. Are we all accounted for?" Ellida asks walking from the cockpit door.

I sit in the chair and plot a course for the Endeavour before smashing on the console with a loud roar that makes Ellidas, Delilahs, Shanes and Kaylums pulses spike.. The ship ascends and I feel a massive vibration in my body, a cry out of pain.. Silent but potent.. I feel faint..

Ghardeh…

I see Ze'reikich'ja sprint away and I take a struggling breath.. My Estimated Time to Death rune flashes with numeric runes counting down. I will soon go into shock.. But not before I set my explosives to a two mile radius destroying the facility as well as my technology, the thundering steps of those machines creeps closer. I take Shane's weapon and the magazines slotting them onto my magnetic utility belting with my shuriken and mines and slowly climb a tree and cloak. But due to my wound it merely distorts I huff and deactivate it.. Either way I'm dead.. I see the first wave of drones. To my north. I press the pulse rifle to my shoulder and arm my casters but my power reserves are low. I tap my Sat-Com to a Sixty second detonation cycle on a muted alert mode. I accept input, the border of my hud flashes a red pulse for every second with a countdown fluidly checking down rather than loudly bleeping on my Sat-Com. I fire my casters at two of the drones full power. My view shudders with the explosion. I aim at two more and fire again just as they aim and fire several rivets missing me by inches.

I look up momentarily to see my ship enter the higher stratosphere. I nod.. They'll make it.. Good..

I aim to my east and fire the pulse rifle, the recoil so light and manageable, the orange blaze lighting up the ground, barrel vents and my forearms as I fire I'm hit from my south east. A hot stinging projectile hits my shoulder guard and the back of my unarmoured left arm.

30 seconds…

I see the drones surround me slowly and I take cover behind a tree as I fire once more at more drones causing them to explode, the ammo counter on the side flashes 0 I flick my wrist ejecting the empty magazine and slam in a new one pulling back the rail primer the drones close in and I hear a muffled explosion from above.. I move back and fire as the drones charge at me. I feel a large pain in my chest and my hud flashes a warning sign in my silhouette..

!SHOCK!

!WARNING!

The runes flash up a drone picks me up but I kick it away ripping my wrist blades into its chests power node one grabs me from behind and my elbow blades slam into it, I turn around firing my caster at it.. I turn around once more as I feel the vibrations of red hot rivets hit my armour to my south when one of the automatons grabs my throat and unleashes it's javelin spear just as my Detonator Timer reaches 5 seconds..

"Mei'te Vei.. Times.. Up.."

I detonate the primer.. I see the explosion immediately expand.. A beautiful dome of photonic energy rips into the ground.. I see the cascading shockwave, the grumbling roar of the destruction that approaches, the explosion rocks the ground for two seconds.. I close my eyes.. As my Sat-Com signals one second..

….

….

….

Ze'reikich'ja…

As we reach the higher stratosphere I keep a locked external lens on Ghardeh's position, we see two massive blue explosions.. Miles in radius.. I get up from the pilot seat and walk to the corridor when I feel faint, dizzy.. My world is a blurred mess. I feel a sharp pain in my chest and feel myself collapse forward.. I try to grab the wall but fall instead..

"Z!" I hear Delilah almost scream. But it was muffled, Ra'zele helps me up but my view darkens.

"I'll take him to his med bay."

Delilah..

This is all too much.. We are all shook about Ghardeh.. I promised, we all promised we'd all come back alive.. And this happens.. I don't even want to guess or contemplate how Z is feeling.. Ellida, Kall and I are crying. Shane.. He doesn't know what to do. He is piloting the ship into the Endeavour while cloaked. But the larger vessel is in heavy fighting with the smaller ship when the smaller ship explodes.

I hear Ellida mutter something.

She takes her leave and Kall follows her.

Moments later Shane looks at me.

"All this time.. I remembered her, but never felt.. Connected to her, yet.. Just now.. It hurts.. Real bad.. I hope Z is alright.. Such.. Tragedy.."

A thought hits me and it makes me choke up.. If I never entered his life.. He would've stayed down there with her.. They'd have died together.. And I don't know which is worse. But then if I stuck to my god damn rules.. NONE of this would have happened.. all I had to do.. Was fix him up in my utility building ten years ago.. And let him go.. Not get attracted, or curious.. Not get attached.. But.. What's done is done.. We enter the back of the Endeavour and dock when we are met with a Security team..

As Wayne is taken away he has had his hand bandaged up and capped lucky him.. I'd rather him bleed out, Ze'reikich'ja goes to walk past..

But Carlton had to open his mouth, at the worst possible time..

"Seems like we are one or a few missi-"

The security all aim their weapons as Ze'reikich'ja with a trilled growl grabs Wayne and throws him up to his eye level with his plasma caster aimed at Wayne's head but more than that he has a crushing grip around his neck.. And Wayne can't breathe. He has hold of Z's huge forearm as if he's able to get free, though he isn't.

Ra'zele holds Z's shoulder whispering something to him.

He turns his head back to Wayne from Wolf and with a throw sends him flying across the hangar bay with three security chiefs rushing to pick Wayne up I can literally see steam.. Rolling from Z's shoulders.. Worse still when he looks back at us.. His eyes are showing a fiery glowing green.. I'm terrified.. With good reason.. I see it now.. I'm the cause of his mate's death.. Or am I?

Ellie and Kall walk with me and Shane to the bridge. But I decide I have to talk to Z.. But at the same time I feel I must give him space.. This is no small thing.. I feel for him.. I really do, I'm upset also, I've lost a friend, she was good to us.. Gave us so much.. It won't be the same..

Kaylum..

I can't think or have the words to even describe what or how I feel.. I don't even know what to think.. Why didn't Ghardeh come back? Why was she left alone? Z couldn't have agreed to it.. No way.. Was he forced to? It's very soul destroying.. Oh Zerri.. I just don't know what to do.. When he fell earlier.. Why did that happen? Was it his bond breaking with her? It was like he.. Fainted.. I'm still rubbing the tears from my eyes.. As Shane explains what happened.. The crew nod and remain silent.. Some have a hand to their mouths in shock of the news.. Xero comforts me and Ell. But I can't help but think could we have done something? Landed the ship closer? Put her in suspended animation? I frown and look at Shane.

"Why didn't Ghardeh at least try to get back to the ship? Yes she was injured but surely we could've done something?"

He approaches me as I sniff.

"She was pierced in the heart Kall, it is a mortal injury to a Yautja. It was pierced in specific locations.. Wolf already did a diagnosis.. She would've been dead on arrival to the Shadows Wraith."

I close my eyes.. Hearing it made it feel so much worse.. She knew she was dying this time.. That second explosion.. Was her.. No grave.. No burial on her homeworld.. I walk away to my quarters..

I see Z and I stop.

"Z I'm so sorry.." I choke before plowing into him..

He just embraces me with a silence.

"She made her ultimatum Kaylum.. She finished the task.."

His voice vibrates my chest. And I let go.

"Was there nothing we could've.."

I don't finish my sentence when he shakes his head.

"She made her request.. Clear.." Z says.. But it was how he said it.. He is damaged. No one can blame him.. I just don't know how to act..

I nod and step aside.. He taps my shoulder lightly and walks to the bridge..

Ellida..

Hearing what Shane just said tore me up. We can't even go back to retrieve her remains? She set off both explosions yet they only planted one set.. A horrible revelation hits me and I can't take it in.. I see Kall walk away.. Xero is talking to me but it is just muffled noise. I see Z walk onto the bridge holding Ghardeh's sword the crew nod at him with a respectful gesture. He says something to Shane and he nods.

"Take us to these coordinates Ensign. Maximum velocity.." Shane orders.

"Where are we going?" I ask, rubbing my tears.

"Home.." Z says approaching me.

"Z I'm so sorry.." I hug him hard and I shake. Hasn't my family seen enough death? Hasn't Z seen enough death? First his son and friends, then he thinks his mate was dead, she turns out to be alive then.. This..

"So am I Ellida.. So am I.." He says gently.

He takes his leave and I lean on the railing. I close my eyes and try and remember a moment with Ghardeh, yes I do.. The time we spent on the beach near her home.. The breeze was warm and gentle, she was telling me about her life as a suckling walking the same beach, she always found it calm and still. Able to clear her mind of any and all woes. It's hard to believe she is gone.. It shows that even the best Yautja can simply be killed by bad luck.. The bombardment.. Oh.. Jebas..

Tet'va..

I am in the cockpit of the Scorpion, I can't bear to see anyone right now, though I've been silent, I'm harbouring a deep wound, though this one is not physical, a piece has been taken out of me.. A mental imbalance of what just occurred. I stare at the stars of the galaxy map, Ghardeh was a good friend to me.. No.. She was more than a friend, I regarded her as family.. Just like others before me.. I look back at the comms unit.. I have to tell them.. I have to tell the others on Asteria.. I walk up to the dented comms unit, and tap in the address coordinates and Sat-Com Identification Numericals. A rune shows up connecting..

"Tet'va.. What a most unusual but pleasant surprise.. What do I owe the pleasure?"

Matriarch Nina Le'Blanc's face fizzles with a clearing of resolution, Her eyes showing a creased facade as she smiles, her braided red hair flows over to the right with rings and small beads, her green orbs scan me..

"I'm afraid I don't come with good news. We completed our task.. No.. Ghardeh completed the task.. We.. Are coming.. Home.." I try to stay in order to keep my emotions in check but a white tear escapes me. Nina's face turns.. To a look of concern.

"Tet'va.. What's wrong? Did something happen? I've never seen you like this." Her eyes shift as someone else entered her space. "It's Tet'va, Osh."

"It is Ghardeh.. She.. She fell.. She detonated her device along with the facility.." I shake my head once.. "She's… Gone Nina.." I lean against the comms terminal as tears hit the glass keyboard.

Nina's face changes and as tears roll down her face she puts a hand over her mouth shaking her head speechless.

"W-where is Ze'rei'k-" Nina tries to ask but can't keep her grief in check.

"Osh.. We have to go.. Get Danny.. T-tell him we-we have to go.. I don- care what he's doin.." She sniffs and wipes her eyes.. She reaches for me.. I see her fingertips reach the lens of her Sat-Com..

"We're coming Rainfall.. We're coming.."

"We are returning to Maia, Nina.."

She lets out an emotional hitch as she says "Okay.."

I nod as she disconnects I rub my tears away and leave the craft to find Bright Star.

Delilah..

I walk through the Endeavour and wipe my tears as several crew members look at me with looks of empathy, but they clearly don't know what's happened, only the bridge crew would know.. I stop one of the members who is working on fixing one of the gravity plates in a force field. It hums and shimmers yellow as power feeds it. The female crew member looks at me with a warm smile but she can also see that I've been crying, she stands up and nods her head at me, her long brown tied back hair and light brown eyes shine under the lighting. She has a soft but blushed look to her face.

"Ma'am?" She asks.

"Sorry to bother you crewman, did you see Ze'reikich'ja pass through here?"

She nods and points with her scanning device.

"Oh the big Yautja? He went to the turbo lift. Didn't say where he was going, but his demeanor was.. Tight, almost.. Hurt.. Couldn't tell I didn't see him for long enough to ascertain."

"Thank you crewman."

I walk to the turbo lift and enter it I think of where he might go. My brow raises as I get a possible thought.

"Deck eleven." I say, the elevator bleeps, then a soft whirring downward motion hits me, then a forward motion. The elevator stops and the doors hiss open.

I walk through the corridors and see the large doors to the hangar they open with a loud whir then close as I enter the corridor to the hangar.. I see Wolf holding Ze'rei'kich'ja's shoulder, I see his jaw moving under his biomask. He looks in my direction and he must've said that I'm here because Z looks back and turns around.. His mask isn't on, but his once vibrant red markings have gone pale, his eyes are coated in his white thin layer of tears Wolf turns to me also and gives me a subtle nod. I approach the pair.

"I must go and prepare the funeral back on Maia Delilah, I will undoubtedly see you again soon." Wolf says in a quiet but confident guttural tone.

"Thank you for helping us Wolf.. Even though.." I stop.. And look away from the pair of them trying to keep my emotional weave together.

"As I have told Ze'rei-te.. We look at death differently to you humans, Ze'rei'kich'ja sees death like you still.. The End.. But.. Ghardeh.."

"I close my eyes as he says that, "The only thing we have to remember her is her items, her ship.. And The memories.. For her that is enough.." He continues.

"She is everywhere on both the Scorpion and the Shadows Wraith. Her armour.. Her weapons.. Ze'reikich'ja.."

With a final nod Wolf goes to walk off.

"Wolf!" I say as he turns..

I approach him.. He turns back..

"Thank you for helping us.." I hold out my arm to him..

He looks at my hand clicking, and reaches out. He clutches my hand and I gently shake his hand.. It was a silent gesture, he let's go and nods to me silently. Turning away for a final time and entering the side of his ship. Z walks with me to the corridor as the ship begins to take off.. I hold his hand, he almost crushes it, I turn to him as Wolf leaves the ship passing through the force field. The hangar doors close once more he turns to me as I run my fingers down his temples then down his mandibles.

"You can get through this Z.. We are here for you.. All of us.."

He nods silently clicking but he lets go of me and leaves.

Ze'reikich'ja..

One Day Later..

We approached Maia and undock the Shadows Wraith landing it outside of my home as it always has been. I feel drained and feeling the full effect of Ghardehs death.. I somehow think that she will walk through the door and tell me she remote detonated her bomb.. She does not.. No second chances.. Not even a body to properly say goodbye to.. I begin to think on what happened, I go over it time and time again.. Could we have made it to the ship? Could we treat her injury? I've spent the past day alone while the others sort out the tribute to Ghardeh.. I stare at the family photo on Asteria.

Suddenly out of nowhere.. A memory hits me.. Warm.. Peaceful.. Calming..

"Shane, do you think Ki'xal would like this Ship? Seems a little old.." I look from Ghardeh to the boxy but elegant ship before us.

"Hey it might be oooold as you say! But she is fast, nimble and has the teeth too.. There's a strange beauty in ships Ghardeh, maybe one day you will appreciate aesthetics over utility one day.."

She looks at me.. "She? I was unaware a ship had a gender krit.."

"It's just an expression! Get that Yautja brain working.. Zabin.."

She pushes into me..

"Call me that again.. See what happens.."

The memory fades.. I stand staring at the wall.. Watching the memory fade.. There is a knock at my door..

I opened it to see Delilah, Kaylum, Ellida and Tet'va along with Vi'rassi. All but Tet'va and Vi'rassi in a formal black suit and dress I then fly with them in the shuttle to the temple in Skri'jash'n, I have Ghardeh's sword in my hand, promising her to hang it on the wall of her throne room. Once this funeral is over.. I will complete her request at repast.

Many of the Skri'jash'n folk are here. I see them and the Berkleys are astounded that almost all of the Yautja are here.. They flood the promenade and temple steps.. It is their way to offer words as we pass them. Each one different and the closer we get to the temple the heavier I feel, the Berkleys are already overwhelmed by the Yautja words as we get to the steps. As we ascend the steps to Riz'ghahs temple the Yautja bow their heads But now I'm feeling the weight myself.. I feel Delilah squeeze my hand and I keep moving.. We reach the top steps and walk across the landing the doors wide open and I'm touched by the display that I see.. The Elite guard in red ceremonial armour, who never face the doors, who always face their leader.. Face me, face the door.. But most of all.. In the countless faces and Yautja that I see stood facing me.. I see several people that it breaks me.. Nina, Danny, Osh, Ra'zele and Zelda. They came but I didn't have time to contact them.. Tet'va walks past me holding my shoulder and stands beside them.. I see the space left for us and walk to it.. The visitation begins, though there is no body, there is a holographic projection and her armour is placed on the pedestal. It looks like she is really there.. Riz'ghah approaches me with a bow of his head, he holds out a hand to the pedestal to which Ghardeh remains. "Family and close friends in order." Riz'ghah says firmly but gently. I approach her.. Shaking.. I just stand over her, her eyes closed, everything still.. I don't say anything, but I put my forehead close enough to not touch. I move on, hearing everyone say their goodbyes, then several Yautja come up to me bearing gifts and condolences. Delilah leans into me wiping her tears when Nina walks up to me, she smiles tears flowing down her cheeks and just plows into me with a hug.

"I don't have the words Shane.. I can't even imagine.." She looks at Delilah and hugs her too.

"Hey Dee.. Come here.."

As Ellida and Kaylum come over crying Nina embraces the pair of them.

"It's so hard.. To let go.." Ellida says. Sniffling.

"I know.. She was an amazing Yautja.. She will be missed by all of us.. She was one of the best.."

I see Osh lean over and his mandibles move as if saying something to her.. He straightens up then approaches us and holds my shoulder.

"She rides the winds to Cetanu Ze'reikich'ja." His eyes which are a cool gold snap to the entrance.. A slight tenseness in his grip on my shoulder.. Nina looks and I see her brows raise in confusion.. "Shane?"

I look back at the door and my brows raise.. I see the Captain alone, walking up to the doors, the Yautja looking at him. I walk towards him from the opening.. "Shane?" He takes in a breath. He is wearing a formal version of his uniform with golden trims along the neck and chest..

"I found something on the floor when we were trying to escape that planet.." He brings up one of her plasma pistols in his hands..

I look at him and tear up.

I outstretched my arm towards Ghardeh. As he approaches the pedestal.. There is silence.. The Yautja know I am Yautja, but they also remember me as human..

Nina walks up to me..

"Is this the Shane Wolf had been talking about?"

I nod.. "He remembers us.."

I see Osh'ikeille tilt his head as Shane places the pistol on Ghardeh's pedestal. He approaches us and wipes his eyes.

"It's strange, being back here.." He sees Nina and Osh..

"I don't believe it! Nina! Osh! Danny and Zelda!"

Nina embraces him as Shane hugs her. "You'd better believe it! Captain of a Starship Shane?!"

"I'd love to stay and catch up but.. Well I best be off, I'm due for a debrief and we have a seven day flight.. Plus I have crew letters to write to those who had fallen helping with that task.. Besides this is not my place to be.."

"Shane.." Ra'zele says walking up to the pair of us..

"Yes sir? Can I be of assistance?" Shane asks, folding his arms formally behind his back.

Ra'zele walks up to Shane and holds out his green mottled taloned hand to Shane.

"You fought well.. U'darahje.. You impressed me.. Reminded me of a certain someone.. Take care of yourself.. Shane.. Captain of a Starship.."

Shane shakes his hand gently and steps back..

"It was my pleasure Ra'zele.. Now I see where your sons got the good looks.."

I let out a slight laugh when Ra'zele looked at me then back at Shane.

"You are as bad as each other for humour.."

He walks back to the others.

Shane looks at me and nods with a hint of emotion.

"I hope we can meet again sometime under better circumstances.. I could learn a lot from you Z.. No.. Shane.." Shane says..

"Perhaps.. You take care of yourself and your crew."

He smiles and steps back, he taps his wrist-com and it bleeps twice.

"This is Captain Dixon.. To Endeavour, one to beam out.." Before he de-materialises then fades into thin air with an orange swirling of energy. He looks at the others and winks.

Danny and Zelda join us with heavy hearts and we later head off for a private Funeral Service..

Several hours later..

We are all stood in the launch bay on the Shadows Wraith near the massive White Giant. In a private family Funeral Service. We are all talking about Ghardeh, remembering her and some of her most outrageous moments which has us crying with laughter at times. Strangely seeing us all together made me feel much better..

Delilah, Kaylum, Ellida, Tet'va, Vi'rassi, Nina, Danny, Osh'ikeille, Zelda and Ra'zele all had something to say about her.

Nina begins. "First time I ever knew of Ghardeh was through Wolf.. At the time I felt that I may need someone to protect Avamar, Danny and Ry'kar.. Without hesitation.. Without a single second of doubt he said her name.. I proceeded to know everything I could of this possible candidate.. What he told me was little of the sum of her worth.. She found us several days after my battle with the Worldeater.. Danny and Osh decided on a scout mission to find us more food when they were attacked by an unknown clan.. Ghardeh heard about what had happened through means Ra'zele still neglects to tell me!" She says flashing a look at him but smiling.

She continues.

"She found where they had been taken.. Little did Wolf tell me Ghardeh was a bounty hunter, and she was searching for this particular clan for quite some time before they madw the wrong decision to capture my mate and worst of all.. My little brother. She had infiltrated that clan and was waiting for the right moment to strike.. Now I don't know the details.. We agreed to keep it between the ships bulkheads but from what Osh told me and Danny? She was something special which we found out while she stayed aboard the Lar'ja N'ritja.. For seven whole months while we sent her back home. Then from there we remained friends, then she slowly became family, especially when Shane and her became an item. Two years they stayed on Asteria before moving on. I.. Was hoping to see her soon.. Yeah.. She was a classic example of a Yautja.. I'm going to miss her.. A lot.."

I stand with my arms crossed as each member talks about Ghardeh in depth.. Ra'zele painted a very rare picture of her.. A side to Ghardeh I never knew existed.. Afraid, learning, adapting.. Failing and getting back up.. She would train for hours and days.. Bettering herself almost religiously.. Ra'zele said she was training to better even him.. And at times she was very near close a few times..

Osh says a small tribute to her..

"Ghardeh was a good friend, and a bit of a pain in my opinion, she was always too calm.. Too.. Intelligent for her boots.. Too caring to those she saw as friends, too loving to those she loved.. But never asked for anything in return.. Just your loyalty.. Your well being.. It didn't matter where you come from or how angry you were, she always found a way to douse out the fire. Always heard you.. But remained firm when she needed to be.. Uzkielle would have plenty to say if he was here.. And even with his disappearance we could literally hear her objections to leaving.. She was a fine soul, a fine friend, and was devoted to everybody she knew. To the end.."

Everyone looks at me.. It is my turn..

I approach the open spot when I look at everyone, who smiles at me. Apart from the Yautja.

I can't get my words out..

"She.. She was.."

I put my hand up to my eyes..

"She was.. My best friend.. My light in my life.. The one thing that kept me from going blind when the darkness grew too much.. When I'd first met Ghardeh I was a wreck, Badbloods had captured me intending to use me as bait for their game worlds.. But instead used me as bait for her, in their minds I was to be killed by her.. That didn't happen, instead she knocked me unconscious and fought whoever decided to pick a fight. Coming to I saw this.. Black armoured Yautja and thought this is the end.. But it wasn't, it was just the beginning and here we are.. I'm barely recognizable from that human centuries ago.. We've been to new worlds, explored the galaxy, somehow created a son, fought a war on the Yautja's home world. And now.. She's gone.."

I feel a tightening in my chest as I look inside the drop shuttle and see all of her weapons and armours placed neatly and almost ritualistic in the one manned craft.. I placed one more item inside just beside one of her biomasks, a HoloPhoto of me when I was Shane, Ki'xal as a suckling and Ghardeh.. The vessels slats close up..

"Does anybody have anything left to say?" Vi'rassi asks gently..

Everyone shakes their heads.

"All has been said.. Release the craft.." I say gently as I walk out of the launch bay.

We go to the observation lounge of the ship.. With a huge curving clear force field of the Shadows Wraith, Vi'rassi launches the one yautja shuttle and it launches from the bay below slowly gliding towards the White Giant.. I feel tears hit my mandibles as the feeling of watching it leave makes me feel weak and faint, my hands slowly curl and uncurl as I watch it. Delilah walks up to me wiping her tears and holds my left hand..

Osh walks to my right.

"She will stay with us always mei'hswei.." Osh'ikeille says with a trilled breath.

I stay locked onto the tiny shuttle silently gliding ever closer to the White Giant.. The others are behind me watching it, also quietly talking.

"What did you say to her Osh?" I ask shakingly and quietly not straying from the crafts trajectory.

He looks at me and I look onto his golden orbs..

"I told her.. You will be undimmed by time.. All the stars recall your goodbye." He taps my shoulder as he walks away.. The drop shuttle flies ever on into the White Star then is engulfed by the White Giant and I close my eyes…

"I'm sending you away…"

After the final good-bye I return with just Osh and Nina to the surface of Maia, we land at my soon to be retired home, I may not be returning here.. There is too much hurt to stay. I walk to the throne room with Ghardeh's sword, as promised I hang it just above the throne chair.. I step back, then turn around and silently sit on the throne one last time.. Osh and Nina watch me for several seconds before looking to the large double doors to see Qah'dah walk up to me thrilling. She doesn't care for protocol and walks straight up to me putting her forehead to mine.

"I've just heard Bright Star.. You mean to leave Maia? Normally I would protest, but.. I see the pain you carry.. I.. Will do my best in your stead should you wish of it leader?" She says with such confidence.. I don't blame her, she's done a magnificent job since Ghardeh and I had been gone. I hold her jaw, her red eyes scanning mine for something that I've clearly lost. I nod when she gently holds me in a tight embrace as I stand up. I take my sword with a trilled huff. And I place it above my throne chair.

"I'll come back for it.. Keep it safe for me matriarch.." I say this and take my leave. I take one last look around before settling my eyes on Qah'dah.. I give her a reassuring nod. She returns the nod then Nina Osh and I take our leave.. We enter the house one last time, the weapon wall and armour stands empty, but everything else is exactly how we left it. Nina and Osh stay at the door as I take one last look around when I finally get to the mantle arch where one last HoloPhoto remains, I think sooner to destroy it.. But I look at Nina and silently give it to her. It was the HoloPhoto of all of us, her, Danny, Osh, Uz, Ghardeh, Zelda, Ki'xal, Ra'zele, Eve with Mikey, Tarik and Orukia.. The time we celebrated finally reaching Asteria and completing the Complex that was to be our home.. We return to the ship where we begin to make our way back to Sisters Law Station.

Next Day..

We are back at Sisters Law station, at the front of Delilah's front garden is my ship The Shadows Wraith, while Delilah managed to get the Scorpion into her front hangar building. The sun as always is shining on the station, seems it never rains or snows and with good reason.. I am with Delilah, Kaylum, Ellida, Tet'va and Vi'rassi. We are having a talk before I head onto the Lar'ja N'ritja mk2.

"You take care of yourself Bright Star and keep your eyes open, you'll never know where you might end up." Vi'rassi says to me with a gentle smile she coils her mass around me in a gentle hug, I feel her scaled skin touch mine, she feels cold, I forget how tall she can get. She unravels her mass and moves back with an elegant maneuver that admittedly looked very impressive.

"Thank you Vi'rassi.. You have been a good friend, I won't forget your kindness yesterday."

She bows her head and I look at the trio.

"What am I going to do without you? I'll be setting off with a whole armada to find the rest of those shipments.. So don't go looking for them" Delilah asks then explains putting her arms to her hips but I detect her humour.

"Not blow the house up? Not shoot up the Station? But I expect you.." I say with a growly tone approaching her.

"To not shoot me at 3am.. With the pulse elector when I return.." I say pressing my body into hers..

"I will come back.. I promise, this is something I have to do by myself.. And be careful.." I explain running a Talon through Delilah's hair.

"Only you won't be alone, you'll have Nina and Osh'ikeille to watch your back.. Can't imagine they'd let you do something stupid.."

"Me or we?"

I see her brows raise and a smile curls on her lips.

"We'll miss you.."

"I'll be missing you too.." I say.. But I feel a heavy weight on my chest as I say this.

I look to Tet'va and Ellida.

"You two better not go off and explore space and fall out.. Kaylum!" I say turning to him.

He laughs. As I embrace both Ellida and Tet'va..

"Tet'va.. I want to thank you for contacting the others.. It meant a lot to me.. To Ghardeh.. That we were reunited.. Sure it wasn't under the best circumstances.. But.. She would be glad.. Thank you.." I hold her tight.

"Just don't go out of your way to become a krit.." She says almost sternly. But then she laughs.

"It was my pleasure Ze'reikich'ja."

We let go when I look at Kaylum.

He looks at me and just hugs me.

"Gonna miss you Pa.. Be back before tea time yeah?!" He says trying to remain collected but as I pull away from him I notice the trio have tears running down their faces. "Ten years I've been with this family.. And it still only feels like yesterday when I came into your lives.. This isn't the end of our relationship.. It will surely reach the stars.. I'll return.. I promise you that.." They all nod as I walk to my ship. I enter the cockpit and initiate the take off sequence.. The blue lighting pulsing until the vessel reaches a minimum height vector. I see the trio waving at my cockpit with Vi'rassi and Tet'va holding up a hand.. I silently nod knowing they can't see me but I nod nonetheless it is then I finally make my way to Nina's Ship towards the landing pad hub.. The newer Lar'ja N'ritja is sleek and elegant but with the Yautja touch.. The front has two mandibles that unfold slightly that house two pulse disruptors. They sit snug under the cockpit ventril. The main body of the ship speaks fast, agile but quite heavily armoured. It is angular and shows some curvature. The cockpit is at the front with an almost slanted V shaped forcefield view canopy. The rear of the ship sports two nacells. Much like the older Lar'ja N'ritja the nacells have a glowing red line for plasma distribution. But also three thrusters. There are tiny thrusters dotting the angular ship for directional control. The rings slowly rotate.. I enter the starboard side and slowly drift under the craft to the glowing green markers showing my docking location on the massive ship.. I suppose Osh wanted a bigger Ship.. It is then I finally dock.. And make my way to the rear of my craft.. As I make my way there.. I reflect on everything that's happened.. But when I think of humanity as a whole.. The things I've seen.. And witnessed.. I can't deny it.. I'm repulsed.. Not every human being is such a bad or evil person for sure but after a few days ago? I can't forgive that.. I exit the vessel when I see a massive space.. Dimly lit and a strong heat hit me. I also see Osh stood waiting for me.

"Welcome to my.. Our new vessel mei'hswei.. I will take you to Nina.

I follow him looking at the curved but spacious corridors there is a slight swirling mist.. And never have I been able to breathe so clearly.. It must be generating the correct environmental conditions. Several corridors intersect to other doors that remain closed, the walls have an almost silver or brown look.. With dim lighting in the crevices of the corners where a ribbed almost gilled set of lights nestle within. We make our way to the main showroom before entering the cockpit, there are several trophies like skulls, spines, clawed hands, full skeletal remains of winged creatures of another world. There is one that looks like a hydra.. Three necks supporting a trio of dragon like skulls with razor sharp fangs. Along to the west is a weapon wall.. Housing Nina's weapons and of course Osh'ikeilles. Consisting of bombs, wrist blade sets, shuriken, smart discs, combi sticks, different versions of caster weapons and kunai. Then to the right of that door is an armour room I can see Oshi'keilles old armour, and several new sets but we walk passed too quickly to take a good look.. The double doors open with a mechanical whir and a slight 'Thung' I see Nina turn around and smiles. She wears a deep crimson and black leather outfit that resembles armour, but has d'lex shoulder pads that have a vented design, a chest piece that covers her vital areas as well as thigh guards and lower leg armour.

Her fiery red hair is braided but decorated with several beads and small rings. She doesn't look no older than 50 but she is well into her hundreds.. I'm still jealous of her..

"Zee darlin' nice of you to join us.. I can't believe it has come to this.. Us.. Coming home.." Her voice is smooth with her fiery southern accent. But she seems to hesitate on what to say next.

I look at the Conn.. It is a similar wrap around console only there is a dual combined interface for piloting the craft.. Nina is sat in the large Yautja pilot seat on the left with an empty seat to her right. Her conn has a thruster Lever and a stick for roll, pitch and yaw. Both the Flight stick and Thruster Lever have firing mechanisms in place.. But on the right side it is the traditional keyboard and tactile commands.

"Osh didn't want sticks and levers so we made a compromise, besides I'm tired of touching keypads and glass.. I want to feel my craft.. Be one with it.. Anyhoo.. I think it's time.. Osh.. Why don't we say it's time to get back? Entering course now.." The ship moans and whines as the thrusters spin up.. Just as we leave we get the Flight Control Officer patch in her voice smooth and with a slight eastern accent..

"This is FFC, please follow the greens on your way out, once you reach the exclusion zone you may engage your warp drives.."

As we leave the exclusion zone one last transmission comes through..

"This is FFC, You have cleared the exclusion zone you may jump when ready.. FFC signing off.."

As we fly on at speed the front deflector sends out a wide pulse opening up a wormhole.. To which we enter it heading to our destination..

Asteria..

Home..

As I move further away from Maia I feel another pull of sadness, I won't be returning.. There is too much pain there.. I stayed stood watching the wormhole as the blue and golden funnel takes us where we need to go.. My future now is uncertain, but my path is clearer than ever.. I'll help Nina find Uzkielle, and attempt to bring him home, but I realise this form of mine will be unknown to him.. Let us hope his memory is as good as we think.. Because I get the feeling I'll need to flick all the cards to make him believe who I am is just that.. But with Uz.. Even the smallest thing can cause an avalanche. Question is will I be able to reach to him?

Author note: First off let me apologise, I accidently got this chapter title mixed up with the last one! Chapter 33 was supposed to be 'Where we're going.. And this one was supposed to be 'I'm Sending You Away.. Just thought I'd clear that up, sorry for the confusion!

And with this chapter it marks a powerful and emotional end to Ghardeh's story arch.. And I tell you something, it was the hardest thing I have ever had to write.. I have written five stories with Ghardeh and this one ends with her, she was the first character I had created that started my Yautja story writing so I had to step away a few times to finish it later.. I put you in the driver seat of her final moments.. Now the story isn't over just yet, we have one more chapter which is the Epilogue.. It will show what the characters are doing several weeks later and how they've started to move on from the tragedy, it will also include a small dose of what to expect in the sequel The Predator: Two Ways a Mirror. Where Nina, Osh and Z try to find Uzkielle. It was Z's promise to Nina earlier in the story. It is going to be a darker story, Z will have many hardships before him. But how he deals with them puts strain on Nina's and Osh's bond with him.

I know this was an emotional chapter, but rest assured there's some well needed humour on it's way. I'll see you in the next one.. Stay Awesome!