Chapter 11: Unearth

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

Some time had passed since I had a meeting with the Council but it was much longer than I wanted it to be. I crept through many of the files in the whole database that only the most important Yautjas can access but there was still nothing to tie the Bad Blood I saw back on Earth to the Killer Yautja clan that was presumed to be extinct many seasons ago . . . and to the murder of Ba'kou.

When I became frustrated by that, I pressured permission from Datho to allow me to go back to the ooman planet. I told him my reason was to finish my mission but in reality, it was my hope to see Mia again. Normally, this would be a matter between me and the leader of my Clan but before I could, Lord Dau'jein passed away a while after he was brought back. I didn't really care much for my father and knew it was inevitable but with his death, more complications arose. The Council, including my brother, started to persuade me to fill the position of Clan Leader as soon as possible. Of course, I kept pushing it back, telling them that I have unfinished business. Yi'sbath was the first to complain and the loudest if I had to rank him. I never like him at all. From the first moment I met him, he would always find ways to piss me off even more. Despite that, I delayed my succession as leader of the Dark Blade clan . . . but I had no idea how long I had left.

The nagging got so bad that I isolated myself in my room, using a small panel I borrowed from the meeting room to find more information. And it went on forever but I kept diligent as I scrolled around. Keep looking. There must be something I'm missing.

My concentration was broken when I heard someone calling through the door. "My lord. It's Hak'rouh. Permission to enter?"

I waved my hand in the air. "You can come in."

The door opens and Hak'rouh makes his way into the open area, coming to my side where I was sitting in front of the panel. As usual, we greet each other with bows in respect.

"Anything new developments?"

I turned and looked at Hak'rouh as he gave his answer but the look on his face already told me the answer. "Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything other than what we already know. The Killer Yautja . . . the incident with your son . . . nothing."

I growled in frustration as I turned around in my chair, pressing my palm onto the middle of my forehead.

"I thought so."

I couldn't blame Hak'rouh for the lack of information. Even with my rank, I had come up empty-handed so we were practically on the same boat. Still, I couldn't hold back my frustration with everything coming at me in one moment as I growled a little too harshly than I wanted to be. I heard Hak'rouh cough behind me as a way to get my attention. It helped and I turned my chair around, looking straight into his eyes.

"I wish I could do more for you, my lord. You trusted me enough to let me know what you saw that night . . . I hoped I can give something back in return."

His eyes droop down to the ground out of disappointment. I knew that he meant what he said and I wanted to let him know so I stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder, gripping it enough to shake it gently. His eyes shot back up.

"I know. I appreciate this more than you'll ever know. I will always remember that I can count on you more than anyone else in this matter."

Those words that came out of my mouth was very sincere. Hak'rouh and I went way back when both of us were pups, playing together and then going on hunts. I was grateful when we both went on our Chivas together and it was a wonderful time, fighting together and becoming Blooded in our clan. In that time, we began to trust one another as if we were actually brothers. And I think some believed it as well. That gave me the confidence to tell me what happened that night when I saw the Bad Blood giving the vial of blood to the oomans but I didn't have the heart to tell him about Mia. Something inside told me to keep it low and I'm glad when Hak'rouh didn't ask for anything else on that matter.

Both of us stayed silent but our eyes did the talking and Hak'rouh's lit up like he was a small pup again, being treated with something special for a great accomplishment. I let go of his arm and went back to work, determined to go through the files once more and see if I have missed anything.

"I wanted to let you know that Thant'oug is at it again."

I grunted as I started entering codes into the panel. "More rumors to spread into society about me no doubt."

"About you and Mia."

I stopped what I was doing, turning around back to Hakr'ouh while grunting in annoyance. Ever since all of us returned to Yautja Prime, Thant'oug had become a pain in my pauking (fucking) ass. When he didn't get a chance to roar out what I did during the Council meeting, he started to blurt out everything that he saw during that night. First, it was me attacking him like I was the one who instigated the fight and then wasn't punished for it. Then it got to a point where he started telling everyone that I was bewitched by an ooman female and went mad. In the beginning, I wanted to lash out at him but Xen'ork, Hakr'ouh, and my brother Datho did make a point that it would only make things worse. It was hard but eventually, I've found ways to tolerate the rumors spreading around when I passed by while hearing whispers about me mating with an ooman female.

I'm already taunted by my past mistakes . . . Focus on what's important now so you can go back to Mia.

I sighed, letting a huge pocket of air go deep into my lungs before letting it all out. "Let him act like an ignorant pup. We have more important things to take care of. Anything else I should know?"

"Yes. Lar'ja has finally arrived from his journey. Did you want me to—"

"Yes. Send word that I want to discuss with him on certain matters in the meeting room. Privately."

Hak'rouh pauses a moment, looking at me to see if I was serious or not. I growled to snap him out of whatever he was in. He bows his head and takes his leave, shutting the door behind him and leaving me all alone once more. Wasting no more time, I went into my bedroom and got the rest of my armor before heading out of the room.

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

When I finally made it to the meeting room after going through the boring hallways, I was the first to arrive so I waited patiently for Lar'ja to come, sitting on one of the chairs next to the table. There is so much that I needed to tell him but it would be very difficult. The relationship between us was . . . very rocky since Ba'kou's death and it hasn't been easy to communicate synergistically.

I shook my head. No . . . I need him to listen. I hope he'll understand.

It wasn't long before I heard several knocks on the door and immediately, I stood up and cleared my throat. For some reason, my heart was pounding fast from the anxiety of this meeting. I wasn't sure if it was because I was nervous about telling him everything. I closed my eyes and took several calming breaths before opening them back up to the door.

"Come in."

The door creaks open too slowly for my patience. I wanted nothing more than to rush to it and push it open myself but I kept my composure and stood straight, crossing my arms together to ease my anxiety. The first to enter was Hakr'ouh but he stopped midway as he looked back outside the room, no doubt trying to get Lar'ja in. I figured he would somewhat resist.

Eventually, Hakr'ouh moves back into the meeting room and walking right behind him was Lar'ja wearing his secondary set of armor that lacks representation to the Dark Blade Clan. It was nothing more than chest armor that completely shielded him with a golden striped design in the middle of it with his leg braces and wrist gauntlets matching. It was expected as much for him to not change into the armor that was made for him. Lar'ja would do whatever it took to hide as many ties to me as possible. Both of them walked until stopping only a few feet away from me and Hakr'ouh bows.

"My lord. I have brought Lar'ja as you requested."

I nodded. "Thank you for your time. Please let us talk in private."

"Of course."

I watched as Hakr'ouh turns around and walks out of the room, passing by Lar'ja and closing the door behind him. It was unbearable silence afterward with each staring at each other, waiting for one to make the first move. I looked into Lar'ja's eyes and saw that the hatred he had for me was still burning strong, making his golden-amber eyes glow with rage. The only reason he would come to meet me is that I was expected to become the next Clan Leader so he has no choice but to obey. I sighed and took a step closer to him.

"Lar'ja."

"My Lord."

He spoke sternly and not hesitating to show displeasure in his voice. I ignored it and straighten myself. "Did you have a successful trip?"

He grunts and I could see the muscles in his arms tightening a bit. "Better than being here, following your shadow."

Again with the insults? My inner anger was threatening to come out of me but I kept telling myself that it wasn't worth it and that there are more important things to worry about. Closing my eyes, I sighed to keep myself calm before looking back at Lar'ja. I have to tell him about what's happened.

"I'm sure you have been informed that your grandfather, Lord Dau'jein, had passed away some time now."

When I said it, Lar'ja's eyes lowered a bit and some sadness was seeping out from him. Despite the controversy, Lar'ja had always praised his grandfather for being a strong leader and in some way, compared him to me who was low on his totem pole of favorites. He lifts his head back up and the emotion I saw earlier had vanished.

"I've been told before I arrived back home."

But then, his stare suddenly focuses on me and I tightened my forehead in confusion about why he was acting like this until he answered that question right away. "But that's not all you wanted to talk about."

I relaxed but a bit shocked that he could read me so easily. Normally, I was able to hide what I knew easily but ever since the recent events being bombarded on me, the stress had taken a toll on me. Might as well let it out and be done with it. Time for the fireworks.

I sighed. "And you know what that means."

In an instant, Lar'ja's facial features changed dramatically. His arms spread a bit apart to the sides and his knees bend to position him into a crouch, making him look like he was ready to attack me. If I didn't know better that he was going to vent out his anger and frustration since this wasn't the first time Lar'ja has done this, then any Yautja would have seen it as a threat and go for the attack. He roars out in fury.

"I'm not going to just make myself a breeding machine just to benefit everyone else!"

I spoke as calmly as possible. "I understand but your uncle and the Council are already pushing me to take the position as Clan Leader. Since I can no longer mate with anyone, they're only concerned to protect the future of one of the most important clans. And it isn't normal for a Blooded warrior like yourself to not have taken any mate in so long."

Lar'ja roars louder this time, almost to the point that it was starting to give me a headache. " I choose who I will be with and not for anyone's benefit! Especially yours! And the only reason I got the mark of our clan on my neck is because of tradition! I don't take pleasure in showing it to everyone!"

Out of anger, Lar'ja pulls his dreadlocks aside, showing the crown scar on the base of his neck. For Blooded warriors, every Yautja is more than eager to show their clan's symbol on their bodies like I did when I decided to place it on my forehead. But of course, Lar'ja's defiance stems from my foolishness on the day Ba'kou was killed. My breath quivers as I brought my hand to my forehead, rubbing it to try and get rid of the headache that I hoped wouldn't stir up this time. Why? Every time. . . Our fights never got better and it seemed to me that they were only getting worse from the pressure coming from everywhere . . . and everyone. I knew that Lar'ja wasn't going to listen but I hoped that it would be different . . . that I . . . would be different. I walked over to the same chair next to the table and slowly sat down, leading over on my elbows. All my emotions were swirling all around inside me, fighting amongst each other. How can I hope of changing myself? What's the use?

The first time I saw you . . . I thought it was the end of me but you let me and the others live when you could have easily killed us.

If you were such a cruel being, then I wouldn't be here talking to you . . . trusting you with everything I have . . . You changed my way of thinking for the better.

Out of nowhere, I heard Mia's voice calling inside my head. I lifted my head slightly from the table but low enough that Lar'ja couldn't see what was going on. Her words repeated several times and I recalled our meeting back on the ooman planet by the lake that I come to think as beautiful . . . just like her.

If only we say ourselves as equals . . . find the balance between us . . .

I moved my hand away from my face and brought it in front of me as I looked down at the green color that decorated my skin. Is this what you wanted to teach me, Mia? That I need to find balance in me? Is that what I must do to change? Not a moment later, I was brought back to reality when I heard Lar'ja's voice over my own thoughts.

"Father? What's wrong?"

Finally, I brought my face up to him and for a split second, I saw a bit of concern in the corner of his eyes but they were gone before I could acknowledge it. Lar'ja steps back and closes his eyes, hearing his breath become a little labored from exhausting himself with roaring in my face or so I thought. I stayed as silent as the universe, watching him carefully. But then, he looks back at me and opens his mouth.

"Something's up with you. What happened?"

It was no surprise that Lar'ja could sense that I knew something that was very important. He may have a quick temper but he's very inquisitive in finding out things. Besides, it helped me to turn my attention back to what I really needed to share with him. After all, he was also investigating the ones that killed his mother and brother ten seasons ago. Plus, he might know something else that I couldn't find. He's been on that 'excavation' to find out more. I leaned back on the frame of the chair and crossed my arms over my chest.

"During my mission to the ooman planet, I found out some things that might be connected to what you're searching for."

The reaction from Lar'ja when I said that was almost surprising to anyone who didn't know our current situation. His eyes widened so much that the gold in them was obscuring the pupils in the middle. It was ironic that the only way to get my son's attention was to bring up stuff about the Bad Bloods.

"What have you found?"

I blinked my eyes a few times. "I saw a Yautja secretly meeting with some ooman soldiers and handed them a vial of blood that belonged to a Yautja."

I watched as Lar'ja gasped in shock but then his mandibles twist out in anger and the glow from his eyes came back with a vengeance. "What the pauk (fuck)? A Yautja . . . conversing with oomans and giving blood to them willingly?! Are they insane?!"

"I don't know. I tried to capture whoever they were but got away from me."

Lar'ja grunts and spits down on the floor before glancing back at me. "I expected as much. You got a video at least?"

I shook my head. "I didn't have my mask at the time . . . so no."

Lar'ja turns his body to the side and brings a fist closer to his face. "Why am I not surprised? Another mistake . . . just like that day."

When I heard those words coming out of Lar'ja's lips, everything inside me snapped. The anger . . . the sadness . . . despair . . . it became like a bomb. Before Lar'ja could react, I jumped out of my chair and slammed him to the nearest wall, gripping his shoulders like a vice and refusing to let go. Lar'ja growls and tries to push me away, digging his claws into my elbow to get some pain reaction from me but it was no use. I was much stronger than him and he wouldn't dare attack me, being of higher rank than himself. Our faces were inches apart and I roared into his face.

"Do you think I did all of this because I wanted it!? Do you think I wanted my own son to die!? I pay for that mistake every day . . . every time I take a breath when I knew Ba'kou never had the chance to do the same!?"

I stopped when my thoughts snapped me back. Is this really necessary? You're better than this. What would Mia think about this? My memories of her smile flood back and my breathing hitched while my heart raced like a fast drum beat. I shook my head slightly and released Lar'ja from my grasp, stepping back from him as his eyes widened in shock. There was only silence between us for a moment until I was calm enough to speak without lashing out like before, hoping to change the subject back to the real reason.

"Enough of that. Have you found anything on your trip?"

Snapping back into a serious tone, Lar'ja straighten himself out, brushing off some dirt that got onto his chest armor during our scuffle. "I did, my Lord. In fact, what you said might have some connection to what I found."

"Show it to me."

With that, Lar'ja walks past me and I turned around, watching him head to the table and press on it. It activates and a small panel emerges, decorated in a series of colored buttons that would confuse any Yautja if they didn't have the proper training. This panel was solely used to display information via hologram to all who are in attendance at the time, including the higher ranking Yautjas like the Leader and others. The hologram centered in the middle turns on and suddenly glows a bright red. Then, I saw Lar'ja pull out a small disk from his belt that I didn't notice before and places into the hard drive when he presses on the button that opens it. He pushes it in and the panel goes to work, loading the contents the disk held and the hologram goes nuts with Yautja symbols and numbers. It wasn't until a few moments later that the hologram calms down and displays a picture of some blueprint but it definitely wasn't for building something. It showed a plan with a picture of a vial that was strangely familiar. When I looked closer to it, my eyes snapped wide open in realization.

That vial . . . it's the same one I saw with the Bad Blood!

"Is that . . .?"

"Yes. It took me the whole trip to decode some of the data but from what I gathered, this vial contained Yautja blood that had been altered. I suspect that it might have been hybridized."

I looked closer at the vial, noting all the details it had and there was no mistake. It was the same as what I saw being handed over to the oomans. But what is its purpose? Why would a Yautja give something like this to beings that are considered prey to Yautja society? Something's not adding up . . .

"What else?"

I heard Lar'ja grunt but I growled in warning at him without looking, fearing that my emotions would get the better of me. Lar'ja must have gotten the message as he kept continuing. "There was a plan I found as well.

Lar'ja presses more codes into the panel and the hologram skims fast until it stops on another image except it was showing a video of what appeared to be the process of hybridization. I saw the molecular form of Yautja DNA until it starts to reshape itself until I didn't recognize it anymore. The whole structure completely changed . . . What is going on?

"So what this is showing is how Yautja DNA is mutated into a more simple form. But the next part is what I found interesting."

Again, Lar'ja presses more codes and another video pulls us, showing the mutated Yautja DNA being mixed with another DNA that I didn't know what it belonged to until the hologram shows that its origin comes from an ooman. That freezes every part of my being. Wait a minute . . .

I pointed at the hologram with one clawed finger. "What does this show?"

I looked back to Lar'ja and it seemed like he was disgusted by watching this, which tells me that it upset him very much and his voice made sure it was known. "It shows that the blood from before being mixed with human DNA, resulting in a complete product. To be used as some sort of weapon against the oomans. A hybrid . . ."

On the last word, he spat like he tasted something bitter in his mouth. But I cared less about what he thought as my mind started to go nuts, putting the pieces together. A hybrid? Mia said something about her group working on Yautja DNA. And from what Lar'ja showed me, it sounds like what I saw that night. Without hesitation, I asked him bluntly of a question that would confirm everything.

"Where did you get this information?"

I heard nothing from Lar'ja for a few seconds but I waited patiently for an answer despite being agonizing. My hands twisted into fists so hard that my claws dug deep into my palms and the stinging pain radiates up to my elbow. Still, I didn't move so much as an inch until Lar'ja finally spoke.

"I tracked down a ship that had a red X symbol on it. The very same one belonging to Ba'kou's killer."

At that moment, everything around me stood still as the horrible realization came to me with full force. My mind flashes back to the secret meeting of the Bad Blood with the ooman soldiers and then to the fight between me and the traitor when I ripped part of his cloak that revealed the red X symbol on it.

The same one! If this is all true, then . . . then . . .

My head snaps up and I stare straight into the wall with my eyes bulging out of my sockets like a crazy Yautja if anyone saw me like this. Then . . . Mia's in danger!

Without warning, I took off from my place and started sprinting to the door while hearing Lar'ja roaring for me. "My Lord! Where are you going!?"

I roared back. "Not now! I have to go!"

"Where!?"

"Back to the ooman planet! There is something I need to take care of!"

Pushing my legs harder, I almost reached for the door with my hand until I heard Lar'ja's next words. "Is it because of the female ooman?"

Right as my hand touched the door, my legs stopped in their place and the rest of my body freezes at that point. I slowly turned around, seeing Lar'ja looking angry yet again but he roars before I could explain myself.

"Don't look dumb. I heard the rumors that during your 'mission', you mated with an ooman female. Is that true?"

I didn't know whether I should answer him truthfully or make something up. Only those who have been there to witness it know but I kept it a secret, worrying that someone would do something about it and track Mia down if it was confirmed. But Lar'ja snaps once more, spreading his mandibles and inner mouth wide open.

"Is it true!?"

Now, he was really pissed and I didn't have the time to stay and give him all the details. But some part of me knew that he deserved the truth. He's your son after all . . . you need to trust him. Let it out. I sighed and turned my back towards him, unable to look him in the eye but explained as quickly as possible.

"Part of it is true. I did meet an ooman female back on the ooman planet called Earth. Her name is Mia."

If I was looking from another's point of view with the same mind before I left for my mission, I would have thought myself a pauking (fucking) fool. Telling him that I met prey and was going there to protect her. But I remembered Mia and her gentle smile . . . and her lips on my mouth. The thought alone brought wonderful emotions that I wished I could enjoy in a better situation than this. However, I needed to go back and I couldn't wait until something bad happened to her.

"And I need to protect her. Whatever the Bad Blood has given to them, it can't be good."

I wanted to get out of there but I heard Lar'ja's breath becomes labored with rage. Like every Yautja, Lar'ja was taught to dislike oomans to a bitter end so it was somewhat expected for him to react like this as well. But the tension inside the room started to make me feel uncomfortable but I remained still, not daring to turn around as Lar'ja lashed out.

"You?! You! How could you!? First, my brother . . . and now this! Being with a disgusting ooman female that is nothing more than prey! How much more disgrace do you want to bring to our family!? How much more pain are you trying to put me through!?"

Lar'ja stopped and the only thing I could hear other than silence is Lar'ja's labored breath. His lungs trying to pump air back into his body. From hearing what he said about Mia, I thought I would be angry with him but for some strange reason, I didn't feel anything other than sympathy. For what? I had no answer to that but I did have some idea. I believed that it was because I wasn't ashamed of having such a relationship. Mia was like no one I've ever met and it was a first time . . . in a long time . . . that I felt happy since that incident. It was a feeling like none other and it made my heart jump with joy.

I love her . . .

Courage and resolve began to build in my chest and it gave me the strength to turn my head around and look straight into Lar'ja's eyes. There was nothing but hatred for me but I didn't bother me anymore. I spoke with such calmness that it almost scared me.

"I never wanted to bring you pain. If I could, I would take it all and place it on my shoulders so you can be free. That is all I wanted for you. You're my son."

As I finished, the air coming from Lar'ja suddenly changes as I watch his expression twisted from anger into shock and disbelief. It was like he was seeing something that has never been witnessed before. His arms start to relax but remain tense to the eye. His mandibles come together in the middle tightly and he leers back at me but speaks a little calmer than before.

"You've changed. That female changed you. How did you fall under her spell? What made you desire to protect a mere ooman female?"

To be honest, it was hard for me to explain it to Lar'ja. It was so complicated that it probably would have taken days for me to explain it clearly to his young mind. But then, I recalled the dream that I had when I saw him with an ooman female . . . seeing him being so affectionate with her . . . it had to be important. My gaze softens as I spoke.

"Someday . . . you'll understand."

And with that, I pressed my hands on the door and pushed it open, determined to do whatever it takes to return to Earth. The very planet that Mia treasures so much.

Wait for me, Mia. I'm coming.

Hi Readers!

Sorry for the late update. I have the bad case of writer's block with this chapter so I had a bit of a struggle with it until I got to the good part when Daugo tells about Mia to Lar'ja. But I hope everyone loves it! :D

What a heated argument between Lar'ja and Daugo . . . between father and son . . . and it's plain as day that it's due to Ba'kou's death from a long time ago. And to be treated poorly because of what somewhat else did . . . Poor Lar'ja :(

But Daugo understands that he needs to fix things before everything goes out of hand and finding out that the Yautja blood might pose a threat to Mia, our hero Yautja is taking off to reunite with his love.

But will it be a happy reunion? Will he make it there in time? Or did the worst thing unimaginable had already begun? What will Daugo do?

Find out when Chapter 12 comes in two weeks.

P.S. Thank you Anonymous-E, Mariah, and NeverNeverLady for the wonderful reviews on Metamorphosis. It was a long part of the story with three parts but it was worth it. Especially with Anya kicking ass with the kainde amedha. For Anonymous-E, I did find one song that I really like and comes from a favorite TV show on Netflix. You might guess what it is but the title is "My Love Will Never Die" by Claire Wyndham. This song got me in tears but it's your choice if you want to use it. Whatever floats your boat. :)

And for Mariah, you sound so eager to know what will happen next and it might go that way but I've got lots more surprises waiting for you all. Hope you can all wait.

Thank you and enjoy! :)))

Reading notes:

Normal = Human speaking English (ooman language)

Bold = Any Yautja speaking English (ooman language)

Bold and Italic = Any Yautja speaking Yautja language