Chapter 6 - The thirst is real

Eyes closed softly, the young woman dozed lightly on the couch in her cabin, cocooned in a soft light blue blanket as the Tempest glided gently through shimmering star clusters. "Sara?" Questioned a deep friendly voice that made the young woman's eyes flutter open.

"May I come in?" Added the rumbling voice that Sara instantly recognized as Jaal's.

"Oh, yes of course," The young woman replied sleepily. "SAM please unlock the door."

Jaal entered the captain's quarters. His eyes roved about the cabin until he spotted Sara huddled under a blanket. "Have you been sleeping on the couch?" The angaran asked as he made his way towards her.

"Heh, just napping," Sara clarified with a small subdued smile. "Haven't slept well since...well since leaving the Nexus. It has been one thing after another."

Jaal knew the Pathfinder wasn't exaggerating. "May I?" He questioned as he eyed the spot besides the young woman.

Sara nodded, "It's not as comfy as Evfra's couch though."

"I don't think there is anything in the galaxy that can equal his couch." They both chuckled amiably before silence settled around them. "Sara, I wanted to thank you," Jaal began more soberly as he clasped his hands upon his lap.

It had been a whirlwind of events since they left Aya. Once they arrived on the Nexus, Sara rushed over to the Hyperion to talk to her brother in the med bay. Meanwhile Jaal learned of very distressing news from his mothers, about his siblings. Teviint, Lathoul, Baranjj had left the family home to go join Akksul and the Roekaar. Jaal's heart nearly exploded at hearing this. Terrible thoughts crossed his mind; he envisioned the Tempest team charging into battle against the Roekaar, then Jaal removing the helmets from three fallen angara, only to find it was his two brothers and sister.

Jaal worried that the Pathfinder would not be able to spare time for his personal emergency and that he would have to part ways, but as usual Sara dropped everything upon hearing the angaran's plea. Together, the Tempest crew chased after Akksul, sniffing him out of hiding like a bloodhound, and trying to reach Jaal's siblings in time before something disastrous happened. But it was almost like a wild goose chase. Everytime they drew near, they would just miss Akksul and the Roekaar. Sara modified their tactic and had the Tempest go completely radio silent as they glided through the galaxy with stealth.

Finally, they caught up with the Roekaar on Havarl, at the Forge. It was a close call, and Jaal was so sure that Sara was going to kill Akksul, but the young woman revealed just how much she trusted him by keeping herself steady. In the end Teviint, Baranjj, and Lathoul - recovering well from his gun wound - returned home safely; and Akksul was left as a shamed ex-leader to his followers.

Sara's soft gentle voice called back the contemplative angaran. "You would do the same for me if Scott had been in trouble," She remarked as she stared down at her own clasped hands. Jaal noticed how she fidgeted with her many fingers.

"How is Scott?" Jaal asked carefully for hadn't inquired earlier as he had been so overwhelmed by his own family matter.

"Angry," Sara released as a shuddered breath. She didn't blame her younger brother. But she couldn't lie to him. While their father may have been secretive and closed off, their sibling relationship was built on support, trust, and openness. Scott had to be informed of what was happening...and of what had happened. 'Dad's dead, there was an accident… and there've been some complications, the Golden worlds didn't exactly deliver.'

'This is all wrong, this is a nightmare. I...I don't feel well…' Those were Scott's last words to her before SAM's link was severed as her brother's vital signs became erratic.

"God, I really need to learn how to phrase things better," Sara sighed forlornly as she rubbed her face.

"He'll turn around, you'll see," Jaal tried to comfort her as he turned his body to face the young woman.

Sara tried to smile at the angaran's hopeful words. But her lips twitched...quite uncontrollably as they formed a grimace. "What if he never wakes up and just stays angry at me?" The young woman finally choked out of her tightened throat as her eyes began to fill with hot tears.

Quickly she felt strong arms envelop her and bring her close as Jaal hugged her tightly. It was a loving hug, nothing like Evfra's, but comforting, warm, and brotherly. It was what Sara needed right now; family and friends. God she hoped Scott would one day wake up and she could make this all up to him. The young woman's eyes tightened shut, then she sighed and pulled away.

"Sara," Jaal murmured with some uncertainty.

"Thanks Jaal," The young woman exhaled as she wiped away her tears. "I'm extremely lucky to have a friend like you."

"Yes...friend," Jaal repeated, for he knew...he knew all along. Jaal smelled the gentle floral lotion on the young woman. "You will always be my precious friend Sara," the angaran proclaimed softly as he patted her gently on the head. Then an idea struck him. "How about we make a pit stop at Aya?"

"Why would you have me go back to Aya so soon?" Sara inquired with an arched brow. Her eyes were still red and slightly puffy, but the tears had stopped flowing.

"Well…" "Jaal began tactfully, "Moshae will undoubtedly want to see you and there are the relics we've collected for Avela. And then there is Evfra..."

A loud snort emanated from the young woman. They may have maintained radio silence, but Evfra took it to a whole other level. "And how is the surly leader of the resistance supposed to help me?"

"Oh, I'm sure a good spirited debate will help you tremendously," Jaal chuckled as Sara rolled her eyes.

[PING!]

The young woman frowned at the sudden unexpected message from, she gasped loudly, Evfra?! [Sara, how are you?]

She stared wide eyed and slacked jawed at the message before a rumbling ' MmmHmmmm' came from besides her that sounded more like, 'I told you so'. Sara nudged her shoulder into the self satisfied angaran, though her cheeks were blushing. The young woman was already feeling much better.

Clearing her throat, Sara stated clearly up to the comm speakers, "Kallo, please set a course for Aya."

"Aye aye Pathfinder," was the pilot's simple reply.

Later that week, Evfra arrived into work at his usual early morning time...only to find someone in his spot. Akksul was standing behind the leader's desk and was staring out of the window. A low growl emitted from the resistance leader. Besides the offputting fact that the Roekaar leader was here, he was in Evfra's brooding spot!

"Akksul," Evfra growled as he stomped forward.

"Evfra," Akksul replied in his low guttural voice as he slowly tore his gaze from the sunlight window.

"What are you doing here?" Evfra asked gruffly in his low aussie voice, as he crossed his arms.

"You don't know?" Akksul questioned with raised brow ridges. The younger angaran's interest was piqued as he fully turned around to face his older counterpart across the table. "The great and all knowing General de Tershaav doesn't have the inside information?" Akksul chuckled in his deep guttural voice. Oh the return trip to Aya was all worth it for this moment. "How frustrating must be," the ex-Roekaar leader taunted with a jeering smile.

Evfra unraveled his crossed arms to place them on the table that separated the two angara. "Choose your next words carefully whelp," the leader snarled with a warning as his bioelectric field buzzed like a dozen bumble bees swarming the distance between them.

Akksul sniggered, but he was wise enough to know not to push it further. Besides, the ex-Roekaar wanted to savor this delicious play. "Anyway, I need the Pathfinder's contact information," he demanded as he changed the topic.

Evfra stiffened at the order, but kept his molten blue eyes glued upon the other angaran. "Why?" The resistance leader challenged.

Now it was for Akksul's turn to cross his arms, showing impatience, "I wish to send her a message." His tone added, 'Obviously.'

"No," Evfra simply answered, not bothering to elaborate.

Akksul blinked, as his crossed arms went loose. The angaran appraised the older male in front of him before returning to his taunting play. "Protective of the little human?" Akksul sneered.

Evfra slowly pushed himself off the opposite side of the table as he took in a deep breath. He then slowly stalked around the furniture as he growled in a low threatening voice, "First, the human has a name, you would be wise to learn it. Secondly, she does not need to be distracted by the likes of you." The angaran's growl ended in a low menacing hiss as he stopped right in front of the Akksul.

Akksul's eyes widened at the resistance leader's display, from his tone to posture. He could even sense a change in the older angaran's bioelectric field, it bristled with anger as usual, but with a sharp possessive edge he had never felt come from Evfra before.

Then it clicked in the younger angaran's mind. "Oh, I think I am worth Pathfinder, Sara Ryder's time," Akksul made a smirk that only widened at the low warning growl the leader emitted. 'Hmmm, this was going to be fun.'

[PING!]

Akksul's communicator chimed with a message from Moshae, summoning him for a meeting. "Ahhh, Moshae, I'm sure she will be, most helpful," Akksul remarked, casting Evfra a sly smile before he saunteered away.

Evfra was left to calm his bristled nerves. He hadn't expected to act out as such, but he was truly just protecting Ryder from that orange viper.

As the leader made to stand behind his desk, it occurred to him that Akksul's presence on Aya was the big news Ryder spoke of. For why would the Roekaar leader inquire after the Pathfinder? Was she somehow behind Akksul's sudden appearance back in Aya? What had the Ryder done to pull that off?!

[PING!]

As if the universe was in tune with Evfra's cosmic questioning, a message from Jaal flashed brightly upon the communicator. It was a detailed report about an incident at the Forge on Havarl. Curiosity piqued, Evfra broadcasted the attached visor video to a nearby monitor. Stars...was this what those two were up to this whole time?!

Unarmed, Akksul slowly approached the young woman until his face nearly pressed itself into the Pathfinder's assault rifle. "Martyr me. Please, I dare you…" the Roekaar leader taunted her with his low guttural voice.

Evfra watched in unison with Jaal as Ryder's bright eyes widened at the angaran's taunt. The resistance leader could practically hear the young woman's mind buzz as she calculated her next move...and slowly lowered her rifle, "Throughout human history, we had leaders like you, Akksul. Leaders who used their silver tongue and charisma to tear young ones from their families; only to have them blindly further twisted goals."

Ryder's rifle was now pointed down at the ground as she continued to speak clearly, "So Akksul, Jaal and I will end you, but not the way you want."

Akksul was silent as he appraised the little human in front of him. His taunting smile morphed into one of disappointment. He would not get his way with this petite alien, but that would not deter him. Akksul turned his back on the Pathfinder and sauntered into the middle of the circle where Jaal awaited him.

There was such confidence in the way Akksul moved that even Evfra felt a twinge of jealousy, but it quickly faded at the Roekaar's next words.

"They move onto our planets. They take out resources and make us weak in turn!" Akksul proclaimed with a pointed finger aimed at the Pathfinder.

Now Jaal spoke up, his passionate voice booming as he stated, "I've watched Ryder make planets habitable. She rescued your beloved Moshae. Saved her life and countless others from the Kett's exaltation camp!"

Akksul tried to get interupt Jaal's oration with little success. Evfra could see questioning looks casted between the Roekaar. The hint of uncertainty… 'Akksul is starting to lose them,' Evfra thought with bated breath.

The Roekaar leader must have realized this too as he quickly interrupted Jaal. "Stop defending her!" He snarled.

But Jaal continued, with even more resolution in his voice. "The Moshae trusts Ryder," Jaal pointed emphatically towards the Pathfinder. "And so do I."

"Confirmation!" Akksul roared as he pointed a pistol right at Jaal's forehead, and Evfra stiffened as he found the barrel pointed directly at him. There were gasps all around, but the Roekaar leader had gained momentum, "You heard him, brothers and sisters. He trusts her! And will do everything in his power for this alien. Apparently we've been fighting the wrong enemy, for before me stands the true traitor.

Evfra watched how Jaal mimicked Ryder's hand signalling, and slowly raised his palms to diffuse the sudden tension. "Easy, Akksul," Jaal breathed.

Evfra noticed movement from the side and realized that Ryder quickly had her rifle pointed to the side of Akksul's head and was going to pull the trigger when…

"Don't!" Jaal motioned to the young woman. Causing her finger to instantly back off the trigger but her mouth pressed tightly into a fine line of obvious inner turmoil.

Jaal returned his visored gaze back onto the Roekaar leader, who still had the pistol trained upon him. "Akksul, the Pathfinder is helping us take steps forward...you are keeping us from running. Let us work together, in peace."

Murmuring between the Roekaar caused their leader to grimace. And Evfra could viscerally feel what was going to happen. "Or…" Akksul began. "I can kill you and finally reveal the Resistance for the traitors they are!" He bellowed and pulled the trigger.

It all happened in slow motion, a projectile of hot blue laser shot out, but based on its projection, Evfra knew that the aim was skewed. It would not cause a fatal wound.

Suddenly there were several gasps and ohhhh's filling the quiet headquarters room. Evfra turned to find that a large group of members had congregated nearby to watch the monitor. Feeling a bit peeved, the resistance leader huffed, but returned to watch the monitor.

Jaal stood resolutely still. "The alien is not the monster here," he responded smoothly.

Akksul's pistol arm went slack as he gazed with wide eyes back at Jaal. Movement caught the Akksul's attention and he watched in studdened silence as the Roekaar shot looks of disgust and disappointment back at him, before unanimously walking away from their leader. Evfra watched as Akksul fell to his knees, in utter defeat.

There was a moment of silence before Jaal beckoned to two nearby angaran in Roekaar gear. "Come on, let's get you home." The male and female angara were far too young to be caught up in that crowd.

'Wait…' Focusing on their faces, Evfra recognized Teviint and Baranjj, Jaal's young siblings. The resistance leader's heart made a painful lurch in his chest. Jaal's very own brother and sister had been with the Roekaar?

Ryder made to catch up after Jaal, but she casted a look down at the Roekaar leader as she passed by him.

"I love my people," Akksul said gently, though his gaze was fixed down upon the ground.

"Then prove it," Ryder stated before sidling up to Jaal's side just as the visor video went dark.

'I see..' Evfra murmured to himself before slowly turning around to face the crowd of awed members. The resistance leader cleared his throat, causing the angara to tear their wide eyes away from the blank monitor and onto him before he loudly barked, "Back to work!" Causing them all to quickly scurry back to their duties. With a deep sigh, Evfra distracted himself with the new stack of datapads.

Luckily for Evfra, Akksul spent most of his time following Moshae like a puppy, which was absolutely fine with the resistance leader. But from time to time the ex-Roekaar would cross words with the older angaran.

Evfra noticed that Akksul liked to 'hang out' nearby the resistance leader's desk, though he at least had enough common sense to no longer idle at Evfra's brooding spot. "Don't you have remnant relics to salivate over?" the older angaran grunted without looking up from his datapad.

"No need to be territorial Evfra," Akksul scoffed as he continued to gaze down at his own data pad.

"You don't belong here," Evfra retorted.

"And yet the Pathfinder has been having quite some freedom here. I've heard she has access to the quartermaster's supply," Akksul jeered at the audacity. "You're losing your touch, old man. What are you going to do next, have her partake in resistance training?"

Evfra opened his mouth to snap a retort, but it was an interesting idea...to have Ryder participate in the resistance training. Maybe some friendly sparring? Comradery, all for increasing the alliance between their organizations. It would even raise morale in his members who began to practically revere the Pathfinder, especially after watching Jaal's visor vid. And...it would let Evfra finally see Ryder in action in person.

The leader had nearly drowned out Akksul's continued opinionated tirade, "If I were running the Resistance…"

"...you would run it into the ground," Evfra resolutely finished for the whelp. They were now staring laser beams at each other over their datapads until a member came to inquire Evfra about an upcoming mission. Huffing, Akksul broke their gaze and stalked off. He didn't care where his feet took him, as long as he could keep walking...until he ran right smack into something small, squishy, and squeaky.

Sara exited the Tempest in her comfy Initiative issued short sleeved shirt, slacks, and black gloves, with one more accessory; a rucksack stuffed with relics. The young woman felt like Santa Claus and Avela looked like a starry eye child on Christmas day as Sara showered the curator in precious artifacts. "Oh Stars!" Avela swooned over the array of invaluable angaran antiques. "Pathfinder! I don't know where to start?!" The angaran squealed in sheer delight.

Yep, everything was going very well. Sara was now making her way towards Evfra's usual haunt while she mentally prepared herself. What was she going to say? I mean, she couldn't believe that the resistance leader had reached out to her and just inquired about how she was. At first Sara was sure he was going to issue another mission, but she was pleasantly surprised...very pleasantly surprised indeed!

Nearly skipping now as she rounded the corner, the young woman let out a loud squeak as she ran face first into a wall made out of an angaran. Then hot white pain bloomed upon her nose...

"Pathfinder!" Exclaimed the shocked voice of Akksul.

Sara groaned, half at that particular angaran's presence, and the other half at the pain throbbing and radiating outwards from the center of her face. The young woman gently prodded her nose, 'Ohhhh it's so tender!'

["Pathfinder, I believe you've suffered a nasal bone fracture. Luckily it is a simple fracture," SAM assessed.]

Luckily?!' Sara bemoaned as she looked down at her own nose with a criss-crossed gaze. It was now swelling up like a balloon! 'Oh no! No no no!'

"Oh skkut! Your nose!" Akksul gasped as he watched the Pathfinder flap her hands about as if she was fanning out a fire on her face. Her usually small human nose looked engorged with a hot reddish hue.

"No shit sherlock!" Sara swore loudly as she threw daggers with her eyes up at the angaran. "You broke it!"

"I broke it?" Akksul repeated with obvious disbelief. He had no idea what a 'sherlock' was, but this was clearly not his fault! "You ran into me! You broke it yourself!"

"You arrogant ass!" Sara blurted out. "Are you going to help me or not!"

"Wha- I- what am I supposed to do!" The angaran stuttered with a mix of bafflement and annoyance.

"Take me to the medical office!" The young woman was absolutely fuming. She didn't have medigel on her and needed to get the swelling down asap or she was going to end up with a huge proboscis!

"Fine, you pushy human!" Akksul finally acquiesced as he tossed his gloved hands up at the stars. "No wonder Evfra lets you just roam around as you wish," he grumbled mutinously before he turned to guide the Pathfinder.

"No!" Sara gasped with sudden alarm. "Not that way!" She ordered from behind her hands.

"Why in stars not?" Akksul grunted with frustration. "It's the most efficient and quickest path! Are you not in pain?"

"Very much so, thanks for asking." Sara rolled her eyes. "Ow!" She then gasped as her nose twinged in pain. "I don't want Evfra to see me like this."

"Humph, and why do you care what that fossil thinks?" Akksul asked with obvious irritation.

Sara didn't answer him...but the silence was enough. The Pathfinder obviously respected the resistance leader enough to worry about her appearance in his presence. Akksul huffed with indignation; he should just walk away and let her find it on her own! Then Akksul glanced down at the human as she was still silent. The Pathfinder kept her nose hidden behind her hands, but her usually bright eyes were sorrowful. Akksul recalled how stoic and passionate she was back at the Forge. Something within the angaran was unsettled at seeing her like this. 'Ugh!'

"Fine, let's go this way." Akksul wasn't sure what made him acquiesce, but he waved at her to follow him down the nearest hallway. A side route that would ensure she wasn't spotted by the resistance leader. The older angaran always had his nose stuck in a datapad or up his own ass. Evfra could care less...so why did the Pathfinder bother?

As they walked in silence, Akksul recalled something. "Did you get my message?"

"Huh?" Sara started with confusion as she was off in her own thoughts. "Oh, yeah, I did."

"Well, you could have responded," Akksul huffed as he kept his eyes straight ahead, but he noticed the young woman's gaze appraise him momentarily over her hands.

'Responded?' Sara thought, feeling utterly perplexed. The fact that he messaged her had been a surprise, but the correspondence wasn't one that prompted continued conversation. She recalled that Akksul began the letter by calling her simply, 'Human,' which didn't raise her expectations. His arrogance was almost tangible as he added that the message wasn't an apology. However, the young woman was impressed to read his self reflection upon an old angaran proverb, 'To hate blindly is as dangerous as to trust blindly.'

"It doesn't matter," Akksul sniffed, putting on an air of indifference as they finally reached the medical quarters. He leaned against a far wall as the two medical angarans tended to the young woman.

"He didn't do this to you did he?" The dusky green speckled male angaran physician inquired. His eyes had a steely quality, though his voice was ever professional.

The question rankled Akksul's haunches as he glared over at the older physician.

"What?" Sara began, feeling much better as the swelling in her nose abated with whatever cream the angaran gently applied. "Akksul? Pfffttt, he has such terrible aim, the only way he could apparently hurt me is by having me run into him." Sara didn't need to turn her head around to know that there was a very sour expression upon the ex-Roekaar's face.

Sara released a huge sigh of relief at her normal appearance looking back at her from a provided mirror. Apart from slight redness along her nasal crease, no one would be able to tell she nearly had the nose of a male elephant seal. The young woman thanked the two angarans profusely for their help and turned to head out when she realized that Akksul was waiting patiently by the doorway. She just quirked an arched brow up at him as she made to pass by.

"How are you feeling?" Akksul asked politely as he pushed himself off the wall to walk alongside her.

"Better," Sara quipped, wondering if Akksul would quicken his pace if she started to walk faster.

"I have excellent aim, I'll have you know," the ex-Roekaar stated confidently.

Sara was absolutely flabbergasted. She had no idea what to make of this guy and that just caused her to burst out in laughter, startling the angaran walking besides her.

Meanwhile, Evfra was about to twist the cap off a nutrient paste tube when the unmistakable cheery voice of Ryder reached him, making his heart flutter. It had been quite some time since he had the pleasure of hearing her voice, and now he appreciated the musical quality it carried...he was enjoying her laughter until…

Ryder walked out of the hallway right besides Akksul. Apparently, she was laughing at whatever Akksul had said or done. The leader had never seen Ryder look so jovial and the fact that Akksul had prompted that from her, made Evfra scowl deeply. He was squeezing the nutrient paste tube so hard the cap exploded off, striking a nearby member in the back of the head.

Sara caught Evfra's gaze and his icy stare sent a chill through her. "Woah, am I somehow back on Voeld, because there's a chilly wind coming from the vicinity of Evfra." The young woman stated as the pair reached Evfra's desk.

Akksul sniggered at the young woman's bold remark which earned him the leader's withering gaze in turn.

"I believe Moshae was looking for you Akksul," the leader announced. It was a lie, but Evfra wanted Akksul away...far away from Ryder.

The younger angaran narrowed his eyes back at the resistance leader. "Pathfinder," Akksul nodded before he sauntered off to find Moshae; leaving the other two to stare at one another in silence.

Evfra was taking in Sara's face, as if committing it to memory, when he noticed that her nose looked a little...red. "What happened to your nose?" The leader bluntly asked, before a small section of his brain, one somewhat familiar with the female sex cringed at his remark. 'One does not inquire about the imperfections upon the female's visage,' it languished. Skkut...

Evfra took in the young woman's posture. Her arms crossed, weight resting on her back leg. Something radiated a 'I'm not impressed' look. Double skkut... "Nevermind," the leader hastily added. Quickly Evfra changed the subject. "I've watched a video of you," Evfra began as he searched for a way to broach the topic of training.

At his words, Sara's eyes widened with trepidation. "Video?" She echoed aloud. 'Oh god what kind of video and how was the conversation going from bad to worse?!'

Based on how the young woman's eyes widened at his remark, Evfra realized that his statement must have come out wrong. "Jaal sends me reports, occasionally he attaches videos from his visor. Quite often they are of your prowess on the battlefield," The leader clarified. "I thought you may appreciate participating in our training," he finally invited, hoping that this would assuage any ill feelings.

"You're letting me in on the secretive resistance training lessons?" Sara asked, feeling quite surprised.

Evfra nodded in confirmation, "You may even have one of your crewmates record them too if you wish."

A sly smile crept across her lips, as she slid into her confident posture. "I'll check it out first, see if it's up to my standards," her voice bespoke a challenge...

...and Evfra reveled in it. He had begun to miss how Ryder tested him, pushed him to question his own methods and adapt. "Prepare yourself, Sara."

Sara's sly smile twitched as a shiver zipped down her spine at Evfra's low rumbling voice. Hopefully she didn't bite off more than she could chew...Sara did have a habit of doing that.

Sara followed Evfra to a section of resistance headquarters that she had never been to. Once on the other side of the hallway, she found herself in a large white walled training facility. Along the left hand side, was a moderately sized shooting range, while on the right hand side were entrances to what appeared like male and female locker rooms, and at the center was a large sparring mat with enough room around it for onlookers. Currently a dozen or so members busied themselves with various exercises while waiting for training to begin.

"Go ahead and stretch, we will begin momentarily," Evfra advised before he continued walking towards the center of the mat.

'Alright, good thing I dressed light today,' Sara thought as she began her good 'ole fashion stretch routine. The young woman then lowered herself down into a split, oblivious to the collective gasp she had elicited from the gawking angarans.

Even Evfra had paused in his daily instruction as he felt his jaw slacken. He had not known humans were so...flexible. In Jaal's visor vids Ryder was always in armor. To see her doing such pliable moves in a simple shirt that rose slightly to reveal a slim well toned abdomen...Evfra's mouth went dry. And apparently he wasn't the only one affected. The leader released a low growl and hissing bioelectric field when he realized other angarans were ogling her flexibility as well. "As I was saying, the Pathfinder will be participating in today's training so I expect nothing less than excellence!"

"Yes Sir!" was the unanimous and resounding cheer. They were all eager to represent the Resistance well.

"Pathfinder Ryder," Evfra began as he used Sara's title as a sign of respect in front of his subordinates. "Maybe you will honor us with a spar?"

"Sure, who will I be sparring?" Sara asked as she stopped limbering up and stepped forward to the center of the training mat.

"Leesha will be your partner," the resistance leader gestured to a female angaran with skin speckled with pumpkin hues. The member had a pleasant demeanor and she moved with purpose towards the center to face the young woman.

"An honor Pathfinder," Leesha greeted amicably before extending out her right arm towards the young woman. Sara quickly stopped herself from almost doing a human handshake, as she remembered this was the 'angaran' handshake.

"An honor for me too, Leesha," Sara replied as she extended out her own right arm with a fist and tapped the back of her wrist against Leesha's.

The angaran's orange galaxy eyes sparkled with approval before her expression hardened into a more focused look. Leesha had lowered herself into a fighting stance.

Sara mirrored the motion with her fists raised protectively in front of her. A quick glance towards Evfra at the sidelines yielded an approving nod from the resistance leader, before he barked out, "Begin!"

Leesha sprung forwards giving Sara very little reaction time. Keeping her feet moving, they encircled each other. Quickly the young woman analyzed the angaran's style boiling it down to powerful bursts of take-downs, punches, and kicks. But where Leesha had power and reach, Sara could counter with speed and flexibility. Soon the young woman switched from a passive mode to an active stance as she began employing jujutsu techniques that would allow her to manipulate Leesha's momentum against her.

But Sara was a bit put off by how angaran's legs bent, they were like ostrich legs! The young woman's usual moves wouldn't do, even her signature leg sweep move would be more of a challenge. An idea then struck her and Sara made a lunge that seemed grossly miscalculated.

'What was Ryder doing?!' Evfra thought with bewilderment as he watched from the sidelines. His eyes never left the young woman and up till now her moves were highly calculative. The leader was growing a new sense of respect for the Pathfinder as she held back at first, learning about her opponent rather than just reacting. Then there was a change midway in Ryder's stance. The young woman began to close the distance between herself and Leesha and was testing out a few jabs and kicks. To the untrained eye, it seemed like the young woman just lacked the power the angaran had. But Evfra could appreciate the speed and precision Ryder employed. These were highly controlled movements that were testing her opponent's reaction time.

Evfra had rumbled a note of appreciation before he balked at Ryder's sudden and complete lapse in judgement. She had launched herself at where Leesha was standing momentarily ago! What was the cause behind Ryder's sudden lapse in timing?!

Meanwhile, once behind Leesha, Sara quickly dropped down to a squat, and just in time too as Leesha began to turn around with a spinning kick. The angaran's leg whoosed over the young woman's head. 'Whooo, that was close!' Sara grimaced before remembering her goal.

Now it was Sara's turn, for as Leesha continued her momentum...the young woman lunged. A move Evfra knew far too well. But as he finally wasn't the object of her surprise attack the leader could now fully appreciate just how quick and powerful the young woman's lunges were especially when she used her enemies energy against them.

Sara sent Leesha tumbling to the ground, and they rolled, struggling for who would end on top. The young woman managed to wriggle out of the angaran's grasp and grapple Leesha into a headlock.

"I yield!" Leesha gasped in submission once she realized she couldn't escape from the Pathfinder's clutches.

Sara, panting, nodded as she released the angaran. Jumping up, the young woman quickly extended a hand down to help her partner.

"Thank you Leesha and Pathfinder Ryder," Evfra stated in his rumbling aussie voice. "You two can sit out and rest."

"Thank you Pathfinder, I can see why our leader was eager to have you participate," the angaran remarked as she held out an extra towel and water canister towards the young woman.

"Thanks Leesha, that was quite an experience for me!" Sara gratefully accepted the towel and bottle, before following the female angaran as they took a seat off of the sparring mat.

Sara sipped on water as she watched Evfra pace back and forth while his members went through various drills. Then their gaze connected and she was sure Evfra's posture straightened as he cleared his voice, and crossed his hands behind his back before he continued. Sara had the feeling that Evfra may be showing off a bit… 'nah.'

He was…Evfra had never been so self conscious before. But anytime he remembered that Ryder was watching, his chest puffed out, his posture straightened, even his voice become more crisp than his usual barks.

Leesha chuckled, causing the young woman to tear her gaze away from Evfra.

"What's so funny?" Sara asked her partner.

"Our leader, his acting so...formal," Leesha pointed out under her breath, for she knew how sensitive Evfra's hearing was. "He is clearly trying to impress someone," Leesha hinted.

"Oh," was the only word Sara managed to articulate as her eyes fell back upon the resistance leader who was now fixing incorrect forms before adding passionately, "The Kett are not going to show you any mercy, remember that!"

After monitoring a few more exercises, the rest of the members dispersed off of the sparring mat to take seats or stand nearby and watch whatever was about to unfold.

Perplexed, Sara asked her partner, "What's going on?"

"Oh," Leesha grinned, eager to share her knowledge. "The top recruit of the week gets to challenge the leader in an one on one spar," the angaran pointed out just as an amber-brown speckled member met Evfra at the center of the training mat. "Somehow Ovark managed to claim this week's top spot, so he is facing our leader."

She would see Evfra spar? How exciting! Curiosity piqued, Sara inquired, "Has Evfra ever been defeated?"

"Only two times that I know of," Leesha informed her. "The victors were Akksul and Jaal."

"Really? I didn't kn…" but Sara's voice died in her throat as the two angarans peeled off their suits, revealing just tight pants like a black wetsuit trouser. The young woman's jaw went slack. "Why...?" Sara could only manage to croak out.

"Ah," Leesha added, "As to not cheat by pulling on the straps of the suits. The challenge is supposed to be a testament of strength."

"Oh yes...of course...makes excellent sense," Sara's mouth felt quite dry.

The young woman recalled Jaal's naked form, and while the pink angaran's skin had been smooth, Evfra's was peppered with scars, with one long gash running down the length of his back and...is it getting hot in here? Sara had a sudden urge to fan herself...

[Pathfinder, the ambient temperature in the training center has unchanged, but your vitals have. Your pulse has...]

'Shush SAM let me enjoy this.' Sara quickly interrupted the AI so that she could give the spar 100% of her attention. It was all for training purposes after all.

The two angarans straight up lunged at each other in an all out grapple. This wasn't an intricate dance, but a testosterone fueled test of brute strength...and Sara was transfixed as she watched well toned muscles ripple under taut blue gradient skin. They were almost neck and neck in strength as the two grunted and growled at each other, trying to find various ways to unbalance the other.

But Evfra had something the younger angaran didn't, experience. It was only a matter of time before the leader tested several maneuvers against his partner, until the angaran was able to out maneuvered him. Evfra picked up Ovark as if he weighed nothing, before sending the angaran crashing back down on the mat.

"Leader I yield!" Ovark gasped as he crumpled onto the mat.

'I would yield too…' Sara nearly let slip aloud as she watched Evfra straighten then pull Ovark up to his feet with fluid ease. The leader then rolled his muscular shoulders causing the young woman to involuntarily clear her throat. There was something about the angaran's strength, broad shouldered muscular physique, and tantalizing bioelectric fields just called to her. 'Oh damn…Sara go get yourself some gatorade to quench that thirst!'

The young woman's mind nearly did a reboot as she realized her thoughts. 'Oh gawd,' she needed to get her mind out of the gutter. Sara had to stop this train of thought because it was starting to become a bit too much. The young woman bit her lip...just as her bright eyes locked with molten blue ones. She took in Evfra's panting and glistening form. While Akksul called him a fossil, what Sara saw was anangaran at his prime, a dominant male on top of his game, and with no equal.

Evfra broke their gaze as members surrounded him with questions on how their leader employed the particular moves he had used. Meanwhile, Sara released the breath she didn't realize was stuck in her throat.

"Oh, he was definitely showing off," Leesha chuckled and playfully nudged Sara's shoulder.

"Ah ha HA!" The young woman laughed weakly and awkwardly; it must have been pretty bad as even Leesha gave her a questioning gaze. But, before the member could ask anything another angaran had arrived behind them.

"Sara, may I request some of your time?" It was Moshae.

"Oh! Of course Mosahe!" Sara replied as she quickly jumped to her feet before casting a glance in the leader's direction.

Evfra watched as Moshae arrived, apparently to retrieve Ryder. He wasn't too pleased, he had wanted to spend more of his evening with her. But Ryder would undoubtedly be busy now. The young woman gave him a quick look and waved a farewell. Evfra replied with an acknowledging nod as he watched her leave. Quickly and tactfully, he excused himself from the volley of questions and dismissed the members for the night. The resistance leader was in great need of a cold shower...

Evfra released a long sigh of relief once he reached the privacy of his home. A need had been building up deep within his core and the angaran was not some fresh springtime adolescent to not recognize what it meant. The leader was suffering from a pent up sexual need. Having watched Ryder's flexible body...quite keenly... the floodgate of a deep instinctual hunger had been torn open. Evfra rubbed his gloved hands upon his scarred face. It has been so long since he felt this need; the yearning for another so carnal in nature that it couldn't be ignored or subdued with meditation.

And then there was a new sensation...Evfra felt desirable! Upon seeing Ryder's wide surprised eyes and intense gaze as she worried her bottom lip. It definitely did not go unnoticed by the angaran. Especially the way her eyes lingered on him during the spar. Was there equal hunger within them? A similar need within her as well? A shiver traced down his spine causing the leader to growl deeply as his nose flared.

Evfra rubbed his forehead against the cool door before he recalled the angaran physician's recommendation that stress relief was healthy. He needed it, Evfra could no longer deny himself and if anything it would help him clear his head of the muddled thoughts roused by his bodily needs.

The leader made his way upstairs to the master bedroom, where he entered the bathroom. The angaran decided a shower would be better than a bath for his current...ailment. He had a moderately sized shower area that produced a rushing waterfall like effect. Evfra stripped before letting the warm water run down his back while steam began to plume up in the air.

As the angaran calmed down, he thoughts returned to Ryder. Evfra began to wonder just how her dexterous fingers would feel upon him. Her hungry eyes did not seem deterred by his scars. In fact they may have had the opposite effect on the young woman. Again the very notion of him being desired by Ryder caused him to let loose a lustful growl.

He was barely cognizant of the fact that his hand began to lazily trace along a few long scars upon chiseled his chest. Would Ryder trace his scars in wonder? His skin tingled yearningly at the thought, while his hand began to travel down along his lean muscular abdomen.

Soon Evfra found himself exquisitely relieved as he panted in the steamy shower. The angaran had to take a few steps back until he felt the other wall so that he could rest himself against it. Chest heaving, his flushed blue skin looked even darker as he relished the afterglow, thinking of how he would enjoy it in Ryder's warm caring embrace.

Oh...he had it bad...


[NOTE] To be in line with the T rating here on FFnet, the story skipped over a few spicy details. You'll find the mature version of AO3.