Disclaimer: The Predator franchise is the property of
Twentieth Century Fox and is not being used for financial gain.
Author's Note: This story will make little sense unless
you have watched Predator I, and especially Predator II, go rent them at your
local video store today:-)
Prologue
It was
cold, steel pressed against his body, others were holding him down on the
table, his back ached. Large dark shapes were moving back and forth, they were
talking, barely audible, but he knew they were discussing his fate. The unknown
lingered all about him, more terrifying then the physical presence of his
captors.
Like a fog
parting, their tall forms moved with eerie purpose. It was then he knew his
dealings had been discovered. Inside he knew what he had done had been wrong,
but this punishment was too much, nothing could have done deserved this. "I
will change, release me and I will change."
They
ignored him, continuing without pause in their shadowed endeavor.
"Brethren,
I will restore honor, I have learned from my shame!"
They
continued their slow, solemn pace.
He roared
in rage, struggling against his captors, his shouts bellowed across the curved
walls of his prison, echoing back as if to insult him further. Two captors
stood between he and his punishment. The perfection in that metal abomination
was unquestionable, its strength beyond his own, and its disgrace beyond
anything he could possibly deserve.
Then his captors stepped aside;
fear gripped his chest as another advanced upon him, instrument in hand.
His flesh
seared, as the flaming hot metal scoured his body.
* * *
The endless
pain did not leave, yet he stopped his screams only a few hours after the
punishment had been completed. The mark was more than the metal, more than the
burned flesh, it was deeper… further then any blade could dredge. Their mark
had destroyed him.
Yet there
was no rage in him for those who had Wielded the Blades. For there was a one
who deserved his wrath more so than any one here, there was another that was
responsible, one who had destroyed everything, one that would bear the
suffering that was forced upon him. He did not know what would happen to him
once his captors were finished, he didn't care. They could scour his body, but
they would never stop him, they could never protect the one responsible.
No matter
what they did, he would have his revenge.
