Chapter 2 Reviews:
Deebuggie – Hi there! Thanks for putting me on your favourites list, and thanks for offering to beta. I'll make sure that in future you get to read the chapters through first before I post them. Did you know you can actually get the predator alphabet as a font? I can't remember where I found it though… oh well. And if I ever need some info on Predator or Alien lifestyle (I can think of one or two places in the story already) then I'll make sure to ask you.
~Chapter 3~
"So he does not know what we have done, or why he has been asked here?" Nie'de asked Kurath, following him over the rocky landscape and down into the crevice. From what Kurath would tell him and the hints he had dropped, it seemed like this new comrade was going to join them being completely unaware of their situation. Nie'de could not help but grin; it would be interesting to watch the reaction of the newcomer when he did find out.
"He does not know of our purpose, nor does he know of the deeds we have done; I contacted him before the attack on Yrr'gen, so hopefully he has had no communication with those that are probably hunting us – if indeed they have linked us to our 'work'. His ship was further away from this planet than ours, so he should take a little while longer to get here," Kurath replied as he walked through a naturally formed tunnel and out onto the other side. In front of them, their ship, the Ga'ed-a'rath, stood proudly between the valley walls. Hot, heavy rain began to fall from the sky as they crossed the now dry riverbed and returned to the ship.
"Why all of this secrecy towards him? Surely he must have… similar ideas to our own."
"Quite the contrary! He upholds the codes of honour and even teaches it to the young. And before you ask why I would think he would be willing to help us if he abhors what we have become…" He paused. "Well, let's just say that I have my reasons." Nie'de thought for a moment about how much of an outsider this new one was going to be to their group, and as a result of this contemplation, he burst into a malicious cackle.
"Ah! Are me and the boys going to have some fun with this one!" Nie'de grinned, shaking his fists above his head with anticipation. Kurath suddenly turned around and faced him, standing halfway up the ship's opening ramp. His musk smelt of rage.
"You, or anyone else under my command will not harm him!" He growled, leaning forwards over Nie'de's face. Nie'de wanted to ask why, but knew better to anger his leader further. He tilted his head in acknowledgement of Kurath's words, and they continued up the ramp.
"I was just wondering if you knew how and where we are going to get these pyode amedha from – after all, we both know that it is going to be difficult finding pyode amedha that aren't going to fight us, yet are willing to fight the bugs."
"Don't worry about those details," his leader replied. "I already have those worked out." Kurath went towards the ship's bridge, whereas Nie'de decided he would go and get a drink in the ship's lounge.
The door opened – and Nie'de dodged to the left in time to avoid being hit in the face by a flying mug. And standing on the tables were 'Tkon'te and Sin-ae'de, whilst In'dre-an'de and Ha-rauth stood on the ground, cheering the argument on. Greeahnyau was not here; perhaps he was helping Kurath on the bridge, or in his quarters. They knew that Nie'de was there, and they also knew that he found their fights entertaining; he would not interrupt the battle. Nie'de walked up to In'dre-an'de.
"What are they fighting over this time?" He asked. In'dre-an'de shrugged.
"You know how they always like to test each other's skills and fight over anything," the shorter yautja replied. "I think this time they weren't looking at each other 'correctly', and no other reason but that." In'dre-an'de went back to watching the battle whilst Nie'de went to mix himself a drink. As always with this type of fight between the two yautja, first one to fall to the floor lost. And so they danced from table to table, slashing and kicking out at each other in an attempt to make the opponent lose his balance. 'Tkon'te jumped onto Sin-ae'de's table, pushing the younger yautja's chest and kicking him behind the legs, cusing him to hit the table hard, but he was still in the fight. Sin-ae'de kicked 'Tkon'te's shins, but he managed to jump back to his table just in time to avoid being struck. Sin-ae'de quickly stood back up onto his feet, and crouched, looking up at 'Tkon'te on the other table. Both warriors were grinning away. 'Tkon'te waited for Sin-ae'de to come to him, but Sin-ae'de was patient – 'Tkon'te was not. Sin-ae'de knew this, and used it to his advantage. After a minute or so, 'Tkon'te gave up waiting for Sin-ae-de to strike, and lunged forwards. Sin-ae'de, who was still crouching, kicked out with his legs whilst 'Tkon'te was still jumping though the air. His feet collided with 'Tkon'te's chest, knocking him to the floor. Sin-ae'de had won the fight. The winner was congratulated, whilst 'Tkon'te skulked off to a table. In'dre-an'de quickly joined him, and normal life resumed. Well, what was considered normal for their caste, anyway.
*
Greeahnyau was sitting at the communications console when Kurath strolled in.
"Report," his leader commanded.
"Well, there's a small shuttle coming our way," he replied. "It doesn't appear to be able to house anymore than three grown yautja. Weapons are minimal; nothing that can contend with ours. Other than that, there appears to be nothing."
"Appears to be, or isn't?" Kurath hated answers that weren't definite; it did not put his mind at ease.
"There… isn't."
"How long before the shuttle reaches our position?"
"About half of one of this planet's days." Kurath knew for sure who was in the shuttle; the one who was going to become the newest member of their crew. Hopefully, he would be alone as Kurath had asked.
"Open a communications channel with the shuttle." Greeahnyau did as he was told.
"Who is it that approaches the planet Koreishta?" Kurath asked the shuttle. There was a moment's pause before a message returned. There was very slight interference due to the ferocity of the storm, but the words were clear enough: "Murakht approaches Koreishta. I come alone by the request of Kurath, leader of the ship know as the Ga'ed-a'rath." The voice on the other end matched the name given, and he knew that Murakht could tell that it was him.
"Welcome, Murakht. Land your shuttle nearby and join us. All will be explained," he greeted, and when no reply retuned, he told Greeahnyau to terminate the link. "Now all we need to do is wait."
*
Kurath had gathered all of his warriors in the main bay. The shuttle would be landing at any minute now, and he wanted Murakht to see that he had order and discipline installed in all of them. And of course, he might need all of them if there was more than just Murakht on the shuttle. They had lowered the ship's ramp, and they could hear the rhythmic engine of another ship landing nearby. It was still raining, and a mist had settled around the ship, obscuring distant objects from sight, and making nearer ones barely visible. Slowly, a lone figure came into view, carrying something under it's arm; probably a mask. As the form neared, the mist grew less dense, and whilst Murakht began to walk up the ramp, his features became more defined. Finally, he stopped a few paces in front of the assembled crew, and what they saw made all but Kurath gasp audibly at the proud warrior. Murakht was the exact appearance of Kurath. Murakht… was Kurath's twin.
~End of Chapter 3~