Chapter 8 Reviews:

Amouthea – Here's another chapter! This won't be the final version though – my beta is away and she always notices ways to improve it. XD Have a happy New Year to all!

A/N: Damn it, I've been so ill lately, which is why this chapter is later than planned. I won't tell you how I am ill, but my last attempted meal is currently trying to get out of my system in a style much akin to a chest-burster.

Chapter 9

Me'gaht sat at the console, piloting the ship whilst Kekhani attended to the most serious of his wounds.

"I told you: you need to get fitter!" Kekhani smirked. Me'gaht did not hear what the younger Yautja had said; he was absorbed half with the piloting, and half with what he had just witnessed. They would have lots to tell Nidrua when they returned. But the point was: what did it have to do with the Arbitrators – or even the Bad Bloods for that matter? His thoughts were interrupted as Kekhani plunged the device into his back, causing searing pain in all of his veins; the healing device sealed all of his wounds. No warrior could help but shout aloud from the agonizing process.

"Where do we go from here? Back to Nidrua, I guess," Kekhani stated aloud.

"I don't see what else we can do but follow that course of action – and those were our orders after all: 'at the first sign of trouble, you are to leave'," Me'gaht replied. Now it was Jechonde's task to remain silent.

"Let's get back to the Aki're'ga then," he replied solemnly. I wonder what's been going on in the meantime, Jechonde thought.

Repair work on the Aki're'ga had been completed, although everything seemed to be going so slow. Most of the yautja had spent their time in training to prevent getting in the way of the skilled mechanics: Shar-Issq, Yojhain and Ekkudo. They could be of no other use at that time. Nidrua sat in his private study, reading all the texts he could find on the planet Koreishta. He had to be careful what he requested though – some of the Arbitrators had already begun to ask questions. From what was in front of him, the planet had never been of much interest to the Yautja; the life-forms were considered worthy of hunting, yet none were ever taken. The planet's environment was not toxic or dangerous enough to be considered worthy of examination, in his own opinion. A knock came from the other side of the door before Ah'ni'drin walked in without waiting for acknowledgement; his status as 'runt' always amused Nidrua enough to give him some special privileges that the others did not receive. However, Nidrua's patience was decidedly less than usual.

"I hope those aren't your weekly crosswords you're doing, Leader Nidrua," Ah'ni'drin smirked. Nidrua was very surprised that his subordinate had used such an honourable address during his statement.

"Three across: 'Another name for Ah'ni'drin. Begins with a 'W', six letters'," Nidrua replied in dulcimer tones, pretending to be absorbed in the 'crossword'. Ah'ni'drin's eyebrows rose at the same moment he unconsciously cocked his head to one side quizzically. "Wanker!" Nidrua rebuked, throwing the data-pad at his inferior. The young Yautja dodged it with ease – especially as the throw had not been designed to hurt him, but send him a clear message of respecting his superiors. Ah'ni'drin was about to speak – possibly to say something sensible – when Askar'n swiftly turned from the hallway to face Nidrua and rapped on the door rapidly.

"Come in," Nidrua said, making a show to Ah'ni'drin that Askar'n's manners were greatly preferable. The light in Askar'n's eyes seemed somewhat subdued by anxiety and his brow was deeply furrowed with concern – he didn't look at all pleased with whatever he knew. "Well? What is it?" Nidrua asked with a touch of impatience.

"We have company," the warrior reported.

"Ready the others; prepare to face the Bad-bloods!" Nidrua roared, his rage already building up for his enemy.

"They aren't Bad-bloods, leader," Askar'n replied. "They are other warriors – claiming that they were sent by the Arbitrators!" Weary concern swept across Nidrua's face. "They are waiting to speak to you over the communication system right now."

As Nidrua moved toward his ship's bridge, he thought of all of the possible scenarios that could happen with these new comers. Then there were the questions that needed to be answered: why were they here? Who had sent them? And most importantly: what did they know of Kurath, his crew and their plans?

Perhaps these new Yautja knew nothing, and were just there by chance… but Nidrua seriously doubted that. Almost automatically, he turned the communication system on and gave his formal address.

"I am Leader Nidrua of the Kalshawk clan. This is my ship, the Aki're'ga. Please state your name and purpose," Nidrua announced. There was a short break break before the reply was made.

"I am Leader Treska of the Kalshawk clan. My ship is the Nir-iss'in. I have come with Leader O'ark of the Kalshawk clan, with his ship the Jar'ed-ahn, to take over your duties. The Arbitrators want us to pursue the Bad Bloods now. Your authority on the matter has been revoked. Return to your normal duties," the Yautja leader replied. He had sounded younger than Nidrua, but his tone had been full of disrespect. The communications shut off suddenly and the two new ships sped off after their quarry. Nidrua mused on the new situation, seemingly unmoved by what had just taken place.

"Strange how they had so little contact with us…" he muttered almost to himself. "Why, they didn't even ask to find out what knowledge we had accumulated on the Bad Blood ship and crew!" Nidrua thought on this a little longer. "We must continue to follow the Ga'ed-a'rath!" He announced to them all. "We must keep a good distance though – enough to keep tracking them but as far away as possible so that we do not get involved!"

"But leader! This order came from Arbitrators!" Askar'n replied, shocked that his leader would think about disobeying an order – and shocked at himself for questioning his leader. "Shouldn't we-"

"No, Askar'n, I don't think we should do anything but carry on with our original plans," Nidrua replied, the area between his eyes creasing indignantly. "I want to know what this Kurath is up to! And besides, I don't believe that that cocky little leader and his companion can hold their own against the crew of the Ga'ed-a'rath."

"Leader Nidrua! The shuttle that Jechonde, Me'gaht and Kekhani took – it's heading back towards us!" Trecha told him, slightly surprised and relieved at the same time that he would not have to pilot the Aki're'ga any longer.

"Well then, let's go see what they've found out."

End of Chapter 9