CHAPTER TWO: THE BACKWATER PLANET

Dei'r'dre looked at herself from head to toe. She was fully armored in black armor and geared in all her weaponry. She stared at her mask, the metal reflecting the lights from the stars. She sighed and sat on her bed. She didn't know what to do. She knew her friends and new students would be on this hunt, but something was missing. she twirled her dreadlocks, the silver rings clinging into each other.

"Warrior Dei'r'dre," a student said through the intercom by her door. She recognized the voice as Haktek's, a young student who who was very enthusiastic. He was to bring him his family honor on this hunt. She walked over to it and pressed the button.

"What is it Hahkek?" She asked.

"The leader wants you at the bridge. We have the backwater planet in our sights." Hahkek replied, trying to sound demanding, but only produced a nervous stammer. She laughed.

"Alright." She said, still giggling. "I shall be there in a few." She pressed the button and the sliding door opened. She strode through the ships halls, reaching the bridge in time to see the massive blue planet in the windows of the ship. the Royal Yautja's silhouette against the bright blue oceans. She stood in awe for a minute, then walked slowly to the bridge, her armored heels clicking against the floor. Their leader turned around and clicked his mandibles.

"Ah. Dei'r'dre. I was meaning to talk to you." He said, his cape furling around his legs as he walked to her. She smiled and bowed. "I need you to take a few of the students into your group. They will learn much from you."

"Yes, lord. Oh, and Lord?" She asked, the clan leader staring at her intently.

"What is your true name?" He stared at her for a while. She took his silence as if she insulted him. She bowed her head. "I am sorry if I insulted you. Please forgive me." She added quickly. He rose his hands.

"My name..."He interrupted, "is Ra'a'nc." Dei'r'dre grew silent. He smiled and touched her cheek. "You did not insult me." She smiled. But behind them, Hr'aen was fuming.

Hr'aen watched Dei'r'dre and Ra'a'nc talk, and snarled. He couldn't believe she fell for a pansy royal. He hated that stupid pauk-de and his power. U'ru'kak, his partner noticed him clenching his fists.

"What's wrong Hr'aen?" The youngblood asked, staring at Hr'aen in confusion. He followed the angry yautja's gaze and saw he was staring at the two flirting. he sighed. "Hr'aen... don't-"

"Get us ready for re- entry!" Ra'a'nc yelled, and U'ru'kak quickly turned to his computer, as did Hr'aen.

"We are directing the SHA'AR to enter atmosphere now." They both said, Hr'aen with more anger in his voice. "Coordinates accepted. Autopilot on." Hr'aen growled, his eyes darkened by shadows. Dei'r'dre smiled at him, but he turned away grunting.

"Four thousand feet until re- entry." U'ru'kak said, typing in commands to the computer.

"Commands taken, entering at normal speed." Hr'aen replied. Suddenly, a jolt hit the ship. Dei'r'dre fell to the floor, crying out. Alarms sounded throughout the ship, sending yautja running. Another jolt hit the ship, sending all of them sprawling.

"We're coming in at the wrong angle!" Hahkek screamed, viewing the screen. Hr'aen grabbed the control panel and started typing in coordinates. Dei'r'dre ran to his side and started typing also. The alarm stopped and the jolting slowed to natural re-entry bumps. The warriors cheered them both and Dei'r'dre put a hand on Hr'aen's shoulder, smiling. He sneered and threw her hand off, stomping away.

"Hr'aen!" She called, confused. Hr'aen roared, furious. He knew who all of them were cheering for. He headed to his bunker and locked the door. He took his mask off and threw it onto his bed. Soon, a timid voice could be heard from behind the titanium door.

"Hr'aen?" It was Dei'r'dre. "Hr'aen... let me in." He snorted.

"Go play with your pansy boyfriend." He growled. Dei'r'dre was silent for a moment.

"Hr'aen. He is my leader. I am of lower status than him. Even if I could, I wouldn't." Hr'aen heard her say. He hesitated. What did she mean by that. He let out a sigh of defeat and opened the door. She came in and sat down next to him, though he didn't look at her.

"What do you want?" He grumbled. She wrapped her arms around him. He looked at her, his golden eyes shining. She smiled at him and let out a click.

"I want to say that we are at the planet now." She said, laughing a bit. He smiled and clicked his mandibles. "Come on. Let's go." She grabbed his hands gently and led him out of the room. Hr'aen snickered and bolted, Dei'r'dre chasing him. Finally, she caught up with him and pounced onto his back. They both fell and laughing, wrestled for a while, Hr'aen winning every time since Dei'r'dre was ticklish. Ra'a'shi strode into the hallway.

"Come," He said, without looking at them. "You should have been out there a while ago." Hr'aen helped Dei'r'dre up and followed Ra'a'shi to the exit of the ship. They looked at each other for a minute, Dei'r'dre smiling. Then both put their masks on and stepped out onto the planet's surface with the other hunters, ready to begin the Kainde Amedha Chiva.

A/N: Wow, i know my chapters are short, but hopefully they get longer. Yeah, there will be romance in it so muah! RR! Over and Out!

Nani Coen