Chapter 20

Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.

Despite the reassurance, A'sao snarled like a wounded wolf that had no reason to not otherwise, her shoulders hunched and back pulled like a tightened rope ready to release at any sudden movement. The words of the Bad Blood may have the intention of being friendly but they did little to appease the females. Even Vi'su, who was the first to speak for the male, appeared worried and even defensively reached for her weapon. What conversation did they have that still made her uneasy?

Ethan stepped forward, hands out in front of him, "Everyone calm down. Let's just think this over—"

"Think this over?!" A'sao spat, "This stupid male comes here after participating in the death of our Leader, runs away like a coward, and now dares to approach us like we're comrades! Does that sound logical to you!?"

He shuddered back at the harsh words. No arguing on that . . . He shook his head and put that thought on the back burner, "Like what Vi'su said, if he wanted to kill us, he would have done it when we were injured? Or do you think he's stupid?"

"Bad Bloods are stupid."

"Then do you think oomans are stupid? Like me?"

A'sao flinched and it was half expected from his point of view, given having a raging argument with an alien hunter who could rip him in half even if injured. Plus, he didn't like that he had to pull the guilt card out but it was the only thing he could come up with that could have some effect on her. Taking the opportunity, he turned around and faced the Bad Blood.

"What's your name?"

The Bad Blood paused, a flurry of random clicks echoed underneath his mask, sensing that the male wasn't prepared for such a simple question to be asked of him, much less from an ooman with no regard for the females' reaction who was growling each time he twitched.

After an agonizing minute, the Bad Blood reached for his mask, almost inciting another fight when A'sao stepped forward with her bow out and loaded with an arrow aimed at his jugular. It took Vi'su pressing her hand on her comrade's shoulder to prevent any further conflict that had little guarantee of anyone not dying. Ethan swallowed right as the Bad Blood pulled off his mask, revealing a face that was far from the image he thought in his mind.

Other than the general features of a Yautja, mandibles, and scaled skin, this one had a lot more going on and was far from pretty. A series of old scars and holes decorated his elongated forehead, including a larger one that crossed his entire face and appeared fresh given the irritating edge that was still oozing pale green blood. His lower mandible was missing and the stub was nothing more than exposed bone that seemed infected like someone had snapped it off and not bothered to patch it properly.

The worst of it all was his eyes that were dead, barely showing signs of life or anything else for that matter. The gold luster color in them had faded, his breath was hoarse and each one made his chest shudder as if he struggled to get any breath.

He looks tired. Ethan looked down since he couldn't stand watching this pathetic being. How has he survived this long and still fight?

"What's wrong, ooman?"

Ethan held in a nervous breath as the Bad Blood inched his face closer, the stench of dried blood mixed with rotting flesh almost made his stomach turn itself inside out. The hunter didn't appear to like it as he opened his mandibles and exposed his thin teeth and forked tongue.

Barely in time, he tripped to one side as A'sao shot an arrow into the Bad Blood's shoulder. The male howled and the brief distraction was enough for A'sao to tackle him to the ground. Unfortunately, the Bad Blood didn't fall, and like before but more vicious, the two battled it out like two beasts driven by blood and gore.

"Stop it, A'sao!" Ethan screamed at the top of his lungs, "That's enough!"

Rushing toward the fight, he maneuvered himself so that he could get a firm grip and loosen A'sao's hold on the Bad Blood, all the while missing swipes and punches from both sides. He grabbed the underside of her arms and then kicked his feet in a semi-circle formation to undercut her legs, hoping at least the momentum and gravity would throw her balance.

With unbelievable luck, A'sao stumbled and the Bad Blood took the brief window to throw a hard fist into her side cheek, sending the larger female crashing into a pile of dust.

"You son of a bitch!" A'sao charged again but the Bad Blood saw it coming. The male pressed on her shoulders and kept his ground as she snapped and clawed at him.

Ethan saw through the battle and realized the Bad Blood wasn't retaliating but rather keeping her at bay, refusing to counterattack despite the injuries and the blood smearing over his scales.

"Stop, A'sao!" He went to her to trip her like before. Big mistake.

It happened so fast that one minute he was running and then the next, he was on his back facing the sky, dazed and in extreme pain. The right side of his cheek burned as if someone dragged a hot iron across it, the rest of his body ached and he could barely breathe.

"Ethan!" Vi'su hurried to his side, getting him up with a gentle touch, "Are you alright?"

Ethan wanted to answer but upon looking at the Bad Blood and A'sao still fighting and feeling the warmth of his blood falling off his chin, something inside began to burn. Why you . . .

The anger in him was unleashed as he pushed Vi'su aside and stomped his way to them, taking his rifle and loading it with bullets. He could hear Vi'su clicking her mandibles frantically, a sound he picked up as her being nervous or in shock. Doesn't matter anyway. I had enough of this.

Ethan aimed into the air and with a swift click, the gunshot a few bullets flew into the sky, the sound froze everyone in their spots including A'sao and the Bad Blood, not the best idea but he had no choice but to break this up. At first, he saw the heated glare from her until her eyes moved away to his cheek, quickly drained of any prior emotions, and left a dark cloud over her golden irises.

"Ethan . . ?" She spoke nervously in an apologetic tone.

He didn't buy it at all, stomping his foot hard, "This has got to stop, A'sao!"

His heart raced with resolve, "He didn't come here to pick a fight with you. Why can't you see that?"

A'sao's expression changed, her golden eyes widened in disbelief and then quickly showed anger, "You have no idea what a Bad Blood is capable of. They'll play the vilest tricks to weaken you and then kill you when they get the slightest chance. They are nothing but vermin!"

"It's not like I had a choice!"

The whole area fell silent, left with only the breeze that carried dead leaves throughout the shy. The Bad Blood seethed, the calm demeanor he once had vanished and the rage peeked through his eyes, "You know our laws well enough that we're damned no matter what! Like you know what it's like anyway!"

Ethan paused. No choice? From what little understanding he could piece together, the culture of these hunters must be more brutal than he pictured . . . but then again, remembering what the other Bad Bloods had done to his fellow humans was a huge reminder of that fact.

But he didn't have the time to ponder the rest of the details. A'sao grew angrier and the Bad Blood puffed in frustration while Vi'su stayed back, knowing all too well what was going to happen next.

I had enough of this.

Mustering every ounce of courage and aggression, Ethan stomped his way until he placed himself once more between the Bad Blood and A'sao, directing his attention to the latter who was once again in utter shock.

"Ethan," Her voice was low but hoarse in a struggle to contain herself, "Get. Out. Of. My. Way."

"No."

A'sao hissed, "Move, or else I'll do it for you."

"I will not."

Both stood still and even though the rage thickened and swirled around him like a vice, he kept his ground, firmly pressing his heels, "You told me you trust me but instead you went against my concerns with no regard for anyone but yourself."

A'sao opened her mouth to protest but Ethan raised his face and pointed at his cheek, the blood still oozed and each simple touch fueled the sting that ran through his jaw. He didn't need to speak any words to get the message to her, the flinch in the smallest features was clear enough.

"Right now you're acting like a child with a tantrum, not thinking about the consequences," He sighed, "We need help."

"But—"

"But nothing!"

She let half of a growl before she could stop it, only making Ethan glare. After what seemed like an eternity, he let the heavy emotions go, took a deep breath, and spoke with the calmest of tones.

"If you don't trust me, at least respect my decision after everything we went through and . . ."

I won't allow my team to die without completing the mission . . . So make sure that those two stay alive until then.

He shut his eyes briefly, "So shut up and let me do this."

He didn't give a choice as he moved away from her and faced the Bad Blood, the same reaction of shock written on his face as he stopped a foot away. Ethan felt his breath and the smell of dirt and blood mixed within the small space, "What's your name?"

The Bad Blood eyed behind, most likely at A'sao before he relaxed, "It's Da'kiun."

Ethan nodded, "My name's Ethan. I wish I could say it's a pleasure to meet you under these circumstances."

"Same here."

The demeanor of the Bad Blood wasn't what he would anticipate, given his limited experience with the bloodthirsty monsters on this godforsaken planet. He spoke in an 'almost' friendly manner and then placed his hand horizontally across his chest and bowed his head. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Vi'su and A'sao almost dropping their jaws in utter astonishment.

I wonder why.

The Bad Blood, or rather Da'kium, rose back up and nodded his head. Ethan did the same in return, "So what is it that you can help us?"

Da'kium took a deep breath, "I know you've been hunting Na'tou-Va for some time. Your parties never ceased to stalk us like shadows."

When A'sao growled, Da'kium lowered his head and knew he was close to making a fatal mistake. Ethan had to cough to prevent another fight that he may not be able to stop a third time, "But from your side, you got close but never able to catch him."

"Just get to the point, Bad Blood."

A'sao scratched the ground with her feet and everyone went on edge. Only Ethan remained calm but had to twist his face so fast and give one look, not a mean one but neither friendly, one that made it clear between them. She turned away, grunting but at least obeying his wishes to keep quiet. Good.

He faced Da'kium, "Just . . . tell us."

He waited until Da'kium had the willpower to even speak, again eyeing A'sao and Vi'su for signs of aggression, "I can get you access to his ship."

A'sao grunted, "They have dozens of ships with them. A whole, stolen fleet at best to call it. What makes you think that—"

"He has a Ch'ul-din."

Ethan tightened his eyebrows. What is that? He looked at the females when he heard the furious and distressed clicking of their mandibles, confused as to the shocked expression in their eyes.

"What is a . . ?" He asked.

Vi'su, after being silent for most of the conversation, finally spoke, "It's a device amongst our kind, acts similarly to a cloaking device that oomans would compare it to. This is bad."

He could tell the worry in Vi'su's eyes and A'sao was also concerned, staring at Vi'su as if her comrade was about to collapse at any moment. "Okay . . . But why would that be bad?"

Vi'su had to pause, "It's very rare, only used among Arbitrators to track their targets. Most of our ships are fitted with something similar but this one also can effectively cover electrical signals, making it impossible to detect until it's too late. Only one clan in the entire Yautja society makes them."

Vi'su calmly walked straight to Da'kium and began to speak in Yautja. For her to suddenly change the language, he knew something was wrong and it frustrated him inside not to be in the loop but all he could do was wait, observing their expressions go from concern to fright and then to despair in Vi'su. Da'kium sighed as if a heavy weight was lifted.

He sensed A'sao coming to his side but she got too close for comfort, especially with the fight still fresh, so he stepped away. He heard her purr very softly for only his ears to hear but he groaned, stepping a foot away from her. Not right now.

After a moment, Da'kium and Vi'su finished and she sighed before she spoke, "We need to get that ship as soon as possible. If it's true that Na'tou-Va has such a thing, we need to get him now."

"And how do you propose that? A'sao growled, "The last time we tried that, we lost—"

She swallowed, and his fists tightened, "It was a disaster and not something we can't afford to make a second time."

Da'kium nodded, "I have access to the system, took me forever to even get close but . . ."

"But what?"

Da'kium met Ethan's gaze and when he glanced into them, he didn't like it one bit and he swallowed as he heard the words come out of the Bad Blood's mouth.

"It's not going to be easy."

Hello everyone

Sorry to make this a short response but I must give my sincerest apologies for delaying such a great story along with the rest. It has become difficult in the last month or so regarding my personal life, so much so that I didn't have the energy to write as much as I wanted. But your comments, kudos, and likes have not gone unanswered and so I finally post this chapter after so long and hope the future road becomes smoother as the holidays roll in.

Thank you very much for your support and Good Hunting to all.

Normal = Human speaking human language

Bold = Yautja speaking ooman (human) language

Bold and Italics = Yautja speaking Yautja language

Arbitrator(s) = A bounty hunter among Yautja (hunts Bad Bloods specifically)

Ch'ul-din = A device used on ships (particularly Arbitrator's)

Da'kiun = Outcast (literally . . . Poor guy)