Author's Note: Does anyone think the girl described in the song "The Party Song" by Blink 182 sounds like someone from Harvest Moon! I was listening to the song on my way to school, and "And then I saw her standing there, with GREEN EYES and LONG BLOND HAIR…" made me freeze for a moment. (oh come on, this should be obvious!) this is the first of two more short chapters that mark the end of this work (first fic finished!). Second fic (no title yet) is coming.
Prey to a Hunter
Chapter 16:
Trophy
(Mira)
Finally regaining my footing, my left arm hung limply as I saw Cliff dueling the Predator! He was doing quite well, actually, the Yautja warrior using twin blades and Cliff his single katana. But seeing as the hunter's attacks grew quicker and dangerously close, Cliff wouldn't last much longer against this onslaught.
My prediction held true as Cliff cried out in pain, blood spurting into the air from a ragged wound along his arm. Several more blows brought the former mercenary to his feet, and the hunter raised his sword, preparing for a final strike that would kill Cliff!
I began to climb out of the hole, but I knew I would not arrive in time to either kill the hunter or save Cliff. Maybe while the creature was distracted, I could kill it, but Cliff was as good as gone.
(Jack)
I knew what I had to do. Cliff would die unless I intervened now.
I sprinted forward, raising Zack's carbine above my head. The hunter laughed triumphantly, but was cut short as I slammed the butt of the rifle into the Predator's facemask. The creature staggered, slightly disoriented. I opened fire, spraying the creature with bullets. The creature staggered further backwards, roaring in surprise and pain. It turned, and kicked me in the face. I grunted, falling backwards. Gasping in pain as the hunter's blade sunk into my gut, the blood darkened my overalls as I fell. The wound wasn't deep, and I knew I would be alright.
Mira rushed past me, on my right, as the rifle's bolt cycled the chamber, empty. I had done all I could, buying Mira enough time to get back into the fight. The only thing I could do now was wait and hope.
(Mira)
I leapt back into battle, kicking the hunter in the chest. I could not fight for long, as my injuries and wounded arm hindered my capabilities. I slashed, left and right, flurrying my attacks and pushing the creature backwards. It fended off my attacks for a time, until my blade finally cut through the short offhand sword. It snapped in half as my spear tip sailed through it. The hunter cast it aside and extended its wristblades, roaring a challenge. We spun, parried, and flurried, but I was quickly gaining the upper hand. I finally battered the hunter's arm out of the way, and moved in for a strike.
The cut was not very deep. It was enough to splatter green ichor over my face, but that was all. The creature roared and slammed its fist into my chest. I could not hold out for much longer. I brought the combistick high above my head, twirling it, and slammed it down, in a final, desperate, attack.
The hunter finally roared in anguish as my blade cut deep into my foe's chest. It held a hand over its wound, and stood tall, out of its battle stance. I stiffened and stared at the creature. It retracted its wristblades and bowed to me.
Child of a warrior, you bring honor to your clan.
I don't need your honor, killer.
You defeated two Yautja warriors in combat today. Do you not realize the honor this brings you?
I don't care. Just let those two, Jack and Cliff, go. They're not who you want. I am.
For the prey of a Yautja to kill one clansman and force the surrender of another marks the prey as an honorable clan member. Take it.
The bowing hunter stood slowly, pulling something out from its belt. To my surprise, the weapon was a 19th century Civil War revolver. The word "Jackson" was inscribed on the side of the weapon, in curling script. Could it possibly refer to the famous Confederate general, "Stonewall" Jackson? It couldn't possibly be his…
"Take it" the hunter said aloud, handing the object to me.
Two of the hunters returned, carrying the dead body of our hunter. The device on its wrist was hacked into pieces, obviously by the fellow Yautja.
You killed him.
We had to. The destruction of this ship with our clan still onboard is blasphemy.
No wonder you're a dying breed. You kill each other over your petty honor.
He would have destroyed the entire ship.
I don't care. Just let my friends go.
(Jack)
The Predator stood tall, glancing towards its comrades. They gurgled and cackled for a second, before re-cloaking and disappearing inside the ship. Another, secondary door slid shut, and a low rumbling noise filled the air.
"Run!" Mira yelled, slowly limping away from the crater. I picked up the wounded Cliff and ran, dropping the carbine and scrambling for cover. The rumbling soon turned into a roar, and suddenly, the entirety of the Predator ship emerged from the crater. It was HUGE. I found it hard to believe that this ship was the meteor Ann and I had watched about a week ago.
The ship held still for a moment before blasting off into space, leaving a small trail behind. Soon afterward, the trail disappeared, too, as the stars winked and twinkled at us.
Around us, debris from the chopper were strewn everywhere. The General, Grey, his guards, the sergeant and Gotz's bodies were thrown around haphazardly, like a child's room when he is finished with his toys.
Mira and I looked at each other, and promptly fainted.
-
(Harris)
Basil, Jeff, Tim and I crashed through the undergrowth, towards the source of the explosion. Karen and Zack had returned, with Rick and Manna, only fifteen minutes earlier, telling us the story of how Jack, Cliff, and Mira had gone deeper into the ship to kill the alien creature. Insanity! They were as good as dead, in my opinion.
As we neared a clearing in the woods, a deafening roar split the air around us. We paused, staring into the skies.
A large ball of flame rose from the ground, shooting rapidly into the skies. I ran faster, drawing my handgun as I ran.
The smoldering remains of a military chopper littered the ground. Grey, Jack, Cliff, Mira, the general, the sergeant, Gotz, and his guards, were all strewn across the clearing. A massive, gaping hole in the ground was glowing, red hot.
Inspecting Gotz, we found a very weak, barely alive, pulse. I doubted that he would survive, but Gotz was my friend. He couldn't die, not like the others. Grey was unconscious, the general the same, and Mira, Jack, and Cliff looked like they wouldn't survive the night. Mira was probably the worst off of the three of them. Her left arm was broken, her ribs looked fractured, and she was covered in blood. Jack had a minor stab wound in his chest, some injuries from shrapnel and the like, but was otherwise unharmed. Cliff had three ragged slash wounds across his body, and was breathing irregularly, but was going to make it.
I lifted Mira onto my shoulder. Blood spurted onto my face, and I realized just how many slash wounds she had sustained. I had no idea what kind of a person she was, but this Mira, to survive so many stab and slash wounds, and still be alive, was amazing. Her face was rapidly becoming paler and paler, so I began to sprint back in the direction of the town.
(later)
"Will they be alright, Tim?"
We stood in the Clinic. Tim's hands were coated in blood, having to tend to Mira, Cliff, Jack, Grey, the General, Shiro, Takatura, Stacker, Gotz, the sergeant, AND Larsen was taking it's toll on him. Elli's face was covered in worry as she began to wrap bandages around Mira's arms.
"I think so. I was worried about Gotz and Mira, but they'll survive the night. The sergeant is in a coma, and medical help is coming from the Marine base, Gateway. There are even a team of soldiers from the American mainland inbound. I'm not sure why they're bothering now" Tim laughed, the stress of the last week apparent in his eyes.
Rick sat in the corner, staring forward, his eyes glassy. Lillia was stricken, staring at her son with sad, desperate eyes. Karen was nowhere to be found.
Mary hovered over Grey, watching intently as Elli applied a cool compress to his skull. I could see his eyes rolling in the boy's head. He was going to be alright.
Doug was also silent, sitting in a chair next to Lillia. His face was neutral, staring ahead at Jack, who was being fussed over by Ann.
"He's coming around!" she yelled excitedly. I smiled.
"Now, Ann, don't shout like that. You'll only scare him…" I smiled.
Jack slowly sat up.
"Where…what happened?" he groaned. Ann was immediately on top of him, embracing him tightly.
"JACK!" she screamed. Jack's eyes bulged, and his face turned several shades of blue.
"Ann…augh…aahh…I'm happy to see you, too…" he groaned. Ann's face was blissful as she let go.
"I thought we lost you" she said.
Jack smiled.
"And you expect me to say something really anti-climatic here, right?" he joked, poking Ann in the ribs. She squealed and batted at his hands.
I silently began to walk home, feeling once again, safe.