Greetings MistFits! Here is Component Nine! I hope it's enjoyable for you all! I hope to start picking up the pace. In all honesty, I didn't expect the story to go on this long - it was initially meant to be a small, filler, in between kind of thing. Somehow it turned out to be far more complex - AND I'M STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THIS THING IS HEADED!
Alright guys! Here ya go and be sure to review. Reviews make my little world go round!
THE ENEMY'S HEART
Unknown Territories
COMPONENT:
NINE
She didn't know how long she had slept for. The soft hum of the Mother Ship almost seemed to pulsate around Lex's senses, inevitably lulling her to a deep sleep unlike she'd ever had before. The human woman was not sure if it was the hum of the vessel that so easily soothed her into slumber – or the warmth of Scar's chest and body pressed so delicately ag inst her as the two slept, bare as babes, upon the massive bed. Either way, the strange peace despite the vicious world she was now part of, was unbelievable to say the least. They'd made love for hours: receiving and giving consolation through physical means to solidify their bond not only to one another, but against any being outside of those doors who would dare challenge it. She turned over, met with a chill indicative of her mate's absence – and it woke her immediately. Lex sat up partially, allowing her eyes to adjust to the orange-ish glow upon her wakening sight.
It didn't take long to find him; he was standing before a screen entirely naked, touching controls and reading over whatever flashed across it. Somehow, Lex had the distinct feeling that even with his cloaking activated, she would still have no problem finding him. The thought of that pleased her, and the longer she watched him, the warmer it felt in her chest. Lex tossed her legs over the side of the bed – relishing in its comfort – and padded on bare feet towards where he stood. The alien's head turned slightly at the sound of her approach, and Lex was pleased to hear him purring before she wrapped her arms around him from behind – letting her hands dance and caress his abdomen and chest as he sighed. Scar took his free hand and lowered it upon her own, letting their fingers intertwine intimately. He never knew that he was capable of such delicacy and affection. It felt odd in some ways, yet made the Yautja male feel stronger in others. Now that he was the last of his clan, having Lex here filled that hole of being snatched away from the only true warmth he had known in this world. This level of affection felt entirely out of character for his species – yet Scar still could find no means of hesitation in accepting it. Then again, the Blooded Hunter had always stood apart in some way from the others of his kind…
"What time is it?" she asked softly. Of course, she didn't know if time to the Yautja was the same as it was for her – but it was a human thing to ask; and despite deliberately walking away from that life, it was a remaining habit that in some ways would be impossible to entirely shake.
Scar's eyes focused once again on the screen, but he would not let her release the embrace from him – holding her hand tighter and purring louder as she pressed deeper against him and sighed. Even when things got serious, he always found a way to show the way he felt for her – the need to have her near. Lex appreciated that, and understood it intimately. "It is tomorrow…"
Lex blinked. "How long did we sleep?"
"Not long…enough…" answered the Blooded hunter with honesty. Of course, the Yautja male lived for the hunt, lived for the battle, but being alone with his mate was practically equal to the ways of his people in every way – and he could not imagine being separated from their times of intimacy for long. At the touch of her breasts against his spine he shivered, but held himself in check.
Lex rounded the creature, letting her arm wrap comfortably around his waist as she too gazed up at the computer-like module before them. On the screen were an assortment of lines, symbols, intricately placed in odd but mesmerizing order. Some would call it chicken scratch – but judging from the intricacy and formation it was obviously the written language of the Yautja people. In some ways it seemed logographic…yet was inconsistent in some areas and therefore more complicated for her mere human eyes to hope to decipher. She couldn't tell if one symbol was a whole word, or if one symbol was only a letter of a word. The longer Lex stared at it, the more confused she became…and surprisingly the more interested in learning more.
Scar watched her assessing the screen, and suddenly reached down, grabbed the woman, and lifted her up with such force and speed she gave a shout. "SCAR!" Lex screeched, gripping his shoulder and dreadlocks in surprise and she fought to maintain her balance as the male plopped her upon his massive and sturdy shoulder. But Scar's mandibles clicked rapidly in pure amusement as he raised an arm and steadied her with a hold on her waist. Lex threw an annoyed scowl at him before chuckling to herself. The memories returned of him playing a prank on her back on the ice of Bouvetoya with the Xenomorph carcass, and then again in New Zealand as he picked her up and tossed the two of them off the edge of a mountainside. Or the time he purposefully carried her on his back, moving in ways to entice her…and of course scooping up Arrowhead by the collar. He was a mischievous little tyrant whenever he felt it necessary – and Lord knows the woman wondered if she would ever get used to his random outbursts of hilarity on his end (a good scare on hers).
She nodded towards the screen. "What's that say?"
Scar cocked his head to the side a little in amazement that she was curious about the language, but answered: "Message…from Clan Leaders…for Un-Blooded to…prepare…" Lex swore the more he talked with her, the more it seemed like his sentences were actually forming with less choppiness. He was mastering her language – could she ever master or at least begin to learn his? She thinks of the way the Yautja talks with roars and clicks and purrs, and tries to imagine herself doing the same. She shook her head. The human vocal chords couldn't possibly be able to handle that kind of treatment. Still, Lex was known for pushing the boundaries, even physically. Maybe…
But something he said had intrigued her. Now it was Lex's turn to cock her head. "Un-Blooded?" she asked.
Scar pointed towards the mark on his forehead, and then the one on her cheek. "You…me…Blooded. Higher rank…of Yautja…Un-Blooded…like children to us…No hunt…Still learn…before passage can be theirs…Not even…Young Bloods…yet."
"Young Bloods?" inquired Lex, reaching a hand forward and gently touching the symbols on the monitor with curiosity. "Is that what you were? When we first met?"
"My brothers and me…yes…Became Blooded when…killed first kiande amedha…" He grows silent for a moment and lowers his head in mourning for not only his dead brothers Chopper and Celtic, but for the entirety of his clan being massacred by the monster that had been bred within him. His brothers had died as Young Bloods due to their inability to defeat the kiande amedha. Chopper had been ambushed by the one called "Grid" (who earned her name after nearly dying at the hand of Celtic). Celtic had fought valiantly in single combat against the same drone – but his overconfidence of impending victory led to his defeat. Grid had proven even then that it was far more intelligent than the kiande amedha they learned of as younglings – which proved even truer once she evolved into a Queen state on Earth a second time. Either way, his brothers had at least died with some honor. But what Scar had done…
Lex noted the shift in her partner's countenance, and took his chin against her fingers, forcing his lowered gaze up to her own. "You're hurting…" she exclaimed with some surprise. Scar set the ooman to the ground and prepared to turn, but she would not let him as she reached out and grabbed his hand – forcing the male to look at her despite not wanting to. "Scar, we don't hide our feelings from each other. Even if you can never show them to the rest of your people, you can always show them to me. I won't think you're any weaker for it. If anything, it will make me respect and love you more." The male purred, and Lex squeezed his hand. "Tell me about your brothers…" When Scar gave her a strange look she smiled a little before offering a soft shrug. "All I know is that one of them has one hell of a kick." Scar smirked a little, but gave her an apologetic look.
"They…would have…adored you, I think…" He faced her entirely, playing with the thickening strands of her hair. He noticed that the humidity seemed to make it swell a bit, offering it a softer and cushiony texture and feel than the straighter, wavier bit he had seen before. He loved this swelling texture – and almost felt some reservation for the change it would have to undergo as Lex became more and more aligned with his way of life. "May have…tried to steal you…from me…" His mandibles cackled. "They could try…My brothers…Clan Leader said…never seen a bond…like ours before…even for brothers. I was younger. Chopper second. Celtic firstborn, leader. We followed him…with pride. The others feared us…for we were more than a pack…we were brothers…"
Lex didn't have any siblings, but she had cousins – plenty of them – and she knew all too well the impact the bonds of family could have against any foe. When Lex walked into a room with her cousins, no one would dare raise up against them. And when one was hurting, they all rushed forward to avenge them. For a moment she remembered the laughter and joys of being with her family – the hugs, the smiles…and then she winced. All that was in the past…she had a family.
"Celtic fought for us…even in youth…He and Chopper were the stronger then…" Then. Indication that now with both his new rank and survival of the Bouvetoya pyramid, the past had changed dramatically. Scar was no longer the weaker of his brothers. Their deaths had served as the nail in that coffin. He remembers fondly a day on a planet that his clan had made home…temporarily. The sun was hot as he raced through the trees of the outlining jungle before bursting through the foliage and running between the buildings built of metal and soil – easy to build, and easier to disassemble. He was small then, a youngling (frail in comparison to the adults), and his short tendrils barely swayed with the motion of his run.
He was being chased down by a group of younglings – a savage pack of 10. To flee was a sin amongst his people, but being so young it was a light offense that would be treated like a temporary sickness – nurtured, treated, and expunged. The young Scar turned down between two homes, ignoring the disgusted rhetoric of a pair of females lingering about. He ducked, just missing the hand that slapped at him in rebuke of fleeing the tormentors. But the way was blocked by the rear end of a small scouting ship, and the youngling turned to face his tormentors who sneered and cackled in what they believed would be their victory. Scar had been cornered, but now with no other course of action did the one thing he was bred to: fought back viciously in claw matches against all 10 males as well as he could. But he did not have to fight on his own for long.
The youthful roar of his two older brothers charging down the alleyway met him and the pack, and before they could properly face the dangers, his brothers Celtic and Chopper began beating back the assaulters, spraying the earth and structures with the green blood of the offenders. When they had submitted to defeat, and departed from the alleyway in shame, Chopper turned and extended a hand, helping Scar up and nuzzling his younger brother on the forehead with a soft purr. Celtic had been less receptive – growling at the youngest of the trio in disappointment and disapproval. "You are too weak," the eldest had scorned. "There is little honor in us fighting your battles."
"I could not fight them all…" argued Scar. Even and especially as a child, he had always been so very much different from his older brothers. More playful, less aggressive (including less aggressive than was commonly found in the sex of his species at that age) …yet also much keener and more perceptive of situations and environments than the others – a noted trait amongst the leaders of his clan. It would show itself true on the ice of the frozen Pyramid on Earth.
Chopper interjected then, lightly punching Scar on the shoulder. "It's not as if they could kill you, little brother," he had said. "It's forbidden for us to challenge to a death match – you know this. Bruised flesh and broken bones at the worst."
"But," interrupted Celtic with a fierce growl and rough slap into Scar's shoulder aggressively, "if you had been older and fleeing – broken bones would be the least of your worries." Chopper splayed his arms at the older sibling in defense of the younger, taking exception to Celtic's rough handling of him. Naturally, in their species, younglings were not coddled or shown as much affection as when they were much younger. They were often treated "roughly" at the hands of the adults – preparing them for the strength they would have to have as hunters themselves. But this trio were unique in their own way. Their mother was unknown – their father, long dead. They had been taken in under the strict tutelage and rearing of their clan's Ancient – BladeStrike (Ta'uk's brother). Amongst the eyes of the watching, they mostly behaved as they were expected to…but when alone.
Chopper knew that Celtic was right. Among the Yautja: to flee was the greatest sin of all. It was more honorable to die in failure, than to flee from death or defeat. The laws were clear, and the disdain of running was pure and untouchable. Punishment was absolute. At the lightest, if Scar had been much older and caught running as he had now, banishment for centuries and the stripping of his ranks and titles would be the assault – forcing him (when or if he ever returned) to start all over again in obtaining his prowess and rank. At the heaviest, death would be awaiting him – an execution for his shame. Celtic was right in his sharpness regarding the younger's faults – but Chopper still did not particularly feel fondness for the extra strike against him. Celtic, however, ignored his brother's challenge and instead said with finality: "Do not let it happen again."
And Scar never did. He never fled from a challenge – or feared being outnumbered. Coming back to his senses and reality, the massive being looked once more to his ooman mate. "Our bond was strong…They would have respected you…for helping me…for killing for me…" He caressed her hand. "It is…a deep sadness…them gone. Like…part of me has been stabbed through…melted with kiande amedha acid…"
Lex nodded her head, walking inward into her companion for an embrace which he easily accepted. "I know, Big Guy," she confided honestly. "When my father died…It was like my whole world was shattered right out from under me. Being apart from my mother – it feels nearly as painful."
Scar pushed her back a little, staring deeply into her hooded eyes until she could only look away. Somehow the compassion in his gaze nearly brought her to tears – and she didn't want him to think yet again that she had reason to regret her choice. But Scar knew her better. "You…miss her…" It wasn't a question.
"She's my mother. I will always miss her – whether it's because I walked away, or she did…or even if she ever passed away. It's a hole that never gets filled."
Yautja mother's could be fond of their children – very protective and even sometimes affectionate. If all other society was harsh and cruel, a mother may be kinder to her younglings than perhaps another child. But Scar did not know his mother. He did not even know what caused her to vanish altogether. All he knew was that she had the litter of he and his siblings, and then disappeared. His father had died long before. But if human mothers and Yautja mothers could hold any similarities of closeness with their children, Scar thought that maybe the grief he felt for the loss of his clan and death of his brothers truly was one that he and Alexa could relate to on a deeper level. If only there was something that he could do to make the pain less for his mate-.
A soft chime entered the room, and Scar looked up in recognition before sighing. "Eat…"
Lex practically turned red – her body still sore after their consummating not only last night, but for the numerous days before arriving to Ta'uk's mother ship. "You're not tired?!" she squeaked. Lex prided herself on her heightened sex drive thanks to Scar – but her body just might turn to jelly if they continued again…at least today.
Scar blinked and then shook his head with a laugh. "Not eat. EAT. Food."
"Food?" Almost instantly her stomach growled in admonition and pain. When was the last time she'd eaten?
Scar chuckled and then went to a compartment, pulling out cloth. She was surprised to find something larger for him, and much smaller for her. Lex stared, waiting to see if he would pull out any weapons or armor, but was pleasantly surprised to see not. Instead, he had a loincloth that was reminiscent of an Egyptian schenti (but much short) which would be held in place it appeared by some kind of belt. It was dark brown in color – and had a pair of matching arm gauntlets decorated with a bracelet made of tiny bones – like the heads of mice…mice with flaying jaws. For her, it was the same – a much shorter schenti/loin cloth and strapless cropped top. It was also dark brown, with the same matching gauntlets. They would be dressed the same. "No guns?" she teased.
"No need. Not hunting. Not training. Peace…for now…Here." He pulled out an ancient looking box decorated in residue of blood and grass and soil. He lifted the lid, and revealed a pair of necklaces…Lex gasped. Necklaces that featured fangs around the string, and in the center, a large, black and pointed dagger like appendage.
"Scar," she whispered, enamored by the savage beauty of the jewelry. She knew instantly what the black end was…the barb-like end of a kiande amedha (xenomorph) tail. She reached into the box and pulled out the smaller set, admiring it delicately as Scar fiddled with his own, and then spun the woman and placed hers around her neck.
"Took these," he cackled, "from the kiande amedha you fought…in the green land…Same who had you tight in the tail…Same one you killed on the battlefield…" Latch. The female Latch that had constricted her to near death in New Zealand, and whom she letter pelted with bullets from a machine gun until there was practically nothing of it left…
Lex placed her fingers upon the barb in awe, smiling softly in pleasure that he'd gone this far to make this for her. It would be a statement: one that reminded her of her capabilities in the face of this new life she was living, and one that would show all who saw it upon the both of them that they were not to be trifled with. They killed the most prized prey of the Yautja people – twice. Others may not have liked their bond. But they would have to accept it.
The feast would commence soon – a ceremonial meal marking the preparation for the Un-Blooded to prove themselves and move up to the next rank of Blooded amongst their people. Already there were many who had shown they could accomplish the task with ease, and there was a great flurry of ceremonious excitement about as the Mother Ship made its way to the Trial Planet. The Un-Blooded were antsy – their bloodlust only heightened by the excitement of proving themselves worthy of the hunt. For weeks they had trained with Clan Leaders – and in just a short while they would go down to the surface and show off what they've learned.
Many Yautja of rank and none, old and young, gathered together in the massive chamber, conversing amongst one another, sharing tips and stories of hunts passed. The memories of their own Trials were enough to stir the seasoned hunters with fond memories, and the youth hoping to claim their own titles? Insatiable hunger. Yeyin'thwei and Ta'uk sat together, side by side, at a large table that stretched most of the room – the remaining Clan Leaders and Elders at either side of them.
Everyone onboard were gathered, male and female alike. Everyone except the pair whom so many were so desperate to see. Those who had not been present at their arrival, had heard the story of not only the challenge that faced the two while making their way to the Elders, but also of the assault that met them from within the meeting chamber as well. Many of the older hunters scoffed. Of course the two would not show their faces here during this ceremonious feast, especially after the frail little ooman female had been so swiftly attacked by Krii'var. Surely she was too frightened to be in the company of so many hunters, and surely the Blooded male at her side was too soft to show up without her. Such a disappointment-.
The entry doors to the chamber pulled open swiftly. All heads turned…and a hush fell over the room. Crossing the threshold of the chamber were the very two whom captivated the minds of the Colony: the Outsiders. Krii'var stood from the table with a bang of his hands upon the surface, shocked that the two would dare show themselves so openly among the entirety of the Mother Ship populous. But after a stern look from Yeyin'thwei, he seats himself with a grumble of disdain.
Ignoring the prying eyes of the others, Scar and Lex walked forward towards the head table to show respect upon the Elders, Leaders, and Ancients – despite knowing the majority weren't too keen on their situation in the first place. The other Yautja stood aside, making way for them to approach as they quizzically watched with keen interest. There was an in-depth intrigue that radiated around the room as alien eyes observed the two not only walking pridefully side by side, but also dressed alike…and wearing necklaces adorned with the tails of the kiande amedha. It was a statement of their bond and their prowess; a gesture meant to be unmistakable to all who saw it. There was great boldness in their presentation – and shockingly, some of the hunters noted respect in the move the two made. Even the most against the union had to admit that seeing the ooman woman pridefully wearing the dagger-tipped appendage paired with the bruises upon her neck courtesy of Krii'var – as well as the bite mark on her arm from her brush with the hard meat on Earth – made the female fleshling look rougher…and perhaps a bit attractive, even.
The pair stood before the head table, before the two Ancients, and bowed their heads reverently. "Ahhh, Little Sister," proclaimed Yeyin'thwei loudly for all to hear from his chair. "I doubted you would show. But I am pleased to be proven wrong."
Lex looked up from her bow and smiled softly, though her voice was even – attempting to betray strength to the others per Scar's orders. "I could never deny this invitation, Ancient One."
But Yeyin'thwei growled low, playfully. "Little Sister…" There was deadly implication in those two words.
Lex sighed, hoping he wouldn't have enforced this…especially not here in front of so many of his kind. But to disrespect someone of his stature was not something they could afford. "Sorry," she apologized with another bow of the head. "I couldn't deny the invitation…Ye."
The growls of shock and irritation were practically deafening. Krii'var gave the woman such a scowl, that Lex instinctively reached for the spear that wasn't currently with her. She ignored his aggression – but Scar did not, facing the Leader with a threatening glance so deadly that a chill raced through the air. But Yeyin'thwei merely cackled, amused, before extending forth his hand across the table and playfully clawing at Lex's face. "Go, young ones. Take your seats. Food will be served soon – and then the Feast of Trial will begin!" He watched the two bow once again, and then disappear amongst the bodies and head to one of the tables that lined the walls of the room. The Ancient observed the reactions of the room, and the way the two Outsiders handled it with great strength. He caressed his chin in thought, gaining him an intrigued look from Ta'uk.
"You are plotting something," assessed Ta'uk in the Yautja language, leaning over towards his elder.
Yeyin'thwei leaned back into his chair, stroking his staff in an almost maniacal manner. "The Trials are soon…perhaps the ooman mate…"
Ta'uk shook his head. "The Trials are for the Un-Blooded. The ooman female already has the rank of Blooded."
"To US, brother," replied Yeyin'thwei before gesturing his hand outward to the gathered Yautja, now making their way to their own tables as a gong goes off to inform the gathered ones of dinner's arrival. "But not to THEM." Ta'uk raised a brow, and Yeyin'thwei continued. "Scar gave her the rank. True she earned the title at the Ice Pyramid, and again fighting in the jungles, but for your clan – and for most of our people – she has not gained true recognition by going through the trials. If she is truly be one of us, she must prove herself to at least rank higher than Un-Blooded."
Ta'uk hummed, gazing out at his clan – noting the older hunters and the younger Un-Bloods all occasionally glancing at the pair who sat alone. He had to admit, the Ancient had a point. But he was still confused about one thing. "Why such an interest in the ooman, Yeyin'thwei? And why so willing to accept her and this…union…?"
Yeyin'thwei hesitated for a moment, thinking on how to answer. In truth, it surprised even himself. Yeyin'thwei had always been unique…different. But for the most part he held true to Yautja tradition, and didn't stray off the path. At his age, he should be set firm in the ways of the people…and yet watching Scar and his ooman companion hunt together in some way shifted his beliefs little by little – or to be more exact: it "stretched" them. "We knew oomans were good hunts," he begins to explain. "We knew they were great warriors at times. And we knew that they were perfect hosts to birth our greatest prize, the kiande amedha. But we never knew that they could go from being great warriors to hunt, to warriors capable of hunting alongside us." His gaze focuses intensely on Lex, who was watching the events unfold from their secluded spot. "I am sure that what Lex has accomplished is rare – but I also foresee that although the numbers will be few, she will not be the last to walk alongside of us. Perhaps the only to be taken as mate…but not the only to be worthy of the Yautja name."
Yeyin'thwei was a wise male. Some would even call a seer. His words were rarely challenged, and his foresight usually always true to the vision that he proclaimed. "Even still-," began to argue Ta'uk.
"I will not fight what I foresee, young Ancient Ta'uk," cut in the eldest of the pair as he looked at Lex whimsically. "I want to see how far she can go. I want to see if she will become a legend that even other future ooman hunters can never touch. But even more than that, I want to see how or if WE will be changed by having her join the People. So," finalized the Ancient through narrowed brows, "we will loosen the reins around the others a little. Give them room to test her capabilities, and her mate's. Let her prove herself worthy of not only the title Blooded – but of being called Yautja. I feel that it will be worth the struggle…and fun to see."
To be continued…
Yeyin'thwei so friggin adorable - but he being real problematic lately with his intricate schemes. Like, he's being helpful trying to get Lex accepted by Yautja...but he's also setting our babies up for some issuessssss!
