Disclaimer: Can't sue me today for I am not taking any credit for the predator movies.
They are not my characters however I would not mind if Scar would show
up on my doorstep though.
Lets continue with the saga to see what will happen next. Enjoy!
Chapter Eleven
The journey home develop into a routine of events. Alpha continue to train with Za'Ruc. Tish also continue working on her techniques and adapting to the atmsophere of their homeworld. Poe continue learning about Tish and her race. Someone must be able to care for her if she happens to become ill for any reason.
Then the day has finally arrived, they are home. Tish is in the cockpit when they enter the system. The system has several planets with their own moons revolving around two suns. A bright system you would think with all this light, but in this instant looks can be deceiving. The planet looks much like all planets with green land mass and aquamarine body of water. The closer you get, you see that there is a dense cloud covering throughout parts of the planet surface providing a spectrum of different levels of colors to see. It is the view that you see once you enter the atmosphere that catches the eye that is so amazing to behold.
Our rain forest is put to shame compare to this planet. The vass amount of jungle is so abundant that it provides its own lengthly canopy that is able to provide shelter from the suns and rains. The trees tower as high as skyscrapers with vines as thick as a bodybuilders biceps and some as large as huge pipes. There is fruit aplenty and a wide varity of vegetation and flora. In places some of the tree tops look like tops of mushrooms. The jungle is so dense in places that you wonder how you can get through. The rivers that flow through the region are miles wide in some areas. And what is a river without the rapids and waterfalls. Every now and then you will see what looks like shelters popping out in a clearing or two. The one thing you can not miss are the landing platforms for the spacecrafts in various locations all over the planet. The surrounding area around them are cleared so not to interfer with landings and take-offs. The stairs are spacious so that a large group of Yautja can converge in order to greet all visitors and hold the deligation.
We land on one of the far platforms that seems to be in the middle of nowheres. Once we touch down, Za'Ruc finishes putting on his Awu'asa. Seeing the three of them like that is an awsome sight. They give a whole new meaning to terror: dress to kill. It is no wonder why we humans fear them so. Za'Ruc is in the lead follow by both Poe and Alpha with Tish in the rear. But before the door opens, Za'Ruc reminds Tish again what she needs to do.
"Once we get to the platform, we will be greeted by an Elder and some fellow warriors. You are to keep your head and eyes lowered at all times.You follow my lead and do not say a word unless you are asked by the Elder only. Others will try, but that will be disrespectful and you will receive a blow for it. I can not intervine at that time you understand. The Elder will have on a red cloak and a staff. Words will be spoken to make you angry, but do not let them. Do not look any Yautja in the face no matter what." Za'Ruc says just as the door opens.
They proceed to walk down the ramp to greet the party waiting. Za'Ruc walks up to the Elder and greets him. "Welcome home Za'Ruc. I see that the hunt was successful by the amount of trophies you all sport. So what have you brought back with you?" Elder Scqn'e greets as he walks around them to see Tish.
"Yes. The hunt went well. My students have learn quite a bit from this experience. I have brought home a living trophy for myself." Za'Ruc answers.
"Why a female ooman? Surely you could have found something better to bring home as a pet. Unless you wish it to be a love slave. Now that has its possiblities. Are you interested in sharing it?" Elder Scqn'e asks taking a closer look at Tish debating if she is worth a toss.
"She has proven herself as a worthy aseigan. I am satisify with this one so why should I look for anything better. I have no wish to share her with anyone for any purpose you have in mind." Za'Ruc states neutrally hoping not to offend this Elder by turning him down before he even asks.
"A aseigan is it. Oomans do not last long here. What makes you think it will survive. They are weak, puny, and ugly." Elder Scqn'e shows his point by hitting Tish in her abdomen causing her to double over to catch her breath.
Tish bites her tongue in order not to lash out at the old fool. Her main fear is what Za'Ruc will do. Nothing stupid she hopes.
Za'Ruc quickly turns around when he hears her gasp. Rage boils inside him, but he controls it so not to dishonor them by acting like a unblood.
Elder Scqn'e grabs Tish's chin to raise her head to see her face. The higher he raises her head the lower she looks. Totally refusing to see him for she knows this is a test for both her and Za'Ruc and no matter what happens she will not let him and the others down. When he sees that she is not going to look, he backhands her expecting to see her grovel at his feet. However to his surprise, Tish stays on her feet and continues looking at the floor. Which is a good thing for if you see the look in her eyes there would definitely be a fight.
Anger by this action Elder Scqn'e turns around and leaves the platform without saying another word. That does not stop Raj-Kum from having his fun. As the group leaves Poe goes to Za'Ruc to make sure he keeps his cool with Alpha going off with some fellow Yautja. Tish keeping an eye on Za'Ruc's leg starts to follow him when she is attack from behind. The first blow lands her face down on the platform in a push up position. She waits for the second blow to happen. Just as the foot is about to hit her in the center of her back, Tish rolls away and jumps up on her feet to try to catch up with Za'Ruc. Raj-Kum is angry for she is able to counter his moves. He grabs Tish by her hair and throws her on her back raising his foot to stump on her chest. Tish quickly grabs his foot and holds it in mid-air as he pushes it down to crush her. She knows if he succeeds, she will have several broken ribs if not death. As this tug of war continues Tish hopes that Za'Ruc will realize that she is not following and return for her.
What seems like forever Tish strength is starting to weaken and the foot is coming closer to her. She braces herself for the impact and pain that will accompany it, but there is no impact for the weight of the foot is suddenly lifted. All she sees is Za'Ruc throwing the guy off of her. Za'Ruc stands with his back arched and mandibles flarred roaring at Raj-Kum wanting him to fight.
"Well. What are you waiting for? Afraid to attack someone more your size? Come on Pauk-de! Come on!" Za'Ruc roars pushing Raj-Kum in the chest.
Za'Ruc braces himself for the punch for he knows that Raj-Kum will not permit him pushing him without retaliating. Raj-Kum true to his nature goes to punch Za'Ruc. After a series of punches and kicks, Za'Ruc has manage to have Raj-Kum pinned to the platform with a knife at his throat. The more he struggle the more pressure Za'Ruc apply. How easy it will be just to slit his throat. This will not be a dishonorable kill for Raj-Kum attack an unarmed woman. Just a little more pressure and it will curtains for this scum.
"No." Tish whispers in her language so that Raj-Kum will not understand, but Za'Ruc will.
"You are lucky today. The next time you try to take what is mine, you will die a slow and painful death. Keep that in mind for I will not hesitate and there will be nothing left to recognize if anything remains to be seen." Za'Ruc hisses as he tosses Raj-Kum up against the ship for with his anger throwing him anywhere else would truly kill him. Za'Ruc turns his back on Raj-Kum to prove his point.
"Come." Za'Ruc tells Tish as he picks her up to put her on her feet and they walk side by side down the steps not saying another word.
Raj-Kum sits numbly against the ship hull. No one has ever been able to pin me so quickly before and that strength to hold me down as well. How can that be? It is only a ooman why should he care what happens to it. He gets up and heads for the stairs when he see someone. C'jit.
"You have never been bright. Did you really think you will live once you piss off Za'Ruc?" Poe ask Raj-Kum.
"I did nothing to warrant his actions. It is only a trophy and to be treated as one. So why is he angry? And how did he manage to pin me when no one else has ever been able to before?" Raj-Kum answers with questions of his own.
"He is not angry for you are still alive. Irritated is more the word. You may be taller than him does not mean you are stronger than him. You have never cross his path before now." Poe remarks.
"Is he serious about the slow death and all?" Raj-Kum asks imagining what he will look like if it ever comes down to the death with him.
"Oh yes. You see he was taught at a young age how to kill and dispose of the body so no one will find it. For the record let me tell you that he will enjoy watching you suffer before the end. The more you scream the greater the joy he will have." Poe states.
"Why are you here anyways? Did you think there would be a fight?" Raj-Kum asks.
"Just wanted to warn you and to make sure Za'Ruc did not do something that he will regret later." Poe says before he is interupted.
"Warn me" Raj-Kum says.
"Stay away from the ooman. She is his and his only. As you know Za'Ruc does not hold much to material things and the few things he has stays no one messes with his stuff. And no one wants to be on his bad side, so tell your friends to stay away or else you will have their deaths on you hands so to speak." Poe tells as he leaves Raj-Kum to his thoughts.
They go their separate ways. Raj-Kum still not believing that he was outmanuevered goes home. Poe following Za'Ruc and Tish happy to know that he was able to control himself for he was afraid of what Tish might think of Za'Ruc once she really sees what kind of damage he is capable of.
It is amazing how beautiful this world is. As Za'Ruc takes Tish to his shelter, Tish looks everywhere. On the ground level there is a fine mist of methane and nitrogen mix. Along the trail she sees several shelters of various shapes and sizes. On the base of some trees there is ferns growing wild and moss growing on the sides of the trees. The suns breaks through parts of the canopy giving the allusion of a lighted path to the promise land. So much shade that it is hard to tell what time of day it is in certain areas of the jungle. What Tish can not believe is all the orchids growing here. All different colors and the sizes are huge.
Tish is able to recognize various types of zamias, cunjevois, cordylines and palm liles. How they manage to keep all this beauty apart from the technology they have is beyond her. They live such simple lifestyles and show none of the technical advancements in their surroundings. It is so confusing if you think to long on it.
The bird songs can be heard, but so far Tish is unable to see any of them. As they continue walking Tish see a group of vines that look alot like spiderwebs hanging from the trees. Can you imagine the size of the spider if it was truly a real web. Gargantuan to say the least. Tish thought that only the Yautja is to be feared here. The native animals are to be feared as well. For the sheer size on the surroundings and the size of all the Yautjas is intimidating to Tish that she can not imagine what the creatures will be like. Even if she wanted to flee, the world is much worse than her fate is with Za'Ruc.
Za'Ruc watches Tish as they walk to his shelter. He can see the awe in her eyes as she takes in all of the surroundings. He can see the questions in her eyes as to how all this can be and be nothing like her world. She is handling the heat and the air remarkably well. This gives him hope that she will be around for a long time. Why this makes him feel good is still lost on him. He has several questions he wants to ask Tish, but as they walk the Yautja's watch them so talking is out of the question. So he has to wait until they reach his shelter.
Finally they reach his shelter. However unlike the others shelters that vary from single level to two levels, Za'Ruc has gone one step further. His shelter is in the trees. Yes he lives in a tree house several meters off the ground. A staircase that wraps around the trunk of the tree leads up to it. The angle from below shows how huge his shelter is, but it is the surrounding railing that gets Tish to wonder for none of the other shelters have one. As they climb up the staircase Tish wonders if she would ever survive a fall from this height.
What gets Tish attention once they step foot on his wraparound platform is all the flora. Tish would never in a million life times guess that Za'Ruc likes plants. Then a thought hits Tish between the eyes, maybe he has wife at home and she is the flora nut. How will she be able to serve him and his wife knowing how they have been sleeping during this whole trip. She keeps looking at the door waiting for the wife to open it and greet him. Tish stiffens in anticipation holding her breathe.
Za'Ruc notices the sudden change in Tish's stance and wonders what is causing it.
"What is the matter Tish?" Za'Ruc asks unable to see any danger.
"Is your wife here? And am I going to serve her too?" Tish asks.
"Wife, what is wife?" Za'Ruc asks.
"Wife is your partner. Other half, lover, mate." Tish says feeling hot around the collar.
"NO lifemate. You are to serve only me. Why ask of mate?" Za'Ruc says.
"The flora is like a womans touch where I come from. The way the climbing roses are wrap around the railing just gave me the impression of a one living here. I am sorry if I assume that you are mated." Tish answers.
"I let the flora have its way here. It is comforting to see such beauty and the smell is not so bad either." Za'Ruc remarks.
Tish stares at him on that comment. Za'Ruc enters his shelter and gives her a tour of it. It looks like a two level structure on the outside, however it is in three levels on the inside. It is amazing how the whole shelter is wrapped around the tree trunk. On the lower level or should I say the ground floor consists of the gathering room, the food preparation and dining area, and trophy room with workout space. The next level has a bedroom with a bathing area. The upper level is his domain consisting of his bedroom with its own large bathing area, library/sitting area, and storage area. The furnishing is modest mostly the basic necessities. A males domain. What has Tish in a quarry is all the windows. Tish can see what a breeze that can be up here with the windows open. The smell of all the flora floating throughout the shelter will be refreshing.
Za'Ruc is please to see her reaction to her new home. The more she likes it, the easier it will be for her to make the transition. We need a solid base to work from for it will be hard for her to adjust to her new life.
