Kjon and Jenny's Audio Diary Log.
Nov 1, 2621.
"Sorry for scaring you guys like that." Jon apologized as we untied Ch'ris and Rachelle.
"There is no need for apology, Kjon. There is no shame in defending yourself." Ch'ris excused him.
"You always apologize so needlessly." Rachelle remarked.
"Sorry." Jon apologized sarcastically. Ch'ris and Rachelle glared at him when he did that.
"Are you alright?" Rachelle asked Jon.
"I'm sorry, Rachelle, that's my deaf ear. Could you repeat that?" Jon said turning his head to listen with his better ear.
"She asked, if you were alright." I repeated.
"Yeah, I'm alright, Rachelle. Although it still feels like someone took a sledge hammer to my sternum." Jon replied as he slowly bent his knee. It was stil broken
"You're still healing." Ch'ris told him.
"Don't worry, babe. Once we get back, we'll get you fixed up." I told him.
"Sounds good to me." Jon replied with a smile, "Let's go home, guys."
"Hey, Jon." I called for him after Ch'ris told everyone to get ready.
"Yes, Pyode." He responded.
"Come on, let's get you cleaned up." I told him as I took him by the hand. There was a hot spring a couple yards away where we could be alone.
"What?" He said confused.
"I'm not having you running around covered in mud and a loin cloth." I told him.
"You'll need these, Kjon." Rachelle said as she threw a mesh suit and a new pair of camouflage pants towards us. Jon chuckled when she did that.
"Come on." I beckoned him
"I'm coming, Pyode." He responded.
Once we made it over to the warm pool, he began rinsing the mud off of him. Truth be told though, I didn't just take him here to clean himself. "Uh, what are you doing, Jenny?" He asked with a nervous look as I came in with him.
"Can you... baptize me now, please... I... I don't want to wait." Jon gave me an unsure look when I asked that. "Please." I requested.
Giving the ordinance and performing the baptism, wasn't everything. The church had a process when it came to baptism, but I didn't care.
Over the past year now, I'd seen Jon do many incredible things. He'd endured through so much pain and hardship ,both physically and mentally, but his faith still held strong. There was a was always a gentleness I felt whenever he or I prayed. When I was captured by Zell-oah, I prayed for Jon. Each time I did, that soft voice would always tell me everything would be alright. I felt it when Jon fought Goliath for his clan, and I could feel it when he fought Bri-ci'all. Although my faith was never always the strongest, there was still a comfort that was with me giving me that hope.
It's a mystery. Faith. Believing in something you can't see. I'm not trying to persuade anyone when I testify that I believe in the Creator and my Savior. It's just what I believe. And in that moment as I stood there looking at Jon, remembering all the hardships we went through together... Remembering all the times his faith held strong, despite all the physical and mental torture he's endured... I know there is a God in Heaven, and that He has a Son who sacrificed himself for my soul. I know that both of Them love me. I know they love each and every one of us. I could see it as I looked up at the wonderful being They'd sent to love and care for me as my eternal companion... my everlasting lover... It was through him I found this this hope. This never-ending love we would share together forever and beyond. For the ones who'd created us, and for each other.
Jon smiled softly. He gently took me by the hand and lead me over to a deeper area of the spring. "Put your left hand on my wrist, and be ready to hold your breath." Jon instructed me. After I did so, he raised his right arm and said, "Jennifer Bishop Weyland, having been commissioned of Jesus Christ I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." After he recited the ordinance, Jon gently submerged me under the water before pulling me back out.
"Thank you, Jon." I said gratefully as I hugged him.
"You're Welcome, Pyode." He said with a gentle purr of his mandibles. "Come on, Pyode Tarei'hsan. Let's go home."
/
When we arrived at the facility, everyone was waiting anxiously to see us. Everyone was especially eager to see Jon. Despite the positivity of the scene, Jon didn't want to meet them. Given his past experience with large groups of people, that was understandable. We managed to distract the crowd long enough so he could sneak inside. After distracting everyone, I had Jon sent back to the medical bay. He was reluctant about it, but thankfully Ch'ris and I managed to get him to go back.
After that, Ch'ris had to tend to a matter with his clan, while I went to go schedule a few surgical appointments for Jon. I also went to make sure Beth was alright. She'd taken over things while I was away, and I wanted to be sure she was alright. Thankfully I bumped into her while I was setting up Jon's surgery appointments.
"...Good luck, Stacy." I heard Jon say as we turned the corner. Rachelle, Hadrick, and Stacy were with Jon. Stacy had been wanting to talk with him for a while now, and now she had the chance.
"Hey, Jon." I greeted.
"Hey, Pyode." Jon returned the gesture with a soft smile.
"Hello, Kjon." Beth greeted him submissively as she approached. "It's me, Beth... Jenny's sister." She introduced herself awkwardly.
"I remember." Jon replied simply.
"I just wanted to say that I am sorry for what I said about you." Beth apologized with a sincere voice.
"Ah, don't worry about it, Beth. You didn't hurt me." Jon forgave her. "You know, your sister talked about you a lot while we were away. It's good to finally see you."
"It's nice to meet you too. Jenny told me much about you as well. Thank you for protecting her while she was gone." Beth said with a grateful smile.
"Don't mention it, Beth." Jon dismissed.
"It's what he does best, Beth." I told her.
"Well, I did learn from the best. Right Hadrick?" Jon complimented his father who stood next to him.
"You're damn straight." Hadrick replied as he chewed on a cigar.
"So, what were you guys talking about while we were gone?" I asked curiously as I sat down next to Jon.
"Ah, Stacy was just telling me she's planning on signing up for the Corps. after high school." Jon answered. "By the way, I thought you hated us." He asked Stacy with a quizzical smile.
"It was just that one marine. Not all of you guys are like that." Stacy said with a short smirk. "Yeah, I think I'm gonna look forward to joining you guys."
"That's nice." Beth commented.
"Shove it." Stacy responded rudely. Her response caused us to burst out laughing hysterically. Jon's laughter quickly turned into uncontrollable coughing, forcing him to take a deep breath from his rebreather. The lung that had been punctured hadn't fully healed yet.
"Oh, damn! That was funny as crap!" Jon gasped. "You definitely have the mentality for it, Stacy, but the marines will break that attitude of yours in a heartbeat." Jon warned.
"Whatever you say." Stacy muttered carelessly, before pulling out the iPhone Jon gave her, along with a pair of earbuds, and began listening to it.
"So how are things, Pyode?" Jon asked after the mood had settled.
"Everything is going well. The facility is still in working condition, and I've just got you set up for another surgical appointment." I answered.
"Oh, crap." Jon sighed benignly. "What's the damage?"
"Well, you got your shoulder realigned. The doctors say you had an inferior dislocation. Now although nothing's damaged, it will still be aching for a bit. The doctors recommend you give it some exercise to build your strength back up. They also took another X-ray of your knee. Apparently, Bri-ci'all did more damage than we thought, and the doctors had to completely replace your patella. They did the best they could, but they're going to look over it again and make a few adjustments. You'll also need to exercise it too. Some of your ribs were broken, but the doctors managed to graft them together. One of your lungs collapsed, but the doctors managed to save it and it's healing, but they don't want you doing anything too strenuous until it's fully healed. Also your spine was destroyed and we had to replace part of it. Everything seems to be working fine, but I'll have them check it over again just to be sure. I also have someone working on a prosthetic right hand, a hearing aid, and you're also scheduled for full facial reconstruction. Your eye will be replaced, so will your mandible, and your dreadlocks will be regrown." I read the damages off of a clipboard the doctors gave me.
"Damn! How bad did I screw myself up?" Jon asked as he took the clipboard.
"You kidding me? You were holding on by a thread when they found you, son. You're lucky, you weren't dead when we found you." Hadrick explained.
"How long was I out for?" Jon asked.
"Two months, I think..." Rachelle said.
"Shit. I've got some catching up to do." Jon said. Hadrick and Rachelle held him down so he wouldn't get up. "What?"
"You aren't going anywhere, kid." Hadrick told him.
"I wasn't gonna! I mean, does it look like I have a fricking choice?!" Jon asked as he handed Hadrick the clipboard. "That still doesn't mean I don't have work I gotta do." Jon asserted.
"Jon, everything is done. There's no more work you need to do." I told him.
"We even finished all of the reconstruction while you were asleep." Rachelle added.
"What about the shadows?" He questioned.
"Ch'ris and I have agreed to help the marines, Kjon. If there are any kiande amedha, we shall handle them." Rachelle explained.
"The Task Force?" Jon inquired.
"Outlawed." Hadrick replied.
"Everything is done, Kjon. It's all over now. You beat father, and the Hunters are gone." Beth said.
"That and you're retired." Hadrick added.
"What?" Jon gave him a weird look.
"Yeah, I still have it with me." Hadrick told him as he pulled out his son's retirement contract. Jon took it from him and began reading it. "Yeah. Yeah, that is my signature." He muttered with a perplexed look on his face.
"It's over, Jon." Hadrick told him. "You've served your time. The war's over now. Just let it go."
"You've done enough. Just take it easy. You know... relax for once." Stacy suggested.
"Do something you'd want to do." Beth added.
Jon paused ,tapping his mandibles together in a thoughtfully growl. "Huh... Well, shit." He uttered. This was new territory for him. Jon had been a marine since he was just a kid. The marines were a large part of his life, and now his service was over. Daddy was gone now too, and Jon didn't have to worry about him anymore. The xenomorphs were still a threat, and there were some Task Force outlaws that needed to be taken down, but they could be dealt with. Jon's life had changed drastically over the past year and he had no idea where to go from there.
"We have time to plan things out now too." I suggested.
"Yeah. Yeah, we do." Jon replied with an interested look.
"Wait a minute. What do you mean 'plan things out'?" Hadrick asked.
"Oh, yeah. That's right. I think we have an announcement to make, Pyode." Jon chuckled.
"Yes, we do." I paused briefly. "We're getting married." Everyone's jaw dropped in surprise when I said that.
"Yes. You are all invited to the wedding." Jon told them.
"Congratulations, Jenny!" Beth exclaimed joyfully as she hugged me.
"What is 'married'?" Rachelle asked confused.
"It's an ooman mating ritual, Rachelle. I've basically just asked her to be my life mate." Jon explained. Rachelle also embraced me after Jon gave his explanation.
"By the way, tell Ch'ris he's coming too." Jon said.
"I would be honored to attend, Kjon. Although, I'm afraid it is still early for us to celebrate." Ch'ris materialized beside us, along with Sa-v'ar. Hadrick and Stacy jumped back a little when they saw her skitter towards them. "It's alright. She will not harm anyone." He assured them.
"Is that- H-How is-?" Jon asked when he saw the cybernetic xenomorph.
"Cybernetic augmentation. It's amazing what you can accomplish when your rich isn't it." I remarked arrogantly.
"Looks like I'm not the only one with my foot over the grave." Jon cracked as he pet the xenomorph.
Ch'ris came pet Sa-v'ar, before turning to the rest of us. "I'm afraid I have bad news." Ch'ris said.
"What's the problem?" I asked.
"A message was sent to us while we were away. It is from the Grand Council." Ch'ris gave a frustrated sigh.
"Ah, Fuck!" Jon cursed. "What does their royal godliness want from us this time?!"
"The Grand Leader wishes to see us. It concerns the attack. He is most interested in seeing you, R'ka Bhuja." Ch'ris explained.
"Forget it!" I objected. "We're not going back, not after everything they've done to us!"
"We must. The Grand Leader has pronounced his request. We would insult him if we ignored it." Ch'ris said.
I was about to say something when Jon stopped me. "Tell him we'll come." He said unexpectedly.
"What?!" I blurted.
"I don't like the Grand Council either, Jenny, but I have a lot of respect for the Grand Leader. He gave us a fair chance, and If he wants to see us we'll go." I was still reluctant to go, but Jon was right, although I still wouldn't have Jon leave until he was better. "Once my surgery is over, then we'll go, alright?" Jon predicted what I was about to say.
"Fine." I agreed with a short huff.
"Perhaps, our home can be restored, Yeyin Ju'dha." Rachelle said optimistically. Ch'ris responded with a hopeful growl.
"Hey, Hadrick, you got some ciggies?" Jon requested.
"Uh, Jonathan. Your lung is still healing and also..." Beth pointed at the No-Smocking sign.
"Do I look like I care?" Jon asked her as Hadrick handed him a cigarette and light it for him. Jon began coughing violently after inhaling. He took another deep inhale from his rebreather. "Shit! These things really will kill you." He said to himself, before snatching the box away from Hadrick and chucking it in the garbage.
"Quitting?" Hadrick asked.
"Yes." Jon responded in a perturbed tone, causing the rest of us to laugh.
"So, I'm retired now, am I? I can just do whatever I want to?" Jon asked.
"That's right, Jon." I answered.
He paused for a moment and tapped his mandibles together in a reflective growl. He then looked down at the cigarette that was still in his hand, then at his retirement contract. He shrugged carelessly, before stabbing the butt of the cigarette on the contract, burning it.
"What the hell are you doing?!" I shrieked.
"What the fuck did you do that for?! That was your retirement contract, Kjon!" Hardick exclaimed.
"Fuck retirement!" Jon stated as he threw the cigarette away.
"But Jon-!" I stammered.
"Fuck retirement!" He said again. "I lost a friend and I almost died because of it." He explained.
"But what about the Marine Corps? Didn't they do the same to you?" Rachelle asked.
"No, they didn't, Rachelle. They taught me how to stay alive. Yeah, they were difficult, but The Corps is my clan and I'm not going to double back on them now when they still need help. It's also rare that I ever get to enjoy a hunt and I'm not giving that up either just because a stupid piece of paper tells me to. Besides I still have some promises I need to keep." We all paused for a moment after he made his pronunciation. He'd made it loud and clear that he wasn't leaving.
"So you're back and you're here to stay?" Hadrick asked, still a little perturbed by what his son did.
"Yes." Jon responded.
"Well, your surgery isn't going to happen for another couple of days, though, so what would you like to do until then?" I inquired.
"Relax, watch some Clint Eastwood movies. Maybe some horror films with you guys. Listen to some EDM." Jon said randomly. "Right now though, I just want to eat and get some sleep." Jon said with a yawn.
"I agree. I believe we all deserve some rest." Ch'ris proposed. "Come ,my love, let's let R'ka Bhu'ja rest." Ch'ris said before whistling for Sa-v'ar to follow.
"Hey, Kjon. Before I go I just wanted to also wish you a Happy Birthday." Stacy said as she laid some presents on his lap. Jon sighed looking at me and Hadrick in mild irritation when Stacy did that. He really didn't like celebrating his birthday. Given how well his other birthdays had been, that was understandable. We still thought he deserved something good.
"To Me. From Jenny." He read out loud. "Thanks babe." He said as he unwrapped it to reveal a new iPhone. The next ones were from Hadrick and Stacy. Hadrick had gotten him a new S&W 4506. "Thanks for this one, Dad." He said as he began aiming it to get a feel for the sights and the grip.
"Mine's probably not going to be so good." Stacy told him. "I know it's crap, I just tried to get you what I could."
Jon's eye went wide with interest when he uncovered a hokey mask. "Oh, I can do something with this." He said with an interested smirk. "Thanks, Stacy."
"You're welcome, Kjon." Stacy said as she and Hadrick began to leave. "Be seeing you."
"Be seeing you, Stace." He said to her as she left.
"Happy Birthday, Kjon." Beth said politely.
"Thanks Beth." Jon responded as he began downloading some songs onto his new iPhone.
"I'll leave you two alone to catch up." Beth said as the nurses brought Jon's dinner in. "Have a good night, Kjon." She said before she left.
"Good-night Beth." Jon responded.
I stayed with him for a few moments. We wanted to go over some plans for the wedding. We talked about what the Grand Leader might have wanted to talk to us about, and I even told him Ch'ris and Rachelle were going to be parents in a couple of months. He was happy to hear about that.
After that he began dosing off. I got tired myself and feel asleep beside him. Before I did, I felt a clawed hand wrap around me.
"Good-night, Pyode."
/
The procedure wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. This was a lot different from the surgery I'm used to. Normally it's a lot more painful, but Jenny spared no expense on my surgery, going so far as to have the best surgeons and medicine available for the process. I could see out of my left eye again, hear with my right ear, and I had a new right hand. It wasn't perfect mind you, the prosthetics took some getting used to and my knee still locks up, but they did their best, and we were happy with that.
After my surgery, we wasted no time and left for Yautja Prime. We wanted to get this over with as quickly as we could so the Grand Council wouldn't bother us anymore. Once we got there, I decided to go off on my own. I didn't want to have to deal with the irritation of listening to the Grand Council. I just wanted to meet with the Grand Leader. I told everyone else about this, and I also gave them some instructions. I also gave them a reasonable explaination to give to the enforcers. I was there to watch them just in case. Fortunately, nothing happened.
While Jenny, Ch'ris, Rachelle, and Sa-v'ar distracted the enforcers and the council. I made my way through the inner parts of the Grand Council's temple, to the Grand Leader's personal living quarters.
The Grand Leader was sitting on a throne that sat in the middle of the room. The room was overlaid with golden hieroglyphics depicting many ancient battles. Several legendary weapons, artifacts, and relics of our history were displayed along the walls. The room was lit by torches, and a dim florescent overhead light of some kind.
"Few yautja have ever enter these quarters, young-blood." The Grand Leader spoke as he sensed my presence. "None have managed to do so through force or wit. Not until now, that is." He continued. I turned off my cloak; there was no sense in keeping on if he knew I was there. "You truly are a gifted one, young Schaefer."
"Thanks." I said carelessly.
"No other yautja are allowed to enter these quarters and see what you see. Much less a young-blood such as you." He said as he rose from his throne and faced me. "However I will make an exception." His mechanical tendrils moved like tentacles along the ground as he spoke.
"Sorry, I just really didn't want to have to deal with those assholes." I apologized respectfully.
"Understandable." He said.
"You've got some pretty neat memorabilia here. Mom used to tell me about some of these things." I said as I took a short moment to admire his display.
"Indeed. Such only exist in stories and fables to those outside these walls." He said as he ran his hand along a bio-mask. "I would wish for that to stay as such." He requested in a calm, yet intimidating manner.
"We never even had this discussion." I promised.
"Good. As to the matter of importance." The Grand Elder began. "Your clan told me of a dishonorable deed you'd supposedly committed."
"Bullshit." I growled.
"I thought it was incorrect when I heard it as well." The Grand Leader agreed. "Recently the Vall-kcor'sta Clan ,as well as that of your own, went missing. Your clan however had since returned with the captive bad-bloods, and has given our council a thorough report. They spoke of the bad-blood's army and the reprisal of their efforts to overthrow us. I heard they had allied with the ooman ,Weyland, and succeeded in overthrowing both clans and several other ooman settlements you belonged to. They also have spoken of your involvement in this event. How you ,supposedly, had come back from the dead, and allied yourself with the Drukathi." The Grand Elder explained.
"They didn't get the hint the first time." I replied.
"Understandable. But still, your efforts prevented another conflict with our factions that would have resulted in the deaths of many. And for that I am grateful for what you have done, young Schaefer. Our debt to you must be repaid."
"Shit happens." I shrugged uninterested.
"So it does, young Schaefer. So it does." The Grand Leader said. "I wish to repay you and the Vall-kcor'sta clan for your efforts. Their clan's settlement was destroyed but the others refuse to offer any aid because of their past."
I stood there for a moment and thought to myself. "I have an idea. I'll need to talk to Jenny about it, but we'll take care of them."
"How so?"
"The oomans have some building projects going on. I think we can be able to set something up."
"Very well. And what of yourself? Your clan wishes to restore you to your place of honor. Arrangements can be made, ones that do not involve a test this time?" The Grand Leader offered. For as kind as he was about it, I had other ideas.
"Thank-you for the offer, but I respectfully decline."
"You do not wish to be restored? The Schroalatic Clan is awaiting your return. They will be very disappointed to hear of this. You can even become a clan leader." He said, giving me time to reconsider. I didn't need to.
"With all do respect to you ,Great One, tell the my clan they can shove it up their ass for all I care." I said with a growl.
"But what of yourself, though?"
"I've got a good thing going for me right now with the oomans. I still have some promises I need to keep, and... yeah, I think I'm going to be hanging with the marines."
"Very well. But I still want something to be given to you."
I stood there and thought about it a moment. "I just want to be left alone."
"That is all?" The Grand Leader asked curiously.
"Yes. The Vall-kcor'sta Clan can stay in contact with you, if you both want that ,I really don't care. But after everything those ingrates in your council have put me through, I just want to be left alone. In fact I'd loved it if they stayed as far away from me as possible."
"Is this is your wish?"
"This is my wish. Please, tell the council, and the everyone else that KJ-147 is off limits, outside of the Vall-kcor'sta Clan of course. Tell them that the Vall-kcor'sta Clan is still a member of your council, but that it's under Weyland Yutani's protection. Ch'ris and Rachelle deserve to be left alone. They aren't bad-bloods."
"Is there any more?"
"Yes. I want the Grand Council to understand that if any Hunter goes there to hunt they will never be heard from again. Tell them it's got a death curse on it. If any Hunter even so much as looks in my planets direction, they'll never come back again." I made my request calmly, but clear. "Also, I would appreciate it if none of them knew I was still alive. As far as they're concerned still dead. I'm just a ghost."
"Very well. It shall be done."
"Thank-you. Grand Leader." I said with a respectful bow.
"And thanks be given unto you, young Schaefer. And may your Paya continue to bless you in your endeavors." He said giving me the same gesture...
/
When the enforcers came, they noticed Jon wasn't with us. We told them he was dead. Unsurprisingly, they were suspicious, but they accepted our explanation, and took us to the Grand Council. The Grand Leader wanted to see us for something. Thankfully, no one screamed for our death as we went. We knew we weren't welcome, but they didn't attack us like before.
Once we arrived at the Grand Council, we were met by the Grand Council. Ph-rills was there too, and he was especially interested to see us. They were disappointed to see that Jon wasn't with us. We gave them the same explanation we gave to the enforcers and they reacted just the same. Time passed as we all waited for the Grand Leader to reveal himself. The council was becoming pretty impatient too. I'm not sure why, but I think they thought we were up to something. Even Ph-rills was getting impatient. He didn't believe his son was dead, and thought that this was all a trick.
Suddenly, we heard the sound of metal breaking stone, arresting our attention. The council bowed in fearful respect when they saw the Grand Leader standing over them. Ch'ris and Rachelle also bowed, as did I. They'd given me a description of the Grand Leader, but he was even more terrifying in person. His very being seemed to command respect from others of his kind. No wonder these guys feared and respected him as much as they did. He looked down at the rest of his council with an angry glare, before he turned his attention to us.
"The young-blood known as Kjon Schaefer is dead." He pronounced. "The Vall-kcor'sta Clan will still continue to be an honorable part of this council, however, they and the ooman Jennifer Weyland are under the protection of their planet. It shall be made known that no hunter, outside of the Vall-kcor'sta Clan shall have territory on this planet, and that any yautja outside of them, who disobeys this ruling and goes there to hunt, shall never be seen or heard from again." That was as much as I was able to hear before Jon spoke to us.
"Let's go." He said.
We didn't bother asking what was going on, and did as he said. As we began to leave, Ph-rills noticed us. He forcefully grabbed me by the arm. "Where are you going!" He asked angrily.
"Let me go!" I exclaimed as I struggled with the clan leader.
"PH-RILLS! LEAVE THEM NOW!" The Grand Leader angrily called out to the dysfunctional council member. Unfortunately he didn't heed the warning quickly enough.
An enraged roar filled the halls, as Ph-rills was smacked away. Whoever hit him left four grizzly scars on his face. Jon decloaked as he stood over his father. His bio-mask covered the seething expression on his face. Ph-rills was about to say something, but Jon didn't want to hear any of it and roared in his face.
"Don't you ever touch my family or my mate ever again!" Jon snarled.
Then he turned his attention back towards the surprised council. The eye's on Jon's bio-mask glowed in an intimidating display before he cloaked again.
None of the yautja bothered us as we left... nor have any of them done so since.