Chapter 14

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

The silence in the cold, pale room was deafening, everything around her only served to bring even more pain to the ones barely dissipating in her barely wrapped and bandaged body. The noise from the heart monitor next to the IV was ticking her off. Fuck you machine.

She heard a knock from the door, "Lieutenant Gibson?"

"Come in."

An older gentleman with a smug smile carried a tray with food and a cup of water, "Looks like you're doing well."

"If you don't poke at my mind about the recent events, then yes. I'm doing fine."

Sara glared at the man, making sure he knew the warning signs very clearly. The annoying man, known as Dr. Lynn, had been appearing ever since the incident as soon as she healed enough. She suspected the higher-ups were concerned about her mental status since then, but now it was more of an annoyance.

"Now," The therapist went right into business, "how are you feeling?"

"No different than you asked of me a few hours ago. I want to return to work," Sara huffed.

"I understand your frustration," Dr. Lynn played with the pad in his lap, "but General Woodhurst's orders were to evaluate your mental health before releasing you."

Sara sighed. So this is what it feels like to be a goldfish.

Dr. Lynn was about to open his mouth when a nurse walked in, "Pardon me for interrupting."

He sighed, "Can it wait?"

"It's just a quick change of her bandages. Will be finished in a minute."

She came quickly to Sara, settling a tray with fresh bandages before Dr. Lynn could do anything about it, not to mention the soldier coming in, tapping at his shoulder. They whispered for a moment, his gaze checking her before following the soldier in silent defeat out of the room.

"How you doing, Miss?"

Sara laid her back toward the nurse, in no mood to have a casual conversation. She bit her lip and waited for the treatment to be over, her skin shivering each time the nurse's fingers glided over to remove a bandage. With nothing to do and in no mood for talk, she watched through the crack of the door, silently listening in.

"How is she? The Commander wanted an update."

Dr. Lynn paused, glancing into the room with a worried look. Sara closed her eyes in pretend sleep. What's he so nervous about?

"She's . . . better than expected. No doubt she might still be processing what transpired. Despite my warnings, the Commander and General failed to prepare her and recruits for that."

"I agree," The soldier quietly moved his head closer to the doctor, "but it won't matter soon. I came to inform you that the specimens are to be dealt with tonight. Her treatment won't be necessary anymore."

Sara's heart shuddered heavily as she processed the words. Dealt with? What are they planning for I'koh and Ma'dti? She closed her eyes and tried to think of other reasons than the one that came right to her mind.

But after the fight . . . with so many dead . . . many would expect a response on how to deal with them. If what the soldier said was true, then—

Her body jumped into action, ripping the sheets and getting to her feet. The nurse yelped, staying still in shock as Sara struggled to reach the door, shoving it so hard that Dr. Lynn smacked on the adjacent wall.

"Where are they!?"

Sara grabbed the collar of the soldier's neck, pulling him close to her face, watching him quiver under her grip, "Tell me. Now."

"Lieutenant!" Dr. Lynn and the nurse grabbed her shoulders but she refused to budge despite her body aching, "Please come back to the bed! You still haven't recovered!"

"Let go of me!" She shouted and it was enough to warn them. They released her as Sara glared at the soldier, "Where are they? Tell me."

The soldier shuddered, terrified by her, "They are . . . at the holding cells. The General and Commander were meeting there to—"

Sara pushed the soldier to the side, limping toward her destination, the shouts and pleas of Dr. Lynn and the nurse fell on her deaf ears as they followed behind. No matter how much they tried, it didn't deter Sara from what she had to do, determination pushed her on through the cold corridors and halls to face whatever was coming along with the consequences of her actions.

"Mei'hswei."

I'koh woke with the sound of Ma'dti but his body was stiff and cold, unable to even move his arm to stand. When he opened his eyes, he was brutally reminded of that fact by the hard steel cuffing his wrists and neck, long chains straining him to the wall to restrict his movements. If that wasn't enough, the room was pumped with cold, dry air that kept his core temperature low, ensuring he was at his weakest but still alive . . . barely.

In short, he was as defenseless as a newborn suckling.

"I'koh," He groaned as he looked to his right, his brother also chained with him but separated by a thin layer of glass, "Not falling asleep again . . ."

"You should save your breath,"

"Looks who's talking," Ma'dti hissed, "Coming from one whose loyalty was put with the oomans. Now, we're reduced to mere prisoners."

I'koh turned away, hearing his brother talk about the same matter made his blood grow colder, not exactly the remedy to help them. He closed his eyes again, hoping for some peace from his brother's bombardment of insults. Still, there was merit in them . . . he pinned his hopes on one female and ended up wounded and reduced to a beast despite the small victory over the Bad Bloods.

He sighed softly. I wonder if Sara's okay.

All at once, the vivid, horrid memories flooded into his mind. He could hear many screams and then a blood-curdling death rattle of a being that reminded him of a rabid, wounded animal fighting for its life. If that didn't make things worse, his subconscious created the image of brown eyes filled with so much hate it could swallow the world.

You will never change!

I'koh bit into his mandible, the new pain enveloped the sight and took it all away but failed to leave behind the dull ache in his chest. He inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. Calm down.

"You alright?" Ma'dti asked.

"I'm fine . . . It's just—"

They paused, hearing the familiar click and side of a door opening. I'koh clamped his mandibles and held in a hiss as two male oomans walked in, no doubt he knew it was the leaders. The General and Commander, huh? What do they want now?"

"Sir, as I said before, we need to eliminate all possible threats. We need to get rid of them," The Commander pointed at them and Ma'dti snapped forward, enough to make the ooman jump, much to his and his brother's delight.

The General, who stood watching, remained unfazed, "I understand but we need to consider the picture as a whole. Acting right away with irrationality will only make things worse."

"I am, Sir!"

The oomans bickered between each other, most of the yelling was from the Commander while the General stayed quiet, watching him. I'koh clattered in wonder, trying to understand what was going on inside him. He should have reprimanded the Commander for his brazen, verbal attacks; a smack or two would suffice and be expected from a leader so revered by other oomans.

"We need to act, Sir! The threat is gone and so is their usefulness! Our men are dead because of those things!" The Commander screamed at the top of his lungs. I'koh lowered his head and his dreadlocks fell, shielding his face in the darkness.

"So they're going to kill us? After everything we've done for them," Ma'dti chuffed irritably, "Hope it was all worth it."

I'koh remained silent, but heard the glass shaking as a fist slammed into it, the ooman was becoming angry and it wouldn't be long before the General relented and gave in to the demands. Guess this is it. All our work . . . and for what? To pin our hopes on the oomans? Who would eve—

"Stop!"

That moment of silence shattered in mere seconds by a strong voice. Without hesitation, I'koh lifted his head and froze in shock. Right there, barely standing in front of the oomans . . . was her.

Sara! He tried standing up but the chains on him activated, sending a jolt of electricity through his limbs, a security measure that caused his body to contort in unbelievable pain. He held in a roar and collapsed to the ground.

"I'koh!" Ma'dti called and then turned to rage aimed at the oomans, "Pauk de p'rauk!"

Despite his brother's screams, the window was soundproof from their side and no way was the oomans going to hear it with their weird ears as it is. Sara stood tall, trying to appear intimidating while the General and the Commander stood there in utter disbelief. Two more oomans rushed from behind the door, one in a healer gown while another in white cloth like the scientists, "General Woodhurst! Commander Evans!"

"What is she doing here?!" Commander Evans almost held a hand to the male ooman.

"Forgive us," The female intervened, "She insisted on coming and we tried to stop her."

"That's no excuse!" I'koh watched the Commander exercise his authority, both the doctor and the nurse tensed in submission. After a long, tense minute, he spoke again, "Take her back."

"No," Everyone paused in a mix of awe and shock.

"Excuse me," The Commander spoke deeply, walking toward her with ill intent and I'koh growled instinctively. He stopped only a foot from Sara, "I said to go back. That's an order."

"I'm sorry but I can't obey that command, not when this is happening under my nose."

I'koh felt such pride watching her defend herself, the Commander met his match with his eyeballs about to pop out any moment. Despite not being in full health, she stood her ground like a true warrior.

He smirked, "How is your opinion of her now?" He glanced to Ma'dti, his brother lowering his head away in guilt. Finally, he shuts up.

But the Commander wasn't about to relent, "Go. Now. Before I have no choice but to dismiss you permanently."

Sara didn't budge and that's when things Alamo got out of hand. The Commander grabbed her arm and yanked her toward the door. No! I'koh roared, ignoring the shock of the chains as he pulled toward the windows. Come on! Budge!

As if the gods had answered him, one of the chains snapped apart and his arm was freed. He punched the window with all of his might, the oomans jumped in panic, Evans pulled his gun and aimed for the window. I'koh opened his mandibles in a display of aggression and the Commander didn't like it one bit.

"See? These things are a liability. We need to get rid of them before it's too late," He went to the wall where a panel connected to the room. All he needed to do was press the button and they would suffocate within seconds.

I'koh growled deeper. You . . .

"Leave them alone!" Sara yelled.

"Enough."

The oomans froze as the General spoke after a long while, remaining composed but I'koh can see the slight anger and frustration in the old ooman's eyes directed at the Commander, "Leave us."

"But . . ." The Commander stuttered, "Sir, I—"

"That's an order. Go check on the troops. Only Sara may stay."

I'koh could see the Commander was close to losing it but knew there was nothing the ooman could do to get out of this mess. He buried his own grave. With no choice, the Commander grunted and left the room with the rest of the oomans, leaving Sara and the General by themselves; the air between them, though, was still awkward.

"So . . . may I ask what brings you here?" The General put his hands behind his back.

Sara sighed, "You can't . . ." She stumbled between words, almost like she was out of breath. I'koh could tell immediately her face was turning pale, beads of sweat covered her forehead.

Sara . . . His voice cracked that only a whimper escaped his throat, not unnoticed by Ma'dti.

"Lieutenant," The General came to her side, holding her carefully like she was a China doll, "You're still unwell."

"I didn't mean to disrespect you or the Commander . . ." She gasped softly, "but I heard about . . . what was being planned . . . for . . ."

"Don't talk. Let's come to my room to discuss further. You pushed yourself enough today."

I'koh could only watch as the General helped her to walk, giving a glance behind at him and Ma'dti. He sensed no hatred in them, rather pity and uneasiness from the male ooman, almost leaving a disgusting taste in his mouth. As for Sara, she was too weak to move, barely surviving on the reserves she had left.

Even so, she looked back at him while biting her lip, unable to read her eyes that were dark, bitter, and . . . show a hint of sadness. Why?

Something deep inside urged him to fight, to move for an unknown reason. Like a wild animal, he thrashed at the chains, scraping and even biting, scaring Ma'dti. Brother!

The General's voice echoed from behind the door, "Shut it up!"

An intense shock overwhelmed his body, his voice cut off and he was unable to breathe for a few seconds, the screams of his brother telling the oomans to stop could barely be heard. Everything went so fast that, by the time the torture ended, a few seconds passed before he dared to inhale.

"You fool . . ." Ma'dti cursed.

Despite the insult, I'koh wasn't angry. He swallowed, "Looks like you're wrong about the oomans."

Ma'dti puffed like an angry toad, "Don't say that yet. Only one ooman spared us for now. But I give props to the female."

"Her name is Sara," He glared at his brother.

"Whatever," Ma'dti turned away, "We'll see soon if she came to save us . . . or not. By what they did to you, there's little luck it'll happen if we have any at all."

I'koh held his breath and turned his face away. As much as he hated it, there was a bit of the truth in his words. Looking at the big picture, Sara has little power to do much at all, let alone help foreigners like themselves to be spared after their kind decimated many of their fellow warriors, an instinct of oomans to fear what looked like the enemy, no matter the tiny difference between them. Pitiful prey . . . they can't help themselves.

He closed his eyes and imagined Sara, the way she came to their aid when no one else did, the way she fought as her life depended on it. If it wasn't for her, he would already be dead.

Sara . . . His mind slowly drifted to sleep, picturing her one more time. You're different.

You have to be . . . this time.

Long time, no see my fellow readers.

It has been a long while since I posted a new chapter so I wanted to address that I apologize for that, lots of things had happened since the holidays but I'm back and hopefully updated each story once per month as is my ideal goal with everything going on in my life.

So here is a new chapter of Rise Up and more to come for all my current stories.

And of course, better late than never, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year and Good Hunting! :)))))

Normal = Human speaking human language

Bold and Italics = Yautja speaking Yautja language

Mei'hswei = Brother

Pauk de p'rauk! = Fuck, you fuckers!