Chapter 16
Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.
Sara headed out early in the morning in the hopes of avoiding the traffic of human bodies that would start as soon as the first signs of sunlight emerged over the horizon, a hope that dissipated when she made it to the lower levels.
There were people on top of people, many shoving through in a hurry, carrying boxes and tools for who knows what while weaving between workers patching the cracks, picking up the rubble that remained. The rest were soldiers, armed with advanced weaponry, and wore bulletproof vests and other such things that she wasn't aware existed or had no idea what they were in the first place. That among other things did little to ease her hidden anxiety.
Even after a week, the scars from the battle lingered and it wasn't just limited to the physical scars of the injured or the building itself, one look around beneath the surface was all that it took. People kept their heads low, avoided looking at one another except for those they considered comrades they trusted enough, and the few that raised their faces and had brief contact with her, the hairs on her arms stood, seeing the diluted and dark pupils for a split second before the person left.
She knew that look all too well . . . pure fear. This place is no better than a prison now.
Thankfully, it wasn't a far walk to the private training room that is segregated from the others, not that anyone was going to use them. From what she could tell, it was built in proximity to the living quarters of I'koh and Ma'dti and their 'hunting grounds' as she remembered vividly, sending a cold shiver through her stomach.
Nope. Not going back there again. But the dread slowly faded as she recalled the first time she met I'koh, the way he carried himself as a gentle soul, calm and worried as she laid on the ground in pain and bleeding from the assault.
Sara lowered her head as she walked, thinking back on the conversation that took place a while back.
"You want me to do what? I don't . . . understand."
She shook her head, brows scrunched between her eyes as confusion settled on her face, a clear indicator for the General sitting on the other side of the desk, again grumbling that she didn't get the point right away. She cleared her throat and pulled back, "What I mean to say, Sir, is it necessary for the project?"
Woodhurst nodded, "It is but I acknowledge that I'm asking for more than what you expected . . . given the nature of the other party you'll be interacting with."
"I know."
They allowed a period of silence between them, mostly for her to process the details that the General provided within a few minutes, although it felt like hours of listening, unable to drill them into her head for a while longer before she made sense of it.
"If you have something to say," Sara stiffened when the General caught her off guard, "Now's the time . . . but choose your words carefully."
She understood the silent warning, "The nature of —" She paused, "the subjects are different from ours but it doesn't permit us to play such a trick. Is it necessary?"
"It is."
Sara was surprised at how quick the answer came, no hesitation in Woodhurst, not even a slight blink or swallow that would reflect uncertainty. He may be hiding it well enough but possibly that the success of the project was all that he cared about, no matter the costs. The same could not be said for Sara, a hint of doubt burrowed deep inside her mind, waiting to reach the surface. As much as she wanted to voice it, she couldn't.
"Do you accept these orders?"
She clenched her fists under the table, ignoring the soreness of her body and the burning flame in her chest with firm resolve, "Yes, Sir."
The General softened, exhaling a sigh of relief before laying back into his chair, "Good. Once you're healed, I'll notify you when you'll be moving out."
"Moving out?"
"Yes. We've been tracking the subject from Stargazer since its escape. Although it's their responsibility to recapture it, the fact that it was heading toward residential areas is problematic. As such, it falls on our jurisdiction to protect the public and prevent panic."
Woodhurst scooted in his chair and leaned forward, elbows to the table with his fingers intertwined, "But I can't send just anyone to retrieve them, given the sensitivity of this issue. So that's why you're going."
Sara nodded softly, "I'm . . . honored, Sir."
The General smiled grimly, "Then you're dismissed."
"Yes, Sir," Sara stood and went around the chair, walking to the door to reach for the handle.
"And Lieutenant . . ."
She froze in place, only turning her head to the side, allowing her left eye to glance back at the General, still with a stern look that felt like daggers going into her back.
"Remember your mission. Do not fail."
She didn't answer verbally, giving a quick nod before turning back to leave, not before hearing a few last words from Woodhurst as he muttered to himself, one that sent an unknown sensation through her.
"We can't fail . . . not this time."
Sara bit the inner flesh of her bottom lip. What did he mean by that?
If only it was easy to get the answer, she would have asked the General right then and there but it wasn't her place, questioning your supervisor on a sensitive subject is the highest of bad manners in the military. Still, she knew Woodhurst was holding back information and from that alone, whatever he was hiding was far from good.
Does it have to do with I'koh and Ma'dti? She shut her eyes. That's too easy, but then . . . that might explain why everyone hates them so much. It doesn't make sense they'd be angry with them unless—
Her shoulder bumped into someone walking past her, bringing her back into reality as she heard a soldier scolding her, "Watch where you're going!"
Sara didn't answer, already embarrassed enough, and kept going on her way. Good job, Sara. A way to start a day is by being distracted. She timed her breath, deep and steady to let some of her worries evaporate inside herself. You have a duty to this country.
She straightened her back and raised her chin, eyes forward and lips sealed. That's all you need to do.
A few minutes passed and she finally reached the loading bay area, a separate section that acted as a point of transportation if things have to be 'discreet' which is not a long shot in this base. It had a wide, concrete floor where trucks and tanks are stored, where special weapons were locked for specific missions, and then there was an adjacent building with a firing range and combat box to practice.
The place was a mini-base that could manage on its own and mostly quiet since there wasn't much reason over the years . . . except now. The area was bustling with soldiers packing their duffel bags, cleaning their guns, and packing other miscellaneous items for an expected long trip.
"Lieutenant."
A soldier waved her from the building and Sara made her way to him, saluting him first and receiving the same in return, "The General sent me to escort you inside."
She nodded and followed the man inside, moving through the heavy-bolted doors and into the firing range, almost making her jump from the loud noise of gunfire. Near the combat box, she saw the General and Commander Evans conversing with each other. The argument looked heated, mostly from Evans who looked like an angry bull ready to charge while Woodhurst remained calm. Oh great.
"General sir, she's here."
The General broke away first, "Thank you, Colonel. You're dismissed."
"Yes, Sir." The soldier saluted and left her with a tired General and a seething Commander who, if looks could kill, would murder everyone within a few meters.
"Welcome, Lieutenant Gibson. How is your recovery?"
Sara nodded, "It is well, Sir."
"That's good to hear."
Sara smiled softly before her attention drew from the General to Evans. The soothing air around them faded, turning sour and bitter upon noticing the silent glare Evans gave her, unlike before when it wasn't directed at her, not that she did anything offensive to receive such treatment. Now, something changed in the Commander and she didn't like it one bit.
"Commander, sir,"
She felt it was best to start the conversation, and as she hoped, the dreaded feeling went away like a flip of a coin. He smiled back, "You look better than before. Guess a week of resting was enough, although it's still too soon for you to be moving."
"Commander."
Evans paused in confusion at the General and then the anger was back again, she noticed his fists were gripping the side of his pants but relaxed as he sighed, utter defeat as he stepped back, "My apologies. I merely inquired about your health."
"It's alright, Sir."
Evans lifted his eyelids for a moment to see her reaction. At first, Sara saw only a blank stare with no emotions beneath, nothing to hide away what was truly running through that kind of his. It was worse than she expected, not being able to read a person was worse than one who wore their feelings on their sleeves.
But she was not about to start another argument so she forced a smile to reassure him, "I'm much better. Thank you for the kind gesture."
That did the trick and Evans softened, "You're welcome, Lieutenant," Evans looked to her side and in an instant, his expression darkened, pupils dilated and took over the ember color that was once bright.
The answer came before she could open her mouth to ask, the familiar pattern of animal clicks rang from behind and the eerie, dirty looks emerged when others followed Evan's sight. She did as well and saw I'koh and Ma'dti being escorted by several guards, the once vibrant and busy area went silent and gloomy as they came.
"Looks like they arrived," Evans pointed out with unnecessary bitterness in his tone of voice, "Are you sure this is fine?"
Woodhurst only needed to give a sideways glare, away from her vision but watching Evans reeling away was all she needed. Having dealt with that problem, he walked away and met the group in the middle, "We'll take it over from here."
The guards didn't give a second guess and scattered like flies, still giving a weird stare for a second longer than what the General deemed enough. With a grumble, he led I'koh and Ma'dti to her and Evans, the heat of rage from the Commander was almost hard to bear. As soon as I'koh and Ma'dti were a few feet away, Evans walked away, stomping through anything in his path, including a few soldiers who barely got out of his way.
The General sighed, "I'll deal with him. Lieutenant, I leave you in charge so help them get settled until we're ready to depart."
"Yes, Sir."
Woodhurst walked past her but not before giving a side glance, a silent reminder of what transpired in the office. Remember what you need to do. Don't fail.
Sara took a deep breath as the General went out of her sights, the room resumed its bustling routine but the air remained unchanged, anyone who dared walk past gave a menacing glance before rushing off before anything could be done. Although it was more due to I'koh and Ma'dti, she had a gut feeling that some were meant for her.
"Sara . . ." She blinked her eyes and looked at I'koh who somehow was right at her side without making her aware, ". . . Okay . . . Are fine?"
The recording was a bit fuzzy but she understood what he meant to convey, "I'm fine, I'koh," She smiled gently, "Thank you for your concern. I appreciate it."
I'koh had an immediate reaction, his limbs locking into place while his head pulled back as if he wasn't expecting such an answer or the way she said it. She turned to Ma'dti and noticed him being silent but she knew enough that he was watching her as well, "Come on. Let's wait over here until we're ready."
She chose a bench next to the shooting range and sat down, adjusting the bags that I'koh and Ma'dti had brought along, far enough from the crowds walking through so they would have some peace. She got a little more than she bargained for, the awkward silence had her feeling nervous inside so she attempted to clean her rifle to take her mind off of it.
"You . . . bothered?" I'koh hovered over her like a curious child.
Sara almost jumped out of her seat, hurriedly grabbing her rifle before it could hit the ground, "Damn. You scared me."
I'koh flinched, lowering his masked face to the ground. Way a go, Sara. She swallowed and placed the rifle on the bench, "Sorry. I didn't mean it like that."
She tightened her lips and waited for him to respond. At first, it was silent and she feared he took it to heart until he looked back at her, "Sorry . . . worried about you . . . You were hurt . . . badly."
Sara opened her mouth and then closed it, looking away from him and towards space. So it's true . . . She bit her lip and closed her eyes. Don't. You need to do this.
"Sara?"
She took a deep breath and relaxed but still struggled to control the trembling of her fingers. She moved to sit on them and smiled, "I was but I feel better now. I'm sorry I made you worry," She reached for his hand and patted it softly, "I'd appreciate it."
Despite the effort, her hand still shook, not enough for I'koh to be alerted but deep inside, it hurt her to the core. Why?
Out of nowhere, she heard a commotion going on inside the shooting range, noticing a small group of soldiers laughing and bickering amongst each other, competing on who was the best shooter. Her eyes lit up as an idea came into her head, "Hey, I'koh."
I'koh brought his attention to her, tilting his head in curiosity, "Why don't we blow off some steam while we wait?"
Both the brothers looked at each other for a moment, having some kind of silent conversation until I'koh replied, using a recording of her voice, "Blow off some steam . . ?"
Sara nodded and picked up her rifle, resting it over her shoulder, "Let's show these boys just how good a real shooter is."
Hello, my fellow readers!
A new chapter for Rise Up is finally here! I totally struggled with this one but I gotta keep telling myself that more will be told as the story goes and it's a lot :DDD
But I do smell something amiss though . . . and I fear that it has to do with Sara. Oh boy I don't like this one bit and I'm the writer! WTF! LMAO!
Again, I do apologize for the late chapter posting (writer's block and all), and hope to hear from all of you. Stay safe and Good Hunting! :D
Normal = Human speaking human language
Bold = Yautja speaking ooman language
