Chapter 17
Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.
I'koh barely processed what Sara said before she walked toward the group of ooman males that were bickering in their nonsense language, the confusion cemented his feet to where he stood.
"You coming?"
He blinked several times to allow reality to check back with him, only to be met with the disappointing expression on the female's face, one that stung in his chest. He responded quickly with a nod and then gave him a smile before continuing forward.
His chest filled with warmth like her smile. Damn . . .
"Something's fishy," I'koh groaned, rolling his eyes under the mask and glad it was out of his brother's view when he came to his side, "Watch out for that one."
"Leave me alone," He shoved his shoulder to push away Ma'dti's hand and followed to catch up with Sara. He wasn't even close when he heard the male oomans begin their verbal assault on her.
"Oh boy, look what we have here," The taller one spoke with a cocky tone, "What are you doing?"
Sara huffed, "Practice shooting. What else?"
The group paused and then softly snickered and chuckled, not enough to draw obvious attention but enough for him and Sara to notice, "Really? Who are you anyway?"
"Probably be lucky to hit the target at all."
The males chuckled, one even dared to laugh and it struck a nerve in him, witnessing the disrespect they threw at her with no regard for the consequences. If any male Yautja were to display such behavior to any respectable female, they'd better pray to Cetanu before the first smack. In anger, he hissed a warning and the males cringed back.
He smirked under the mask. Don't worry, Sara. I got you—
He expected her to be beside him but instead was gone. Sara had ignored them, startling I'koh that she didn't even make a remark or a sign that she didn't appreciate it as she moved past them and into her station to set up. Like him, the oomans scrunched their hairy eyebrows in disbelief until one of the males pushed his way through the group.
"Watch and learn, boys. This girl has nothing on me."
Keeping his distance, the lone male stepped into the station next to her, gave a side look that almost made him want to rip his jaw off, and put on these weird paddings that covered his ears, looked goofy and unnecessary. Sara put on the same equipment and loaded her rifle with metal bullets, cocking it like a pro to show she wasn't messing around.
The male huffed and did the same, "Better swallow your pride now than later."
Again, Sara remained silent and leaned on her elbows, her eyes locked on the obstacles a few meters away. I'koh stayed back, fighting the news to protect her from the oomans but also knowing she had a handle on this, even if her means were unorthodox as one of his species would see it.
He gritted his tusks at the buzzing sound and red flashing light on the ceiling, the arena came to life as mechanical panels shifted, glided across the ground, and then disappeared into the sides and away from sight.
Shooting range #244 is calibrated and set. Ready?
"Yes," The male spoke.
"Yes," Sara followed.
The beeping noises paced slower until the sound stopped along with the red light.
Starting course in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . Begin!
The first targets popped from the ground and moved from one side to another. Not even a second we're the bullets flying into the range at such a fast rate. I'koh couldn't differentiate which ones were the male's or Sara's, but it needn't take a genius to see which one was winning if the counters on the top didn't give it away first.
The male seemed confident in his shots from the start, focusing on the closer targets that were sometimes blocked by obstacles. His counts were staying at a pace ahead of Sara's and it was apparent he was relishing the moment, even teasing her from his side with a disgusting smirk as if he'd won already.
Why you little—
I'koh decided to teach him a lesson in manners and respect until he stopped at the sound of the male ooman, "Damn it!"
The frustration was written on the male's face as his count began to slow down, compared to Sara, who remained undeterred and steady. She was speeding up, the accuracy of her shots was unprecedented as she moved from one target to the next. I'koh relished in the worried look on the male ooman as sweat dripped from his pale, ugly forehead.
The timer buzzed and the shooting range went quiet, the damaged targets vanished once more behind the sidewalls and the score panels blinked, locking in the final scores. When the male realized that he'd lost by a landslide, he went into a tantrum.
"Are you serious!?" He pointed at Sara who simply held her rifle with a faint smirk. The human huffed and puffed like a toad, "You cheated!"
"What on Earth are you talking about?" Sara placed her rifle over her shoulder, a somewhat cautious look written all over her face but he sensed her smirking underneath.
"You couldn't have shot like that within such a short time!" The ooman kept berating, much to his annoyance, and from the grimace expression of his followers, they were getting tired of it too.
But not enough to sway them to defend their leader, especially after the male ooman twisted his head to glare at them so fast, "Yeah . . . How can you prove that you didn't cheat?"
The Leader smirked, "True to that. Especially given her history."
I'koh noticed the change in Sara immediately. The calm composure she held with little damage faded, her fingers gripping the rifle while her lips slightly tightened into a thin line. He'd seen enough ooman interactions to realize the male hit a sensitive nerve in her and the leader picked up on that.
"We all know the rumors and it's no secret how you got into this project," The male carried himself as if he was some ujesh that defeated an entire army, and it disgusted him so much, Yautja or not. Sara kept silent but I'koh could tell she was about to snap, biting her lip to keep her composure.
"It's strange that someone of 'your' background made it this far, especially what happened that night. If you know what I mean."
The ooman crossed his arms and raised his chest as if proud of the insults, "I bet your fath—"
"If you have something to say, then get to the point and spit it out."
Everyone paused as if they were slapped unexpectedly. I'koh pulled his lower mandibles near his mouth in the same reaction, the anger that Sara displayed before was gone, replaced with one that was more annoyed than pissed, "If you're just using fancy words to salvage your last brain cell and insult me, then you're wasting breath."
"Why you . . !"
I'koh growled. That's it. I had enough.
Without a second thought, he made his move and put his body between Sara and the male ooman, watching the shocked expression on the group's face and the sharp gasps from the sudden development.
The leader still showed nervousness but feigned arrogance, "So now you resort to an alien bodyguard to defend you? What a joke."
I'koh glanced behind and saw Sara getting angry by the second but he understood well it was more than just the insults getting to her. She's not one to have protection like a helpless suckling crying for its bearer. He noticed Ma'dti leaning his shoulder on a wall, his body posture was clear to the intent he was sending.
Don't lecture me. And then, an idea popped into his head and he let himself smile, thankful for his mask. Watch me.
I'koh sighed and came up to the male, cautiously taking a step back when he was a foot away, almost at arm's reach, until he stopped. Though a small area compared to the rest of the space, it was almost silent as a graveyard.
"How can . . prove you didn't cheat?" His translator repeated the ooman's words and didn't wait for his reaction before walking away and into one of the firing stations next to Sara's, grabbing his M240 from his back.
He nudged his chin at Sara when she stood there speechless, "Let's have some fun . . ."
I'koh got into position and after a second, Sara did the same, both reloading their weapons as the clock and course reset for the next round. The other oomans gathered around to watch but kept their distance when he growled. The clock began the countdown as both he and Sara locked eyes for a moment . . . and then she smiled.
And his heart skipped a beat. Aww . . .
Starting course in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . Begin!
The targets emerged and I'koh went for the first one closest to him, shooting at the center with great precision. Sara took out the one next to it and each kept to their sides in the first few minutes of the course, keeping the scores to remain constant with each other. The oomans from afar seemed astounded by what they were witnessing., whispering but enough for him to allow the translator to tell him.
"Jeez . . . They're both good."
"Really? It might be just letting her keep up with it."
"No way."
I'koh snorted. Serves you right.
But right as he was distracted for a second, the target that he aimed for was knocked down, not by his bullet he was sure of, getting confirmation when he turned to Sara who was grinning, "Keep your focus or else you'll lose."
He growled softly and then smirked, "Keep focus . . . or lose . . ."
Sara nodded and giggled before shooting more targets. You like to play? Then let's play.
I'koh tightened the grip on the gun, put his elbows on the flat surface for support, and shot as fast and accurate as he could, more bullets flew in a frenzy of high pitch blasts, and the targets were blown away like sand. Pretty soon, a crowd formed behind them to watch such an event, full of astonishment as they battled for the win.
Despite the obvious surroundings, he barely knew they were there, having fun shooting in a match against Sara, never believing that this could happen . . . not in a million years. He saw her smiling, almost equaling enjoying the game as much as him if not more. A warm feeling grew in his chest, a sense of great pleasure to see her happy as his heart thudded faster.
Sara . . . The sound of her name in his head was soothing as he gazed at her beautiful hair, her soft skin and when she turned her head at him for a moment, her brown eyes appeared as if they shined like the stars in the universe. Lovely . . .
I'koh sighed. How long has it been since I felt like this?
As quickly as the joy came, his words undid that and brought about a cold chill that was all too well known as fear. His body turned into stone as a flashback overcame his senses.
That was so much fun! A soft, petite voice echoed in the depths of his mind. I wish we could be together like this a little longer.
I'koh gasped, a fist of air clenched his throat and his lungs began to burn.
I trusted you! How could you do this to me!?
He growled, closing his eyes as the pain came and he swore he felt the warm liquid of blood between his fingers . . . like before.
Please stop! STOP!
I'koh snapped. He dropped his gun on the table and stumbled away, irritated and clawing into his dreadlocks for the pain to take him away from the bigger one claiming him. Not again!
"I'koh! What's wrong!?"
He heard a voice and then felt something touch the middle of his back. Instincts took over and he turned quickly and hissed a warning, pushing whoever it was away roughly. By the time he realized who was next to him, it was too late.
Sara!?
I'koh saw her fall to her back with a shocked expression, mirroring the same reaction he had that instant. His senses returned and realized that the crowd that was watching the two of them scampered away, horrified and furious all at once but his attention went back to Sara.
"Sara . . . Are you . . . alright?" He reached to help her but stopped when the drops of green blood were spotted on his claws and that was when his hand began to shake. Oh no . . . not again.
"I'koh?" Sara got to her feet and reached out again, "What's wrong?"
Part of him yearned for her touch but remembering what he'd done, he stepped cautiously away from her, the disappointing look she had tore through his soul and the pain tightened his heart like a vice.
Again, she called, "I'koh . . ."
"What's the meaning of this?"
The group suddenly parted in the middle and walking toward them was the annoying male he had hated since the beginning with his lackeys following in tow.
"Commander Evans," Sara saluted.
Evans didn't answer, only glaring in his direction, "I asked what is going on here. We leave you alone for a few minutes and are already causing trouble as soon as we grant you a bit of freedom."
I'koh growled, "None . . . of your business."
"Watch your tone. I can send you and your kin back into your cages in a second."
Evans stepped closer and stopped in his tracks when Ma'dti came to his side, snapping his mandibles audibly under the mask as a huge red flag to keep a distance. It didn't deter the male as he raised his hand, about to give a command to shoot, no guess since the rest were coming with their weapons.
"Wait, Sir," Sara intervened, placing herself between them before anything else could happen, "I'm to blame for this commotion. I came up with an idea for fun and I let it get out of control, Sir."
Sara? I'koh was baffled hearing what she said to Evans, playing the peacekeeper and taking the blame entirely on her. It was quiet at first, everyone waiting on what Evans would decide.
After a few minutes of agonizing wait, Evans sighed, "You should have known better Lieutenant. We have your orders."
"I know."
"And you understand the consequences for this stunt you pulled?"
"Yes, Sir."
Evans deliberated, his eyes gazing among the crowd, to him with the same glare, and then back to Sara, "You know that it's your responsibility to keep watch over. If you can't even keep them from such pitiful confrontations, it might question the higher ranks of your capabilities."
"I know, Sir."
"But given that these specimens had prior issues before, and that we don't have time since the aircraft is ready for departure, I'll let this slide for now. But if it happens again, it can't be overlooked. Understood?"
"Of course, Sir."
With that, Evans walked away and led a few of his followers toward the open doors, the rest stayed behind to escort them the rest of the way. I'koh didn't like the idea but when Sara gave him a worried look, he relented. She sighed and with a heavy heart, headed out. Why?
"I told you not to get involved," Of course, Ma'dti has to interrupt when he least wanted it.
"I don't need you to lecture me," He growled.
Ma'dti puffed, "It happened again . . . Didn't it?"
"Leave it, Mei'hswei. I don't need you on top of my problems."
He half expected his brother to respond with another remark he didn't want to hear but instead, Ma'dti patted his shoulder with a firm grip.
"Be careful. That's all I can say."
Ma'dti walked away and I'koh had no choice but to follow suit, both remained silent as the ooman soldiers kept their distance and their guns pointed at them for the remainder of their journey to their ner'uda. Despite trying to not think about it, the mental attack just moments ago was still troubling his mind, worried that this was a premonition for something worse to come.
And the stench it left behind was putrid.
Hello my readers,
I hope everyone is well. It has been very stressful at home and I've been a little scatterbrained but glad I was able to get this chapter in. Sorry for being short but it's been rough so I hope that you enjoy this and more is still to come, I promise :)
Thank you and Good Hunting.
Normal = Human speaking human language
Bold = Yautja speaking ooman language
Bold and Italic = Yautja speaking Yautja language
Cetanu = God of Death
Mei'hswei = Brother
Ner'uda = Shuttle
Suckling = Yautja pup (infant/baby)
Ujesh = Conqueror
