Chapter 12: Taking a Risk (Part 2)

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 gun sets off and the dart digs itself into Molly's neck. The sudden pain could be seen on her face and the shock of it all. I ran as fast as I could to her with some hope that I might be able to save her. I caught her just as she began to fall, using myself as a cushion. The kainde amedha reacted, some lunging right at us. I was completely defenseless in this position and unable to protect Molly if Lar'ja didn't intervene. He swings his wrist blades across, cutting down a few while one managed to jump on him. He grabs its tail and throws it back where the rest of the creatures stood. They hissed and scratched the ground, eagerly waiting for the moment to strike. Lar'ja growled and roared, keeping them at a distance.

I turned back to Molly and scrambled to pull the dart out. But my fears were realized when it was completely empty. I threw it away as far as I could, tending to the wound on Molly's neck where the dart got her. To my horror, the skin around it was starting to burn and melt away. She closes her eyes tightly, moaning from the pain no less.

Shit! Shit! Shit! What should I do!? What can I do . . .?!

Everything went in slow motion the second I lifted my gaze and towards Qut'suak. That pauking bastard had the nerve to grin, enjoying the suffering he inflicted on Molly, Lar'ja, and especially myself. I couldn't move with Molly in my lap but if she weren't there, I would have ripped his throat out, regardless if the kainde amedha were around.

"Good luck, hybrid. We'll be coming for you next . . . very soon."

Qut'suak walked up the ramp and I screamed in all my defiance. Come back, you bastard! But he was already gone and the ramp to his ship was closing up fast.

"Hold it!"

Lar'ja valiantly tried to stop him, slicing some kainde amedhaout of the way. He barely got a few feet when one jumped on his back, pulling him away. I screamed for him, not wanting to have someone else I care about getting hurt. Luckily, Lar'ja managed to stab it in the chest and it let go, managing to avoid the acidic blood and throwing it away. I could only watch as Qut'suak's ship began its ascent into the sky, disappearing in a few seconds.

Lar'ja roars at the ship, throwing his arms like a gorilla. The kainde amedha flinched but held back, fixated on what was going on with Molly. Lar'ja came back to our side but kept his eyes on our surroundings. I barely registered he was there as I tended to Molly. Fear was written all over her. I tried to soothe her as best as I could. "Hey, Molly . . . it's going to be alright."

"I . . . don't . . ."

In a few seconds, her eyes began to widen in horror and started to claw at her neck. It was like watching an animal trying to pry a trap off but it was useless. I wrapped my arms tightly around her, keeping from any further injury to herself and me. The site of the injection began to spread into black veins and the smell of burning flesh ran into my nose. In a matter of a few seconds, it had already gotten down her left arm.

C'jit! It must be melting her from the inside! But it can't do it this quickly!

"Anya! Get away from her!"

I knew Lar'ja meant well. If I stayed too close to Molly, I would most likely get burned myself. The blood of a kainde amedha is potent and will keep going until there's nothing left to melt. But when Lar'ja reached for me, I shook him off. "I can't leave her to die like this!"

"But we don't have a choice! She won't make it! And you won't either if you hold on to her!"

He got distracted again and another black creature tried to jump at me. Lar'ja slices its head into two with a quick move, pulling it away from us. The kainde amedha were getting more antsy, most likely want to feed on our flesh. I didn't pay attention as Molly struggled but her weak eyes searched for me.

"Kill . . . me . . ."

"What?"

I was in disbelief what she told me. I couldn't fathom that she would want that. Maybe it was my ooman side holding on to that small hope but my hunter/logical side knew what must be done. Still, I shook my head in defiance. "I can't let you die."

Molly begins to cough, letting squirts of blood splatter on my face. The acid was now reaching to her chest and abdomen. I could feel her body growing in heat, higher than any ooman could endure. It was like holding an oven that was going haywire. I shook my head in the hopes that this is all a nightmare that I was going to wake up. Far from it . . .

Molly shook her head, coughing up more blood. "It's . . . inside me . . . burning my veins . . . disintegrating every cell in my body . . . It's too late now."

I shook my head again. In a split second, a tear rolled from her eye and dropped to the ground next to us. Her lips moved to form a weak smile, barely even one. For something to be the symbol of joy, it only brought despair and regret. There was nothing I could do . . . but I still wished for a better outcome. She leaned her head closer until I could barely hear her words.

"Don't . . . let them . . . win."

The next thing I knew, Molly began to scream. Her eyes shot wide open and I looked down to see what made her react like that. Her chest was caving in itself as the flesh that once held together turned into tethers. The steam rose in my face, bringing the burning smell that almost did the same to my nose. The acidic blood started to eat at her lungs and then her stomach, being no match to its power. Soon, her body splitted even more until it reached to her lower abdomen and disintegrated her intestines. With Molly thrashing, some flung out of her like string, hanging from her side. Some would imagine I should get out of there but I couldn't. A part of me clung onto her so that she wouldn't be alone.

I was pulled away roughly by Lar'ja and I had no choice but to let go. He took up a few steps away as I watched Molly thrashing in agony. I wished I could have looked away but my body refused and I was stuck to watch in Lar'ja's arms. When the acidic blood reached her head, Molly stopped moving altogether. Her eyes clouded over, devoid of life. She's dead . . . Her skull caved in to reveal her half-dissolved brain and in a matter of a minute, her body was nothing more than a lump of burnt flesh.

I shook my head. This can't be real . . .

I thought that after seeing so much bloodshed over my childhood and my training with the Yautja that I would be used to death. But no matter what I did, it hurt so much that a life like Molly's had to die a horrible way. She was too good of a soul for this kind of life but even so, she kept training with me and wanting to know how to defend herself. Any Yautja teacher would have seen her potential to become a great warrior. That notion made the pain worse.

"Anya . . . There's nothing you could have done."

He purrs, trying to get me to calm down. It wasn't good enough this time. I yanked out of his hold, falling to my knees in front of Molly's corpse. No . . . I could have done something. I should have watched her closely. I didn't and now look . . . Look at what you've done. I dropped my head hard to the ground, feeling my skull crack. It shot down to the base of my neck but I refused to move. I grinded my teeth, trying to understand why this happened. The guilt and pain came like waves, hitting me harder than the last until I heard the hissing of the kainde amedha along with Lar'ja's warning growl. The feelings from before began to morph into rage when the sound reminded me of Qut'suak.

He did this . . . and Hakr'ouh. They will pay.

"Anya?"

Lar'ja called me in concern so I knew the situation was turning for the worst. Of course, the kainde amedha were still around. They must have grown tired of waiting. Slowly, I lifted myself from the ground and saw that the creatures were closing in on us. Lar'ja was next to me, reaching out for my hand. It wasn't the right time to touch me. I was in too much pain and anger to hold it back. I turned away but met his golden eyes, letting him know how angry I was. He saw and got the message, pulling his hand away.

"I'm sorry."

That's all he could muster to say. He couldn't really say anymore than that. He can't bring Molly back. He can't change things . . . but it wasn't his fault either.

I turned my gaze away. "It's fine."

That's all he was getting from me.

The kainde amedha were getting more angry. I saw one thrashing its tail on the ground . . . a technique that enticed an angry prey to charge and fall into its trap. I would gladly come to it but I won't be taken down so easily.

I unsheathed my twin swords, gliding the blades together slowly to revels my own fangs at my prey. "Doesn't matter now, Lar'ja. Right now . . . I'm angry and wanting to kill."

My eyes locked on the black horde and the kainde amedha sensed my eagerness. I crashed my swords together once more and sparks flew in the air. I didn't turn when I felt Lar'ja coming to my side. I didn't want to hurt him unintentionally in my current state of mind. Still, he purrs once more. "I understand."

Right then and there, Lar'ja sounded more mature than ever before. His voice was so soothing that it eased a bit of my rage but not enough. My intent to kill every single one of the kainde amedha and eventually Qut'suak were fresh, fueling me with strength. I took a brief glimpse to the side and watched Lar'ja unsheathed his wrist blades. His muscles rippled underneath his skin and I could hear him popping his knuckles when they twisted into fists. I knew all too well that he was angry too . . .but maybe for a different reason. Whatever it was, I put it in the back of my mind when the kainde amedha shifted closer to us. There were alot of them but I was ready for a bloody fight and I would gladly bring death to them.

I growled. Come at us, you motherfuckers.

As if they could hear my words, the creatures charged like a black wave, coming at us with tails, jaws, and claws. Lar'ja and I roared in defiance, charging with such fury as we began a long and brutal blood bath.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"How did it come to this?"

I just stood still and quiet in a private room a little ways from headquarters. Lar'ja stood next to me as Rory paced back and forth in front of the table that held Molly's remains. After killing the rest of the kainde amedha, Lar'ja felt best that we should take it with us to explain the others and bury her with honor. Xen'ork was inspecting the lump of burning flesh along with the rest of the equipment we brought back, examining the dart and a collar that we took off a dead kainde amedha. We gathered as much evidence to see what we're up against.

Back and forth, everyone conversed to understand what had happened. I was too fazed and emotional to argue. Killing the black creatures drained me physically but the same couldn't be said mentally.

I had nothing to say, seeing the look of frustration on Rory. The others caught wind of what happened and hurried as soon as they could. Lex, Dutch, Mike, came first followed by Dallas. My fear of his reaction was realized. Dallas knew Molly since she was a small child after their home was destroyed, helping her to recover. He didn't react or at least to the blind eye but I could sense the distress he was feeling. Molly was gone and there was nothing I could do to comfort him.

"I knew we shouldn't have trusted her. We leave her alone for two seconds and she brings back a dead corpse."

I shut my eyes tightly as I heard Royce speak, coming into the room like a thunderstorm. It was hard enough to deal with explaining this to Rory and everyone else. But to have Royce spit it out like venom stung my heart, bringing unbearable pain. Izzy wasn't far beyond but had more compassion than her mate. There was no hiding from her gaze. She pressed her hands against his chest, pushing him away from me.

"You shouldn't say that, Royce. This isn't her fault."

"Then who is it?!" Royce started to yell. "She should have known better than to take Molly when she isn't experienced enough. I should think that someone who trained with those beasts would be wise enough to understand. Especially given our predicament!"

Lar'ja growls, stepping to block his view of me. Xen'ork looked up for a few seconds before going back to his business, assured that Lar'ja would take care of it. My mate raised his shoulders to make him look bigger. "You have no right to speak to her like that, ooman."

Any ooman would have feared retribution from Lar'ja or a Yautja would have backed off . . . but no. Royce stepped forward, almost had his chin touching Lar'ja's stomach. "Or what? You're going to rip my spine out and use it as a trophy?"

Lar'ja opened his mandibles, flaring them for a roar. It took Izzy to pull Royce away before he could start any more trouble. "Stop this!"

Now she sounds really angry.

"You can't just say stuff like this! Especially since we lost our own!"

Royce fought back. "And who do you think caused all of this? It's not like Molly went out there all on her—"

"You're right."

Finally, I decided to break my silence. My voice cut through the atmosphere of the room and silenced everyone altogether. Even Xen'ork stopped what he was doing and stood tall to listen. I didn't have the heart to directly at Lar'ja, knowing he'd try to keep me out of this. This is my fight to handle alone. I took a step towards Royce and locked on him.

"You're right about this. Molly was under my care and I was responsible. I should have kept a closer eye on her."

There I say it. I let the truth out of my mouth. I was the one who proposed to take Molly with us so that she could learn how to hunt. I wanted to give her a chance to get stronger. My intent was pure but it doesn't change the fact that I let her die. Royce is right. I am a trained warrior and Leader of the Elites no less. I could have easily protected her . . . but I didn't. I watched as Royce took in my words. For the first time since I met him, Royce's aggression faltered. His eyes widened in surprise. He must not have suspected I would agree. His face twisted as if he wasn't sure if he should be angry or not.

I took a deep breath. "But what's done is done. We have worse things to worry about now."

I let the words sink into his head. A minute had passed before Royce grunted, walking out of the room without looking back. Izzy tried to call out to stop him but he was already gone.

"Let him go, Izzy."

Dutch walks over to her, patting her shoulder in a kind gesture. His eyes softened. "He needs time to calm down."

Izzy paused before sighing in defeat. Like the rest of us, she knew that Dutch was right. Now's not the time to bother him. He lets go and turns to me. "So what worse things do we have to worry about?"

That's typical of Dutch. He was the type to get straight into business, reminding me of Yautja Clan Leaders with their followers but maybe a bit more brutal than Dutch is capable of. But I respect him all the same. I turned to Lar'ja standing next to me, giving a look that signaled him to explain. To be honest, I was too drained to speak and Lar'ja could see that.

"The Yautja that found us was Qut'suak, second-in-command to Hakr'ouh."

"The Leader of the Killer Yautja?"

Lar'ja nodded and Rory clicked. "Shit."

I sighed. I couldn't have agreed more.

Lex jumps into the conversation. "But how did they find us in the first place? And why haven't we detected them sooner?"

"It's because of us."

Xen'ork answers as soon as Lex finished, glancing at me for approval due to my higher rank. It's a custom for a lower ranking Yautja to seek permission but it also shows respect. Xen'ork didn't know a lot about the ooman language yet to speak it well like Lar'ja. Luckily, we managed to build a translator for him. It was kind of ironic that Xen'ork had to use the same pece of equipment as I did back when I arrived on Yautja Prime. When I had to learn to speak Yautja, Xen'ork will have to do the same since we'll be with Rory and the others for now.

He pulls away from the table, holding the collar in his hands. "From what we know, Qut'suak claims to have traced our signal we put out to find us. As for cloaking their location from us . . ." He opens the collar and pulls a small device that was the size of a nut. It had wires popping out as he turned its around for all to see. "These small things are the cause. Our kind uses them to hide from prey before landing on a planet for a Hunt. The Bad Bloods seemed to have modified it to hide each individual rather than a whole ship. They're growing stronger."

I didn't like that way Xen'ork spoke those last words. I should have known better that the Killer Yautja would grow rapidly. They hybridized themselves so what's stopping them from doing other things like this? It made me worry for the future.

Lex spoke out. "So, in short, they can track us and hide as well?"

"Yes."

I heard groans and other sounds of frustration in the room. The disappointing expressions were proof enough. It's not the news they'd been hoping for. And me as well . . . But it wasn't the worst news that we brought and I knew I had to tell it. I closed my eyes, took a breath, and looked back to everyone.

"But that's the least of our problems. Now that Qut'suak knows I'm alive and has escaped, there's a high chance that he'll tell Hakr'ouh about my location. And when he does, they'll come back with reinforcements."

I could see Lex, Izzy, and Dallas widen their eyes slightly in horror. Dutch and Mike remained stoic but I knew they weren't pleased. I could easily sense it in the air around them. But there was no way to avoid this. My heart clamped at the thought that in my mistake of going out, it would become a fatal one to us all. The Bad Bloods will have no mercy and even though we were armed, there's no guarantee that we might win with so many uncertainties to account for.

Rory stood tall, displaying himself like a true Leader. I knew he was distressed but he barely showed it. He knew that worrying about such things will only cloud their minds of reason. He looked onward to the others, pulling his shoulder back to display himself as a larger being. "If that's the case, then we need to prepare for what's to come."

He turns to Lex. "I need you and Izzy to gather the sick and wounded into the underground rooms as quickly as you can. But don't cause too much panic."

His eyes move to the next person. "Dutch and Mike . . . Get all of our soldiers ready. Only tell them the general information but let them know it's crucial. We need them trained enough on the new Protector models to at least fight in hand-to hand combat. Dallas will help in your preparations."

"Understood."

With their orders, everyone took off in a hurry out of the room, leaving Rory, Lar'ja, Xen'ork and I alone. For some reason, it was more uncomfortable than having more people around. It could be the fact that rory was still there. He was my brother and I could not hide from him. My conscious refused to let me. I felt Lar'ja's hand glide down my arm until he curled his fingers between mine. His purr reverberated through my body, just the thing I needed to finally let the tension break. He leans his body closer on my side, letting his heat envelop me.

"Are you alright?"

He sounded worried. It was too obvious he was wondering if I was taking all of this well. We've known each other long enough to sense our emotions. Still, I nodded in confidence, hiding the despair eating away at my heart and almost broke my breath into a labored pattern.

"Well . . . we're in a predicament."

Rory shook his head and placed his hands over his hips. "Even if we do prepare, we have no idea when they'll be coming and if they know where we're located. Correct?"

He looks to Xen'ork as he clicked his mandibles. "Pretty much."

"Is there any others of your kind that might be willing to come for aid?"

Immediately, there was silence between us. Xen'ork and Lar'ja looked at each other and then to me, as if I knew something they didn't. I wished I had but I was basically in the dark with them.

I sighed. "I don't know . . . There's a possibility but when the Killer Yautja attacked, everyone scattered. I lost my way of communication when I crashed and have no idea if any of my Elites are even alive, much less if they're captured."

I paused. "I think it's best for me to leave."

"What?"

Lar'ja, Xen'ork, and Rory called out in disbelief. I figured they would protest, thinking I'm a fool to suggest it but there was no other way. "They'll come for me but they have no idea the CHPS exist. If I leave, then this place will be protected and kept from their sights. You'll all be safe."

My voice turned sour and low. I didn't want Rory and everyone else to suffer the same fate as Molly . . . all because of my mistake. This would go against what the Yautja have taught themselves and even me not to do. No warrior would ever run away from battle and flee. They would stand and fight. But they were my friends and family in danger and I wasn't going to sit back and watch them die. No chance.

"Are you insane, Anya?! Do you realize what you're saying!?"

Lar'ja was very angry and completely stunned, glaring at me with those golden eyes and began to shine brilliantly with such intensity. He wanted to intimidate me so that I would take back my words but I was having none of it.

"I do. This is my fault and I won't let anyone else die."

I stood my ground, even as Lar'ja roared in my face. To a stranger, Lar'ja looked like he was ready to attack me but I could see through. He was hiding pain in his actions as expected. Yautjas were taught to never let your emotions control you. Daugo taught this to me many times but proved difficult. I wasn't like everyone else that he trained. Lar'ja was the same but he was failing. After all, he had lost too much and many close to him over the course of his life. Plus . . . he was stubborn like a bull.

His voice quivered a little. His emotions were getting the better of him. "I won't let you.

"You know just as well that I can't stay here. I can't lose you or anyone else."

"But—"

"You're not going anywhere, Anya." I turned my head into Rory's direction as he walked up to me in confidence. What is he saying?

"We're not going to leave you."

Oh no . . . not him too. The last person I wanted to argue with had to say something. I knew Rory had the best intentions and would do anything to help me. That was the problem though. He would go beyond his capacity and that's not something I can let him do.

I glared at him. "No, Rory. You have done enough for me."

Rory stops in front of me, refusing to back down and keeping his eyes on me. "You're right. But you've done more than anyone else has. No matter what everyone else thinks . . ."

He places his hand on my shoulder. "You're still my sister . . . and family sticks together no matter what."

My eyes shot wide open when I heard him say those words. His eyes showed conviction and strength and it had been a long time since Rory looked like that as a child. He was one that wore his heart on his sleeve and proudly too. He smiled, squeezing my shoulder before letting go. When he is like this, there was no stopping him. My heart sank and closed my eyes, feeling the heaviness in my chest grow.

Pauk you, Rory . . . Pauk you . . .

I dropped my gaze to the floor in defeat. I couldn't leave without Rory, Lar'ja, and Xen'ork fighting for me to stay. But I couldn't wait for Qut'suak and the rest of his followers to arrive and rip us all to shreds. There has to be something we can do. Something—

But then, the gears in my head began to turn as an idea arose. "Lar'ja . . . you and Xen'ork came on a ship. Is the communications still working?"

Lar'ja's eyes squinted together in confusion, wondering about such a question. "Yes. We took it before the Bad Bloods could liquify it for parts and used it to find our way here. Why?"

I pulled away from him, glancing at everyone. "I can send an open message into space. There's a good chance that some clan or another might answer."

"It might not work."

I was shocked that Lar'ja was the one who spoke. I half expected it to come from Xen'ork who was more cautious about this sort of stuff along with Rory who had basically no idea how many clans are out there. The shock of him saying that stung in my chest, like he had no confidence in me. However, I let him prove his reason as to why he said that. "How so?"

Lar'ja tightened his fist, comflicted when he saw the concern in my eyes. But he kept going anyway. "First off, there's a high chance the Killer Yautja might be listening in. If Qut'suak managed to track us with our signal, most likely they have taken over the system and can pick up our trail. Although they already know we're on this planet, doing this will ensure they have our exact location and that of CHPS."

I bobbed my head to each side. One good point.

"Secondly, even if you get a message out, there's no guarantee that anyone will come. Especially if . . . you made the call. There's too much at risk."

Lar'ja paused in between sentences, seeing a split second of pain in his golden eyes. I knew that he was trying to avoid using the excuse of me being a hybrid but it's the truth. Many Yautjas still haven't gotten used to my presence among them. Gaining the status as Leader of the Elites only suppressed their urge to call me names or bully me. Some didn't fully recognize me as their own. With the situation as it is, they would rather protect their own clans than come to help a hybrid with a coalition of oomans to back her up. These were one of the times I missed my Elites. Sa'iye . . . Za'hir . . . Olgoth . . . T'uark . . . Their names echoed in my mind, bringing pain for the ride.

Despite that though, we needed to take the risk. The Bad Blood will come no matter what we decide. "Even so, what else can we do?"

As soon as I said it, Lar'ja drops his head. I knew he couldn't argue with that no matter how much he tried. Even Xen'ork voiced his opinion in favor of me. She's right. It's worth taking the risk."

It was a minute before Lar'ja glanced back at me, looking more worried than any time before. He was concerned for me and I appreciated his gesture, smiling softly for him. What seemed like forever, Lar'ja sighs.

"Fine."

"Thank you." I turned to Xen'ork. "Show us the way."

He bowed in acknowledgement and walked out of the room. We followed closely behind as we made our way through.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It wasn't too far of a walk to reach the ships if you don't count the elevator. I swear . . . how has no one complained about it. The lift at Yautja Prime is faster. But of course, the ships were stored at the lowest level so that only certain individuals had access to it. A security measure to ensure no one could abuse the technology the Yautjas have provided. God forbid if they should. The Yautjas would have no mercy on them.

They were easy to spot, even from a far distance. Their massive sizes overshadowed the small, open area like a dark cloud of death. Even with its current state, my wrecked ship could still spark a light in those curious enough to know of it. Brackett is surely one of them since she was busy inspecting them that she couldn't attend the earlier meeting. In some ways, it was better. I barely made it through whilst holding my mental state together. For now, she put her nose into working on new studies of the Yautja technology that I brought along. I trusted her enough with my stuff to handle it.

"We're almost there."

I looked at Xen'ork's back as he led us towards his ship, decorated with very little scratches in comparison to mine. We made our way up the ramp and through the ship until we made it to the front deck. Xen'ork takes a seat in the chair, pressing on the panel to activate it. The lights come on and the ship comes to life. Rory watched with fascination, moving past us to stand next to Xen'ork. I heard him click his mandibles in amusement, not bothered by Rory at all. In fact, it was like he was showing him, in a silent way, how the panel operates. It was a sweet moment to watch, even in this dark time.

Lar'ja and I stood silent together but I knew he was keeping a watch on me. His eyes burrowed at the back of my head like a protector. It was nice to have him with me but my dark thoughts threatened to ruin this moment. Molly's death still rang inside, mocking me. There were times I could imagine it was Lar'ja I watched die. My hands began to shake and despair seeped into my bones with ache.

My body jolted when I felt Lar'ja lower his head on top of mine. My body shuddered in shock at first but his warmth and scent of spring rain calmed me. He didn't hold or touch me but purred into my hair. His mandibles brushing some strands of hair around . . . a small gesture of reassurance. Wanting to answer, I pressed my head closer to him, allowing this precious moment to last. Thank you, Lar'ja.

I pulled away just as Xen'ork finished, turning around in his chair. "It's ready for you."

This is it. Our only chance. I sighed heavily and moved from Lar'ja's side, catching a glance of his golden eyes before turning to the panel. The screen was on and showing that it was ready. I had to make sure to be clear of my message. I leaned my hands on the edge of the panel, glancing at Rory who nodded softly and Xen'ork who waited patiently. I turned to the screen one more time and let the words out.

"To all those who still uphold the Code of Honor and the ways of the Yautja that have lasted for centuries, this is Ta'kasa of the Leader of Elites."

I paused.

"Yes . . . Some of you may believe me to be dead but rest assured that I'm alive and well on the ooman planet, still fighting our enemies that call themselves the Killer Yautja. I am sending this message to ask for any help out there. They may have scattered up in the deep, cold universe but we are still warriors and I'm willing to fight them with all my might. I ask that you come with aid and show these Bad Bloods that we are not ready to bow to their ways."

I swallowed heavily, feeling a heat rise inside me. My pride as a Yautja warrior began to seep in. I let my voice out with steadiness but also full of strength and pride. "Come meet us here and show them your prowess as warriors. We eagerly await your arrival."

And with that, I pulled away from the panel and Xen'ork turns the communications off, watching the message being sent out. "That should do it. But the Bad Bloods might have overheard this. Are you sure that's all?"

I nodded. "That's all."

Lar'ja walks to my side, brushing himself on me gently. "So what do we do now?"

I watched Rory, Lar'ja and Xen'ork turn to me. Their gazes fixated upon my answer. There was nothing I could say to comfort them, only speak the truth. My eyes flicker to the ground for a moment before coming back. I felt my heart pound like a drum as I answered.

"We wait . . . and pray."

Hello Everyone!

What a tragedy and a predicament all of our characters have to deal with. First losing Molly and now faced with a possible invasion and attack from the Killer Yautja. Indeed that Anya is getting no rest or peace from all of this. But then again, this is war and can be unpredictable. I feel her pain greatly and I'm glad she will take full responsibility that any Leader would do. A sign of maturity that many in real life struggle to find.

But now, Anya has to take a risk and call for help. But will anyone receive it? Will they listen to her words and answer them? Come to her aid? Or will she be left to fend for herself and the others?

Is she doomed to fail?

Find out when Chapter 13 (Finding One's Self) is posted in two weeks (Friday depending on what's going on after next week). The reason for this is because I have caught the case of the flu and major changes are being made that will impact my life and other things. So I won't be able to post new chapters until I'm certain, including one for The Ripple of a Stone (Part 2) that will remain in question if I'll be able to get a new chapter by this Friday.

But rest assured that the stories will continue as promised. That won't chance no matter what happens.

Thank you for Mariah, Anonymous-E, and NeverNeverLady for the reviews on Chapter 11.

Thank you and Good Hunting! :)))

Reading notes:

Normal = Anya (human form) or any human speaking English (ooman language)

Italic = Anya (human form) or any human speaking Yautja

Bold = Any Yautja speaking English (ooman language)

Bold and Italic = Any Yautja speaking Yautja language