Chapter 33: Father and Son

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

Negotiations went much smoother after my fight with Lord Ku'roda. From the display of experience and strength, I showed them in my mere ooman form, they didn't hesitate to follow my commands. Although I wasn't much to order anyone like a tyrant, the role that I now had demanded it. Show power and just . . . or be replaced.

The first order of business was to establish what the Killer Yautja have in their arsenal. Thanks to Arkarb's information, we know that Yautja Prime has been enforced with a massive shield that covers it entirely. But it had a crucial weakness. It had to be powered and maintained by a power source within the planet and had to be turned off once in a while to repair it since it could overload. And they would need to turn it off to attack when they arrived, making it a perfect plan for an aerial invasion and giving a small window for a small aircraft to get inside.

I talked with a few Leaders, including Lord Ca'sea and finally meeting the leaders from the Razor and Iron Fist Clan. Not to mention that I found out that they were all sisters. A coincidence for myself and made things easier. I still had to talk with the Dalk'out Clan but I guess Lord Ku'roda was too stubborn or embarrassed to show himself. I bet on the first one . . . maybe a little on the second. So he sent his second-in-command named Jin'sakai, a male who wore armor that was white as snow. I thought he would act like his Leader but quite the opposite . . . and more honorable in my opinion. He took notes on how many armed forces we have from each clan and to strategize what to do.

"So we have a total of fifteen hundred small ships and three hundred Motherships if you count them together with the oomans you brought." Jin'sakai spoke.

Lar'ja, Arkarb, Daugo, and Dutch were in the meeting as well. I tried to persuade Daugo to get some rest but he wouldn't have it. I gave up, considering it would be disrespectful and there's no point in fighting a seven-foot Yautja who's more experienced than me. Everyone else was too busy getting prepared for the upcoming trip tomorrow since we decided to land on the planet D'icou, a deserted planet that we could stop for fuel and some R&R. It's far enough from the Bad Bloods that they wouldn't detect us, thanks to Arkarb and his new inventions. I had Sa'iye and Za'hir have some time alone. With the pup on the way and with the war coming, I wanted them to have some quality time. Because after this, there might not be another chance.

"But do you just showing up on their doorstep will entice them to come out?"

Dutch makes a good point.

"The Bad Bloods are too prideful to stay coped up when their enemies are knocking on their front door." Lord Si'ga of the Iron Fist Clan spoke.

"And the fact that they had advanced technology on their side along with hybridization . . ." Lord Yandea of the Razor spoke. "They won't hesitate to call for blood."

"Calm, sisters." Lord Ca'sea held her hand to her sisters. "We all want to feel the warmth of victory but calling for bloodshed is not what we're here for. That is the way of the Bad Bloods."

"But she does have a point."

All of us turned to Dutch who walked closer to the table with the holograms on. "Pride can be a weapon we can use. Sending a message that is insulting might do the trick, especially given your history with Hak'rouh" He turns to me with one eyebrow up.

"Of course." I lowered my face for a moment. The last time I did, I ended up crashing on Earth.

I felt Lar'ja place a hand on my shoulder, purring for comfort. I smiled and patted him before turning back to Dutch. "Yeah. And it will make it easier to open the shield. As for advanced technology, I believe that Arkarb is working on that."

I had to give Arkarb some credit for that. Despite being old and still weary from the journey here and his time being a prisoner, he never stopped working on new things to give us some advantage in the upcoming war. He took one of my wrist gauntlets to add a surprise for me. For some reason, I was a bit scared and curious.

"But we need to be careful. They have the Successors locked in the former Council's building, according to some resources. We need to tread carefully as it's not just taking back our home that we need to worry."

I couldn't help but think about An'tar and what Hakr'ouh was doing with him. I had a feeling that he might know what is going on with us and our plot to return to Yautja Prime. With the pressure of our forces growing and preparing, he'll try to add more pressure on us and do something worse. I feared for An'tar and the other Successor's safety. There could be dead before we even reach them.

When I felt the dread threatening to come back, I pushed it aside and kept my chest high. Now is not the time to think of the future. Anything can happen.

"Then everything is settled?"

I turned to Jin'sakai and he bowed his head. "It is, my Lord."

"Will everyone be ready to leave for D'icou by tomorrow?"

"Of course."

I looked at the hologram and saw our devised plan playing out. To someone else, it would appear like some video with ships firing at each other. But all I could think of is how many lives might be lost. Thousands of Yautja and hundreds of oomans will be in the middle of such destruction along with my friends and loved ones. Being half ooman, I worried about their safety and wished I could shield them from the danger. But at the same time, and perhaps from my Yautja side, all of us were warriors and knew that these are the risks we knew beforehand.

I need to have faith in them.

I nodded. "Then we're done here. Be prepared to leave tomorrow and may you stay strong."

I bowed my head at Jin'sakai, showing my great respect for being understanding. Much more than his leader. He clicked his mandibles before bowing his head, looking back with a smile on his face.

"I wish you the same, my Lord."

With a quick bow to all the Leaders present, I took my leave with my friends and Lar'ja following behind, heading for the rooms in the upper levels. Our work for the war was well underway but I knew we still had much to take care of once. We made our way to the lifts and got ourselves fitted in.

"Are all the soldiers prepared for another journey?" I asked Dutch.

"They are. I made sure of it."

His grumpy voice made me smirk a little, feeling that he was almost amused by my question. He should. He's always one step ahead of me.

"And Arkarb?" He grunted in acknowledgment. "Will the new weapons be ready?"

"Of course. I won't rest until it's done. You have my word."

"I never doubt you, Arkarb." I smiled at him. "You're always on top of it. But make sure you get rest yourself."

He bowed his head and headed off for his room when we stopped at the first level we came across. Despite everything, Arkarb still likes his privacy and space to work in peace and I respected him for that. He didn't reach his old age to be scolded on what he should and should not do. When he was gone and the lift closed, I closed my eyes and exhaled to let all the stress flow out of me.

"It'll be alright, Anya." Lar'ja leaned his chin on the top of my head. "Don't stress out too much."

"It's not that." I pulled away from him. "I still have to take care of one more thing before we leave."

I turned to Dutch for my first answer. "How are Rory and McKenna?"

I had him watch the two of them for quite some time, knowing he was going to be unbiased towards such a 'personal' situation. With my schedule being so busy for some time now, I needed to have eyes on them.

"Still fucking pissed off at each other. Mostly Rory and McKenna are too chicken to stand up to his son. I don't get why though."

"There are things that still cut deep into each other's hearts." Daugo surprised us for a moment but some part of me knew he was going to say his mind. "I told McKenna he should speak to Rory but nothing. Or at least to my knowledge."

"He won't. McKenna is too emotional to get things straight. I supposed that we need to show some tough love then."

"What are you suggesting?" Lar'ja asked.

I thought for a moment. "Dutch. Can you go get Rory and bring him to the Hunter's Globe? No one will be there and it's the best place for privacy."

He nods his head. That's all I need.

"And Daugo . . ."

I was a bit unsure of giving him such a task yet. Despite him being able to move around more each day, he still had a hard time. His breathing was still heavy and his wounds were still healing, barely peeling off the scabs. But like his Yautja pride, he wasn't going to sit down if he didn't need to. And I couldn't think of anyone else who's more comfortable in this.

"Can you bring McKenna as well? But no one says anything about what's going on. I don't want to scatter them prematurely."

"I understand. But will this help anyone?"

I didn't expect Daugo to ask such a question but I felt that it was coming . . . and needed an answer. I took a deep sigh and walked when the door reached the level back to my room.

"Who knows?"

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

I waited with Lar'ja next to me, waiting for our 'guests' to arrive with their escorts. The Hunter's Globe was a place where it projected vast images of entire planets that the Yautja has discovered or hunted there. Its main purpose was to help map out the plans for a hunting party. But in this day and age, panels and holograms replaced it so this was the last one in existence . . . to my knowledge at least.

With the aid of a black sphere with extensive controls, the windowless room transformed into the planet D'icou where we would land before the attack on Yautja Prime. It was mostly cliffs colored in a dark red that felt eerie to me. More like blood had soaked into it. But that was in the dark as the planet turned into a bright color with an orange tan to it. There were a few trees that were massive and beautiful but nothing else.

"What's wrong, Anya?" He reaches to rub my shoulder.

Lar'ja must have picked up my uneasiness. Knowing what the consequences might be when Rory and McKenna arrived, I couldn't help it. I tried my best to keep it to myself but I forget how much Lar'ja knew me so well. He picks up the softest of expressions in me. But it wasn't the only thing on my mind.

"I'm . . . just unsure."

"About what?" He lowers his face, rubbing it at the crook of my neck. It was such comfort but did little to help me.

"I'm just . . . unsure."

I closed my eyes and tilted my head to give him more access. I smelled his spring rain as his tongue glided over the small bit of my exposed skin. His mandibles grasped me like hooks, refusing to let go as he did what he wanted with me.

But then, he stops. "You smell different."

I opened my eyes. "What now?"

Lar'ja sniffs at me again for confirmation. "I don't know. It seems less potent and more . . ." I heard him grunt in confusion. "Thicker . . ."

"Thicker?"

I spoke, trying to hide my nervousness. I stayed frozen as Lar'ja began to look over me. "You seem different. Are you feeling well?"

I nodded. "I'm fine."

I was saved when I heard a knock behind the door. I pulled away from Lar'ja just as his hand was about to touch my stomach, turning off the globe and heading for the door. "Coming."

With Lar'ja right behind me, I opened it and saw Daugo standing there. We bowed to each other before I looked to the side, seeing McKenna had come. I smiled, moving to the side for them to come in. Daugo went next to Lar'ja as I hugged McKenna, happy to see him. "I'm glad you came."

He smirked. "As am I."

"Please. Follow me."

McKenna and I strolled over to the far side of the room, heading to the corner while Lar'ja and Daugo stayed in the middle, watching intently but having their conversation. I was too busy with keeping McKenna's attention on me that I didn't bother to know what topic they were discussing.

"So you said that there's important business you wanted to tell me?"

I bit my lip. "In a way . . . but how're the soldiers and the CHPS leaders?"

"Everything's good. Most of the guys are nervous and exhausted to be traveling again. But I heard it's not going to be as long as the first."

I nodded. "True. I'll be allowing the ships to use the wormhole device to jump to the planet since we'll be resting up before the big battle."

"Right." I could hear some doubt in McKenna's voice. Not sure if it's because he doesn't know if this will work . . . or it's old age coming to him.

"But it sounds like you have a big job on your shoulders."

I gave a fake smile to McKenna. He's right about that.

"Nothing can be done now. I made an oath and I will see it through." I paused. "But that's not the only issue I need to take care of. Or rather . . . make sure someone takes care of it."

"Someone?" McKenna raises an eyebrow, curious but also confused.

"Have you talked with your son?"

I made my voice sound harsher than it needs to be but my intent was crystal clear. I watched as McKenna's eyes widened and then reel back. I saw that old age has gotten to him . . . in a bad way. "I didn't have the time to talk with Rory. Plus, he refuses to meet me."

"How many times have you tried?"

He didn't answer. Really, McKenna?

"Where did the old you go? Back on Earth, you didn't tolerate such behavior."

"That was different."

"In what way?"

McKenna shook his head. "You already know. I had to make sacrifices to make sure my son is safe."

"But had the right to know the truth. He's angry because you won't tell him straight to his face. What are you so worried about?"

He lowered his grey-haired head to the ground. I bit my lip, not liking this at all. A growl escaped me to my surprise and everyone else. Even Lar'ja and Daugo stopped their conversation to look at us. Anger filled my chest like a volcano ready to explode but I remained calm. I brought him here for a reason.

I shook my head. "Then I guess I have to force both of you to talk."

McKenna barely was able to open his mouth to ask or say something when the door slid open fast. It wasn't enough to unhinge it but hard that it indicated someone was angry. It was that option as I heard yelling.

"Hey, Dutch! Let me fucking go!"

A second later, Rory is thrown into the room, sliding all the way across until he stopped a few feet away. Instinctually, Lar'ja comes to my side and growls to protect me. Daugo was less exaggerating of the desire to protect me but he kept his eyes on Rory, knowing he was the first to try something foolish.

Dutch comes walking in as Rory scrambles to his feet in anger. "What the fuck was that!? I had other important things to attend."

"Well . . . this takes the top." Dutch turns to me. "My apologies. He wasn't coming willingly so I had to teach him a lesson."

I rolled my eyes. "I know. No talk and all action." He shrugged his shoulders in response.

"Anya?" Rory looked around. "Lar'ja? Daugo?" No one said anything to him. When he saw McKenna standing right beside me, it only served to make him angrier. "What the fuck is this?"

"Rory." I stared at him seriously, making sure he knew I wasn't kidding. He got the message a little, seeing him recoil back a little. Still, the anger was in his eyes and blazing. "It's time to have a little talk."

As soon as I finished, I moved out of the way and dragged Lar'ja with me. He and Daugo kept a close eye on Rory and McKenna as we stopped at the middle point of the room. Rory took a double look around before glaring at his father. For a moment, no one said anything. It was unbelievably heavy in the room, thick enough that you could cut a knife through it. But it took Rory a second to understand. Quickly, he turned around and headed for the door.

But Dutch stood in his way. Despite being older, he was built like a tank. More than Rory can handle.

"Step out of the way, old man."

"Nope." Dutch grumbled. "Not going to happen."

"What is this!?" Rory raised his hand and came stomping at me. He wasn't entirely blinded by fury. When Lar'ja and Daugo stepped in front to protect me, he backed off.

"Don't you dare. You may be my friend but I won't hesitate if you come after Anya." Lar'ja hissed.

Rory took another step back, now showing fear. I grabbed on Lar'ja and Daugo's shoulder and pushed them aside. I liked the gesture they showed but I wasn't going to hide behind them. And Rory wouldn't do something to hurt me intentionally. With reluctance in their eyes, they moved to the side, allowing me to stand in front of Rory.

"You and McKenna need to settle whatever is going on. I only know parts of the story and I know you're angry . . . but not facing it will make things worse. And I can't have that with us when we leave for war."

Harsh . . . but true.

Rory didn't like that at all, glaring at me. I didn't hesitate. I didn't falter or break under his gaze. This was tough love and he was going to be dealt with appropriately. Knowing he had nowhere else to escape to, Rory looked to McKenna. His breath slowed down a bit.

"What do you want to talk about?" He hissed.

McKenna took a deep breath. "I know you're angry."

"What a surprise."

McKenna sighed. "And I tried to give you space to clear your head before I told you my side of the story. But you deserve to know the truth . . . of what happened to me."

"Ya think!?" Rory stomped his foot down, surprising me how I could even feel it through the metal floor. "Do you have any idea what I've been through!? Thinking that you were dead when the entire time, you were still alive!"

"I underst—"

"No! You don't understand! All you think about is yourself!"

To my shock and everyone else, Rory lunges at McKenna, tackling both of them to the ground. On top, Rory grabbed McKenna's shoulders and began to smash him into the ground. I swear I could hear bone cracking, which made the hairs on my arms stand up. I should be used to this by now.

Somehow, McKenna started to fight back. He moved his feet under and kicked Rory in the stomach. He flinched enough that McKenna was able to crawl out of there and put a distance between him and his son. When Rory got himself together, he held his stomach for a moment but his anger was unfazed. They circled each other for some time, neither ready to make the first move. All I could do was watch.

"I trusted you." Rory hissed. "After what happened back on Earth, I thought we weren't going to keep secrets between us. After fighting a hybrid monster and saving our friends, at least you would have the decency to tell me what you were doing!"

Rory lunged out again but McKenna was prepared this time.

Rory threw the first punch, aimed at McKenna's face but missed by inches. Before he could recollect himself, he was thrown to the side and then forward. The momentum forced Rory to collide with the wall, hitting his head. He didn't like it one bit. His teeth were bare as he turned and I saw a split of blood from the middle of his forehead.

C'jit.

Again and again, McKenna and Rory went back and forth. Mostly it was McKenna dodging his son's attacks. It became such a repeat that I began to look around everyone's reactions, except for Dutch who stood there like any dedicated soldier . . . stoic and still as a statue. But inside, I knew he understood and was human . . . just not good at showing it.

"This is just the same."

Both Lar'ja and I turned to Daugo who kept his focus on McKenna and Rory. Neither of us said anything.

"It's like seeing myself and Lar'ja fighting the same way." His voice began to crack. "Why?"

I saw Lar'ja bit into his mandible and a small drop of green blood began to spill. I looked back to McKenna and Rory, wondering if it was the same thing that happened with Daugo and himself. I only heard from both of them their side of the stories but I would never truly understand it. Seeing the pain in their eyes though, it was almost clear. I reached out and held Lar'ja's hand in mine. It's hard to remember that he was much bigger than me in this form. His palm covering my entire hand. He tensed for a moment before looking at me.

I smiled. It's okay.

He returned the gesture, smiling as well while tightening his hold on me. I purred softly and he reciprocated. My heart was racing but with calmness, I rarely feel. My eyes wandered back to Rory and McKenna. I hope those two feel the same after this. They need support.

We watched for what seemed like forever but it lasted only a few minutes. Mostly it was Rory who had exhausted himself to the point that he was having a hard time catching his breath. His body sweating profusely. McKenna was somewhat almost there but he was doing good, considering his age and all.

"You . . ." Rory huffed. "Fucking . . . asshole."

McKenna closed his eyes. "This is enough, Rory. there's no point in this."

"To Hell that there's no point." Rory began to walk closer to McKenna again but slower than before. "You left me and Mother to fend for ourselves. She did everything to take care of me . . . and she died paying the price for your mistake."

He inched closer as McKenna straightened. When Rory grabbed onto his shirt, the tension was building inside my chest . . . like a single string trying to hold on dearly. I gripped Lar'ja's hand involuntarily as I watched Rory begin to spit in McKenna's face.

"I had to fend for myself for so long . . . trying to remain strong and hoped someone returned. You don't get the right to just pop back into my life and act as nothing happened."

All of a sudden, Rory lifted a fist into the air and began to throw it right at McKenna's face. I thought McKenna would react or dodge it. But he stood there, calm and stoic . . . as if he thought he deserved it.

What is he doing!?

But then, Rory's fist stopped suddenly, inches from McKenna's face. They were frozen like statues until I saw Rory began to tremble. His face was lowered to the ground so I couldn't see his expression. But McKenna knew something. His expression turned to one of sorrow . . . a deep one. It stung my chest for a moment. And then, all of us heard weeping next.

What is that?

It wasn't a Yautja and more ooman in tone. Although I should have known better, I glanced at Dutch but he remained where he was. When I turned back to the center, a realization hit me when it was coming from Rory. Tears began to fall from his cheeks and land on the floor between them.

"Why . . ?" His voice broke. When he finally looked up to his father, I could see nothing but pain and sorrow, shocking my entire being along with everyone else.

"Why couldn't you take me with you?"

McKenna widened his eyes in shock and he wasn't the only one. To hear that all of this time, that is what he wanted to know. Not his father's past or why he did what he did . . . but why he wasn't allowed to be with McKenna. Some part of me understood this. Back when Rory was a kid, he cared very deeply for McKenna, always staying close behind. Aww . . . those wonderful memories. He was so happy being next to him and being surrounded by everyone else. I never forgot his childhood smile.

Yes . . .

I watched as Rory let go of all of his emotions that he kept inside himself, sobbing uncontrollably. McKenna held on to him as they fell to their knees, wrapping his arms around his son in comfort.

"Why . . ?" He sobbed again.

In a calm matter, McKenna patted his back and leaned his head on Rory's. "I wanted to protect you. The work that I've done . . . the people who were after me . . . they would have hurt you and your Mother if I came back. You had suffered enough as it is."

His hold on Rory grew tighter. "Everything I have done was for you. I never meant to hurt you . . . but you have the right to be angry and sad. I'm so sorry."

With that, Rory wrapped his arms around his father, embracing him as hard as he could. A deep, warm feeling came to me, filling my chest and making my heart race. Lar'ja, sensing the same thing, came closer to my side and leaned his head with a purr. Daugo moved to the other side, glancing at both of us. I had a hard time trying to understand what was going inside of his head but it didn't matter. He smiled nonetheless and wrapped around one arm around both of us. I looked back at Rory and McKenna as they calmed down.

I pulled away from Lar'ja and Daugo until I kneeled beside them, reaching to place each hand on them. They stopped and looked up to me. I couldn't help but smile awkwardly.

"Both of you okay now?"

Rory nodded for them, wiping the tears from his eyes. "Yeah."

He smiled once more. Even though he was an adult, it was his childhood one that made me flashback to that time. "Thank you . . . but I don't appreciate you plotting behind our backs."

I chuckled. "Sorry. I figured you needed some tough love."

"Yeah. No kidding."

Lar'ja and Daugo came to us as I helped Rory and McKenna get back on their feet.

"Are you not going to kill each other behind our backs? Or need babysitting?" Lar'ja grumbled in playful annoyance.

"Shut up, Lar'ja." Rory swatted at him in a joking manner.

I laughed. "Good. Because we got a lot of work to do before we leave tomorrow for D'icou. Both of you get some rest tonight."

McKenna and Rory nodded in agreement, turning around to head back to the lift that would go back to the rooms. I told Dutch to lead them back safely and he complied, leaving just me, Daugo and Lar'ja left.

"Should we head back to our room, Anya?" Lar'ja spoke. "You've been sleeping a lot so you must be tired."

"Thanks, Lar'ja . . . but can you give me a moment with Daugo?"

His eyes widened for a moment, glancing at Daugo who nodded. Again, his 'worrywart' was on. His golden eyes searching back and forth between us. Eventually, he gave in, sighing in defeat. "Alright. But I'll be waiting at the door."

"Thank you!" I gave him an air kiss to him. "Won't be too long."

I giggled when he blushed, embarrassed that I did that in front of Daugo. Lar'ja turned around and shut the door so quickly that it was like something was chasing him. I couldn't help but chuckle hard.

"He's still much like a child sometimes."

I smiled at Daugo. "Cut him some slack. He's matured much more than you give credit for."

"True to that." He turned to me. "I'm very proud of you."

My cheeks began to burn. "It's nothing."

"No. It isn't." He moved to kneel in front of me, holding my chin between his fingers. "You care so much about others that you would do anything for them. Even going as far as sacrificing yourself to protect them."

I smiled. "I try. I look back now and couldn't imagine being here with many friends and family. I thought I would be all alone." I chuckled to myself. "How different I turned out now."

I pulled away from Daugo's grasp to his shock. But I quickly embraced him, wrapping my arms around his neck tightly and enjoying his warmth.

"I'm glad that I had a father like you."

I didn't get to see his reaction but his body did the talking. His massive arms embraced me and he let out a deep purr. It vibrated into my body, giving off that electricity that I missed so much. I closed my eyes and pressed my face in his shoulder. He doesn't need to say anything.

I have so much to protect now. I looked down at myself, thinking of something else for a moment.

Something to protect . . .

We left after a few moments to greet a grumpy Lar'ja. Both Daugo and I laughed at how he looked so much like a child having a tantrum. After a few moments of teasing, we left to get some rest for the big day. In the morning, we would be leaving this planet and heading off into the calm before the storm. A massive storm.

With Rory and McKenna all taken care of, I could focus on the war efforts. But there was one last secret that I needed to take care of.

One that would change everything.

Hello Everyone!

My apologies for the last update on this chapter. I had a lot going on with a personal loss that I just found out. Plus, this was sort of a filler chapter and that's always my weakness in stories. Urg!

But for this, we know why Rory was angry and the answer wasn't what we all thought it was. In Twisted Fate, Rory loved McKenna and it comes to show that his anger was for his father not taking him along. Many have a deep understanding of such a case and I was very emotionally on this part . . . wishing my Dad would do the same for me. :(

But now, Rory and McKenna are reunited once more with the help of Dutch (always serious lol), Lar'ja (as support) and Daugo who made a point that he was seeing himself and Lar'ja for so long again.

Man . . . I'm going to cry :(

But now, they must journey to take back Yautja Prime. But will they truly be prepared? In war . . . anything could happen.

And what secret does Anya mention that might change everything? Oh boy . . .

Find out when Chapter 34 is posted next week (Friday the latest) unless changes are posted on Instagram.

Thank you for Mariah, Anonymous-E, NeverNeverLady, Nightroad816, IanAlphaAxel, and Guest for the reviews on Chapter 32. Your opinions really matter to me. And I hope I hear from more readers.

Thank you and Good Hunting! Stay safe and healthy! :)))

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