Chapter 36: Invasion (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.

Adrenaline pumped into my veins, fueling my heart as we made contact with the Bad Blood's fleet. Shots of blue plasma flew past us, aiming for us. Thanks to Xen'ork, we managed to dodge them despite our ship's size but not unscathed. A few hit our haul and left a few dents that I could feel in the metal floor underneath my feet. More shots blasted through the empty darkness and the roars from my allies grew. The first confrontation ended with destroyed ships of equal amounts from both sides. In the end, only scraps of metal remained. I had to turn my eyes away when a few dead Yautjas floated in the space. Many with missing torsos and looking like they were mauled. Without anything to absorb, the green neon blood floated around.

"Break formation and fire the soft parts of the Motherships!"

A few pod ships heard my command and flew in opposite directions, making a circular motion around the Bad Bloods and went for the Mother ships. Although the Killer Yautja had far more pod ships and were faster, I worried about the bigger ships with more power and stronger defenses. A good shot and our ship, along with others, could be destroyed in a matter of seconds. Our plan, so far, was proving efficient. Our ships shot down a few of the heat vents that powered the Motherships and destroyed them.

But one Mothership got too close for comfort. It managed to get through our defenses and was coming towards us. Lar'ja growled and his grip grew tighter around me. I felt his anxiety tremble in his muscles and into me. I have to stay strong.

"Xen'ork! Aim plasma cannons at the windows!"

"As you wish!"

Xen'ork burst more commands and the two pilots on each side got going. I could see the guns protruding from the sides and rev up with the blue light growing in intensity. On cue, the blasts shot through and hit their targets. The Motherships are built to withstand much damage but I could tell that the Bad Bloods did little to maintain them, even the windows that were the weakest parts. I expected deep inside that it wouldn't work but to my surprise, the windows smashed into pieces. The Bad Bloods wouldn't have a chance with the gases of space suffocating them, much less the explosion when the plasma got inside. We had to brace ourselves as I used my arm to hide my face from the blinding light.

It was a small victory and the pilots cheered but we weren't out of the woods yet. We still had to reach the planet before the shield went down. According to Arkarb, it would take a few minutes for it to close up completely. A few minutes that might determine our fate. But it was hard to hear the screams and death cries through the communications. As much as I prepared myself for the inevitable, it still stung into my chest . . . like a part of me was dying with them.

I tightened my fists and stared at the battlefield. Don't lose control. Keep pushing. Keep going.

As the fight continued and our ship moved closer to the open shield, I contacted Sa'iye and the others when I was notified that their ship was hiding underneath us. "Are you guys ready?"

"We're ready when you are."

"Arkarb. How much time do we have left?"

I heard grumbling. "Only five minutes left until they can close the shield."

"Can you hold out a little longer?"

Rory answered. "We'll do our best but we need to get closer for the boosters to reach it in time."

Before we left, Rory had an idea that would prove useful. The pod ship that they were using was fast but as a precaution, he thought it was best to add some juice to it. With Arkarb's help, they made a new set of boosters that packed far more power than the ones the Yautja used on theirs while making sure the excess heat wouldn't damage the hull. I mean . . . it's like putting the engine of a Mothership into a small one.

"Ta'kasa! We have a problem."

I turned back to the front and saw that three more Bad Blood ships were forming a barrier between us and the shield. I expected that the Bad Bloods would try anything to keep us from getting through . . . even if they used themselves as living shields. It disgusted me to think that they would go that far. But then again, I have seen such cruelty before.

I grunted, pressing the button on the speaker on my neck. "Lord Ca'sea. Can you send some reinforcement to our location?"

Her voice crackled. "As much as I want to help you, My Lord . . . We're pinned down on the side. The Bad Bloods are trying to flank us."

I bit my lip. "Lord A'ni-de. What's your status?"

"We're keeping our ground but the Bad Bloods are playing dirty. They got new guns on their side."

I expected the situation to be bad but not this bad. Our forces were equal in strength with the Killer Yautja so it wasn't good news. At least it's not bad news. I moved past Lar'ja and Daugo and went to Xen'ork's side to check the hologram that showed our forces along with the Bad Bloods. So far, our forces were spread out a little thinner than I would like it. Still, there was nothing I could do to help them but get to the shield as fast as possible. If we can get Sa'iye, Rory and Arkarb . . . all of our sacrifices will be worth it. And the Yautja are too proud to retreat anyway.

Daugo comes to my side, taking a glance at the Motherships in front of us. "We need to get more forces to spread them apart. Even with our weapons, they can take us apart."

"We can't back down now." Lar'ja commented. "If we don't get the shield down in time, then our forces will be depleted before we reach them."

McKenna spoke. "You guys have a point on both sides . . . but we have to get the others through."

I bit my lip. My thoughts scrambled to find a solution. "We can shoot some blasts to confuse them. That way we can—"

But as I was about to give a command, I saw the three ships opening something at the bottom part. A round, metal ball in each opening came forth, puzzling me. Lar'ja had to inch closer to the window as if he couldn't see enough. "What the pauk is that?"

"I don't know," Daugo replied. "I have never seen anything like that. Is it an attack?"

I shook my head. "No . . . It's too slow. But we can't take any risk." I spoke to my speaker. "Arkarb . . . do you see this?"

"Too clearly."

"Do you know what this is?" I had hoped that Arkarb would know what it is but that went out of the door when he grunted in disbelief. So much for that.

"Alright. Whatever it is, be ready and aim all of our guns at them."

Xen'ork nodded and was prepping our ship for a counterattack when the metal orbs launched at us out of nowhere. They weren't blasts of any kind but the way they came at us worried me. Acting on instinct, I screamed. "Brace yourselves!"

Lar'ja had wrapped his arms around me as the orbs slammed right into the hull of our ship. One had smashed into the side and created massive dents on the inside. I could hear Yautjas and ooman soldiers crying out in pain, so much that I couldn't tell who got the worst of it. Another orb had bounced off the nose of the Mothership but managed to embed on the backside as I could tell while the last one got stuck on the underside of the ship. The ground shook and I had to hold on to Lar'ja as tightly as I could, instinctually curling my back forward to protect my unborn child. It was calm after a moment if you didn't count the blowing up of ships and debris still flying everywhere.

"Are you alright?" Lar'ja released me and I smiled.

"I'm alright." I looked behind and saw McKenna and Daugo frozen to whatever they were holding on, much like the rest of the Yautja and oomans behind us. Xen'ork and the pilots had the safest place, strapped to the chairs they were sitting on and looking calm as ever.

Yeah. Try to look like that when you're flying everywhere.

"Is everyone okay?"

I heard grunts and growls but nothing more. I focused my mind on whatever hit us, especially seeing the Bad Bloods coming closer and aiming their guns at us. I rushed to Xen'ork and looked down at the panel. "C'jit! They're going to attack us! Get us out of range and flank them!"

"Ummm . . . we got a bigger problem."

I looked up as McKenna pointed something on the underside of the front window. The metal orb that lodged itself on our ship was hissing air and then a few of its metal panels cranked open. What the pauk is it doing? At first, I thought it was some sort of bomb until I heard a familiar hissing. Not like the ones from a machine but one that the many Yautjas behind us knew all too well. They growled and the musk of confrontation was thick, getting me, Lar'ja and everyone else on edge.

"Oh c'jit . . ."

Lar'ja was right to say that . . . and with good reason. The orb opened a little to shine a bright light and then a black, clawed hand reached out. More of the creature came out until it finally emerged. I could see a metal collar around its mouth, one that I have seen on Earth. The all too familiar black serpent arose, opened its mouth to let out its inner jaws and let out a shriek of death in the air.

The kainde amedha . . .

"Oh fuck! Not these things again!" McKenna shouted.

"They must have shot pods carrying them." Daugo watched as more kainde amedha emerged until a dozen or so were out. I was too enraged that I lost count at that point, not to mention the other pods that were letting out more. They crawled over the front window and above us. I could hear their claws scraping on the hull.

You son of a bitch! Hakr'ouh . . . you're dead.

All of a sudden, red lights flashed all around and the panels were going off in alarm. The pilots and Xen'ork were frantically trying to hit codes at such speeds. Whatever the reasons, it didn't take a genius to know the kainde amedha were involved.

Xen'ork roars. "Pauking prey! They're trying to breach the ship's heat vents!"

The ship suddenly swayed to the side and all of us braced as a blast came from the Bad Blood's ships began to shoot at us. Xen'ork tried to move the ship out of the way, bending the ship safely between two of the Bad Blood ships. But we still have a problem and it was growing. The inside of the ship was beginning to heat up. The vents are supposed to serve to keep us from blowing up from excess heat from the engine. And now . . . with what Xen'ork said is true, we needed to take care of the kainde amedha before things got worse.

"Xen'ork. Keep the ship going and keep in contact with Sa'iye and myself." I turned around before he could ask anything.

"Where are you going?" Lar'ja hurried to my side.

"We need to take care of the kainde amedha before they make things worse. Typical Bad Bloods." I cursed under my breath, grabbing my mask from my hips.

"Are you sure? Out there?"

Daugo, Za'hir, and McKenna came to us as I stopped halfway into the crowd of Yautjas and ooman soldiers. I raised my chest and nodded firmly. "Well . . . we can't let them destroy our ship and our forces are spread thin. Besides . . . "

I took a deep breath and smirked. "I'm in the mood for some blood."

Although I could see a sliver of uncertainty in Lar'ja's eyes, his mood suddenly reflected what I felt. Regardless of the reason, a Yautja never can resist the urge to hunt and fight. Slowly, he smirked. "You're right."

I nodded my head. "We'll take a few of us to take care of the horde," I ordered a few Yautja warriors with them and they complied without hesitation.

"I'll come too."

Daugo began to walk to me until I stopped him with my hand. He paused, shocked by what I did so I explained myself quickly. "As much as I want you to come with me, I need you to stay here."

I saw him about to open his mouth but I stopped him again. My chest ached at the pained expression on his face. "You have an important job I need you to take care of. I need you to guide Sa'iye when the time is right . . . and you're the only one who can watch Xen'ork from making a big mistake."

I waited to see his reaction, seeing the internal debate inside. But it only lasted a few moments as Daugo sighed, lowered his face to the ground until looking back at me with a smile. "Alright. I'll do as you command but be careful."

He raised his hand and caressed my cheek. I smiled and pressed against him. As much as I wanted to enjoy this moment a little longer, the ship shook as another blast hit us . . . an alarm to get moving. I pulled away and bowed my head to him, showing my respect. He bows back, smiling as he heads back to the front deck with Xen'ork. I sighed deeply before looking at our small group with Lar'ja, McKenna, and Za'hir in the front.

"Alright. We're going to take care of the kainde amedha before they damage the ship further. Make sure to keep your masks on. If you lose it, then you're dead." I spoke sternly. The Yautja warrior nodded in submissiveness and they knew the risks of going out in space. Unfortunately, no creature, other than the kainde amedha, cannot breathe the gases of space or else it's immediate death.

I turned to McKenna. "You got your suit ready?"

He smirked as he pulled out the wrist gauntlet that Rory provided to him, containing the Protector. He activated it and soon he was covered in a bulky metal shell. His mask barely contained the excitement in him. "I've been waiting for this moment."

"Didn't we all?"

I took a deep breath and placed my mask on, followed by Lar'ja, Za'hir, and others. "Let's get to business."

I led the charge out of the front deck and stopped halfway through the ship when I spotted the ladder in the middle of the hallway, which led to a latch that led outside the ship for emergencies. This is one of those now. I made sure I had my weapons before I climbed the ladder, activating my mask to see and then opened the latch, seeing the outside for the first time.

It was complete chaos with ships flying all around us and debris floating everywhere to which we had to avoid. I didn't think I would hear sound in space but I was proven wrong. Nothing is normal anymore. Lar'ja followed close behind but I didn't wait for the others. I spotted a few kainde amedha attacking the heat vents on the ship, mangling anything they could get their claws on. They were strong enough to do damage and they were very close to make it unrepairable.

I pulled out my twin swords and roared with all my might. "Let's get them!"

A collection of roars echoed behind me as I charged with fury and rage. The kainde amedha stopped what they were doing and hissed as soon as they saw us. The hatred for us was unquestionable. It was the same in myself, urging me to make the first kill. Come on, assholes!

The first kainde amedha lept into the air, coming at me with its tail first. Anticipating its move, I thrust my sword across and it cut through its tail like butter. I didn't waste any time and jabbed the other when the kainde amedha tried to bite at my face, throwing it out to avoid a piece of debris coming at me. Its corpse floated into space with its acidic blood floating around, burning into the hide of the ship but not much. I went to the next kainde amedha and slew it down with another cut of my twin blades.

Lar'ja didn't miss a beat and jumped with such pride on the back of a creature, slicing it in half to which its guts spewed out and spread like spaghetti. Za'hir and McKenna made an unusual pair but they fought well together. Za'hir would grab a kainde amedha and throw it around, only to have McKenna blast it to bits with his plasma cannons. It repeated it again and again . . . like a well-oiled killing machine. I smiled under my mask. Good job.

But then, things got interesting as I saw one of the warriors from another clan pierce a kainde amedha in the chest as it screamed in agony. The young male thrilled in satisfaction and I didn't see anything wrong until I heard a beeping sound. I looked closely and saw the creature's collar blink a red light, growing in pace. Fear struck inside me and I acted instinctually, crying out.

"Get away from it! It's—"

It was too late. The next thing I knew, the creature exploded into chunks of flesh, taking the Yautja male with him. The only thing left of him was his arm spewing green neon arm like ketchup in some way. It confirmed what I have feared and I showed my distaste in such tactics.

"Pauking kamikazes!" I turned to a few of our group. "Keep going but discard the bodies as quickly as possible! They are armed with explosives!"

As soon as I turned around, a kainde amedha had jumped on me, smashing me to the ground. I crossed my swords to keep its inner jaws from piercing into my mask. But it shrieked when wrist blades cut through its throat and yanked away, exploding a few seconds afterward. I started to get up when I felt an arm pull me. There was no doubt who it was as Lar'ja got us to our feet.

"You need to be careful." I could see through his mask that he was smirking. I rolled my eyes. Don't get too cocky.

"Ta'kasa!"

I heard Arkarb through the speaker on my neck. I pressed on it. "What's wrong?"

"We have to go now!"

I shook my head. "What!? Now!?"

"The shield is closing!"

As soon as I heard that, I glanced at the shield covering Yautja Prime and saw that it was closing fast. I was so busy with fighting and other things that I forgot the most crucial part. Now, we were in crunch time and it was running out fast. But we still had the blockage in the front of us to deal with.

My mind tried to think of anything to get them through the shield before it was too late. If not, we were going to be depleted of resources and fighters for the true fight ahead. After much debate in my mind, I came up with an idea. I called for Xen'ork via communications.

"Xen'ork! Are you there!?" I screamed through the chaos.

"Yes, Takasa?"

"I need you to charge the ship into the barricade."

"Are you pauking nuts!?" For once in my life, I could hear the fear in his voice. "They're shooting at us and we have kainde amedha on us! You expect me to—"

"Shut the pauk up!"

Xen'ork went silent in the communications. I don't have time for your doubts.

"Listen carefully. We're going to have to ram the ship to get close enough for Rory and the others to get through in time."

"But they'll be targeting us . . . and with our ship taking such damage, we won't—"

"We'll take care of that." We heard Lord A'ni-de's voice coming through the communications. "Our clan will distract them. Just get them through the shield."

I didn't debate with them or rather I didn't have time to anyway. The blast from the Bad Bloods was increasing on us, even shaking the ship enough for all of us to stagger for a moment. I screamed into the communicator. "Then let's do it! Come on!"

"As you wish, my Lord."

I shut off the communicators and a fleet of the Ma'tu Clan flew over us. There was no mistake with the lightning bolt symbol on them. They moved into a striking formation and charged at the barricade. The Bad Bloods began to shoot them and it appeared it was working. A'ni-de and his fleet were giving them Hell, much to my delight as they kept their cannons on the swarm of pod ships flying around them like flies.

"They got their attention. Xen'ork . . . move the ship! Arkarb . . . prepare to take off!"

I didn't wait for an answer. I already knew they were getting the job done. I turned to Lar'ja and then to Za'hir and McKenna, nodding to them as they did the same. "Go!"

On cue, the ship's engine goes to full throttle. It pushes us so hard and fast that I had to hold on to Lar'ja and the ship to keep my footing. Everyone else grabbed anything close, holding on for dear life. Unaware, the kainde amedha that were still on the ship lost their grip and floated in space. Some got too close to the ship's vents and burned to a crisp. One less thing to deal with.

We held our ground, keeping our heads down from the crossfire from ships nearby and more debris flying around. It wasn't long before our ship was only a few meters away. A'ni-de and the other ships, noticing that we were closing in, started to fly out of the way. By the time the Bad Bloods realized what was happening, it was too late to counterattack or get out of the way. I kept my eyes on the shield, seeing only a sliver of an opening now.

We can't miss this! We can't let this pass!

"Brace for impact!"

Xen'ork's voice rings in our communications and I stiffened my body into a rock at the anticipation. Lar'ja wrapped his arm around me and used his body to shield me from the front of the ship. For a brief moment, I could feel his hand holding my lower stomach.

I sighed. Lar'ja . . . I placed my hand over his and placed my head below his chin, lifting him a little. He purred once more.

And then . . . it happened.

Our ship crashed into the Bad Bloods like the might of two mountains crumbling to the Earth. The scrapping and groaning of metal shrieked in my ears. The ship rattled violently like an earthquake, enough that I was ripped from Lar'ja.

"Anya!"

He tried to reach for me but missed my hand by inches. My body floated in the air as I turned my head to look back. I saw the wing of the ship and knew it was my chance to stay on. With a quick thrust, my sword flew and dug into the metal. I grabbed on the chain and held on tight, smashing into it. I cried, feeling my bones crack on impact. It didn't feel like anything got broken but it hurt like a motherpauker. I held onto the chain securely, glancing at Lar'ja as he watched in panic and horror.

As much as I wanted to comfort him, I had a mission to take care of. I reached for my speaker and spoke as loud as I could. "Go, Arkarb!"

It was their chance. As soon as I gave the command, I saw the pod ship from below ours fly out and raced for the shield. I prayed in my heart that they made it. The hole in the shield grew smaller and smaller. They were going to be close on the edge of making it.

Come on! Do it! Make it!

And then, I watched as the boosters on each side of the ship went full throttle, blasting at such speed that I barely could see it. Right as the shield was about to close, they finally made it through. The pod ship did get a scratch on the top of its hull but nothing more as the shield finally closed.

Now it was up to them to finish the job.

Our ship suddenly began to move back from the Bad Blood's ships, pulling away as they shot blasts at us. I was able to get on my feet once more and ran to Lar'ja and the others. But as I ran to him, I saw a Yautja jumping right behind him and it wasn't one of our own. The red X on his armor was all I needed to know it was a Bad Blood.

"Lar'ja! Watch out!"

I threw a knife right at the Bad Blood as he began to thrust his blades down on him. The Bad Blood dodged the knife and continued his attack on Lar'ja. My heart began to break into pieces at the thought that he was going to die. I let out a silent scream, watching as Lar'ja managed to move his face away but the blades cut into his abdomen. He roared in agony as he fell to the ground. The Bad Blood wasn't done and smashed his foot on his chest. Lar'ja tried to push it side but a knife pierced into his hands, pinning him to the ship. I pushed my legs harder and swung my swords right at him. The Bad Blood threw his head in pain as it plunged into his chest, dripping green neon blood and coating part of the chain.

"No one touches my mate!"

I yanked the chain hard but the Bad Blood somehow had the strength to hold on the chain and keep himself from tripping forward. How the pauk is he still alive? I got my answer when his body contorted until he grew a pair of arms on his shoulders. A shriek of terror rang from underneath his mask as his 'extra' hands grabbed a hold on the chain, pulling so hard that I had to hold on.

Pauking hybridization! I should have known.

The Bad Blood shrieked again as he pulled harder. I tried to keep my ground but I was being dragged more and more towards him. Lar'ja tried to break free, thrashing as hard as he could. Just when I was losing my grip on the ground, a blast hit the Bad Blood square on the head, instantly killing him like an exploding watermelon but with green goo instead of red. My chain goes slack, almost making me fall on my ass while the dead Bad Blood floats off the ship.

Confused, I looked towards the left and saw McKenna coming towards Lar'ja. "You're so lucky I came to you aid on time."

Lar'ja grumbles. "Don't ask for a thank you."

McKenna chuckles, pulling the knives out of his hands. Males . . . I pushed that thought away as I rushed to Lar'ja, putting my swords away to grab his hands. "Are you okay?"

He purrs. "I'm fine. Stings but bearable."

I sighed, pressing my mask on him. The relief came inside my body and pushed away the anxiety and fear in me but also made my muscles ached. Still, it was welcomed.

But it wasn't over yet.

"Ta'kasa!"

Za'hir came to our side in a hurry . . . a sign that things weren't good. "A couple of Bad Bloods jumped on our ship!"

"Yeah. We already know."

I looked past him and saw the rest of our group fighting a few of them across the ship. So they decided to resort to sending their troops. I growled. Fine by us.

I pulled out my swords once more, whipping them around. "Then let's take care of them. We only need to keep our ground for a few minutes. Can you hold out that long?"

The answer was unanimous. Each of them pulled out their weapons, turning around while sharpening them. McKenna chuckled. "We've gone this far and our job's not done yet."

As if in agreement, Za'hir clicked his mandibles in a chirpy way and Lar'ja purred. I smirked under the mask. Males and their egos. Why am I not surprised?

I swung my blades and switched my mask to heat vision, seeing that a dozen or more Bad Bloods were fighting the others. I didn't need to answer as I charged at them, ready for blood and the others followed with rage in our hearts.

I jumped as high as I could and landed on a Bad Blood that was about to strike down a young male, slicing his head clean off. I nodded to the warrior to make sure he was alright, going after another Bad Blood nearby. He half expected me and threw a disk right at me. I didn't bother to dodge it as Za'hir launched a pair of blades, knocking it in the air. I grabbed a hold of it and threw it back with precision. It embeds into the Bad Blood's chest and goes through as I finished him off by thrusting my blade into his forehead.

Another one down . . . My heat vision counted a few more Bad Bloods nearby. Few more to go.

Over and over again, I slew off a Bad Blood each time while the ship swayed in motion to dodge the Bad Blood's ships and debris flew everywhere. If any Young Bloods had a chance of seeing me in action like this, there was no doubt they would learn from it. But I was so concentrated that my mind could only think of the next kill . . . then the next one to have their blood spilled. Lar'ja, Za'hir, McKenna, and the others were the same. The only mission was to kill . . . and that's what we will do.

A few minutes have passed but it felt like hours and I could tell that everyone was starting to hit their breaking point. Many would not say it out loud but I could see the exhaustion on everyone's faces. Lar'ja's breathing was becoming labored while McKenna and Za'hir were slowing down. From the communications, many of my allies were struggling to keep the Bad Bloods at bay. I bit my lip in frustration. We need the shield down now.

"Ta'kasa! Our ship is taking too much damage! If this keeps up, then—"

I roared into the speaker, halting Xen'ork in his tracks. "We can't give up now! We need to give them more time!"

"I know! But it's been a few minutes and nothing has happened!"

"He's right! We're struggling over here!" I heard Brackett and Lex, listening to their labored breathing. "We need to get to the planet now!"

"We're losing ships! How much longer!?"

Now Royce was speaking the same thing. The communications were going crazy and the voices were getting to my head. I couldn't take it anymore and grabbed a handful of my dreadlocks, only to have Lar'ja grab a hold of me. I looked up in shock as he stared down with a smile.

Be strong.

His silent words gave me vigor and renewed strength. He's right . . . I didn't come all this way to give up. I looked down at my belly and held it gently.

I made a promise . . . to everyone.

With a deep breath, I spoke true and strong into the speaker. "We're not giving up. Not when we're so close. We're going to survive this and fight. Keep strong!"

I gave a pause, letting the words sink into their minds before continuing. "We have to stay strong until—"

All of a sudden, everything stood still as we looked towards where we heard a loud sound.

The shield, which had stood strong and unbreakable began to falter. A large popping sound echoed the entire space and it began to fade in and out. Electricity shot across it like it was gliding over it until . . . at long last . . . it disappeared before us.

Did they do it?

As if to answer my question, the Bad Bloods that were fighting us on the ship stood there in shock. I could smell the fear in them. I smiled in awe, realizing what had happened.

"Oh my Paya . . ." Lar'ja spoke. "They pauking did it."

For some reason or another, I could hear the cheers and roars of triumph all around me. The communications relayed the same thing. Voices overlapping in excitement, giving me renewed strength, Our prayers were answered and we did the impossible.

So when I looked towards the distracted Bad Bloods, I took my chance. Activating my plasma orbs, I sent them towards the Bad Bloods and gave the command. Before the Bad Bloods could realize what was coming, the blasts killed them like flies as their hearts exploded. My allies jumped in her places and got back into the fight, finishing the rest off.

"Well, what do you know!" McKenna yelled in cheers.

Him, Za'hir, and Lar'ja looked at me and I smirked back, knowing what we had to do next.

"Xen'ork. Do you see that?" I asked.

"I do! Still can't pauking believe it!"

"Then let's not waste it." I switched the communications so that everyone could hear me. "The shield is down! I repeat! The shield is down!"

I hear the cheers again and I never laughed so hard in my life. "All forces! Head for Yautja Prime! Let's finish this!"

On cue, all of our ships abandoned the aerial fight and headed straight for Yautja Prime. With it opened now, we cared little of the remaining Bad Bloods that were fighting us. Once we end Hakr'ouh and get the Successors into safety, the rest will follow. It's the matter of Yautja nature that if a Leader died by another, they would submit. It's inevitable.

"Xen'ork! Take us in!"

He chuckled. "You don't have to say it twice!"

With that, our ship turned around and with blinding speed, headed for the planet. There wasn't time to get back into the ship so we held on to the hull as much as possible. Lar'ja wrapped his arm around my waist while Za'hir and McKenna bent their knees to keep upright. It wasn't long before we were heading into the planet's atmosphere. Once we passed it, there was no going back. But we're prepared for the true test. This is what I've been waiting for my whole life.

War . . . is finally here.

Hello Everyone!

OMG! I was on the edge of my seat writing this part. I got so into this chapter that it became longer than intended. I was debating on splitting it up again but it was too good to be so I hope you love it, long chapter and all.

Anya and her friends fought so bravely like true warriors but the Bad Blood better stop their unhonorable tactics. Using kainde amedha as bombs is disgusting. Yuck! And for a minute, it seemed like Anya and her allies were on the verge of giving up when Rory and they managed to get the shield down. Awesome job to them!

And now . . . war is finally here! And now the true test has come. Will they survive and finish Hakr'ouh and the Killer Yautja once and for all? Or does he have other plans up his sleeves?

And will she and her friends pay the ultimate price? Who will live . . . and who will die? (You see what I did there lol. Sorry . . . I got so excited!)

Find out what happens when Chapter 37 is posted next week (Friday the latest) unless changes are posted on Instagram.

MORE BLOOD AND GORE IS COMING!

Thank you for Anonymous-E, NeverNeverLady, Mariah, Guest, and IanAlphaAxel for the reviews on Chapter 35. Your opinions 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