Chapter 7

United We Stand, Freaks

(Psycho/Kha'bj-te POV)

I cannot believe how close I came to destroying the female.

Replaying the memory like a bad dream, I realize now that she was allowing me to exert all my energy into chasing her and when she had the chance to destroy me, she didn't. Though I am thick skinned, not even Yautja are impervious to heat and fire.

When she had me pinned, I could feel the heat in her. I felt her fire, her fury, and something in me prepared to feel Cetanu's cold blade.

But all that I really knew at that moment was madness. The lust for blood, the desire to kill life. And when she let me go, I continued in my rage, to try to kill her.

This reaction in me is a common weakness that has almost wiped out my species at one point. It's a weakness that we all strive against. Normally, a blow to the neck is enough to bring on the reaction, but the fluid injected into my blood triggered a pure desire for blood lust within me.

Paya, I thought I would pass out from the want to tear flesh and smell blood.

Thus, when I was lowered into the room, I no longer thought as a hunter, but as a killer.

My blood lust lessened, the more energy I exerted, till I had pinned her to the ground, ready to slay her. To this moment, I still don't know what kept me back: perhaps the desire to survive and to escape. Or maybe it was the two knocks I received at her hand.

Whatever it was, I came to my senses and remembered my honor.

She is not prey and not Ooman, either. I will no longer call her that. And Paya, when I came to my senses, my mind felt momentarily stunned at the truth. So that is why they brought her here.

She's like the draconian race, the Llonng Sain'ja, which used to inhabit this planet. I didn't know they still existed. Some of the Elders still talk of them, not often, but they come up like stories of the gods, legends whose skulls are a rare find in the trophy room of a warrior. In fact… I believe R'ka Thwei has one. I never saw it, but I heard him mention it… I think...

This creature must be a hybrid, for they didn't have the ability to change into oomans. Or perhaps they did.

How very sly.

At this moment, I fight by her side. Her strength as an Ooman was great. In her current form, she's nearly as strong as I.

I am still larger and stronger then she, but I am glad to have her on my side for now, for she is letting nothing stand in her way. I'm also realizing how lethal she is, though she has no proper training or experience.

A head-butt with her would prove deadly, for there are two black horns that poke from her thick mane of black hair, sharp and gleaming in the sparse light. She has gored two security guards already, leaving their skulls unfit for trophy taking.

Glinting from her mouth are sharp fangs, her talons flash like knives, and the bullets that the oomans shoot at her dully bounce off her hide, occasionally penetrating through, causing her to scream and roar in rage. She is not immune to pain, I noticed.

Her long tail is a useful weapon, for she uses it to knock aside those that charge at her. Clumsy in her fighting skills, she seems to rely only on instinct.

I observe this as I take trophies, one skull at a time, taking back my honor as I destroy those who kept me captive. When they start shutting down the hallway, sealing it off, I snarl loudly, and the Llonng Sain'ja roars, bowling forward, she starts scratching and kicking at the metal wall that has now sealed us in.

I hear the other side of the hallway seal off. She hisses angrily, the pupils of her eyes slit as she snarls. I can barely discern what she says, though I recognize a few ooman curses. I hear those a lot, when I come to Earth. She is acting irrationally. Talking and making all those noises will not help us. I snort with both anger and impatience as I hear the hissing of gas, seeping into the room. There are no more ooman foes, just the air we breathe as our enemy.

The female growls before trying to claw through the ceiling, acting like a caged beast, panicking as she roars and screeches. I look at the door in anger; suddenly, I know what we must do.

I grab her shoulder with a growl, pulling her back. She resists, but I am as stubborn as she is and this is our chance to get out of here. Pulling her back, I pray to Paya that she understands as I make a ramming motion with my hands and gesture to the door. Then, I run for the door. As I prepare to smash into the wall, I feel her, running heavily alongside me.

She understood.

We both collide into the door. It does not break but it does bend outward. It is weakened. She howls with determination as she pulls me back. We race to the other side of the hallway before running again, charging towards the steel division. I feel my vision clouding with the sleeping gas…

Paya, we are so close….

With our roars echoing, we break through the steel door. It flies outward, allowing us to breathe purer air. It is then, that we hear the sounds of another battle, from around the corner it seems. As we race forward, the Llonng Sain'ja still coughing from the gas, I hear a roar, not far away. I feel my body stiffen as I redouble my speed. It can't be…

It is! My brother, R'ka Thwei, is tearing more Ooman guards apart, fighting alongside another Ooman female, who looks something akin to what my compatriot looked like as an Ooman.

She smells similar too. They must be related.

The ooman cries out a single word, "Kanani!"

And the Llonng Sain'ja screams in return, "Aunt Lex!"

They run towards each other, the Llonng scooping up the ooman in an embrace.

My brother growls as he pulls them roughly apart, the whole while eyeing me. I feel very nervous suddenly, blood from the skulls I have acquired dripping down my arms.

"You had better be worth it, Young blood," My eldest brother growls dangerously beneath his mask.

"I hope I am, Honored Arbitrator," I replied humbly, as he gestured to a pile of armor on the floor. I am sure my eyes must have widened considerably, and I trilled happily.

My Awu'asa. I dress quickly, armoring up for the fight ahead. I already feel better. Less disgraced.

The Llonng Sain'ja is speaking to her aunt. They both appear very upset.

I wonder why.

8~8~8~8~8

(Lex POV)

Tailing the guard may not have been the smartest idea. But it worked. The huge hunter (I'll call him Spiky for now) helped me find an entrance before making it clear to me that I was on my own then. So, I walked down the hall, gun in hand. I followed the young guard to an elevator. It was then I knew what I had to do. I used my gun, sneaking up on him quickly before whacking him in the head. He falls to the ground and I use his finger to access the elevator. I hop in and the pod takes me down, down, down…

As I reach the first lower level, the door opens, revealing a morgue of bodies. Spiky beat me down here. How, I have no idea. But he's pretty smug. I growl as I follow him down the hallways. He takes out a bunch of security guards, and nothing stops us from finally entering a room, where a bunch of small apparently alien specimens are being kept. There's a shelf with a bunch of armor and he grabs it, growling to himself. I access the computer, and growl as I try to figure out if Rosalie is here. Hacking is not my strongest point. So, it was a miracle when I found the name of my sister and her location.

I stood up and took the lead, as Spiky followed me down the hall.

It wasn't easy, but certainly easier than facing off with an alien "serpent". I never want to see another one of those bastards again...

Gah!

Too late! Damn it!

I nearly scream, I'm so startled, as a familiar monster screeches and scratches at me, from behind a glass wall. I shudder with relief, unable to look away from it for a moment.

The thing is in a room, locked away, but it's still screeching at the window, not at all happy with where it's at. Damn… they keep those things down here?! I'm concerned. I'm very concerned.

Spiky ain't. He pushes me on with a growl. Ya know, he's right and if my niece is here, chances are it's not for educational purposes.

When alarms start blaring, I sweat, worrying that we may die down here. Damn it all, I wanted to die climbing the ice!

I set my jaw as I fire my gun at our opposition. They are many and they have some very nice toys. Guns that I've never even seen. But Spiky's got bigger and prettier toys. And he seems to enjoy using them. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. Spiky is not only larger and grouchier then Scar, but he's way more… skilled? I guess it might be experience.

When I run out of bullets, I pull out the spear. I learned how to use it, tentatively, when I first got it, and when Spiky sees it, fully extended in my hands; he gives me a snort of disapproval.

Well, who cares what you think, Mr. Spiky-Pants.

I'm already accumulating more bruises, some new gashes and scratches and it's only been 20 minutes.

All at once, my niece and another hunter comes from around the corner, the both of them looking like they went to hell and back again.

Kanani's alive. Not very well dressed, but she's alive. Thank God!

I yelp, "Kanani!"

"Aunt Lex!" She rushes towards me and hugs me. It's a little weird, being hugged by my niece. I mean, she's nearly three feet taller then me. She pulls back and asks, "Do you know where mom is?"

"No… I was hoping I'd find her with you… Instead, I find you with him," I comment dryly, pointing to the young hunter, who's looking shamefacedly at Spiky.

I get the feeling Spiky got what he came for.

Kanani gulps and growls irritably, "Well shit. My mom's still in trouble."

"Kanani, we'll find her, I promise," I reassure her, adding silently, "I just hope she's in one piece…"

Kanani then growls, "I must have smelt you, not mom. Cause I thought she was over here. She must be the other way."

At this moment, there's a loud screeching sound and a metallic voice speaks, echoing from the speakers built into the wall, sending chills down my back, "Hybrid, we have your mother. We will kill her if you do not turn yourself over."

Oh shit.

8~8~8~8~8~8

(Rosy POV)

I've been moved. I don't know why, but I'm placed in another cage, in a very dimly lit room. As I examine my surroundings, I bite back a scream. There's a glitter of eyes, not far from where I'm caged. I take a gulp of air, and silently try to still my overwhelmed imagination. The eyes blink and then, I see the entire creature, as it leans forward, into the dim light, gazing at me curiously.

I breathe sharply. It's a hunter. One of Lex's creatures. Oh my goddess…

One of his eyes is a lighter color, like it's blind, and he's missing one of his mandibles. Hell, but there's so many scars on his body… Including a huge number of large scars on his chest. Like… almost like he'd been impaled… and the flesh grew back.

No.

Hell no.

It couldn't be, it could not be Lex's hunter. The one who spared her life? He died! She told me he died! He was impaled!... And yet, it is exactly this, which makes it obvious that this guy… he has to be the same one. He looks so beaten to hell it has to be him.

I stand up and look at him more closely, trying to recall details from her story and match them to this creature who now kneels against the glass wall of his own cage, his mandibles twitching as he regards me. His intense yellow eyes search my face like he's reading a story there. It's scary, the way he's looking at me, but I wonder… if it is he, then he may be wondering why I look like Lex. If it's not him… I don't have another theory. I just don't. This is so weird.

Where's Kanani? Why did they move me here? What is going on?

I've gotten used to them ignoring me.

What can I do?! Fury fills me. How long has he been here? How long have they tortured him?! Will they torture my daughter the same way?

The thought is unbearable and I let loose a scream as I trying breaking my glass prison again. His mandibles flare as he watches me. I scream, "My daughter will not be used! No! I can't, I won't let it happen! I won't!"

I barely notice as the Hunter stands and starts viciously pounding at his own cage. He roars in pain, but he continues, undeterred. I snarl as I feel my bruises ache like hell, but I tell my pain, "To hell with you bitch, my daughter's out there, being tested on, being cut open, you will not sit here and do nothing, like a useless piece of shit!"

Tears run down my face as I pound. My wrists can't take much more, my body is screaming, as am I, with the pain and fury of it all. As I draw breath, however, there's a cracking sound.

The sound of shattering of glass tinkles through my senses.

It's not my cage.

It's the Hunter's.

He snarls as his fist finally breaks through the glass. He pulls it back, his arm now mangled, but he finishes off the prison, breaking through. He walks over to me and with a growl; he opens the little computerized lock on the wall and types in the code. It's then I realize he must have been watching when they used that same code to open the cage for me.

The door opens.

He growls down at me before uttering, in a very garbled, husky tone, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

I nod tightly, "That sounds familiar, Shorty, but I'm not Lex. I'm her sister. Damn it, I don't even know if you're the same Hunter, but even if you're not, thank you."

He turns to the door and smashes through it. I hide a grin. Finally, we're getting somewhere. Shorty does not look short, but who cares?

"Wait up, Shorty!"

8~8~8~8~8~8

I hear the announcement and sweat runs down my back. My mother… they're threatening to hurt her. I can't let that happen. I can't.

"I can't," I murmured as I looked at Lex. She looked at me with anger and sorrow simmering in her eyes.

"But your mom will kill me if I let you turn yourself in," Aunt Lex protests.

I snarl, "Damn it, Lex, don't be so selfish! Now get these quarterback rejects out of here, I have to try to save her on my own."

Lex is about to answer, when the larger hunter takes her shoulder in hand.

Holy shit.

He's speaking English. Guttural, butchered English, but English nonetheless.

"We fight as one" he growls, his voice like a lion's, "Ooman facility must be destroyed. Will die trying."

Lex looks at the younger hunter, who only gives a short nod. He must not understand English.

Well then.

I reply harshly, "If my mother dies, I will hold you responsible," looking up at the huge Hunter, I add, "But if you can save her, and help us escape, then I'll owe you pretty much everything."

He takes my shoulder in hand, shaking it before looking at my aunt.

"Dragon Warrior must buy us time. We find your sister."

Lex shakes her head stiffly before I respond, "It's perfect. Our one shot to get this right. C'mon freaks, let's do this."

I then turned and ran down the hallway, back the way they came. To my surprise, Psycho follows me. He growls slightly, unable to speak my language, and I grin as I hear his armor activate. He's no longer visible. I remember Aunt Lex talk about that.

It rocks that I've got invisible support.

Now…

We give 'em hell. If they hurt my mom, I'm killing them all. I've already lost one parent, I'm not about to lose my only friend.

8~8~8~8~8~8

I look at the Ooman, Lex, as the Llonng Sain'ja called her. We go to find her sister, while my young blooded brother and the hybrid leave to buy us time. That foolish pup, I'm going to teach him a lesson if we get out of here alive.

Lex races ahead of me, her weapon in hand. I snort to myself.

Foolish.

If they get their hands on that weapon, no doubt their own technology will be improved… then again, with my brother in captivity, no doubt they've gleaned more information than I'd like. We must destroy this place before we escape.

There is a barricade ahead, but I only quicken my pace as I ram into it. It gives way, and there are more guards there, to attempt to stop us. I growl as I fire up my plasma cannons, my wrist blades extended as I fire and slash, blood and energy beams harmonizing.

Lex runs on ahead of me, stabbing and slicing as she takes on her own species' warriors. She is gaining my respect, slowly, but surely. Setg'in was correct to mark her with our Clan symbol.

As we travel down the lower levels, overcoming the odds that are set against us, I hear a familiar roar, before I take in the scent of another Yautja. It's not Kha'bj-te. I snort in surprise. Another Youngblood? Why then, were there not two distress signals? And there is also the smell of an ooman. Very close in fact-

Whump!

As I begin to round the corner of the hallway, something small and soft rams into me, rebounding to the floor with a grunt of pain. I chuff in surprise. It's a small ooman woman, who looks similar to Lex. She's smaller, though, more delicate, with thinner lips and lighter colored hair.

She gapes at me, scrambling to her feet. I growl and then halt in utter surprise. For in all my long years in the hunt, I have never seen this.

A ghost, a spirit back from the dead.

What else can it be?

Setg'in finishes off another ooman guard, ripping out his spine with a roar. Ghosts, spirits do not rip off limbs, or spines of the living.

That is Yautja work.

The small ooman that ran into me is splattered with blood not her own, and as she scrambles to her feet, Lex cries out, "Rosy!"

"Lex! Where's Kanani! How did you find me?!"

"She's fine! She's buying us time! How did you-"

"Him," the woman pointed to the Youngblood, who walks to me. His right eye is blind. There are so many pauk-de scars, all over him…

He should not have trouble catching the eye of females now.

I catch him as he falls, cursing as I realize that he's lost too much blood. His right arm is mangled, dripping and wet, his chest, legs and back riddled with wounds that are bleeding.

C'jit.

With a growl, I look at Lex and her sister. Lex is staring, her jaw falling open slightly, her eyes wide. I can't blame her. I too, believed him dead.

"We go," I growl, Setg'in slung over my shoulder as we run. Lex's sister, Rosy as she is called, has acquired a gun and puts it to use, as more guards stand in our way. I use my shoulder cannon, careful to keep Setg'in out of harm's way.

With an animal like cry, Rosy rushes ahead, unmindful of the danger as she screams, "You hurt my daughter, you die!" It seems nothing can stop her. Her rage is great, and her strength steeled by her rage. Though she is not skilled, she is spirited, just like her sister. The shots are wild, but effective.

She's certainly protective of her daughter… that I assume is the Hybrid. How that happened, I will not try to discern right now.

We have to get out of here, or perish trying. With this in mind, I contact Kha'bj-te, telling him that we are done, and that he must destroy the base with his self-destruct bomb.

He does not respond.

Pauk.

That is not good.

THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN UPDATED COURTESY OF KHALTHAR!

Yello!

So, is this awesome, or is it awesome?

Kanani: You're CRAZY!

Me:If i wasn't, you wouldn't be here.

Kanani:At least then, I wouldn't have to suffer such humiliation and STRESS!

Me:Aw, admit it, you love the attention!

Kanani:*eyes glow and smoke starts coming from nostrils*

Me:Um, then again...

Predator translation:

Kha'bj-te: Maniac or Reckless

R'ka Thwei: Fire Blood

Setg'in: Deadly

Pauk: Fudge (The Queen Mother Of All Dirty Words)

Llonng Sain'ja: Dragon Warrior (Llonng is an invented term, derived from Lung which i think is chinese for dragon)

SHOUT OUT!

LynxbyLynx: I think I amy love you, I am certainly and eternally fond of you for your encouragement. ^_^ Thank you!

Silent Hunter: Yep, the irony, is that his real name is pretty much very similar. Psycho/Maniac... I couldn't find a term for Accident Prone, which is what he really is. I mean, what yautja slips on an ICE PATCH?

To all who have read, reviewed, fav'd, or otherwise appreciated this story, thank you very muchly!

Kanani: WHY are you up at 3 in the morning?

Me:Can't sleep. That moon is HUGE outside!

Kanani: Great, I have a lunatic for an author... just great...