Chapter 10

Man Alive

The fluid is drained from the tube once again as my body is taken down, strapped to a table. The whine of a blade reaches my ear. I will not cry out. I will not give them the satisfaction. No.

The blade enters my skin. My blood splatters all over the place. I bite back all noise, my eyes tightly shut. My limbs will not move. They have been drugged. But I can feel that blade, as though I were fully conscious.

Paya… Am I finally dying?

All at once, the blade stops, and they inject a fluid into me.

It burns, sizzling at first, causing me to grind my fangs. My body twitches, and I try to move, to escape, anything.

My limbs will not move. And all at once, there is a pain, so dark and so vibrant, it goes straight to my head.

8~8~8~8~8~

Time no longer has meaning. I do not know what they want with me. Why haven't they killed me?

I have been placed in a stasis tube, caged, forced to fight against smaller, fierce animals, my blood has been taken, my flesh cut, and other things I cannot name, because I was unconscious.

I am sure there are times I have died, and then brought back to this accursed life.

When will it end?

8~8~8~8~8

I dreamed of her again. The Ooman woman from my chiva. Paya, it feels like it happened so long ago. When I dream of her, she's always looking at me with those dark eyes of hers, that composed expression, though I know she is in turmoil beneath it all. I can smell it in her aura, hear it in the fast pace of her heart.

In this dream, I tell her everything that's happened to me. Language is no barrier to us in this dream world, and even if it was, I wouldn't care.

I tell her of the Abomination that sprung from my chest while I was unconscious, and the crash to earth, which I barely survived. With pain and regret, I tell her of my brief hunt for the creature, which ended in my capture.

I am a failure. I should be dead.

And she simply looks at me with the hollow expression of a dream and takes my hand in hers, squeezing it softly.

Since when have I found her so attractive? So strangely hideous and yet exotically beautiful?

Ugh, Paya, but I've been away from my people far too long.

8~8~8~8~8~8

This is no dream.

The ooman woman… she seems so familiar.

I look at her carefully, with my good eye. My right eye is useless. It was injured in one of my escape attempts. The ooman female looks back at me with horror and recognition… but she's not the ooman from my dreams, from my past. I am sure of this… She suddenly erupts in such agony, banging her tiny fists against the glass walls, I feel taken aback.

My thoughts raced as a newfound strength course through me, as an outrage charges me with renewed strength. I cannot not allow them to keep her here. It did not matter why she was here. They mean her harm this I am sure of.

I'm hardly aware of my own pain, as I finally break through the glass wall. I didn't even realize I had broken through till I felt my flesh rip against the broken glass, as I pulled my arm back in. Pain ripples through my senses, as I break free from the cage. This is not the first time i have broken one of these cages. But it will be the last.

I walk to her cage and open the lock. Watching the oomans closely has always paid off before, and it certainly did now. She looks at me with awe and speaks. I have learned a little more of the ooman language. Mostly words having to do with pain. I chuff with impatience and start out the door. She is welcome to come or stay. But I have a feeling she will not stay.

As we begin, I try to recall as much of the maze as I can. After attempting escape so many times, a bit of this place is familiar to me. We race, catching ooman security off-guard. The ooman female acquires a gun, somehow, and tries to use it. I have only my body as a weapon. I will not be kept here. Never again.

I'm taken off guard, however, as she runs headlong into the towering form of my eldest half-brother, R'ka Thwei. What is he doing here? He is fighting along the side of a very familiar face. I struggle with disbelief. The ooman who was at my chiva.

She is here. I look briefly from her to the other female and realize that they must be family. Blood is oozing from my body from multiple wounds. I stumble, and my brother catches me, muttering something under his breath about Cetanu rejects.

He's grown crankier. I still wonder why he is here. Am I again dreaming? It feels so real..

My last thought before blackness takes me is that we will all probably die.

After all, nothing in life could be this easy...

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(after the escape)

I jump as R'ka Thwei comes thundering back. He gives me a baleful glare and I quickly duck out of his way as he administers to Setg'in and the Llonng Sain'ja.

He grunts in surprise," I specifically told you not to touch anything… but you have done a fine job of disobeying this time."

I swallow before pointing out," They were both losing blood… and they are both close to me. Besides, Sain'ja needed something for her modesty..."

"You could have done more harm then good," he growled, adding, "And what do you know of a female's modesty?"

"Well..."

With a low growl, R'ka Thwei punches my shoulder, flinging me onto the side of the room.

I stay down, waiting for the next blow. I know I deserved that. Walking into Ooman territory, as I had done, was one of the most foolish mistakes. It had nearly cost us our lives. I wait, patiently, for another blow.

No such thing occurs. He's busy, checking on Setg'in, grumbling," He is stable… she is stable. Both have lost blood, but are no longer in danger… What to do with them now?"

He steps back in thought," The oomans will not be safe on their planet. Unless they spend the rest of their lives in hiding. And even so, they have seen too much of our kind."

He glances down at me and barks," On your feet! Stop cowering!"

I stand up, snorting," I am not cowering."

"Then why are you-"

"Just waiting to see whether or not you were done punishing me."

R'ka snort as he nods," I hope you have learned a lesson, Young Blood."

I only nod. What words can I speak to this?

My own wounds, I have already cleaned and taken care of. I silently glance at the trophies I managed to bring along, and R'ka nods," Take them and clean them off… but if you break anything of mine-"

"I swear, I will be careful!" I respond, gathering the skulls and spines, I walk away. As I turn, out of sight, I trip. On what, I haven't the faintest idea and it takes all my skill to land in such a way that I do not crush any of my trophies.

I hear R'ka grumble in annoyance and can already imagine him rubbing at his head in irritation.

"I am fine! No need to panic!" I yelled as I stood again and walked, more carefully, away, to clean my trophies.

8~8~8~8~8~8

"No need to panic, my eye," I mutter as my younger brother slinks away. Knowing him, I'll probably regret sending him to clean his trophies, but I need time to think. My ship is in orbit for right now. I do not know if I want to drop off the females.

Setg'in owes his life to Lex and… I'm slowly realizing that I owe these females as well. It would have been more difficult, though less complicated, to rescue Kha'bj-te. Certainly, I would not have even known that Setg'in was there.

I never would have known. Remorse fills me as I snort quietly, looking at my younger brother, who is now stirring feebly. I clasp his hand as he clatters," Where am I now?"

"You are home, my brother," I replied, as he opens his eyes. One of them is blind. His remaining upper tusk taps against his bottom one as he replies," I have not died?"

"No. You are safe," I then add," I will bring food soon."

He ignores me as he asks," Where is the ooman? The one from my… my chiva. I am sure I saw her here…"

"She is here. Safe. Her family was in danger, in the same facility where you were being held."

He chuckles," So, she is still getting herself into trouble?"

I frown at this," I suppose. You must rest. Soon, you will be strong again."

He growls in a low tone as he thoughtfully closes his eyes," Before you make her leave… I wish to speak to her."

"You cannot speak their language."

"Then you will interpret for me, won't you?"

"Of course."

Pauk. I had no intention of playing the interpreter. Some translators are definitely in order. Hmm.

I grumble as the Llonng Sain'ja suddenly springs up, yelping," THE STEAK IS BURNING! MY PEPPER STEAK IS RUINED!" She pants wildly, before moaning and laying carefully back down, clearly in pain.

With a roll of my eyes, I snort," Crazy Dragon."

She growls back," Hey, hey, sanity is overrated! And besides, who asked you, Spiky?"

"Huh, Spiky. Not my name. R'ka Thwei," I don't know a lot of ooman words. I piece together what I know.

"Raw-kah Fuh'way," she tries to pronounce my name and fails, grimacing as she feels at the bandages at her ribs," Ow… what happened to me? I feel like I got sploded…. and I'm naked," She adds with widening eyes.

"You are injured, but you heal."

"No shit, sherlock," She responds, not even looking at me as she makes sure she's covered with the bandages Kha'bj-te gave her.

I growl. This one will try my patience. At this moment, there's a loud crash, and a cry of," C'jit! My bad!"

Oh no…

I run from the room.

Before this is over, I have a feeling I will wish I had left Kha'bj-te back at the facility.

8~8~8~8~8~8

Rosy comes to eventually. She moans softly before looking around," Whoa… how the hell did we wind up inside the Millennium Falcon?"

"Ha ha, Rosalie. We made it. Kanani's alive."

"You saw her?"

"No, but I heard her. She screamed something about steaks."

"Sounds like her," Rosy murmurs, but she sobs with relief as she wobbles to her feet," I've got to.. got to go to her."

I stand up, slinging an arm around her. I'm not feeling well, but hey, I'm alive. And I'm very bothered. I haven't opened the case I grabbed yet, but it feels like there's a laptop in it. I wonder what it contains. Who was the creep that Spiky Junior skinned?

Questions I intend to find the answers to. But first, I follow Rosy, as she endeavors to find her way to Kanani. I call out," Kanan? Where are you?"

"Here!" we hear her shout," Someone get me a pair of pants… please."

Rosy's eyes widen and we race to the room.

I groan. Kanani has lost her clothing. She's got a lot of bandages wrapped around her torso, and a cloth draped over her lower body, but that's it. She may as well be naked, though we don't see any, ah, skin...

Oh shit.

Rosy fairly shrieks with rage as she takes off her jacket and covers Kanani's torso. I look around, feeling a little foolish. When Yeti gets back, Rosy is NOT going to be happy with him.

He comes back.

And Rosy unloads," YOU BARBARIAN, WHERE ARE HER CLOTHES? WHERE ARE HER FUCKING CLOTHES?"

He growls," Kh'loh'ssss?"

He can't even pronounce the word...

She screams like a banshee and runs at him, pounding on his abs with her bare fists," CLOTHES DON'T JUST VANISH! WHICH ONE OF YOU PERVS TOOK HER CLOTHES?"

"Mom," Comes Kanani's patient voice," The clothes I was wearing tore apart cause I morphed. No one took them off. In fact, these "Pervs" covered me up like you see."

Rosy pauses. Yeti doesn't look a bit harmed from her pummeling. He's shaking, and I realize he's trying not to laugh… and failing

Rosy yelps," You son of a bitch! It's not funny! How dare you! And damn your rock-hard 8 pack to the 7th circle of HELL!"

Kanani's got her hands over her face. I imagine she's very red. Also trying to not laugh.

Sucking in breath, I looked over at Rosy," How about you and, uh Yeti, look for something decent to put on Kanani? I've got something to give Kanani… and I can keep an eye on her."

Rosy looks up at Yeti who looks back down at her.

Both of them are probably thinking,"Aw hell no."

"Hell to the no," Rosy growls.

"Same," Yeti growls.

I groan. Clearly, I'm the only adult on this ship.

"Both of you get off yer stubborn asses and get something to clothe YOUR child with, Rosy!" I growl.

Kanani grumbles," I'm 18… not a child…"

"You'll always be my child," Rosy sharply reminds her before sighing in resignation, looking balefully at Yeti," Ok, Sir Spiky Pants, what do you have in mind?"

He glares at her before growling," Do not touch anything, Ooman," lumbering off. I mouth to Rosy," Don't kill him," as she repeats," Don't kill him. Right." And then follows him.

I turn around. Kanani is watching me. She looks over at Scar, and then asks," Is this… the same guy?"

"Yeah… it sure is," I replied as I went to stand by him. Well, he's certainly earned his nick name. Scars by the bazillions. I gently reach out and trace one that runs over his forearm, stiffening as he catches my hand, crushing the bones together.

I hiss and his grip relaxes as his eyes open.

He blinks at me before uttering a garbled," Sawrr'ree."

"It's… it's ok," I stammered," You, you speak english?"

He grumbles," Mo," as he weakly holds up my hand to look at. I swallow. He's been so messed up, I hardly recognize the poor guy. He also got spikier.

The thought makes me want to giggle. As he examines my hand, he asks," Nayh'mmm?"

"My name? It's Alexa. But everyone calls me Lex."

"Lehhh… K'sh..Leh'k'sss."

"Close enough, Scar."

"Sah'kar?"

"That's… kinda what I called you. I'm not sure I could pronounce your real name. Is that ok?"

He gives a grumbling trill before nodded," Y'ehs."

I smile softly as I reply," It's good to see you again, big guy. You, ah, you really had me fooled. I thought you were dead."

"Ah…Ahl'mossst," he grumbles.

I shake my head," You're one tough bastard."

I hear a slight snort behind me as Kanani gripes," Don't mind me, you lovebirds, I'll just lie here… in pain…all alone. WITH ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO."

I chuckle as I turn to my niece. She cocks her head as she studies me with her amber eyes, and I smile as I reach into my pocket.

"I brung ya a present," I grinned as I held out her red ipod.

"Raphael!" She squeals happily, grabbing her ipod. Yes, the ipod is named Raphael. Kanani has a thing for those ninja turtles.

She grins as she turns it on and squeals," Oh sweet! A full battery! I must have died and gone to heaven!"

With a smile, I look over at Scar, who's watching us both. I'm trying to memorize very part of him now. Enjoying the fact that I was never alone after all. It's a bit overwhelming, to figure this out. All that time I thought I was the only one left, my last friend had been alive…

Just on on the other side of the world.

What a sick joke.

I look over at my niece, slowly realizing that if Rosy hadn't been kidnapped… If Kanani hadn't foolishly gone after her…

If they had returned my calls… If I had left them alone…

Scar would still be in that awful place. I gently sat down next to him, with a grin at Kanani, who was busy looking at all her songs, grinning like an idiot.

"Hey Kanani, play us something, would ya?"

"Hmmm… You never approve of my music though."

"You got any Police?"

"Yep!" Kanani giggled as she played Every Breath You Take by The Police. I nod my head to the beat, forgetting where I am as I softly sing along. This has got to be one of my favorite songs,

Every breath you take

Every move you make
Every step you take,

Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you.

With a chuckle, Kanani joined her bass voice with mine, both of us slightly off key as we grin to each other,

Every single day
Every word you say

Every game you play,
Every night you stay

I'll be watching you

We both struggle not to laugh at the next verse, still singing along,

Oh can't you see
You belong to me

And my poor heart aches!
With every step you take!

Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake,
Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you

Kanani sings along this time, since I never get this part right, her eyes closed,

Since you've gone,
I'll be lost without a trace

I dream at night I can only see your face
I look around but it's you I can't replace

I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I keep calling baby, baby, pleeeeaaase….

I smirked, snorting," Kanani… you're horrible."

"It runs in the family," Kanani grins at me wickedly as she lays back, letting the song play on.

I snort," Yeah right."

I'll be watching you…

At this moment, there's a huffing noise. I look over at the doorway. So does Kanani, and she scowls furiously.

It's Spiky Junior. And he's laughing at us, bent over double, his shoulders heaving.

Kanani scowled," Hey you. Get your ass over here."

He straightens, still grinning as he strides over, to look down on Kanani, his brow cocked.

Kanani grunts," Lex, this is Psycho, my partner in crime and a perv."

"A perv? Do I want to know the story behind that title?"

"… probably not," She growls, looking at him with wariness.

Pyscho snorted," Kha'bj-te."

"Kah-bitchy?" She frowned.

He thumps his chest, growling," MO! Kah'bj-te! Mo Sss'iiie'k'oh."

I figure it out, but Kanani beats me to it as she snorts," Don't like the name I picked out for you? Well, too bad. You deserve it, after nearly loosing it and trying to kill me, you bastard," Kanani growls at him, her amber eyes narrowed.

He only makes a loud huffing sound, mixed with a low growl, a series of clicks echoing slightly as he very quickly reaches over and thunks her on the forehead with his fingernail, clicking with more laughter as she attempts to swat him.

Kanani insults his mother, probably not for the first time, as he laughs at her.

I chuckle slightly, leaning back into my seat, freezing as I feel something warm, heating up my back. I look over my shoulder, down at Scar's body, which I'm currently leaning against. He's watching me, an unreadable expression on his face.

If I had to guess, I'd say it was thoughtfulness. I swallow," Uh, am I hurting you?"

"Mo," he replies. He's still got my hand. Like he doesn't want to let it go. I feel very weird. Things which I had pushed to the back my head before are resurfacing.

A hell of a lot of what-ifs plague me, as I look down at him.

Psycho growls something at Scar, and he responds, "talking" in clipped, pained tones.

Kanani's gone thoughtful, her amber eyes hazy as she flips through her music, finally settling on another group that I'm not against. Not completely, anyways.

Take me away,
You saved me from myself and all I've done…

Cause life just ain't the same when I'm with you
I can climb the sky,

You've got me walking on,wa- walking on the stars,
Walking, walk-walking on the stars…

Kanani's looking thoughtful.

I wonder what she's thinking about. I've never really seen her so… well, sad. Not since she was a child, anyways.

8~8~8~8~8

"You probably don't have understand or speak English to know that I really don't like you," I began with a huff, as I helped Spiky look through his stuff, searching for some sort of material with which to clothe my daughter.

He growls in a low undertone,"Disrespectful ooman."

"Damn right I'm disrespectful. Still… you got my sister out there alive. And Kanani's hurt… but she's alive. I owe you. Like, everything. If i had lost her-" I grumble. He growls as he turns and put a hand on my shoulder, giving it a small shake.

I have no idea why I'm talking so freely to this guy. Mammoth as he is, I get the feeling that, even though he's a killer, there's something below that. I mean, why would he risk so much to help Lex rescue me, Kanani AND his other two compadres?

If you ask me, this guy's just a softy.

After discovering that my daughter is still alive and kicking, relief like you wouldn't believe left me feeling invincible. Which might merit my reasons for rushing at him and pounding on his rock of a belly.

Which was about equivalent to pounding on a brick wall. Damn, such hard abs… hard as Malachi's had been…

The thought makes me blush and I wonder, desperately, what the hell made me go there…

I'm distracted as he snorts, pulling out a roll of cloth. Or… it looks like cloth. Feeling it, it's very rough, but it will do. It's not itchy, at least… feels like leather.

"Alright… Thanks Spiky."

"Welcome," He responds, adding roughly," What now, Ooman? Others will hunt you. Your daughter, your sister. What will you do?"

I grumble," Hey! Hey! don't kill my buzz, Spike, I'm enjoying this… sorta. Let's celebrate the fact we're alive before getting depressed again."

I turn and walk away. Cause honestly, I really don't want to think about the "WHAT NOW."

He's right of course. We will be hunted. If the government learned about Kanani and her abilities… if they know we know about these hunters…

Well, we may have just unearthed a can of shit.

Ok people, what do you think so far? I'm glad to see so many reviews, it makes me... well, glad.

Kanani: Ladies and gentleman, My author is a lunatic.

Me:They already know that Kanani. Way to be creative.

Kanani: She's also a sadist.

Me:Why you- I AM NOT!

SHOUT OUT!

Silent Hunter: My friend, this is for your review for chapter 8. Sorry I left it there, but I hope these last two chapters made up for it!

Luv4Uncas:Yep, they made it out alive... so far. *cackles*

EverlastingLife: Glad you liked the chapter! I hope you like the rest just as much! thanks for dropping the review!

LynxbyLynx: Demented mind? NO! ... MAYBE. JUST MAYBE. XD

PocketSevens: This is not the end, mon ami. But I am pleased you liked it enough that you wished for a sequel. ^_^

BTW, the song lyrics are as follows:

Every Breath You Take by The Police

And

Walking On The Stars by Group1Crew