Chapter 14
Outer Space Madness
0200 hours
55 miles South west of Sterling City, Texas
Base 663
The hour was late when I received the message from one of our leading scientists, Ryan Kepler. And I was most alarmed by the data.
Well crap, there goes our funding…
My name is Jonathan Rigsby. I'm a biologist, as well as a major in genetics and other subjects of similar study.
Obviously.
I have seen things in this profession that would leave most trembling with fear.
The unknown are most certainly very real. If I've learned one thing, it's this; just because something is unknown doesn't mean it's not real.
The existence of aliens and dragons alike have been affirmed to me. I sleep rarely, and restlessly when my physical weakness strikes. Even an insomniac must sleep at times.
Doesn't mean I have to like it.
I read over the e-mail quickly before downloading the security cameras and various recored experiments.
This new breed of dragon, that can morph into a human-like form, while intriguing, only gives me one pause.
She's not going to give up until she's hunted us all down for what we tried to do to her.
I've noticed, in both dragon and yautja species, there is an intelligence so thick, it's nearly human. Mr. Kepler, after monitoring the hybrid, captured it's mother. Of course, the hybrid did not simply go on living, but retaliated, walking stupidly into a trap, though perhaps not blindly.
The dragon species are notorious for the grudges they hold. It's part of the "hoarding" syndrome that is so common among these reptiles.
Worse still is the face that the dragon received help not only from another human (presumably a relative) but also another yautja. One who was equipped to handle the security in an easy-going and utterly arrogant manner.
The scientist in me is intrigued.
My human intellect, however, is screaming DANGER in big, flashing red letters.
Why? You ask.
Because when I phoned Kepler, to demand to know how he could have been such an idiot to allow such disaster to occur, he did not answer.
Base 662 has been utterly destroyed.
And I've got the nasty feeling that we're next.
As fast as I can, I call the other bases, warning them of what has passed. They already know. We have been compromised.
Luckily, we will not be unprepared. And we will have some… surprises, installed for our "visitors".
8~8~8~8~8
I grinned, giggling as I outran my mom.
Yeeyay-yah, I feels good!
…
Until I realize she's no longer following me. She must have taken a wrong turn… or maybe I took a wrong turn…
I creep back cautiously, back-tracking until I find her. She's leaning against the wall, her eyes wide and haunted, as though she'd seen the devil naked.
"Uh… mom?"
She gives me a haunted look and growls. "One good reason. Tell me one good reason, miss Kanani, why I shouldn't skin you alive and string your bleeding winged corpse on the hull of this space ship?"
"Uh… cause… you'd… miss me?" I stammered, my mind racing furiously. This ain't new, in case you're wondering. She threatens to do this periodically… first time with the "hull of the ship" thing.
And it usually occurs when I've unintentionally caused her some sort of grief… what is it this time?
"Mom?"
"Kanani, I just saw Big, Tall and Spiky in his KNICKERS." She deadpanned.
?
"BWAHAHAHAHAAA!"
I busted out laughing, unable to actually feel sorry for my poor mother. Despicable me, the only thing I could picture was Sir Spiky in a pair of heart-patterned boxers.
I gotta stop hanging around Psycho… it's not good for me…
Mom snarled like a wounded animal as she jumped on me, pummeling me. "IT"S NOT FUNNY, DAMNIT!"
I stumbled, still laughing hysterically. Yes, hysterically. I didn't even register pain from her half-playful-half-serious hits as my gut ached from laughing. She finally got off me, when she realized she wasn't doing any good. It was also about that time that I curled to the floor, shaking uncontrollably.
Ah, good times, I tell ya, good times…
"Kanani. It's not funny." She insisted in such a "wounded dignity" voice, it made me laugh harder.
At this moment, the light shining over me was darkened by a big shadow.
Psycho was standing over me, his head tilted as he trilled inquiringly. He had on all his armor and his mask this time.
Mom glared at him. "Move on, punk. We don't need your help."
As I tried to control myself, I realized that the scent I had smelled on him earlier was gone… Very weird.
He still smelled like himself, but it wasn't as strong…
Gods, I don't even wanna KNOW what that was all about… not really.
I come to my senses, hiccuping slightly, I waved at him.
"Hey Psycho. What's shaking?"
Mom palms her forehead.
Psycho growls something before reaching down. I warily take his hand and he pulls me up. Real easy, too.
I clear my throat," So… Can ya take us to where Aunt Lex is? Cause I'm completely lost at this point in time."
He makes this purring/chortling noise and turns around. I look at mom, who's already walking after him. I follow, out of breath from laughing.
I swear, the image came out in my head, involuntarily. I did NOT mean to think it…But there it was.
Psycho in boxers.
Gods…
Am I drooling?
I slosh the saliva around in my mouth before swallowing thickly.
Face. Meet. Palm.
It gets worse when Psycho looks over his shoulder at me.
I gulp.
Tell me he can't read minds… please.
I hear him snort, chuffing quietly as he keeps walking.
I frown, confused.
The hell?
8~8~8~8~8~
I don't think I've ever felt more conflicted in my entire life.
First I tell myself I'm not eligible for her, and then the next moment, I'm inhaling her scent as though I will die without it.
As she shoved me roughly away, both anger, rejection and shame had filled me, leaving me in a foul mood as I stormed off, opposite the way she had gone.
Why is it now that I am noticing her scent? And why am I reacting so strongly? She's not even a yautja. Not ooman, but not yautja. In fact, if not for the fact that she is my ally, I would be considering her skull as being worthy to place in my trophy room.
She is part Llonng. The Llonng are a legendary hunt. Their skulls are few and far between in the trophy room of a Hunter.
So why this… this attraction?
Even if it spells certain doom for me, I head to R'ka Thwei's tool room. I need answers-
"ROOOOAAAAAAAR!"
-Or perhaps not.
I hear Kanani's mother bolt down the hall, as R'ka's roar echoes down the hall after her.
Sweet paya, what has happened?
Something tells me that I'd better not bother R'ka right now. He may solve my problems by killing me.
I growl in frustration. And then, I hear Kanani, laughing.
What now?
I walk down the hall, to see her curled on the floor, her peals of laughter echoing loudly. Her mother does not look impressed, as she snarls something at me, probably dismissing me.
I snort slightly, but Kanani looks up at me. Her scent is not as strong. I can tell, even with my mask on.
She greets me, and I shake my head as I tell her," You are a strange female."
She doesn't understand me, and that's exactly what I intended, as I offer her a hand up, returning her favor from earlier.
Strange… it seems as though she has forgotten already, what passed between us, as she grins and takes my offered hand, asking me a question. The most I understand is her Aunt's name, so I assume she wants to be taken to where her Aunt is… how should I know?
I turn away from them as I walk down the hall. Maybe Setg'in knows.
All at once however, I note a change in Kanani's scent. It has assumed the same aroma as earlier, but it is not affecting me as strongly as it did then.
Turn and give her a look, wondering if she's even aware of what she's doing to me.
I guess not, because she simply tilts her head back in an equally confused manner.
8~8~8~8
Lex fell asleep in my arms. I did not mean for her to fall asleep, but it happened. I do not mind. She breathes lightly, resting peacefully against me and I too, feel at peace.
I never knew something that should be so wrong could feel so right. Her body is so much smaller then mine, but it only makes me feel a protectiveness towards her.
I can't help but remember my time of captivity. Feeling like I would go insane. Unable to escape. I could not even die by my own hand. They forced me to live.
She was always there, hovering behind my eye-lids, always there when I dreamed. Nightmares and visions were my companions in those moments, all of them somehow involving her.
Scenarios that range from just sitting down with her in the shelter of the snow, to running from the Kiande amedha Queen. One nightmare that I had a few times involved watching in horror as a creature, like the one that came from me, burst from her chest. She always looked at me reproachfully in those dreams…
This is no dream. Her body is warm, her skin soft, and the smell of her hair is sharp.
Paya, she needs a bath…
I chuckle slightly as I ruffled her silky, fine hair with my mandibles, enjoying how she nestles into my warmth. At this moment, Kha'bj-te returns, the other two females in tow. I frown at him. His manner is smug.
What did he do now?
Lex's sister looks from Lex, to me, and then back at Lex. She starts approaching.
Immediately, I growl at her. "Do not disturb."
She bares her teeth at me, offended. The Llonng steps out and grabs her mother's arm, speaking to her in a calm tone. I catch a few words.
"Friend… won't harm…" The rest of the words are lost on me.
I look over at Kha'bj-te. "Where is R'ka Thwei?"
"As far as I know, he is still busy tinkering with the armor."
I shrug, grimacing as my arm begins to ache dully. Kha'bj-te notes it and leaves, returning shortly with a medi-kit.
I growl. I don't want him to wake Lex.
He snorts quietly. To my chagrin, Lex stirs and yawns, stretching, she sleepily looks around before stiffening and uttering a demanding question.
I don't know what she said. But the Llonng responds to her question, with a mischievous, suggestion tone. An eruption occurs within my female. I can feel it in the way she stiffens further and she leaps off, chasing the Llonng, who squeals shrilly and runs away, ducking behind seats and tables as she tries to get away from Lex.
Lex's sister chases after both of them, yelling at them both to stop. I understand that much, anyways, the rest is garbled with ooman curses.
Kha'bj-te stiffens, as do I. R'ka has entered the room. And he does not look happy.
Furious in fact.
His presence does nothing to stop the females from continuing their madness.
However, the moment he lets loose a bellowing, "SILENCE!" the females pause. Lex has tackled the Llonng from behind, but the Llonng is too tall for her to actually bring down. Lex's sister is tugging back on lex's shirt.
They've all frozen in place, but instead of looking terrified as they should, they glare, as though R'ka has intruded on something sacred.
Lex's sister growls something at R'ka, and he shocks me as one of his mandibles actually twitches upwards in a brief smile before he growls back at her… something about privacy.
I am again surprised when her heart beat speeds up, so much so, I worry for a moment. Please, Paya, do not let her faint again…
8~8~8~8~8~8
I looked at Rosy, cocking a brow," Rosalie… what did you do?"
"Nothing! it was an innocent mistake!" Rosy squeaks.
I chuckle, she looks so embarrassed… but for now, we're going to have to put all awkwardness on hold. I jump off of Kanani's back, ripping my shirt out of Rosy's hands, I look up at Yeti," Alright, Spikster, what's the verdict?"
"Armor is ready. Need to test it."
"Right. Kanani, you first."
"What? Why me?"
"Cause you have a dirty mouth, that's why."
"Hmmf. I never knew anyone who couldn't live with that…"
Rosy snorts. "Me! Pick me!"
I roll my eyes as Yeti growls impatiently at us. Well, so much for volunteers. I shove Kanani and she stumbles forward, finally moving her own feet as she shoots me an evil glare. "I'll be back with a vengeance!"
"I'll take my chances." I stick my tongue out at her and she snorts, walking away with her head held high.
Spiky takes her away. Rosy twitches slightly and I turn to her," Ok, sister… spill."
"In front of them? No way!"
"They can't understand us."
"…I saw Spiky in his undies." she mutters, her cheeks getting hot and glowy.
I stare at her before bursting into laughter. She looks like a blushing seventeen-year-old. Ah, memories…
Now I'M the one who's fighting off a maddened, embarrassed tigress.
8~8~8~8~8~8
I notice a tension in my brother, Kha'bj-te. With a growl, I grab his wrist and snarl," What is wrong with you?"
"I"m going crazy."
"I figured you'd been dropped on your head a long time ago."
"No, no, I mean…" His voice gets agitated. "I'm feeling things I ought not to feel."
…
Not much is making sense.
"Tell me what's wrong before I drop you in the nearest pit of Kiande Amedha without your weapons and armor!"
He glares at me," Fine. If you must know, I nearly took Kanani in the infirmary. She pushed me away and I kept a clear head before i did something we would all regret."
"You are attracted to her and… you don't know how to handle it, do you?"
"NO!"
"No need to yell, I have not lost my hearing, it is my eye that I lost." I growl at him. Truly, my brother, slightly older then myself, is a clumsy warrior in ALL matters.
He snorts. "Advise me if you will. I need all the help I can get."
"Once we have our communicators, matters should be easier."
"I doubt that! I seriously doubt it!" Kha-bj-te laughs long and harshly.
I smugly reply," We'll see. Proper communication is often the most important part of a relationship with a female."
"Well, you would know, wouldn't you?" He replied bitterly.
I shrugged. "It's not my fault I'm irresistable."
I duck to the side as he swing his fist at me, grabbing his fist, I flip him over the chair I'm sitting in, grinning as his head bashes into the floor.
He roars, "PAUK-DE, SETG'IN!" as he rolls to his feet snarling as he moves to tackle me. To my surprise, he completely freezes mid stride, a strangled noise erupting from him.
I look behind him. And I force back a laugh.
The Llonng has returned. Dressed in awu'asa modified for her build. And she has grabbed a handful of his hair…
"LET HIM GO! NOW!" R'ka barks at her, in our language, and she complies, looking towards him. I cannot see her expression, because she is wearing a mask.
But her stance suggest confusion.
Sweet paya, she does not know…
To my surprise, R'ka continues to speak to her in our language.
"Do not EVER grab a warrior's hair like that unless you wish to loose a limb or your precious innocence."
She sucks in her breath, and utters inquiring words in ooman.
"Because it's sensitive. Erogenous."
She shrieks at his verdict, doing this strange, all-over shudder, wiping her hands against the folds of her clothes.
R'ka looks at Kha'bj-te, who hasn't recovered, hunched over and breathing heavily.
I don't hold my laughter back anymore. It flows from me in a way I have not felt in a long, long time.
8~8~8~8~8~
OH DEAR GAWD WHY?
It seems like the ENITRE time I've been on this ship, there's been NOTHING but humiliation after humiliation
AND WHY?
I still feel dirty, in case you're wondering.
And no, I'm not telling you what happened. Just no.
….
….
….
What are YOU looking at?
…
FINE.
So here's the deal; I follow Big, Tall and Spiky to his tinker-toy-room. It's actually pretty cool- damn it, I left Raphael in the infirmary!- and Spiky has to grab me by the hair as I turn to retrieve my ipod.
I stubbornly watch as he shows me how to put the netting and then the shoulder-pads and lastly, the helmet on. He leaves and I put the armor on, making sure I do it right.
This is awkward, but I can't wait to see how it looks. Then again, there's no mirror…
Crud.
Oh well. I finish dressing and he come back in. I place the helmet on, which has twin holes for my horns. Very nice. He then speaks…
And to my astonishment, he's not speaking english. But I understand him all the same.
Hot damn. I'm not letting this thing go, it rocks!
My visor is also way cool. I almost feel like Samus! (Yeah, yeah, I'm a gamer and a nerd, so bite me)
"Do you understand?"
"Loud and clear, Spiky."
He nods, apparently satisfied as he talks to himself, I guess, I'M certainly not paying much attention. "Then your Aunt and mother should have no trouble with their armor. Let's return and get them armed."
"Aye aye, Spiky," I grin. Not sure what all he said, but it can't be all that important.
He snorts," A demeaning name."
"But accurate. You're the spikiest bastard I've ever seen!"
He makes this harsh sound, I guess it's a sarcastic laugh before growling. " Your attitude is amusing, but you may end up loosing your life or something equally valuable if you don't watch it."
"Whatever, daddy." I snort in reply.
He doesn't respond, as he grabs another mask off the table. One I've never seen. I wonder what it's for? As we walk back to the Windowed room, I'm startled to hear a bunch of roaring and as I rush forward, worried for mom and Aunt Lex.
However, the affair has nothing to do with either one… for once.
I'm shocked to see Psycho attacking Scar. Without thinking (something I tend to not do) I ran forward and…
I swear, I meant to grab him by his belt. But I ended up grabbing his dreads. REAL hard. And quite a few of them. The response was immediate. I may as well have grabbed his balls or something, cause he completely froze up, a strangle noise erupting from his mouth. And then Spiky fairly screamed at me to let go.
Now we come to the truth of the matter…
Their dreads are… one of those special, sensitive areas. Part of their important personal space.
Gawd, I feel dirty. Especially since I felt a secret little bubble of excitement amidst the disgust and horror and complete pandemonium within.
Aunt Lex then asks the ultimate question.
"What the hell just happened?"
I looked at her and told her," Uhm, for future reference, their awesome dreads are… sensitive. REAL sensitive."
Aunt Lex purses her mouth and my mom gulps convulsively," You…"
"Mom… don't." I beg. If she starts having a nervous breakdown NOW, well, we can pretty much all go to hell in a handbasket.
Psycho finally rasps," Does the armor work?"
Good gelt, man. What is wrong with you?
I snort," Hell yes, it works… uh, are you ok?"
He still doesn't understand me.
Spiky snorts as he waltzes past me, a small widget in hand, he does something to Psycho's mask. We all hear his mask whirr and click. Then, Spiky hands the extra mask he had grabbed to Scar, who nods and places it on his face.
"They will understand you language, oomans." Spiky announces flatly in english before turning to Mom and Aunt Lex," Both of you. Come."
They glance at me, then at Scar and Psycho, and then at each other before obeying Big, Tall and Spiky. Mom looks over her shoulder at me.
"Kanani… don't do anything stupid. Please."
"Too late." I grumbled slightly.
"Why do you talk in such a disrespectful tone to your own mother?"
I respond," Cause we're more like sisters then mother and daugh-" I paused. I understood what Scar said and didn't even realize it.
I couldn't see his facial expression, but I think he was grinning.
Psycho was real quiet. Probably lying low…
"Hey, Psycho, are you ok?" I asked, finally allowing something like compassion in my tenor.
Bastard, if you're faking, I'm gonna kick your-
"I'm fine."
Hot damn. I understood what he said. I grinned as I patted my mask. Best thing ever.
"I didn't know, ok? And besides, I meant to grab your belt."
"Don't trouble me about it anymore."
I growl. "Patronize me again and I'll rip out your tongue."
"I'd like to see you try." he fired back, standing to his feet.
Scar stood up, rather abruptly and growled at us both.
"If you two must fight, then do it in the kehrite."
Psycho growls, but he doesn't make a move. I snort as I scoot over by the window, getting lost in my thoughts as I look to the stars.
"They're so beautiful."
I didn't even realize I had spoken aloud. Psycho sudenly crouched beside me, holding out-
"RAPHAEL!" I grinned as I snatched the ipod and hugged it. "Thanks, Psycho! Apologies accepted!" I added coyly, putting the buds in my ears as i flashed him a grin, settling against the wall beside the window.
He snorts as he stands and turns away. I watch him from the corner of my eye. I've got a load of questions, all of them inappropriate, and I'm too nervous to ask.
You're nervous? Why?
Cause, in spite of his clumsy alieness, he's a hottie. He really is. Hunky, lean, manly dread-locked warrior. And I've always liked spotted patterns…
Girl, I said it before, I'll say it again. You crazy.
And I enjoy every moment of it.
Apparently.
8~8~8~8~8~8
I chuckled slightly to myself as I recalled the look of horror on her face, when she snapped at me.
"This don't concern you, Spiky!"
"Really? Since when did privacy become something you care about?"
That moment was priceless. Normally, I try not to act in vengeance… but she had that coming, after invading my private quarters.
Now, however, as I show Rosy and Lex their new armor, how to put it on and then leave them to dress, I ponder our next actions. We will locate the base in the wide plains of their state. The computer appeared to indicate that this one contained information that would be vital in taking out the others. Besides, the majority of the Kiande Amedha are located here. That will be where we take our stand.
Cetanu will soon feed upon the souls of those who tried to play the part of Paya.
So help me.
Ok, a bit of a filler chapter for you beautiful readers... This chapter was NOT given the go-ahead by Khalthar, so any mistakes are solely the fault of mine and mine alone. Dedicated to XLR8ION who is writing an awesome story and updated even though allergies tried to deter the valiant effort.
Man... 8 whole reviews for ONE chapter... i feel so EPIC!
SHOUT OUT!
SesshiraRayu: I do not write lemons, but I'm guessing you liked the chapter? Thank you so much for reviewing!
Lady Augustin: I'm so glad you approve! All the relationships are pretty fun to play around with. I'm pretty mean sometimes. Not cruel, just mean... U know what i mean. :)
The Silent Hunter: Lol, I know right? Wrong room... At least he wasn't... ya know... completely naked. *covers eyes*
vampireyautja: Dragon's name is kanani, but it's totally ok. ^_^ Thanks for the review!
LynxbyLynx: Sorry it took so long, glad you like the awkward, sweet and normal teenage hormonal moments. XD
Dra9onf7yz: I just realized your penname is epic. And I'm really glad you like what you've read so far! Any comments or constructive crit is welcome!
Luv4Uncas: no, no break for the Arbitrator. XD your review made me laugh, thought you should know. ;) ALSO I was flattered by your comments on kanani, it was very encouraging.
XLR8ION: i hope you're feeling better, my friend! This is for you... hope it satisifies.. or makes you smile at least... THANK you for reviewing!
LIVE LONG AND PROSPER...
Wrong fic. Darn it!
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