AN: Due to a request, I will now announce the POV before each scene, to avoid confusion. Carry on!
Chapter 15
Base 663
(R'ka POV)
I wait patiently, as Rosy and Lex armor up. Standing by the doorway of my workshop, I run the basic plan through my mind again.
There's sure to be a complication, because I have my brother here. Kha'bj-te. He will cause chaos, most likely without intention, but it will happen. I must be prepared for it.
A three pronged attack, with a thorough scouting of the perimeter, to find out how heavy the security is, would be our best route.
Kha'bj-te is the best at a stealthy approach. He will do well for the scout. And if he is captured, it may be just as well. He is not alone this time.
One other thing… I plan to keep Rosy with me.
She might be spirited, but she is still an ooman; smaller then her older sister and physically weaker. It would be a death sentence to place her in Kha'bj-te's care, and though Setg'in is strong and able, he is half-blind now.
I do not plan to incur Kanani or Lex's wrath on my head by allowing Rosy to be killed. I will watch over her myself.
May Paya and Cetanu favor us this night. For on earth, is IS night. A night of death, for these arrogant oomans.
We must not waste time.
…..
What is taking those giggling females so long?
8~8~8~8~8~8~8
(Lex POV)
"Oh gad, no, I'm not wearing this."
I looked at my little sister with a chuckle. "For a woman who's finished raising her kid, you still look like a teenager, Rosalie. I doubt anyone will look down on you for your punk appearance."
"Not funny Lex. I'm NOT wearing this. I'd rather wear… something else."
"How about your own blood and their bullets?"
…
"The netting is kinky." She weakly complained.
"And?" I raised a brow. She hadn't answered my question.
"I love it." Her voice hinted sarcasm which I happily ignored. Victory.
"That's my baby sister." I grinned at her.
"Shut up."
"Hell no."
"That's my big sister."
"Rosy?"
"Yeah?"
"Shut up."
She grinned at me in a way she hadn't in a while… at least, not that I'd noticed. I HAD spent the last nine years moping.
Maybe I"M the one who's changing.
I feel alive.
Less numb.
And I'm not in the midst of suicide…
Well, not in the traditional sense.
I sling my arm over her shoulder as I grin. "Hey, at least we're not reduced to wearing loincloths, like Kanani."
She shakes her head, putting a hand over her brow. "Where did I go wrong?"
"You didn't. And you should be proud of that fact. Think about it. Kanani COULD have been a science project. But she's not."
"She should never have been noticed in the first place. Never. I should have kept us moving… should have done something. I should have known they were watching us!" Rosy tells me fiercely.
I sense her guilt now. She's feeling upset that Kanani was brought into this in the first place. Upset that she didn't know everything...
"No one's perfect, Rosalie Woods. You're not omniscient, and you're not omnipotent. Besides, You've raised Kanani pretty well… I mean, remember where WE were when we were 18?"
"YOU were at that crazy male stripper-bar, NOT me! I was studying for my pilot's license like a good girl!"
"Suuure… with a very cute "boy" student." I grinned; emphasizing the fact her friend was a guy.
"SHUT UP!" she blurts, shaking me off, as I laugh at her.
But she's laughing too, and I add, a bit more soberly," Rosy, let's get going. It's too late to be thinking about the "what-ifs"… that kind of thing just drives you crazy anyways."
"Ha, yeah… the proof is talking to me, right now," she grins.
"Ok, that's just mean!" I pout as we start walking.
So, the outfit is basically this; I have this netting on over my skin and intimate apparel.
I put my shirt and pants on over that, along with my boots.
Shoulder pads, some chest armoring, and then the helmet… which has been modified to fit my small head. To quote Kanani, it's wicked awesome.
Rosy's pretty much the same way, except she tore her shirt… so there's a bit of midriff on her. And… Actually, my pants are ripped at the knees. The Netting caught on to them… and my neckline didn't handle the transition well either. I'm not spilling out… not really...
Yep. We're good to go.
Pink Zebra Club, here I come.
Ha. I laugh. Ha ha…
Rosy shoots me a suspicious glare as I trip over thin air.
"Lex?"
"I'm fine… I think." I grinned in what I hoped was a reassuring manner.
She snorts. "I'm scared now."
"NOW you're scared? You're even crazier then I am…"
"So you ADMIT it!"
"Long time ago. Weren't you listening?"
"Hmmf."
"Figures."
Turning to walk backward, I stick my tongue out at her… and promptly thud into Spiky's backside.
Rebounding slightly, I whirl on Rosy," You could have TOLD me he was right there!"
"I see you weren't watching where you were going…"
"Shut up!"
"SILENCE."
We both look up at Spiky the Grouch, who growled the command… not in English. In his language. But we both understood what he said…
Cool.
He growls slightly. "Understand?"
"Yep." I nod as Rosy responds also. "Loud and Clear, Spiky."
"Good. Your masks work."
I nod sagely. Way to go, Captain Obvious…
"Come." He whirls, his dreads nearly whacking me as he storms off, before we can respond.
I look at Rosy, who shrugs," I guess his "Best Behavior" is our "Piss Off" attitude."
I chuckle," Damn straight. Glad he's not hunting us…" I pause.
Oh man. That would be bad, if he decided we weren't worth much and decided to…
No. Not going to think about that. besides, Scar would never let him do it… would he?
I shake my head furiously... to the point that Rosy gets concerned.
"Migraine?"
"Something like that."
We're back at the… the Star-Room, I'll call it. It's not a Command Deck.
But it is where Scar's been resting up. He's looking better, in spite of losing his mandible and his eye...
I feel my throat tighten and suddenly, I'm very ready to take on the bastards who did this to my friend. They tortured the one person who has haunted every thought I've tried to push away.
I'm doing this for Rosy, Kanani… and Scar. That's good enough for me. Is it suicide to endanger yourself for a friend?
The thought is a bit unexpected. But I hold my head up as Scar looks over at us…
Oh my.
The moment his head turns, his whole body rigid goes rigid…
I think he's staring at me.
I gulp.
Suddenly, I want to cover myself. But then Kanani's voice breaks in my thoughts, making me forget Scar's reaction for a moment.
"Hot damn! You two look TRIBAL!"
"Kanani…" Rosy starts to warn when Kanani leaps up, her hair sticking out in all directions as she responds in a fast chatter. "Seriously! Look at you two! You've NEVER looked THIS epic before! Not that I've seen, anyways..."
"Thanks, kiddo… maybe you'll look as good when YOU'RE 38 and 41." I responded with a sly chuckle, trying to ignore the butterflies in my gut.
Kanani grins coyly. "I will. Maybe even better."
"HA!"
Me and Rosalie both snort. Actually, we both look good for our ages. It must be our rigorous schedules… or something. Genes maybe.
Sure, I've got some lines in my face, but, thank God, no gray hair.
*shudder*
Anyways, I look back at Scar, who's now intently looking back out the window. Confusion and worry blend within me.
What is going on with him?
I have no time for questions right now. Spiky is getting impatient with us all.
"If you pups would all be so kind as to direct your wavering attention span to me for 10 seconds, I will let you know what our strategy will consist of… Unless of course you WISH to die in this endeavor." He begins, eyes glittering with barely contained impatience.
Oh this is one sarcastic dude. I guess I should have known, but still…
He taps a few buttons on the console of his wrist, holding it up as a miniature planet appears.
It's Earth.
Hello Earth. Remember us?
"The information on the computer indicates that the base is in the lower part of this land mass." He taps a space in the planet, bringing a pinpoint of where the base is located.
Texas. One place I've NEVER wanted to visit.
"It is here that we will strike first. This is where they have kept the Kiande Amedha, and this is also where we will learn about the other bases."
Kanani is quiet, for once, with no smart aleck remarks.
Rosy, on the other hand…
"How the hell are we going to accomplish that? I'm not a hacker, Lex and Nani aren't hackers, and somehow, I SERIOUSLY doubt you know enough about human technology to even work a mouse!"
I rolled my eyes," Rosy, why the optimism?"
"But it's true, isn't it?"
Yeti silences us with a short bark, as he confronts Rosy. "Will you allow me to finish speaking, or shall I drop you and your pup off at the nearest lab as bait first?"
"WHAT?" She roared at him, her expression exploding in anger.
I smack my palm to my forehead and Kanani rears up," MOM! For crying out loud, PLEASE let the man talk!… er alien. Let the alien… man… talk- Never mind." She gives up, her amber eyes dropped to the ground as her cheeks burn.
Yeti and Rosy glare at each other, but Rosy finally acts her age. "Alright. I'll let you finish."
Yeti nods curtly.
"The base will be destroyed with another implosion, like the first one… but we must find out what threats the other bases impose. What they know… and what we don't know." He almost speaks to himself, as he suddenly adds," It should be no problem to take the information we need. The hardest part will be taking the other bases by surprise. For undoubtedly, the destruction of the first base has been discovered by it's sister facilities."
He looks pointedly at Junior, who looks at him and huffs, but doesn't disagree.
Scar's gaze is intensely focused on Spiky as he grumbles," What of them?" pointing to Rosy and Kanani… Scar avoids me.
Why?
I scowl slightly. It can't be the outfit…
Can it?
Spiky responds impatiently. "They will accompany us. Kanani, you and Kha'bj-te will scout the perimeter of the location. After we discover the entrance, security will be dealt with. Setg'in, you were kept in the first base. I will need you tell to us everything you remember. It may provide insight into this next base."
I shudder at the request. Scar looks away for a moment before shaking his head.
"I do not want to remember that place. However, I do not think I can tell you anything you are not already aware of. The place was underground. The security was heavy. They kept other creatures beside myself, with rooms for testing, operating, and they also had rooms for pitting creature against creature."
He shakes his head gently, softly trilling as he shrugs. "That is all."
I'm the one who's looking away now. To hide my anger, my sadness and my fear, which is rising up in me like a pot of boiling water.
Yeah, I'm feeling scared.
But I'm not going to let it stop me.
Hell no.
8~8~8~8~8~
(Kanani POV)
I swear, this keeps getting better. Me and Krazy-Psycho have to do the scouting? Aw hell no...
"Wait… so you want me and Psycho to commit hara-kiri while everyone else breaks into the base and kick ass?" I scowled, hoping to change Spiky's mind.
Sir Spiky growled at me. "That and more, if you would PAY ATTENTION BEFORE I SKIN YOU ALIVE."
"Well, why didn't you say so in the first place?" I grinned smugly, unable to stop myself.
Oh snap. He's going to kill me…
I screech as he makes a grab for me. I zip around and duck behind the closest object… which just happens to be Psycho, who goes rigid with shock.
Damn it, this is not my day…
However, we're all taken by surprise as Spiky the Grouch's lower mandibles are grasped by thin, dark fingers and my petite, 5.6 foot mom yanks 8-foot-something-odd Spiky down so he's eye-level with her.
Owch… how did she reach his mandibles? He's three feet taller then she is...
As I was saying, she's pulled him down to her eye-level, and she's not happy.
"Look. I know Kanani can be a pain, but the next time you try to discipline her, I will cut off your manhood and stuff it down your throat. It's NOT your place to punish her. That's MY job. Understand?"
She lets him go as he straightens, scowling at her with a mixture of both anger and… admiration? I bite back a laugh, so what happens next catches me completely by surprise.
WHACK!
"OW!" I yelp as mom suddenly turns and smacks me upside the head with the back of her hand. No, she didn't do it hard…
But it hurt my pride.
"Kanani, I mean it. No more smart remarks, understand? Besides… do YOU have a better idea?"
"No." I responded sullenly.
Well… This was going to be just peachy...
I twitch as Psycho begins to shake, making a series of odd huffing and clicking sounds. Holy hell, he's laughing at me.
That's it.
I tackle him, morphing as I do so, shouting," YOU THINK IT'S FUNNY? IMM'A KICK YER ASS, FREAK!"
His laugh is cut off with a growl and he surprises me by grabbing my-"YOOOOWCHAH! My wing! OWWHOAH! LET THAT GO, DAMNIT!"
I find myself pinned down, staring up into his mask. Warmth is spreading through my belly, from the yank I received and with a scowl, I flick my tail whip-like towards his mask, thunking him hard as I brace my feet against him, getting ready to launch him -ugh, he's a heavy bastard…
Spiky rips Psycho off me, and I'm hauled to my feet by my mother… by the horn.
"Gah!" I wince as both Sir Spiky the Grouch and Queen Frag glare at me and Psycho.
Psycho growls, and I barely make out," stupid hybrid…"
"HEY! I'm not stupid! You-"
"ENOUGH!" Spiky roars. "If the both of you do NOT stop acting like pups, I will make you wish you had never been born AM I CLEAR?"
"Perfectly." I respond dryly.
Psycho growls something else before nodding sullenly," Understood, R'ka."
I scowl as I glance over at Psycho and mutter under my breath," Maniac…"
Stupid SEXY maniac…
Lex and her special friend are laughing at us all.
Well.
At least SOMEONE'S having a good time.
8~8~8~8~8~8~
(Rosy's POV)
I don't think I've ever been more embarrassed in my life before. Kanani is volatile and sarcastic, sure, but… she's acting very foolishly. I don't think it's funny. And further more…
I do admit I feel pity for her at this point. Spiky Junior grabbed her by the base of her wing… which, I know from experience, is sensitive. Like the dreads on the Hunters. THAT type of sensitive.
How do I know this?
I was married to a dragon, remember? And besides, the evidence is pretty clear. Kanani's reaction was immediate. And as I moved to protect my daughter, Spiky moved as well, grabbing the smaller hunter and pulling him off her like he was a ragdoll. I grabbed Kanani's left horn and yanked her up. Her horns aren't all that sensitive… but since they're attached to her head, it's enough to get her attention.
Now, as she sullenly glares at Spiky junior, a thought strikes me like a bolt of lightning.
"She likes him. A lot."
How do I know this? Cause I see myself in her, after I met Malachi.
Why, why would such a thing happen? WHY? We're in the midst of a crisis, and she's falling in love with Spiky junior NOW? WHY?
No time for such questions apparently. Cause R'ka has just turned to me and he's continued.
"Rosy, you are to stay with me, should we need to spilt up. Setg'in, you will team with Lex, should the situation arise."
Oh hell no. But what choice do I have at this point?
8~8~8~8~8~8~8
(Kha'bj-te's POV)
As the ship smoothly lands in the wide space of this land, cloaked and hidden from view, I look up, as R'ka puts his hand on my shoulder. He's wearing his mask, but I know he's scowling down at me.
"Kha'bj-te, you MUST be extra cautious. This is not an ordinary hunt. It will be your job to be our eyes and ears."
"Understood, R'ka." I responded quietly. The fact that Kanani is going to be with me only sets me on edge. And many "what if's" enter my mind.
What if we all die and it's my fault?
"C'mon, Psycho, let's get this show on the road." Kanani brushes past me roughly and I scowl.
Then again, perhaps it won't be… entirely my fault.
As I follow her, cloaking myself and watching her do the same, I take a deep breath. Her scent has grown stronger, if possible, since she tackled me. I wonder why… But I must not let this distract me from the task at hand.
After all… more then just my own life is at danger here.
The night sky winks down on us as we cautiously approach a seemingly deserted base. Yes, there is an ooman base here, and it looks completely abandoned…. but the smell of our opponents is strong here.
They are here. I skirt a slight ways from Kanani, who has paused. Her heart rate has sped up. She hisses quietly.
"We have company, Psycho. I think they're getting the red carpet ready."
At this moment, a barrage of bullets light up the sky, missing us by centimeters. She grabs me, with surprising strength as she pulls me down, taking cover in a dip of the ground.
Red carpet indeed… What the Pauk is that supposed to mean?
8~8~8~8~8~8
(Head Of Security POV)
Security is tense. I can feel it. And I don't blame them. Sometimes, I really hate my job. But hey, it pays good and comes with some sweet toys.
The head honchos, the scientists, they seem pretty uptight too. Not that they aren't normally, but tonight's going to be something different.
How do I know? you ask.
Well, I can just tell. The air's different; there's an electrical tension.
They told us we're expecting some hardcore guests, but they didn't tell us exactly WHAT.
You'd think that would be the LEAST they can do…
Radio chatter crackles over my headpiece and I grimace.
(Alpha one, movement on the surface.)
Here we go.
8~8~8~8~8~8~8
(Setg'in POV)
Lex tenses beside me as we hear the gunfire. R'ka and Rosy are positioned on the other side of the compound, and I know they're already on the move. I gently touch her hand before moving forward, the fenced barrier easily overcome as I pick her up and run towards it, clearing it with a single jump. Familiar energy runs through my veins as I set her down again, spear in hand as I lead her to where the security guards have pinpointed their attention on Kha-bj-te and Kanani.
Keeping my mind on the task at hand is not easy.
Lex…
When she entered the room dressed in Awu'asa, I could hardly believe my eye. In all my wildest dreams… I could never have imagined such strange magnificence.
Blood enters my senses, bringing me to the present.
Paya…
Lex has just killed a security guard. Without another thought, I work beside her, to silence these oomans.
They don't even know we're here. From the way they panic, they think that Kha'bj-te and Kanani are somehow killing them from all that distance away.
Good.
I grab all six of the security guards and drag them to the corner of the room, out of sight. Lex grabs a radio, listening intently as the voices chatter.
"Alpha one, do you copy? Alpha one! Alpha two, do you copy? Alpha one, Alpha two, someone pick up the damn radio!"
Two teams… R'ka must have already dealt with the second team.
Lex tugs gently on my arm, pointing to a back door. There is a light, glowing faintly above it. Switching my vision, I note the electrical workings. It's an elevator. And it's operational.
"R'ka, I think I found the entrance."
Lex's mask prevents me from seeing her expression… but she punches me slightly on the arm. I have seen oomans do this before. It doesn't mean the same thing to them as it does to us. They mean it in camaraderie.
We usually mean it as a challenge.
Opposite meanings for so simple a gesture. I think I like her interpretation better. And as R'ka and Rosy catch up to us, I ask. "What of Kha'bj-te and Kanani?"
He responds.
"The elevator will not hold us all. Rosy and I will go down first. That should give Kha'bj-te and Kanani enough time to catch up."
Rosy appears nervous. I can smell it in her aura. Lex, also, smells nervous, but neither are showing it in their stances.
R'ka goes to the elevator, and after careful study, opens it with ease. Rosy steps in, as does he. The door closes and they descended into the earth.
Lex takes in a deep breath.
"He'd better not let Rosy get herself killed."
"He won't." I assured her quietly. She looks up at me.
And somehow, she doesn't smell as nervous. My chest swells with pride. Have I somehow made her feel braver? Calmed her?
Paya, bring on the oomans.
8~8~8~8~8~8
(Kha'bj-te's POV)
As the gunfire ceases, I stand to my feet quickly, unwilling to remain that close to Kanani. Her scent is so strong, it's choking me.
"What's your deal?" she growls, standing also, her eyes blazing with fury.
I respond with a growl." Nothing. Nothing that concerns you."
"Oh, the hell it doesn't." She growls under her breath.
I'm about to respond when she suddenly grabs me and pushes me to the ground, her amber eyes heated, her whole body alight with heat. What the pauk is she-
"I've just about had it. You look up my skirt, you grab my wing- which is a BIG no-no- you laugh at me, ogle me and then tell me that this doesn't concern me? HELL to the no, Psycho." Her breath glitters with smoke. Her hands are strong, her whole body is poised over me powerfully and yet clumsily.
I growl. This is not helping our situation at all. "Whether or not you are correct, we cannot settle this now."
To my surprise, she immediately gets off me, grabbing my forearm, she pulls me to my feet. her eyes are still shimmering fiercely, as is her core. But she nods.
"I'mma kick yer ass after we kick theirs." she jerks her head in the direction of the base before taking off at a dead run.
I growl under my breath.
What the pauk is her problem?
8~8~8~8~8~8~8
(R'ka's POV)
The elevator moves swiftly. I hear Rosy's soft breathing, smell her fear and her anger.
I have to say, for so small an ooman, she's spirited. There are few who would dare to grab my tusks the way she did. And though it was disrespectful and humiliating… it was also a brave thing to do. Foolish, but brave.
And she will need that. All of it.
I have already disabled the cameras, ooman radio in hand. So far, it does not appear that they are expecting us.
Pauking smart prey.
I gently push Rosy to the side of the elevator, telling her quietly," Stay behind me. And do not move into the open until I say so."
"Got it." She responds.
The elevator stops.
And it opens.
Time to go to work.
YO! I'm SO sorry that this took me so long to write! HOWEVER... I'm just trying to make sure I don't mess up, if that makes sense. I'll try to update soon fast... but no guarantees. -_-
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