Chapter 23
Interludes Of Space
(Kanani POV)
Well then. This is really, REALLY disgusting. But at the same time, I feel so damn smug about it.
They've got no idea what you're talking about, you geek. Start from the beginning
I don't need your pushy advice, Annoying-Voice-In-My-Head.
Where was I? Oh yeah.
As soon as I got marked (Which, by the way, I thought getting healed hurt? Hell no, getting marked with acid was torturous. How did Aunt Lex take it, I wonder?) Anyways, as soon as I got marked, Spiky grabbed all four of the bad blood heads in one hand and set them down on a table. He then took out some tools, clacking to himself before barking my name.
I grumbled," I'm right here, you don't need to shout…" Remembering that, in spite of his softer interior, he's still crabby.
In more ways then one.
Damn, now I'm thinking of fucking CRAB LEGS again… Really hungry right now.
Anyways, he started showing me how to clean my trophies, beginning with the nearest head, he instructed me, putting a tool in my hand and showing me how to scrape the skin off.
Like I said, gross.
But satisfying.
And it took my mind off other, unwanted thoughts. Like the fact that we nearly all died.
Don't think about it. Focus. Haven't we been through that already?
I smirk as I look at these skulls, knowing that it could have easily been the other way around. They could have been cleaning MY skull. But they're not.
Cause I fucked them up, four to one. I guess, in a way, I'm just now realizing how much of a right I have to be proud of myself.
I may be a dragon, but hey, I've never had to fight for my life before this. And so far, I think I'm doing a damn hot job. I finish cleaning the first skull and Spiky grunts, nodding sharply as he turns and barks Psycho's name, instructing him to watch me and make sure I don't fuck this up.
Although, honestly, I'm fairly certain I've got this, as I grasp the skull with my claws and rip off skin, flesh and dreadlocks.
Take that, you mofo.
I remove the skin, blood, and brains, till there's nothing but the bone. Then, I gently polish it. Psycho's watching, and for once, he's being real quiet, except the occasional grunt and click.
"How are you doing?" I finally dare to ask, uncomfortable with the silence between us.
"Impressed."
Excuse me?
"That… was an incredible deed you accomplished." He gestures to the metallic hybrid.
I smile, pausing to look right at him, "Thanks."
I mean it. For once, he's not after me for my scent, or my body. At least, I really hope not.
With this bastard, though, I can never be sure.
The Hybrid hisses at the both of us, and I grimace. It's still fucking alive.
I'm not going to think about it.
Psycho tilts his head, trilling, "Aren't you going to finish?"
Huh? Oh. Right.
I finish off the second skull and place it next to the one Spiky helped me with, beginning the third one. Man, I feel so evil, narrowing my eyes and hissing at this one. I'm fairly certain it's the one that called me a little lost lizard and then laughed at me.
Who's laughing now, bozo?
Psycho suddenly places his hand over mine, moving it gently as he helps me to remove a particularly tough dreadlock.
He doesn't say anything, as he releases my hand.
With a smirk, I look up at him, "You just keep trying to find every little excuse to touch me, don't you, you perv?"
He growls and I laugh quietly. Honestly, though, I really enjoyed it. The whole thing. I could totally get used to him being all sweet-pervy like that. A hoarse feeling washes through me, and suddenly, I suck in my breath. We nearly died… I almost lost him.
Damn.
Stupid hormones…
All the same, a thought runs through my mind, as I try to keep my sudden rush of feelings contained;
Don't ever stop being MY perv, Psycho.
8~8~8~8~8~8~8
(Rosy POV)
After getting marked, I finally noticed the body of the man I killed before we attacked this last base, lying on the ground nearby the other trophies. I stare a moment, contemplating. First, I killed that human, with my bare hands. And then… I took down the big alien. With a huge but simple, man-made gun.
Where is all this coming from? There's nothing specia- I pause. No, there isn't anything special about my appearance. But maybe it's not my appearance… more like, what's inside of me.
If, before I ever met Malachi, someone had told me that I would cause a dragon to fall in love with me, or that I would give birth and raise a dragon daughter, I would have called them insane and then called the funny farm to pick them up. If someone had told me that I could keep my daughter hidden for 18 years, and then freaking bust out of the lab that captured the both of us, well, see previous answer.
Hell, I can fly a helicopter, but I never thought of myself as the heroic type, and certainly, I've never imagined myself as a warrior.
I know enough to keep my ass alive in fight with another human, but to kill a man with my bare fists? Or to slay a gigantic alien creature that scares a Bad-ass ET warrior-hunter like Sir Spiky Pants the Grouch?
Never.
And yet, here I am.
And speaking of Sir Spiky Pants…
I look back at him, as he instructs Kanani in artfully butchering her trophies, until all that remains is the polished skull of her kills. I don't know when, or even how…
But back in the lab, when I saw him being held at gunpoint, the horror and worry for him that I felt was almost consuming. I don't know how I would have taken it, if he had been killed.
Most likely, I would have gone berserk.
When did he become an important part of my life?
Spiky interrupts my thoughts, as Kanani gets the hang of cleaning her kills and he beckons me, as he moves to another table, grabbing the body of the man I killed.
I step to him. I feel nervous. Just what is he going to ask me to do?
Rosy, you just killed a fucking alien T-Rex. Grow a spine already!
But is it the trophy that's making me nervous?
Or is it Spiky?
10 hours ago, I would have said it was the trophy…
Now, I'm not so sure.
Since when did I care about what he thinks of me? Or… when have I cared that I care about him?
Ugh, that's it.
I'm officially losing my mind here.
8~8~8~8~8~8
(Kemp POV)
I can't help but maintain a stiff-lipped silence as Lex translates Scar's verdict to me.
"Kemp, you're going to need a few hours before you can resume your normal activities. Until then, you need to just lie still and rest."
I nod grimly.
Lex looks down at me, her dark eyes completely serious. "We owe you our lives, Kemp. So whether you like it or not, we're saving yours. Don't try anything stupid."
I grunted, "Too late. It was probably stupid of me to take your side."
Lex chuckled quietly, "It was. But then again, you're alive, aren't you?"
"Yeah. Wonderful." I scoff quietly. "I'm a traitor to my country and possibly to my own race. Yeah, it's great to be ali-"
SMACK!
Holy shit. She just slapped me.
"Better?"
"Much." I hiss, fingering my cheek. Damn, did she stuff her gloves with steel or something?
Lex glances at Scar, who speaks softly to her. I still can't understand what they're saying. Finally, she turns to me.
"He says that, since you saved our lives, you have an opportunity to adapt to a different life. But it will do you no good if you continue to wallow in self pity."
Huh. Despite my anger and gloominess of heart, she's got a point. They both do. Though I do regret that I had to take the lives of my own teammates, the only thing I can do, is to accept the responsibility for my actions… After all, the kid's only 18. Kanani I mean. She didn't deserve to have her life and the life of her family ripped away from her.
Admit it, fuckhead. You felt sorry for her.
Grimly, I respond to Lex, "I hear you. If you don't mind, I'd like to get some sleep."
"We'll be checking on you, Kemp. Don't do anything foolish." She reiterates as she takes Scar's arm and pulls him out. I grumble but rest my head and close my eyes. For now, I'm not going to think about my situation. I haven't had rest like this in years. And if I've learned anything, it's this; take rest when you can, cause you may not get a chance to later.
But I don't get much relief in dreaming. Yeah, that's right. Somehow, I dream.
And it creeps me out like no other dream has ever done so before.
8~8~8~8~8~8
(Spiky POV)
I've already sent our next coordinates to the ship's autopilot. We have 4 hours before the next base. Which should be enough time for Rosy to clean both the human skull and the Queen's skull. I still can hardly believe that she killed the Queen. Even the most experienced hunters would approach such a prey with caution. Rosy has had no training in handling these creatures, no experience.
When I first met her, I was surprised when, thinking that her daughter was dead, she turned on me, hitting me like a spoiled pup. I thought it was merely her grief. Now, I find there is far more to her then I ever suspected; more strength, more spirit then one would expect from an ooman. And the more I discover this, the more I wish to learn of her. One thing is certain; after this, she has my full respect, and my loyalty.
A memory replays briefly; the soldiers taking us by surprise, their guns lined up and ready to kill us. Then, Lex and Rosy rushing in, Lex to stand in front of Setg'in, Rosy to stand directly in front of the largest soldier, who had his gun trained on me.
I will never forget that. She does not like me. Maybe she respects me, but she does not fear me, and she has not shown that she cares what I think of her. But her fearless deed today would have raised her to the status of an Elder.
I speak respectfully, as I gesture to the ooman body.
"Rosy. This is your first kill. Your first honorable trophy."
She stares at me. And then I see her eyes sweep over the few trophies that I wear. I feel my chest puff out slightly. I have the teeth of a Kainde Amedha, the smaller skulls of a few bad bloods I've hunted down, among others.
She finally looks me in the face.
And in a quiet and firm tone, she declares, "I don't understand."
Pauk.
How do I explain this to her?
I never thought I would have to explain the concept of an honorable kill to an ooman.
"Spiky?"
I look down at her and realize I drifted into my own thoughts. Chagrined, I take in a breath.
"This is not your first kill. You killed in the lab. Many fell by your hand. But this," gesturing to the body, "is the first kill you have committed to protect your honor and your family's honor. They threatened your daughter and your sister as well. You took that with you into this kill. And you went unarmed, against an ooman bigger and by all logical standards, stronger then you. Understand?"
She's silent, as her mind processes this information before giving me a nod.
I went on.
"This one's skull represents your claim on your honor. It's your first trophy."
Her face clears.
And she grimly cracks her knuckles, smirking, "Alright then. Tell me what to do. I'll do my best not to puke."
She better not. Paya, not after killing a Hard Meat Queen on her own…
However, as I begin to instruct her, she does not shy away. She may be unused to this, but she appears to have no problem with following my instruction. I can't help but allow myself to be distracted, just by her, for a moment.
I have never met an ooman like her. Even her sister and her daughter are different from her in ways I cannot describe.
She is so small, especially in comparison to me. But she's stood by my side, when I would have expected any other to tremble in fear. And she has trembled in the face of danger, but she has not turned to run. Rosy has stood her ground, fought like one of my own kind against surmounting odds.
Briefly, I wonder about what her husband might have been like. It is easy to see why his heart was captured by her.
Harder thoughts penetrate. Even if she is accepted into my clan, she will need to be trained. Her, Lex, and Kanani will need to be educated. If they are not, then not even the fact that they are worthy of being considered equal with us will stop others from attacking them as ordinary prey.
I can feel my fists clench at the thought, a barely perceptible growl emanating from my chest. Rosy hears it and looks up at me with a glare, "Did I do something wrong?"
"No. It is not you."
"Why did you growl then?"
"I am just… thinking."
…
"Of?"
"Paya, it is not your concern." I growled, amazed once again at her pushy demeanor.
"It is now." She growled in return.
I do not understand her logic… wait… she's right. It does in fact concern her.
"In order to be accepted, into my clan, you and your sister and daughter will have to undergo training, as well as education. But that may not be enough to protect you from others who may look at you as prey."
I sense her displeasure, though it is not directed at me.
"Isn't there anywhere we can be safe from stupid fucking prejudice?" She growls with a harsh chuckle.
"No. Not in this life." I replied quietly, "But Rosy, whatever happens, I will stand by your side. And I will train you and your family myself, before I allow anyone to harm you. You have my word."
"But… why would you go through so much trouble for us?"
I chuckle.
"Because, by Paya, you may force me to regret it."
I can hear her own chuckle, behind her mask, as she chirps, "You bet I would, but really, why would you?"
"Because it is the honorable thing to do. And because you are my allies. Indeed, you are part of my family."
She seems to contemplate this before turning back to her skull, intoning in a quiet voice, "Can I ask you a favor?"
"What is it?"
"Teach me to fly this ship."
My first thought is, "Pauk no."
But then, as I reflect, I realize that, as much as I love my ship, it would be wise if she knew how to maneuver it.
Just in case.
But, first things first.
"After you finish the pauk-de skull."
"Aye, aye, Cap'n." I hear mirth in her tone and I have to fight the urge to chuckle with her. It is troubling, but I no longer feel as though I speak to a mere ooman. She is, indeed, a comrade and a true part of my clan. Therefore, I will do all I can to help prepare them for the inevitable fight ahead. For as much as these warriors have proven that they are worthy to keep their lives, there will be those in my species that will think very differently. And by Paya, I intend to hold my word and protect Rosy and her family.
8~8~8~8~8~8
(Scar POV)
Lex walks beside me, grim and quiet. I wonder what she is thinking. So much has happened, I feel speechless. But Lex solves me of my speechless state as she finally speaks, "Do you think Kemp will be alright?"
To this, I have an answer.
"He will heal."
"That's not what I meant."
Puzzled, I pause, tilting my head as I look down on her.
"I mean, do you think, he'll be alright with us. Living here. Possibly leaving earth."
Ah.
"I do not know. He has proven that he is honorable. But as to how he will react to surviving outside of his home world; Only time will tell."
Lex seems unsatisfied with this answer. And she seems tired. Worn out and hungry, as well as scratched and bruised.
"Why didn't you stay on the ship?" I finally question. The anger I had felt at seeing her disobedience was overridden by my worry for her. It tinges my words, and dissipates with her answer.
"We were worried. And Rosy was going berserk. I wasn't going to let her go by herself. I did that too many times when we were younger. It's a good thing too. You guys were in a pretty bad spot."
With a purr, I reach out and gently caress the back of her neck. "You are truly worthy of your mark."
She leans into my touch, moving till she's pressed against me.
A thought crosses my mind.
It will be some time before we reach our next destination.
R'ka does not need my assistance.
And the Ooman healer is settled in the infirmary. With a suppressed chuckle, I take Lex's hand and lead her to an empty room.
She waits patiently, a smile on her face as I tell her, "I want to make sure that you are uninjured. After all, you were in a battle as well as the rest of us."
Lex smirks as she takes off her mask, looking up at me with her large, twinkling eyes.
"Anything you say, Doc."
8~8~8~8~8
(Psycho POV)
"So, Psycho, what's your family like?"
The question is completely unexpected. I look down at Kanani quizzically, "Why the curiosity?"
"Well… I mean, I really like you. I, uh,… JUST ANSWER THE FUCKING QUESTION!" Kanani growls.
I growl in return, "You already know my brothers, Setg'in, and R'ka Thwei. Most of my other brothers are… unpleasant to be with."
"Really? Well, I guess the family resemblance doesn't run in the family." She mutters.
I don't understand this, and I don't even try as her tail accidentally brushes against me.
My intake of breath is involuntary, and I hear her mutter, "Oops, sorry."
I try to compose myself, but her scent has changed, from normal to aroused.
Not again.
However, I try to maintain a hold of myself as I gather my thoughts as best I can, "My family is large, even by Yautja standards, but most of my brothers are mean-tempered and dishonorable."
"Ah…" She murmurs, in a distracted tone. Her tail brushes against my leg again, this time higher, almost above my knee, and I growl as I rasp, "Don't… don't do that."
"Sorry!" she blurts.
I growl, unsure of whether it was intentional or accidental. Perhaps both.
I then strike out with a question of my own, "What of your family?"
"My father's dead, I never knew my grandparents on either side, my mom has no brothers, and Aunt Lex, and your brother are a hot item."
….
"What?"
"Don't make me explain it. Pretty much, my mom and my aunt are the only family I have. I don't know if my dad had relatives, but if he did, they don't know about me or mom."
"I see." I rumble quietly. I have to wonder if this is why she is so tough and vocal in her anger. She has little family, fewer friends it seems…
Suddenly, I feel as though a light has pierced my soul.
Am I one of her only friends?
The thought is haunting. Enticing even. I don't have to share her with anyone. She is mine.
With this thought comes a heat in my abdomen. She seems to notice that something's amiss and turns to look at me.
"Psycho? You alright?"
"I'm fine." I all but growl.
She hisses, "I hope so… Psycho, have you ever thought about settling down with one person?"
The question douses my arousal immediately as I'm reminded of Rosy's threat.
"Yes." I concede, "But not to any definite extent."
"Right… How does, uh, mating and stuff occur with you guys? And I'm not talking about the actual tango itself, I know how that works." She growls.
Well…
"Our culture is a matriarchy. The females choose their mates, when they are in heat. We males have to fight for our breeding rites. You cannot mate if you are a Young Blood and certainly not when you are an Unblooded."
"So, what does that make you?"
"I'm close to leaving my status as a NewBlood."
"What if… what if the female wanted you as a lifemate?"
"That has not happened before." I admit to her quietly.
She snorts, "Sheesh. Well, then again, humans don't really hold with the "One Partner For Life" thing either… so do the females ever have harems?"
"None that I know of, though that doesn't mean that they don't."
"What about R'ka? Does he have a mate?"
"He has had many mates in the past, though none of them were life mates."
"Uh… I'm afraid to ask… ok, how many kids does he have?"
"Over 50."
"Damn!" She hisses, "HE'S A FREAKIN' MACKDADDY!"
"What?"
"Nothing. Wow. I never would have known…" she trails off. And then, she asks something unexpected, "If I get accepted into your culture, does that mean I have authority over you?"
"As a female?" I consider for a moment before reluctantly conceding. "Yes."
I can feel her smugness and I add with a growl. "But R'ka will still have authority over you."
"Pfft. Not surprised. He's my mentor." She huffs.
My turn.
"Have you ever mated before?"
The question definitely catches her off guard.
It's some time before she answers.
"No. I had never met anyone who was worth my time. And most guys aren't interested in a 6-ft tall black girl who would probably crush them if they decided to take her for a ride anyways..."
…
I almost forgot. Ooman women grow to be smaller then their males.
"If you had been Yautja, you certainly would not have that problem."
"Huh?"
"Our females grow to be bigger then us."
There's another silence, and she goes completely still before turning around sharply to look at me. "ARE YOU FUCKING WITH ME?"
"No!" Though I would like to…
"HOW much bigger do they get?"
"Sometimes a full three heads taller then R'ka."
….
"HOLY MOTHERFUCKER!"
I chuckle, enjoying this conversation, which so far has been at her expense. But something changes as she turns and looks at me, right into my eyes, it seems, as she asks a final question.
"If I wanted you, would you have me? As a Lifemate?"
Before I can respond, she adds, in a very serious tone, "If you want time to think about it, I understand."
But my answer is already in my mouth. "I would."
She stares at me for a moment before turning back to the skull. It's done, and she smiles quietly.
"I'm holding you to that statement, Psycho. As soon as this is all over, you are mine."
I respond in the only appropriate manner; I smack her rump with my hand before turning and running.
I hear her shriek in anger and I know she's on my tail. With a chuckle, I race faster, enjoying this moment… and looking forward to the day I can claim her as my own.
8~8~8~8~8~8
(Kemp POV)
The darkness that surrounds me is almost suffocating. As I walk, a long dagger in hand that's not mine, I hear a low murmuring, a husky, woman's voice, whispering.
"Rescue me."
The voice echoes all around. The darkness grows lighter, revealing a lab I have never seen. There's something here that must be found, but for the life of me, I don't know what it is or how I know this.
All at once, a huge tube, full of liquid, comes into my view, from the mists. Inside is a human. A young woman, with a breathing apparatus tucked into her mouth. Her eyes are closed, and she's completely naked, tucked into a fetal position. I walk a little closer, wondering who she is and whether or not I left the Twilight Zone on again. The weird thing… is that she looks like she's related to Kanani, with some minor differences.
Kemp, you're losing your marbles here.
All at once, I'm blindsided. The most hideous creature I've ever seen is on top of me, clipping the hand that holds my only weapon. Its poisonous tail rises up over its head and then comes rushing down.
I wake up in a rush. My breath is harsh and I feel sweat trickle down my back, as my insides whirl inside me. What the hell was that all about?
Told you. You're losing your marbles.
Great. Just great. Next thing I know, I'll be stripping down to my knickers and playing a banjo.
With a groan, I sink back into the pallet. I don't feel like sleeping anymore.
8~8~8~8~8~8~8
(Rosy POV)
The flying lesson is… complex. Very complex. But I'm enjoying it so far. Spiky patiently explains the purposes of each button and each switch. This is the most advanced aircraft I've ever seen. All my experience shrivels in comparison. But I concentrate, wondering as he teaches me.
Suddenly, he takes the autopilot off and takes it manually, demonstrating what he has just gone through explaining. As I watch, it all clicks together and I quickly reach out.
"Let me try."
8~8~8~8~8~8
(Spiky POV)
So soon? I had not expected her to ask to try to fly my ship so soon. My first response is to growl, but I stifle it. She deserves more respect then that. Besides… I'm right here, what could go wrong?
True, but Kha'bj-te is also on your ship. ANY pauk-de thing could go wrong.
I take her hands and place them on the controls and then let go. She takes the controls and struggles for control, unused to the controls. As I lay my hands over hers, aiding her and keeping her from crashing my precious vehicle, slowly, she grows used to the controls. We move through the upper atmosphere of her planet, and I finally let her go.
Holy Paya… she's flying my ship. And not doing a bad job.
This could prove useful.
I cannot see her face, but her stance is poised and yet relaxed.
She's enjoying herself.
For the first time in a very long time, I feel a contentment I didn't know I lacked. There's something about this moment that makes me feel at peace.
"PSYCHO SO HELP ME I"MMA RIP YOUR DREADLOCKS OFF YOUR PRETTY HEAD AND USE THEM AS A FREAKIN JUMPROPE!"
So much for peace...
"I got this, Spiky. Go kick their butts for me, will you?" Rosy tells me quietly.
I make a decision and leave her in charge of my ship. For some reason, I'm not even worried about her competence. Right now, there's two pauk heads who need a sound barking at.
8~8~8~8~8~8
(Rosy POV)
This is incredible. As I grow used to the ship's technology, it's path of flight and my own hands on the controls, I feel this strange confidence grow inside me. Spiky left to go check on the kids, whom I guess couldn't stay out of trouble. I'm not worried about that right now. What I'm currently worried about at the moment are the two Air Force jets that just zoomed past us.
"SPIKY!"
Oh man... I thought I'd NEVER get this chapter up! I hope it satisfies, though I did leave off with a steep cliffhangar.
EVERYONE GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO KHALTHAR!
I would not have made it HALFWAY this far without his editorial powers and amazing ideas and inspiration. THANKS MAN!
SHOUT OUT!
LynxbyLynx: My friend, long time no see! Thanks so much for your review! I hope this chapter is satisfactory
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TO EVERYONE WHO HAS READ, REVIEWED, FAV'D ETC: THANKS SO MUCH! I'm sorry I was gone for so long, but I'm back! And... There's so many reviews, I hope I didn't miss anyone. If I did, I'm sorry, but YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. THANK YOU!