4

Nrach'var could not contain his laughter. In fact it echoed through their camp making Kwei-kv'var wince.

"Do you really have to laugh like a female?" Kwei-kv'var stood with his arms crossed glaring at Nracha'var. He had just told him that his brother had an adopted son and Nracha'var seemed to think it was a very well played joke.

"Come now hunt brother, you cannot be serious. The cursed one who cannot breed, who doesn't even have a mate took in someone else's throw away bastard!" He broke into more laughter. "You cannot tell me you do not see the humor." He leaned in. "Tell me, just what does he plan for such a pup." He flashed his visor. "Catch a female?" He broke into more laughter.

"ENOUGH!" Kwei-kv'var had enough and with his outburst Nracha-var silenced and growled warningly at his hunt brother, the sound slightly amplified by his biomask that reminded Kwei-kv'var of their own skulls.

"Remember I can best you hunt brother, or have you forgotten the days of our chiva? Nracha'var was a solid inch taller and at least 60 pounds heavier with a wider frame. Kwei-kv'var knew he physically could not best his hunt brother, and subtlety bowed his head.

"Nracha'var, I do not know what my Mei'hswei has planned for his new protégé', but if he chooses to bring a young pup into the folds of the Arbitrators, then who are we to question what he does?"

Nracha'var waved off his hunt brother, "Whatever. You know damn well that in our ranks your blood twin would have been cast out long ago for his imperfection." Kwei-kv'var could feel a shift in his attitude. "But as an Arbitrator he is ranked highest! The council should cleanse the clan and bring it back to what it was established for." He huffed, narrowing his eyes at his hunt brother and for a moment seemed lost in his own thoughts before stalking off towards his tent.

Kwei-kv'var watched Nracha'var storm off, wondering if the council was really going to authorize the Marauder promotion, with his growing instability Nracha'var reminded him of a ticking time bomb ready to blow at any moment. His hunt brother was becoming increasingly vocal in his disapproval of the Arbitrators and even more so when Thar'n-thwei gained title of chief with a clan ship at his beck and call. One thing Nracha'var seemed to forget was the Arbitrators where established with intent to be neutral in their ranking systems in order to keep the peace amongst the rest of the clans. They answered solely to the council of Elders while the rest of society answered solely to them with little to no contact from the council directly.

Taking a moment to site in his shoulder mounted cannon, he tapped the saber tipped ends of his mandibles together in thought. His biomask was terribly restrictive and he ached to remove it, but this planet had an un-breathable atmosphere of carbon monoxide and helium. But what it lacked in air it gained in trophy worthy animals, in fact this planet was abundant in than'syras. He glanced at the fanged skull he had just cleaned an hour ago. A large male, a worthy opponent and a good kill.

Kwei-kv'var checked his gauntlet and a small timer was counting down his launch deadline to Delta. Before Nracha'var had rendezvoused with him at this hunting site he had had a chance to review the cube his brother had given him. Delta, was a planet few knew about and those that did know of its existence cared little for the lifeless planet... yet the Oomans had healed it. Intriguing thought that such a young species could accomplish such a feat, and to top it off living peacefully with Yautja Scientists even holding relations with each other. He rumbled low in his chest disapproving of thought. He understood why hi s brother had expressed deep concern against Nrach'var finding out about his next mission. If he even gained a hint of Yautjas and Oomans breeding he would kill the entire settlement. Nracha'var hated Oomans almost to an unnatural level. Kwei'kv'var-de was indifferent, they could be fun to hunt but ever since they took to space there was an unspoken agreement to not actively hunt them anymore. Now if one killed a Yautja, justice and honor demanded the Ooman die, but that was an entirely different scenario that was rare.

The following morning when Nracha'var received the news from the council that he had earned a Marauder and a crew of his choosing for a hunting scout mission in the omega quadrant he proudly announced his promotion to his hunt brother after their hunt. Kwei-kv'var had responded respectfully, but something in his demeanor however subtle it was gave Nracha'var the impression that his hunt brother expected the news. Curious... but then again his blood twin was the clan chief to the Arbitrators so maybe he had already been told and because it's not his place to relay the council's buisness... no there was more... Nracha'var shook off the paranoid thoughts. Whatever his hunt brother was hiding, he truthfully didn't care. He was getting his own Marouder and his own crew.

"So you are going to join my crew, right?" he pointedly asked Kwei-kv'var.

"I regret that I must decline. I received a summons from the Arbitrators again, I am to report shortly."

"A second summons in under a month... Your twin cannot do anything without you, can he? Perhaps you should unseat him as chief." Nracha'var growled at his hunt brother. He felt again that there was something more behind Kwei-kv'var's spoken words. The feeling was pissing him off. He hated to be lied to. He took a steadying inhale. "Well perhaps you will join me later then once the Arbitrator Chief is done with you." his voice sounded like a snarl.

Kwei-kv'var made note of Nracha'var's tone and schooled his own voice to remain neutral. "Perhaps I shall, it would be a good hunt. But you know I favor my solo hunts, so for now; many successful hunts brother."

They parted ways without much ceremony.

xxxXxxx