When they entered the room, Max found it to be very similar to an apartment, or a hotel room. The Bed was on the far side of the room, with a window that revealed the surrounding space to the right. A dresser was to the left of the bed. A couch was at the right the kitchen and table was in the same room. Two doors were on the left. One led to the Bathroom, the other to Nal'ca's trophy room. Max sat his bag on the wall next to the bed, and pulled out the contents of his bag. He laid his swords and daggers on the floor followed by his pistols, but he didn't have his rifle. Max saddened at the thought of having lost his rifle, until he turned to see Nal'ca holding his rifle out to him.

"Gat'tak grabbed this after you danced with the Hard Meat." She said in Yautja, now that Max could understand them thanks to the implant.

Max reached out to his beloved rifle, taking it gently from Nal'ca's hands, "Thank you." he said, the implant causing his speech to come out in Yautja rather than English. Setting the rifle down next to his pistols, he began to pull more out of his bag. Out came two 1-Liter water bottles, several clips of ammo; plus a box full, followed by a case of grenades and flash-bangs, a pack of smoke bombs, a dozen throwing knifes, a military knife, a compact camping saw, and finally his spare set of clothes. Nal'ca watched in awe, not just because of everything he carried, but the fact he could carry the bag and the rest of his equipment. Though the Ooman may focus on speed and tactics in battle, his strength was not to be underestimated.

"Hey, you have a shower in here correct?" Max asked, pulling off his bloody shirt revealing his bare chest to her.

Nal'ca gulped, she had never seen so many scars on a being before. How many fights has he been in? She thought before replying, "The first door, there is towels and a robe you can use for tonight."

"Thanks", Max replied, "Hey, you don't care if I undress here right? I grew up around nudity so I don't care, but I don't know if you would care."

"No." Nal'ca replied, thoughts swirling at what the Ooman had just said. She watched as he pulled down his torn and bloodied pants, followed by removing his undergarments. Nal'ca held a gasp when she saw his entire body. Every one of his muscles were well defined, toned from years of training and fighting. His chest and lower body were covered in scars. She could see the claw marks of a large feline that had raked its claws down his chest. Small slashes, like from small knifes, covered his entire abdomen and some ways up his sides and down his legs. Gunshot wounds were evident on his limbs and chest, as well as cuts from blades of varying degrees. Yet, somehow, the clan mark he had received from her father outshined all the scars around it. She could clearly see the clan mark.

Then her eyes floated down, and she caught a glimpse of his package. She quickly looked away, realizing that she had been staring at him. The quick glance was all she needed to see though-she felt herself get a little wet-before she reeled in her arousal. What surprised her was that he had hair above his member. However, Max caught the scent of her musk, even if only briefly. He found it to be a sweet smell, enjoyable, and it confirmed what he was thinking before. She did have an eye for him.

After Max took a well-deserved shower, Nal'ca convinced him to sleep in her bed and she would sleep on the couch. Max, threw on his spare set of boxers, and pulled over the covers as he watched Nal'ca grab a spare blanket, and a pillow from the bed.

"Goodnight Nal'ca." he said.

She took a moment to respond, "Goodnight."

Nal'ca was awakened in the middle of the night to find Max whimpering. She got off her couch to see Max curled up, the blanket thrown off him. He clutched his stomach as if he was in pain, as water flowed from his tightly shut eyes. Tears, Nal'ca remembered what Sya had called them, he's crying… and he's having a nightmare… Nal'ca realized. She reached her hand out to gently shake Max's shoulder to wake him. However, when she touched his shoulder she was suddenly transported out of her room. She felt weightless and wanted to take her hand off him, but her body refused to listen to her.

Her head looked up to see Max, naked and chained to a stand that held him up. There was another man with him. He wore all black and held a knife in his hand. He was walking around Max, who was staring at the ground, breathing heavily. Several cuts on his body were dripping blood onto the floor.

"All right Mr. Tanner." the man said, stopping in front of Max and lifting his head up so that they were staring at each other. Max's face was emotionless, his gaze unrelenting. "I will keep asking until you answer me." He dropped Max's head, then threw a punch into Max's gut, causing him to groan in pain as the air was ripped from his lungs. He spat blood onto the floor. "Where are your colleagues in your attempt to kill me?"

Max chuckled, "You are deaf. I already told you that I was the only one assigned to kill you. I have nothing else to say. Only a daft would attempt to mine metal from a depleted vein."

"As you wish." The man took his knife, and plunged the blade into Max's thighs, twisting the blade, causing Max to roar in pain. Suddenly Nal'ca felt a searing pain in her head.

Nal'ca ripped her hand away, and she was immediately back in her room. She moved so she sat on the other side of the bed. What was that? She thought. Her mind floated to what Max had said in the Medical room. That he had a telepathic ability. Was that one of his memories? Was that the nightmare he was having? Then she noticed that he wasn't whimpering. He was still sweating and holding his chest, but as soon as she got near, he started to calm.

Realizing that her presence was calming him, she decided to help him. She laid down beside him, her chest almost pressed against his back, and then she embraced him. Once again, she felt herself fall, before she saw Max, standing to the side of a horrific car accident. There was a child, holding the head of what appeared to be his mother. Tears flowed from the child as he snuffled.

"Mom?" the child snuffled.

"Max…" the women gasped, she had been cut at her stomach, her inside threating to spill as she bled profusely. "I love you Max. We… all loved you."

The women coughed, blood spurting from her mouth, before a bubble of her blood formed in her mouth, and she died. The child Max looked around him at the bodies around him. His father and sisters… Nal'ca somehow knew them to be his family. They were all brutally killed, while Max was unfairly left unharmed from the accident. He wasn't physically killed, but emotionally destroyed. He still looked like he was a pup, not eight seasons old.

"Nal'ca?"

The image swirled at the sound of Max's voice, and suddenly she was on the bed again, embracing Max. He had awoken, sensing her in his dreams. She realized that he had pushed himself so his back was against her chest, his head just underneath her mandibles. She felt how warm he was, her sleeping wear consisting only of a bra and a soft loincloth to cover her 'lady parts'. She could feel his soft skin against his chest, his warmth spreading throughout her body.

"How much did you see?" Max asked sighing, knowing that she had accidently entered his mind as the nightmares attacked his sleep. They came every night, torturing him, reminding him of who he was, what he had to go through. Why he could never have a normal life as a human.

"I saw enough…" Nal'ca replied gently squeezing the hug she had him in. "I'm sorry I intruded like that. I saw you having a nightmare and I-"

"No", Max interrupted, "I never warned you, it's not your fault. Besides, your presence ended the torment."

"Do you see those memories every night?"

"You only got a taste of the horrors I have gone through." Max replied, "Thank you, for laying here with me… Please stay." Max was afraid she would walk away because of what she'd seen, afraid that he had inadvertently hurt her.

"I wasn't planning on it." Nal'ca replied.

Max turned his body so he faced her, their chests touching as he looked to her. "Thank you." he said before sleep consumed them both. It was the first time, in a long time, that he fell asleep with no nightmares.

Max woke up to a Yautja in his embrace, covered by a warm pelt on a soft bed. Max remembered what happened last night, how Nal'ca calmed the raging nightmares, though she caught a glimpse of his past before he sensed her presence. He felt Nal'ca slightly shuffle in his arms, he smiled.

"Good morning." Max said.

"Good Morning." Nal'ca replied, purring as she rubbed her back against Max's chest. The two warriors sat up, both stopping at the end of the bed. Wanting to say something to the other, but not knowing what to say. Max looked up to the Yautja, seeing her face, falling deep into her sapphire eyes.

"Ummm…" Max said, "Thanks, for what you did for me last night."

"Of course," she replied nudging him with her shoulder, causing him to giggle. She smiled, a thought came across her mind, and she decided to make a move. She laid her head on his shoulder, and purred.

Max felt her purr, a deep rumbling from her throat, when she laid her head on his shoulder. The vibration calmed him, made him feel warm. He reached his arm behind her to wrap her shoulder. He found it funny how this alien warrior, who was bigger than him, could be so kind and… and so beautiful. He found himself lost in her curves, how her body was, how lethal a weapon she was. Then he realized he had fought beside her, but longed to spar her.

"Hey Nal'ca?" Nal'ca, rubs her head against his neck at his voice.

"Yes Max?" She purred.

"There is a training hall on this ship, right?"

"Correct" Nal'ca replied, her interest sparked.

"Will you spar me?" Max asked. Nal'ca's purring rose a pitch, excitement present on her mind.

"I would love to."

With that, Max gave her a hug before walking over to his bag to throw on his clothes. He put on a pair of lightweight, black sport pants, followed by a dark red T-shirt. He turned to see that Nal'ca had also changed. She wore a leather bra and a new loincloth. She also had a belt strapped to her chest and waist, with some plates of light leather armor on her body. Armor made for speed, that once again left enough bare for one to create fantasies.

Max threw in his last bit of clothing, a black Trenchcoat, and then his boots. This was an outfit he would often wear on infiltration missions. He put his sword in his sheath on his belt, while taking two of his combat knifes and placing them in the special made pockets of his Trenchcoat. Max loved the fabric of the coat. Mostly because it was more than a normal Trenchcoat. The material was made from the skin of a reptile. The armor was strong enough to protect him from a grenade, gunfire, or a blade. And he could safely hide many of his favorite weapons underneath. Max quickly selected some weapons to take with him, and was about to walk out the door with Nal'ca when it opened before she could open it.

In the doorway stood Kulem'te, with Sya behind him. Max yelped in surprise before quickly returning to an emotionless state, and spoke, "Good morning Lord Kulem'te."

The Yautja seemed surprised for a moment at Max's greeting. "Are you not angry at me?"

Max laughed at his question, causing Sya and Nal'ca to look at each other quizzingly.

"Why would I be angry with one who's sorrow for is action is clearly plastered on his face?" Max asked in return, the confusion ever more present on all their faces. "I have had more than enough people leave me to die, but you are the only one of the traitorous bunch that has felt sorrow afterwards. I could see it on your face when we arrived."

Kulem'te looked down in shock, surprised at how quickly this Ooman had forgiven him. What else has he gone through that compelled him to say that? He thought, not knowing that Max was listening in on his mind.

"Trust me", Max stated, "You don't want to know everything I have gone through."

Sya then spoke up, "Well, since that went easier than expected…. We came here to inform you of your new life here. As you know, Nal'ca will be the sain'ja that you will be bedding with since we have no open rooms for you. I will be your tutor in learning our language, culture, among other subjects. We hope that you can learn our language and speak it without the use of a chip. We can modify your vocal folds to allow for the clicks needed for our language. However, we believe it would be easier and safer for you to learn the language on your own."

"We are also hoping that you and Nal'ca will share evening meal with the Arbitrators and myself to sort out anything else. We also hope that you can meet the smith to figure out armor, devices, clothes, and anything else you need to have made." Kulem'te added.

"So you are actually giving me a new life on this ship?" Max asked.

"Yes." Nal'ca said, laying one of her hands on his shoulder.

Max's mind instantly turned into deep thought. To no longer live with humanity. Can I actually leave them behind. His mind then went to how he was raised. His mistreatment, becoming a loner, being experimented on. Torture, losing Hera and Jack. This is a chance for me to start over again, maybe even live a happy life among these hunters. I don't have anything to go back to anyway.

"Then I accept", Max said nodding. Nal'ca let out a breath she did not realize she was holding. She was confused why she was holding her breath. Max then turned to Nal'ca, "I'm still ready for that sparring match Nal'ca…"

Nal'ca grinned at the thought, she wouldn't back down from any challenge, and this Ooman was going to bite of more than he can chew. Nal'ca then walked out past her father and Sya, "Then you can follow me to the Kehrite soft meat, and we'll see if you can actually fight."

Max growled at being called soft, but followed anyway. Kulem'te and Sya decided they didn't have anything better to do beforehand, and thus decided to go watch the two sain'ja fight.

Max, Nal'ca, Sya and Kulem'te all walked to the lift, which took them straight to the training halls. On the way, Sya explained how the floors of the ship worked. Max learned how this is one of the three motherships that the clan controlled. This ship, named the Void Cutter, was the main clan hunting ship. It is the ship where the clan leader would be when not on Yautja Prime. An Entire floor was dedicated to training halls. Another floor consisted of housings, cafeteria, and 'free halls', which were like a bar, many just a place to hang out. Max then learned that there were no other females on this ship other than Nal'ca, she was on as a huntress. The other Yautja females were on the clan mothership or Yautja Prime.

The fact that women were trained to fight, but most not being able to become a sain'ja was confusing to Max, but he decided he'd ask Sya when he was teaching him.

Max was also informed on their ride that he would also visit the smith, Ack'se, after the sparring match. Max was told how it wouldn't take long before he would be challenged by another sain'ja, and that he needed new equipment. He needed his own 'Awu'asa', battle armor and gear. But he opted to talk about that when he meets Ack'se, so that he can talk to him about some specifics he would want on his armor.

They briefly spoke about what is to happen to Max as well, since he is the first Ooman to be accepted as a blooded sain'ja. Max would be joining the hunts and would live as a sain'ja. He would also be able to take up a mate if a female was willing to be his mate. Max noticed that Nal'ca seemed to move ever so slightly at that though. Making Max wonder if she what she was thinking about when her father had said that, but decided to ignore it. Sya also spoke about how he would have to stand in front of the Elders of the clan. Since Max is Ooman, or at least was before he was given the enhancements, he would have to prove that he is just as strong as a warrior as a Yautja.

Kulem'te and Sya both agreed that they believe Max is more than a good enough warrior from what they saw on Earth. However, Max didn't have a choice, he had to be presented to them. Max was also told that he would be given a Yautja name if the Clan council accepted him.

Max took some time to see what the Yautjas were wearing. Nal'ca had the armor she had yesterday on, probably for the sparing match, while Sya and Kulem'te both wore robe-like cloths that hung from one shoulder, reminding Max of the robes that the Greeks would wear.

When they finally reached their destination, they walked out into a hallway, and turned toward a door on the right. Opening it, the group walked out to see two Yautja in a pit sparring already. Nal'ca told Max it was best to wait for their match to end then they can jump in. Max stood on the raised floor that encircled the pit with Nal'ca. He watched the two fight, and could see that one Yautja clearly outmatched the other, and was toying with his opponent.

"That unblood needs to be taught a lesson." Sya growled, as he watched the fight.

Max looked at Sya quizzingly and he explained, "Both those Yautja are unblooded, they having not gone through a chiva. The one that winning is named Kaitu, he is the son of one of the Elders, and because of his father, he believes he can do whatever. He's an arrogant C'jit that prefers nothing but to toy with others he thinks are below him. I'm about sick of him and his 'friends'. He is a natural sain'ja, but has no sense of Yin'tekai, honor."

"He also believes that because of his father, every woman wants him." Nal'ca growled, "he's lucky I didn't castrate him when I had the chance." Max tightened his fist, the fact that he attempted to force himself upon a woman, any woman, especially Nal'ca, gave Max the right to dislike him.

Max turned back to watch the fight, and realized that Sya was right. This Kaitu, was toying with his opponent like a cat toying with a mouse. His opponent looked like it was one of his first time's sparring, and Kaitu was taking advantage of it. Hitting his opponent repeatedly, but not enough to take him out of the fight, allowing Kaitu to continue his merciless beating. Anger began to rise in Max as he watched this monster basically torture this poor boy. The young warrior attempted to block a strike from Kaitu, but was too weak to defend and Kaitu pushed straight threw. He knocked his opponent to the ground, and held his spear against the younger warrior's neck. Finally, Max was sick of sitting here, doing nothing, and stood up, walking toward the edge of the pit.

"ENOUGH!" Max bellowed, causing both warriors to look up at him. Max jumped down, not making a sound as he landed on his feet. Kaitu glared at Max, then spoke, "What is this prey doing here? Get out before I skin you and hang you in my trophy room."

"Sorry", Max replied, "the only person that will be skinned here, is you. Unless you let go of the young sain'ja, and start fighting sain'ja that can actually fight you." The young sain'ja looked at Max surprised at what he said, while Kaitu laughed, not moving his spear, nor the foot on his opponent's chest.

"Or what? You are nothing but a Zabin, an insect." Kaitu replied, stepping off the young warrior who scrambled out of the pit, "You don't even deserve the attention I am giving you right now Ooman. You know nothing of warrior-ship."

Max continued his death-stare, his pupils narrowed, "Then prove it! Fight me, and we'll see how long you last. I'll even make it easier for you. You can pick what weapon who want me to use."

"You are not worth my time."

"What?" Max asked, "too scared to fight me? Afraid that this petty Ooman will end your 'winning streak'?" Max said sarcastically. He had delved into Kaitu's mind, and saw how he didn't want to fight him. Kaitu had seen the recording of Max fighting, but he didn't want to admit that he was the better warrior. 'Beginners luck', was the word Kaitu had used to explain Max's skill in fighting the Xenomorphs.

Although he couldn't see it, Max could tell that Nal'ca, Sya, and Kulem'te were smiling behind him. Kaitu was about to say something, but Nal'ca spoke before he could.

"Come on Kaitu. You speak of your prowess in battle. If this Ooman is so weak, show us!"

Kaitu growled, then turned to the wall of weapons behind him. He grabbed a small handle and threw it at Max as hard as possible, attempting to hit him. Max caught it without so much as a flinch, continuing his stare at Kaitu. He then looked at it, and pressed the release, causing the handle to shoot out it's ends to form a staff, just the right size for Max. Max inspected the weapon before pressing the same mechanism and the staff collapsed back into a handle. Max then placed it into a pocket on the inside of his trench-coat, looking back up to his opponent.

"This worm does not wish to use the weapon I gave him?" Kaitu asked.

"No", Max replied, taking a fighting stance, slightly bouncing with hands up and out, "I'll use it when I decided that you've learned your lesson. Then I'll end the fight quickly with it."

Kuita growled at the insult, raised his spear, and pounced. Max simply slid to the right, throwing his left leg up and nailing Kuita in the chest. Kuita held his stomach, surprised at how quickly Max had retaliated. Max took the opening, throwing two punches to the stomach, followed by nailing Kuita's cheek with his elbow, causing him to stumble back. Max then followed by a round-house to the same cheek, and spinning to throw a back kick, his heel digging into the space between Kuita's ribs. Kuita stepped back, attempting to take in air after it was knocked out of his lungs by Max's strikes. Max had moved so fast that Kuita was barely able to register Max's movements, his senses not yet honed enough.

Kuita looked up to see Max in his fighting stance, lightly bouncing. Nal'ca, Sya, and Kulem'te were watching, smiling as Max taught the arrogant Yautja a lesson. Several other Yautja were watching, blooded and unblooded alike. They all had seen the recording of him fighting the Hard Meats, but to see his abilities in real life were astounding never-the-less. The Yautja that Kuita was fighting before sat in the audience with two other Yautja, his friends. He watched Max intently, but Max was to focused to notice. Kuita growled at the embarrassment and stood up, anger boiling in him. Then he did exactly what Max expected, and wanted him to do. He gave into his rage and wildly attempted to strike Max.

Strike after strike was thrown by the Yautja, trying to impale Max with his spear, but Max danced around his spear. His torso leading while his legs and feet followed. Max didn't strike back, instead continued to move around each strike, which only cause Kuita's anger to build and build till it threatened to explode like a nuclear weapon.

"Come on Kuita!" Max taunted, "I thought you were a sain'ja! Not so easy when you're attacking someone who can fight back is it?"

Kuita roared, flaring his mandible before swiping his spear at Max's legs. Max quickly grabbed his staff, extending it as he hopped over the spear. He pushed the end of the spear with one end of his staff, redirecting it in a big arc that caused Kuita to lose his grip on the spear. It flew out of his hands, but before Kuita could realize that he had been disarmed, Max swept his legs with his staff, causing the Yautja to go flat like a table-top in mid-air. Before gravity could pull Kuita down, Max followed with bringing the end around to smash it against Kuita's chest. The momentum that Max had built up as he dodged Kuita's strikes caused the smash to hit with such force that Kuita's impact with the metal floor dented it.

Max swung his staff so an end was at Kuita's neck. Max smiled in triumph as he said, "Not so weak, am I?" Max then decided to get a little revenge for the names the Yautja had called him. He swung the other end of the staff in a wide arc, nailing Kuita's groin, causing the Yautja to scream in pain as he rolled on his side and brought both hands to his crotch. Max leaned down so his face was right in front of Kuita's as he groaned in pain.

"Next time…", Max growled, "be a little more respectful when you speak to me." He then stood up straight, and kicked Kuita in the gut for good measure. "If I find you torturing young warriors like I found you doing, I will make sure the punishment will be MUCH more painful."

Max watched as the Yautja barely managed to get to his feet, wobbling over to the ladder and needing his 'friends' help to get out of the arena. He then heard Nal'ca jump in and he turned to face her, collapsing the staff, and hooking it on his waist. "I like this staff." He said

"Then you can keep it for all I care." Nal'ca replied before extending her wrist-blades. "Shall we begin? I've been waiting…"

Max smiled as he turned, "It would be my pleasure." he replied before pulling off his trench coat and throwing it to the side, revealing what was hidden underneath. His katana hung from his left hip, with the shoto sword just underneath. On his right hip hung the staff he had just used, with two knifes sheathed just below. A pistol hanged holstered on his right hip, and 6 small throwing knifes adorned his sides, three on each side. Gasped could be heard from the crowd when the saw the armory he was carrying on his person.

Nal'ca grunted as she took her chance, preparing for the fight, "You ever think you are carrying too much?" she asked.

"HA!" Max chuckled, "Usually I have a rifle and another pistol on me as well! I'm not even wearing my armor!" Max equipped both of his daggers, holding them in a reversed grip, and charged forward. Leaping in the air and attempting to slash at Nal'ca, but she managed to bring both of her blades up in time to block. Max used his momentum to make the clash of their blades a pivot point for him to flip over her. He then began to move, never staying in one spot, weaving around her strikes while attempting to strike at her.

However, surprisingly she managed to also weave around his attacks, moving like him. Max noticed that she wasn't exactly able to adopt his style, but she was close enough. The fact that she was so close to copying Max's style surprised him, mainly because the Yautja were naturally bigger than him, and the females just a little bigger than the males. Her size did indeed limit her abilities, but she was still more than capable at speed. Their blades locked together, and both stared at each other breathing hard as they pushed against each other. Max surprised everyone with his ability to hold his own against Nal'ca, most male's strength had a hard time matching a female. Max had the advantage of a good stance, and his enhancements, using his body to bolster he already powerful strength.

"I have to admit", Max chuckled as he continued to push against her, "your ability to adopt my preferred style amazes me." Nal'ca smiled at those words, knowing full well she had caught him off guard with her abilities. Max looked straight into her eyes, "But I am a master of many forms!" He then twisted the blade-lock, pushing it to the side. Max quickly sheathed his daggers and pulled out his Katana, holding the Katana with both hands and attempting to chop at Nal'ca.

Nal'ca quickly recovered and returned to her onslaught, attempting to strike at Max. Max was on the defensive, but he held a stonewall defense. Parrying her strikes and redirecting them, using the minimalist defensive style he was taught. His blades were but an extension, the movements nothing more than a blur as he defended against each strike she threw at him. Nal'ca couldn't find any hole in his wall of defense to break through, no chink in the armor. The audience, which had grown a substantial number when people started hearing about the sparing match, were amazed at how quickly Max had changed his tactics, how quickly he adapted to the fight.

However, he wasn't the only one who could adapt. Before Max could react, Nal'ca has pulled out her combi-stix, her spear, and managed to lock it with Max's blade. Nal'ca had the advantage of leverage, and pushed past Max, knocking his sword aside, but Max managed use the hilt of his blade to catch Nal'ca's spear. With neither warrior holding a weapon, Max retorted to his fists, throwing two punches to Nal'ca's gut, who kicked his chest in retaliation. Max bent over from the force of the kick, but Nal'ca threw her body into Max. Max flew backwards, nailing the wall behind him and falling to his knees. His ears ringing from the force of the impact.

Nal'ca stood over Max, smiling down at her opponent in victory. "Give up yet sain'ja?"

Max laughed, wiping the blood off his lips with his hands. He sprang up, bringing a knee up and shoving it into Nal'ca's chest, causing her to fall backwards from the force and weight of Max. Max landed on top of her, with one knife at her neck. Nal'ca couldn't believe it, Max had beaten her. Max stared into her eyes, then started to laugh before rolling off her and lying beside her on his back.

Note: Happy New Year everyone! So glad to finally say goodbye to 2016.

To BBWulf and I Write Reviews Not Fanfics: Thank you for your comments. I will admit I have kinda forced the beginning of this story and I will work to avoid that in future stories and chapters. Constructive Criticism is always appreciated.

And to every else who has commented on my story, thank you for your appreciation! I'm happy many of you are enjoying my work.