Chapter 7

"What time is it?" Kim tumbled out of bed and crawled to the bathroom. She came back more alert and dressed in black combat trousers an a black tank top that didn't cover her stomach or her cleavage. She didn't even have time to put her hair back into a bobble as the door unlocked. Determined to get out she left her jumper that she was going to put ontop of her small top and ran out of her room. the door shut behind her and she heard it lock. "Damn General Snide! I will have to have words with him!" wearing her usual scowl she went to breakfast and her routine bowl of muesli, and to her station. Once there she saw the man she wanted to see. "General I want to have a word about...what happened to you?" Just as she had begun to talk the general had turned to face her, and she saw three claw marks run all down the left side of his face and down his neck.

"I got into a fight. Nothing more."

"Are you sure?"

"YES Kimberly!"

"Sorry sir."

"No problem. There was just an incident this morning that needed my attention. Incidentally Dom, Joe and Brad have been relieved of their duty until further notice. You will be working alone today and probably for the rest of this week and the next."

"Are they injured sir?"

"Yes. But they will live."

"What could have happened that needed you and the marines to handle, and get injured?"

"Just a little spat. Nothing more. Now no more questions and on with your duties."

"Yes sir. Will I be here all day sir?"

"Yes Kimberly. Now get to it and here are the keys." Kimberly caught the keys in mid air.

"Keys sir?"

"They are for the cell doors. You are now entrusted with them and should have your own set soon. They belong to Brad but he won't be using them, so you have them. Good day." The General left and Kim sat in the large seat.

She wasn't stupid. A 'little spat' wouldn't have put claw marks down the general's face like he had been attacked by a large animal. And if her instincts were right, the animal was an Xenomorph. There had been a meteor crash land in the Antarctic with more then one Queen on it. one had stayed frozen and must be the one that Snide had captured but the others had defiantly escaped and made their own nests. There became an epidemic of Xenomorph nests springing up all over the globe and the Governments of the world along with all the richest men in the world had gathered in one room and planned how to kill them off before the planet was over run. They managed to kill off most of them with nuclear weapons and even an atom bomb once. But some of the governments, especially America and Japan had taken 'experimental' drones that were actually maturing Queens and made their own, controlled nest. Kim knew of the rumours of this but never thought she would ever end up working for one of the sneaky bastards that wanted to play God! And they were also keeping other alien life forms in cages. Maybe they were experimenting on Katel and Maktel too. Maybe they were just more lab rats for General snide to play about with. After all, she had heard him say he wanted Brad to beat the crap out of them, just to see how fast they heal. That is it! no one was around! She could go in there and heal them, even talk to them again and no one would know. All she needed to do was turn off the computer screen and open the door.

Kim walked over to the screens and saw that the two hunters were sleeping. She looked at the controls around the screens, looking for which ever button would release the chains. Frustrated at the lack of labels she growled and brought both fists down on the panel, smirking as the chains fell to the ground. She cringed as the sleeping hunters fell to the ground.

"I am guessing they will not be in a happy mood then." She went to the wall and was pleased to see a high tech medical kit. She pulled it free from the shelf and opened the door, turning off the computer screens as she went.

The door creaked open and shut behind her. She placed the box on the floor and ran to Katel. She turned him onto his back and looked down to see him doing something odd. His upper right mandible clicked against his lower one and she could have sworn he was smirking beneath them. She didn't get much more of a chance to ponder on it a she was grabbed by her upper arms and thrown onto her back. Maktel ran to her side and pinned her left arm and left leg while Katel did the same in her right. "Hey! Let me go right this instant! Let me GO!" she thrashed about, trying to get free but failed miserably. "LET. ME. GO!" she arched her back and tried to push up from the ground, no noticing Katel watch her breasts as they rose from the ground. She did however see Maktel make a clattering sound at Katel and receive a punch in the face. This was a mistake as in punching his older brother, he had let go of Kim's right arm. She pulled up and punched him square in the face. He stumbled backwards and she brought her now free right leg up, booting Maktel straight in the gut. He rolled back too and she got to her feet, stood in a low stance, ready for a fight! She watched as the two hunters surrounded her. Katel on her left, Maktel on her right. She faked right and made Katel come at her; she ducked back to the left and booted him in the gut. He pulled back and ran at her, mandibles flared and hissing madly. She forgot about Maktel and ran at Katel. They met and collided with a smack as Kim used her small size to her advantage and ducked under his incoming fist. She jumped up, now past his defences and brought her right hook up, square in the chin. He stumbled backwards and she didn't relent. She crouched on all fours and brought her leg round, sweeping his feet from under him. He landed on his back with a thud. She clambered ontop of him only to be back handed in the face, sending her cascading backwards. This time she landed on her back and he did the clambering. He laid on her and brought a fist to her face, busting her lip. She growled loudly and smacked him across the face. She tried to hit him again only for her hand to be caught by the wrist. He brought his fist straight down; she blocked it and held his wrist. "Care for a trade Mr Jumpy?" he flared his mandibles it the name and tried to over power her. He won and brought his first from her grasp and punched her in the nose. He pulled hi fist back and looked to see red blood on it. Her nose was bleeding but she didn't cry. Instead she brought her legs up and hooked them under his arms and around his neck. Quite alarmed he froze and she used this to her advantage. She twisted her body and popped her hips, throwing them both over so he was on his back and she was sat on him. She put her hands on his chest and moved herself out of the rather inappropriate position only to straddle him. Katel reached up and wrapped both of his huge hands around her throat, restricting her air. "Just because...I am...smaller." she brought her hands to his wrists, trying to loosen his grip. "Doesn't...mean...I am...weaker." she screamed loudly and pulled at his wrists with all her might. His eyes opened wide as she actually pulled his hands away from her throat. Holding them away from her she panted and refilled her lungs with air. "I never give up. Not even when my foe is bigger than me. So basically, you are no exception!" she stopped to get her breath back and continued. "Now look. You said you can understand me so listen. I came in here to help you and your wounds. That box behind me is a medical kit and I want to dress your wounds properly alright? So don't attack me when I am here to help you or I might just bite back! Alright!" she received a hissing growl and let him go. She got to her feet and looked to see that Maktel was stood against the wall. He had been watching the entire thing and found it all quiet amusing. They had pinned her to check she didn't have any tracers on her and was about to let her go when she punched Katel and booted him. He knew it had been a misunderstanding to their intentions but he loved that his brother had wanted to take it to her. Really Katel had been testing her, to see if she was worthy of training if they took her with them and from the sour look on Katel's face, she had proven herself worthy. To Katel's dismay. Before they had gone to sleep later that night He had managed to make Katel promise to test Kim. If she passed then Katel would have no excuse not to take her with him and couldn't refuse to take her of she proved herself. Which she had so now he had to take her with him.

Maktel watched as Kim opened the Med-Kit, mumbling about ungrateful son of a bitches and ouch my bloody nose.

She brought the box over to the still sitting Katel and took out some strange looking items.

"Hey, Mr Jumpy, I need for you to give me your arms please and please for Gods sake." She reached forwards and pulled his arms in front of him. "Stop sulking as we both know you didn't go all out on me. besides, you look like a big baby when you sulk." Katel looked away from her and to Maktel. He hissed when a cold compress was applied to his right arm.

"She is right you know. You were sulking. But not about her beating you."

"Stupid Ooman female! Now I have to take her with me by my honour or be known as bad blood that lies. Damn you Maktel!"

"Please, you will like her. I can tell you already do."

"Do not!"

"Do to."

"Do not!"

"Do to!"

"MY GOD! I can't understand a damn word you two are saying and I know you are bickering like children. Grow up! You in the corner who just stood back like a pussy and enjoyed the show, stop mocking and rubbing Katel up the wrong way. He punched you last time, and you! Katel! Don't be such an up tight bastard and don't let him get to you! I swear you two are related. Are you?" Katel nodded. "Well just be nice for Gods sake! I mean if you can't be nice to the one who cares for you; you are pretty screwed in life now aren't you?"

Kim smirked as they had both gone silent. Maktel opened the box and Kim saw him take out the exact items she had. "Am I to assume you will dress your own wounds?" Maktel nodded and sat in the corner, tending to his injuries. "As for you. Other arm, now." Katel hissed and shoved his other arm at her. She took out the antiseptic cream and took her time, oozing in onto his arm and smoothing it gently.

"So. That black fiery mark on your chest." She pointed to it and he looked down. "Is that a birthmark?" He nodded and looked away. "Please look at me. I have something important to tell you." Katel looked back to Kim and she smiled at him. He didn't know why but that smile seemed to just go through him, in a pleasant way. It was either that or the loving circular movements she made on his arms as she smoothed the cream on his arm. Maybe both but something she was doing made him smile back. His mandibles relaxed and his lower set rested against his upper tusks. She saw the improvement in his mood and smiled even more. "Nice to see you're not angry at me anymore. I think you are smiling. I like it." she blushed and looked back to his arm. He noted the blush and smiled.

Is this ooman female...attracted to me?

"There is a Queen. In the lower levels. I think they are holding her in the basement. Whether or not she is still there I don't know. There was an incident this morning and my superior has claw marks on his face, like an Xenomorph has had its way with him. She was dying the last time I checked though and will not recover." She squeezed more cream onto her hand and looked for another injury. She saw his wrists were badly swollen, probably from thrashing around in his chains. "Your hands?" He lifted on hand and she shifted closer to him, resting his hand on her knee. She rubbed the cream between her hands and began to massage it into his skin. "I erm. Well I don't think it is right that you are being kept here." Katel looked up. Is this ooman about to say she will help us?

"And well if there is anything I can do. I know you can't tell me but I will try to help if you describe it to me." He crawled towards her, onto his knees. She did the same and looked at him, focused.

"Maktel. What should I ask her to bring us?"

"Remember that translator I told you about. It is in my belt. They took it somewhere. Just tell her to get that and then we can just tell her what to do next. Good look in playing charades."

"Pauk-de!"

"You two wouldn't be arguing again, would you?" Katel looked back to Kim and took a deep breath. Ok, this wouldn't be hard. All he had to do was tell her to get Maktel's belt and bring the translator device. The device itself looked like a smooth pebble with buttons that slotted into a hunter's wrist armour. All he had to do was describe it.

Katel opened his eyes and began. He made a small ball, like he was cupping something.

"Is it, small?" he nodded. He rubbed his hands together, flat.

"Is it flat?" he nodded again and looked to the wall. He pointed to the panel. "it looks like a panel?" he shuck his head and pointed again.

"It is on a wall?" once again he shuck his head. "erm, bright, blue, buttons." He nodded frantically making her stop. "Buttons, it has buttons?" he nodded again. He used the end on his clawed finger to draw a circle in the ground. "It's a circle?" he nodded. "Small, flat, has buttons and is a circle. Like a remote control?" he nodded and pointed to his belt. "You want me to get you a belt?" he shook his head. He looked to the empty tube and pointed at it, he cupped it in his hands like before. Then he put it in his belt. "It's in a belt?" he nodded and put the tube down. "Who's belt?" Me smirked and pointed to Maktel and then made the small circle sign again. "The smallest one?" he nodded and smirked over to a hissing Maktel.

"Laugh it up Katel! But I will tell her allsorts of things once she gets the translator, like how you were staring at her milk glands earlier?"

"You wouldn't dare?"

"Alright, I have established that you hiss when you are arguing and that is all you two seem to do. I will get the, what-ever-it-is and be right back." Kim got up only to feel a strong hand on her shoulder and turned. Katel bowed his head to her and she smiled back. Wow, that's twice I have smiled today. Terre would be proud.

Kim bowed her head to him and left for the next room. She rummaged like a mad thing until she found two, large metallic belts. She took the smaller one and searched until she found a pouch. She opened it up and found a dark metal like pebble with red buttons and was smooth to the touch. She tidied the room up to hide her little intrusion and re-entered the cell. "Look what I have. Is this it?" Katel beamed as he saw she had gotten the right item. He quickly took it from her and fiddled with the buttons. He clipped it to his belt and looked to her.

"Hello Kim. Nice punch." He smiled as she became gob smacked.

"So that thing is like a communicator."

"More of a translator but yes."

"So. Now you can talk." She smiled sweetly and walked towards him. She then sprang at him and pushed him to the ground. She pinned him beneath her and sat on him. "Now you are going to tell me why the hell you jumped me when I came in here!"

"Well little Ooman female. My brother and I were checking that you didn't have a tracer on you before we allied with you."

"Then why the hell did you try to beat the hell out of me after you saw I wasn't bugged then hum?" He struggled but she brought her hands flat on his chest, pushing him back.

"I enjoyed it!"

"What? Why the hell would you enjoy fighting like that! I thought you wanted to kill me!"

"That made you all the more fun to spar with."

"Spar? You are weird you know that?"

"I find you strange also ooman."

"Alright, stop calling me ooman. I don't call you crab face like the others do."

"But you call me Jumpy."

"Mr Jumpy actually. But I see your point. I won't call you jumpy anymore if you don't call me ooman. You know my name so use it. Got it?"

"Very well Kim."

"And what did you mean by allied with me?"

"If you get off me I will tell you."

"I don't trust you!" Katel roared and flared his mandibles.

"Disrespectful ooman!" he arched his back and threw her off him to the side. Maktel knew a temper tantrum when he saw one. He quickly intervened and grabbed Kim, taking her out of his brother's reach. He then pulled the translator from his brother's belt and attached it to his.

"Kim. I am Maktel. My brother has anger management issues."

"That is one way or putting it."

"Well we need your help and that alone makes you important, and that infuriates my brother."

"Well he can back off before I make him!" she pulled against Maktel's grasp on her arm towards a hissing Katel.

"NO! Please Kim. Listen to me."

"Humph! What!"

"You are just as short tempered as my brother!"

"Get on with it damn it!"

"Well. We need to escape this place."

"Obviously. Do you have a plan?"

"Yes. You."

"Me? What do you want me to do?" Kim relaxed and pulled her arm back. She crossed her arms and scowled, as she usually did.

"All we have been left with are our hanging clothes and masks. They even took our sandals. We need you first to locate our armour and weapons. Then return with them and leave the door open and our chains off. On your way out, disable the controls well and truly so they can not active anything in this room."

"Then when the son of a bitches walk in, you will jump them and beat them down before escaping."

"Exactly. But you can't be here when we make our move, be close or even down the hall or something. I think I remember there being a hall out there."

"Yes, the hall is just before the door that leads to here. If I find where they keep your things today, I will bring them to you tomorrow and the next day you run for it."

"Yes. And be unarmed when we leave or by our honour we must kill you. Only unarmed pray will be spared."

"You would kill me?" Maktel looked to Katel who was leaned against the wall. He unclipped the translator and threw it over the room to Katel. He caught it and clipped to his belt.

"You will not be killed, or left behind..."

"What exactly do you mean by not left behind?" Kim leaned with on shoulder against the wall and raised one eyebrow.

"You healed our wounds. You are also aiding our escape, so you will be considered honoured pray. If unarmed when we escape, our laws allow us to take you with us."

"You mean to your ship, and into space?"

"The little ooman catches on at last."

"Don't be an ass with me. but why do you want to take me with you?"

"I must on my honour. I did enjoy sparing with you but there was a purpose behind it. You held your own against me, a trained hunter. So you are worthy pray. But you also showed respect for us on our first meeting, not regarding your own safety in unchaining us and healing our wounds. We, as you would say, owe you one. So I have made a deal with my brother and we have conversed over it. when we leave. You will be going with us. Whether you, or we like it or not."

"What if I didn't want to be scooped like some poor little, helpless damsel in distress and carted off with two strangers that I don't know or trust. Well, I trust Maktel. But I sure as hell don't trust you!"

"Well that's just too bad." He opened his arms and smirked evilly, growling. "Because I am the one who will be caring for you once we leave. My brother has a mate so he will be going a separate route us once we leave this planets orbit. We have a ship each so you will accompany me as he leaves to his mate and unborn pup."

"I am NOT going anywhere with you!"

"That's what you think ooman!" Maktel, sensing and almost suffocating on the tension, stepped between them and took the translator. But not before sending Katel a glare and a comment.

"Nice social skills brother. Way to giving her the news Katel!"

"You know I do not want this!"

"Kim." He took her shoulders in a strong grip and forced her to face him. "We need your help to do this. My brother is a very, proud hunter. He is not as open as I am about needing help."

"That's why you have a mate and he doesn't I guess. Because he is insensitive!" Kim smirked evilly past Maktel and to Katel, who was hissing madly and flaring his mandibles wide.

"Well I have often told him that myself but a brother can do only so much."

"Yeah, I see. Well I will not be going with Katel or anyone, anytime soon for that matter! But I will help you. I was always going to help you. As I have already said, I do not agree with you being kept here."

"Then do as you said you would. Find our items today, bring them tomorrow and we leave the day after...with you."

"Yeah, you keep thinking that. I will be no where near you when you leave. I will be at the other side of the base, in bed. I will wish you all the best though. And I hope you find your mate. And I really hope that Mr Grumps gets a life and solves his attitude problem!"

"Yeah...well we will see you tomorrow. You shouldn't spend too long with us or your superiors will get suspicious."

"Alright. See you tomorrow, with your stuff hopefully."

"I have no doubt in your abilities."

"Thank you and I hope you escape. Do me a favour though."

"Yes?"

"There are three men, four actually. Two black. One has a scare and the two white are either weedy or covered in tattoos. Beat them for me will you?"

"I will." Both the Yautja laughed loudly at her request. Kim knotted her eyebrows as all she heard was a lot of clattering and clicking mandibles. "My brother and I were laughing. You looked confused."

"I was a little."

"A little?"

"Katel do not be disrespectful. She is our friend."

"Tell him he is an arsehole who doesn't know how to treat people and I really don't like him."

"We can understand ooman. We just cannot speak it."

"Tell her I think she is a filthy, unworthy little ooman female that should be with her mother, learning how to talk to her betters with respect!"

"I will do no such thing Katel!"

"What did he say!"

"Nothing of importance. Now go. Until tomorrow Kim."

"Until tomorrow. Bye." Kim walked out slowly, kicking the med-kit slightly to the side, so they could still use it if they needed. She opened the door and closed it, casting a quick glance to Katel. Who surprisingly was looking right at her. They both opened their eyes wide at being caught and scowled before looking away.

"You will so be her mate one day."

"How will I if I am free, to hunt as I please, while she is here on this backwater planet? You heard her. I don't have to take her with me as she refuses."

"She will come with us. She just needs to think about it. We can still persuade her."
"You mean, YOU can still persuade her. Leave me out of it."

"Fine. But it is you she will be going with."

"Damn."

"I saw you."

"What?" Katel sat on the floor, knees up and looking at his brother who was sat in a similar fashion.

"I saw you, looking at her."

"You forget one or the first things we are taught as young bloods. Never take your eyes off your enemy."

"Yeah. Sure. You were looking at her to make sure that she didn't catch you off guard. Does that go for when you were looking at her milk glands too?"

"Shut up."

"What? No come back? Brother I do believe I have you."

"It was a mistake. I was wondering what she was doing. That is all."

"Sure. And the fact that I could smell, arousal in your scent and you started to pump out a little musk, had absolutely nothing to do with it?"

"Shut up."

"Once again. I win. You like her and she likes you. Did you notice her blush earlier?"

"Yes, but it was most likely nothing."

"Oh really? And the fact that she was staring at you too had nothing to do with it? or that her body temperature went up slightly as she touched your arms?"

"We had been fighting only moments before. So she was hot."

"You thought she was hot?"

"You know what I meant. Do not twist my words to prove your own suspicions. That are wrong."

"Sure they are. And you are not in denial."

"Why could I hear sarcasm in your voice brother when you spoke the truth?"

"Never mind. Get your rest brother."

"You believe me don't you? I don't feel anything for Kim."

"Its Kim now is it?"

"Shut up!"

"I thought you wanted me to talk to you."

"Go to sleep before I put you to sleep!"

"3 to Maktel. Katel 0."

The Hunters slept. They would need their strength for the day ahead of them. As they had no intention of waiting a full day once they had their weapons and armour. They would leave straight away and Kim would be there. After all, she would be the one bringing them their weapons. So she would have no choice as they take her with them. That is why Maktel didn't argue with her as she said that she would be in bed, at the other side of the base. Because she wouldn't. He knew after her very long spat with Katel that she wouldn't be willing to go with him. Especially after the wonderful way that Katel had told her. So he lied to get her to come near enough to them for them to grab her and run for it.