Disclaimer: You know
Note: I actually finished this chapter before 7. I sometimes lose interest in a chapter and just start a random one. I had little time to edit. But, I tried.
Bold – Yautja Speak, Ooman goes whhhaaattt?
Chapter 8: Awakenings and Observations
Joanna traveled from the dark world of sweet oblivion. Her eyelids felt heavy, but she did not need to shade them from the glow of light. And she oddly felt safe. Was this a dream?
Before the vision returned to her fully, her other senses compensated. First she heard slow hum of robotics. Perhaps engines or other machines. Hard to discern. The odor of antiseptics reached her nostrils. Clean, but harsh air filled her lungs. It was difficult to breathe even if it smelled of fresh cotton. Her skin was damp and should have shivered, but it was warm. Through the mechanical hum cut another sounds, shuffling somewhere beyond, and she forced her eyes to fully open. Too soon. They filled with tears, but she took a buzzed look around.
This was not the first time she woke up in unfamiliar surroundings. Usually her consciousness returned with a mad hangover and a memory gap. This was not it. Her brain did not yet process the past events, but there was no involuntary jerking need to eject some shouting groceries. She tried pulling herself up and realized the soaring pain in her midsection followed by a slightly less concerning one in the left shoulder. And the headache. There was no mistaking the marching band playing the bumblebee in her head. She tried again to take a look around ignoring it. It was something of a med bay. That would explain the sterilized whiff and droning sound. She even managed to get a glimpse of a green robe. Probably a doctor. It was still a bit too fuzzy.
Her body lied back down. She rubbed her eyes with her fist. A deep voice spoke above her. Something in the way the words glided down over her cut through like ice. No...not the words, the sound. Deep, startling unnatural sound. One lacking cohesiveness to classify as words.
She forced her eyes open. Pushed away the tears. Joanna's eyes met with a pair of yellowish ones. The visual effect was so terrifying at such proximity that her sense kicked in to full capacity. Maybe not, maybe it was the internal emergency system, pumping adrenalin to every cell in her body. Insect-like mandibles were the most prominent feature of the mug above her. Four to be precise. Each one tipped with a tusk. They covered a maw with pointy teeth. Deep set eyes and a huge scared head. Protruding from the skull were dread-like appendages. The sickly green coloring might have been a camouflage in some swamp, but in this compartment it was just another element that made the creature hard to overlook.
Her head frantically shifted from side to side, and protested with each move. The cabin was highly automated, vid screens, buttons, machines she never saw before. All embellished with crimson symbols. Everything was unfamiliar except for the metal cot. That was just that. The bizarreness of it wrapped her in a feeling of perpetual dream world. If not for the pain she would have not believed to be awake. Pain differentiated dreams from reality. She looked herself over. Her clothing and body armor were gone. All that was left were her military issued undergarments and a culvert extending from her arm.
This creature above her was wearing similar garment to what a human doctor might wear. Most likely that is what it was or maybe it was just here to cut her open like a guinea pig.
Run first, analyze later.
She took in the room with frantic eyes. Quickly assessing available resources and obstacles. Door in the front to the left. Tray on her right, not reachable in her current position, but definitely something she can get to. Trench in her arm, but no restraints. Oh... and the giant alien retreating to the right side.
Suddenly the door opened and another of those circus freaks stepped in. The one closer to her looked up. It was now or never. Before they think she is fully awake or start cutting despite it.
Joanna pulled the tube out of her arm. She ignored the pain in her chest, the one in her shoulder and the new one she had in her arm. Hard-pressed her body toward the serving dish with surgical equipment. Grabbed two objects from the tray and threw the rest at the mad alien scientist. Ran past him heading for the door. The other seamed startled, so she used that as well. She threw the clam-looking object at his head and hit him in the eye. She didn't plan it that way. It just kind of worked in her favor. It wouldn't hurt the large being, but all she needed was a distraction that allowed her to go pass it. She ran through the door, down a corridor, another giant lizard. She didn't care where she was going. She could figure her way out later as long as she got out of their grasp.
Run first, think later. Echoed in her head
The sound of her bare feet slapping on the slick flooring was drowned by the heavy footsteps behind. Another creature was narrowing toward her, vanward. She whirled through the open door to her left and froze. The dully lighted area had a large circular window on the opposite wall and beyond it was the view of space. She walked to the porthole which offered no escape. Joanna splayed her hands on its surface and stared bewildered at the endless, black, empty universe.
Why was she in spaceflight? She pressed her forehead against the cool glass. She turned her head slowly, her body followed and she tried to look further into the room, beyond the creatures blocking the exit. She desperately hoped for a way out. Breathing became even harder. The tint of mist covering the floor and low lights made these frabs, half frog half crabs, seem as if floating in thin clouds. She turned her head to the expanse of space, keeping those colossus beings in her peripheral. Joanna drag her eyes back to what was in front of her. Pressing her knuckles to her temples, she tried remembering the past day. Nothing.
"Should we approach?" someone said. At least she thought it was speech. The sound came through the dimmed space, but she could not understand the words. That deep sound and clicking noise. Similar to the one in the infirmary room.
"We should, but carefully, she is armed." Another voice. This...this was the same. Too calm. Threatening calm. Unnatural to the baritone of sound. Nothing so deep should be this calm.
They advanced towards her and she raises the lancet she still held on to. Her last form of defense. They separated, now approaching from each side. They look male, but this was no time for biology. The one in front came closer as well. She had to take a chance. She had to choose one. She pushed away from the glass toward her right. The one on that side was the smallest. Then, she slashes with the blade in her right arm. It was sloppy. She knew he will try to catch her arm. And he does. That is what she expected and just before his grasp she shifts the knife into her other hand. Not her dominant hand, the one which shoulder was obviously hurting. But he is surprised and roars as she slices his lower abdomen. The creature does not let go and the other one circles her, like a straitjacket from the back. He pulls her to his massive chest, restraining her movement. The lancet falls jingling to the ground. The one she stabbed lets go of her arm and dips his clawed fingers into the wound on his lower side.
The blood is not red, but bright, luminous green. She has no time to ponder that. She feels breath on the back of her neck. Hot and sweet.
Warm hands pull at her right arm. The one in the middle, the one from the hospital. He was holding a large syringe-type object with needles. Sharp and pointy. Joanna tries to pull her arm away, but cannot. She is too weak. Her eyes widen. It hurts when the needles penetrate and Joanna squeezes her eyes shut.
"What... the... fuck..?" she tries to shout.
Her head swims and fades. The restraint loosens and she is lifted suddenly. Her body slouches, anxiety passes. Arms hold her. The pain disappears. Her head dips on a chest. She can hear a heart beating. She can't tell if it's her's or the strange creature's holding her.
"She has reinjured her shoulder and the rib." One voice. Memorable. She was fading.
"It is good fortune it was not the Pyode Amedha Chiva or you might have been in trouble Ad'zin"
Ad'zin looked at Kai di'chak with a scowl. His mandibles clicked in annoyance. His palm smoothed the dressed surface under his lower rib.
Setg'syra laughed. He as Kai di'chak did not hold Ad'zin in great regard. Not every Yautja was build for a hunt, but with such heritage as his it was a shame.
"I am not without fault. I dressed the would of a Youngblood after a bout of disagreement. When the Pyode Amedha woke I took the tools with me. Left to close for reach." Said Med'maru. "I underestimated the ooman as well" He always defended his favorite pupil.
"You've said she woke again?"
"Sei-i, I expected you to arrive sooner. She has been up and very active. It is not surprising Yin'thar believed her to be hulij-bpe"
"hulij-bpe?" Setg'syra probed in question.
"It's been quite a fascinating diversion"
"Find your voice Med'maru. We are to attend a summoning and I am of opinion Setg'syra will not leave until he appeases his curiosity"
"Kai di'chak, I do not understand why are you here? The creatures faith is not something I would believe you to find of interest"
"You are correct medicus. It is not. Setg'syra strayed. It is early, we have time and I am in no mood to listen to the squabbling of those already gathered at the colloquy"
"Can I see it...her" Setg'syra has arrived for that purpose and as Kai di'chak stated he would not leave until he quenched his prying.
"Sei-i" Med'maru strolled toward the observation locker. It was a small cabin with plain walls and a two-way surface glass. It was used in limited capacity. Usually to observe patients. Ad'zin was already at the glass when they joined. They could see the ooman, but she could not see them.
"It does not appear to be hulij-bpe" Setg'syra questioned.
"Not at the moment, but it has been …. fascinating"
Setg'syra was confused. There was nothing fascinating happening at this instant. The cabin was mostly empty, apart from the cot she has been brought on and the single chair. The female was sitting on that chair, her legs bent and drawn up to her chest. Her arms wrapped around them and her head was leaning on the knee caps.
"Fascinating…" Med'maru gave Kai di'chack a disapproving glance and spoke regardless.
"I don't even know where to start. I worked with wild Pyode Amedhas before. She did exhibit some similarities, but she has been altering."
"Altering?" Setg'syra did not understand what did that suggest.
"Her initial response was expected. She looked confused, then fearful. Then she started looking for a way out. Testing the walls. Afterwards, she sat down in a corner. Frozen. I was expecting as with the female my science team work on before that see would start leaking."
"Leaking?" Setg'syra seen an ooman leaking
"Sei-i, as the oomans do when over taken by their highly emotional system" …"but she did not"
"All you have said so far is no different than normal ooman behavior"Setg'syra pointed out
"Sei-i...that is true, but that is also when everything changed…"
As if suggested the female started tuning sounds with her voice
"Ahhh…she's doing it again"
"Weeeee're off to see the Wiz erd, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
You'll find he is a whiz of a Wiz! If ever a Wiz! there wassssssss"
"What is that?"
"She is singing" summed up Ad'zin
"Is that normal Med'maru" Setg'syra was not having this conversation with the yougblood.
"Singing is understandable for the Pyode Amedhas, their vocal cords allow such expression…never seen one do it in duress. That is one of the odd behaviors. Her fear considerably subsided "
"Follow…follow, follow, follow,… Follow the Yellow Brick Road."
"What meaning is she expressing?" Setg'syra turned his head toward the medic
"That is why I requested Ad'zin's attendance. Her words are many and hurried. His understanding is better"
Setg'syra hated to address his inquiry towards Ad'zin, who as obviously waiting for such request. Instead he just inclined his head. That should suffice.
"She speaks of greeting a sorcerer, a great sorcerer. Speaks of pursuing a brightly colored path"
"It seams you do not speak Ooman tongue as well as Med'maru believes" Setg'syra stated with a lift of his mandibles.
"H'ko…Ad'zin's translation is correct. We checked our records. His assumption is quite accurate"
Before Setg'syra could ask more Med'maru continued
"She has allowed her nerves to get better of her. Shouted to let her out. Tapped on the glass, She also pressed her fleshy mouth to the surface of the glass and exhaled. Her gills expanded. We deemed there to be a purpose, but decided there was none."
Med'maru paused "it was strange…"… "She spoke a lot. Mostly seeking for a response"
"So Yin'thar not only brings back an Ooman. But a broken one at that" Kai di'chakdid have a way of summoning observations.
"I do not believe her to be broken… Pyode Amedhas are a complicated species"
"You hunt them and display their th'syra. Not that complicated"
"I do not disagree with our customs. Yet, my hunting days are over and the research possibility with a specimen as such is trilling in an old Yautja's life."
"Hey!... Heeeelloooo! Oki Sorry I spazed out. I'll be good now. Really! … Promise!"
The Ooman got up from the chair, neared the viewing window and splayed her palms on the plane. She could not see through it, but it did not hinder her will to try. She squinted her eyes.
"Can I at least get some water or somethin to drink...Helloooo! Large lizards from space can you here me?"
"Li'zar'ed is a small elongated creature from the blue planet. I do not see a similarity." Ad'zin seemed disturbed by the comparison.
With her current position Setg'syra had finally had a chance to get a good look at the creature. With all obvious similarities he focused on the differences. Her figure was lithe. He has never seen a Pyode Amedha so exposed. Not with their hide still intact and clinging to flesh. She winced from the obvious pain from her injured rib. It was miraculous that such a slender, delicate creature was capable of taking down a drone.
Many Yautja described ooman's as repulsive. Soft creatures, with flat fleshy mouths. Setg'syra would not come to such a conclusion. He always cherished their bone structure. The most unusual feature was their countenance. But it was proportional and the flesh was neatly tucked in. It was different, but not revolting. He wondered if the reason for not hunting females was more due to their frailty rather than utility as breeders. It almost did not seem reasonable to hunt a being of such dainty. She was not a regal, strong Yautjan female. Far from that. Her shoulders were much smaller as well. He liked broad female shoulders. Her muscle structure was feeble, but not absent. She stored fat in mammary glands, buttocks, hips and thighs, while was significantly narrower in the waist. Yautja females were similar, yet the distribution much less pronounced.
He remembered carrying her after her attempt at escape. Her small body limp in his arms. Her hide so soft and breakable. How could Oomans function without rupture? He has exercised his claws on those hides, never bothering in experiencing the structure. She was warm then but not nearly as a Yautja. The two most entrancing feature was her mane and the scent she carried. Distinctively female.
"Perhaps Yin'thar is right to observe your prey in some extent. I have cast aside so much"
"I have not noticed anything novel." Kai di'chak and his talent to sum up observations.
"Ad'zin bring the female water. I want to see what happens before we attend the assembly" Med'maru on the other hand acted as if he just told a Kainde Amedha to howl and it obeyed his command.
"Ad'zin? I believe he has suffered enough" Setg'syra enjoyed to jibe at the youngblood. He heard Kai di'chak's vocal delight.
"Sei-i, she is not fond of me, you are too imposing and he" Med'maru pointed at Kai di'chak "will kill her and I am not ready to release her yet".. "besides Ad'zin speaks Ooman"
Ad'zin entered with a mug. The female gathered him in her sight, and the door he came through. Probably once again planning her next escape. Her expression undetermined. She followed his movement with her eyes.
"Whaz dat?" she walked to the cup left on her cot. Examined it.
"You're not trying to poison me?" she asked lifting her eye ridge
Ad'zin shook his head. That is what Med'maru advised. Minimal communication.
"What ever you're planning…I might help out. Just no probing…you hear me" she pointed her small digit in his direction.
Ad'zin nodded.
"Cause I bite. I might be smaller but you don't know what pathogens Im carrin"
Ad'zin extended his mandibles and she flinched. Then he turned to leave but she stopped him.
"Hey!" She stepped forward but as he turned she took a step back. "When can I go home?" Ad'zin did not answer just left and her shoulders slouched. Her rigid posture relaxed.
"Sei-i, fascinating. We have a assembly to attend to, and I do not want to be late."
"I know you do not share my view Kai di'chak. Yet, I have worked with wild oomans and that was very interesting."
Setg'syra as Kai di'chak found nothing of value in that exchange either. Med'maru explained
"Every feral Pyode Amedha I have studied has either hid, shrieked or attacked. She did none of such. That fact alone is …fascinating"
Dtai'moun gathering was short. Med'maru being it's most active member in a long time. The honored medic hardly ever found politics of interest. Unless it concerned his study. He has strongly opted to retain the Pyode Amedha. He has stated that it is a rare gift to be able to study the behavior of a feral ooman. Most he has worked with did not survive a long time. Many took their own life. Some became unstable. He strongly believed that she will be an exception. He also requested Ad'zin's assignment to the ooman's study.
Most gathered were against the creature spoiling their ranks with its presence. Some believed it should be killed on a game planet. Hunted down as the prey it was. Others advised that it should be returned to her own or even deposited on a cast-off planet to live out its life. Dtai'moun allowed a vote, only to see the side of the factions and their numbers. He, Med'maru and two others voted to keep the female. Kai di'chak to remove it. Yin'thar obtained from vote, claiming it is no longer at his hands.
Ultimately it was Dtai'moun's verdict and no one would challenge that, even if it was one of surprise. Dtai'moun decided she stays. Some hissed and their scent of disapproval was evident, but none would challenge the elder's choice. He also requested that she be blooded. She killed a Kainde Amedha on a day of a Chiva. In Dtai'moun view that was appropriate. He did not discuss the uproar of opposition. There would be no debate to that decision as well. In the end Yin'thar abdicated the right to the female and Setg'syra was granted the guardianship after volunteering. At the elder's surprise he explained he needed to learn patients and perhaps this was the way to stride towards achieving it. As soon as Med'maru decided she was ready to leave the confines of the observation the ooman would stay with him.