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Chapter 9: Sharing

Ad'zin could not believe that Dtai'moun would assent guardianship of the Ooman to Setg'syra. The brainless brute. His understanding of the Pyode Amedha's speech was symbolic at best. His knowledge of the Pyode Amedha's likes was deficient if not nonexistent. All Setg'syra was ever good at was the kv'var. It might have been a measure of a Yautja's place in society, but the lack of appropriate knowledge about the hunting game will also bring Setg'syra's advantage to its end. Someday.

Ad'zin was certain the hunter only volunteered for the task to entice challengers. Many Yautjas despised the small sentient beings and it was definitive that the Ooman's presence will heighten aggression. Setg'syra will always be the one challenged and through winnings his place among the Yautja females would gain in value. Although Ad'zin wondered if Setg'syra's mind was capable to progressing so unconventionally as to devise such a far-reaching plan.

"C'jit!" Ad'zin swore irritated by the observation view. Med'maru, Setg'syra and honored E'rik'de were inside with the female trying to communicate, gain knowledge and explain the proceeding. Med'maru decided to keep Ad'zin out of their original conversations. Ad'zin was a Youngblood and Dtai'moun has not yet given permission to involve him. E'rik'de spoke some ooman and was an honored hunter and Med'maru thought it was best to involve him instead. E'rik'de was also one of the two hunter besides Med'maru and Setg'syra that did not vote to kill the creature. He had no interest in the fate of the being. He was the ship's navigator and pilot. He simply wanted to hunt and get the ship from destination to destination. He did not see a young ooman female to be a threat to that prerogative. None have told Ad'zin to depart. He decided it is in no harm he stays and observes.

After only two short turn cycles Med'maru surmised she needs to be let out. Her health was much improved and she more composed. Ad'zin suspected Med'maru's eagerness to gain data speed up his decisions. Pyode Amedhas mind activities were unknown to the clans. Their kind focused on the Oomans biology to prepare honored for the hunt. There was little knowledge on their behavior and learning abilities. Humble knowledge on the social structure mostly focusing on their war mentality. Ad'zin wanted to be one of the first to explore beyond that, not just due to the expansion they were capable of, which concerned most Yautjan minds. Ad'zin believed for Ooman's to be the most interesting species. Still unexplored, intelligent and wild. Those that were born in captivity could not be used as a viable source of information. He heard discussion of perhaps invading the Ooman ranks, putting an end to their augmentation. Those opinions were built on foundations that Ooman did not stand a chance against Yautjan clans. Ad'zin as Med'maru were in agreement that the opinion of quick surrender in such an eventuality would be rash. Oomans motives were often unexplored and as Med'maru stated the Pyode Amedhas were unattainable, difficult to supersede in thought. Besides, limiting a species meant also limiting potential improved quarry.

Her reaction to the attendance of the large Yautja's was expected. At first she's been fearful, eyeing each one like a rabid yaut hound. She startled at E'rik'de greeting, but quickly comprehend the meaning, responded in kind and since that moment on she has been quite...garrulous. The female has been ch'hkt-a, but that did not prevent the obvious aggravation when told she can't go back to her own caste. She did not hide her irritation, as a Yautja would in the attendance of the imposing honored hunters. Most youngbloods would have been much more submissive. She defiantly looked all in the eyes. Ad'zin was surprised E'rik'de was still so calm.

Setg'syra, Ad'zin noticed, stood far by the door and did not engage. If he thought the female was to be an easy task he might be rethinking that assumption right now. Ad'zin raised his mandibles in a Yautjan smile.

"What cheetah?..." the female asked, misinterpreting E'rik'de words. "listen buddy!…there are no cheetahs on Peninsula,… mm'kay? And if they ever were, those black things probably gobbled them up" the words were accompanied by multitude of gestures. What an expressive species…Ad'zin mused

E'rik'de growled irritated not only at the lack of comprehension, but also at the disrespect. Med'maru requested for them to stay calm. He's worked with feral Oomans and they were often disobedient. They were either that or terrified and leaking. If he wanted to gain anything out of this one he needed it alive. As surprising as it was this was better then discharging liquids. Pyode Amedhas were impossible to communicate with at that instance.

"Chiva" said E'rik'de again. "H'ko Cheee'tah"

"oh … well… that explains everything" E'rik'de leaned back satisfied until she said "…I mean I have no clue whatcha talkin about"

Oomans… fist she confirms then denies

And so the conversation started over. E'rik'de tried to explain that Nar'raka was their hunting ground and a very important one. The black things, as she referred to the Kainde Amedhas, were their hunting game. And Oomans had no right to be there.

Her brows were furrowed. Ad'zin quickly realized that to be a sign of confusion. She did that right before she misunderstood something.

"This is going nowhere…It's like rearranging deckchairs on Titanic" Sei-i, misunderstood again. And what is a Titanic?

E'rik'de just focused on the fact that Oomans have no place in Nar'raka. It took her a while to get that Nar'raka was the place they found her. She responded with a question

"Soooo - you blaimin me that humans build a colony on your planet? Yes?"

Med'maru nodded. Gesture apparently universal to both species.

"That's like blaimn the camel for the heat in the desert"

They all cocked their heads to the side. Ad'zin pondered her meaning. Nar'raka did have what oomans would describe a desert. Ad'zin possessed substantial knowledge on the Pyode Amedha's home planet's natural world composition. Camel was a large humped mammal often used in the desert. When he collected the words together they surprisingly made sense. He did not understand why so many words when the meaning was so simple. Especially since the response confused everyone else.

"Great! I'm the fucking Riddler!" she huffed coming to the same conclusion "I mean. It's not my fault. If it was up to me that place should be avoided"

Slowly Med'maru and E'rik'de explained the rest. Now she knew that she will stay among them. She was not joyous about that. It was easily noticeable that Pyode Amedhas did not usually live solitary lives. They clinched to each other. She also understood that they were hunting when they found her. That is as far as anyone was to explain.

"Ok, which one of you is from human resources? I have questions." She asked and then giggled "Omigod" more laughs "get it?" The hunters were visibly confused and so was Ad'zin "Human resources? No pun intended" then she looked up from one hunter to the other then lifted her shoulders and waved her hand dismissing the claim.

"If I say I have two tickets to "Civitan Prix" concert on the 15thwould that entice you to let me go? … those are really hard to get."

Med'maru shook his head in denial to the request, although he probably did not comprehend it all.

"It was worth a try." The ooman stated and sagged.

She needed facts and fast.

So she wasn't assumed room temperature. That was a plus. These Frabs decided that she will stay with them. Who knew why? It was probably not due to her charming personality or drop dead gorgeous good looks. So the true nature and their intentions as of now were to be determined. She had some theories, but none really stuck.

She wasn't dissected, missing organs. Or so she hoped. With a body still soaring and a few cuts and bruises it was still possible she was missing a spleen or something. Joanna only hoped that if she had she would have noticed. The large old one she called Doc said something about a breathing apparatus. That explained why her throat hurt like a bitch.

She decided then, that there would be no purpose in asking or arguing cause those conversations just would go dead. Her only choice was to go ahead with it and be a good girl. For the time being. Until better opportunities arise. Perhaps they will land somewhere to refuel and she could slip out through the garbage shoot or something like that. Unless they kept her on lock down the entire time.

When finally she was in content they hit her with another surprise. She was going to stay with "Mr. Charming" by the door. The lovely fellow that spoke not one word and could probably swallow her whole. She gave him an appraising once over and a shiver went down her spine.

He looked massive. Although Doc was the same height he did not have this ones frame. So maybe she was not out of the woods yet. It was hard to get a reading on him. He just stood there, leaning against the wall, brawny arms crossed across his herculean chest. Like a nightclub bouncer. No one would dare to sneak past him. No one would even try to bribe him. She swallowed audibly at that.

Later B&B, big and brawny, came back to pick her up and, as she was told, take her to his...scratch that...their cabin. She got her haversack back. So whom ever brought her here must have taken it with them. She made a mental note to ask about that. But there was no time now.

With the first steps out of the med lab they were off. No joke. This guy was tall, had long legs and walked real fast. She had to jog to keep up. Her body refused the exertion.

"Hey!" Joanna yelled. He stopped. His head tilted back and down to take her in his vision.

"What is this? Kentucky Derby?" …. Her hands rested on her knees "Can you slow down? Are you late for a poker party or somethin?"

He thought about it then grunted and motion his head forward. Clearly motioning for her to move. They resumed their walk, slower this time.

She openly explored the corridors, lifts and creatures they were passing. Some were ignoring them, some looked at her and a few gave a sharp grunt. She should have been focusing her attention on where they were going and mapping her directions, but she was too busy looking at the artistic carvings on the metallic walls of the passageways, the mystifying haze covering the floors and grapes smuggling aliens. Seriously - What was this? Spring Break in Cabo? They're getup was composed of a loincloth, neck-guard, occasional wrist or ankle shackles. If they would just bring the temperature down they would easily put on some pants. Jo's granny would say that they had no sense of decency. She experienced her share of indecent exposure, but she was at least floored senseless at that time. Jo also noticed that the sculpted, near biblical dressed, able-bodied creatures were all male. She has not seen a female. Unless their females looked just like the males. She filed that for future reference as well.

They arrived at a door and her cohort fumbled with the mechanism by that door. He grabbed her wrist. She tried to pull away. Then, he opened his other palm in her line of vision. Curiously she unclenched the fist he was holding. He then placed her open palm on the surface of the mechanism, fumbled with the apparatus some more and the door whooshed open. Oh! It's a lock. She really needed to calm the fuck down.

Jo and her partner entered the compartment. Rather, an apartment. It could be described as a large studio. Very spacious and spartan. Apparently Mr. Big wasn't keen on decorations. There were three other doors instead so Jo had a dash of hope one of those doors led to another room. Her room. Her roommate quickly stomped over that fool's paradise. One door led to the sani-room. One was just a large closet, not even a walking closet and one was securely locked. He did not explain what was in there. The only info she got was another grunt when she tried opening it. So whatever it was, it wasn't hers to mess with. There was a counter and two tall stools near what could be a kitchen niche, but didn't look as there was much cooking done there. Besides "Big" didn't strike her as the iron chef type. So it could be observed as more of a snack bar.

"Sooo roomy!... There is only one bed in here." Joanna said noticing the obvious large sleeping platform covered with many pelts. It looked comfy.

The yellow lizard nodded. Joanna got an idea that the bed might be for both of them. To make sure she dived further.

"Are you bringing a hover for me?"

He just cocked his head. Jo already knew this meant "whatcha talking about ooman?". She already picked that one word that sounded similarly to human and was always used when referring to her. She might have not been the sharpest tool in the shed, but that tidbit was obvious. This was no time for getting sidetracked on language lectures. She decided it was easier to explain.

"Are …you… gonna… get me ….a temporary ….bed?"

"H'ko" he answered and inclined his head to the only sleeping arrangement in evidence. H'ko means no. Filed. Way to break the ice pal! At least she knew he can talk.

She dreaded that answer. So they're sharing. That was just fucking peachy. This entire situation gained in the level of awkward. If they had no space for her they could have just dropped her off somewhere and she could have hitchhiked her way through the galaxy.

Instead they decided to keep her hostage and place her in the same room as this giant and on top of that have them sleep in the same bed. It could have been worse. She could have been experimented on, tortured, spaced, or kept in a cage...but this was far from perfect.

"hope you don't toss and turn… much." If he did she might just not wake up. Becoming an Ooman pancake over night. Jo was starting to like that word.

He just stared at her. She returned the gesture and evaluated her new companion. Large, muscular, and not very talkative. Maybe he was a good listener. She hoped. Even Jo's mind snorted at that. She always done most of the talking anyhow. He was impressive in form, but that striking face was going to be a challenge. She will have to see that mug for god knows how long. Surprisingly only after a few days in the lab she was starting to get used to the unusual features of the Yautjas. Jo learned that word from Doc.

This one was unique in the looks department. Not only because he was the largest fucker so far, but also because he was yellow in color. Not canary yellow. More cooler in shade, sun-drenched yellow. He also had latte brown additions. Two of those ran vertical lines down his back. Unlike most of his kind, she came to contact with, they were lighter on the face, belly and often inner thighs, he was darker. Joanna's attention returned to those head protrusions. In that regard he was different as well. They were standard length. Slight below the shoulders. However, most of his kind had them in dark brown or black. His were in coppery brown. Joanna had that unusual urge to bite into one. She did not understand why? It was just one of those compulsions. Like opening the door to the docking bay in space flight. You don't really do it, you just wonder what would happen if you had. Jo had a feeling acting on that impulse right now might be equally suicidal.

Then it hit Joanna that he reminded her of a snake. Like one of those rat snakes from old earth or tree serpents on Tran. Joanna visibly shook at that association. Slight snake phobia.

He moved to the kitchen niche.

"Hey!" she called after him. He turned

"I'm Jo and you are?" since their going be sharing quarters they might as well get to know each other. Besides she was tired of calling him…"hey".

"Setg'syra" she nodded. Clicks, grunts, something, something starting with a "s". Fitting for a snake. Jo decided to just call him Seth. Maybe even Sssseth. But she will keep it to herself for now.

"I'll go wash up" she said pointing to the sani-room. During the tour she noticed a Jacuzzi in there and she was looking forward to testing the waters. She dived into her haversack and pulled "WARNING: I BITE!" T-shirt and a fresh pair of undies. Normally Jo would sleep in those, even in crew's shared cabin but since she was sharing the sleeping arrangement with a large rat snake she decided, taking a quick look at the male occupied with food, that perhaps introducing jogging shorts into the outfit is in order.

Joanna took her clothing and made her way to the sani. She washed-up quickly enjoying the ability to finally cleanse thoroughly, in contrast to the uncomfortable quick rinse she was allowed in the lab facility. She finally got all the skunk and blood out, especially from her hair and she came back to the main cabin. Seth was finished with the food and took his turn in the sani. He disappeared from sight and she fished in her sack for a brush.

After a considerable amount of time Jo finally heard the swish of the door. She put the brush back and turned toward Seth exiting the room.

"So…. which side of the beee…" Jo words froze in her throat. She gasped. Seth exited the sani completely nude. Her hand came quickly up to cover her eyes. She peeked from between her fingers as Seth was making his way toward the bed.

"Why are you naked?" she squeaked like a chemical attack alarm sound. He just stopped. Jerked his head to the side.

"Don't play stupid. Put some clothes on for Pete's sake!" Jo tugged at her shorts with both her hands for emphasis. Her eyes wondered to the intimate exposed region he so blatantly presented. Not that there was anything to be ashamed off. The male, undoubtedly male, was… well probably proportional since he was already oversized. She was no prude but…

"Pe'et?" Seth trilled

"Don't change the subject. Clothes! Mm'kay " she yelled. "I'm …I share the bed with you. You can walk around stalk naked on any given Sunday, but can you make an exception from your routine?"

"Mm-kay'y?" He trilled again. She was in no state of mind to have a language tutorial.

"OK, It means OK. O. K?" she asked nodding

"H'ko" he answered and changed direction. Now making his way towards her. As he closed the distance she tried to add to it and stepped back. Quickly ran out of space. Her back hit the wall. Seth neared leaving no room for air to pass between them. His, thankfully hushed member pressed into her abdomen. Seth was so close she could lick him. But that would be unadvisable. Then, she heard…Was he laughing?

"You find this funny?" Joanna asked looking up and squinting her eyes "Did you plan this?"

"Plllaaan" he stopped and looked to the side and Jo's gaze, like an idiot, followed his as if there was a big sign there with all the answers.

He looked at her again "H'ko" …"Ooman funn'ey"

"Oh! You think my reaction's funny."

Seth did not answer but shook a few times while returning to the bed

"This. Is. Not. Fun-ey. Mm'kay?"

This just upped the level of uncomfortable. She was sharing a room…no… bed with an alien nudist. "I'm asking for a transfer. This here-" she shook her fingers back and forth between them "-is not working". Jo also wanted to ask about the rules on sexual harassment, but decided against saying anything out loud that included the word sex and harassment for that matter. Who knew what he understood and how much explaining she'd have to do then. Or accidentally give him ideas.

"So you're not putting anything on!" Jo summarized. It really was a rhetorical question since he was already stretching his large form on the bed.

"H'ko"

"Why do I even try?' Jo mumbled. She laid down on the other side and pulled the fur over. Quickly she turned her head. "Just stay on your side"

"mmm-key" he copied her words. Clear rib

When she was getting comfortable Seth turned facing her. Jo felt him grab her t-shirt and pull. She tuned toward him. Seth gave her that questioning head movement again. Jo pulled the t-shirt from between his digits and turned "You wish!"

Translation:
kv'var - hunt
ch'hkt-a – hyperactive, nervous