Chapter 8: Decisions
"She helped us. Right now she needs a healer as does Ek'tan." The Elder paused for a minute which made Ke'varde nervous, finally receiving a nod he carried her to the healing chamber followed by Ek'tan, the Elder and the Chief healer. Laying her down on the table he stepped back letting the healers take over. Another healer came over to him motioning for the hunter to sit down on the table next to hers. Removing his armor and mask Ke'varde did so. Ek'tan was helped to lay down on another one, the healers assistants removing his equipment.
The Elder stood a few paces away observing "And Hul'sin?" Getting a negative for an answer he turned and walked to the door, pausing "I want both of you in my gathering chamber once you are finished here. There is much you need to explain." motioning to the ooman on the table "I will reserve my decisions until then"
Ke'varde watched the healers tend to Cat. She twitched and winced a few times while they were stitching her up and repairing her ribs, but other than that she didn't wake. He was thankful for that. Paya only knows what she'd do once she'd see them. Their faces had mandibles, no nose or ears,… Their species was quite different in certain aspects to the small odd oomans. Glancing over at Ek'tan he saw the hunter sitting up growling and snapping at the healer who set his bones and bandaged the other injuries. He would be walking again after a week. The Yautja healed fast. His own injuries weren't as severe one broken collarbone, a few cracked ribs, two holes in his shoulders and a very bruised and tender back. He would be as stiff as a board for a few days but other than that he would resume his training duties.
Once they were both done they got up and made their way to the Elders chambers Ek'tan hobbling and growling in annoyance all the way. Ke'varde just sighed tiredly at the young one. Announcing their arrival they were let in, the Elder was waiting behind a large table. Motioning them to take their seats, Ek'tan plopped down instantly. Ke'varde took out his chip from his wrist computer and held it out to the Elder with the one he took from Hul'sin. Noticing that, the young hunter did the same. Taking the chips the Elder put them in a compartment in the center of the table. After a second a holographic video popped up of their activities in the pyramid.
After a few hours the hologram disappeared, leaving silence for a few moments until The Elder thrilled "It was a fierce battle honored ones. One worthy of legend" both hunters grunted in affirmation. "Now about the ooman" pushing a button the doors opened and the healer who was tending her came in. Both injured hunters turned in their seats waiting for the decision that would seal the little ones fate. The Elder stood and asked "Her status Mir'en?" the healer nodded "She is stable and healing slowly. We gave her a diluted painkiller and immune booster just in case. She should be waking shortly." The Elder nodded pacing around the room for a few moments thinking "It has been a long time since an ooman has lived among us. Maybe it is time for a change again." Moving to the wall that held huge panels of windows he watched the stars ckicking "Sedate her. I want you to implant a translator and breathing membrane. She will be staying." Ke'varde released the breath he didn't even know he was holding. The healer nodded and left to do as ordered. The Elder turned to them looking straight into Ke'vardes eyes "Her time will not be easy with us. Some will not accept her lightly, others will try to kill her instantly. I will give her the mark accepting her in this clan." Pausing he glared at the hunters seriously "You both are responsible for her well being and actions. She will not be accepting any challenges as she is not a warrior. I want you to bring her to me as soon as she is able, understood?" both hunters agreed, though Ek'tan was a little miffed to be a babysitter to an ooman.
Dismissed, they left the Elders chambers. Ek'tan turned down the hall to his quarters. He was tired, annoyed and in pain. He needed a lot of food and a little sleep. Glancing over his shoulder he saw Ke'varde heading in the direction of the medical bay "I wonder if he even realizes he has such a fascination with her" thrilling in amusement "Probably not" shruging he winced and entered his quarters.
Walking into the medical chambers Ke'varde watched the healer finish placing the translator behind her ear. After closing the small wound Mir'en turned to him saying "The breathing membrane is placed and working, the translator will be tested when she wakes up, which should be tomorrow. How is your back?" Moving closer to the ooman Ke'varde watched her sleep for a few moments brushing a finger through her hair "Stiff and bruised as you well know, otherwise I'm fine." Grunting the healer shook his head observing his actions "You're in pain and you are stubborn. But I cannot force you to take pain-relievers." clicking thoughtfully he continued "I've never worked on one of her species before. She is fragile, but also it seems very resilient considering her injuries." Moving away Ke'varde decided it was time to get some rest "So it would seem. Notify me when she wakes Mir'en" Seeing the healer nod he left for his quarters.
Waking slightly Cat tried lifting her hand to her head but failed miserably, her limbs felt like lead. The pounding in her forehead was killing her, groaning she tried opening her eyes slowly. Hearing movement and breathing next to her she snapped her head in its direction forcing her eyes open. Focusing on sharp teeth behind mandibles she screamed her head off "Aaargh get away from me!" smacking the thing with her elbow and rolling away, falling off of what she would discover later was a very high medical table. The landing was a complete shock to her system, shooting pain all over her body. Disoriented she started crawling to the nearest wall on her hands and knees. The thing behind her was yelling something, but she was too frightened to register anything. The wall she was crawling to opened and two legs blocked her progress. Turning from it she was just about to get to her feet and break into a run when it caught her!
Ke'varde getting the message that the ooman was waking, hastened to the medical bay. Opening the door he was greeted by the sight of the healer holding a hand to his mandibles cursing and the little ooman trying to crawl away from him. Seeing him block her escape the ooman turned to another direction, moving fast he caught her up before she could run. Thrashing and screaming in his grip she tried getting away "Pauk! You are a trial ooman!" Not knowing how to calm her down he did the only thing that popped into his head. He slapped a hand over her mouth and growled lightly.
Recognizing that growl and the hand covering her mouth Cat stopped fighting instantly, her terror ebbing and sense returning. Sagging in relief against him she noticed something important. She was as naked as the day she was born! Blushing furiously she yanked Ke'vardes hand from her mouth yelling frantically "Why am I naked! Where are my clothes! Give me something! Anything!" watching what she now realized was a Yautja she clonked on the mouth earlier, pick up some kind of blanket and move over cautiously to give it to her. Smiling at him apologetically she took it and wrapped it around herself as best she could. Feeling the hunter behind her loosening his grip and letting her go, she moved a few paces away to get a look at him. What caught her attention the most weren't his mandibles but his eyes, they were yellow like cats eyes with a slight green rim. She couldn't stop staring at them "You have very beautiful eyes Ke'varde"
Uncomfortable he looked away from her and motioned to the other Yautja "This is Mir'en the Chief Healer, he took care of you. He needed to remove your clothes to check and tend to your injuries." walking over, Cat stopped in front of him "Thank you for your help. I'm so sorry I hit you. Are you alright?" the healer nodded, taking away his hand, waving it at her dismissively "Fine, do not concern yourself. It is just a minor cut I deserve for not being cautious. It will heal in no time." Always a healer first he motioned to the medical table beside himself asking "How are you feeling?" getting the hint she walked over to it. "Stiff and slightly in pain" Since it was high she considered jumping up but dismissed that notion, her body hurt too much to be bothered. Feeling strong hands lift her and set her down on it she smiled gratefully at Ke'varde. Grunting the hunter moved aside. Mir'en decided to explain a few things to her "The air we breathe is a little different then you're used to. So we implanted a membrane into your throat, it was a necessity as was the translator behind your ear so you can understand our language" Touching both places, Cat hadn't even noticed she could understand them! She was surprised and impressed by their technology. "Wow, you're good"
Waiting for the healer to finish his work taking samples of blood and checking her wounds Ke'varde was impatient to get going. The Elder probably knew she was awake and he didn't like to be kept waiting. As Mir'en nodded to him and took the samples to the lab, Ke'varde scooped up a very surprised female heading straight for the door. Grabbing him around the neck with one hand for balance she yelped "What are you doing! Where are we going?" he answered "I am taking you to see the Elder Selt'ox." She stared at him like just grew a mushroom on his forehead "Now! I'm in a freaking blanket! I can't meet an elder like this! I refuse!" Glancing at her he said seriously "Would you rather go naked?" Gaping like a fish "He did not just say that. The insensitive ass" Snapping her mouth shut she spit out a "No" through clenched teeth, glaring and silently fuming the rest of the way.
Reaching the Elder's chambers he lowered her to her feet as the door opened he moved to the side "I am not going with you. I will wait to escort you to your quarters"
Adjusting her blanket, making sure it covered everything she squared her shoulders and lifted her head high going inside. The door swished closed behind her. Walking regally she suddenly felt the blanket tug - falling, panicking she grabbed it to her chest before it could expose her "Oh no! nonononono! Not now!" Glancing nervously at the Elder she saw he was turned away from her looking out into space. Turning she took the chance, using one hand to hold the blanket to herself and the other to tug the end of it from the door muttering quietly "please please please"
Hearing the door close the Elder took a moment to let the ooman squirm. Hearing something he turned and almost lost his composure in surprise "What the pauk?" Seeing the ooman wrestle with a blanked he almost moved to help her. Standing his ground he instead started laughing silently as she levered her leg against the door giving the blanket a mighty yank that sent her crashing to the floor when it got loose. Shaking in mirth he couldn't remember when he'd last seen such antics.
Lying on her back on the floor with her eyes tightly shut Cat prayed to every god in the universe to make her disappear "Oh god, this is mortifying" on the bright side at least she wasn't naked. Hearing footsteps nearing and stopping next to her she cringed. When he still didn't say anything to her she opened one eye. Seeing a hand she opened the other and took it.
Helping the ooman up, the Elder couldn't help but laugh again. This time he didn't bother concealing it. Blushing in embarrassment Cat couldn't bring herself to look at him, telling the floor "It's not the entrance I had in mind" Leading her to the table he motioned her to sit down, himself seating next to her. Chuckling "Not everything can always go as planned." Cat couldn't help but smile, she liked him already. Looking up she saw a sage and wise being, though he still carried himself as a hunter, he was past his hunting prime. Long gray dreads stood out from his midnight black skin with a contrast of a few beige stripes. He was magnificent even at his advanced age. In his prime he must have been a sight to behold.
Getting serious the Elder caught her eyes "For your help in the hunt I will grant you the mark of my clan ooman. You must understand this is not a thing to take lightly. If you accept it, you will be one of us. You will live your life here, be given duties and obligations as every member. It will be very dangerous for you in the beginning, some members may accept you, others never will. On the other hand you have the choice to return to your planet under the condition you never speak of our existence, to ensure that your memories of us would be removed permanently. I cannot risk such knowledge. Decide ooman" Saying this he leaned back in his seat observing her he waited patiently for her decision.
Hearing that entire speech, Cat didn't know what to think. Staying here she could experience something amazing, something she was looking for all her life "The adventure of a lifetime" Then again she loved Earth, her home, her roots, and her connections there. To forget meeting Ke'varde and the others would be heartbreaking, but Mina and Gabe's fate, the hard meats; never knowing such a nightmare existed, it was tempting to say the least. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath, letting it out slowly she said "I've decided"