Chapter 3.
Note; this chapter is a mix of funny and sad, I had to think of something that would counter act the nasty things in this chapter so I give you, Pan!
Also Yes there is a love relation between Cutter and Shara, no like? my story, my ideas flames canm go in the nice little box over there *Points at the box of bood to be burned.* other then that, enjoy.
Shara sighed as she walked the cracked and broken path of the old London Zoo, the animals that could had escape long ago but some were still trapped and every once a while, someone would go to the Zoo and try to rescue the stranded animals and bring them back to the base so children could learn about them and the Animals could be treated for illness or if need be, put to sleep.
Shara had been here once before when she was still a child and had the joy of being able to pet a tiger cub and take a ride on an elephant, however now the only animals left in the Zoo were the smaller, weaker animals that couldn't escape their enclosures.
"Why do you keep these creatures here?" Ghost asked. "Are they pets?"
"No, they are here for speciation, a lot of people in the world can't afford to make round the world trips to the natural habitats of these animals, Zoos, Privet parks and travelling demonstrations are the only other way they could see these animals up close." Shara explained.
"So... They are prisoners?" Ghost asked.
"Not so much prisoners as survivors." Shara said. "Most animals in Zoos are either born there or shipped in because their natural homes are gone from Human interference. The Jaguar's natural home is the rainforest, every day it got smaller and smaller and with it, the number of animals diminished until everything was almost gone. A few Jaguars were moved to a protected enclose to make sure they wouldn't become extinct like the Ice Age Mammoths and some other creatures."
Ghost clicked a little then blinked as something nudged his leg looking down he found a creature with a hard dome shape on its back slowly padding past him, his head cocked to one side.
"That is a Giant Tortoise." Shara said smiling as the tortoise padded off. "Slow moving, harmless unless annoyed and completely uncaring about anything save its next meal."
"Shara when you are done teaching Ghost about Zoo life I need a hand over here." Ben called over as he and Mark tossed a large broken chuck of wall away. "You're better with Cat's then I am."
"Cats?" Shara asked as she went to where Ben was stood and knelt down, sure enough inside a small arch way, there were a litter of tiny gray blue eyed kittens, not much older then maybe two weeks and their mother, looking at Shara, ready to attack. "Get the basket." She said to Ben and then carefully reached in to the alcove, slowly rubbing her fingers together.
Ghost watched as Shara very carefully lifted the larger feline up and placed her inside the basket Ben had brought over, then with practiced ease, she lifted up the five kittens and placed them all with their mother, then put a blanket over them all.
"What will happen to them?" Ghost asked.
"They will be taken to the base, given food and someone will take them in as pets and care for them." Mark said carefully putting the box into the Old Tanker.
"Meer!"
Shara looked up at the sound and then chuckled as she spotted the cause of the noise.
A baby goat was following Striker, every time he stopped the goat would stop and start to nibble on his mech, calling to him when he moved to fast.
"Well, it seems you have a friend." She said and Striker simply nodded. "Where'd you find her?"
"In there." Striker said. "I roared at her and she has been trying to eat my mech ever since," he explained reaching down to stroke the goat's back with his finger. "The name on the stand read P.A.N."
"Pan." Shara said and the Goat looked around at her and trotted to her, chewing on her coat sleeve. "Short for Pandora." She added.
"Meer!"
"I'm keeping her." Striker said and Ghost almost, ALMOST gawked.
"Fine, but remember this." Shara said. "She is a baby Goat and Babies are not toys, they need food, love and a Lot of attention." She explained. "I can get her the food she needs, but you'll have to do the rest."
"Agreed." Striker said.
It was almost finished.
Jackal clicked his mandibles and smiled up at his project, just a few more days, a few more tiny adjustments and it would be done.
He could pay back his dept to Shara and insure that the Humans won this fight against the Xenomorphs.
Just a few more days...
~"Jackal?"~ The General's voice called over the comms. ~"Sanderson is on his way here, demanding to know more information about the Ship that's on its way here."~
"I will be there." Jackal said and then left the room tightly locking the doors as he left to insure no damage came to his project.
Shara sighed softly as she gently petted one of the five kittens during the slow steady ride home, Pan had made herself comfortable in Striker's lap while chewing on a pile of hay nearby.
Ghost was manning the guns while Mark listened to the radios in case they were needed to help Jessica, Dart, Tracker, Bull Dog and Big Guns on their patrol. No one said it, but the Xenomorphs were starting to become bold, attacking the base outer perimeters and attempting to get inside the base.
Shara was worried that they would get in during the night and kill everyone...
"You are unsettled," Ghost stated.
"Worried." Shara corrected. "Why are the Xenomorphs only attacking the base and not the patrols?"
"I am unsure." Ghost said. "They are not the more tactical of beings, but they know it is suicide to try and get inside the base."
"Hmmm..." Shara sighed as they arrived back and the base and began to unload their furry passengers.
It watched the none living as it drove towards the base where the young one lived. This none living was able to get inside the enemy Hive...
This none living would help him get inside.
He followed the none living, taking a little one with him on his back, this one would spawn a thick skin, like him of the one armed Hunter that protected the young one. That would make the enemy hive weak.
That would make the Queen happy.
"What is happening?"
Shara looked up at the question from Ghost and smiled. "It's snowing." She said watching the tiny lumps of snow slowly float down to the ground and settle, "Winter is almost here."
"What is... Winter?" Ghost asked mimicking her voice.
"Winter is the coldest season on Earth, it signals the end of one year and the beginning of another. The air gets colder, the days shorter and the nights longer, the rivers and lakes turn to ice and the ground is covered in snow," She explained.
"How do you survive?" Ghost asked watching a snow flake melt in his hand.
"We wrap up warm, we keep the heating on and when the winter cold gets too much, we share rooms for added warmth." Shara said. "Last year it got so cold everyone slept in the mess hall around a pit fire." She added smiling as a flake tickled her nose.
"Do the Xenomorphs attack during this cold season?" Ghost asked.
"Not as often... their stand out more in the snow even at night, to help keep them away we have a barrier. Jackal and Cutter made it so they'd know more about how it works, all I know is it stops the Xenomorphs from getting past."
Ghost clicked and watched as the snow began to slowly cover the ground.
"Double ups?" Jessica asked.
"According to the weather reports, we're likely to get snowed in again this year since that EMP field was basically fucking with the natural weather." Ben said going over a check list. "We'll need to get the thicker sleeping bags out and the blankets."
"Fine, but If I get kicked off my mattress again someone's foot's getting broken." Mark said as he and the Wonderer boarded up the mess hall windows and checked all the vents wer securely in place.
"I'll drag the old pit fire in here again, just in case." Martha Mary said also going over a list. "And it looks like we'll need to make a trip to the Hospital for medication. We're low on pills and jabs."
"We could get some of the mattresses and pillows from the Hospital and a few other things." General Connelly said as he read through some files and reports. "If nothing else, the Hospital has a lot of items we can use to keep the doors and windows boarded up."
"What about Shara?" All eyes turned to Mark. "This will be the first year she sleeps without Cutter."
"If things get bad, I'm more then sure we can all help her though it," Jessica said. "I mean, she isn't a child anymore. She's a woman."
"Young adult." Martha Mary corrected. "She's not 20 yet." She added.
"So she's 16 soon to be 17 and has more knowledge in that head of hers then we do." Jessica stated. "Honestly she's proven her worth and skill over and over again and we still treat her like she's a kid, if you ask me, it's high time we stopped treating her as a child and started treating her as an adult."
"I agree with Jessica." Mark said. "Shara's not a child anymore."
"So does that mean I can start driving the Old Tanker?" Shara asked as she came in with Ghost, Dart and Tracker, helping them to carry in food and drinks from their raid.
"We shall see, Shara. Right now what matters is stocking up for winter," the General said.
Shara smiled.
"When we land I want my son found and guards on both sides of the gang plank, the minute it seems trouble is presenting itself in ANY form, Protect the High Priestess." The Elder said as he directed the Elites.
"And your mate and newborn pup?" the second Elder asked.
The older Elder sighed. "I have asked them to stay on the ship until we are certain it is safe with the High Priestess." He said sounding as if he knew his mate would ignore him.
"You did choose her for her stubbornness." The other reminded.
"And I remind myself of that every time she reminds me of our Pups." The Elder sighed, "How she still wants to come on hunts I will never understand."
"A Female is driven by what makes her happy," the younger Elder said. "Jha'kle's mate was the same."
Both Elders lapsed into silence for a time, broken only by the sound of a sparring match a few doors away.
"We need to be ready for the worse... I am aware that Cuh'tor is no longer alive and I do not wish to think who else is now at rest." The older Elder sighed softly.
Jackal watched as Shara and Striker sparred, mandibles clicking as he watched the two of them, absently reminded of his own pup before an argument had driven them apart.
He sighed softly and watched as Shara pinned Striker to the mat seconds before Bull Dog was throw over head by Big Guns, making Shara wince at the sight of the impact while Striker cocked his head to one side in confusion.
"How did you pin me?" he asked.
"Umm..." Shara said, "I... have no idea." She admitted looking at Jackal. "How did I do that?"
"Luck." Jackal offered with a click of amusement while shooting a look at Striker to keep his thoughts to himself for now. "Go clean up, you want to look your best to greet our people." He added and Shara nodded helping Striker up before leaving.
Once she was out of hearing range, Striker sighed. "We can't hide it much longer." He said.
"I can't be sure without a scan how much of her is affected." Jackal said. "I need the other Elders to see her, to know she is more than just another Ooman to me... So much more."
Striker sighed clicking his mandibles as he realized what Jackal was asking and what he was risking.
"So beautiful and strange, this blue jewel..." She said smiling as she watched the snow fall around the ship as it slowly began to lower down to the ground. "Do you not agree, I'ka, Ice?" she asked.
In her lap, a female Pup was attempting to grab the flacks that fell outside in her tiny hands, mandibles wide and spread in wonderment.
"So curious... she will be a handful when she learns to walk." The High Priestess smiled as she came in to the viewing room. "And that is before she sees your weapons, N'yaka-de Nagara, Master Sword."
"My only hope and wish is that she is as much a Huntress as she wants to be, by her own choice not forced by family tradition and pressure from other Females." Nagara said, chuckling as her daughter gave a high pitched roar at the window.
"She will be all she can be if that is what her heart and soul desire." The High Priestess assured as the ship touched down. "And now, I do believe we shall see just how brave she is."
"Shara." Shara looked up hearing her name and smiled as Jackal stood in the door way to her room. "May I come in?"
"You know you don't have to ask me every time," Shara said nodding, "You are always welcome in here."
Jackal chuckled in his way and stepped inside, sitting beside her on the bed as she tightened and checked her armour, Cutter had helped to design and shape it and to prove she was worthy of it all, he had placed his mark on every piece.
"I have something for you." Jackal said, handing her something wrapped in clothe. "Cutter asked me to give this to you when you were ready to wear it."
Shara tilted her head to one side then took the bundle and unfolded the clothe to find the Cutter's mask, clean, polished and slightly modified to fit her. "You... he wanted me to..."
"He saw you as his equal Shara, on our world to be handed a mask from your mentor is considered one of the greatest honours." Jackal said, "It also shows how much he cared for you."
"You knew?" Shara asked. "About him and me...?"
"I am old, Shara. I watched Cutter since he was a pup, always tested and always teased because he was the younger of his family's pups, he was never seen as worthy because his older siblings had already done and completed everything he attempted, when they left I watched as Females who were unworthy fawned over him, he never spare them a glance or a thought, believing and knowing they only wanted to be his mate because he was the son of an elder. But when we came here, when he meet you and saw how you kept going against all odds and trying to prove yourself, he changed," Jackal explained. "He saw himself in you Shara, the same fire and determination that kept him going when he was ignored burns in you, I saw it and so did he."
"So... you weren't mad?" Shara asked.
"No, I knew Cutter would never purposely endanger anyone he cared for," Jackal smiled, "His family is known for their care of their own. When you agreed to go back into the nest to finish what had been started, Cutter asked me to hold on to this until you were ready. I believe you are." He added reaching up and gently whipping the tears away with a finger.
"Would anyone... have objected to us?" Shara asked.
Jackal shock his head. "You and Cutter are not the first in this situation. In many other tribes and clans, humans have become mates to our people. Some have even been adopted into the family as sons and daughters. In all only certain individuals would look down on it, but as a whole, our race accepts it." he explained. "Cutter's family would have welcomed you."
Shara smiled and hugged Jackal tightly. "Thank you."
Jackal smiled softly and watched as Shara tried on the mask to find it was a perfect fit. "It suits you."
"They've landed." Martha Mary said. "And with his usual bad timing, Sanderson just arrived at the barrier." She added.
Jackal sighed and turned to Striker. "Go and meet our people, take Shara, Ben, Mark and Jessica with you." he instructed, "I will stay and see what that puppet wants."
Striker nodded watching as Shara helped Dart and Tracker to load heavy weapons ammo on to the Tanker, while Jessica checked everything was securely fastened down and that there was room for everyone in the Tanker.
"We'll take the old Tanker too." Mark said. "She might not be as fast as this one but she has stronger armour and it's got more room for your people if we need to make a quick return." He explained and Jackal nodded.
"Time to go." Ghost said. "I just got the signal from Guan-thwei, our Clan is waiting." He added and Dart took his seat at the wheel of the tanker, Tracker helped Jessica and Shara into their seats, while Bull Dog and Big Guns took up a torrent each.
"Meer!" All eyes fell to the ground near Striker's feet as Pan bounced around in the snow. "Meer!"
Jackal chuckled watching Striker reach down and place Pan in the tanker with them, where the Goat made herself comfy in his lap.
Ghost looked at Dart and nodded as the two Tankers began to rumble with life and move off.
The soft skin let the none living into their nest...
They were fools, and he would show them that.
He clicked and hissed at the little one on his back and obediently the eight legged creature scurried through the white stuff and attached itself to the none living one's vehicle.
He would wait in the shadows... watching for the right time to move...
The right time to kill.
"You are sure they are worthy Guan-thwei?" he heard his elder ask and nodded.
"Elder R'ka, Fire, I give you my word these Oomans have past every test and trail set for them, even Bhul-Dwag and Be'guna have given their mark to two of them." he explained. "Each of those that are accompanying them have earned their place and right to be seen as Hunters. Male and Female." He added shooting a glance at the older Elder, who had yet to speak.
"Do not worry, Guan-thwei," R'ka said. "Rha-n will speak when he is ready."
"Why is Jha'kle not coming with them?" Kujhade growled. "Has he grown weak?"
"Mind your tongue," Nagara snapped at her oldest son, "Jha'kle has more power and honour in his then an ungrateful pup like you will ever know."
Kujhade quickly lowered his head and eyes, despite recently giving birth, every Yautja knew that when angered a female could and would fight to the death with her bare hands if need be and Nagara would have no trouble in breaking every bone in her oldest son's body if he dared to insult her friends.
"Here they come," Guan-thwei said and clicked in amusement as he heard several cloaking devices being activated and someone going up the gang plank.
"Wow," Mark said. "That's one big ship." He added as they slowed to a stop and got out of the Tankers. "Are all your ships this big?"
"No, this one is a battle ship," Big Guns said. "Built and made to carry the blood and carnage of war. We do not like using them but in cases like this, we have no choice. Other ships are smaller and designed as transport or cargo ships."
"The High Priestess is also here," Bull Dog added. "This ship is designed and made to carry young and weak away from war, we do not sly our own unless there is no other choice or it is their last wish."
"So they act as shelters too." Shara asked as she and Jessica jumped out the back of the tanker. "I mean you said they carry the war around, it makes sense they'd be heavily armoured to stop damage of fatalities to those inside."
"As always, you amaze me with your intelligence, Yeyinde," Guan-thwei said from where he was stood at the foot of the gang plank seemingly alone. "But tell me, if the ship is here, where are its passengers?"
Shara took a moment as if to think while she looked around. "Two of them are stood with you, one on the right one to the left, I count four to the right of us and five to the left, plus the three stood up on the gang plank," she said and knowing they had been seen somehow, the Yautja began to fade into view again. "Oh and there's one behind us," she added and was answered with a low, deep growl.
"And how did you know they were there?" Guan-thwei asked.
Shara pointed at the snow on the floor. "The one behind us left foot prints, the four to the right are in the path of the snow fall and the five on the left are getting snow on their helmets, since snow doesn't hover in thin air."
"And the two with me?"
"The one on your left is stood in front of you slightly, the cloaking makes your hand look strange. However the one on your right was a guess, I remember what Jackal taught me."
"And what was that?" Guan-thwei asked with a slight hint of amusement.
"If all three Elders are present on a ship, the two younger ones will leave while the oldest stays aboard to maintain command. However if two elders are coming to greet or speak with another Clan or are visiting a war zone, they will both leave the ship under a pilots command until they return."
There was silence, save a few clicks and growled between the two elders and Guan-thwei, Striker stepped just a little closer to Shara, a show of defence to the others. He knew who was stood behind them and he was not about to let Shara get hurt, Jackal would have his head if he did.
Finally someone spoke up and every Yautja went very stiff. "I do hope there isn't a problem?"
Striker, Dart, Tracker, Guan-thwei, Bull Dog, Big Guns and every present Yautja besides Ghost dropped to one knee, holding their weapons before them as they kept their heads down.
Shara looked at Ghost for an answer and he simply smiled and looked at the top of the gang plank, "There is no problem, dear mei-jadhi." He said as two female Yautja came down into the snow, both wrapped up warm in furs.
"How do we know we can trust any more of these beings? General even you can't say 100% that they won't turn on us the moment this is over!" Sanderson snarled at General Connelly.
"And I would rather trust my life with them than an android like you!" the General snarled back. "I find it strange that the Queen hasn't yet made any comment about this! All you do when you come here is tell us what we shouldn't do, well do us all a favour and instead of letting Weyland and his crew of fools tell you what to do with OUR lives and our time, tell them to get their asses out of hiding and fight with the rest of us!" he demanded. "Make then do some damn work instead of waiting for this damn war to end."
Jackal sat to one side with Martha as this went on and on, clicking slightly as Martha cooked a stew of some kind for when everyone came back, several kinds of meat was being slow cocked in the ovens for the Yautja.
"Are you sure you can't just whack him over the head and then reprogram him?" Jackal asked Martha as she checked the meats, by the small of it, Chicken, Beef, Pork and even some Goose were the meats of choice.
"Unfortunately yes, he's got a stronger build then most Androids. Believe me, Shara whacked him over the head with a frying pan once before you arrived because he insulted her father, I've never seen Sanderson leave the base so fast." Martha recalled handing Jackal a cut of beef. "How's that teats to you? Still need a few hours?"
Jackal took the offered cut and nodded after swallowing. "Two to three hours at most." He said.
"Got it." Martha said adjusting the setting on the ovens.
Suddenly there was a loud clatter down the hall followed by a low growl and hissing sound, Sanderson and the General stopped arguing hearing it and Jackal felt his whole body tense up.
Silently he and the General drew their weapons and headed to the door while Martha boarded up the kitchen cooking area and door before Sanderson could get in.
There was another loud hiss and then Martha heard the door buckle and shots being fired.
"Sanderson you Coward!" she heard Connelly yell out then a horrid bone chilling scream as something heavy was thrown into the door.
There was a terrible snapping sound and then she heard the General cry out in agony before a mighty roar was heard and Martha knew that the Jackal and the creature were now fighting.
Jessica watched from where she was stood with Ben, Mark and Shara waiting Ghost and the High Priestess to finish their talk with the elders of their Clan, Bull Dog and Big Guns were talking with other Yautja while Striker was stood firmly at Shara's side, clicking and growling now and then when a large unmarked Yautja stood a few feet away looked towards them.
It was a little strange to be stared at by so many Yautja, especially now she realized just how much she had gotten use to how the others behaved.
"Is that the oldest of your brothers?" Shara asked Striker without looking at him, seemingly focused on her dog tags. "Cutter was the youngest of your siblings... I'm guessing you were born before him, but after the four of your sisters?"
"I was the fourth pup." Striker said. "Our sisters moved on to become a trader, a healer and the twins became mentors after taking their trials. That is our oldest brother, Kujhade."
"That means... destroyed?" Shara asked.
"Destroyer." Striker corrected. "Kujhade hated the fact Cuh'tor and I were blessed by the high Priestess and he wasn't, he also hated the fact that Cuh'tor was chosen to take this Hunt with Jha'kle."
"Why?" Shara asked.
"He doesn't hunt for honour or a mark. He hunts because he likes it, he likes to take his trophies by force and in his own sick way he believe that makes him the most worthy of the High Priestess's blessings." Striker said. "He will stop at nothing to insult and be little Cuh'tor and our sisters."
"But not you?"
"I broke his mandible during a fight when he called me a weakling, in truth all I had done was stop a sparring match between my father and Cuh'tor because mother wanted to see us all." Striker explained.
"I see." Shara said then realized something, "and your other brother?" Striker glanced down at her. "Cutter told me he had four sisters and three brothers. You and Kujhade make two brothers."
"Ah... I see." Striker said then clicked softly. "Vi'cor is the second born pup, quite and stealthy is how you would likely describe him. He spends his days watching over his own family now, last I heard he had another pup on the way."
"Sounds like a nice brother." Shara said.
"He is." Striker said. "Every season he sends gifts to our mother and father and images of their grand children."
"Meer! Meer!"
Striker clicked and knelt down, petting Striker without thinking about it, Shara cleared her throat softly. "They're watching," she said quietly and chuckled as Striker stood bolt upright again.
Kujhade cackled for a second or two before a loud snarl shut him up, even Shara felt her stomach start to knot itself as she realized who the snarl had come from.
"And what, may I ask, Srit'ore is that creature?" Rha-n asked.
"A Goat." Striker said, keeping his head down, Shara realized that it was not an act of fear or submission, but respect from son to father. "Pandora is her name."
"A pet?" Rha-n asked and Striker nodded. "I see."
"Looks like she's hungry." Nagara said noting that Pan was now nibbling on Shara's coat before she was given a handful of something. "Come, greet your new sister." She added.
Striker seemed to hesitate, glancing at Shara then at Kujhade, just as he was about to speak, Big Guns came over and seemed to check the ammo in the back of the Tanker, giving Striker a subtle nod.
Rha-n noticed but didn't speak as his son approached and paused, bowing his head to the High Priestess before stepping closer and removing his mask so he could see his sister.
"She looks like Cuh'tor..." he said allowing the tiny female to grab his finger and attempt to squeeze it tightly. "Have you named her?"
"We have." Nagara said. "Say hello to I'ka."
"I'ka." Striker smiled, softly clicking his mandibles as his sister roared up at him, in time, her vocals would strengthen and her roar would become more powerful and deep like her mother's.
"What is so special about that Ooman child you stood next too, my son?" Rha-n asked. "You hesitated to leave her side."
"She is Shara Kelly, Jha'kle formed the alliance with her and she was Cuh'tor's apprentice, now she is mine." Striker explained. "I gave Jha'kle my word and oath I would allow no harm to befall her."
"And if I were to challenge her, what then?" Rha-n asked. "I am not blind nor short of sight, I see the mask she wears and I want to know if she truely is worthy of his mask. Would you stop me challenging her?"
Striker glanced back at Shara, currently her focus was on her surrounding, not the gathering, if she were challenged she would back down out of respect it was her nature to avoid fights unless needed.
"You are unsure of her reaction." Nagara spoke up. "Why?"
"She is like Cuh'tor, she will not fight unless needs be, even when challenged." Striker explained. "And there is something else, something Jha'kle wanted to speak with you and R'ka about before he told Shara."
"Oh and what's that?" R'ka asked.
"Shara is not fully Ooman anymore." Striker said.
"Kujhade I swear you make one more comment about Cuh'tor and I'll skin you myself!" Big Guns suddenly snarled out and Striker spun in time to see his brother and Big Guns glaring at each other while roaring and snarling.
"Be'guna! Wait!" Bull Dog yelled. "This isn't your battle to fight," he added looking at Shara. "He insulted a mentor, by our laws it's the place of the apprentice to fight, not yours."
Striker stiffened up and growled, by law he wasn't able to intervene if Shara accepted the fight, but if she didn't it would mean he could take the challenge as Cuh'tor's brother and put Kujhade in his place.
To his relief Shara shock her head. "We humans have a saying, 'Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words can't hurt me'," she said. "If all you can do is throw insults and lies at me about your own brother, it just proves you couldn't find the guts to say it to him yourself."
To say Kujhade was shocked was an understatement, before he could attack Shara however, the High Priestess raised her hand and flared her mandibles at him. "I do believe, child that you and I will get along just fine," she said and Guan-thwei smiled.
Suddenly there was a loud burst of static from the old tanker. ~"Mark?! Jessica?! Ben?! Anyone?! Hello?!"~ The radio flared to life, Martha Mary's voice all but screaming over the device in a panic. ~"Can anyone hear me?!"~
"Martha, its Mark, what's wrong?" Mark asked as he answered the radio. "Martha?"
~"Oh thank God! Mark you have to get back here now, Bring everyone back to the base! Quick! I don't know how or when but one of those Hybrid things got in! We're on our own and the General's hurt!"~ Martha Mary explained frantically as the sound of roars and clicks were heard. ~"Oh God the Xenomorphs are trying to get inside the room."~
"We're on our way Martha! Just stay hidden!" Mark said and slammed his foot down. "We need to get back. Xeno's got inside the base!" He said and instantly there was a fury of movement and Mark found himself all but shoved into the back seat as Shara took the controls.
Striker hardly even blinked as he jumped into the Tanker, Pan close behind and quickly moved so his mother, father, Ghost, Guan-thwei and a still angry Kujhade could also travel with them Dart, Bull Dog, Big Guns and the others got in the newer more heavily armoured Tanker with Tracker driving.
"Hang on!" Was all Shara said before the Old Tanker roared to life.
"So... We have a deal?" Sanderson asked. "I bring the girl to you and you leave our people alone."
The thing before him nodded.
"Then were settled..." he said and watched the thing leave.
To say Shara was a brilliant driver was being modest, she never made a mistake and she had perfect control over the vehicle, slamming it into park as they pulled up before all but throwing the doors open.
"That's Sanderson's car." Ben said as he looked around, "Looks like he's still inside too." He added without much care.
"Martha where are you?" Mark asked into the radio.
~"The main kitchen..."~ Martha said. ~"Oh god they keep ramming the door..."~
"Shara, Ben, Striker, take the short route, Jessica, Dart, Tracker the long way around," Ghost stated. "The rest of you come with me, if the Xenomorphs are inside we need to make sure they didn't bring eggs. Bhul-Dwag, you, Be'guna, Guan-thwei and R'ka stay here until called."
"Understood." Bull Dog said as he and his brother readied their best weapons.
Shara didn't wait for the order to move out, she wanted to make sure no one else died because of the Xenomorphs.
He snarled and hissed, pain rippling through his body as he tried to drag himself away.
The hunter had been strong despite being one armed.
He was badly wounded, but the Hunter would soon birth another... then he would die... all he had to do was stay alive long enough to see it...
Something was walking towards him slowly he looked around and then hissed softly as he realized it was the young one apparently she was by herself.
Perfect.
He moved into the shadows and waited for her to get closer before he lunged at her, only to scream out in agony as she turned and drove a spear of some kind into his chest and tossed him hard into the wall.
"Shara!?"
"I'm alright." She said watching the Predalien twitch before going still. "Striker." Striker wordlessly charged and fired his plasma caster at the hybrid, blowing its chest open and insuring it was dead. "Jackal wounded that one... I recognize the blade marks..."
Striker heard the underlying fear in Shara's voice and nodded. "Let's keep going."
Martha screamed as the General opened fire at the door, if the door fell in now they would be killed, but the General was not going to go out without a fight.
"Hey creepy, slimy and ugly!" A familiar voice yelled out followed by multiple shots and Xenomorph screams soon there was silence until Martha saw the door starting to shake and then be ripped off the wall.
"Are you two alright?" Ben asked as he, Mark and Dart rushed into the room, Mark instantly tending to the General, who was bleeding from a deep gash in his chest.
"We're fine lad... where's Shara and the others?" the General asked.
"Here." Jessica said as she came in, closing followed by Shara and Striker. "Where's Jackal?"
"He drew that damn thing away... headed towards the back entrance..." Connelly said and Shara took off in a run. "Shara wait!"
"Let me go you over sized freaks!" Sanderson's voice yelled as he was dragged around the corner by Tracker and Dart, both of whom were thrown to the side as Shara grabbed Sanderson's jacket. "What are you doing?!"
"Where's Jackal?" she demanded. "You're the reason that the base was infiltrated so you damn well better have some answers!"
"Shara no!" Ben called as he and Jessica arrived, "We found Jackal, he's in his room, barricaded the door up tight and wants to speak with you and the elders from the ship." he explained, "The Wonderer is with him now."
"Get her off of me!" Sanderson yelled. "She isn't even human anymore." He added and instantly Striker's Wrist blade was to his throat. "You know it's true your masks scan her just like our equipment, she isn't human anymore! Her DNA is different!"
"Shut your mouth Sanderson," the General snarled as Martha helped him to walk. "You didn't scan before calling in to get access, you would have stopped this happening." He added.
"We'll keep hold of this asshole, Shara, you go see Jackal," Ben said grabbing Sanderson's shoulder and all but yanking him off the floor and slamming him into the wall.
Shara turned on her heel and nodded, "Jackal's in his room?"
"Yea barricaded himself in and sounded kinda... strained." Jessica said after struggling to find a word.
"You're not going anywhere you little brat," Sanderson said as Shara took a step away. "You're under orders from Her Majesty the Queen to come back with me for testing!"
Striker clicked and snarled while grabbing Sanderson's throat and tore upwards pulling Sanderson's head and robotic spinal cord from his body in a spray of white oil.
"Thank you." Shara said then blinked as an unseen hand tugged her coat sleeve and she turned in time to see a miniature Yautja in the armoured arms of her mother.
For a moment Shara couldn't find her voice until the small Yautja clicked at her and hugged her arm, purring and clicking. "Umm... I... erm..."
"I'ka seems to like you," Nagara said with an amused click as Rha-n, R'ka and Ghost faded into view.
"I'ka? That means Ice right?" Shara asked and Nagara cocked her head to one side. "Jha'kle's been teaching me to understand your language." She explained and I'ka clicked up at her while returning to snuggle against her mother's chest.
Nagara smiled behind her mask and nodded. "I see, and yes it does mean Ice."
"D-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-do not ignore-re-re-re-re-re-re me Shara K-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-elly!" Sanderson's voice continued to say as Striker held the head out. "You are under-er-er-er-er-er-er-er-er-er direct orders-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s to-to-to-to-to return with-th-th-th-th me-"
I'ka blinked and cocked her head to one side, how was this head still making a noise when it had been removed from the body? As the head continued to rant and snarl, I'ka tugged at something at Shara's side and then once she'd tugged it free she lifted it up like a hammer and bashed it down on Sanderson's head hard.
The 'weapon' was one of Shara's Colt 45's, unloaded and after several hits Striker let the head drop and I'ka flared her mandibles and roared.
"Good girl." Rha-n said.
Shara blinked twice then looked at Striker. "Are all Pups like that?" she asked.
"Most..." Striker said, "Some are worse." He added then clicked deeply. "We need to get to Jackal."
Shara nodded and raced off, everyone following and ignoring Sanderson's ranting until Rha-n powered up his plasma caster and fired a blast behind them.
He was struggling to breathe right now... his insides felt like they were being ripped and bitten by the hybrid inside him.
How had he let himself be caught off guard by that blasted face hugger!? How was he to explain anything to Shara and his fellow elders now... Oh how he hoped Shara would understand...
"Jackal?" Shara called through the door trying to open it. "Jackal what's going on?"
"Did you bring Rha-n and R'ka with you?" Jackal asked.
"We are all here, Jha'kle." Rha-n said, "Open the door or I will do it for you."
"Don't!" Jackal said, "Not yet..." He pleaded. "I don't know how long I have left so I will be brief... Shara, I left you one final scroll to decrypt, it's in my workshop." He said, starting to pant. "I left my sword with it... instructions for it are written in the scroll."
"You're not making sense Jackal..." Shara said.
"He's been impregnated..." Rha-n's voice sounded heavy and aged. "How long?" he asked.
"I don't know... I can feel it moving..." Jackal said, wincing and then growling deeply. "R'ka... Old friend I ask only one thing of you... scan Shara with our Medical scanners... Tell her the truth about what she is... if you need anything explaining, ask Bhul-Dwag and Be'guna..."
"I will." R'ka said turning and leaving Nagara close behind him, she already knew what was going to happen.
"Rha-n..."
"You needn't say it." Rha-n said before looking at his son then nodded to Shara. "Go. All of you," he was obeyed by all but two, Striker and Shara remained with him.
"Jackal?" Shara asked refusing to budge even when Striker put a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Shara..." Jackal said with a terrible hacking cough. "N'dhi-ja my child."
Rha-n watched as Shara's head lowered and restrained himself from looking surprised when he heard Shara answer. "N'dhi-ja, Osh'dara. Good bye, Father."
Striker gently pulled on Shara's shoulder and eventually, the hall way was cleared.
"She is different from the others." Rha-n said. "Her body shows up as Ooman, Yautja and as the Face hugger stats in my mask... why?"
"When she was young, A Queen scared her left shoulder; the wound was covered by the Kiande Amedha te'dqi, Hard Meat secretion." Jackal explained. "When I carried her back to this ship, my blood also covered her body... the three DNA strands are inside her by accident, but her body had accepted more of my blood then it has the Kiande Amedha, Shara Kelly is more Yautja in blood then she is human and Kiande Amedha... she just doesn't know herself yet."
"I see... now I understand why my son was so protective of her." Rha-n said and then blasted the barricade down and drew his curves sword. "Come out Jha'kle. Face me now and die like the warrior you are." He said while removing his Plasma caster, his armour and his mask.
"Do me one last favour." Jackal pleaded as he stepped from inside the room, his own straight sword before him and his other weapons forgotten on the floor to his room. "Watch over Shara... until the last."
"I give you my oath." And with that they two roared at each other and charged.
"Meer." Striker lifted Pan up into his arm as he and Shara reached the double doors to Jackal's workshop.
"Do you know what is in there?" R'ka asked.
"No, Jackal never told me what he was working on, only that it would mean no one else had to die." Shara said pushing the doors open, "I thought it was a weapon." She admitted as everyone walked into the room as the lights flickered on.
Two challenging roars were heard and Shara visibly fought the urge to bolt towards the sound. Striker clicked softly and then cocked his head to one side. "Is that one of your air craft?" he asked.
Shara looked and nodded. "It's a fighter of some kind, but the design's been changed..." She said. "Look like an F-15."
Another roar cut through the air and Shara felt knots in her stomach.
"Shara," Bull Dog called from a work station. "Jha'kle's sword." He added watching as Shara forced herself not to go help Jackal.
"I can't read his scroll," Big Guns said handing it to her; sure enough the scroll was a mix of Human and Yautja. "I've never known Jha'kle to write in both languages."
"I have... Cuh'tor and I use to do it as a way to make it harder or easier for me when I started to learn your language... as I get better he stopped using the human alphabet and used Yautja..."
"Can you understand it?" Striker asked.
Shara was quiet, then started to read what she could translate. "I started modifying the Human fighter craft with our technology to make it easier to fly. If it can be made air born again it can be used to drop plasma bombs upon the Hives of the Xenomorphs... The gift of flight will end this hunt, making it easier to end the Hunt, and then this once beautiful world can start to heal at last."
Another more painful roar echoed through the base and Shara visibly winced, she knew that sound all too well and wanted nothing more than to bolt for the doors and help Jackal. She owed him her life and to have to stand back and let him be face death alone...
It wasn't fair.
"Keep going." R'ka said.
"I leave my weapons, my armour and my mask to Shara, my place as commander to Be'guna... my work however is unfinished and needs to be tested and finalized, for this, I ask Martha Mary and Dha-ta to see if they can complete what I have left, everything is saved and ready in the console... I also ask that my Swords be left with Shara until such time as my son is ready to earn them." Shara said then gave a shaky breath. "I... I can't understand the rest... just the odd words."
Another echoing roar filled the room and then a terrible screeching howl came to a sudden and abrupt end.
I'ka began to wail in her mother's arms, the High Priestess hung her head and every Yautja gave a low long growl from within their throats.
No one stopped Shara leaving the room.
She stirred...
At long last she was wakening from her icy slumber and soon, her younger sisters would hear her voice and then...
Then this planet, this very Solar system the Hunters so loved, would become their domain.
The snow was relentless in that following week, so much so that almost everyone was wrapped in three layers of winter coats, and then the hail had started to fall, making the whole base echo with the sound of pellets hitting a tin roof.
Shara had been caught outside by herself several times, staring out into the snow and hail while seemingly lost in her own thoughts, Striker had twice had to bring her back inside when he'd realized she'd fallen to sleep.
It had been Bull Dog who had explained Shara's history with Jackal and Cutter to the other Yautja in privet so as not to further upset Shara and since the attack, the security had been tripled, no one got in or out of the base perimeter without someone knowing.
Striker and Ghost had suggested the leave the Scanning to a later date, as it was clear, Shara was not in any state to understand how serious this could be and it would be unfair to force her, the High Priestess agreed and much to Striker's surprise, so did his father.
Currently, Rha-n was walking the halls when he saw Shara ahead of him, going into the room he had been told was once his younger son's room, curious as to why she was in there, he silently moved closer and watched as Shara took Cutter's wrist blades from their place on the wall and sat with them on the bed, checking them over as if looking for damage before taking out a clothe and wiping the blade clean of gathered dust.
Over and over she did this, taking a weapon, checking it, cleaning it then putting it back and taking another...
"You don't have to stand in the door way and watch," Shara said and Rha-n realized he had been seen. "I use to do this every day after Cutter took my place, made it a little easier to cope with knowing he wasn't coming back..."
"And now?" Rha-n asked.
"Habbit... I got so use to doing this it became part of a weekly routine..." Shara said. "Jackal use to come in sometimes and we'd talk, just random stories from our pasts."
"Did he tell you of his family?"
"He never said much, only that his son had left home after a bad argument and his mate had died, he would go quiet after mentioning her so I never asked anything about her." Shara admitted. "I didn't want to reopen old scars."
"And what about you?" Rha-n asked. "How will you cope now he isn't here?"
Shara paused a moment and sighed. "Jackal once told me that remembering those you care for, no matter how different or strange they were will make it easier to cope when they are gone. I never understood why he told me that until now." She said. "He was old, even by your peoples age, and no matter how strong and powerful you're kind can be, even you suffer from old age, you get slower, tired, you prefer to watch and recall the younger days while teaching those younger then you how it can be done..."
"You knew he was getting too old..." Rha-n said.
Shara nodded. "Bull Dog told me, the older your kind gets, the longer and paler your dread locks become. When Jackal came here his locks were the same colour yours are now, he was slower than the rest and yet he still held authority, and even without being told I knew he wasn't as able as he once had been."
"You are observant," Rha-n said. "Jha'kle was the oldest of our whole Clan, many of the young bloods and unblooded saw him as a Paya, immortal, strong and wise, a pillar of knowledge and advice even the High Priestess could not match, but he never allowed himself to become lazy or selfish, he worked hard to keep the clan in good health and spirit with stories of our hunts... I had hoped one day, he would die a calm death, painless and in the comfort of his own home."
"I'm sure if he could have, he would." Shara said. "It's not fair, that he had to die because of that wretched monster inside him."
"Revenge will not bring him or Cuh'tor back," Rha-n said.
"I don't want revenge, no matter how much it hurts I know that revenge will only make me the same as the Xenomorph Queens." Shara stated. "I want this Hunt over... and Jackal knew how to make that happen. All we have to do if finish what he started and then this hunt will end and everything will be alright again."
Rha-n nodded.
...