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This story has been written purely for entertainment purposes, and in no way, shape, form, or fashion means to impede, or infringe upon any copyrighted material whatsoever. I do however retain credit and claim responsibility for the creation of names and character statistics of any and all characters within this publication. These characters are based on copyrighted ideas and or characters of the respective owners of said material within the entertainment industry. No money will be attributed to the author of the following publication in any form. Definitions and wording used to describe devices, and other such items are derived from other literary works involving these types of characters. This publication was created for the sole purpose of entertainment and the expansion of a concept formerly copyrighted by an individual or individuals as a group.
Chapter TwelveThe glare off of the copper tinted, silver-gray doors was nearly enough to blind the eyes even in this barely illuminated location. The ornamentation and overly elaborated carvings on them were exquisite and served to mark the area beyond them as a place of great importance among the Yautja people. Cantwell knew simply by the look of this place that he would need to be as reverent as possible toward these people if he were to accomplish his goal.
Both Cantwell and the Elder Itu're Kra'a neared the large, heavy looking doors and they seemed to open without much of an effort. Slowly and silently they opened without even so much as a hint of a signal from either of them. It was obvious that one of the two guards standing in front of the entrance had signaled their arrival.
As the two of them came even closer the guards shuffled into what was apparently an honorary position that still maintained them the advantage of being on the offensive if need be. As they stepped aside and turned toward one another they formed an arch overhead with their spears.
The Elder paused and nodded to them both in reverence for their respected positions and Cantwell followed suit. Upon hearing what could only be perceived as a grunt of approval from the guards did the two commanders walk past the threshold entrance of the great Council Chamber. It was here that future events would be decided in respect to recent happenings between their peoples.
It was quickly realized by Cantwell that this was probably as formal of an event as Yautja could practice. He noticed that each of the Elders had donned what he could only figure to be the most elaborate of garments they each possessed. He himself was advised by Itu're Kra'a that his garments would need to reflect the most honorable image available to him without appearing completely defenseless.
Besides wearing his best available uniform reserved for occasions similar to this, he had modified the look by wearing his sidearm in plain view. Furthermore, he strapped his sheathed combat knife around his left forearm. Itu're Kra'a was helpful as well. He explained to Cantwell that in his opinion something else was needed. The Elder gave to Cantwell a large Ma'auk, or the equivalent to a human sword, with decorated sheath and all. This would strap around the front of the Lt. Colonel's chest allowing the weapon to rest on his back with the hilt clearly visible over his right shoulder.
Cantwell remembered the moments shortly before he and the Elder left to attend the Council meeting and how he pulled the Ma'auk from its sheath, studying the finely crafted carvings on the object. It was apparent that this was one of Itu're Kra'a's personal and most valuable weapons. As powerful of a leader as he felt he was, he now harbored a slight sense of unworthiness in having to wear such an item. Not to mention that from a strategic point of view he was sure that the other Elder's would recognize this as belonging to Itu're Kra'a and all respect would then be lost.
"I not sure that wearing this is a good idea." Commented Cantwell.
"You will wear it. It will gain you respect among the other Elders." Replied Itu're Kra'a.
"They will know it is not mine."
"They will know that it is a gift from one Elder to another in respect to the spirit of cooperation and accomplishment."
"A gift?"
"Yes. I have looked into your file provided to me from your government via the Yautja Council. They will have no reason to question the validity of my decision."
"I'm not one to usually accept gifts. I rather feel as if I have to earn them first. I am also not an Elder."
"According to our studies of your ranking and the structure of your military our culture would recognize you as being the equivalent of an Elder. As I said I have read of your accomplishments. This gift is justified. Additionally, it will serve to further aid us both in solidifying the human/Yautja alliance."
"Why is it that you seem more interested than most in allying with us?" Asked Cantwell.
"It is simple really. My most trusted subordinate is human. He is also the adopted son of another Yautja Elder who I have known and been friends with for many of your Earth years. It was during those years that we had many conversations concerning the fate of the universe and of the part the Yautja would play. As the years went on we realized that humans were advancing at an alarming rate. It wasn't long before we had to recognize the importance of human existence and the possible effects it would have on our race. Ultimately, the Kin'chen De'ok and their push toward our part of the galaxy opened our eyes to the need for having to gain an ally. Some of us have embraced this ideology, and others, as you are aware, have not."
The Lt. Colonel also remembered what he could about Yautja politics and replied accordingly to Itu're Kra'a.
"I will wear it with honor…friend."
Cantwell brought himself back to reality as he stood vigilantly next to the towering Yautja Elder Itu're Kra'a. It was the two of them standing alone in the center of the room with the other Elders gathered around them in a semi-circle in plain view. Each of them stood stoically without regard to personal comfort, until Itu're Kra'a had announced the subject at hand.
"Great Council…I invoke this meeting in regards to the matter of rogue Yautja interfering in our alliance with the humans and ultimately the survival of the Yautja as a species."
"I, Council Leader K'ros K'et recognize the need and support this calling of the Council. Are there any objections?"
The Council Leader continued after what were only a few moments of silence.
"Elder Itu're Kra'a you are a great and powerful warrior and we recognize the importance of recent events, but what business does the human have here?"
"He has accomplished many great feats involving the killing of Kainde Amedha. Additionally, he has commanded several missions against the Kin'chen De'ok and as you can certainly tell by his presence here he has been successful. It was during one of those confrontations that he commanded the forces of his military, saving the lives of several Yautja. Most certainly our brothers would have otherwise perished without even the slightest chance of gaining honor or the chance at a fair fight without the Lt. Colonels intervention. I have personally been impressed with the information provided and chose to honor him further by presenting him with a valued Ma'auk of my own."
The Council Leader then directed his attention toward the Lt. Colonel and spoke.
"Lt. Colonel…is it true that you were aware of having saved the lives of several Yautja?"
"Yes. We saw that the Kin'chen De'ok would have wiped them out without their knowledge and no chance to even fight back. We could not let that happen to a people who regard honor as highly as you do."
"You speak of honor as if your culture practiced it themselves." Replied the Council Leader sarcastically.
"Our people are different, and we will fight with honor when given the opportunity. Otherwise we will fight to survive using whatever methods necessary, especially when the enemy gives us no chance to fight fairly and practicing honor will mean the extinction of our race. Ultimately, we will adapt to our enemies ways in order to defeat our enemy; In order to defeat ones enemy, one must become the enemy. Is that not a direct quote from one of your very own religious texts?"
Itu're Kra'a swiftly turned his head towards Cantwell in surprise. He wasn't aware that the Lt. Colonel had known of these religious texts, let alone studied them in the least.
The air became still and not a single Yautja even twitched. The lack of motion was not the sign that the Colonel was looking for but the length of inactivity of these beings surely was. He knew that after that long a period of time he had to have struck a nerve in one of them. He was sure that he had gained some respect. Any being that would take the time to study another's culture for the purpose of respect and goodwill and not for strategic purposes had to be honorable to some degree.
"Yes. It is. I am impressed with your knowledge of our ways Lt. Colonel. I will not object to your presence here. Rest assured though that I demand from you nothing short of Yautja practice within this chamber."
"I understand." Replied Cantwell.
The passageways of the Yautja medical compound were dark and damp. Not anything like those found on Earth or utilized by the humans. Morgan noticed the carvings and décor inscribed into the walls were minimal and seemed to reflect more of a religious tone. Even more interesting was the fact that these religious glyphs conveyed more a message of death, or in the very least the honor of a glorious death in battle. Each of them would serve the Great Warrior God in their version of Heaven or Valhalla. According to the inscriptions it was a place for Warriors beyond the physical realm; a place of eternal honor for those warriors that die honorably.
Morgan was led by one of the trusted guards through the medical facility where Crazy Blood was being healed. It was her conclusion that these Yautja were obviously of the belief that once here you were prepared to die. It would explain the lack of visitor's areas, or the non-existent emergency room. These people were more than ready to accept death and relished the idea of being a Warrior in the heavens. Nonetheless, they still maintained the ability to heal others from what they might consider minor wounds or even diseases. Perhaps like any other race they had their share of viral or bacterial infections from time to time and would need to be able to eradicate the threat of having an epidemic spread across their world. If for no other reason, they would most likely want to preserve the healing facilities for longer life. Not because of life itself, but for that extra chance to once more go on the hunt. 'For in the hunt, there is honor.' She whispered as she paused with all forward motion and began staring at one innate carving in particular on the wall.
The Yautja escort that had been accompanying her on her trip to find Crazy Blood halted upon noticing that he no longer heard her footsteps. In turning around swiftly he noticed her attention towards one of the glyphs that all Yautja are familiar with. Calmly he approached her as he took note of her unrelenting focus. His presence seemed to not bother her as he came near and this sparked his curiosity.
"I see you have taken in interest in our Za'Ar."
"Za'Ar?" Asked Morgan.
"Yes. It means the sum total of our specie's culture, spirituality, art, lifestyle, as well as other facets of our life. You humans merely would call it a record of history, but we have given it a name, a formal one at that. For all those things as one represent the Yautja as a whole." He paused momentarily before speaking as Morgan never took her eyes off the Za'Ar.
"Would you like to know what that one in particular says?" Asked the Yautja.
Without so much as a doubt in her voice or a hesitation she answered as she turned to look at the Yautja for approval in her translation.
"For in the hunt, there is honor."
The translator device was efficient if nothing else. Proof of this was in the eyes of the Yautja before her as he reacted in a way that she could only interpret as mild surprise.
"You are correct. How did you learn to read Yautja?"
"I didn't. I just know what it means. It seems that since the event when Crazy Blood was injured I have been able to read and understand it."
The hulking Yautja just stared down at her from his height and appeared to be thinking of what exactly to say.
"There are those of us who follow the religious teachings more than others. I am one of those Yautja. I recall reading somewhere in one of the ancient texts that there would one day be those that would come to us and be not of our kind that would be our salvation against the Kin'chen De'ok. It is the only thing that I can think of that would explain your…gift"
"Hold on big fella! That's a stretch. I know right now I have no way to explain how I understand what those carvings say. But to think that I'm part of some kind of Yautja prophesies! That's hard for anyone to believe."
The Yautja turned and reclaimed his original course through the corridor towards where Hulij-Thwei was being held in one of the healing chambers as he continued to speak.
"Is it so hard for you to believe that there are things in this universe that are connected? Who is to say that we aren't all tied together in this physical existence for a reason, or perhaps for each other's mutual benefit? If you can offer me a better explanation I would agree with you. Right now though, it is the only explanation, even if it is remote and as you would say…'a stretch.'"
"Who would'a thought I'd meet a Yautja monk?" Spoke Morgan humorously as she followed the Yautja to their destination.
"How many of the humans are dead, Lo'bas Rek?"
"Two of them Elder. And two of the guards loyal to Elder Itu're Kra'as."
"Good; the fewer Yautja that support this human alliance the better. We cannot afford to become the next victims of the human expansion into the galaxy. It would be the end of the Yautja culture, as we know it. There are already too many of them who believe the humans will play their part in the scheme of things to come. They are but a plague upon the universe that should be extinguished." Spoke the Elder Po'lut Da'sar.
"I agree Elder. As do the others on board."
"Were any of your identities discovered?"
"Only a human female saw us from a distance and for only a thousandth of a t'em."
"That will have to suffice for now. When we return in force we will see to it that none of the humans survive."
"Of course Elder."
Lo'bas Rek clicked his mandibles in agreement as he turned away from the Elder and retreated toward the living quarters onboard the ship. His form disappeared as he exited the command center into the darkened passageway.
K'tek-de'Sa studied the techniques of one of the Unblooded youths he was training as was his duty in the absence of Hulij-Thwei and Pok'de it'ktse. The Unblooded were doing well under his guidance but seemed to lack motivation and perhaps even a bit of respect for him considering the reasons he was recently appointed as their superior.
It was as he entered the Kehrite that he grabbed one of the Unblooded youths by the throat and threatened him with a beating that he would remember for the rest of his natural existence for not performing well against his opponent.
The Unblooded youth landed hard on the flooring beneath him and rolled somewhat backwards from the force of being thrown a few feet. He immediately gained his footing and stood; never taking his eyes off of K'tek-de'Sa. It was as he saw his superior coming at him again that he decided to defend himself as best he could.
K'tek-de'Sa lunged violently at his subordinate in the hopes that it would spur his instinct for survival. Swinging his clawed hand at the youth it was apparent that it was going to be a miss. The youth had sidestepped the strike and was now in position to retaliate. Without missing a beat the youth launched his elbow in the direction of K'tek-de'Sa's face barely missing his left upper mandible. There was no doubt in his mind that the youth was good and would one day be a great hunter. Unfortunately he noticed that he was only now giving this confrontation his full effort. Why he was not putting forth this kind of skill against his fellow Unblooded competitors he did not know. The truth was about to come out.
K'tek-de'Sa reached out and grabbed the arm of the youth after it passed by his face and he then tugged the youth towards him and down, slamming the youth's mandibles into the hard floor. It was no more than a moment when K'tek-de'Sa kicked him over on his back and then stomped his foot into the throat of the youth and roared at him in anger. After taking a moment to calm himself he spoke.
"Why do you insist on being lazy against your Unblooded opponents? Yet you let loose with all of your skills against me. Are you afraid to hurt them? Or are you just lazy in general?" He asked with a tone to his voice that was clearly nothing less than irritation.
The youth strained to find his voice in spite of his lack of oxygen and responded.
"I was not as focused as I should be. Recent events have robbed me of my concentration. It will not happen again Ba'ook."
K'tek-de'Sa let the youth have just a bit of air before continuing with his reprimanding of the Unblooded trainee.
"You are correct, I am your Ba'ook; your superior, and your current trainer. You have disrespected me with your lack of effort. I should snap your neck right now and save you the trouble of having been dishonored later. Never be that careless again. Look around you. These other Unblooded youths can challenge you at any time. You must always be ready for the fight. Always be ready for the hunt. If you were to think that holding back with your skills against a weaker, smaller adversary is going to gain you any honor you are wrong. You will be dead and nothing more."
It was then that he stepped away from the youth who immediately regained his footing and joined the other Unblooded outside the boundary of the Kehrite ring. After circling the ring once in thought he turned to the group of Unblooded who were paying full attention.
"I say the same to all of you. For none of you have impressed me at all today. It seems apparent that you have all suffered from the temporary loss of your Leader. This is not acceptable. He would not accept this kind of behavior from you. He would expect that you would fight even harder in order to ensure that what happened to him would not happen to you. He would expect victory in all circles of your life. Even now he fights to survive in the healing chambers and will return to us stronger than before, wiser than before, and far more dangerous to those who wish to do any harm to any Yautja. For he is Hulij-Thwei. He will know that none of you are worth training. Now get out of my sight and return to your quarters."
K'tek-de'Sa paused for a moment before continuing with the dismissal of the Unblooded youths to their living quarters. He was hoping that giving them this free time under the guise of being punished would allow them to self motivate. Perhaps they would learn something from their own mistakes but also from the mistakes of others around them.
Morgan and the Yautja escort she had been walking with in the healing facility were nearing their destination and finished up their conversation after rounding a corner into an adjacent hallway. It was upon seeing what she thought was Crazy Blood's second in command, Pok'de it'ktse, staring blankly at the wall, thirty feet or so away that caught her attention. She became quiet as the two of them approached perhaps to focus on any yet unspoken news of Crazy Blood's condition, when the Yautja guard grunted something at the figure before them.
She was right, this was Pok'de it'ktse and he stood vigilantly, staring through what she now realized was a large pane of glass. If it weren't for his spoken words she would swear he was nothing more than an oddly placed statue.
"He is well, and will recover fully in less than a few of your Earth days." Stated Pok'de it'ktse plainly.
The large Yautja guard placed his hand firmly on the shoulder of Hulij-Thwei's vigilant friend as he too spoke.
"I will do what I can to assure that the humans are protected. Of course, if you would like to have some assistance in capturing the renegade Yautja for this crime I would be more than happy to serve."
Pok'de it'ktse returned the physical gesture and responded accordingly.
"Thank you old friend. Your assistance may very well be needed in the coming days, but the decision will ultimately be up to him." Spoke Pok'de it'ktse as he turned his head as if to point back at the tank that Hulij-Thwei was suspended in.
"I will now take my leave. The other oomans are still located at the living quarters and I must see to my duties there."
"I will let him know of your good will when he rises once again." Offered Pok'de it'ktse.
The two of them nodded in approval at one another ending their conversation. All the while Morgan had taken up a stance of her own. She had been staring through the windowpane at the Yautja medical technicians monitoring the healing tank that held within it Crazy Blood's lifeless looking body. There was no doubt that she had heard the conversation between the two Yautja in her company only moments ago.
Pok'de it'ktse's presence didn't bother her in the least as far as he could tell. Although, he pondered, if only for a moment, as to whether or not she would have any further detailed questions as to Hulij-Thwei's condition. He had then concluded that she was content with just being there and seeing through the transparent tank walls the progress with which his injuries were healing.
Like two misplaced sculptures of rock they stood silently watching the slow but progressive activities of the diligently working healers.
"You are quite a fortunate individual Lt. Colonel." Spoke Itu're Kra'a with a rather positive tone to his statement.
"Why is that?" Asked Cantwell.
"You are not a Yautja, and yet somehow you handled yourself like one in Council Chamber. They found you to be respectful, wise, intelligent, and most of all honorable in your demeanor, as well as with your request for Vi'roog Nain-de."
"My request for the Revenge Hunt was for both Hulij-Thwei and my men who were killed. Not for myself. I believe that's why they granted it. Would you agree?" Asked Cantwell.
"I most certainly do. They were correct to think that you are wise. I could not have conducted myself better. When will your men be ready for the hunt?"
The Lt. Colonel peered at Itu're Kra'a with a keen expression signifying that he was pleased with the results they had both achieved in the Council Chambers.
"As soon as I tell them."
"Good. Keep in mind that Hulij-Thwei has several more of your Earth days before being released from the healing facility. That should give you enough time to speak to your subordinates about our laws regarding the Badbloods and our pursuit of them. I will keep you informed as to when we are ready to leave."
"Of course. We will be ready." Offered Cantwell with a miniscule smirk beginning to form on his face. Despite his acceptance of allying with the Yautja and his recently discovered admiration for them as a species; he still looked forward to the chance to hunt one of them after all the years of their having hunted us. It was ironic, and even more so considering that he was allowed to do such by permission of their High Council.
K'tek-de'Sa was traversing the corridors of the training complex after having a meal in the general refectory. He was on his way to the healing facility to check on his Leader's progress and inform Pok'de it'ktse of his decisions regarding the Unblooded youths.
As he came near to the building that housed the Unblooded he noticed that they were not in their prescribed quarters. Inquisitively he began a minor search for them in the hopes that they would show some initiative by training during their personal time. His decision to check the Kehrite for their presence was solely based on that hope.
It was only a short walk from the Unblooded domicile to the training Kehrite and he had briskly traveled the path there. Before turning the corner to enter the room he began to hear voices of what he recognized were the Unblooded. To his surprise they were there, confusingly though, they were not training.
The largest of them, the one in particular whom he had given a thrashing to earlier was speaking to the rest of them as a group.
For the purpose of further investigating the actions of the Unblooded Yautja, he quickly activated his cloaking device and set it to mask his heat from their standard unaided vision. Quietly he stepped out into the open area behind the pack and observed their actions for any signs of insubordination. After listening for only a few moments he realized the purpose of this gathering.
"We are Yautja, and our Ba'ook was correct. We should always be prepared for the final battle, for the final hunt. Anything less is unacceptable. What we should also realize is that respect should be paid to those with honor, respect should be paid to those who are responsible for teaching us these values. We will take our personal time to visit our fallen Leader at the healing facility. That too will show our Ba'ook that we can be honorable, and recognize the need for respect to our superiors. We will hold a vigil as close to his location as we are allowed. It will be there that we will not eat, we will not sleep, and we will not move from there until we are given orders to do otherwise. Is this understood?"
He paused and looked around for approval from the others, as they all clicked their affirmations toward his idea.
"We will go now my Yautja brothers!"
The group left the Kehrite as K'tek-de'Sa remained cloaked and motionless only turning his head enough to watch them file out of the room and down the corridor toward the exit of the building. A sense of pride washed through him as he realized that his words to them earlier might have had something to do with their current plans.
After being satisfied that the Unblooded youths were far enough away he de-cloaked and went straight to his domicile. He clicked his mandibles in approval of his own decision and quickly entered his home. He casually strode towards his personal trophy room and activated a few symbols on a panel near one of the open cases holding some of his most prized possessions, when he raised his gauntlet and checked the time. After activating a few more symbols on the facing of this wrist device he contacted Pok'de it'ktse.
"Is our Leader still healing?"
"Yes." Replied Pok'de it'ktse.
"Excellent. The Unblooded are on their way to perform Sau'Des-ta, the honor vigil."
"I know what Sau'Des-ta is."
"I apologize. I meant no disrespect."
"I need no apology, what I do need though is an explanation as to why they are not training."
"They lacked motivation despite my efforts to thrash the oldest of them. I told them they weren't worth training, to get out of my sight, and return to their quarters until further notice."
"Excellent. It will give them time to reflect on their errors. You have done well."
K'tek-de'Sa finished his conversation with Pok'de it'ktse and once again stared momentarily into the secret drawer of his trophy case he had opened earlier. He reached into the finely decorated space and pulled from it's location a rare and elaborately carved knife handle that looked more like a ceremonial object. That was until K'tek-de'Sa manipulated the item with a quick twist of his wrist only to reveal a large blade that slid out of the object with a near silent clacking of a sound. The handle had effectively hidden the blade from view and now that it was fully open the knife would easily measure almost two feet in length, including the handle. He clicked his mandibles as the equivalent of a human grin and continued on his way out of his domicile and under the arched structures that spanned the buildings he walked between, as he disappeared out of sight.
Glossary:
Ba'ook- Any Yautja designated to train the Unblooded that has not officially received the status of Leader, or Yautja appointed by a Leader to train the Unblooded without having achieved the status of Leader.
Za'Ar- The sum total of the Yautja specie's culture, spirituality, art, lifestyle, as well as other facets of their life.
Vi'roog Nain-de- Revenge Hunt, or Hunt of Revenge. Typically associated with hunting Badbloods, but recently this has been expanded to other species as well. Also See M-di'Yu'thwei Nain-de above.M-di'Yu'thwei Nain-de – Badblood hunt, or hunt for Badbloods usually reserved for those seeking revenge against a Badblood.
Sau'Des-ta- The Honor Vigil. This practice can take on many different forms depending on the reason it is conducted. It is common to hold it while someone is recovering from life threatening injuries, after someone's death, and other various conditions. Each of the implementations are different and the practice takes on different rituals depending on the reason it is done, which helps to define the reason as to it being conducted.