Goodbye (5)

"So what're your plans for Specimen #147 ,Marty," Weyland asked him curiously. Dr. Bogs had requested a meeting with him concerning the matter for some time now. He felt that he was ready to continue with the hunter.

"Well sir, after taking some tests of the hunter's physical and mental state, I believe he's matured to the point where we can install a neuro-inhibitor," Bogs explained.

Weyland paused when he said that. "A neuro-inhibitor? Will that even be able to work on him? He's different from humans, and even if it does, won't it fry his brain?"

"As you know sir, I was able to save what I could of the other newborn hunters that weren't able to make it. I used them as test subjects for a new prototype I've been developing. It was originally intended for the xenomorphs, but unfortunately nothing has managed to come of that so far, however it worked perfectly on them," Bogs explained as he pulled a video chip out of his bag. "This is footage I took while I was testing it."

"So everything's ready?" Weyland inquired.

"See for yourself," Bogs said as he inserted the chip into Weyland's office T.V.

"This is test 105 of the XX-121 neuro-inhibitor prototype," The footage began showing five cryo-vats. Inside were the five child hunters. They were no older than Specimen #147. They all had horrible disfigurations and wounds from Bogs' numerous experiments on them. Bogs had brought up the possibility of reviving or cloning them to Weyland, and he had given Bogs the go ahead, but after a series of failed experiments, they dropped the subject and never brought it up again. Weyland would've had them disposed of, but Bogs still thought they'd be of use. It was obvious they were dead, but at the same time though they looked like they were only asleep. Despite the fact they were dead, the protein chemicals in the cryo-vat chambers had managed to keep their bodies alive, and had allowed them to continue to grow.

"Alright, my team and I have carefully implanted the XX-121 neuro-inhibitor prototype into the back of the hunter's precentral gyrus. Now although the brain is very much dead, it is still intact. Theoretically the electro-impulses coming from the inhibitor should activate motor functions allowing the body to move. These same electrical impulses should also send the cerebrum information allowing it to be able to process information when given to it. I am now going to remotely give it a command for it to move it's left arm and we shall see how things play out from there." Almost immediately after typing in the command, the arm began to move in a clockwise motion. The movement wasn't slow, delayed, or irregular in anyway. It looked like the hunter was consciously moving it's arm. Bogs could be heard cheering in the background. "Okay, Okay, Okay. Now typing in a command for it to move it's head back and forth." Just like before the hunter's head began swaying back and forth.

The footage continued this for a couple hours. The devise was used on the other hunters, and some tests were taken outside the vats. The bodies given orders to solve a puzzle. Their movements were much more cumbersome and labored outside the vats. Bogs explained that this was due to a lack of activity in the muscles and underdeveloped motor functions, but despite those limitations they completed their objectives. One was even given a task to shoot a target, and it's aim was near perfect.

"So, what do you think sir," Bogs asked after turning the footage off.

"Marty, you never dissapoint," Weyland complimented with an amused chuckle. "When are you able to begin?"

"We are ready to go sir. I can have a lobotomy done immediately," Bogs replied.

"Excellent," Weyland said with a grin.

/

Hadrick sighed as he ran over the report on his last mission. If it was one thing he hated more than the missions themselves it was the paperwork that came after it. Why Weyland wanted a rundown on everything that happened after every mission, Hadrick didn't know. It all felt like a fat waste of time to him, one that looked like it was going to chew away at the rest of his day.

Hadrick groaned at the thought. He'd wanted to visit Mei-ek'li and Asundhe. After the success of his interaction with them, Weyland and his scientists allowed him continued visitation whenever he wanted. He knew it was all so they could take notes on how they would interact with each other, but regardless he never let it undermine the enjoyment he had spending time with them. He enjoyed listening to Mei-ek'li share stories of her hunts, just as much as she did listening to him as he recounted some of his missions. The two had become friends to each other. Hadrick would've never have guessed he'd ever make friends with one of the aliens that'd attempted to kill him and his ancestors. He found it a little ironic and strange, but stranger things have happened before.

Hadrick tapped his pencil on the barrack's table impatiently as he continued mussing through the questions on the report. He was tempted to just tear it up right there, but they'd just issue him another report until he filled it, so he stayed and attempted to finish it as quickly as he could. Suddenly the facility's alarms began blaring. That only meant one thing.

"Shit!" Hadrick exclaimed as he and the other marines jumped to their feet and ran to their weapon lockers.

Attention. All security staff are to report to their posts. This is not a drill. Class 4 Xenomorph outbreak in Sectors A-1, A-3, B-2, and C-4 The automated voice system spoke as the security systems began activating. Emergency lockdown initiated. Pressure doors sealing. Sentry turrets online. All personnel follow laboratory evacuation procedures.

"What is this shit man?! How'd this happen?!" One of the newbies exclaimed stupidly as he slipped into his armor.

"Someone might've not have locked up properly, or there could've been a power shortage in containment or somethin'! Who gives a shit man!" Gordon said behind him.

After double checking his rifle's ammunition, Hadrick contacted Major Anderson through his earpiece. "Major, this is Sergeant Scheafer! What's the situation looking like?"

"You know damn what it looks like Schaefer! There are xenos crawling all over the fucking place, meat bags all over the ground, and shit looks like hell worn over!" Anderson roared. "What's your position?"

"Gordon and I are in the barracks with the newbies! Where are you?"

"My team and I are pinned down in security right now! We'll be fine, but right now their making their way over to the queen's chanmber! You have to make sure she doesn't get out or we're all fucked!"

"Make sure she doesn't get out, got it! Over and out!" Hadrick ended before turning to the other marines. "All right marines! Let's get to it! Standard lockdown procedures are in place, so they're trapped! Right now they're on their way to the queen's chamber! Our job is simple, make sure she doesn't get out! I want everyone in tight formation, and remember to kill any and all targets at a distance! Molecular acid's a real son-of-a-bitch!"

"Alright marines let's get to it! Gordon said readily before they all gave out with an enthusiastic oorah.

Hadrick's mind briefly turned back to Mei-ek'li and Asundhe as he and his team charged forward. With the outbreak as bad as it was, the xenos would undoubtedly find them. He wanted to make a break for their enclosure and make sure they were alright, but he couldn't. All he could do for them was hope and pray they'd be okay.

/

Asundhe roared angrily as he swung at his mother. Mei-ek'li leapt to the side, easily avoiding the strike before kicking him in the back. Asundhe tried swinging back in retaliation, but his mother caught his fist, before twisting it around his back. Effortlessly she picked him up by the lower of his back, before throwing him at the wall.

"Ell-osde' masu'fe s'yuiret!" (Your technique is poor!) She told him before she threw her fist at him.

The blow caught Asundhe at his chin. Before he could get up to recouperate, his mother's foot met his face knocking him on his back. Mei-ek'li lunged at him, but he quickly managed to move his feet under her torso before pushing forward throwing her to the other side of the room. He grinned arrogantly as he watched her fly. His celebration was cut short when she spun around mid-air and landed gracefully to her feet. Asundhe growled furiously before charging at his mother.

With one quick movement, Mei-ek'li spun around, kicking Asundhe in the stomach. The inexperienced pup held his gut as he fell forward. Mei-ek'li caught him by the arm, before throwing him over her shoulder, sending him flying into one of the trees. His body hit the trunk with an audible crack. Asundhe laid their in a painful heap, he couldn't get back up. Another nain-desintje-de "pure win" for Mei-ek'li.

After letting her son take a moment to catch his breath, Mei-ek'li picked him up. Asundhe looked up at his mother and noticed the disappointed look on her face. Asundhe flared his lower mandibles aggressively as he glared at her, before pushing at her shoulder in a challenging manner.

Mei-ek'li's face twisted into an ugly frown, then smacked him in the face as she gave him a disgruntled hiss. Asundhe was still angry with her, but he dared not disrespect her again, and lowered his head and eyes to the ground submissively.

"M-di h'dla-ki Tik-osde' ma-nu, Asundhe," (Do not disrespect me like that again, Asundhe,) Mei-ek'li clicked her mandibles angrily before allowing him to stand up again.

"Ma-nu!" (Again!) Mei-ek'li said as she assumed a fighting stance.

Hurt by the lose against his mother for the hundredth time, Asundhe began climbing one of the trees to watch the marines practice outside. After so many battles, he thought he would've been able to beat his mother at least once by now. Even after she allowed him to use the marine's techniques, he felt like he was no where close to where he needed to be than when he started.

"Lik-eh dok-a, Asundhe. Kod-osde' h'ko bpi-de hma'mi'da," (Come down here, Asundhe. We have not finished training,) Mei-ek'li told him.

Asundhe ignored his mother and continued looking at the training ground outside. There weren't as many marines outside as there normally were.

"Asundhe, lik-eh dok-a!" (Asundhe, come down!) She roared at him.

"H'ko!" (No!) He replied defiantly.

"K-ne'de!" (What!) Mei-ek'li screeched.

"Sedi s'yuit-de! Kod-osde' hma'mi'da toc'ar kiltu, Tek-osde' k'wi-duu nide!" (This is pathetic! Our training has taken so long, and I've learned nothing!) Asundhe hissed angrily.

"Ge'kis m-di thu'tar Tik mei'lou-dte." (That is not true my son.) She told him.

"Sei-i s-di! M'li Kod-osde' yin'tai hma'mi'da Tek-osde h'ko wi-tum!" (Yes it is! In all this time we've trained I haven't beaten you once!) He snarled.

Mei-ek'li sighed patiently. She understood her son's frustration well. It hadn't been that long ago when she was just an unexperienced youth. She knew how grueling training could be. Often times, students lost their lives before they could even get the chance to become Young-blood warriors. Had he been part of a normal lesson group he would've had to contend with other students, each one more ferocious than the other. Often times they would go wild and harm one another without cause. The elders that taught these unruly youngsters were often times more ruthless and impatient than they were. Having to teach them was no easy task for the elders, and if they were too impatient they would cripple ,or worse yet, kill the irritating youth.

Although Asundhe didn't have to experience any of that, that didn't mean his training wasn't difficult. In some ways he had it worse than most Unblooded. Having to learn so much about the oomans and his own kind was taxing. Just the mere thought of learning the ooman's English made Mei-ek'li's head spin, yet Asundhe could speak it and his native Hish with ease. That and he was training with a female. Most females could easily overpower an adult male in unarmed combat. Just the fact that he managed to last so long as he could against her was an impressive feat for a yautja of his age. As she thought about all this she smiled to herself. He still had much to learn, but she didn't doubt for a second that he would make a great hunter one day.

"Detei h'ko h'dla'tekai le'su'dha ven'tija jehdin kv'var kiande amedha." (There is no shame loosing against one who has hunted the hard meat before.) Mei-ek'li told him with a soft purr.

"Tek-osde' m'di tsu-tai kv'var-de, s-di halkrath," (I do not care about other hunters, or the shadows,) Asundhe growled as he turned his back to her. Tek-osde' dra-sude." (I am meaningless.) Mei-ek'li heard Asundhe curse himself.

She clicked her mandibles patiently as she rested her hands on his shoulders. "Payas sute'de Tik-osde' wei't Ell-osde' kale-dhe. Ma-osde' fe'me'diu non-co, wei't Tik-osde' pre'mli'te h'chak. Ell-osde' ki'rir fet-umi mei'sumei h'ko ki'rir. Ma-osde' h'ko ote wei't ze-tani jheda. Tik-osde kin-fe Ell-osde' uni-kwei." (The gods blessed me when you were born. They granted your life when I begged for their mercy. You were given a chance your siblings were not. They would not have done that without a meaningful reason. I know you are special.)

Asundhe snarled at the thought, "Payas h'ko fu'ale Tek-osde'. Ma-osde' sin'tude Kod-osde'. Tek-osde' nide h'dla'tekai u'darahje po'so Payas. Ma-osde' dra-kade Kod-osde' rec'ude le'zatu. Payas sin'tude Tek-osde', Tek-osde' sin'tude Payas!" (The gods do not love me. They hate us. I am nothing but a dishonorable abomination to them. They cursed us by putting us in this prison. The gods hate me, so I hate them!)

Mei-ek'li felt like being angry with Asundhe for disrespecting the gods. Normally any yautja who spoke ill of them was put to death, but she was understanding of his grief. Gently she wrapped her arms around him in a loving hug. "Ell-osde' s-di h'ko u'darahje ,mei'lou-dte. Tik-osde kin-fe Ell-osde' h'ko s-di. Ell-osde' plu'ei ge'kis. Payas sute'de Ell-osde'. s-di kin-fe sl've ou'dati kv'var-de te-jin," (You are no abomination ,child. I know you are not. You are more than that. The gods have blessed you, and I know that you will become a great hunter someday,) Mei-ek'li assured him.

Asundhe continued to scowl as his mother tried to comfort him. He still didn't believe that he would be a great hunter, or that the gods cared about him at all. Dishonorable abominations like him were never revered as great hunters. They were only sought after and destroyed by the elders. If any of his kind found out about his existence he knew they wouldn't hesitate to destroy him. And the gods... they would never want him. If by chance there was a god who did care for him, it wasn't any his kind worshiped.

Suddenly the door to there enclosure opened. The scientists were coming inside, and accompanying them were three combat androids. Usually they were never called in unless something bad was about to happen. Mei-ek'li had a strange feeling in her gut when she saw them. Asundhe felt the same way. They both knew something bad was about to happen.

"Get the kid," the head scientist ,Martin Bogs, ordered the androids as he brought out a syringe.

Mei-ek'li pushed Asundhe behind her as the lifeless atomatons advanced. When they tried reaching for him she pushed them away as hard as she could. One of the androids grabbed her by the arm and twisted it forcing her to the ground, where another one helped it pin her down. Asundhe hissed as the third grabbed him by the arm. He kicked and clawed at it, but the machine was unfazed.

"Give this to him. It'll make him calmer when we go to preform the lobotomy," Bogs said as he gave the syringe to one of his underlings.

"Mei'si-dha!" (Mother!) He called for her as the scientist came forward with the syringe.

Just as he was about to jab it into Asundhe's arm, Mei-ek'li managed to find her strength and throw the androids off of her. She roared angrily as she attacked the scientist and the android that held her son. Effortlessly she smacked the scientist away ,knocking him out, before grabbing the android by the throat.

"Get control of her now!" The head scientist demanded.

Just as she was about to smash the machine's face in with a large stick, it's compatriots grabbed her by the arms and pulled her off. As she attempted to force herself free, Bogs grabbed the syringe off of the unconscious scientist and stabbed her with it. She roared in outrage as he did that. She rip free so she could claw him, and almost managed to do so but the androids managed to catch her before she could succeed. Bogs then took out a second syringe from his coat pocket and shot it into her. He'd brought a second one just in case the first wasn't enough.

"I'd hoped to have used those on the kid. Would've made it easier on him," The head scientist growned before turning his attention back to Asundhe. "Get him."

The drugs took affect almost instantly. Mei-ek'li's head began to spin. She felt weak and tired. With all the strength she could muster she tried to break the androids' grip, but she was to fatigued to do so. "Asundhe kik'tom!" (Run Asundhe!) She screamed tiredly.

Asundhe turned towards the door of the enclosure, which the scientists had stupidly left open, and made a break for it. Just as he was about to make it out however, one of the scientists grabbed him from behind. "Gotcha!"

Asundhe screeched angrily as he clawed at the oomans arm. The scientist recoiled in pain but he didn't let Asundhe go. He continued scratching at the scientist until he was able to slip away, but by that time one of the androids grabbed him. He strained as he tried to fight it, but his efforts went as well as they did earlier.

"Good, now let's take him to the... oh... oh god..." Bog's look of anger shifted into terror at what he saw, as did everyone else.

Suddenly something pushed Asundhe and the android to the ground. Asundhe looked back and saw it, a shadow. Xenomorphs, the oomans called them. The black creature held the combat android to the ground. The machine struggled but the monster waas stronger. After a short moment the shadow destroyed it with a quick precise bite to the head with its inner jaw.

Asundhe stood in awe and terror as he looked up at the beast. He'd been shown images of the shadows numerous times before. Their spidery build, elongated heads, and dark bio-mechanical bodies were etched into his memory. His mother had told many stories about these monsters, the many legendary battles his kind fought against them, and what they could do to their prey. All of that understanding for the creature made it all the more terrifying being in the presence of it. Asundhe had never felt such fear before in his life.

The creature let out a shrill shriek of victory over its kill as two more of them arrived.

"Stop them!" Bogs ordered the androids. The machines obediently forgot about Mei-ek'li and attacked the shadows without hesitation. Their scuffle didn't last however as the monsters quickly overpowered the combat androids. One of them was impaled before the monsters effortlessly ripped its head off while the other one was torn in half.

The scientist who tried seizing Asundhe earlier tried to make a quick get away but, one of the shadows caught him and began tearing him apart.

Bogs tried to do the same but he was cut off by the other two. The scientist Mei-ek'li knocked out earlier came to, Bogs saw him come back to consciousness. Without a second thought, Bogs grabbed him by the lab coat before throwing him at the monsters. The scientist screamed in horror as his face met the creatures' before they both leapt on him and began eating him. While they were preoccupied with their meal, Bogs made his escape.

Finished with their snacks, two shadows turned to Asundhe. The monsters leapt at him without warning, but Asundhe was able to throw himself at the closest tree before they could reach him. As quickly as he could, he climbed the tree for everything he was worth. As he did so he dared to look down and saw one of the monsters chasing him up the tree. He was startled by how blindingly fast it was.

He reached for the nearest branch but was cut off by the second shadow. The dark creature took a swipe at him as he fell backward. Luckily he managed to right himself and caught another branch to escape on. The monster jumped on the branch behind him and took another swing but it fell short. Asundhe looked ahead and leapt for another branch. The shadow bounded just as he did. Just as the two landed Asundhe kicked it in the face as hard as he could forcing it back a little.

Just as he was about to run ahead the other shadow had made it's way up and blocked his path. Thinking quickly, Asundhe reached for a branch, pulled back and let it swing just when the monster was in place. The shadow easily avoided the swing, but the distraction allowed him the time needed to spring onto another tree. He almost slipped as he attempted to dig his claws into the bark, but he caught himself.

Just as Asundhe began to climb, one of the monsters leapt in front of him. He tried to move back down, but the other one was right below him. The monster under him clawed at his feet, while the other one prepared to jump at him. With reflexes he didn't even know he had, Asundhe moved to the side as the monster above him came down. The creature hadn't anticipated his quick response, and hit a branch causing it to fall in a spiral of limbs.

The shadow below Asundhe continued attempting to grab at him. Asundhe kicked back while attempted to go higher, but it managed to catch him by the calf of his leg. The monster's talons dug deep into his skin, pain shot up his body like an electric current. Asundhe yelped in pain as his grip suddenly slipped from the bark. He attempted to fix it, but gravity and the clawing at his leg caused him to leg go with his other hand. He fell down on the shadow. Both of them were airborn for a split second before landing on the ground.

Asundhe recovered as quickly as he could, but he wasn't quick enough as one of the shadows tackled him to the ground. Asundhe tried to slip free, but the beast held him down by his arm and his throat. He struggled, clawing and kicking to get away, but the monster didn't even seem to notice. Slowly the creature opened its mouth revealing the inner jaw inside its mouth. He shuddered in disgust as saliva fell on his face, he could see the teeth on its tongue click together with anticipation. For a moment it felt like it was toying with him. It was like it wanted to see him squirm about helplessly before he died.

Right as it's inner jaw was about to punch through his skull, the other shadow smacked into it pushing it off him. Asundhe turned in the direction it came from and saw his mother. Cuts and scars ran up her body. He looked down and saw the third shadow laying dead at her feet with a disolving branch in its chest. Mei-ek'li grabbed her son and pulled him behind her as the shadows recovered.

Asundhe looked back up at Mei-ek'li worrily. She was hunched forward, her arms hung low, her legs looked like they were straining just to keep her up, the medicine was still affecting her. She looked like she was about to fall over at any moment. She was tired and he knew it, but despite that she kept herself up.

/

Mei-ek'li looked down at her son. Asundhe met her gaze and saw the determination in her eyes and marvelled at it. She would protect him even at the cost of her own life. She turned back to face the kiande amedha, and smiled. Time to show her pup how it was done.

Mei-ek'li arched her back, splayed her arms out, and gave out with a challenging roar. The monsters did likewise, rearing their bodies forward as they screeched at her.

One of the kiande amedha jumped forward. Mei-ek'li sidestepped, grabbing the beast by it's tail before spining back, swinging it into the other monster. The second creature recovered quickly from the blow and lunged forward. Mei-ek'li caught the creature by the head, and threw it to the floor cumbersomely. It got back up almost immediately and took a swipe at her, the blow caught her in the arm. She attempted to move to retaliate, but her movement was to slow and the creature was able to take another swipe at her side. Mei-ek'li suppressed a grunt as she held her hip. The monster closed in for another attack, but she caught it by the arm before lifting it up by the torso and threw it at the enclosure wall.

Before she could collect herself, the other one clawed at her back. She grunted in pain but she didn't dwell on it, and angrily spun her leg around, kicking the beast in the face. Mei-ek'li turned around just in time to see the other one charge at her. She caught its arms as she began to struggle with it. She forced its arms up before ramming her head into the monsters face. The creature barely flinched; it retaliated by stabbing its tail into her leg. Mei-ek'li roared in pain and anger as it dug its tail deeper in. After a moment she fell back, moved her feet underneath its abdomen and launched it into air. The creature flailed as it attempted to rebound, but it failed, smacking the side of a tree with a satisfying crack.

Mei-ek'li heard the other monster behind her. Just as it was about to pounce on her she spun around ,grabbing a thick branch as she did so, and smacked it in the face as hard as she could. She then pounced on it and ruthlessly clobbered it.

In the heat of the moment, she didn't noticed the other beast sneaking up behind her. The creature seized its chance and stabbed her in the back with its tail. Mei-ek'li bellowed in anguish as she was ripped off the beast. The monster that stabbed her held her in place as the other one clawed her torso violently. Desperately she tried to break the beast's grip but her wounds coupled with the fatigue from the medicine made it impossible.

As it was happening, she looked behind one of the trees and saw Asundhe ,wimpering fearfully as he watched. Time seemed to slow down for a moment as she saw the horrified look on her son's face. The pain almost became an afterthought. A flurry of thoughts ran through her mind as it happened. She knew this moment would come. The time that all yautja entered dhi'ki-de ,the final rest, but she did not want to go yet. She couldn't lose! If she did, Asundhe would die too. She had to win! She had to stay alive just long enough to make sure he'd live, that's all.

Suddenly Asundhe did something unexpected. Angrily, the young pup ran out from behind the tree and jumped on the kiande amedha that had her pinned. The creature hissed and reeled as it fought to get him off its back, before finally managing to throw him off.

Taking the opportunity her son had given her, she kicked the other monster off of her before smashing it's skull open with a rock. Mei-ek'li spun around and saw the shadow about to attack Asundhe. Before it could do anything to him, she arrested it's attention by throwing the rock at the beast's head.

The monster turned, right before Mei-ek'li smacked it in the face. The creature retaliated by clawing her in the face. She felt blood run from her right eye; she couldn't see out of it. The kiande amedha took advantage of her confusion and pinned her against the trunk of a tree. She clawed at it, but the beast ignored her struggling and prepared to impale her with its tail. Before it could, Mei-ek'li reached out for a small, sharp rock, and burried it in the kiande amedha's throat. The beast let her go immediately as it stumbled back. Acidic blood strayed from the wound soaking her left arm. Mei-ek'li roared in angony as her wrist and hand dissolved into nothing.

As the the kiande amedha attempted to fix its wound, some of the blood sprayed onto Asundhe. He held his arms out to protect himself, but that did little to help him. Mei-ek'li screeched in horror as she watched.

Asundhe thought he would've felt pain, but he didn't. At first he thought he might've died, but he wasn't. He opened his eyes and looked at himself. He hadn't been harmed. He turned to his mother, she was just as perplexed as he.

"Asundhe! Ell-osde' S-di thres'sou?" (Asundhe! Are you hurt?) Mei-ek'li asked.

He looked at himself for a moment before answering. "H'ko." (No.)

This didn't make any sense. How could he survive that? Why did he not burn? As she asked herself this, she was hit with a thought when she examined his gills for damage. Oomans. They must have done something to him that allowed him to withstand the kiande amedha blood.

"Ki sen'di Payas," Mei-ek'li praised the gods, thankful that her son was unharmed. She went to hug her son, but the acid burnt her hand as she touched him.

"Mei'si-dha!" (Mother!) He said ,worried.

"Tek-osde' wau'ntu," (I am alright,) She reassured him before telling him to wash the acid off in the pool.

As he did that, Mei-ek'li looked at the enclosure door intently. Still open. There was nothing keeping her inside and one to stop her from leaving. This was her chance to escape. An opportunity to redeem herself, to redeem her honor. As she thought about that, she also thought about Asundhe. She didn't want to leave him behind like this, but it was safer for him that way. For a moment she stood there unsure, mulling over what to do. Finally she made a decision.

"Asundhe,"

"Sei-i Mei'si-dha?" (Yes Mother?) Asundhe replied as his mother embraced him in a gentle hug. He could see the forlorn look on his mother's face, something was not right. "K-ne'de sun-da?" (What's wrong?)

Mei-ek'li paused with a smile before answering. "Ja'lu-bpe, Asundhe. Tik-osde' b-eh," (I am sorry Asundhe. I going to leave,)

Asundhe's eyes went wide when she said that. "K-ne'de?" (What?)

"Tik-osde' m'di meti-ka. Re-muta sudo," (I can not stay here anymore. I must leave,) She responded with a sad growl.

"Tek-osde' lik-eh wei't Ell-osde'!" (I'll come with you!)

"H'ko! H'ko. Ell-osde' meti-ka, s-di po'so n'su-dha." (No! No. You must stay, it is safer for you that way.)

"H'ko! S'vite Tek-osde' lik-eh!" (No! Let me come!)

"Tik-osde', m'-di s'vite theid'o lik-eh Ell-osde'. S-di hek'tie." (I can not allow any harm to come to you. It is too dangerous.)

"Ma-posde, m-di b-eh Tek-osde a'de-hte! S'vite lik-eh Ell-osde'!" (Please don't leave me alone. Let me come with you!)

"Asundhe," Mei-ek'li silenced him with a timid purr. "Tik-osde' m-di dou'atie pe'du-kia. Pa-roda, resika badakra. Ell-osde' M-di to'ruka saduni quir-iza zet'suni Tik-osde sy'reku Kod-osde' yin'tekai. Tik-osde' nide wei'tome. Ja'lubpe mei'lou-dte," (I can not do this anymore. These past fifteen years have been to much to bare. I do not wish to leave you alone like this, but I must restore our honor. I am nothing without it. I am sorry my pup.)

Asundhe could see the sorrow in his mother's eyes. She didn't want to leave him, he knew that, but she couldn't take it any more. She couldn't allow her honor to stay stained like it had been for so long. To a yautja honor was everything, Asundhe knew this well.

With a reluctant sigh, he took his mother's hand in his and nodded to her understandingly. "Ma-posde... peri-ka Tek-osde', Ell-osde' sl've rem'me'mati," (Please... promise me you will return,) He requested.

"Tik-osde' ma-posde," (I promise,) Mei-ek'li replied.

Asundhe could sense sense the uncertainty in her voice. She would come back to him if she could, but there was no guarantee that she would. There was always that uncertainty in every hunt. That possibility that you would never make it back. Asundhe had a feeling in his gut that told him likewise. Regardless he put on a brave face and gave her an encouraging smile.

Mei-ek'li's grin brightened when she saw his. She knew he would be safe, and that's all that mattered to her. Everything else was secondary to her. Even her honor.

"I-I... I-I-I..." Mei-ek'li struggled as she attempted to speak. "I... lo-ve you... m-my s-s-son."

Asundhe stood there for a moment in disbelief, but it didn't last too long. His smile returned as he replied to her with confidence, "I love you too, Mother."

"N'dhi-ja Asundhe" That last word was the most difficult for her to say. Asundhe could tell that it was, regardless of what language she spoke it in.

"Good-bye Mother." He told her before they embrassed in one last hug.

As she left Mei-ek'li looked the door behind her, just in case Asundhe tried to follow.