The next chapter is up! Enjoy :)
When Setg-in got Thea to the ship's med room, he laid her out on the table and ran a full body scan over her.
Thankfully, he didn't see any broken bones. But some of her ribs were really bruised from the hit she took. She also had a concussion as well.
Otherwise, she was not too badly banged up.
Setg-in on the other hand, needed to get his wounds closed up. Especially, the ones in his side. Before he did though, he paused the scanner over their unborn child.
He was relieved to see it didn't appear to be in distress. The heartbeat still sounded strong and steady. Not even born yet, and this child was already proving to be quite the tough little one.
His gaze went to his mate's.
Thea watched as he took off his mask and placed it off to the side. His amber gaze met her blue ones.
"You'll be fine. You have some bruised ribs and a concussion. Thankfully, that's mostly it. Aside from some other scraps and bruises. But I must ask, why didn't you tell me?" He asks.
The young woman furrowed her brows in confusion.
"Tell you what?" She asked.
Setg-in tilted his head and gave her an inquisitive look.
"That you're pregnant." He replied.
Thea's eyes widened and a small gasp left her.
"Wait, what? I am?" She gasped.
"You didn't know then. But yes, one of the vision settings on my mask showed the child within you while we were down there." He stated.
She slowly sat up, never taking her gaze off of him.
"I had no idea. Had I known, I would've taken better care not to get hurt." She said, then paused.
"Is it...is it ok?" She added, voice filled with worry and hesitation.
Thea was relieved when Setg-in nodded.
"Yes, the scanners show the heartbeat is still steady and strong." He said.
Then the young warrior grunted, and his hand came up to his side where the stab wounds were.
That's when she finally noticed just how banged up, he really was. She leapt off the table and approached him wanting to help before he bled out even more.
Hell, it's a goddamn mystery how he hadn't bled out yet. They were pretty deep after all. The bad blood had done a lot of damage.
"Let me help." She insisted.
He was silent for a moment then nodded.
Then the yautja went and took a seat. Where he proceeded to pull out all the items he will need. He knew there might be some other important things needed to patch up some of these injuries.
Thankfully, the med rooms were never in short supply of the important supplies they would need.
As Thea helped him, she struck up a conversation with him to keep him distracted from the pain.
"What exactly happened...after I was knocked out?" She asks.
"I drew my sword and charged Vor'metka. Obviously, I was successful and killed him. But right before I did, the spiteful bastard activated his wrist comp bomb.
I grabbed you and quickly had to high tail it out of there before we got caught in the blast. I barely got us to the ship in time before the explosion.
Almost thought it would reach the ship and obliterate it as we headed out to space." Setg-in told her.
The young woman swallowed the lump in her throat.
"So, my house is...gone then?" She weakly implied.
The hunter nodded, "Yes, I'm sorry. The house is no longer there. Everything within a couple miles was most likely obliterated and leveled out."
Thea felt like she could barely contain her tears.
Her home, the one she worked hard for to earn, was completely gone. But most of all, she was scared if any neighbors were caught in that explosion. Especially, if the bomb was as big as he claimed it to be.
She kept trying to remind herself though, that any of her nearest neighbors still lived quite far away from her.
She was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt a hand on her shoulder. And her attention went back to his face. His eyes were filled with concern and regret.
"I know it's a lot to take in. But the important thing is we're still alive. And the ones who were hunting me, are all dead. We no longer have to worry about them anymore." He assured her.
Thea nodded, "That's good to know. And at least you got justice for what they done. And not just you, but all the people they hurt and killed did."
"Yes, but I still wish I could've killed them before seeing the damage they have done, all the destruction they had caused. If I have, perhaps those villagers would've still been alive." He said.
Setg-in feels he will always carry around that guilt for the rest of his life. He spent so many nights wishing he could've done things differently.
Yes, they had him surrounded and all three of them ganged up on him and beat him to within an inch of his life at least twice. But the young hunter feels he still could've done more. If only he fought harder or was older and more experienced, maybe then he could've taken them all on and killed them.
His thoughts were disrupted when he felt a hand caress the side of his face.
He looked up to his mate's face, who sported a sad smile.
"I know you feel like you could've done more. Because you told me this before when it was brought up during other conversations. But it's time to let that guilt go, Set. You did everything you could. And in the end, you did avenge them by taking out their killers.
It may not seem like it now, but you did right. And despite your shortcomings, deep down you're still an honorable warrior through and through. I know, because I've seen it each day you were living with me.
You're strong, brave, and have a good heart. It's why I fell in love with you. I know, those on your world still don't view you as much. But despite what they say, you're no bad blood. You are as good as they come." Thea gently told him, while she rubbed her thumb over the outside of his mandibles on his left side.
And just like that, he thought he felt his own heart lurch in his chest.
Just when he didn't think he couldn't love this woman any more than he did, what she just said, made him love her even more. Thea had pretty much just told him once more that she still loved him despite his faults. And didn't see him as the bad blood that others in his clan have.
Setg-in leaned in a little closer to her and pressed his forehead to hers.
"I love you, Thea. And thank you." He said.
Thea smiled, "I love you too, Set."
After several seconds, they finally pulled back.
"So, where are we off to now then?" She asked.
He let out a small chuckle at her sudden jovial attitude and question.
"Well, I would still like to find the world that Exiled Clan is living on. As I mentioned before, we will be safe there. All of us." Setg-in said, as he lightly pressed his hand to her lower abdomen.
She laid her own hand over top of his.
The young woman could clearly see he was very happy with the turn of events which included her pregnancy. She would be lying if she didn't say she was excited as well. She yearned for a child for quite some time now.
But always seemed to come up short in finding the right man to settle down with and have a family.
And now, she finally found him. It didn't matter to her that he was an alien. They loved each other despite being of a different race. And it was refreshing to know that the clan they were looking to become a part of wouldn't judge them either.
Because he told her that there already were some yautja and ooman couples taking up residency within this clan.
"Will you still be able to contact this Arbitrator friend of yours and inquire of the clan's whereabouts?" She asked.
Setg-in nodded, "Yes, and while I could use my wrist comp to contact him, I think I rather do it from the control deck. I'll do it once we are done in here and settled in."
He paused with what he was going to say next.
"I don't want to get our hopes up prematurely though. There is a chance he may decide not to help. Though I honestly hope he does. Because the last thing I want to do, is drag you and our child around space while running from other Arbitrators for the rest of our lives.
It just wouldn't be fair to either of you. I want to give you both the life you deserve. This is why, I won't stop until I find this world and the clan, whether I get help or not." The young hunter stated with determination.
"And we will find it. One day, whether it be days, weeks, months, or even years from now, we will get there. As long as you don't lose hope, neither will I." Thea told him.
She feels even if she must talk to this Arbitrator friend of his to get her point across, she will. Especially, now that she was expecting. There were still many dangers out here, and she didn't want her child's life to be on the line whenever they hit danger.
Thea knew there were many other dangerous beasts and bad bloods out there. Many who would have no qualms in hurting a child or her.
They finished patching him up. It was quite unpleasant when he had to administer the syringe with medicine in it. She cringed when he let out a particularly loud roar when he shoved it into his abdomen.
Afterwards, he sat there for a few minutes more, recuperating. Thea stayed by his side, as he gathered his bearings.
Before he got up, Thea wrapped her arms around his neck and rested the side of her head against his.
"I thought...I was going to lose you down there before. I hope it never comes that close again. Scared the hell out of me when I saw him stab you and then was about to kill you." She confessed, with tears in her eyes.
Setg-in lightly wrapped his arms around the petite young woman and nuzzled her cheek with a purr.
"I'm sorry for scaring you, and all the destruction left in its wake both during and after. But it's over now, and we are safe. And I promise, I'll never leave you like that." He assured her.
Thea tightened her arms around his neck, as a couple tears escaped her eyes and rolled down her cheeks and dripped onto his shoulder armor.
"Better not, or I may feel inclined to kick your ass." She lightly joked.
She felt his shoulders shake as he let out a small chuckle.
"I have no doubts." He joked back.
They pulled back from the embrace about a minute later.
Setg-in lightly cupped her chin, before standing up. Then he led them out of the med room. Both of them found themselves quite exhausted from the whole ordeal.
But the young warrior really wanted to contact his friend first and get that out of the way. He also wanted to set the coordinates first too, before resting so they weren't just flying blind through space with no destination ahead.
He walked them back down to the control deck. And when they went in, they both took a seat at the control counsel.
Thea watched as he tapped a few holographic buttons. Then he sat back and appeared to be waiting for something.
They must've been waiting for a few minutes, before something finally did happen. Thea watched in amazement when a holographic image of another yautja just pop up above the counsel in front of them.
The yautja in question seemed to have a surprised look on his face, before he quickly composed himself.
"Setg-in, I never would've dreamed you would contact me. Nor can I begin to imagine why you would." He stated.
"Believe me when I say, I have a very good reason in doing so, Warkha. I have a very important question to ask of you. I understand, you may no longer view me as a friend anymore after everything that has happened that led to me being casted out.
And you don't ever have to see or hear of me again after this. But for old times' sake, please just answer me one question." Setg-in said.
Warkha arched an eye ridge.
"You do realize I could get in a lot of trouble for conversing with you. Even more so, if whatever the question is may imply me of aiding you in some way. Not only could it accost me my title but label me a bad blood as well." The Arbitrator cautioned.
"I understand, and the last thing I want is to ruin your life like that. But what I ask is truly of great importance." The young hunter stated.
Warkha was silent for a moment. At some point, he did entertain the idea of ending this call, before getting further involved in this.
But Setg-in's father was his best friend. And after he died in battle, he promised himself that he would look after Kv'var-de's youngest. And he didn't wish to let him down.
He knew Setg-in wasn't bad. He just made some very bad choices that led him to being labeled a bad blood. In truth, Warkha didn't think it was very fair for the Elders to push the blame on him like they did.
And while he would never disrespect an Elder, the Arbitrator does believe they were just quick to find a scapegoat for the tragedy that occurred. And that scapegoat happened to be poor young Setg-in.
Warkha closes his eyes and lets out a long sigh.
"Ok, what's the question?" He asks.
A small smile of relief decorates the young hunter's face.
"Thanks. I wish to know where the Exiled Clan is located. I've been searching for it for quite some time now. But I can't recall the planet my grandmother once told me it was located on.
I want to go there and start anew. To be able to live in peace again. I've already searched a dozen or so planets within the last couple years. But I've had no luck. I know that you've spoke of it and have even been there before." Setg-in told him.
"You do realize that even if you did stumble upon them, there is a chance they may not welcome you into their fold. They are very choosy on who they want to live among their clan.
Despite its reputation of it mainly being made up of outcasts, they still do not tolerate bad bloods living among them because it's a risk to their clan and way of living. Like other clans, they will banish or execute bad bloods if they feel they pose a threat to them." Warkha warned him.
While Setg-in understood what he was saying, it was a little surprising that they may not except him because of his status as a bad blood. Especially, when he believed a good portion of the clan was made up of said fugitives.
Though by fugitives, ones who were mainly trying to redeem themselves and sorry for their previous acts that got them labeled to begin with.
"Then I will do whatever it takes to prove that I'm not a threat to them. Because it's not just me I'm doing this for. I'm doing it for..." He quickly stops himself, wondering if it's a good idea mentioning Thea.
But Warkha caught onto his little slip.
"Doing this for who? Who else is with you, Setg-in?" He asks.
Setg-in sighs, then his gaze shifts to Thea sitting in a seat next to his.
He gestures for her to come over to him. She gets up and makes her way over and stands beside his seat. She saw the other yautja do a double take as he eyed her. Then his gaze shot back to Setg-in.
"What the!? Why is there an ooman with you!? You didn't take it captive did you!?" Warkha practically blurted out.
The young hunter shook his head.
"Warkha, this is Thea. She is my mate. And she is the main reason why I need to find out where this clan is. So, we could be safe. And not just her, but our unborn pup. That is why it's imperative I know where it is." Setg-in told him.
The Arbitrator's eyes ping ponged back and forth a couple times from the young warrior to the ooman female. He knew by law, it was illegal for a yautja to take an alien mate.
But then he does recall that the Exiled Clan had a few such couples living among them with hybrid offspring of their own. Because of this, the clan itself became a safe haven for such pairings and with the Exiled Clans own set of laws, it wasn't seen as illegal to them.
His duty would've told him to kill Setg-in, then escort the pregnant ooman female to the clan to be looked after. But Warkha cannot bring himself to do that.
So, he will do the right thing just this once for the younger warrior. He may be an Arbitrator who was loyal to his Elders and the law. But he cannot bring himself to betray his late best friend's youngest son.
Warkha decided, he will grant him mercy, just this once.
"Very well, the Exiled Clan is located on a world called Planet So'las. It's located in the Eastern Quadrant of the Vyz'utzu Galaxy. The clan is located on the eastern side of the planet. The coordinates are 32.6347 E, 22.7861 N." He replied.
The Arbitrator paused for a moment, before speaking up.
"You claim she is pregnant. And seeing as she's ooman, you must've come from Earth not that long ago, correct?" Warkha deduced.
Setg-in nodded, "Yes, why?"
"I'm sorry to say, she will most likely be giving birth on the ship on the way there. The galaxy Planet So'las is in, is very far from Earth and the galaxy it resides in. It will take you around seven months to get there." He admitted.
The younger hunter froze upon hearing this information. That would mean he would have to deliver the pup himself and wouldn't be around healers that could do it or at least assist him on the matter.
And what are they to do if by some chance there are complications?
Setg-in found himself deep in thought. It looks like they may have no other choice. He will just have to closely monitor Thea as her pregnancy progresses and check on the developing pup as often as possible.
And if he must, he will deliver their child when the time comes.
At least now, they had the directions they needed to get to this world that the clan resides on, thanks to his friend's information. And for that, he was grateful. Their future seemed less grim now and brighter.
"I understand. I will monitor my mate's health and that of our unborn pup as the pregnancy progresses and be ready for delivery. I can't thank you enough though for providing us with the directions we need to get there. Even if it is quite far, we at least will a better chance there than where we are now." Setg-in replied.
Warkha nodded, "I'm sorry, that it's not closer for you two. But regardless of how far it is, at least you will get there eventually. And that is what matters."
"Thanks again, Warkha. I can understand that providing me with this information, you're taking a considerable risk in doing so. But I appreciate that you could help us out." He said.
"You're welcome. But this may in fact be the last time I will be able to help you. Once you do get there, I'm afraid, you're on your own. I hope you know this." The Arbitrator explained.
"I understand. And you've already helped up more than enough. We will be ok." Setg-in stated.
"I wish you and your mate the best of luck then. And Congratulations on your young one." Warkha said.
Setg-in gave him a slight bow of his head.
While Warkha had laws to follow, he never believed it should've been illegal to take an alien mate. It was strange in doing so, but he didn't believe it was wrong in anyway.
This is also why he was willing to help Setg-in out. If anyone deserved to be happy again, it was him. This was the younger warrior's second chance at life. And what kind of friend would he be if he took that away from him?
They bid each other farewell. Then the holographic image disappeared.
Setg-in turned his gaze back to his mate with a soft smile.
"Not only did he tell me what planet it was located on and what galaxy, but he gave us the exact coordinates as well." He told her.
Thea smiled, "That's great!"
His smile faltered a little though.
"But there is one thing." He said.
"What is it?" She asks.
He hesitates a moment before answering.
"It's a long journey by ship. Seven months to be exact. There is a strong chance you will be giving birth before we get there." He finally told her the catch.
Her eyes widened in surprise at hearing this.
"What? But how? Pregnancy is nine months. So, how could that be?" She inquired.
"For oomans it is. For yautja, gestation is six and a half to seven months. And judging by the size of the fetus now, you are already nearly two months along. So, there is a chance you will be giving birth on the ship." He admitted.
Thea couldn't wrap her mind around it. Seven-month gestation period!? That was just insane.
"Is there a chance though, that we will make it there right before I give birth?" She asks.
"It's not a hundred percent guaranteed. But even if we don't, I will monitor you and our unborn child closely. And when the time comes, I'll deliver. I know it seems scary. But I promise I won't let anything happen to either of you." Setg-in assured her.
It was scary. She would've been much more comfortable if she had professional doctors overseeing her pregnancy.
But after living with him in her home, Thea knew she could trust him not to let her down. And just like before, they will take on whatever obstacles are in their path together.
"I know. Though I can't promise I won't drive you completely insane with my crazy hormonal up and down emotions." She teased.
Setg-in chuckled, "I can't wait."
Thea couldn't help but laugh at that last statement. And the young hunter joined in shortly after sharing a laugh with her.
Until Next Time ;)