by G. K. Scott
Theses which were different since Jeuki tools and help made the time seem like seconds and not days. She watched the wood bend as heard the hissing sound as the liquid dried causing it harden in place. The liquid had no effect on her skin or his only on wood, but then she’d found this out after doing a repair and finding this clear liquid has squirted out. Apparently it was nothing to worry about and sometimes happened. It was part of the ships cleaning process on its hyper drive. She’d just been surprised that it could dry wood solid. She slowly eased up a piece of string. This was thread the same thread used to make her clothing from sheets but it was incredible strong. She slowly cut in to the sides making groves. She slowly tied the string to one end, then kneeled on the bow pushing it down with all her force. As she tied it used one of the tools to tie the other end. She slowly eased it up pulling the string back feeling the force of the thread. Jeuki looked at the weapon “It doesn’t look like the one in the picture.”
Emma looked at her bow “No your right it doesn’t but it’s my first try. Maybe if I made a few more I’d be good at this.” She looked around her “You know those strange thin green beasts that look like antelope are they easy to hunt?” Jeuki tapped the note pad quickly seeing the ooman animal she was talking about “There not hard to hunt, they do bite though.” He put a hand on chin “Come to think of it they do taste nice raw.” He laughed slightly “You just shoot them with your shoulder mounted gun. The one I made for you it’ll kill them no problem.” Emma smirked “Oh now that’s a bit easy Jeuki, I want to kill them with this bow.” She watched as Jeuki’s eyes widened before he burst in to a fit of laugher. Emma raised an eyebrow “What’s so damn funny!” Jeuki leaned forward stopping his laughter “That little ooman weapon is going to take down one of those No-Bo? Now this I’ve got to see I mean look at it, it’s a bent piece of wood with a piece of thread.” Emma narrowed her gaze “You know Jeuki appearances can be deceiving.”
She looked up slightly “Plus I’m sure your race ran around naked with hunting tools once.” Jeuki turned again flicking his lower mandibles in annoyance “Oh I see so you like the thought of my race running around naked.” Emma stopped as she pushed the dagger across some of the thin wood making a point “I did not say that!” Jeuki folded his arms “I don’t get it, it’s not like you don’t walk around the ship naked. Why do you have such an issue with me doing it?” Emma looked down trying to hide the shade of red, which was running down her cheeks “I don’t have an issue with it.” Jeuki snorted, “Right you don’t last time I was naked and in the corridor you walked out and just stood there looking at me.” He pulled up his right mandible almost in a taunting manner “Might I add that you kept looking lower than my stomach.” Emma wanted to hide and pretend she wasn’t having this conversation it was so embarrassing “I wasn’t looking lower.” Jeuki put a hand on his chest “There I am walking in to the bathing room and you just have to walk out and look.”
Emma blinked before sitting up “It was an accident, I mean you normally bath before me not after me.” Jeuki folded his arms “Well you didn’t have to look at my lower half like it was ugly.” Emma turned to meet his gaze head on “You confuse ugly with bewildered and surprised.” Jeuki snorted again “Surprised over what? Answer me that!” Emma looked at his hanging cloth for a moment “Over how human it looked!” Jeuki pulled back “What where you expecting a tentacle or something?” Emma swallowed “Maybe or maybe something else not something that looks very similar to a male human’s lowers.” Jeuki pulled out both hands “Well we are a very similar species.” He groaned aloud “We both walk on two legs don’t we and are think of our own free will.” Emma turned sighed aloud “Oh yes really similar lets see now you have glowing green blood mines red. Your species can grow up to nine ten feet tall and are overly strong. While the best of my race can only make is six foot maybe bigger.”
She flicked the wooden piece in annoyance “Oh yes and then there’s my skin that a pink shade and yours is creamy with spots. Oh yes and you have yellow eyes and mine are green and our faces are….” She stopped short watching Jeuki’s upper right mandible tab his lower in utter frustration. Even if he didn’t have eyebrows she could see the hurt in his amber eyes. She looked at the bow feeling how stupid and utterly bitchy she’d just been. He didn’t need to hear her ranting about how different they were. She knew full well he didn’t like it being told to him. The last argument they had about this some months ago had ended with him roaring in her face full force. Because he couldn’t contain his anger any longer. She looked down slowly he liked to think of her as kin not as another species the differences as far he was concerned were just flesh but not soul. Both souls who hunted who are learned together and in that they were just the same. She flicked the bowstring before standing up she watched him do the same. She turned slowly trying not to look in to his eyes. Jeuki looked up sharply “Where are you going!” Emma looked at the bow and her three carved arrows with still needed flights “To hunt something it’s what I’m good at!” Jeuki watched her slowly move her sandalled feet through water he could see the claw marks scared in to her back as she felt.
He waited till she was out of site before turning around she was a stubborn foolish ooman female! What was it with her and appearances? What was it his face was he just so hideously ugly? So what he didn’t have a tongue and a pair of grinding canines on his upper and lower jaw. Was it his mandibles and heavy razor toothed jaws? Not that he could help that factor he’d been born with them. He leaned down grabbing her note pad bringing up the image of the two oomans kissing. So he couldn’t kiss like that! He stopped looking at the forest hearing the animal sounds. This was so foolish he was beating himself up over an image. Which maybe in his mind he was jealous of. He couldn’t do that to any ooman even if he wanted to. How could no ooman male not want her as a mate? She was so full of energy okay she wasn’t a hunter by nature but she learning like any young blood hunter of his race. Making mistakes but finding the courage to keep at it no matter how hard it got. She had all the qualities that on his world he’d prize in a mate.
He clicked the pad bringing up an image of Emma in her clothes it was from the planet, where it had all happened. It was her laughing with a young male ooman and a very young female on the other side. All had white cloth the male ooman was pulling a funny face. While the blonde haired girl had some sort of drinking flask in her hand it was like one of those odd moments where time was standing still. He ran his clawed finger down Emma’s image. It was such a strange image to behold her with hair tied back in a ponytail and a long fringe hanging down. He was so used to her with her slightly wavy hair with its metal hair bolts in places and thinking gaze. He slowly turned the pad off looking at the ship behind him he grabbed the tools of the floor tossing them in to the main compartment he gently slid Emma’s electric pad in to a holding compartment to keep it safe. He quickly grabbed his spear and both of his wrist guards. He slammed the door closed by pressing the button hard. Then tapped in the new code to keep everything safe and locked. His gaze turned back as he ran through the waters. He was going to find her! She couldn’t have gotten far. She didn’t have long legs on top of that he could smell her scent that odd scent which he could follow. He jumped up he’d use the trees.
8
Emma turned seeing the No-Bo come in to view. She pulled herself up against a tree watching it’s huge legs stride. It was three times the size of a deer or antelope and was covered in green soft skin. It had two sets of horns each a meter long rising from it’s head. It had a very long neck and a mouth more like a fishes with whiskers. It had a little tail and orange eyes it was just a big strider. A really large herbivore overall its two clawed feet wading through water as it lumbered on although this lumbering was only slow movement these beasts could move fast. They could also ram their horns right through other living things. And weren’t to be taken lightly. She slowly put one of the arrows in her teeth she had woven in the flights feathers. Not brilliant but they’d d
o, she just hoped the feather tip’s where right. If they were off she was in trouble. She had three shots she didn’t want to mess up. She’d never even shot a bow before but if the aim was anything like using a hunter’s net gun she’d be right on target.
Saying that she’d only aimed the net gun right twice although the plasma rifle she could hit the target with out issue. Frankly the shoulder gun was easer she could just think then aim. She watched the No-Bo move on slowly drinking the water she pulled the bow back slowly placing the arrow in the filed grove before taking aim. One shot that was all she needed one shot to the head. She’d made at least thirteen good kills five of her best were on her trophy wall. She stretched the bow back grinning at the lumbering animal. She felt the string snap as the arrow soured she watched as it hit its targets leg. She pulled back as the three other No-Bo galloped of leaving the one she’d hit to struggle. It turned seeing her as she loaded another arrow. It rose up ignoring its wounded leg facing her. She eased another arrow in to the bow, firing it off only to see it miss the target completely. The wounded beast moved forward in to a limping gallop coming at her its horns down. This was not good! She ran back pushed her final arrow in to the bow.
She pulled back coming to a stop as she aimed all she to do was hit the head! She just had to focus on it! She pulled the arrow back fully then felt it fly. She watched it hit the neck but not the head. The next moments caught her by surprise as a long spear flew through the air hitting the No-Bo directly in the head. Causing it the hit the ground its horns knocking her over as it came to a stop. She looked up as the trees above moved there leaves shaken as a huge form leapt down she watched the water splash near by causing the form to become visible. The invisibility shield crackled as Jeuki came in to view he tapped his wristband turning the invisibility shield off. It wasn’t like he needed armour to make it work all he needed was both wrist guards with it’s wrist blades. He moved quickly over to her she suddenly felt very foolish. She’d bitten of more than she could chew. So much for thinking she could take down a No-Bo with a long pointed arrow. Jeuki looked at the dead beast he looked at Emma she didn’t look hurt just shaken “Good kill you hit its neck, it would’ve died if you’d had another arrow.”
Emma pulled up the bow which was now spilt in two she sat up groaning at the pain in her side were she’d been hit when thrown. She sighed aloud “Your right Jeuki you can’t kill with this.” Jeuki looked at the dead beast “You did kill it, your arrow hit before I threw my spear.” He cocked his head to one side before pulling her to her feet. Emma groaned slightly “Do you want to behead it or should I?” Jeuki laughed slightly “Your kill your trophy.” He watched as she pulled out her dagger slowly cutting the head free. She yanked the spear out handing it back to him. She looked up slowly meeting his amber eyes “I’m really sorry Jeuki. Some time’s I act like such a fool.” Jeuki eased up a clawed finger “Its okay it doesn’t matter.”
Four months since leaving second galaxy…battle ship sirun docked fully with the Iron Year in the second systems outer sector.
Oran leaned forward looking at the man in front of him “So you’ve come to record my profits how interesting.” The man slammed his fist down hard his grey suit creasing “Its Mr Isaac to you!” He pulled up his note pad “I’m getting some disturbing rumours and they’re all floating around you!” He turned the pad “Ones very interesting it’s about android and human hybrids.” Oran sat back in his chair “Mr Isaac your judgement is misplaced.” The man leaned forward “Oh really then why is your budget higher than normal? And why is it after the Callisto colony blows up your getting insurance in for the damage so quickly?” He leaned forward “Tell me Mr Oran is there something you’ve hidden from our company and want to talk about.”
Oran shook his head “Thirteen thousand dead it’s so tragic my heart bleeds for them everyday.” Isaac sneered, “Oh I’m sure your bleeding a river a really cold icy one.” Oran pulled up his finger “Now, now there’s no need to get untactful we are both men of business after all.” Isaac leaned forward “Actuality there’s a line that divides us.” His gaze narrowed. “You’re an ego maniac and I’m the one who will have you facing earth court once my report makes it back.” Oran looked at the electronic note pad in Isaac’s hand. “Really so I assume that note pad is your evidence.” He leaned forward “I do hope you’re not a family man.” Isaac growled aloud “I have no children.”
Oran slowly smiled “Well that’s good it makes what I’m going to do next easer.” Isaac folded his arms “I’ve worked on this crap and rumours for six years you throwing me of your ships won’t change anything.” Oran pulled up his hand “You misunderstand Mr Isaac is it? You see like you say I’m an ego maniac and your right.” He slammed his leg down on the desk “You see this is the problem I’m an ego maniac who has toys to play with.” Isaac laughed aloud “Oh this is so pitifully it’s obvious you haven’t been psychoanalysed at late. What’s wrong missed your appointment at trying to play god with your shrink?” Oran growled slightly “You forget one important factor.”
He pulled up a cigar lighting it “On these ships I am god, and god likes to send out his angels once in a while to cause hell. In this case it’ll be your hell, I do hope your ready.” He tapped his ringed finger “Oni Jui! Would you please show the little man hell!” Isaac laughed only to have his laugh cut short by two huge steel wrist blades going through his stomach. His laughing turned to gagging as his was raised of the floor his red blood spilling over it. Oran watched, as the young predator appeared his red-eyed helmet flashing with it black suit of armour. Oran eased up slightly looking at the bleeding gagging man who was about to die horribly “You see this is my toy or one of them.”
He slowly breathed out the smoke from his cigar “Your little note pad won’t reach earth but then nether are you. You’re going to have a terrible accident in the venation shaft when viewing one of the employee’s work.” He moved his fingers “We’ll had to send you back in a body bag in pieces it was that bad.” He slowly stood up hearing the horrible screams. As the predators cutting disc went through it’s wounded prey. He watched the blood hit the walls and the floor as the screams died down. “Yes a really bad accident it was.” He sat on the table watching Oni Jui drop his prey before vanishing. “Big companies always have little accident which no one thinks any thing of.” He shrugged “That’s how life works Mr Isaac and you’re just another little accident.”
Chapter 4
COLLIDING IN THE DISTANT STARS OF THE GALAXY
Location somewhere in the galaxy…four and a half months since boarding the hunter vessel.
A skull is like a prize it hangs of your trophy wall shining in its crooked glory. It’s a true work of art every tooth every groove in the upper skull. And open eye sockets that stare out at nothingness a strange nothingness that you look in to and feel pride for gaining. To say that you killed that monster that was four times your size is so worthwhile. To think that with your hunter tools you took it down when it could kill you so easily. Yet you were the victor, the winner of that kill, it fills you with so much energy. You can feel the blood pumping through your veins. Causing your heart to miss a beat and all the while you can’t take your eyes away as you finally kill your prize. Yes it’s true the removing of the skin may be ugly but when you finally buff your prize makings its skull seem so perfect. So stunning and you put it on the trophy wall. You can’t help but feel pride in your accomplishments. You can turn and say you got that prized trophy. You fought for your life to obtain it and to slam it on your darkened trophy wall.
That is what is to be a hunter, to fight for such prized things. Things to be proud of, things you earn honour and respect and give meaning to your life. I may not have a large trophy collection like Jeuki. I only have six prized skulls and all of them I got through good battles. I got them with my blood and sweat and in one case tears. I’m proud of what I’ve done. I’ve never felt that I’ve accomplished anything in my life. Going to collage to and
study science and physics are just human things everyone does them. You get meaningless pieces of paper. Why does a piece of paper dictate your life? There are people out there who can’t do science well but are revolutionary thinkers. Yet no ones pay’s attention to them, because they don’t have a piece of paper and a bunch of letters in front of their name I always found that sad and still do. Even here I feel sorry for those people. I guess because I’ve felt what it’s like to be in their shoes. I had ideas on board Callisto and no one listened to me because I wasn’t at a certain level.
That stupid earth law about there being labels on intelligence and that only genius’s like that asshole Utro got there idea’s put forward. In most projects including my breathing apparatus which I’ve now upgraded, thanks to what’s happened to me. Plus it’s five times more efficient, I had this idea on Callisto and that ass said it was foolish. Yeah well so was his idea of bringing hard meat eggs on board! On yeah that’s really genius thinking look where your hundred and sixty IQ got you, oh yeah that’s right you’re dead. Your own hard meat queen decided to put her tail through your body. Then rip you in half, how amusing. I got to watch you die over the com with hundreds of others. Your greatest invention for controlling a hard meat queen didn’t work. And she made you believe it had, then you pushed the button to make the locks came free. Then your greatest accomplishment became your greatest demise. It’s sad a part of more pity’s and hates you while the other part is thanking you, because without you I would’ve never found Jeuki, Jeuki who I can trust and who I care about.
