by G. K. Scott
He took a slow step forward as the human got even closer, he suddenly felt he air get stuck in his throat. The human he could tell now was some kind of solider because of his tattered camouflage gear, didn’t have a lower jaw! Tattered skin hung down and one white eye looked back at him he could see the skull through nose and white dead skin could be seen. He felt the horror and fear sweep over him as he saw the other Yautja appear behind him. He wanted to scream in terror but could only whimper. They where all died and walking like the human! He could see skeleton bodies with rotting flesh hanging off and white eyes as well as skull faces ribs could be seen through tattered rags. One of the long died Yautja who’s had a fully skull with a signal eye and a little muscle opened his mandibles making a horrible gaggling sound. Oran turned seeing that Oni Jui was paralysed in terror. He watched as the skull faced Yautja raised a boned clawed hand pointing at him. Oran felt his heart hit his stomach as a cold paralysing fear hit him. He looked around sharply only to see that the two other Yautja move so they where near Oni Jui. He didn’t get a chance to move as died human slammed out his good intact hand knocking him over hard. He felt the hard snow as he landed hard on it, he looked up sharply only to see the un-dead human lean over looking at him.
The shinning form of two silver dog tags fell out of the old tattered shirt. He looked up sharply seeing the name date still embossed in the old metal. He found himself swallowing deeply looking at it as the un-dead human came closer. The name of this un-dead man was Lucius Dark from the Royal Marines. His ancient tags date read the year 1999. Oran turned hearing Oni Jui howls which where followed by a dull thud as the hunter hit the floor hard. Oran looked up feeling a sense of utter horror sweep over him as started to cry out in panic and pure terror. He turned only to feel two-clawed hands shove him in to the snow, as the Yautja with the skull face held him down forcefully. His screams only got louder as he watched as another figure appear behind the un-dead Yautja. Its huge long black tail whipping through the air as its huge long black head came to view. The jaws opened as it hissed at the two un-dead beings. Its black-clawed hands moved through the snow as it came closer to him. He looked up seeing the un-dead marine pull out an ancient gun, from it’s tattered uniforms gun holster.
His screaming carried on as the Knopf hissed again at the un-dead human. Who turned then looked back, before pulling up the ancient weapon so the hilt was aimed at him. Oran’s screaming stopped as the weapon made contact with the side of his face. He groaned in agony, he could still hear Oni Jui howls of agony as the two un-dead Yautja hit him. He tried to get up only to be hit again but this time far harder, causing him to cry out in pain. He looked up only to see more Knopf soldiers appear, all hissed at the un-dead beings. He cried as he was hit again but this time the weapons hilt slammed it to the back of his head. He hit the snow hard watching painfully as the world slowly faded to black.
8
Oran opened his eyes all he could see was darkness he looked up painfully. He found himself blinking a couple of times he was sitting on a cold floor he moved only to feel that he couldn’t. He looked down seeing that he had been stuck down with the hard resin that the aliens used to build their hive. He turned slightly seeing that the chain cord that had been holding him was lying near by. He turned as best he could only to see that Oni Jui was lying next to him, the huge hunter’s cord had been pulled off. His upper body had been coated in resin to stop him moving and he himself looked like him was just starting to wake up. Oran’s gaze turned slowly and nervously, he remembered being hit by the un-dead human and passing out. He found himself shaking as the moans and cries of many beings began to echo around him. His found himself swinging his head in terror and panic as the noise carried on coming. He swallowed turning around slowly as he heard something move near by. His gaze moved around only to meet something he hadn’t seen before due to the fact his eyesight hadn’t adjusted.
He was in a huge part of the Knopf’s hive, the huge cavern with its two tunnels one on side ether side it stank of rotting flesh. There were no bodies lining the walls no carcass though. In fact there weren’t even eggs. Which stunned him because he knew all two well who this massive chamber belonged to. His gaze turned as he saw the few Knopf soldiers who where close by suddenly scattered. He suddenly felt himself freeze in terror as he saw who was making the crunching sound. In the middle of the room hung from huge spines was the most horrible looking Knopf queen. Her huge over grown teeth made crunching sounds as she moved them. Her huge crest which was bigger than any he’d seen slopped upwards. The shape was pointed at every angle no curves could be seen. On the whole crest there where claw and teeth marks showing that she’d been in many battles. He could even see broken teeth as she turned her head to look at him. Her huge arms with there over grown claws moved downwards with the small arms, as she rose up her huge black head slowly.
She was an ancient queen older than any he’d ever seen or heard of. His gaze turned slowly as she carried on looking at them. He could see the massive egg laying abdomen, which was moving but very slowly it length stretched to end of the cavern. Her feet rested against the upper part the over grown claws barely moving her long tail hung down unmoving. He pulled back in panic as the old jaws opened letting out a long piecing screech. He turned as he heard the smashing of feet in the tunnel to the right of him. He watched in utter horror, as another huge crested head appeared. He found all his terrified cries leaving him as a young Knopf queen came walked in to the cavern. Her long tail swung as she came towards the ancient mother. Her head turned as she looked at them for a moment before moving so she was by the older queen’s side. The older mother hissed as her abdomen began to pulse harder. Oran gritted his teeth together in fear he could hear Oni Jui’s mandibles tapping in fright and horror. The hunter started to struggle harder against the resin bounds.
There was a long drawn out hiss from the other tunnel followed by the thumbing of feet. Another young queen burst through only to be hissed at by the her sister who was starting to move to the lower end of her mother’s abdomen as it carried on pulsing. It seemed like the very act of egg laying was very hard for to do and took time for the ancient queen. The other daughter turned hissing again at her sister before slowly sitting herself beside the ancient mother. Claw marks could be seen on her crest from squabbles. Which where no doubt from the other sister who hissed at her again before leaning down her long hands to catch the egg as it came free of the abdomen. She pulled it in her smaller arms carrying it towards them. Oran turned seeing Oni Jui howl in panic as she came up to him her huge jaws opened as she leaned closer to him. Oran found himself shaking in panic he could feel her breath it was cold wet and horrible. The egg was slowly placed down in front of the hunter before the young queen turned moving back towards the old mother again.
Oran turned sharply the egg was still closed but that didn’t stop Oni Jui howling. Oran looked up as sharply only to see the sister who had placed the egg down whip her tail around slamming it in to the other sister’s back. It was not enough to harm but enough to cause a cracking sound on the spines which caused the other queen to hiss submissively. Why where they doing this! Why where they looking after the old queen in this way? Every other Knopf queen he’d seen or heard about would not allow another queen to live, they’d kill them. The very fact that his beautiful experiment had failed was due to that! Yet in this horrible frightening place the head queen had two daughters living peacefully with her! He watched as the stronger daughter caught another egg. Was it because she was so old that she needed there help? Or had she allowed them to live because she wanted the best one to reign in her place after she died? He suddenly felt himself whimper! He’d die in this rotten place and he’d never know why this was!
He looked down at his served arm as it all suddenly came crashing down on him. He’d never see the sun set ever again! He’d never see or drink red whine from a glass. He’d never see space again or his luxury home in the mountains of Africa where he liked to shoot Zebr
a. His gaze turned in anger his company would be handed over to his only living offspring! He’d hoped before he’d died to have another child to make sure that didn’t happen! He didn’t want that annoying sixteen-year-old blonde bitch child to have his money! She was result of a one-night stand with some businesswoman who he didn’t like to remember. Plus she was a greedy cow who liked to take his pocket through alimony! He found himself crying out in anger of all the people to run his business it would be that stupid child! She wasn’t even ambitious! She was far too much like her mother! A stow away who seemed to just move from place to place and screw up on the way! She’d kill his company in the first year! She wasn’t fit to run her make up draws let alone a company!
Everyone would know she was his child, it would all come out! He’d been trying for years to keep her a secret. He opened his eyes only to see a set of huge jaws opening. The stronger Knopf queen’s-toothed tongue flew forward snapping with inches of his face. He found himself letting out a choking sob as the egg was placed down in front of him. The daughter turned slashing her tail around as she moved towards her mother sitting on the other side of her. The ancient queen hissed which caused both eggs to open Oran struggled harder as he watched the face hugger unwrap as it got ready to jump from its still dripping egg. He tried to ignore Oni Jui who was still howling. The next moments slowed down to a horrible crawl as the saw the face hugger to his right jump at Oni Jui. He turned in feeling himself whimper and moan as the spider like creature flew from the egg in front of him. He cried out with all his lungs a cry, which was heard by the queens as well as un-dead, and those who were still dieing as it echoed through the hives tunnels. The world went black and the screaming from his throat turned to gabbing as the long tail wrapped around his neck. He felt his eyes roll back as something entered his mouth. His body slowly went limp as he stopped struggling against the hard resin. His eyes slowly closed as he finally lost consciousness.
8
Emma slowly pulled the red meat of the bone savouring the taste. She had no idea what it was but frankly she didn’t care she just wanted to get good food back in to her stomach. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a good meal. Living of the ship rations had started to drive all of them mad it wasn’t just her who’d hated it. She watched as one of the young bloods from the other clan brought in a large bowl of with small crab like creatures in it. He put it down on the large heavy sculpted table and took away the empty one. There was plenty to go around but that didn’t Idosoi and Adarmi fighting over their fill. Adarmi didn’t like Idosoi. There dislike of each other was due to their difference of opinion on things, including her. They’d both fought over their rations on the ship as well. Jeuki had told her to just ignore them when they fought over food. As it was all due to growing hormones. Young bloods fought over things it was very common, be that food or armour. It was all about getting best pickings and being the better and stronger male.
The Arbitrator had one elder with him and two hunters who where about Jeuki’s age and a young blood. In meetings like this the numbers where kept even to avoid confrontation. The meetings where also held with the best and most promising members who where highly trustworthy. She had turned her translator on and could make out what they where saying. Oddly to her it sounded like they where talking in her language but none of them sounded like Jeuki when he truly spoke in her language. A lot of the conversation had been Erisoki telling the other clan off their great battle on board the Iron Year which so far had turned all heads. She put her hand in the large bowl only to watch one of the black horseshoe crab like creatures leap out. It seemed to look around before starting to crawl off she rolled her eyes what was it with some Yautja and the love of live food? She grabbing her long danger from her belt and slamming it in to the shell before it could wander off on to some one else side of the table. Jeuki turned slightly watching the hunter on the opposite side laugh at his mate actions.
The hunter leaned forward his red eyes gleaming. “Not in to live food is she?” Jeuki eyed him the hunter was one of the ones his age. “Oomans don’t always like live food, it’s a matter of taste.” He leaned over pulling on of the crabs out. The hunter leaned a little closer. “The way her mouth moves is disgusting when she chews.” Emma looked up sharply meeting his red gaze. “So is the way you keep drooling when they put bowls meat down in front of us.” Jeuki turned before bursting in to a fit of laughter at the dumb founded look of the other hunters face. “Emma can understand what you’re saying perfectly. So stop saying foolish things.” Jeuki eyed the red-eyed hunter as he suddenly started to laugh. Jeuki crushed down on his food before turning slowly to Emma who was starting to see the humour in the situation. “I don’t believe he meant offence, I think he just put his foot in his mouth as you would say.” Emma laughed slightly. “I’m not offended I think it was funny.”
Jeuki put his elbow on the table throwing away the empty shell. His gaze turned to the room near by which was empty apart from the leather skin rug on the floor. It out looked the stars and from its very distance he could see Eduiji gleaming in space. It was far more bright and beautiful and it’s ice continents gleamed with light. He looked up sharply seeing that the young blood cook from the other clan was bringing around two more bowls of food. He sat up taking one before the younger male could place it down. He watched the young male look up in surprise but stay quite due to his rank. He kneeled down so he was close to Emma’s ear he slowly spoke in her language. “Come on lets eat somewhere where it’s quieter.” Emma raised an eyebrow slightly. “They won’t take offence?” Jeuki clicked his upper right mandibles. “Of course not it’s not uncommon for Yautja males to leave the table to follow their mate.” Emma looked up slightly. “Oh, I see.” She watched Jeuki’s eyes catching on to what to he was saying. She slowly stood up nodding respectful to Erisoki who calmly nodded back.
Jeuki tapped his lower mandibles as he took her arm moving her towards the huge room on the other side with its beautiful view. He ignored the two young bloods who where on guard duty. They just protected these rooms during meetings, he moved Emma in to the room before turning around sharply and pressing the doors buttons. He watched as the door closed giving them some privacy. He turned putting the food down on the floor next to the window. “Sorry to drag you away but I felt that we needed some peace and quite.” Emma turned slightly. “I keep forgetting what you’ve told me about your females. In that you follow them not they follow you.” She pulled her hand. “I really need to get used to that.” Jeuki found himself laughing. “Where you come from it can be the opposite way around.” Emma pulled a piece of cooked red meat out from the bowl. “True sometimes it can.” Jeuki tapped his upper right mandible. “Likewise.” Emma turned slightly. “Didn’t you say also that your female are bigger?” Jeuki slowly sat himself down next to the window. “Much bigger, tomorrow I’ll show you a few of them. I sure many other males have mates here.”
Emma sat herself down next to him she calmly leaning against him. Her eyes turned slowly as she stared at the beautiful view. The planet looked so beautiful in the distance. She breathed in deeply as she felt Jeuki lift up her hand. He slowly used his claws to play with her fingers in a gentle manner. She closed her eye slightly. Jeuki looked at the planet again before turning back to Emma. “Tomorrow I’ll show you round this ship.” Emma moved herself so she was even closer. “I’m looking forward to that.” Jeuki moved his lower mandibles slightly. “You’ll enjoy it I promise you that.” Emma moved her hand up slowly running it along his lower mandibles. “I enjoy everything with you, you know that.” Jeuki looked at the view again before turning back. “Like wise.” He leaned over slightly. “ I do hope Oran’s screaming right now.” Emma sniggered slightly. “Oh I’m sure he is. The coward is probably wishing he hadn’t pissed of your race.” Jeuki found him self-laughing aloud. “Yeah he probably is really wishing that.” Emma breathed in deeply. “You know I love you don’t you?” Jeuki leaned over moving his clawed hand through gentl
y her hair. “I know you do, and you know I feel the same way.” Emma moved closer. “You know I have a really good feeling that very things going to be wonderful for us.” Jeuki leaned closer running his upper mandibles gently across her cheek. “So do I, I think we’ll do great.”
CHAPTER 32
THE ECHO’S UNFORGOTTEN STILL SEND WAVES IN TO THE DARKNESS
Location, Earth in Kyoto Japan in one of the ancient temple houses in the mountains.
I can’t let them take her away from me! She must not join Oran Corp I don’t want my little baby to be drawn in to that monsters grip. That horrible man who calls himself Idorama Afros! A bitter old man who walks around with his little walking stick spewing out crap! I lost two children once because I ran away. One of which is dead now and the other won’t speak to me. I won’t loose my last child. I know Elizabeth doesn’t like it here, she hates the quite, but I can’t allow them to find us. I have friends here in Japan who I know thought another company woman who owns a company on another planet. She pointed me here to this safe haven. She told me that it was really important I come because the tides are changing. I never understood her term dogy Christ I never understood anyone’s even my husbands before I stupidly ran out on him and then ran in to Oran. I regret sleeping with that bastard hell I’m glad he’s died. He was seriously out of his mind and power hungry. I don’t regret getting pregnant though and I love my daughter to bits, I’ve made it my life’s work to do good by her where I failed with my other two children.
