The First Hunter

The Kess

A few moments later, Bet-Khar strode purposefully into the room, his demeanor slightly different, more serious. He had already donned his armor and weapons, clearly preparing for his upcoming meeting with his brothers. The intensity in his gaze signaled that he was ready for whatever awaited him on the warship.

"Do you require anything from this vessel before we depart?" he asked, his voice calm yet firm, as though each word was carefully chosen.

Leanne looked up at him, sensing the shift in his energy. "Just my hiking backpack. Do you know where it is?" she asked, trying to match his seriousness.

"Your bag is already on the bridge," he answered without hesitation. He crossed the room and sat down on the bed, legs spread, his posture radiating confidence.

"Come here. I have something for you."

Leanne hesitated for a second, then approached, curiosity getting the better of her. She couldn't help but notice the intensity in his stance, but her interest was piqued. "What is it?" she asked cautiously.

Bet-Khar opened his massive palm, revealing a small metallic box. His mandibles twitched slightly, his eyes motioning for her to step closer.

She blinked at the shiny object in his hand and, despite her better judgment, stepped between his legs. Her eyes, however, couldn't help but flick to his barely-covered form. His armor left much of him exposed, which made her uncomfortable despite how often she'd seen his form by now. Forcing herself to focus, she concentrated on the box in his hand.

Bet-Khar placed his hands on her waist, holding her in place with surprising precision for his size. "Hold still," he instructed, his tone serious.

From the small silver box, he removed a delicate earpiece and gently inserted it into her ear. "This device will fit snugly in your ear canals. It will translate our language in real-time and allow you to communicate outside this ship."

Leanne's eyes lit up as she reached up to touch the earpiece. "Wow! That's amazing! How did you get these?"

"I crafted them while you cleaned my ship, and downloaded the translation program while you slept on the bridge," he replied matter-of-factly, as though it were a routine task.

Leanne stared at him, impressed. "It fits perfectly," she beamed. "Thank you so much!"

Bet-Khar nodded curtly. But before he could react further, Leanne impulsively reached out, placing her hands on either side of his face and lightly kissed his forehead. "I really mean it. This is a huge deal for me. Honestly, I don't know how to thank you. This really means a lot, Bet-Khar."

Bet-Khar's body went rigid. His entire posture stiffened as though he'd been struck. His expression darkened as he wiped his forehead where she had kissed him. "Do I appear like a female or a youngling to you?" he asked, his voice low, hissing with irritation.

Leanne froze, stepping back quickly. "What? No, of course not!" she stammered.

"This primitive gesture is one I have only seen between mothers and their young. Yautja males do not engage in such behaviors," Bet-Khar added, his tone sharper than usual.

Leanne's brow furrowed. "Wait... Yautja don't kiss? That actually makes sense, I guess." She eyed his sharp teeth warily.

Bet-Khar's mandibles twitched again in what seemed like confusion. "The word 'kess' does not translate into my language."

"Kissing is... a human thing," Leanne explained, now feeling awkward. "Parents kiss their kids on the cheek to show affection, and, well, couples kiss each other on the mouth for pleasure."

His expression twisted into one of disgust, his mandibles clicking slightly. "That is... revolting. Should you approach my mouth for such a reason, I will feed you to the Xenomorphs."

Leanne's eyes widened as she raised her hands in surrender. "You don't have to be rude! And don't worry, I won't be kissing you anywhere near the mouth, trust me."

Bet-Khar exhaled, as though he had narrowly avoided a fate worse than death. "Good. Let us ensure it remains that way."