Kennedy & the Yautja

Chapter 4 - Cohabitation

Vah'keil held back a roar, his inner fangs clenched tightly, as he plunged the needle into his belly. Pain burned anew as the medicine quickly began its work.

The oomani-di had surprisingly cleaned and dressed his wounds well. Neat threads held his thick skin together in a lattice pattern. She had lathered some sheer cream over the stitched wound, his mask's computer telling him it was an analgesic. It was slick on his fingers, so he was quick to wipe it on the tiny couch he lay on. He hated the feeling of it; the gel reminded him of kiande amedha slime.

Many hours had passed since he lost consciousness. The sun no longer shone, but instead rain could be heard on the roof, the downpour streaking down the dirty windows. Lightning and thunder waltzed in the sky.

It seemed the gods had powers out here, even in this strange, blue world.

His computer wasn't connecting with the ship, so he safely assumed he had yet to complete his mission. He snarled with frustration at this inconvenience.

The hunt was complete! He had hunted both ooman and tiger, the tiger being the fiercer foe. What else was he to do? Gallivant around and get drunk? This whole mission was pointless. He had rightfully earned his new title. There would be new names on his c'jit list when this was all over.

Vah'keil would've left already if it weren't for the immense pain he was in. He wouldn't have to deal with the annoying oomani-di, either.

She was like a hovering bearer, constantly keeping watch over a rambunctious pup. The female repeatedly tried to check on his wounds, but every attempt was met with growls and hisses to back off. Her weird face would make ugly expressions, ones he assumed meant frustration, and he clicked in amusement. It was only natural that she would keep away.

He was the superior species, and she was nothing but a primitive...an ant. Oomans had allowed some kind of parasite to take down their entire civilization. There was nothing he wanted from her or any of them.

Oomans were honorless, as he had seen many times while on the planet.

He had seen them attack and kill each other for resources time and time again. It was a cycle of never-ending violence. Plus, they bored him. Hunting the megafauna on Raksis III was more entertaining than this!

For two days, Vah'keil endured the incessant pestering from the ooman. She refused to heed his warnings on the third day, however.

She was seated in the chair opposite his perch, her eyes focused on the yellowed pages of a book. Rain continued to darken the daylight outside, and the sky persisted in its waltz of light and drumming. The female chewed on dried meat, her tongue sweeping across her fat, little mouth. Seeing her eat was...unnatural. It was revolting.

Oomans lacked the mandibles with tusks and the sharp inner teeth that Yautja had. Instead, they had a round face with a nose that came in various shapes and sizes, and their mouths had squishy, fat lips. The female's teeth weren't fanged, either, like all oomans but, unlike others, she had a small scar that cut diagonally across her upper lip.

This female often wetted her lips, her finger tracing her scar. It was one of many ticks he cataloged in case she became worthy prey, if at all.

His attention was brought into focus when she abruptly stood up, shutting the book with a heavy thump. Every muscle in his body tensed, waiting for a possible attack. The female straightened her top as she stared down at him with a look he couldn't understand.

Oomans and their pauking weird faces...

Vah'keil hissed preemptively.

She didn't move, her hands folding across her chest instead. A long exhale left her as she maintained eye contact.