Boundless

Undercover

[40 Years Ago]

"Remember when I told you about the facility?" The tiny figure asked, already binding what remained of his left arm. "The surroundings?"

Of course he did.

Even if imprisoned for years, he was still a Hunter of the Yautja. One that had been paying attention. To her every action: hands, glances, daily ramblings about the facility, even her otherworldly tales and hummed songs.

And then it clicked.

(Realization clipping his breath, weighing his chest.) Months ago. Days ago. Hers had never been just idle chatter. His Girl had been drawing him a map, giving him vital knowledge.

About their location.

About its surroundings.

About the planet.

"I will lead you halfway out of the facility," she went on. Not wearing her everyday, head-to-toe xenophysician white, but full black kevlar armor. "After that you will keep going, toward the dorms, and cross into the woods."

Oh, he remembered.

The Hunter could recall every single detail the Girl had given him about this hellhole.

Even if he had never walked it, he already knew the path that would set him free.

***

[Present Day]

"Wow, this sort of reminds me of the barracks," Lance said, marveling at the communal room which would host a whole class of younglings under Lar'jar's tutelage. Then turned around to face the Enforcer. Grinning.

"Is this where you learned how not to murder each other in your sleep?" Lance asked, spinning her fingers in the air, gesticulating like mad.

"That came before off-world classes," Ah'kaedh walked slowly, shoulders thrown back. "At home."

"At home?" Lance parroted his words back.

"There are always siblings. And cousins," Ah'kaedh shared. "And they are many."

"Well, you guys have great communal dorms. When I enlisted, they piled us recruits on pre-assembled bunks," she chuckled.

According to Lance, in comparison with the Yautja's communal chamber, said barracks were severely crowded spaces, which among his people would only be good to breed disputes and violence.

"The space between beds about this high." Lance placed her hand somewhat below her head. "These at least seem comfy."

Ah'kaedh's chest rumbled, genuinely pleased.

Her curiosity endeared him, yes, and weeks of her exploring his new vessel had given them plenty of opportunity to expand what Lance called their 'common base knowledge'.

Seemingly irrelevant conversation that would go unnoticed to any observers, was meant to broaden Lance's awareness of the situation and understanding of his Clan culture.

Safe opportunities for private exchanges were sparse and short (and meant for strategic or urgent matters), so Lance demanded a clear off-limits map about all aspects of his society: knowledge, technology, behavior.

After equipping Ah'kaedh with a tool to call for 'urgent meetings', the next step was to give him a set of communication aids and goals.

"I need to know everything," and by everything, she truly meant everything, which included all the boundaries imposed to her.