Genesis

Chapter 7

The day approached quickly for them to reach the planet from which the transmission came from. Nina stared at her treasure trove of headdresses trying to preoccupy her mind. Maybe she'd wear one out... let her own kind see her superiority with this ultimate race out here in the dangerous vast place they call space. She shook her head in non agreement with herself, oh how maniacal she had become. She felt hot tears well up in her eyes now understanding that statement from Wahkan so long ago; "You're sounding more like Tatsu everyday." She wiped those tears away in anger.
Yes she was becoming hard, maniacal in ways, but if she was to survive amongst the Yautja race....it is how she should be, not a soft meat, not human.
Amongst the Yautja they had laws, they had a code of honor, a different way of being. She couldn't be that same softness that Wahkan had once known....it nearly got her killed. No matter how accepted she was to some of these warriors she'd always be an outsider. She looked up at her headdresses once more... peering at one with the human skull. Tatsu had made adjustments to be able to attach it to different sets so she'd always be able to carry her trophy if she so pleased. He had also gifted her a partial skull to adorn her headdresses, painted with intricate designs to match her native status to use as well. She spooked a tad when large hands touched her shoulders, but quickly calmed she leaned back against the hard chest behind her.
"Thinking of wearing something pretty on arrival?" Tatsu teased.
"Yes...." she almost whispered back.
"The serpent headdress... adorned with the soft meat skull." His mandibles spread with pleasure when she looked up at him. "You would look of Paya! Goddess of death. A genesis, from weak to strong... make all bow before you!" His voice was deep and raspy becoming sexually charged at the thought of such a sight, then softened again. "My little bird." He spoke as he looked down at her.
"Now I know what you fantasize about you brute." She teased.
"Aye, what warrior doesn't wish to look at Paya and say I have touched her, and lived." He chuckled.
Nina's face stilled in thought again. "Tatsu.... what is you think that transmission was about?" She turned and faced him now. "I get this feeling.... something is not right at all. Something is off."
His face became serious as well. "Yes, I feel it as well. I feel.... troubled?" He hesitated admitting such weak feelings for a moment. "Troubled, that I may be leading my Youngbloods to failure, but I am not afraid of death." His chest puffed out in pride. "I have lived a long time, I have had many wives, sired many pups and my legacy will live on...that is all that matters."
Nina froze for a moment, feeling that old almost forgotten feeling of fear. If he was to die.... and she lived? She'd be alone once more. She didn't like the thought or feeling. As if guessing her unease he spoke. "We shall be fine though, come now Nina get some rest before we reach our target." He ushered her to her bed before departing. Nina laid in her bed unable to shake the feeling.....something was about to happen.

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Wahkan sat in his chair, feeling anxious. Not much longer, he thought, till we reach that transmission. His sharp claws tapped restlessly on the arm of his chair. It had felt like an eternity since he was separated from Nina, he had hope he'd be reunited with her soon. Time had not taken away his...love for her. He just stared out of the observation window lost in thoughts of Nina.

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As they armored up Tatsu gave his Youngbloods a pep talk, his Youngbloods training had been unique. They had been trained, allowed gear normally not allowed. They've hunted already learning the point and kill, the art of hiding and tracking before this first right of passage hunt. Tatsu had almost ensured his young males survival chances to be hire than usual. Dtai'kai'-dte sa-de nau'gkon dtain'aun bpi-de. The fight begun would not end until the end; a tired saying but a true one.
The Hunt was about to begin.
They landed in a small clearing in the heart of the thick forest far away from where the transmission had been sent. Tatsu had not lived long by being careless on such strange terrain, he would exercise caution. Tatsu could smell the oomans so strongly he could almost taste it, but he wasn't here to hunt them not this time unless engaged. They had strict orders of hunting the serpent... the ultimate prey. Something was amiss on this planet, he could smell the smoke and blood as well it was going to be a glorious hunt. Tatsu watched the young males hurriedly don their suits. He stood in the entry and felt the thick anticipation that radiated from them in their frenzied movements. It never failed to please him, to see the young so eager to spill first thwei.
There would be a short practice outside of the ship to test the world's gravity while he had Nina scan for anything unexpected, it was killing nothing other than time, a chance to wear the edge off of the young males' hyper-enthusiasm. The Serpent would also be more active after the suns dropped. It was hardly sport to shoot a target curled up asleep.
Tatsu turned and walked through the corridor toward the front of the ship. As Leader, he would be the first to set foot out, a pleasure that rumbled deep in his gut. Nina watched him go, gone was any remote softness.... this was pure Yautja, great warrior who was not afraid to meet the Black Warrior- death. She smiled glad she had chosen to wear the suit and headdress that reminded him of Paya, she followed close behind him.
She stepped out of the ship behind her leader, smelling the fresh rain, the air was cold around them. She looked about at the new world as her hot breath appeared from her mouth. Yes... something big was going to happen, she could feel it.