The Purple Praetorian

Part 6.

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"Sir, are you positive that it was the same vessel?"

The Head guard stood a few meters away from Lockdown, who was looking out the large observing window out at the stars. He glanced over his shoulder at the guard, slowly turning to face him.

"I am certain it was the same vessel, the appearance was all too familiar. Yet somehow, it eluded my grasp by going faster than the speed of light." He answered.

"And the captain of the vessel lives?"

"Unknown. It seems to now be under the ownership of a new species of those acid bearing insects."

"A 'Xenomorph', sir?"

The bounty hunter nods.

"Indeed, alas this individual was different in every way from the other serpents I possess."

The guard seemed confused.

"Others?"

The bounty hunter gestured for him to follow, leaving the cockpit and entering the corridor. The guard followed his master through the corridors lined with large cages filled with deadly creatures, unsure of where he was leading him. Soon enough they reached a large door, loud screeches could be heard on the other side. The guard had never heard such screeches before, feeling somewhat nervous about what could be on the other side. Lockdown punched in a code to the door, it opening like a spiral to reveal several cages upon shelves.

A single black Xenomorph occupied each cage, each of them different from the other. There was a Drone, a warrior, a carrier, a Ravager, a Spitter and several more of a different type or species. The bounty hunter entered the room and the guard followed, glancing at the creatures in their cages. The Xenomorphs were screeching, hissing and doing whatever they could to escape, unfortunately for them the metal bars wouldn't budge or melt. Lockdown approached a larger empty cage at the very end of the room, stepping aside as the guard saw it.

"I've saved this space for a very rare or unique serpent, and I have found one at long last."

The Head Guard turned to his master.

"What are your orders, sir?"

"Calculate the trajectory of that vessel, I plan on beginning this hunt as soon as possible..."

*   *   *   *

I had done what my father had asked and spent the entire afternoon with Gu'taq, which honestly was more a treat than an order. Her and I perused the markets on the far side of the settlement for simply entertainment, I personally enjoyed gazing upon the blacksmiths new weaponry while my future stepmother enjoyed looking over the hand crafted jewelry. It confirmed for me that she will absolutely love the necklace Je'Trya will give her, and I look forward to his reaction to when she tells him she's pregnant. Gu'taq and I were headed back towards Je'Tryas large home while we were "chit chatting".

"So, how do you like Behsa?" I ask.

"It is much like Yautja Prime, just without the busy cities. It's so peaceful here, and I fucking adore it."

I snickered at her choice of words.

"What about you? How is your journey of truth going?" She asks me.

I was silent for a moment and halted. Gu'taq stopped walking and looked to me, seeming concerned.

"Something wrong, kid?" She asks.

"To be honest, I'm not sure. I've been so busy with my job lately and recently I'm hearing voices in my head-"

"Voices? What kind of voices?" Gu'taq crossed her arms.