The History of Tomorrow

The History of Tomorrow

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.

Part Two: The Bad.

Authors note: I claim no ownership of the Predator franchise. Warning: Yautja/Ooman pairing, descriptions of sexual intercourse and murder/death, and bad language. I will be using some information previously stated in ‘The Ripple of a Stone’, if any questions, please email me. Pronunciations at bottom. Good reading!

E.M.

“” “” “” “”

As Adam Becks stands shaking, he can feel his heart pounding in his chest, the beats so loud in his ears that he is barely able to hear Kella and the Elder talking about her children. He has been dreading this day for years now, ever since Kella had traded her life for the new Caretakers. But as he looks at her now, he feels a strange pain in his chest, his love for her never fading over the years. They had continued their weekly talks, Adam soon demanding to spend more time with her, Kella reluctant to but she gave in. And with each and every meeting, Adam knew that his feelings grew stronger. But the day her death became a matter of finishing her children’s training, he wanted nothing more to go to her and say he won’t let her do it, Kella still owning him a favor. However, as Elder Rhd and Kella talk like nothing is wrong, his mind keeps repeating over and over that he must do something, he has to do anything to stop it. But what?

“” “” “” “”

Kella bows her head to Elder Rhd and gently grasps his blade, the same one that was once used to give her the mark of protection is now being used to take it away. She raises her hand to her forehead and rests the sharp edge just at the base when a strong hand takes hold of hers, ripping the blade away. Kella twists her head to see who it is, her heart hoping it to be Aja, only to find Adam standing beside her, his face hard and placid. Kellas mouth opens, her lips moving but no words are coming out, her mind locked about what to do. Adam takes the knife from her hand and moves between her and Elder Rhd, his body a small barrier.

“Elder, I beg for you to spare her life.” He says handing back the knife, hilt first of course.

“She and I have a deal, Ooman Becks. One that cannot be taken back.” Elder Rhd sighs, Kella hearing a hidden tone of sorrow in his voice.

“The Caretaker is indebted to me, Elder, a favor is owed. One that I wish to take now.” He tells. “I ask that Caretaker Kella allow me to beg for your favor, for you to spare her.”

“How is that she has a debt with you, but you are asking something of me?” The Elder asks, though his heart has been beating strongly with hope that somehow he will not have to take Kella as a trophy.

“Because if you spare her life, and the Caretaker allows me to ask you to, then I will consider the debt repaid. Elder Rhd, I have deep and strong feelings for her, a love that makes me do this.” Kella looks hard at the back of Adams head, tears of frustration and sadness dripping down her cheek. “You know as well as I that Caretaker Kella will do more if she lives, and I will do anything for her life.”

“Even sacrifice yours?” Elder Rhd asks, though he is now only playing with the Ooman. The moment a male asks another to spare a females life, not only is that female forever attached to the male who asked to save her, but she is also saved no matter what happens next.

“Of course Elder.” Adam bows his head and walks towards him slowly, thinking he is soon going to have a knife cut off his head.

“I do not wish to kill today.” The Elder sighs amusingly and gently pushes Adam backwards. He stumbles on his ankles, Kella quick to stand up and catch him before he falls. She wraps her arms around his chest, holding him up as their faces go side by side, Adam staring right into her eyes. “I think it is a good match, Caretaker Kella. Having a male that will sacrifice himself…While common among Yautja, rare among Oomans. Rare indeed.” He smiles a strangely all-knowing smile before he silently turns away from them. “I will contact you the next time I am near to your planet, Caretaker.” He yells out after he orders all the watching Yautja to follow him, some more then a little disgruntled about not seeing her death.

“” “” “” “”

After Elder Rhd called for his son, he stands watching the Ooman planet slowly getting smaller as they move away, their business done for now. He was disappointed that Aja had not wanted to go witness the Caretakers demise, thinking that his son would have treasured seeing her die. But he guessed wrong. When the sound of his door fills the silence, he calls his son to the front room with him. But the moment Aja enters, Elder Rhd smells a strange scent of misery and fear filling the room. Turning swiftly, he sees a pained look on his sons face, Ajas eyes darting around the room for an unknown reason.

“What is wrong, Aja?” He asks.

“Did you hunt the Caretakers?” Aja asks firstly without answering the Elder.

“No, I did not.” Elder Rhd smiles, along with Aja. “Why do you smile? I thought you and Kella were on bad terms.” He laughs a little.

“We are. I just…” Aja looks directly at his father for a moment, his mind going over the same argument on whether to tell him everything. The argument not to wins. “I simply thought the Caretaker would serve the Yautja and Oomans better alive, rather then a memory.” Elder Rhd bursts into an oddly joyous laugh.

“Ooman Becks said the same, just as he was begging for me to spare her life.” He tells, Aja perking up suddenly.

“I suppose I should be angry…” Aja says to save face that he and the Caretaker have only bad blood between them.

“But I can see you are not. I know you and the Caretaker have issues, but knowing she lives to still be who she is, to live on in the future, it’s rather…” Elder Rhd pauses, unable to think of the right word.

“Comforting.” Aja sighs.

“That it is. Well, we will be back no more then three seasons, we will see her then.” Elder Rhd laughs and sends his son out.

“” “” “” “”

“Why did you do that?” Kella cries out, pushing Adam to the ground. After sending away her children, she can’t help but have a sense of anger about what happened. Inside she knows that she would have given up anything for Aja to have been the one to grab her hand and stop her.

“Because I love you Kella!” Adam yells and cups his jaw where she had previously punched him, thankfully she had pulled her punch though.

“Don’t you dare say that.” She hisses between her teeth, a taste of salt and tears invading her mouth.

“Why not?” He asks as he stands up and walks to be face to face with her, unafraid to be hit again.

“Because it hurts to hear someone say it and know they do not mean it.” She cries out harder, her lungs hurting from breathing so harshly.

“How do you know I do not mean it? You don’t know! From the moment I met you Kella, I have wanted you and even when I got you, it wasn’t enough.” Adam yells, his dark face turning a shade of red she has never seen from being angry. “You are not unconquerable. You would not have spent so much time with me unless you wished to have more, I know that, you know that.”

“You know nothing Adam!” Kella screams out.

“I know enough.” He whispers and gently grabs her shivering arms. Closing her eyes, Kella shakes her head and lets it fall forwards in defeat. “Kella. Kella please look at me.” Adam whispers again and lifts her at the chin so their eyes are together. “Somewhere I know you felt the same for me, it just needs to develop.” Slowly, he leans in until she can feel his hot breath on her quivering lips. But just as their skin touches, he pauses, needing Kella to go the rest of the way so he knows it is what he thinks. It took only a second before she moves in the rest of the way, their lips together again after all that time.

“” “” “” “”

Seven Ooman years or just under three Yautja seasons later…

For the first time he can remember after all things had come and gone, Aja stands beside his father with the now unfamiliar feeling of anxiously back in his gut. When news came to him that they needed to go back to the Ooman planet, he had asked himself many times if he should go back, but in the end it was not his decision. His father had demanding that he go in order to see Caretaker Kella, just hearing her name making his heart heavy. But as he watches the ramp slowly fall to the ground, his eyes search franticly for her but finds only the male Ooman his Kella had once mated with and a few others. He and the large group unhurriedly make their way to the Oomans, his father greeting Ooman Becks with a small bow of his head.

“Caretaker Kella had said she was going to meet me when I arrived.” Elder Rhd smiles beneath his mask.

“She is changing Mynah.” Adam smiles brightly, Aja wondering for a moment who Mynah is and why Kella would need to help that person.

“Jet! Jet get back here!” Kellas voice suddenly sounds, forcing Ajas body to quiver and heart to ache. Out of a close building, a young Ooman boy jolts out a door, running into the back of Ooman Becks legs.

“Daddy! Mommy can’t catch my anymore!” He giggles, his small voice rather funny to Elder Rhds ears.

“You know Mommy can’t run in her condition, Jet. You should listen to her. And you know you cannot run up to me right now.” Adam scolds, setting the boy on the ground.

“I know Daddy, sorry.” He pouts but it soon turns into a giant smile that reminds Aja of his Kella when a shrill giggle from an Ooman baby fills the air.

“I told you not to leave, didn’t I Jet?” The softest, sweetest and most beautiful voice laughs. Aja watches with wide eyes as Kella slowly makes her way out of the building with a pup no bigger then his forearm on her hip, and a belly swollen with a growing child. Stopping immediately, Kella stares at him emotionlessly with her baby girl chewing on her fingers, the pup looking exactly like her father rather then her mother.

“I had no idea things would change so much.” Elder Rhd bursts into a cheerful chuckle. “Caretaker Kella, you have been busy.” He says as he walks to her. Kella rips her gaze from Aja to his father, smiling up at him rightly.

“It is good to see you, Elder Rhd.” She says softly, bowing her head.

“So I guess this is Mynah?” He asks, Kella soon giving her daughter to Elder Rhd to hold. Mynah tries to grab the gentle slopes on his mask, but her tiny hands are unable to really hold on. Screaming a laugh, the little girl giggles and suddenly pounds her hands against his mask, everyone laughing at how similar she and her mother are. “The other one is Jet.” Elder Rhd tells softly, looking back at the boy. “But this one…” He gently places his hand on Kellas large belly, his sensitive palm feeling the babies pulse and the movements perfectly.

“Another boy.” Kella says triumphantly. “No name yet, but he is due any day.” She tilts her with a small smile, melting Ajas heart once more.

“” “” “” “”

After the Yautja were done what they came to do, which was to once again get the Matriarchs approval, Elder Rhd and the usual crowd came to Kellas and Adams home for dinner, all of them demanding to have the great foods she once gave them. It took time, but Kella had everything there, from the old C’ntlip to kiwis. So when little Jet answered the door to find a group of ten giant Yautja, the very loud attempt to growl on his part was unexpected but funny. Kella invites them all in with Adam by her side, him holding onto her side as her pregnancy would make her rather tipsy. When Aja comes in though, all she can do is smile a barely noticeable smile, him also giving a small jerk of his mandible, that being the best he can do. During dinner through, it came to Kellas knowledge that not only had Pakka had another child in a long relationship with a female, but he had personally named the male pup Kiwi. It took a long time for Kella to stop laughing, though it was all in good spirit.

“What news has come from the other Caretakers?” Someone asks, making Kella so gravely quiet for a moment.

“In a few cities they did not go over well, but most have made their mark.” She says softly, tears welling up in her eyes. “Three died within a year of each other. It was expected, but it still pains me.” Kella cannot hold back her tears any longer and they freely fall down her face. “If you’ll excuse me.” She sniffs and tries to stand, having to get the help of Elder Rhd to stand up. She gently squeezes his shoulder in thanks and leaves to the kitchen to dry her tears and get a few more things to serve. But just as conversation between Adam and a few others begins to thicken, a small crash of plates makes them all stand up. “I’m alright!” Kella yells. “Same as last time.” She laughs as the same thing had happened the last time they were all at her house for dinner.

“I guess as the same as last time, I will go check on her.” Aja says suddenly and starts off down the hallway, everyone else sitting down. As he walks slowly, he looks out a far window to see Kellas son playing with their dog Naxa, the white fluff seemingly older as time has gone by. As he gets to the kitchen, Aja stops to watch her clean up a spilt drink, her sweet scent taking him over, as well as a new part smelling of her motherhood and pregnancy only making her seem more beautiful then ever. As Kella throws the soaked cloth into the sink, she feels an old familiar jolt in her stomach, a hand going to her large belly as she knows instantly that her Aja is watching. Slowly turning, she looks into his eyes to find them full of emotion, hers soon filled again with tears.

Taking slow steps, Aja gets closer and closer until he cannot get move any more, the end of her swollen stomach almost touching him. He raises a shaking hand and rests it on her pregnant belly, Aja having to try his hardest not to purr at feeling the heart beat, his stomach falling in dread at the fact that the pup in her is not his. Kella places one of her small, soft hands on his, both of them silent for a moment. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Kella can feel her insides twist in happiness at her Ajas scent again, but at the same time they turn in sadness. Suddenly she feels rough fingers move beneath her hand, Aja soon gently grabs her face, tilting it upwards. He leans down with their eyes locked until Kella feels the unbelievable tingling of his mandibles as they drag across her lips, her knees nearly giving out.

But just as soon as it starts, it ends. Aja stands tall and backs up a step, giving her a respectful bow at the waist before leaving her in the kitchen to cry.

“” “” “” “”

As the years and seasons pilled on, Aja and Kella never saw each other again. Her children prospered, both the one she gave birth to and the ones she adopted. Elder Rhd visited often, her children calling him Uncle Rhd. But as she aged, Aja never left her mind and thoughts. Aja also flourished, his rank soon going from Second to Elder within fifteen seasons, something unheard of until that day. Mockingly though, Elder Rhd was there the day Kella died from time, her body giving in as she slept. Elder Rhd had immediately told all she called her friends in the world of the Yautja, almost every single one she had ever met going to her funeral.

Standing in a line, Adam and his three children place their hands on their mothers pod before it is sent to their sun so she can live on in the light, all of them silently praying for Paya to judge her fairly and rightly. Behind them are all the Yautja and Oomans who came to watch. All the Yautja and Elders, including Aja, wearing their ceremonial Awu’asa to show respect for the fallen Caretaker. Elder Rhd laughed wholeheartedly when Aja gasped at seeing her three children all grown up, even with the adoptive ones bloomed into their fully grown Ooman life, they didn’t seem the same at all. Once the family was done, it took more then an hour for the rest of the gathering to say their last goodbyes and prayers for Paya, Aja unable to say anything at all, his hand and mind frozen for a minute as he stood above her lifeless body. When Kella disappeared into the sun, Adam thanked all who had come, soon after that though almost everyone began to leave.

“Adam.” Elder Rhd bows his head in respect for his friends’ loss.

“Thank you.” Adam says in a guff voice, his age turning both his mind and body rather gray. “Come say hello.” He ushers his kids over. Aja slowly makes his way to his fathers’ side, not really listening to the conversation going on, but the words are in his ears.

“Well, it is good to see Aja following in his mothers footsteps.” Elder Rhd thrills.

“I’m sorry, what did you say father?” Aja blurts, his fathers’ words not making sense.

“I must have forgotten to tell you.” The Elder laughs. “Elder Aja, meet Kellas’ youngest son, Aja.” He laughs and points out the young male standing next to Adam. Nearly as tall as his shoulders, Aja looks at the young man who is the spitting image of his mother, red hair, blue eyes and a physic a Yautja would be envious of, the male equivalent of Kella.

“It is an honor to bare your name, Elder Aja.” Aja, Kellas son, bows to him.

“It is mine.” He says, bowing his head slightly. “Your mother and I had a tenuous relationship to say the least, but she was an honorable female.” Aja tells softly.

“My mother didn’t speak of you often, Elder Aja.” Her daughter Mynah says, her voice sounding exactly like Kellas but looking like her father. “But when she did, she had only the best things to say.”

“Pity I never got a chance to thank her.” Aja sighs, looking at his father for a moment.

It didn’t take long for a dinner party to be planed in Kellas honor, the Yautja and Oomans sharing stories of her all night. Aja on the other hand spent the nearly the whole night thinking of his Kella, remembering her scent and sound, the feeling of her skin on his and the sadness the day she cut their sign of being lifemates off her chest. He knew he could not stay mad at her, his anger for what she did dieing long ago. But with the celebration of her life going on around him, Aja soon found himself to be the only one that had not told a story of her, the spot light quickly on him.

“With I first met her, I was going to kill her. More then ten Yautja sent to kill a Bad Blood ran after her, but her speed and knowledge of this great city out smarted them all. All but me, of course.” Aja laughs, as do all the others. “We jumped over buildings, over people going their days tasks until we came to a space to far to jump. But being the female she is, Kella fastened a plan that got her across safely, and in the process, she saved me from falling to my doom.” He reveals for the first time, everyone going quiet. “I have a single token to remind me of her now.” He slowly takes out the pearl pendant from his side pouch, letting it hang from his hand in the light so everyone could see. “It hung from her neck, its beauty almost as great as its owner, but not quite. When Kella and I were not fighting,” He starts, making a few laugh as he puts her necklace back in its spot. “She and I had a silent respect for one another. A respect that is now common place between all Yautja and Ooman. To Caretaker Kella!” He says and raises a glass, everyone joining in.

“” “” “” “”