River Rapids

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Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters related to Predator. El, other unrelated human characters, and the character names of the predators Imade up, the concept of predator does not belong to me.



Authors Notes: This is a work of Fan fiction. please read on and enjoy.



WARNING: The following work of fiction contains, extream violence, course language (at times), sexual sudgestions, nudety, and explicit sex. If you are under 18 (or whatever age is appropriate for your location), HIT YOUR BACK BROWSER BUTTON NOW. If you find explicit sex offensive, please don't offend yourself by reading further.



Author: Charlotte (jemstone5)

Email: jemstone505@yahoo.com

Feedback: Please, yes lots.

Forward to others: would be flattered if you did.

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River Rapids

Book 2



Chapter 2



Tan’ock and Kal-esh circled each other once more. Their bodies coated in a thin sheet of sweat, their muscles flared, flexing to each other, a tactic of intimidation and to attract females. The latter was actually a side effect, but it worked. The bleachers surrounding the room were covered, end to end, and front to back with younglings, all watching the battle before them. There were so many that some even had to sit on the floor. One in particular didn’t seem too impressed. Reo, the young unblood in training, who’d been forced by his brother back into basic, leaned against the far wall. The two males didn’t impress him, he’d seen them before. It was old.


Kal made the first move, reaching for Tan’ock’s head. Tan’ock avoided, and send three powerful punches to the male’s chest. “Never leave your midsection OPEN!” he urged the younglings, with each powerful stroke.


Kal balled his fists together, and brought them down on Tan’ock’s back, sending him flat on his chest to the mat. “DON’T forget to watch your back!” Kal stated, as he put his weight on his right foot, firmly planted between Tan’ock’s shoulder blades. Tan’ock tapped the mat three times, and Kal let him up.


These were the instructing fights. Carried out by the most experienced instructors on the ship, except for M’Pa, he’d requested a leave of absence so he could see to his mate. The pair understood, more so Tan’ock did than Kal. This left these two males to duke it out themselves, which in a way was good practice.


Kal-esh believed, that if he and Tan’ock returned with an Ooman female each, and he found he wanted Tan’ock’s female as well, he’d know exactly how to defeat him.


Tan’ock believed, that if he and Kal returned from the blue planet, each with a female of their own, Kal would probably be too hormonal to know when NOT to challenge him, to take both females to his bed. By fighting him this way, he’d know exactly how to subdue him, until his hormone high subsided.


Although each hoped the other didn’t know their plans.


The door to the training room opened, and several older Yautja unbloods filed in. Reo stood straight at the wall. This was the class he was supposed to be in. But he was stuck with the babies. How humiliating. If he ever saw that Ooman again, he’d make sure she knew who ruled the clan. And it definitely wasn’t her.


Some of the unbloods glanced his way, but protocol dictated that those in the higher classes did not interfere with the teachings, or the students, of the lower classes. Reo could see the mocking stairs and heard a few repressed chuckles at his predicament. Yes, he’d have to do something about the Ooman.


“REO!!!!”


The boy snapped his head around at the sound of Tan’ock’s command of his name. “Yes, master Tan’ock,”


“Your class has been dismissed!” Reo growled low, low enough to ensure the males were not under the impression they were being challenged, and followed the younglings out the door. “What’s his issue?” Tan’ock asked, once the door had closed.


“El,” Kal responded. “He attacked her on their previous ship. It’s actually how she met M’Pa.”


“She could not have been badly hurt.”


“No, not very. Reo was reduced in training, and El ended up with a second mate.”


Tan’ock trilled, he rarely laughed much harder than that. “I wonder who really won.”


“WHAT!?”


“I was rolled back in my training as a boy. But I made the most of it. I became the best.” The two males stepped off the mat, as the unbloods began to spread out to warm up. “If he were smart, he’d do the same.”


“Rel never said he was all that smart.” The two chuckled to agree. Before they could take command of the next class, the door opened and Ver’On confidently strode in. The assembly grunted excitedly at his return, and Ver’On shook the shoulders of the instructors, turning to growl in thanks to the excited unbloods. “How was the hunt?” Kal asked.


“Thrilling!” he chirped. “I wanted to ask you both to see me later, when you’re done here.” The two nodded and watched him leave.


“El will be pleased he’s back,” Kal stated. “Have you seen her?”


“Not recently,” Tan’ock replied.


“Neither have I, but Rel has. She’s quite large, and she’s still many days to go before she delivers.” Tan’ock just looked at him. “It’s just what I hear.”


Tan’ock grunted as though to say, ‘yeah right’, and headed to the other side of the room to command half the class.






When Ver’On entered his quarters, he found M’Pa sitting in the new tub, with El sleeping against him, her body perfectly at ease in the deep water, suspended elegantly, without pressure points. Gently M’Pa clicked a greeting, though not too loud so he didn’t wake El. Ver’On removed his armor and clothes, and climbed into the tub. It amazed him how easy it was for M’Pa to float the female off his shoulder and onto his, with little to no disturbance. “She’s not slept soundly in a while,” he whispered. “I’d not wake her very soon.”


Ver’On shook his shoulder before he moved away, then smoothed El’s damp hair, gently running his hands down over her developed body. He’d been gone quite some time. He was glad that he returned before she delivered the babies, and very pleased that M’Pa had cared for her so diligently. He had taken his transmitted suggestions, and made them happen. “Thank you,” he sighed to M’Pa.


“She’s missed you.”


“I know.”


“She loves you. Be forewarned, however, her moods have been wild lately. I had to force her to come with me today.” Ver’On nodded, as M’Pa left the tub, slightly chilled. “I’ve got to get the cruiser repaired.”


“What happened?”


“Young blood in pilot’s training crashed a shuttle into the side. I have to over see him making the repairs.”


“Very well. I’ll inspect it later.”


M’Pa had left, and Ver’On continued to hold his little Ooman, marveling at how she was able to grow large enough to encompass her developing Yautja spawned offspring. It was a few hours before she finally woke, still suspended in the water, now laying on Ver’On’s shoulder instead. “Ver’On!!” she wanted to scream, but her voice was too tired to make the effort. “When did you get back?”


“Barely a few minutes ago,” he replied, hoping his little fib would not be discovered. He loved to watch her sleep, and often when he’d return from who knows were, he would lay down and watch her, for a few minutes, or a few hours, always telling her that he’d only just arrived. “How do you feel?”


“Better, much better. Thank you, for you and M’Pa, for the tub. Thank you.”


“I thought you’d like it. M’Pa had to leave, the water was getting too cool for him.”


“Well it’s a bit nippy for me too.”


“I’ll carry you to bed.”


“What’s that?”


“What?”


“On your hand, what is that?” There was a strange feeling about his right hand against her back, as he brought it around, he explained.


“Oh, one of the creatures I killed tried to take my hand off. It only managed the skin at the ends of my fingers. But I won. I have its skull, and I have its hide.”


“Wonderful! Oh, your claws are gone.”


“They will come back,” he sighed, turning her floating body till she straddled his lap in the water, his engorged flesh resting over her sex beneath the surface. “I cannot mate you My’El,” he sighed sadly, “but I can make you feel good.”


“No, please. The babies just went to sleep. Please, don’t.”


“As you wish.” He rose and went to step free of the tub to pick up El. But as he stopped, one foot on the floor, one still in the tub, a pair of firm but gentle hands grasped his needing flesh.


“But it doesn’t mean that you have to go without.” She vigorously tugged his flesh, tightening her grip with each upward stroke. Ver’On’s eyes rolled back in his head. It was amazing what she did to him. How, or rather where, had she learned such things? Lee’tha had promised him it wasn’t her. He’d figure it out later, for now, his mate would help him. Slowly at first she would glide her hands the length of him, gaining low groans of restrained pleasure. Then, like her swift changing moods, she vigorously thrust her hands over his skin, completely covering the head, then thrashed back deep to the base. He growled loudly through the room, as his scrotum contracted. She then slowed her movements yet again, gently tracing each bulging vein along his shaft, with delicate fingers.


Then, for the life of him, he’d no idea where she’d gotten the idea, she leaned closer to him, and licked the water from his flesh. Feeling her moist tongue against him, his eyes snapped open, shock and raging lust flashed across his face and body, as he watched his small mate, her face nearly disappearing below his shaft as she licked him.


“EEEELLLL!!!!!!!” he growled, and she thrust her hands over his flesh one last time, as his body rocked with his release. His roar echoed off the walls, the sound of it even shook the self viewer unit, mounted against the wall, the water in the releaving bowl rippled with the vibration of the sound through out the room. All the while, El sat in the water, her hands milking her mate for all he was worth.


Exhausted, at last he sat, straddled over the edge of the new tub. El lay across his water bound leg, her arms beneath her chin as she watched his phallus twitch to the last of the pulses his body would give, to release either his own seed, or encourage his mate to climax, releasing her own eggs to the onslaught of his advancing biologic army.


With deep gasps for air, he leaned down and tapped his mandibles gently, and repeatedly, across her brow. She loved that sensation the most. Simple, and in their beginnings had conveyed so much heart felt emotion. “Fell better my Tusk?” she asked sweetly, inhaling deep his musky scent.


“Much,” he whispered, and gently lifted her from the tub. He’d come back to clean the mess and cycle the water later. For now, he wanted to see how much his mate had developed in his absence. He didn’t have to investigate long, as he felt one of the babies kick her, right against his chest. “Active isn’t he?” he smiled, laying her across the covers, moving pillows so that she would be most comfortable supported in the right places. Once settled, he then slowly looked over her body. Her legs were a bit swollen, possibly for walking too much with such weight, but her belly was what concerned him the most. As Yautja females go, she looked about ready to deliver at any moment, but according to M’Pa, she’d still many days to go before that happened.


Her skin was still scarless across her belly, she’d been provided creams for her skin to avoid the horrible stretch marks she was worried about getting, but instead, there were bruises, many of them. “El,” he said in shock. Who would harm a pregnant female? “Who has done this to you?”


“No one,” she replied. “Well, that’s not entirely true.”


“I’ll skin him before your very eyes. Who did this?”


“Your babies.” To say the least Ver’On was shocked. “Sa’ton and Ter’Oth were both concerned about it, then they discovered that the impact of the bruises…are coming from inside my body, not outside.”


“What?”


“The babies kick very hard,” she said, lying back to the pillows, feeling her fatigue increase. “So hard in fact that I bruise.”


“Did Tan’ock not inform you?”


“He didn’t know. Zana never bruised. But then again, she only ever carried one at a time. I’ve kind of upped the anti.”


“AAAANNGTEEEE? What is that?”


“It’s a word in my language that means to put something forward as either a wager, or a standard.” Ver’On nodded. Then, to his surprise, a new sound came from El’s body. Not the sound of digestion, nor the grumblings of wanting more food, nor the passing of built up bodily gasses, or sneezes. This was entirely new. But El lay back smiling, as the sound repeated. “They’re doing it again,” she giggled, as the gentle chirps, and mild throngs of what she could only say sounded like tree frogs singing in the night, came from her belly. More specifically, her babies. Ver’On leaned gently closer, pressing his ear to her raised flesh to listen, broadly smiling. “The same thing happens with baby crocodiles. When they are ready to hatch, they sound off like that. The mothers then dig out the nests, so the babies can hatch safely. She then carries them to the water…God I watched too much nature television!”


“They will not be born for some time yet, My’El,” he said, as the baby beneath his ear chirped repeatedly, before abruptly thrusting what he believed was a tiny fist, effectively punching him in the head. “Has M’Pa purred to the babies regularly?”


“Yes. But it still doesn’t calm them enough to sleep. I think they missed you too.” Ver’On’s eyes went sad. “I’m sorry.”


“For what? You can’t help that the baby wished to hit me.”


“No, for arguing with you, for making you leave us. I don’t even remember what we fought about!”


“El, it does not matter. I should be sorry. I am the one who pushed you, perhaps not physically, but I was the one you chose to vent at, during one of your mood swings, and I only made things worse. Please,” he left her belly to lay beside her, holding her hands in his, “please, My’El, Forgive this foolish hunter.”


El started to cry. “Don’t leave us again, please.”


He licked each tear away as it fell before responding. “I must, for only a short time.”


“WHY!?” she asked, as two of the babies kicked her insides. Ver’On felt them against his ribs, and rubbed her where it hurt.


“I must, to gather your family.”


“Gather them? Why?”


“I have thought about it for a long time, My’El. I will not leave them behind this time. They are important to you, they deserve to see their grandchildren. And the babies need their wisdom. They will join us, and I will make sure they have suitable positions in the clan. I know they cannot fight, but I also know they can contribute. I still remember the big one’s food.” And at that, El’s stomach growled loudly. The two laughed. Ver’On then rose, gathered some clothing for both of them, and prepared to escort her to the dinning hall to eat. He had to admit, he was hungry too.






Ter’Oth lay the female’s hand across her breast line, right along the top of her stomach. She was finally resting comfortably, her mate madly pacing in the next room, ordered there when her labor would not cease. Finally the two medics joined him, Sa’ton handing Ter’Oth the information he’d gathered from the analyzed food. Ter’Oth groaned. He hated to be right all the time.


“What is wrong with her!?” Rel asked, as the two seemed to ignore him.


“She was poisoned,” Sa’ton stated, as Ter’Oth continued to read the information. “Something strong enough to induce labor. We’ve given her the antiserum, but she needs to rest. Little to no activity, till she delivers.”


“The baby?”


It was Ter’Oth’s turn to speak. “The baby was unaffected. The mother filtered the poison from her offspring, and the fluids the baby is in, protected him as well. He’ll be fine.”


“It’s a boy?”


Ter’Oth looked up. He hadn’t realized he’d given the baby a gender. “I apologize. I’m not sure. I just said him, for saying IT is rude.”


Rel nodded. “I will sit with her.”


“That would not be wise right now. You must appear to be an enraged mate. Unknowing of your female’s condition.”


“WHAT?”


“Please, Rel,” Sa’ton eased. “Consider, she’s been poisoned, by someone in the gardens. Whoever that is, must believe she is near death. Or they will get away with it. We must watch to see who comes to visit her. Through observing them closely, can we determine who it was.”


“I know she was there with Lee’tha, El was there, Zon, a couple of unbonded breeders…I can’t remember who all was there!”


“That’s alright. El probably does.”


“I would not bother El with this,” Ter’Oth stated. “Her moods have been severely unpredictable. She could cause her own labor. The less stress, on her, the better.”


“True,” Sa’ton agreed. “Though I must admit, the C’ntlip was an ingenious idea.”


“What are you talking about?” Rel demanded.


“El gave Vaz C’ntlip, to stem the labor till she could get here. It worked, though not for very long. I think it wise that we provide a bottle in all emergency kits in the gardens, and educate the females about the benefits at once.”


“I’ve already planned that for the next birthing session. They will all be in attendance.”


“Except for Vaz.” Rel turned to his mate from the doorway, she seemed so still. “She has had several young, before bonding with me, will she be alright?”


“She’ll be fine,” Sa’ton stated. “I’ll educate her myself. Go, get some food. When she wakes, she will be very hungry. We’ve had to remove all food from her stomach. Be sure it is fresh, and clean. Leave any meats till she wakes. The rest you may bring and set on the table. But do not wake her yourself. Let her wake on her own.”


Rel nodded and left.


Sa’ton looked at Ter’Oth. “I didn’t want to tell him, but he should know.”


Ter’Oth shook his head. “It was probably a mistake. Let it be.”


“She administered the poison to herself! She is trying to kill herself and her suckling. What do you expect me to do!? I can not hide it forever!”


“You must! I had a situation like this on our last ship. The female felt threatened. She thought she was going to die, so she poisoned herself to spare her child the pain of her brutal murder.”


“What happened?”


“She lived, though it was discovered her hormones had created an imbalance in her brain, which caused her to believe as she had. Once she was given the right nutrients, she was fine. And the child delivered perfectly.”


Sa’ton looked to their patient. “Do you think it happened to her as well?”


“Possibly,” Ter’Oth replied. “That is why I gave her the nutrient shot in the gardens right away, rather than wait to get her here. She’ll be fine. Just let her rest.”


Sa’ton placed the test records pad on the table, as he began to clear away the instruments of his tests. “I find it hard to believe that she would do that to herself,” he said. Then it occurred to him. “Do you suppose she was trying to poison someone else in the gardens?”


Ter’Oth looked at him from where he was examining a holograph of Vaz and her baby. “I don’t know.”






“I’m really worried,” El sighed, as Ver’On had her lying across his lap, the only way she was comfortable.


“What are you worried about?”


“Vaz, she wend into early labor in the gardens today.”


Ver’On’s heart suddenly clenched, and reflexively he caressed her swollen midsection. “Is she alright?”


“I’m not sure. I haven't heard anything. I haven’t’ seen Rel, and I haven’t had the energy to talk to the medics.”


“I will ask Rel myself.” Ver’On looked up. “Rel’Ben!” El put her hand over her face. From her position she couldn’t see who was in the dinning hall, but they all knew where she was. The top of her stomach was visible over the edge of the table. She listened as the footsteps came closer, then stopped.


“Welcome home Elder Ver’On,” Rel greeted.


“Thank you. Rel’ben, El just told me what happened. Is Vaz alright?”


He remembered what the two medics told him, and purposely shifted on the spot. “I don’t know.”


“What about her baby?” El called from Ver’On’s lap.


Rel glanced over the table, trying not to look intrusive. “The baby is still with Vaz. But they will tell me nothing. All they said was to bring her food.”


“Well that’s understandable,” El sighed, reaching over the edge of the table to a predetermined spot where Ver’On had placed some Zaka fruit. Right now, that was all her stomach would allow her to eat. “She threw up most of her lunch in the garden.”


“WHY DID YOU NOT TELL TER’OTH THIS!!?” Ver’On growled in warning, and Rel settled. “I’m sorry El. Please forgive me.”


“It’s alright. I’ve been very bitchy to all of you of late. It’s about time I got some back. But to answer you, it was hard not to notice, it was right beside her. Ter’Oth took food samples from her plate. What were the results?”


“Sa’ton was working on something, if Ter’Oth took samples, then Sa’ton had not finished with them yet.”


“Ok. Just one more question.” Ver’On helped her raise herself so she could see the hunter, then she continued in a hushed tone. “Why are you lying to me?”


Rel shifted, this time unconsciously. “You best answer both of us,” Ver’On growled gently.


“May I step closer?” Ver’On nodded, but put his free hand to his blade, and El grabbed the molded lip under the table. Something they had already discussed to do, on many previous occasions. Rel stepped to his side of the table, and leaned closer, placing his hands in open spaces between the food and drinks. “Ter’Oth and Sa’ton told me too,” he said. “To act as I know nothing. Vaz is very sick, but not by choice. Please, don’t make me say more.” He surmised that if El was the source of the poisoning, then her belief that Vaz was going to still die, would satisfy her.


El nodded, as did Ver’On. Rel then went to the food tables, and collected some food for Vaz. El returned to her position across her mate’s lap. She heard M’Pa before she saw him. “Well, this is cozy,” he trilled, looking at El at last from over Ver’On’s shoulder. She laughed, and squeezed his hand as he brought it to her face to touch her cheek. “How are you feeling?”


“Much better. We should talk,” she smiled, a tone in her voice that told him she had pleasure on her mind. He clacked his upper tusks together excitedly, but moved to her feet and sat down, lifting her legs gently to slide under them, laying them across his lap. Now she was VERY comfortable.


“How did the repairs to the ship go?” Ver’On asked, handing his second mate a plate of meat.


“Very well actually, the young blood has decided to change his course of training. He’s no head for flying, or so he says, but he is extremely adept at repairs. He’s changing to technical and engineering.”


“Does he show promise?”


“Absolutely! He not only repaired the hull damage caused by the crash, but he did a full ships diagnostic after the pressure test. He’s identified several key systems that will be in need of service, also located several pest infestations, and rewired your quarters, so that it is easier for your mate to operate some of the functions from the bed.”


“Why?”


“He said that that as we get closer to the Ooman world, you would want to take her to see it. The inoperable ceiling viewer now works, with a holographic touch pad just an arms reach away.”


“I’m not leaving the ship,” El sighed, though in her heart, she knew she was lying. She also knew there was no way in hell, M’Pa and Ver’On were going to let her set one foot back on her world, alone.


“It would not be wise anyway, My’El,” Ver’On said, also fearing what would happen should she wish to return to the planet of her birth. “You cannot breathe the air there. For one it is polluted, for another, the babies need our air to thrive.”


“And three,” she said, tugging at his twitching lower mandible, a sign that he too had hidden fears he wished not to discuss. “I’m not going!”


“You may change your mind El,” Ver’On sighed. “Strange things happen to people, when they see things that mean the most to them, and know they will never see them again. Do not make your decision now. Wait. We will make it together.” Ver’On patted M’Pa’s shoulder as he nodded. The two males then looked up, as they saw one of Tan’ock’s sons step to the side of the table. Ver’On vaguely remembered seeing him in the landing bay, the day he and the males of his family returned from their hunt several months precious. “Yes?” Ver’On asked.


The youth bowed. “I greet you, Elder Ver’On, I am J-on,” he stated. “I apologize for not being on hand for the welcome dinner. I had taken a mate that day, but soon found myself locked in a cycle of must.”


“That’s…dangerous…and delightful,” M’Pa sighed, not sure if he should feel sorry for the female, or jealous for the young male before them. “Is your mate alright?”


“Oh yes. Quite happy. Though I’m afraid she will not be able to meet you properly for a while.”


“What is her name?” M’Pa asked, taking a piece of meat.


“Fer’aza,” the youth said proudly, and M’Pa nearly choked. “Are you alright?”


“Yes,” M’Pa stated. “I’m fine. Thank you, you’ve no idea how apprehensive I’ve been these last few months. I’d no idea where Fer’aza had gone, and I feared for my mate,” had he rubbed her legs over his lap, “should she appear to cause trouble.”


“It took some time to work you out of her system, but I believe she is happy.”


“I wish you many fine offspring.”


“Thank you. And again, I apologize for my rudeness.”


“Congratulations, J-on,” El called from below the table. J-on grunted a thank you, then turned to the food tables to gather food for he and his mate. “It took that long to work it out of him?” she asked.


“If he was locked in his quarters, yes,” Ver’On stated. “The air would be thick with the musky odor, and would take some time for the air filters to clear it. I do hope they are alright. To go several months without food is not unheard of for a Yautja, either male or female, but to be mating all that time? That would be interesting.” El gently shoved at his chest, only gaining a swift kick from a baby in return.


“What of Tan’ock and Kal-esh?” she asked at last. “Are they ready for their journey?”


Ver’On and M’Pa both rubbed her body, seeming to know right where the babies had kicked the most. “I must see them before they go,” Ver’On stated. “I have something for them that will aid in their efforts.”


“For now,” M’Pa purred, feeling a tiny hand press against his. “Let us get you back and into bed.”


El groaned. The last few nights she’d made M’Pa sleep on the couch. She’d been so uncomfortable, that she’d sprawl all across the bed to toss and turn all sleep cycle. She’d no idea where Ver’On would sleep.


“It’s alright, El,” Ver’On trilled. “M’Pa told me of your ‘Nesting’ behavior. I think I know how we can help.”


She smiled. “Ok.” She waved to some of the females as the two led her out, and they smiled and waved back, now familiar that this was her ‘good night, can’t talk, too tired’ gesture.


Back at their room the two males let her find her comfort where she liked on the bed, then they curled in around her, their massive bulk giving support to her body, seeming to know exactly where.






Again Tan’ock and Kal-esh sat together at the meal, going over maps and the updated information El had provided them. Once in a while Kal would look to the head table, to see El’s extended stomach from over the table, as both her mates would let her lie across them to be comfortable. ‘She’s so beautiful,’ he thought, ‘I should have acted sooner.’


“Kal!” The hunter turned his attention back. “You keep watching them like that,” Tan’ock warned, “and there will be trouble.”


“Sorry, I was just thinking.”


“Mmmm, I know just what about too. Now, look here. El’s home is from this area. That’s where I will be going with Ver’On, to collect El’s family. You’re welcome to come along.”


“No thank you,” he said politely, which was rare for Kal. El must have been a good influence on him for the brief time she was under his care. “I’ll go here,” he pointed to a more eastern part of the land mass, south, towards a large ocean opening. “My father told me stories of how great grand father influenced the early Oomans there. I’d heard it didn’t last, but I would still like to se it. Maybe find the first worship site.”


“Were you always interested in history?”


“Only when my father told of grand hunts, which the first, and only, hunt had been. After that, it was lost.”


“Wow. I never knew that. So, you will take the cruiser?”


“No, no. Ver’On has permitted me to use his personal shuttle.”


You must be honored?”


“I am,” he said, but thought to himself. ‘It is where she spent the most time, before the clan. I wonder if the mat still holds her scent?’


“What are you purring about?” Tan’ock asked.


Kal hadn’t realized he was. “Sorry. Just looking forward to my mission.”


“Just remember what El said. Choose one that is worthy, but also one that won’t be missed.”


“I’m still trying to figure that out.” Kal looked to the head of the room again, to see a young male addressing the Elder table. “Isn’t that J-on?”


Tan’ock looked also. “It is. About time.”


“What do you mean?”


“He took a mate when Ver’On and his family returned. I’d not seen him since.” M’Pa nearly choked, from what they weren’t sure. “I wonder who the lucky female is.”


“I know who.”


“Oh?”


“Your son has been huffing after my Fer’aza for years. Now that she’s of age, she went after M’Pa, and wasn’t impressed that he wasn’t available. I’ve not heard or seen her since Ver’On’s return. I think your son has my daughter in his bed.”


Tan’ock growled. “Watch who’s honor you besmirch,” he warned.


“I’m not besmirching, if he has her, I’m happy. It’s about pauka time.”


“J-ON!” Tan’ock called to his son, as he tried to leave the hall with plates of food for two. J-on approached, a very satisfied grin on his face, but it was Kal who spoke up first.


“Did you mate her?” he asked.


J-on smiled. “Yes,” he replied. “I have your daughter as my mate. Forgive my absence father, but I’ve been busy ensuring the continued line of our family.”


Tan’ock just sat there, and watched his son leave, a satisfied grin on his face, and a respectful not to the two males.


Kal held a piece of meat at the end of his fork, scrutinizing how to eat it. “I told you,” he said, and bit into his food.


“You need a female,” was all Tan’ock said, before getting up and leaving.


Kal watched him leave. Once gone though the doors, he straddled the bench and looked again to the Elder table. Luckily for him, several females of the breeding group, sat down not too far away. This way, if Ver’On or M’Pa happen to notice him staring, he could purr to one of the breeders to dissuade their suspicions.


‘I will find a female Ooman, more beautiful than you, El,’ he thought. ‘She will dance on the end of my flesh, taking my seed nightly, and she will bare me suckling after suckling. And when Ver’On has turned to her for her beauty and fertility, El, I may consider taking you to my bed.’


One of the females had come to him in his daze, finally smacking his head for ignoring her. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to his lap, her hissing protest strong. He growled at her, forcing her hands behind her back. “Never take my lack of response for ignorance of your presence,” he said, noting her strong lustful scent. He forced himself to resist. “I do not wish to mate right now. I have a lot on my mind.” He let her go, with a shove to the nearest male passing him.


As he turned back, he saw Ver’On and M’Pa leading El from the hall. He wanted to follow, but his quarters were two levels down, and three sections over. Where Ver’On’s were four decks up, just to get to the elder’s section of the ship. From there he didn’t know where he went. Kal rose to his feet, slowly walking out of the room. As he reached the main lift area, the lift doors were just closing on El, her head resting on Ver’On’s chest, and M’Pa touching her swollen body. He growled low, as he summoned another lift. ‘Soon,” he thought, ‘and she will be better.’






It was a few weeks later when Ver’On called for M’Pa to bring El to the command deck of the ship. A rare thing for a breeding female to be up there, but where Ver’On was an Elder, he was allowed special rights. M’Pa led her from the lift to a large open space, a single forward station with a male sitting in a seat, leavers in his hands, and peddles at his feet, a small holograph of a solar system, so familiar to El, floating in the air in front of him.


There were several smaller stations around the room, each with a male occupant, some of them even turned to look at her. El suddenly felt very uneasy. “My’El?” Her attention went to her first mate, as he stood on a raised platform, above the heads of the rest of the command crew. With a wave of his hand, he directed her to the winding stairs at the back, and EL slowly made her way to her mate.


Safe at his side, his strong arms around her shoulders, he drew her attention to the main viewing window of the deck. “So few of your kind have seen this.” He pointed forward as a ringed planet rolled into view. “We’ve decided to stations the ship here. The stones in the rings are rich with minerals we use, as well as the massive chunks of ice for water.”


“It’s so beautiful,” she whispered, her voice nearly caught in her throat. “I’ve only ever seen pictures.”


“I know.” Together they watched the planet become larger in front of them, till in no longer moved.


“Stationary orbit achieved, Elder,” announced the male in the forward chair. El realized he was the pilot. He looked so young, it surprised her.


“Excellent, Dispatch the collecting crews, inform Kal-esh and Tan’ock, that we leave in two cycles.”


“Yes Elder.” Several new blips had appeared on the pilot’s holograph, before he switched it off.


“Come My’El. I wish to spend time with you before I go.”


“Thank you Ver’On. That was – ” she quickly stopped her progress down the stairs, clutching at her stomach.


“El?!”


“I’m ok Ver’On,” she eased. “I know what it is.”


“We’ll get you to Sa’ton.”


“I just came from his yesterday,” she stated, feeling better and continuing down the steps slowly.


“What did he say?”


“He said the babies were turning, and that I should expect to have little pains like this.” Just then one, or more, of the babies began to chirp loudly. El laughed. “Here we go again. AH!! M’PA!” The tall male had at once pressed his ear to her chirping young, a broad grin on his face. “What are you doing?”


“They are singing El,” he said excitedly. “Why didn’t you tell me?”


“This is what you meant? Oh baby, I’m sorry. I thought…”


“El, M’Pa…Let us go. The command staff are beginning to purr.” El gently giggled, as the soothing sound reached her ears. Lately, wherever she went, the males would purr at her.


Ver’On hugged her as much as he dared, taking her to the gardens. He asked M’Pa to go to the main docking level, to over see the stocking of the ship.


M’Pa agreed.


The unbloods, on their Ooman hunt trials, all grunted in greeting, then turned their attention back to their supplies and weapons. These males were going to a part of the coast, not far from where El’s family resided. Ver’On would drop them off, with a few instructors to oversee their hunts. M’Pa was surprised El wasn’t upset over the idea of her kind being killed. Possibly she didn’t want to over stress herself.


He noted also the preparations of Ver’On’s personal shuttle, more than capable of docking aboard the cruiser, Ver’On agreed to allow Kal to borrow it. The hunter had chosen another section of the land mass to search for his own mate. M’Pa only hoped that Kal and Tan’ock were doing the right thing.


Two cycles later, the unbloods aboard, and the shuttle launched, Ver’On was given the all clear to launch the cruiser. “Nice and easy pilot,” he told the young blood.


“Yes Elder,” he replied, and set the controls. M’Pa had chosen his best student young blood to pilot the cruiser. More than capable, and showing great promise in his skill, the youth was honored to be chosen.


Ver’On was impressed. First time flying a larger ship, and the young blood never scratched the hull. “Well done,” he praised. Lay in the course for the first landing site. Engage the cloak before we clear the planet.”


“Yes Elder,” the boy said, selecting symbols and setting co-ordinates as Ver’On spoke. “All is ready Elder. Awaiting your command.”


Ver’On turned to the communications station, occupied by Tan’ock. “Open a link to Kal-esh.”


Tan’ock barley turned, he knew the design of the station that well. “Link open Elder.”


“Kal-esh.”


“Here Elder,” came the reply.


“Happy hunting. And bring my ship back without a scratch.”


He could hear Kal laugh slightly. “Of course Elder. Happy hunting to all of you as well.” The link clicked closed, and the shuttle shimmered out of sight, though to their scans, they could see it move off, heading for the blue planet.


Ver’On turned to the pilot. “Engage the cloak and head out.”


“As you order Elder.”


Ver’On watched the viewer as the distant blue planet became clearer from behind the ringed planet. He wondered how the two old men were fairing, weather or not they were still alive. ‘Soon,’ he thought, ‘my family will be complete.’