A New Alliance

“You will stay away from our worlds unless invited” the Elder said bluntly.  He sat regally in his chair, one of three that had been specially constructed for the negotiations. Even in the larger seats, the Predators did not look comfortable. Offices and briefing rooms were not their preferred environment.  Kehlan could not help thinking that the three of them would be more at ease crouched on the branches of trees than seated around a polished wood table.  It was an effort not to smile at the thought of her Federation colleagues, in their smart Starfleet uniforms, sitting high up in a tree rather than round the conference table in the conference room.

 

Any amusement Kehlan might have felt was quickly erased by the Yautja’s statement. It was a brutally abrupt way to commence the negotiations and in response she allowed a slight frown to crease her forehead.  "You offer nothing"

 

The Predator Elder, who so many years ago Kehlan had nicknamed George let out a low growl that should have been intimidating but did not worry the half Klingon captain in the slightest.  “It cannot be otherwise” he insisted. “Our worlds are dangerous to you. The Kainde Amedha are dangerous to you.  Your ships encroach on our territories, ignore our warning buoys… The truth, Kay-lan, is this… At least one Federation ship has landed on one of our hunting worlds and unknowingly infested with the parasites, travels into your space taking Death with it.”

 

“The parasites?”  Kehlan had read the reports from the Away team but she did not completely comprehend.

 

He leaned forward, “You do not understand the life cycle of the Kainde Amedha” he told her” “I will explain.  You have seen the Queen, Kay-lan.  She lays eggs… many eggs… those eggs hatch and the parasite emerges. It will look for a host and when it finds one, the second stage of its life begins.”

 

The two science officers followed his explanation with great interest.  “You are referring to the arachnoid creature?” S’ian asked, remembering the incredible speed with which the thing on the wall had leapt for Murray’s face.  He remembered also, Da’rian’s warning, “The best you can hope for is a quick death at the hands of a friend!”

 

George inclined his head gravely, “I am” he confirmed.  “It serves one purpose only and to achieve that purpose it will cover your face and when you open your mouth to gasp for breath, it will implant the larva in you. 

 

Vixis remembered the body hanging embedded in the walls of the cave, mouth open in a soundless, eternal scream, ribs and chest bones broken and splayed outwards. “And when it has grown, it breaks free of its host” she guessed, forcibly repressing a shudder.

 

The Elder inclined his head in agreement. “It bursts out through the chest of its host” he said bluntly.  “No host has ever survived the z'skvy-de”

 

Kehlan felt sick and glancing round the room, she guessed she was not the only one. “But… we killed the queen”

 

“Many hive species are able to change sex in the absence of a female” S’ian said carefully, glancing at the Elder for confirmation of his theory.

 

“You are correct” George told the Vulcan.  “Kay-lan, we killed one female.  Another will have risen to take her place and lead the hive”

 

The half Klingon captain was barely able to repress a shudder as she remembered the desperate fight against the Kainde Amedha queen. 

 

"So... Killing them one by one is ineffective" Vixis ventured. "A more drastic, widespread solution is required when a colony is encountered so they can be eradicated completely”

 

Kihr'yende snarled in disgust. They were prey, nothing more than Pyode Amedha.  They could not be expected to comprehend the importance of the Hunt.

 

The Elder directed a sharp growl at his son, a warning to restrain himself.  “You misunderstand” George said, “It is not our desire to wipe out the Kainde Amedha. They are essential to our way of life.”

 

"You hunt them.... yet what would occur if the population of such dangerous creatures swelled beyond your capacity to control it?" S'ian enquired, making notes and noting theories on a padd.

 

“We are careful” Kihr’yende said somewhat defensively, “we count every egg left on a planet and ensure that before we leave, every last one is destroyed.  To destroy the natural balance of the habitat would be criminal.”

 

Kehlan frowned, “But that was not the case here.  You left the planet infested with the Kainde Amedha”

 

“Mistakes were made” the Elder explained.  “We fell foul of the time distortions.  The Elders of the time seeded the planet according to our protocols, but they waited too long.  A colony established itself and a queen developed, the same queen that you and I killed. Their numbers grew out of control and eventually a natural balance was established.   To eradicate them completely would have meant destroying the entire planet.  The Elders made a decision not to interfere further but to retain this place as a breeding reserve.  Only our more experienced warriors may hunt here now”

 

For the first time, Da’rian spoke.  “We do not wish to close our borders completely. As our Elder has told you, our worlds are dangerous to you.  For your own protection any ships coming into our space must be escorted and any deviation from the agreed routes will not be tolerated.”  He hesitated, glancing warily at his Elder before continuing, “I have come to believe that our peoples have much to offer each other.” 

 

Seeing he had the attention of the Oomans, Da'rien began to outline his idea.  "Your worlds are home to many predatory species that my people might consider interesting prey. Our worlds are rich in mineral deposits and as sites of scientific interest. I believe that there is much we can teach one another and much that we can give one another if the Federation will allow us to protect it by enforcing strict border control

Kreltek nodded.  The idea interested him.  "We Klingons would be very interested in hunting on your worlds" he conceded, "and I believe you would find our sabre bears a interesting challenge"

 

"Sentient?" Kihr'yende was now warming to the idea as well.

 

The Klingon shook his head, "No, but they are still a formidable prey."  Calling up an image on his padd, he handed it to the Predator to study.

 

The Yautja Captain’s mandibles clicked thoughtfully.  "A shame it is not sentient”

 

George nodded in agreement with his son’s sentiment.  “Intelligent prey always makes for a better hunt"

 

"Intelligence can be found in non-sentient creatures" Kehlan argued. "I myself was once almost killed by an animal that demonstrated far more cunning than I have even seen you demonstrate”

 

The Elder gave a low growl that his subordinates had long since learned was a warning to desist. Old friend or not, he did not appreciate her elevating a mere animal above him.  Disrespect was not to be tolerated.  “It is the way of our people”

 

Kehlan however did not recognise the warning. “The way of your people?” she said incredulously, shaking her head in disgust. “It is barbaric and dishonourable to hunt sentient beings!”

 

The insult to his honour was more than he was willing to bear.  His growl deepening into something approaching a roar of absolute fury, the old Predator was instantly on his feet, his wrist blades coming to bear and causing the security officers on duty to tense in preparation for trouble.

 

Realising too late that she had pushed him too far, Kehlan stood up, fighting the instinct to draw her d’k’tagh. She had not intended to insult her friend and did not quite know how to deal with the situation she had inadvertently caused.

 

One simple flex of his muscular legs was all it took for George to clear the table. The leap seemed effortless and, having landed, he flared his mandibles, baring his razor sharp teeth and roared a challenge, inches from Kehlan's face.  

 

The Klingon woman was unable to prevent herself from taking a step back. He had been a formidable warrior as a youngster and she had wondered more than once if she could beat him in a fight.  Now that he was fully mature and in his prime she had her answer and she could not help but feel a faint tinge of fear as she faced him.

 

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