Rivers Run Deep

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Disclaimer: I do not own the concept of the Predator. whatever you don't recognize, is mine however.




Authors Notes: Full Disclaimer at the begining of the first chapter.



Author: Charlotte (jemstone5)

Email: jemstone5

Feedback: Please, yes lots.

Forward to others: would be flattered if you did.

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Rivers Run Deep



Chapter 46



Ver’On paced back and forth outside the small medical bay. It was a hastily converted cleansing room, the largest on the ship, outside the one in the elder’s quarters. It seemed that Ter’Oth had been locked in that room for hours. What would be taking so long?


“He’s strong, Elder,” a young blood had stated. It was one who found the opening to the queen’s chamber, Zanith was his name. Zanith had already undergone the surgery to remove the embryo from his chest, a great success.


“He’d better be strong,” Ver’On huffed, still pacing. “I’ll kill him if he dies.”


Zanith looked to his friend, the other boy who’d been with him in the tunnel had also had the operation, and laughed. Then the door opened, and Ver’On walked right into Ter’Oth’s face, his whole demeanor demanding answers. “You can see him,” he sighed, completely exhausted. “But don’t keep him up, he needs to rest.”


Ver’On pushed his way into the med bay, striding up to the side of the only occupied bed. “M’Pa?”


The Yautja, too tall for the bed he was forced to lay on, opened his one unbandaged eye to see his friend. “Where’s El?” he asked.


“She’s back at the clan ship, remember.” M’Pa nodded. “You fought well,” he continued. “Your scars will bring you much respect and honor.”


“If I…live.”


“Don’t say that! El’s second mate MUST live!” M’Pa looked at him quickly, breathing as hard as he could. “Yes, second mate. I will make sure she accepts. After today, I will not allow you to go off and mate another. You will spawn many strong offspring from OUR’El, even if I have to hold her down while you plant your seed inside her.”


“I don’t think…she will like that…”


“Well she will have too. You are to be her second mate. No excuses!”


“Ver’On…”


“Yes?”


“The course is set in the computer…back to the ship…just engage…autopilot. The ship will take us home.” Ver’On said nothing, as M’Pa drifted to sleep. If the male made it through the next few days, he stood a chance. Never had he seen such wounds. Most of his dreads had been ripped off by the older queen, as M’Pa put himself in front of her, keeping her attention while Ver’On got into position to kill her. Then M’Pa had pushed the Elder off the carcass, to keep him from begging killed by another queen they’d not noticed. The younger queen nearly ripped off half the skin of M’Pa’s face in their battle.


In his mind he recalled the great battle, trying to figure out what he could have done to prevent his injuries, but try as he might, he could think of nothing.


Ver’On pulled the covers higher on M’Pa’s chest, careful not to disturb the tubes of medicine leading into his body. He then turned on his heels, and headed to the bridge. M’Pa was the best navigator they had. If he said a course was programmed to take them home, than it would be the fastest rout back. Ver’On ordered the pilot to engage the set program, and quickly the ship jumped to hyper space. ‘We’re coming home, El. Both your mates are coming home.’






The door to the med bay closed, and El quietly strode to the office where the healer sat, the glass windows not allowing any to sneak up on him. The male looked at her curiously, as she looked around the bay. He realized she was making sure no one else was present. “We’re alone,” he said. “Though I don’t think that’s a good idea.”


“I need your help,” she sighed.


He noticed her complexion rather pale, and her skin looked sweaty. “I’ve not treated an Ooman in many years. But I’ll do my best. What’s wrong?”


“I’m not sure, but I know it isn’t right.” He indicated a bed behind her, perhaps the closest she could sit on, before falling over.


“What are your symptoms?”


“I’m hungry all the time, but I’m nauseous at the same time, sometimes to the point of vomiting, irritability, restlessness, fatigue, cold sweats, hot flashes, and…” she notice the device he was running over her chest, careful not to touch her, even through her cloak. “…it’s a bit embarrassing.”


“You best say it. I won’t repeat it.”


“Do you remember how a human body cycles?”


“You mean bleeds? Yes.”


“Well, I haven’t stopped.” The male looked at her. “It’s been very mild, steady. Almost like an open wound that won’t clot.”


“You best let me take a look,” he said.


“Can you do that?”


“Through touch, I’ll have to. Understand my mate will kill you if you try to take me from her.”


“I don’t want you. I just need your skill to help me.”


“As long as that is understood, lie back, raise and spread your legs.”


“Don’t enjoy yourself.”


“I promise.” The healer drew the curtain around the bed, ensuring the shield screen was in place for added privacy. Once she was ready he began.






She ducked into rooms, only to rush out again, the one she sought not inside. She turned another corner, but still did not see her. “Excuse me,” she asked of a hunter she recognized. “Have you seen El?” The male shook his head no, and she went on her way. She checked two more rooms and turned down another hall, before finally finding her. “There you are. I’ve been looking for you for an hour!”


“Sorry Lee’tha, I had to take care of something.”


“Well, come on, I’ve something to show you. Hurry!”


“Ok, ok.” Lee’tha shoved El into the nearest lift and pressed several buttons. “Lee’tha, I really gotta talk to you.”


“Can it wait?” El shook her head no. “About what?”


“Remember I told you how my body cycles?” Lee’tha nodded. “Well, something wasn’t right this time. It lasted too long.” Lee’tha’s expression was confused. “My cycle should only last six or seven days, any longer…well. I just came from the med bay.”


“Are you alright?”


“Now, yeah. The bleeding was caused by a wound that hadn’t healed right. It was small, not too bad, but my blood wouldn’t clot. That’s why I thought I missed.”


“But you did…didn’t you?”


El shook her head no. Lee’tha s face lit up. “I am pregnant, Lee’tha. I’m pregnant.”


Lee’tha squealed in delight as she hugged her friend. “Oh! But El, what about…?”


“Already taken care of. The healer froze it, better than burning it, not as shocking. And Le’tha, there’s more…so much more.”


The lift stopped and opened the door to the docking bay. “Tell me later. Come on. El I’m so happy for you!”


“Thanks. Ah…Lee’tha, why are we here?”


“Look to your right.” As El’s gaze swept passed the surrounding ships and other workers, her sight rested on the hull of a large bronzish gold cruiser, one she knew very well. Her heart began to race and her breathe escaped in excited gasps. “They arrived only a few minutes ago. Tan’ock was on the command deck when they showed up on sensors. He saw me first and told me. Thought you’d like to be here before anyone else.” They’d been gone for close to two months. Now they were back.


“Where’s Ver’On? Where are they?!”


“Still on board. They have to wait for the Lara-Kree Elders to arrive. They must be accepted, before they greet their families.”


“Or they’ll make us leave?” Lee’tha nodded. From the corner of her eye, she saw Kal-esh walk up to her and Lee’tha, Tan’ock and his two sons not far behind him. None of them looked at all that happy. Kal looked really mad. El nodded in greeting, haven been laughed at when she tried to grunt like them, she kept her vocals to herself.


“El,” Kal began, Tan behind him growling.


“What is it?”


“I wish to discuss something.”


“Ok, but can it wait? Ver’On hasn’t come out yet.”


“No!”


“Kal-esh, Oomans do not…”


“BE QUIET, TAN-OCK!! I will tell her!”


“Tell me what?”


Kal looked her up and down, his chest vibrating with purrs and growls. “I intend to challenge Ver’On for you.”


El just looked at him in shock. Then, she couldn’t understand why at first, she started to laugh, and the more she laughed, the more ludicrous his statement became, which only made her laugh even harder. Yautja from all over the bay began to gather, to find out what was so funny. Even Yautja enjoy a good laugh.


Kal wasn’t the least bit impressed. He was serious. This female, though he agreed to guard over her for Ver’On, had lived in his quarters, dinned at his table, and haunted his dreams every night. He wasn’t about to let her go so easily. “I mean it El!” he snapped. By now Tan’ock’s sons were also laughing, but Tan’ock and Lee’tha were the only ones with anger in their eyes, and death on their minds.


“Oh…Kal…” El began, finally composing herself. She hadn’t laughed like that in a long while, and if felt so good. “That is rich! Do you honestly believe I’d go with you?”


“When I win the challenge, you will have no choice. I will mate you, and your children will be of my line.”


“Now that is a pipe dream!” she laughed again. Then stepped closer, her eyes suddenly changing from total amusement to deadly daggers, and as she spoke her voice became more composed, more serious…more deadly laced with contempt. Kal couldn’ t see it, he didn’t understand Oomans. But Tan’ock did, and chills ran up and down his spine in anticipation of the wrath she was about to unleash.


There was one thing instilled in all Yautja, from a very young age. Never EVER tick off an Ooman. When their backs were against a wall, the only comparable fury to their fight and temper was that of an enraged Kainde Amedha Queen. Tan’ock and is sons took one step back. This was Kal’s lesson, one that he had to learn the hard way.


“If you think for one milliscule calculation of time, that I would let you touch me, you are out of your mind.” Kal’s hand went to rest on her shoulder, but he quickly went to his knees to avoid El breaking his two lower mandibles, that she now grasped in her tiny hand, a lightning fast move he’d not seen the like of sense the night of Kire’Baa’s death, and it only made him want her more. With his strength, and her speed, there would be no Yautja alive that could match their offspring.


“You don’t get it. Ver’On is bigger than you!” All Yautja shifted in place. No female, Yautja or otherwise, ever questioned or compared, a male’s physic to another to say one was inferior. “Ver’On has been so far into me that you will never reach. No one will!” She looked over to Tan’ock, then back to Kal, twisting his mandibles to gain his full attention. Not that she doubted she didn’t have it. “The best human mate, Kal, is one that has never been with a Yautja before. GO WITH TAN’OCK, to my world! He’ll help you pick one out. Till then,” one more twist and his right mandible broke. He grunted at the pain, “don’t even sniff me.” She walked away, Tan’ock and his sons following.


The other Yautja all returned to their work, the healer, haven been summoned, quickly set Kal’s broken bone, then continued to the cruiser, as the ramp lowered to the floor.


The Elders of the Lara-Kree had quietly arrived, observing only. When they saw the small Ooman put the male in his place, they felt no further action would be needed. Now the Ooman and the rest of the Hur family lined the landing bay, as they watched the ramp lower, Ver’On waving the healer aboard.


“What’s going on?” El asked, but found Lee’tha had moved closer to the ship in the crowd, without her. “It’s alright El,” Tan’ock eased. “They probably have a few wounded. They shouldn’t be too long.”


“God I hope not. I hope everyone will be alright.” Kal took his position with El, haven gone and collected Lee’tha so she was close. El looked to where J-on stood and waved him closer. Respectfully he bent down to hear her whisper. “Ask Kal-esh. He’ll probably gift wrap her for you.” J-on chuckled, but found that idea suddenly very arousing.


He then stood to his full height and grunted to Kal. “What?!” Kal snapped, not wanting to be bothered by any for the moment.
J-on purred gently at his thoughts. “I will have Fer’aza as my mate,” he stated, a tone that said he would regardless of his answer.


“Good,” Kal replied. “She’s a bit of a temper, and is hung up on M’Pa, but if you can get her to mate you once, she’s yours.”


“She’s already mine! Mating is just to solidify that fact.”


Kal nodded, but turned his attention to the warriors as they descended the ramp, the dead being laid before their families. El counted them. There were four. Ver’On must have been furious. There were so few of his family left, to loose three adult males, and what looked like a young blood, was devastating. She went to go to the grieving females, but Lee’tha held her back, shaking her head no.


Next came the healer, directing the warriors to lay the five wounded against the wall, satisfied they were stable. El recognized one even from where she stood. He was too tall not to be. This time, Lee’tha didn’t stop her, as she charged across the bay. The healer however did stop her. “No,” he said gently. “His wounds are not for you to see just yet.”


“He’s my Kadji!” she demanded.


“Yes, but he has asked me to be sure you stayed back. Please, return to your family.”


Her family. The statement seemed very odd, but it felt so right. She nodded. “Tell him not to take too long in getting on his feet.” The healer nodded, and she turned back to where Lee’tha stood with Kal.


Lee’tha held her close to comfort her, then they turned their attention to the remaining warriors as they filed off the ship. Many had bandages still around their arms, chest, or legs, others had their scared wounds showing proudly. One by one they stopped, but El’s gaze was locked to the lead male, his armor decorated with symbols all around the edges, and weapons she didn’t recognize, hung from ties or belts all along his body.


El suddenly found it hard to breathe, felt her face warm from her cheeks and headed down from there. She could feel her heart thud in her chest, and her legs threatened to buckle, had Lee’tha not kept a hold of her.


Kal purred gently to her, but Tan’ock pressed his blade to Kal’s back, hidden from view of the rest of the gathered warriors. Kal’s purring stopped, and the blade lowered but didn’t get put away.


The lead male turned his attention to the Ooman, her scent radiating from beneath her clothes. He extended his hand to her, and she came to him, nearly crying as he purred into her neck. By calling her to his side before speaking to the Lara-Kree Elders, he made it known to all that no matter what the elders decided, his family was free to take additional mates to bind to the Lara-Kree to be safe, but he and El would leave, that he would never leave her. By her coming to him, without even knowing, she told them she would accept no other. He only hoped she would accept M’Pa as their second.


He felt her lips against his skin, could feel the warmth of her body needing him, but that would have to wait. He stilled her at his side, and turned to the elders. Behind him, the warriors all bowed, the young bloods taking to one knee in respect. Ver’On’s voice called out loudly to all, so they could hear.


“Elders of the Lara-Kree, I, Ver’On, Elder to the family of Hur, make formal petition to join your clan. As proof of our skill on the hunt, we bring these,” each hunter produced the head of a drone, but quickly parted as several warriors strode forward, carrying the head of the older queen. The elders all nodded, such a victory was not an easy task, and spoke much of the skill of the males, especially with so few dead and wounded. “And that is not all,” Ver’On continued. The warriors with the large head, stood aside, as more warriors marched forward, laying the head of a smaller, obviously younger queen, on the floor next to the first. Grunts and excited growls echoed around the landing bay as they saw the significance of the kills. “With these two heads, added to the heads of queens already in the great hall of the family of Hur on the home world, I ask that you decide, here and now.” This time, every warrior, child and female, El included, bent to one knee, bowing their heads.