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.



ALSO, the information i used for the eglish translation of the yautja writings, i got from this site, http://members.iinet.com.au/~jaherne/thehunted/yautja/index.php you'll need to scroll down. check out the rest of this guy's site, it's got some AWSOME info on our favorite deadly creatures of space.





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 49



Ver’On gauged his appearance once more. This would be his first official appearance with the clan Elders, as Elder to his family, he wanted everything to look perfect. Hs dreads were cleaned and polished, his bras rings were replaced with shiny silver ones, his bras ones in a box to be put on for a hunt, should he choose to go. His armor, that he’d decorated himself in the traditional way, bore all the names of his line, all accept the recent bad blood, and his mask, at present, only bore four symbols. The clan mark of the bolt of power with the dash above; as El had called it, his name, El’s name, and M’Pa’s. As their lives continued together, he would engrave the rest of his mask with the names of the children El would bare, both by him, and M’Pa.


His cloak was attached to the shoulders of his armor, a quick pin release and he’d be ready to battle any enemy in their midst, without the lengthy fabric. The inner lining was a deep gold color, while the outside was a rich deep purple, the colors befitting Elder status. He checked his ceremonial weapons, mostly small blades, if you could call a 13” dagger small. All were secure. The then turned the viewer off and looked to the bed.


El lay sprawled across the surface, her preferred leisure position, giggling like a child, as M’Pa purred into her belly. She’d said that if she didn’t laugh to relieve some emotion form what they did to her while ‘singing’ to the babies, she’d be demanding they mate her as though gathering had not yet happened. To keep her from hurting herself, and the babies, they agreed. Though twice more since their afternoon tryst in what she dubbed ‘the quickie room’, M’Pa had mated her gently, while she gave Ver’On pleasure with her hands. It was better each time. M’Pa even begged for her to please him that way, the next time, and she agreed.


“M’Pa,” he called gently. “You best let her up to dress. You must also, the celebration dinner is in a little while.”


Reluctantly his purrs ceased, and he licked her breasts gently before leaving the bed. El just lay there, catching her breath. “Why do you do that?” she asked at last.


“Do what?”


“Purr into me like that. Why?”


“So the babies will know the sounds of their fathers. It also helps to keep them calm. They will begin to move a lot pretty soon, and with you being Ooman, you may not be too comfortable with it.” Careful not to get his robes wrinkled, he knelt on the bed, gently rubbing his hand over her tight skin. “You should start to show any day now.”


“Not till about the fourth month.”


“What?”


“That’s the way humans are anyway. Some start to show about month three, but they really start about month four and five, and they just get bigger from there.”


“Remember, these are Yautja babies, they will grow differently.”


“Maybe we should talk to Tan’ock. See what he remembers from his mate.”


Ver’On and M’Pa both growled at the idea. “I see we are in agreement,” M’Pa stated. “We don’t like the idea of that male getting close to you. If he’s had one Ooman mate before, he will want another. We will not have him challenge us for you.”


“Oh come on, he’s a source of information for me. Besides, he told me weeks ago, that he’s going back to Earth, to find another human woman. I’ve a feeling he’ll be gone for a long while.”


“He’s still here.”


“So?”


“Don’t go looking to him El. It will not look good in the eyes of the elders.”


“Ver’On is right. It would look to them that you are trying to mate every male on the ship. Even if you have two mates.”


“Then what am I supposed to do?” she asked, pulling the blanket over her chilled flesh, before finally getting up and heading to the lav to wash.


“Let us ask him,” Ver’On stated. “Coming from your males it would appear that we are looking out for your well being.”


“Which is true,” M’Pa stated, as he pulled a fresh loin cloth on, and went to the wrack where his armor hung. Much of it had already been repaired from the battle with the queens, but the chest plate still needed to be replaced. Opting to leave the offending piece behind, he pulled out his thicker leather chest cover, and put it on. “Be there with us,” M’Pa continued. “Let us ask to speak with him, then you can ask your questions. You will know what to ask better than we. But still. Do not go to him alone.”


El came from the lav, her hair in a towel. When she wanted a quick shower, she wasn’t kidding, it was quick, and she was completely clean. Ver’On purred lustfully at her, as the scent of her fresh skin wafted by his nose as she headed to the main living space to find the green cloth that they had tossed off her body when they arrived back in their quarters. She’d intended to sleep, though not much sleep was had. “Is this the way it will be from now on?” she asked. “I have to get your permission before I talk to any one?” She hadn’t meant to sound so cenacle, but that was just the way it came out.


“Don’t be like that El please,” Ver’On eased. “As my mate – The mate to an Elder, understand – you now have a duty to make sure that no male sees you unhappy. By going around and approaching other males, that we have not done so to first, gives that impression.”


“Then it is a whole mess of challenges, fights, deaths,” M’Pa sighed, as he leaned on Ver’On’s shoulder, “and you could also get hurt, so could the babies.”


El suddenly got a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. She didn’t like the idea of anyone trying to separate her from Ver’On or M’Pa. “I should tell you something,” she said, as she found the cloth. Though rather than put it on, she sat down on the corner of the sofa. “The day you guys returned, Kal’esh…Tan’ock was there and all, and even helped me face him down.”


“What did he do?” Ver’On asked, his hands balling into fists over and over.


“He said that he was going to challenge you for me.” Ver’On’s head spun around, for sure he was looking for a weapon. “He didn’t obviously.”


“Why?” M’Pa asked, wondering if he should help Ver’On search, or just tell him to use his bare hands.


“Because I laughed at him.” The two males stopped dead in their tracks, staring back at her in disbelief.


“You LAUGHED at him?” Ver’On repeated. El nodded. “How did he take it?”


“Pretty well I’d say, then I broke one of his mandibles, and told him that if he wanted a human for a mate, go to earth and find one for himself. Once Lee’tha told me about Tan’ock, I’m pretty sure he was going to challenge you as well, but I think his family stepped in and talked him out of it.”


“Do you know for sure?”


“That I broke Kal-esh’s mandible, yeah, heard it snap and felt it give way in my hand. To be honest, it felt good. I was a little ticked off that he’d do something like that.”


“About Tan’ock?”


“Well I can’t be sure, but it’s the impression I got from his family. What?” Ver’On had stopped his search, and headed for the door. “Where are you going?” El asked.


Ver’On turned to her. He couldn’t stay mad at her, she looked too…oh boy…delightful as she sat on the corner of the sofa. Purring deep in his chest he crossed the room to her, “Ver’On…” M’Pa warned kindly. “The dinner.”


Ver’On grumbled at his statement, then took the cloth form El, and draped it across her back. “Wear it like you had it?” he asked, and she nodded, disappearing into the bedroom. Ver’On stepped closer to M’Pa. “Keep her distracted, I will have words with these two males.” M’Pa nodded.







The dinning hall was alive with activity. Young ones ran all over the place, their mothers and fathers chasing them in mock hunts. Then there were the younger unbloods, still too young for their trials, all trying to square off to prove themselves, against the unbloods about to leave for their first trial hunt. There were females all over the place, may of them without a mark of family on their right shoulder, as Ver’On had given El. There were young bloods pushing against each other, some having mild fist fights, just to play around. Then there were the blooded hunters, all posturing for females, especially for Bell and Sirona.


All around the room were dozens of honor guard, all dressed in thick armor, carrying spears, and watching the gathering carefully. The tables were arranged in small groups of five, then there were the food tables forward and at the sides of the room, and then a line of elegantly decorated tables that spanned the front of the room. The Elder tables. Unlike the last ship, the tables were set on the same level as all the others, signifying equality among hunters, it was the cloaks and robes that gave station to the elders.


“M’PA!!!!”


The trio froze in the doorway, at the sound of the deep bellowing voice. When Ver’On saw it was the healer, he opted to slip away, and leave M’Pa to deal with the healer’s wrath, making sure El stayed with him. He needed to talk to a couple of hunters, they needed a few ground rules set forth straight away.


“I had the whole ship looking for you!” As tall as M’Pa was, the healer, being at least a foot and a half shorted, still made the big male look down at his feet.


“I apologize Sa’ton,” he said quietly, “but I got restless.”


“RESTLESS!!!!!!” He then noticed how the Ooman at his side clung to his arm, her face a mix of confusion and fear. He chuckled. “I see how ‘restless’ you are.”


El gave a sheepish smile, but remained quiet. “Sa’ton, this is El, as I’m sure you know already. I am her second mate.” Sa’ton nodded respectfully.


“I’d not thought to ask your name before,” she said, her voice strangely uneasy. “I’m very happy to be part of the clan.”


Sa’ton nodded. Not many Oomans knew what honor felt like, and of those that did, often didn’t know how to express it. Though he’d little doubt that she was very happy indeed. “Well, I suppose M’Pa had his reasons for leaving my custody early. I want you to report to me the moment you feel any kind of affects.” M’Pa nodded. “Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a young blood to find. The two nodded and he walked away.


“El, What’s wrong? Your heart is racing. Are you in heat again?”


Cautiously, she stood closer to him, so he could feel the trembling of her body. “I’m not sure what’s wrong, M’Pa,” She whispered. “I’ve got this horrible, horrible, feeling in the pit of my stomach, and it just wont go away.”


“Is it the babies?”


“No, They’re fine. This is something else…something…far worse.”


“What is worse?” Ver’On asked, as he returned to her side, his arms circling her from behind.






The healer gave off an air of ‘Don’t mess with me boy!’ attitude, one he’d tested on his own combat instructors many times, and took great care in studying the mat as the instructors put him there over and over again. He learned many lessons back then, ones he hoped he wouldn’t’ have to teach his offspring too harshly. Ver’On took the moment to take care of a small problem before it had a chance to grow much bigger. “Tan’ock, Kal-esh, I would have words with the two of you.”


The pair looked up from the text pads they’d been reading, to face the new Elder. Each bowed their head. “What can we do to help?” Tan’ock asked, as though Kal hadn’t already guessed exactly what kind of words would be had.


Ver’On gave a low growl. “I do not know how you came to be introduced to my mate Tan’ock, but your attempts…no matter how small…to sway her heart WILL END! Or must I damage you, to demonstrate my point?”


Tan’ock bowed deeply. “I had considered swaying your mate, Elder,” he admitted, “but it took the wisdom of my first two sons to show my arrogance. I assure you, I will not pursue, nor challenge you for El. I intend to see my own Ooman mate, very soon.”


Ver’On nodded, considering the matter closed. “We will talk more later, on another subject.” He then turned to Kal. “As for you, Kal-esh. I entrusted El’s safety to your guardship, Ter’Oth also entrusted his own pregnant mate to you as well. El informed me of your intent to challenge me on my return. Know this…” and he stepped closer as a low growl escaped his chest with nearly each word he then spoke. “…El will never find herself under your protection again. And if you so much as SNIFF in her direction, a bruised pride from a female’s laughter and a broken mandible, will be the LEAST of your worries. Do we understand each other?!”


Kal knew, not just by his tone, but by the repeated clenching of his fists and the flexing of his muscles across his body, that he’d better accept, or he would be hurt, right now. “Yes Elder,” he said gently, bowing deeply. “You’ve no fears from me. I intend to accompany Tan’ock to the blue planet, to see if an Ooman is the right kind of mate for me.”


Ver’On nodded. “Good,” he sighed, but knew Kal was on his guard, knowing he’d be watched very closely. “Enjoy the dinner.” He then walked away, heading back to El, giving a quick nod to the healer, as he’d bowed to the new elder. But as his focus returned to the shapely Ooman ahead of him, he noted a tantalizing scent on the air. It wasn’t her arousal that interested his male libido, but the scent of fear. Her fear…that aroused his hunters excitement. He arrived as she finished whispering to M’Pa, a slight twinge of envy ebbed his heart and loins, knowing that she could be close to the both of them, and yet she was not clinging to him at that moment. “…This is something else…something…far worse.”


“What is worse?” Ver’On asked, circling his arms around her from behind, if only to impress to her that he wanted her, pregnant or not.


“El has a horrible feeling that won’t go away,” M’Pa informed. “But it isn’t the babies.”


“You sure?” El nodded. “Can you describe it?”


She stood in thought for a moment. “Do you remember that time, on the other ship, the day Lee’tha was attacked?” Ver’On nodded, how could he forget? El had acted so strangely that day, saying something wasn’t right, refusing to be alone with him, then insisting on finding the ship’s common…He snapped his eyes to her, and she nodded. “It’s just like then. Only worse.”


“Lee’tha?”


“No, she’s over there, and she’s fine. Ter’Oth is purring to their baby, and Jin is…well, I don’t know what Jin is doing.”


“Then who?”


“I don’t know. Ver’On, I’m scared. I mean really scared.” She pulled the two of them close, as though their own presence could drive the feeling away from her. “What’s wrong with me?”


“I don’t know Our’El,” Ver’On began, not really sure what to say or do. “I don’t know. Come, sit with us. We’ll comfort you.”


“I want to make a…demand,” she said, grabbing Both their lower clothing by the waist bands.


“Demand?” M’Pa grunted. “You needn’t demand anything from us El. Just ask, or say what you want, and we will haul it in from the farthest reaches of the galaxy.”


“It’s nothing as demanding as that. This is simple. It can be done here and now.”


“What is it?” they asked.


“DON’T EVER CALL ME ‘OUR’EL’ AGAIN!” Nearly half the room heard her. Ver’On chuckled, caressing her cheek with the back of his fingers. “You either call me El, or My’El. But never the other, never again!”


“But El, we both belong to you,” M’Pa protested. “For us to call you possessively to ourselves, without including the other is rude.”


“And it could cause tension in later years.”


“I don’t care. I know,” and she felt on both their faces, “That Ver’On when you call me that, you mean it with all the love in your heart, but I want M’Pa to call me that too…because I like it. Know that I will never mate one of you without the other, either being present, or knowing about it. And if we are separated, then I will tell the absent male, every detail. Please. If I never make any demands of you again, grant me this one.”


“It means that much to you?” Ver’On asked. She nodded. He looked to M’Pa. “Promise us M’Pa, that should you feel you are being ignored, or cheated in this union, you will speak openly to us about it.”


“I swear,” M’Pa stated. “If that is the only thing that El wants, than so be it. I swear, I will speak with both of you, if I should feel that way.”


“Very well,” he leaned down and purred into her neck. For the first time, she flinched. Ver’On stepped back. She was serious. “Then it is done, My’El. The other title, shall never again be used by either of us.”


“Thank you. Now, can we sit down, before I fall down. I’M STARVING!!!” The two chuckled, but guided her to the elder table, and sat her down.


Ver’On sat to her right, as per his station demanded him to be closer to the oldest of the Elders, each sitting according to their own age to the Elder to their right or left, as the oldest of the Elders sat in the middle of the table. M’Pa, as per his station, sat to El’s left, but he felt along her thy gently, to ease her. Her heart did not calm down, and he wondered if her uneasiness had lessoned. A commotion across the room drew their attention.


“STOP HIM!!!” they heard Sa’ton yell. Several guards crossed their spears, corralling the running young blood.


Ver’On stood, recognizing the youth as one from his family, who had held back the horde of Kainde Amedha drones, while the rest killed the aged queen. He barked loudly, gaining the attention of the youth. El jumped in her seat, grabbing M’Pa’s hand beneath the table, nearly breaking three of his fingers in her grasp, not an easy thing to do for an Ooman. Immediately he began to purr at her, but it didn’t seem to do any good.


“Sa’ton, what has this youth done to deserve you pursuing him?”


“Elder, I must take him to the med lab. His med kit was missing a key medicine when he returned. I must examine him at once.”


“Ver’On,” El whispered. “Let him go.”


“What medicine?”


“Elder! He’s trying to shame me! I’ve done nothing wrong!”


“Be still young blood,” Ver’On eased. “We’ll sort this out.”


“Let him go,” El repeated, only slightly louder.


“The missing medicine was the talkalla, it is still in the developing stages, but its effects are sufficient for now.”


“Talkalla? What is that?”


“Ver’On…”


“Ver’On, Talkalla is the medicine used to prevent the swift development of the Kainde Amedha at the larval stage. You used it on two of the young bloods. Remember?”


“You used it?!” he asked the boy. The boy nodded. “And you didn’t get examined?! ARE YOU A FOOL!!!”


“VER’ON!!!” El’s screech seemed to set everyone on edge, but not more than what happened with the youth held at bay by the guards.


At once he clutched his chest, as a searing pain ripped through his chest. The look on his face went from annoyance to shear terror. “I thought…” he began, “…I thought it was dead!”


“MED KIT!!!” Sa’ton ordered of the nearest guard, pulling out the syringe. “I want three more!” he said, as he injected the first directly into his chest. Three more guards, handed the healer their medicines, and he repeated the procedure. A few moments later, the youth seemed to calm, but El still sat in M’Pa’s arms, shaking. “Get him down to the med bay, put him in one of the travel pods. That should keep him contained till I get there.”


“El,” Ver’On asked, seeing her knuckles turn white from the pressure she was putting on M’Pa’s hands. “It’s alright El. He will be fine. He won’t die.”


“Ver’On is right, My’El,” M’Pa soothed, “he got more of the medicine. He’ll be fine.” Slowly El released her grip, but her heart would not slow down. Ver’On and M’Pa exchanged worried glances, then began to purr to her, soft and low.


A few moments later, El leaned back to M’Pa’s chest. She’d stopped trembling, and her breathing had slowed almost to normal. “I don’t want that to happen again,” she sighed. “I’m hungry. When do we eat?” The worried males laughed.


“Elder Ver’On,” Sa’ton called gently. “I would like for you to come with me.”


Ver’On let El relax to M’Pa, as he rose to face the healer. “I will join you. I wish to have words with that whelp. He had been fully briefed as everyone else was, he should have reported to Ter’Oth!”


Ver’On followed the healer back to the med bay, overlooking the male as he and his assistant secured the young blood in a travel pod, which also had a life support system, that slowed the metabolic rate of the occupant, to better rest during a longer journey. The healer then joined Ver’On. “It will take some time for the medicine to fully subdue the Z’skvy-de,” Sa’ton explained. “It would not be wise to operate too soon after the injections. The pod will slow the young blood’s systems, but the medicine will affect the Z’skvy-de, and it is unaffected by the pod.”


Ver’On turnedfrom the pod, noting the two young bloods behind him. Zanith being one of them. “Why are you here?” he asked, noting their solum expressions.


“We three are brothers,” Zanith said. “Our father is dead, killed in the hunt. We are all our mother has. Please, it’s my fault he’s here. I did not fully explain what to do with the medicine. I’m the one who should be punished, not him.”


“Zanith stop!” the younger scoffed, though his height made him appear to be the same age. “Had Ran’dez stayed long enough to listen, instead of running off like a must male, he wouldn’t be here now.”


“You are…?” Ver’On asked, of the second.


“Larz, cousin, though raised as a brother. Ran’dez bolted before hearing all the information regarding the medicine. I was there. He did this,” he showed off a trail of light claw marks on his left bicep, “as he pushed me out of his path. I tried to make him stay, but he wouldn’t’ hear of it.”


“Then it serves him right to be here,” Ver’On sighed. “Go, return to the dinner. I will see to your brother.”


“As you order, Elder,” the said, and left.


Ver’On turned back to the unconscious form in the pod. “When he is released from your care,” he stated. “See to it he is brought before me. I will request the Elders that I deal with him myself.”


“As you order, Elder,” and Sa’ton watched the young elder leave.






“Are you feeling better My’El?” M’Pa asked, watching her eat her dinner with renewed zeal.


After swallowing, she sighed, “That feeling is gone, but I can’t keep my skin from crawling. What was wrong with that Yautja?”


M’Pa slurped some strips of raw meat, a delicacy, then straddled the bench type seat to face her better. “It is a horror you will never know, never witness, as you nearly had.” He smoothed her hair behind her ear, before leaning in with a purr. “I love to watch you eat.”


She smiled. “Why?”


He purred up and down her neck before moving her hair back from her ear with his upper right mandible. “I find it very arousing, know the food you eat, is going to fee our babies.” She smile, but her sigh was one of disappointment. “What?”


“I’m just sorry that you’re not the father of one of them.”


“But I am. In spirit, and love. Ver’On’s seed may have created them, but had it not been for me, as you say, preparing you, there would not be three sucklings inside you now.”


She giggled. “M’Pa you say the sweetest things.”


“And what sweet things are those My’El?” Ver’On asked, as he finally retook his seat, purring contently to El.


“M’Pa was just saying how I arouse him with my eating habits.”


“Oh?”


“That why I eat, so do our…what did you call them?”


“Sucklings,” M’Pa repeated, sliding his hand over her stomach, purring vigorously into her neck.


Ver’On trilled, “Yes, and as they and you grow, you will be provided nourishment,” he then leaned closer, including M’Pa in his hushed statement, “both in food, and pleasure.”


El laughed loudly, as their hands danced over her thighs beneath the table. “Would you two stop! Everyone is watching!”


“So?” the asked at the same time. “Look across the room, the far table. Do you see the male with Bell in his lap?” She nodded as the female she knew laughed with the burly male. “She is pretending to laugh, to hide her passion. She is mating him…right now.”


“HERE!!!” she whispered in shock. “There are rooms for that!”


“Yes, but if they are all occupied, then a discreet joining is permitted. She should have another child soon.”


“She’s been wanting a mate, but Tan’ock is very picky.”


“A mate,” Ver’On purred, “is forever, and they would not join in the open like that.” Several Yautja, male and female, then crowded the table. All of them huffing and growling, like a fight would break out any moment. “And she is seeded…” Ver’On sighed, sliding El’s hand beneath his armored codpiece, and over his cloth, to show here he could take her any time. “…as you will soon be.”


Her breath quick she turned into his kiss, as M’Pa gently rubbed her lower stomach. When Ver’On released her, she smiled. “Not before I eat. I’m starving.” The two laughed, and waved a server over, requesting more food for El.


As the night went on, more and more Yautja came to the hall, it seemed the room wouldn’t’ hold them all. Several honored class hunters introduced themselves to the new Elder, and his mate, some chuckling at the amount of food that was set on the table. Both Male’s puffed with pride as they told them of her babies. Some stared in disbelief, while others congratulated the trio.


As El continued to eat, Ver’On became more and more concerned. Her small body couldn’t possibly hold the amount food she was consuming. At one point El quietly enquired where the lav was, and as M’Pa guided her there, Ver’On sought out Tan’ock. Finding him fending off three females, he took the hunter aside for a private chat. “I’m concerned about El,” he said privately.


“Let me guess, she can’t stop eating?” Ver’On nodded. “Happened to Zana too. At this point in her gestation, her digestive system begins to function nearly three times as fast. Sa’ton couldn’t figure out why with Zana. It should pass in a few days. Just have her go easy. Let her eat as much as she wants, but not too much in one sitting. I would say about now, start encouraging her to drink fluids. That should fill her around the food. Her system should slow down then.”


“Thank you. One other curiosity. When did your Zana begin to show?”


“Almost half way through. El should show sooner because of the three babies.”


“El was saying something about months.”


“Oomans measure their gestations like that. Not to worry, she’ll begin to show your babies soon.”


“Tan’ock, how long before you leave for her planet?”


“Kal & I were planning to leave in three days. Why?”


“I was going to request that the Elders take this ship to her world. She would be far more comfortable here, than on the cruiser. There are also a number of unbloods that are ready for their Ooman trials, there are far too many going to take the cruiser, and more than one ship to the planet would alert the Oomans to our presents. Their technology is advancing rapidly. It won’t be long before they will be able to detect us. On a more personal note, there is a promise that I made to My’El, one that I must keep.”


“It would make sense. The ship can remain on the outer rim of her solar system, or even behind the gaseous giant. The cruiser could still be used to travel to the planet, but with it being a shorter trip, tempers would not be as high. The unbloods could also gain extra training, under your care and guidance I’m sure. And perhaps El would be willing to point out some better hunting positions, as to better avoid the more advanced detection systems.”


“That too.”


“I will put the idea passed Kal’esh, but I don’t think he will object. Looks like your mate has returned. She doesn’t look too happy.”


Ver’On followed his line of sight. El had returned to the dinning hall, and yes she looked rather upset, then she grabbed a female by her back dreads, and slung her to the floor. M’Pa stood between them, as several Yautja came to their feet. “Excuse me. I’ve a fight to over see.”


“Remember, she’s pregnant. Female fights are exciting to watch, but she should not engage in one!”