Let The Games Begin..

~*~*~*~*~*~*

A pair of intensely green eyes peered out from the large duct that had a good view of one of the main common rooms. Huffing slightly at another dead end Chase scurried back into the tunnel and on her hands and knees scampered along the run, this time turning right, her nose in the air looking for the illusive Vasquez.

She had not been with the others that had drunkenly staggered into their area last night. The mother’s thoughts were fuzzy and despite her best efforts at engaging her in conversation through their link she had not found a reason for Vasquez’s absence. No one seemed to know where she was, or at that point were to shit faced to care. Call had patted her head and told her to sleep.

Sleep?

Sleep?!

How could she sleep when one of her hive mates was missing? Missing on a ship filled with things that were perfectly capable of tearing any of them apart?

Perching on the smooth metal lip Chase blinked and was again disappointed. Narrowing her eyes and frowning angrily she began to think the worst. One of the big jerks probably did something to her Vasquez. Hissing under her breath, she rolled her body and set off in the other direction. The duct system was not unlike something her instincts told her a nest. Except she felt sure that each of the exits would be guarded or at least monitored very closely. The air recyclers were going at full strength for some reason today and it was near impossible to track anyone by using her nose.

The scents were so messed up and coming at her from all angles.

Hopping out of the exit nearest her and sliding down the wall until her feet touched the soggy feeling mats of her recently discovered ‘play room’ Chase was at an impasse. How could she find someone in a place as big as this without her sense of smell? Rubbing the back of her neck and barely noticing when she almost walked into the backs of a ring of big jerks seeming to be all mimicking each other in their stillness. A quick scamper later and she was just about to walk out of the now stinky place when a hand dropped onto her shoulder.

~*~*~

H’tch woke with a sore head and smelling of a female he had no real wish to tangle with again, despite her best efforts. It had taken him far too long to escape her taloned clutches and he found that now for some reason he found the oily scent that she emitted distasteful.

He now preferred a softer scent, a softer female for sure, but one that had him use his brain. It had been a while since he had to actively pursue a female, his first female had him chasing but since then he was used to adoring gazes and soft bodies waiting for him after a hunt. He was immensely pleased when the object of his current train of thought walked past him, seemingly oblivious to him. He had watched her slide down the wall and had a vision of her sliding down on him just as sensuously but instead of narrowed eyes and an air of distractedness there would be one soul goal in her mind.

Culmination.

She didn’t seem to mind body contact the last time and so he thought nothing of touching her shoulder and gently squeezing. He was confused when her head rose with a snap and she hissed at him, eyes narrowed and teeth bared. He thought about stepping away until she blinked a few times and then cocked her head at him.

Distracted young one?

He was distracted himself when she stepped closer and sniffed at him. She repeated the process a few times, her head facing each of the three directions the hub lead to. She huffed, her frail looking shoulders raising and then falling in a motion so defeated H’tch instantly wanted to soothe her, make her the vibrant albeit tricky female that she usually was.

“…Whaaatt.. wrooorng…”

His ears pricked when the female looked at her feet and then kicked at the metal. She sighed again and replied to him. Even her voice was subdued. Narrowing his eyes he just about caught the single word.

“Vasquez.”

The little knife was thinking of Vasquez? One of the other females in the group. Looking at her critically he wondered if the sometimes-erotic surge that affected his own species was commonplace in ooman society as well.

Same sex relations.

Trilling in his own throat he dismissed it as soon as he thought it. The largest male and said female had smelled of each other on regular occasions and despite his own growing attraction, he knew for a fact that the males of her species, well in this particular clan thought of her as a child.

H’tch knew that Aa’Ro had been attempting to catch that females eye all evening. His constant posturing, preening and his many forays into the showcase fights had proved that. But, very funnily the female had remained oblivious and seemed far more content to chug down enough C’ntlip to sate a medium sized hunting party.

Rolling his eyes H’tch hoped that his friend had not done something stupid. Sighing, he scratched that. Of course he would be stupid. Put a female in front of him and the stupid pauk-de would be guaranteed to.. Breaking off from that train of thought the intelligent side of him knew that disturbing a mating yautja would be tricky.

His gut was telling him that the missing female had either been taken or lured to Aa’Ro’s quarters. Muttering that he must ‘Payas Leitjin-de Hma'mi-de’ under his breath H’tch took Chases hand in his and pulled her behind him, making his way to the quarters that were opposite his own.

Tempted to beat a fist on the door and shout obscenities through the comm. system H’tch instead took a deep breath and motioned, as he did not have the ooman words. The missing female was in there. He did not doubt it. Hitting the comm. unit and not waiting for an answering tingle, he instead used his sire’s override code began to bellow.

“Aa’Ro, you Kwei Pauk! I know you are in there, I can smell your foul stench from here you son of a Tarei'hasan!!!”

He was rewarded by an answering growl before the door slid open.

Despite the fact that he was pissed off and would beat the ever-loving shit out of him, H’tch could not deny that Aa’Ro looked contented and well pleased. A soft exclamation at his side had him look down onto his companion.

She was suddenly looking everywhere except at the male in front of her and when she inadvertently did look back at the bare form of Aa’Ro she did the blinking thing followed by another strange noise and began to look elsewhere again.

“What do you want H’tch I am occupied at the moment.. What.. haha. Your female is amusing. It is as if she has not laid eyes on male perfection. Shall I give a little wriggle, she if she can change colour again…”

H’tch clicked angrily, interrupting the amusing but ill advised taunting of the small female.

“Return the female.”

Aa’Ro widened his eyes at the almost order. Tapping his left lower against his upper mandible he wondered if he was in trouble..

The female had not been taken in force, which H’tch had to know and she had given final consent before he had taken her.

“I had her consent, my friend. She is adorning my furs as we speak, you may enter and check on her if you are worried that I may be starting a fissure among the relationship between their clan and ours.”

Turning round, Aa’Ro lead the way in to his personal quarters.

~*~*~*~*~

Vasquez woke with a foul taste in her mouth and very sore feeling in her entire body. She was also very warm and something was pulling through her hair and trailing down her back. It was nice. Grinning and stretching in the warm embrace she could of whooped, she still had it. Whatever she had done had made Johner come running obviously.

He wasn’t one to indulge in post coital cuddling normally so she must have been fucking fantastic! However upon further feeling she felt as if she had perhaps watched a ‘Rocky’ movie and then went for Italian, saw either a tall blonde Russian beefcake or perhaps a replica of Apollo Creed and decided to be an asshole.

What was it about that crappy 21st century movie that made even the most weedy of people suddenly think they could kick ass? Jesus H Christ. Rubbing her eyes Vasquez suddenly realised that this place, this bed was not her bunk. Instead of cotton blankets she was encased in what looked like fur..

Where the hell..?

Her burgeoning headache was almost brought into fullness when it seemed that the air was full of hyper clicking and growling. Oh Jesus’ sweet ass.

She was not IN her room.

NOT in HER bunk..

Looking down she closed her eyes and fisted a hand. Yeah. She was also bare ass. FUCK. Scooting round, she came face to face with something she wished she hadn’t. It was not Johner she spent the night with. A banging sound had her turning her head towards the exit. She didn’t imagine it when her new bed partner huffed and hefted himself from her side and headed towards the alcove.

Footsteps had her opening her eyes, her lips pulled back over her teeth, an angry insult perching on her tongue when someone familiar lopped into the room and then proceeded to happily fling herself onto the bed, perching there with a little bouncy dance.

Her eyes widened.

Chase.

What the fuck was the kid doing here? Where the FUCK was here?

Groaning and hanging her head in her hands, she wondered how she was going to explain this. Not that she knew what this exactly was. Considering she felt as if she had been run over by a truck and was incredibly sore between her legs it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that she had laid an alien.

Oh fantastic, the kid brought her new best friend to the party as well. Spying the beefier version of the one she had ‘copulated with’ god that word brought a sickened twist to her lips Vasquez had the sudden urge to throttle herself. This was the type of thing THAT everyone gossiped about and language barrier be GODDAMNED this shit was so juicy it would be sure to reach the guys within the day. Flinging herself back into the bed and groaning with frustration Vasquez almost shook off the small hand that had started to rub her back. Did the kid know?

Throwing back the covers Vasquez stared at Chase.

“Chasey.. You didn’t find me here, ok? I passed out on the Betty and you found me.”

At the blank look that she was receiving Vasquez raised a hand to her pounding temples and wished that the kid was not such a kid and had a more adult understanding of human dynamics. Hell, she was only six months old but surely she had picked up stuff right? Opening a bloodshot eye when there was a soft rustle she came nose to nose with the kid.

Vasquez watched as the kid sniffed at her and wrinkled her nose and then gave her a once over. Vasquez didn’t move, and didn’t have to will to move when Chase traced her cool hands over the small scrapes and scratches that littered her body.

“.. Vasquez hurt?”

Swallowing and resisting the urge to spit out the bile that was suddenly flooding her mouth, shook her head. “No, kiddo. Auntie V got shit faced.. Are the others looking for me also?”

Vasquez breathed a sigh of relief and patted the kid’s head when Chase shook her head. This could be hushed up, and if it couldn’t then she would kill any of these scaly fucks that dared to gossip.

~*~*~*~

The Vasquez was safe. She smelled funny, a strange metallic smell that was familiar but at the same time was completely foreign. At some point she had bled, of that she was certain but she could not see a cut or a scrape deep enough that confirmed it. The strange smell seemed to be coming from beneath the covers and despite her curiosity, could not ignore the lessons that she was not to look at ‘body parts’ that were usually covered up.

Something the stinky jerk could learn. When the door had opened and she had smelled Vasquez Chase had to tell herself not to knock the thing out of her way. It was then that it moved. She had seen things like that before, Call had shown her data streams and such but she had never seen an unclothed body up close before. Not wishing to be told off she had looked elsewhere and had done the ‘ahem’ noise in her thought like that Call did.

She wondered what Vasquez was doing sat in the middle of a bed that reeked of thing and not wearing clothes but mentally shrugging her shoulders she sat still and waited for Vasquez to get up, dress and such so they could leave. This after all was not where they slept. She knew what ‘Shit faced’ meant and underneath the funny smell she could scent that she had been drinking that acidic smelling drink that Hicks, Hudson and Johner seemed to enjoy guzzling after they partook food.

Narrowing her eyes, she thought that Vasquez did not look well. Her skin was pale and she appeared to be very angry at something. Or someone. Looking over her shoulder at the unclothed big jerk and the H’tch she wondered. Did it, and she further narrowed her eyes when the big jerk did the rumbley sound that she associated with it’s kinds laughter, have anything to do with why Vasquez was so pissed?

She was about to actually speak to the naked idiot when Vasquez was suddenly dressed and had a grip around her upper arm. She said something under her breath but Chase was not able to understand it. Shrugging again she let herself be pulled along and it wasn’t long before she head the jerks go at it again, the clicking thing was really annoying. Would Vasquez do what she usually did and shout at them until they stopped? Surprised, Chase almost stopped when Vasquez didn’t even turn around, instead peering round the door and into the corridor beyond it, checking out both ways before marching briskly towards the lifts.

H’tch wasted no time in showing his displeasure as soon as the females left. Slamming a meaty fist into his friends gloating face and grunting when said friend slid to the floor in a heap.

“Is your head not screwed on right?!”

Not giving Aa’Ro a chance to right himself, kicked at his side and was further gratified that due to the amount of C’ntlip he had consumed the night before was unable to evade the punishment. Listening to him groan, H’tch still did not take pity.

“Give me a reason why I do not haul your diseased carcass in front of the elders? And put your hand down, do not interrupt me un worthy zabin!” H’tch aimed another kick at his fallen comrade.

“She consented, my friend… ouch! Lay off H’tch, you are killing my buzz.”

H’tch splayed his mandibles, clearly not believing what his ears had just heard.

“And pray tell me ‘My Friend’ how did she communicate this consent that you think you had. You obviously did not see how angry the female appeared to be. How in all seven hells are you planning on saving your balls if she claims rape?”

Aa’Ro rolled his eyes and with a superior air, splayed his tusks in a mocking smile and rested a hand on H’tch’s shoulder.

“That would be all the orgasmic moaning stoke screaming she did in my ears, all three times I took her… Now, if there is nothing else, I wish to return to my bed and replay those glorious moments in my sleep.”

H’tch stared dumbly and with a deep growl spun on his heel and stalked out of the rooms, slamming his fist into the control panel and almost taking the door off the hinges when it didn’t open fast enough. Of all the stupid things to do… not that had a problem with it. Oh yes he did. How dare Aa’Ro do something that he wanted to do ever since he first met his particular ooman female? How did he do it?! Hell he didn’t even get a word in with the damned female that didn’t get rammed back down his throat.

Grunting in supreme annoyance H’tch was suddenly struck by how foolish he must look at this precise minute, practically pouting and ranting under his breath because he did not get to play with his toy first. Pathetic. He was acting like a pup. No worse than a pup, he was acting exactly like his brother. Glaring down the corridor, he wondered.

Beating up on Di’Sha would be a perfect excuse to release the anger he was feeling.

~*~*~*~*

Vasquez stalked into the main living area and ignored the cursory hellos from Hudson and Hicks and instead with a glare headed straight for the bunks. She blinked when she saw a slender ankle suddenly flash in her peripheral vision and then disappear. The kid. No, she wouldn’t sleep in her bunk.

As childish as it may seem, she VASQUEZ was not going to let the shit that had happened to her last night become common knowledge, she would stick like glue to the kid and that funny mind link that she and Ripley had be damned. This dirty laundry was not going to get aired.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It had been three days since the incident. Three days it had taken her to be able to sit without wincing. Three days for the ‘event’ to be forgotten. Vasquez had all but avoided everything and all the places that would bring her into contact with the cruisers other residents. Keeping herself to her self had not been easy but it had been simpler than expected – with the Kid’s help.

And so she ignored the ‘event’ or ‘situation’.

The annoying thing about ignoring a situation is that it is never easy. Torn between wanting to pummel something and then delve head first into a black hole the next was not something that Vasquez did. Period. She regretted nothing. She was a rock, a hard piece of granite that resisted water, fire and wind. She was Maria Teresa Vasquez. One tough ass motherfucker born and raised in New Cabo, Mexico and didn't take any shit from nobody.

Private Maria Teresa Vasquez didn't hide from people either.

People being the operative word... She was hiding from the new friends. 'Friends' that took advantage of a shit faced hormonal woman, showed them a good time yes but left them red faced and sore the next morning. Punching the wall, Vasquez swore in her mother tongue. It had been a hell of a few days. Whatever the kid knew she wasn't spilling except for that single look followed by the delicate nostril flare when she had been first come upon. Instead of wandering off by herself and hiding in a duct or six Chase had stayed with her.

Speaking of Chase..

The Latino eyed the now yawning pixie draping itself on the left thrusters unit of the Betty. The Kid hadn’t left her side since, probably hadn’t slept either by looks of it. Watching her stifle another yawn Vasquez wondered how much longer they could hide out, as it was obvious she couldn’t shake the brat sidekick. Ruffling her sleepy eyed friends messy mop of hair and chuckling softly as the almost blissful moan that she was rewarded with Vasquez knew she couldn’t really hide anymore – no more goofing off pretending to be busy mending the Betty and no more fake hangover sleep overs.

Time, despite the fact that shit could fly; it was time to face the music.

“Yo kid, lets go get some breakfast. My stomach’s about to turn carnivorous and eat itself.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Vazzie has been scarce man. The fuck happened, ya’ll had a lovers bust up or what?”

Hudson eyed his shipmate with a raised eyebrow while slurping down the purple meat stuff that tasted like his mama’s chicken. Vasquez had been absent for three days, had gone to her bunk straight away complaining that she was coming down with something akin to the la certa plague and had for all intensive purposes stayed there for two days. Yesterday she had seemed to rally, dragging herself out of her bunk area and headed down to the Betty to do some work. Eyeing Johner when he didn’t answer, seeming more intent on chowing down on yet another piece of the purple shit they both so adored, Hudson reached out with the utensil he had named the spork and pricked it against Johner’s skin.

The response was immediate as was the narrowing of the eyes and the ‘I will kill you, bitch’ tilt to his slitted eyebrows.

“Man.. You don’t move that piece of ass crap I will ram it in some orifice that you don’t want it.”

Grinning at the mans obvious bad temper where Vasquez was concerned the Marine decided to tease a little – after all if the honeymoon was over then it was his right. After all an idiot could have told them both that all the fling was good for was mutual pleasure and distraction.

“So honeymoons over, man?” Hudson sniggered and then full out belly laughed. Enjoying the dark look that was now being levelled at him.

“She got more brains than you, boy. And besides a little fairy told me that you haven’t been putting out.”

Hudson leaned back as a plate was sent his way. Widening his eyes almost innocently he whistled.

“Easy, buddy.”

“How about you shut the fuck up Hudson and stay outta my shit. Nothings happened with Vaz and me. Still tight, aight.”

Johner faced his food again and gritted his teeth. There was something wrong – ever since he had laughed at her drunken ass the other night he had gotten the cold shoulder. He had gone to find her later on that night but she wasn’t in her bunk, at the eating rooms or the Betty. If he couldn’t find her he couldn’t apologise for being an asshole, right?

He had tried again when she appeared the day after, looking as bad as he felt but the words wouldn’t come out and she didn’t seem to want to hear him. Just gave him a look that said ‘EVERYTHING is your fault’ and fucked off to bed.

It had been difficult since then to get her alone – she was either busy, PMSing or the brat had attached herself and Vasquez wasn’t inclined to send her away. The angry eyes he was getting and the silent treatment were irritating him and then there was that whole thing with Ripley.. When Vasquez had turned up the day after the hootenanny.

The shock on her face that had stayed until she had passed the bug brat had stayed with him. She had all those alien sense shit, so she obviously found something out right? There was shit going down and he wasn’t apart of it. Hell, even the brat seemed in on it. Picking up towels and shit, Christ knows what else on command. Running a large mitt over his eyes he wondered if he’d ever find out how much shit he was in and when he’d get the green light to fix it.

The big man grinned when he looked up at the door to the eating hall opened, he knew the owner of the bad language that was currently being unleashed.

Vasquez pushed past the pendejo jerk off that seemed intent on walking at snails pace and let him have it not caring that he didn’t have a translator. It flicked its claw things at her and stepped out of her way, obviously understanding that sometimes females got good and pissed and that all male kind needed to stay the fuck away.

Still grumbling she went to the center table and snatched a plate, filling up on whatever took her fancy. Casting a dark look to the tables closest to the large viewing port it darkened considerably when the alien that she had taken to her bed suddenly stood, looking very pleased to see her. She continued to level her glowering stare at him even only breaking it when the kid was suddenly there tweaking her nose.

Staring at Chase she felt suddenly stupid. Her standing there staring grenades into the fucker would bring more attention – chuckling ruefully she levelled a smile at the kid who was now poking her systematically in the stomach and sides. Heaving a sigh Vasquez finished loading up, threw some shit on another plate for the kid, motioned for her to pick it up and walked off to the table that was closest the alien version of a garbage dispenser, purposefully avoiding the table where the crew was perching.

As soon as she sat down Vasquez was aware of two pairs of eyes staring holes into her. Johner to the left and the guy who’s bones she had jumped. Jesus fucking shit, she hadn’t even asked his name. Breath hissing through her teeth she picked up the utensil that she remembered Hudson had re named the Spork and began to eat. Wishing that she had remained a coward and simply carried on eating the freeze-dried crap that made up the rations that they used when out in deep space.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Aa’Ro knew he was sporting his most shit-eating grin. His most pleasing female was it seemed up and around and he had the pleasure of inhaling her scent. Sneaking a look at H’tch and almost laughing at the sudden intensity that was gripping his face as well he mused about how in the many numerous levels of hell he was to tempt her away from her obviously disgruntled ooman partner.

They weren’t mates or a breeding pair for he saw no mark marring her skin and did not see the circlet of metal that signified what was the ooman custom of ‘marriage’.

Resting his head in his hand he stared at the prize. He watched with interest each time she stiffened, knowing that she was aware of his stare. His eyes narrowed with distaste when his rival leaned back suddenly and called out to his female and was gripped by the desire to remove said ooman males eyeballs for daring – true she was not his yet near as damnit. Aa’Ro was pulled from his musing when H’tch clear his throat.

“Ooman females do not like to be stared at as if they are prey, Aa’Ro. If you cause an altercation the fact that we are basically kin will not save you from my elders wrath.”

H’tch paused and then with a smile in his voice, pointed a claw tipped finger at the females, his voice dropping an octave. “It appears that the female is showing you her displeasure right now. So help me you horny cur if your loins have yet again fucked something up..”

Aa’Ro understood the thinly veiled warning and could to some extent respect it, the oomans while they were oomans were now part of the clan and thus to be respected and treated with all the traditions of clan members. Slanting a dark look at the elder, Aa’Ro got to his feet and ignoring the commanding bark behind him strode after the retreating females. H’tch wanted to pound on him later let him – for a little look it would be worth it.

A few moments he was trailing the most delicious behind he had ever had the fortune to run his hands over. Glaring at the young un-blooded that were dogging his every move he moved his gait up a gear and moved to intercept.

Vasquez, he mused was a delectable female, he caught up with her and rumbled a soft purr in greeting. Seeing her stiffen he pushed past what he was sure was ooman rejection and grabbed her. Spinning her gently to face him he took a deep breath. If she was yautja it would be easy, tangle his mandibles with hers and start to coat her with his mating musk but she was ooman. And a very angry looking ooman, with eyes narrowed to slits and very harsh language.

He wasn’t sure what type of male a ‘mother fucker’ was but he was sure that he was not that type after all, his mother was his mother by Paya and it was unseemly for a female of his to treat him thus and in front of the unblooded youths as well.

“Pretty.. Ooman. Come..” was all he managed to get out in terms of conversation before a fist caught his chin. Blinking with surprise at the suddenness of the attack and then rolling his eyes at the chuckles from behind him. They needed somewhere private so they could discuss her place, as it would not do to discipline such a proud female in front of others. Dodging another fist and then whirling around a very swift kick destined for his gut he caught her sternum with his shoulder and hoisted her, growling.

He did not realise that the youngling female that seemed to be a constant companion was missing until he suddenly lost his balance. Roaring with surprise and falling to his knees he lost his grip of his female and he watched with dismay as she spat in his direction and aimed a hearty kick at his ribs. Oh the humiliation!

“Pauk!! If you do not leave I will make you wish your mother had never mated with your worthless father…” Whirling around, determined to set what he was sure was one of the unblooded attempt at being chivalrous dead in its tracks was surprised when he came face to face with H’tch’s little rogue

~*~*~*~*

Chase had followed when Vasquez left and had followed but at a distance. She was still.. hmm. Agitated. She saw the thing that she was sure had made Vasquez leave the food hall start to walk after her and had likewise given chase. She had watched quietly when it had spun her Vasquez round and had grinned with humor when said Vasquez began to slap, punch and pummel it for the man handling. What Chase drew a line at was the loud growling that she instantly deemed threatening and then the step up from the grabbing.

The instinct to protect her hive was strong anyway but due to the amount of time that she had spent with Vasquez in recent days she had placed the Latin woman in the same bracket as her mother and because of this placing the instinct to lay into the one that posed a threat, became a gnawing need and she reacted exactly as a drone would protecting its reigning queen. She attacked.

It didn’t take much to unbalance the big jerks but anger, thick and pulsating made her run headlong into the heavily muscled back and knock him flying. Settling into a crouch and flexing her clawed hands she eagerly waited for Vasquez to move and lifted her lips from her teeth with a hiss when the big jerk dared to prattle and whirl around with further threat.

Returning the growl with one of her own and fierce hiss Chase glared and twitched again, almost visualizing her claws and teeth ripping the alien to pieces. It was her next move when Vasquez placed a restraining arm across her chest, cupping her shoulder in her hand and was whispering in urgent tones. Unable to understand this or the verbal battle that was going on around her Chase froze into place, he instinct was pounding in her head, her ability to understand was slipping away.

“ .. I said GET fucked, man! Get away from us!..”

“Pretty.. Ooman. Leave.. Offspring.. Come. Now..”

“One more step asshole and I will shoot your ass, get it? Back the fuck away from us you scaly son of a bitch..! I said NOW!.. Chasey, baby. Its okay, okay? Lets go now.”

Stop? It was attacking! Protect. Destroy enemy. There was a soft brush.. Mother. Mother was coming. The link started to sooth her rage, slowly bringing her back from the murderous intents that were forefront.

Well she was slowly loosing the urge until ‘it’ took a step in her direction.

The small grip the link from Ripley have given Chased snapped almost audibly as did the hardened muscles that were until that moment trembling under Vasquez’s touch.

A piercing shriek was heard followed by an answering roar, which pushed Ripley into a harder run.

~*~*~*~*~