Yautja Prime
Council of Elders
The youngest of all of the clan elders present, Elder N-Vorl glowers across the table at Elder Mirhat of the Huer Clan. Elder Mirhat glares back, his mandibles opening and shutting with silent loathing and aggression.
"An entire hunt species ravaged by a mysterious disease? How can this be? How did our scientists miss this? Could it have been caused by genetic manipulation? Perhaps by an enemy?" Elder Mirhat demands.
"Unlikely," Elder Keflryr grunts. "The disease has shown up in numerous populations of vildif throughout the galaxy. Planet Lxyon is only the latest to be stricken with the illness. With so much distance between them...And so little time between incidents...It is doubtful this was an act of war."
N-Vorl inhales sharply and glances around the large room. Mau-Nis leans forward and whispers into his newly appointed Elder's ear.
"I bet you did not expect leadership to be quite this boring?"
N-Vorl's mouthparts curl into a sly grin and he laughs softly.
"A lot of bickering for very little work. I accomplished more on the California watching the ooman perform her experiments or fall asleep at her workstation."
"This is the life you have chosen, N-Vorl," Mau-Nis says, lightly touching N-Vorl's left shoulder. "Enjoy it while you can. When unrest settles in...It is often swift and unpredictable."
"I'll have to take your word for it" N-Vorl grunts.
Taking two steps back, Mau-Nis returns to his former position behind N-Vorl, his mouth drawn into a cryptic smile.
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N-Vorl wades into the large indoor bathing hole in his quarters. A hot spring feeds water into the stone tub and large bubbles pop one after the other on the water's surface.
N-Vorl's expression is solemn as he leans back against the stone ledge and stares into nothingness. Teresa, his lover, mother of his descendant. Alone with his son on a deserted world. This is not the ending he had planned for them all.
Closing his eyes, N-Vorl thinks back to the first time he met the fiery ooman doctor. Her angry outbursts, her fainting spells, her obsession with perfection, and her unparalleled passion. She had surprised him, with her ability to pleasure and be pleasured.
Though their time together had been brief and full of secrecy, it had fulfilled a need in his broken spirit. Every gentle caress of her soft hand, had confirmed that he was a lover worthy of her touch. Every soft gasp or whisper, a sign that he was more than capable of providing her with the need her body so desperately craved.
Many times, he had sought her moist lips, to find them parted and waiting. Her arms wrapped around his neck, she had kissed him with an energy which made his muscles appear weak. Pushing her away had not been an option. He'd wanted Teresa. He'd needed her. And she had proven, she needed him as well.
Mau-Nis appears behind N-Vorl, a wary expression on his wise face. He stops at the edge of the bathing hole and looks down at his brooding elder.
"You are thinking of the ooman scientist?"
N-Vorl's mouthparts droop and he growls under his breath. He cuts his eyes in Mau-Nis' direction.
"How can you tell?" N-Vorl retorts, sarcasm saturating every word of his terse statement.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Mau-Nis simply chuckles. Not waiting to be invited, Mau-Nis removes his footwear and armor. Slipping into the water, he slides his remaining arm over his young elder's large shoulder. As he comforted previous generations, he will comfort the newest. N-Vorl does not react, his eyes hard and staring straight ahead.
"Something must be done," N-Vorl says.
"About what, elder?"
"About V'Daha! About a planet full of childlings and mothers...Languishing without support. Without the love of their own kin. What yautja abandons his duties? How can they sit on the council...Of any clan...And not feel shame?"
"That is just the way it has been done, N-Vorl. To protect our species and our legacies. A warrior may sometimes grow weak...And give in to his most basic of impulses. But does he then have the right to destroy many cycles of a season of yautja tradition? We are a proud species. As are the oomans. They would think to overtake us. Separation of our species...Is in all of our best interests. You will agree once you have had time to think clearly."
N-Vorl finally turns to Mau-Nis. Anger flashes in his round green eyes.
"And what of Teresa?"
"That is for you to decide, Elder. I cannot make that decision for you. I can only speak on what I know to be true. I do not want her to remain there alone. I care for her as well. But, her life...And the life of your son...Will be in extreme danger, if V'Daha is revealed to be a self-sustaining world. There are those on the council, and many others, who would seek to destroy all who inhabit that planet. To save themselves. Choose wisely, Elder. But whatever you choose...I will support you."
Elder N-Vorl smiles a genuine smile for the first time in many days.
"Thank you, Mau-Nis. I now see why my uncle...And my grandfather...Kept you by their side. You are a true yautja. I am honored to have you as my eril'k."
N-Vorl nods respectfully at his command leader. Mau-Nis returns the head nod, guilt gnawing at his insides. A true yautja? Would a true yautja share n'fiis with his elder's chosen beloved?
Mau-Nis lowers his gaze and considers his own future very carefully.
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V’daha (Kredonyit homeworld)
Approximately 10 months after the destruction of Facility Thirteen
Yau-tala struggles with a bundle of freshly cut logs. The logs are not heavy, they simply refuse to cooperate, slipping and sliding on each other. The female settlement leader's much smaller mouthfolds--sans the usual mandibles and tusks--open and shut; as she utters curses under her breath. She should have used the wheeled cart her father suggested.
Surprise explodes onto Yau-tala's face as two figures materialize only yards in front of her. Two yautja. True yautja. One of the yautja is clearly an elder. The one who sent the ooman females here?
Yau-tala unceremoniously drops her pile of wood and stares at the newcomers.
"Who are you? Why have you come here? And why do you use subterfuge? We have nothing here which could do you harm?" Yau-tala yells, fury in her dark brown eyes.
Mau-Nis steps forward, appraising the young hybrid female. Of course, with her mix of ooman and yautja DNA, she might be much older than she looks. Either way, her appearance is very appealing.
"We are here for one named Teresa Boyd. Did she arrive on this planet some cycles ago?"
"Yes. She and her son are here. They are beside the river, where she goes to...Meditate. That is what she calls it. She often stays there for many hours. I can have one of the childlings show you. I am quite busy. Teresa Boyd was not the only ooman female sent to this planet heavy with descendants. I have much to prepare for. Binahytu!"
At Yau-tala's yell, a young male hybrid appears from inside the large medical cabin. He wipes his mostly ooman hands on a large towel and glances from Yau-tala to their visitors.
"On second thought, it might be better if Binahytu takes you to the river. Teresa Boyd is very close to time for expulsion. Having him there to help...Just in case...Would be ideal."
Realization finally shows on N-Vorl's mottled face.
"You are telling me, Teresa is again heavy with descendants?"
"That's exactly what I am telling you," Yau-tala says tersely, resenting this foolish elder who would fill a female with his seed and then abandon her to the fate of the universe.
N-Vorl's brow creases at the tone of Yau-tala's voice. Not since Teresa challenged him upon the Weyland station, has anyone dared to do the same. However, Mau-Nis stares at the hybrid female with a new appreciation. Not only her form, but her demeanor is pleasing. So much like his lost beloved. His vil'par.
Binahytu motions for N-Vorl and Mau-Nis to follow him to the river. Mau-Nis does as suggested, but sneaks several glances back at Yau-tala. She has stooped to pick up her abandoned assortment of wood. As if sensing his stare, she stops with her clawed hand hovering over a thin log. Peering upward, she briefly locks eyes with Mau-Nis. Yau-tala's mouthparts draw tight and she lowers her gaze. Mau-Nis smiles inwardly and turns back forward. A shared feeling, then.