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A Union of Convenience (Formerly ‘Alone’)	By : Keen Category: M through R > Predator Views: 13009 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Predator movie series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
The grand hall of Ge’tan was thick with bodies, tall yautja warriors
and females. Their pups, if they had any, were there too, but unlike every
other Clan function they were much more behaved than usual, sitting quietly in
their mothers’ laps, draped over their fathers’ shoulders. Ali’shir assumed it
was because they, like he did, felt the tension in the air. It slid into him
like a chill as he strode from the Council chambers but he masked his
discomfort expertly. He was confident not a one of his fellow Council Elders or
anyone around him knew he was ill at ease, except from the woman who stared at
him now.
Her dark eyes followed him as he strode past in silence, her poise and
expression indecipherable. She looked like any other Elder female, draped in the
pale yellow cloth just over her shoulders, her hair studded with ringlets he gave
her. Like the others, she rose from the pews as the line of Council Elder’s
walked to their seats and Ali’shir had to fight with himself not to walk to her.
Today, the ruling body of the ship was set to formally release Yash’in
from his punishment, reinstating him to his station. Ali’shir worried if Isis came to make a scene, demanding justice for her
family and herself. He would have known her intent beforehand if this was not
his first time seeing her since their argument. And he probably wouldn’t stare
at her like he did if it hadn’t been so many days since he saw her last.
“Ali’shir, they bring him now. Come sit,” The male turned his head
from Isis and looked to Fushel, who offered
him the chair beside him.
The last member of Ge’tan’s Clan council
took his seat and the rest of the Elders followed in suit. As everyone settled
into the pews, Isis could hear the giant
double doors at her back open. She turned, as did everyone, as Yash’in was led
inside, bound in heavy linked chains and flanked by several guards who dragged
him to the centre.
One of the guards kicked the back of his knees dropping him to the
ground where the other handlers fixed his chains to a ring in the Council hall
floor.
Kai stood with an outraged scream, “That is my son you are handling with such disrespect! I suggest you be
kinder or the Lead Elder may turn a blind eye on you all when Yash’in
retaliates.”
“Many apologies, Elder Female,” The guard bowed deeply and Kai
straightened herself with satisfied smile, her mandibles clicking crisply.
Joi’en stood and took his mate’s hand, smoothing it under his fingers,
“Calm yourself, my Kai. Today is a say to rejoice, not
to fight,” he whispered. “Yash’in will soon be free, Ali’shir’s students near
the end of their training so he and his female will be one less burden as well.
This entire ugly affair will be behind us in moments.”
She nodded to Joi’en’s words and the guard, dismissing the kneeling
warrior to move to the side and out of sight. Kai moved to her seat and slowly
crossed her legs, looking out onto the sea of expectant faces with head high as
the Lead Elder, her mate, spoke. As her flashing purple eyes settled on the
lone human, Kai gave a contented purr. The biceps in woman’s arms were taut,
her mouth fixed in a hard line. It seed like she was bursting at the seams to
do something as she watched Joi’en speak. Kai assumed it was to mount him but
she could not have been more mistaken.
Isis had seen Joi’en conduct hearings before.
The Lead Elder was cutting, shrewd and ruthless. Even if the accused was
obviously innocent, he debased them without mercy, but what she was witnessing
now seemed more like a friendly exchange between friends. He even laughed, twice. It made her want to scream that
they were so casual but nothing angered her more than Yash’in’s
response to Joi’en’s question if he was sorry for his crimes.
“Have you truly atoned for your trespasses, young one?”
Yash’in took a great breath before nodding, “I am truly sorry for all
I have done.”
Isis had to pinch her arms to keep herself
still. How could he be sorry when he had not told them the whole truth? But
then again what did she really expect from him, he was his father’s son and
Ali’shir had not done anything but look on quietly as Yash’in spoke his lies.
Ali’shir knew the truth too. He had to know she would never lie to him,
especially about something so serious despite her anger and yet, there he sat.
Quiet and still as the carved pillars that surrounded them. Even when Joi’en
asked his Council if any of them had questions it was Fushel, not him, who
raised a hand and stood.
“I would like the boy to speak about his activities on the human
ship,”
Kai turned her head quickly, jingling the charms in her long locks,
“For what reason,” she demanded.
Fushel did not spare her a glance, “It has come to my attention that
we were not presented with the whole truth, Lead Elder. I would like to give
the boy an opportunity to do so now.”
Navin,
the wisest among them, sat up slowly. “Just what is it that you think you were
not told?”
“Answer the Elder Healer,” Fushel said, staring at Yash’in. “For the honour of your family.”
Yash’in clicked his mandibles with disgust, “My family is the reason I
am here,” he grit.
Sala groaned, “Surely you do not blame your father for
your current situation. It is only by his compassion that you are here, alive and well to receive our
sentencing.”
Yash’in shook his head. He blamed his father for a lot of things. For
being too weak to stand up to his mother, too prideful to return when she drove
him away and for being too blinded by rage to see how she and others
manipulated him, but he did not blame him for this. “I was speaking of my uncle
J’khil, Elder Sala.” Yash’in
replied. “He told us to go to that human vessel. That we
would prepare for Chiva and bring glory to our Clan.
But it was a lie.”
Bahdri shook his head, “That is a lie,” he growled. “I
know J’khil and he has been away on hunt for quite
some time.”
“He is dead,” Yash’in said quietly. “Both he and my cousin, Re’va, were killed by a Scorn aboard the ship.”
Isis grinned furtively. The Scorn he talked
about had to be her shipmate and sometime lover Douglass. He was the one to
wake her and inform her that the Whistler was in danger. They made plans to
meet near the escape pods and now she knew why he never showed. He would not
have gone down without a fight.
“My brother? ” Kai said breathlessly. “My nephew?!” She
clutched her chest with both hands and fell against Joi’en sobbing.
The Lead Elder shot an angry look to Fushel, “Elder Enforcer, if you
are done labouring on the more painful details, I would like to end this now.”
“I only have one more question,” Fushel replied, still staring at the
male. “Yash’in, why did you kill your brother?”
Heavy silence rolled through the hall as every one took in a sharp
breath of air. Kai took her face from Joi’en’s shoulder and slid her gaze to Fushel, her tears still wet the corner of her eyes. “This is
nonsense. And cruel!” she shouted. “Do not dignify his lies with a response,
Yash’in.”
“It is not a lie,” Ali’shir said, leaning on the table. He looked at
Yash’in and gave a nod of encouragement. “Tell them the truth, son.”
Yash’in slowly drew a breath and lowered his head. He was suddenly
aware of the weight of all the eyes on him. The crowd at his back, the guards
at his side, the Council Elders at his front, all of them waited for him to
speak on what he tried in vain to forget.
It physically painted him to think about what he had done. He blamed En’kal for so long, saying it was his fault for trying to
stop him, but now there was no escaping the truth. Yash’in was so eager to
prove himself. It seemed everyone doubted the son of a disgraced half-breed but
when his intended mate, the female he had pined for since they first met,
echoed those sentiments as well, Yash’in decided it was time for something
drastic to make everyone see he was nothing like his father.
He wanted to demonstrate his skills and abilities so badly Yash’in
ignored the fact that his uncle’s hunt was not honourable but En’kal did not. He pointed out to his wayward brother that
most of the crew was unarmed and female, clearly not fighters, but still
Yash’in would not listen to reason. J’khil released
his odd hard meat hatchlings, gave them time to grow and then hunted without
mercy. He encouraged his nephews to do the same but En’kal
refused. He tried to convince his brother to do the same but Yash’in would
still not listen to reason. They fought and by the altercation’s end, only one
was left standing.
“I was overcome by my anger,” he said with grief. “It was not my
intent to kill him. He was my brother…”
Kai shrieked at his confession and the room teemed with life, rippling
with disbelieving murmurs and disgusted growls. Joi’en rose from his seat and
demanded Fushel and Ali’shir to stand before him.
“Why is it that I was not told of this until now,” Joi’en growled. “I
am Lead Elder and I should know everything
that happens in my council.”
“You are also his second father,” Fushel countered.
“And Ali’shir is his birth father, why was he given preference over me
and informed of the situation?”
“Elder Ali’shir was only aware
of what happened because he made the discovery. He is the one who brought it to
my attention.”
Joi’en turned to Ali’shir with a growl, “And how did you find out?”
“The how is not important,” Ali’shir replied.
“No it is not,” Fushel agreed, cutting Joi’en off before he could
speak. “What is important now is that you both step down and allow the rest of
the Council to make a decision on this new information.”
Ali’shir nodded once but Joi’en was indignant, “You will not tell me
what to do, Fushel. This is my
Council.”
“It is Ship’s law,” Navin said. He overheard
the heated conversation as did the rest of the Council. “Your relationship with
the boy will certainly be seen as an influence on any decision you make. Yours too, Elder Kai.”
Kai’s mouth wagged. Her son had confessed to murdering his brother,
without their vote, surely he would be put to death. She looked at Navin and the other faces of the Council and then to her
mate, “Do something, Joi’en!” she shrieked. “Are you not the Lead Elder?!”
“I am,” he nodded, “But it seems as if Council has voted.”
One by one, the panel of Elders stood in demonstration of their unity.
The three members would have to watch Yash’in’s fate
be decided with the rest of the Clan from the gallery. Slowly Joi’en removed
his red cloak, the symbol of his status as not only a Council Elder but the
Lead Elder. He handed it to Kai who snatched it as they moved to sit in the
first pew.
Isis watched as Ali’shir strode toward her.
Wordlessly he removed his cloak as well and laid the grey material in her lap.
She folded it to keep her hands busy as he stood next to her, hands clasped
behind his back. His attention was seriously fixed on the remaining Elders who
bickered quietly back and forth, hands waving. It took them a few moments to
arrive at a decision and the Ship’s Enforcer would be the one to deliver it.
Fushel rose from his seat, visibly angry. Rooting both of his muscled
arms on the table, he leaned forward, bearing down on Yash’in with all his
might.
“I believe that a yautja with no honour is not fit to live,” he
growled. “Such a creature has no purpose or worth in my clan, but the rest of
Council seems to disagree so we create a purpose for you.” Joi’en gave a
relieved sigh and started to gush assurances to his
mate but Kai patted him to hush, Fushel was not done yet.
“You will be a reminder to every child why it is important that they
mind the teachings of their mentors and never stray from the laws of the clan,
why it is important for a father to remain in the lives of their sons and
daughters and why a mother must always
put the wants and needs of her children before her own,” Fushel said, narrowing
his eyes at Kai. “You will serve as this very important reminder, Yash’in and
you will do it while alive. Death, so I am told, is far too easy of a way out
in this instance.”
“Since you sold your honour in the pursuit for glory, it is only
fitting that your punishment should take it away.” Navin
supplied.
It was the Elder Healer who suggested the punishment. He knew Yash’in
would suffer more having others taunt him day in and day out and he did. The
idea of enduring such an existence sent Yash’in into a rage. He preferred death
and would have taken his own life if he thought it would not bring more
dishonour to his family.
He roared and thrashed against his chains until one broke. In a flash
the guards were on him, but not to kill him as he hoped, but to restrain. They
piled on top of him, one holding his legs, one holding his arms at his back,
another silencing him with his throat in the hinge of his arm so the Enforcer
could finish speaking.
Fushel rattled off the last of his statement so fast it was all but a blurr of words, “Yash’in, son of Elders Ali’shir and Kai,
you are stripped of any titles and privileges afforded you. You are not an asegian and will be the rest of your days. Take him to the
lower levels,” he snarled disgustedly, glad to be rid of the male.
Yash’in took the news badly but his mother appeared to be far more
devastated. She left the pews and strode the Council table, the roars echoes of
Yash’in nearly drowning out her words as she spoke, “My son cannot be a slave
in Ge’tan. My ancestors helped found this ship!”
“Your son is alive, Kaian,” Sala sighed,
amazed that the female missed the blessing in their decision. “Try to think of
something other than your pride,”           “More
like shame,” Fushel grunted.
Sala gasped as Kai slapped the male for his flippancy.
She was brushed out of the way as Bahdri and Navin moved to hold the Enforcer back. Surprisingly Kai
baited him on, too foolish to realise the male meant her serious harm. She
palmed his face, violently shoving him away while she hurled obscenities at
him, completely unaware that their grip on the male was slipping. He was too
strong for them to hold but it bought the Ship’s Guards enough time to race
across the hall and restrain him. They took him by the
shoulders and the waist, not wanting to clamp down on his neck unless they were
forced to. Fushel was so angry he was liable to turn on them, his own warriors,
and tear them apart.
Sala and I’lana, Bahdri’s mate and Council Elder, tried to help put an end
to the spectacle by pulling Kai back, but she fought them to get closer.
Sala looked over her shoulder to Joi’en, “Lead Elder,”
she pleaded, “Come help restore order here!”
Joi’en reached for his mate and was stunned when she slapped him too,
hissing at him to get away from her. “You are so weak it is disgusting,” she
sneered.
Joi’en touched where she struck him, his fingers soothing the sting in
his cheek, “I cannot change their decision, Kai.”
“No, you won’t change their
decision,” she corrected, bitterly. “You would have to go against Fushel if you
did and like I said, you are too weak to do that.”
Joi’en took a deep breath, “You are angry, Kaian,” he soothed, pushing
her closer to the exit. “We will talk about this later before you make a very public mistake,” he growled, hinting at
the crowd gathered behind them.
Kai could not have cared less. “I said do not call me Kaian!” she
screamed, shoving at him. “The only mistake I made was convincing Tu’shar to
choose a dickless half-wit like you over Ali’shir. He
would stopped them from humiliating my son.”
“Shut your mouth, Kaian,” Joien could
hear laughing all around him and he did not like to be laughed at. “Just shut
up,” he grit.
“I will not!” she snorted. “And don’t you ever think to tell me what
to do again. I made you and the one thing I asked you to do for me in return,
you managed to fuck up because you are a spineless, worthless-”
            “I said shut up!” he roared.
            Joi’en slammed his fist into Kai’s
jaw, tossing her into a row of pews with force. A few bodies left the crowd to
run to her aid and Isis would have to, but
Ali’shir’s arm kept her against him. It was for his protection as much as hers.
Joi’en was not in his right mind and if he laid a hand on Isis,
Ali’shir would kill him without hesitation.
            Joi’en parted the crowd that
surrounded his mate with fist still raised, ready to finish what he
stared...until he looked at her. The rage he felt vanished and his hand fell at
his side. Joi’en stared with blank expression as she struggled to her feet. Kai’s
usually graceful movement was jerky and awkward, obviously a testament to how
dazed she was and her unhinged jowls, a testament to his temper, swung wildly with
each stumbled footstep she took.
            Joi’en instantly felt shame stab at
him and breathed an apology to her. He moved to help her but she flinched,
backing away to hide among the males that glowered at the Lead Elder. Their females
came to take the Elder Female to the infirmary and Joi’en tried to follow but
the crowd blocked him, even when he commanded them to disperse.
            “I am your Lead Elder,” he said with
a authoritative tone.
            “Do not remind us,” a female clicked
in disgust.
She turned to leave and her mate followed behind her. Soon they all
did, one by one, leaving the Elder to sink under the weight of shame. Not a one
could understand what he did, except one male.
            Joi’en turned to face Ali’shir. The
male stood with his female, a protective arm round her waist and a hand on her
shoulder. When the Lead Elder took a step towards them, Ali’shir moved quickly,
pulling Isis behind him and meeting him
halfway in two steps. Watching his hand settled on the combistick at his side,
Joi’en froze.
            “Surely you understand,”
            Ali’shir shook his head, “I can not
say I do.”
            “You never hit her once?”
            “I was always tempted,” he
confessed. “But she is the mother of my children.”
            Joi’en was still a moment as if
Ali’shir had said something profound and it took a moment for him to absorb it.
He then moved to pick something up from the floor, hidden under rubble and
broken benches, and tossed it in Ali’shir’s direction,
            “Then Elder Tu’shar was right to
have chosen you,” he said, turning to leave.
The doors closed behind him and Ali’shir looked at the Lead Elder
Cloak at his feet. He kicked it away with a hiss but it only rumpled, not that
he noticed. He turned and walked back to the Hall’s empty centre, brushing past
Isis as he stood where his son once did.
Isis could tell he was disappointed with the
Council’s decision, so was she. She hoped they would have drawn and quartered
the boy for what he had done but looking at Ali’shir, staring at the space
where his child knelt, she thought it was just as well. She wanted Yash’in to
pay for his crimes with his life but he was still her mate’s son and losing
both of his sons would devastate him. As much as she hated Yash’in for what he
had done, she loved Ali’shir even more and she would never be so angry with him
to wish him that kind of pain.
Ali’shir was lost in thought, staring blankly at the floor as memories
of his boys, running and trilling merrily came back to him. He could just hear
their happy voices welcoming him home and their raging howls echoing throughout
that damned ship when she touched him. Her hand smooth over his, sliding over
his blanching knuckles to open his fist. Isis
pushed her fingers through the spaces between his and took his hand tightly. He
looked to his side, to their lacing fingers and then to Isis
face.
She was surprised feel him tear away from her so suddenly, wiping his
hand on his leg as if he touched something disgusting.
“I did that for my son, Isis. Not for you,” he grit. “You need to get
a hold of yourself.”
“I’m sorry,” Isis
blinked. “Did I just miss something here?”
“It is important that you are clear on what happened here,” he
explained.
Isis folded her arms, “What makes you think
I’m not?”
Ali’shir wasn’t certain but he thought he read it her face, her touch
as well. She had forgiven him because she thought he was trying to make amends
by doing this. Why else would she try and console him?
“My instincts,” he replied. “But that is not the point.”
“Then why don’t you tell me what ‘the
point’ is, Ali’shir.”
“Life would be easier on both of us if you forgot about what happened
on the Whistler,” he said quickly. “If you are going to stay here, you must
learn to adapt. What is done, is done, Isis. ”
The woman froze over with anger. All she did as of late as adapt. She
was constantly changing the way she walked, talked and acted all to suit him,
but this, she refused to do. Her mind was her own and he could not tell her how
to run it. She would never forget her brother or where she came from, not even
for him.
Isis took his hand and held it out flat,
then placed his cloak on it. “Then I choose to go.”
Ali’shir let the thing fall as he crossed his arms, bearing down on
her as she brushed past him to walk out the door. When she was gone, he tossed
a nearby metal pew against the wall. And then another and another. When the
burn in his biceps became too great, Ali’shir just paced.
She mistook what he said as an ultimatum. The idea of her leaving never entered his
mind, he simply wanted her to forget about all of this so she would come home
and they could start again. What was done was
done. Why couldn’t she just accept her losses and move on? He would give
anything to make her care for him again but he couldn’t raise the dead. But he
could give her space and after a while, this whole thing would smooth over.
It had to.
- 16
- 17
- 18
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A Union of Convenience (Formerly ‘Alone’)