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A New Alliance	By : Kehlan Category: M through R > Predator Views: 2899 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Predator movie series, nor do I own Star Trek, nor any of the characters from either of them. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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It was not turning into a good afternoon for negotiations. In fact, Kehlan thought ruefully, it could only be classed as one of those days, the sort of day you had after being cursed to an interesting life.
On the whole, the treaty talks were going well, but as was bound to happen with such things, there were sticking points where neither party seemed willing to compromise. Khetara in particular was in an argumentative mood and it seemed to the frustrated captain that the Klingon general was taking a great delight in second guessing all her decisions and nit-picking every last detail.

Of the Yautja delegation, only George and Kihr'yende were present. It was not until Kehlan swore mentally at what seemed to be Khetara's thousandth pointless outburst that the door opened. The hulking, shadowy form of the youngest Predator appeared on the threshold. After a moment, Lieutenant Griffiths stepped forward from his companion's shadow. “Apologies for the intrusion, Captain,” the acting chief of security said, “We have a situation.”

Yes, Kehlan decided as Griffiths explained to her in low tones what had just occurred in Ten Forward, she had definitely been wished an interesting life by someone.

George hissed, clicking his mandibles together as he glared at his subordinate. He had granted permission for his subordinate to take some time off from the negotiations to explore the ship – and he’d be expecting a report on that in due course – but even so, Da’rian should have been back several hours ago. “This is why you were not prompt in attending the negotiations?” he demanded.

Da'rian's skin darkened with anger at the rebuke. “Yes Elder,” he replied stiffly. “You can blame Kihr’yende for this one,” he continued, his tone growing snappish with irritation. The youngest of the three Predators was in an uncharacteristically dark mood. It had gone very much against the grain to leave his prey alive and the Hunter's blood lust remained unquenched, burning through him and leaving him bad tempered and spoiling for a fight.

“Me?” Kihr’yende was startled, “I have been busy with the negotiations while YOU have been off enjoying yourself touring the ship!”

“Yes, you!” Da’rian growled, “That foolish Ooman wanted vengeance for his dead crewmate – the one YOU killed. If you’d had a little more self-control, this would never have happened!” Conveniently, he chose to forget that if the other Predator hadn’t killed the Ooman, then he would have done.

The Yautja captain let out an annoyed growl, pulling himself up to his full height. Da’rian’s attitude and behaviour was borderline unacceptable. The younger Predator was in fact coming dangerously close to a challenge and Kihr’yende would not hesitate to put him in his place if he was pushed too far.

“Done is done,” George said, glaring at them both, his mandible flaring wide in a silent warning to them both. “You handled yourself well, Da’rian. You showed wisdom and restraint in leaving the Ooman alive for his captain to deal with.” He left unspoken the thought that if Da’rian didn’t show a little more wisdom and restraint right now then there was going to be trouble.

“And he will be dealt with,” Kehlan added grimly. Initially mildly annoyed by the interruption when Lieutenant Griffiths had entered to inform her of the incident, her reaction was dancing wildly between stunned disbelief and absolute fury. Unfortunately Rossi was still unconscious in sickbay and was in no condition to be questioned.

The Captain glanced at the padd Griffiths had handed her. Displayed upon it were the initial witness statements, all of which agreed that the Predator had been completely blameless, that he had not reacted adversely until his attacker had actually begun to open fire on him. The witnesses were also unanimous in their condemnation of Rossi. Despite Kehlan’s anger, Lt Griffith’s report had made her bite back a snicker of bitter amusement. Apparently the marines had been vocal in their disapproval of Rossi’s behaviour with Corporal van Zyl going so far as to register his disgust that “the snivelling coward pi…” before belatedly remembering he was speaking to a senior officer and quickly correcting himself, “He wet himself, sir.”

In truth Kehlan’s emotions were very mixed. Anger, betrayal, hurt… even self-recrimination and doubt all warred for her attention. She had lost the support and respect of at least one of her crew and could not help wondering how many others felt as Rossi did… that O’Henry’s death had been glossed over, brushed under the carpet in the name of expediency. Had she been there at the time, she might have handled things a little differently but she was stuck with the decisions made by Khetara and Speares and in fairness, with the orders they had to form an alliance at all costs she did not know what other choices could have been made
Maybe, she thought with bitter hindsight, she should have put Rossi in the brig after his previous infraction. But his offence had not been serious enough to warrant that and confinement to quarters pending a captain’s mast that would have awarded him extra punishment duties had seemed sufficient under the Starfleet regulations she was expected to follow. Now though… he would remain under guard until their return to Starbase 24 where he would be recommended for a full psych evaluation and an article 32 hearing. The sad fact was, an otherwise good crewman had just thrown away his career.

Right now though, Kehlan’s immediate concern was the rising tension between the two younger Predators. If she didn’t side-track them somehow they were going to come to blows and she was not sure she wanted to be anywhere within reach when that happened. She sighed again. ‘Interesting’ did not even begin to come close to describing the way today was turning out.

Da'rian settled into his seat beside the Elder and Griffiths retreated back to his duties. The simmering resentment between the two younger Predators still hung in the air and to make things even more complicated, Khetara’s mood was continuing to deteriorate, causing the tension in the room to rise even further. Annoyed by the Klingon General’s interference and nit-picking over what he considered to be unnecessary details, Kihr’yende bared his teeth, his snarl taking on a faintly menacing tone as he caught the scent of aggression and something else that he could not quite identify.

Completely unintimidated, Khetara growled right back at him, baring her own teeth in response. “The terms of this clause are unacceptable,” she barked, stabbing a finger down upon the paragraph in question as it was displayed upon her padd. “The Klingon Empire will not submit to this restrictive treatment!”

“You are being deliberately obstructive,” the Predator captain accused. “We have already come to an agreement on this issue. I will not re-open the debate.”

Amused by the display of aggression, Kreltek glanced at Kehlan and catching his eye, she bit her lip in an effort to force back the very inappropriate giggle that was threatening to escape. Perhaps she ought to call a recess... quickly before one threw the other across the conference room table! Someone really needed to take Kihr’yende aside and point out that growling at a Klingon female in that manner could be taken in more than one way. She very much doubted that he intended to flirt but Kreltek’s mischievous glance made it clear she was not the only one to have noticed.

Speares raised his voice in an effort to move things on before violence broke out. “I believe the Federation is satisfied with this clause. I suggest that we put it aside for now and move on. We should get the generalities confirmed and agreed before we worry about the small details.”

Drawing back slightly from Khetara, Kihr’yende gave a grunt of agreement, “I believe we…”

Whatever the Predator captain had been about to say was lost as the comm. system shrilled. “Bridge to Captain Kehlan.”

Her own irritation mounting, Kehlan activated the comm. “We are busy, Lieutenant Baker,” she said sharply, “What is so urgent that it cannot wait?”

Baker was used to Kehlan’s bad temper and ignored it as just one of the hazards of serving with a Klingon, “Captain, a call has come in from the Yautja ship. They require to speak to the Elder.”

“Very well,” Kehlan said, moderating her tone as she realised the intrusion was valid and that she had been unnecessarily sharp with her officer. “Thank you Lieutenant.” She turned to the Elder. “If you require privacy, there is a small office through there that you are welcome to use.” She gestured towards the door at the back of the briefing room.

George got to his feet. “That is acceptable,” he acknowledged, bowing his head in an indication of thanks before he went through the door she had indicated. Less than two minutes later, the door slid open again and the old Predator re-entered the room. He wasted no time in niceties. “I must return to my ship immediately.”

“George?” Kehlan moved to the big Predator’s side, looking up at him in concern. “Is everything alright?”

“In truth, I do not know.” He placed a large, clawed hand on her shoulder as they began the walk back to the shuttle bay, followed by the two younger Yautja and several security officers. “The Matriarch has contacted the ship.” Seeing Kehlan’s questioning look, he elaborated, “She is the supreme ruler of our people and wishes to speak with me urgently.” He let out a sigh, “Kay-lan, she would not call like this on a trivial matter. I have no doubt that this means trouble.”
***
I'd like to thank Brandy and Bronxwench for their very kind words at a time when I was in need of some encouragement... and for very nicely giving me the kick up the backside I needed to keep going.
The story was supposed to have ended around chapter 48/49 but after a few glasses of baileys and a late night conversation with my wonderful beta/co-writer, we found ourselves saying "What if...."
So there is one more chapter almost finished and now being polished and after that it will slow down a bit as I am straying into new and unknown territory. The call from the Matriarch caught me as much by surprise as it did the characters... As for what she wants... you'll have to wait and see...
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A New Alliance