Chapter 2
U.S.S. Pegasus
1540 hrs.
Reaver heard a knock on the door. He instantly awoke and sprang to the door. He hid behind it for he was naked as he opened the door ajar before the second knock took place. He peeked out his to look and saw the young doctor; Jessica Stanton. Her blonde hair is up and held by sticks of some sort. She had a smile on her face when she saw him acting so cute in her opinion. "Hello Doctor Stanton how may I help you today?" Reaver asked.
"Ah yes could you come with me to med bay its time for your blood drawling again company orders." She said in a heavenly voice of hers.
"Sure just give me a second need to get a bit dress." Reaver laughed lightly and closed the door.
Reaver looked around the small room for his clothes, they had to be somewhere. He smiled happily when he saw Evac still asleep in bed. He then step right on his clothes that were behind him the whole time. He put on his shirt and pants and was out the door. The kind young doctor was waiting for him. It was odd to see such a tell man and short woman talking together but it didn't mind Reaver at all. "I heard on your promotion Reaver congratulations." She spoke as they walked to med bay in the dull light gray corridor of the ship.
"Thank you but its not really a big deal." Reaver spoke.
"Yes it is now your third in command if anything happens you should be proud of that, I know I would, plus the men trust you and look up to you now for guidance." She spoke happily.
Reaver thought about her words and thought he should be happy about it. It was after all an honor and some how honor meant a lot to him. They continued to walk in silence enjoying each others presences. Meanwhile Reaver thought about the test the company keeps running on him. He wondered what they were trying to do with his blood? He knew every week they had to draw his blood and they did it with an array of excuses like: "To check for infection." Reaver never been sick once in his life. Maybe he could get something out of Doctor Stanton? They climbed down a ladder to the lower deck and on the left was med bay. He decided he'll ask her when they get ready to draw the blood, it just seemed better to him that way. They walked in. "Have a sit in the patient chair Reaver." The doctor smiled and walked to the counter and started looking for a syringe.
Reaver took a sit in the patient chair. It was soft and comfortable to make one feel at ease. Reaver looked about the painted white room he figured it was white just so you can see blood easier. He then looked at the floor and saw the burn whole his blood made when the last doctor tried to take his blood but insulted him. He called him nothing but a monster and inhuman. He figured it was a test of his aggression factor when provoked. The man nearly didn't leave the room with his arm and his needle jam up his ass. Reaver still felt bad that he just proved the man right that he could be a monster easily. Reaver then heard Doctor Stanton make a sound of success when she found her syringe. She smiled and put it on a tray with other things then came to Reaver and sat it next to him on a small table. She then took a stripe of latex and tied it onto Reaver's muscular bicep. She then cleaned the inside of his elbow with a sterilizer and then she slid the acid treated needle into the arm. She then slid a test tube into the opening of the syringe and blood began to flow into it. The red crimson glowed like a red glow stick showing that again he wasn't entirely human. She then had Reaver put his hand on the wound to help it clot for she didn't have a bandage that could hold back the acid. "Doctor Stanton. Why does the company need my blood?" Reaver asked.
"To run tests why silly?" She smiled.
"No I know that but what is it for?" Reaver asked.
"For the better of humanity." Jessica spoke it in hallow words.
"I hope so but I think I know what its really for," He played a guess.
"The company want to make another one like me not just test the blood for imperfections." Reaver spoke.
Jessica then did something Reaver could never get any other doctor to do. She looked at the ground and nodded her head not saying a word. Reaver had a feeling if she spoke it the company will do their way of "policy" on her. "So that's not it?" Reaver played like she said nothing at all and she knew it too. He had a feeling the room was bugged.
"No of course that's not it." She smiled at Reaver for playing that card of taking no for an answer although it was an yes.
"Ok." He smiled at her. "So am I done here?"
"Yes you are Reaver, have a nice day." She lead him out of med bay.
Reaver walked out he saw Pat Johnson an redheaded man with freckles and stood at about six-feet two-inches. He had a boyish smile on. "So how are you enjoying your room you big bastard?" Pat joked.
"Is that a way you talk to a superior?" Reaver asked serious like.
"Sorry sir." Pat stood attention.
"Gotcha." Reaver laughed lightly. "Yes I am and what are you up to?"
"Me I'm going to go to planet side soon but I thought you would like to have some food with the rest of us grunts before we left?" Pat grinned.
"Alright you silly hotshot." Reaver joked. "But nothing that requires me to do anything crazy like last time."
"You'll just have to find out." Pat smiled.
Reaver couldn't help but smile at Pat's comment. He was after all the director of bad ideas but he's also a loyal friend. He knew if there was anything planed for him it was Pat's idea. Reaver knew if her tried anything funny, Reaver can always give him bathroom duty. That made Reaver laugh inside at the thought of it. When Reaver walked into the mess hall all the light were off, that was never a good thing for Reaver. He saw movement in the dark then suddenly the light flashed on blinding him in white light then he heard popping of champagne and heard confetti fly through the air. "Surprise Gunnery Sergeant!" The whole unit yelled.
Reaver still had a hard time understanding all these celebration for a promotion although he seen it plenty of times due to Brian and his traditions but being this one was different. He figured it had to do with the bad op suffered and people just wanted to cut loose and forget. "You guys shouldn't have." Reaver shook his head and smiled.
"Yes we did and now the fun begins, its time to see the new gunny show his stuff to the rest of the unit."
"Like how?" Reaver was puzzled.
"We're going to see how well you can hold your booze against Big Ray." Pat snickered.
"Isn't that like a violation of some code and disorderly of marines?" Reaver said shaking his head.
"Well that's the fun part plus we're off duty and Master Sarge been a nice guy and said we can celebrate!" Pat snickered.
"I still don't like it." Reaver said.
"Stop being a baby and sit down and enjoy the drink. You got to cut loose sometime." Pat pushed Reaver towards the table.
"Ok but just this one time." Reaver said sitting on the bench of the table. "Why do I get the feeling we're going to get in trouble for doing this on a military ship?" He muttered to himself.
Reaver then say private Ray Bayfield sat down across from him. He was a large man about six-foot six inches and had muscles to match. He was an African American with a shaved shiny head that reflected the light in white streaks on his bald scalp. He smiled at Reaver "Ok boy I want a good clean drinking contest, no fights just the booze flowing down your throats." Pat said setting his hand down on the table.
"What are we drinking?" Big Ray asked.
"Shots of scotch!" Pat smiled bigly. "A mans drink not like that beer crap plus we know its too light for the both of you." Pat said pulling out a pair of shot glasses and setting them on the table. "First one to pass out loses." Pat smiled as a Evac came in setting the scotch bottles on the table and smiling at Reaver.
"Lets go Gunny!" Big Ray cheered.
Reaver waited for pat to pour the scotch in the glasses. The liquid was a light brown. Reaver watched the glass closely. Then he heard Pat say go. Reaver and Ray reached for there glasses. They grabbed them at the same time and lifted it to there mouths. They both downed there contents in one big gulp. The liquid tasted like fire and it warmed Reaver's chest and made him twitch his face from the taste. Big Ray laughed. "Another." Reaver said taking the challenge; everyone laugh and Pat poured another round.
Everyone watched in awe as the two biggest marines they ever seen drink the scotch in gulps. They had about fifteen shots and kept on going. Big Ray looked a little shaky taking all the booze and he started to drift. Reaver started to look lazy eyed and yet they continued. Marines couldn't help but cheer them on. They started to yell "GO GO!" One shot after the other then suddenly Big Ray hiccupped.
"Come on big Gunny is that all ya got." Big Ray head bopped and his voice slurred then he fell head first onto the table after his twentieth shot.
"Hey I won my bet!" Pat cheered. "You see no one can beat Reaver!" Pat chuckled.
"I feel strange and a little light headed." Reaver said getting up with shaking legs.
"That's cause your drunk Reaver!" Pat shouted happily.
"Right." Reaver spun around and fell down. "That was new."
"Ok lets get the drunk gunny up onto his feet." Brian walked in and shouted.
Everyone stood at attention and Pat dropped a Scotch bottle in surprise. "So you guys did the old get the Gunny drunk contest." Brian said walking down the line then helped Reaver onto his feet.
"We couldn't help it sir!" A private named Jacob shouted.
"You couldn't help it?!" Brian said in a low mean tone. He looked disappointed then he started snickering. "You men remind me of me and my friends. They did the same thing to me." He chuckled.
Everyone started to laugh. Then Brian cut them off. "Now party now because tomorrow I want you all bright and early for ship maintenances duty for this little shenanigan." Brian chuckled. "Now lets have some fun with the gunny."
Everyone looked at each other shocked at was this a bad thing or a good thing then they wondered what type of fun? "I want you all to meet me in the shooting range lets see how well the gunny can shoot." Brian left chuckling.
Reaver couldn't help but think what did he get himself into, now that he was drunk and had to run maintenances in the morning and now he had to shoot drunk. What type of sick joke is this?
Chapter 3
Hunters Blood
0400 hrs
Raz'da roared at his challenger, his feet spread wide and his arms at his side. It was rare for the elder to receive a challenge from such a young blooded warrior. Yet he took careful steps for he knew Req'ra was no fool; he might be young but he was intelligent. They're pheromones filled the room causes the other hunters in the dueling hall roar in a blood filled rage at the duel. They were excited and eager to watch this fight. Raz'da was old in age but just as nimble as he was in his younger years. He came at Req'ra in belligerent rage that ended with a hateful fist full of predator mandibles. Req'ra tossed his head back taking the full blast of the punch, but he pulled his head back gave a smashing head butt at close range to Raz'da making him stagger back. Req'ra bled glowing green blood from the mouth and mandibles but he chuckled in a blood filled gurgle. Raz'da head spun as he overestimated Req'ra strength entirely; although he was shorter he was defiantly stronger. The crowed roared in loud symphony as they saw the blood. Raz'da and Req'ra circled each other thinking of their move, for the next confrontation. They then heard the raging crowd demand for weapons, they want a grand fight instead of a brawl. Raz'da made slight clicks with his mandibles then spoke with his loud commanding voice. "Bring me a spear and any weapon the challenger chooses!" The amass of hunters roared in cheering triumph.
"My wrist blades!" Req'ra roared and his gauntlet activated sending blades three feet long soaring out of it.
A hunter tossed Raz'da his spear. It was a mighty weapon it was double edged, had two spear tips both on opposite ends and two short blades each on the two ends. The spear was a head taller then he; it brought warm feelings to him to hold its cold metal. He then looked at his hand that was tattooed with the human sign of Weyland/Yutani. This brought hateful memories to his mind making him angry. He kept it so he could draw on it for strength. He then prayed to the Ancient Ones for strength; then he spun his spear and charged. Req'ra saw the coming storm and grunted as the spear came in with a downward swing. He raised his wrist blades and slashed hitting the spear with the metal and they grinded together sending sparks away from the friction. Raz'da pulled his spear back and parried the coming stab then turn around and stabbed outward making Req'ra took a step back to avoid the hyper sharp spear tip that could pierce the thickest of armor. Raz'da then took a step forward and stabbed again and shoved the spear tip deep into Req'ra shoulder for he tried to side step out of the way. Req'ra roared in anguish as the spear tip severed his shoulder bone to his left arm; making the arm completely useless. Raz'da chuckled and yanked the spear from Req'ra arm making him roar in pain. Req'ra then lost all control and charged, right into Raz'da spear tip, he walked the entire length as it pierced his chest. He grunted and roared and he wanted blood for his shoulder. When he was in range he slashed his wrist blades across Raz'da's face, spraying green bio-luminescent blood on some faithful hunters. Lucky Raz'da didn't lose anything to his face but it still hurt and made him roar in anger. He pulled on his spear bringing Req'ra to his weak knees. He then yanked the spear from Raz'da and then stabbed the tip into his forehead; covering the spear in glowing green chunky gore. Req'ra made a last breath as he died and his eyes slowly glasses over and died. Raz'da pulled the spear free and retracted it and then he lifted his fists in the air and roared deeply that made the wall themselves tremble. The crowed approved and cheered.
Raz'da then motioned for others to take away the corpse on the ground and eject it into space. Raz'da didn't think it was fit to claim the skull of the dead young one for he didn't prove as dangerous as Raz'da thought he would be; although he did give him a few surprises. Raz'da then heard the hatch door slide open and he recognized the stench of the armored predator that walked through them and the golden armor. He was fully armored and looked ready for a hunt although Raz'da knew he was on the bridge the whole time. "Sluk-Kesh my old friend!" Raz'da spoke happily wiping the blood from his face.
Sluk-Kesh was Raz'da most loyal and honorable hunter. He was almost as old as Sluk-Kesh short by three years. They grew up together and protected each other on grand hunts of old. If there was anyone he could trust it was Sluk-Kesh. He kneeled to his elder in respect. "I come with news for our clan old one. We found the facility you were held at and the honor prey queen is still there." He spoke faithfully like a loyal minion.
The memories flashed past Raz'da's eyes of the humans running the horrid tests on him. Taking his blood and using it to make things live longer then the creation of a dangerous life form in the human's own image. It filled him with angry, he hated the human's that tested him and tortured him except the one female that aided him in his escape. She taught him a lot even their tongue. The prey on that world would make for a good hunt, he only escaped when they took him off planet. He couldn't escape the facility even with his help. It brought him pleasure thinking of the slaughter he can do at that facility. "Sluk-Kesh I have a very important mission for you." Raz'da walked out of the dueling hall and into the long corridors of the ship.
Sluk-Kesh followed and asked. "What would you have me do?"
"Simple go to planet in our fastest hunting ship and free the honor prey in the facility for a grand hunt. We'll slaughter the humans and the honor prey. Then we will wait for them send in their marines. They'll prove a fight for our hunters and then simple we will leave after it is done. This will be a good hunt and we'll raise the facility to the ground." Raz'da pumped his fist.
"I will do what you say old one." Sluk-Kesh bowed and left his friends side and went to the airlock.
Raz'da walked the dark corridors of the ship towards the bridge. He knew Sluk-Kesh will be successful for he always was and Raz'da wanted to get a hunting party to the facility as soon as possible. Soon he'll take his revenge and if the new human wasn't on the facility he knew they'll send him after the human's lost communication with the facility. He had it all figured out in his mind, and then he clicked his mandibles and sung a old war song he was taught.
Sluk-Kesh was always ready for a hunt, always armed , always fully geared. He walked the corridors of the ship towards the ship airlock for the hunting vessels. He'll take scout ship out; a one hunter craft that was very fast and agile used to scout out areas for future hunts. He was glad he was assigned this mission for he was bored and his trophy wall grew with old trophies, he needed some new ones. He couldn't help but feel happy. The only thing brought him any happiness was the hunt or mating with a female. The hunt was grand in his eyes; two grand prey to hunt. He longed for another honor prey skull on his wall.
Sluk-Kesh walked into the airlock and climbed into the cockpit of the small tubular ship. He sat in the control chair and started pushing and running his finger along the consoles to tell the mother ship that he's ready to be freed. He then felt the ship drop from the mother ship and he chuckled. It is time for the hunt. He activated the engines and set in course for the human planet.
