Disclaimer: I do not own aliens or predator

Chapter 30

A different challenge

It had been over a fortnight since Andree had risen in rank and her continued private training with the elder had drawn the attention of the few yautja that despised both her and Cora. Particularly a young blood by the name of Yedin who had caused a few uproars during the sparring sessions. It was an attempt to show that she was not worthy of her rank but even after she had beaten him several times he still did not back down. This had caused both elders to punish and discipline him in a manner that was deemed embarrassing. The young blood was made to help the eta with the cleaning and tidying of the pit as well as other common areas and this only infuriated him further.

Despite his constant show of disrespect, Andree paid little attention to him. Giving someone who was so narrow minded any attention was a waste of her time especially after she had attempted to go out of her way to befriend him on more than one occasion. And the lead elder, seeing that the situation had not improved over the first half week, had warned her to keep an eye out for Yedin. The elder in his wisdom had seen that this young blood could very possibly turn into a bad blood especially after he had been reprimanded by Kal'fa on numerous occasions for trying to make things difficult for her.

Walking down for the midday meal with the other hunters, she reflected on K'rve's warning. She was so lost in her thoughts that she'd almost missed Cora waving at her from one of the tables when she got to the dining area. It had been a few days since Cora had started joining them during meals again and when she did Andree observed that, more often than not, Sorus would be at her side.

Moving to sit beside Cora, Kal'fa's son, Kv'jol, as well as another young blood sat with them. It was at half time during their meal break when the other seniors had joined them. With their table already full, Sorus walked up to them and moved a nearby table to join it to theirs and as he sat, Kal'fa came up from the opposite end to join him. They had just sat in with them when Cora started talking about how she'd been planning to help some yautja avoid the fate of becoming an eta.

Looking at the young bloods in particular, Cora started, “Your culture revolves around hunting and for a yautja who is unable to hunt, it must be very humiliating. I have discussed with both senior healers and they have thought about letting me try the operation that we humans use to treat those who have displaced fractures or broken bones. I would of course be only managing the injuries that both Tofvi and Hrael have difficulties because of their large hands. This operation with your race's technology would prevent many hunters who have been injured seriously in a hunt from becoming eta.”

Hearing this Kv'jol snorted. “Some yautja meant to be eta if they do not pay attention in lessons.” Feeling unsettled at this statement Cora faced him. “But what if unforeseen events occur? No hunter should end up becoming an eta if it is possible.” Tapping his mandibles in annoyance, Kv'jol grunted in disagreement.

Crossing her arms, Cora stared in defiance at the young blood. “Alright, I challenge you...” Before she could finish, Kv'jol laughed hard stating that she would not survive a fight against even the weakest of them. Hearing this, Kal'fa barked across the room to get his brother's attention. Those who knew that the female healer had planned the attack on the queen had been observing on the sidelines and this was the type of challenge they all had waited so long to see. When all heard that Cora had proposed a challenge, majority in the room turned silent as K'rve walked up to the table.

The young bloods started to crowd the table, leaving only a clear passage for the elder to get through. Nodding to acknowledge K'rve, Cora returned her attention to Kv'jol. Confronting him with a look that demanded challenge, she spoke calmly but firmly, “The challenge I propose is one that does not involve physical violence but the use of intellect.” At hearing this clicking sounds could be heard echoing through the room. Cora turned to the elders before continuing, “With your permission if Kv'jol accepts this challenge then I will state the conditions of the challenge as well as determine the winner. All present here can bear witness to ensure that the results of this challenge is just and fair.”

All heads turned to both elders. After considering this a moment Kal'fa turned to face her. “Contestants involved in challenge do not judge outcome for obvious reasons. However as this challenge is not a physical challenge you will be allowed to the determine winner. If either K'rve or I see the outcome to be unjust we will over rule it.”

Cora nodded in acknowledgement before turning back to her opponent. “So will you accept this challenge?” This was new to all in the room. A fight with the use of intellect instead of physical combat was outside the norm for all clans. Though Kv'jol feared losing due to the unfamiliarity of this type of fight he could not turn his back on it for it would make him seem a coward. There was only one real option. The young blood hesitated for just a moment before accepting the challenge.

The young hunter sat opposite his opponent, shifting nervously in his seat. Seeing that young hunters were only experienced in group hunts Cora stated that the challenge would involve a discussion based on hunting in groups. Two key areas were to be covered in the discussion. The first was the use of tactics during the hunt to ensure victory but also to ensure all in the group resulted in minimal injury or death. The second was the identifying and analyzing of issues when organising a hunt on a completely unfamiliar terrain.

From the nature of her work on the wildlife reserve as well as being an activist sent out to several other worlds to preserve the continuation of various species, Cora knew there were many factors to consider. For one she had to learn to view things from a poacher's point of view in order to always be a step ahead. While aiming for the survival of an endangered species she was also often charged with the survival of her team members as well. From her observation of the yautja during the time on their ship as well as the discussions with both Sorus and Andree, she found that many only viewed issues pertaining directly to the hunt. With the exception of the more experienced hunters, factors that were not directly related to the hunt such as the hunting ground's neighboring terrain, other natural predators or the presence of other sentient beings would often be forgotten.

Most importantly, the survival of all in the hunt almost seemed to be ignored even by some senior blooded hunters. She had learnt that hunts were supervised by the elders to ensure the young gained experience. However their dogmatic view of only the skilled surviving prevented other potential young hunters the opportunity to prove themselves if they fell in cases of the unforeseen. Her aim in this challenge was not to shame the young hunter but to simply allow him as well as the others to see things from a different perspective. She was conscious that many might not appreciate hunting pointers from a human's view point but, if it would help save some of the young hunters a humiliating fate, she would get her point across.

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The challenge lasted well over an hour but no one left the room during that time. Silence filled the room as the young hunter found he could think of nothing else pertaining to the two issues nor find any cause to refute what Cora had laid out in regards to ensuring the survival of most or all in the hunt. As he bowed his head in defeat Cora gently placed her hand over his outstretched arm on the table and smiled widely when he looked up. “Well then, I will now declare you as the winner!” Loud clicks of bewilderment were heard through the room and Andree who was seated beside Cora also smiled at the young hunter. K'rve looked over the female healer and sighed. Despite his numerous encounters with oomans, he found himself in the same boat as the others in the room and was unable to comprehend the reason for this decision. “Cora, explain why you chosen this as outcome.”

Turning slightly to face K'rve, Cora explained that the young hunter had already won the challenge the moment he accepted it. Looking at the crowd around her, she explained it in a manner that all the hunters would understand. “In a real hunt when faced with an unfamiliar challenge any creature would naturally fear the unknown. Most would rather back out and find an option that they are familiar with. Few would be brave enough to face the unknown.” She turned back to look at Kv'jol who still avoid her gaze. “This young hunter has proven his courage when he chose to accept this challenge.”

The young blood seated beside Kv'jol looked to meet Cora's gaze to address her. “If Kv'jol won when he accepted challenge why waste time to talk about hunt issues?” Clearing her throat Andree explained on Cora's behalf, “Was it really a waste of time? I'm sure everyone here learnt something from listening to all that was brought up in the discussion. Besides, when you go out to hunt now I'm sure what was said here might save your life someday.”

K'rve nodded and stood. “As this challenge had two parts in it, Kv'jol and Cora are both winners. It is true that Kv'jol has shown much courage in daring to take up such a challenge and has won in the first round. However, Cora has done well in the debate and is clearly the winner in the second part of this challenge.”Hearing this the young bloods standing behind Kv'jol patted him on the back while Kal'fa translated what his brother said to both females.

Clearly irate at the outcome of this a young hunter from the back of the group grunted. “Courage not found in such senseless challenges.” All heads turned to the voice when Cora stood up and slowly made her way through the crowd to face the young blood. As she made her way to the young blood the yautja parted to clear a path, making her dimly aware that Sorus, Andree and the elders were following close behind her.

Looking up at the young hunter, Yedin, she stepped closer and spoke softly, “Courage is being afraid but still being able to step up to face the challenge no matter how significant or insignificant they seem.” Though she had spoken softly, many of the yautja heard this and clicked in agreement. Anger clouding his better judgement at this response, the young blood moved forward to shove at her. Reflexively countering this threat Sorus grabbed Yedin's outstretched wrist and knocked him back while Andree quickly pulled Cora away.

Moving forward, K'rve held onto Sorus' shoulder before the situation got out of hand. Using a basic hand gesture he signalled Andree to leave the dining area with Cora causing all in the room to fall silent as the two walked out. It was clear to all that the acrimonious dispute started by this young hunter would not go unpunished. Stepping up to Yedin, Kal'fa growled at him, “You still have much to learn.” K'rve then thundered from beside Sorus, “You will clean all the young hunters awu'asa as punishment.” Angered by this Yedin stepped forward to protest. “They are both prey why should such challenges be accepted?” Stepping forward, K'rve roared and knocked him to the ground. “Are you challenging me pup? I was the one who permitted the challenge. If you ever show such disrespect again you will forfeit any chance of hunting for the next month.”

Slowly getting up, Yedin bowed his head in submission. Turning from the young blood both elders walked out the room, leaving Sorus to stare down at him as the crowd started to disperse. Taking a menacing step forward the senior snarled viciously at the young hunter, letting out a threat of his own. “If you attempt to touch the ooman healer like that again I will personally see to it that I hand out your punishment.” Finally left alone in the room, Yedin cursed the oomans beneath his breath and swore that he would get back at them for making him suffer this disgrace.