Council of Elders (multiple clans present)

  Yautja Prime

  "Word has it, Elder N-Vorl and his eril'k have finally returned. They nearly lost one of their members when his cryo chamber malfunctioned during their journey to Creysius Nomin. He's fine now, but Elder N-Vorl has been by his bedside since the transport ship arrived. I do not believe he will be present for this meeting. We should continue our business as usual," Elder Keflryr states matter-of-factly.

  The other clan elders nod in agreement, glancing at each other for confirmation. Elder G’tlak blinks slowly and then solemnly agrees.

  "As you suggest, Elder Keflryr, we will continue our business. Our next order of business involves the annexing of the three worlds outside of the Rivyi Fire Ribbon. These are the only planets in that region of space we have yet to explore. They will make excellent hunt planets. Any warrior who can survive the elements of those worlds....Would be a great warrior indeed."

  "But is that wise, Elder G’tlak?" Another elder with large orange eyes says. "The main goal is not to put our hunters in a lose-lose situation. There must at least be the expectation that they may survive the challenge. Anything else...And you risk rebellion."

  "Rebellion!" Elder Keflryr barks. "No true yautja would balk at the chance to gather trophies. Even a trophy which is worn for only a short time...Is better than no trophy at all. They will go. Because it is in their nature to go. To hunt. No matter the odds."

  "I agree with Elder Ajhuk!" another elder yells over Elder Keflryr. "Our hunters are not merely food for the beasts. They are our legacy and our lifeblood. To send them into battles they cannot hope to win, or to a planet where they may be stranded forever...Away from their own kind...Would make us no better than the oomans. It is senseless for the sake of senselessness. That is not the reason we hunt."

  There is an eruption of raised voices, as each elder either nods or shakes their head angrily. Elders G'lfer and Ghkivil share a brief conversation while Elder Lthurh looks on. Elder G’tlak glances around the table, observing his fellow elders. It has been a long time since the council has exhibited such vibrant energy. The mood is positively exhilarating.

  "What about V’Daha?" A solitary voice breaks through the bedlam.

  All mandibles and tusks snap shut, as many heads swivel towards N-Vorl. The young elder's face is a mask of indignation. He strolls into the council chamber and takes his usual seat beside Elder Keflryr.

  "What about V’Daha?" Elder Mirhat barks. "It is a dead world! Nothing has lived there since our ancestors purged the kredonyit filth from its surface."

  "Then, why not annex it? Rebuild it? That would be a much easier task than attempting to brave the three worlds of the Rivyi Fire Ribbon."

  "Easy? You want an easier task, Elder N-Vorl?" Elder Mirhat scoffs. "No hunter's task is meant to be easy. Perhaps, you should return to your former duties...And leave the governance of our kind to more seasoned and brave warriors?"

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  "You know what I mean, Elder Mirhat!” N-Vorl challenges. “As Elder Ajhuk has explained...Our warriors are not vildif-yer to the slaughter. Why leave a perfectly accessible world to rot? The kredonyit home world should be renewed. It would serve as a perfect hunt planet. Why have we allowed superstition to keep us from transforming its surface? It has been over two millennia since we vanquished the kredonyit. Let us return to what is rightfully ours."

  More hushed, and not so hushed, whispers as the elders talk among themselves. Elder G’tlak leans back in his large solid chair and smirks secretively at N-Vorl.

  "Why V-Daha, Elder N-Vorl? What has piqued your sudden interest surrounding this dead planet?"

  N-Vorl has mentally prepared himself for such an inquiry. He meets Elder G’tlak’s gaze without hesitation or fear.

  "I am always on the lookout for new worlds to populate with hunt beasts. I have been to numerous hunt planets and found the creatures there unsatisfactory. Nothing quite as formidable as the keinde amedha or the Judas aboard the ooman science vessel. I want more beasts to hunt. Better ones. We need a new world for that. V’Daha is ripe for the taking. It is our world. We won it by defeating the kredonyit who once polluted its surface. Give me a strong contingent from every clan and a group of scientists. I will create a world the likes of which no yautja has ever seen."

  Elder Mirhat hisses and peers expectantly at Elder G’tlak.

  "Do you hear how this one boasts, Elder G’tlak? Such disrespect. Surely, you will not listen to what this wet whelp has to say?"

  "Silence, Elder Mirhat!” Elder G’tlak snaps, his mouthfolds flaring wide. “You are not High Elder! I suggest you mind your place."

  Elder Mirhat's eyes widen at the High Elder's command. Yet, he clamps his mouth shut and says nothing further.

  "Are you certain...This is what you want, N-Vorl? There will be no going back?" Elder G’tlak asks.

  The way the High Elder speaks infers that he knows more than what he is letting on. A tiny shiver courses N-Vorl's spine, but he forges ahead anyway. He nods affirmatively.

  "Yes, High Elder. I look forward to a magnificent hunt."

  Elder G’tlak's eyes narrow dangerously and he offers N-Vorl another wily smirk.

  "Very well, then. You will take a team of six from every clan represented here. You may pick which hunters will join you on the journey to V’Daha. Which scientists...Will also be your decision...And your problem. Choose wisely. Enough talk for now."

  Elder G’tlak climbs heavily from his seat, silver robes flowing behind him. Mau-Nis nods as the High Elder passes through the entryway. Once the High Elder is gone, Mau-Nis shifts his gaze to N-Vorl. The young elder is all smiles until he catches sight of Mau-Nis. The usually solemn yautja is now angry as hell. Suddenly, N-Vorl understands exactly where Erilnis obtained his fiery nature. Some things are better left buried deep.

  -

  -

  Much later

  Elder N-Vorl's quarters at the Council of Elders meeting place

  Mau-Nis storms into the center of the room and whirls on N-Vorl. The young elder takes his time entering, his eyes focused on Mau-Nis' distorted face.

  "Why would you pick a fight with the elders over V’Daha?" Mau-Nis seethes. "I did not reveal its location to you...Only to watch the decimation of a world which has struggled so hard against the adversity which begot it. My descendant and my vil’par are on V’Daha. As are yours. How could you be so foolish?"

  "If you would calm your wrath for one moment, Mau-Nis...I will tell you. I have a plan. I have been concocting it since we left V’Daha. I am now certain it can succeed. But I will need your patience and your help."

  Mau-Nis appears unconvinced, but he decides to give N-Vorl the benefit of the doubt. Narrowing his fierce gray eyes, Mau-Nis calmly addresses his youthful elder.

  "What is it...You have in mind?"

  N-Vorl smiles.