One catches a retreating genali in the head, pitching it forward as it instantly spreads out into a boneless puddle.
The remaining two hunters fire a few more shots from cover before the genali wetly calls for a truce.
"You destroyed the dried-up whiner. What's the point of killing each other?"
I don't understand the braceaaer's reply, but it must signal some sort of agreement because the genali lets out a gurgling sigh.
"Of course I can moisten the deal. You can have your pick of any of my slaves in stasis on the moon."
As certain as I am that these two will eventually be back to blows, I don't want to bother waiting. I'm sure my Ree is wondering what's keeping me.
Knowing her, she might even try to climb down from her perch.
They've provided me with plenty of cover. I creep through the canopy as they continue to haggle out an agreement. Of the two, I'm most concerned with the braceaaer, so I head for him first.
He's still busy berating the genali as I creep down the trunk of the tree he's hiding behind.
I've never enjoyed descending headfirst.
If he hears me, it will take him a mere moment to train his gun on me.
My progress is slow, since I need to be quiet and also keep my body from showing to the genali, but it isn't long before I let go of the tree and fall, my claws extended in front of me.
His body buckles under my weight, the sound of his spine snapping bringing my purr back in force. Just in case, I slice my claws across his thin throat, severing his oversized head from his body.
The genali gets a glimpse of me and he's filling the opposite side of the tree with gunshots as I climb back up.
He must have seen enough of my fur to know what I am, and now he's panicking.
Not long after, I hear the telltale click of an empty chamber and I leap from tree to tree to close the distance between us. He's still shakily trying to attach another clip when I pounce on him.
I let out a roar as I shred his disgusting body with my claws.
The desire to bite into him is strong, but I stop myself midway when I think of thekissesI would like to get from my Ree once I return to her.
No sense in being overly dramatic, anyway.
I suppress a roar of triumph, but not the surging satisfaction that I could spark such pandemonium with a little stick.
I'm still chuffing about it as I use their water to rinse blood out of my fur.
The mysterious covered cache ends up being a disappointment. It's bottles of moisturizing spray and a pile of illicit substances genali are fond of, which don't even have the added benefit of any sort of medical use.
I take a few moments to create a makeshift bag to sling over my neck and grab rations, medical supplies, and the braceaaer weapons.
Everything else I destroy.
I'm sure Ree will appreciate the supplies, but I put even more care into not running into any more dangers afterwards. Unless I see a rope lying around or more hunters about to kill each other for us, it's best to just leave them be.
I make haste to get to her, relieved when she is still waiting, though impatiently.
We have roamed far from the cave when I scent a new species. It smells like exotic spices, musk, and anger. The caustic tang of the latter I can certainly appreciate, but as always, it makes me cautious.
I pause for a long moment trying to decide if I should even tell her about it. If I do, she will insist we go see them.
For all I know, she will offer toteddy bearit while it tries to snap her neck.
"Why are you growling?"
