THE FIRST HUNT
The four Yautja move silently through the jungle. Zul'ka stays behind her sons, allowing them to take the lead while her golden eyes carefully monitor every movement.
Zul'ka: “Slowly. Do not fight the jungle. Move with it.”
Thwei lowers himself behind a large leaf and watches the footprints ahead.
Thwei: “It is close.”
Zul'ka: “How do you know?”
Thwei: “The tracks are fresh.”
Zul'ka gives a quiet approving click.
Zul'ka: “Good. Now tell me where the wind is going.”
Thwei pauses.
Guan raises his head and watches the leaves.
Guan: “That way.”
Thwei: “I was going to say that!”
Zul'ka: “Then you should have said it.”
Guan suppresses a small laugh.
Ahead, the prey animal cautiously steps from behind the vegetation.
Thwei's eyes widen.
Thwei: “There.”
He instinctively begins moving forward.
Zul'ka: “Stop.”
Thwei freezes immediately.
Zul'ka: “You found the prey. That does not mean you have caught it.”
Thwei: “But I can—”
Zul'ka: “Patience.”
The creature raises its head and sniffs the air.
All three young Yautja become completely still.
Kwei slowly looks toward Zul'ka.
She raises one finger to her mandibles.
Zul'ka: “Quiet.”
Kwei immediately freezes again.
The creature lowers its head and continues walking.
Thwei watches it disappear between the enormous plants.
Thwei: “We lost it.”
Zul'ka: “No.”
She points toward the ground.
Zul'ka: “You learned where it went.”
Thwei looks at the fresh tracks.
His mandibles slowly curl into a proud smile.
Zul'ka: “Now follow.”