Dead Zone Correth-5. Three billion unconscious beings. Predator age: twenty-three million years.
Kaine approached with weapon-self activated, boundaries reinforced, every preparation completed. Five months since eighth kill. Five months of fear and delay and reconstruction and preparation.
Time to discover if she was still functional weapon or if eighth kill had ended her capability permanently.
The predator's presence felt different immediately. Not aggressive like first seven. Not analytical like eighth. Something else. Something that felt almost... sad?
Another hunter comes, the predator communicated. Not with hunger or rage or clinical assessment. With weariness. With resignation. With acceptance. Another singular consciousness trained to kill us. Another child made weapon. Another being sent to end ancient life for younger lives' benefit. I understand. I accept. I don't fight. I surrender.
Kaine felt her weapon-self hesitate. "You're surrendering? You're not resisting?"
