Predator Excerpts

Just a few fragments of second draft for your enjoyment.JeffOpening, somewhere in the South China Sea:The pirate ship chugged through churning waters toward the listing freighter. Pirate captain Sukhon Dithakar frowned."Why's the water so red? It clashes with the sea green. Basho always say 'Sea-green night/Sailor's delight/Winter comes," she said to her first mate."I know naught why the water is red. Let us concentrate on the booty in the freighter.""You're right."And the freighter was coming close. It looked all derelicty and morose. As they chugged up."Ta, it's time to board!" Sukhon Dithakar said. It was her favorite part. Even as a child, when she'd played with boats in the bathtub in Bangkok."Boarding!" shouted the first mate.The little row boat the pirate advance party had secured the freighter with was dangling by the side in choppy waves."Oh, I love the boarding!" Sukhon Dithakar shouted. "Oh, I love it.""As much as those strange lights in the sky last night?" the first mate asked.Sukhon Dithakar cackled as she sprang on her haunches. "More even!"She was welding her sword with particular brilliance."Those freighter freaks better be ready," she said. "I am an awesome predator. Ta."And she leapt over the side.First encounter between Predator and George, the big-game hunter:"Me Predator. Kill you quick.""Me George, and I can't hear you. I'm deaf in that ear.""Me Predator, you George?""I said I can't hear you! I don't have a left ear. Anymore."