The giant creature loomed over Ali and TJ and let out another roar. Ali stood up slowly, not taking her eyes of the thing, and took a step back. The thing turned its head toward her and pulled out another device from its belt. The small device extended and turned into a spiked spear. Ali felt herself frozen in fear; something that has never happened to her in her whole life. Something about this creature startled her; it wasn't anything she had ever seen. Suddenly, a long flexible, spiked tail swung out in front of her. It caught her in the chest and sent her flying back. She crashed into the ground and sputtered as a large dust cloud rose up around her.
She started to get to her feet but tripped over the hem of her long dress. She looked down at the dress; it had been the one she had been given to wear after she had been cloned. She thought for a moment before making up her mind; reaching down she tore the bottom of the dress in half so that the dress was now just below her knees.
She looked back toward TJ and saw him and the creature slowly circling each other; keeping a certain distance from the other. TJ's tail was swinging back and forth in a sign of aggravation. Then TJ launched forward and tackled the creature. As the two rolled around in the dirt TJ let out loud shrieks while the other creature remained silent. Finally TJ was able to pin the thing underneath him and shot his second mouth through the creatures head. Bright green blood shot out and sprayed the ground underneath the creature as if fell back and went limp.
TJ stepped off the creature and started to walk slowly over to Ali; but before he reached her he screeched in pain and fell to the ground. Ali hurried over to him and helped him to his feet and wrappedher arm around his torso as he started to sag under his own weight, "Take it easy TJ; let's get you back to the Hive."
As they walked back Ali looked over her shoulder at the stationary spaceship and the body of the creature that TJ had slain. Something told her that this wasn't the end.
"Did you sense anyone else in that ship?" Ali asked as she looked down at TJ. He, like all other aliens, used sonar sensors to see what was around them; similar to bats and echolocation. TJ nodded his head and let out three soft hisses, "There are three more on board?" Ali asked and TJ nodded again.
Ali constantly looked back behind her as she and TJ made their way back to the Hive. She was fearful that the other three creatures would come back and notice their killed companion and come after them. But nothing came out of the spaceship and luckily Ali was able to get to the orphanage.
She helped TJ down the basement stairs and over to the bed. The other aliens hissed as they watched Ali and TJ. Once Ali was sure that TJ was comfortable on the bed she made her way to the Queen; weaving through the leathery eggs and restless aliens.
What happened Mother? The Queen asked as Ali approached, You were not gone that long, is TJ alright?
"We were attacked," Ali said and before she could continue the Hive was filled with the sound of angry hissing of thirty aliens. The crest on the Queen's giant head shook as she swung her head back and forth. Ali knew that gesture well; most aliens shook their heads in that way when they were deeply upset about something. Ali waited until their hissing died down before telling how the ship had landed and the creature came out. She quickly summarized the fight TJ had with the monster and how there were at least three more on the ship.
During Ali's tale the Queen had remained silent. After Ali had finished the Queen said nothing, which worried Ali slightly, but then she said in a quiet voice, I know of these monsters well. They have been preying on our kind for centuries.
"You mean the Queens and their Hives of the past?" Ali asked. Alien Queens have the ability to obtain all knowledge from past Queens—as well as their hosts—so that they can adapt to the best way to protect the life of their Hive.
Yes, The Queen said, This ancient enemy has hunted us since the beginning of time. I do not know much more about them but I do know that every time they find a Hive; the Hive is usually wiped out.
"Wiped out?" Ali repeated. What kind of creature was so strong that they could wipe out an entire race of aliens?
Yes, The Queen said, And since they have landed on our doorstep; I find a rare chance that we will survive.
"No!" Ali said, "I won't let that happen!" She had given up her life before and had allowed a facehugger to implant a Queen embryo inside of her. She wouldn't allow anything to touch her daughter—the Queen—now.
Unless I can find a way to move our Hive; I do not think there is much of a chance, The Queen said.
"But what if you could move the Hive; maybe not all of it but some of it. That way, if this Hive gets destroyed the alien's aren't," Ali said.
It is not that easy, The Queen said, If I were to make another Queen while I am still alive; then there might be a war among the alien Hives.
"But what if you made a small colony without a Queen; would it still be able to function?" Ali asked. She was desperate to find a way to save her Hive.
Well, The Queen said and seemed to be in deep thought, There has been an occasion where a Queen from the past became an Imperial Queen. She had set up colonies run by lesser Queens that were under the Imperial Queen's control.
"Is it possible you could do that?" Ali asked.
It is risky, The Queen said, If the lesser Queens broke free from the Imperial Queen's control; there would be a war.
"But we won't know unless we take that risk," Ali said.
The Queen remained silent for a moment and then said, If you wish it than it shall be done Mother. But to make sure the lesser Queens are to be under my control I will need female hosts.
"What does it matter if the hosts are boys or girls?" Ali asked.
We react better when we are born from a person who is the same gender, The Queen said, Which is why, for the most part, you were asked to get male hosts; because the aliens would only be males.
"Oh," Ali said. Then she turned to TJ and said, "Want to go hunting with me?"
TJ was still lying on the bed and he hissed eagerly. He started to rise but then shrieked in pain and fell back down on the bed.
I do not think it would be best if TJ accompany you, The Queen said, You can either go by yourself or you can have another of my children accompany you.
Ali sighed and looked around the Hive and asked, "Who wants to go hunting with me?"
One of the aliens hissed excitedly and came forward. This one walked on two legs, unlike TJ; in fact, TJ was the only alien in the Hive who walked on four legs.
"Okay then, let's go," Ali said.