Metamorphosis

By: Apocalyptic Muse

Full Summary: Aliah Somerset is tired of being hounded for her differences. No one seems to understand her - - no one human at least. When she becomes trapped on a Xenomorph infested planet she must combine forces with Re'han, a Yautja warrior. In him she may find more than just a survival tactic. He may just hold the answers to her past and the beginnings of a bright new future.

Rating: PG-13; R

00 . Prelude

Alpha Colony BV - 28X…

It was forty-six years ago when humans first set foot upon what would later be named "Planet Terra" due to it's rocky and mountainous topography. Despite the mysteries surrounding the celestial body the colonists begun to raise families and go about their work, which was to add beauty and productivity to the land since the atmosphere was already livable. They planted trees and other kinds of flora over the barren expanses and built factories and offices unattached to their main base of operations and living areas.

It was during this time that the newest residents of Terra found the ruins of an ancient city; one that had been part of a sprawling culture. This was obvious evidence that some other people or sentient beings had inhabited the planet. Yet, where were they and why did they leave? Did they even leave? In the case of something more sinister, what had wiped them out? They searched long, but did not discover any answers. Time passed and the colonists of Terra forgot about the original civilization.

Until they learned just what had destroyed them…

Erik Matheson remembered the first time he set foot on Planet Terra. He was eight years old and everything seemed amazingly huge. The extensive community was the biggest thing he had ever seen as colony's went. His parents had just transferred from another colony to Terra. Quickly he had made a home on the world, every place having some meaning to him.

The North Sector was the living quarters. That was where he spent most of his time as a kid, getting to know the area and the other people. The West Sector was the school grounds and housed children from the preschool age all the way up to those taking college credit courses. His mother worked in the infirmary in the South Sector. The glaring white walls and antiseptic smell had always made him nervous, and when younger had scared him.

His father worked in the East Sector, the research and business facility. Two conjoined buildings stood ominously on the outskirts of the city. Erik had never been allowed there. Between the important goings on of the corporate suits and the sometimes classified research being done Dr. Matheson had decided Erik had no place even visiting there even though some of the other workers brought their own children on occasion.

Now Erik appreciated his father's choice to keep him away from that horrid place. He hadn't realized it until then, but his father had good reasons for keeping his son away. Without his precautions Erik knew that perhaps he would not be alive.

The once humongous colony had hideously transformed into a trap. Erik felt like a rat in a cage with no escape, no where to hide. The schools he had once frequented were silent; there would be no more games and no more laughter. The Infirmary that had frightened him was scary again, but not for the same reason as when he was a child. A real threat dwelt there now. The apartments he lived in were no longer a sanctuary from the outside world, but a butcher shop full of horrors.

In less than a week Erik Matheson's quiet, seemingly normal life had changed into a fight for survival. A nightmare he could not wake from. The seventeen year old flew through the empty corridors of the research building, his shoes skidding along the wet tiles. His breath came in pants as he stopped against a corner wall. His eyes surveyed the hallway behind him for his pursuer. He saw nothing, but that did not mean it wasn't there somewhere, waiting for him.

He didn't stay long, opting to flee again as soon as his weary legs would let him. With a heavy push off the wall he stumbled down the hall searching for the exit. The research facility had provided some measure of cover and safety for a while, but that was over now. He had to find another place to hide while he waited for help to come. They have to come. He assured himself.

Through the darkness he pushed, hoping that the next turn would lead him to the main doors and out into the cool evening air. He prayed the approaching night would grant him cover. If so he could make it to the green house. Thus far that area seemed to be creature-free.

Finally he reached the double doors. He pulled his father's identification card from his jeans pocket and swiped it in the appropriate slot. The light turned from red to green, indicating the card had been taken and he was free to go. The doors slid open.

As Erik shoved the card back in his pocket he didn't notice the pitch black shadow crawling closer and closer along the wall. A flash of light reflected off a smooth ebony surface as the monstrosity raised its ugly head. It's mouth opened in a low hiss. Erik froze, then slowly began to turn toward the sound.

Checkmate.