I do not own any film in the Alien franchise.

The Guardian

Chapter 2

In a different part of the complex, Sul'ss was heading down a relatively damage-free corridor, his fragile burden cursing him the entire way. He didn't understand all her words, but he definitely knew the tone. He wrapped his tail around her, both supporting and restraining her tightly against him. He wanted the human to be quiet, but since it appeared she wasn't considering the danger her constant vocalizations could bring them, he decided to get her to safety as soon as possible. There were sections of the complex his brethren rarely ventured. That would be the best place to conceal the female.

Annalise squirmed until she felt the warning jabs of the xenomorphs claws. So instead, she railed at it for kidnapping her. Turning her head left, then right, Annalise still wasn't able to see where they were going. She finally decided to wait and see what this creature had in mind. If it had wanted to kill her, it would have. Then her blood froze as she thought the worst. It was taking her to be cocooned. That had to be why it hadn't killed her. It didn't want her dead. Human hosts needed to be alive in order for these monsters to breed. She began to struggle again, until she felt herself lifted up. The xenomorph's hands were wrapped around her waist tightly as it dropped her none-too-gently onto the floor. Annalise looked up at the tall, lanky beast as it hissed at her angrily, its mouth inches from her face.

Sul'ss wanted to put on a show for the human. He hissed at her, and exposed his teeth, hoping he was instilling fear in her. He would continue this behavior until she learned to do as he wanted. The noise she was making could easily draw his kind to their location. Sul'ss had to make her stop. "Ahhhhnnleeessss...ssssiiillleennccceee."

Hearing what sounded like an English word, Annalise gasped sharply. She narrowed her eyes, and whispered a question she expected no answer to. "What did you say?"

Invading her comfort zone, Sul'ss pressed closer. "Sssiillleennncccee."

Annalise leaned back. She didn't want the xenomorph's mouth anywhere near her face. She'd seen those inner jaws do a great deal of damage to more than one human skull. Holding her hands up defensively, she nodded, saying, "OK, ok...I understand you. I'll be silent." She scrabbled back against the wall, hugging her knees to her chest. She watched the xenomorph tilt his head, then nod it twice. He understood her. Then she laughed at herself. It had just occurred to her how she was interchanging the pronouns 'it' and 'he'. Since she had no idea what sex it was, if it even had a gender, she would continue to think of it as a 'he'. She didn't realize that she was staring at the creature as she was deep in thought. Yawning, Annalise felt she couldn't go any further without rest. But even with this...this guardian of hers, she was afraid to go to sleep.

Annalise pulled her jacket tighter around her. Although she was unable to discern night from day within the complex, this section didn't seem to be getting any heat at all. The cold was more obvious, now that she wasn't exerting any energy. She folded her arms across her chest, and watched the xenomorph from where she sat.

Sul'ss wondered why the human was regarding him so intently. Was she that afraid of him? Her posture seemed to indicate so. He observed her more closely, fascinated by the fragile alien creature, a suitable example of a human. Their pale softness, their natural weakness, and their independence, all of it intrigued him. They had no exoskeleton to protect them, but instead, made use of deadly weapons. They had a form of leadership, but with no Mother to guide them, they were easy to confound.

Physically, these creatures should have repulsed him. But the features of this human, like the strands that flowed from her head, the small mouth that so far only served to frustrate him, and their ability to adapt to the harsh environment here on this planet, only drew his interest in her all the more. But for him, it was the eyes. They were so expressive. Fear, anger, joy, and tiredness. His kind had no such physicality. They sensed everything by touch, taste, smell, and a physical intuitiveness that his kind used to 'see' when they had no visionary organs. Humans, he found, tended to ignore the feedback from their various senses in favor of what they could see. That made them easy prey in the darkness. This one, he decided, would not be prey. He would make sure of that.

Annalise moaned slightly as she turned her head to the side, leaning her cheek on her arm. She had stayed awake as long as she could, but the day's events were too much for her. She knew the xenomorph was still with her, but she no longer feared him. She was finally aware of his intent, which was to protect her. Her brain could think of no reason for this action that seemed to go against everything his kind had done up to now. If only she could sleep. She needed to rest, and then maybe, her brain could wrap itself around some answers. The last thing she saw before her eyes closed was the face, face?, of her guardian.

While Annalise slept, Sul'ss took the opportunity to examine the human. He sniffed the air, taking in her scent. He would need to remember it, in case they were separated. He reached out to touch her hair, lifting a lock and feeling it glide through his fingers. Rising, he thought he might search for food and water, knowing the female would be hungry and thirsty as soon as she awoke. He would need nourishment too, but could do without food for awhile longer as long as he found water. Besides, what she ate would not suit him. He needed raw meat. Since the only available was his charge, he would have to disregard his hunger for the time being.

Leaving Annalise behind, Sul'ss began his search down the corridor, all his senses alert. He tasted the air, sniffed intently, and eventually found what he was looking for. In one room, was an open locker, filled with provisions unknown to him. He recognized water though. Taking one of the bottles, he looked at it, turning it over. Holding it up, his inner jaws extended, piercing the plastic bottle. He allowed the liquid to flow into his mouth. After having taken in several bottles, his senses picked up a new scent. Digging around the locker, he found some items he felt the human could use.

When Annalise woke, she yawned and rubbed her eyes to clear her vision. She scanned the room as she stretched, and noticed the xenomorph was gone. But beside her, she saw a small pile of canned goods, fruit and several bottles of water. He must have gone to find these things for her. Standing and stretching, she looked around the room. It appeared to be one of the environmental control centers. Not having been assigned in that department, she wasn't ever in this section of the complex. Annalise made note of a bank of power consoles, tables with computers sitting on them, and freeform monitors with figures and numbers written on them. Thankfully, she found no blood or bodies anywhere, as she wandered the room. Obviously, no battles had taken place here.

Bending down, Annalise picked up a water bottle, and opening it, drank deeply. It wasn't long before her bladder made itself known. Looking around for the xenomorph, she ran to a corner of the room and quickly did her business. There had to be a restroom around here somewhere for the staff, but she dared not wander off alone to look for it. Wetting part of her shirt with the water, she cleaned her face and hands, then took one more sip before sealing the bottle. She had no way to open any of the cans, so she took an apple from the pile of foodstuffs and ate it, appreciative of the creature's work on her behalf.

Hearing a sound from the corridor, Annalise turned to whatever was about to enter the room. She ran to hide behind a desk, only coming out when she saw it was the xenomorph. At least, she thought it was him. "Suliss?" she called out.

Sul'ss noted the human's position, and assumed she had been in hiding. He had an idea that might help her. Moving to her, he swung his head around, displaying an old wound he had received in battle. This scar would differentiate him from any of his brethren.

Annalise saw the long scar at the base of the right side of Sul'ss' elongated head. She reached out with a shaking hand to run her fingers over the healed wound. She had never touched one of these beings before, and she was amazed he was allowing it. With new courage, Annalise ran her hand along his entire head, caressing the cool smoothness that felt slightly oily, but when she drew her hand back, there was nothing evident on her fingers.

Sul'ss allowed the human to examine his scar, so that from now on, she would know it was him and not another of his kin. His body trembled as he felt her warm hand touch him, but she didn't seem to notice.

"I understand. This scar will show me that it's you." She actually smiled, relieved that she would know him on sight now.

Rearing up his head, he screed with pleasure, before realizing his error. As long as there were no search parties in this area, there would be no brethren to hear him. But they had to be quiet nonetheless. While Annalise wandered the room, Sul'ss looked around for things he could create a barrier with. He heard the human make a chucking noise and go to one of the consoles. She pushed something, and the door closed with a hiss. Pushing something else, she turned to the xenomorph.

"It's locked now." Annalise began to relax a bit, feeling they might be ok here for the time being. She found herself yawning more frequently. Apparently, her short nap wasn't enough. Looking around, she found another jacket lying over the back of a chair. Taking it, she sat on the floor near the far wall, bundled up the jacket, and used it as a pillow when she lay down. Her eyes peered up at the black-skinned monster who didn't seem so monstrous now. She let her eyes close of their own volition.

Sul'ss settled not far from the human. He decided he needed a bit of rest himself. With their hiding place far from the nest, and the door secured, he felt they would be alright...for now.

Annalise opened one eye to look at Sul'ss. He was absolutely still. She couldn't tell if he was awake or not. Snuggling into the jacket, she closed her eye and sighed. Once she was fully rested, she would find a way to reach one of the other colonies. She didn't know what she would do with the xenomorph. He couldn't go with her, but since his kind were not aware of his actions, he could go back to them with no problem. At least she hoped so.

Hours had passed, when Sul'ss decided to monitor the area after relieving himself. He didn't want to perform the function in front of the female, so he went to the console she had stood at, scanned it to find the buttons she had pushed. Testing several, he found the one that unlocked the door and the other that opened it. First he sniffed the air. Sensing nothing, he went out into, and down the corridor. Finding a private place, he did what he had to quickly, before heading back towards the control room. He hadn't gone far, when he saw something on the floor he had missed. Bending low, his hand reached out to touch the clear gooey substance. One of his brethren had been here, and not that long ago.