-1Disclaimer: Don't own Aliens. Never have, never will.

Chapter 1

Choices

(Another human?) The Queen asked in exasperation. As soon as he was close enough Sonar had contacted her and told her of Scar's find.

(Yes,) Sonar said. (She told Scar there was one other ship, but he couldn't find out where they were destined for.)

The Queen sighed. (Do you have any good news?)

(We could question the human further,) Sonar suggested.

(Leaving her alive will give Scar time to get attached to it, the praetorians will get further disgruntled…)

(There are already two humans in the hive,) Sonar interrupted. (What's one more?)

(Let me worry about that,) the Queen growled. (We have gotten through worse then this.)

Sonar nodded and they broke their connection. The Queen turned to look at Xena who was lying in the corner. The praetorian had been listening to the conversation.

(I fail to understand why you even left Scar alive anyway,) Xena said.

(Are you complaining, Xena?) The Queen asked. (I always thought that you were on friendly terms with the human.)

(I am,) Xena nodded. (But if I had been queen, I would have…)

(But you weren't queen,) she interrupted. (And Scar has been useful.) The Queen looked tired for a moment and then said. (Being Queen is harder then you think.)

(I know,) Xena replied getting up and marching toward the exit. (It's not a place I'd want to be in.)

The Queen watched as her daughter left. The truth was that the Queen had often wondered who would take her place after she was gone. There were only two female praetorians left in the hive, since Chaos' demise. And the Queen definitely preferred Xena over the other female. Imperia was a powerful and viscous fighter, but she was too feral, too aggressive. She would exhaust the host supply and most likely wipe out the hive.

She often reflected on the hive's future and her past choices. She had a lot of time to think, being suspended from the hive's roof for most of her life. The only form of entertainment she had was directing the drones' hunts.

It was no big mystery to her why she had let Scar join. She had let herself get attached to the human. Being a proud Queen she would never admit it, but she felt a sort of motherly affection toward him. Other queens would scoff at this as weakness, but every queen had that instinct, no matter how small it be.

------------------------------------------

(So what did she say?) Scar asked. The group was on their way back to the hive. Scar could tell Sonar had been talking to the Queen. Communicating telepathically and walking at the same time was difficult and Sonar had only narrowly avoided that last tree.

(She didn't decide,) Sonar said. He pushed his way through a patch of thorn-like plants. The thorns didn't penetrate his armor. (Don't get your hopes up.)

Scar leapt over the thorns rather then go through them. He didn't want the girl to get scratched up any worse.

(Race you back to the hive,) Snarl said pushing through the thorns.

(I've got to carry her,) Scar shrugged his shoulders and gestured his head toward the girl.

(It'll make it interesting,) Snarl argued. (And I've got to lug this trunk anyway.)

(No, thanks,) Scar said. Snarl snorted and rushed past him. They were soon back at the hive. The girl was still unconscious.

(Welcome back,) The Queen's voice growled in Scar's mind.

(Yeah,) Scar replied somewhat nervously. (I guess Sonar told you about the girl. So…)

(I will allow her to stay alive,) the Queen hissed. Scar could tell she was rather irritated. (As soon as she is awake you will question her.)

Scar nodded and the Queen left his mind. Snarl shot him a questioning glance. Scar shrugged in reply.

---------------------------------------------

(Sojourn Valley, future site of the Meadix colony. Several miles east of the hive.)

Construction of the future colony had already begun. The earthmoving machines were running and trees were being uprooted to make way for the buildings that would soon blanket the area. The remaining colony ship was perched a few feet away and would serve as shelter until houses were built.

The colony's governor was a middle aged man who had some political experience back on earth. His name was Arthur Meadix. He had decided to join the colony because he wanted a change of venue. He hadn't expected to become governor, but someone had mentioned his political background and he had been elected. He didn't kid himself, however. He knew he was only governor because he had no competition.

He was currently in the ship looking over several important pieces of information. Namely the colony's charter. He looked up as someone knocked at the door.

"It's open," the governor said.

The door opened and a soldier marched in. "Sir, we have sent a search party to try and locate the wreckage of the other ship."

"Fine," Arthur said.

"One of the citizens has insisted on going with."

Arthur looked up from his desk. His face betrayed no emotion. "Why?"

"We don't know. But since she had paid to found this colony and all we felt we should let her."

The one who had founded the colony was a woman named Jean. Arthur didn't know her personally, but he was acquainted with her late ex-husband, Tom Herrera, who had mysteriously died and surprisingly left his company to his ex-wife.

"She wants to go along that's fine," Arthur said. He suspected she felt personally responsible for the lives aboard that ship and wanted to help.