[I don't own any Aliens or Predators. ((I can dream right?)) Here's the second installment of this strange story. I'm taking huge liberties with this by the way. Especially with the Xenomorphs…er…Hope you enjoy. Read and Review please~]
[Update notice: I think I'm going back on the previous chapter and I'll italic the Predator talk for when it's in THEIR language…to make it easier to tell when they are speaking to each other vs. speaking to the humans. But I realized that in the previous chapter. Only time they SPEAK in their native tongue is when Vis'chus makes an inquiry to his brother. We can just assume that's their tongue. Right?]
Chapter Two: Tall Order
I was tired as I trudged into my empty house. My dad wasn't home. Again. Probably out getting drunk with some stupid tramp from the bar. I shuffled on upstairs and to my bed where I flopped down on it. Ugh. I kicked off my boots, relaxing. The talk with John was fresh in my mind. He asked me what I was doing here and I admitted to forgetting my purse. He helped me look for it but to no avail. I asked him what he'd been doing here…he admitted to coming here at night to do thinking on occasion. I joked about him being able to think. It'd been nice. Then I'd had to go home. Even though it was a weekend night, being Friday, we kids had a curfew. I got back up off the bed, and trudged downstairs again to the kitchen. My front door was wide open.
"Strange…Wind must've blown it open," I muttered and went to close it. Then I spotted that glowing green crap on the floor, leading into my house. I paused, considering it. Was I dripping something? I searched my pockets for a broken glow stick. Honestly I half-expected to find one. My search revealed nothing. I followed the green trail to my kitchen where the freezer was open. We were missing some of our raw produce. Like chicken and beef. Okay. Weird. I shut the refrigerator and heard what could only be described as a god awful roar from the backyard. I noticed the stove was on as well and we were missing the large metal knife. I hurried outside, grabbing the bat along the way. I felt way more protected with a bat. I froze at my open backdoor and peered out into the dark. There it was…another tall person. Let me say person very loosely. He was big alright. Muscles and dreadlocks of doom. He had some kind of mask on the ground…And his face…had four appendages that waved about in the air like mandibles. I think I fainted right then and there. My head smacked the ground beneath me and the bat rolled away. The creature was heading for me, but I sank into blissful darkness.
I awoke laid out on the couch later with a blanket spread over me. What the hell…I sat up quickly and winced as pain rushed through my head. I noticed a glass of water on the table beside two Tylenol. I took them without a second thought and stood up, stretching but in pain. My shoulder had a bruise on it from hitting the doorframe on the way down. I noticed it was still dark. A glance at the clock showed that it was 3 in the morning. I'd been out for four hours. Holy shit. Then it came back to me. The creature. I hurried to the back door, which was closed. I glanced at the floor. No of the green glowing crap…in fact…that place looked a lot cleaner then before. Just a dream. Just a dream.
"You know…For an ooman…This place is pretty decent," a deep voice rolled out. It almost seemed like it was other male voices put together. I whirled around to see the really tall thing from earlier. He had…big muscles. A muscled torso, protected by some type of mesh. Dreadlocks. A strange mask on. Uh…some kind of…cloth thing over what I assumed had to be private parts. He was almost reptilian in nature. The voice seemed to alter, taking on a life of its own. "I mean…besides the mess and all-You aren't going to faint again are you?" The tone seemed to imply that he…I'm guessing it was a he…was amused. I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak just yet. I was fighting back the dizziness that threatened to consume me. Knowing if I did…I was going to get another bump on my head. He was leaning against my table. He seemed out of place in my house…it was too small for him. I swallowed nervously.
"…" I opened my mouth to try and say something but nothing came out. Just a bit of sound. Odd noise for me. I closed my mouth again and attempted another try. Still nothing.
"Hmm…Your heartbeat has escalated…Am I really that intimidating?" He asked me, shocking me. I took a step back. "Guess that answers it…You may call me…Vis'chus…I am in search of my brother Rh'vage…We crashed landed on this planet after receiving a broadcast about the whereabouts of some Xenomorphs on your-There you go again." My eyes rolled up into my head and I fell down. I don't remember actually hitting the ground again so this guy must've been really fast with the catching. The last bit it said had seemed like a series of clicks and pops, almost like a crab makes.
** / ** / ** / ** / ** ((Scene Change)) ** / ** / ** /
He'd found what he was looking for. A map. But it was all in Human English. His mask wasn't working properly either. He must've damaged it during the crash. Rh'vage took a deep calming breath. Not only was his cloaking device short-circuiting. But he was lost on this planet and didn't know where his brother was. There were also Xenomorphs lose. He felt woozy from the overload of information. He had serious problems. What would Vis'chus do if he came across an Xenomorph? The idiot probably wouldn't even try and destroy it…He'd probably try to reason with it…expecting it to have some intelligence. Rh'vage muttered darkly to himself as he crossed the humans street. He'd evaded the stupid little whiny metal things with their flashing lights. Something about them made him believe it'd be a good idea to avoid them. That was until he was almost hit by another one of those strange metallic things that sped around. It was inhabited by four intoxicated male Ooman. Not quite men.
"H-Hey Ugly~" one shouted out, laughing from his jeep. For that's what it was, though Rh'vage didn't know this fact just yet. He tilted his head to the side, intrigued by direct commentary. Supposedly Ooman feared them. Perhaps it had something to do with the levels of…intoxication upon them. Also. His cloaking device wasn't malfunctioning again. He hadn't gotten it wet though. His weapon mounted on his shoulder came to life, activating and charging…only to fizzle out and spit little blue bursts of electricity.
"Nice Halloween costume!" another one shouted out drunkenly. He glanced down at himself. Halloween Costume? What? He was garbed in the most up to date gear for a Yautija. It was Vis'chus who seemed to like the older stuff. He curled his fingers into a fist and raised it to the others, a challenge to their insult.
"Dude…Get your ASS off the road!" the one behind the wheel said, slamming on the horn.
"Yeah ugly-fucker. Off the road," the fourth shouted, raising only a middle finger at him. He didn't have to know ooman to get the drift. Rh'vage flicked his claws out expertly and the guy stopped pushing the horn. Finally. Some respe-The car tore off backwards away from him with the guys screaming loudly. Rh'vage hit his wrist gauntlet again, activating the camouflage. Almost like he hadn't been there.
"Stupid Ooman," he muttered in his native tongue.
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I was worried about the little Ooman. She kept passing out, and I was fairly certain she might actually go into shock. That would not be good for her. At all. The first time she'd done this, I'd been outside trying to close up my wound. Crude considering I didn't have anything but Earth tools. I had the stove…which provided heat…and a nice long metal knife. So, I'd officially closed up my thigh wound. Go me. The second time she'd fainted…I'd been explaining my story to her. I didn't really blame her. She'd been raised under the pretense that they were the only intelligent life. Ignorance was bliss in some cases. Not with Xenomorphs running rampant. I rubbed at my chest again. The ache was still there, but only barely. Not enough to really worry me. My throat still hurt for some reason as well. I couldn't really figure that one out. Maybe it had something to do with the atmosphere. I'd be sure to figure it out when I got back in touch with Rh'vage. I glanced down at the slumbering form of the Ooman on the couch. I couldn't really SEE her. Yes, her heat signatures. That was the closest I got to seeing. I brushed a single lone claw through her hair. Different then ours. I glanced up as the door opened and quickly activated my camouflage. It was a male ooman. Completely intoxicated.
"Eliz-beth?" he called out drunkenly, staggering into the house. Searching for someone. Eliz-beth? Perhaps he meant Elizabeth. Hm. Elizabeth. I glanced down at the ooman on the couch. Not a bad name. Had a nice ring to it. The male ooman flicked out a knife. "Oh~ Lizzy…Daddy wants to play with you…" he stumbled towards the couch. That knife meant to do damage. I wouldn't allow for that. I uncloaked myself and the guy stopped, staring at me. In his state of mind, he probably wouldn't react with fear…he definitely wouldn't remember me. "Oh…What's this…You wanna play with little Lizzy too?" He sneered, waving the knife in the air over his…daughter? I suppose this Ooman must be the caretaker to the younger one. I did not approve of this behavior, but in his state he was hardly considered challenging. What was he inferring by 'play'? "Daddy gets his turn first…" I backed up, not wanting to really mess with human interactions. He leaned over Elizabeth who remained blissfully unaware. The man seemed to contemplate doing something. Then glanced over at me, I was really playing on Luck this time. "psh…Daddy don't want none tonight….Daddy go sleep now…" The drunk mumbled, walking off and passing out on the ground. I was content to leave him there. I went back to studying the sleeping form of the young Ooman before me. We weren't suppose to interact with them, but I couldn't help myself. I wanted to know more about them. Experience them.
"Eh-leez-ah-befh," I garbled out. That didn't sound very good. I hadn't spoken a lot of Ooman names before. I'd spoken their language a little before. Names were…peculiar. At least I had a grasp of it, whereas Rh'vage refused to learn it. "Eliz-a-beth…Elizabeth…" I kept sounding it out until it felt smoother. Yeah. Got it. The small female rolled over onto the couch, snuggling more comfortably. Knowing Ooman brains, both would concur to having a strange dream. I left the household. I had a brother to find and Xenomorphs to slay.
** / ** / ** / ** / ((Scene Change)) ** / ** / ** / ** /
"Are you SURE it wasn't there?" Terra asked me again quietly. Something about her look had me second guessing myself. I sighed, letting my feet brush the ground from where I sat perched on the swing set. This wasn't right. I still couldn't find my purse. Someone had it. I'd also had the WEIRDEST dream last night. There was this thing…guy…something in my house…talking to me. Yeah. My dreams were pretty weird sometimes. That's the last time I watch the Omen with Terra. I yawned loudly. "Ow…That looks like it hurt…" A finger poked at my shoulder where a bruise had formed. Strange things about bruises. They had a tendency to just appear. No one knew or ever remembered what they'd bumped to get it.
"Well…It didn't tell you poked it," I snapped at her and she smiled innocently. "I don't think I'm getting that purse back…" I sighed, thinking of all the trouble I'd had to go through. Amazingly my debit card hadn't been in there. I'd gotten a replacement license though. Considering my dad was still passed out drunk at home. Judging from his state, I was amazed he hadn't tried anything with me.
"Well~ We can always go shopping for another one…" She said tapping my foot with hers. I glanced over at her and she wiggled her eyebrows almost provocatively. I felt my face heating up. "Unless you have…better plans?" Her fingers that were intertwined with the chain of my swing slid slowly down it to my own hand, where her nails lightly tapped my fingers. I stood up quickly and didn't miss the triumph smile that crossed her face. Yeah, we'd spoke about going that way before but I always felt like I was waiting for the right guy. Some one like…John. I quickly shook the thought out of my head. He was with Victoria. The ungrateful bitch.
"Yeah…We'll go," I muttered and headed for my truck. Score one for Terra. I climbed in and spotted something odd out my mirror. The glow stick stuff was still in the back of my truck. Oh. I hadn't cleaned it out. I reflected on my dream, feeling a little crept out.
"Hey~" Terra called out, pointing at my truck," I think you broke a glow stick back here…" I shrugged and she climbed in. "So…I'll be looking for a new pair of sunglasses…Cuz…I'm cool like that…" I rolled my eyes, shifting gears in the truck as we drove off. "Do you think I should try aviators or go with those new models from the Jameson lineage?"
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The basement level to the two story mall was anything but comforting. It was cold, damp and sinister. It was dark and depressing. It was not where Jacob White wanted to be. As a repairman he was expected to go down there. One of the ladies had complained that she'd seen creatures down here when she'd gone to restock. Yeah right. Restock what? No one ever shopped here. The mall was a curse. A way to flaunt money. A way for Mayor Springfield to entertain his daughter. That was one manipulative girl. Anything she wanted, she had. He sighed, splashing through a puddle of water as he looked around with his flashlight. Nothing out of the ordi-His last thoughts as something slammed into him and dragged him off to be swallowed up by darkness. The Aliens had established a base for their queen. Plenty of food would come and go through here. They could also repopulate easily. Then it would be time to spread out further. For now, they contented themselves with the dying corpse of Jacob White. Unfortunate for him that no one would notice his absence. He had no children, no wife and no girlfriend. He had a few drinking buddies but they would hardly remember Jacob White. No one would hear his beautiful singing voice. His dreams of turning into the next American Idol would never be realized. They probably would never have been realized even if the Xenomorph hadn't gotten him when it had. The only comforting thought? He no longer had to put up with Victoria's bitching.
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The queen's lips peeled back in slight disgust at the waste around her. Storage boxes. She needed a base of command. A place to set up to replenish and repopulate the world. Her sightless eyes settled on the large cluster of eggs that was steadily growing. Soon. She would control the world. Her children would have a world to call their own. She purred in slight content as one of her children slinked closer to her. Stinger. A fitting name for him. Her lieutenant. Stinger's lips peeled back quivering as he basked in the glory of his almighty queen. Without seeming to speak, he knew what his orders were. There were Yautija on this planet. Disgusting things. His queen had come into contact with one. The one with their other queen. He was to bring the Yautija back alive, or just the little queen. The elder queen had fears that she'd be quite the handful. The young always were. Stinger himself did not understand the complex amass of thoughts from his queen and she mentally cursed herself for confusing him. She concentrated on the simple singular task at hand for him and he was off. She allowed herself a moment of rest and glanced up as T'eska was seen dragging in a human male. Perfect. Another chance for one of her many children to grow. She made a slight gesture and the man was released.
"I believe in god the father almighty. Maker of heaven and earth-" the human male was chanting. She'd heard it all before. In many languages. Each praying to their god or gods. She wasn't particularly fond of human insects. They thrived in chaos, everyone had free independent thought. Not at all like her children. They were meant to follow her commands and only hers. There was NO independent thinking. Such behavior was not permitted, for it lead to chaos.
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Stinger wasn't happy to say the least. It was raining outside and he HATED to get wet. His tail flicked irritably behind him. Why did his Queen-No, singular thought was not permitted. He must refrain from that. It was not his duty to question his Queen's commands…but she was growing old and feeble…surely she didn't want to risk…no…There it was AGAIN. Thoughts. What was wrong with him? His upper lip peeled back quivering as he hissed angrily. His shoulder was paining him as well. Landing here hadn't gone too well. He blamed his Qu-NO! One must never fault the queen. He bashed his head against a tree. Never. Never. NEVER!
"What the…hell?" a voice asked, interrupting his thoughts. He whirled around quickly, sensing rather than seeing a young potential prey. It smelled of…female? It was definitely female. He could smell smoke as well. Damn little things these…humans? Yeah, humans inhaled occasionally. It would kill them…That's if he didn't kill them first. He didn't have time for this. His second mouth shot out, not an attempt to kill or harm her but to scare her. It worked. She ran away screaming and he slipped into the tree lines, muttering under his breath about stupid humans. Why did HE have to go fetch the new queen? He didn't want a new queen. He wanted to keep the old one. Why? She wasn't really that old…no one could argue against the restraints of time though and he sighed. Flexing his claws as he scaled a large tree to figure things out.
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Vis'chus stopped, rubbing at his chest again. Why did it hurt so? It felt like something was in him. Struggling to find a way out. This wasn't good. Maybe he'd broken something in the fight with that queen. His thoughts reflected back to the strange spider-like creature with the tail that had been laying near him when he'd awoken…helmet-less. It had been dead. He'd assumed over exposure to the atmospheric levels due to Earth had harmed it. It wasn't the Xenomorphs that Rh'vage was always bragging about. It didn't look native to this planet though. He let out a wet gasp as a sharp pain tore through him. Yes. From his chest cavity. He…he could feel it. Something was struggling to make its way out. No. This couldn't be. He briefly thought back to the few serious 'discussions' he'd had with Rh'vage on Xenomorphs.
-Flashback-
"Rh'vage…Don't you want to learn how to say a greeting in ooman?" Vis'chus inquired to his older brother. Rh'vage let out a mere grunt of annoyance, trying to sharpen the blade of a claw. Vis'chus let out a patient sigh. "It's real easy…Just say 'H-e-l-l-o'…" Rh'vage glanced up. Hearing something that definitely wasn't native tongue.
"How can you be so sure that that is a greeting…Sounds more like the equivalent of Fuck off," Rh'vage snapped. He didn't mean to be so hasty with his brother. But his ass had been literally handed to him in a training session with a very respected elder Hunter. He sighed, setting aside his claws and patted the spot beside him. Vis'chus sat down without another word. "Hegh-lof" Vis'chus let out a light chuckle and got smacked in the shoulder for it.
"No honest…Great start…Just…Concentrate…"Heh…low'," Vis'chus said, glad that they were actually bonding and not fighting like usual. He knew his older brother had been struck down, but with good reasoning. Rh'vage sometimes got…a bit cocky.
"Heh…low…hel-lo…hello," Rh'vage said, thinking about how it felt. It felt wrong. Not something they should be doing. It made him uncomfortable. He vowed to never again attempt such a horrible thing. "Fine…Now it is your turn." Vis'chus looked up alarmed. "No, we will not spar again…I mean…you need to learn of the Xenomorphs brother…" Rh'vage inclined his head, something he did when it deep thought," The Xenomorphs…are a feared species…They are sly and cunning…even the toughest of Hunters fall prey to them…" He glanced at his younger brother for confirmation that he understood. Vis'chus had wide eyes. "Now…Xenomorphs run in hives…" Vis'chus felt his eyes start to glaze over. He hated speeches like this. They weren't interesting to him, but he knew he should pay attention. He had a thirst for knowledge, but the kind acquired by seeking out on his own the knowledge, not by learning of it second hand. "-huggers, then transition to a most painful creature which bursts from the chest as it grows."
-End Flashback-
Oh sweet irony, Vis'chus reflected back. He really should have paid attention. The spider-creature had been…what was it…face-hugger? The first larvae stage of an Xenomorph. The pain in his chest. It all made sense. He was the host to an Xenomorph. He was…definitely experiencing things now. Curse him and his thirst for knowledge. Now he'd been dealt a deadly card and was uncertain how to best handle it. No one had survived a chest-burster…not that he knew off. Of course. None of them had been prepared for it. He wasn't prepared for it either. He didn't want to die. No. He wanted to live, to experience all that universe had to offer. And what was it offering? A very painful death. Fear coursed through his veins. He had to find Rh'vage. His brother would know what to do. Had to know what to do.
REVIEW RESPONSES
RubyDracoGirl: Thank you for your enthusiasm. You are too kind. Much too kind to me. Nah. It's just a strange idea of mine. Not nearly as great as some of your stories…
[And thanks to all who read this. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Review ya'll.]
