Birth
The authies were restless. No doubt sensing the danger but unable to pinpoint it. Once the embryos had been successfully implanted the facehuggers died, fell off, and the authies and the howler regained consciousness. The howler was long gone, but I kept a vigilant eye on the herd. Through scent alone, I could detect the subtle chemical change of the impregnated cows and the bull. And they were close. It was almost time for the next stage in the lifecycle of the Xenomorph drones. Soon they would burst forth from their oblivious hosts, and feed and grow; maturing into full-grown nasty adults within one solar cycle. Then, the hunters would return.
Sighing, I rolled onto my side and laid my muzzle on my outstretched paws. The years of prolonged loneliness weighing heavily on my soul. I yearned for a pack. Itched for a hunt.
I never had a desire to be a lone wolf. By natures design, we are pack animals, and a wolf who isolates itself for too long becomes strange. Dangerous even. But then again, it is not nature that designed me. I was human once. But I've spent the better part of two centuries alone, getting used to this wolf skin and I wasn't even sure I could shift back if I ever got the inclination or the desire to. No. Better to remain on four paws than two human legs. The Yautja would not accept me otherwise.
Fingers of wind wove through my fur, releasing some of the warmth collecting in the dense black forest. I exhaled a breath of relief. This planet's climate was not ideal for those of us sporting heavy fur pelts. But like any predator worth their salt, I've adapted. Mostly. There are days that most of my time is spent napping in a cool den or playing in the water.
The thought of playing in the water perked my ears. And the memory of goading RedDeath into a game of chase through the river had my tail thumping the ground.
The spray of the water sparkles in the light of the sun. A zillion diamonds rain down as I excitedly race through the river. RedDeath is on my tail. Growling as he realizes he can not compete with my speed. I yip triumphantly as I double back and pass him yet again. But he and I both know, if he were to catch me, I was no match for his strength. So I stay beyond his grasp and dance around him, purposely kicking up water as I do so. RedDeath growls, but it is one of play. Not of anger or frustration. The red Yautja wades into deeper water; disappearing under its turbulent surface. I stop. Head cocked, I sniff the air. The Yautja are strong swimmers. But there is no movement, and the water becomes calm. A whiny-growl of worry escapes me. This feels like a trap, but I can not ignore the urge to investigate. Slowly, I edge my way into the deep. When it reaches my chest, I stop. Still, there is no movement. I bark and growl at the spot where RedDeath disappeared, but he doesn't return to me. Keening, I swim until my paws can no longer touch bottom and swim in a circle, looking for him. The attack comes from below. Something grabs my scruff, yanks me under and pins me against a solid wall of flesh with an iron grip. Breath held, I struggle. I turn my head, and my jaws clink against metal. RedDeath's mask. We surface, and I cease to struggle. RedDeath is laughing. A heavy thunderous sound that rattles my bones. I yip in protest. I'd truly been worried about the red Yautja, and he'd played me. Then again, it was nice to play with creatures equally as cunning as I am. Feeling mischievous, and because I refused to lose the game, I-
A mewling cry shattered the pleasant memory and instantly brought me to my feet. The impregnated bull lay on his side, his dark purple tongue hanging from his mouth as he throws his head back with another distressing honk.
I lower my haunches and sit, ears flicking back at the harrowing sounds. The bull's honking cries sends a trimmer of unease through the herd, and the authies begin to anxiously mill around. A cow lowers its head to sniff the bull. She tries to comfort him by running her tongue over his face. But she is forced to leap away as the bull tosses his head, gouging the ground with his horns as his body begins to convulse uncontrollably.
Body hunched, my ears flick back, and I lean forward and stare at the bull's chest. Fixated as his muscles ripple and his bones stretch the skin in an unnatural way.
It's time...
My ears flattened against my head at the sound of bones crunching. The bull's honking turns into a high pitched wailing scream as his ribs bow out. Ligaments popping. Muscle and flesh tearing. In a shower of gore, the Chestbuster explodes out of the bull's ribcage with a shriek. Immediately, it leaps from its dead host and attacks the nearest authy, burrowing itself deep into the flesh of the animal to feed. The scent of the air ripens with fear as a chorus of terrified honking cries ring in my ears and the authies begin to stampede. But the chestbusters birth has a domino effect, and one by one, the other impregnated authies began to fall to the ground as the baby aliens rip and chew their way free.
It was all over in a matter of minutes. And the bodies of fallen cows who couldn't escape riggle as the chestbusters eat them from the inside out.
In the past, I've heard many humans refer to Xenomorphs as evil. Rather ironic considering the way those same humans twisted living beings into their image. Xenomorphs, though, it can not be denied that they are vile creatures, they are still just animals. And like any animal, Xenomorphs act upon instinct. But there was something wholly unnatural about these creatures that always set my teeth on edge. Then again, maybe its because I share DNA with them and I've sometimes wondered if I am an abomination to nature...
...
Darkness falls over the sleeping mountain bathing the land in its shadowy deep. It is then that the drones emerge from their meat cacoons. Crawling out of the folds of limp flesh to get a better look at the world around them. Already, they are two feet tall and have lost their chestbuster snake-like appearance. Now they are miniature versions of the adult drones. Their sleek black carapaces make them almost invisible to me in the dark. But I can smell them. Hear them chittering to one another. And I can feel them in my head.
With a synchronized hiss, the seven drones look up in my direction. Instinctually, I bare my teeth, but I know they can't see me. However, just as I can feel them in my head, they can feel me in theirs. It's a cruel symbiotic relationship, one I can not control because of the DNA we share. But unlike the drones, I have the advantage. Over the decades, I've learned how to wall off my mind. Xenomorphs aren't blind. They have no physical eyes but they still have sight. They are telepathic, and by blocking my mind, I almost become invisible to them. Almost. Xenomorphs still have the same heightened senses all predators have aside from being able to see.
Carefully, I erect pillars of ice around my psyche. It helps to imagine a physical barrier between me and them. And slowly, the oily feeling of the Xenomorphs in my head vanishes. Shutting down the telepathic link worked both ways, which was just fine with me. It was easy enough for me to track them with my nose.
The drones chittered. Bobbing their heads in confusion. They had no idea what to make of me. Was I one of them? Or wasn't I? After a moment they tilted their heads as if listening then suddenly took off in the opposite direction.
Ears perked forward, I listen as they quickly vanish into the underbrush. My tense muscles slowly uncoil at their departure. From here on out, the Xenomorphs were off limits. The last thing I wanted to do was kill any of them before the hunt could begin. So best to stay out of their sight before the hunters arrive.
My eyes went to the sky, seeking the Yautja in the blanket of stars. Wondering if each twinkle was a possible ship. The darkened moon bobs behind clouds, and I tilt my head at the strange red dot beside her. Shifting closer to the ledge, I raised up on hind legs and sniffed as if it would bring me closer. Of course, I smell nothing beyond the scent of the dead authies and the foliage, but I swear the red dot grew a little brighter. It's a ship. It had to be a ship. But whether it was a ship or not, excitement filled me, and I raised my head to that red star and howled.
A/N: Hi! Hi! Sorry, it took so long to update. Normally, I would post on Thursday, but I'm not sure I'd be able to with it being a holiday. Thanks for all those favs, follows, and reviews.
Haylz93: Lol, I think I answered several of your questions in this chapter, minus her name. I'm not sure if I'll be able to fit her real name in the story organically or not. But RedDeath has given her a name ;)
angel897: Thanx, angel! I'm glad you liked this one too :)
hayleyroo92: Ah, thanks for the compliment! I'm happy you enjoy my stories! :D
KTCameleon: I might reveal more of their previous interactions in later chapters. Glad you liked it! :)
Luna Silvereyes: Ah, thanx! I've been trying really hard to better my world building! I hope you found the part the chestbusters equally disturbing to the facehuggers. XD
DrawstringSnap: Eeee, thanks for the compliment! Makes me super happy :)
melodeathh: Ah, thanx! Sorry for the long wait! Hope you enjoyed the update :)
AiMila: I look forward to the hunt too XD Thanx for the love!
DystrVction: Wow! I'm super stoked that you're reading my stories! Lol, this werewolf isn't gonna be quite as cute as Nina and Danny's dog Baymax. Though I can't say she'll be horrific, I hope she comes off as fierce. Thanx so much for all the love DystrVction!