I was shoved and fell down hard on my side. I felt as though I must have broken something. After the impact, I felt as though I could have been dead, I was in that much pain. A horrible cry muddled up into the air as I squeaked in protest.
There, sitting up above me, was a heavily panting Number 6, her sides heaving from effort. A determined look in her showed me how deadly she was. Getting up on her hind legs and bending over intimidatingly, she roared at a couple of scientist's face, who all cringed and ran as far as they could. Just to get a better hill of it, she added another, louder scream over that one.
But something was still standing there in the distance, looking at us. Once the two creatures locked their gazes, the female screeching Alien paused.
It was Weyland, the Android one. Karl Bishop Weyland, I remembered.
His face lacked an emotion, and his glare was focused right at the Alien standing before him. However, I could feel my world tipping all over, and the last thing I could remember was Number 6 stretching out her paws to Weyland. And then the whole of the scene was absorbed in the darkness.
I got up too fast. I knew this because my bones creaked and cracked and I let out a desolate wail. A tail brushed my shoulder and comforted me.
"You're up!" prided the familiar voice of Barb. "About time, too."
I looked up, a sudden feeling of guilt washing over me. "I thought you stopped talking to me," I warned him. "And suddenly it's like you come bearing gifts." I stared empty-minded at his evenly empty claws, and I dozed off.
"Get back in full attention," spat Barb. "And no, I wasn't ignoring you, I was trying to get rid of that Victory female before she became too much of an issue."
"How long was I asleep?" I asked.
"Three days tops. And you still need rest because you suffered fatal blows."
"6, Number 6. She saved me, didn't she?" I questioned.
Barb nodded. "She did. She was mad, but she ran all the way to that lab to make sure you were okay." Barb touched his paw to my tattered arm. "You just need some rest. Soon enough, you'll be fine. Now lay your head back down, you need to sleep for like, two weeks at the least."
"The least?" I gagged.
"Oh yeah," Barb prided. "That's the least you could do."
Sighing, I pulled my tail closer to me. "About Victory, now that she's back on my mind. You never told me why she was picking on me. Why don't you say that now?"
Barb glared at me. "No. I can't tell you. She wouldn't like it… And neither would I."
I could only glare back at him. "Er, okay." I tried to get up, and flexed my claws on the metal. "How did I get back here?" I asked him, my voice rising up in curiosity as I tilted my head at him.
"Oh," Barb started. "Once Number 6 got there, the rest of us, at least a select few, ran and followed her. I was one of them, and I and Mercy Claws carried you home. You became unconscious from your wounds, and of shock, I believe." He flicked his curled tail. "I mean, you're lucky you're alive. You really are supposed to live, huh?"
Dipping my head, I offered, "I guess so." After a brief pause, I continued, "Well, at least that means I won't partake in any rushes. Have there been any of those since I was, well, passed out?"
Barb shook his head. "No, not really. After that little mission you did, the humans haven't been showing up much." He smiled at me. "Which means you did something good."
I fell back. "I haven't gotten anyone else that hates me?" I requested, demanding an answer.
"Not a one. Sometimes, people come to admire your bravery. As soon as you get back to full health, Number 6 wants a word with you though. She's not a very happy Xenomorph, if you know what I mean." His grin got larger. "But dang, you really surprised her."
The grin that I suppressed was that of a massive one. "Oh," I said, though my inner jaw snapped and snared. "I really wouldn't make sure she was surprised," I hissed.
Barb smiled again, his tail lashing out. "Ha! Your sarcasm grows daily! But in fact, your bravery is not the only thing that makes others come and admire you," he added, head tossing to-and-fro.
Frowning, I growled, "It's not?"
"Nope," Barb continued. "They think you are some sort of savior, a hero, from the sky, because you save the lives of every single of the Xenomorphs in the Research Lab, even the ones that were there before. You really do have a good destiny ahead of you, don't you? I mean, you're on fire!"
"So?" I asked. "I just think that Aliens should look after one another."
"Well, it started uproars," the taller Xenomorph began. "Some agree, others… don't." He laughed a bit. "Doesn't matter. They think you are some sort of legend. They think you're like Number 6, some kind of unusually smart Warrior."
Growling, I spat, "I'm not smart! If I was smart, I would have listened to Number 6."
Barb slapped his tail against the metal wall behind me. "No, that's what makes you smart! You have everything, bravery, courage… and you're… well. You know. Intelligent."
That wasn't what he was about to say.
"Right. So, what do I get in return?" I asked. "A pat on the back?"
Shaking his head, Barb added, "The Matriarch requested to see you."
I went still. So still in fact, that Barb must have thought I turned into a statue. He peered at me, curiously. I turned to look at him, startled, my tail curling in a feat of surprise. "Why would she… No, I think you've got it wrong."
Sighing, Barb snapped, "Well, she does. You need to see her as soon as you can. In fact, after I let you stretch your legs outside, and after you get a meal, then you need to leave. Number 6 is gone already, she went after Nethead picked her up. So you'll see those guys once you get there. I can't go with you, I can only escort you to the Hive's Matriarch chamber. Who knows, you might even get your name."
My tail went around in happy whisking arcs. Water dripped onto me from up above. "Sounds exciting enough," I yawned. "Well, when can I go out?"
The taller Xenomorph grinned at me and scratched at an itch on his fore-claws. "Well, you can stay in here first and talk to everyone, and as soon as you're ready, then we can get out of here. I'm sure you'd want to find some fresh air on your skin, yes?"
I dipped my head. "Sure does. Okay then, I'll get up now."
As soon as I moved my legs I yowled out in pain, stiffening up in horror. I pressed against the slimy metal walls and took heavy breaths. Barb looked at me in concern. "Take it easy, get up slow."
Listening, I soon enough straightened up, but my slim Xenomorph muscles and slender frame shaped like an hourglass screamed in reply, refusing to want to listen to my Alien brain. I panted heavily, my sides heaving. I winced as I took a step, but Barb pressed against me to help with support.
"I told you to move slowly. Now work with me."
Although I really did not want him to be guiding me like a helpless worm-ling, I decided with my body to agree with him for once and let his steps lead mine. I placed my own fore-claws and paws down at the same time he did, moving in a line across the Refinery. Injuries sucked, and the bullet that had scraped my stomach wasn't helping. Did I suffer internal bleeding?
Trekking across the pavement, we took a couple of laps around to help relieve my stiff muscles. Although they reeked at me with unpleasant feelings about the way I was forcing myself to move, I disagreed with their argument and pressed on, not letting the pain overcome me.
The work sucked for the most part, but it was effective. Soon afterwards, my aching bones didn't feel so bad.
"Does that help?" asked Barb. "Do you feel like you can walk on your own?"
I stepped back away from him, glad I was no longer having to press against his soft, silky Alien skin. Testing a paw on the surface of the Refinery's floor, I let out a sigh that it was not so hard anymore. Flicking my tail side-to-side, I offered him, "Yeah, feels better than how it used to."
"Good," Barb agreed. "Now come on, I'll leave you alone and let you talk to some people. Once you're ready to feel the fresh air, come over to me. Where I'll be, simply in the loft that leads to behind the Refinery, you know, the place we hunted when you were a day old?"
I nodded. "Got you."
Grinning, the tall Xenomorph raced out of sight. Testing another claw on the ground, I pressed it hard and whimpered as the pain raced through me. My wounds were harder than I thought. But I had been shot, exploded, and pushed, and these wounds were real. Not a simple scratch across my snout from Number 6, but real battle wounds.
Silence Within noticed that I was finally walking, and she creaked her aging bones, although she wasn't that old, over to me, a happy smile working its way onto her face, which was cut and scarred from a history unlike any other.
"It's good to see you're walking again," she prided, her gaze scanning me. After a quick sniff to the flank, and she stepped back. "You suffered a hard hit. How you managed to survive that, I don't know. Any ordinary Xenomorph would have been killed from that explosion. You are a true Hive savior."
I ducked my head. "It wasn't really that much," I tried again. "I just think Xenomorphs should be more caring of one another. That we should start looking after each other."
Silence Within shrugged her shoulders and curled her tail around her paws. "Huh. Well, you might just make a change," she offered, and walked off.
I talked to many other Xenomorphs, gathering their knowledge, them telling me it was really brave but really stupid that I disobeyed a direct order against Number 6. I could only snort at them and tell them the same things I told Silence Within. I felt like a profane Xenomorph, disobeying the code of the Matriarch. I felt like a disease-minded Alien, one that was defected like me with her lack of senses.
Then I stopped short. Ahead of me two paces, was Victory.
She used her senses to smell me out short.
Turning to her friends, she growled, "Look, it's her. Our hero."
Shifting from paw to paw, I spat, "I guess there's another day when you've got your tail tied into a knot."
As her friends laughed at my comment, Victory spun around to face me, grabbing me by the throat and not caring how badly my wounds ached to that. I twitched under her claws and thrashed my tail. The sharp spokes of her Alien daggers dug under the sensitive flesh right beneath my head and on my neck, and she jabbed painfully at the flesh, until a soft sizzling steam of Xenomorphic blood pooled beneath us.
She lifted up her tail and cracked it against my skull, and I reeled back, alarmed. "You are a disgrace, fool," she snarled, lashing her claws out at me, until one scarfed me across the snout, sending pain blearing across me. "No Xenomorph disobeys the orders of an Alpha Alien, traitor! And if you don't belong here, then where exactly do you fit in?"
I gagged at her. "With the humans?" I guessed.
Her menacing growl almost scared me. But I hated her unlike any other Xenomorph, and I felt things were going to get messy for me. She yanked me forward by my neck again, and she sneered down before me. "With the dead!" she growled.
Alarm flared through me, adrenaline coursing through my slim bones. My head was scarfed, but fortunately nothing vital was punctured by her claws or tail. My feet got little footing on the ground as I slipped and slid in my blood that tore holes in the rusty metal, and my tail was curling, poised for attack.
The other Xenomorph's grip soon cuffed me and I was thrown back, a frenzy of fighting, infuriated claws meeting me. I gasped and churned beneath her, trying to throw her off, but her grip was tight, and she was strong. The tough claws that I tried to pierce did not even flinch at my attacks, and I was fighting angrily to get her off. She slid her tail to my chest, threatening to dig it beneath my ribcage.
Fighting, I wheeled her off of me, and she was tossed back alarmed, but her tail dig just as she threatened, but she misplaced her aim and thumped me across the head instead, again. I was blasted off my feet and I tumbled around for a minute, before landing sprawled.
Weight pressed down on me from above and I screeched as her claws scored marks in my shoulders. Blood sizzled down on top of me, and just to prove their lack of witnesses, Victory's companions had fled. We were alone, me and her, finally battling it out here. And I was scared as hell.
I used my tail this time and smashed it against her arm, but to no prevail. Instead, I stealthily slipped it under her and sliced her stomach. Blood splattered on top of me, and she screamed in alarm, taking off of me for a slip second.
Getting to my feet, I could see her there, glaring at me. "Fight like a warrior, not a coward."
"Why should we fight at all?" I demanded, but she lashed out at me with her inner jaw, threatening to clear the rest of my head off. To scalp me, to destroy me. I knew that with her experienced killing claws that she was capable of the task. She could kill me in moments, but she would be considered a corrupted mind; we could fight and maim in arguments, but killing was off the table. Except for Number 6, Nethead, or the Matriarch.
"Because, I hate you. After all you've done to me. You even stole Barb from me!"
I paused at the last remark. "Stole Barb? Oh, no. He's still yours, I'm just his friend. He's been teaching me all this stuff, and he's a real great guy and all, but I think that he still likes you."
Victory hissed so deathful that even I stepped back. "He will never stop talking about you," she growled. "Like, 'Have you seen her? She's so amazing!' or 'I wish you'd been like that a long time ago.' He likes you. He really, really likes you!"
Terror clawed up inside.
"But you can have him. I don't like him. Only as a friend," I stated as calmly as I could muster.
"Please. You know you can't stay away from him!"
"Victory? What are you rambling on about?"
It was Barb. He was walking up behind her, and as soon as he saw me, he stopped and shrank.
"Is it true?" I growled.
He paused. "Is what true?"
"That you like me! She's screaming all of this at me, telling me all your lies!" I was clawing at the ground in a state of confusion and frustration, wanting it all to end.
"O-of course not. She's just jealous of you and trying to make you feel bad. Victory, stop telling her all this because you know it's not true." He looked over at me and said, "That's enough with talking to anyone. Let's get that walk outside."
I listened. I hoped it wasn't true.
Because if it was… was there a way out?
The outside was lush and beautiful. Butterflies swarmed and flew all over the place. Grass beds were laid all over the place. Beautiful streams crisscrossed all over the place. Trees that looked like an Earth's willow bushed itself in the clearing. There was only one thing that disturbed the peace, the quiet.
The human buildings.
As far as the eye could see, human crap was laid all over the place, filling the area and stinking everything. The gorgeous scenery could not be evenly balanced with the human garbage and machinery. The scent of flowers was unmatched together with the detection of mines, so heavy that even my horrible nose could filter it through. Puddles once blue or murky green with algae now turned muddy from gasoline and oil entering the ecosystem. But still, the good weather felt nice on me, but definitely not the smell.
That was totally not okay.
Barb led me down a trail paved by human hands, so run over by car wheels that it was to leave permanent smears in the soil. Still, it led to a stream, which sounded nice since I hadn't had anything to drink for days. Once I got over to the water, my inner jaw could not resist to snap out immediately and lick and lap at the water. Barb laughed.
"I guess the water seemed that nice," he offered, smiling. "I guess some water wouldn't hurt me now, I suppose. I mean, why waste the offer?" He tipped his head back and snapped openly at the luscious water, letting it flow over his inner jaw and into his mouth. He shook himself off, refreshed.
I was finished, and soon enough, although I hated the rush of water, I drowned myself into it, splashing and churning to clear off my bloodied wounds.
"Nice thinking! I've never seen that before."
Shaking off the droplets from my shiny black shin, I peered at him closely. "Really?" I asked. "It was just a thought that occurred to me. Maybe cleaning off my wounds would lessen the chances of it becoming infected."
Barb dipped his head. "I never said it was bad," he stated simply. "Let's get to some shaded cover now."
Finished dribbling off the clingy water, I padded after my friend and followed him up a tree, using my deadly fore-claws to push and my prehensile tail to balance. My slim frame scarcely wobbled as I determinedly clawed up the rough bark underfoot and found handholds on a slender branch arcing in a curl, that was graceful and both support our weight.
"So," began Barb as he used his claws to leave gallant scores in the tree bark, churning up bits of wood as he proceeded to do so. "What was the Research Lab like?"
Flicking the tip of my bladed tail, I said, "Oh. That place. It was dark and spooky. I didn't like the smell either. That's all I can remember."
Amused, the tip of Barb's tail visibly twitched in his sheer enthusiasm. "I see. The smell wasn't that great to me either. You're not alone in this place." He watched as some butterflies bounded by. "Trust me. It was burning my throat. You're probably used to it." He glanced at me and winced when he detected my furious glare. "No offense! No offense." He laughed nervously.
Trying hard to ignore his snide comment, I whisked my tail and climbed onto a higher limb, it swinging seldom underneath my weight. A bird of our planet screeched in alarm and shot into the sky.
I was enjoying the view before I smelt it.
A human camp. I looked down to where Barb was sitting beneath me. His gaze was scanning the distant forest beyond the Refinery. Longing? Want perhaps? Not sure. That was what little I could muster to read in his glare.
"Hey um, I'm going to check something out… I'll be right back."
I could hear his voice swirling down far below me. "Um, okay then. Be back soon."
I jumped to the ground and padded along the floor, my pads scarcely leaving soft mud prints in the soil. I poised my tail above the ground so it would not drag. Leaving a long line through the soft earth would not be a good idea.
Trekking a short ways off the tree branch Barb was awaiting, I made sure I hid in to my surroundings so he couldn't detect me. It was harder to smell out his own scenting range because my senses were so increasingly dull. I wanted to tear up the ground beneath me in an agonizing rage for my damp senses that I depended so fiercely on.
The closer I got, the stinker the stench. I swear the old base behind the Refinery is what made my smelling so crappy. Oh wait, it was terrible before that.
Never mind.
The lush undergrowth provided cover. I pressed hard to the grassy beds that supported my blending in abilities. Although it was midday, the protection the rocks and stones gave me was unbelievable. I lingered in the shadows, keeping my cylinder head low.
Then I could see them.
The Marines. Building camp. I lowered my head, making sure not to engage, although their words had little meaning to me. My gaze swooped their campsite, and my lip curled with a few drips of saliva in disgust.
"So, tell me about it," began a Marine as I pressed near. "What was the Xenomorph jumping down on top of you like?"
A familiar other peered at him. "By hell, leave him alone. He's obviously spooked."
The first Marine that I noticed turned to glare down at who I remembered was Ellen Ripley. "Spooked? He's scared as shit. I've seen baby cattle braver."
Ellen Ripley growled at the guy, then thrust him off the chair he leaned against. "So what, a couple of baby horse-heads are stupider than him to actually be brave around one of those things? You think you wouldn't have screamed your head off either, hmm?"
Laughing, the Marine returned to his previous position. "I wouldn't flinch a bit, hon." He reached out for her arm, but Ripley jerked it away.
"I'm not impressed, Corporal," she spat, streaming away from the Marine and walking to some other guy.
I smelled her scent disappear, and I followed it. I had retrieved valuable information from her before. Making sure I was still invisible to her searching eyes, I hid behind one of the tents that littered the field.
"Dallas, he didn't mean nothin'," Ripley demanded. "You know he didn't."
The laid-back man turned to look at her, a smug look on his bearded face. "Eh? His words don't matter to me none. Dear, you already know that." He grinned, blue-green eyes flashing through his massive eyebrows. "What'd he do to your arm?"
Ripley glanced down at her violated arm. "Just touched it, it wasn't anything-"
Dallas' glare was on her and now peeking behind her to see the man that had touched her arm in an attempt to impress her. "Hell, he better not have."
The female standing above him passed him another cola on his request, then took a seat across from him. "I'm telling you Dal, he was just being stupid like the rest of these crack heads here. No harm done."
The handsome man across from her cocked his brow in a toothy grin. "His mother ever teach him some manners?"
Ripley grinned back. "Don't think anyone here even had a mother."
The two humans shared a laugh.
I found a nice limb to observe them on, and was now clambering my way up to it. My tail dangled loosely from beneath me, and I curled in around the branch to make it less visible. My kind was good at sneaking.
Claws curling into the surface, I repositioned myself on the dangling arch threaded with vines and ivy nettles. I avoided the pokey parts and ducked my head, continuing to smell out their movements and voices, although little they meant to me.
"Well shoot. How many colas you got in there?" asked Dallas.
Ripley peered in. "Five. You sure you don't want a smoke or nothin'?" she offered.
The man waved his hand in dismissal. "Nah, ain't out here to get drunk and sweet off my ass or anything like that."
Great. Humans are here. Close to the Refinery. They move fast.
"Damn, it was just a suggestion." Ripley smiled at him. "Might help you relax."
Dallas raised his hands. "If you think I'm high, dear, then I suggest you stop drinking for a little while." He winked. "Might help you relax."
The female shoved him playfully.
"Alright, alright!" Dallas grinned at her. "But there's no way in Hell I'm taking a smoke. Not like you an' Lambert back on the Nostromo. Stank like crap in there, 24/7."
Ripley growled. "That ship had conditioning and you know it, Arthur!" she spat.
Dallas flinched at the word of his last name, but he only shrank in defeat. "I know, I know." He scratched inanimately at his chest. "Here, hand it over." He lifted an outstretched hand and Ripley placed her cigarette in it. The handsome man took out his lighter and placed the smoke in his mouth, burning side away from him. He covered up that side as he exposed the open flame with a click. After that, he took a whiff, and brought down the flame stick, letting the after-smoke drift from his mouth in billowing clouds.
"Knew you couldn't resist," Ripley chuffed, getting her cigarette handed back to her.
The man shrugged. "There's just some times when you need one, I suppose." He laughed. "What'd Karl say about the Research Lab?" he questioned.
"It's getting better after the wreck. The one Xenomorph, the one that attacked you? Yeah, she supposedly caused a lot of damage." Ripley lit her cigarette. "You done with that coke already, Dal?"
Dallas nodded to the empty can in his hand. "Oh, yeah. Pass me another, will you?"
"Gee, Dallas. Didn't know you liked cola so much." She grimaced.
The man snorted. "Please. You go through a smoke pack a day, and drink two bottles of beer. And what does some sugar do? Give me a grin?"
Ripley snorted. "Never mind." She passed him the full can of cola. "Anyway, she caused a hell a lot of damage. The whole laboratory went to shit when she ran in there. Fire started, I hear. She let free that other Xenomorph, the one we had in captivity, and all the others. The one chained to the table, X-84? Got out too."
All Dallas could say was, "Damn."
"Well, that was all I heard. Karl found them in there when the lab was set on fire. I hear that… Well, come over a second."
I strained to listen but Ripley was now whispering in Dallas' ear. I wish my hearing was better. Well, my hearing is fine, is still fine, but Xenomorph hearing isn't superb.
As the two drew away, I resettled down, knowing I would have to leave soon so Barb wouldn't see me spying on this group of mongrels. If I was caught, I would most likely be questioned, and I didn't need that.
Taking a sip of his cola, Dallas inferred, "Xenomorphs don't usually cause heavy strikes like this. What do you think pressed them this time? You wonder if they actually are like a family and need to look after each other? Reckon they came to save their teammates from captivity?"
Ripley stared. "Obviously, they did! But shit, I ain't about to take orders from that guy. If we need anything, I say we start heading back to the lab to help out with the damage over there. What's this crap doing us for, no good? Nothin' ain't going to stop the Aliens from crossing over, our boundaries should be pretty set down."
"Ellen, chillax. Stop smoking that damn cigarette-" he yanked it from her grip and smothered it under his massive boot, "-and just listen, alright? We're here for the best. You know what you have to do. We'll get back to Weyland-Yutani soon."
Ripley glared ungratefully at the spot her now blackened cigarette had crumpled. "Really wish that wasn't where we had to be. Wish that wasn't where I got to meet you again."
Dallas snorted. "Hell, Ripley. You and the rest of the crew were damn sure I was dead. If you had gotten out of Weyland-Yutani, you probably wouldn't even know I exist. Probably would be living life as you usually see it now. I mean, Xenomorph infestations are your life now, but you're forgetting my point. Even if you wanted to go, after all you know, Karl wouldn't let you. You're stuck here until this is all over, you got me?"
The female across from the handsome man just shrugged. "What choice do I have, Dal?" she demanded. "To stay and suffer this? And you're right, I probably would have lived my normal life after that day, but I'm scarred! We were sure that Alien had gotten you in the primary shaft. After that, we were all doomed. Scarred, Dallas. Scarred."
Crossing his legs together, Dallas inferred, "I understand, Ellen. Shush up, now. Want me to grab you another smoke?" Trying to brighten the mood, he tried, "Might help you relax." Adding to it, he cocked a brow and grinned.
"Shoot, Dal. I'd love one," replied Ripley.
Getting up to go scavenge for a cigarette, Dallas tried to leave. But as soon as he stood up, Ripley's hand reached for his much larger one.
She said in a soft tone, "You know, I'm glad you survived."
Dallas brushed his hand against hers. "And I, you." He broke free from her grip and starting to make his way down the path carved my car tires.
I took this as a perfect chance of escape. And also, I had some information to warn the Matriarch of when I visited her. Returning to my tree, I noticed Barb still waving his tail down to me on the upper branches. We locked gazes, and I scrambled up the tree beside him, flagging my own briskly-waving tail.
"You ready to leave yet?" he asked, his voice smooth.
"Sure," I said, debating with my mind whether or not to tell Barb about the human camp. He must have overlooked it, or something.
The two of us jumped out of the bush and started to make our way back to the Refinery. We passed the stream we had drunken out of previously, and we made another quick stop there. Then, we retreated up the slope and slipped into the welcoming darkness of our home. I pressed through the crack in the side, but I noticed Barb wasn't heading to the hive.
"Where are you going?" I asked him as I loped after him in a nice gait, waving my claws.
He looked over his muscular shoulders at me. "To the Matriarch, remember? You still have to talk to her. Don't think you've escaped."
"I didn't. You can't come right?"
"Nope, I'm just escorting you to the place. Hope you don't mind seeing Number 6 again, I'm sure she won't be so harsh now she's under Nethead's and the Matriarch's watchful gaze." We pressed on, keeping low, but travelling quickly. I kept my head held high as I looked around, exploring new, vast areas of the Refinery I had never seen before. Hence, the walls were still filled with slimy, drippy goo, and the whole place smelled like carrion.
Not human carrion, good, actual carrion. Of meat, and food.
Huh.
We paused at a big metal door that was towering in demeanor and size both. It was slick with a glossy green haze, and it was rank in stench, but it smelled like home. This was where the Hive's queen was, I noticed. This was going to be a fun trip.
"See you around, female on fire," Barb teased, as he descended into the shadows. "Hope you survive."
After those words, silence.
I looked up at the massive structure, wondering if cars was what came through here, thus the massive size. Or a big, big place to get weaponry. Or a storage chamber. Whatever. It was the Matriarch's chamber now, and nothing else. I slipped through a crack in the door, and was engulfed in the power even I could sense in her.
She was massive, far more massive if I could ever believe. 15-30 feet in height, possibly. She had a crested head, not unlike Number 6, but far larger. She had a shell to protect her head; only a chin stuck out with a little bit of drool dripping off her teeth. Examining more, I saw four arms, two on her chest that curled up, and a pair of normal ones. She was not attached to any egg sac or anything, she was just curled up. Her tail was huge, waving to-and-fro in the lacking breeze.
However, I admired her poise and charm. She was gallant, with a dazzling frame that revealed her slender curves and sharp hips, and she was sleek, betraying her true demonic nature. Her beautiful dorsal tubes curled around her in slim arcs. The Matriarch's long legs with un-natural Xenomorph toes were sprawled beneath her, and the grace in her fore-claws was sweet, too.
This was the most amazing, beautiful, deadly, intelligent, and betraying Xenomorph I had ever seen.
And the power ebbing off of her was too much to bear.
This was an experience only the best of the best got to see. And to the corners of the room, two Xenomorphs were watching me.
I recognized Number 6, with her own crest and slim Xenomorph body. But next to her was a much smaller, more beat-up Warrior Dome I had never seen before.
His head had been ripped with a net thanks to the Celtic Predator. It caused a green, grid-like expanse over his head, scarring him for good. His teeth were savage-looking and threatening. His forearms and chest were beat and torn unlike any other Xenomorph's. Like Number 6, the thing on his head gave immediately away who he was. And not only that flaw, but he was also handicapped from a severed tail, which was now useless for combat and fighting.
This Xenomorph was hefty and strong, but he was sleek, too. The power off of him was unreadable, but he seemed far less angry than Number 6, who was flicking her tail beside him. His mood seemed normal, calm. Number 6's "normal" was angry, furious.
I hope I'm never like her.
The Queen could detect my presence from inside the room. She lifted up her head to get a look at me, her natural face peering out from underneath the protective shell. She snorted, and got to her feet, waving her chained tail with a massive roar.
Ah. I see, the one who had disobeyed. The one who had slaughtered. Yet you come, nay you bow down in your respect for me. An interesting Xenomorph, which you very much are. Thus, I have summoned you from your chamber. Do you believe you are doing what is right? That the humans will just stop with the action of one single raid? Do you honestly think so?
I paused and looked up at her, her glare fixed on me. Shifting, I retorted, "No, my Queen. Of course not. I was just trying to save your warriors. At times such like this, that is all we can use."
Hmm. Your point of view does not lack color. No, it does not. Your concept is deceiving, however. But you have done much for me, wouldn't you agree? You show intelligence, a strong indicator of my Hive's strength. It points to you in the well-being you deserve. The honor you receive among my Warriors. They cherish you like a hero, but tell me this – were your intentions to become one with the most elite of the Xenomorphic Hive?
Shaking my head, I yipped back, "No, it was not."
Good. Loyalty, the fiercest bond a Matriarch could have with her subjects. Although, I needn't remind you that Number 6 also has an authority here. You disobeyed her order straight from your thoughts. It is not disloyalty that bathes you like a swarm among pheasants. No, it is doing the best you can muster for my Hive. I trust you are telling me the truth, are you not?
My thoughts swarmed as she invaded my mind, her glare still unmoving, fixed on me. "Of course, I am. Why shall I deceive you? You are much too smart for that."
Ah. You are intelligent. One that does not underestimate her opponents. Therefore, I am not your enemy, but your caution is not lacking. No, you have a high caution level. One that indicates intelligence not unlike Grid over there, Nethead, according to the scum humans. But yours is strong, a ferocity unlike any other I have seen. Your case is fascinating, perpetuating, and mysterious all the same. Would you not agree?
I dipped my head in approval, appreciating her praise, but wary of her questioning. I knew the Matriarch, she was a deceiving Xenomorph, one so intelligent it was practically impossible to lie to her. She questioned me, but I knew she could tell the answer to all my questions, she was that good at these mind games.
"Of course. I little notice my actual intelligence above any other individual. Especially not any of that of Number 6's, or Nethead's. It is… intriguing of you to take such an interest in it."
Hmm… You prosper well, surviving wounds that many of your kind would be felled from. That blast would have wiped out any other Xenomorph. Perhaps, such as those beyond these walls indicate, that you do have a destiny ahead of you. Such as being said, you may even get a rank among the highest. Whether you will accept that, however, is the question I have laid out for you. Just exactly how smart are you?
"Not very much. I am a mere Warrior among Warriors."
Your potential disagrees. Your status clearly materializes that you are much stronger than the rest. Given some years to fully adapt to the highest of your virtuosity, I see that you being as strong as Number 6, time might just reveal. It all… sort of depends on how well you can maintain countenance.
"Have I not tolerated well for your likeliness, Matriarch?"
You'd better watch your attitude towards me, disciple! I strongly recommend you should not dare cometh forward with a wasteful remark, or my claws through you they shall very likely be. You, Warrior that Disobeys, have proved yourself exemplary enough to receive a name. From this moment and beyond, your name shall be Revenge Unleashed. Are you worthy to accept your chosen name?
I nodded. "Of course."
Good. I have discussed with you enough. Unless you have any further to divulge, I suggest kindly to step forth from here and get out. Be eulogized that you managed to obtain an audience with me, forever much obstacles you have overcome in your rather meek and brief existence, and that you still have yet to counter.
Flicking my tail, I added, "There actually is something is something else I have to say. The humans are on their way. They're camping behind the brush inside our borders."
You figured this out how?
"I was talking a walk. I noticed their camp as I was strolling along. Why?"
Hmm… Perhaps you will become one with my Elite. It just sort of is debated on this question and this question only, Revenge Unleashed, the Warrior that Disobeys... how long can you abide?
I got to my paws, shaking off the dreariness of sleep from off my shoulders. I remembered her words from several weeks ago. "How long can you abide?" And that question was also mine. How long could I last, in this sea of gray?
The rush was happening again. This time, to flush out the Marines for good. We suffered several defeats and were victorious numerous amounts of times, but this was freaking stupid.
I mean, really stupid.
Barb and Victory were preparing for the rush, stretching out their wiry limbs and lashing out to get warmed up. Victory and I were far away from each other, as far away as we could muster. As long as I didn't have to smell her reek, her funk, I would be fine. And she thought the exact same things about me. It wasn't like I cared, she can stay far from my sight. It didn't really matter to me anymore. Although, it was annoying.
My wounds were healed, thankfully, after the hours and days of endlessly awaiting for that moment. Being five weeks old, a month-old Xenomorph, I was much more experienced, but I really didn't consider myself old or anything. I mean, Mercy Claws was now pretty old and stuff, hanging out with Anger all the time.
For the meantime, I had refrained from any heroic conquests, but my previous victories were still lingering over me. I was still the talk of the month, for the Xenomorph horde. I would forever be, probably. I was still treated like some kind of hero that rose up from the mist. I can assure you I'm not, but everyone is convinced I'm some kind of angel spirit that came down to help them. Please, I'm through with all this.
As I was lost in my thoughts, I hardly noticed the worm-ling that slammed into me, excited getting ready for his first rush, probably. Claws scraped my chin, and I stumbled back, alarmed, looking around wildly, and probably looking like the big idiot who wasn't aware.
"Oh! I'm sorry!"
I looked down, recollecting consciousness. "Oh, hello there." I waved my tail. "Who're you?"
"Ah, I don't have a name yet. Y-you're that legendary Xenomorph, aren't you? The one that everyone's talking about?" He shuffled, embarrassed. "Shoot… out of all the Aliens I ran into…"
Smiling, I mustered my friendliest look, and meant it. This was a really funny worm-ling! He was so clumsy! "Hey, chill out. Why are you being so frisky anyway? You must be running for some reason. Are you getting ready for the rush?"
The worm-ling looked down at his paws. "Not exactly. I was told I couldn't go because I only chestbursted a couple of hours ago. I mean, I really wish I could have gone…"
I peered down at him. "Don't be worried about it. You'll get your first chance soon enough. Are you're pretty fast too! You're one of a kind, aren't you?"
The younger Xenomorph looked up at me, his tail waving. I found his youngster body amusing, in my opinion. He was so fierce, and so dedicated, not unlike me. His desolation upon the humans might not lack!
"I wouldn't say that or anything," he started. "And what about yourself? Don't you want to go on the rush? They're probably exciting."
Shrugging, I flicked my prehensile tail. "Eh, decided not to go this time."
"Oh." He drooped. "I think I'd go on every brawl and rush I could get into! Show those pests what I've really got in me!" He lashed out with his claws. His deadly tail penetrated nearby objects. I laughed.
"I'm sure you would," I mentioned. "Say, you want to go talk a walk together outside? I can show you what I've got, if you want. You can practice with me."
The worm-ling dropped on the ground, rolled, and did a rather impressive claw frenzy mid-air. "Sure! I'd love to train with a legend."
The urge to sink my claws in the ground was a big itch, but I overrode the want to, and beckoned him forward with my tail. "Come on!" I challenged. "Race you!" I took off full-sprint, glancing behind me, and when I expected him to be far behind me, like Barb, I could see him close on my tail, legs flying beneath him.
Huh. What an interesting youth.
Together, we ran on and on, through the loft and straight outside. The woods tangled my legs and slapped branches on face, but I loved the breeze and freedom I was capable of, rippling my tail in a distant breeze. And the kid was still behind me, racing, not even panting in effort.
As we skidded to a stop in a clearing, I could see him all bright behind me. Those legs could run fast! I mean, I was faster and all, but that did not stop this speed-o to be fast! I looked at him, my tail's charming poise giving away my thoughts.
"You're sure fast. You'll be a nice chaser someday."
He beamed in pride at my comment, his tail lashing to-and-fro, his teeth bared in a devious snarl. "Well, you're faster. And stronger."
I, for one, also appreciated his compliment.
"Let's see if we can find any stray Marines around here." I tried with my nose, and since it has been weeks, I already knew that my senses were permanently washed away. As the scents came around, I felt like I was in an enclosed space, desperately pushing away at the walls because it felt like I could smell five feet away from me.
It freaking sucked.
"You try," I stammered reluctantly, knowing my sensing skills were about to be bested my a worm-ling. But I had nothing against him, he was very talented indeed! I admired his self-confidence and readiness for war, willing to step out into a fight whenever the time aroused itself. He was very strong and fast, too, and he'd impressed me for the short amount of time I knew him.
"Okay," he responded, lifting up his banana-shaped head to smell the air, inner jaw flicking in and out in a repeated process. Finally, he lowered it back down. "Three stray Marines, crossing the borders. Immediate action recommended."
I wish I had that within my power.
Ha, I was no hero.
The worm-ling sniffed around, and I observed him carefully. "You're good. You know, can I tell you a secret?" I asked him, my deadly tail lashing as I made my way towards where he mentioned.
"Sure."
"My senses are bad, like really bad. I can't seem to smell for very long distances. I haven't told anyone that. Not even Barb."
"Oh him. Why did you tell me?"
I snorted at him and flicked my long, swoopy tail. "Because you seem like a pretty good Xenomorph so far. You sure are talented. That's why." I smiled at him.
If we could, I'm sure that Xenomorph would have blushed, right then and there. But we can't, blushing is for the Yautja. And we aren't Yautja. That was the last thing I wanted to be called. Those slimy, smelly, beasts that though destroying us with a "Plasma Caster" was fun. Sheesh.
"Well, that's really nice of you and all," he started, his tail flicking in his approval that he had been called talented by this so-called legend. I wouldn't dare say that. It's why I said "so-called."
As we made our way through the undergrowth, we strayed onto closed-in fields and bushes, made sure trees had plenty of foliage to protect ourselves with, and that this whole area in general was a good place to hunt down these Marines obnoxiously raiding right into our base. Those humans and their sense of smell I swear. Can't smell something two feet away! Like, geez.
The place was damp and clean and it was nice, the scents of the world betraying the humanity here. My claws liked to fix themselves in the ground below me. I could balance fairly easily along trees or other sorts of brush things that offered a foothold. The lean branches shimmered underneath my heftier weight, but for the worm-ling he was like a distant feather. Like a feather that had come from the sky bearing enough power to fight a bear. I had no clue what that was or anything, but I didn't care.
As we found the humans settling along the border, I wanted to do some showing-off. I was going to try to make him impressed with me, instead of me constantly being impressed with him. He would sit there and stare at my awesomeness, instead of me mooning over some kind of worm-ling that chestbursted several hours ago.
I snuck up on my enemy, keeping to the shadows and making sure my prehensile tail did not disturb any branches or sticks that may alarm the humans of my presence. I could feel the worm-ling's stare over my shoulder, and I paid him no heed for now, but I was to make sure that this kill would be one to remember. A kill that no one forget, despite the times of day or the mood everyone was is. Let's see if that will work.
I dropped to a crouch and padded forward real slow, my gaze searching and sniffing out the tracks of the humans. One of my fore-claws fell into the soft soil pressed down by one of them, and I sniffed it edgily before continuing. There were three. I could take care of all three on my own, could I not? Over these past few weeks, I was gathering as much experience as I could muster, capable of the deaths of five humans if I really set my mind to do so.
They seemed to have no idea I was coming.
Good, that's what I needed.
Slipping between a couple of bushes, I poked out my head and turned to see that special worm-ling observing my actions from his spectating point in a tree. Well, that means that I was keeping his attention.
Returning my clear gaze to the humans, I followed them out of the bush, now exposed in the daylight. I knew that I must be nearly unnoticed there, by how swiftly and silently I trekked, only moving when I had to. My eyes were narrowed in a nay form of apprehension, but more of a thrill of the kill. That's what Barb told me, five weeks ago.
And I knew that his words were always true, because every single time I speared an opponent with my tail and tossed them to the ground, or bit into their heads with a killing head-bite, I always had this rush inside of me telling me to keep on killing.
No, I'm not saying I have feral instincts that tell me to kill.
It's… not like that.
I was pretty well hidden, I soon realized. I crept on and on, until finally, I took my chance. One of the humans had stopped to part some leaves nearby because he believed he detected some sort of movement there. I sure as freak knew there was nothing there because my senses, although damp, were far more exemplary than his. Humans and their noses, I have to bring up again.
No, I do not want to start an argument with you.
I was simply stating my opinion.
Slinking as I was, I waited for them to completely part those leaves before taking my chance to strike. As they kneeled over to explore what they "thought" they say, I neared the one furthest from the group and walked behind him, my tail moving in silent waves behind me. I grabbed one of his shoulders and wrapped a hand around his neck and mouth, to keep him quiet. I jerked back on his head and he broke off all of a sudden.
He gagged for a minute and fell limp. Suddenly, my next action was swift. I raced to the next person and grabbed him. He looked around, startled for a minute, as I used my inner jaw to pop off his head. He let out a desolate wail – but it was never finished, or even started. He was dead as soon as my jaw smacked against his head.
He fell limp, and soon only the Marine parting leaves was left over. He felt a thump behind him and he looked up, seeing two bodies but not me.
I had taken evasive action as swiftly and effectively as possible. I had dispersed into the wildlife from taking a move to a tree directly above the adverse. It was deadly still and silent, before the Marine let out a voice.
"Hello? Greg? Johnson?"
Silence embraced his words. Encumbrance being fear, the Marine backed up a few feet before he was soon pressed against the tree. His breathing was heavy as he finally spotted the two dead Marines lain askew on the ground before him. He pointed his gun at the bodies and let out a cry.
"W-w-what killed him?" begged the Marine, looking at the very first body. Then his gaze flitted to the second. "What killed him? What killed them?"
One body lying there with a slit throat, the next one with a gigantic hole right in his head. I was trying my best not to give off quivering laughs. This was just too freaking hilarious. Finally, I did my best to rush in for the kill. Dropping to the ground, I landed right in front of the scared Marine. His eyes peered at me, alarmed and afraid all in one blink. I could smell it coming off of him, his gun trembling as he thought for a way out of here. But there was none. He was going to die here just like the others.
"Stay away from me, bitch!" shouted the Marine, blasting his "Pulse Rifle" in all directions. I dodged and blocked them all. He ran at me with his clammy fist exposed, but I put up both of my arms to block it. His attack was pushed off, and I lifted up my tail for a heavy slash.
The blade cut jaggedly across his cheek, and he gagged, staggering backwards to get a feel of the blood that now made trickles down his face. But he'd been thrown backwards, landing with a thump in the dirt. It clouded around him in sparks and waves, and I tried hard again not to laugh.
"Get back, bitch, get back!" he threatened me, his gun now poised at me. I simply grabbed him by his arm and pulled him forward, posing my tail for another kind of attack. He noticed the sudden movement and tried to get his gun to an aiming position, but I swatted it from his grasp and it fell aside with a clatter. Apprehensive, he took a couple of steps back, but I yanked him forward and put him right through the tail blade.
Blood, vomit, sweat. All poured out as he gagged, wanting freedom and life, but he would never see it again.
I disposed his body on the compact earth and turned to look at the worm-ling still perched curiously in the tree high above us.
His gaze was glittering in awe.
"Wow!" he exclaimed. "That was incredible, how'd you do that?"
He was racing down from the tree, his claws barely skidding it he was in such a hurry to face me. I could only smirk at the youngster, for I did admire him. And I sure did hope he admired me. But from the look in his eyes, I was assured I had completed my goal with ease.
"Just takes practice, kiddo," I warned him, getting up on my hind legs as all professionally-balanced Xenomorphs do. "You'll be just like me one day. You'll do great things, well actually great things-"
He was staring at me with his jaws exposed wide open. "Actually good things?" he choked. "The things you do are great! Not every chestburster is a legend, you know!"
I stopped a few paces short and peered at him closely. "I'm not a legend, kid. I just have a differing point of view. Make sense?"
He clawed in confusion at the soil beneath him. "Well, not really," he admitted, not drily, but his voice flooded with warmth. "I guess I'm just not quite yet old enough to understand." He sighed, letting his tail dangle beside him. "You know, I'm sure I'll get your point one day, I'm sure I will. I think I just need to understand some more things first. You know?"
All I could do was nod at him. "Of course I do, kiddo. Now come on, I'd better get you back to the Hive."
"What? You said we could practice together! You didn't lie, did you?"
I could hear that squeak in his voice. This is the first Xenomorph that actually accepts being in my presence that's not afraid of me… should I push him away?
"No, I didn't," I shorted off, hoping I didn't sound as defensive as I felt. "Here, I'll show you a cool place. Follow me."
"Okay," he retorted, bounded up beside me and nearly matching my own pace.
I led the kid through a clump of trees surrounding this place. It was a nice place with a lot of shade. I stumbled across the place I had watered myself with Barb. The water was still untouched by humanity, but that would not last forever. One day, this water would be smeared the color of bloody mud. I hated that color.
I hate brown things.
"Get a drink of that," I offered. "Get some filler-up before we head on."
The worm-ling peered into the water for a moment. "I've never had fresh water before," he stated. "Just had that stuff they offer to us in leaves and bundles." He placed his fore-claws before the water's edge and lapped up a few delicious drops before he turned to look at me, his gaze bright and flooding with happiness.
"It takes great!"
"Good!" I cheered him, leaning down beside him to get my own fill of the water as well. It felt good, cool against my already-cold organs as it sloshed around on the inside. It felt like this place was changing dramatically, and that every spare drop of clean water you could get could never be wasted.
I bothered little to tell any Xenomorphs about this water spot, it was kind of my own private thing.
I hate to be a hog or anything but this was one of the last puddles of water – well, that was actually water – and I didn't need a bunch of Xenomorphs swarming around daily to get a couple dribbles. I liked this location a ton and didn't need any sticklers poking their heads in with big, goofy grins.
After the worm-ling had taken his fill, he shook of some dust and water from his cute little snout. I giggled as he tossed some at me.
"Hey," I shot at him, not unkindly. "Watch what you're doing with that! I hate water!"
Bounding to my petite, long legs, I catapulted over the clearing and suffered a backflip over a tree branch, landing on it and curling my tail into a question mark shape. I peered down at him, all small and alone, sitting beside the stream.
I pitied his size and all, but dang.
His gaze, however, were filled with awe.
Apparently I had impressed him. I grinned at him as I did a fashionable landing off the tree. I landed on two legs, straight on the ground. I arced my tail again as I raced to meet him. His face was swarmed with a mix set of feelings. All I did was smirk.
"That was cool," he said, then lowered his gaze. "Er, sorry I flicked some water on you."
Snorting, I retorted right back at him, "That's fine, that's fine. I was only kidding. Don't take it so seriously."
He laughed and grinned at me with those teeth.
I grinned right back.
As soon as we had arrived at our destination, he was flooded in awe of the vast expanse of land he had been offered. It was a place I'd found a week ago when I was off exploring some caves. The place had been damp and offered a well-being, and I was proud I'd found it. It had some sand at the bottom of the pit, and it was beautiful. It did not reek of human mines, oil, and machinery, and it kind of smelled a bit like wonder to me.
Not many people get to smell wonder.
The waterfall ended right at the precipice, and the humans were far, far away. The place was shadowed with trees and other things, bushed with forests of shrubs and plants. Pretty pink tendrils protruded up from them ground, sprouting flowers and buds and giving this area a beautiful kink. I think this little Xenomorph really deserved to look at this place. It kept me away from all my problems, my renowned infamy, Number 6, and Victory.
It was great there, especially at night. And since the sun was already gone over the horizon, and two moons shimmered on the bright surface of the water. I was glad that I was bringing him at night, it really brought out the view of the scenery.
So hidden away, thus deep in the world it was. I could see the nice landscaped cliffs and stones of the world I had ventured towards only a couple of days ago. I've liked this spot too, since it had a pool of water as well, but it was not sweet from the nearby trees and fragrant with grace. It was rushing with water because it led right to the waterfall that was beside the cool sandy cave I figured out.
As I turned to look at the bouncing worm-ling behind me, I could see his "eyes" scanning the tall, rocky cliffside, his face widening in his approval.
"So," I asked him. "You like it?"
After a few brief moments of observation, he turned and looked at me. "Yeah! It's awesome! I like it, I really do."
I dipped my head with approval. "Nice, nice. I found it out just last week, when I was exploring this place. I'm sure you've heard my story – since when has anyone not – and figured out I went on this mission to the Research Lab to find our kin. I suffered ordeal wounds, and although I wasn't ornery or anything, I wasn't exactly happy."
"Yeah, I've heard of that. It was so heroic and the way you…"
As his words continued and I drifted off, all I could think was...
Blah, blah, blah.
The way you always feel when you do something and everyone overestimates what you did. Yeah, it feels something tough for me right now. I mean, my efforts weren't entirely wasted or anything, those Aliens I saved came and said thanks to me, but that wasn't the point. I just had a different point of view, I wasn't an angel.
Wouldn't want to be, anyway.
I paused by the waterfall and gave each of my fore-claws a sniff-over. I had to or else they may crack and bleed.
I did not want them to crack and bleed.
The youngster was already finding places to explore, digging holes, looking under things, climbing and scaling trees fairly simple.
"You still want to train, right?" I breathed, attempting to sound tired like the walk here was that bad. "Whoosh. I'm out of shape." I flopped down on one side and pretended to pant, waving my tail.
"What?" he begged. "You're tired?" The worm-ling's searching gaze fixed on me cunningly. "No, you're not," he soon realized. "You're just joking."
I lifted my head. "Ah, you're pretty smart!"
He puffed up in pride of my compliment.
"Okay," I began, getting no-tiredly to my feet and approached my new friend. "I will show you defense-"
He glared at me. "No offense? Really?"
I clamped down my growl. "There will be offense, but protecting yourself is far more effective, sheesh. And besides, instinct knows you a good deal of offense moves and maneuvers. You should be fine, for the most part."
"Okay." He brightened up.
Getting to my hind legs, I placed both of my hands across my chest in a block position. "This is a block," I informed him. "This is effective when fighting Predators and humans. When they try to swiftly stun you, this will take place. Try to hit me."
As I looked at him more closely for his sudden reluctance, I realized the prolonged issue.
You're not going to hurt me, kiddo.
Finally, after what only seemed like an age and a half, he leapt at me, preforming a perfect leap attack I was not ready for. But blocks to that are just as effective – he bounced right off my arms and landed in a collapse against the soil. He let out a screech as he landed, but I could tell it was not a pained screech.
If it was, I would have stopped right then and there.
"Hey! That does work!" He looked up at me. "Do you mind if I give it a go?" he questioned, his tail whisking to-and-fro. As he spoke, his arms lifted up in a defense position. "I think I've got the move covered!"
I waited for him to lift up his arms, a second time, and when he did, I dashed forward and lashed out. My attack was harmlessly wheeled backwards, and I fell flat in the mud.
Laughing, I looked at him. "Good work, kiddo!"
He grinned at me.
The Refinery was fairly empty, for the most part. It was ice cold in there, however. The young kid looked up at me.
"What did you say your name was again?" he asked me, as I turned the corner to my sleeping chamber.
"Ah, Revenge Unleashed. Now go to sleep, you've seen enough training and fighting today."
As my kid abandoned my presence, I could still see the slim shape of Barb, awaiting me to tell me the news on the rush.
"So, how'd it go?" I asked, beginning to scale the wall to my sleeping chamber.
The glare of Barb was cold behind me. "Good. So, who's he?"
Odd. What does he want to know about the worm-ling?
"Oh, he's just a worm-ling I was hanging out with. I showed him some moves, some cool places… I mean, he liked the trip. And I think he liked hanging out with me. I think he was pretty cute!" I giggled.
Barb did not seem the least bit amused. "Funny. You're not one to hang with worm-lings."
I peered at him. "I didn't have anything else to do, or anything."
At the silence, I pressed on, "What do you care, anyway? He wasn't doing anything to you, he never said anything bad or did anything bad to me! Why are you so worried about him? What has he to do with your life?"
Barb shrugged, his expression forcefully fading out. "Nothing. Just wondering."
Whisking my tail, I demanded, "So. The rush. With Victory. Tell me about it." After my brief pauses, I was finally curled up inside of my nesting chamber and was looking at him interestedly, curious as to how the rush had been performed.
"Eh," he snorted. "We kind of rushed them out all nice and quick and stuff like that. I agree you would have liked to participate. We had fun, killing all those guys. Why did you stay behind today?"
Curling my claws, I agreed, "I just wasn't feeling up to it. Is that okay with you, Barb?"
He winced at the misuse of his name, before he gave up with a sigh. "Yes, it is. Now, I'll join you for bed, I'm pretty tired. See you tomorrow, I guess." He slunk away into his nest that he had placed next to mine after his old one got too old.
Finally feeling relaxation and warmth, I heard a scuffle beneath me. It was very tiny, and I was sure I was dreaming, but I can't remember being asleep for that long. I spread out my senses all over the place and thought I could smell movement in the walls outside.
I jumped out of my nest and sniffed again. It was the same scent, not unfamiliar or anything, but no from anyone in here. I slid out through the loft through to the front gates and looked around. It seemed pretty clear in here. But I knew that a Xenomorph's senses were never wrong. Well, maybe except for mine. I sniffed in again.
The scent was stronger. Through these doors, I noticed. I knew that my senses for one were not failing me. Knowing that I was swift and strong again and that I could run a long time again before I could be tired, I felt a warm draft ahead of me that pushed me back, but I just dashed through it with ease. I had no idea with what this detection was, but it intrigued me. What possibly could it be? I had only one way to find out what it was.
Continue looking.
As the longer I trekked along, the closer the scent got. Whoever was slinking around here must've thought they were pretty sneaky! I wanted to laugh at their attempts, whoever this was. They were not in any way sneaky, and the tracks to find them were almost clearly visible in the cold tracks.
The land was soon paved to open marsh and forest. This was the outside again, bathed in swabs of light, but not the sun's light, but the moons' light. I looked at the sky and found those things hanging above me, guiding me.
The tracks turned into a narrow alley and straight through the old forest I had crossed when going to the Research Lab. If that was where this person was headed, they had a long walk ahead of them. I tread on and on, making sure I was well gouged beneath stones and sticks. I was also determined to see who this way, making an obvious trail to their intended destination.
Continue following.
As the land was paved to rough desert underfoot, for the land here changed metamorphically, constantly, and the tough skin on my feet was pressured once more. This person was looking like they were heading to the Research Lab. But if they were, why? It not against the rules to leave behind the Hive at night but, why?
The only answer was to keep following. Soon, if I got a decent angle, I would be able to navigate my way through these foothills and seen this person better. However, they were moving in a reckless hurry, making things such as scales rub on rocks, sticks get snapped, and trees got disturbed. I could not snort in their clumsiness. It was really rather quite funny.
I sniffed again, maybe my senses would boot on suddenly, and my prey could get caught. But no, I could not, for my senses were just bust like that, and the whole world sucked for me. I had problems and issues, and they were big, dangerous claws in the face. It was like the whole world was against me. Even Barb was acting strangely. I don't know why, it was all peculiar.
I stopped sort at the top of a hill to observe my clearing. As I saw them, however, I don't know how badly I would be scarred.
My prey was Number 6.
And she was heading to the Research Lab.
Setting up my gut, I decided to take the risk to following, soon enough blending in to the distant night.