Thicker than Blood
I do not own any film in the Alien franchise.
Chapter 4
Tanner took his charges in a military transport, with another vehicle holding the rest of Tanner's unit following meters behind. He had secured transportation in order to to meet with Dr Layton Thomas, an expert on xeno-biology. He and Dr Thomas had been friends since their early days in the Colonial Marines. When Thomas had been injured in the line of duty, he retired from the military, and used his expertise toward studying life in outer space. Being called an expert wasn't saying much, since few people knew much about the xenomorphs. Few got close enough to study them and lived to get their data back for study. Tanner understood the implications of his using the opportunity to get close to a xenomorph nest, actually getting to know the creatures and their habits.
When told he had a living xenomorph in his care, Dr Thomas had exclaimed his excitement. He had to brush back the dark hair that had fallen in his face, as he attempted to control his eagerness. "You're telling me this because...?" He had hoped beyond hope that Tanner would entrust him with the creature.
"I'd like you to examine her, if you will, with care. She's the offspring of a friend of mine. If she ever balks, drop back. She could kill you without much effort."
"You're friends with a...xeno?" His friend usually kept him apprised of everything going on in his life, but he must have felt this news too important to divulge to anyone, even a close friend.
"No, Layton. Her mother is human, sort of." How would he explain Annalise's or Cres'sa's stories without going into too much detail.
Dr Thomas rubbed his stubble-covered chin. "A hybrid. And you said something earlier about a brother. He's a hybrid as well?"
"Yes, but Jonathan looks more human. You'll see the obvious differences right off, but I'd like to see what other differences there are, internally." Tanner looked at his old friend. "So?"
"I'll see what I can do, Richard." Inwardly, the doctor was excited beyond reason, but he kept his excitement in check.
"Layton, there are people who would do anything to get their hands on them. We can't let that happen," Tanner warned his friend.
"Of course, of course, completely understandable. I won't say a word." He thought a moment. "I will need assistance. I have a couple of aides I know I can trust."
Tanner raised an eyebrow.
"You can kill them if I'm wrong," Dr Thomas said, a wry smile on his face.
Tanner turned and nodded at Sergeants Marsh and Cope, who went to fetch the xenomorph twins and their guardians. Seeing Wheaton and Philips upon entering the room, brisk nods told the squad mates they were wanted.
Jennie turned to Jonathan. "The major would like us to meet with him now."
Jonathan went over to his sister, reaching out to touch her on the shoulder. He looked back at Jennie and nodded. "We're ready."
Cres'sa swung her great head towards Ed, who sensed her trepidation. Moving closer to her side, he whispered, "Don't worry, kid, I've got your back." He thought he heard a soft metallic purr in response.
Once in a specially designed examination room that the doctor had prepared the last few years, just in case he ever secured one of the killer aliens, Dr Thomas had Tanner instruct Cres'sa to stand on the MRI panel. He had wanted to thoroughly study the exo-skeleton of a xeno, and to hopefully see what their internal structure entailed. The process took minutes, and Dr Thomas had a complete picture of what Cres'sa looked like, inside and out. The thing he liked was there was nothing invasive about the exam. He felt it would be healthier for him to make sure the female xeno experienced no pain.
Cres'sa observed the human, not sure that she should allow him to touch her. But she trusted her Uncle Tanner enough to know he would never put her in danger. Still, she knew her strength, and if needed, snapping the neck of this human would not be difficult.
Dr Thomas was amazed at the xeno's ability to follow his movements, considering she had no visual organs. It had to be some sort of internal detection system similar to dolphins or bats. He reached out to take her arm in his hands, when Cres'sa hissed threateningly.
"Doctor, please," Ed said. He hoped that Cres'sa would understand. His own willingness to convince her all was well meant he would actually have to touch her. Ignoring the goosebumps that involuntarily raised up on his arms, Ed held out his hand and slowly moved it to lay upon the hard exo-skeleton of the hybrid xenomorph. He noticed instantly that she felt cool to the touch.
Dr Thomas heard a low purring coming from the alien. "I think she likes you, Sergeant Wheaton."
"Sure, Doctor, whatever you say." He looked up at the purring creature. "Stop that, Cres'sa. You're embarrassing me."
In response, Cres'sa raised her head and hissed softly.
"You will behave and let Dr Thomas examine you, ok? It won't hurt, I promise." He found himself gently caressing the hard skin as he waited. He saw the head move back up, and almost seem to nod. Did she really understand him, more than just intuitively, but his words as well? He released her arm, and turned to Dr Thomas. "I don't think she'll give you any trouble, Doctor."
"Thank you, Sergeant Wheaton." He held out his hand, saying" Come, Cres'sa. I'll be gentle, so you try not to kill me, ok?" He gave the waiting soldier a wink.
Ed followed Cres'sa into the doctor's lab. He found himself feeling a curiosity about her he hadn't wanted to feel before. And she seemed amiable enough around him. But he would never forget that she could just as easily be a killer. Still, she was his charge, and he would die to protect her.
Tanner went to speak with Jonathan. "Are you ready, son?"
Jonathan looked at the man. "Uncle Tanner, I don't think I want to be examined."
"What? Look, I know it's strange for you to be around so many humans, and Dr Thomas won't hurt you. He's an old friend of mine, so..."
"I know, Uncle Tanner, but I have decided to forego his exam. You said it was my choice." The young man gave his human protector a steady gaze with black eyes that hinted at anger.
Relenting, Tanner assured Jonathan he would not be forced. "Well, go back to Jenn and wait. It should be too long until Dr Thomas is finished with Cres'sa."
Jonathan smiled. "Thank you, uncle." Turning, he headed back to Jenn Philips, who showed confusion at his presence.
"You're not seeing Dr Thomas, Jonathan?"
"No, Jennie. Uncle Tanner is ok with it. Why don't we take a walk while we wait for my sister." He headed down the corridor, Jenn by his side. Her rifle was slung over her shoulder, since she felt safe here. But always her ears listenly alertly for anything out of the ordinary.
Coming to a small at the end of the corridor, Jonathan stopped. He smiled comfortably at the human female. His desire for her was growing. Initially, he had tried to suppress it. Now he found he no longer wished to. "You've been a warrior for how long?" he asked.
She smiled at the word warrior. "I've been in the unit 4 years, and the regulars about 6 years before that. Major Tanner personally requested I be admitted into Special Forces."
"I'm impressed," Jonathan said, moving closer in such a way, Jenn hadn't noticed. Or so he thought.
"I'm grateful for his belief in me." Jonathan was so close to her, she practically felt his body heat searing through her uniform to her bare skin. She took a step back, casually, so he wouldn't be offended.
Grabbing her arm, he spun her against the wall. He grabbed the rifle and flung it aside. Seeing her pressed up to the wall and helpless, he moved over her quickly, his body holding mere inches away from her. He began to insinuate his body against hers gently, his hands holding hers tightly. He breathed into her ear, "I have never taken a mate. Your courage and abilities impressed me enough that choosing you was simple."
Jenn felt hot breath on her cheek, as Jonathan made his intentions known to her. She struggled against him, but felt that this wasn't the best course of action. It only seemed to inflame him, his arousal pressing up against her buttocks. Damn, what do I do. Remembering hand to hand combat tactics, Jenn stepped on Jonathan's instep, and shoved her elbow into his gut. He barely reacted to the attack. "Let me go now, Jonathan. Major Tanner won't be happy with you."
Ignoring her threat, he caressed her shoulders, then moved his hands down her arms as he continued saying what he thought would be words certain to inflame her with desires of her own.
Instead, the object of his lust shivered in disgust and fear. She had been attracted to him, yes, but this was not how she expected him to treat her. She turned her head enough to see her rifle tossed to the corner, and out of her reach. "Stop this, Jonathan, I'm warning you."
Laughing low at her fruitless efforts, Jonathan nuzzled her neck, licking the tender flesh. The taste of her caused him to shed all self-restraint. He suddenly bit her as he pressed harder into her from behind.
Jennie cried out in surprise and pain, as she struggled against her attacker, for that was how she saw her charge now. All at once, her back felt cool, the weight of his body gone.
"Jonathan, no!" It was Tanner. He had entered the room, hearing Jennie's cries. Grabbing the young man by the collar of his coat, he pulled back, hard. Tanner glared at the son of his friend, aware that he was not acting in a predictable manner. He realized that he didn't really know how he would act amongst humans. Jonathan had no experience outside his own visitations to the nest. "Damn it, boy! What the hell do you think you're doing?" Going to Philips, he placed his hands on her shoulders. "Are you ok, Jenn?"
Jennie nodded her head, keeping her eyes on Jonathan. "Yes, sir. I'm fine. Nothing...happened." Actually, she had never felt so angry. Who the fuck did he think he was anyway.
"Go join Wheaton and Cres'sa, Jenn. I'll handle this, I promise." He picked up her rifle, and handed it to her. "Get Dr Thomas to look at that bite."
"Thank you, sir," she said, taking the rifle, trying hard not to use it to shoot her attacker as she passed him. She felt his eyes following her as she left the room.
Tanner turned on his charge. "Now explain yourself, Jonathan. That was uncalled for, and just plain wrong. I would never have brought you here had I known this would be your behavior."
"I'm sorry, Uncle Tanner. I don't know what happened. I just felt this urge...this...need. I wanted her. Was that wrong?"
Tanner decided he would need to discuss xeno sexual growth and overall maturation with Layton. His friend would need to find out if this type of uncontrollable behavior would make it dangerous to let Jonathan live amongst humans. His father, Sul'ss, had never exhibited such lack of self-control with Annalise. He was controlled in his attitude towards her, and in his needs he was gentle. Plus his monogamous behavior made him seem almost human in his regard for his mate. What Tanner didn't know, since Annalise had never divulged it to him, was the way Sul'ss acted when he had first met Annalise. His desire for her to be his mate almost forced her to regard him as her enemy.
"Uncle Tanner, do you think Jenn will forgive me? I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt her. I only wanted her... to be with me."
Looking into the boy's dark eyes, for that was what he really was, just a boy, Tanner tried to believe his abject regret in scaring Jenn. "I think I made a mistake, Jonathan. I"m going to have you accompanied by Ed Wheaton, and Jennie Philips will stay with your sister."
"Oh, no, Uncle, please don't switch us. How can I ever make it up to her, let her know how sorry I am, if I never see her. Let me apologise to her, please. "
"You can tell her you're sorry. In fact, I insist on that, but you won't be watched by her anymore. I can't have troops attacked by the very people they're supposed to be keeping an eye on...from outside attackers, get it!"
Lowering his head in remorse, Jonathan nodded. "I'm sorry. I understand."
"Good. Come with me. You're going to apologise to her, now!" He pushed the boy through the door, and followed him to the room where Ed was waiting for Dr Thomas to finish up with Cres'sa.
As he walked down the corridor, feeling Tanner at his back, Jonathan grinned knowingly. He wasn't finished with Jennie Philips. But next time, he would choose a more private place to mate with the woman. He would tolerate no more interruptions.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Outside the building, Tanner's troops casually wandered around the area, keeping a watch for anyone who didn't belong. One of the soldiers scanning the sky noticed an innoucuous looking vessel, with advertising lighting up its side, hover above them. Some sixth sense acquired in training told him to continue to watch the ship. His suspicion was rewarded when small items began to fall from the vessel. "Sergeant Evans, above us!" he called, pointing.
"Eyes up!" Evans called out.
All of the soldiers looked toward the falling objects. One hit the ground, emitting a blue smoke.
"Gas masks!" All the soldiers pulled out small breathing units and attached them quickly to their faces. Holding their weapons, they scattered in a practiced movement, almost as if by telepathic orders. "Stand ready!"
A/N: so, who are the attackers? And will Jonathan be forgiven by Jenn in time for him to make good his plans? And is Ed beginning to regard Cres'sa in a different way? Sorry for the delay in this chapter, but my ideas have been harder to get on paper than it is to think of them.
By the way, thanks to Undying Crystal for the idea of having Dr Thomas (I changed the name) as a friend of Tanner's from their military days together.