I sat up with a happy groan. It had been 3 days since me and the girl had met at the compound and every day at dusk we went to meet there. She caught onto Xenomorph fairly quickly as I did to English. I could now speak a few sentences and her the same. I stood and headed out of my den, eager for night to fall. I leaped into Mothers chamber. There was an unusually large amount of Xenomorphs there. I tilted my head and spotted Shade and Eren in the corner of the room facing Mother. I bounded over to them.
"What's going on?" I asked. Shade turned. In the days that had followed the announcement, it was Shade and Eren who had stayed faithful to me. Everyone else had distanced themselves a bit more than before. Even Mother had seemed to distance herself slightly.
"Mother is making an announcement about the humans." Shade said. Panic blossomed in my chest.
"But it hasn't been long enough!" I exclaimed. Shade shrugged.
"It's not to attack them silly." Said Eren. I exhaled in relief.
"She wants to up patrols around that area." She explained. I sighed. Thank goodness. I was worried. My English had improved greatly in the last 3 days. Things would be fine. Yawning, I settled down beside them and began to clean my claws as Mother began to explain the plans for the patrols around there. Finishing my claws, I started to zone out and leaned against Eren until suddenly she nudged me and I shot up with a gasping snarl.
"What what I'm awake!" I hissed. Eren and Shade stared at me. I blinked.
"Sorry." I muttered. Shade just sighed and stood up, heading out of the chamber. Eren hugged me.
"Good luck with the human." She said. I purred. Out of the two of them, Eren had warmed up to the idea of me being with a human faster. I started to walk out of the chamber, but then Mother called me back.
"Sam, stay for a moment. I need to talk to you." She said. I turned, surprised. Walking over to her, I stood respectfully in front of her. The Queen Xenomorph looked me over, before speaking.
"How are your lessons going?" She questioned. I looked up at her.
"Very well, I can almost communicate fluently with them and she with us." I said. Mother nodded.
"Very well. Go." She ordered. I dipped my head before turning and running out into the forest. I sprinted to our clearing leaping over bushes and logs, eager to continue. She was there waiting when I arrived.
"Sam!" She called in Xenomorph. I bounded up to her and she stood to greet me.
"Hi." I murmured. She smiled. Her name was Katie. It was hard to say in Xenomorph, so I had to say it in English.
"What we learn today?" I asked. Katie shook her head.
"What ARE we learning today." She corrected. I nodded and tried again.
"What are we learning today?" I said. She grinned and nodded.
"I was thinking learning past/present tenses…."
LATER
I sighed and sat down against Katie's legs. She giggled and ruffled my hair, something she had taken to doing. Her fingers pulled through my hair. We had spent 4 hours learning each other's languages. I thought English was hard but for Katie xenomorph was even harder. Especially with the snakes and growls that formed our language.
"'M tired." I complained. She laughed.
"Well get more sleep!" She said giggling. I nodded and curled up, wrapping my tail around her legs and began to pick at my claws.
"So why are you all here?" I asked, deciding now was a good enough time to ask. She paused in taking her hands through my hair.
"Well, we have a man in charge of us. His name is Weyland- Yutani. He commands us. He heard about a mineral deposit around here, and wanted us to dig it up." she explained.
I narrowed my eyes.
"So he is like a Queen?" I clarified. Katie laughed.
"No, more of a king, since he's male, but yes, he takes the role of the Queen in your Hive." Katie told me. I regarded this information.
"So then he is in charge of all the humans in your camp." I said. She nodded.
"What's a mineral deposit?" I asked her. She smiled at that and continued pulling her fingers through my hair.
"It's a big area under the earth that has a lot of value, it can be made into different things, such as metal and iron or into gases. Its really expensive." she explained. I nodded, we had already discussed the value of money. I found it strange that things coasted a certain amount and if you didn't have that amount, you couldn't buy it. In the Hive, if we needed something, we either traded for it, or made up in its value with a meal or a patrol. That way, everyone is happy. I grunted and lay down, but she pulled me up, patting the spot next to the log she sat on. I tipped my head back with a whine.
"Too far to move." I complained. Katie laughed.
"Such a lazy bones." she teased. I sighed, but climbed up next to her. She leaned against me, hair tickling my nose. I breathed in her sweet scent. We sat in silence for a while, listening to the leaves. At one point, a squirrel leaped down from a tree not to far and I tried to stand to catch it, but Katie shook her head and kept a firm grip on my arm. I sighed and sat back down. When the sun began to set, I sniffed the air and stood.
"Where are you going?" asked Katie, who had fallen into a light doze. I gestured back in the direction the Hive was in. Her face fell and she sighed.
"Oh. I didn't realize it was so late." she murmured. I chuckled and wrapped my tail around her waist.
"We still have tomorrow." I said. She nodded and hugged me, before stepping back and heading into the forest. I turned and bounded into the trees, heading back to the Hive. When I arrived, Ripper was standing outside the Hive, seemingly waiting for something. I tilted my head and approached the Praetorian.
"What's up?" I questioned, nearly asking in English, but switching to Xenomorph at the last second. Ripper looked down at me.
"I wanted to ask how your lessons with the human are going. Have you found out their true intentions?" he asked. I nodded.
"Yeah, they aren't here for combat, the marines are only for protection. They are looking for," I paused, looking for the right words in Xenomorph terms. "nesting material." I finished. Ripper nodded and looked out into the forest.
"I still think we should be wary." he said. I bared my teeth slightly.
"Of course, I agree. If we just lay low and try to avoid the general vicinity of that area, we should be ok." I replied. Ripper nodded lightly and fell silent. Taking it as my cue to leave, I continued past him into the Hive. I scurried through the halls, heading for Mothers chamber. Once there, I saw the drones and warriors lazing about, eating or preparing for evening patrols. I spotted Eren and Shade tearing into a pig. I headed over to join them. Eren looked up, blood splattering her muzzle. She bared red teeth in a greeting smile, before plunging her muzzle back into the carcass. Shade flicked his tail in greeting not even looking up. I sat down next the warriors. A low hiss rumbled in my throat. Shade paused in eating for a moment.
"Yes?" he questioned, raising his head. I curled my lip lightly.
"Food?" I asked. Shade ignored me. Eren snarled as she shoved him with her shoulder, effectively knocking him away. Shade let out a furious hiss, extending his inner jaw in annoyance. Eren scooted over and I stepped lightly around to crouch next to her, sinking my jaws into the meat. Shade snapped at me.
"I was eating!" he hissed in fury. I curled my lip.
"Shade, I don't know why your acting like you have a shotgun up your ass, but it would be great if you could get it removed." I sniffed. Shade arched his back screeing. He turned and pelted out of the room. Eren sighed as she sat back.
"I don't know what's up with him, he's been like this all day." she told me. I just shook my head. I didn't have a clue. I took a few more bites of the pig before tossing it away. I extended my legs in front of me, and Eren laid down, resting her head on my lap. I reached out and traced the domed head, feeling the ridges and nicks in her skull. She purred and nuzzled me. I smiled, it was times like these where the Xenomorphs just reminded me of cats. Eren sighed and we lay there. I had a feeling she was pondering her best friends strange behavior. I however, had Katie on my mind. I thought about the English I had learned so far and how they sounded. I was unaware that I had started muttering words under my breath. Eren raised her head.
"What are you doing?" She asked, tilting her head. I blushed lightly.
"Just practicing my English." I replied, pulling her dorsal tubes lightly. She grunted and lay back down. I yawned and sat back, resting my back against the wall. It was getting late, but I was content to sit here with Eren, who didn't seem to be moving any time soon. Mother was watching the room slowly empty as drones and warriors headed to their nests. The Praetorians started to head into the chamber, before laying down around Mother. Ripper was in the front and settled down into a crouch. I yawned again. I gently nudged Eren off me and stood up to stretch.
"I'm heading to my nest, see you in the morning." I said, scratching my back. Eren nodded and stood up as well, leaping onto the wall before crawling into a vent to her nest.
"Good night." came her quiet whisper. I bounded into the hall and trotted up the passage that led to my den. I crawled onto the wall and into the entrence into my den. A drone had changed the furs and left a dead squirrel near them. I tore into it quickly before shucking off my pants and crawling into my furs and fell asleep quickly.
The next day, I was out with Ripper and several warriors looking at the camp. I spotted the man who Katie had said was her father. I could see the green tent where she and her father stayed. I didn't see Katie anywhere though. I hoped she wasn't out somewhere. We had several patrols out right now, and others wouldn't recognize her. I watched, and finally I spotted her emerging from the bushes behind her tent. I leaped into a tree and paced out over a branch that hung slightly out over the clearing. I made sure to stay in the shadows however. I ignored Rippers furious hiss for me to come back and made a quick slashing with my tail to try and attract her attention. It rustled a few leaves but that was it. However, as I shifted in position, the movement must have saught her eye, for I saw her look up, lock eyes with me and grin. I smiled and waved my tail at her. She grinned and pointed to the bushes behind her tent. I nodded and crept backwards and leaped down from the tree. Ripper blocked my path with a growl.
"And where do you think your going?" he hissed at me. I growled.
"To see Katie," I snapped. "Now let me pass." The Praetorian eyed me for a moment longer before releasing my shoulder and allowing me to crawl past him. I kept low and slunk to where Katie was. I slipped into the small out cove that formed and saw her waiting. I grinned and bounded up to her. She giggled and we hugged.
"Hey, what are you doing here? You could be seen!" she whispered, worry evident in her voice. I just snorted.
"I am on patrol." I replied. Katie just sighed and rubbed my tail. I purred and leaned against her. A low hiss caused us to jump apart and I spun, growling. A warrior stood behind me, teeth bared and claws raised. I snapped at him, growling.
"Leave, now." I snarled. The warrior growled and took a step forward. In a flash, I was in front of it, baring my teeth.
"Unless you want the humans to hear you, I suggest you leave!" I growled, shoving my face into its muzzle. The warriors teeth peeled back.
"Don't think you can protect your little friend forever, Sam. We will come back eventually for hosts. And then we'll see how much your friend appreciates you then." the warrior spat. The urge to absolutely deck the warrior filled me, but I restrained myself. Fighting this close to the humans was a bad idea. I shoved the Xenomorph, who stumbled back and turned with a frustrated hiss. He went back to the patrol and I faced Katie. Her eyes were full of fear. I hissed lightly, lowering myself to all fours and approached her, curling into her side. She reached out and stroked my hair.
"I will be back later." I said, nuzzling her side lightly. Katie sighed and tugged my hair gently.
"Stay out of trouble." she pleaded. I smirked at her as I stood.
"I do, just trouble seems to find me." I responded, a smile on my face. She just sighed and shoved me back.
"Go." she commanded. I smiled then waved my tail and bounded back to the patrol. Ripper was waiting, tail lashing and arms crossed in a very human gesture. I bared my teeth at the Praetorian.
"What?" I demanded. The Xenomorph just shook his head and we turned to walk back to the Hive. Me and the warrior who had interrupted us earlier kept glaring at each other. I hissed under my breath. The warrior curled his lip, growling. I lashed my tail; soon as we got home I was beating the living shit out of him. I flexed my claws. The walk home was quiet and tense. When the clearing was in sight, I began to walk slightly faster. The warrior sped up as well and the second he was out of the bushes I was tackling him with a furious roar. He shrieked in response and punched my arm. I screeched and backhanded the Xenomorph as we rolled. I sprang away and faced the warrior, hissing in fury. He stood as well and we were about to lunch again when the furious roar of a Praetorian ripped through the air. I was suddenly grabbed the the scruff of the neck and a tail wrapped around the warriors neck, dragging him into the air. I screeched in fury. We were turned and I faced Rippers snarling Praetorian visage. The Praetorian curled his lips back, dangling us in the air like we weighed nothing.
""If. I. EVER. SEE. BEHAVIOR. LIKE. THIS. AGAIN, I WILL SKIN YOU BOTH ALIVE AND USE YOU AS A BEATING STICK!" the pissed off Xenomorph bellowed at us. I flinched and covered my ears in pain, the warrior thrashing. Ripper tossed me away several feet and I landed hard with a hiss of pain. The warrior crashed down next to me on his muzzle. I hissed furiously, standing and brushing the dirt off my ass and legs. I roared at the two before racing into the Hive. I was pissed, to say the least. I skidded into my den, snarling angrily. Right now, if I was to see anyone right now, they would be leaving my den missing a few limbs and perhaps some vital organs. I paced back and forth, tail lashing. It was always the warriors who picked on me, treated me differently. It was absolute bullshit. The drones and runners had always treated me nice and so had the Praetorians. I decided to talk to Mother. I huffed as I stalked out my den. I jogged to her chamber. She was there talking with a couple Praetorians. I slid up behind them and waited, digging my tail into the ground. Mother raised her head slightly and gave me a small nod. I twitched my tail in response. Mother finished with the Praetorians and dismissed them. She beckoned me forward and reached out with her smaller arms, obviously sensing the fury rolling in waves beneath my skin.
"Child, what has you so wound up? It is the humans?" she asked, stroking my hair with one of her larger hands. I curled into a ball, suddenly feeling small and childlike again.
"No, Mother. I was on patrol before with Ripper and several warriors. We were watching the camp and I saw the girl I've been meeting with. We met behind some bushes and then one of the warriors interrupted us and threatened us. When we got back we started fighting and Ripper broke it up. This has happened with the warriors before. They are always short with me and act impatient or annoyed with me. I'm done with it and would appreciate it if you could speak to them." I explained, gulping in air once I was done. Mother tensed, and a low growl rumbled in her throat. She threw back her head and shrieked, a deafening summons to her chamber. Through the many vents and holes and halls warriors streamed into the room, packing it like lizards. I tensed when I spotted the one who I had fought. He spotted me and his lips peeled back lightly and I curled my lip.
"I have called you here to discuss your treatment of Sam. I know that some of you are good friends with him, but others, are not. From what I have heard, some of you have been treating him badly, with scorn and disrespect. I do NOT appreciate any of you treating your Hivemates as so," Mother thundered, anger evident in her tone. The Xenomorphs screed, bowing their heads and shifting. "So, I want from now one for you to treat Sam as you should have been since he arrived. If I hear of such behavior again, it will be dealt with." Mother ordered, knowing they would obey. The warriors all nodded. Mother hissed.
"Good. Your dismissed." she said.
""Wait! I want to know who treated my best friend badly so I can kick their tail and shove it up their ass." snarled a furious Eren, stalking stiff legged out of the crowd with a pissed Shade at her side. I felt warmth for my best friends flow through me. I pointed at the warrior I had fought. Eren spun, hissing in fury. The warrior reared, with a shocked hiss. He turned toward me and growled. I simply sent a smirk at him. The crowd parted for the furious female. Shade leaped up beside me. Mother set me down and I catiously stood by the Xenomorph. I wasn't sure of his mood. But Shade leaned against me, and I rubbed his back. I felt his silent apology for his behavior yesterday and nodded.
"Now, if you ever, ever, speak to my best friend like that again or treat him badly again, I will not be afraid to take your tail, shove it up your ass so far it comes out your mouth, and then beat the living shit out of you, am I clear?" Eren snarled, leaning into the warriors face, utter malice coating her tone. The warrior nodded, terror evident in his tone.
"Yes Eren, I'm sorry." he whimpered. Eren snarled before grabbing him by the tail and throwing him into the wall.
"That was for Sam." she snapped. The warrior looked up at her, whining. Eren snarled and punched him in the stomach. He screeched and doubled over. I snickered. With a snort, Eren turned and padded over to me and Shade. Mother raised her head.
"Thank you Eren, for that, demonstration. You can go now." she said. Eren nodded and then the two practically dragged me out of the chamber to Eren's den. I squirmed, feeling their claws dig into my skin.
"Guys, what are you doing?" I asked, trying to break free. Eren just growled, annoyance coating her tone and Shade just twitched his tail. They tossed me into Erens den. I landed with a grunt, before turning to see the two warriors stand in front of me.
"So, care to explain how long this has been going on for?" questioned Shade. I bared my teeth, before sighing and slumping over.
"A long time, several years. It's gotten worse since I came up with my plan." I explained. Eren looked horrified, lips curling back and mouth dropping open. I giggled at the sight.
"Sam why the hell didn't you tell us?" she gasped, appalled. I shrugged.
"Wasn't that big ideal." I brushed it off. Eren lashed her tail in annoyance. Shade just sighed and leaned against me. I turned to him.
"Now, you mister, have some explaining to do." I ordered. Shade shifted his claws.
""I,... was having a bad, day?" It came out as a question. I shoved him.
"You know exactly what was up, now spill." I demanded. Eren hissed.
"Yes Shade, explain. You were short with me all day ever since Sam left." she said. Shade sighed.
"I was worried about Sam." he admitted. I stared at him.
"Worried? Why the hell would you be worried?" I asked. Shades head snapped up and he bared his teeth, a screech tearing from his jaws.
"Because your with humans! They can't be trusted! They kill us, capture us and study us, and ruin our lives!" he roared, tail lashing and claws digging into the floor. I sighed. I walked over to him and wrapped my tail around his shoulders and hugged him. The warrior was tense, trembling under me. I purred soothingly.
"Shade, I love you, but your a dumbass sometimes." I said affectionately. Shade glared at me, opening his jaws, but I cut him off.
"Katie is a wonderful human. She is so trustworthy and cares for me. I told her about you too once and she wants to meet you guys as well. I appreciate the concern bud, but its not necessary." I said firmly. Shade sighed, guilt filtering through the link.
"I know, but I just worry about you, cause your, well, a hybrid and they would want you." he said. I smiled. I hugged him and reached out with my tail to drag Eren into our embrace.
"I love you guys." I said with a grin, looking between the Xenomorphs. They both purred and nuzzled me. I smiled and we sat in the den for the rest of the night in companionable silence.
