Chapter Nine

Kyle felt something soft, warm and slightly wet caress his cheek as he woke. He chuckled as he opened his eyes as Sophie softly kissed him on the cheek.

Good morning, my mate. Kyle smiled at her as she twirled a strand of sandy blonde hair around a claw as she gazed lovingly at him. The feelings of warmth, love and tenderness he felt from her were amazing. He stroked the side of her face and head as she very gently laid over him, their faces inches apart. Instead of words, Kyle let his feelings flow across their link. Sophie purred as she wound her tail around him. She softly touched her lips to his as she ran her fingers through his hair. She held the kiss so long, Kyle was almost gasping when she released him.

Sophie purred as she nuzzled him, sending feelings of love, tenderness and protection through their link. Kyle kissed her head gently, stroking the soft, smooth skin delicately with his fingers.

Every morning is a good morning with you here, Sophie. Her response was another soft kiss on his lips as her tail gently stroked the side of his face.

My beautiful Kyle, I love you so. Kyle slid his arm behind her neck and pulled her closer as he returned the kiss.

And I love you, my beloved Sophie. Sophie pulled back and gazed at him, love and affection flowing from her as she traced the line of his jaw. Kyle mirrored her gesture as she gently laid over him, nuzzling him as she curled around him lovingly.

XXX

Dr. Reinhardt watched on the screen in his desk as Kyle and Sophie fought with the Olinid. He looked up at Catherine, who stood in front of his desk as he shut the video off.

"Well, it would seem that Specimen-001's combat ability is fair to say the least," said the Dr. coldly. Catherine nodded.

"I thought it best to start small. The Olinid was the perfect choice." Reinhardt nodded.

"And Patient-113?" Catherine softly frowned, although it was barely perceptible.

"I'm sure he's wary. I think it's time we consider termination." Dr. Reinhardt frowned.

"Out of the question." Catherine looked surprised. Reinhardt leaned forward, elbows on the desk and fingers interlaced. "Patient-113 has proven to be far too valuable to consider termination. Specimen-001 has already demonstrated, numerous times, a desire to protect him. We can use this to control Specimen-001, if need be." Catherine nodded in understanding.

"Very well. What about combat evaluation?" Reinhardt smiled coldly.

"That can wait, Catherine. Good things take time, after all. Take them to the medical lab and check their health. I want to see how well Specimen-001 is healing." Catherine nodded and turned and left. Dr. Reinhardt leaned back in his chair, fingers interlaced as he thought.

XXX

Kyle sighed happily as he sat on the bed, Sophie curled around him, her head resting on top of her hands in his lap, her tail twitching pleasantly. He stroked her head as she softly purred. As he gazed at her, he was filled with wonder at her. She was, without a doubt, the most amazing person he'd ever known. Sophie felt the same way about him. Kyle gently stroked Sophie's chin, earning a purr in response. She curled closer around him. Kyle chuckled softly at the warm feelings that flowed across their link. There were a few times he was able to feel the touches he gave Sophie as if she had touched him. It amazed him.

You're a fine mate, Kyle. He smiled as she looked up at him. Kyle stroked the side of her face as she purred.

As are you. Sophie had been about to kiss him again when she felt someone coming. Kyle felt it too, and looked up as the door hissed open. Sophie didn't move from where she was, just stared at Catherine as she walked in.

"Good morning. How are you two today?" Kyle smiled as he stroked Sophie's head.

"Much better . . ." Sophie rested her tail in Kyle's lap as she sent warmth through their link. Catherine smiled.

"That's good. If you'd come with me, we need to check how the Xenomorph is healing." Kyle raised an eyebrow as he looked at Sophie.

I'm sure they do . . . his thoughts were far from tranquil. A hint of anger crept into his thoughts, knowing the little "accident" the previous day was anything but. Sophie soothed him.

Let's humor them for now. As you said, "keep up appearances" and let them think I'm just a dumb animal . . . Kyle smiled inwardly.

And me a dumb kid. Kyle kept his face normal as he looked up.

"It seems to be healed up, but it couldn't hurt." With that, Sophie leaped down and Kyle stood up. As they followed Catherine, Sophie walked right beside Kyle, her tail gently brushing him every now and then. Now, Kyle understood more of why Sophie had acted the way she had around Catherine: she was jealous. He felt some amusement at the thought. Sophie leaned against him as they walked, almost nuzzling him. Sophie had been staking her claim all along. Kyle smiled as he stroked Sophie's head. It was nice to feel loved and wanted.

XXX

Wilshire Valentine stood angrily amongst the cages as he crossed his arms and huffed. Adam Brenner, the head of Security Team Delta, had been nothing short of a sadistic tyrant, and had given Wilshire every dirty, menial job he could find. To make matters worse, if Brenner so much as even thought Wilshire had talked back or sneered at him, he had him disciplined in some of the most demeaning ways imaginable. He had even made him clean out the cages by hand, then scrub the floor with a toothbrush, all with a one-hour time limit. As if that wasn't bad enough, Reinhardt himself had ordered Valentine's handgun be taken away. Wilshire growled as he ground his teeth.

All of it was the fault of that stupid kid. It wasn't his fault he couldn't swim. The more Wilshire thought more about Kyle, the angrier he got. If it wasn't for that kid and his stupid monster pet, he'd be doing fine. Now, he was stuck guarding the cages while one of the Lab-Rats was on his lunch break. The reason for that was Brenner thought Wilshire was "harassing" one of the researchers, and had threatened to report it to Reinhardt. Wilshire growled again. He knew Reinhardt was as cold-blooded as they came. Another report to him would likely be the last. Wilshire huffed as he looked over at one of the cages. One of the monkeys was looking at him. Wilshire sneered.

"What're you looking at, Ape-Face?" he growled. The caged baboon bared its teeth as it did something he never previously would have thought an animal could do. It flipped him off. Wilshire growled as he glared at the baboon. It hooted as it jumped around and stomped. It repeated the rude gesture again, and followed it up with making kissing sounds. Wilshire's head turned a lovely shade of red, quite resembling a tomato as he began to storm over to the cage. "Why you filthy son of a-"

"What's going on here?!" yelled someone. Wilshire growled as he looked up at the researcher who was walking in. "Officer Valentine, just what do you think you're doing?" demanded the shorter man as he walked in.

"This damn ape flipped me off!" Wilshire yelled. The researcher looked at Wilshire like he had gone crazy.

"Impossible. Tormian Baboons aren't capable of such things." Wilshire growled at him.

"You calling me a liar?" Wilshire's temper had just about reached its limit. The researcher wasn't impressed.

"Given your record and your standing, I believe I am." That was it. Wilshire shoved the researcher back. The man grunted as his back hit the bars of the cage. He frowned as he looked up at Wilshire. "That does it. I'm calling Brenner in on this . . ." Wilshire felt the color leave his face as the researcher reached for his PDA, only to find it missing. "What the-?" He looked around. He looked back into the cage and saw the Tormian Baboon had the PDA. At this, Wilshire began to laugh.

"Ha! Call me a liar! Looks like monkey-see, monkey-do!" Wilshire laughed as the baboon tapped the screen. The researcher was frantic.

"No! Stop it! We have to get that away from it!" The man was panicked. Wilshire laughed.

"Why? Afraid it's gonna find your porn stash?" laughed Valentine. That was when the sounds of cages opening caught his attention. The researcher's face was as white as his lab coat as they looked around. Every cage was open. They both were silent.

"Actually, I was more worried it would hit the "Cage Release" button . . .," said the researcher as the baboon hooted and bounded out of its cage. Wilshire looked around as all manner of animal noises erupted. Chaos reined as the baboon hollered as it leaped around. The researcher ducked as the baboon jumped over his head. "We have to get the PDA back and alert the station!" It was then that a low, rumbling, chittering hiss made everyone and everything go silent.

Both Valentine and the researcher swallowed as they turned. At the far end of the room, two long feelers touched the floor as a large, green-brown head came into view. Wilshire's eyes were wide and the researcher shivered. "Oh, my god . . . the Veruvian Tree-Stalker . . ." At this, the room became a mess of scaled, feathered and clothed bodies trying desperately to escape from the room as one of the largest and most dangerous creatures in the galaxy made a meal from a screaming Olinid. Wilshire ducked as the Paleyan Phoenix flew over his head. The poor researcher backed up and was knocked down as the Tormian Baboon ran under him as the door hissed open.

It turned into a stampede to escape, and the poor researcher was on the floor as many feet stomped on him. He screamed when the Bactan Starwolf stepped squarely on his back, his spine snapping under the weight. Wilshire scrambled out just as the Paleyan Phoenix bounded past, its talon cutting the researcher's neck as it passed, frantic to escape. Wilshire watched as the giant, centipede-like Tree Stalker swallowed another Olinid, still very much alive and screaming, and turned towards the door, feelers touching the floor. The researcher was still as a pool of blood formed. Wilshire got to his feet and ran.

XXX

Kyle sighed from where he sat in the medical lab. They had examined Sophie's wound until she hissed, making them back off. Kyle was beginning to wonder if they didn't do this just to make them uncomfortable. He wouldn't put it past Catherine. He still wasn't too sure what it was, but there was something about her that never felt right. From the first moment he met her, something seemed off. Sophie felt it, too. At least Reinhardt wasn't there that day. It was just Catherine and a couple of researchers. Sophie watched them, seemingly at ease, but still wary.

Catherine smiled as she walked up to Kyle and Sophie as the researchers left the lab with the samples and readings they had gained.

"Well, the Xenomorph seemed to be almost fully healed. That's amazing. You also seem to be healing very nicely. The bones are knitting very well." Kyle gave a soft smile. Sophie softly hissed from where she was sitting by his side. That was when they heard a distant alarm. Kyle frowned before it grew louder.

"Warning. Negative-presence detected in cages 30-40. All Security personnel report to Specimen-Block-E. Emergency alert: yellow," warned the automated voice of the PA system. Kyle was about to ask when Catherine pulled up her PDA and furiously typed. She headed for the door without a word.

"You two stay here," she said plainly as she closed the door. Kyle heard the lock click. He blinked as he looked at Sophie.

"Negative-presence"? Did it mean the specimens escaped? Kyle asked. Sophie's tail swished.

It sounds like it. I can hear things. The animals. They don't sound like they're in their cages. She looked up at Kyle. Kyle . . . this is our chance! He blinked as he looked around.

But . . . how do we get out of here? Sophie looked upwards. Kyle followed her gaze to the ceiling, and the vent that was there. Kyle smiled. Sophie was about to leap up, when he stopped her. Wait! He looked around as he walked to the desks. He smiled as he pulled out a standard multi-tool. He flicked out the screwdriver and smiled as he turned to Sophie. She hissed her approval as she wound her tail around him.

XXX

It was chaos in the halls as Security tried to get things back under control. One of the armored men tapped the microphone in his helmet.

"This is Delta-Three, this is worse than we thought! One of the baboons got hold of a PDA and opened all the cages! All the cages! How copy?" His radio hissed with static as another burst of automatic gunfire erupted.

"Solid copy, Delta-Three. Try to get that PDA away from it if you can. What's gotten loose?"

"EVERYTHING! " yelled the soldier as more yelling came, along with screeching and screaming from the darkened hall.

"They're coming!" yelled one man as they readied for another assault. They were surprised when a bunch of Olinids bounded past, not paying the humans any mind. They watched, bewildered as they ran past.

"What's got them in a hurry?" A chittering hiss was the answer. They turned as a dim shape wove through the darkness towards them.

"Open fire!"

XXX

Dr. Reinhardt's face was a living mask of consternation as he watched the Security teams fight a losing battle with the Tree-Stalker. Catherine rushed into his office as he stood, hands on his desk as he groaned softly.

"How many have escaped?" he asked, his voice low.

"Specimen-Blocks A-M are empty. I don't know how this happened, but-"

"That doesn't matter now. All that matters is getting things back under control," said Reinhardt calmly, but firmly. Catherine nodded.

"Specimen-001?" he asked, looking at Catherine.

"In the Medical Lab with Patient-113. I locked the door." Dr. Reinhardt typed and the screen displayed the medical lab. He gasped. The room was empty. His head snapped up. "They're gone." Catherine rushed over and stared at the screen.

"That's impossible." Reinhardt stared at her, his eyes cold.

"Obviously it is possible. Specimen-001 is by far the most important. Find it immediately! And make sure no harm comes to Patient-113, either. I want them both alive and unharmed." Catherine rushed out of the room without another word.

XXX

Kyle grunted as he and Sophie slid through the air ducts. He was amazed Sophie was as flexible as she was. Despite her size, she was able to squeeze into the vents rather easily. Sophie led the way, her tail around Kyle's waist as they crawled through the air ducts.

Do you know where we are? he asked as they turned a corner.

Of course. We're right above the hallway that connects the cages with other rooms. Kyle sighed and nodded, trusting Sophie's sense of direction. Every now and then, Kyle could hear the sounds of animals or humans yelling or screaming echoing in the vents. It chilled him. Sophie reassured him as they made their way through the vents. Kyle had been trying to work on a plan of some sort as they went. The only thing he could think of was find their way to the Docking Bay and hope there was a ship or lifeboat they could steal. Sophie couldn't come up with a better plan. The only problem was Kyle wasn't sure where to go.

To that end, they needed to find someplace he could access a map of the facility. As they came to a very large shaft, Kyle noticed a large gray tube on the wall. It was almost as big around as he was tall. He blinked as he looked closer. He gasped. Sophie felt his distress. Kyle? He swallowed as he stared at the large tube.

This is AV-H-865. These are Slag-Charges, Sophie . . . Kyle looked up the shaft, and saw they faded up into the darkness above. This one alone is enough to blow the side of this station off. Sophie hissed and pulled them away into another vent.

Why would they have that? Sophie asked. Kyle sat and frowned.

Probably to use as an emergency destruct. He looked up at Sophie, worry etched across his face. Now we really have to get out of here. Sophie agreed as they crawled into a new vent. They came to a vent that was over a room and Sophie helped Kyle to open it. She lowered him down with her tail before she followed. Kyle saw the computer terminal and went to work. He could feel Sophie's mind at work on something as he typed.

Kyle, do you think you can activate the emergency destruct? He stopped typing and looked at her, eyes wide.

Why would you want to know that? Sophie sat and gave a low moan as her tail swished.

Kyle, even if we escape, they'll hunt us down. You know they will. He frowned as he thought. But, if the station is destroyed . . . Kyle smiled at her.

They'll think we went with it. Sophie nodded. Kyle frowned as he went back to typing.

Good idea, but it won't do us any good if we're here when it goes.

I doubt they'd make it just blow instantly. They'd likely give time for people to evacuate. Kyle thought on what she said, weighing everything. He knew she was right. Kyle frowned as he read the readouts.

Damn. We can't access the map from here. We need to find a main terminal.

Where could we find one? Kyle sighed.

One of the research labs would be the most likely place. Sophie gave a soft hiss as she headed back to the vent. She climbed in and lifted Kyle up with her tail. Kyle was careful to close the vent cover before they left. As they crawled through the vents, Kyle saw more Slag-Charges in the maintenance shafts. It made him very uneasy. AV-H-865 wasn't just an explosive, it was also an incendiary. This station would burn before it blew. Whether it was to eliminate anything alive, or to destroy evidence, Kyle had no idea. Suddenly, Sophie stopped.

What is it? Kyle asked. Sophie hissed as she pulled him closer with her tail.

I don't know, but I can hear a lot of them. Kyle listened and could hear a scrabbling sound echoing in the vents. Kyle looked around and saw a junction just ahead of them.

Are they in front, or to the side? Sophie hissed as she tensed.

In front and behind us . . . Kyle drew in a breath.

Make for that junction. Hurry! With that, Sophie lunged forward, pulling Kyle with her as she crawled through the vents as fast as she could. Kyle could hear whatever it was, behind them and moving closer. I think they know we're here. Sophie agreed as they moved through the vents. Sophie saw a vent cover ahead and smashed through, sending the grate crashing to the floor as she darted out, Kyle wrapped in her tail and held to her back as she darted down the hall as fast as her legs would go. Kyle looked back and saw several Taparian Saldars pour out of the vent before they turned a corner. Kyle sighed with relief. Saldars were almost as dangerous as the Olinids were.

The large crustaceans were very aggressive and voracious eaters. They had dodged the proverbial bullet. Kyle shook his head. This station was one giant nightmare. Sophie agreed as she slowed enough to let Kyle stand. He listened as they walked. He could hear the screeches and screams of various animals and the sound of gunfire every now and then echo off the walls. Kyle opened a door and walked in, Sophie following. He looked up and recoiled at the sight that greeted him. Large glass tubes were filled with a blue liquid. Inside were things that he could recognize had, at one time, been human. They were so distorted and so misshapen, it made his stomach turn. He shivered. Sophie nuzzled his side as she touched his mind.

It's okay, Kyle. He shivered again at the ghastly things in the tubes. He'd never seen anything so horrible in his life. He turned away, not able to look at the monsters anymore.

What are these things? Sophie hissed as she looked at one of the creatures. They unnerved her, also. Something about them made even her wary. Kyle found the courage to look up at one of the tanks. He frowned as he looked at the label. "NEC-002-Slasher" was the legend. Kyle felt his stomach about to leap out his mouth.

Let's go, Kyle. He sighed and nodded. Neither him nor Sophie could get out of that vile room fast enough.

XXX

Security Team Gamma was having one hell of a time. They had already lost five men to the Starwolves, and their ammo was running low. They had been forced to retreat, especially after they had stumbled across what remained of Team Delta. Whatever they had run up against hadn't left much. There was barely enough of the whole team left to fit in a shoebox. As the seven surviving members of Team Gamma came to an intersection, they all pointed their rifles at movement.

"Whoa! Hey, it's me!" said Wilshire. One of the men sighed.

"Dammit, Valentine. Where the hell have you been?" asked one.

"Keeping my head attached. Where's everybody else?" Wilshire asked as he slid his handgun back under his belt.

"This is "everybody else" . . .," said another man, sweeping his hand around. Wilshire blinked. Before anyone else could speak, they heard something. It sounded like metal tearing. They whirled at the sounds, which was quickly followed by the sounds of many footsteps on the metal grating. They heard the sounds of boots running and turned, just in time to see Valentine running off in the other direction as fast as he could.

"Dammit! Valentine, you fat coward!" yelled one of them.

"Forget him! We've got company!" Security Team Gamma formed a circle as they were surrounded by a swam of Saldars. The halls echoed with automatic gunfire, punctuated by screeches and screams and yells before it fell silent.

XXX

Kyle and Sophie had been reluctant to return to the vents after they had encountered the Saldars. It was just too high a risk. In such close quarters, there was no way to dodge. If they were surrounded, they were finished. However, just because they were in the hallways didn't mean they were in plain sight. Kyle looked around from where he was on Sophie's back as she crawled along the ceiling. He had initially objected to riding Sophie, not wanting to treat her like a horse. This amused her. Despite the seriousness of the situation, she kissed him and filled his mind with warmth before she pulled him on and climbed up. Some of the doors were locked. Not too surprising, given the circumstances.

They tried as many doors as they could. Either they were locked, or there was no main terminal there. Kyle started to worry, feeling time was against them. As they went, Kyle noticed a few doors looked like they had been welded shut. He blinked, wondering what had driven somebody to do that. He shivered, and decided he was better off not knowing. Here and there, he could still hear screeches or yells. A few times, he heard someone scream from inside one of the rooms. Kyle disliked all this unnecessary pain and suffering. Sophie comforted him as they continued on. As they moved through the halls, Kyle heard a new sound. He blinked as he listened. It was a chittering, low hiss. Kyle blinked. Sophie was surprised when she felt his mind fill with alarm.

Sophie, get inside one of the vents! he said as he looked around. He felt her confusion and worry. No time to explain! She hurried and did as he asked. Kyle pulled the vent cover on and watched the floor through the vent. He shivered as he watched the large, green-brown creature walk under them, feelers touching the floor as it wove its way along. Sophie hissed softly.

Kyle, what is that? Kyle frowned.

That, Sophie, is a Veruvian Tree-Stalker. One of the most dangerous things alive in the galaxy. Kyle watched as the large creature passed under them, sighing with some relief when it was past. This one looks like a young one. Sophie was surprised. The beast was over twenty feet long, and it was a juvenile? With the Tree-Stalker loose, the vents looked much safer than before.

Kyle smiled as they found a supply room. Sophie helped Kyle to open the vent cover and he carefully dropped down. As Kyle entered the room, he was greeted by howls and hooting. He ducked as a can flew over his head. Several Tormian Baboons were inside, breaking open boxes and crates and generally making a mess. He backed up when a few bared their teeth and growled at him. That was when Sophie entered the room. All noise ceased. She stared at the baboons and hissed, baring her teeth.

At this, they screeched and ran for their lives, leaping at the walls and trying to find any way out. Sophie looked at Kyle. He looked at the baboons and sighed as he turned and walked towards the door on the other side of the room as the frantic baboons crowded into a corner. Sophie hissed as the door closed. Her tail swished as she approached the terrified baboons as they tried in vain to escape. She hadn't eaten since breakfast.

XXX

In the other room, Kyle looked around for anything that could be of use. Some of the boxes and crates had been broken open. He sighed, seeing that there was no terminal. As he turned, he was surprised to see someone he had almost forgotten about standing there, pointing a gun at him. Wilshire grinned.

"So, you got out, too, huh?" Kyle remained calm as he stood.

"Yeah. I figured I'd been cooped up for long enough." Kyle tried to sound casual. Wilshire grinned.

"You know what kind of trouble you got me into?" he asked. Kyle remained as passive as he could.

"I didn't get you in trouble. I never said anything." Wilshire frowned.

"Oh, but you did. You and that damn pet of yours got me into a lot of trouble, you little brat!" Wilshire growled, so focused on Kyle, he never heard the door hiss open behind him. "Say, where is that damn monster of yours, anyway?" At this, Kyle smiled.

"Oh, she's around . . . and closer than you think." Wilshire blinked as a large, black hand gripped his hand, and the gun it held. His eyes grew wide as he was turned around as his gun was flung across the room, clattering loudly against a crate as he stared into the bloodstained face of Sophie. Her left hand tightened around his fat neck as she bared her teeth. He choked and gagged as he fought in vain against her grip. Sophie growled as she stared down at him. Wilshire's eyes widened as Sophie curled the fingers of her right hand into a fist and she reared back. He tried to yell as the obsidian-black fist hurtled towards his face.

XXX

The three remaining members of Team Gamma panted as they trudged through the halls. They only had one assault rifle with any ammo. The other two had picked up a broken pipe and a fire ax. As they rounded a corner, they were surprised to see a large mass of . . . something stuck to a wall. They warily approached, and gaped at what they saw. It was Valentine, stuck to the wall, upside down, his mouth covered by the sticky substance that cocooned him, and his left eye black. He looked like he'd been socked by a gorilla that then decided to stick him to the wall with a wad of old chewing gum. It was actually rather humorous. Valentine groaned as he looked at them. One of the men chuckled.

"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in. So nice of you to hang around, Valentine. Especially after you ditched us like that." The other two men chuckled, but it wasn't with humor. Wilshire mumbled. It was then that a familiar, chittering hiss made the three men freeze. They looked around. Valentine's eye grew large as he struggled against his cocoon, grunting and groaning. He looked at the men and groaned. One of them looked at him and grinned.

"Well, we gotta jet, man. See ya around." With that, the three Security officers left. Wilshire struggled against his bonds, grunting and groaning as he tried to free himself. The chittering hiss was louder. Wilshire stopped and looked to his right. The Tree-Stalker was just coming around the corner, its feelers touching the floor as he wove across the grating. Wilshire wiggled and strained, but the cocoon held. His head was about two feet off the ground. His eye widened as the Tree-Stalker came closer. His blood ran cold when it looked in his direction. He groaned as loud as he could through the resin that encased him as the Tree-Stalker came closer, its feelers pointing right at him. He tried to scream at it opened its mouth.

XXX

Kyle was fighting a losing battle with laughter as he and Sophie crawled through the vents. He snickered as he remembered how Sophie had stuck Wilshire to the wall like he was a wad of gum.

Sophie, I can't believe you did that. His thoughts were filled with mirth.

I wasn't in the mood to be merciful . . . Kyle fought not to laugh. He had been fully expecting her to kill him on the spot. He was surprised when Sophie stopped and looked through a vent cover.

Sophie? What is it? Kyle felt confused feelings from her as she broke the cover open. They entered one of the research labs. Kyle looked around as Sophie moved towards a door to another room. He ignored everything else and followed her. The door hissed open almost silently as they entered. There were several tubes, filled with an almost clear liquid. Kyle blinked as he recognized the forms within. They were eggs, just like the ones Sophie had showed him in her Hive Memories.

No, not eggs. Sophie had called them "Cradles". These, however, looked different. They looked shriveled and old. A couple had obviously been cut open. The spider-like creatures that had been inside were also shriveled. Sophie had called them "Seekers". It looked like they had been dead a long time. He noticed one Cradle, though, that was not cut open, but had hatched, the top open like a flower. In the tube next to it was one of the Seekers. This one was not shriveled, but it did look like it had been dissected and then sewn back up. Sophie stood in front of the tube and gently touched the glass.

Kyle stared at the scene, almost numb. This was the Cradle Sophie had hatched from. The Seeker was the very one that had planted her within him. It was sobering to think this had been over his face, the tube down his throat at one point. All in all, there were seven Cradles, but it seemed that Sophie's was the only one that hatched. It looked like the others had died before they hatched. Kyle couldn't completely decipher Sophie's feelings and thoughts. They were confused, jumbled and upset. He could feel she was sad the others hadn't hatched. Sophie stroked the tube that contained one of the dead, shriveled Seekers, her feelings cold and even sadder.

Mother . . ., she said softly. Kyle blinked as he looked up at her as a deep feeling of regret flowed through their link. This one was a Mother . . . Kyle looked at the shriveled form inside, surprised and awed. It didn't look any different from the others, but this one had held a Mother, a Queen that would never be. It made Kyle a little sad, too, but nowhere near as much as Sophie. There was a profound feeling of loss from Sophie at seeing what remained of her kin. Kyle sent warm feelings across their link to comfort her. He felt gratitude from her, but the rest of her thoughts were alien to him.

He left her for the moment as he went to check the terminal in the other room and see if he could access the map from there. Perhaps, also, he could find out about the Cradles and where they came from. As he entered the main room, the lights flickered again. He sighed as he walked towards the terminal. The last thing they needed was for the power to go out. Kyle didn't particularly like the idea of running around a space station, filled with aggressive animals, in the dark. As he walked through the room, he noticed the main door was open just a hair.

He tensed as his eyes darted around. He was about to alert Sophie as he turned. He suddenly felt a strong hand clamp down on his throat, squeezing tight. He gagged as he stared into two brown eyes, framed by long brown hair. Perhaps the most disturbing thing about his attacker was the fact that their calm, serene smile was unchanged from any other time.

"Clever boy, aren't you?" said Catherine calmly. Kyle's blood ran cold.

Author's note: A special thanks goes to my mother for her ideas on what the Aliens would call their eggs and young. One last chapter to go!