Disclaimer: The author does not own Aliens.
Hive-Mind
by
Dawnfang434
'Is thought'
"Is said"
"Is Zen/Xenomorph speech"
"Is Queen/Praetorian speech"
"Is Alarm/Android"
Holy mother of a duck butt haircut! Over 15.000 views and almost 100 reviews! I didn't think this story would be this popular. Thank you all for your love and support, and sorry for the long wait. *Cough cough* Without further ado here is chapter 10.
Alex ran quietly through the empty halls of the hospital or wherever he was, trying not to draw any unwanted attention. His eyes darted this way and that, looking for any sign of threats. He had escaped his room only minutes ago only to find that he was in some sort of isolation room. His body still ached and his hair tried to trip him with each step but he managed to find a coat someone had left behind, a Dr. Luna if he read it right. After slipping it on and tying his hair into a long braid he had walked out over to the door. Seeing that it was empty he had exited the room and started walking, not sure where he was going but not wanting to stay where he was either. He stopped when the hall split into three directions.
He looked from one to the other, trying to decide which to take when the alarms started. A dull mechanical voice announced "WARNING, SUBJECT 024 HAS ESCAPED."
Covering his ears he looked around in alarm just as three armored men walked around the corner at the end of the path to his right. Almost immediately they spotted him."Escaped prisoner found."
One of them lifted what appeared to be some kind of shotgun. The only warning he got was a high pitched whine before a chunk of the wall to his right exploded.
Crying out in surprise and fear he dived into the hall to his left. Scrambling to his feet he frantically thought. 'T-there actually trying to kill me!'
Hearing the heavy footsteps of his attackers he took off again, doing his best to ignore the pain in his body as it reached new heights. Half way down the hall they started firing again. Chunks of wall and floor erupted all over as he reached the end of the hall and turned yet another corner. That's when he spotted it. Just ahead of him two men were trying to push an obviously angry cow through a small doorway. He couldn't help but smile as a plan began to form.
Waving his hands around frantically he yelled. "Run, he's got a gun!"
Both men turned to look at him, momentarily forgetting about the angry animal they had between them. And that's all it took for it to get free and slam its large head into the man on its left. The man hit the wall with a wet crunch and slid to the floor. The other not wanting to be next started running down the hall. He was soon followed by the cow who was just trying to get away from where ever they were trying to put it.
Alex flattened himself against the wall just in time to let both pass. Just then the men trying to kill him walked around the corner, just as the cow reached it too. Not waiting to see what would happen he sprinted for the still open door. As he ran through the door he slammed his fist into the panel beside the door. With a satisfying crack the door began to slide shut.
Smiling he thought, 'Ha, I ma...' And that was when a loader slammed into him. Pain unlike any had ever felt, and he had felt quite a lot over the last week or so, exploded on the right side of his back, the force of which through him off his feet and rolling across the floor. Lights seemed to flash before his eyes as what felt like knives stabbed into his body, radiating out from his right side. When he had finally come to a stop he let out a long pain filled groan, his body twitching now and then. Somewhere in the back of his mind he couldn't help but think of this as yet another thing to add to the list of things that hurt.
After a minute to catch his breath and let the knives dull to pins and needles he tried to push himself off the floor and into a sitting position, only to fail. Every time he tried to get his arms under him they would just flop around weakly. Now that he thought about it none of his limbs wanted to respond to his commands. Fear gripped him as the thought of becoming paralyzed entered his mind.
'No, that's not right.' He thought after taking a calming breath. 'If I were paralyzed then nothing would move. Maybe i'm in shock? I was shot after all.'
He couldn't feel and wetness so he wasn't bleeding, that was good. 'Nonlethal? If so then why?'
Suddenly all thoughts were replaced by surprise when he felt something wrap around his body and lift him into the air. Almost immediately he started to weakly struggle in an attempt to get out of whatever had him. A low hissing right above him made his blood abruptly freeze. Slowly tilting his head back he saw something that, had he not spent a few days getting to know his new sisters, would have had him peeing his pants. Standing less than two feet before him, mouth covered in blood and gore and still holding half of what appeared to be a cow, was the largest zen he had ever seen. Had he even had the full use of his limbs he doubted he could do much against the massive creature before him.
It looked a lot like the other zen he had seen, though there were plenty of features that did not. Standing at 25 feet tall it towered over him giving off an air of majestic grace and overwhelming intimidation. Tilting its huge head as if looking him over it gave him a good view of its large beautiful crest. Its black organic armor twisted this way and that in seemingly intricate designs, reminding him greatly of earths Celtic knots. Add to that the silver-blue lines that ran throughout the whole structure and it was a sight to behold.
Tilting its head back up to seemingly look him in the eyes it opened its jaws, giving him a clear view of its razor-sharp transparent teeth, each one several inches long. He let out a small choked gasp as its inner jaw, the maw of which was almost as large as is head head slid out toward him.
Closing his eyes as he waited for his imminent death he thought. 'Rika, Sophie, i'm so sorry I couldn't keep my promise.'
After a few minutes of not dying or feeling his flesh being torn he cracked open an eye. It simply stood there tilting its head this way and that as it stared at him. Opening its jaws again it extended its inner mouth toward him and he was sure this was it. Instead of killing him however it took a deep breath as if sniffing him.
Getting a little annoyed at this and the constant near death experiences he's had to endure the past week he glared up at it and said, "Well, what are you waiting for? If you're going to kill me, then kill me!"
If it weren't for the fact that zen didn't have the same facial features humans had he would have said this one looked dumbfounded.
Almost immediately his mind was touched by another, one that felt far older than he could understand. When it spoke it was feminine and held almost as much surprise as he felt. "Who are you?"
Alex would have grabbed his head if his arms weren't still made of jelly as a new wave of pain throbbed through his head. "Ah, a little quieter please, I have a killer headache."
When she spoke next her voice was filled with annoyance. "How dare you! I would end your insolent life were it not for the fact you can hear me. Now answer me, how can you hear me!"
Despite the pain that now thundered through his head like an angry pack of power loaders, Alex couldn't help but chuckle at her last words. His humor apparently transferred over because not a moment later her angry voice roared within his head. "Whats so funny!"
Still chuckling he replied, "Ouch, because I-i don't even know how."
The large zen was silent for so long Alex had thought she had cut the link. He was about to speak when she spoke again, this time in a much softer tone. "Are you the human named Alex?"
His mind froze at that. 'H-how does she know my name?'
Deciding to voice his questions he said, "Y-yes, but who are you and how do you know my name?"
This time she laughed. "I am Balta, Queen of the zen, one of them anyway. As for how I know your name, I learned it from my daughter Sophie. She speaks quite highly of you you know."
This time his mind froze for two reasons, shock and anger. Unable to hold himself back he angerly asked, "Where were you! both Rika and Sophie awoke alone. And while i'm grateful for my new family you needed to be there for them."
He would have continued had Balta's voice cut him off. "Don't presume to judge me human. Were it not for these... humans,"She spit out the word humans as if it were a foul tasting poison. " I would have been there to welcome them into this world, and you would most likely be dead."
After a moment she spoke again, this time calmer. "But I do thank you for being there for them when I could not."
Alex couldn't help but smile. "Not a problem. Speaking of them are Rika and Sophie close?"
I was a few moments before she replied. "Sophie is here I don't know where Rika is however."
~*HM*~
Up above the conversing human and zen stood a grinning Dr. Cornell. Mr. Dawson's awakening had been a little sooner than he originally anticipated. He knew he would wake up soon but had thought it would be another day or so before then. Still, it would seem it would turn out to be quite profitable. Though he had to say the young man was quite resourceful. He had been immediately alerted when something had happened to the room in which the young man had been kept. Instead of immediately sending the combat androids to capture him he had decided to watch and see what the hybrid would do. He could always be captured if he got too far away.
He never dreamed the this would ever happen though. Mr. Dawson had found his way into the queens chamber. And to top it off, instead of killing him she seems to be examining him.
Just then a frantic Dr. Luna burst into the room. "Dr. Cornell, we can't find Mr. Dawson anywhere."
Chuckling he said, "Oh, I think he will turn up sooner or later. Who knows he maybe closer than you think."
Frowning in confusion she followed his gaze and said, "What do yo... My god, w-what is he doing in there?! We need to get him out of there now!"
"Oh, I don't think that would be advisable."
Turning to look at her employer in shock she asked, "Why?"
Leaning forward he pointed to the pair below. "Look at them. Any attempt at getting him away from her, even gas, could injure or even kill him. Also think of the data we could get from this."
'That's what it always comes down to doesn't it, data.' She thought bitterly as she looked at the queen as she held Alex. 'Whats going on?'
~*HM*~
She didn't know what to think. This human that smelled like one of her children was the human her Sophie had told her about? He looked so weak and helpless, and yet something felt familiar about him.
Leaning in she sniffed him again and asked, "Tell me Alex, have we met before."
Looking up he raised an eyebrow. "I don't think so. I would remember meeting someone like you."
As she thought about it she brought him closer to her chest, holding him like one of her children almost without thought. She had no memory of ever meeting a human in recent years other than those that caught her, so why did this one feel so familiar to her. Then it hit her, the human she has felt when she was captured. Holding him up she said, "I remember now. You were the one I gave my gift to."
Confused he asked, "Gift? What gift?"
Smiling she said, "When the humans captured me they cut me off from my children. I could no longer speak or even feel them. In a last desperate attempt to keep my young together I tried to give one control of the hive. But I could only find one mind, yours."
Alex didn't like were this was going. It felt as if someone had dropped a block of ice into the pit of his stomach. "W-what are you saying?"
A little laugh escaped her as she said, "You little one, for all intents and purposes, are a king of the zen."
He was silent for a moment before yelling, "WHAT?!"
She flinched back as if physically struck. She could feel the annoyance, shock and anger flowing over the link. "What's wrong, most would be honored to be where you are."
"Honored? Do you have any idea what I have been through the last week?"
"N-no." She was dumbstruck. No one had ever turned down the chance to be what he was.
He looked away still angry. "Well it wasn't fun I can tell you that."
An idea struck her then. "Then why don't you show me."
Looking back at her with narrowed eyes he asked, "What are you talking about?"
Holding him at eye level she said, "We zen can share memories and thoughts over the hive mind. Seeing as you are the center of that hive mind you can allow me to see yours."Maybe she could actually see who this man that Sophie spoke so highly of truly was.
He thought about it for a minute. 'Do I even want her in my mind? Yea, she is the mother of Rika and Sophie, but she is also a deadly alien that could kill me if she wanted to. Add to that shes the one tho did this to me...'
He let out a sigh. "Fine, just don't fry my brain. Its the only one I have."
To his annoyance she giggled. "Don't worry, I love my children far to much to do that. Now hold still and relax."
Nodding he closed his eyes and tried to do just that. After a minute he felt that vast conciseness touch his own. The moment it did his mind and hers were flooded by memory's. People, places and events she was unfamiliar with flashed one by one across her mind.
Images now became projected onto her mind as if they were videos. The first was a woman holding a child with bright red hair. It took her a moment to realize that this was Alex. She watched as who could only be his mother started singing to him in a soft voice while slowly rocking him back and forth.
"How many stars are up in the sky?
How many grains of sand on the shore?
How many fish swim down in the sea?
''Tho we may count there will always be more"
She watched as the young boy yawned and snuggled into the woman's lap.
"We could count miracles all night long, One by one
On and on we would never be done
So go to sleep, my little one"
All of the sudden a door leading into the structure swung opened, slamming hard against the wall as it did. Without stopping the women glared as a human male stomped out of the shelter they were in front of.
"How many blades of grass in the field?
How many birds fly up in the air?
How many shells on the ocean floor?
Life's many wonders abound everywhere"
Though she didn't know who this man was she found herself already hating him. He seemed to be a normal human. About as tall as most she had seen before with short brown hair and steel grey eyes filled with disdain for the two before him.
"How many berries hang on the vine?
How many seeds does the spring breeze sow?
How many leaves are up in the tree?
Just when we know more new ones will grow"
He sneered as he stared at the bay.
"Go to sleep, go to sleep
Go to sleep, my little one
For one thing I know is true
The sweetest miracle is you
Yes, one thing I know is true
The sweetest miracle is you"
As she finished her lullaby she glared at him and said in a whisper, "Please stop, he just fell asleep."
Huffing he said, a little louder than needed. "Why should I care if he is happy, its not like hes my child."
A look of disgust crossed her beautiful face. "Do you have to be such an ass, Michel?"
A look of anger crossed his face. "What was that you bitch?"
Stomping over he raised a hand, but before anything could happen the scene shifted to another.
She now found herself in a small room surrounded by those odd second skins humans always seemed to wear. A bit of movement out of the corner of her vision drew her attention to a slightly older Alex. Though the room was dark she could tell he was alone and from the sounds he was making crying heavily too. He sat in a corner with his arms wrapped around his small legs.
Out of nowhere a voice called, "Alex, Get back here you little..."
As his head snapped up a look of fear crossed his face. She had seen that same look on those her children had hunted when they had shared memories before. It was one that said he was afraid for his life. Hugging his legs tighter he sobbed harder.
As she watched Balta felt an almost overwhelming need to comfort the young one. Indeed, it was so strong that had she actually been there she would have scooped him up and held him close, as she would for one of her own young. She was pulled from her thoughts when the boy pressed himself into the wall as the sound of footsteps got closer.
Suddenly a door flew open, flooding the room with light. As the light washed over Alex she let out a mental hiss of shock. His lip was broken and blood dripped from it. His face and arms were covered in purple buses. Out of nowhere a hand shot out and roughly pulled him out, electing a cry of pain from him.
The boy cried harder as he came face to face with the male from the other memory. He stood there with one hand clamped on the boys arm and the other on a bottle of dark liquid, his face red with anger.
Grabbing at the arm that held him the boy pleaded. "N-no, stop. Please, i-it hurts."
Face scrunching up in anger, the man let go only to slap the boy across the face before grabbing the back of his second skin and tossing him toward another door. "Shadup ya little freak. That worthless mother of yours will bre home soon. Go get clean before she does or you will regret it."
Once again the scene shifted though she took little notes of it as she was seething in anger. Had she actually been in her real body and not just a free floating mind she would be shuddering with rage. 'H-how dare he! HOW DARE HE DO THAT TO HIS OWN YOUNG!'
Scene after scene her rage grew with each appearance of the older male. By this time she was so angry that had she been there she would have torn him limb from limb. She just couldn't fathom how anyone could do that to one so young, let alone their own young. It only grew worse after the death of Alex's mother, the cause of which seemed odd to her. Thankfully it didn't last much longer. The abuse was found out and he was taken away from that human who, in her opinion, wasn't fit to even be there food. The next few years were only slightly better as he bounced from home to home. By the time he eventually took the job here her instincts were screaming at her to hold him close and never let go. It was nothing short of a miracle that he didn't utterly despise his own kind. As she finished watching his recent memories, not without a little amusement she might add, she stared at him with a new sense of respect.
As his mind cleared shook his head and said, "Well, now yo..."
He was cut off when he was all but crushed into Balta's bonny chest. In a voice softer than silk she said, "Oh you poor thing. Such a hard life, and at such a young age."
Alex for his part was shocked. How much had she seen? She was supposed to only see the last week. Looking up he asked, "H-how much did you see?"
Standing she walked over to a corner, still holding him close, and curled up. After a moment of silence she answered sending calming comforting thoughts over as she did. "All of it. I didn't mean to though. You aren't as experienced in sharing memories and thoughts as we are so it all sort of flowed over."
Feeling the the use of his limbs start to come back to him and the fire in his body fade almost to the point of nonexistence he said, "And?"
She hugged him closer. "After seeing everything you have had to endure and seeing the man you have become in spite of that, I couldn't ask for a more suiting successor."
He couldn't stop the blush that brushed his cheeks. "T-thank you."
~*HM*~
Up in the observation room everyone watched in fascination as the xenomorph queen, who had killed 43 men before her capture almost single handed, held the red headed man gently against her chest as she curled up in a corner.
Snapping out of her stupor Dr. Luna tuned to one of the lab techs and said, "Record everything. We must document everything."
Looking back through the window she said, "H-how is this possible? She has shown absolute hostilities to anyone who even got close. Then he just walks in and she cuddles him like a teddy bare."
Beside her Cornell nodded, his grin never leaving his face. "Indeed, it would seem that there is more to Mr. Dawson than meets the eye."
Writing something down she said, "Perhaps it is his mutation. It might of changed him enough for her to think he is one of her children. Though I can't see how."
Nodding Doctor Cornell leaned forward and said, "Mmm, I would have to agree with you. Though they are beasts they possess some measure of intelligence so I highly doubt she would be fooled into thinking he was one of her offspring. But then that leaves the question, why isn't she killing him?"
Looking over her datapad and a computer in front of her she said, "I-i don't know. There is no indication of anything that would make me believe this should be possible," She gestured to the window "But there it is."
"You could always ask him. I'm sure with the way hes been treated he'll be more than willing to have a friendly chat with you doc. He is wearing your coat after all if the ID laying on the floor is any indication." Commander Frost said with a chuckle from his spot over in one corner as he pointed at a computer screen that showed one of the queens chambers cameras. On it could be seen a thin rectangle of plastic with her picture and name on it.
Gasping in surprise she searched in all her pockets and found that her ID was indeed missing. "But how?"
Smirking in amusement Frost said, "Well you have been spending quite a lot of time there so I suppose its to be expected."
Before she can send back a retort doctor Cornell interrupted her by saying, "The point I believe Commander Frost is trying to make is you know Mr. Dawson better than anyone else. So if anyone can get him to talk it would most likely be you."
Sending a glare at the still smirking soldiers way she asks, "Fine, but what should I tell him if he asks why he's here?"
Without turning he replies, "What ever you wish, I doubt he will believe us if we said we brought him here to help him."
Furrowing her brows in confusion she asked, "Why?"
Chuckling as he tilted his head to get a better look at something down in the cell below he said, "Oh, a couple of the combat androids chased him and it would seem one got lucky and managed to hit him with a stun round."
"Bastard!" She hissed under her breath as she nodded and turned to leave.
"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that." Came Frosts voice from behind her as she walked toward the door.
"I said yes sir." She called back over her shoulder as she walked out the door.
Slowly shaking his head Frost moved from his spot in the corner to stand by his college. After a minute he said, "You know she is going to become a problem sooner or later right?"
Smiling at the mans words he says, "That's why you're here, to deal with these problems when they arise. And when she becomes one I expect you to do just that," Turning he looks the taller man in the eye. "Am I understood?"
Chuckling darkly he nods. "Completely sir."
*Pant* T-there... *Pant, huff* You are. As promised, a loooooooooong chapter.*Straightensup and pulls an announcers mic from nowhere* Sooooooooo, what do you suppose will happen next my friends?! Tune in next time for all the answers and more on... Hive Mind. Read and review.
Oh, and before I forget, I would like to thank everyone for the great reviews and a special thanks to "Nick" for the ideas of the androids. And another special thanks to "Sci-Fi reader" For there idea of the gun. Even though I didn't use his example he still gave me the idea for the one I did.
