A/N: I do not own Aliens, Predator, AVP or a library... but with all the books I've got, I'm well on my way!

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Chapter 12: Siblings!

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Ciara was not a happy hybrid, no sir! Why?

First off: They were on a planet where Xenomorphs ruled supreme and the scientists had known that, and still, they sent her and her siblings down to this mucus-covered hell-hole!

Second: Her siblings were scattered, and no one knew if they would survive the multitude of xenos long enough until she found them.

And thirdly: She was really starting to hate these xenos that were, in essence, brothers, sisters, or cousins (hell, maybe even aunts, uncles, or grandparents for all she knew!).

She may have more xeno DNA, but that didn't make her like them anymore than she already did; which was gutted, beheaded and mounted on her wall – with a few of their teeth ready to be turned into a pretty little necklace, bracelet or earring. Hell, even a keychain made from their bladed tail would be preferable for all they were good for... or perhaps as a pet. If just to get kicks out of making a new definition for: "Release the Hounds!" ...not that she ever thought about if, of course.

(Oh, who was she kidding? 'Thinking' was the only way to pass the time back 'home'.)

Of course, to have the xenos as a pet, you'd have to take away the acid blood, the dangerous claws and teeth, and tail: and make them as docile as a wet kitten that hadn't eaten for two weeks and was on the verge of death... but perhaps she was just rambling on in her mind as her temper grew, and grew, with each passing second.

So, back to her point: She. Was. Not. Happy.

Damien had noticed her growing temper, and had surprisingly kept Andre and Joel in line. Andrew, however, did know how bad Ciara's temper could be as he'd been on the receiving end a few times. It had not been a pretty sight, and he had no desire to relieve it. As for Joel, who had not experienced it himself, he was concentrating on his surroundings more than the bastard holding him.

"Can you sense them, Sky?' Lily asked to break the tense silence. She as used to the quiet when she was on her own, but in this situation... she did not like it as much.

Sky gestured with her head to the left tunnel. "Shadow, Dmitri and Raptor are that way. Raoul, Amber, Dagger and Silver are that way," she added, pointing her head to the right.

"We're going to have to split up," Hunter said bluntly in the resulting, almost tenser, silence. Both Ethan and Joel jumped, having almost forgotten he was even there. He hadn't said a word since they'd started running down the tunnels. He seemed to sense their surprise, because a wicked smirk crept over his lips, but otherwise, he was didn't say anything else.

Ciara looked at each member of their group, before nodding to herself. "Lily, Sky, Hunter and Ethan: take Raoul, Amber, Dagger and Silver."

"An even split," Andre sighed, realising where this was going. He shot her a depressed look like someone had kicked his puppy. "Why am I stuck with you?"

She sent him a glance bordered on the need to rip something apart, and amusement. "Because you have the injured human," she replied dryly and then cracked her neck, her eyes half-closed as she cast her senses out. She had an uncanny ability to 'read' the air akin to echolocation, except she could sense the vibrations other creatures gave out. Whether she could use it herself, she never told. It was highly probable she could, however... "Now, let's go," she said, opening her eyes. "I sense more xenos on their way."

"Can't have that," Hunter drawled, rolling his shoulders to loosen them, and then turned to Ethan with a probing, mocking look. "Think you can keep up, human?"

"Just try and lose me, Hybrid," Ethan smirked in response, and received a small smirk from the mixed hybrid in reply.

"We'll meet you in the next largest cavern further alone," Sky said and then sent Ciara a smirk and a private thought. "Try not to kill them."

Ciara scoffed as she turned away, heading down the other tunnel. "Try not to die, Sky."

"You too," was the amused response.

Ciara shook her head. Siblings!

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"When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to resemble a nail."
~Abraham Maslow (1908-1970)