-1Disclaimer: I don't own aliens, or predator. However, I own the fourth and fifth races that are now entering the battle.
Chapter 13
Circle of Life
Several miles upstream of the river that flows into the hive's underground lake, in the mountains to be exact. A large rock dam obstructed the water flow, allowing only small amounts of water through and some rather small fish.
The dam had been there for hundreds of years, perhaps more. There was cracking sound and a large portion of the dam was swept away by the water it had originally contained.
If one were too look close enough they could seem the faint glimmer of silver scales slipping through the hole.
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Scar screeched as he fell to the ground below. The predator howled as it fell a few feet away. He groaned as he hit the wing of the space ship below. Unfortunately, the wing was on a slant and it was slick with rainwater. Scar tried to grab a hold of the wing, but he was sliding too fast.
He saw the edge approaching fast. He dug his claws into the steel and gasped as all it did was slow him down. He finally ground to halt and found himself hanging over the edge. He glanced over and found Weyvin in a similar position.
They both glanced up and found the humans looking down at them. The group moved amongst themselves as they allowed someone to stand in front. Both their faces took on an expression of horror when they saw that that someone was carrying a bazooka.
Weyvin and Scar looked down. There was a half-finished building several feet below them that might break their fall, they both glanced back up at the bazooka wielding soldier just as he pulled the trigger. They released their grip on the ledge and fell as a fiery explosion enveloped the tip of the wings.
The half-finished roof broke out from under them as they plummeted through it. The next floor also collapsed as they hit it. Several floors later, they impacted with the ground.
Weyvin was the first to get back to his feet, he glanced over at the xenomorph and extended his wrist blades.
Scar growled as he stood up. He couldn't believe that the thick-headed predator still wanted to fight.
The two glanced over as another group of marines came charging around the corner of a building. Scar ran for another building and scaled it, disappearing over the top. Weyvin glanced back at the oomans.
Weyvin drew his spear and extended it. He uttered one of the phrases he had copied from his time on earth. "Bring it on!"
He ducked behind one of the building's support pillars as they opened fire. Fortunately, the pillar proved better cover then the wall, or the counter had. They stopped firing and Weyvin took advantage of the lull and tossed his spear into one of the marines.
They opened fire again and he again ducked behind the pillar. The marines again ceased fire and this time tossed something into the building. Weyvin activated his cloak and jumped out of the building as the grenades exploded.
The marines didn't see the cloaked hunter as he approached them from the side. He sliced into one of them with his wrist blades. The marines turned in surprise and fired, but Weyvin dodged the bullets, the marines couldn't find their invisible attacker. He slashed several more and then grabbed his spear from the body it was impaled in. He twirled his spear and sliced open several nearby soldiers. He fired his net gun at the ooman that seemed to be the leader, though in the chaos that he had caused it was difficult to tell.
He slashed through several more and then stopped and glanced around. There was only one man left and he was trembling in fright, pointing his rifle in wild directions. Weyvin's plasma caster extended and aimed at the human's head. The human shakily raised his hand to his helmet and flipped down the heat sensor. He yelped in fright as he saw the predator standing a car length away from him. Weyvin fired before he could raise his rifle.
Weyvin inspected his kills and wondered if it was worth taking a skull from any of them. Deciding it wasn't, he turned to leave and found another squad of marines barring his way.
The marines had their heat sensors on and Weyvin frowned and wondered if he could take down that many oomans without the element of surprise, he turned and charged toward the group of buildings. The marines opened fire and followed him. He leapt into the narrow space between the buildings just as a bazooka was fired. The alleyway erupted in flames and chunks of concrete were sent flying.
The marines cheered in victory as they saw the faint glow of neon green blood through the smoke cloud.
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Scar sighed as he entered the hive. He frowned as he realized he'd have to tell the Queen that the humans knew that there were xenomorphs on the planet. He sighed again and wondered if he could put that off till tomorrow.
He turned down the tunnel to the Queen's chamber. He wondered what the Queen would do to take care of their human problem.
So immersed in thought was he, that he didn't notice that he had finally come to the Queen's chamber. He frowned as he heard her talking to someone.
(So, I want you here everyday,) the Queen growled.
(Why?) An angry sounding Xena asked.
Scar could sense that the Queen was rather angry as well. He had to admire Xena's guts. He wouldn't want to face the angry Queen.
(I am simply being prepared for the worse,) The Queen replied. (Why is this so hard for you to accept?)
(I wasn't born to sit hanging from the roof all my life,) Xena growled. (Why don't you just lay a Queen egg if you are afraid of…)
(Because I don't want some new born whelp without any leadership experience taking over after I am gone,) The Queen growled.
Xena scoffed and Scar was pretty sure she was about to leave the room. Not wanting to be caught eavesdropping he ran several feet back down the tunnel and then walked back forward making his way to the Queen's chambers as though he had just arrived.
(You all right?) Scar asked as Xena pushed past him.
(Fine!) Xena snapped as she disappeared around a corner.
Scar sighed again and then entered the Queen's chambers.
The Queen looked up at him. (What do you want?)
(Well… uh,) he stammered. (I…,um…, you see… I went to… uh… visit Marley and…)
(What?) The Queen asked.
(I was spotted,) Scar said.
(You… What?) she shouted. (What did you do about it?)
(Well, I was spotted by more then one person,) Scar said.
The Queen sighed. (That's great. We're facing a war with Imperia and now a war with the humans.)
Scar sighed. (Yeah, but maybe we could make some kind of truce. With the humans, I mean.)
(Maybe,) the Queen growled.
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(Hey,) Snarl said as Xena entered the room. She stood up as Xena slumped down in her designated sleeping area. (You okay?)
(I'll be fine,) Xena replied. (It's just that the Queen wants me to be her successor.)
(So? You expressed interest in having a hive with Devin,) Snarl said.
(Yes, with Devin, not without,) Xena growled back, sinking her head down on the ground.
(Okay,) Snarl nodded slowly. (So, look at the bright side, what are the chances of the Queen dieing?)
Xena looked up at her. (This is probably the most threatened her life has ever been. He have a human colony, a rebel hive, and a psychotic hunter running around, not to mention it's the rainy season! It can't get any worse!)
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(Want to bet?)
Imperia roared as she ripped through the black fibers that served as her cocoon. She bite through and groaned as sunlight streamed into her eyes. She thrust her tail out and tore through more of the cocoon. Finally, she was free!
She stared up at the hole in the cave roof that had let in the cursed sunlight. She would have to get that closed off.
The new Queen glanced down at the three praetorians and wondered which she should take for her mate. She immediately ruled out Bloat and was left with considering Edge, or Barrel. A very tough choice as both were very fit.
The urge to mate grew in her with each passing second, as new instincts began emerging. With single minded determination she started toward Edge.
A splash drew the attention of the four as they glanced at one of the pools that connected to the underwater entrance to their hive. A shadowed figure stepped out of the pool, it was slightly shorter then an adult human and its skin was brown and froglike. Its eyes were large and possessed catlike slits. A metal band was worn around its head.
(Please don't let me interrupt,) the amphibian purred.
(Who are you and what do you want?) Imperia growled taking a step toward him. (You must be very brave, or very stupid to have entered my hive.)
(I am not brave,) the amphibian said. (But don't confuse me for stupid either. I am Salfin, brother of Esiki. Perhaps you encountered him, before his ship exploded and took him with it?)
(No, I have never encountered a race as ugly as yours,) Imperia said. The creature muttered something with its mouth at this and Imperia realized that it did not use telepathy normally.
(Well, Esiki was a brilliant scientist,) Salfin said. (Shortly, before his death, he sent a transmission to me suggesting that perhaps you skitir communicate through telepathy. I conducted tests and found him to be right. Further experimentation and I invented a device that would let me communicate with your species.) He pointed to the metal headband he wore. (The problem was that I could not negotiate with the horde of skitir that had overrun my race's home world. It seemed that my invention was useless.)
(And it is,) Imperia growled. (Because I'm about to eat you for wasting my time!)
(Perhaps you would like to hear my proposition first?) Salfin said remaining calm. (I know that you are planning to destroy your mother hive and I could help you in exchange for some information on your people.)
(What kind of information?) Imperia growled.
(Anything that could help me destroy the aliens that have overrun my home,) Salfin said. (In exchange, you will be genetically enhanced so that any of your young will be the strongest skitir ever seen. You will be able to gain an iron grip on this planet within a month!)
(I don't trust him,) Edge whispered to Imperia, standing next to her. (He'll probably double cross us.)
Imperia glanced at her prospective mate. She glanced back at Salfin. (I want these 'genetic enhancements' and my first brood born before I give you any information.)
Salfin nodded his large head. (An acceptable and expected term.) He turned to leave. (I will be back tomorrow to finalize our deal. And we won't be sealing our deal in blood!) With that said, he jumped back into the pool and disappeared.
(Are you crazy?) Edge demanded. (How can you trust him? This is almost as bad as dealing with a human!)
Imperia turned and punched Edge in the side of the head. The blow knocked the praetorian to the ground. (I will not stand for your questioning! After the deal is done, we will double cross that scheming amphibian and kill him!)
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(The bridge of the Luisstrum, which when translated into English roughly means Savior.)
Salfin smirked as he sat down in the captain's chair.
"What gives you the right to sit in my chair every time you succeed at something?" Salfin glanced back at the speaker, Captain Jarrow.
"Well, I thought because I am your superior in everything, but rank, because I conceived this whole plan, and, most of all, because you're just plain ugly."
Jarrow smirked. "Nice to see you, too." Salfin got up and the two old friends hugged. "So how did it go?"
Salfin's smirk widened. "Like falling off a log. The dumb bug went for it like a hungry fish."
"Perfect," Jarrow smirked. "Though I still don't like the idea of making a 'deal' with a bug. We should have just marched in there and dragged her out."
"We are not boneheaded yautja," Salfin said. "This way there is no casualties and anyway ten of us couldn't drag that Queen two feet."