Chapter 21

~Sharon's POV~

I can barely contain my rage as the hive mind is in chaos. Multiple thoughts are swirling like tornadoes as Alannah is captured by the enemy. The Warriors with me howl in both fury and loss. It's obvious from their body language that they want to run to aid their queen, but I command them to stay put.

Surprisingly, they only regarded me momentarily before they hissed softly, and did what was told. Huh, this is new.

I growl lowly at the sight of the cyborg being that took Alannah. I want to just dig my claws through it and rip it apart limb by limb.

If it weren't for the fact that it was so powerful, I would have charged in the moment it made itself known.

I blink rapidly at my thoughts. I don't have any explanation about my behavior. Whoa, why was I thinking like I'm a xeno?

I physically slap myself to focus, and that does the job. I cringe at the stinging sensation, but it was necessary.

I re-enter the still chaotic hive mind, and send a message for the remaining hive members to return to the queen's chamber.

Once again, I'm surprised when the answers I receive are a mixture of relief of my presence, and plain old obedience. Their reaction has me pondering about how the few Praetorians behaved around me earlier.

Since Alannah is now gone, does the hive automatically think that I'm their new queen?

I'm pulled from my thoughts by the arrival of the Raven as it comes in carrying a barely conscious Pete while the rest of the Warriors crawl in behind the massive xeno. Then, the group of three Praetorians who were in the tunnels come in, one of them is badly injured.

I hiss in displeasure at the sight which catches the attention of the injured xeno. She looks at me in surprise mixed with uncertainty, before she nods to me in acknowledgement, and is led away by its comrades.

I look after it in shock as I have no idea how to react.

I risk a glance at the Raven who carefully helps Pete stand on his own feet.

Sensing being watched, the Raven looks up and meets my gaze.

We stare at each other for a while, not paying any attention to the things around us.

In this instance, I feel some sort of connection between us, yet I'm not sure what kind.

Suddenly, numerous images fill my mind, and it takes me aback.

The images are of people with dark hair, yet I soon realize that it's the same person. A male, from the looks of it, and the images range from when the person was a newborn all the way to adulthood. The man stares back at me, his eyes peering into me with such an intensity that I feel overwhelmed. However, I also feel some comfort as those eyes appear more and more familiar the longer I stare at them. My son, I can't help but think.

The Raven cocks its head back harshly, and my eyes widen in shock. Oh shit, I did NOT just say that.

Unfortunately, the Raven takes it badly, and bares its teeth at me. "You are not my mother," it growls before stomping off to the far corner of the chamber.

I mentally kick my own ass at my stupidity. I'm not this hive's queen, nor do I have any intention of becoming so. I want to rescue Alannah just as much as they do.

I force myself to calm down as I take steady breaths that turn into shudders. I can't help but press my hands at my temple; just what is happening to me?

I here footsteps carefully make their way towards me.

I crack an eye open, and see Pete stop in front of me.

He looks at me worriedly, but also in curiosity. "Is everything okay?" he asks. "It seems things got tense between you and the big guy."

I blink at him, before I look down and sigh. "I don't know what's happening to me Pete." I answer honestly. "Ever since I came here, I felt like somehow, I was changing; not physically, but more like psychologically. The xenos have been on edge around me, yet with Alannah gone they're accepting me. I'm worried that they are starting to see me as their new queen when all I want is to find Alannah and bring her back here." I stop talking, and end up staring at my feet, absentmindedly studying the specks of dirt and mud on my shoes.

Pete is quiet while he contemplates, or at least I assume that's what he's doing. From what I've learned about him, he likes to take in the information and analyze over them like a detective putting together the pieces of a crime. I suppose that's what makes him a fair person though.

I'm surprised when Pete pulls me by my waist, and brings me close to him. I realize that's his way of hugging me from the side, so I allow myself to lean my head on his bare shoulder.

Speaking of, we have to find him a new shirt since I'm using his.

"Everything will be alright Sharon," Pete finally says. "I myself don't quite understand what's going on with you, but it doesn't seem to be bad. In fact, it gives you an advantage over the xenomorphs that the scientists who created this mess in the first place can only dream about."

I cock an eyebrow in confusion. "And what is this advantage exactly?"

Pete smiles at me. "Mutual understanding," he answers. "Your interaction with them shows that not every xenomorph is a mindless animal. While I wouldn't purposely put myself at risk just to hang out with a hive, I can at least have enough understanding to not fully blame the xenomorphs for the apocalypse. After all it all started because of those dumbass scientists, and as someone once smartly put it, 'every action will cause a reaction'."

I can only stare at Pete in amazement for his wisdom.

He merely gives me a toothy grin, which I return with a half smirk.

I then look back at the crowded chamber, and I remember the current situation at hand. "We better talk to them," I say.

Just as I'm about to walk to the center of the room, Pete stops me with his voice. "By the way, what exactly did happen between you and the Raven? Unlike you, I don't have telepathic abilities, or whatever."

I glance back at him, though I'm not really looking at him as the image of the dark-haired man fills my vision. "Just a minor disagreement," I mumble.

Wow, talk about a huge understatement.

Pete obviously suspects it as suck for he raises an eyebrow. Thankfully, he doesn't press the issue, and looks over at the various xenomorphs.

He then exhales sharply as if he's trying to hold back laughter. I look at him in curiosity.

"Did you ever in a million years think that we as humans would be in the queen's chamber of a hive without being subjected to face huggers and whatnot?" He asks.

I shake my head, and a small smile comes onto my face. "No, I never would have thought even in my wildest dreams that we, or any human really, would be working cooperatively with xenomorphs. Then again, that just shows how little we know about them."

Pete hums in agreement, and I take the chance to walk over to the center of the chamber.

I cough to try to get the attention of the hysterical xenomorphs, but I'm drowned out by their noise. I huff in frustration and am about to scream, when a loud roar forces the xenos to shut up.

I look behind me and see the Raven leaning against the wall stiffly. It avoids my gaze, though I nod to it in thanks.

I then face the front again. I take a breath to calm myself before I begin. "As you all know, an unknown enemy has taken Alannah prisoner. Where to, who knows? Truthfully, it doesn't matter. What matters is that we need to bring her back, and in order to do that, we have to work together."

"Why should we trust you?" A young Warrior asks.

I look at the xenomorph and offer a small smile. "Because Alannah is my friend, and I want her back just as much as you do."

My answer takes the young xeno by surprise for she cocks her head back while her sisters hiss in approval.

I nod at them, and look around me. "Your hive took in Alannah when she needed help; in return, she became your queen to protect and raise you. You are her children, and as such you can't just sit back while the enemy takes her away."

I look back at the young Warrior. "My kind have dubbed Warriors as the perfect killing machine for good reason. You're fast, intelligent, and extremely cunning. Therefore, your queen uses you to fight off enemies, and to serve the hive. Show us your worth."

All the Warriors hiss in an almost bashful manner at my compliment. I then turn to the visible Praetorians that I can see. "As a Praetorian, you have been personally selected by your queen to serve as her royal guards, thus making you extremely powerful. You have an even bigger duty to save her."

The Praetorians grumble to themselves, but nonetheless they nod to me.

I then kneel to pet a small Drone who happily swings its tail around like a dog.

I smile. "Drones are the queen's first line of defense as it is your kind that first spot the target, and with your incredible speed, warn your hive. You are valuable for your duty to the hive."

The Drone that I'm petting purrs in pleasure, and gives a toothy grin as it nods wildly. A series of hisses come from the other Drones as they accept their task.

I then stand up, and look at the Raven who surprisingly meets my gaze.

We stare at each other for a moment before I speak. "And then there's you; the Raven. The queen's only son. You are the prince of the hive, and it is your duty to lead your siblings into battle, and command them should your queen die." I then step up to him until I have to strain my neck to look up at him.

He stays still as he waits for my next move, however, his tense posture relaxes.

"I remember being scared shitless when I first saw you. After observing your brute strength and command over your charge, I was so sure that you'd kill me," I chuckle despite the serious implication. The Raven's chest rumbles as well. I smile at his openness. "Will you, Prince of this hive, join me to help rescue your queen and mother?" I ask.

The room goes quiet as every being focuses on the Raven.

For a creature so powerful and dangerous, it actually gets nervous with all of the attention it receives.

I nearly chuckle at the sight of a flustered Raven.

Finally, the Raven looks up at me, and for a moment I see the image of the dark-haired man smiling at me.

I rapidly blink to shoo away the unwanted mind tricks, and focus on the Raven. He stares at me intensely as if looking for any hesitation or doubt on my part.

Apparently satisfied, he then nods which has the hive erupt in joy.

I grin, and then look back at the excited xenomorphs. "Now you get out there, and prove to them what xenos are capable of. Bring back your queen!"

The hive erupts in cheers and growls of approval as the members have their resolve restored.

Pride fills me, and it grows more when I glance over at Pete who looks at me with a large grin.

I then place the spear on my back, and grab my gun. Heh, old habits die hard.

I then gesture towards the exit. "Come on," I start, "we've got some business to attend to."