Oh, That's Just Perfect!

by RubyDracoGirl

I'm in the back of a truck, blindfolded and tied up... this is not my day. Random story idea. OCPredator/OC, Scar/Lex Rated for violence, language and adult situations.

25. 666

Chapter 25

666

(Spiky POV)

I'm disturbed that the last base was empty. And doubts begin anew in my mind.

What if this is not the last base?

The GODS forbid.

I'm getting sick of this hunt and the dishonorable enemy players within it. They run like cowards, striking out in dishonorable fear and utter disregard for any life, innocent or otherwise.

Just like Bad Bloods, only worse.

It is not my nature to be so eager to return to my clan, to my homeworld, but I think this stems from an anxiety about the new members of my crew.

How will our father react to Setg'in and Kha'bj-te's interest in these… aliens?"

I push the thought away, deciding to think on it only when it truly becomes an issue.

As to how we will approach the sixth base, I've already come to a decision. We'll need to infiltrate this one, at least enough to get into their network. We have to make certain that it's the last base.

And since they will expect us to come in much the same way as we have done with the other bases, we must infiltrate this lab stronghold in a very different manner.

Very different.

The escape pods in my ship are not many. But two full grown females can fit into one.

Barely… if they have gone some time without eating...

The point; is that all five of the pods will have to accommodate six of us. Rosy will remain in the ship, which I will leave hovering in the atmosphere. Now that she has a basic understanding of its functions, she can aid us far more easily from the air if something goes wrong underground. Kemp, the ooman Medic, will be healed by the time we arrive.

I have decided that he will come with us, taking Rosy's place, so to speak. He may also be useful in aiding us with the ooman technology.

Kanani and Kha'bj-te… will not travel alone together. Those two hormonal pups may not strike good fortune this time if they continue to act foolishly.

Which they will.

I do not plan to allow them time alone together during this last attack. As I lean back into my chair, I try to clear my thoughts.

After this base is destroyed, if there are no others, then we're going home… MY home.

And there, the biggest task I have ever had to attempt lies in wait.

How will I convince my clan that my new clan members are worthy of life? And how long will it take for me to train them in the Yautja way of life?

"Spiky?"

Interrupted from my thoughts, I turn around as Rosy enters the room quietly. She's not wearing her mask, and I can see her face quite clearly. Her eyes are bright, and although she seems weary, there's a strange peace in her expression. I nod to her as she enters, unable to find any words at this moment.

Undeterred by my silence, she comes to stand beside me, looking at the ship's controls. I've just finished plotting the autopilot course.

There's silence for a moment before I share my plan of action with her, putting emphasis on the fact that she and Lex are NOT coming with us.

"So, me and Lex are supposed to stay on board again?"

"You know how to operate my ship. We may need help from the sky."

She chuckles quietly.

"I'm not complaining. Just… please promise me that you won't give Kanani such a dangerous mission again… unless there's absolutely nothing else to be done."

I look down at her and nod.

"You have my word."

Rosy nods curtly, adding with a strange chuckle.

"And you may want to give Kemp some armor, before we reach the arctic."

Paya… I had not thought of that. That's a good idea.

Rosy looks up at me with an odd smile.

"So… how long does it take to get to the arctic?"

"We'll be there in less then two hours." I reply quietly.

Rosy sighs quietly before slumping into a chair.

"No offense, but I'm tired of this rigamarole. It feels like we've run the gamut of every kind of adventure on this journey. Sci-fi, horror, comedy, tragedy, awkward moments, family, drama… all of it."

I laugh quietly.

"I know what you mean, Rosy."

"The hell you do mean- well, then again…"

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Kanani POV)

FUCKHEAD! I can't BELIEVE Psycho erased the stupid fucking awesome recording I took of Kemp bein' all drugged up! Damn it, I wanted to get a look at his face when he found out how he acts when high on painkillers!

"PSYCHO SO HELP ME WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU-!"

The clumsy Yautja bastard remains just out of my reach, as I chase his sexy ass all over the ship.

Crapmythighsthey'reburning!

That's no joke either. I strain against the burning in my legs and abs as I feel the fat on my frame jiggle… specifically on my chest and rear.

Must…make…hot Yautja... PAY!

With a wild scream, I take a flying leap, spreading my wings slightly to give me a little more oomph as I dive at my prey.

DAMN IT, I FREAKIN MISSED!

I actually OVERSHOT, and went flying over his head as he ducks. I tumble head over tail, crashing painfully. Man, I forgot about that bullet in my side… I should probably have it removed or something.

Probably? Girl, you crazy… WHERE'S PSYCHO?

I jump up, grinning as he trips over his own feet in trying to run from me.

I tackle him down with a flying leap and straddle his back as I pin him down with a maniacal laugh.

"I FUCKIN' GOT'CHA! NOW I'MMA EAT'CHA!"

"Is he a virgin? Or does that matter to your taste buds?"

I freeze, turning bright red at the comment as I look up.

It's Aunt Lex.

And... she looks kinda pissed.

"Uh, not really… he hasn't had a bath. That's more important to me then… uh… the other… issue.."

She doesn't look amused OR impressed.

"Hi. What's shaking?" I ask nervously. Hope it wasn't something *I* did.

"Nothing much… except your statue trophy scared the living shit out of me a few minutes ago." Lex growls, crossing her arms.

Crap. I forgot about my living statue. I wonder how it's doing.

I get off Psycho and apologize over my shoulder as I race away to admire my trophies, which I had completely forgotten about.

I don't even realize it, but Psycho's gotten back to his feet and he's following me. I don't notice at first, not until I come to a stop in the trophy room and I smell and hear him beside me, silent except for his quiet breathing.

"Hey Psycho. Is something wrong?" I look at him. Why did he follow me?

He probably had nothing better to do…

But I kinda like to think that he enjoys being around me.

Sure enough, there's a strained hiss that comes from the weird hybrid creature, which is completely covered in metal, frozen in time… or so it would seem.

I get closer to take a better look at it. The tail is freaking long, and the very tip is not covered with the metal, so it gives a wiggle, along with one of its fingers. The mandibles are FREAKING long, way longer then Spiky's mandibles, which scares me, AND it has the inner jaws that the xenon have. But… it also has a row of dreadlock appendages crowning its head, though they're not nearly as thick, or as many, OR as accented as Psycho's are.

It hits me like a rock when I remember about that body part being super sensitive on the Yautja.

Oh… EW! I Grabbed that thing's dreads when I was fighting it! EW! No wonder it backed off!

I shudder slightly and feel dirty.

Psycho starts chuckling.

"You grabbed its hair when you were fighting it, didn't you?"

"Damn it, did you READ MY MIND?"

"Didn't have to. Your body is easy to read."

I shoot him a glare, while awkward thoughts fill my head.

How the hell do you read someone's BODY?… and for that matter, just how long was he looking at my body to read it?

I suddenly feel discomfort at the thought.

I knew he was a pervert.

"Then you obviously haven't been around me long enough." I finally hiss.

He steps closer, so close that it takes my breath away, as he bends down and hisses into my ear.

"Or maybe it's because I know you well enough by now."

Gulk.

Um.

Ah.

MAYBE.

I tilt my head at him and almost without thinking, I reach up and just touch his mask, where his mouth would be.

How the hell am I supposed to kiss him? He doesn't have lips! He has…

No. I'm NOT going to think about crab legs.

Too fucking late.

And then, Psycho takes off his mask.

Damn it. Maybe I AM easy to read.

He looks down at me, even though he's only taller by four inches, and gently, he reaches out and takes off my mask. Now we're face to face. I touch his neck with my hand, tracing the black speckles on his pale green skin. A contented purring shudders through his body, and I can feel the vibrations travel up my arm. A low purr bursts from my own throat as his hands reach up to cup my face, tracing over my cheek bones and moving to finger the spikes that ridge my brow bone.

Amazing.

No one's ever touched me like this.

And it's the most incredible feeling I've ever felt before.

A warmth and a heat that I'm slowly becoming more familiar with spreads through me as he pulls me gently to his chest. I'm surprised, for a second, I thought that maybe he'd be pinning me to the wall or something. He just holds me, purring and caressing me, like I'm something special. And I do the same, as I snuggle into him, closing my eyes, I feel, oddly enough, completely secure. His scent fills my nostrils, musky, strangely intoxicating, but the skin-to-skin contact is what's hovering in my senses. He's so warm, and this touch…

Like I said, no one's ever touched me like this.

"Psycho… I love you. And I don't want to be apart from you. Like, ever. And… you can't understand a word I'm saying, can you?"

I hear his chuffing laugh, and then I continue.

"I don't know what's going to happen at this next base… but as soon as we start to head to your planet, I'm not going to hold myself back. Right now, if we tried to go further then this here, I'm pretty sure someone will walk in on us. Probably my mom. And then she would kill us. With an ax."

He chuckles again.

Somehow, I think he understood every word.

I laugh quietly as I nuzzle into him.

Damn, I could get used to this.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Psycho POV)

All I want right now is to take Kanani. To control myself and keep myself from pinning her down against the floor is killing me. But after everything we've been through, and after all the times that we've been interrupted, I won't take any chances. I won't take her here in R'ka's ship. Too many things to go wrong.

If Rosy catches us, I won't have anything to pin Kanani WITH.

But to keep myself from her completely would kill me as well. Following her to the trophy room, I gaze at her, drinking in her scent, and just observing, as she admires her trophy. Suddenly, as her eyes wander over the thing's thick tresses, she suddenly gives a shudder.

I bet she grabbed it's hair when she fought it and she's just now remembering that it's a "sensitive" region.

This causes me to laugh, and I can't help but tease her about it. I've never met a female who made me laugh as much as Kanani does. Normally, the females of my kind, while different and attractive in ways that Kanani couldn't ever compete with, scare the c'jit out of me. With Kanani, though I respect her, I feel I don't have to cower before her.

Though I probably should.

She spits back at my teasing, but I know she's not really angry.

It makes me wonder though, why she becomes so defensive. It happens often… but what does she have to be defensive about?

Dragon Warrior, are you really so insecure?

But why? She's the most intricate creature I have ever met, why should she feel insecure and defensive? Wanting to comfort her, to love her, I step towards her, still held back by my self control, which is barely keeping me in check.

I can't do everything to her that I want to. But isn't there some way I can tell her just how strongly I feel without bringing down the wrath of her mother on myself?

My thoughts drum on as I gaze down on her, relishing when she reaches forward to touch my mask.

I want to feel your hand. I want to see your face. I need to read your thoughts in your eyes.

I take off my mask, encouraged by this sudden turn in my thoughts.

And as I take off her own mask, I look into her face, human and reptilian all at once.

It's so much easier to read her emotions there, within the sculpting of her brows, her cheeks and her expressive, pouting mouth.

Does she feel the same way towards me that I feel towards her?

She's the first to make a move, reaching forward, she touches my neck, caressing it gently with her clawed fingertips. I reach forward and gently explore her face with my fingers, feeling the spines that stick out from her brow bones, the silver and black patterns turning slightly red with an onrush of blood as I move to trace her cheek bones. Her head is so small… I remember thinking her ugly. Now, all I can say is that my perspective has changed, after knowing the person behind the face.

Gently, I take her into my arms, and just hold her.

Paya, she's so warm. Her skin is like a smoldering ember ready to burst into flame.

I try to avoid the temptation to run my claws through her hair. I don't want her too aroused.

Wait… is her hair sensitive like mine?

But she begins to speak, and while I can't discern every word, I get the gist of her message.

We'll continue this later, when there's no chance that someone will interrupt… again. The next time, will be completely uninterrupted. Paya help us.

8~8~8~8~8~8~

(Kemp POV)

My eyes start open as I suck in air.

I had another freaky dream. Slightly different, and yet, the same fucking dream that I had a few hours ago.

That woman… Damn, I've been hanging out with these Wood ladies too much!

I swear, the young woman in my dream looks like she's related to Kanani. She has to be. There's marked differences, like the fact that her skin is a lighter mocha color, and she's a mite thinner and smaller in stature, but her face has some of the same features! Same freakin' cheekbones, same lips, same...

Damn it, what the fuck is wrong with me? I AM NOT A PERVERT! Good LORD, I KNEW I should have tuned Mitch out more often!

I groan again as I sit up. A ravenous hunger explodes in me, and I grumble.

I wonder if I did anything ridiculous while I was under?

I hope not. That's all I need now, Kanani recording my "high" moments.

…

Oh gawd. She didn't.

Did she?

I'm REALLY never gonna live this down. Maybe I WAS better off with Mitch and Retc- Never mind.

As I get to my feet and gingerly walk down the hall, I note with relief that I'm healed, if a little sore, and ready to take on the last base.

They are NOT going to leave me here with the ladies. Hell no.

But as I walk, I hear a low moan. Sounds like Lex. And I also hear-

Oh shit, SWIM AWAY!

I turn on my heel and head the other way, as fast as I can without getting dizzy. Whatever is going on over there, I DO NOT NEED anymore damaging images in my head.

If I had to guess, I'd say Lex and her ET boyfriend, Larry, are probably having an… intimate moment, let's call it.

I do NOT want to see ANY of that. Can this adventure get any kinkier?…

Dear God, please don't answer that.

Thankfully, though, I find Kanani and Curly, who are hanging out in what appears to be a kitchenette. Kanani's Ipod is playing some sort of electronic heavy metal, (I think it's Linkin Park, but I could be wrong… "Invaders Must Die!" ) and they're both eating… something.

"Oh hey, Kemp. You should probably thank Psycho. I had this awesome recording on Raph of you being all high and stupid, but Psycho made me trip and I accidentally erased it."

I stare at her a moment before looking over at her ET pal, deciding to stick with my name for him.

"Thanks, Curly."

He chuffs, pretty much ignoring me. Kanani looks at me for a moment before letting my nickname for him slide.

"So, what's going on?" I ask, in order to change the subject.

"We're headed to the arctic, Mom's hanging out with Spiky, asking him questions about his culture while he outfits some armor for you."

…

"Come again?"

"You're getting your own cloaking suit, helmet complete with translator, and some plasma cannons. Be happy!" She adds with a diabolical grin. "They're some very fun toys!"

I sit down at the opposite side of her, clearing my throat as I eye the strange stuff she's currently munching on.

Seeing the direction of my gaze, she pushes the canister towards me, grinning.

"Got the munchies, crackhead?"

"Shut up, Kid."

I take out whatever's in the canister and chomp down.

Huh.

Tastes GOOD.

Kanani's humming something, and her humming suddenly turns to mumbled words.

Do... virgins taste better then those who are not,

Are they salty or sweet, or more juicy, or what?

Do you savor them slowly, or gulp 'em down on the spot,

Do virgins taste better then those who are not…

I stop all chewing, as my brain registers on the utter atrocity of the song. The more she sings, the hotter my face gets, until I finally choke down what I have in my mouth and splutter, "Kid WHERE the HELL did you hear such GARBAGE?"

She stops and gives me this horribly evil grin.

"You."

It dawns on me that I might owe Curly there more then I anticipated.

"…You meant to tell me that "I" belched that perverted and twisted-"

Kanani cackles evilly. It actually gives me the willies.

"Dude, you're a whole other person when you're high on morphine!"

I scowl at her, hissing. "Kid, if you get injured, you better not come crying to me… I'll WITHHOLD morphine from you while I'm patching you up!"

Kanani only smirks. This threat is probably somewhat useless on her. I mean, I kinda noticed that she seems to recuperate faster then normal humans.

Pushy, arrogant teenager…

By the way, if the youth ARE our future, then it sucks for us.

Moving on, I try to eat slower, it's been a while since I had anything, and I don't want to get sick before the fight.

But it's a challenge.

Kanani sighs, putting her forehead on the table before muttering.

"I really wish Aunt Lex and Scar would get a room."

"Me too kid." I agree completely.

"Oh my gawd, did you see them too?" Her head pops back up, those amber-brown eyes even wider then normal.

She has some pretty big eyes.

"No… I heard the signs and backed away as fast as I could." I respond grimly.

"Lucky you. Me and Psycho here were walking along, minding our own merry business when WHAMMO! Horrible mental images that are not going to leave easily. We came over here to drown our sorrows. I mean… that's a big chuck of innocence just GONE."

I chuckle quietly.

"What's the story, kid? I mean, how did you and your mom and Aunt get mixed up in all this? Normally, I don't ask for the story, but right now, I've got nothing better to do, so-"

"Well, Kemp, lemme tell ya, it all started when one afternoon, when my mom was in the midst of crashing her airplane…"

Kanani's grinning and, suddenly, I get this feeling that this story is gonna be good.

For once.

8~8~8~8~8~8~

(Scar POV)

Lex gives a shudder, as I cradle her in my arms. I don't think we were given complete privacy, but I don't care. As she lazily traces her fingers over my armor, I realize that she wants me to take it off.

"Not now."I tell her quietly. She pouts, but nods, almost sullenly. I don't feel ready to let her go just yet, but as she pulls free, I reluctantly allow her to move away. I never imagined that I could feel this strongly for an ooman, but there is something about Lex. Something that's almost haunting.

As we walk down the hall, she looks up at me.

"Can we get something to eat? I'm starving."

I chuckle, but agree.

8~8~8~8~8

(Lex POV)

Like I said, I'm one lucky gal. Scar seems to know exactly what he's doing, and it's killing me that there's no privacy whatsoever on this vessel.

Anyways, when we arrive at the supply room (the kitchenette, that is) Psycho, Kanani and Kemp are already there, having lunch. When they see us, they all give us something that I can only describe as The Look.

"What?" I ask innocently.

Kanani snorts at me as she turns back to Kemp.

"Nothing. So, you see, Kemp, that's why we're all here. And that's why YOU are here, in a way."

Kemp nods shortly. "Never heard of a dragon saving the damsel in distress… 'cept your momma isn't exactly an ordinary damsel."

"Hell no." Kanani chuckles.

I sit down, between Scar and Kemp, and open another canister of the same fruit that we had a few hours ago.

I am starving!

"So after all this… I guess it's farewell to earth, huh?" Kemp voices the question.

And just my luck, the dumbass asked the question as soon as I put food in my mouth. So Kanani answers the question.

"Most likely. I mean… Earth isn't going to be the safest place for us. Hey, Aunt Lex, do you think there's other dragons on earth? I mean, dragons like my dad? Or maybe other hybrids like me?"

"I don't know, kiddo." I respond, swallowing the food in my mouth, "There might be… but I doubt it."

Kanani looks off into space.

Kemp looks from me, to Kanani, to Scar and then Psycho, finally grouching, "I can't wait to get MY mask, that way I can be just as poker-faced as the rest of you."

Kanani snickers.

"Am I really that intimidating with this thing on?"

"Not intimidating. I just feel a little out of place. Like a kid on Halloween without a costume."

Me and Kanani start laughing our heads off at the image of Kemp dressed up like a Yautja to go trick or treating.

Kemp scowls, hunching over his side of the table as he grumbles, "I don't see the joke."

"Good, you'd probably take a scalpel to us!" Kanani hoots.

Scar and Psycho don't get the joke either and Psycho grumbles quietly to Scar, "Earth females are confusing."

"Hey! I resent that!" Kanani barks at him, reminding him that she can understand what they're saying.

Kemp looks over at me and I explain what was said. His face splits into a grin.

"Tell me about it, Curly. Woman are a universal mystery to men."

"And vice versa." I chide.

Kemp snorts before stuffing his mouth. At this moment, Rosy stops by. She looks at us, her gaze lingering on me and Scar for a moment before she turns to Kemp.

"Spiky and I have something to talk to you about."

"Right. I'm pretty much done here. See you guys later." Kemp stands up, his cheeks still full as he follows Rosy.

Kanani starts laughing as soon as they're out of earshot.

"Aunt Lex, you are SO BUSTED!"

"He started it." I respond primly.

Scar chuffs, but it's a pleased sound, and I bite back a squeak as I feel him teasingly pinch my thigh under the table.

I love that Yautja...

8~8~8~8~8~8~

(Rosy POV)

I never knew that Lex was so horny-

I'm interrupted by the annoying voice in my head. Nearly forgot it was there.

Rosy, darling, tell me something. When you realized you were in love with Malachi, just what were YOU thinking about all day long?

And for that matter, what did you do ALL NIGHT LONG when you married him?

...

Touche, you little beast. I replied mentally with a frown.

Moving on, I walk by Kemp, in silence for the most part.

He finally deems to ask, "Am I in trouble?"

"No. Not at all. I told Spiky that it might be a good idea to get you some armor, and a translator of your own. So, we just need to get you fitted, so to speak. Spiky's already done with the mask, he just wants to make sure it works. And he also wants to teach you how to use a plasma cannon."

"…Alright. I can do that." Kemp nods, perking up somewhat.

I knew it. He really is just a kid.

"Kemp, how old are you?"

"24, ma'am." he replies coldly, looking down at me as he adds, "I don't really see what that has to do with anything."

"I was just curious. You act like you're seventy."

He cracks a grin before becoming just a little sober.

"War will do that to you."

I slowly bite my tongue and only nod. Who knows what he's seen, in his life.

We've arrived at Spiky's Workshop (his arsenal room) and he's waiting impatiently.

"Hey Moe." Kemp greets. I look at him oddly, but say nothing. It's fine if he doesn't want to use the nickname I came up with.

But… why Moe?

"What took so long?" Spiky grouches.

"Kemp was grabbing a bite. That's all." I grouch back. Honestly, the man can be so uptight sometimes!

He's an alien, Rosy, not a man.

FINE, but saying, "The Male", just doesn't have the same effect as "The Man."

It's not like anyone's listening in on your conversation with yourself.

…

Shut up.

Spiky gestures for Kemp to enter The Forbidden Domain of his Workshop/Arsenal and gives him the newly fashioned mask. Awkwardly, Kemp examines it before trying it on.

"Whoa." We both hear him say and I chuckle.

"How's the infrared?" I ask with a grin.

"It'll suffice."

"It should do more then that." Spiky comments, in his own language.

Kemp is absolutely still for moment.

"That wasn't English, was it?"

"No." Spiky assures him with what I can only describe as a smug gleam in his deep-set eyes.

"This is an amazing technology!" Kemp's voice sounds impressed, which amuses me, since he hasn't really given off the impression that he CAN be impressed. Spiky then shows him the cloaking device, how to put it on, and then the rest of the armor… which is mostly the netting.

We both leave to give Kemp privacy to change.

"I think he'll do fine." I tell Spiky confidently.

I hear the giant beside me chuckle, the spiked ridges along his wide and elongated forehead gleaming slightly as he looks down at me.

"What makes you so sure?"

I replied, as best I could, the reason why I had confidence in this young man.

"I'm NOT sure. You can't ever be sure of anything in life, except death. But this kid has made it this far without getting himself killed, and I feel in my bones that he's going to be alright."

...

I just claimed that my bones have special knowledge of the future. (facepalm)

Gawd, I must be getting old.

But Spiky seems somewhat satisfied, as he looks back away from me with a decidedly tired growl.

Strange how I'm able to translate a growl into a specific emotion. I've only known him for… good lord, how long has it been? Two, three days?… gods, I'm tired. And it's only going to get harder from here on-

"If ANYBODY so much as grins at me, I'm going to give them a physical that'll be more like amputation surgery."

I look up, just as Kemp walks into sight. I can't see his face, but the skin around his neck is red, so I assume his cheeks are probably red like his hair.

The armor doesn't look bad at all on this guy. It looks GOOD, in fact.

But he only shudders slightly as he looks down at himself, scowling at the netting on his arms.

"GOOD GOD this is so fucking kinky…"

"Really? And here I thought you looked badass." I chuckled.

He looks up at me, and I can practically see steam shoot out from his ears… or where his ears WOULD be if they weren't covered by the mask.

"Very funny! Laugh all you want, lady, I don't think it's funny!"

"I wasn't laughing at your look, just at you. My goodness, you're so shy."

He's quiet and I can almost see his face swell with the amount of blood that's rushing to his cheeks.

But then Spiky cuts in.

He has good timing, sometimes.

"Rosy, stop provoking the medic." He hesitates before pronouncing Kemp's name, thus finally accepting him as part of the team, I guess.

"Kemp, I'm going to teach you how to use a plasma cannon. Afterward, I will give you one, but you must only use it when you have no other option. Your shots are limited, and you must make them count. I have some ooman weapons that you might be able to use as well."

The two have already moved back into the Workshop, leaving me with my thoughts.

Spiky would make somebody a good father.

What. The. Hell?

I slap my cheek softly as I mutter, "Rosalie Wood, what is your problem?"

It had better not be what I think it is.

8~8~8~8~8~8

(Weyland Clone POV)

You shouldn't be surprised that the original Mr. Weyland had himself cloned. After all, someone has to keep the company running, and while he wasn't the most trusting of men, the only person he could really count on was himself.

Hence my existence.

But now, I wonder dimly if perhaps that faith was misplaced.

Or maybe it's the fact that it was perfectly placed. I'm the only one I can count on to get a job done right.

After all, it was the responsibility of my employed scientists to make sure that the experiments were left undiscovered. They failed terribly, and now, I face a hard task; getting out of the mess alive.

However, with the new biological weapons I have created, I think it will all work out nicely.

I still have the USA military to worry about, not to mention the politics of my actions.

Thus far, scanners do not show any sign of our expected intruders.

We'll be ready for them.

8~8~8~8~8~8

(Kanani POV)

"We're going to WHAT?" I deadpan as Spiky finishes explaining his plan.

This is going to be an EPIC fail, I just know it.

Spiky scowls at me… or, I'm pretty sure that's what he's doing, the way he tenses up.

"Do you have objections?" he hisses.

"Er, no, sir." I swallow, trying to look slightly deflated, though my attitude hasn't changed.

Lex shrugs as she speaks up.

"What if we get separated? I mean, it's not very likely that we'll land in the same level, is it?"

"If we become separated, then we'll just have to regroup. With our masks, we can communicate with each other. The point is to get in as deep as we can and then get out as fast we can. I know they'll be prepared for us if we try to sneak in, as we have done previously, and in the cold, it will be much harder for us to camouflage ourselves." he pauses and then waits, to see if anyone else has a comment.

I take in a breath, but say nothing. If this is how it's going to be, then fine.

Besides, it might be kinda fun.

Rollercoaster of a life time. Free fall from an alien's escape pod and embed yourself into a lab that cooks up scary, deadly alien-y hybrid monsters! You'll never experience anything like it again! …Ever.

Kemp speaks up.

"How many escape pods, and how big are they?"

"I have five, and they're big enough for one Yautja my size."

…

"And the only one staying is Rosalie, correct?"

"Yes. What is your point?" Spiky's getting impatient.

Kemp shrugs.

But I can already see what he's getting at.

"Who's getting paired with who?" I ask for him.

Spiky then sees the issue we have. And he quickly cuts off any hope I have of catching a ride with Psycho.

Oh gawd, that sounded dirty!

"You and Lex will go in one pod together. The rest of us will go in separate pods. Kha'bj-te, you WILL NOT mess with the controls of your pod, is that UNDERSTOOD?"

I get the feeling there's a story behind those words. Psycho only nods. I grin. He looks just a little sheepish.

Adorable…

Good lord, I'm getting soft. I feel like I'm blushing and I look away, only to notice that Kemp seems relieved. I guess he didn't like the idea of having to take a free fall ride to earth with one of the Hunters in the same pod with him.

Which is completely understandable. Not only would it be fucking AWKWARD, but if they find out who he's named them after, I don't think they'll let him keep ANY of his limbs… not intact anyways.

We've all already armored up again. Spiky reenergized our plasma cannons, and then stuck some more of those micro bombs into the pouch at his waist. Kemp's also been given a plasma cannon, and a few human weapons too.

I wonder how far he can toss those grenades.

I hate to admit it, but he looks way more badass in the Yautja gear. Dressed like a military medic, he just looked like a misplaced leprechaun in camo-gear.

I kid you not about that either.

Mom stands up and dusts off her hands. She looks at us all.

"If anything goes wrong, I'll do what I can to help you guys out. But I'd rather that NOT happen. So, be careful… and kick some ass for me, will you?"

"You've kicked ENOUGH ass to last you a lifetime, Rosy, with that big assed Alien Skull you collected and all." Lex chuckles.

I giggle slightly, but at the same time, I understand her need to tell us to be careful.

If we fail, she's going to be left by herself on this ship. Not that it's a bad ship…but I sure wouldn't want to be caught by myself in it, if Spiky's friends decide to investigate HIS disappearance.

You know what I'm saying?

8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Lex POV)

Kemp is sporting some human weapons, as well as the plasma cannon Spiky gave him. A necklace of grenades, and a big gun that I don't recognize are tucked into his belt. Gingerly, I feel the contraption on my arm. My own wristblade. I used this at the first base we infiltrated, and it worked out quite nicely. Rosy has some too, but she won't be needing them. Me however…

"Rosy, can I borrow your wristblade?"

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Psycho POV)

Holy Paya, this is it. The last base.

FINALLY.

I'm ready to get this over and done with. After this, I don't ever want to see another laboratory for as long as I live.

With my luck though…

I cut off that thought, however, as we drop into the frigid atmosphere of the arctic. R'ka has already programmed the pods to eject according to the distance of the schematics we have experienced with the other labs. It's just a guess, a shot in the dark, if you will.

But we have no choice.

As we approach the location of the lab, Rosy sets the ship to hovering, just in the atmosphere, out of the harsh wind. It's a long way to fall.

By Paya, let's do this!

8~8~8~8~8~8

(Spiky POV)

After going through some basic instructions for the escape pods and how they are operated with Kanani, Lex, and Kemp, I step back and then nod, though only half satisfied with our preparations.

No more delays.

It is time.

As the members of my crew step into the escape pods, Kanani gives me a salute.

"See you in a few, Cap'n."

I snort but silently, I wish her and Lex the best of luck.

Lex's worry, that we'll be separated, begins to nag at the back of my mind.

Pauk that, we've made it this far, we'll get through whatever Paya chooses to put us through.

I hear the gears shift in the ship, and then, the pods are all ejected.

I feel the change in gravity. I'm used to it by now, and I still my mind for the fight ahead.

8~8~8~8~8~8

(Kemp POV)

GAWD, where'd my stomach fuckin' GO?

As the escape pod dropped, I clung to my seat. Buckled in loosely, I felt just a little precarious. Of course the seatbelt isn't designed for human girth.

I hope the first thing I do when this bucket of scrap lands won't be to throw up like a sissy.

But the pod doesn't slow, and as I count the seconds, I brace myself for a rough landing.

It suddenly occurs to me that this is the lab they've labeled 666…

And as I hear and FEEL the impact, an insidious thought crosses my mind.

Welcome to hell...

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Kanani POV)

Aunt Lex clung to me as the escape pod crashed. I braced my feet against the opposite side of the pod as we hit resistance. It slowed us down, but we didn't stop. I could imagine the pod, knifing through metal walls, bricks, double doors and concrete.

Down, down, down, crash after crash, vibrating the hell out of me. It's even worse for Aunt Lex, as she clings to me for support.

My teeth were jarred, and I let Aunt Lex hang on to me as we suddenly grind to a halt.

Thankfully, we seem to have landed in a secure area.

The pod's not tilting like crazy, is what I mean.

Aunt Lex groans, muttering a few choice words about this not being the best of Spiky's bright ideas. I soothe her.

"Hey, at least we didn't blow up."

"Sh! You'll jinx us, if you talk like that!… especially since that's the reason WHY we're here!"

I shrug as I hear her wrist blades slide out.

Then, I open the door. What meets my eyes is bad news. I duck out, as Aunt Lex follows me, right before our escape pod is blown to bits. Aunt Lex rushes out in front, her arm blades extended as she slices into the first security guard she can reach. I barely keep track of her movements as the man in the big clunky robo suit lifts his arm and fires a shot at me.

I move as fast as I can bu-

"YOW! DAMMNIT!" I snarl as a fucking bullet struck my tail, which curls in pain as I keep pushing myself. With all my might, I try to tackle the robo suited guard, to bring it down, to…

The suit is about 9 ft. tall.

What the hell was I thinking?

I climb on, since I can't exactly knock this fucker down, and I try to rip out the equipment on his back, whilst hanging on for dear life. There's three other robo suited men, and they all focus on me, rather then Aunt Lex, which I'm grateful for, but come on!

MORE potshots?

I open my mouth and let the dude I'm clinging to have it… fire. I breathe fire all over his suit, ignoring the pain of bullets ripping into me. I can barely hear his screams as his suit starts to literally overheat, and I jump off as the circuits overload.

The halls are pretty damn big, so it just takes a single flap of my wi-

How are they seeing me?

…

I forgot to turn my cloak on.

Damn it!

8~8~8~8~8~8

(Lex POV)

As soon as my feet hit the ground, I'm running. I hardly acknowledge the clunking guards in their big metal suits as I run towards the guards that are NOT heavily suited.

SLASH!

They only become aware of me as my blades open up one of them, entrails spilling in a hot, sticky mess to the ground as I swing again, this time at the next guy. They shoot sporadically, screaming in utter shock.

Don't get cocky, Lex!

The voice in my head is drowned out by Kanani's cry of pain. I glance over at her, but she's fine… just got shot in the tail.

Holy shit, they shot her!

"Take THIS you assholes!"

8~8~8~8~8~8

(Security guard's POV)

Being stationed in the lower levels of this base has to be the creepiest job I have ever held. And after we were put on alert, well, it did nothing to quell the sudden spike of fear that was rising among us. All the big guns were upstairs, leaving us, the minimal security, as a back-up.

Goody.

When I heard the rumbling from above, I knew we were under attack… but I DID NOT expect the ceiling to cave in, making way for a huge, cylinder-like object. And it was closely followed by two others, one of which managed to catch on to an important part of one of the main power generators, making the lights go screwy.

But everything got worse, when the pods opened.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Psycho POV)

Good Paya, I hit something. The jolt felt strange, even after bashing through so many layers… not to mention the electrical pulse that went through the pod, making me jump, and killing the lights inside the pod.

What did I hit?

When the pod finally stopped, though, I couldn't get it open.

Great. Just great.

Thankfully, however, the door popped open. Maybe an emergency feature-

Who cares?

I quickly jumped out, barely cloaking myself in time to see the security guards. I scowled as they opened fire at my general direction, moving towards them, I leapt high in the air before coming down hard on one of them, smashing him into the ground, my clawed feet puncturing his back with multiple sharp, wet pops.

R'ka and Setg'in… Where the PAUK is Kanani?

I and my brothers quickly finish off these puny security guards, before I growl angrily to R'ka.

"We have lost half our team!"

"Silence!' R'ka thunders, "They are not without defense, or have you already forgotten?"

I silence all other protests, as R'ka attempts to establish contact with the others. Nothing thus far.

Anger and worry radiates from Scar. I know how he feels.

Nonetheless, we're going to have to rendezvous with them at a later time.

Suddenly, I hear Kanani's annoyed voice speak out in the intercom of my mask.

"Anybody registering my sultry voice? Come in, Spiky, Psycho, hell, I'd even take Scar-"

-"Hey! He's MY hottie, missy!"

"Sorry Aunt Lex."

"We read you, Kanani." R'ka speaks, adding gruffly, "I have also have your coordinates, now that we have radio contact. Do not contact us again unless it is an emergency. I am sending you our coordinates."

"Got them. See you in a few."

I feel somewhat better, after hearing her voice. But it does not last long when I realize that we not only didn't we land on the same level, but we failed to land on the same side of the base. They are far east, while we are on the west.

Of course.

My thoughts are interrupted as more guards, as well as technicians enter. R'ka throws a razor disk into their midst, killing three as he rushes forward, catching the disk as he whirls, slicing into three chest cavities at once as I and Set'gin run past him into the hallway. More oomans.

Hurry, Oomans. I haven't got all day.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Weyland Clone POV)

Well… This is unexpected. And, it does not bode well, especially since three of the objects that crashed into my base have damaged the power generators. Already, the lower level security have their hands full, with both escaped subjects and the intruders. I quickly contact the upper levels and redirect them, but the main elevator is down. Using the security cameras, one of my technicians brings up an image of the capsule shaped objects. I realize, then, that it's a ship's escape pod.

Just like the ones in our basement.

"Team Beta, get down to the lower levels anyway you can. Rappel down the elevator shaft if you need to!"

Another technician alerts me, "The manticore hybrids are sealed into the DNA donor's level. They tried to get out through the air vents just now, but are making their way back to the floor."

"See that they do."

"Yes sir."

"Status report on Cerberus."

"He's ready, sir. The drug hit his blood stream three minutes ago."

"Good. And Hades?"

"She has come out of hibernation, sir."

"Excellent."

At this moment, one of the technician's monitors flashed red, indicating a warning.

"Sir! The Xenomorphs have escaped!"

"Seal off all ventilations systems. Guide them into the 66th level with Hades."

"Yes sir."

8~8~8~8~8~8

(Kemp POV)

As soon as I land, I know something's wrong. Very wrong.

Why the hell is my pod tilting every time I move?

Cautiously, I cloak myself and press the button that will open up the pod. The door slides apart, and I grit my teeth.

Good lord, my luck has NEVER been this fucking bad.

I'm in an elevator shaft. The pod is nose down, sort of wedged between the walls. In fact, the nose is supported by the elevator floor level, but barely. The elevator entrance is wedged open by the pod, revealing a hall that appears to be empty… and the pod feels like it will keep sliding down this abyss at any given moment.

I don't know how far down I am, bu-

WOAH.

I need to get out of here!

Without another thought, I take a flying leap, landing on the floor level that's opened, just as the pod shifts, hurtling down the shaft. I hear it grinding against the walls, and then…

KA-BOOM!

With a yelp, I take cover, as the explosion rocks the floor beneath my feet, and all the electricity goes out.

Crap.

Well… not all the electricity goes out, but some of the lights appear to have issues, cause the ones that didn't go out are sparking at random moments, lending a certain cheesy horror-film effect to my already freaky surroundings. Oh, something else.

When I tried to contact Spiky, all I got was fucking static.

This ain't my day.

As I switch the vision in my mask, I take a moment to wriggle my fingers, which are a little numb from holding onto the seat belt so hard, and I turn to look at this floor level. I'm surprised at the lack of electricity AND security. I mean… I'm pretty sure they knew we were coming, and our entrance wasn't exactly stealthy.

In fact, I don't think we could have made a more… smashing entrance.

As I start moving down the hall cautiously, I decide that my best bet is to get to a computer, so I can scan the floor schematics and maybe even find out where the rest of my fuckin' team is.

How hard could it be? I mean, they aren't exactly hard to miss…

The hallway lights flicker on and off, with sparking noises that rattle my eardrums. I hold tight to my gun, which Moe let me keep from his trophy arsenal. It's a decent SMG, not exactly my type of weapon, but it'll do. Call me an old fart, but I like sticking with what I know, despite the fact that the plasma cannon's beyond fucking awesome.

Electricity sparks crazily from the ceiling, making me jump. My hands are already greasy with sweat.

I check each room, but none of them have what I'm looking. A tingle goes down my spine. Something's watching. I don't know where, or how, but I'm not alone, here in this creepy hallway.

"Come on, you bitches. I don't have all day." I can almost hear my own thoughts.

I make my way down the hall, peering through one door after another. I can still feel those fucking eyes on my back.

The last door in the hallway is locked.

Gritting my teeth, I kick down the door, my weapons hot and ready…

It's pitch dark… and there's not a motherfucking living thing in sight. With a growl, I push myself to walk cautiously into the room. If there ain't nothing in this room, why the fuck was it locked?

Something's wrong here…

Actually, it's all wrong. Technically, I shouldn't even be here.

But, back to reality, eh?

As I walk through the darkness, I see something that is alive… just not in the ordinary sense.

Why is there a lone computer in this room?

The screen is on standby.

Damnit, I sure wish I had Daniel here right now… damnit.

But I pause, as I look again. There's… water, coming from beneath the wall, under the desk that the comp's resting on. With a growl, I aim my plasma cannon and fire.

Well I'll be dipped… a secret room.

…

Remember I told you this room was empty?

It ain't empty anymore.

I turn around, jamming my blades into the open maw of a monster…

Oh my GOD!

I hardly have time to acknowledge my horror and disbelief as I fight for my life… to put it simply, the monster from my dream is not only here, attacking me in real life, but it brought friends.

Goddamnit, why is my luck SO FUCKED UP?

I can almost hear Mitch and Retch laughing at me. And I don't know why, but it all gets to me, as I go nuts, screaming at the top of my lungs as I empty the contents of my SMG into the four bastards that are attacking me. One catches my leg, ripping open the skin, just as I slash downward with my wristblade, cutting off it's tail. I'm tackled down, into the wall that I blasted into. The monsters and I crash into the secret room. I scurry to my feet, unloading another round before they finally stop moving… well, they stop trying to get up.

"And stay down, you whores!" I snarl, before turning to look at my surroundings. It's here that I pause.

What the fuck am I ON?

But this can't be the results of a hallucinogen.

I'm a medic, alright, I should fucking know.

Slowly, I take off my mask, to see with my own eyes. The room is completely dark, save for an illuminated glass tube, at the farthest corner.

Have you guessed by now?

The woman I have seen in my dreams is RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF ME.

Curled in the same fetal position, her thick, black hair flowing all around, partially hiding her face…

Thank goodness she's not naked, as in... previous dreams.

If she's wearing clothing in real life, then WHY THE FUCK did I "imagine" her in the nude? Gawd, I'm not that much of a perver-

Aw, forget it…

A sport bra and some boy shorts cover her privates, but that's it, along with a bulky rebreather covering the lower part of her face, feeding her all the ingredients she needs to stay alive.

I can see scars on her arms and wrists, and lacing along her calfs. Looks like a razor blade attacked her. The scars are deliberately placed, though a few seem to have been from accidents, or fights...

With my heart pounding in my ears, I turn around (popping my mask back onto my face) and scan the room suspiciously.

If my dream... or premonition... OR WHATEVER THE HELL IT WAS is coming true…

Then that means that I'm not alone in this room with this woman.

But I don't hear anything, and even though I switch visions several times, nothing's showing up in the room.

Where are the fucking monsters? … oh god. The monsters I killed are gone.

I look back at the woman and make a decision.

I'm not going to leave you down here. I don't know what they're using you for, but it ends here; now. Right now!

I clear the dust from the controls on the stasis tube and figure it out as quickly as I can. Before you start asking stupid questions, yes, I've dealt with stasis tubes before. In top secret military functions, they're used for wounds that need extensive curing.

This one's slightly different, but not too much so. They're basically just preserving her.

For what, again, I don't know.

Why would they keep a single human down here?

Somehow, I don't think I want to know. Because even though she looks like Kanani, this woman has none of the clunkiness that gives the other young woman personality.

Any normal guy would definitely give this young lady a look over.

Thank goodness Mitch ain't here anymore.

I start the awakening process and then shift my attention to the computer sitting at a desk right by the stasis tube. The fluid begins to drain, and I see the flicker of movement behind the woman's eyes. She's waking up.

I breathe out. Good, now to-

Suddenly though, her eyes snap open. The movement traps me.

Time slows, as I look into her wide, wide eyes.

Her body jerks, as she tries to smack the glass with her hand, gesturing wildly for me to-

Turn the fuck around!

I bring up my SMG, not even looking first as I fire.

The bullets hit the chest cavity of yet ANOTHER of these weird bastar- ah hell no…

The bastards I thought I put down? They're fucking HEALED, AND they seem set on… revenge.

Now what?

I keep firing, my SMG AND the plasma cannon, roaring involuntarily as blood spatters to the ground.

I see shadows around the ruined remains of the wall, and I know there's more… All sixteen come into view, heading towards me

Aw shit.

Damnit, I didn't see that one in the corner!

I'm pushed back, and to my horror, we knock over the tube, which empties out as it hits the floor, the body of the young woman ripped away from her life support. Her eyes come violently open as she gasps loudly, her mouth puckered open.

Oh shit!

The other monsters now rush at her, all of them making this strange, keening sound, as their eyes glitter like fire. I growl.

"No you don't!"

I throw the motherfucker that tackled me, as the other four monsters rush towards the young woman. The monster collides into the woman's attackers, stalling them just enough for me to get my act together, as I warm up my cannon, coming to stand defensively in front of the young woman.

And as the plasma cannon starts to sing out, five of the monsters get blown back, their charred insides splattering the air with a nasty stink.

My SMG is spent.

I have no hand weapon. Glancing around quickly, I look for another we-

Shit. There's no fucking way.

It's the knife from my dream. It's on top of a table, right next to the opposite wall.

I grab the knife's handle, and brace myself, as the other two leap up at me… but as I target them with my cannon, something I didn't anticipate happens.

MY LEG!

I'm pulled to the ground, well, more like tripped. Something grabbed my foot and jerked it back, making me fall.

As my back hits the ground, knocking the breath out of me, the two monsters fly right over me, unable to change the direction of their leap. And then, as I suck in air, something BIG stands over me.

And an intense heat lights up the room as the figure standing over me unleashes a stream of molten fire at the two barb-tailed bastards.

As they wither on the ground, shrieking and dying, the back up lights turn on in the room, chasing away its mysterious appearance. I blink, switching the vision in my mask to one that accommodates this new light.

The creature standing over me is a dragon.

ANOTHER DRAGON GIRL…

She looks down at me with intense brown eyes, and a fanged smile gleams voraciously down at me.

"Never thought I'd need rescuing but damn. You're one hot knight in shining armor, Shorty. I'd be your damsel in distress any day."

The voice that comes from her mouth is sultry, teasing, slightly gravelly and COMPLETELY flirtatious.

Holy God SHE'S HITTING ON ME!

Even as I start freaking out mentally, (No, no, no, that is just WRONG) and trying to NOT remember the stupid song that Kanani claims I vomited forth in my drug-induced delirium, the dragon lady gives me a hand up, smiling down at me with these big, golden doe-eyes that happen to be slotted, like a cat's.

She's not as tall as Kanani, maybe just under 7 feet, and not as chunky. But that's still a lot taller and bigger then me… and she's got stubs of horns sticking out through the short, thick straight hair from the sides of her head.

Like they were… sawed off...

"Who're you?" I finally managed to get out, hating the fact that I'm glaring up at her.

"The lady of your dreams… which must be more like nightmares. Call me Sabra." With a wink and a chuckle, she eyes the knife in my hand. "You can keep the knife for now. You'll probably need it in a few!"

"Wait." I respond irritably. This day just keeps getting better… but maybe the computer will be kind to me.

"What are you waiting for, hotstuff?" She purrs at me, standing like she's on a fuckin' photo shoot for some hot magazine, hip tilted, hand on the cocked hip, her tail swishing slowly.

Is she off her rocker?

But then again… being in that glass tube for who knows how long…

"I know I'm hot, but doesn't a picture last longer?"

Huh? Shit. I've been staring at her when I SHOULD be getting my rear in gear.

"I, uh, need to look at this computer, so I can give us a general direction of where to go. Watch my back, will ya?"

"With pleasure…." Her tone is FULL of innuendo.

Oh geez… THAT sure wasn't sexually oriented at all…

At this moment, there's a distant screech, and Sabra actually sounds serious as she turns, talking over her shoulder.

"Whatever you're going to do, please do it fast, Shorty. We can talk later."

"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S DOIN' ALL THE TALKING!" I growl at her, as I boot up the computer.

"(chuckle) You're cute when you're angry, honey."

…

That's it.

She's going to get me killed.

Let's see, which would I prefer? Death by monster or death by blushin

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Kanani POV)

Ok… So maybe rushing headlong into that big group of security guards wasn't the best idea…

It's still not my fault that the power's going haywire!

As Aunt Lex and I cover each other's backs, kicking ass and generally causing (literal) bloody havoc, it suddenly occurs to me that… well, our pursuers seem to be herding us in a specific direction. Even as we kick their asses, and attempt to head in the direction that Spiky and HIS crew are in, they're still driving us back.

I should probably explain.

There's more robo-suited guards. These assholes are fucking hard to take down, even though they're not nearly as fast or agile as a regular human. And they just keep coming.

How many of these fuckers ARE there?

Spiky was right about one thing; they were expecting us to sneak in. So, all their good security was staked out at the upper levels… and they're just now getting their forces together down here. Suddenly, the floor me and Aunt Lex are stanching on gives way to a vertical tunnel. I grab onto the ledge and try to reach for Aunt Lex, but she's already far down, screaming, "OhSHIIIII-"

"Hang on!" I let go, trying to catch up with her so I can stop the both of us from falling. The drop down is so steep, my claws scrabble against the wall, like a cat that's trying to run on linoleum floor. I catch up with Aunt Lex, only able to see her because of my mask. It's pitch dark, as we fall, and I grab onto my aunt, then, just as suddenly, we're free falling.

Now this, I can work with.

My wings snap open, and I glide through the air, giving us both a good look at our surroundings.

The room we've fallen into is HUGE. And… it's full of plant life, oddly enough. A miniature rainforest.

"Airlock closing. Project Cerberus test .10394 commencing."

…

WHAT?

The voice that droned from the speakers in the ceiling is cut off by a deep, resonating roar that echoes through the room.

Oh shit, we've landed in some freak's cage.

Again.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Scar POV)

Pauk-de oomans!

We most definitely have a problem. A new set of Oomans, from the upper levels, have been attacking us, and they are pauk-de annoying because, unlike other oomans, these are able to SEE through our pauk-de camouflage.

So, we've had to exchange stealth for brute strength and speed. In some ways, a much easier task.

"WATCH IT!" Kha'bj-te accidentally slams into the wall, his upper body going pauk-de THROUGH it, as he tries to dodge a net fired at him. The net wraps around one of the oomans instead, immobilizing him completely. R'ka picks up the ensnared ooman and throws him into the midst of the guards before following through, plowing through them with his wristblades out.

Kha'bj-te struggles to get out of the wall he has crashed through. His whole upper body is through the wall. If I wasn't so pauk-de angry, this would be hilarious.

With a tense growl, I help him out of the wall, smacking him upside the head as I snarl, "Stop pauk-de around!"

I storm off before he has the chance to snap at me, following R'ka closely. I'm worried sick for Lex. I know she is a warrior, but this separation is killing me. Blood gushes from my wounds, but I hardly notice as I grab two of the ambushers and bash them into each other, the splintering of their bones resounding loudly in the air before I use their bodies as clubs, swinging right and left.

There seem to be no end of these insects!

All at once, I hear a roar of pain. It is R'ka. But he is not harmed. Though blood does gush down his frame, it is not this that has caught his attention. He stands before a door which he has kicked down. I strive through the crowd of attacking oomans, along with my brother. We leave a trail of stinking blood and corpses, Racing into the room which R'ka stepped into. I take a deep breath. I see now what has caused R'ka such horror.

There is a window in this room, overlooking a cage of another room. But it is not this that has our attention.

"LEX!"

The cry tears from my throat, without my even knowing. Lex stands at the bottom of a huge, enclosed room. Kanani is also there, and with them is the ugliest abomination I have ever seen. I somehow tear my gaze from the window, looking at the oomans who now cower before us.

R'ka stands menacingly, as three oomans stand, at the other end of the room. I quickly see the reason why R'ka has not already torn into them…

Where are the oomans getting all this technology? First the ability to see detect our cloaks, and now force shields?

R'ka tries to cut through the force field, but electricity cackles, repelling him. With a loud snort, Kha'bj-te quickly shuts the door behind us, and then smashes his foot into computer desk, turning it over and destroying it completely.

The force shield goes down.

I can't help but grin as the oomans suddenly lose their arrogance.

R'ka's blades drip blood as he speaks in a voice that simmers with undeniable rage.

"You will tell me EVERYTHING AFTER you set those two females free."

"W-we can't, not without setting the hybrid free. It… it's not microchip controlled, like most of our test sub-"

Pauk.

R'ka just gutted the ooman who spoke, and then tried to toss him through the window. The pauk-de bastard only bounced off of it, with a sickening thud as his bones cracked. He screams in pain, curled up, coughing blood.

"We're going to need a bigger object." Kha'bj-te growls.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Kemp POV)

Well, I haven't died... yet. Of course, it looks like my status may change at any-

"HITTHEFUCKINGDECK!"

The explosion nearly knocks my fillings loose, but I don't let go of Sabra, as I hunker over her, behind the shelter of a desk. The Manticores shriek. Damn it, there's still more. Sabra ran out of fire, and I ran out of bullets… we took shelter in one of the rooms along the way to the elevator shaft. Where I found some grenades.

"We've got to get out of here. It's now or never, Shorty!" Sabra shouts as she suddenly scoops me up, ignoring my profanities as she makes a break for it. She yells," Throw the last grenade over my shoulder! NOW!"

I don't ask any questions, even though I'd like to, but I don't have the luxury. I pop the last pin and launch it into the last four manticores. Sabra leaps into the elevator shaft.

And the explosion really DOES knock some of my teeth out. I mean, a piece of shrapnel hit my face, hard enough to knock out one of my molars, which I spit out bitterly. We're hanging onto the elevator cable. Sabra glances up at me and chuckles.

"As much as I'm enjoying the view, we need to get moving, Shorty"

"Stop calling me that… And sister, we're not the same species, so stop flirting with me!"

"Ooh… me thinks the hot little lad doth protest too much."

Her voice is low and I can feel her moving, climbing up.

I start climbing as well. Though I'm tired, the next level isn't far. And we don't have anything ELSE to do...

Lemme tell you quick what I found out while I was climbing. First off, there's two major projects happening in this base. 2nd, this IS the last base. Third, Weyland is at the bottom of everything. And fourth… If we don't blow up this lab soon, then our efforts will have been in vain. Cause the monster that these guys have created will destroy everything if it ever gets out of control… which it WILL!

Sabra is the one who told me this. Her DNA has been under study and in use for nearly 12 years. And further more, she's actually able to communicate with her, uh, diminutive offspring.

They're intelligent, but still incredibly hostile, just like the original human-hatched xenos.

That's why they gotta die.

I reach the next elevator door. My plasma cannons have just enough energy left for a short blast that weakens the door enough for Sabra to knock it down. She helps me out, and we run down the hall… right into a mess of guards.

Sabra snarls.

"Hey guys, guess what? MY PAROLE OFFICER LET ME OUT EARLY!" And then she rushes forward. To do WHAT, I don't know, but I don't hang back, as I use my fists and empty SMG, swinging it like a club. I'm saving my plasma cannon shots, which aren't many. Not after the battle with those fucking manticores. Sabra scratches and rams her clawed foot into one guy's gut before whirling around and ripping another man's arm off. She's bleeding from bullet wounds, but grits her teeth as she takes the gun from the one-armed guard and yells, "Catch, Shawty!"

I'm getting sick of her "swagger." But I catch the gun and start to unload its contents, careful not to hit Sabra, who ducks out of my way. Once the hall is momentarily clear, I gather ammo and we keep running. She grinds to a stop, her nostrils flaring.

"There's another dragon hybrid."

"Yeah… about that…" No I haven't told her.

How do you tell someone they aren't the only ones in the world? …

I'm talking species-wise, Smart-ass.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Kanani POV)

With our weapons hot and ready, Aunt Lex follows behind me as I take point, peering through the thick foliage before continuing on.

Why is Aunt Lex behind me and not in front, you ask?

Easy.

'Cause I won't let her go in front of me.

Do you have any idea what Scar would do to me if I let her get herself killed?

I pause, as a stench hits my nose.

Thing is… there's something oddly familiar about this scent. It's strong, musky, but…

Wrong.

"We got hybrid." I murmur quietly.

"Bring it." Aunt Lex's voice is muffled. I wince as her voice slices the silence, but we keep going, off to face the unknown.

"what are you-"

"Shh!"

We both hear it.

The same noise that the… the Yautja/alien hybrid made…. except… I also hear a noise that… that I make sometimes. A keening noise that highlights the clacking and the shriek of this terror, which suddenly swoops in from the sky, landing in front of us and giving us a good idea of what we're up against.

Oh my gawd… what have they done? Oh GAWD RUN!

A huge jet of fire scorches the backs of our necks as we dive to the ground. I respond by firing all four of my plasma cannons, hearing a roar as two shots make their target.

SHIT, it's mad!

Aunt Lex moves out of the way as this giant, 20 foot monster bears down on us, knocking me to the side as I try to get up and move. My plasma cannons fall off my shoulders as I hit the wall, groaning.

"Ow, mother-DAH!" I scream as I see it rushing at me, fire in its red fucking eyes. With adrenaline spiking up my spinal cord like the keys of a fucking piano, I rise into the air, shooting a blast of ice at it before I turn full circle and fling myself into the air.

It has wings. That's why I want it off the ground. I don't know how I'm going to kill it, since I fucking forgot to grab my cannons, but I don't want it focused on Lex.

Let's hope I can fly faster then this mother-fucking-freak.

Oh, you should know… this thing is male, looks pretty damn humanoid for being a screwed up jumble of Yautja, dragon and xeno… and… something turned it the fuck ON.

Crap! MORE ICE! NEED MORE ICE!

If this guy wore pants, he'd have a huge tent over his crotch. As it is, I'm really wishing he DID wear pants.

By the time this is all over, I'm not going to have a shred of innocence left…

Dear God no, I didn't mean it like that!

8~8~8~8~8~8

(Weyland POV)

I watch, with a measure of incredulous anger, at the incompetence of the insects of my organization.

How are these imbeciles earning their paychecks?

The dragon hybrid has escaped. We caught her just over a decade ago, and have managed to keep her for all that time. This only fuels my rage as I recall the many escape attempts she has made before, only now to be rescued by a human marine medic. I do not know how the marine was able to get past all the manticore hybrids, but he did. And while the other dragon hybrid and female human is being kept busy by project Cerberus, the three Predators have infiltrated the observatory room. And they have already killed one of the scientists.

Here in the security room, my guards and technicians work feverishly, securing the room, working to seal off the lost parts of the lab. Already, I can see that we are losing power to the generators that supply power to the various projects and keep most of our specimens from running loose. I have sent technicians to repair the generators, but the damage is too extensive.

Our only hope now is to wait until just the right moment to release Project Hades.

My only hope now is the doom of mankind.

How ironic.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Psycho POV)

R'ka blasts the window with his plasma cannon. The glass reluctantly shatters, allowing us to catch a whiff of the hormones that are pouring from the hybrid abomination.

"What in the name of Cetanu?" R'ka chokes in rage. Within one giant fist, he has the four human by he collars of their shirts. They are stiff with shock and one of them has wet himself.

I stiffen as Kanani flies right past us, screaming, "SOMEONE DOUSE THIS FUCKER!"

Behind her, the hybrid is in hot pursuit.

He is courting MY female!

Rage takes over my senses.

With no other thought, I leap through the gap in the window and manage to land on the pauk-de bastard as he flies by.

I have no time to marvel the fact that I did not miss my target and plummet to the ground. Right now, I hang on, digging into his massive back with my wrist blades, slicing into him as he spirals, attempting to angrily throw me off. His hormones are doused momentarily by the pain, I imagine. I roar, as the tip of his tail bends back and rakes my back. Acid venom drips from the tip… at least, I assume that's what the burning sensation is coming from. I stab again, this time digging into the root of the base of his wings. The hybrid lets loose a bellow; however, even as I stab into him, acid blood spurts out of his body, burning me.

"Psycho!"

Kanani. She is right above the hybrid. He tries to twist around, but I stab his back with my hunting knife, causing him to curl in pain, finally catching me off guard and bucking me off.

"GOTCH'A!" I am in the air barely three seconds before Kanani catches my hand, gliding swiftly towards the ground.

"Crap, you're heav-AHH!" The hybrid knocks her into the all, throwing me to the ground. I tumble to a painful halt, standing to my feet, I rush towards where Kanani has fallen. She is bruised, and acid burns grace her arms. She moans, trying to stand, but the hybrid lands atop her like a hawk over its prey, roaring at me as it places his foot upon her back, keeping her pinned. I snarl, readying my cannon. He snarls, and faster then I thought he could move, rushes towards me. I rush towards him, with a snarl of outrage, I fire my shot.

He throws back his head and fire arcs from his mouth, meeting the plasma shot and burning it. By this time, I have neared him enough to roll between his huge legs, careful of his poison-tipped tail, I grab my knife from his back and hamstring his right leg. He bellows and wavers, but not before he turns, smacking me into the wall with a giant fist. At this moment, another cannon shot rings out. Follow by three more.

The hybrid gargles, roaring in a croaking tone as he falls to his knees. There are three gaping holes in the upper part of his chest, nearly separating his head from his shoulders. Only skin holds it there. His spine is completely severed.

"That's right bitch. On your knees."

As he falls to the ground, Lex steps out. She is adorned with Kanani's quadruple cannon. And all four guns are smoking.

"Psycho, get the fuck off the ground and help Kanani." Lex adds in a very calm and deadly tone.

I stand up. Suddenly, I realize why it was that this ooman survived Setg'in's Chiva, when his comrades all died and he himself nearly died.

"Ey, Psycho. You a'right?" Kanani croaks. She is battered, burned, but not beaten. As she stands, breathing deeply, she looks over at Lex, who shrugs.

"Hope you don't mind that I borrowed your guns."

"Naw. Use 'em whenever the hell you want." She chuckles as she then attempts to speak to R'ka.

"Ey, Spiky, can you get us out of here?"

"I am trying. The oomans are stubborn."

"We'll make our own way out. Just kill those bitches." She then walks over to the hybrid, grabbing it by its dreads, she puts her foot on its shoulder and attempt to tear its head off. Acid blood eats through the ground.

"Someone help me get this blood on the wall so we can get the hell out of here."

I looked down at Kanani, who takes in a breath and stands on her own.

"Let's do it."

I stride toward the fallen body of the hybrid and grasp its head, pulling it free from its shoulders. Holding it carefully, and taking care to not step on the drops of acid that spills down from its severed neck, I walk towards the wall and place the bleeding side of the head onto the wall, tracing a large opening.

As the metal weakens, I put the head back onto the floor and kick down the weakened wall. Lex picks up the head by its hair. She holds it up with some difficulty, but looks happy.

"Alright! Now I've also got a seriously kick-ass trophy! I'm officially part of the club!"

"Aunt Lex, it's too early in the morning to be so cheerful." Kanani hisses, earning a whack over the head by her Aunt, who snorts, "Right kid. Let's go already."

As she exits, Kanani tugs on one of my dreadlocks, turning my attention completely onto her.

"That move you pulled, jumping through the window, was beyond stupid… and I totally love you for it."

I guess this means she's forgotten about the recording-erasing incident.

Thank Paya.

"Come on!" Lex shouts at us. I wince. The wounds on my back burn like c'jit, but I cannot allow them to slow me down. Not yet.

Not till this is pauk-de over.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(R'ka POV)

When Kha'bj-te leapt out of the window, I hardly believed the fact that not only did he NOT miss his target, but that he managed to wound the hybrid while he was on its back. I force my attention back to the oomans, throwing them down, I snarl.

"How do we kill the abomination?"

"You don't. It kills you." One of them whispers in pain. His arm is bent at an odd angle, the bone pierced though the skin. I snarl, ending his misery.

"Are there others like him?"

"Not… quite like him." The remaining three oomans suddenly all give a shudder, slumping dead to the ground. I have no time to consider how they died. Probably a sort of mechanism their leader installed for such an occasion.

Setg'in is already on his way to rendezvous with the others. I follow him, growling. I do not like the riddle that the ooman left me with.

My head swims slightly at the possibilities. What challenge do we face this time?

8~8~8~8~8~8~

(Kanani POV)

Well, it's official. Aunt Lex is a bad-ass motherfucker. I mean, I knew that before this whole business happened, but it's totally official as of right now.

This should serve to remind me never EVER to get on her bad side… it wouldn't go well for me.

And before you ask, YES, I feel like crap. I got bashed into the wall, burned by that bastard's blood, nearly got my ass raped… No, I don't feel fine.

A hand on my shoulder turns into an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into Psycho's body.

…a little. I feel a little fine.

Psycho purrs.

"Are you alright?"

"Better. Let's blow this joint. Please." I respond as we exit the room. At this moment, there's this really loud screech. I snarl as I see the green outlines of the bug-aliens.

"Fuck it."

Blades extended, Aunt Lex holds onto her prize with one free hand as all four of the cannons on her shoulders turn red with energy, blasting the silver-blue messengers of death towards the dark creatures that now attack us openly. I stand on my own feet, pushing Psycho off, as I inhale, looking straight at the bastard that comes leaping at me, its claws outstretched.

"Take this, fucker."

8~8~8~8~8~8~

(Kemp POV)

I hear the shrieks of the xenos, and Sabra groans.

"I fucking hate those bitches." she hisses.

"I know. Let's go get 'em."

She follows behind me, watching my back. But fortunately for us, we're not alone.

The flames that lick around the corner of the hall offer me a strange comfort.

"Kanani?" I call out hoarsely.

"Hey Leprechaun!"

I scowl. Comfort gone.

Curly, Lex and Kanani are in the midst of finishing off some Xenos. I know there's more where they came from, but that's nothing to consider right now.

Especially since Kanani's caught sight of Sabra. At least, I'm pretty sure that's why she fell flat on her ass… then again, it could be because of blood loss.

"What the fuck?" she dead pans.

Nope, definitely because of Sabra.

Sabra crosses her arms.

"Wow. Someone needs to wash this kid's mouth out with soap!" she smirks.

Kanani stand up, puffing out her frame. But Lex, thank God, steps in.

"Escape first. Explanations later. And no more fucking around."

"I'm not the only one with a dirty mouth…" Kanani mutters under her breath. I walk beside Lex for a moment.

"Have you seen the others?"

I'm interrupted when an explosion rocks our feet. We look behind. There on the floor are three xeno corpses. Moe and Larry stand like a couple of bad ass pros, with their cannons smoking.

"Watch your pauk-de backs." Moe growls.

"Nice to see you too." I growl. "Moe, I checked out this place. We have to destroy it. It's the last base, and it holds the most dangerous biological weapon… and this is your new protegee."

Moe nods simply, as Sabra waves.

"Good work. I will not require an explanation of where she came from yet. But I will." He adds darkly. I know what he means. Sabra is hovering over me, like I'm her hero or something. I wish she'd calm down.

Kemp, go easy on the kid. She's been down here a long time…

and she's not a kid.

Sabra's actually, like, 35 years old. I know this because she told me what the years was when she was caught. She was asking about current events, of all things...

It's a scary thought. She's spent nearly half of her life here.

No wonder she acts so crazy…

As we keep walking, Moe tenses. Sabra's acting jittery. I mean… she's clinging to my fucking arm, even though she's a full foot taller then I am.

"Sabra."

"Yeah?"

"You're picking me up off the ground."

"Sorry hon… can't help myself." she winks, but she does let me go.

I feel heat rise to my face once again. But at this moment, we're all scared out of our wits when a thick door slams shut behind us, blocking off the way we came.

Kanani voices what the rest of us are thinking.

"What the hell is going on?"

"They're making us go somewhere. Controlling where the hell we're going." Sabra whispers softly. I look up at her.

"How you know?"

"This isn't the first time I've gotten free and tried to find my way out."

Oh, well, that's comforting.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Rosy POV)

I'm getting nervous. I hate this waiting. I know I agreed to it, but it's all I can do to keep myself from imagining the worst.

Spiky… please keep them safe. Please be safe.

I'm almost surprised at the urgent desire that wells in me for his safety, as well as the safety of my sister and daughter.

Holy shit, what's wrong with me?

I'm so scared of what I'm feeling. Afraid that it's what I think it is.

Spiky… isn't handsome. At least, not in the "normal" way.

Why do I seem to have this thing for fuckin' HUGE guys that aren't human?

Actually, that's the only thing Spiky and Malachi have in common. In personality, they're about as different as Day and Night.

Oh gawd, what am I doing?

I take in a breath, looking at the controls of Spiky's beloved ship. I'm not altogether sure of what I feel for him at this exact moment in time… I'm even less sure about how he feels for me.

Probably not the same thing, you dummy.

"Rosy?"

I'm startled by the sound of Spiky's voice through my mask.

"Aye, Captain?"

"Be ready. I feel we may need your assistance soon."

"Gotcha… are you guys ok?"

"We're fine."

"Good. I'll be on stand by."

The radio contact is cut off. I take in a breath.

Cool, calm, clear, confident…

Bullshit.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Weyland POV)

The closer the group gets to Hades' cage, the more tension I feel. So many things have gone wrong…

My skin suddenly burns, bubbling and broiling.

No, not now!

I gasp, feeling for my heart, which is fast beginning to fail.

"Sir?" One of the technicians forces an inhaler to my mouth, which I take, gratefully.

Damn clone diseases…

I choke and hack on the gas that I pull into my lungs. This isn't my prescription.

"See you later, boss." The technicians and guards stand, leaving their posts, as they head to the emergency exits. A sadistic smile twists my features… at least, I imagine it to be sadistic. I'm dying, but I have just enough strength to unlock all of the sealed off hallways, which were formerly all that kept back the monsters that now roam my base. I had planned to live through this…

But unfortunately, the result of my employee's efforts is my failure. Still, it would be fitting for them to die indirectly by my hands, as my empire has crumpled by their hands.

But before I collapse on the floor, I push a button in the keyboard of the computer. The outsiders will destroy this base… but they will not be rid of me completely.

Self destruct will commence in 20 minutes.

Then again, maybe we'll all die.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Spiky POV)

"Self destruct will commence in 20 minutes."

WHAT THE PAUK?

My thought on this announcement coming from the speakers is interrupted by the running and pounding of ooman feet and hearts. The others are aware of this as well, and it's not long before a group of oomans encounters us. The seven of us rush forward to meet them. They have weapons, but it seems they were not expecting to encounter us.

The new Llonng Sain'ja screams.

"YOU! YOU MOTHERFUCKER! I KNOW YOU!"

I hardly have time to see just what the pauk she's screaming on about, but she keeps screaming.

"I KNOW YOU LICKED MY CHEEK WHEN I WAS DRUGGED ON THE DISSECTION TABLE! I KNOW YOU FUCKED ONE OF MY CLONES! AND YOU STOLE MY IPOD! I SWEAR TO FUCKING GAWD IF YOU CHANGED ANYTHING, I WILL END YOU SLOWLY, YA FUCKING HEAR ME? GET BACK HERE!"

Oh pauk. The Llonng just ran out of pauk-de sight.

As I slam one ooman's head into the wall, completely smashing it before I turn and stick my blades down another's throat, I roar at Kemp.

"FOLLOW HER!"

He looks like he might protest, when we all hear it…

A piercing wail, that turns into a roar.

Kemp is gone.

8~8~8~8~8~8

(Kemp POV)

Gawddamnit, SABRA!

I run down the hall, ignoring everything else as I fight my way into the clear, following after Sabra. A xeno jumps into my path, and I shoot it with my plasma cannon, firing a rapid second shot as it dodges, splattering it with the secondary shot.

"SABRA!"

I skid to a stop. And scowl.

She's sitting on top of the dead body of a guard, earphones plugging her ears and a grin of pure blissful satisfaction on her face. Her claws are red with sticky human blood, and she suddenly looks up.

"He really screams like a girl, doesn't he?"

"You idiot! You scared the shit out of me!" I fairly scream at her. "Give me one good fucking reason why I should not kill you?"

"Cause I'm too darn cute." Sabra responds with a smile that IS completely cute, despite the fact that her teeth are stained red.

I stare at her.

"Ok, give me TWO reasons."

"Don't have time." she stands up and puts the ipod in my pocket.

"Please keep that safe for me. The other lab dorks are approaching, and I think there's been a rebellion. The soldier said something about rather facing Mr. Weyland then dying here… which he did." she scowls and shudders. "That bastard licked me. And he pretty much raped me, since he fucked my defective clone. Have you got any idea how disgusting that is?"

…

"Let's get you out of here." I replied. "This place ain't good for keeping one's sanity intact."

"Pfft, insanity's all I've got left, Shorty. Well, that and my ipod."

"It's Kemp."

"Ahh… Kemp. Ok."

"Are you two fucking crazy?"

I jump, as Kanani walks right between us- limp. She limps between us, shooting Sabra a glare.

"We're in the middle of a fucking fight for life, and you two are flirting?"

"Ey' I'm the best at what I do." Sabra grins.

I groan, while silently agreeing with her. I'll never tell her, though.

8~8~8~8~8~8~

(Scar POV)

As we run, as best we can, though the now darkening halls, a large door appears before us. It's a shielded door, very strong and impossible to break down. The new hybrid, Sabra, approaches it.

"I think I know the code… but you guys should know. This is a specimen door… and the lab dorks were running away from it."

R'ka growls low in his throat. He's using his mask to analyze the structure.

"Our only way out." He finally growls.

Sabra nods.

"I know."

"Then why didn't you tell-"

"Cause I didn't fucking want to. Is that good enough for you?" Sabra asks in a cool tone as she punches in the code… or, she tries to. A shriek comes from behind us.

I turn, shoving Lex out of the way of a kiande amedha. Extending my spear, I plunge it through the Hard Meat's skull, whirling to fling that body into the next Kiande Amedha.

"Hurry and open the fucking door!" Kanani screams.

The door opens. We all rush through it… and the Kiande Amedha stay behind, although they hiss at us, as the door closes.

By Paya… what mischief is this?

We turn to look.

This new room is the biggest structure I've ever seen. The ceiling is far, far above our heads…

As we walk in, there's a pounding from below… as well as a screeching wail before a huge tunnel opens up in the middle of the floor. Like a creature from Cetanu's realm, the largest, most vicious hybrid crawls up. I feel R'ka stiffen, and Sabra murmurs, "Damn… she ain't MY baby."

This creature is at least 75 ft tall. It's a cross between a Llonng and a Hard Meat Queen, with some surprising Yautja features. Powerful mandibles spread out from its cavernous maw in an act of savage hostility.

"Now what?" Comes Kemp's hard question as it stands before us, wings spreading nearly 200 feet in span as it screams.

~8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Kanani POV)

Sabra leaps into the air, shouting at me, "C'mon, K-K, let's give this thing a flight test!"

"WHAT?" I scream, but I follow her, as the monster shoots fire at us. At least it's not male. I would have died if it had been…

Then again, I may die anyways!

As Sabra and I take off into the air, Kemp rushes to the side of the wall, and he hits a big red button. To our surprise, the floor starts to elevate…

REALLY, REALLY FAST!

The ceiling opens up in a spiral shape, and the monster screams as it flaps its wings, suddenly more interested in freedom then it is in killing us…

Or so it seems.

Fuck it.

Sabra yells at me.

"We got to get its wings! Make it crawl!"

Well… that makes sense… I take off after her, without question, as I speak to Spiky and the others through my mask.

"We gotta ground this thing. Aim for it's wings. Let's kill this mother fucker."

"You have exactly 30 minutes to do so." Comes the ever-practical voice of Kemp.

Cold, cold air blasts through our senses as the floor comes to street level. And man, that wind is fucking vicious. I strain as hard as I can, before a blast of heat shoots down at me, pinning me to the ground.

The only thing that hurts is the landing- I roll through the snow before I bounce into the air again. Flapping, I allow my anger to take control, using it to fuel my weak body as I pump hard, rising into the sky, I see my big, motherfucking target.

Sabra's on its back, and the thing is trying to get her off, going crazy as it flails mid-air.

She doesn't have a blade…

I dodge around flailing claws and snapping mandibles as I extend my wristblades and rip my way through one of the wings, tearing through the skin.

The monster shrieks, but I start using my plasma cannon, using the four shots I have left to damage the base of its wings.

After all… that's the weak spot of all dragons who HAVE fucking wings.

It starts going down, shrieking even more when five more plasma shots hit the base of its wings.

I shoot again, focusing on the most damaged wing, even as hot acid blood spills out onto the snow.

Dimly, I hear my mother's voice crackle through-

"THE FUCK IS THAT THING?"

"You said it."

I scream, as one of the sickle-clawed hands finally makes contact with me, sending me to the ground.

I stay there for a moment… not because I want to, but because I think I cracked a rib.

Again.

8~8~8~8~8~8`8

( Spiky POV)

This monster… WHAT were they pauk-de thinking, by making such an abomination?

It roars at the sky, when we finally damage one of its wings too extensively, and furiously, I think, Now what?

The plasma shots went though its wings, and the skin was sensitive enough for permanent damage, but on the rest of its body, the shots are just like insect stings to this giant.

"Spiky? What's going on? How are you guys going to kill that creature?"

I growl as I reply sarcastically to her.

"We need a pauk-de hammer. A BIG pauk-de hammer-"

I pause.

My ship. It's large enough to crush this monster…

But Rosy… can she do it? Could she make such an attempt?

But before I can ask, the monster suddenly races towards us, shooting a flame of fire that I cannot duck.

"SPIKY!"

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Scar POV)

No…

8~8~8~8~8~8

(Psycho POV)

R'ka? It can't be!

8~8~8~8~8~8

Kanani Pov

Holy Shit….

8~8~8~8~8~8

Rosy POV

"Oh my god…."

Spiky disappeared from view as the monster hybrid hurled a jet of fire at him. I can barely breath, as anger takes a hold on me.

The idea running through me is horrible. But the rage and anguish I feel numbs me to reality, enough for this crazed thought-

You want a hammer? I'll give you a hammer.

"BACK AWAY FROM THE HYBRID! NOW!" I scream into the radio com before throwing the ship's landing routine into overdrive. The hybrid is recovering from having its wings torn up, and it's trying to take off.

No bitch… sit.

I feel a horrible jolt, but I stand on my feet as the gears crunch against the body of the hybrid. I hear it wail before it throws me off. With a growl, I drive the ship INTO THE FUCKING GROUND, pinning the monster beneath Spiky's pride and joy. Then, I activate the weapons systems. I don't know what to do, but I don't care. I don't think.

I just DO.

"Stay." I growl as the weapons fire. Some of them miss… others hit their target. It's a good 4 minutes before I'm sane enough to see that…

Well, the hybrid's not moving. I look over the controls, dully noting the warning symbols flashing across the screen. The shields aren't holding up too well against the acid blood. I reverse the ship, rising into the air again. With a pounding heart, I suddenly realize that Scar is trying to communicate with me. Answering, he commends me on my kill and guides me to a nice and easy landing in the snow… If you can call a crash landing nice and easy.

By the time I see the others, I'm fucking banged up from my wild flight. Scar rushes past me, to guide the ship back into the atmosphere.

Kanani's cut and bleeding, as is Psycho, and…

Oh my God.

"Where's Spiky?" I asked. Calmly. Cooly. Panic bubbled in my stomach.

"He's in the infimar-" That's enough for me as I rush past Kemp. Inertia nearly takes me off my feet as a blast rocks underneath us.

I take it that the last base is now a mere fucking forgotten secret.

Good fucking riddance.

I make my way to the infirmary, and I see Spiky.

Oh God… He's not breathing.

Oh God…

"No… Spiky! NO! Damnit!"

I rush to his side, already feeling hot tears spill down my face.

Damn it! You weren't supposed to die!

FIRST OFF: I'm SO SO SORRY that it took me so long to get this chapter done. PLEASE forgive me! and… sorry about the cliff hangar. Please… don't kill me…. if you do, then you won't ever find out what happens in the next chapter! *runs, dodging knives, spears and other creative weapons*

As ever, a BIG thank you to khalthar, for proofreading and editing! And doing a speedy job of it! YOU TOTALLY ROCK, DUDE!

SHOUT OUT!

Ice Demon Ranger: LOL, glad you like it! and the song was awesome, I'm really glad I have Khalthar helping me out! And now you know who the DNA donor is.

HunterOfTheWeird: I hope not! XD And I'm STILL alive! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! And THANK YOU for your review!

XLR8ION: I'm so sorry it took me forever… But… was it worth the wait?

weirdCOMBO:Sorry it wasn't soon…. but thanks for the review and the motivation!

AnimeDreama: LOL, I know! Awesome song! heh heh… heh. Thanks for the review! :)

PocketSevens: LOL your review gave me inspiration… about the munchies, I mean. Thanks so much!

LynxbyLynx:*bows* thank you. I hope you're doing well! And thank you for the review, and the lolls… :)

divergary: Mucho thanks! And you were right! High-five! *holds up hand*

Andi-1990: I'm glad it made your bad day better!… although I'm sorry you were having a bad day in the first place. Thanks for the review!

D'Fuentes: *coughs* sorry about the wait… I hope this makes up for it.

Lady Augustin: I'm glad it made you laugh! thanks for your review!

Lord Anubis Judge of the Dead: Thanks!

SesshiraRayu: *giggles* Lol, I know.

Captain Razz: Thank you for waiting and for reviewing! *not necessarily in that order*

Horser01: Well, we have yet to see. It's good for Kemp that the "stooges" from outerspace don't know about the ones in the tv show, yeah?

Dra9onf7yz:LOL! thanks for your review!

Luv4Uncas: I'm glad you're enjoying the story so much! Thank you for the review!

Teldra: Here's more! And thank you for asking!

TheSneakyHobo:Thanks very much!

DUDE…. is that everyone? I hope so… If not, I'm sorry. I will endeavor to warn you guys if such a huge wait is coming again like that.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE FAV'D, REVIEWED, READ ETC.!