Author Note: I do not own Aliens or Predators. Hello again and thanks for reading and reviewing Ember. Not much to say today. Enjoy!
23: DEPARTURE
THE QUEEN knew by the silence after the noise of battle that Ember and the Hunter had defeated the Humans. She'd never had a doubt that they would, but she still found herself proud of Ember. The Hive Mother knew her strange daughter hated killing (though she knew Ember didn't shirk from using them to breed), and was glad she could overcome that.
The Hunter, though, was still an issue. She still didn't think she and Ember could trust him. She knew he only wanted to use her to breed so she could hunt her offspring. The Queen had been used that way before by generations of Hunters, and she had no desire to be used again. Her hatred for the Hunters, and her suspicions, weren't just coming from her natural instinct-all of her kind naturally loathed the Hunters, for what they did to them-it was experience.
And yet...and yet, this Hunter...this Lar'ja-thwei...he had helped Ember and the Queen. He had fought with Ember. The Queen knew he was crazed, knew he probably could not be trusted...but he was different.
Of course, thought the Queen, he did also cut my tail-blade off and use it as a weapon... Her tail still throbbed from having the tip cut off. She was still very miffed about this, even though she was deadly even without her tail-blade.
Long after the battle was over, Ember and the Hunter finally arrived back at the Queen's nesting chamber. Ember was, of course, unharmed, but the Queen could smell the Hunter's blood, and saw his heavy limping. Internally she was glad the mad Hunter was hurt but said nothing about it, opting to greet Ember instead.
Hello, little one, she said.
Hi, Ember replied. The Queen sensed nervousness in her, and doubt.
The Queen gave a low, questioning hiss.
The Hunter said something to Ember, which she replied to and turned to the Queen.
Here it comes, she thought sourly, the Hunter is going to ask for our cooperation again.
Mother, I...I think we should go with Lar'ja-thwei, said Ember tentatively.
The Queen reared and hissed with surprise. Ember, do you realize what you are saying? she exclaimed.
Yes, I know, she replied. I know you hate the Hunters, but I think we can trust Lar'ja-thwei. And we can't stay here on Earth. The Humans will never leave us alone.
More humans means more breeding hosts. Let them come, scoffed the Queen. She couldn't believe Ember could even suggest they take the Hunter's advice. I have half a mind to kill that Hunter right now, she thought with a growl.
But... Ember began but the Queen cut her off.
No. I refuse to accept that he will not enslave me and turn you into an expirament. I have plenty of experience dealing with his kind, and I know they are nothing but monsters. He will take me to a planet to use as a Hive simply so he can hunt and kill my offspring, just as the Hunter whose ship crashed here did. We are not leaving Ember. That is final.
Mother please listen to me, pleaded Ember, a note of desperation in her tone. If the Humans don't leave us alone, we can't live in peace. She thrashed her tail in frusteration. I don't want to fight anymore! All I want is to live in peace, away from the Humans! I hate them! I don't want to have to fight them for my freedom every day! And I know if they realize they can't have this island, they will destroy it. They have weapons called bombs that can destroy everything! It isn't safe here!
The Queen was a bit shocked by her obvious desperation. She hadn't known the small Humans had weapons capable of mass destruction like the Hunters. And she had seen what their "bombs" could do. Her pride and instinct warred against logic. Take the risk, and possibly be enslaved? Or stay here and risk being utterly destroyed?
Finally, she sighed and conceded. Very well. I will go. If only because if I am enslaved I could escape, which is a better option than death.
Relief flooded Ember. Thank you, Mother, she said. She spoke to the Hunter, no doubt telling him that they would go along with his ridiculous plan.
And so, much later, the Queen found herself in a large nesting chamber aboard the hated Hunter ship, the only room big enough for her. Ember was off exploring the ship, unable to contain her excitement. The Queen hadn't had the heart to tell her to stay confined to her chamber with her, so she let her daughter explore. She shifted with uneasiness, memories of being trapped by Hunters filling her mind. It had taken every ounce of her will and self-control to force herself aboard the ship and into the nesting chamber. She felt the humming in the ship and the lurch of takeoff, and tried to suppress her dread.
Soon she'd find out if this was a mistake or the right choice. For once, she hoped she was wrong.
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Please review! So what did you think? First Queen chapter, and I hoped it turned out okay.