Chapter 29

Author's note: Sorry for the long wait guys, but I've been incredibly busy with university. There's not much to this chapter, and I did kind of rush it, but I promise that the next one will be more detailed. Whenever I publish it. xD

~Sharon's POV~


Our rather large group hurries down the hallway. The shaking increases in intensity, and there's less of a pause between them.

We all count on Alex to lead us to safety, otherwise we're toast.

We pass by the elevator we came here with, and I'm filled with confusion. "Hey Alex, wasn't that the exit we just passed by?" I ask.

Alex doesn't look at me when he replies. "That's more like a death trap now. If we're inside the elevator when the bomb goes off, then the connection cable that is attached between the base and the ship above will snap, and the elevator will depressurize. I'm sure you can visualize the result."

Indeed I could, and the mental picture is not pleasant. That makes us even more dependent on Alex than we were before.

As we continue to run, I take the moment to glance back at our group.

Parsi and Pete seem to be locked in a mini contest of sorts to see who could run faster. Pfft, men.

Esme is still riding on the Warrior, yet she's looking around from side to side. At least she seems to be recovering.

Dr. Sample surprisingly manages to keep up with our fast pace in her high heels. I'm honestly not sure what to think of her or even if she can be trusted, but I'll worry about that once we reach the surface.

Alex leads us to a separate chamber where dozens of submarines are being kept.

I allow myself to grin widely at the obvious escape vehicle.

A sigh of relief comes from behind me. Even the thoughts in the hive mind are that of joy. Seems like the entire group had a burden lifted off our shoulders.

An incredibly violent rumble shakes through the area, causing numerous thick cracks to form on the sedimentation. Water starts leaking through and wetting our feet.

Alex exhales sharply, and runs over to the control panel beside the submarine. He immediately starts scrolling through the program.

A beep goes off, and has Alex scowl in annoyance. He does whatever he did again, yet only the beep noise goes off.

The soldier looks around in desperation while the water starts getting higher and higher.

I step towards him. "Alex, not trying to rush you or anything, but we'll all drown unless you can get us on that sub!" I state.

The soldier whips his head to me, and he slightly glares at me. "Thanks for pointing out the obvious, but the system has me locked out. I can't access the submarine." He replies.

An annoyance sigh is released from behind me.

I turn around to see Hariel take heavy steps forward and climb onto the submarine.

He then growls lowly. "You humans are helpless," he comments as he grabs onto the hatch.

With a mighty tug, Hariel has the hatch open, and his sisters cheer him on.

Alex stands by the control, looking at Hariel in bewildered amazement.

The big xenomorph seems to chuckle at the soldier. "You humans would have solved a lot of problems by simply using your hands," he says.

I grin at him in amusement, though my expression turns serious when Esme cries out about the increasing water level.

I look down, and see that it's now up to my knees.

I grit my teeth, and turn around to face the group. "Alright guys, we're gonna have to hurry up on this one. Esme and Dr. Sample along with all the Drones are to go on first. Next are Parsi, Pete and the Warriors and Praetorians. Alex, Hariel and I will come in last. Move!" I yell.

Without any second thoughts, the first group goes in, Dr. Sample nods to me in gratitude before she climbs inside.

The Warriors and few Praetorians go in next; Parsi and Pete each give me worried looks before they too go inside.

It's just Alex, Hariel and I that are left.

Hariel first helps the ex-soldier up just as the water reaches up to my upper ribs.

The weight has me struggling to climb up the sub, but luckily Hariel grabs me by my waist, and lifts me up.

I gasp in relief as the weight is removed, and quickly climb inside. Hariel is the last one in, and he closes the hatch.

Immediately, I hear the power and engines coming online as the rumbling outside gets more violent.

I hurriedly go into the seating area, and buckle myself down as the submarine starts to move.

The entire submarine vibrates due to the explosions outside, and the machinery creek and groan from the strain.

I grit my teeth as the minutes feel like hours before the shaking stops as we enter open waters.

After my rapidly beating heart calms down, I remove my safety belt, and carefully make my way down the crowded narrow hall that leads to the control center.

Along the way, several xenos rub their heads on my legs as I pass by.

I arrive at the control center where Alex is guiding the submarine back to the surface.

I take the time to study his nicely toned physique that the military training has blessed him with.

I then look at his unusually peaceful looking face, as if the lazy movement of the submarine is calming him.

After a few minutes of just staring at him, I cough to get his attention, which causes Alex to jump and finally focus on me.

A ghost of a smirk twitches on my face. "Looks like you soldiers are actually useful aside from being guns for hire." I comment as I fully step inside the room.

Alex's surprised expression changes to a neutral look with one eyebrow raised up. "Yeah, you're welcome," he replies dryly. "I just saved all of your asses."

I smirk at him, and then look at the several unfamiliar equipment that liter the room.

Alex goes back to his task, and I start to get bored. "You know, what you did was really brave," I comment after some time. "Not everyone has the guts to go against Weyland."

Alex turns to face me with a surprised expression.

He then blinks. "Uh, thanks, I think." He replies unsurely.

I nod in reply, and the room is once again shrouded in silence aside from the low beeping from the various machinery.

I'm not sure how much time passes, but eventually the surface comes into view on the monitor. The submarine shudders as it breaks the surface and floats over it.

The ex-soldier is busy with his equipment, and the movement reminds me of a worker bee endlessly flying to find flowers.

A small smile forms on my face. "Thank you," I murmur.

Despite the noise that I assumed would have drowned out my voice, Alex turn his head to face me with an intense gaze.

I stare back at his dark eyes that seem to swirl in layers.

Eventually, I look away and head towards the door.

I barely hear the sincere "you're welcome" he replies with as I walk out of the room to ready the hive.