Onyx's Note:: I just want to say thank you, to everyone who's been following me through this crazy story of mine. (Especially Nicole, thank you Darlin' :D) It means a lot to me, even if you're merely reading and not leaving feedback, thank you. Alright...enough of my ramblings... Onto the next chapter, shall me?

::Her Perspective::

The APC begins to roll down a deserted street of the complex and stops at the South Lock. I can feel my heart fluttering in my chest. This feeling isn't a good one. It's the kind of feeling that's a silent warning right before something really bad happens. I can't think about this right now, because in a way, I think this feeling is coming from Ripley. I can tell she's not all that excited about going into that complex. But we don't have a choice. The APC's engines growl as it sits under the continuous downpour and I know that Frost and Hicks are waiting for us at the lock. The APC's crew door slides back, with a mechanical groan and Gorman goes first, followed by Burke, Ripley, Riddick and then myself. I almost don't believe what I'm seeing.

The air itself holds a strange scent to it, as though a hint of death lingers against the onslaught of rain that continues to fall from the heavens. I let my eyes make a quick scan of my surroundings and I feel my heart drop. It really IS a desolate landscape…so alien to everything I know. There are no trees, no animals… There is nothing green, not even algae. I can't hear anything but the violent wind and the cold rain slapping against the metal body of the APC. A cold, empty feeling slithers up my spine and I suddenly feel very small, almost non-existent. Oh gods… I don't want this. I've always loved Xenomorphs because I knew they weren't real. But here, I can sense them…sleeping, waiting, clustered together in their dank, humid hive.

Wait a minute…I can sense them. How in the hell can I sense them? I've never even been close to one! I shouldn't be able to sense them…something's seriously wrong here. No, no everything is just out of whack and I need to sort this internal chaos out. I don't want them noticing me, sensing them. I need to cut off the link and hope that I haven't seriously fucked everything up.

Block it out…block it out…block it out…

I nearly jump out of my skin when I feel a large hand touch my shoulder. "Jesus!" I bark out in surprise and realize it's just Riddick, standing in front of me, wild streams of rain water dancing down the intense features of his handsome face.

"You okay?" He asks with a deep tone, deeper then usual… A tone much like that of his beast when it revealed itself to me back on the Serenity.

I blink a few times and finally feel my body…I'm shivering. "Yea… Yea I'm okay." My voice is broken under the downpour and seems to be stolen away from my lips by a gust of wind.

His hand is gently gripping my shoulder, his brows furrowed. "You felt them… Just now, didn't you?"

My mouth hangs open for a moment by his statement but shuts when it dawns on me that we're still very linked. I close my eyes, take a deep breath and let it out. "I did…" I nod and look into the goggles protecting his gaze. "You don't think I…?"

He shakes his head. "No, you cut the link before they could realize you're mind was probing. You've got to be careful Onyx, this isn't a movie anymore."

"I didn't mean to Riddick!" I protest just loud enough so that he can understand me, without catching anyone else's attention…especially Ripley's. "I don't know what just happened. I was standing here thinking and suddenly I got this very strange sensation like…"

Riddick cuts me off, his palm sliding down my arm to hold my hand in his. "…something was breathing in your mind."

I narrow my eyes with a dark curiosity. "Yea…how'd you?"

"I felt it too Onyx. Remember?" He taps his free hand to his left temple. "We're connected."

I give a weak smile and swallow the hard lump forming in the back of my throat. I can't seem to shake this bad feeling that's filling the crevices of my mind. I'd like it to just go away, but it's lingering. Like the feeling of motion sickness even though you know you're standing completely still. That sinking feeling, just in the pit of your stomach, hard as a stone, digging into your organs, making you feel like you've got something growing inside of you and you can't get rid of it no matter what you eat or drink.

He motions with his head and tugs at my hand. "Come on. Let's start moving." I follow him silently, our hands still locked together and in a small way just his hand wrapped around mine gives me a brief sense of comfort.

We walk up to Ripley and Gorman announces. "Okay, let's go."

Bishop appears from the other side of the APC and our small group starts moving toward the complex. I'm starting to feel very uneasy, like I'm about to walk into the very mouth of hell. I furrow my brow and turn my head back, noticing Ripley lagging a few steps behind us. I release Riddick's hand and he looks at me with a silent understanding. My eyes plead with him and he merely nods his head and tilts his chin, telling me to go ahead to Ripley. I give him a short smile and start back toward Ripley.

I make it back and walk along side her. We don't say anything, don't really have to. I can feel that she really appreciates my presence right now. And to be honest, I'm thankful for hers as well. Damn…it must be really hard for her. Think about it from my perspective… I'm tossed into my favorite Movie, and I know everything that's going to happen. And I'm not alone. I have Riddick. But as of right now, she has no one. No family, no one to console her. Right now, I'm the only other person, the only other female in this fucked up reality that understands. It's a bond we share… Both alien to this existence, both having to cope with the fact that we'll never see our families or friends again… Both females without the kind of training everyone else has, including Riddick. He's been in the military. Where as I have not, and neither Ripley. Well not a soldier's training anyway. Almost forget that she was Lieutenant First Class before the company, Wayland-Yutani, stripped her of that title when she went through the briefing with them about what happened to the Nostromo. Now she's just a Lieutenant. To me? She's the hero…just like Riddick. And I'm merely the glue that keeps things together in this one. Man…I'm going to need a shit load of therapy when this hell is over. But I have a feeling…that we're all in for more then we've bargained for. And coming from me… That's fucking terrifying.

We start up the ramp and I can see Hicks and Frost waiting for us. I go to step forward when I notice that she's frozen in place, becoming even more soaked by the rain. I watch her take an uneasy breath as she stares passed me at the complex. I turn my gaze to Hicks and meet his green eyes.

He knows what's happening and comes down to meet us and looks to Ripley. "Are you alright?"

Her voice is soft, almost fleeting as she blinks the rain away from her eyes. "Yes." And starts forward, passed me and Hicks and I see Riddick waiting for me at the top of the ramp.

He glances over to Ripley and she returns his gaze, and for a moment I see them making a silent connection of understanding. They nod to each other and he follows her inside, where as I'm still walking with Hicks toward the doors.

"You ready for this?" I say and look to Hicks as we stop just before entering the large doors.

The man is a dish, plain and simple. I love Riddick the gorgeous bastard that he is, don't get me wrong, but Hicks has always been the one character I've melted over every time I let my eyes fall on him. Hell even Hudson, who in the movie was played by a young and very good looking Bill Paxton is tasty in his own right. Hudson is a sexy dork, but Hicks…drool factor from one to ten? About a twenty.

He cants his head at me, a small smile edging over his lips. "At this point, I don't think we have a choice." Hicks replies with a pleasant tone and a hint of a hidden spark of interest in his beautiful eyes. "Let's head inside."

I nod, returning the smile and walk with him passed the massive doors that begin to close. A whining hiss enters the air only to shift into an extremely loud bang as the doors lock in place. The sheer velocity of the echoing clang of reinforced steel causes me to cover my ears with my hands and shake my head. I feel like my brain just rattled from the intensity of it. I feel a gentle caress on my arm and look to my right thinking it's Riddick… But it's Hicks. "Sensitive ears?"

I shake my head like an animal ridding itself of water and nod. "You have no idea." I murmur with a chuckle and he smiles at the comment.

"Watch your footing, it gets a little tricky." Hicks announces from behind me and gently motions me forward through a hole.

I manage not to fall on my ass and pass the obstacle and pause next to Riddick and Ripley. I look back and see a hole in what seems to have been a barricade blocking the corridor. My eyes scan my surroundings and I find myself staring at the scene in front of me. The colonists must have been desperate by the sight of a hastily-welded wall of pipes, steel-plating including outer-door panels and some kind of machinery. A lump of anxiety filled horror fills my throat as my eyes take in the sight of what look to be Acid-holes…which have slashed through the floor and along the walls in several places. The metal is scratched and twisted by something obviously not human, appearing as though some hideously powerful force tore through the place and peeled back the metal like a soup can on one side.

I finally get a look at Drake as he approaches Gorman ahead of us as we very slowly edge into the corridor. Jesus Drake is tall bastard. Has to be at least six feet and four inches. White blonde hair, cropped short under his signature bandana, his bright blue eyes and full lips giving his intense features an essence of youth, even though he has this permanent Kiss My Ass look on his face. The smart-gun he's holding makes a twelve gauge look like a kid's toy gun.

"Sir?" Drake says as he stands before Gorman. "They sealed off this wing at both ends. Welded the doors and blocked off the stairs with heavy equipment."

Gorman looks to Drake, "uh huh." He says thoughtfully as Ripley edges closer to me, both of us lagging behind with Hicks behind her, Riddick behind me.

"But, it looks like the barricade didn't hold." Drake concludes and holds up the smart-gun like it weighs nothing at all.

"Any bodies?" Gorman inquires and Drake shakes his head.

"No, sir."

I glance over and see Frost, more eye candy with his rich dark skin, darker then Riddick's. "Last stand. Must have been a helluva' fight." He says while looking around.

Hicks however, has a different expression on his face. Almost similar to Frost's, a look of amazement, except for the hint of worry lying just beneath his intelligent gaze. "Yeah. looks that way."

Gorman's stature can only be described as though he's got a corn cob up his ass. "Alright. Drake...this way. We should be able to cut through the Med-Lab to Operations."

I hold my breath as we follow Gorman and Drake down the corridor of devastation. I look over to Ripley and watch as she sticks close to the wall to our right, her face whiter then usual, her eyes held in a widened state of fear and paranoia. She ain't the only one feeling like that. My skin is starting to crawl. I don't like it. Jesus what the hell was I thinking? Just jumping into a situation that is beyond my comprehension? It's that fucking beast inside of me…I know it. Damned thing wants chaos and devastation! Well you know what? My internal beastie is going to do as I Say when I fucking Say it! I'm so sick and fucking tired of being dictated by my emotions. This time I'm going to be smart, I'm going to be the knowledge in this situation, not the hero. Oh hell no. Not my job. That's someone else's job description. I'm a no-body.

I'm going to keep to the shadows, close to Riddick. I'm going to let my connection thicken with him, let his mind absorb all of the information I have of this movie. I can't do this be myself, I'm not wonder woman. With Riddick knowing every intricate detail of what's ahead, I won't feel so alone anymore. I just hope he won't back away… We can't back out now, even if this isn't our scene. These people need our help, regardless of how much we want to leave.

I let my eyes trail over to Riddick and he's just…staring at me. I can tell he's going through the transition process of memories. As the seconds tick by, memories filling his mind, an outline of the plot, everything I've ever absorbed when it came to Xenomorphs and this movie. He does not look happy. It's like a light went off in his mind and just blew out by all the information he's just downloaded. Shit… I didn't think our link was That strong! Crap…he really doesn't look happy.

I take a deep breath and feel him press up against my back, pushing my body forward. There's a soft swirling mist of tension emitting from his pores. Yea…he's not happy at all. Trying to remain focused forward, the stench of an invisible tragedy slithering through the stale air toward my mind on wings of warning, causing chills to run up and down my spine. Damn it, damn it, damn it! No fear…please just let me get through this… I can't get scared now. Not now…please not now.

"Keep moving Onyx…" The sheer depth of his tone proves to me that he's not happy with me. It's dark, feral, wild in a sense. I know that right now, saying anything will only end with me getting severely barked at. I know that when he has the chance to get me alone, I'm going to get completely chewed a new asshole. I don't blame him…if anything…I expect it.

Moving forward, the soldiers' pack-lights play over the devastation of the colonists' last ditch battle. What a horrible way to go out… I think as I notice the way the equipment of the Med-Labs, has been uprooted to add to the barrier. It seems it was a last second decision, seeing as the barrier reminds me of a child's attempt at a fort. But, a lot of it is still in place and intact. The Med-Labs' lighting is tinted with an iridescent blue, reminding me of an medical examination room, causing the stretched shadows to appear like lost ghosts along the walls. Burke touches Gorman, pointing him to something across the room. I narrow my eyes and feel my heart beat jump a few thousand paces as everyone moves forward.

I hesitate when Ripley slows in her movements, her eyes transfixed on something. The others approach, seeing what she sees. She has stopped at the door of a second room, part of the Med-Labs area. In a storage alcove, at near eye-level, stand six transparent cylinders filled with liquid, each lit from beneath. Oh my god…they're Stasis Tubes. What's drifting within the liquid inside the tubes causes my stomach to clench into millions of tightly weaved knots. I know what she sees…I know what those large Severed Arthritic looking Hands are… Their eight fingers curled in a stiffened, corpse like pose.

Hicks comes up behind Ripley and looks in the room from the doorway, his eyes wide. "Lieutenant." He waits, no answer so he barks. "Gorman!"

I stand back as Mr. I've Got A Corn Cob Up My Ass comes over. Hicks and Gorman aka Corn Cob Boy, move passed Ripley into the room. I wait, Riddick still close behind me as Burke and Bishop follow the others closely. My legs don't want to move, even when I try to get myself to move forward, my knees lock and I'm stuck in place. Great timing…stupid body. I growl inwardly and feel Riddick's hands grip each side of my waist, the sensation somehow stimulating the nerves throughout my body, sending energy down my thighs and suddenly I've got control of my legs again. That was…odd. I think to myself and move into the room, staying very close to Ripley who has this expression on her face that somehow represents how I'm feeling internally. It's that look that basically says, 'Oh god no… Please let these things not be real…' yea…that look.

Burke, fucking leach that he is, looks to Ripley. "Are these the same ones?"

She nods, still unable to speak. Burke walks over and leans close to one of the cylinders in fascination, his face almost touching it... I'm not thinking, the anticipation too great and my right hand lashes out and grabs onto Ripley's hand. Her hand immediately reacts by grasping mine, her palm is clammy from fear.

"Careful, Burke!" Ripley snaps and Burke looks back at her.

I take a deep breath and hold it when he turns back to the cylinder when the Creature inside lunges suddenly, slamming against the glass. Burke, jumps back as his eyes become the size of dinner plates. Hell so does everyone else. From the palm of the thing's body emerges a pearlescent Tubule, which slithers tongue-like over the inside of the glass. My immediate reaction is to find a gun and just blow the fucking thing into oblivion. God I hate Face-Huggers…I shiver and feel Ripley gently squeeze my hand. I let my eyes look into hers and suddenly I feel like she heard my thoughts… Her eyes seem to hold a realization, as though she can sense that I really do know more about what's going then I've let on. Oh boy…

"I'm sorry." I say and let go of her hand, trying to avert my gaze at the same time. "My nerves got the better of me."

I can feel her still looking down at me, probably wondering what the hell she just sensed coming off of me a few seconds ago.

"Looks like love at first sight to me." Hicks chimes sarcastically at Burke and I look over at him, seeing the nervous look on Burke's face. "Oh, he likes you, Burke." He adds as Bishop picks up a file-folder from between two of the dead specimen tanks.

"Two are alive, the rest are dead." Burke announces and flicks through the file-folder's pages. I watch him as he starts scanning over what's probably a medical chart printout with hand-written entries. "Surgically removed before embryo implantation. Subject: Marachuk, John J. Died during the procedure." He stops reading and looks up. "They killed him taking it off."

My heart feels like it's going to explode when suddenly I jump, along with everyone else by a Loud Beeping. I've become so immersed in the moment that it takes a minute to realize it's Hicks' motion tracker, being held by Frost, which has seemed to come to life.

Something is moving in its scanning range…

Beep… Beep…

"Yo, Hicks! I think we got something here." Frost calls out, his eyes plastered on the screen of the motion-tracker as everyone gathers around him to look closely at the tracker.

"Behind us." Hicks says and my heart is slowly calming down.

"One of us?" Ripley asks looking from the motion-tracker to Gorman.

Gorman begins talking into his head-set. "Apone...where are your people? Anybody in D-Block?"

We're all on edge, when Apone's voice is heard through the air. "That's a negative. We're all in Operations." Suddenly everyone is on edge and I feel like I'm going to suffocate from all the anxiety filled tension filling the air. Drake moves up ahead of the group. Frost falls in next to him. We all start heading toward the source of the signal.

I still can't shake this other feeling of excitement…that I'm actually apart of this as it's happening! In all of my short existence I used to dream about a chance like this… But gods, now that I'm Literally living in the moment…I could use a strong drink. I swallow down my thoughts as Drake keeps his smart-gun aimed ahead at all times as we move forward.

I just want to scream! The continuous beeping is causing the adrenaline in my blood to pump faster and faster…

"Talk to me, Frosty." Drake says back to Frost who's right behind him.

"Just keep moving baby." Frost replies, his eyes still held on the surface of the Motion-tracker as a white dot flashes in his sight.

As the soldiers ahead of me round an array of complicated equipment, Gorman accidentally knocks over a metal canister, sending it clanging wildly against the floor. Both Ripley and I jump like a cat. She gives Gorman a dirty look and moves passed him. I however, am tired of being silent.

"Real smooth Corn-Holio…" I say under my breath and watch as his head whips toward me, a confused look adorning his big eyes. I guess he's never heard of Beavis and Butthead…figures.

"It's moving." Hicks says as we continue moving forward at very slow pace.

"Which way?" Drake asks, still holding the big ass smart-gun like it's nothing. If this were any other time, I'd be drooling at all the fuckin' eye-candy surrounding me. And for the simple fact that I've always had a thing for Military boys…and I'm very close to the period of doom…this is really not my idea of a good time.

"It's coming straight for us." Frost replies and nods his head forward. "Straight up."

We move ahead into an adjoining corridor when Hicks' tracker starts beeping rapidly.

Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep!

I strain my neck and I catch the sight of the tracker's screen showing the object moving closer. It counts down the feet until contact and suddenly I remember what's actually moving ahead of us…

It all becomes a blur when something moves in the dark, jumping across the corridor. I can hear my voice echoing loudly along the metal as I bellow out. "WAIT!!"

As the sound of my voice bounces down the corridor Drake, in a moment of slow motion, Pivots smoothly to fire. In the same instant as my call fades away, Hicks' rifle slashes out, slamming Drake's barrel upward. A stream of tracer fire rips into the ceiling in an array of blinding red light and suddenly everything speeds back up.

Drake stands up straight and glares at Hicks. "You fuck!" He growls but is cut off.

"Hold up!" Hicks barks back and then looks behind him, toward us, and in a softer voice says. "Ripley." And motions for her to come over. Trusting his judgment, she moves passed me and comes up beside him. They crouch down by a row of steel cabinets and Hicks aims his light under them. Silently, I creep up and crouch down in the background and I can see her…

Lit by Hicks' pack-light...I can see a tiny cowering figure. A very dirty, very terrified little girl. She grips the head of a large doll, holding it by the hair…

Oh my god…

It's… Newt!!

-End Chapter Thirty-Six-