Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.

"General, sir." Sara saluted when she entered General Woodhurst's office, "You wanted to see me."

He grunted, appearing tired and more frustrated, "Yes, Lieutenant Gibson. I'm sure you know why you're here."

She grimaced inside, understanding well for the purpose of this meeting. She bit into her inner gums, hiding the grim anticipation, "Yes, sir."

General Woodhurst grumbled, stood and walked towards her, hands tightly wrapped over his back. It was not uncommon for him to take disciplinary action, a reprimand in front of the victim or a grueling exercise right here. Sara had her share of such injunction, only thing worse is being discharged altogether. No one in the military wanted that but she braced for the worst.

He came to a halt, inches from where she was, "I admire your resilience when it comes to adversity, especially given the crude remarks against you. They will be dealt with appropriately."

He stretched his face closer, "But your retaliation won't guarantee you come out unscathed. Since I'm fond of you and you possess a talent necessary for this, you'll be posted for further patrolling. This might help in controlling your impulses."

Sara sighed quietly, there wasn't else she could do to make her case and mitigate the punishment. She hated patrolling, it took every fiber of patience she had but further defiance would make this worse. Defeated, she nodded silently.

Woodhurst returned to his paperwork, eyes lowered, "You may go."

Sara left with no sense that anything had been accomplished. She was being reprimanded for an offense that wasn't even one. On the other hand, there was no assurance that Brad and his followers were going to be fired, what they did should have been immediate dismissal but the rules in this small, independent world functioned differently. Still, it burned her blood to think they would get away with it, and the higher-ups would do little to cooperate. I know this is not the military but really?

She wandered back to her room when she saw Evans going toward the other way, focusing his attention on paperwork. She glanced for a moment. Maybe I can ask him about Brad and—

Sara shook her head. Not a good idea. If she went to discuss with Evans concerning the incident with Brad, she would never hear the end of it. Some rumors reached her ears, claiming she was being granted favors by being close to the second-in-command, adding fuel to the fire would only sow the seeds of animosity.

But when she saw Brad coming out of training, conversing with other recruits, happy and unfazed, Sara couldn't stand it. The smirk on his disgusting face pinched a nerve.

"Hey, Boss. I found something interesting." It caught her attention from a guy next to Brad, short with a shaved head. She hid behind a corner, hearkening as long as she could, "in the restricted zone."

Restricted zone?

Brad huffed, "Is it the same shit? Last time we tried to get it, we were almost caught and for nothing. What makes this different?"

The guy checked around, moved close in a hushed tone, "This could turn in our favor, especially when dealing with those monsters below. If we play this carefully, we could be heroes."

Brad seemed intrigued, his enthusiasm on the brink of showing on his mouth, "I like it but we'll need to be careful. If anyone finds out—"

"I promise it won't. We got everything planned for tonight."

"Then let's move."

She waited until they were out of sight, her mind rambling to find any understanding. What is interesting that they would risk their careers for? Where is this restricted area? Then, she remembered the metal door in the hallway. Could they be talking about that?

Sara was still thinking this was crazy, the plan was audacious but if what they said was true, it would prove disastrous, to think that Brad would go this far. He'd already gotten away with her, she can't let this happen, not on her military conscience at least but she couldn't tell the General without proof. They dismissed her case as it is, let alone believe the accusations.

She had to take matters in her own hands.

The best strategy was to go after dark, skeleton crew of guards would be stationed at key points but nothing Sara couldn't handle. She had days of scouting to give enough advantage, marking the floor plan in her head. She still had to figure out how to enter through the door that was built like a fortress, and that could be tricky. She adorned black sweatshirt and pants, better camouflage than her usual attire.

Zipping through hallways and empty rooms, she passed patrols of two at most, gossiping when no one was looking. The rest was no trouble, finally reaching the corner to the metal door. There were no guards posted to watch, unusual. They had heavy-duty guards here . . . Where are they now?

Sara sighed. Maybe it's not as impor—

She heard footsteps and laid low behind the wall. Poking an eye, she saw Brad, of all people, walking nonchalant around the corner. What is he doing here?

She waited to see what he came here for, noticing his eyes were wandering, head turned to see the shadows. Does he know I'm here? A minute passed until he stepped towards the metal door and poked at a dent. Nothing happened for a second until it began to hum. Surprised, a panel came out and Brad made quick work in pressing some combination. The door silently creaked open and he went inside. He knows the combination? What is that basta—"

Suddenly, the door began to close itself. Her heart jumped in panic. Shit!

Sara took off as fast as she could, heading for the receding crack. I have to make it! At the last moment, she slid across, barely got through as the door closed behind. Her ribs hurt, smashing them harder than expected.

She looked back to the door. There's no going back now.

She heard footsteps ahead and followed, careful not to get too close. It led to a stairway going down in a spiral, very ominous air it had, even her skin was covered in goosebumps. She saw a shadow below as she hurried to the bottom with light feet. She reached the end just as Brad went into another door and raced to catch up.

When she got inside, it was completely dark, so much that she squinted her eyes. This doesn't make sense at all. The only light came from Brad through a glass-walled room. Everything else was covered in dark tint.

*Static*

She froze, hearing a radio of some kind, then Brad's voice talking with someone, "Did you say that it was in here?"

Sara couldn't hear the other side of the conversation, but she was going to find out. This was an opportune time to kill two birds in one stone, give him a lesson and possibly collect information. With careful steps, she crept behind him, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Brad raised his head, "I guess I was right."

She pulled back, perplexed. What?

Out of nowhere, rugged hands grabbed her everywhere, Brad's lackeys from earlier had her surrounded. She attempted to fight back but it was no use, "Fuck! Let go of me!"

Despite being on the worst end of the stick, she remained defiant. Brad chuckled as he turned, crossing his arms, "I guessed right that your curiosity would be your least attribute. But it makes it easier to punish you."

"Punish me?"

He stepped closer, face inches from hers, "Do you think that a negro female with attitude can be so high and mighty? And think there wouldn't be consequences?"

She hissed, "You're treading on dangerous waters."

He didn't take the warning to heart, "The only thing you're good for is sucking cocks. I wonder what it feels to have your mouth on me?"

I had enough.

Sara rammed my head with all her might, their skulls met with a dull crack. Brad stumbled back and she beamed in utter satisfaction. I hope you like having a headache la—

A slap battered across her cheek, skin burning and she felt a toothache. Brad wasn't done and landed a knee into her stomach. She doubled over, coughing saliva and remnants of whatever she ate that night. The boys laughed as Brad kicked again, the wind knocked out of her lungs and her breath was more like a wheeze.

"Get her up." Many hands brought her to her feet, Brad forcibly pulled her chin up, "You're going to wish you'd never met me."

They placed a bag over her head, dragging her somewhere. Fear fought to rise in her, unable to see anything but the brief moments of light beaming through the seams. Where are they taking me?!

A sudden stop and she heard the beeping of a panel and then the sliding of a door. With quick work, they pulled the bag off and threw Sara into whatever hellhole they determined. Fighting the pain, she ran as a last ditch attempt to freedom, the door closed inches from her reach. She slammed her fists and screamed through the plated door, "Fuck you! Let me out!"

She heard Brad tapping his fingers, voice muffled, "Good luck trying not to be a buffet . . . if you're lucky."

They were gone, nothing but dead reticence. It was just her . . . alone in the darkness, "Son of a bitch!"

She punched the door, regretting it but from the crack in her knuckles and the dull ache in her stomach, "Where am I?"

Sara turned, it was not as she expected. A small glow like moonlight illuminated, displaying an environment resembling a jungle, fern trees as high as the ceiling, vines covering the walls and plenty of various tropical plants, even the humidity was there. She was starting to sweat from it.

Geez. What else is this base hiding?

Figuring there was another way out, she checked it out. Things were getting creepier and than she ever expected, much less prepared. No one told her about this underground jungle, the reasons behind the design. There had to be a purpose but Sara couldn't think of any, nothing in her military training gave instructions about facing this scenario. Can things get any weirder?

Little did she know that the universe answered and a hellish nightmare was about to unfold.

She froze when a deep noise resonated, shaking the leaves. Was that a growl? She heard another but didn't see what it was. Sara repeated herself to remain calm, revered inside. The eerily silence creeping toward her.

She whipped at the rattling of a bush nearby. Sara awaited what was coming. Is it an animal? What else was in her with me?

And then, like in a nightmare, she watched as a creature emerged, slow and calculated.

At first, it appeared like the size of a large dog, a Great Dane at best, until the glow showed it prominent features. It had huge spikes on its back, more sticking from its grey-scaled skin. Its mouth protruded with needle-like teeth like a parasitic worm. The eyes were completely black, devoid of emotions, its body posture made up for it. It snapped its jaw, back hunched as it lowered to the ground.

Whatever it was, nothing on Earth was like it . . . Saliva dripped from its mouth, either angry or hungry.

She took a bet on the second.

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