** Holy smokes all! This is it! The last chapter of part three of Amun's story! I am super excited to finally be at this point! I am glad that I have had the chance to finish this part of the story due to having so much free time with the pandemic happening. Funny how we can find something good during these tough times. I wanted this one to be a longer one, so here it is! I hope you enjoy and I hope that this story has been as fun to read as it has been to write! Love you all and have a great day!**

Chapter 41: The Next Chapter

Thunder rolled through the metal halls that once buzzed with the excitement from the scientists that had walked its maze of corridors. Where conversations of day-to-day experiments and talk of the latest findings had happened, it was now replaced with the sounds of the anger and rage of a three-story tall Xenomorph king.

Something that one could easily compare to the rage of a violent, thundering storm at sea. However, this storm was made of flesh and teeth. The King was on the war path, and he was angry. As Amun followed his first born through the large corridor, he did not saw a word, he only thought of what he would do once he had Richard in his claws once more.

It was not long before Bobby stopped outside of a side door that Amun could not fit through. She turned to look up at her father.

"I will go with Scarlette and retrieve him. Please, wait here Father." She then looked and waited for her sister, the Praetorian approached from behind the king, making her way between his legs, joining her sister. The pair took off and out of his view quickly and with purpose. Amun noticed the approach of Jolene and turned to face the queen. He could feel her concern.

"Will you…you kill h-him?" The queen asked. She moved and stopped in front of the king, looking into his eyeless face. Amun let out a huff of air.

"As much as I want to, no, I will not kill him. I have something else planned. Something that is going to piss him off even more." Jolene felt a very strong feeling of humor from the king.

"Mind sharing you…plan?" Amun's mental smile could not have been bigger.

"I'm going to make him apologize." The Queen tilted her crowed head in confusion. The gesture made him mentally laugh. "He's an egotistical, control maniac. Putting him in front of the world, making him say words that he does not want to, about something he does not feel was wrong. It's going to be his living hell…and I can't wait to make him do it."

Amun could feel a sense of satisfaction from the Queen and knew that she agreed with his plan. He could only imagine what Jolene would like to do to the one that was responsible for the death of so many of her daughters. However, she also knew that this was better than just killing the man, this was humiliation. Something that lasts a lot longer than death.

Just then, a scuffle could be heard from the hallway that Bobby had gone through. There was some yelling from an upset human and a loud scream from an alien. The yelling stopped. Amun turned to face the small opening just as Scarlett emerged with Richard clutched in her large claws. The man squirmed and protested.

"Get your slimy claws off me you cockro-" The statement was cut short when Amun let out a loud, quick growl. He really hated when Richard called his daughters that. The human looked up at the king and his eyes went wide. Not out of fear, but with excitement. It caught the King off guard, he had not expected the man to be happy to see him. "My my, what have we here. Did a bit of a change of cloths I see. Fascinating."

Amun's fists clenched, he hated that this man was not afraid to be standing in front of him. After all that he had done to him and his family. He had always been so confidant in the past, but this time there was no glass, no restraints. Nothing to keep the king from ripping the man in half like a piece of paper. He was only interested in the changes that had happened to him while he had healed within the cocoon his daughters had made.

"Tell me, how did you change your exoskeleton? Was it induced with pheromones? Was it something more physical? Perhaps an increase in temperature? Or was it all simply because you felt like it?" The scientist asked as he looked up at the royal xenomorph. Amun's mouth started to flow with saliva, his anger growing. He was about to throw his plan out the window and just step on the man.

"Amun." He felt a hand on his shoulder. "He is…just m-m-messing with….you. Don't let…him under your skin." Jolene's calm words ran through his head and tempered his rage. The king reached up and placed a hand upon hers before moving forward. He lowered himself down to the man's level to look him right in the face. Amun's new tusks on either side of the man's tiny body. His razor teeth only a few feet away. He let out a low, threatening thrum as he stared at the small human.

Amun was glad to see a small flare of yellow mist from under the mainly purple one that surrounded him. Maybe he was afraid after all, good. Amun reached out and took the man from his daughter, ingulfing most of his body with one clawed hand. The king stood up and started making his way back down the hallway. Jolene and his daughters followed.

"Bobby, could you please run ahead and find Jenna and Charles? I will need them." The king asked his first born. She said nothing as she took off ahead, leaping and bounding over objects and vehicles that had not moved since their invasion.

"Where are you taking me?" Charles asked from within Amun's grasp. Amun was not sure what the man expected, the king did not have the ability to speak so could never respond. So, he just kept walking.

They walked was long and silent, no one really knowing what to say to one another. However, nearing the entrance of the lab, Bobby, Jenna and Charles came to meet them from the jungle outside. His two human friends were in warmer weather cloths and he could tell they were worried. Their pheromones hid nothing from him. He realized that he had left the medical chamber without really explaining what he was up to. He hoped that once they saw Richard in his claws, that they would know what his plan was.

Amun came to a stop in front of his friends and dropped Richard to the floor with a thud. The human let out a groan but no one came to his aid. Amun was sure the death stare that Jenna was drilling into the man said it all. Her gaze from the scientist was only broken when Scarlette came to embrace her. Amun watched as Charles approached the man, still laying upon the ground.

"Ready to meet your maker, tough guy?" Charles was cold and direct, his words full of hate. Amun could only guess that his friend had found out about Abby. A flash of sadness came over the king. His daughters, he lost too many of them on this little rescue attempt. He was not sure he would be able to forgive himself for that. He quickly shook the feelings away, he had to finish this first, then he would have time to grieve. Amun reached towards the floor to write with a message to his friends.

"NEED TO GO HOME. MUST TELL EVERYONE." Jenna and Charles both looked up to the king once he had finished.

"Tell everyone? Amun, that…that didn't go so well last time, remember?" Jenna said with hesitation. She had found her was into the protective embrace of Scarlette while the group had gathered.

"She's right big guy. I'm pretty sure they will either freak out and shoot at you. Or just strait up shoot you. That, and if that doesn't happen, who says they will believe anything you tell them." Charles pitched in. "I mean, no offence buddy, but you're not exactly the president of the boys and girls club." Amun wrote a response.

"I WON'T. RICHARD WILL." He watched as both of his friends read the message and started to slowly understand his plan. However, they were not the only ones reading.

"To hell I am. I'm not doing anything you tell me. Weyland will intervene soon enough and you and your friends will be history. You think they care about once facility? About one scientist? Hell, I'm surprised they haven't nuked this place already." The man said as he got to his knees. He was not there long before Charles knocked him back to the floor with a stiff push with his boot.

"THEY HAVE NOT, TELLS ME THEY DON'T WANT TO." Amun wrote in response. "TAKE HIM HOME. MAKE HIM TALK." Charles and Jenna both nodded in agreement.

"Ok big guy, what do you need." Jenna asked, looking up at her friend.

"ALEX."

A few hours later.

"I think I can make that happen. I have a few friends down at the docks who can probably get that done. Give me a few days amigo, I owe you that much. And your fight, is now my fight, we will see this thing through."

Alex had come quickly when Amun sent word for her, she was the only one he knew of who might be able to help them get home. And they needed to get back fast. The longer they stayed at this facility, the more time the company had to formulate a new plan. Alex took a moment to look the king up and down. "Like the new look by the way. Scary as hell, but it works."

"THANK YOU." He wrote to her in the mud of the jungle floor. She read the message and gave him a smile before moving back to the jeep she had arrived in. The sun was hot outside the laboratory doors, it was pleasant when combined with the moisture that was in the air. It helped keep Amun cool, even with his black exoskeleton absorbing a lot of the energy from the mid-day sun. He did not mind too much.

Amun watched as the woman drove off, back towards the town that had been liberated from the grasp of this evil corporation. His attention turned to Jolene who was now playing with her daughters. He noticed that members of his own hive were there, having fun and interacting with many of her own. Amun made his way over to the queen who noticed his approach, her gaze fell onto him and a wave of happiness flowed into Amun's mind. It made him smile to know that she was happy.

"I haven't felt….this good in a while. Fells…great to be…out…outside with you." She told him as he joined her.

"I'm glad. You deserve to be free, to feel happy with your family." Amun let out a long huff of air as a sigh. "Jolene…what I have to do next. I cannot ask you to come." He felt a bit of shock from her.

"To…to bad. We are…in this together…now. You saved me, Amun. I….I owe you…my life."

"You owe me nothing, Jolene. I was following my heart and doing what I felt was right. I cannot leave someone to be tortured for a life time and not do anything about it. I thought…I didn't think I was the only one who thought that. I was wrong. So I cannot ask you to follow me further. You should take your family, somewhere safe. Live your life and be free." She looked at the king, sadness started to form in her mind.

"You…make m-me...happy. I… don't want…to go anywhere….w-without you." Amun watched as her large crowned head slumped to the ground. Amun reached out and took up her chin in his hand. He raised it back up so he could look at her.

"I cannot ask you to come, but if you wish to join me, I would be more than happy to have you at my side." The queens posture perked up instantly. Her tail swinging back and forth playfully. "It might get a bit rough, and there are some things that I have to do that may be uncomfortable, but having you around would be more than a nice surprise." He explained as he sent her a mental smile.

"I…can handle it." She said as she returned the feelings and pushed her face into his hands.

"I know you can, you have been through hell these past few months. But no longer, I promise I'll do all I can to keep you safe."

"I know you will." Amun noticed something that made him happy.

"You didn't stutter."

"Because I'm happy. It happens less."

"Then less do all we can to keep it that way."

Amun pulled the queen in close, wrapping his hands around her and pulling tight. They both nuzzled their faces into one another. They enjoyed the touch of one another for what seemed like forever before they felt the gaze of someone near by. Amun moved slightly and noticed Bobby sitting on the ground looking up at them. His first born looked from him, then to Jolene, then back to him.

"I think we should keep her too." She finally said to her father. Amun thought about that statement for a while. It was something he would have to think a lot about. There was someone else he had to talk to first.

A few weeks later.

The morning was filled with sirens and alarms, it reminded him of the first time he attempted to get help from the city he grew up in. He stood in this very court yard, wrote in this same grass patch, over a year ago when he first tried to free Emilia from the lab that was below the city streets.

This time he stood on this small patch of grass, not alone, but with Jolene and every other xenomorph that was within their hives. An army of alien beings, some pure xenomorph, some part human, now crowded on the empty city block that had been created for a green space. They were not the only ones in the open area of the city. Jenna and Charles were also standing there, surrounded by their non-human friends.

The sea of ebony creatures stood as still as they could while the local police barricaded off the area and pointed ever weapon the had at the invading army. Yet not a single alien made a move to attack, the king made sure of that. The two royals sat on the ground, surrounded by their daughters, waiting patiently for someone to start talking with them.

"You did this? The…first time? Was it…this sc-scary?" Jolene asked as she curled up tightly against Amun. A SWAT helicopter buzzing by over head. Amun could feel her muscles tighten as it went by.

"Yes, I was terrified that they were going to open fire at the slightest movement. It was a bit of a gamble, it didn't even work in the end, but it was all I could think of." He wrapped his tail around hers, trying to comfort her. "In the end it all worked out, so don't worry."

"Hay big guy…we aren't going to get shot, are we?" Charles asked from near by Amun's feet. He sat on the ground, surrounded by a few of his daughters.

"That's kind of what I was wondering." Jenna said as she hid within the arms of Scarlette. "I don't know if I can do this Amun." The king moved to write in the dirt.

"WILL DO FINE. TELL THEM THE TRUTH." Jenna read the message and Amun watched as the mist around her turned from a dark black to a soft blue. Amun watched as Scarlette hugged her mate tightly and let out a loud purr.

"I have you, my love. You will do great." He heard his daughter whisper. A short while later, someone from the crowed of people approached with a mega phone. The man, middle aged with short, gray hair, wore a button up shirt. A long chain held a badge on his chest, just above a bit of a belly that was under his shirt. Amun could only guess that he had been working behind a desk for a while.

"This is Chief of police Garry Hudson. I don't know if you remember me, I was here the last time you showed up." Amun was a bit shocked, he did in fact remember this man. The king was a bit surprised that it just so happened to be the same person from so long ago.

Perhaps this was a shot of luck for once. "I remember you from the last time. We all got told to forget about the monster that showed up in our city. Told that it was some hox that was all in our heads. But it's hard to forget someone like you. I see you have some friends with you this time. Why are you here?" He finally asked. Amun reached down to the dirt with his claws and wrote.

"I REMEMBER. HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAS SOMETHING TO SAY." As Amun finished the statement, he reached for something that was being hidden by his daughters. A fleshy cocoon made of resin. It was small and wriggled as Amun lifted it up and set it beside Jenna. He then used his claws to gently cut it open, releasing Richard from the slimy prison. He burst forth, gasping for air. Perhaps the small holes they had made for him were a bot too small. Oops.

"Damn it, I nearly died in there you ass!" Richard screamed after he caught his breath. Amun looked to the man with no sympathy, only an anticipation for what was about to happen. After a few silent seconds, the man took a moment to look around, realizing where he was and who was watching. "O shit…" Jenna left Scarlette's warm embrace and walked towards him

"Yup, welcome home. Time to tell everyone what you did…Dick." Jenna put an emphasise on the name. She watched as the man looked around, jaw open. Jenna looked back at Scarlette, giving a quick smile before walking towards the police chief.

"Chief, I'm glad you remember my friend Amun. He has come here again looking for help. This man behind me on the ground is the one responsible for this mess. For turning my friend into what we call a Xenomorph. He is also responsible for the deaths of many others and for experimenting on human beings. He works for the Weyland corporation, the very same one that works within this city. They same one that Amun use to work for." She pointed towards him as she spoke the last statement. Charles came forth and put a hand on Jenna's shoulder before speaking.

"I was in the lab that day, when they tricked my friend into releasing the chemical agent that transformed him. I was shuffled out of the building, being told that there was a bio hazard and we needed to leave. For so long I thought my friend was dead when in truth he was building himself a new life. One hidden away from everyone where he thought he could be safe." Charles paused, looked back at Richard and clenched his first. He continued.

"He was happy, he had a family and a life before this dick-head decided it was worth dropping a missel on. He then came to us for help, we didn't hesitate. He took us across the county looking for the ones responsible, we didn't hesitate. He wanted us to help bring home home to ask you all for help, we did not hesitate. He…we have all lost..." Charles began to struggle to find his words, sadness filling his mind as he thought of Abby, of all of the other daughters Amun had lost. The king watched as a mist of dull brown surrounded his friend. Jenna stepped in to help him.

"We have lost friends and loved ones. And we are sick and tired of it. So, no more hiding, no more lost, no more pain from this company that wants nothing than to chop up our friends into pieces to be sold to the highest bidder! We ask for you to bring this company to justice and end their sick experiments!" Tears were now also falling from Jenna's eyes.

There was a stillness that took over the small green patch that was hidden within the tall building of the city. Perhaps its was the lack of wind, or maybe because everyone was shocked by what had been said. It took the Chief a moment to find the courage to physically approach Jenna and Charles. Amun watched as the man's fear emerged from his body with a display of different colors. The Chief kept a close eye on every alien that was in front of him. Eventually he made his way to stand in front of the two humans.

"I think this is a bit over my paygrade." He looked up at Amun, who towered over the man. The Chief swallowed hard at the sight of the three-story monster. His wide eyes came back to the humans in front of hm. "But I do remember him asking for help. I remember he didn't hurt anyone, even after we shot first. He probably could have torn this city apart, but he seemed too human to do so." Amun watched as Chief Hudson became more relaxed as time went on. A good sign. The Chief the looked passed Jenna and Charles, to the man who laid upon the ground at the feet of a Praetorian guard.

"You say this guy started this?" He asked as he pointed a finger at Richard.

"Yes, he was the one who created the chemical that can do this. He's been chasing Amun ever since." Jenna explained.

"Well, if that's true, you've got some good evidence. That being said, I really don't know how we can help." Hudson said as he shook his head. "Hell, I don't even kno- "He was cut short at a growing rumble from somewhere in the city. Something that everyone seemed to hear at the same time. Like the sound of a waterfall growing louder as one approached it. Louder and louder, it grew at an alarming rate. Something mechanical, something big.

"O no…" Amun whispered as he realized what was coming. "Daughters, gather close, NOW!" With the command, Amun stood to his full height as xeno after xeno surrounded him at his feet.

"Daughters, come…t-to me!" Jolene also reached out to her children, wanting them to do the same. One after another, after another found some sort of room under the pair of royal aliens who now attempted to become as large as they could to protect their families. Jolene looked to Amun. "What…i-is it?" Her words full of fear. The pause from Amun was not reassuring.

"… Attack helicopters." Amun told her as he scanned every gap between the buildings he could, looking for the oncoming threat. "If you hear a high-pitched sound…run. Take everyone and get away. Get behind a building, hide, burry yourself, I don't care. What you have to do, but keep everyone safe." He waited for a response but none came, Jolene was too afraid. Amun looked to the queen, her posture told him she was terrified. He reached out his hand and placed it on the side of her face. She looked at him, more deeply that she ever could with a pair of eyes. Amun sent her all the mental happiness he could to calm her down. "Don't worry, we will be ok." She pushed hard into his hand, finding comfort in his touch.

Everyone in the park watched as a constant stream of strange attack helicopters began to appear from every street that connected to the open green space. They were covered in angled panels and mounted with external weapons. Modern and dangerous. They grew in number as more and more made their presence known as they appeared from behind the buildings of glass.

Amun's own fear grew as he noticed missile after missile attached to the small wings on the sides of the crafts. They had enough fire power to level the whole city, and it was now pointed at him, his family and his friends. Ten, fifteen then twenty of the death machines now hovered a good distance from the hive of Xenomorphs, waiting for the command to kill. After a while of a tense stare down, nothing happened. They flying machines only hovered and waited.

That was when Amun heard another noise, not one of a weapon or missiles, but something else that was approaching on the ground. The king, as well as every other human that had gathered, turned to watch as a fleet of armored trucked came screaming onto the scene. They came to a sliding halt just behind the citizens and started to funnel out an army of soldiers. Each one finding a position and then pointing some kind of rifle at Amun and his kind. Everyone watched as this army appeared out of no where and now froze in place, waiting to kill.

A tense moment later, a few different style vehicles came into view, parking behind some of the armored trucks that were already in place. Men and women in suits calmly emerged and took their time to look over the situation before making their way towards the police Chief. They were escorted by armed guards, which made traversing the crowd easy when no one wanted to get shot. And these definitely looked like the type of people who shot first and never asked questions.

Amun and Jolene watched as they approached with a sense of confidence in their stride. Like they knew they had the situation under complete control. It almost made Amun mad. That they didn't think he could turn this whole city into a war zone at the drop of a hat. It was the last thing he ever wanted, and something he was counting on. If he remembered anything about the corporate world, it was that bad press could topple an empire. They would never risk killing innocent lives, that was the gamble anyway. Amun prayed he was right about that.

As the entourage of company goons approached, Amun could feel the anger of his hive growing. They were getting ready to fight, they only needed the excuse.

"Calm, my daughters, please. We will not take the first shot. It should not come to a fight, please stay where you are." He sent out the message to every xeno in the area, including Jolene's hive.

"Father." Bobby's voice came into his mind. "This does not look good. I do not like this." The king looked down to his first born. Her flicking tail telling him that she was nervous and on edge. "We are too exposed."

"I know little one, we will be alright, I will not loose another daughter. Not now, not ever." He said as he sent her a mental smile. Amun looked up to Jolene who meet his gaze. "We will lose no more." The statement granted him a nod from the queen.

"Well…" The quiet words grabbed his attention and pulled Amun's crowned head to the humans in suits that now stood in front of Jenna, Charles and Hudson. The man who stood in front surveyed the chaos that had now taken over the usually quiet city space. He was a strong built man, short cut hair and clean-shaven face. His eyes hidden behind a pain of bland sunglasses.

"Smart of you to come to the center of town, playing with people's lives, hoping that we wont shoot." He removed his sunglasses. "Funny how you think that would really stop us." He said as he tucked the glasses into his inner coat pocket. The comment made Amun growl. He had to be bluffing, there was no way they would kill this many people just to capture him and Jolene again. Jenna stepped forward.

"You wouldn't dar-"

"I didn't know that the aliens needed a little human to defend them." The suit turned his attention to Jenna, annoyance in his eyes. "You have no idea what I am capable of missy. So do me a favor and be quiet and just listen."

"Hay dumb-ass, he can't talk, he's a bloody alien." Charles snapped back, wanting to defend his friend. A loud sign from the man was the only warning before he snapped out a pistol and shot Charles in the leg. Amun had no time to react as the round punched right into the center of his upper thigh. Blood exploded forth from the impact.

Everything began to move in an instant. Scarlett began to lunge forward, Bobby like wise. Even Molly had taken a few steps forward, wanting to start a charge towards the man. Jenna was jumping back from the snap of the pistol. The police chief's training kicked in as his hand was already reaching for the pistol on his hip. Jolene went low to the ground, getting ready to run. Thankfully Amun was just in time. He let out a quick, loud roar, stopping everyone in their tracks. It did the trick.

Bobby and Scarlette stopped only ten feet away, claws still up, tails in an attack position. Hudson's Pistol was trained at the man chest, his finger on the trigger. Tension was at an all time high and a full-on war could break out at the slightest movement. Amun's words were calm and quiet.

"Bobby, Tend to Charles' leg. Scarlett, take Jenna back and hide within your sisters. Bobby, when you are done, follow Scarlett. Molly, come between them and this man, head down. Everyone please move slowly." Everyone slowly began their tasks that had been given to them. Bobby called forth her resin to cover Charles' wound, Scarlett took Jenna in her arms and disappeared into the hive of aliens behind Amun. Molly came and protected their retreat. The man raised his pistol into the air before putting it back into his coat, then looked up at Amun and smiled.

"Now that I have your attention. Let's chat." He then turned around and gestured at one of the lackies who had followed him. Amun watched as they came forth with a briefcase. It was opened, producing a sizeable device within.

"It's a speech device, similar to the one I put into your head. A bit more refined, but it does the same thing." Richard explained as he slowly got to his feet, feeling safe to do so now. "Bring your head down." He explained. Amun did not like the idea of letting them put something into his head, but after what had just happened, he was not sure he had any other choice.

The king slowly brought his head down towards the people from the company, stopping with his new tusks only a few inches from the man who had just shot his friend. Amun took note that this human seemed to not give off any pheromones that he could read. There was a swirl of mist around him, but nothing that gave off his true feelings. The people behind him all gave off a variety of colors. From fear and excitement, to calm or nervous. However, this man had a strange, almost clear fog around him. As if something was blocking his sent.

Amun kept his head still as a few of the humans moved to the side of his crown, device in hand. There was a light pressure a few feet up his crown before he heard a whirling noise, and felt the pain of a probe being pushed into his head. It was not pleasant and Jolene had noticed.

"A-amun!" She called to him with worry.

"I'm fine, it's not bad. Stay put Jolene." He quickly told her. He did not want her to accidently light the fuse to this situation. Once the noise and the pain stopped, Amun lifted his head.

"There, now we can chat." The man said, still looking to Amun with that sinister smile. He wanted nothing more than to melt that look off the mans face with his own blood.

"So, let's chat." It was strange to hear his own thoughts again, only to have his voice replaced by a more robotic voice. The man's smile grew just a bit bigger.

"You took something of ours, a rather profitable piece of property." He said as he looked towards Jolene. "It will be returned to us and you will never see us again." Amun let out a large huff of air in protest.

"Property? Did Richard tell you just where he got the DNA for Jolene? Do you even know that he was torturing her and killing her children? Do you even know he murdered someone to get to me?" Amun said as his teeth slowly became exposed. His anger beginning to show.

"What the science division does is not the issue here. A product was grown in a lab, because it was not human, and it breaks no ethics laws, they are allowed to continue to create these products. Plain and simple."

"Don't talk as if they are not living, breathing, feeling creatures. They feel pain, they feel fear, joy and happiness. Just like any other human would. Hell, some of them were human at one point!"

"Volunteers I'm told. No one forced them into this."

"I never volunteered for shit." He replied with a growl. "That choice was never given to me."

"Which we are willing to compensate you for. You will be left alone, given anything you need to continue a comfortable life and never hear from us again." The man clasped his hands behind his back. "We could have ended this quick and painfully, but decided it was not worth the effort. So this is the offer."

Amun took a moment and stared at the man, he had never met such a cold-hearted person. Even Richard seemed to be more human than this new company man. Amun's attention was taken by a whisper of words in his mind.

"A-amun…please. I…c-can't go…back." He turned his head to look at Jolene. Her body curled into its self, covered in a mist of fear. He could feel the emotions that rocketed through her mind. Pain, fear, horror. Everything she had felt over her life time while trapped within the cold walls of the labs. Amun took the few steps towards her and put his arms around her, giving her a gentle squeeze.

"Never again Jolene. Don't worry, I've got you." Amun could hear her staggered breathing, she was truly terrified. He pulled back from her and clasped her face in his large hands, pulling her face up to meet his. "I've got you." He kissed her fore head before sending her a feeling of happiness. Turning back to face the company man, Amun knew what he had to do. Knew that his heart would not allow any other option.

"Anything I need for a comfortable life." He repeated the man's words. "Then I'm taking Jolene, and her entire hive with me. They are my compensation. You will never hear from me again; I will never apologize and you will stop your experiments. That…is my offer." The man began to laugh, hysterically so, before stopping a while later.

"What, on this planet, gives you the idea that you have any say in what will happen here." He yelled aloud, gesturing with his arms wide at the situation at hand.

"Because unlike you…I have friends. Keith, if you please." There was a moment of silence before the loud whistle of a missile could be heard cutting through the air. A split second later, one of the attack helicopters exploded and plummeted to the ground.

With that signal, very specific people in the crowd pulled out weapons of their own, pointing them at the soldiers that had taken up their positions around the armored vehicles they had arrived in. Amun's own hive snapped into action, taking off in all directions towards the closest soldiers they could get to. Leaping over the chaos of the fleeing citizens, his daughters traversed the distance in the blink of an eye, being quick to help those who had been hidden within the crowd.

Because their main target had been the xenomorphs, Amun's friends in the crowd had been able to slip away from the mob and sneak up behind the soldiers. Now, they had the drop on them, barrels touching their backs, fingers on the triggers. Amun looked over to see Alex, taking away the rifle of one soldier while someone had an AR pointed at them. Soon, none of the company forces had weapons and were being detained by the very hand cuffs that the had brought. Amun took his gaze back to the people in front of him as they scrambled to draw their weapons and fire.

"Molly, NOW!" It didn't take her more than a few strides to get up to full speed, and once Molly was charging, there was nothing that could stop her.

Head down, she trampled forward from underneath the king, heading straight towards the humans in front of her. The main company man drew his pistol and immediately began to fire at Molly, but with her head down, there was nothing he could hit that would slow her. He was smart enough to know when he was out matched and rolled out of the way before he was trampled to death by the large, armored Xenomorph. His counterparts were not so lucky.

Two of the others, as well and Chief Hudson, had noticed Molly and got out of the way. The other three humans that had been turned around and were watching their forces being detained, never saw what was trampling towards them. The first human impacted with Molly's steel heard crown and shattered most of the bones in his body, the second was thrown off to the side and went through the air like a rag doll. The third, Amun watched as she disappeared under Molly's carapace, then trampled by her heavy, clawed feet. There was no way he could have survived.

In the moments after Molly's charge, Amun looked for the man who thought he had control of the situation, the one who thought he could tell the king what was going to happen. He found him moving back towards the crowd, something in his hand, up near his mouth. Amun could barley hear the words over the panic of the crowd.

"Fire, Fire god damn you. Kill him!" Amun assumed he was trying to talk to the helicopter piolets. The king mentally smiled, knowing that they were no longer a threat. Keith had done a great job at hacking into the vehicles and taking control.

Amun had made a bit of a gamble, thinking that a lot of their vehicles would be digitally controlled. It seems to have paid off, for now each of the hovering machines stood dormant. Being controlled by someone hidden near by, someone other than their piolets. Amun was also happy that the radio that Jenna had hidden in her pocket had heard the call to the mountain man. Or this may have turned out poorly.

Knowing that a large part of the threat was taken care of, Amun took action. He lowered his head and raised his back towards the man who now ran back towards the large SUV he had arrived in. The four xenomorphs that had crawled onto his back, now resting upon the locations where his hidden back spikes were. Amun flexed his muscles and snapped the large spikes forward, launching his daughters out in front of him. Strait towards the fleeing man.

Amun watched as the man watched over his shoulder and could only stumble to the ground as he focused on the flying aliens rocketing towards him. He let out a yell just before he was pounced by the xenomorph group. He was lucky, his daughters had orders not to kill the man, so he was only being held and brought back to the king. He needed him alive…. for now.

"AMUN!" The yell from behind him caused the king to whip around, just in time to see Jenna and Charles in front of a gun held by Richard. Scarlette was doing all she could to cover the humans, shielding them with her own body. The scientist was too far away for Scarlett to attack and the rest of his daughters had all moved away. Jolene, who had been focused on something else, snapped her head around as well.

"NO!" The queen's mental yell was followed by the snapping sound of the pistol that was held by Richard. One, two then three rounds bit into Scarlette' exoskeleton, causing her acid blood to come forth.

"FATHER!" His daughters' words seared into his mind. Amun waisted no time and lunged forward, his claws out stretched, heading towards the man that once again threatened his family. It was this flex of his forearm that released another hidden secret.

From the armored plates of his forearm, a boney spike unfolded and shot forward, lunging through the air at lightning speed. Amun watched as the praying mantis like appendage went forth and impacted Richard square through the side, almost cutting the man clean in half in an explosion of guts and blood. Everyone watched as the two parts of the man's body flopped over the sides of the new weapon the king now produced.

Amun stood in shock, partly at the hidden weapon that he did not know he had, and partly at the fact that the man who had caused him so much pain was now dead by his hand. The same man who had most likely given the orders to killed his family. The man who threw him down this rabbit hole of a life with no regard for the consequences. He knew, and could not deny, that it felt good knowing his evil was no longer in the world. He just hated that he needed to end a life for it to happen. It hurt his soul.

Amun gave his head a bit of a shake. There would be time later to handle that fact. For now, the king needed to make sure the situation before him was under control. His control. He quickly surveyed the area to see what was happening and was glad to see that his daughters had captured every soldier he could see. Amun looked to the sky's and watched as each helicopter slowly descended at the exact same time. Good, once Keith landed the crafts, the piolets would be apprehended and taken care of.

The chaos was dyeing down as people and alien alike started to realize that the threat was over. So Amun went to tend to his friends and family. First, was poor Charles. Amun turned and found him on the ground, Jenna and Scarlette at his side. Amun moved low and brought his head close, wanting to see if he was alright. Charles noticed his approach.

"Hay big guy, time for a beer?" He asked, giving Amun a thumbs up. Amun let out a robotic laugh from the device still attached to his head.

"I think so bud, but I don't know if they have a mug in my size." He replied. Charles and Jenna both let out a laugh.

"We'll just order you a keg, that might be big enough." He let out a small grunt of pain as Scarlette added a bit more resin to his leg. "Maybe a trip to the hospital first, eh?" Amun nodded and turned to find Hudson.

The police chief was the only one who could organize the city responses for the situation. Amun scanned the large crowd of people who were going about various tasks. Some were still gathering the company soldiers while some were handling the civilians that were crazy enough to have stayed. Eventually Amun noted one police officer who seemed to be a hub of activity. The king slowly made his way towards him, finally recognizing his pheromones as those of Hudson's. His loud foot falls did not go unnoticed. Amun watched as most heads in front of him turned to watch the alien king approach. It was nice to see that no one ran.

Amun got down to all fours and brought his head in front of Hudson who was looking a bit rough. He gave the police chief a minuet to take it all in, then asked.

"Hudson, I'm sorry for brining this to the city. I had no where else to go that was safe. Thank you for not panicking and thank you for now harming my family." Amun watched the blue mist around the man form and stayed strong.

"Things are going to be a bit different from now on." Hudson said as he looked around at the sea of people and xenomorphs all working together. Noting that some of the locals were now even chatting and looking over their alien guests. The man then looked to Amun once more. "But I think we'll figure it out." The thought of not having to hide anymore made Amun happy. Perhaps this was the start of a bright future.

"Is there an ambulance that could attend to my friend?" He asked, wanting to tend to his friend quickly.

"I have every available EMT on the way, till they get here, we set up a medical tent down second street." Hudson explained as he pointed towards the road leading to the west. Amun followed his gesture before giving the man a nod.

"Thank you Chief." The king stood and let the man get back to helping others. However, the king stopped and turned back to the man. "Chief? What will happen to the people from the company? The ones that wanted to take my family away?" He asked. The Chief looked up at the alien and let out a large sign.

"I've got them heading to be booked right now, but in truth, I don't know. They probably have more strings woven into this city that I care to think about. They might be back out on the street by tomorrows end for all I know." The man shook his head in frustration. "I can keep you posted. Let you know what happens." A bit of rage and frustration grew in Amun, but he suppressed it quickly.

"Thank you, Chief." Amun turned and continued his way back to his friend and told them where to take Charles. Scarlette scooped up the man with ease and started the walk towards the medical tent. Jenna beside them all the way.

As Amun watched them as they walked into the distance, he felt a hand upon his shoulder just before he felt the mental touch of Jolene in his mind. He turned his large, crowned head and let out a low thrum. Happy that she was there. She looked to him and he felt the happiness that was radiating from her.

"So, what…now?" She asked with gleeful anticipation.

Amun gave her a smile.

It only took a few days before Amun and Jolene had finished organizing things with the local politics and authorities. They had simply wanted to greet everyone, let them know that they were not hostile, and where they would be if they ever needed to contact them. They also wanted to take a bit of time to relax, it had been quite a while since this little adventure had begun. So, they had started their walk towards the mountains just two days ago. Now, Amun and the rest of the xenomorphs were climbing a new mountain that they would call home.

A nice, and a bit difficult climb later, and the two royal aliens pulled themselves up over the last ledge before the very top of the rocky point. They moved to a flatter stop before taking a seat to rest. The smaller aliens of their hives joined them and began to explore and play among one another and the royals rested. Jolene and Amun sat in silence for a long time, enjoying the warm sun of the mid-summer's day. It was warming their ebony exoskeletons, which played nicely with the cooling breeze.

Amun was glad to just listen to his own breathing for a while, something other than gun shots and screams. It was calm and soothing, a much-needed change of pace. Sometime later, it was Jolene who broke the silence.

"Will…will we be safe…here?" Amun could hear the doubt that was hidden beneath her words. He brought himself back to the moment with a deep breath. His head fell to the rock and stone that was at his feet, his large crowned head gently going back and forth.

"I have to be honest Jolene…I don't know. I can only hope that by becoming public, the company won't do anything rash. They have their image to consider, and I think irradicating a species would not go over very well with a lot of people." It had been the true motivation behind Amun's plan with coming home. The apology that he had wanted from Richard was topping on the cake, but the bread and butter was becoming something they could not touch. Something that people would defend if it became threatened. Something like a friend, or more, family.

Now that they were public, there were new problems they would have to address. Like those that they had left behind so many years ago. Amun's parents probably thought he had died in the lab 'accident' when he was first exposed to the chemicals that changed him. His thoughts went to Emilia, if she had family, if she was safe. His heart sunk fast not knowing how, or where she was. He took another breath in attempts to calm himself but the feelings had traveled to Jolene.

"What you thinking?" She asked as she draped her tail over his. Amun lifted his head to meet her gaze, sending her a mental smile at the same time. She turned to face him while they sat, placing both hands on the sides of his face. Her warm touch was pleasant and welcoming, it reminded him of when his Jolene had done the same. "What's the…next step you b-big bug?" The nick name made him happy.

Amun let out a huff of air before looking out over the vast mountains that lay before them. He had so many things running through his mind. His family, Jolene, Emilia, the future he wanted for all of them. It all seemed too much. Maybe Jolene was right, he had to think smaller, take one step at a time. He looked to the peak of the next mountain.

"I think I need to have a conversation with Emilia sometime soon…but for now…I think I'll do that one next." Jolene followed his gave and noticed the peak that he was looking to. She lent forward and nuzzled her face into his neck, knowing that she was safe while she was at his side.

They two sat in the sun, knowing they would solve any problem that came there way. Together.

...To be continued.