Dangerous game

Rated M

Chapter 1

Too quiet, the Predator thought, frowning behind his mask. The only thing he heard was his steady heartbeats and his footsteps echoing off the abandoned metal corridors. He hoped his presence would lure the horde out. He couldn't wait to meet them face-to-face. He was sure they were on this ship somewhere. He didn't care much about the Drones; he had plenty of their skulls decorating his lavish home on Yautja Prime. What he really wanted was another Queen.

He has been hunting their kind for a long time now. Being a seasoned Elite warrior, he had the privilege to collect as many trophies as he can and boost his status within Yautja society. When he received a distressed call coming from this space ship, his face immediately lit up. Hunting was his purpose in life. Many scars on his body shallow or deep were proving his worth. He couldn't wait to sink his weapons into some Xenomorph flesh. Although he took all the precautions upon his arrival to the ship, he was no fool.

Never underestimate your opponent, he thought as he stepped inside a large room filled with many glass capsules encasing countless facehuggers. He hated those nasty things. How many times in the past he had to fight off these annoying little creatures? He stopped counting them.

However, he had never seen this many in one location.

These oomans are crazy bastards, he thought as he scanned the room.

He had encountered humans before, some of their skulls even decorated his walls, but he never understood or cared for them. They were subspecies and easy to hunt. Weak and fragile, humans were no match for him. All his life, he never had encountered any of them that could change his mind on their existence. Even though humans were not Xenomorphs, and if he had to choose between the two species he would rather choose humans to collaborate with, however, this never happened. He was a great warrior of his clan and he was proud he never had to ask for help.

Help is for the weak, he thought with a sly smile as he walked amongst the capsules.

Then he came upon an empty one.

Immediately, he stopped in his tracks and looked around.

Clear fluid and broken glass littered the floor just beneath the table. Somehow this one got out and he was sure it was hiding nearby. They were known to stay close to each other and he was sure this one was waiting for an opportunity to impregnate someone.

Not on my watch, he thought, quickly scanning the walls and the ceiling.

Suddenly, the escaped facehugger leaped off from one of the tall cabinets and was ready to land on the Predator's helmet. However, the Predator was faster, and before the creature made contact, he blew the slimy bastard into pieces.

The commotion triggered a domino effect, and within seconds the room was crowded with Drones.

"Time to play!" The Predator roared and was ready for the first one that attacked him with a loud shriek. Deftly, he moved out of the way causing the Xenomorph to smash into the table behind him sending everything that was on it flying all over the room. Before the beast had the chance to recuperate, the Predator impaled him with his long, jagged wrist blades ripping the creature's spine out with one swift move. Then he was ready for the next one.

While he was occupied with two aggressive Drones, five facehuggers now freed from the broken capsules swiftly scattered around the room encircling their prey. As one of them jumped up to reach his helmet, the Predator aimed and fired his shoulder cannon with great precision, killing not just the crawly creature but one of the Drones as well, blowing a large hole in his elongated shiny head. Then he turned his attention to the other Xenomorph. He was about to blow him away as well when one of the facehuggers jumped on his back and landed on his shoulder cannon.

Quickly, he reached up and pulled the facehugger off his weapon and threw its small body toward the Drone. In mid-air, he was blown apart. The pieces of his body landed on top of the Drone's head. A bright blue light enveloped the shiny ebony skin as the Xenomorphs' skull exploded spewing fluorescent blood over the tables and on top of the Predator's chest plate. As the acidic blood started to eat through the metal, the Predator swiftly removed it and tossed it against another Drone that was coming at him from the right. Taking advantage of the disoriented Drone, the predator reached for his Shuriken Disc and sent it flying across the room.

The sharp weapon quickly found its way into the chest cavity of the screeching alien.

As the Xenomorph fell to the floor, the Predator jumped over the table and landed in front of the alien. As fast as he could, he ripped the Shuriken out of the dying Xeno's chest and then deftly turning around, the hunter impaled another one behind him.

With great force, he pushed the weapon upward deep into the alien's head. Then he felt a sharp stabbing pain in his left leg, just below the kneecap. Looking down, he noticed the Xenomorphs' deadly tail burrowing into his flesh. An angry roar left his mouth as he pushed the alien away. As the tail slipped out of his wounded leg, the pain that followed was bearable enough to keep him going for a while longer. He just got here and he already sustained a wound that could compromise the hunt. He couldn't allow this to happen. He was slowly bleeding out and he was sure if he doesn't stop the bleeding he'd be easy prey to these slimy bastards.

A movement on his right caught his attention.

Two facehuggers were coming at him. Their long, scrawny legs scurried over the turned-up table, as they were ready to attack him. Simultaneously, they jumped and landed on him. As the Predator spun around to shake them off, he slipped in the pool of blood and fell backward.

One of the facehuggers reached his neck and coiled its muscular tail around it.

As the appendage began to squeeze the air out of him, the predator whipped out his jagged knife and sliced the tail off at the base. A faint sizzle was heard as some of the acidic blood landed on his helmet and started to eat through the lower part of his mask. Dropping the damaged knife, he quickly reached for his helmet.

As soon as he pulled off the helmet, the other facehugger immediately jumped toward his head to conquer the host. Swiftly, the Predator rolled under a table to pick up his Shuriken.

As his fingers touched the cold metal, his bright green eyes landed on another facehugger that was rushing toward him from the opposite end of the room. Without his mask, he became vulnerable and he didn't want to wait till one of them plants itself on his face.

Before the facehugger had the time to reach him, he grabbed the Shuriken and threw it toward the parasite. Within seconds, it was cut in half splattering acidic blood all over the floor.

Then he swiftly scanned the room trying to find the other one.

He didn't have to wait long. Flying across the upturned table was the last facehugger ready for an invasion. As he landed on his chest, instinctively the Predator grabbed hold of the scrawny body as the muscular tail wrapped around his neck trying to suffocate him.

Although he was much stronger than the facehugger, due to the significant blood loss, the Predator had a hard time keeping its nasty underbelly away from his face. While he struggled with the parasite, he didn't notice two more Drones entered the room.

Silently, they approached him.

Suddenly, something sharp like a knife cut through his left shoulder piercing through his mottled skin. With terrified eyes, he saw the pointy end of the Xenomorphs' tail sticking out of his flesh. Then he looked up to see one of them smirking down on him from the top of the table. At that moment, he knew if he didn't act quickly, this was going to be his last hunt.

Gathering what strength he had left, he swiftly grabbed the Xenomorphs' tail and pulled him down on top of him, knocking the facehugger off his chest.

This unwise move instantly knocked the air out of him, but at least he was free of the parasite. Before the alien could make a move, the Predator rolled on his side and plunged his blade into the beast's neck, cutting through thick muscles and throat.

An ear-splitting shriek escaped the wounded Xeno's mouth as he struggled against the Predator. The tail that impaled him just seconds ago lashed out again and this time it deeply cut into his left thigh making the Predator roar with agony. As the alien went limp, with trembling arms, he tossed the body against the other one that was ready to jump him.

He had barely enough strength left in his battered body and he was sure this one was going to kill him. As the creature was ready to pounce on him, something fast burrowed into its shiny, ebony skin knocking him against one of the tables. Then another bullet hit him on the temple and neck killing him instantly.

A great surprise was shown on the Predator's face as he looked toward the door and saw a human standing in the threshold with a large rifle in her hands. Then she quickly aimed again and blasted the lonely facehugger away that was coming fast toward her.

Without hesitation, she approached him and said in a rushed tone.

"I'm not sure if you can understand me, but if you want to stay alive, you better come with me. More of them are on the way. If you stay, you are as good as dead."

Nodding his head, the Predator made a few clicking sounds letting her know, he understood. This was the last thing he thought would happen tonight, but deep inside he was glad to see her. From her heat signature, he was able to tell that she was nervous, however, her voice sounded strong and authoritative. He didn't think she was a soldier but she acted like one.

Tara had seen his kind before. Most of them ended up on her surgical table for evaluation and dissection. It was all for the good of science and she enjoyed getting to know these reptilian species. She knew what he was, but she had never seen one alive, not until now. As her eyes scanned his body, she noticed he was bleeding out from the sustained deep wounds.

Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a syringe, knocked the cap off, and stabbed it into his wide chest. Within seconds, the Predator felt a surge of adrenaline rushing through him like wildfire. While he was getting a momentary rejuvenation, she took her belt off and strapped it around his leg to stop the bleeding. Then she ripped off one of her sleeves and after placing it into his hand she said as she pressed his hand to his chest wound.

"Hold it tight, this will help you for a while." Then she added as she helped him to get to his feet. "Let's get the hell out of here."

He wanted to ask where she was taking him, but she wouldn't understand him and he was sure she was here to help and not the other way around.

Reluctantly he accepted her help and together they exited the room and headed down the abandoned corridor.

When they reached a door, she placed her palm on the scanner sliding the door open. Behind the door was a laboratory of sorts with long tables, countless built-in metal cabinets, and many types of equipment taking up space. Swiftly, they walked across the room, and then they stopped at the barricaded and fortified ventilation system.

With a low voice, she said.

"They use the ventilation system to crawl around the ship. Unfortunately, it's large enough for them to be able to use it for easy excess. Thankfully, I never had an unwanted visitor, but you never know."

A low growl left the Predator's mouth as he looked from the shaft to her.

If she thought they were safe in here, she lost her mind, he thought, looking around the room.

"I'm not a mind reader but I can feel your frustration." Tara said with a frown. "Don't worry, this is not my hiding place. Come, I'll show you where I have been hiding. It's not a luxurious place but it suffices."

There was a large cabinet at the back wall and this is where she led him.

With a push of a button, the cabinet silently opened up. To his surprise, there were several weapons placed on hooks accompanied by some military clothing. In the top left corner, he noticed a small camera aiming at them. Stepping inside, she pushed the clothes aside and pressed a secret button on the back of the cabinet.

There was a faint click and then the lower part of the cabinet moved aside showing off a ladder.

"Watch your head." She said as he climbed down after her.

When he got to the bottom of the ladder, he had to bend over if he didn't want his head to scrape the low ceiling.

"I know this place wasn't made for your size, but it's safe I can promise you this." She said looking at him.

The bunker she led him to was just large enough for a few people to stay in.

Besides the two bunk beds that occupied the opposite side of the room, there were several cabinets with monitors, a table with empty bottles, plates, and four chairs, and a round window showing the darkness of space. There was another door on the right that led to a compact bathroom.

"Forgive me." She said as they walked across the untidy room. "I've been here for way too long without any company. I hope you don't mind the mess." She added. Then she gestured to him to lie down on one of the beds and said. "Come, let me take a look at your wounds."

He wanted to say, he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself, but he felt weak, tired, and frustrated and at the moment he didn't mind being taken care of. He still couldn't believe that this ooman had to save his skin. With a low growl, reluctantly, he approached the bed and sat down.

After taking off his med-pack, he placed it beside him and opened it up.

With a curious look on her face, she watched him as he took out a syringe and held it up in front of her.

As she took it from him, she said. "I'm a doctor. You can trust me."

While she administered the drug, she started to say. "When I sent out the distress call, I wasn't expecting to have someone like you to come to the rescue." Shaking her head, she asked with a tired smile. "Did you come here to rescue me or it was some other agenda?"

The predator was amazed to hear that she thought he came here to rescue her.

Only if she knew, he thought, as he measured her up. For a human female, she was tall and fit. Her voice sounded pleasant and interesting, and the sweet smell of sweat and something else coming from her enveloped his senses making him feel a little strange. He had hunted people before, but never a female. Only the males that dared to cross his way were worthy prey. While her delicate fingers gently probed at his shoulder wound, he found himself staring at her as he had never seen a female before.

"Look." She said gazing into his eyes. "It's best if I stitch you up quickly. I hope you don't mind me poking you with a needle." With a mischievous smile, she added. "I'll be gentle I promise."

He wanted to tell her in his Med-pack he had everything he needed to patch up the wounds, but the way she acted toward him, he decided to allow her to 'poke' him, he thought, feeling amused.

After gathering what she needed from one of the cabinets, she sat down and started to stitch him back up. In the past, she had many of his peers under her fingers. She knew their anatomy like the back of her hand, but this time it was different. The beige mottled reptilian skin felt warm instead of ice-cold and she found herself glancing at his mandibles as they slightly trembled every time she inserted the needle into his skin. While she worked on his shoulder she said. "I'm so jealous that you can understand me. I wish I could understand you. It's hard to communicate this way but I hope we can work something out."

As soon as she was done with his shoulder, she motioned for him to turn around so she could take a look at his leg wound that looked swollen and raw under the belt.

"My name is Dr. Tara Maclonde." She said while she removed the belt and started to work on him. "I'm a biophysicist for the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. We had a total of 34 crew members on this ship, 7 scientists including me, the rest were USCMC." As her eyes started to cloud up she continued. "One of the Marines was my brother. He got hurt for protecting me. When I tried to help him to remove the embryo out of his chest, I failed."

With scissors, she cut the string and then disinfected the area around the stitches. Taking a deep breath, she brushed her long chestnut hair out of her face and then with a saddened tone she added when he turned around.

"I thought I was skilled enough to do a surgery like that. When I finally found him, it was already too late. Nevertheless, I tried my best and I miserably failed."

In silence, the Predator listened to her.

This lou-dte kale was not just smart but brave as well. Somehow, despite the circumstances, she managed to stay alive. This he respected.

When her almond-shaped eyes met him, she shook her head and said.

"You probably don't care what I have to say. I know I talk too much sometimes, but you have to understand this. I have been alone for over two months and I missed having some company." Then she added. "I have no idea what is your name, but do you mind if I call you Ron?"

He knew there was no way to tell her his name, therefore he nodded and made a low clicking sound in his throat to let her know it was okay if she called him Ron.

"Where did you dock your ship?" She inquired. "Can you show me?" She asked as she stood up and approached the cabinets. "Many times I tried to venture further away from this hiding place to reach one of the escape pods, however, I always chickened out at the last minute. I was afraid to get caught by the Xenomorphs and also I wasn't sure if I was able to navigate an escape pod. So I stayed hidden here for most of the time watching the cameras to see what was going on beyond this room. When I saw you in the lab, I gathered enough courage to leave and come to your rescue."

Pulling out one of the drawers, Tara took out a small device and sat it on the table. Then she activated the ship's blueprint enveloping the small room with a bright blue glow.

"This is where we are right now." She said pointing to a location on the left bottom corner. "Where did you leave your ship?" She asked, looking at him.

Standing up, Ron limped to the table and after analyzing the hologram he pointed his finger toward the right side of the map.

"Oh, you docked above the cooling towers?" She asked with a frown. "How did you get to the laboratory without getting attacked?"

Tara was sure somewhere between the lab and the cooling tower was a hot-spot for these aliens. Although she had never seen their lair and had no idea where exactly it was, she was sure there was one already possible with a Queen inside.

Lifting up his hand, he traced the route he took from his entry point to the lab. Then he traced his finger toward where they were and then traced out a different route to get back to his ship.

As she watched him doing that Tara shook her head and said with a frown.

"That won't do any good for us. The west side is heavily barricaded. We would not be able to go that way unless we make a lot of noises trying to get through several feet of heavy metal."

Pointing to that section she added. "This place was heavily fortified after all hell got loose on the ship. However, through the ventilation system, the Xenomorphs had gotten inside and captured everyone. I was lucky to get away." A sudden shudder swept through her body thinking about that horrible day. "There is another route to the cooling sector." Saying that she traced her finger across the glowing map. "This way is more complicated but I think together, we might be able to get through. We could use the ventilation system here and here to get across this area."

Letting out a frustrated sigh she added.

"Of course we have to wait till you get better, then we can try."

A low clicking sound escaped Ron's mouth listening to her. He knew in a few days he'll be back to his old self and then with her help he can continue on with the hunt. To him, this was only a minor setback. While she was planning to escape with his ship, in his mind, he was planning to get to the lair and kill the Queen. Then after all is done, and if she is still alive, he can at least give her a ride to the nearest colony to show her his appreciation. The task ahead was not easy, but he was sure together they would succeed.

An hour later while he lay in bed recuperating, he watched her, while she made some instant food and placed it on the table.

"I don't know what you prefer to eat but I made some beef stew. It's not like a real deal but it would suffice." She added with a grin.

While they ate, she explained more of what happened.

"I know exactly what I was getting myself into when I accepted this assignment. I love to study different species and the Xenomorphs were no exemption." However, she intentionally left out her Yautja studies or injecting herself with Yautja DNA for the sake of science. She didn't want to make this already awkward situation even awkwarder to let him know about her shenanigans with his kind.

"I grew up with three older brothers. As a little girl, I knew how to load a weapon before I knew how to change a doll's clothes. My brothers and my father taught me all I need to know about staying safe and alive." As she shifted on the chair she continued. "You see my mother left us. She had a few mental breakdowns before I came along. She was never a stable person. After I came into the world she walked out on us. My father and my brothers never forgave her and wanted nothing to do with her, but as I grew older I wanted to know who she was. After all, she was my mother and I had the right to know the woman who gave me life and ask her why she did what she did."

As she played with her food, Tara added with a sour expression. "Years later I found her. She was married to another man. He was much older than her and had money. That's all I needed to know."

Ron's mother didn't leave him behind but was killed when he was just a pup and after hearing her story he was able to relate to her in a way.

"All my life I tried to find good reasoning for her to leave us but as I grew older I couldn't forgive her. I just couldn't understand why she did what she did. I was afraid that if I had children on my own, I might end up being just like her. Therefore, I've never been married nor have any children. I dedicated my life to science and I was perfectly happy with it until now.

Looking up from her plate, she asked.

"Do you have children?"

Slowly, he shook his head telling her he had no pups of his own.

"How old are you, Ron?" She inquired.

Lifting up his hands he signaled her five times ten.

"You look good for a fifty-year-old." Then she added with a smile. "If you are fifty in human years then I guess your Yautja years are around 500 or 600, am I right?"

Nodding his head, Ron let out a deep growl acknowledging her words.

Pointing to her chest, she said.

"I'm not that far behind you. But you should never ask a lady of her age unless she is ready to tell you."

When she said that, Ron suddenly gave her a peculiar facial expression while moving his mandibles, which made Tara laugh.

"I wish there was a way to communicate with you. I have so many questions." She said as she put down her fork. "I would love to know where you came from, and why you came here?"

Ron wanted to tell her he came here to hunt. He needed to find a way to communicate with her. As his eyes ventured toward the cabinets, he saw books and some paper lying about. Standing up, he approached the cabinet and picked up a piece of paper. Then he found a pen and then he walked back to the table. Ron was never a good artist, and he hoped she wouldn't laugh at his little scribble work of art.

After he drew a few characters down on the paper, Tara leaned over the table and watched him with fascination. Pointing to the one that resembled a Xenomorph with a lance in his throat, she said with slight disappointment.

"Oh, I see now. You came here to hunt."

Nodding his head, Ron then drew a bigger Xenomorph surrounded with countless eggs.

With a frown, Tara looked at the drawing of the alien Queen, and then she looked at him.

"You want to kill the Queen?" She asked.

Gazing into her eyes, Ron nodded, and then a low clicking sound escaped his mouth. This is what he came here for, this is what he wanted the most. However, he wasn't counting on this much resistance, which set him back, but he was never a type who gave in quickly.

"Listen." Tara started to say, feeling a little frustrated. "Out of the thirty-four crewmembers, my brother and I were the only ones that didn't give birth to a chestburster. To my knowledge and as I was able to count them through those monitors." Saying that she motioned toward the six monitors. "Minus the six you killed and the one I ended up killing we still have possibly twenty give or take on this ship. That's a lot of Xenomorphs. I know you are more than capable of killing at least five, but not without hurting yourself." With a grin, she added. "I've been cooped up in this bunker for a while now. I want to get out of here. I want to bury my brother in soil and not leave him here in one of those containers upstairs. Do you understand me?"

For a few seconds, Ron stayed quiet. Only his bright green eyes did the talk, which Tara didn't like. She was sure it doesn't matter how much she pleaded with him, he will want what he came here for. If she wanted to survive and escape the ship, she had no choice but to help him in his hunt. He was her only hope to get out of here.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, she said.

"I will help you but you have to promise me that after all this is done, you are going to take me and my brother back to Earth." With a pleading expression, she added. "Promise me."

Gazing into her eyes, he nodded his head and then stood up and limped back to the bed.

His whole body hurt and he needed to rest. Within minutes, he was fast asleep.

After cleaning up the table, she poured herself a drink of fine aged whiskey that she had been drinking for months now. Tara was never a drinker, but since she was confined to this place, to kill time in this madness she called life in space she drank like a sailor. Quickly, she gulped down the golden liquid, and then she poured another one and finished it with one swift motion.

Then she approached the sleeping Yautja.

For a few seconds, she watched him, and then she grabbed a blanket and covered him up. After she lay down on the other bed and tucked her hands beneath her head, she watched him until her eyelids started to get heavy, and then she passed out.

To be continued...

Hello, my loyal readers! I hope you liked my first chapter. Reviews are welcome.

If you like my stories, feel free to check out my other ones here on Fanfiction, or look me up on Amazon for my original sci-fi/fantasy books, CHORA and MARKED.

Also, find me on Deviantart/editsulli for some illustrations.

Regards,

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