Chapter 3: Friend Among Enemies
Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.
[Unknown POV]
The Yautja sits on his throne that stood above an arena where others would look up upon him. But today, it was empty, and all he wanted was to remain here in at least some peace and quiet. The only sounds were hissing from the hidden mechanisms that powered the room. His head bowed a little as his hand rubs between his eyes. The frustration of the same dilemma causing more headaches than he wanted.
When he had hoped for good news, it ended with more problems than he already had to deal with. With the right amount of time, he hoped that it would fade on its own, but that started to become impossible. He needed to secure everything in place, and the current problem was making things worse. He didn't know how long this would keep up before he would lose his sanity.
He groans and drops his head down further, placing his hand on the arm of his chair to keep him steady. He clicks his mandibles together erratically, displaying his anger over all of this. His claws dug into the skin of his forehead as the headache radiates to becoming unbearable. He lost the sense of time and space until he catches a familiar sound. It reminded him of clattering of metal sandals on the floor, but they were light-footed. It stops just in front of him, and he looks up to see the one person he didn't want to have with him.
"Is there something wrong, my love?"
The bright, golden eyes of his mate Ho'valea stares into his red ones with worry. He just wanted to be left alone since he wasn't in the mood and feared that whoever crossed his path right now would surely get his pauking (fucking) ass kicked. But with Ho'valea, he gives a simple growl in her direction before turning away.
"I'm not in the mood."
"Don't be like that. I'm not so blind as to why you are acting this way."
He doesn't move as she approaches cautiously but not enough that she was doing it out of fear. Her feet come into view of his sight, but he doesn't run. He could growl in warning but knowing Ho'valea, it won't work. She was such a stubborn female, to begin with, but that is why he fell in love with her. She would never take no for an answer. She rests her butt on the unoccupied arm of the chair and begins to rub her hands on his shoulders. It made him relax a bit, but the tension was still as strong as before. He grunts while shifting his head back up to look at the ceiling.
"I don't know what to do. This is getting out of my control."
He closes his eyes and takes deep breaths to calm his wild heart. This whole situation of the future placed a whole lot of stress on him. It didn't make it better that he was reaching an old age even to Yautja standards. He can't keep leading the clan for much longer so he needed to secure a successor before another civil war could start. After the last one, he wouldn't dare go back to the old days. Ho'valea lowers her hands to his arms until her claws wrapped around his forearm. She leans her head to his and purrs.
"Why waste your time with someone like him? You have plenty of offspring that could succeed you instead of a brute who only cares for something that is not even of our own species. As far as everyone is concerned, he is useless."
He stands up fast out of his chair, rips from Ho'valea and roars with such fury at her face.
"Know your place! He may be fascinated by an ooman female, but Za'taan has earned his right to be the successor. After Vah'rouh declared himself a Bad Blood on the ooman planet, losing I'stih and Ya'stu, he's my only chance to keep our clan together! But locking him up here hasn't done anything to snap him out of it!"
He takes a few steps away from Ho'valea and stops with his back to her. He grunts from the headache, so he swings back and forth to try and find some alleviation. His grey dreadlocks sway in front of his eyes but do little to help him. He stops and turns back to her. Her body is stiff with a mix of anger and worry. He wasn't sure which one she was more of, but it didn't matter. He's determined to do what must be done.
"If I have to help him get back to his former self, then so be it."
Right on cue, his wrist gauntlet beeps erratically. He turns his attention and presses some codes until he reads the message that he had been waiting for. He nods to himself and presses again until deactivating the gauntlet.
"What was it?"
Ho'valea hisses in anger but he ignores it. He knows that she will not like what he's planning. To be honest, she hates Za'taan with a passion but to include another thing she hates more, it's just asking for a fight silently. But Ho'valea wouldn't do something stupid as to challenge him. It was suicide at least.
"You will see . . ."
The doors to the room open, gaining both of their attention as a single male Yautja comes through. He has decorated in so much armor that it made him like a tank with few areas barren at the joints for movement. His face was covered by an adorned mask that had several horns lining the edges where his dreadlocks started. What makes him distinct is one of his dreadlocks was split into two on a hunt so long ago, making two strands dangle from one dreadlock. He walks up until stopping a few feet in front of them, facing up from below. He crosses his arm and bows low in respect as the same gesture was returned by the Yautja. Ho'valea remains still, not even reacting as the armored Yautja raises himself back up.
"My lord Dovalki."
"Raith. Thank you for coming on such short notice."
Raith just bows his head to show no offense on his remark. Lord Dovalki bows a little in response and steps down to be at the same level as Raith, leaving Ho'valea fuming at the top. Dovalki stops a few inches from Raith and places a firm hand on his shoulder.
"I have a favor to ask of you."
Both Yautjas begin to talk about the subject on Lord Dovalki's mind that would continue on for several hours, boring Ho'valea enough to walk out of the room after only a few minutes. It mattered little to Lord Dovalki and Raith as they discussed on their plan to settle the problem once and for all.
[Maria's POV - Back on Earth]
The morning had arrived much too soon for Maria. The small light that came from the window hits her face as she groans in distaste. She barely had any sleep during the night after being pulled out from her dream and talked to by a synthetic named Walter. The last words he spoke kept repeating in her head. What did he mean 'you are not alone'? He worked for Weyland and yet went behind his back. Se had no idea what the plot was going inside his artificial mind, but Maria had to be cautious. With all they had transpired within the last few years . . . the torture and attempted rapes . . . She didn't know who to trust anymore.
She closes her eyes several times to get used to the light until she had enough and sat up to get away. The muscles on her back, calves, and biceps roared with an ache that stretched to other parts. She winced when she sat up with her legs dangling on the edge of the bed, moving around in the hope of relieving some of it. It was then that her mind remembered something as she reached underneath the pillow to find the small device that Walter left behind. She tried fiddling it, but nothing came from it. She thought it was useless, but deep down, a voice told her to hang on to it.
Just as she tucked it underneath her gown to keep it safe, a bang on the door made Maria jump a little.
"Prisoner! Time to wake up!"
She growled in response and slammed her hands on each side of her, shaking the bed frame.
"How about you fuck off!?"
"No chance! It's time for lunch!"
She had to blink a few times to understand the meaning of his words. Was it already lunch? Maria couldn't fathom that she slept until sometime in the afternoon. She really didn't know anymore since no clocks were present in the facility. A yawn comes to her, and she lets it out. That made her stretch her muscles all the more, causing more ache to pass through her. The door unlocks, and it creaks until a soldier slips through the opening before it had a chance to finish. This one had no mask like the others so she could see his light, green eyes glaring at her. She does the same, keeping her sights on him as more of his 'goonies' comes through.
"Get up and let's go. You know the drill."
He stares at Maria until he turns to two of his followers that had chains in their hands. However, they only made two steps forward when the head soldier puts his hand up as a 'stop' command, and they do so like good dogs. Maria squirted her eyes in confusion until the main soldier comes closer to her. She stands up fast, unsure of his intentions until he grabs her chin forcibly. Her face is pulled towards him, and Maria could see the glow of lust in his eyes. Mentally, she rolled her own as she understood what he wanted before he spoke.
"What a waste to let you rot in here. I can set you free if you can do one favor for me."
The soldier grabs her hand, pulling it closer to his groin area, but Maria didn't like it. She smirks a bit as the soldier does this, grinning in delight at her response. Just as her fingertips were about to reach him, Maria grabs his wrist with her free hand and with a quick twist, snaps it into two. The soldier screams with such intensity that Maria could feel her eardrums were about to pop, but she didn't care. She lets go, and he stumbles back, holding his wrist as it dangles unnaturally. She could see bone barely protruding underneath the skin as the soldier glares back with so much fury in his eyes.
Maria puffs and yells. "That's what you get. Better you find another woman who suits you. A whore would be perfect for you."
Without warning, the soldier swings his other hand and slaps her across the face. Her head whips around as she falls to the ground. The neck muscles pop a little, and she winces in agony, holding her cheek that begins to burn. Before she could look back, the two soldiers hustle to her side and grab her hands. They do quick work in getting the restraints on her, connecting the chains together to limit her movements as they lift her from the ground. They hold her from the sides as the main soldier yells out in anger.
"Get this fucking bitch to the lunch bay! Now!"
Maria hisses at him as the soldiers drag her out of her prison and into the hallway that seemed never-ending. The only good thing that Maria could get out of this is when someone from behind explains that it was his fault for trying something like that. The last words she heard were cursing ones from the soldier, and she smirked a little from the delight of knowing.
. . . . . . . . . . .
After a long and grueling time being dragged through the hallway and into the open area known as the 'lunch bay' but in reality, it was more like a bigger prison to Maria. In the most obvious of fashion for all the prisoners to see, they unlatched her chains and threw her down on the floor in front of them. She whips around, and the metal door closes just ash she slams her fists into it, screaming until she had to pause to take in some breaths. A minute passes, and she turns around, seeing that the other prisoners kept their eyes on her for a moment until they gaze away. She shakes her head and rubs the bridge of her nose as she walks towards the serving area where the food was. She had to wonder why they were allowing her in here when they have starved her for quite some time. But she dismissed it as unnecessary as she gets in line, grabbing a dirty, metal tray that was sticky with food residue. She didn't expect anything better after the way they treated her and other prisoners.
She doesn't say much as the servers just threw the food like it was just a nuisance, but then again, it wasn't pleasant to eat. All Maria got was a brownish color soup that had disgusting pieces of meat floating in it. The salad wasn't any better as she observed some of the lettuce had some black spot, which Maria had no doubt what it was. The only decent food was a small bread roll but was cold to the core, and the little cup of water was reasonably clean, but Maria didn't trust it. She had heard rumors that the soldiers put drugs in it to subdue prisoners or worse. Not much any better than anything else.
Maria moves away from the serving area and walks between tables with prisoners eating their share. She saw some staring at her while others kept their heads down. Maria held her glare at them, and they shuddered away, keeping quiet, but she couldn't help but hear some whispers that concerned her.
"There she is. The freak that mingles with aliens."
"Are you sure? They are just rumors . . ."
"Are you kidding? She attacks anyone who just simply looks at her. She beat up an old man just a few days ago. She's feral."
"Some say that the aliens brainwashed her . . . just so they can leave her here to kill us all."
After that comment, Maria blocks it out of her mind as she finds an empty table in the farthest corner of the area. She places her tray down and lets herself sit on the metal seat that was uncomfortable for anyone. Maria leans down to her food but just stares. Despite the growls in her stomach, she just picks it a little with her fingers since they didn't bother handing out silverware. Probably, they think that we're just animals and not worth having such a small luxury.
She keeps her head down but gazes up once in a while, seeing the prisoners talk and argue with one another. But the glances toward her direction didn't fade. They knew better not to get near her, and she liked the privacy. That is until she sensed a figure stopping just behind her. She was about to swing herself to confront them until she hears a familiar voice.
"You look as gloomy as ever."
Maria smiles and huffs a little as the figure comes around, taking a seat in front of her as they placed their food tray just across hers.
"Tane."
She smiles in response and Maria was just happy to have at least one friend in this miserable place other than Ana whom she hadn't seen since they were captured. As far as Maria knows, Tane originated from Japan and was living a miserable life as a farmer's child. Eventually, their family went into debt, and they had no choice but to sell Tane for money like a slave. Somehow, she ended up here in Weyland-Yutani, but she wouldn't speak about it, despite Maria asking many times. In the end, it mattered little. She felt sympathy for Tane as their pasts were very similar. She was almost 'sold' to help her family to Juan like Tane was. The only difference was that Maria got out of it in time and even found love, but Tane wasn't so lucky . . .
But she was glad to find someone who sympathized with her. Over time, they became best friends, and Maria was able to teach her some English, even though she knew some from listening to soldiers in her time. Tane shifts in her seat as Maria leans close enough to whisper so no one else can hear them.
"Have you heard anything about what we talked about last time?"
She was hoping for something after not seeing each other after a few weeks. Unfortunately, her hopes were dashed when Tane shakes her head to each side while her eyes close in disappointment.
"No. There's nothing that could potentially become an escape route for us. And those that I found somewhat promising, we would get shot down with one step outside."
Maria grunts in frustration and leans back on the chair, looking up to the ceiling to think of something. Ever since they met, both planned a way to find an escape. It seemed impossible, and earlier attempts from other prisoners ended with them either killed or tortured until they begged to die. It wasn't an option for Maria. She leans forward and closer to Tane, who was taking a bite out of her roll of bread.
"Have you seen Ana in your section?"
Tane shakes her head. "No one by that name who fits the description you gave me. I wished I had more to tell you."
She lowers her head in sadness, and Maria felt terrible for causing such a reaction. She reaches across and places her hand on top of hers. Tane looks up in surprise, and Maria just smiles.
"It's alright. We will find another way to get out of here. And find Ana as well."
She saw Tane smile a little as her brown eyes began to shine. Maria's smile grew more prominent as she pats her hand once more. But when she gazes behind Tane, her smile fades, and her friend picks it up fast.
"What is it?"
And right on cue, a scream shatters the chattering in the lunch bay, and it goes quiet for a moment. Maria, Tane, and everyone else turned their heads and found several soldiers dragging a frantic prisoner out the door. He flailed his arms at his captors, clawing with all of his might. But every time the prisoner did, they would punch him right in the face in an attempt to silence him. It only makes the prisoner scream even more, and it sent chills down Maria's spine when he began to yell.
"Don't take me! Please! I don't want another appointment!"
This wasn't the first time Maria heard someone say about an 'appointment.' When she first arrived, she imagined that it just means like going to the doctor or something. She didn't know why she thought that after they imprisoned her. It only later did Maria figure out through rumors and Tane that it was more experimentations of great horror. Anyone who went for such a thing either come back different or not at all.
Although Maria wanted to do something about it, even if she would like a piece of the soldiers, it would be pointless since everyone around her is either useless or too scared. It would be her against several soldiers, and the outcome would be obvious. The screaming was still heard, even after the prisoner was out of the lunch bay and through the door. It was several minutes before it quieted down and the others went back to their daily routines in this dump.
"They're all fucking jerks, aren't they?"
Tane chuckles, and the infection of it made Maria do the same. Sometimes, she couldn't believe how Tane can just say something like that despite her appearance that displays a 'helpless' woman who's shy and doesn't want any trouble. But Maria knows better than that. She turns back to face Tane and smile at each other.
"You're right about that. But the soldiers are not someone you want to cross with if you have no conviction behind your actions."
The tone that came out of Maria was harsh enough that Tane's eyes dropped down in worry and Maria began to regret it. It stung her chest like someone stabbed a needle in her, but it was necessary. She wanted to make sure that Tane knew what she was up against. After that, Maria and Tane just kept small talk with each other. Sometimes it would be either about a dispute that wasn't caused by Maria or more rumors about experimentation. Maria didn't want to talk about it much, but she needed to know how her captors ran this place. But then, a small buzzing underneath her gown starts and Maria had to hold in a yelp of surprise.
"Maria. What's wrong?"
She quickly sees the concern in Tane as she stands up from her chair, but Maria puts out her hand to stop here.
"It's alright, Tane. My back just ached for a moment."
Maria had no idea why she was lying to her friend. Some instinct told her not to say anything for fear of the soldiers finding out. Walter snuck it to her for a reason, and she wanted to find out . . . Now that it was acting up all of a sudden. She moves her hand to her lower back to simulate someone who was in pain as she got up. Tane comes a little closer, but a look from Maria stops her from entering any closer. Her mouth opens and closes to try and say something but nothing. To be honest, Maria didn't know how to answer her if she did so this small hesitation provided her time to get out of there.
"I'm going to use the restroom. I'll be right back."
Quick as lighting, Maria turns to walk in the direction of the 'somewhat' restroom the facility provided. To be honest, it wouldn't be considered like that since it was nothing more than a shithole. She didn't like being in there with no privacy, but it was the only excuse she could think of. She goes to a narrow hallway on the side of the lunch bay that connected to the restroom. It's somewhat private, so Maria uses that. She stops and presses herself against the wall that was hidden from view and in darkness. Her head twists and turns to each side, making sure no one had followed her. When the coast was clear, she reaches for the device and pulls it out. The vibrations kept going and Maria had no way to stop it. She fiddled with it once more but got frustrated when it didn't provide many clues.
Just as she was about to give up, her eye catches a small button on the side that wasn't obvious unless you look very closely. The black coating of it made it almost impossible to find. An urge to touch it came over and Maria slowly moves her index finger closer to it. A slight hesitation stops her for a second. For all she knew, it could be a bomb or something. A ridiculous notion since it wouldn't make sense for Walter to give it to her. She was starting to think her mind was going after being in here for so long. Maria takes a couple of breaths to ease her anxiety, takes a leap of faith and presses her finger on it. She could feel a click underneath, and the device stops vibrating. Suddenly, it flips open so fast that Maria lets go and it drops to the floor. She froze as all of her muscles contracted painfully. She wonders if anyone might have heard her. She looks back down the hall towards the lunch bay, but it was just the same chattering from the other prisoners. Her body relaxes against the wall, but she turns her attention to the device that had changed shape, now looking like some sort of cell phone. Maria hesitates for a moment before grabbing the device off the floor.
She turns it back and forth to study it. At first, she thought it was a cell phone, but there were no numbers or anything else. It just had a small speaker and some sort of hearing device. After some time observing it, Maria decides to place it on the side of her face like a phone, and sure enough, a voice rings in her ear where her ear meets it.
"Maria."
She recognizes the voice, and her eyes widen in surprise. "Walter?"
"You remember me? That's good. I don't mean to be straightforward but are you alone?"
She takes one more look back and forth across the hallway, seeing no one even near but it was quite confusing as to why Walter wanted to know.
"I am."
She could hear him sigh a little. "Good. From the signal, you are in the hallway by the lunch bay, correct?"
"Huh?"
She was completely taken by surprise by how Walter knew where she was at that moment. Her brain couldn't quite find a reason how but Maria couldn't ask fast enough as Walter beat her to it.
"Good. You should be close to the door hidden there. Try and find a small symbol on the wall. It should have the company logo on it that has a 'W' in the middle."
Maria became frustrated with all of his commands. She didn't even trust him, and he knows that. But he expects her to follow his words like a good dog. She seethes into the speaker on the device with apparent anger in her voice.
"Why should I listen to you?"
Again, she was blown off by Walter as if he didn't hear her.
"Just find the symbol. I'll explain it when we meet. I have to go."
The device clicks dead, and Maria was tempted just to forget all of this and go back to the lunch bay. She brings the device up to her that has returned to its original shape. Her mind goes back and forth, contemplating her choices and consequences that would follow. If she follows Walter, will it be another trap to get her talking? But if she doesn't, will she just keep living this life for another couple of years until she's old or dead? It doesn't seem like great choices, but she needed to do something. She wants to get out of here and find Za'taan once more. This might be her only chance . . .
She closes her eyes for a few moments, and when she opens them again, she made her decision.
She puts the device away and searches for the symbol that Walter mentioned in their brief conversation, but it was easier said than done. The wall was grey and barren. It had nothing on it at all with a few scratches on it. Maria places her hands to feel for anything. She walks alongside it, keeping her hands on it until her eyes catch something. Halfway towards the restrooms, there was a particular scratch on the wall that was different. She rubbed her fingertips and traced along it, realizing that it was part of a shape. She looks closer and finds a 'W' mark on the wall. Now, she didn't know what to do at this point. Walter only told her to see the symbol but nothing else. She shakes her head in frustration but as soon as she pressed her fingers on the emblem, the wall began to move.
She jolted back in surprise, watching as an opening inside the wall emerges. Maria couldn't see anything inside since it was pitch black. But she was already deep into this, so she isn't going to back off now. With a little push of courage, Maria steps through and into the dark abyss as the wall closes up and leaving her in complete darkness.
At first, she had no idea what was in store for her. She couldn't see anything, so she tried to listen for anything. There wasn't much until she heard a creaking sound in front. Maria's body tenses up in preparation for what was to come. It could be a trap, and she was starting to regret coming inside. But then, a familiar voice calls out to her.
"You actually decided to come. After everything."
As soon as she realized who it was, a whole array of lights activated and almost blinded Maria. She had to hold her hand up to block it until her eyes adjusted. When she looks forward, Walter was standing in front of her with curious eyes. She relaxes a bit for some reason but remains vigilant. Maria didn't trust him just yet but had many questions for him, especially with a particular one. For now, she calls out to him.
"Walter."
He smiles a little. "You remember me? I thought that you had forgotten."
She puffs in annoyance. "How can I forget a synthetic that threatened my friend if I don't cooperate?"
"It wasn't my choice to make."
Maria straightens herself out, taking in her unfamiliar surroundings. The room reminded her when she was first brought here and interrogated by her captors. A table was placed in the middle with two chairs on either side. Scratches decorated the place, and it sent shivers down Maria's spine. Other than that, nothing else existed but her and Walter. The room was devoid of life in general. Her attention goes back to Walter when he hears him clear his throat, and she leers at him.
"Sorry for interrupting but we don't have much time to talk. So we have to move quickly."
"Why do you even want to talk?"
His mouth opens but then closes back up. His eyes drop to the floor in dread and Maria couldn't help but feel regret saying that with a harsh tone. Still, she didn't want to be buddies just like that. She needed to get information out of him about all of this and what Weyland was up to. She watches as Walter lifts his gaze back to her and takes a deep breath.
"I need your help."
She was stunned. The plea in Walter's voice and eyes caught her by surprise when he spoke. What can she do to help? As far as she could see, she was trapped, and Walter was in a better place than her. Why does he need her help? She relaxes, and curiosity gets the better of her.
"Why? You're friends with Weyland and pretty much run this hellhole. I, however, am a trapped rat."
"It's not that simple."
Maria feels the frustration coming back on. It was like he's dodging the questions but at the same time, telling her small details. Her fists tightened on her sides, and Walter observes this. He clears his throat one more time before speaking.
"I'm also a prisoner . . . just like you but in a different way. I can explain more if you would like to sit down."
He waves his hand at the chair, but Maria growls a bit, not really in the mood to go have a 'chat' with a synthetic that belongs to the enemy. She begins to debate just leaving and forgetting all of this. After a few seconds, she decides she had enough and yells in frustration.
"This is bullshit! I'm not going to listen if you're not going to be straight with me! I'm out of here!"
Maria turns around, so her back was to Walter, taking angry steps towards the door in which she had to find out how to open it, but she didn't care. However, she takes just one or two steps until Walter stops her.
"Do you want to see Za'taan again?"
Her body froze in an instant. Walter mentioned Za'taan's name, and that sent tingles all over her skin. No one really knew his name, so for Walter to say it out loud, Maria became utterly confused. She slowly turns back around with her eyes widened in shock. She stuttered for a moment until she could form her words.
"How . . . do you know . . . about him?"
She watches as Walter shifts from side to side, looking back at her with curiosity and intrigue.
"I have my ways of finding data. You may not know it, but the company has been gathering information about you since you arrived, along with things about your relationship with the predators . . . or Yautja as you call them."
Maria didn't know what to think anymore. She knows that Weyland is in deep with all of this, going as far as finding intimate details about Za'taan and her. The anger was building inside her chest and burning like wildfire. Despite wanting to lash out, she understood that Walter wouldn't have told her this if he didn't trust her. The look in his eyes was proof of that. She takes deep breaths until her body relaxes. She looks back at Walter and swallows.
"What do you want?"
She calmly asks, and Walter's eye lit up as if he made a breakthrough. He bows his head a little before waving his hand back to the chair.
"All I want is to talk. Shall we?"
He moves around the table and sits down on the farthest chair, leaving the other one for Maria. She hesitates for a moment until she shakes her head a bit. She needed to know what he wanted, and also, another thought comes up in her mind. With enemies surrounding her, she needed an ally more than ever. And when he mentioned that she might be reunited with Za'taan, she couldn't refuse.
She walks until reaching the chair and slowly sits down on it. It wasn't the most comfortable, but it didn't matter as she stares straight into Walter's eyes, waiting until he spoke and their conversation began.
Hi Readers!
So we got a lot of shit going on. First, the Yautja, in the beginning, has a plan in store for everyone involved but what does that include? I wonder . . . But with Maria, she had made some friends with one named Tane but what about Walter? He seems to want to help but is elusive, and that is making Maria angry. I mean . . . who wouldn't be if they were sending you into a dark room and everyone wants to beat you up or something worse?
Should Maria trust Walter? And will she find out about his plans and also reunite with Za'taan? But at what cost?
Find out when Chapter 4 comes around next week.
Also, since I just got an account for Grammarly, I'm going to be posting another chapter for Metamorphosis and Nexus but I might be able to update once a week (Nexus being the exception), and I can't hold in all the excitement! :)))
Enjoy! :)))