You know the drill. I don't own Aliens. Now let's get on with it!
CHAPTER 4 Love Conquers All
The lift came to a halt, and the seven-strong team stepped out into yet more darkness. The lift area of the Planetology section was identical to the Physics one. However, it looked in even worse shape. The team had to switch on their torches in order to even see. They also saw a mass of dead bodies. Most of them were scientists, interspersed with the odd guard or two. Some were missing limbs, heads....and a couple had the tell tale signs of having been impregnated by a Facehugger, then being Chestbursted.
"It's a damn massacre....." Samson said, shaking his head. "Poor devils didn't have a chance"
"Ugh......" Davis felt very sick at the horrific sights around him.
"No Aliens in this immediate area." declared Tsukino, checking her lifeform sensor. No red dots registered.
"Let's head for the first survivors." said Samson. "Rockett, you take point. Lafayette, you have the rear"
"That is affirmative, mon capitaine." acknowledged Lafayette in his distinctive French accent. The team proceeded out of the lift area, and entered the now dark corridors. According to the scanners, the first survivors were in the primary lab area, which was quite extensive. All seven team members were constantly looking left, right and behind as they entered the primary labs. The Aliens could come at them from any direction, and all it was take was a momentary lapse of alertness for one of them to strike.
Davis got to a door marked '2-A'. That was where the first survivors were. "This is it." he whispered.
Rockett slowly slid open the door, wary of anything that may be behind it. However, it was a look of awe that appeared on his face.
"Woah....it's a damn biosphere"
The entire space of lab 2-A was filled with trees, flowers, and was grassy underfoot. It was very much like a grassy plain on Earth.
"Amazing....how did they do this?" Chris might have been a scientist himself, but he had no idea how this was possible. If this could be adapted, it would revolutionise colonization of planets. Not that it mattered now.
"Yeah...very nice, but we're here for the survivors." Samson simply had his mind on the objective. "This place is quite big, and we can't stay down here for too long. I, Lafayette and Davis will check this place out. The rest of you, press on towards the next location. Stay in contact"
Chris' team nodded in acknoweldgement, then left lab 2-A.
"I don't like this...." murmured Tsukino as she, Chris, Mac and Rockett headed for the second location of the survivors, the main computer room. Everything was so dark, the use of their torches was mandatory.
"I know....where the hell are the critters?" Rockett looked rather disappointed. He was eager to blast merry hell out of some xenomorphs.
"Don't tempt 'em, Rockett." grinned Mac. "Hey Chris, we nearly there"
"Yep, this is it." replied the scientist. The four were stood outside a small door labelled 'Computer Room.' Each section had one, and inside would be a server. The computer rooms were designed to link each computer in the section with the ATLANTIS mainframe in the central hub. Of course, the power surge had destroyed each server, which was why no computers were working anymore.
Chris decided to go first, and carefully opened the door. As soon as he did, the clicks of several guns registered. A group of five people were inside, and three of them carried weapons, all of which were pointing at the team.
"Hold your fire! We're here to help!" declared Chris.
"Thank God!" The three lowered their weapons. Chris looked at the five people. Two were scientists, one a man, one a woman. Both looked thoroughly terrified. The three were all guards, two of them were guys. The one who had spoke was a woman. Chris noticed her tag - it read 'Fielding.
"Lt. Marissa Fielding?" Chris inquired of the woman.
"That's me, how did you know......wait...." A look of hope went across Fielding's face. "Is....Charles alive"
Chris nodded. "Commander Schwartz is the one who told me about you. The rest of our team is checking out lab 2-A. Rendezvous with them. We have to check one more area for survivors"
"Roger that." replied Fielding. "Wow.....we thought everyone else was dead"
"Ain't no stoppin' us, ma'am!" laughed Rockett. "Yo, Chris! We don't need all of us to check the quarters, do we"
"True......Tsukino, Mac. You guys make sure Fielding and company get out OK, and link back up with Samson, Davis and Lafeyette." Chris paused. "Me and Rockett will check the quarters.....I just hope we're not too late"
"Wait a minute....." It was Tsukino who spoke. "Doesn't this feel too easy? Why haven't we encountered any Aliens yet"
"We haven't heard any for a long time." said one of two male guards. "It's like they've vanished"
"Something's fishy here." Chris scratched his head. "Everyone, be doubly careful...I have a bad feeling about this"
"This is Samson. What's your status?" Samson's voice came over the team's communicators.
"We've found five survivors, and no xenomorphs have been encountered." replied Chris.
"You too, huh? Strange.....maybe the lifeform sensors were screwed.....anyway, we've found a group of seven scientists. We're on our way out now." Everything seemed to be going to plan.
"Copy that, we're checking out the quarters, and then we're heading back...." Chris' calm voice disgusied his worry at the fate of his girlfriend.
"...Kid, she'll be OK. Don't give up hope yet. Samson out." Chris looked up. It was time to move.
"OK, Rockett...let's go"
Chris and Rockett exited the computer room, ever alert, heading onwards into the darkened labs. The others went back the way they'd come, towards lab 2-A.
"Come out to play, bastards......" whispered Rockett as he and Chris carefully made their way through the labs. Chris felt an uncomfortable shiver crawl down his spine. The constant darkness unnerved him, and everything felt so claustrophobic.
"This looks like it...." Rockett noticed the sign, saying 'Quarters'. There was also a nasty claw mark slashed across the sign. Chris looked at, knowing that the next thing they may find was Michelle's dead body.
"Please...please let her be OK...." Chris closed his eyes, then heard a beep. His lifeform sensor was going off!
"Shit......wait a sec....it's human!" exclaimed Rockett. "There's only one signal! Come on"
"That's Michelle's quarters!!!" Chris' heart was beating rapidly now....she was alive! She had to be!
Michelle shivered. It was so dark, she could hardly see a thing. She didn't dare to move. It was odd, though. The monsters had just gone, and they'd completely missed her. However, she was frozen to the spot with fear. Maybe someone else was alive....but there was no way she was going to leave the room. They would be out there, waiting for her.
Her heart skipped a beat as she heard movement. She heard clicking noises on the floor. No human made a noise like that.
She quivered in fear as she heard a chilling hiss. "Oh.....my....God....." was all she could think. One of those things was right outside her room!
All she could hope was that it didn't see her.
The creature's head turned, and she could see its horrible, dripping teeth. It gave a slight hiss.
It had sighted its prey......
As Rockett and Chris stealthily dashed to Michelle's quarters, a red blip flashed on their sensors....almost on top of Michelle!
"Jesus! One of them's right with her!!!!" hissed Rockett with clenched teeth.
"No....Michi!!!!" Chris stared in horror at the sensor, just as they got to the quarters.....
The creature butted open the door, and Michelle's heart leapt out of her. It looked at her for a moment, sizing her up.
Michelle backed further into the corner, trying in vain to get away from it. "Oh my God......this is it"
The creature roared, and prepared to pounce.
"AAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" Michelle could do nothing but scream.
Both Chris and Rockett saw, and heard the Alien, followed by Michelle's horrified scream.
"MICHELLE!!!!!!" Chris shouted. His rifle was up, already aiming at the Alien's head. If he missed, Michelle was screwed....he hope she wasn't too close, or the acid blood would kill her.
He gulped, and squeezed the trigger.
The creature made to jump on Michelle, and rip her to shreds.
Michelle closed her eyes, and hoped she would die quickly.
The creature never came. A loud rat-a-tat of pulse rifle fire shot across the room. The Alien's brains were blown out by the three shots. With a horrible hiss, its body crashed to the floor, leaving a pool of deadly acid blood around it.
Michelle opened her eyes, and saw the thing, dead. She'd been saved......saved at the last moment....but by who?
"Michelle!" She knew that voice....that voice that made her heart glad every time she heard it.
Chris ran into the room, followed by some security guard guy that she didn't recognise.
"Chris!!!!!" She got up, and threw her arms around her boyfriend. "You're alive....you're OK!!!!" She hugged him tightly.
"I thought you were dead......" Tears began to run down Chris' face.
"You saved me......." Michelle stopped hugging at looked Chris straight in the eye. "My hero....." Tears ran down her face as well.
"Guys, what's your status?" Samson came over the comms again.
"Chris' girl is safe, dude!" replied Rockett with a grin. "What about you"
"We're heading out now....wait a sec...." Samson paused. "Davis just heard something"
"We found one of the critters, luckily Chris iced it before it wasted his girl!" Rockett winked at Chris. "That's nice.....Not bad for an egghead. "Samson gave a little chuckle.
"Thanks...I think..." smiled Chris, replying to the comment.
"Come on, you two. You can have your love scene later!" laughed Rockett, beckoning for the two to get moving.
"He's right......" Chris looked at his girlfriend. "We'll be out of here soon, sweetie. We just have to get to the lift"
"I'm scared......" Michelle was still shocked by the events that had just transpired. "Stay with me.....please...." She held on to his hand tightly.
"OK......." Chris said softly. "OK, Rockett! Let's get the hell out of here"
"Gotcha, dude!" replied Rockett, and the three left the room, heading back the way they came.
"They're on their way back." Samson was talking to Lafayette. "I'll be glad to leave this joint"
"As will I, sir," agreed Lafayette, "but the lack of Alien presence is most disturbing"
"Indeed." Samson nodded. He looked over at the survivors. "Poor souls......they don't deserve any of this"
"You guys!" It was Davis who called. He was about 30 metres away from them, among the grass. His voice sounded shaky. "I've got lifeforms"
"Shit." Samson's smartgun was in his hands immediately. "Pull back to the door. We might be able to get away if we're quick." Lafayette was already moving for the door, with the survivors in tow.
"Ok....I'm coming back...." Davis turned to leave, but then he heard a rustling of grass. He could've sworn he saw something move.
"Davis, come on! Move!" Samson's voice was serious now. He didn't want all Hell to break loose, not now.
Davis didn't reply. He raised his pulse rifle, expecting an Alien to suddenly come rushing from the grass. He pointed the rifle forward, and waited for the black shape to come jumping out at him.
What did come out was a small yellowish creature, with tentacles protruding from its flat body.....a Facehugger. It jumped high into the air, launching itself at Davis. Davis was completely unprepared for this, and was helpless as it smashed into his face, wrapping its tentacles around his head.
"Ahhhh!!!!!!! Ack.......accckkkkk......." Davis screamed and choked as the Facehugger implanted him with an Alien.
"Holy shit! Davis!!!!" Samson yelled. A group of red dots appeared on the sensor....all of them Facehuggers.
"Lafayette! Get the hell out now!!!!" Samson dashed for the door, knowing there was nothing he could do to save Davis.
Lafayette and the seven scientists dashed through the door, and Lafayette whirled around. "Samson! Hurry"
The swarm of Facehuggers tried to launch themselves at Samson, but they were no match for his smartgun, which automatically tracked them. He was running backwards and firing at them. However, could Lafayette shut the door fast enough to lock them in?
Samson dashed through the door, and Lafayette immediate started to close it. Two Facehuggers got through, but both Samson and Lafayette were ready. The door closed, leaving the Facehuggers to bash themselves against it in a futile attempt to break through.
All of them were shocked, none more so than the two guards, who had seen their comrade suffer a fate worse than death.
The Facehugger assault on the door abated, and Samson noticed soemthing in the distance. He saw Davis, clutching his stomach. He knew exactly what would happen next. The Chestburster lived up to its name, ripping its way out of Davis' chest. The survivors didn't hear his agonised, final screams.
"Chris, the survivors are out.....but we lost Davis..." Samson's voice came over the comms once again.
"Damn..." Chris took a deep breath, then spoke. "We're almost there. How are Mac and Tsukino and their survivors doing"
"Dunno.....wait a sec. Here they are now." Mac, Tsukino and the other group of survivors had obviously just gotten back to Samson and Lafayette.
"That's a relief. We'll be with you in a second." Chris ended the transmission as they passed the computer room once again.
"Most impressive. I have underestimated you, Mr. Appleyard." He smiled to himself. He was indeed more of a threat than he'd originally thought.
"However, I can't allow you to be a nuisance anymore." He pressed a switch near the security camera. On two other cameras, two large metal doors opened. Behind each were a large group of Aliens.
"Happy hunting...."
Rockett froze as his sensor blipped. A large group of red dots was moving towards them, from the direction they'd just come.
"Shit!!!!" he yelled. "I knew it was too quiet!" He readied his pistols. "I say let 'em come"
Michelle looked panicked. "How many of them are there"
"We've gotta move, now!" yelled Chris." At least we have a head-start!" His rifle was ready. He gave one of his pistols to Michelle.
"I...I don't know how to use-" Michelle began.
"You might have to, sweetie." Chris cut her off, and the three of them began to run.
The Aliens burst into the labs, seeking the intruders. They had smelt them, but had been prevented from getting to them by the metal doors. Now they were free. One Alien Drone reached the quarters where Michelle had been. It felt the presence of the humans. With a roar, it bounded off after the trio, and about a hundred more Alien Drones followed it.
"Samson!" Chris activated the comms again. "Something's up! A whole army of Aliens just showed up! Get ready to move when we get to you! They're not far behind us"
"Copy that." replied Samson. "How many are there"
"Must be at least a hundred!" Rockett's loud, youthful voice blasted over the comms. "Man, they're closing fast! We had a head-start on 'em, but they'll be on us in a sec"
"Samson, get to the lift! We need the lift ready to go straight away!" yelled Chris, struggling to keep his breath. "Don't worry about us, we'll be fine"
"OK.....if you're sure....Samson out." Samson closed the comms. "OK people, to the lift! Move! We have incoming"
The guards and scientists immediately headed for the lift area.
"Samson!" Schwartz's voice came on the comms, and he sounded very tense. "What's your status"
"All survivors accounted for...including Lt Fielding. We lost Davis, he got Facehugged"
"Damn." Schwartz cursed, but he sounded relieved that Fielding was safe. "Where's Chris"
"He and Rockett went to find his girlfriend, and they did. However, they've picked up a large group of xenomorphs, and they're heading towards us." replied Samson.
"We're ready at the door. Godspeed to all of you." Schwartz closed the comms.
"Come on kid......." Samson muttered under his breath.
Chris, Michelle and Rockett rounded the corner near lab 3-B, just as the Alien horde finally caught up with them. Two of them came at them, crawling along the ceiling at incredible speed.
"Alright! Party time!!!" laughed Rockett, taking aim with his two pistols while still running. Chris and Michelle did the same thing, Chris with his pulse rifle and Michelle with her pistol. Michelle had no gun training, but she wasn't going to let that stop her.
Rockett emptied 6 shos into the two chasing Drones, 3 hitting each of them in the head. They dropped to the floor, writhing in agony. However, more came dashing from behind them, on the ceiling, on the walls, and most running on the floor.
"How many of them are there????" yelled Michelle.
"God knows, but I'm gonna kill 'em all!" Rockett opened fire, as did the other two into the oncoming Aliens. Acidic blood and Alien limbs flew everywhere....but for every few they killed, more showed up.
They dashed past lab 2-A...the others were already at the lift. "Thank goodness," thought Chris as he stated running even faster. Michelle held tightly onto Chris' hand, and Rockett was reloading and firing his pistols like a trained Marine.
They soon came into the last area. Chris could see the lift up ahead, and the others.
"Come on, we're almost there!!!!" yelled Chris.
Lafayette caught sight of Chris. They'd already sent the seven scientists up the lift, and they'd brought it back down. He, Samson, Mac and Tsukino stood ready with their weapons.
"Careful, we don't to hit the guys..." Mac said. If they opened fire at the wrong moment, Chris and co. would get caught in the crossfire.
The numerous hisses and roars and the Aliens buzzed their ears. "Mon dieu! This will be rough!" exclaimed Lafayette.
Donw the corridor, the three kept running. The Aliens were almost at their heels now, but between the three of them, they were dropping them like flies.
"Ha ha!!!! Dumb sons a bitches!!!!!" yelled Rockett. "Bring it on!!!!" He went to reload his pistols again.
As if taking offence to his remarks, one Alien suddenly launched itself forward at him, screaming its bloodcurdling cry. Rockett couldn't fire, as he was reloading.
"AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" he screamed as the Alien pulled him to the floor. The entire horde then enveloped him as the Alien ripped him apart.
"Oh my God...." Michelle felt physically sick.
"Damn!" Chris cursed, knowing there was nothing they could do. They kept on running...at least Rockett's death had momentarily distracted the swarming xenomorphs.
They came into the lift area, in view of the rest of the team!
"The lift's open, get in!!!!" yelled Mac. "Where's Rockett?" He yelled quickly.
"They got him!!!" replied Chris, running into the lift, completely breathless. Michelle was still holding his hand.
The next thing they heard was the awesome roar of the team's guns. Samson, Tsukino and Lafeyette blasted away with their smartguns, while Mac launched some grenades from his pulse rifle. At least twenty Aliens were killed by the grenades, and none of them could penetrate the wall of fire.
"The lift! Now!!!" shouted Samson. They dashed into the lift quickly, firing behind them all the while. The second they were in the lift, Chris slammed the Up button. Samson scored one more kill as the doors closed. The Aliens outside rushed the door, smashing against it with all their might. However, it didn't budge. The whole team and Michelle, sweating buckets, could finally breathe a sigh of relief as the lift ascended back to he hub.
The lift doors opened, and the team moved quickly to the security door. It was open inside of 5 seconds, and they dashed inside. The door closed immediately afterwards.
They were greeted by applause. Every single survivor in the hub was there, looks of admiration on their faces.
The team hugged each other, giving each other claps on the back.
"Great job, mate!" Mac high-fived Chris. "Bloody hell, we showed 'em"
"All the survivors are accounted for..." Schwartz came over to Chris. "Excellent work, Chris! And this must be your girlfriend"
"Yeah...." Michelle replied, smiling at Chris. She was STILL holding his hand.
"Nice work, kid." Samson walked over, clapping Chris on the back. "You wouldn't make a bad soldier"
"I'll stick to being an egghead, thanks." Chris gave him a wink. He walked through to the main reception area, ditching his equipment on the way. As he did, someone spoke. "Nice work...thanks for getting us out." It was Lt. Fielding.
"No problem.....I didn't want Schwartz to lose his girlfriend..." replied Chris, knowing exactly how the commander had felt.
"He told you about that, huh?" Fielding grinned. "I'm glad your girl got out OK too." She flicked back her long brown hair. "By the way, Marissa is fine." She winked, and headed over to Schwartz.
"Hey, its the hero man!" Lafayette walked up to Chris, limping. Tsukino was with him.
"Hey, what happened to your leg?" Chris looked at it. Lafayette looked increasingly annoyed with it.
"I sprained it as we went into the lift. It's nothing." He smiled, and limped off.
"You were really something down there, Chris-kun." Tsukino bowed to Chris. "The commander is talking about you being in command of the team next time"
"No way....I'm a scientist, not a commander!" Chris grinned. "However, I do have plenty more to give those Aliens"
"Yeah...it's a shame Rockett and Davis don't...." Tsukino went silent, as did Chris and Michelle. With the exhilaration of victory, it was easy to forget those who hadn't made it. Chris thought of Rockett...he'd been right there with them....he could've made it.
He'd heard of Davis' unfortunate fate too....what a horrible way to die.
"They were good men, Chris." It was Schwartz who spoke. "We have to make sure they didn't die in vain"
"Yes, sir..." Chris nodded. He wasn't going to let anyone else die.
"I wanted to thank you for getting Marissa out." continued Schwartz. "I also wnated to commend you on your efforts down there. You held the team together. Ever considered a career as a security guard?" "No....I just had some gun training from Mac." replied Chris.
"I see....well, you did learn from the best." Schwartz patted Chris on the back. "See you later." Schwartz left Chris and Michelle once with me a sec...." Michelle spoke for the first time since they'd left the lift. She took him by the hand and led him to a small room, which looked like a storeroom. "Michelle...what is it...?" Chris was puzzled, but no longer when Michelle wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. Chris kissed back, their tongues together and on fire. When they broke the kiss, she cuddled him tightly.
"I don't want you to leave my side again......" she said, tears falling down her cheeks. "Please....if you stay here, I'm staying too. If you go to fight those things again, I'm going too. Don't leave me"
"I won't leave you, Michi....." Chris cuddled her tight, and stroked her soft brown hair.
"Hmmm......it seems I have a problem....." He thumped his fist on the table, cursing at the successful escape of the rescue team, and all the survivors. He always known the specimens were useless, and his proof was right there. Well, they were expendable now.
"It is time to test them out"
He checked his wrist-mounted control device. It was working perfectly....it would respond to any command he wished. If only they'd finished the control device for the other one, but no matter.
The present location of it was the power generator area of the hub. How convenient that there were access vents between the hub and the four sections. However, the central hub was completely locked down. How he longed to unleash his two creations upon those wretched fools.
However, they would soon send someone to restore the power. That someone would meet a very grisly death indeed, at the hands of his first creation. He hoped it would be Appleyard.
It was time for Alpha and Omega to awaken.....
Romance is so sweet :) You knew I wouldn't leave out the facehuggers ;) Anyway, Chapter 5 will be here soon
Chris the Phoenix Knight