Responses to Reviewers:

Iconofcoolness: I'm not offended at all. smile In fact I am quite happy that you like the fic for being different from the 'norm'. Thank you for the review!

Chapter 10

I should have asked that man for proper directions... No-Tongue thought, watching another group of soldiers run underneath him. He was tempted to ask them, but knew they were more likely to try to kill him then answer his question. Now he knew how humans felt when they got lost.

He heard a mental voice then, one that was familiar, yet not so familiar anymore. It was a laugh, a crazied laugh and No-Tongue realized it had to be Switcher: he was the only other Xeno on the ship.

Die human die.

It felt strange to him now, to be part of a communal mind, even if there was only one other member of that community, and he didn't like the mindset at all. Arthur had been right, Switcher had gone insane and there was no guarantee he wouldn't see him as an enemy as well.

Revenge! Kill! Die human!

The Xeno's insane mind was filled with rage and bloodlust, so much so that it overwhelmed No-Tongue's mind and threatening to throw him into a killing spree as well.

You here too? Switcher said to him directly. Come join the killing young one! Plenty for both of us!

He nearly did, but remembered Arthur and the times they had. No-Tongue never thought he would do this, but he willfully shut himself off to the hive mind connection Switcher had reestablished between them, saving himself from the insanity driven bloodlust Switcher was engulfed in. Now things were even more urgent: the brief connection with Switcher showed him the insane Xeno was moving quickly, killing every human he came across. No-Tongue had to find Arthur first, but he wanted to warn the other humans about Switcher. So he run as fast as he could, trying to find one of those 'lifts' that soldier told him about. As he went, he sent out a general broadcast, warning any that would hear him about the free, insane Xeno.

No-Tongue knew they would no doubt think 'he' would be who he was talking about, so he took as much care as he could to stay out of the soldiers sight while still keeping up the speed. He kept repeating the broadcast as well, causing a few soldier's heads to stop and looking around confused as he passed by. A couple did spot him and the bullets from their weapons kissed the ceiling around him, but thankfully none hitting him.

Meanwhile and not so far away, Arthur and his soldier escort had just exited one of the lifts.

"No-Tongue..." Arthur said suddenly, a worried look on his face when the general message his friend had been sending confirmed his fear.

"Who?" The soldier asked.

"We need to get moving..." Arthur said, not answering the soldier's question. "The Aliens are free from their pens."

The soldier was about to say something, but lurched violently instead. In the red light of the emergency lights he saw a dark shape grab hold of soldier by the shoulder and start shaking him madly. A few droplets of blood splattered on Arthur's face as he staggered back, knowing immediately that wasn't No-Tongue mauling the soldier. He did the only thing he could think of: he ran, calling for help. Behind him, the insane Alien stopped mauling the now dead soldier and gave chase.

Luck wasn't with Arthur: he turned into a dead end. Turning around, he saw Switcher slow his pace into a teasing stalk.

/ATTENTION! CORE EXPLOSION IMINENT IN TEN MINUTES!/ The ship's computer screamed.

"I'm not going to give that long..." Arthur said quietly, wishing Switcher would just attack and get it over with. Then something slammed into the insane Alien, something just as large and just as black.

It was No-Tongue.

No-Tongue had heard Arthur's cries and knew what they meant. Wasting no time he ran as fast as he could toward the source. When he saw Switcher he didn't think, he acted, slamming into the insane Xeno and sending both of them tumbling down a side corridor. Dazed from the force of the impact, No-Tongue for a moment forgot why he was there, until Switcher told him exactly what he thought of his interference.

You help human? He screamed.

He friend! No-Tongue responded. Leave him alone.

No. Human's hurt us. Kill us. Take us from hive! They must pay! You die!

I won't let you hurt him!

Traitor! Then you die too!

Both Xeno's reared onto their hindlegs then and a standoff ensued. They hissed and posed, their tails swishing back and forth, eager to strike. Switcher wasn't impressed with his opponent.

You think you can defeat me unblood? Switcher taunted.

No-Tongue didn't answer. Though he was younger, faster and more agile then Switcher, the other Xeno had experience and the strength of his very insanity on his side. He needed to outsmart him, if he was to escape the doomed ship as well. But he also needed to ensure Arthur escaped as well.

-The moment the way is clear, run for it.- He told his friend.

"But..." Arthur said quietly, barely loud enough for him to hear.

-Just do it! I'll follow...if I can.-

He had turned his head slightly toward Arthur, enough of an indication to Switcher that he was distracted. No-Tongue realized his error barely in time to dodge Switchers tail strike. Switcher didn't stop there however, and leapt at No-Tongue. The pair became of shiny black ball of flying claws, teeth and tails...

Arthur could only watch in horror as the two Alien's fought, having never seen his friend so violent before: it was certainly a harsh wake up call that reminded him that friend or not, No-Tongue was still an Alien. Forcing himself not to focus completely on the fight, he tried to figure out where he was in relation to the escape pods. He knew he was on the right level, but which way did he need to go? By the time an opening for his escape had presented itself, he felt he believed he had figured it out and went for it.

/ATTENTION! CORE EXPLOSION IMINENT IN FIVE MINUTES!/ Chimed the ship's computer as he ran, accompinied by a violent shake, making Arthur stumble and nearly fall.

"I think it may go sooner then that..." Arthur muttered as he regained his balance and kept running.

Luck was with him. When he found the escape pods there was still one there. He got in, but was hesitant to leave right away. With the ship shaking more and more with each passing moment, he decided to wait to see if No-Tongue will make it...