Sisters By Mind, Sisters By Blood
Chapter 3: Birth
The pained screeches of yet another injured Hunter filled the medicinal ship as the acids of the Serpents ate away at his flesh, his cry was abruptly cut off as the deadly toxin served its purpose. The Eldest of the Predators clicked a stream of curses with his pincers, glaring mercilessly at the body of a single Runner. The Hunter hadn't even had the honor of facing an actual Serpent Worrier, or even a lowly Drone, it was this scout this--despicable Runner that had been his undoing! How had all those loathsome beasts bred from one single, dying, queen?
Yes the Predators had been well aware that she had escaped the coils of the chain, had even watched as the currents pulled her south to warmer climates where she was revitalized…they had bore witness as she pulled herself, bloodied and battered, ashore and used the last of her energies to lay a single Praetorian egg in what was once a noisy and bustling place. But unlike the dull-witted humans she was accustomed to, the creatures here were smarter, and kept quiet, still, and distant, dooming her offspring to death.
The queen was on her last leg, most her life blood long seeped away in the numerous different wounds she acquired during her excruciating swim through shark-infested waters. The King had been surprised and impressed when she had survived even that long.
No wonder the Serpents were such admirable prey…
If only they would die when told! The entire novice hunting parties feared for their lives when journeying to that tiny blue and green planet that held such promising prey for beginners. It had been a mistake to keep those vile serpents on that planet…even the pathetic humans could prove dangerous for an apprentice, once they catch even the faintest understanding of how complicated the Laws Of the Hunters were, they could abuse them… how many ways there were to bring shame to ones name!Humans were almost as bothersome as those Xenomorphs.
The King growled in frustration, he was letting his mind wander, his troubles were those serpents not pitiable (if clever) humans…how had those slimy creatures' numbers grown so quickly, how had there become so many different colonies in only a mere 10 years? All the scientists had estimated a Praetorian egg being laid only once every 15 human years… not enough time had elapsed for them to have even one other Colony and yet they had seven? Yes, seven thriving, greasy, dangerous Colonies… and to each colony they had at least four Praetorian Worriers, ready to transform and take the place of their queen should any mishap befall her.
But how had this happened?
The greatest Hunter shoved the question from his mind, what did it matter HOW it had happened? What mattered now was HOW he was going to exterminate them! He paused in his pacing, eyes glinting in victory. He would call for the best of the best; they would love the honor in hunting the serpents…they were as furious as he at what those mongrels had done!
No…he could not risk them unless absolutely necessary…
Another type of glint appeared within his eyes…they had been training that loathesome half-serpent, he was as glorious a Hunter as they could have ever hoped, if a bit ugly, and was out for blood…they doubted very much whether or not it mattered who's, seeing as he had turned on even his trainers numerous times. They would just have to be sure he didn't get a hold of any advanced devices…lest he turn upon them…
Chuckling on what the Eldest was sure was going to be victory, he prepared to announce his intentions… those slimy scoundrels didn't stand a chance.
Yummmy liiinnneeee woooohoooo
Princess laughed out loud at the sheer agony that coursed through he rbody as yet another Praetorian larvae was pushed from her loins. The creaturew writhed and squirmed as it came into the world, its paleness a sign of its vulerablity.
When the colony had first discovered their Princess' gift to birth the Praetorians they had kep them in their own nursary, until over two dozen had been born. Then they had been turned out to fend for themselves, creating all different types of colonies and all different extentions of xenomorphs.
Of course, they had kept the best of the xenomorphs for themselves, resulting in the most strongly rooted, and prosperous colony on the planet. Despite the fact that the humans constantly barraged them, their fatalities were rare, and always able to be replaced. Queen was proud of her Princess, and always made it clear to her and those around her. The queen hissed her contentment as she continued her life of laying eggs and releasing telekenitc thoughts to control the colony.
We have fared well, Princess. Cooed the queen as the larvae squirmed and writhed through its transformations in the nursary.
That we have. Came the slighlty giddy reply of Princess as she watched with amusement the writhing of the creature within the nursery. Her eyes softened, however, as the ever-present maternal instinct guided her toward the new creation, and she scooped it up into her arms.
Does the transformation hurt? The young girl asked suddenly, all trace of insanity gone for now.
It is unpleasant, but it is worth it. Do not worry for the Young One, it shall be fine. You always birth only the strongest, my sister. The queen reassured as she pushed ever more eggs from her eggsack.
Not everything in life can be pleasant, I suppose. Princess was inwardly glad that she had quelled the insanity for now. But knew that it would return, it always returned. Just as these larvae were forever growing within her...
Things would continue as they always had.
A/N
Oh yes, another chapter sucessfully revised, not as rewritten though, which could be a good or bad thing depending. Well i should get the last chapter done, then continue to add to this story.