Disclaimer: I don't own Aliens, but all the characters in this fic are mine.

Chapter 6

Change

Jane watched the newly created xeno. He was on his bed, leaning back against the wall. He was drawn up into a ball with his tail wrapped around him.

Jane sighed and looked down at the clipboard in her hands. She reviewed the information.

The subject wasn't dead, but ever since regaining consciousness, he had stayed curled up on his bed. All of his organs and such had formed properly, or he would be dead. His mind could have been damaged, but other then that there were no other problems to worry about.

Clemons, the only other person in the room, was excitedly scribbling on his clipboard. He was unaffected by what they did in this facility. The only thing he lamented when one of their experiments failed was the loss of money and losing another toy to play with. In short, he was just as much of an $$ as Mavius.

The reason for his excitement was because they could finally have worked out all of the bugs in their procedure. This was the fourth successful transformation in a row now. That is if there was nothing wrong with the poor kid.

"Jane, go see how our boy is doing," Mavius' voice sounded through the P.A. Jane set her clipboard down and left for the cells.

Anthony's new senses detected Jane's approached. Having lost his eyes, his chief way of seeing was echolocation, but several other senses were also available.

Anthony's electrical senses detected the force field activating as the female scientist stepped into the room. Anthony looked up at her and saw that it was the same woman who had injected him in the first place.

In the blink of an eye, Anthony hoped to his feet and jumped directly in front of her. (What did you do?) He growled as his tongue shot out and struck the force field.

She took a step back, but for some reason seemed relieved.

"So you're okay?" she asked. "Nothing hurts?"

(No,) Anthony replied coldly. (Now, how did you do this to me?)

"We are experimenting here with something that we've dubbed Devil's Light," she said. "It's rather obvious what it does."

(And I suppose you discovered this while experimenting with alien DNA,) Anthony said.

(Yes, I know what they are,) Anthony said as she was about to ask. (My dad's company was experimenting with them when the government banned it and seized their research. How come you are experimenting with these things if the government has banned it?)

"Your dad's company?" Jane asked raising an eyebrow. "Which company?"

(Herrera Industries,) Anthony said. (And it's a big company. A very powerful company.)

"I know. I used to work there," Jane said regretfully. "Until the government stopped the alien research and employed me."

(You're working for the government?) Anthony asked. He got tired of standing and sat down on his bed. Jane sat on the floor.

"Yeah, they figure they can control aliens with human intelligence," Jane said. "Just so you know, I didn't want this to happen."

(What happens when the experiment is declared a success?) Anthony asked. Jane shrugged her shoulders.

It was impossible for Anthony to make facial expressions, but Jane was pretty sure that if he still could, then he would be frowning.

"What's your name?" she asked.

(Anthony Herrera,) he replied emotionlessly.

"Herrera?" Jane repeated questioningly. "I think I met you once. Five years ago in one of your dad's facilities. He was inspecting it and you and your mother were tagging along."

(Oh, yeah,) Anthony said. (You were working on improving certain dog species.) His parents had still been married then and his dad hadn't been forcing him into intensive study. (What was your name?)

"Jane Florien," she replied smiling. "How did you end up in those haulers' possession?"

(I'd rather not talk about it,) Anthony replied.

Xena angrily stood guard at the entrance to the Queen's chambers. Occasionally a drone would walk past, but otherwise nothing had happened. She was considering running off to hunt something, but she would never abandon her post. No matter how boring it got.

Xena's echolocation picked up an approaching praetorian. Part of its lower jaw was missing.

(I think Half-Jaw wants to see you,) Xena said to the Queen as the large praetorian came into view.

Xena didn't think Half-Jaw would take too kindly to finding out about the human and the Queen said no one was to know about this anyway.

(Keep him distracted,) the Queen called back.

Xena started down the tunnel and stood in Half-Jaw's way. He stopped and growled at her.

(Get out of the way,) he snapped and tried to push past. She blocked the way. (I think you forget that I outrank you.)

(Only on the battlefield,) Xena countered. (Anywhere else I'm in charge and besides the Queen doesn't want to see you right now.)

Half-Jaw made the alien version of a scoff and pushed her to the side. He rushed past and walked into the throne room. He glanced around looking for whoever had been speaking to the Queen.

Fortunately, he didn't look up where Scar hung from the ceiling. He was staying very still so that Half-Jaw's echolocation wouldn't spot him. He would just think he was part of the wall.

(Why wouldn't that praetorian let me in?) Half-Jaw asked the Queen.

(Because I didn't wish to speak to you,) the Queen replied. (But since you're here, what do you want?)

(I would like to know what happened to the drone that Sonar brought in,) Half-Jaw replied.

(Don't worry,) the Queen said. (I'm keeping a close eye on him.)

That was the first time I saw Half-Jaw and I almost immediately took a disliking to him. I had a feeling that if he ever found out about me, it wouldn't be a good thing.

-Anthony/Scar