"I've got to admit, that's one of the grossest things I've ever seen. And I've smelled the Master's breath. I know gross."
Looking inside the specially-modified cave-cell at what the Initiative staff referred to as "the pupa", the rest of the Scoobies had to agree with Buffy. The alien was no longer recognizable. It had swelled to over four times its previous size, and its shell had split apart into pieces held together by a resinous membrane. The whole thing was slowly, gently, pulsating, like an enormously foul heart. The resinous parts were semi-translucent, allowing partial glimpses of the horror growing within.
"It does make one nostalgic for the blindfold," Giles said. He shot a look at Professor Walsh. "Which in no way amounts to an endorsement of our being led down here by the hand like firing squad targets."
"You may be comfortable letting half the town know Buffy's secrets Mr. Giles," Walsh shot back, "but when I run a top-secret operation I keep it top secret. If Mr. Traeten hadn't... insistently reminded me of your help in capturing this creature, you wouldn't even have entered the elevator." Another reason, she thought sourly, to keep an eye on that man. You are lucky to be allowed down here at all, and as long as I'm in charge here this is all of the Initiative any of you will see."
"Too bad it's such a lousy view, huh?" Jacob Traeten said cheerfully, appearing behind them. "Still, it's pretty amazing. Sure you don't want to stick around? Techs are sure it will hatch sometime today, and I'm really excited to see what this thing becomes next."
Willow was staring at the pupa incredulously. "How can it do this?" she asked. "It's been on this planet only two days and it's gone from a little bitty egg to... that."
"Amazing like I said." Traeten said. "It grows faster than bamboo. Its metabolism isn't anything near like our own, and its cellular material modifies itself for the next change so fast I don't blame you for thinking it's impossible. I think we're lucky for the opportunity to study such an incredible species." He smiled as he said this, staring at the pulsating blob within the cavern as though it was a Christmas present. Buffy was almost as nauseated by Traeten's attitude towards the pupa as she was by the pupa itself. Nice or not, this guy is in serious need of a reality check, she thought. The pile of raw meat on the floor by the blob didn't help her much either.
Xander noticed the meat too. "Looks like your little baby's gonna be hungry after its nap." he said, pointing.
Traeten laughed. "Yep, these changes burn a whole lot of energy. You can bet whatever comes out of that thing's going to be ravenous."
They stood there silently for a moment, watching the pupa undulate. Although the cavern which the Initiative had hastily converted into a prison via an oversized electric shield was generously sized, the pupa still covered most of the floor. Buffy decided to take the opportunity to find out more about this guy. "So, Riley says you're not one of the regular staff."
"That's right, I'm not," Traeten replied. "Usually I just visit once in a while to see what's happening, but this discovery is so important to my company I'm going to be supervising it personally,"
"Company?" Giles asked.
"Yes Mr. Giles," Walsh cut in. "You see, one of the drawbacks of running a program that only a fraction of the government knows exists is that you can only get funding from that fraction of the government. Mr. Traeten represents Ravnon, a company which specializes in funding secretive projects in return for a share of whatever benefits the project produces."
"So… what?" Xander asked. "The Initiative is partly owned by a private company?"
"No, the Initiative is under the complete control of the U.S. Government and military. Ravnon just chips in, with our permission, and in return they get a small piece of the pie." Walsh emphasized this last part while shooting a pointed look at Traeten. In her opinion, the representative had become a little too cocky in his role as assistant supervisor. She made a mental note to keep an eye on him. "In this case, we've been sharing all knowledge we gain from the subterrestials and our experiments with Ravnon, which then uses that knowledge for commercial purposes. I understand they're in talks to develop equipment for your Watcher's Council, Mr. Giles, based on what they've learned from the Initiative's example."
Giles' eyes widened and he opened his mouth to say something, but it was drowned out by a hideous gurgling coming from within the pupa. Suddenly it began quivering and shaking like the most horrific Jell-O in the world.
Technician Hicks came running up, accompanied by Dr. Angleman. "Professor, instruments say it's starting!"
"Remind me to cut our budget for those instruments," Walsh said acidly. They all stared at the horror unfolding before them.
The pupa was HEAVING. Gurgling and groaning sounds came from within as whatever was inside struggled to break free. There was a sickeningly wet CRACK, as something suddenly erupted from the top of the pupa, a solid black mass protruding upwards. With a squelching sound, it continued to rise, revealing itself as an enormous headcrest, reminiscent of a battle-ax. The rest of the head came with it. It swivelled on its neck left and right, taking in its surroundings. Then, the creature flexed its limbs and ripped the pupa apart with one swift movement, splattering the cave with slime. Dripping, the newly-formed Xenomorph rose up. All the humans were speechless, except Technician Hicks, who began talking with a trembling voice into a tape recorder.
"Specimen has fully hatched and is approximately... four to five meters tall... tail is about equal length." He swallowed nervously as the alien began tearing into the meat within the cell. "Cranial crown is much larger than previous stage.. and is also flattened and widened. Specimen possesses an extra set of arms in chest, very small... approximately one-third the length of the primary arms. There are also new spines on its back, much larger than previously… Jesus, it's big... Calling this the fourth stage of the Xenomorph." He looked at his superiors. "Recommend immediately adding more structural reinforcement to the cell, before that thing's done eating. A LOT more."
"Definitely," said Buffy. "I hate to think what that thing could do if it got out."
"I'll do more than that," Walsh said. "Dr. Angleman, take a note. This specimen is to be officially designated Hostile 100, and as of now it's containment and study is the top priority of the Initiative. I want 24-hour surveillance on it, more power added to the shield, and armed guards in the corridor."
"Armed with what? Bazookas?" asked Xander, looking more than a little intimidated by the building-sized extraterrestial in front of him, which immediately began tearing into the meat.
Walsh shot him a look as Hicks spoke up again. "We'll have to turn off the shield to reinforce it."
"That wouldn't be advisable," Giles said, "for reasons which should be obvious."
Traeten sighed. "We'll have to put up a second shield and reinforce that while keeping the first one on."
"That will severely strain our power system," said Dr. Angleman. "We'll have to make modifications..."
"As long as it doesn't get out, I'm happy," Buffy said.
Xander held up his hand. "Seconding that motion."
"Thirding it!" Willow joined in.
Mr. Traeten smiled at them good-naturedly. "Don't worry. I assure you that I'll make sure the Initiative does everything in its power make sure that Hostile 100 stays perfectly contained."
Walsh looked really pissed as Traeten said this. She said something to Dr. Angleman, than cleared her throat. "Well," she said, "I'm sure you all want to get back to your homes now that the big event is over. Technician Hicks will show you out." Her tone did not invite discussion. The Scoobies were blindfolded again and marched down the hall towards the elevator, with the sounds of the Xenomorph's eating echoing behind them.
A/N: I realize that I've taken some liberties with Xenomorph physiology here- no one really knows how an adult alien becomes a Queen.