Hello everyone, and welcome back to the return of "Aliens: The Wolf Soldier". For all intents and purposes, the last 20 chapters were the first volume of the story. I'm not sure how long this segment will run, but things will only heat up as the story continues.
I am interested in giving you- the readers- the best quality action and drama that I can make. To this end, the more input and reviews I can get, the better I'll know what you guys want out of this.
I'm also very happy that you all enjoy my characters so much, especially Artorus, who I labored over for quite some time. Thank you for being so accepting of my work and sometimes unpredictable updating schedule.
This year will mark the 3rd anniversary of the day I joined This story has also just celebrated its 2nd anniversary. Huzah!
93 reviews and counting!
.o.o.o.
THE WOLF SOLDIER
Stage 2: The Betrayal
Chapter 21
.o.o.o.
Abel scanned the information of the portable computer before him. The screen read:
Name: McNealand, Artorus J.
Age: 24
Height: 6'4''
Weight: 197 lbs
Blood Type: O
Background
Successful subject of the Bowman Genetic Engineering Project. Received 12 years of formal education on earth, followed by 2 years at the Weyland-Yutani University for the Academically Gifted and 4 years of training at New West Point. Psychological test reveal no disorders or irregularities. In fact, McNealand has always excelled in the arts, languages, history, and philosophy.
He has been awarded the Weyland-Yutani Metal for Academic Excellence; holds a Duel Major for History and Linguistics, with a Minor in Art. He received the West Point Award for Marksmanship, Athletic Achievement, and an Honorary Title in Scholarship.
In active duty, he was promoted to the rank or Corporal after displaying courage and ability above and beyond the call of duty. His promotional future is limitless.
Abel smiled. From what he read about the marine, it seemed that they were dealing with a golden child of sorts. He was the prodigal son, the perfect student, and the supreme fighter, with a logical mind that rivaled the greats. Now, if only it could be controlled and harnessed for more productive uses.
Abel picked up a communicator. "Have Salazar brought to me, I wish to speak with him." He instructed and the placed the device back down. There were still too many loose ends to tie up, so he had to move fast.
.o.o.o.
'You guys can laugh all you want, but it'll be different once you need someone to blow shit up for you!'
"Swanson." Artorus groaned inwardly. That's what his friend had said a few days ago.
'It's up to you!'
. . .Blake's last words.
'Tell 'em what I did, but tell them the truth. Don't play me up for more than I deserve.'
"Oh god, Swanson." Artorus groaned.
'Mother-fucking Animals!' (Harmon!)
'I don't have time to bleed' (Artorus!)
'They're all dead!' (Einrich!)
He could see himself holding Rita, kissing her and caressing her perfect body. The feeling of her soft skin was exquisite, but she had screamed when she closed her eyes.
'They have to be destroyed!' (Rita implored him)
'I'm done crying!' (Einrich!)
'My ancestors fought for what they believed in. My people have waged war for three thousand years, and I'll die like they did, as a warrior!' 'Enjoy your trip to hell!'
Harmon had closed the gates, just as he had sworn he would do.
Artorus opened his eyes and looked around. He felt week and couldn't move.
"Don't try getting up, you've been sedated."
The hybrid soldier looked to the side. "Geraldy!"
.o.o.o.
Abel sat there, smiling at Salazar. "You've done well; you brought me this, just as you promised."
"Thank you, sir." Salazar nodded.
"The only question now is the matter of your payment." Abel remarked. He then stood up and looked away. "You've proven you possess the skills worthy of a great agent, however," He paused. "As you joined me in this enterprise, you also revealed your ability for betrayal."
Abel then turned around and smiled at him. "But, it's not as if you'd ever turn that skill for deception against me, now would you?"
BANG!
Salazar fell to the floor, dead on the spot. Abel held up a small pistol with a silencer on it. He tossed the gun away. "Of course not, I wouldn't ever give you the chance to."
Abel frowned. "That's the problem with double agents, they're only good once."
.o.o.o.
"Don't worry about this little visit; I'll be gone before I can be detected. I arranged for a brief laps in the security system." Geraldy explained.
"Why are you here?" Artorus asked calmly.
"Because I understand you, I can relate to what you are, your purpose in life." He explained. "I set out to elevate the xenomorphs to a higher level, beyond the simple plane of animal instinct." He went on. "I gave them logic and the ability to plan and think."
"You're crazy, every single person who's said that was wrong, they can't be controlled."
"But you're wrong, I entered the chambers and they just sat there- looking at me and waiting for me to lead them to greatness." Geraldy replied. "I took the seed of these creature and made them into the supreme species." He added. "Much like Dr. Bowman, I unlocked the riddle of the genetic helix and broke the code that is the foundation of life."
"You're nothing like Bowman."
"You're wrong, my boy." Geraldy paused. "We both took lowly creatures of instinct and turned them into being of logic and reason."
Artorus frowned. "All you gave them was the ability to become more effective killers."
Geraldy smiled. "That's just what the part I've shown you. Once they take root back on Earth, their true greatness will become known."
"Earth? You're crazy!" Artorus exclaimed.
Geraldy got up and opened the door. "That's what they say about all geniuses in the beginning." He spoke. "They may have laughed at me in the beginning, but soon we'll all see who will be laughing next."
"And. . . You might want to leave this place soon; I've got a little surprise waiting for the troopers in place that will be ready very soon." And with that, the man disappeared.
Artorus felt sleepy again and closed his eyes. It was all probably just a dream anyway. . .
.o.o.o.
Einrich was shoved into a cell, crashing onto the floor. She looked up and saw a familiar face looking at her. "McKenzie!" He screamed when she saw him sitting in the corner.
The browned haired man looked up at her. "They got you too?" He asked.
Einrich got up and sat down across from the other marine. "We thought you were dead."
McKenzie sighed. "They captured me in the other facility and brought me here." He remarked. "Frost and Green are still in the drop ship, under guard." He announced. "Where are the others?"
Einrich shook her head. "We were ambushed during the mission; hundreds of the creatures attacked us. Sergeant Blake and Jaeger were killed, along with most of the others." She explained. "McNealand, Jackson, and Hammond are the only others beside us who are still left now."
"So, out of 14 marines, only 5 are left now." He stated. "We fight for them, and we die for them, but in the end we're just expendable assets." McKenzie spat.
Across from them, in another cell, sat Jackson and Clement. . .
.o.o.o.
Rita looked up and saw the door to her cell slide open and see Artorus tossed in with her. "Artorus?"
He looked up at her. "Rita, is that you?" He asked.
She reached out and traced the lines of his face with the tips of her fingers. "Yes, it's me."
He sat up and smiled. "I'm glad you're here." He spoke. He then leaned forward and kissed her.
Rita flinched at first, but relaxed and sighed into his mouth. She moaned slightly from their shared contact. He then released her.
"Rita, I think that things are only getting started." He began. "I don't know how, but I know that this conflict isn't over." He explained to her.
"But what are we going to do?" She asked.
He smiled at her. "That plan stays the same, as soon as we can; we get the disk back and destroy this place- along with everything in it."
The two of them sat back in silence, waiting for something that they didn't know. At this point, all they could do was wait. . .
Both of them snapped to attention when they noticed the lights flickering.
"What's going on?" Rita asked out loud.
"Look!" Artorus shouted as he pointed at the door to the cell. A clinking metallic sound emanated from it and its vacuum seal seems to break with a hiss of air.
From beyond the cell doors, lockers and doors seems to click and swing or slide open.
"I can't believe it!" Artorus exclaimed as he clamored over to the door and pried it open. With a grunt, he forced the door open enough to fit through it. He then held out his hand and pulled Rita out.
Rita and Artorus looked to see Einrich and (until recently, the absent) McKenzie.
Rita gripped the female marine in elation and then turned to McKenzie. "You're alive, we thought you were dead?"
McKenzie smiled. "Yeah, I get that a lot."
"Hey! A little help!"
The others turned to see Jackson peering at them from across the room.
.o.o.o.
McKenzie and Artorus forced open the cell door to let out Jackson and Dr. Clement.
"Thank god, I'm free from that thing." Jackson exclaimed as he threw up his arms.
"The Guards will be coming soon to check on us." Artorus remarked as he looked at the door to the room.
"Then we'll have to give 'em a special greeting." Einrich announced as she opened up as locker and pulled something out of it. "Artorus, remember these?" She said, tossing a pair of holsters to the hybrid marine.
"My Desert Eagle and Sig.Pro!" He exclaimed as he slipped the shoulder holster on and then fastened the belt holster around his waist.
"Jackson, your gun?" Einrich asked.
"Give it to McKenzie, better a soldier have it than a computer technician." Jackson replied, smiling at the other marine.
Einrich removed her H&K VP-790 and kissed it, then placed it its holster.
Rita holstered her Walther P9 and looked to the others nervously.
"Hide." Einrich announced as she heard footsteps coming.
Artorus and McKenzie hid at either side of the double sliding doors. They stood silently as the doors slid open. Two Troopers entered the room, only to be struck in the back of the head by the marines behind them.
The two marines quickly shot the troopers and looted them for weapons. Artorus held up to Famas G-2s. He tossed on to Einrich and the other he handed to Rita.
.o.o.o.
Abel turned to the unit leader. "What just happened?" He asked.
"A random power failure sir." He replied.
Abel frowned. "I want patrols to make systematic sweeps of every section of this complex; we can't allow the prisoners to get out." He exclaimed.
The Unit Leader shook his head. "Sir, doing this will spread our forces out too thin; we won't have significant forces to protect this area and the escape rout." He implored.
Abel narrowed his eyes. "Listen to me, I want them found and terminated, we have nothing else to worry about, all of those creature are back in the other complex." He explained. "We'll just delay the departure until we round them up, do you understand?"
"Yes sir!"
Abel watched him return to his men and begin giving out orders, splitting them up into patrols.
Abel returned to his office and sat down behind his desk. He then noticed that something was different. "The Data Disk!" He exclaimed. He then looked over at the wall and saw that the ventilation hatch was missing. "NO!" He screamed.
End of Chapter 21, Phase 2-
.o.o.o.
I currently have 93 review for this story, when I reach 100, I figure out some way of celebrating it with a special chapter.
Also, I'd like to thank BlackDawn, Zinic, Warrior, Corporal Hicks, Stormseer88, Rjectkd89, ChristhePhoenixKnight, and everyone else who's supported this story.
Thanks guys, you're all awesome.
Bojack727