Disclaimer: I don't own aliens. Wish I did.

Chapter 8

In Defense

Scar growled and managed to throw the Komosloth off of him. He was met by two more that pinned him again. He managed to grab one of their necks, but the other had sunk its teeth into his shoulder.

Another one of creatures emerged behind him. It lowered its head ready to sink its teeth into Scar's head for the killing blow. Scar continued to strangle the Komosloth he had a hold of while the other was ripping at his shoulder.

A large black form leapt into view. The praetorian roared and with a sweep of her hands threw the biting Komosloth off Scar. Scar in the mean time managed to snap the other's neck. The two remaining cats were overwhelmed by a pack of xenomorph drones.

Scar growled and got to his feet. He stumbled and fell against a tree. He glanced down accessing the damage that he had sustained. Fortunately a xenomorph body was very tolerant to pain.

Xena turned to the blood-covered xenomorph.

(What took you so long?) Scar growled. (I'm half dead here.) Scar groaned and fell to the ground. (How are the humans?)

(Fine,) Xena replied hauling him to his feet. Scar leaned against her and stumbled forward.

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Rachel and Renee watched as Sonar pointed in the direction of the hive. All he got from them was an astonished and confused look.

Sonar growled and shook his head. It was no use. He pondered for a few minutes how to get the humans to follow them. He took a step forward causing the humans to retreat a few steps.

Sonar held up his hands as if to show he was unarmed. Rachel looked at him in astonishment, while Renee suppressed a giggle.

Sonar lost patience finally and jumped forward. He grabbed both woman and slung them over his shoulders. Both of them shouted in panic as Sonar started toward the hive.

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Xena and Scar moved into the hive. Scar was finally able to walk by himself. The xenomorph's healing abilities amazed him, as he had never actually been wounded since the transformation.

(Glad you're finally here,) The Queen's voice said. (The humans have been somewhat problematic.)

(What do you mean?) Scar asked.

(Well, I am trying to keep them in one place until you can get here and translate for us,) The Queen said. (Of course, I couldn't tell them that.)

Scar sighed. (I should've known this would happen.)

(They're in your chambers,) The Queen said.

Scar headed toward the area while Xena and the drones disappeared into the side tunnels. Scar looked up and growled in greeting as Sonar approached. Sonar growled back.

(I can't believe you're doing this,) Sonar said. (What's more is I can't believe that you managed to talk the Queen into this.)

(How do you think Half-Jaw will react?) Scar asked. (I bet he flips out.)

(I know he'll flip out,) Sonar replied.

Scar gave the xenomorph version of a laugh. Sonar laughed too.

(Let's just hope something like the problem with Chaos doesn't happen,) Sonar said.

Scar nodded. (Yeah, let's hope. Speaking of which, who's supposed to take the place of the Queen once she…?)

(Well, I don't know,) Sonar replied. (Though I bet it would be Xena. Even though she never showed much enthusiasm to rule. I couldn't imagine a better xeno for the job.)

Scar nodded again. (Let's just hope it isn't somebody else.)

(Yeah, or you'll be in big trouble,) Sonar said.

Scar finally entered his room. Rachel was nervously pacing while Renee was calmly sitting in the corner.

Rachel marched up to him angrily. She was about to say something when she noticed all the scars covering him. She looked sympathetic for a moment before regaining her hard look. "What is going on here?"

(Well, the Queen didn't want you wandering around,) Scar said. (It's for your own safety.)

"I thought the Queen controlled all the drones?"

(She does. Well, sort of. They have a certain amount of free will, but don't exercise it. It's the praetorians you have to watch out for.)

(I wish to speak with you,) The Queen said. (Now, and tell the humans not to take the stuff yet.)

Scar sighed. (I've got to go. Don't take the serum yet.) He turned and left for the Queen's chambers.

He entered the cavern as Half-Jaw was leaving. The praetorian angrily pushed past him. Scar growled and gave his back the finger. Of course, even if he saw it Scar doing that he would have no idea what it meant.

He turned back and faced the Queen. (What's up?)

(We're going to have to kill the humans.)

(What?) Scar asked startled. (Why?)

(They know that there is a hive on this planet,) She said.

(So?)

(What's to stop them from nuking us from orbit after they leave the planet?) The Queen asked. (Or leaving us alive for later experimentation?)

(We could make a deal with them,) Scar said.

(Oh, and what exactly would hold them to that deal?) The Queen asked. (They could still nuke us.)

(Yeah, you're right,) Scar said ducking his head.

(I know that you've never killed a human,) The Queen said. (I also know that your father is among the humans, but are their lives more important then ours? Are the lives of fifteen humans more important then the two hundred lives of our hive?)

Scar thought for a moment. (You're right,) he admitted reluctantly.

(I want you to go with the attack force,) The Queen said.

(What?) Scar exclaimed. (I can't.)

The Queen leaned her head forward. Her menacing presence caused Scar to step back.

(Your loyalty is about to be tested,) The Queen growled. (It's not as if I'm asking you to kill in cold blood. This is in defense of our species.)

(All right, fine,) Scar said turning to leave. (What should I tell Renee of this?)

(Everything,) The Queen replied. (If they can't condone this then they're a threat to us.)

Scar sighed. (Okay.)