Disclaimer: I do not own the Alien Vs Predator franchise, should go without saying.


Legends, always begin somewhere. They didn't start out great, and always have a story to their pasts that make them who they turn out to be, be they righteous or evil.

Glass Breaking*

This is merely One of them.

"I CAN'T FUCKING BELIEVE YOU, HOW COULD YOU BE SO HEARTLESS TO BE TWO-TIMING ME FOR TWO YEARS!!!" It was true, Chloe Mason found out that her husband, James, was cheating on her after searching through texts, the notifications which he had slept through but she woke up to the noise. Scrolling through some of James' left behind messages, she woke her 'husband' up in righteous rage and sorrow. This man who she spent years with, had a child with, betrayed her trust and seduced a young woman because he wasn't pleased with her appearance after nine years of marriage. He even admitted to have been drawn in by her beauty only for the first couple years of their relationship until he began to care for her and it was reinforced when they married and had their child, John Mason.

The first decade of their family was in bliss, living together happily as Chloe dropped off her son at school before taking over the house and going to work at same time as her once love. Then it turned to the next year and a few months then things went downhill once Valentines Day was around the corner. His mistress was wondering when he was coming by to give her her Valentines present. She hoped it wasn't what she suspect but upon scroll over what few conversations that remained in the phone, James had most likely deleting previous conversations. She saw enough for there to be proof, she looked to the man sleeping beside her as she invaded his phone.

She threw it right at his face.

Upon receiving his confession, it made her mood worse and she began to wreck the house, cursing the man she raised a son with. All the while the man was packing his suitcase, preparing to leave, he did love her, even though he found her beauty wanting, but with this situation it would never return to normal. He would leave in a car to his girlfriend's house, that is where his part ends.

As Chloe let loose her her rage and pain before collapsing on her bed with few cuts on her arm and planting her face in her pillow, wailing. Unaware of her son standing in the open doorway looking at the scene, he didn't know what he could do for her but he steeled his nerves and walked up to his distrust mother but he was unprepared for the push that awaited him. He looked into her eyes and saw a rage deep within them before they focused on him, no not him, her eyes looked off but the eleven-year-old hadn't the time to ponder before his mother smacked him across the face and grabbed him by the shoulders before throwing him out of the room by the shoulders while screaming "GO...LEAVE YOU BASTARD!!!"

Confused as to why he was struck, John pressed a hand to the red handprint that was forming quickly on his right cheek. He was unable to do anything except listen to the wailing of his falling mother and there wasn't anything he could do.

Nothing he could do for her as she did for him, with a hopeless gaze, he walked into his room, before closing the door.

The year was 2236


Things hadn't gotten better for either of them, though she hadn't been hostile to him once the next day rolled around, the motherly instincts within her were gone. She only seemed to cared enough for him to at least make sure there was food in the fridge as she quickly got a job close to where they lived. She was able to pay the bills and buy food for the both of them, but a while after, depression set in, memories of her ex-husband haunted her which led to her gaining a drinking habit, an event that would send her spiraling in the months to come.

Throughout all this, a still eleven John was doing his best to continue his education during this duress, without his father and losing the love his mother, he withdrew from what friends he had and focused himself into school, to him it was the best way to distract himself from the grey that now seemed to encompass his being. That dedication payed off as he was clearly placing himself above many students as opposed to his previous average grades. Upon receiving a report card, he was exhilarated to see that he had scored with full marks. So excited in fact that he went home with a smile, he was eager to show his mother something great that he had achieved.

He had caught her while she was drinking and unable to tell the real world from the fake one in her mind, it took one look at his grinning face for her to lose some of her self-control. She had slapped him, a couple times, before she began banging on his chest screaming 'Why' over and over again. He may have been her child, but the face he had, of him. In that moment, in that stupor, she only saw James, it was her fifth slap across his face when she stopped midway and realized what she actually was doing. The fear in his eyes was due to her actions. Pain brings pain after all. She got up and walked to her room albeit shakily and clearly unsteadily.

He layed there completely hurt, both physically and emotionally. It was at that point that he gave up on the family he once had. His marks and bruises were noticed by the school personnel and he was taken into child services while his mother was arrested for child abuse, he never visited. Though he had the choice to go into a foster home, he chose to have a home of his own. He couldn't trust in a family when his was broken up so quickly, he pleaded for an apartment of his own and due to his splendid academics and advanced knowledge, he was give an apartment paid for while receiving a stipend. He was watched closely though and was given check ups weekly, it was noted that though the experience had made him withdrawn from any social activities, it only lead to him working to bolster his pockets and make a living for himself.

Utilizing his resources, he was able to purchase food for himself as well as what books he needed for schoolwork, he even began training at a gym to pass the time. Working on school most of the time could only keep him occupied for so long before he found that there was nothing else to do and sought to keep his body strong by training and after every session it had his body feeling lighter than a flying feather as well as assisting in bringing peace to his mind.

His diligence in school was also appreciated as he was able to graduate from high school with honors at the age of seventeen, after finishing his four years at college he simultaneously completed the military program and was able to gain acceptance to join the United States Colonial Space Marine Corps or USCM. He may have many opportunities, but he couldn't see himself wanting to be in any of them. Despite his successes and the years that passed, he was never able to fill that void of his, to challenge himself and enjoy the company of friends, with the offer, he saw an opportunity to challenge himself to go against the universe and see what would await him, so he signed away.


2249

He may have said it easily back then, but what a twenty-four John was feeling was only soreness and exhaustion, currently, the young man was experiencing a field training exercise with his fireteam. An effort that required their full cooperative performance, this test was one designed to test the mettle's of each fireteam member in their respective fields while forcing each out of their respective comfort zone through different scenarios tailored to each individual. This test was also the last of many that decided if they were ready for their journey into space.

The platoon he served beside had already progressed well into the battle they took part in, until a screw-up occurred with one of their members, resulting in a designed trap to occur and multiple squads to converge on their location as they waited for their objective to finish. Though the progress they had made allowed for them to be a step closer to their goal, they had 'lost' two of their sixteen platoon members to the trap. Forcing the rest to leave a remnant of their team behind to watch the rest of the match while they continued with the trial. The group's next objective was to infiltrate an enemy base and steal vital documents without alerting the compound, to alert any of the patrolling soldiers, each possessing a device that remotely activated the bases alarm system which would mean the failure of their examination.

So they went into the jungle once more, until they reached the facility, it was decided that this mission was to be a three-man job while the remaining team members moved on to their final objective. Mcmillan, Tillar and Mason were chosen as the first two were their best scouts whereas John was their best all-rounder. Together, they were able to get to the room undetected while John took down any personnel between them as he kept a close distance while taking out nearby patrolmen. Due to their intel only specifying a specific room, the two reached it minutes after entering the facility and dodging the few soldiers within, what they didn't know was the number of archives that were within the room. With Adam keeping a lookout, Zack speedily searching through documents, datapads that possessed specific titles. It may have taken a while, but the Specialist was able to locate the multiple documents the duo was looking for, they then began their leaving of the compound.

By this time, John had taken out most of the outside patrols with a couple of sentries still around the far left corner side. The marine was keeping an eye on one of the three entrances, he didn't know how long the other two patrolmen would eventually notice the absence of their comrades. The specific trial was timed and if they didn't leave soon, it would result in their failur were a couple of minutes before they would have to bail out. As one of the guards was looking around, a few feet away from his hiding position, he jumped down and ran at the guy, as his hand came up and began fiddling inside a pocket, Mason knew it was the remote to the alarm, it was too small for any gun to fit in. Immediately, he stopped and kicked in front to lay the soldier onto his back as the cylindrical device flew from his hands.

Unfortunately, since he stopped so quickly to kick the man down, he slid along the limestone gravel before falling onto his back himself, in this time the other was fumbling to reach the device. An action that John did not allow as he shot himself forward, grabbing the man's leg with and making sure his reach was did not touch the alarm device, John then pulled him back, away from the device. A kick was leveled his way, but he moved his head before pulling himself up and slugging the man in the face with enough force to knock him out without breaking his face.

His ears caught a commotion and looked up to see Adam finish taking down the other guard with Zack in between either of them in case they needed assistance. Each ran with haste through the dense jungle to make their way to their rendevous point considering their teammates are working to secure the getaway vehicle at this very moment.

The firefight had already begun with present platoon members taking on the multitude of guards that littered the airfield that they positioned themselves at. They had gotten the upper head by surprise attack, it resulted in the loss of multiple guards, they advanced with their resident sniper, Issac spotting a squad of guards boarding their escape vehicle. Making a snap decision, Staff Sergeant Albert Granzer spotting then in his peripheral called out to his team, "They're going for the plane, Miller, Philly, Dillon, Cole, Gallander stop them from whatever they're doing, we'll keep em' focused on us."

The five made their way along the side through the brush, keeping them obscured as the guards of the facility kept the focus on the assault group. Eventually, they had made it to their destination, entering the plane with little resistance, they traversed through the cargo hold section of the plane, toward the cockpit hoping for no resistance until Olympia Philly quickly walked through narrow passageways made up of large boxes along with her comrades, near the end they could see when she almost ran into one of the guards. As he raised his gun to fire at her, she knocked the sub-machine gun away as Drake put the guard in a sleeper hold dashing from behind her with the rest moving through the passageways until each was there. Darian Cole stood before the door, as he was going to kick it down, shots fired from the door, blasting holes through the wood as well as hitting non-vital parts of the Private, but he still fell to the ground from the pain. The other members weren't idle as they fired back with their respective weapons with Josh Gallander pulling the lesser ranked man out of harms way. The shots had hit their targets resulting in the group to pile in the room, Gallander placing Cole on a chair that resided near the door, since they had scouted out the entire plane before arriving at the cockpit, the small team knew they were in the clear.

Olympia pressed a finger to the earpiece on her right ear, "Staff Sergeant, we've secured the plane, all clear in here. But Darian was hurt, his left leg as well as a couple of shots in his left arm."

"Good news, bad news situation, but we have worse, they got reinforcements and we need the help, Bravo hasn't returned and their position has been strengthened, their out flanking us, Rayla is out of ammo and we're just getting lower and lower!" replied the Staff Sergeant

Her eyes switching from Miller to Dillon she nodded, since he was listening in, they knew what the gesture meant, so they ran to the exit of the plane with Olympia walking quickly behind. "I, Miller, and Dillon will back you with Gallander remaining here to watch over Darian."

"Sounds good Charlie. Expecting to see my guardian angels. Alpha out."

She could hear the gunfire get louder as she ran through the passageways before meeting up at the open exit that was guarded by their sniper, 'Icarus.' The trio ran out one after the other, soon enough they each spotted targets, as well as cover. Getting behind the cover, all three fired at the enemies that littered the field, the guard's focus was separated between the two teams as they attempted to gain control of the situation. This was when Bravo team arrived, McMillan came from the forest shooting down two of the guards that were advancing on the right side of Alpha's defensive position, Mason and Tillar strengthening his charge, soon both Alpha and Charlie assisting in their barrage of bullets. Walking up to Staff Sergeant Albert while shooting down a a few of the guards, John questioned, "We have the plane?"

A quick nod was all he needed as confirmation, he saw the other man's hand point near the plane, that's when he saw the three members that made part of Team Charlie. They looked no worse for wear, it didn't hurt that most of the remaining enemies weren't near them, as he observed the group that surrounded him, the Corporal made note that while exhaustion did set itself upon the team, neither let it hinder them and with the falling numbers of enemies this fight was almost over, after a couple more minutes it soon was. The nine fireteam members walked calmly to the escape vehicle, eyes peering around to make sure that everyone was down, they entered with no complications. Walking side by side now, Zack handed over the cluster of papers to his team leader with the man grabbing it papers before folding and stashing them away for later. Cross through the maze, the team rejoined Josh and Darian with Albert striding up to the front where a red button lay, he simply pressed it when the room began lowering down as if it was a slow elevator, being held up by devices capable of lowering the platform they were all standing on. As soon as it touched the ground, the platoon minus two began moving off with Darian limping with his left leg off the ground noticeably. Waiting for them off the platform was the General in charge of their training camps, as well as the overseer of their exercise, the judge to decide if they were ready for the Marine Space Corp.

Members that were and were not present were hopeful for a positive reply as few teams succeeded at the test that also have failed for various reasons. However, noticing the nod, they knew they were in the clear "This team is ready, though with a few casualties they still completed their mission, of course, they'll only be better with time. The rest of the day is yours but expect to be up at 0430 tomorrow, you may have completed this test but you must remain in top shape to serve the vessel you will be deployed on." His piece said, saluting, the leader made his way to a military vehicle to take him away, he still had much more work to do. The team itself, however, walked to a helicopter that took them back to Fort Respite.

The showers awaited the members as they rid their gear from their bodies before each left to their private quarters within their segment of the dormitories to get a much-needed shower. They were in a building that was large enough to accommodate hundreds of soldiers with more than a few similar facilities nearby. You would start out in Basic Training, gain higher ranks through time, patience and most of all experience. Due to training in a military program in his college days, the man was able to start his basic training as a Specialist and a year ago he gained his Corporal rank. It gave him leadership over parts of their platoon in case they need to split up for various reasons while in combat.

As the water flowed down his bare body, John thought to the future that presented itself to him. Now, they would be going on interstellar missions, away from the home he knew for so long. He was glad to face the unknown with the family he had come to know. After all, there wasn't anyone but each other, while they didn't divulge everything about they're personal lives to each other, each trusted one another as a platoon should. But while he didn't know all of them, but there were a good few he trusted with his past. His door creaking announced one of them right now, he knew who it was too.

Getting in the shower, Olympia first noticed his habitual standing under the showerhead with his head lowered, deep in thought.

"What occupies your thoughts now my overthinker?" Gripping the soap bar in one hand, she scrubbed it against the washcloth, before cleansing her significant other of the few remnants of grime that still marred his body with the lather attached to the cloth. She was returned the favor as John took the cloth from her hands and took up a new, unused one, clean to use. Until he rubbed the soap into its fibers and began scrubbing Olympia with the white cloth. Trust like this didn't come easy but in those years alone, at some point, his solitude needed to leave him, either by his will or the will of another. It soon did as he was met up by the woman he would come to know as Olympia Philly. Red hair that was unique to her, a round-shaped face he'd tease her when he could about it looking like an almond, and finally, grey eyes that represented the intelligence she displayed on the field.

Her story begins by being born to two veteran marines, her parents were young when they had her and as such, they possessed the dream to live out amongst the stars and so they left her with her grandparents who doted on her and kept her through her childhood. While with them she had learned of her affinity toward creativity, it lead to her discovering the beauty of Painting. They were able to buy her a painting tool set that occupied her attention for her free time.

Olympia did see her parents again, but it wasn't for quite some time and it wasn't a very happy reunion, her mother had lost a leg to a grenade in the field and was lucky to even live through it. News had made its way to her father and soon enough he returned after his tour ended. He retired from the Corp after that and attempted work as a construction worker. It was a few months into the job when some of the equipment had malfunctioned on shift, causing their scissor lift to stop midair before the supports collapsed with the two occupants with it, one of them being her father.

During this time, her mother had serious withdrawals due to losing her leg, losing her husband and even being dependent on her family. It made it hard for her to live, so Olympia, now age fifteen began working a few blocks away from their current home at a Super Market. It allowed her to assist in paying the bills as well the Veteran Disability Compensation that provided her mother with 3,000 in cash per month. At this time, her mother was slowly recovering from her depression. Seeing the work her daughter put forth to keep them afloat had knocked her out of her inner battle. This granted them an opportunity for their relationship to blossom and for a year things were good with her life. In this time, the young woman found a friend who's lonesomeness echoed her own as she first met him at her schools outdoor cafeteria.

She watched as he distanced himself from everyone else, eating his food as he eyes the view of the cloudless sky, watching nearby birds fly in a flock. It wasn't until she took the last bite of her sandwich, that she realized that he knew she was watching as his eyes looked into her grey eyes. She met him later on that same day, while at work on shift, she was scanning items when she saw his stoic face appear in her peripheral. A small blush had made its way to her face at the intensity of his stare before reality took her again and she scanned the food he bought. She watched as he left the store, but not before looking back at her.

A few days passed and she found herself back at school, watching as he still kept to himself, his not wanting to interact with people, tendency to want work alone. She saw something wrong with it, no became like this unless there was a reason, so she set out to figure it out. As they were walking down a shared path, she simply said to the young John, a question no one else had ever given him, "Why are you so alone?

"Wouldn't you like to know." was his reply.

His cleaning of her was finished and the opportunity remained, there were times members of their fireteam were requested for special ops that required their skill sets and John had found himself being away from his team for quite a few days on an assassination mission. The Operation may have taken a few days, but with people that are used to seeing you 24/7 it was quite a monotonous time as she kept close to only a few other of the platoon but they each brought a dynamic to their little family. Now that he was here, especially since they had been given a day off, all the resolute woman wanted to do was to be held by the man, cuddling beneath the sheets, simply muttering to the other pointless topics, just enjoying the time and proximity they have with the other. But the heat in her desired the one in front of her, her love, her mate.

"My Wolf..." she whispered her epithet of him so eloquently before him. Her hands sliding up his strong arms, soon wrapping around the back of his neck, raising her mouth near his ear, she continued, Your mate needs you." Her sultry tone was overtaken by the love he could see in her eyes and soon so could she.

She stimulated him, she knew it, his weak points, the sides he kept down in favor of one that was more well-received. She'd seen it all, his rage, his joy, his love, sadness, and regret, she understood him where others could not, she was his pearl in this dark abyss. Standing by him without fail, they stood by each other as they always have, they were practically a single force now, two beings that melded without wishing for separation only enjoying harmony they have together.

Now, she was bringing out another side of him, all for her to accept once again, as she brought his chin down for their lips to meet, he thought about how he became the luckiest man in the cosmos to be coupled with a woman such as her, to be forever paired with one that you knew loved you as much as they did with no doubts on the subject. It felt right.

"Athena..." he spoke the epithet describing her ingenuity on the battlefield and the strategic mind she possessed.

John held her lithe form in his arms, holding her against himself, as if afraid she would leave his presence if he so loosened his controlled grasp on her. If he'd any clue to what they'd be facing in the coming years, his past self would have wished for them to live out their lives on earth, away from the dangers that presented themselves to keep what he had gained. In the deep end already, however, he would rather tackle the growing waves with his other by his side. As it was always meant to be. As they kissed each other, lost in a world where only they resided, neither could picture what would be enough to separate the two of them, they didn't know till it was already too late for either to respond.


That was how it began, a group of young hopefuls believing they were ready to take on the universe. But as the bloodshed began, each was tested in various trials.

The family that existed suffered loss, (Avery getting shot by an AR of an enemy that hadn't sufficiently been killed) as loved ones were stripped from them. Each suffered pain under their campaign, (Isaac losing an eye due to Insurrection stabbing it for humiliation.) they were forced to adapt to this change, or fall to it. (Drake suicide bombing his dropship into the enemy craft to cover his comrade's position from being bombed by the aforementioned craft.)

Their accomplishments became well known and soon, their once united family began to shatter and splinter itself into smaller pieces as they were separated for conflicting assignments until only six remained of their brood. John, Olympia, Zack, Darian, Therese, and Will managed to stick as a team through the years but soon, but another test would soon emerge, one that would break the remains of this vaunted group, and from the ashes, a new beast would emerge.


2256

Six Years Later

Time had changed their once filled family, now it was a remnant of its once complete masterpiece. Spots were made, but not taken as their positions were respected and irreplaceable to anyone. While they were moving around their current base often enough, each of the six remains members found their way to stick together and keep in contact, though it wasn't easy with there being less personal time due to the war hitting a pivotal point. Now, things were nearing the end, close enough for either to fall as the Insurrection gained technology beyond its original capabilities. If forced the Marine Corp to go to measures they wouldn't have taken otherwise but when faced with the possibility of defeat that would change the fate of the earth, a certain General believed that this option was their best alternative. So, he called upon a certain fireteam he kept tabs on as their most influential squad, they would be needed for the task to come and if successful, this long war would be over soon.

Waking up with a start, John gazed to the roof above before looking at the weight that remained in his arms, by his side as he remained in hers. Though scars, both physical and mental presented themselves to the duo, they still kept their relationship through it all, finding small difficulties along the way but one's that mended well. After all, both were able to restore each other in case their other suffering for whatever reason. This process leads to a reliance between each other, one that was equally healthy, as well as detrimental in the worst circumstances.

Both knew they couldn't imagine a world without the other and with their work, it was always a possibility. But they still persevered with strain having minimal effect on them. There was always a limit, however.

Movement before a groan alerted him to his waking lover. "Waking up just now are you?" he'd been awake for over an hour past their usual wake-up time of 0430, but since they usually trained with the recruits it wouldn't hamper their skills.

His comment earned him a glare from the amazon by his side as she retorted, "Who was the one that had to finalize all those reports last night?"

The comment was easy to counter, "Me, if you remember, we switched our tasks, you would finalize the tests for the batch I am charged with while I finish your reports. And you know as well as I do that your planning is better than mine, you couldn't have taken too long on it while I stayed up till 1055, your point is mute."

It was a fact that she had forgotten in her awakening daze, soon enough she pouted as a child would turning in her position with the front of her body out of view, but still laid delicately in his arms. They enjoyed the moment of laying together, while there were times when they had been separated for a couple of weeks at a time, it didn't happen often anymore as it was noticed that their team worked better together than apart. But they enjoyed the privacy they took for granted as when the time came, they would soon be disturbed and deployed elsewhere.

Beeeeeeeep!!! Such as now...

Currently, they had been tasked with training this facility of recruits and hopeful's, a way to hopefully etch their ability and skills onto others that would continue the crusade. Progress was definite but as with all, time was needed to temper each element, even humans. Now it seemed he needed to wake to attend to whatever it is his changes had done, he didn't often receive a summons unless it was important.

"What is it Davis, have the recruits run rampant while I have been resting for you to call me up like this?"

"No Mason, you have been requested by the higher-ups, you're team has been summoned to a Shuttle that will take you to a vessel that will transport you to your destination."

An odd request to be sure, looking back at his significant other, he saw she possessed the same confused visage he knew he wore but he acknowledged with puzzlement evident in his voice.

"We usually get ample time to prepare for these sorts of things." complained his significant other.

"True, but it would be another babysitting job. Might need us to break-in a particularly rowdy batch of marines."

"Probably should just go back to bed." she whined but still got up all the same.

"I wish, but we got a job to do." with that said, both lovers went into the shower and came out dressed and ready to go.

It hadn't taken long to get to the shuttle bay as both knew their way around, but upon reaching, they were met with a face they hadn't seen in at least a week.

"Zack!"

They hadn't seen their friend for quite a few days, him being sent off on a mission and them mostly keeping to themselves in his absence but with him, Darian who was already in the cockpit of the craft, and Therese Callahan and Will Corvin who were catching up, they had people they knew they could count on. The duo chatted up with the blond runner, catching up with him on his assignment before a conversation took place that involved the entirety of the fireteam. When the craft was getting ready for takeoff and the expected debriefs weren't delivered, the guarded soldier felt that something was amiss with the situation, of the abnormalities of it, a specialized craft outfitted with no weapons taking them to a classified facility. It spelled a bad day, but with his team, the Staff Sergeant felt he could handle the world being thrown at him, especially with Olympia at his side, along the way.

It had taken a few hours to reach the planet, but eventually, upon entering the planet's atmosphere, Fireteam Omega woke from the light slumber that encompassed each of them, soon they each grabbed their respective bags and were off the craft, quickly meeting the General who stood there, waiting for them with a team of what looked like scientists standing near him. What required for them to be here, he was about to get his answer.

"Welcome, all of you, would you mind following me, please?"

They did so with no words as the entire group walked into through an automatic opening door that glowed red as soon as it closed behind him, he was getting a bad feeling after seeing that but he still plodded on. Soon they gathered in an elevator, that was when he broke his silence, "What is this all about sir?" The doors closed.

"Do you know that the war is coming to a close soon?" Confusion shone on the fireteams faces as they wondered where he was going with this.

"It's so close for either side to win that necessary measures need to be taken." Unknown to the fireteam, gas was seeping into the room. "Measures I wouldn't have considered otherwise." He turned, revealing a mask on his mouth and nose.

This was when John was starting to realize that things were taking a bad turn, but that was also when he realized his depleting strength, he looked around and saw both Corvin and Callahan already falling to the ground before being caught by a couple of the scientists. Darian was nearly already knocked out until a moment later he fell too. By the time the remaining three noticed their situation, it was already too late. A punch to the face caught him unawares, unfortunately, unlike normal, he couldn't find the strength to raise himself until he saw her on the ground with him. He struggled against the weight in his arms, only for a boot to be placed on his chest, shoving him down.

"With the possibility of extinction, any alternative is preferable."

John then joined his team in the slumber that overtook their senses.


He awoke to braces keeping his limbs down making sure he couldn't escape, his upper body was bare and he now possessed blue shorts that were a few sizes too big for him but managed to stay on due to how he was positioned, after surveying what he could of the room, John could surmise that team shared the same fate as him. Loud steps alerted him to the General incoming presence.

He glared at the man with what view he could, "What have you done?"

With a straight face, he answered, "What needs to be done, you six will be the first Super-Soldiers of the Corps and when ready, there will be more."

"Super Soldiers? what are you talking about?!"

Seeing as the process wouldn't begin until a few minutes, he saw fit to tell them what would befall them, "In the 20th century a hostile alien species were encountered, one that possessed attributes beyond the capability of man. Soon we learned that the aliens had more to do with our world than we thought, and so we had to step up our game to combat this new threat. In time we captured a few of their species, learned what we could and how to replicate the strength and speed they possess, and gift it to willing marines, to end this Insurrection for good."

"Does this look like we're willing?" he moved around in his stable prison.

"No, but you six are the best we have, you all have the best possible chance of surviving this procedure."

A chill ran down spine at those words, "What? You mean it hasn't even been tested before?!"

A nod confirmed his suspicions but before he could make a retort, the man began leaving as soon as scientists began entering the room.

Before he left, he made a parting farewell, "I hope the best for your survival, you will be the future of our military."

A syringe to his arm and he began losing his grip on consciousness, Mason tried to struggle but he lost more energy than he used in the attempt. In the corner of his eye, he glimpsed at Olympia's sleeping form and tried once more but this time, only darkness awaited him.

The process wasn't quick, John felt once they had begun as pain soared throughout his body all at once, he could feel his body changing, remolding itself to suit whatever this alteration was. The cracking of bones was audible and nauseous-inducing but the sensation was even worse as his legs grew with his upper body. He could vaguely hear the screams overlap his focus on the pain as he merely endured, at some point the pain started to ebb, agonizingly slow until he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head that caused him to struggle violently until eventually the metal clasps were forced open due to the ridiculous strength he didn't know he possessed. Mason fell face-first into the ground, in blissful sleep until voices were heard by his ears, loud ones. He almost moved awake until he remembered his situation, John could feel that he was face-first into the ground and if he heard correctly only a couple of scientists resided with him.

"What do we do?! He's free!"

"Calm down idiot!!! We just have to get him back in the restraints and we'll be fine." though he seemed to be the more well kept one, the man still possessed a shaky voice at this development. He waited till they were close enough to jump off the ground in speed that surprised him for sure, but when he went to punch the midget that lay in front of him, the man's head went flying. The surprise was evident on both his as well the other's faces, but as John looked for his team members he only saw empty metal tables with blood pooled around, not a good picture. Grabbing the man's neck with minimal force he could see that the smaller man was already being choked despite the light grip he exuded prompting him to use an even lighter one.

"Where Is My Team." growled out the 9'6 Super-Human.

Though he was terrified, he explained as calmly as possible "They're Gone!!! Dead! They didn't survive as you did! Their bodies weren't able to withstand the effects of the Predator Gene, you were the only survi-*choking sounds*" the scientist soon found his neck being crushed at his audacious words, especially in the face of death. Mason walked to a terminal that looked like it kept track of his team as it possessed each of their faces. He scanned the monitor before pressing a few keys, resulting in the vitals of his team being displayed.

John Mason-Experiment Successful

Olympia Philly-Experiment Failed

Zack McMillan-Experiment Failed

Therese Callahan-Experiment Failed

Darian Cole-Experiment Failed

Will Corvin-Experiment Failed

As his eyes scrolled from down to up, shortness of breath came from him when he came across her name. He couldn't accept it and soon anger started to manifest as scenarios erupted in his head. John punched the screen in rage before taking calming breaths enough to remain at least coherent and on task. He strode out the room, he knew she wasn't gone and if she was...he had to see the body. The problem was he didn't know anything about this facility, but it was by chance or divine intervention that he met the General who started this mess as he was searching for what room to possibly look for. He was careful with the amount of effort he released now as he slammed the older man against the wall behind, softly for his current strength.

"What did you do with them, My Team!" yelled out Mason.

The other man, wide-eyed but otherwise remained neutral, as if he didn't care about his impending demise, "They are dead son, you were the only one to survive. You alone went through nine hours of the process while we disposed of their bodies, I made sure that their remains were set in caskets to be sent home, I am sorry for your loss but your planet still needs you, use the gift you were gi-*Chokes*"

Now, he was reaching the end of his patience, here was his confirmation of the deaths of his teammates, he could ignore what was said and still search this unknown facility for them and possibly face capture, one that he possibly couldn't leave and he wouldn't give these bastards that satisfaction and if the man was right, then it would be for naught.

His hand gripped the older man's head in his entire hand, crushing it slowly as a chill ran through his body as a terrifying realization set in. "I'm alone again."

SQUELCH*

He couldn't think when a squad worth of soldiers came down the hall, their numbers increased and the aggression he felt did so as well, suddenly, he only saw red as he dashed at the force that came at him with immobilizing rounds and weapons, none of which that could stop him as he slaughtered everything in his way. In continued for some time as more squads attempted to subdue him but it only painted the walls redder, as flashes of his team echoed as this blood rage ensued. He soon ran out of enemies to fight and so he began hunting for something to crush under his blood dripping hands, soon tracking a powerful scent, the berserker soon entered a room and came upon the strangest sight, an alien that was bound by braces that looked similar to the one's that held him. It was also staring at him with its mandibles parted along with its eyes widening

The alien itself was humanoid that had reptilian skin, four mandibles where he believed the mouth was, out of the sides of its head were only what he could describe being dreadlocks, he could see that the alien was large enough that it almost was of greater length than the table, indicating it was quite tall, already he could see the strength behind this creature even though it looked quite exhausted and malnourished. As Mason neared the table, he could see it looking at the blood that caked his body before staring into his eyes, staring intently as if it recognized something, before it began to speak, "Ooman, how you n'dui'se?"

Unknowingly, the bloodlust state that encompassed John began to recede as this new curiosity emerged. But first, "How do I smell of what?"

Astonishment was evident now as its mandibles spread apart, and its eyes widened, "You smell of Yautja, my kind."

"So your one of the poor bastards they experimented on."

A nod, "They drained me of my thwei many times, their experiments were nracha-dte and painful but I remain strong. Ooman free me from this torture. I can take you away from here, far from here, to my home. Others of my kind will accept you with the strength and power you possess."

A tempting offer to be sure, though it was given to him by an alien species he had no info on, this creature was as much as a victim as to be was and if he was to peave alive, h would have to trust this creaure and so he grabbed onto the braces and ripped them off with a bit of effort.

The Yautja was free, finally after months of capture, he was free due to this unexpected savior in the form of a human that smelled very much like his hunter brethren just more human-looking. He had not lied about their escape but he needed his technology and weapons first, "Sain'ja, I require your aid. These humans have stolen my property, the means to activate my cloaked ship lies here, we must find it if we are to leave."

The weakened hunter walked out the opening door and saw the rows of human carcasses that were strewn around the corridor, silently he was impressed but he kept forward as he knew where they kept the technology, he had escaped before but only because of weak restraints that were quickly reinforced and with no potential way for him to escape, the hunter hoped they expected that he wouldn't escape again so that there would be no reason to change the area it was located in. The door however was locked and wouldn't open automatically like the others, annoying the Yautja who didn't possess the current strength to force it open. His companion however did as he wedged his hands between the cracks and opened the metal like it was paper. Looking around, he saw his armor and weapons on various tables with examination devices still scanning, immediately he ripped the foreign devices away from his property before redressing himself with the other male looking away, cautious as there were no other guards of even scientists.

A few minutes had passed and looked back, the large human could see the armor the alien possessed, while its upper body was mostly bare beside the armor that covered its chest, it also had a loincloth with armor along with it as well. It had pauldrons as well as a cannon that sat along its left upper neck, it also had a mask on its face, a silver shade that shone in the light. It had wrist blades that he noticed along its wrists, its left wrist possessing a gauntlet of some kind as well as various weapons in various areas. His extraterrestrial ally grabbed one more item, opening the cover to a screen with red symbols. Tapping the device multiple times, the alien hid it in an area a human couldn't reach easily before striding out the door they entered through with Mason close behind.

"What did you do back there?" asked the Super-Human.

"I was sent to destroy this place and make sure the knowledge they had of Yautja was destroyed as well but I was captured in the attempt. Thanks to you, I can now finish my mission but we must leave. We do not have too much time and must be swift." His piece said the large alien began sprinting down the corridor before making a right turn.

Seeing that the alien made know wasted movements, John had had to ask, "You know your way around here?"

"Only where I entered last, we are nearing it." he was right, cause after another turn the duo saw a door with 'Exit' hovering over it. With no hesitation, they fled the facility with no trouble stopping them, he saw that the moon orbiting shined on their forms, illuminating their way as they soon reached a pad where the edge of a cliff lay just beyond. His Yautja friend made the jump once he got close enough to the edge but John never achieved such a leap before.

"Jump Sain'ja! you can jump across as I can!"

Backpedalling to gain some velocity before taking off, he replicated the same jump his alien friend had done except his jump height was higher and thus he landed past the dreadlocked alien before taking off into the jungle that awaited them, as they ran, the facility exploded behind them in a flash of blue light, the shockwave sending both down to the ground, both quickly got up before resuming. John looked back at the flaming structure before shaking his head, he would mourn when they were they were far away from this place.

He followed the owner of the ship as they jumped across tree's, a skill he had gained after mimicking the hunter. Though he had to use more effort than he thought the first couple of times to avoid falling after a few repeats he began to get used to it as prepared for each grapple before reaching the next tree to parkour. He stepped lightly upon the Yautja stopping to lean on a branch.

He could hear the heavy breaths in short intervals as they continued to traverse the jungle, he was sure they were clear of any enemies for the time being as the main base was detonated to kingdom come.

Initially stepping up to the Yautja, the reptilian alien raised a clawed hand signaling for him to wait a moment for turning, bowing its head "Apologies, my strength is fading fast with this exertion. But we must be far enough for me to summon my ship without any more Ooman's coming to investigate."

Opening its gauntlet, the alien pressed whatever commands it needed before closing the wrist computer, then leaned on the large branch once more. "I made sure to leave my craft far away, far from any location they would have believed I had stored it. It will take time for it to arrive, while we wait I would like to know the kv'var-de that stands before me. I am Bur'tsu of Clan Speareagle, an Enforcer."

"John, my name is John." his last name most likely wouldn't mean anything to them considering the difference in species so he kept his first name, the name he was best known by.

The Yautja eyed the warrior, expecting more but when he received nothing else, he was puzzled, how could a warrior of this caliber not get the recognition he so rightfully deserved. "Are you not of a Clan, John." saying the name slowly, testing it as its voice mimicked the word.

"Clan? I'd say the closest thing I had to a family was those I served within the Corp. We fought through many battles while losing few along the way until only six of us remained. Only I remained due to the command of one of our leaders." Pausing to glance at his ally and saw that he was engaged in his retelling of the events

"One of them was what I believe you would call my mate, we were never married but we loved each other, though we knew in our line of work that the possibility of separation was strong we fought against the challenges together and stood united. I just didn't expect such betrayal from within, while I got my vengeance, I do not know what awaits me, I only continue because an easy death is not one that I will accept. Besides, I know she'd kill me again if I did so. So I will just endure what comes my way I guess, till I can no longer." the surroundings were becoming more clear and soon he realized all that he said.

Bur'tsu pondered his words, he could understand the human as he felt the same way for his Packmates, long gone they were, they each fought with ferocity but if one had stumbled with the prey taking advantage, either of the two would be there to step in to defend. Looking at his savior, the Yautja could see the makings of a great hunter within this Ooman, but he would have to bring these thoughts to his clan leader, this warrior needed to be rewarded for keeping their knowledge away from the curious and deadly species. John had noticed his gaze but at that moment both heard a wooshing sound that got louder and louder still. Looking into the leaves sky, soon a ship appeared in view, turning where he presumed the cabin was, it opened and he could see a large room with multiple trophies and weapons within. The owner jumped in with the human following suit, upon doing so he could see the inside is lit up by red lights near the trophy/weapon case as well as various lights set up around.

Turning toward his guide, the human saw him looking back at him, he spoke up upon noticin, "I must contact my leaders, wait wherever you wish but touch nothing." John nodded at that, he didn't want to accidentally set anything off, besides, he was done with all the excitement for now. The hunter left to his cockpit, leaving John to his own devices.

His gaze became a dead stare upon the alien leaving, only looking at the ground while lost in memories, going through time after time with moments shared between them when they could after days/weeks of being apart. He supposed it would happen one way or another but he expected on the battlefield in a fight where the odds were stacked against you and you could fight back with all the might within your body, not where your will was forced and betrayal changed all that you knew. His right hand grasped for another that wasn't there before falling to a knee, she knew him best, more than any other, she was a constant that was with him along with the hardship they both faced. As he pained so did she, but they repaired each other by their understanding for the other, they relied on each other, but she was gone now and in a better place he knew, free the pain and sorrow, Free. He couldn't see through the blurriness in his vision, his hand came up eyes to clear whatever was disturbing his vision, he found only wetness, tears, now looking down at the floor with symbols etched into it, only now could hee see that he was back into that little boy again, his image stared back at him, both with tears running down as the world they knew faded into the background.

"Damn You." John cursed softly as he sobbed, mourning the last of his family he lost to this desperation.


Smiles are shown on their faces as they look to each other with such love, "At the end of it all, we'll go home, together." both of their hands were intertwined.

"Together." repeated Olympia with great conviction in her tone, before their lips collided.

Returning with a few new additions, as well as going over some old projects, you'll see what I mean in a month.