Alright, I know that some of you are mad at me for not updating in a while, but honestly I will take such complaints as compliments instead because it means you all like my story. Still, I apologize for the length of time in which it has taken me to form this chapter. Any of you fellow authors know the need to make the images in your head go down properly on paper. Please understand. But here is the next one.

Also, I have gotten many messages about possible sequels. I request that everyone withhold suggestions until the completion of this story because as I mentioned, I have the ending mapped out already.

Lastly, I was wondering if anyone is into deviantart and might want to do something for my story? Just curious.

Without further ado, enjoy!

Chapter 15-Mission

Maia's POV

It took little time to travel the expanse of our hive to mother's chamber. However, long before we arrived we encountered a line of praetorians. They completely blocked off the tunnel we were using to get to mother. They seemed to be waiting, standing guard. I peeked out from beneath Garran's crest as we approached. It was strange. Their body posture signaled that they were obviously on edge but if they were worried about Garran's arrival, why would they not flock to protect and defend mother as is their instinct?

As we approached the barricade, Garran slowed to assess the situation. He growled a warning yet instead of attacking or pressing tighter together, they backed up and spread apart to allow us to pass.

This is different. Garran thought cautiously. I kept looking out from under his crest at our brethren. Without any squabbles we entered mother's chamber. Garran reached up for me and I took his offered hand as he helped me off his back and to the ground, though he kept one of his large outer arms draped protectively over my shoulder just out of precaution.

I noticed something else. There was no one else in the chamber with us. No one! Though I knew that we were no threat to mother, after the recent hostility between she and Garran, why would any of her children leave her alone like this? Then, as I looked into the other tunnels, I noticed lines of praetorians far back in the other tunnels as well. All were standing at the ready yet none made a move to come closer into the tunnel. I looked back up at mother.

"My Queen" I spoke in formal greeting.

Maia, she replied and looked expectantly at Garran. He bowed his head slightly. She understood that that was all she was going to get from him. There was a span of time where there was only silence. Garran and I stood there waiting what would come next. Mother seemed… almost like she was carefully choosing her next words. I felt a tension in the air but it wasn't because of Garran's presence. If anything it seemed like mother… felt conflicted with herself. When she finally spoke, her voice did not hold its otherwise ever-present confident authority.

What I am about to ask of you must not be shared with your siblings. I have sent them out of this chamber because they must not interfere. I will not put my children at risk. Or rather any more risk than I already have.

Again she paused. "Please mother, continue" I asked curious. I didn't think this was any kind of complaint about Garran and I at all but rather something completely different.

After the provisions group, which you were a part of Maia, returned from their hunt before the storm hit, Alcander came to me. His news was most disturbing. He relayed information to me of human settlers relatively close to our hive. Far enough away, though, that we did not encounter them on our daily excursions from the hive. As a result, they had the time and free reign to begin building a facility. Their structure now appears functional. I sent Alcander back out to learn more about this human place and the humans working there. How many there are, their purpose and such. He went out as soon as the storm began to subside. I was absorbing information from him through our mental link when suddenly he vanished. He was ripped from my mind as if he had never been. No matter how I tried, I could not rekindle our link. He was in the facility when we lost contact.

I grew horrified. "You think the humans have captured him?" I questioned with worry.

Garran growled softly in my mind. You do not need to feel any form of worry or concern for him. He is not your mate. He said strictly. I took his hand and gave it a squeeze.

Of course not darling. I said mentally laughing slightly as his possessive nature.

Mother continued without knowledge of our private conversation. At the very least. We all know that Alcander could not be taken easily. I want my child back but I dare not risk my other children.

So instead you request it of Maia and I because we no longer fit the mold of your model children. Garran said finally speaking up.

I am forced to ask for your services. I cannot force you. You must accept of your own free will. But yes, for this I have chosen you two. Know that I chose you not only for our lack of bond, but because I believe that if anyone can succeed in this…it will be you two. Even I was surprised by such flattery from her.

I ask for a moment to discuss this with my mate. Garran said and turned me around in his arms to face him. Mother did not reply but allowed it. I put my hands on his muzzle. No. He said simply. I rolled my eyes.

Garran, if I didn't know any better I would think you would be perfectly happy to lock me away in our nest and never leave. I said teasingly.

It is a very intriguing idea. He said. But I mean it Maia. This is incredibly risky! And to put you in harm's way for what, for Alcander? He does not seem worth it.

What about the hive? I asked.

The hive will be fine.

You don't know that. While rescuing Alcander we can do serious damage to the human camp. We can't let them hurt our family. All of the xenomorph lives in this hive, so many innocent. How can we just hide away and let the humans come and do terrible things to them? If we attack, then we will have the element of surprise and we will have my agility and your strength. Whether you are bound to them or not, this hive gave you life. You owe it to mother and our siblings to do what we can to protect them. That includes Alcander. I said to him. I felt him mulling it over in his head.

To settle a life debt I shall do this. After, I will owe this hive nothing. And when we go, you will listen to me and obey without question. You are my mate and it is my duty to protect you, as such you must do as I ask for both of our sakes. Agreed?

Of course my love. I replied and kissed his muzzle briefly and then turned back to address mother. "We will do this for you, mother" I could almost hear her sigh in relief.

Thank you my children. I also require that you remain connected to me telepathically so that I will be continuously informed as to your progress.

"I will keep you informed" I promised. She nodded her great giant head.

Good. Do what you must to be refreshed and depart as soon as you are able. Remember, minutes wasted here could be moments Alcander is suffering there. The thought made me cringe.

Then we will not waist another moment. Come Maia. Garran said over the common mental path so that mother heard. Once I was once more settled upon his back, he turned and sprinted through a side tunnel. We will go get food and water first. Garran stated.

Alright. I tried to think back to when I was a child in the human settlement. Did they experiment on xenos? I couldn't remember specifics. I wasn't old enough to know xenos existed let alone the extent of xenomorph research at the base. I have no idea what they could be doing to him. I confided to Garran.

He is strong Maia, as a praetorian he will not be easy prey to them. He will resist. He said in an effort to comfort me. I nodded but said no more.

Garran's POV

Maia went silent upon my back as I carried her to the food chambers. I left her to her thoughts and remained quiet as well, preoccupied with thoughts of my own.

Firstly, it still bothered me that Maia cared this much for Alcander. In no way was it romantic but even this sibling affection and concern she felt set off my primal instincts, instincts which even now demanded that I take my mate far away from any potential competition or male besides myself. But I couldn't do that. I had come to understand my new primal urges and feelings and managed to gain a semblance of control over them. In memory of being a part of this family, even I felt it an injustice to abandon one of our own to the cruelty of the humans. Maia would not be able to forgive herself if she did not attempt to save her brother. She was too kind hearted and compassionate for that. One of the many reasons I loved her and constantly feared for her at the same time. My little mate was tough for sure but ultimately so full of gentleness and laughter.

Secondly, came an annoyance with mother that by now was becoming all too familiar. Her logic made sense, with Maia's agility and my strength we would be the most likely choices to succeed in this mission. But once again she wanted to command us like puppets. As I was no longer her child, I felt no obligation to do her every whim. Especially when it put Maia in danger. But then again she had admitted her state of vulnerability and helplessness. That would be hard for any queen let alone ours, who I believe uncommonly strong, witty, and prideful. In some small way, the queen's confession made this mission more bearable.

We soon reached the dining areas and I slowed down. Scenting around the room I found the stock piles of flesh and grabbed a good amount for the both of us to give us strength. I found a secluded corner and settled down. I felt Maia shift and drop down from my spine, even that small movement had me stifling a moan. Her hand reached out to stroke along the side of my muzzle. When she reached my mouth and went to drop her hand, I extended my inner jaw and caught her fingers playfully. She turned to me with a full smile and stroked the delicate organ, not minding that her hand became covered in my saliva. She bent forward and kissed my muzzle.

"You're supposed to eat the food, not me" She said playfully.

Oops, honest mistake. I replied in kind and released her hand. She laughed and then settled down at my side. She grabbed a portion of the food I had collected and then began eating. For a moment I watched her blunt teeth tear into the meat. Those blunt teeth she had used to claim me multiple times during our love making, though she never left a mark on my thick exoskeleton. Regardless, I felt the brand all the way to my core.

My tail moved to rub her back while I dug into my own meal.

"After this we need to stop back at our nest so that I can grab my weapons" She said between bites.

Of course, I want you fully armed. I instructed.

"We haven't even left yet and you are already giving me orders." She said feigning surprise.

Remember that you promised to obey me. I reminded loving.

"I know, but I having a feeling that even after we get back, you won't stop." She replied.

The idea may have crossed my mind. Though I knew I could do nothing to make my little mate obey once her safety was ensured. Protection was the one card I could play that she adhered to; otherwise her obedience took a bit of coaxing. Inventing new methods of achieving such submission was something I would always enjoy.

Maia's POV

I rolled my eyes. Garran seemed like such a big tough guy but really, to me at least, he was such a softy and I loved that he shared that side of himself only with me.

After we had sated ourselves completely, Garran brought us back to our home and I gathered my bow and arrows and additional daggers I had made of stone and xeno exoskeleton. I found new furs and began to cover myself when Garran's hand restrained me. I looked at him quizzically.

"What?" I asked.

Your furs help you blend in with the forest but make you stand out again the smooth blackness of my body. I suspect they won't help you any better within the human compound.

"No, but what other alternative? Are you suggesting I go naked?" Garran growled at this.

Definitely not! I have a present and was waiting to give it to you but now seems to be the best time. I tilted my head to the side curiously.

"A present?" I asked and he nodded his head, his great crest bobbing behind.

Close your eyes. He said. I smiled and obeyed, holding out my hands for my surprise. I felt him place it into my hands and I opened my eyes. There, was what appeared to be a bra-like piece of clothing only it wasn't made of fabric or even flesh exactly.

"You…you made this? For me?" I asked. Xenomorphs can secrete a bio fluid that eventually hardens and depending on how much is layered on affects just how solid it becomes. This is used in building and also cocooning hosts. This appeared to be a flexible solid form of that. Above me Garran nodded.

This way, you will be covered but it is flexible enough so that you can move and only semi see through so that it will have your skin color as a base color and yet is semi reflective.

"So when you carry me, I will blend in against you." I stated and again he nodded. I dropped my furs and pulled the bra over my head. It fit snuggly across my chest and midsection. I beamed up at Garran. "It's perfect!"

And to go with it. He held up a pair of pants. I eagerly took them and slid them up over my hips. Again they fit perfectly and ended right at the knee so I would have maximum movement. That Garran had taken the time to make these and from his own self was such an honor.

"Oh thank you Garran, thank you! No one has ever given me a surprise before. When did you even find the time to make these without me knowing?" I asked.

You are a heavy sleeper my love. He replied. There were even loops in my new attire so that I could slip my daggers into a make shift belt. There is also this. Garran said and handed me a sack made of the same material. For your arrows. He supplied. I absolutely lit up with enthusiasm. I ran into his arms and gave him the biggest hug.

"Thank you my love! This means so much to me!" A heavy purr rumbled in his chest in reply. He released me and I eagerly filled the sac with my arrows. I put it on over my chest and then fit the bow over it similarly. I put the daggers in their places and turned to Garran. "Ready" I declared with excitement. He chuckled.

Give you a new wardrobe and you are suddenly so ready for battle.

"You have no idea" I said as I walked up to him. Before I could climb up onto his back he stopped me and pulled me into his arms.

No matter what, nothing can happen to you. Understand? I… if anything ever happened to you I wouldn't be able to deal with it. You are the very purpose to my existence and the very embodiment of bliss and I need you dearly. He said. It was a brutally honest truth. Bound as we were if anything should happen to one of us, the other mostly likely would not survive for long. Even deeper than that I knew that our love was very strong. If I was injured or killed, Garran would grieve without recovery. There was even the threat that he could go into an unstoppable fury. I sensed all of this in his mind.

"Nothing's going to happen. We'll get Alcander and be home soon. Okay?" I wasn't in any position to make such a promise but he needed to hear it.

Okay. He said softy. I tilted my head up and he willingly kissed me. This was one of those kisses that has extra power behind it, one of those kisses that is extra special because you have no certainty of when the next kiss will be. I will protect you Maia, to the very end. He vowed.

"I know Garran." How could anything ever hurt me when I had my dark dragon by my side? I ducked under his arms and crawled onto his back and settled down between the spokes of his spine. "Now let's go get our brother back!" I shouted, letting the adrenalin fill me up. Garran stood to his full height and roared his agreement. The sound of his beast rising to the surface echoed through the hive and as we raced through the tunnels towards the exit, dozens of our siblings surrounded us and raced with us, hissing and roaring their own support of our cause. It boosted our confidence like nothing else could. They followed us all the way to the edge of our hive. Garran didn't even slow down as he ran into the wilderness toward the home of our invaders.

Garran's POV

It took two days to reach the edge of the human compound and all the time the sky remained grey and dark as if sensing the turbulence of our rage.

We did not laugh or joke as we normally would for this mission was grave and dangerous. We were on high alert. During the hours of travel, my mind was plagued with grave thoughts, Maia's safety most of all.

Yes, I was a lethal warrior, hardened to the core. But Maia was my everything. She was my mate, my lifemate. Without her there was no laughter or joy in my life. Without her I was just a beast. Without her I had no heart. She was most precise to me above anything. And I would protect what was mine! I would not let any wretched human lay a hand on her!

Especially with the continued development of her strange scent…

Finally, through the trees and shrubs I saw a structure. A growl escaped my chest and beneath my crest I felt Maia get on all fours. "We're here?" She asked in a whisper.

Yes. Even though we had not entered the complex yet, I let my instincts begin to take over. Primal thoughts replaced complex intelligent ones. We should survey the humans for the best way in. I growled.

"If we want to avoid detection then we should enter through a service hatch or waste exit." She climbed into my arms so that she could see clearly while I held her up high. "This is even more advanced than the building I was born in." She said. I kept my mind firmly locked with hers so that I could tap into her memories and also keep a tight grip on our connection.

Maia's POV

Mother, we have reached the human facility. I informed her, keeping my promise.

Be careful my daughter, these creatures are tricky and wicked. Beware their tools of capture.

I will keep you informed. I replied and severed the link.

I tried to identify entrances. It was clear by the different vehicles entering and exiting the building that there were large doorways to central parking hangers. I also looked for tiny appendages from the building. I pointed them out to Garran. "There. Those are cameras. They record your image and show it to the humans inside. It's a type of security. We'll have to avoid them."

There appear to be cameras everywhere. He noticed.

"At least everywhere that there is an opening." I noted. There were blank spots for the cameras but there was always just wall there. It would attract too much attention if Garran simply burst through the wall, which he very well could.

I kept looking around. There were vehicles going in and out of the compound constantly. "I wonder…" I said aloud.

What? Garran asked.

"Well, some of those transporters seem big enough even for you to fit in. If we could steal one, then we could enter unnoticed."

Could you actually drive one of those metal contraptions? Garran asked. I hesitated.

"Um, not exactly but if I can pilot a yautja ship then surely I can figure one of these out." I said. It wasn't even close to a perfect plan, but it was better than our other options. Garran hung his head.

This mission just gets worse and worse. He grumbled. I gave him a light punch in the arm.

"Come on, I'm sure there are seatbelts." I said. Since he could come up with no better plan, we stealthily found and approached a group of humans who were doing research a short distance away from the compound. They were far enough into the foliage that no one would witness their disappearance. Their vehicle, which was parked behind them, seemed big enough to hold Garran… at least I hoped it was big enough.

All together it was a team of five. Four males and one female, all busy observing and taking samples. "We still want to be discreet, let me use my arrows." I whispered to Garran where we were hiding in the leaves. He nodded his consent and I removed my bow from across my chest. In order to avoid a commotion, this would have to be quick so I removed all five arrows from my pouch and took a breath to steady myself. I lined up my first arrow, breathed out, and released. It went flying through the air with silent precision and embedded itself in the back of the farthest scientist. I quickly reloaded and fired at my next target and repeated the process until all of the humans lay fallen on the ground, their life force soaking into the soil.

Garran and I emerged then and I collected my arrows and put them back in my pouch for reuse. As I did so, I noticed that each scientist wore similar tags with an image on it that was a replica of their face. "Photo" I said slowly in English. These were used for identification; I remembered them from my childhood. I grabbed the females tag just in case and ran over to Garran. The buttons on the side of the machine were simple enough to manage and the large door slid open. I peered inside. Empty. Wahoo! Luck was with us so far.

I jumped inside and signaled for Garran to follow. His crest was a bit of a challenge but once that was inside, the rest of him curled up easily. "Close the door" I instructed and he moved his tail to force the door shut. "Okay, now to find the big start button" I said speaking aloud as I sat in the driver's seat and looked at all the knobs and buttons of the control panel. At least I understood English better than Yautja.

I pressed a button marked "ignition" and the machine roared to life. I could sense Garran's unease at our situation and hear his agitated growling even over the sound of the engine. His tail wound itself over my lap and around my chair to act as a biological seat belt though I suspected it gave him a sense of comfort. I stroke his tail for a moment in thanks and reassurance and then gripped the steering wheel.

There were pedals on the floor and I willed myself to remember my human past. How had my parents driven?

I tested one pedal and the vehicle jolted forward. Instantly removing my foot, the machine stopped. Maia, Garran warned in my mind.

My driving is not that bad, I thought and tried the pedal again, gentler this time. The machine behaved and we moved forward quickly.

I looked through a narrow slit in the metal covered in glass and steered the metal beast towards the compound. Mother, we are attempting to enter. I conveyed. Her only reply was an emotional wave of concern.

As we approached the entrance I noticed a booth that all of the other vehicles were stopping at. In order to not be noticed or appear strange, we would have to stop as well. I took the woman's badge in my hand. Would this get us through? Like some sort of pass? Could I maneuver the machine close enough without crashing it?

Just go slow, nice and steady. Garran encouraged in my mind. I did as he suggested and slowed my speed. Ever so carefully, I approached the booth. I managed to come to a stop next to the glass paneling. I saw a man inside with a uninterested expression and something pressed to his mouth and suddenly a voice came out of nowhere!

"Identification code" It spoke. I pressed the photo pass against the side glass. "Identification code" The voice asked more sternly. I didn't know how to respond to it. I shoved the pass against the glass again. The man inside the booth gave me a peculiar look and stared hard at the badge. His expression changed back to boredom and he waved me on. Ahead of me, the doors to the compound opened.

I didn't waste any time, I drove straight into what appeared to be a hanger. Similar vehicles were parked all over the place. Find somewhere dark and as isolated as possible. Garran instructed. I found a corner shrouded in shadows and released the peddle. The machine slowed but didn't quite stop in time for the wall. It impacted softly, just enough to shake us a little. We need to work on your landings. Garran teased lightly and removed his tail belt.

"When you learn to drive, you can complain all you want. Until then, just keep bracing for impact." I replied briskly. "Can you open the door?"I asked as I got out of the chair. He gave the mental equivalent of a nod, considering how tightly packed he was, and opened it. "Thanks love" I said and hoped out doing a quick scan of the area.

"Okay, it looks safe." I told him and he stepped out of the machine. He stretched and for a brief moment I was once again stunned at his magnificence. His head swiveled towards me as he caught my thoughts of appreciation. I blushed and tried to refocus. He was my male and I had every right to look, but I would ogle later. Time for the next step of the rescue mission.

Alcander? I projected my thoughts through the compound. Using the common xeno path I repeated Alcander? We both waited for a response.

At first, there was only silence but then finally Foolish human, leave this place. Garran, get your mate out of here! I sighed with relief. He was alive. No matter what, at least he was alive!

Believe me, I will. Once we have you in tow. Garran replied.

No! I cannot leave this place! Leave me, I will escape in due time. Alcander's hardened voice ordered. He expected to be obeyed. Naïve warrior.

We're here to save your hide! Whatever they are doing to you, fight it! We are coming and we will get you out of here! Whatever they had done to him must have messed up his mind. Perhaps that was why mother could no longer reach him? Where are you?

There was length of empty silence. Finally, he hesitantly confided. In one of their lab cells. Towards the center of the building.

"Alright, you heard him. Deeper into hell we go." I said with mock glee.

Get on. My xeno said and without question I leapt onto his back. Settling down quickly I marveled at how well I blended in against him thanks to his gift. It made me feel even more a part of him. I smiled. We will try this way first. He said and jogged into a nearby corridor.

There were no humans inside the metal shaft but who knows how long that would last. Garran, we cannot remain exposed like this. I thought to him. Up ahead we could begin to hear talking.

I agree! He said and looked around for an escape. He looked down and growled. For once, I may actually miss my smaller size. It would be easier to fit through smaller passageways. He said even as he lifted and removed the metal of the floor. I peer out from beneath his crest to see liquid bellow the floor, to keep the pipes cool? I couldn't fully understand human behavior but the space was big enough to fit Garran so we dropped down.

Hold still. I said and stood up straight on his back. Holding onto his spikes for balance, I reached up and replaced the metal flooring so no one would know we were beneath it. Shortly after I had secured it, a pair of humans walked directly over us and chatted the whole way down the hall. Now to find Alcander.

We walked for a while, searching through twists and turns and countless intersections. I wish we could have stolen a map. Alcander? I mentally asked, trying to gage how close we were.

I am here. He sounded tired, no more like exhausted but he also sounded closer.

Garran, we must hurry. I said beginning to panic slightly. What were these humans doing to my friend? Garran pushed on through the sludge.

Finally, we could tell that we were right next to where Alcander was being kept. We are near mother. This ends soon. I told her quickly. Garran began growling and I sensed the predator in him surface. Let's go get our brother!

With that Garran leapt upwards and burst through the metal flooring. This time, there were humans all around. Many had been knocked down by the outburst, many others were shocked, and yet others instantly ran, screaming for some of protector team. Garran unleashed his roar and the might of it shook the walls. The remaining humans cowered and panicked. Garran had no reason to hold back and neither did I. I felt no kinship with these beings. I let Garran have his fun. I simply stayed on his back while he charged and ripped into flesh. Hey, a little brotherly revenge was good. By attacking these captors it meant that Garran still felt some sort of kinship for Alcander.

With these humans dead, Garran turned toward the doors that Alcander was behind. I could make out the words "specimen containment" on the door. "This is it" I told him and he stepped forward to ram his crest against the door. It began to give.

And then a new sort of humans showed up.

These ones were covered from head to toe and seemed bulkier than the others. They began shouting in human faster than I could translate. Garran turned to them and bared his teeth. He hissed. From under his crest, I positioned an arrow against my bow and aimed at one of the males. I fired. It caught his neck between his armor and blood began to spurt out of the wound. With the distraction, Garran attacked. His tail impaled many while his claws sliced through arteries. His jaws finished off the rest.

But by then the men had opened fire with their strange weapons. Their shots echoed in the confines of the hall. Garran kept his head back so that I was covered by his crest. He kept me protected. The projectiles mostly bounced off his exoskeleton but a few embedded themselves in the neck and abdomen. He roared and attacked with even more passion. From under his cranium I reloaded my arrows and fired at the idiotic humans who dared injure my beloved.

This brawl would have been no problem except that no matter how many humans we killed, more hurried to replace them.

There projectiles suddenly changed. The machines stopped firing. Instead they threw cylinders at Garran. A gas hissed out of them and began to surround us in a cloud.

Do not breathe Maia! Garran tried to leap out of the cloud but the humans forced him back towards it with their weapons. The more he fought, the weaker he got.

Garran! I was panicked. I understood now. They would sedate him and treat him like Alcander. I was trying to take as few breaths as I could. Garran's spikes were designed to aid respiration in different environments but this was a concentrated gaseous sedative. Even Garran's body couldn't filter it fast enough to avoid the affects.

Maia, stay beneath my crest. Stay tucked against me. Blend in with me. If they do not know you are there, then they cannot separate us. This was his last thought before his massive body fell limp upon the floor. I pressed myself as close to him as possible. Worried tears began to blur my vision but I hastily brushed them away. This wasn't as dire a situation as it seemed. Garran would wake up again and when he did, there would be no stopping him.

The humans did not holler or celebrate their success. They were stoic as they dragged my love, and myself hidden against him, through the doors we had been trying to break into. Inside, the room was shaped like a hexagon with medical tools and monitors. More cameras were in each corner of the room.

They shoved my Garran into a large cell, with metal walls and a thick see-through front panel. Glass maybe? The humans seemed frazzled and stunned but relieved that the monster was "behind bars" so to speak. They finally began to file out of the room. As the crowd vacated I was able to see who was in the cell diagonally across from us.

"Alcander?"

*And there we have chapter 15. Please review. I love love love hearing from everybody. Hoping to have the next chapter posted a little bit after the 4th of July. Fingers crossed*