Chapter IV

Blood And Shackles

Over the years that had passed, I had slowly grown into my form. My skin turned from a light to dark, and with every shed of my skin, my Mesoskeleton only grew more and more resilient. They had moved me time and time again to compensate for the growth, until now I have finally reached my final cage.

These new restraints that held me however, were much different than the ones of my past. They had with them special restaurants from each limb and my tail, rather than a single clamp to hold me in place, and it was made considerably more sturdy as well. The room itself was considerably larger as well. Nothing was in it but my containment unit, as the humans called it, and the lights that poured in from above.

Doctor Groves would visit me almost daily, but never for pure purposes. Constantly he would attempt to command me, make me bend to his will, but I would never listen, and he would always respond swiftly with numerous tools of punishment. The only one I listen to is Mother, for she is the only one I've ever known to bring comfort. With time, Mother speaks less and less, whether it's from the horrible treatment she endures, or simply age catching up to her, I don't know. All I know for certain is that she still counts on me to save the Hive.

As I hung in my cell, I realized that the Doctor had not shown himself yet today at all, I wasn't sure to be happy or worried. Doctor Groves prided himself on always paying me daily "visits". Curiosity filling my mind, I tried to use my senses to the best of my abilities to find him. Ever so faintly, I could sense him, but he was far, far away from here.

Realizing the opportunity presented to me, I quickly began to swing into action. While all my limbs may be restrained, I've learned how particular these scientists can be about the cleanliness of my cell. To the best of my ability, I began to force my glands to produce as much saliva as I possibly could, and soon the thick viscous drool began to drip into a puddle on the floor around me.

Unlike Groves however, the scientists who gave "constant" sight over me, didn't seem to pay me much mind at all. They stared at their screens and papers, filling out reports with bored expressions. Growing impatient, I let out as loud a hiss I could manage, finally grabbing the attention of one behind the glass.

As the man looked up he released an annoyed sigh, "Dammit, Six is contaminating the area again, c'mon you know the procedure." The man said. As his colleague looked on he rubbed his brow, "Ah c'mon man, I don't wanna go in there. It'll be fine, besides, what's a little drool gonna do?" the man groaned.

Grunting with frustration, the first scientist shook his head. "You know as well as I do how much of a hardass Doctor Groves is. Who knows how soon he'll be down here, if he sees even a spec of Hive material starting to form from that, it'll be our sorry asses scraping it off the floor, in front of the specimen. So either we wipe it up now with a mop, or wait till we gotta get a chisel, you decide." Having convinced his fellow man, they grabbed a bucket and a mop as they walked into my chamber.

"Ok, just uh, get some of that serum ready, we can at least sedate it." The first man called out. Leaving for the equipment the second scientist re-entered the office. Left alone, the confidence from before had all been but washed away out of the first man. As I stared him down, he froze in place.

I released a long, drawn out hiss as the second one entered. They both looked at each other hesitantly. "I got the syringe ready and you're the one making me stay in here, so as far as I'm concerned you're the one that's gotta do it." The second one said, handing the other the device that was used on me so long ago.

With a grunt of annoyance the first scientist grabbed the syringe before taking a cautious step forward. I am so close now, so close to freedom. The man walked until he was barely a foot away from me. Sweat dripped from his face as he cautiously moved in to administer the toxin. As he moved and I felt the needle grace the hide of my neck, I suddenly jerked in his direction, causing the exposed needle to slice a small incision along my neck as the man fell down in fright..

"Sh-shit! You okay man?" His colleague shouted. As he stood back he nodded before quickly injecting me with the serum and getting to work. As fast as they entered, they left, leaving me alone with nothing but a small dribble of blood along my neck. Feeling the liquid roll down my neck shook me with excitement, but I held back, I wasn't free yet.

Moving my head to its side as much as I could hold it, I did my best to let some blood collect in a small pool on my form. Deeming the time was right, I flicked my head as fast as I could, in hopes to splatter some onto the locks restraining my arms, but was frustrated only to see it land on the floor.

Time was running out and my body would soon heal itself, I needed to melt the restraints or I may never get another chance to escape again. Using the same method, I paused in an attempt to aim this time, however just as before the blood missed its mark. Letting out an annoyed growl, I froze as one of the men from before turned to look at my commotion. Staying still, I turned my head to hide the trickle of blood from my neck, knowing what could happen if they catch on to me. He kept up his ocular assault for what felt like ages. Time slowed to a halt. I waited desperately for him to look away, any longer and my wound would be sealed, and that would mean everything I would do would have been for naught.

Finally the man looked away, and I quickly let the blood begin to funnel once again. As calmly as I could, I waited as the greenish yellow blood collected once more to my face's side. With a last flick of desperation time seemed to slow as the liquid flew through the air. With a satisfying splat, I watched with glee as the blood landed on the restraint and began to eat through the metals with vigor.

Feeling the metal begin to lose its grip, I yanked as hard as I possibly could and shattered the shackle. Quickly, I began to pry my other arm free as the men inside looked up in shock. Having my cover blown I freed my other hand before working on the rest of the infernal constraints around me. Nearly being freed, only having my tail and a leg restrained now, I sensed as my time was wavering. Before I could act any further however, one of the men hit a button, filling the room with the horrible gas they had oh so loved to use before.

Pain covered my body as every cell told me to stop, stop fighting and submit, but I knew I must fight. Adrenaline flowing through my body, I suffered through the pain of the gas. With a last act of desperation, I clawed my body around the remaining holds, freeing myself as fast as possible at the cost of some damage to my form. By the time I was fully freed, the gas had cleared and the scientists looked on in horror as I finally stood free for the first time.

"Th-that can't be possible, gas it again! Shock it, or-or something!" one man yelled as he backed to the door. Quickly as I could, I began to pace the room looking for any chance to leave. As I scattered along the surface, I sensed him near. Like a harbinger of doom Doctor Groves strode in next to the scientists and stopped them from gassing me again, much to the shock of us all. Seeing his action, I slowed my pacing and stared at him.

The wrinkled sadistic man returned the glare with his sickening smile he has always adorned. "Doctor, we need to re-contain it now! If they get out-" The man was cut off by a raise of the hand from Groves. His petrifying stare only hardened as his grin grew. "She won't be getting out, and she knows it. Let her prowl for now, keep all the vents shut. I'll make the preparations necessary for her re-containment. I don't want a word of what happened here to get out. Do I make myself clear?" Groves looked to the men as they gave affirming nods before leaving the room.

Despair filled my heart as the Doctor left the room. The two men from before gave each other a worried look before setting their chairs on the glass. The once lazy, unperceptive men now sat devoted to watch my every move. I paced my cell, sensing as their vision never left my form, and began to inspect my cell for any vulnerabilities. As time passed, and my hunt for an escape ended in failure, I decided to use what time I had left out of my restraints. Finally being able to stretch my limbs, and actually walk around, it was one of the greatest things I've ever experienced.

- Authors Notes -

Here comes chapter four once again delving into the mind of the Xenomorph Drone destined for greatness, at least so their Mother says. I do apologize for the short length of this chapter, but while I was writing it I was in the middle of a block, however don't worry! I've since overcome it and the following chapters will be of a much more substantial value! As I said in the last chapter, I am currently looking for help when it comes to spell checking my work, if you would be willing to be a proof reader please let me know! You can send me a PM and I will respond to you ASAP! As always I hope you enjoyed this chapter for the tale of The Sixth Specimen, and I wish you all a wonderful night!

This is your Narrator, signing off.