Chapter XIV

A New Sense

Warmth. For the first time in my life since my birth, I feel complete warmth. This sensation is one that has mocked me for nearly two decades of my life, yet it is only now that it has come to fully embrace me once more. It felt unreal, like nothing else that I ever felt in my life in that cage. The only thing that came close was when Orion would rub my head, but that is minor to this feeling that it is practically incomparable.

Just prior to my current state, I can remember the rush of emotions that filled my mind as I ran back in hopes to find Orion. Fear, pain, anger, and finally, worry. Watching Orion nearly get gutted by the hands of my kin caused such a firm fear in my heart that for a moment my body seemed to move on its own. While I didn't want to fight my sister, I had no choice. I am glad I did not have to kill her though, and that she listened to my command.

Now I sit here holding Orion, and nuzzling my head into the crook of his neck. His arm laid gently around my back and kept us in this wondrous embrace. His warmth seemed to simply seep into my cold body and filled me with such a wondrous sensation. We sat there in silence, enjoying the moment, and for the first time in my life I thought to myself, I hope I never leave this place.

It was then I felt Orion's hand tap my back gently as he began to move from under me. "Alright Six, I'm glad to see you too, but we gotta get moving." While I knew I needed to let go, my mind begged me not to. In a final and hesitant motion, I pulled away from Orion and allowed him to stand once more. He wobbled up to his feet and used his hand to support himself. When he finally got to his full height he looked down at me and gave me a smile of joy.

It was then the echoing sounds of gunfire entered our ears once more, and Orion quickly looked up as his eyes flared. "Shit! Oh shit, I'm going to get left behind!" Orion said in a panic with his eyes locked to the doors. He looked at me once more and grabbed his weapon and readied it for what lay ahead. "Six, listen to me. I have some friends nearby that are taking me to a safe place from your siblings. When we were leaving I got lost and that was when you found me. When you saved me."

He must be referring to the group that drew me here. I thought as Orion continued to speak. "I need to get back with them, if I don't, I won't have a chance of getting out of this facility alive." I thought of what he said, and while it saddened my heart to hear his desperation to go so badly, I understood. Just because I could talk down one of my siblings, doesn't mean I could talk down a hundred. Orion kneeled down beside me so we were face to face and put a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Six, can you help me find my way back to them?" While I am ready to do nearly anything to get Orion to safety, the thought of guiding him through the facility to other humans would be a great risk to us both. Risk or not, my debt to Orion is too great to ignore. I gave Orion a firm nod of my head and a small smile graced his features as he wrapped his arms around me once more. "Thank you Six. Thank you so much."

I enjoyed the embrace for as long as it lasted, but Orion soon stood up and began to walk to the door. I quickly followed but stopped him before he could leave. He looked at me with a confused expression until I pushed him aside and took the lead. With a nod of understanding, he gestured with his arm for me to continue. "Lead the way Six, let's get the hell out of here."

Orion's weapon had a portable light which he used to show the path ahead for himself. I, however, needed no such tool. My senses were now as keen as ever, and I felt as though I could see even the smallest details in the walls. We walked slowly through the dark halls of these strange new labs. I strained my mind trying to home in on the source of the gunshots, but the presence of humans was faint and scattered. It seems Orion wasn't the only one that fell behind.

I could feel the paranoia that began to fill Orion's heart, build and build, and I know that I must try to find a way to suppress it. I stopped my advance and turned to Orion, and he gave me a strange look. "What's wrong? Why did you stop." He looked a little jittery as his eyes darted around his surroundings. I wanted to tell him he had nothing to worry about, but due to my lack of communication, I simply outstretched my hand and placed it on his chest.

He suddenly stopped and looked at me with a warm expression. His body soon began to calm and his focus began to return. He nodded and took deep breaths, apparently taking the message to heart. With closed eyes and leveled breathing, he soon got complete control of his body once more. He opened his eyes and looked at me with a grin, "Thanks Six, guess everything that has been going on is starting to get to me."

With Orion's paranoia subdued, I once again began to lead us through this darkened labyrinth. As we made our way, my mind began to dwell on what had been happening as I searched for the nearest human presence. Thinking back on the past few hours I began to think of Mother and my kin who were now free, surely looking for a suitable place to nest. My mind then began to think of the destruction we have caused. While yes, some were most definitely deserving of the fate we brought upon them, what of the others?

Just how many other people have died at our hands that were kind like Orion? How much needless blood was spilled all in the name of our freedom? I looked back at Orion himself for a quick moment and felt a tinge of regret. Everything is beginning to fall apart for him, and the only one to blame for it all is me. Everyone he has met, everything he has known, it is all coming to an end. I couldn't help but feel something that he felt for me long ago. Pity.

A new noise pulled me from my thoughts and I finally found the sense of a human nearby, only this one didn't seem completely right. I thought hard of what it could be, but then my memory filled in the gaps and I recognized them as James, Orion's old friend. I turned to Orion and motioned him to follow me as I quickened my pace. The man was alone and staying still in one location, a poor move given his current situation. Luckily, none of my siblings were nearby.

It didn't take long before I heard them just around the corner, and in one foolish mistake, I stayed ahead and came face to face with James. James' eyes immediately locked onto my form as a mixture of fear and curiosity filled his pupils. He took a couple of cautious steps back and began to get ready to run when Orion quickly turned the corner as well. Shock immediately filled both of their minds as they saw each other. Just before James could move or speak, Orion began to call out to him.

"Wait! James! Don't run, just, bear with me!" Orion said as he outstretched his hands as if trying to motion for him to stay still. James stayed frozen in place, eyes moving quickly between the two of us. Finally, he slowly and cautiously stood straight and gave Orion a questioning look. "Orion. Just what exactly is going on? Why is Specimen Six not attacking us?" Orion stayed silent as he walked in front of me and put himself between the two of us. He looked at us both one last time before he began to explain.

"Look, James. There is something I need to tell you, and it is going to sound insane, but I assure you it is the truth." James took another cautious glance at us before slowly walking towards Orion. "Alright then, tell me." James said in a firm tone. Orion took in a deep breath and began. "When I was put onto the team alongside Six, I always felt awful with how she was treated, especially after what happened when I worked here in Volatile Research. Later on was given a secret job, to work with Six, closely." As Orion explained, James simply listened with great interest.

"It began with me feeding her. Slowly but surely I learned more and more of just how kind and gentle she could be through the years. I gave her gifts and music whenever I could, and I eventually even got her to be able to roam freely in her cell." James' eyes momentarily looked to me as a calculating look filled his face, as if he was trying to figure out if any of what he heard could be possible.

"After working and caring for Six for so long, a sort of friendship formed. In all honesty, I think I underestimated just how strong it really is." James nodded in sudden understanding. "So that is how you escaped her lab." Orion shook his head. "Exactly." He then turned to me with a warm smile. "She saved my life, and she did it again not so long ago." James looked at me again and muttered the words "fascinating" before he began to speak with Orion once more.

"So, it seems that you also got lost from the main group." James said to which Orion nodded his head with a confused look as James seemed to change the subject so casually. "Yeah, I did. I expected more of a reaction to all this though. The fact that a Xenomorph saved someone's life and that it isn't striking out at you doesn't make you feel at all cautious or strange?" James simply shrugged his shoulders, "Your story seems to check out as the Specimen obviously doesn't seem to be showing any violent tendencies right now."

Just like Orion, I was honestly shocked to hear a human be so understanding of the situation. Perhaps James isn't so awful after all, despite his peculiar scent. Orion went to speak but simply closed his eyes and shook his head. "You know what, it doesn't matter right now." He opened his eyes once more and they began to speak of their plan to regroup with the others. "Look James, we got to regroup with everyone else, and luckily Six is willing to guide us back. Do you have any idea where they could be?" James thought for a moment before pointing in a direction.

"That is where I came from, and that is the direction I was last with the group." James said. Orion shook his head and turned to me once more. "Alright Six, we're right behind you." I gave Orion a nod and began to lead them deeper into the labyrinth. The air began to seem to change and I began to feel more humans from afar. By now, the gunfire had grown silent so all I could follow was with my sense of smell and the air around me.

"She can understand you?" James said as they marched behind me. Orion gave a nod, "Yes, and so much more. She is smart, probably smarter than your average person, and she has even tried to communicate with me multiple times. Sadly, it's more of a guessing game for me." James once again began to look on in wonder at the plethora of information he was learning about me.

Seeing that Orion had someone to talk to made me feel a bit happier for the man, as the new presence seemed to help bring Orion a welcomed distraction. "So James, what exactly happened to the group, do you know how many are left?" James shook his head as he began to recall the past. "After you froze and disappeared, the other survivors began to panic. The soldiers tried to keep them settled down and keep them moving but the Xenos soon caught up. The soldiers stayed behind and told us to run and that's when everyone began to split up."

A feeling of regret filled Orion's mind as he heard of the uncertain fate of many of his colleagues. "Do you know how many made it out? Did any of them get caught by the Xenomorphs?" Orion asked in a timid tone. James shook his head and gave a somber look. "Sadly I don't, it was just so chaotic I didn't really notice anyone else. I'm sorry I can't provide a more substantial answer."

Orion shook his head. "It's ok James, I just hope everyone made it out ok." As the two shared a moment of silence, I simply stayed quiet and continued to lead. I followed my senses to try and bring Orion and James to others, and finally, once more I began to pick up the tinges of a human's scent. This one was alone just like James, however, unlike James it was one I have never met before.

Just like before, I turned around and motioned to Orion that we were approaching another survivor. As we approached this new human, I sensed something else that couldn't help but make me stop in my tracks as I tried to figure it out. The strange scent was faint, yet also felt ever so familiar. Curiosity teased my brain, as well as caution. "Six, are you alright?" Orion asked, pulling me from my thoughts. I turned around to Orion and gave him a nod.

Unlike last time, I made sure to stop and motion for Orion and James to take the lead. Just as they did so I began to look for a different path so that I could watch over him and keep him safe. While the two walked on to meet up with the other survivor, I looked around for anything nearby that I could use to follow nearby. It didn't take long before I finally found what I was looking for and soon I made my way to the entrance of a nearby vent.

It was quite claustrophobic inside and I had to crawl very close to the ground, but all together it didn't bother me. I began to make my way through and kept as close to Orion as I could while inside the vent. Moving inside was a little tough, but making sure he was safe was worth it. All I know is that I won't be able to be inside here forever though, and that I would need to find another way to watch over him. For now, I'll keep on looking for a better spot.

As I continued through the vent, I decided it best to begin to monitor Orion and James since they should be meeting their new colleague any moment now. To my surprise, however, it was not happiness or relief I sensed from Orion, but rather anger. As I crawled for a better area to protect Orion from, I concentrated as hard as I could to "see" what was going on to cause this.

James and Orion stood together in a room, a lab of some kind alongside the new person they met. Both of them seemed to hold a strange disdain for the individual and they all stood in silence for a moment. "Mr. Orion and Mr. James, it has been quite a long time." spoke the man with an older voice, similar to that of Groves. "Yes. It has been a while hasn't it Everett." So that is his name, but why do they have so much disdain for Everett in the first place?

Everett looked around the room and finally began to talk once more. "I understand when we last met it wasn't exactly under the greatest of circumstances, but I think we can all agree that we must work together to survive another day." Orion gave a slight nod of his head and gave his response. "You're right, but I got to ask, why are you here in a lab and not headed out for an exit." To that, Everett sighed and turned around.

"Tell me, Orion, do you remember what we did before you were sent away?" The anger in Orion's heart began to raise into a rage, but he subdued it. "I could never forget what you did." Orion said with disdain. Everett shook his head in silence. "Everything I do is for the betterment of mankind and the Company. Sacrifices will be made at one point or another." Everett said as he walked to a metal cart half full of strange boxes full of large cylindrical tubes.

"What I was referring to however was more specifically XX121. The Royal Jelly as we have come to call it." The tension in the room was rising and I knew I had to get in there soon, if Orion does something stupid I need to be by his side. I crawled faster through the ducts of the ventilation system until I finally found a grate that was closed. If I'm going to get through, I'll need another way, or I'll have to break through.

"You see Orion, this facility is one of the only places in the galaxy that not only stores it, but also holds everything we have learned about it. Much progress has been made, and you wouldn't believe the potential it holds." Orion's anger finally got the better of him and he began to shout. "And how many people died to just find that out! How many people were driven mad and crushed their own skulls because of you!"

Everett simply stared at Orion as he was berated with insults and curses, none of them seeming to phase him in the slightest. "I understand your anger Orion, truly I do, but I do what is necessary. Right now, we need to take this supply and take it with us. If we don't get this out of here, so much progress will have been lost." Orion stood there in rage, yet it was now I noticed James' demeanor hasn't changed in the slightest.

It was then James finally began to speak as he put a hand on Orion's shoulder. "Orion, you know I don't like Everett just as much as you, but he has a point. We can't let all this get lost to time." Orion looked over to James, "Who the hell cares what gets lost at this point! If he had any role in it then I can assure you it isn't for the 'good of mankind' like he claims!"

After Orion's backlash, Everett finally began to show his true colors as he began to lose his temper. "Enough of this madness Orion! I have tried being civil to you but it is obviously for nothing! You are as dense as you are ignorant and I won't have you ruin this project again!" Everett's emotions soon began to reveal a malicious intent, and with all the strength I had I pried through the vent.

The loud noise seemed to attract all three of the people as they looked around for its source. Pulling the vent grate apart hurt, but I didn't care. "What the hell is that?" cried a voice from down below. With a final push of all my strength, the grate opened wide enough for me and I fell down into the room to save Orion's life. As my body slammed against the ground I quickly got to my feet to jump to Orion's side, only to see I wasn't in the same room.

I looked around in horror to realize I had landed in the adjacent room, and to make matters worse, it seemed to be an observation room. "Holy shit!" cried out Everett as he looked at me from beyond the glass. "We need to kill that monstrosity before it gets out! Make sure the doors are sealed!" He yelled out while activating a console. Orion quickly interjected, "Wait! Everett listen to me, don't hurt her!"

Everett froze and turned around, looking at Orion with a mixture of confusion and disgust. "What the hell do you mean?! That monster is the reason this is happening in the first place!" Orion simply kept his hands up as he begged the man not to hurt me. "Please Everett, that one is special! It's what Mr. Weyland has had me do for all this time! She won't hurt you if you don't threaten her!"

Everett turned to look at me again and back to Orion. His eyes frantically moved around his mind ran rampant. Everett moved towards the console again only for James to interject. "Sir, I implore you not to do this. The specimen is considered to be of high value." Orion gave a slight and confused look at James' strange words, as did Everett.

The crazed man hovering above the console shook his head in irritation before turning back around to the men behind him. While he did this I began to search for an exit. It was when he turned around my heart sank, he pulled out a firearm and aimed it at the two I have guided. "Enough of this! Enough of all of this! If that were true, I would have been told! I am the head of Volatile Research and I am tired of being treated like some fool who can be pushed around!"

James stood firm but Orion took a step back. Everett pointed his gun at Orion and I quickly began to try to return to the vent. "I know you have a gun Orion. Everyone was given one when that meat-head marine found us. Drop it on the ground. Now." Orion slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out the gun. Everett stared at him with a crazed look. As Orion placed it on the floor I returned to the grate leading to the vents only to see that it was closed once again.

As I strained to open the vent, I looked back to see what was happening. "Good Orion, now kick it away." With a small thunk, the gun went over to the other side of the room away from all the men. "Now you James. Slowly." James simply shook his head and emptied his pockets, showing nothing was concealed. "I never got the chance to get mine, I must have been talking with Orion when they were handed out."

Everett gave a look before turning back to the console and seeing me try to pry my way out. "Trying to escape are we?" Everett said in a wicked tone. In a single moment, Everett smashed a button on the console and wicked white gas began to fill the room. It was so cold it felt as though my limbs were being burned down to the bone. As I screamed in pain it quickly stopped and I quickly went back to prying my way out.

"Stop where you are! Another step and you die!" Everett shouted. James looked at him with no emotion as he talked once again, only now in a bland voice that lacked any personality at all. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that sir. My orders were clear and I must not fail." Orion and Everett both looked at James in confusion at what he said. "What orders?" Orion asked in a cautious tone.

James looked to Orion and back to Everett. "Answer him James, thats an order." Everett commanded. "I was given direct orders from Mr. Weyland to observer, monitor, and protect Specimen Six and ensure their safety no matter the cause." His answer only confused the room further, and then James took another step. "You are threatening Specimen Six." James said in a cold tone.

Everett Backed further into the console. "I said stay back! Don't move!" As James took another step to call Everett's bluff, the deafening noise of a gunshot echoed through the room. The shot hit James right in the heart and James crashed to the floor with a loud thud. Orion froze in terror before his rage finally took over. "You bastard!" Just as Orion shouted, I got the grate open and quickly began to backtrack and make my way to where I entered so I can stop this from getting worse.

As I pushed my body to its limit, I continued to monitor what was happening. "Stay still Orion, we don't need another dead body in here." Everett said, keeping his aim focused on Orion. Everett then turned to look inside the observation room to gas me again, only to look on in shock that I was no longer in the room. While he was turned away Orion quickly lunged for his pistol. Hearing the commotion Everett turned around and they both took aim.

With a single passing moment, the whole world began to freeze. Just as I approached the door two deafening shots rang out in the room, and I pried the door open. Just as got inside, I looked on and froze. I saw two men, one of them lying on the ground as their life began to be brought to its end, and I saw the other just a few feet from them. My mind ran rampant, but the sight was clear. I ran into the room, completely ignoring Everett and sending him into a state of terror. I ran to the side of Orion, and I held him in my arms.

No. No, no no no no. This can't be happening! I held his body and I looked down at him as he clenched his side in agony. Pools of his deep red blood poured out of the small wound he had, yet he never screamed. He looked up to me with a small and weak smile and outstretched a hand to my head. His hand touched my cheek gently, only now instead of his warm touch, it was cold. I shook my head at the sight.

Everett began to get his senses together behind me as he took aim once more. It was then the scrapping of a foot came out from behind him and he went to turn around, only to be grabbed by the neck by James. James lifted him off the ground and the men tried to pry the fingers from his throat, to no avail. The inhumane strength James used only became worse as Everett's vision began to fade. Just as his heart began to stop, James squeezed and tore out the man's windpipe, sending Everett onto the floor gagging on his own blood and scrapping at his neck.

I, however, never looked once. I simply kept my gaze and focus on Orion. He used what little strength he still had to let his smile grow. He strained himself yet spoke through the pain. "S-Six. You are-" he began to cough up blood as it splattered onto me and his clothes. "Amazing." with his words spoken, his hand slowly fell from my head and limply laid by his side.

This cannot be happening! This cannot! I won't allow it! I looked around the room frantically and looked back to Orion. I won't let you die! You can't die! You promised! You said you would be ok! Despite his body growing cold, his eyes held warmth as he looked at me. The sorrow I felt now was indescribable, like a new horrible sensation altogether. I quickly began to think of anything to stop this, using all the memories I have ever been given, even Mother's.

I looked down at Orion as he went to speak once more. "Stay st-strong Six. Go see a-" Once more he coughed up blood and I held him to me even tighter. "Go see a sunset for me." With his last words spoken his eyes slowly closed one last time. If I could cry, I would. Instead, I simply held him as tightly as I could as I thought of any way to save him. You can't die Orion! You won't die! I won't allow it! I will never let you go, not like this. We will see that sunset together.

- Authors Note -

On that rather despairing note, Chapter fourteen comes to its close. In just one moment, a single person has the power and ability to cause more destruction for life than anyone could ever think of. A single action shakes the world as life is taken. Yet justice was not left unserved, as somehow, James managed to pull through and deal with the devilish Everret that has plagued BG-386 for so long.

I know this may not bring content to many of you, but I ask that you please stick with me through this hard time. I assure you that I do not like to leave a story without a happy ending, and by the end, I feel you will all be satisfied. This is your narrator, signing off.

P.S. - Another author and I have put together a discord server for people who love fanfiction! As a long-time reader, (and brand new writer), I have always looked for a discord for fanfiction, yet I have never been able to find one. So as of yesterday, I and Remnault decided to fix that! The server is still very much young and still being set up, but if you are interested in joining then feel free to do so! Here is the link, and I wish you all a wonderful night!

Server join link - /AzTnKZGZ (sorry if you can't copy and paste, you may have to just write it manually in the search bar).