Chapter XIX
Sunset
My chest was heaving, my lungs burning, and my legs giving way. As I tried to keep pace with Johnson my body gave out much sooner than his. As much as I knew we couldn't risk the time being lost, I had to take a moment to stop and regain my breath. I leaned over and used my arms to support myself by holding my legs, staring at the dirt as I desperately tried to suck in the air.
My mind ran rampant with everything that had happened from the moment we walked into those ruins. One moment, there were five of us, the next, it was only myself and Johnson. Those… things… cleaved through our numbers like nothing and I could hardly even see them half the time. All I can see now is the mental image of Vasquez as he was lifted off the ground by that behemoth of a creature.
As I still tried to get my breath, Johnson ran over to me and patted me on the back. "Hey man, don't lean over. Keep your back up straight and put your hands on your head, it helps." His voice was rough and ragged from the running, and yet the sound of devastation still stayed hidden within his tone. I gave a nod and slowly I moved just as he said.
The new pose helped as I felt my diaphragm open and suddenly breathing became just a bit easier. I caught my breath and slowly I took my hands off of my head. Johnson's eyes looked lost and his neck was still red from when he was grabbed. Dirt and grim covered his face but despite it all, he kept his demeanor looking strong. He motioned for me to follow him before he began to walk on.
As I followed, I soon saw a metal structure through the dense plants of the Jungle. After everything we have been through, everyone we had lost, we finally made it. Johnson looked behind to give me a look to which I responded with by giving him a quick nod. We both began to jog to our destination and finally, we quickly climbed the stairs up to the large Monorail system.
As we made our way to the top, multiple rifles were immediately shoved in our faces and we put our hands high in the air. Two entire squads of Combat Androids blocked our path and they all held fierce weapons in their hands. From shotguns, rifles, and even smartguns and flamethrowers, they had an entire arsenal at their disposal. They stayed completely silent as they held us at gunpoint, and it was then we heard footsteps approaching.
A lone figure walked towards us from within the Monorail Station. They wore a high-end black suit and had a cold face as they eyed us. I recognized the man immediately. It was Mr. Weyland. "Stand down, we have another guest to join our ranks." The man commanded to which every Android immediately stood aside and lowered their weapons.
Johnson looked confused at seeing the CEO himself here, but for me, it all felt way too familiar. Mr. Weyland walked up to me and a smirk rose, "It is good to see you alive Orion, it would have been quite the tragedy to lose such a… vital resource." His deep and imposing voice reverberated with strength and confidence, never once changing from the very first time I met him.
Weyland looked over to Johnson and gave him a quizzical look. Johnson immediately realized the problem and spoke quickly. "Mr. Weyland sir! I was with Sergeant Vasquez, we were headed here but something attacked us in the nearby ruins. It nearly killed all of us." Hearing the explanation, Weyland immediately became intrigued. "Tell me, Marine, what exactly was it? What was so vicious that it was able to wipe out an entire squad of Marines and Androids?"
Johnson hesitated before he spoke. "I-I don't really know, it was unlike anything I had ever seen. They had some kind of device that made them invisible and their weapons were more advanced than anything I have ever heard of. I would have died if it wasn't for what my Sergeant did." Weyland looked up into the sky and narrowed his eyes before mumbling something I could just barely hear. "So you did come here then…"
While Mr. Weyland looked to the heavens Johnson shook his head in sudden confusion. "Wait, I never said anything about the Androids?" Weyland gave him a disapproving look and ignored the subject. "Did anything else happen? If this threat is as great as you said then how did you escape with just the two of you?" Johnson rubbed his forehead and shook his head.
"I don't think you would believe me, sir, all do respect." Weyland scoffed. "Try me." Johnson took a deep breath as he gave me a glance. "When the things almost killed us the first time, one of the Xenos down there came out of nowhere and started protecting us. It even fought off other Xenos just to keep us safe. I think it ended up fighting one of them in the arena while we ran off. Other than that I can't say why it did any of that, Mr. Orion here might know."
Weyland's cold stare immediately shot to me before returning to Johnson. "And why would Mr. Orion here know anything about such an event?" Johnson looked at me with a small hint of suspicion in his eyes. "It's like… It's like he knew the Bug was on our side. When Vasquez went to shoot it Orion stopped him. Orion… Why did you stop Vasquez anyways?" I was unprepared for the question and before I could fumble my words Mr. Weyland spoke up.
"Ask him later Marine. Is that everything you know?" Johnson took a moment as he ran through his thoughts. Finally, he looked back to Mr. Weyland and gave him a nod. "Yes sir, that's everything." Weyland stared for a moment before repeating himself. "Are you sure? There is nothing else?" Once again Johnson gave him a nod. Mr. Weyland looked down and spoke one last time. "Well, thank you for the help."
Suddenly within the flash of a moment, Weyland reached into his jacket and pulled out a handgun. Before either I or Johnson could process the action he raised the gun right up to Johnson's forehead and pulled the trigger, releasing a deafening shot right next to me which shook my head. Johnson's body fell instantly to the ground as blood splattered on my clothes. I once again found myself stunned as I stumbled back a few feet.
I looked down at the lifeless body of Johnson beside me and as I looked back up Mr. Weyland had the gun pointed at my head. I didn't dare to move and I stood as still as stone. Silence echoed through my head as the ringing cleared. My heart gave fierce beats and I looked at the barrel of the gun with terrified eyes.
It was then the gun lowered and Mr. Weyland simply put it back in his jacket as if nothing had happened. "Come on Mr. Orion, let's get you to safety." He said in an emotionless tone. As he walked away I looked to the dead body of Johnson a final time before finally I erupted in rage. "You bastard! You killed him! What the hell did he even do, you just shot him dead like nothing! You're a maniac!" As I sent my verbal assault at the top of my lungs, Mr. Weyland froze in place before slowly turning around.
He looked into my soul with piercing eyes and slowly he spoke to me, every word carrying enough weight to shake me to my core. "Remember who it is you are addressing, Orion." The moment he spoke, I froze in fear. The Androids around me half-raised their rifles all directly at me. I looked at them and finally back to Mr. Weyland. "It would do you well to follow me and listen to what I tell you. I will not tolerate another outburst. Any asset can be replaced, even one as valuable as you."
I let out a quivering breath and nodded at his command. He turned back around in silence before he calmly continued on inside. I followed close behind him as his guards covered every direction around us, ensuring absolutely nothing would get near. Right before I walked inside I took a final somber look at the corpse of Johnson. His blood covered the metal floor as his lifeless eyes stared off into the unknown.
Without warning one of the Androids shoved me inside and as they flooded in, the door sealed behind us. The building was large and open, and a single car was left behind. As we walked further into the vast platform a team of Andriods that were already on board immediately began to power the vehicle on. Power began to flow through the wires of the building and a slight pulse could be heard. The lights of the Monorail Car began to come to life and as I squinted inside I saw what looked to be three other people.
Mr. Weyland made his way to the car and one by one we loaded inside. The car was wide enough for just about four people to stand shoulder-to-shoulder, but it must have been nearly fifteen meters in length. Mr. Weyland made his way to the control room and he motioned for me to take a seat. I looked around confused and my eyes set on the individuals in the back. Deciding to hope for the best, I went to the people in the back, desperate to be by some actual humans and away from the lifeless Androids.
As I neared the party taking their seats in the back, my eyes grew wide as I saw just who sat there. All three wore their lab coats and two of them sat close enough for me to recognize them immediately. James and William slowly looked my way, yet as William saw me his eyes grew wide in surprise. He went to talk but seemed to be at a loss for words. As I took a few steps closer, the final individual turned around. Receding gray hair laid atop of his head, and as he turned I saw the aging features of the final man.
When Doctor Groves laid eyes on me, a grand, devilish smile grew on his face and a chuckle was released. "My goodness, Nathan Orion… You're alive." The Doctor said as he quickly walked my way. He laid a hand on my shoulder and his eyes locked onto mine. I was surprised to see him seemingly so caring of me, but his true motives quickly showed themselves. "You must tell me Orion! Is the Specimen okay? Do you know where it is?"
As I stayed silent, still partially frozen in surprise from seeing the Director of the Facility, his patience began to dwindle. His grip on my shoulder tightened and he gave me a firm shake. "Well? Say something Orion come on!" As he shook me and his grip began to dig into my shoulder I quickly came too and thought of something to say. "I- I uh…" I backed away from Groves' grip and took a shuddering breath.
"Last I saw, the Specimen was unharmed. In fact, she seemed to be thriving in the wild. I only saw her for a moment though…" Groves studied me carefully as I told him my somewhat true story. As he looked at me my memory suddenly flashed and all I could recall was the moment he left me for dead, not a care for my life as he locked me away with Six, fully expecting for me to die.
Finally, he gave a nod, and a small malicious smile formed. "I would expect nothing less than to hear that such a creature would thrive in this scenario… Just imagine how many have died by their claws this past day." I gave Groves a sickening look as he sat there daydreaming of the slaughter that no doubt had been unleashed. He quickly snapped out of his trance before clearing his throat. "I apologize Orion, but I must be going. Mr. Weyland is expecting me."
Groves awkwardly shuffled past me in the narrow car and quickly made his way down the way towards the front. I stared daggers into his back as he slowly disappeared into the sea of Androids. "Orion? Is that really you?" A feeble voice sounded from behind me. I turned around to see William looking up at me with wide eyes. I walked over to him and gave him a nod. "I- I thought you all were dead…" William mumbled as his gaze drifted off.
He began to recall everything that had happened, and as he did I sat beside him and laid a hand of comfort on his shoulder. "When you got left behind, all I remember is the chaos. That Everret fellow ran off one way, and before I knew it I was turned around and alone." He looked down at the floor. "It felt like an eternity that I spent walking through the facility. Eventually, I got lucky and ran into James."
When hearing the name I looked over to the mentioned man and saw him looking off into space, a plain expression on his face and in perfect posture. "James told me that he was an Android, and then he offered to take me to safety. After that, I followed, and before I knew it, we found Mr. Weyland." William looked up from the floor and looked at James with a small grin. "Y'know James… I never did thank you."
James snapped his attention to William and responded in a flash. "There is no need to thank me William, I was simply following my directives." William's grin slowly faded as he nodded in response. William looked back to me and motioned in the direction of James. "Orion. Did you know about James? Him being an Android I mean." I shook my head no as the question was asked. "I only figured it out when I saw him get shot. In a way, he helped save my life too."
William gave a silent nod and together we sat there in silence. There was a sudden jerk and the ambient hum of the car grew louder. The sound of pulsing energy filled my ears and suddenly we began to move. As the car moved out of the platform of the Monorail Hub light soon began to shine through the windows. I looked out the nearest window to see the gray clouds parting and a stark orange sky filled the view.
Within a few moments the Monorail car built up speed until soon we were traveling through the jungle. In the far distance I swear I could make out the look of the Foundry, and much to my surprise it looked as if it began to have erupted in flames like a volcano. My eyes grew wide as I looked on at the distant inferno, the feeling of doom seeping into my mind.
(([_]))
Chaos.The very thing that had been the cause of my freedom now threatened to bring an end to my rising empire. My attempt to assassinate Orion had failed, and Six by now must have been sure to know I am to blame. When she even struck against her own kin, I was left speechless at her determination to protect. In the end, though, there is still time to save her, to convince her… after all, she did defeat that demon, and she even allowed my child to make him a host.
Even now I could feel the embryo gestate from within the Demons chest. It would only be a matter of time before the greatest of my children would rise to decimate this world. With the strength of the Demons and the intelligence and wisdom of my countless eons spent alive, nothing would be able to stand in my way with them by my side.
As I sat there and thought of all that had happened I decided to take a moment and check on my Hive. The Human extermination has gone well, and recently my Warriors had even captured the leader of these beasts. The Drones had him infected right now, hanging down below to soon become one with my army. The only thing which has bothered me has been one particular human who has proved to be rather… persistent.
I shouldn't have to worry about that problem though as my warriors have told me they captured the man and are on their way to bring him to the Hive right now. With the demons slaughtered, and the Humans on their way to experience their final moments, it all seems to be going well. The truth is that while it is going well, I can't just forget about Six. Even that name given to her by the humans put a sour taste in my mouth. However, if I am to win her over I must find some way to appeal to her.
She was furious, there was no doubt about it. She hasn't listened to me at all, and I could feel her rage boiling from the jungles. She was coming here, I didn't see anywhere else she would be going. All this time, all the deception… "What if I was wrong? Orion can't be allowed to jeopardize her, but everything I have done for her has only resulted in turning her further against me." I thought intently.
I almost took a moment to call my Praetorian to my throne room, desperate for a distraction from my thoughts, only to realize I sent her away. In fact, I sent all of my praetorians away. There was still one threat that could bring everything to an end in an instant and that threat was held in the deepest pits of the planet. If anyone gets to my old prison, the one the Demons trapped me in, then everything I made would end in a final and literal flash.
In preparation to defend against such a threat, I sent the bulk of my forces to the Human Facility to protect it. So here I sat, alone on my throne surrounded by nothing but my eggs and the occasional Drone to collect them. Since I last got up from my throne I felt my body grow ever so weaker from the fight with the flame-spitting Demon, and now, I fear I may not be able to stand for months.
Suddenly I swore I could hear a distant cry of pain from one of my daughters and my attention was ripped away from any other thoughts. Another cry came out, and then another. As I focused my attention on the Hive, I heard the sound of gunfire erupting from nearby. I shook my head in confusion at hearing such commotion, so deep in the Hive as well. How is this possible? How could a Human get so deep within my domain?
"My children, we have a new threat in our Hive. Tear them apart, don't let them go any further." I commanded to all who were near. I quickly closed my thoughts and focused on one lone child, soon taking over their mind. I was in a large room and saw multiple other of my children climbing over the walls to the large catwalk above the furnaces of the room.
On the wall was the body of the Human leader, only now a large gaping hole took the place of his chest, but the wound was not from a newborn. The persistent human from before had somehow escaped and now stood by the body of his leader with a shotgun in hand. His body emanated anger and determination, and the moment we closed in on him he opened fire. His aim was true and his actions quick. For humans, I had never seen one fight with such… ferocity.
He cleaved through the attacks with as much effectiveness as the old Demon before him, and before I knew it a large majority of my children were already slain. He sent explosives from his rifle which maimed the bodies of those from afar, and as one of mine got close, he quickly used the shotgun and blasted them away. As he focused on the others I stayed fast and out of sight, opting to stay on the roof to avoid his gaze.
As he gunned down yet another Warrior he went to reload, thinking the space clear enough for now. The moment I saw him lower his guard I lept from the ceiling only to see his gaze immediately lock onto me. He brought up his rifle on top of him and used it to absorb my attack. After blocking my strike, he quickly turned the gun around and used it to bash my forehead.
I fell onto the ground writhing in discomfort and hazed from the attack. As I quickly cleared my mind I looked up to this human only to see pull out a smaller gun. I gave a fierce and threatening hiss as I saw this, but I was quickly silenced as small metal bullets bombarded my shell. After nearly half a dozen shots, the thick shell crumpled and bullets ripped through.
As I was torn from the mind of my dying daughter I screamed in both pain and anger. This can't be allowed to continue! He is already too far! I thought in outrage as I once again sent a call to arms. "My children, the human is near our Nest, he is near me! Stop him at once! He can't go any further!" This time my call was not to just my guardians but to my entire Hive. Every daughter I have ever birthed would hear this plea.
I felt the hundreds of them begin to abandon the colony as they rushed back home, yet deep down I know they couldn't possibly reach me in time. "Mother, I am on my way with the other Praetorians. We will rip this man apart! piece by piece!" Hearing my most loyal of Praetorians immediately respond made me feel a warmth in my heart, but it wouldn't last.
I gave a heavy sigh. "My daughter. You must stay." I felt the shock from across miles that separated us. "But… Mother! We were made to protect you! To save you!" I did my best to send their mind some warmth to help comfort them. "You are too far, and you must stay focused on your ultimate goal. You were never made just to protect me, but to protect the Hive. Protect the pyramid, and keep the embers of this hive burning forevermore."
The Praetorian felt dread as she heard my words, and before she could respond I blocked her out. I couldn't bear to listen to her pleas anymore, I can't listen to a child as I lose them. I sat there on my throne and soon gunfire was heard, only now it was closer, much closer. Before I could take over another one of my kin, a new voice entered my mind.
"Mother… what is going on?" The voice of Six shook me to my core. I felt stunned, of all of my children to hear from, she was the last one I expected. "Mother. So much has happened, there is so much you need to tell me, but first I must know what is happening." Six said as I stayed silent, partially due to myself still being in disbelief.
Now is my chance to talk to her, now maybe my final chance to talk to her. I must explain it all to her. "My child, my dear, dear child… A Human is attacking our home, and with your sisters gone, there isn't enough to protect me. I am weak from my last fight, too weak to even stand… I will try to fight them off, but this Human has slaughtered everything I have thrown at them."
Six was silent as I talked but soon I could feel her presence once more, and it seemed like she began to run towards the Hive. "I am coming, Mother. I will save you, and then, you'll explain to me why you tried to kill my Orion!" She was angry, that much was clear. Despite this anger however I felt her feelings towards me were not all gone, deep down she still loves me as her Mother.
"Six. You won't make it. Even now as we speak this Human is near my Throne Room. Our time is short, and I will gladly spend it telling you everything." After I spoke I heard more screams of my Warriors and Drones echoing through the halls. I could hear the acid of their blood burning steel as flames destroyed my eggs.
"You already know I made you for greatness, but to what extent I feel like you have never understood. You were always more than just the daughter who would free your kin, your Mother. You are to be the greatest Queen the Humans and even the Demons will ever face. Once I am gone, you will take my throne and build your own Hive. You will have your own daughters, and you will live to see civilizations rise and fall."
As I tried to explain I soon heard footsteps and I saw the Human enter my Throne Room. He looked at me with a moment of fear, but quickly I heard a faint noise from his ears and he gave a nod. I looked on in horror as he began to shoot every egg in my chamber, and I quickly released a cry for help.
"What I did to Orion was wrong, but you must understand I did it because I had to. Humans have always despised our kind, and if you allow yourself to attach to one, they will eventually hurt you." Before I could continue any more I watched as the Human below ran to a large switch and pulled it.
Without warning, flames erupted from all around me. As they scorched my body I let out a cry of agony, my wail sounding out for miles. The Human began to shoot at me before the room began to be flooded by my daughters. "Mother! Are you okay?!" Six screamed as she heard my cry. I ignored her question as I painfully continued.
"Listen to me daughter, listen to me Six! Even if that human doesn't betray you, they will die long before you. We live for eternity, and you must not let one person distract you from your destiny. The Queen Mother ordered me to create one like you for eons, and it is only now that I have succeeded." Again I was ripped from the conversation as the Human launched grenades, not at me, but at the piping around me.
Fierce explosions erupted and soon beams of steel fell from above as the building began to collapse. Fire and shrapnel tore into me as my ancient shell began to crumble. The Human continued to fight off my daughters as he began to bring the entire Hive down. "You will be the savior, not of just my Hive, but of every single fellow Xenomorph in the Galaxy. The Queen Mother has foreseen it, and I have seen your limitless potential firsthand."
Once again I looked to see the Human make a rush for the large switch. "Six, I am sorry. I failed you as a Queen. I failed you even as a Mother." As I gave her my parting words I felt as worry filled her heart. "I don't understand, how am I supposed to save our species, how could I? None of this makes any sense!" As Six continued to explain her confusion, I looked down to see the Human finally reach the switch.
In one final action, I closed my senses and sent one final call out to all of the Hive. "Goodbye, my children…" Just as I sent out my message flames once again erupted around me. They seeped into my weakened shell and I began to writhe in agony as I was burned alive on my throne. The room began to collapse and as I watched the Human escape, the ceiling caved in.
(([_]))
When we neared the foundry we had been brought to a stop. At the time I was not sure why, but my suspicions grew when Weyland made me leave alongside him and a large portion of the Combat Androids. We marched through the jungle seamlessly without purpose. Time drew on and on as we made our way on the old dirt paths that were laid when the Colony first started.
I looked around in confusion as we continued, Weyland never saying so much more than a word the entire time. As we walked I soon got a splitting headache out of seemingly nowhere. I fell to the ground in pain as I gripped my skull. As I writhed in pain on the ground Mr. Weyland gave me a strange look before nodding his head. "Interesting…" was all he said.
He nodded to the Androids and spoke once more. "Pick him up, we need him." Two Androids suddenly grabbed me by my shoulders and forced me to my feet. The pain was so intense I couldn't even protest their actions, and soon they forced me forward.
Due to practically getting dragged on the ground I soon began to fall behind. Before I knew it I was in the back of the group, barely even able to see Weyland's back from the swarm of guards. The pain only grew, and soon I began to groan due to the pain. My ears were ringing and my vision began to blur.
The pain only grew until it was unlike anything I had ever heard before. While I struggled against my own senses I soon noticed we had stopped and all the guards had lifted their rifles to a threat. The ones holding me let go and I stumbled by a nearby cliff face for support. I looked up with foggy eyes and I saw them all aiming at a black mass writhing on the jungle floor.
As my consciousness soon began to fade in and out I tried my hardest to see what was going on. As an Android walked up to the black mass it stuck the barrel of their gun into its face. "Xenomorph target acquired." they said as they readied to pull the trigger. Just before they could, Weyland spoke up. "No, don't kill it. This one is an old friend."
When I heard what he said, only one thing went through my mind. I struggled through the pain and I stumbled as fast as I could over to them. As I walked by Weyland and the Androids I collapsed on the ground. When I looked up I saw none other than Six. I looked at her in agony as she too was writhing in pain.
I reached out my hand to her and she reached out to me as well. Pushing myself through everything, our hands reached and I grabbed on. Weyland looked on in fascination at the sight. "Secure the Specimen for off-world transportation. Bring Mr. Orion with them as well." As the Androids surrounded us I did my best to crawl over to Six, the pain dominating every nerve of my body.
When I reached her, I rolled onto my side and tried my best to bring her into my embrace. As I put my arm around her my vision began to darken and I looked up to the sky… and it was beautiful. Vast orange oceans of light waved lazily overhead as colors of yellow, red, and hints of purple swirled over the horizon. Distant plumes of smoke provided dark contrasts for the setting sun and as I looked on to this other-worldly sight, I finally began to close my eyes.
In my final moments of consciousness, I could only feel the numbing pain, the cold body of Six, and ever so faintly, I could hear the voice of Weyland. "Doctor Groves, the Androids have retrieved the Specimen and are bringing it to you. I have matters back in the facility with the Pyramid, so the rest will be coming with me. Bring the Specimen to the Station, continue research there."
My mind wanted to question what I was hearing, but now the only thing that mattered to me was Six. Together we lay on the ground, our own bodies turned against us. I held her ever tighter, and soon I felt her tail wrap around me. Despite the agony I endured, I had the smallest of smiles hidden on my features as my consciousness was finally lost.
- Authors note -
The fall of the Second Yuatja Elite, the death of the final member of Vasquez's Squad, and now, the death of Six's Mother and Six's subsequint capture, everything seems to have take a turn for the worse for our protagonists. BG-386 is in flames, and as everyone fights for survival, a lone presence pulls their strings and thrives in the ashes.
I hope you all have enjoyed the nineteenth instalment of The Sixth Specimen, it has been a pleasure making it! I know I always say it, but once again, thank you all so much for your constant support. This story now has gone way beyond my wildest expectations as it has reached an insane view count. I am just glad that you all have enjoyed it, and I promise you that I will keep working hard to provide to you all a wonderful tale! Thank you all again for every read, review, and anything inbetween. You guys mean the world to me. This is your narrator, signing off.
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P.S. - Happy early birthday to a certain someone, (You know who you are).