Thicker Than Blood
I do not own any film in the Alien franchise.
Chapter 5
Dr Layton Thomas gathered his data from his examination of the alien hybrid Cres'sa. His friend, Richard Tanner, stood by waiting, curious to see his findings. He knew Cres'sa was not like her fellow brothers and sisters. All the offspring of Annalise and Sul'ss had been typical xenos, except for Cres'sa and her twin brother. He wanted to know in what ways they were different.
Standing before the photos that exposed Cres'sa's internal workings, Dr Thomas pointed out the differences between this hybrid and the average xenomorph, based on a smattering of information gathered under duress.
"Cres'sa has no tail, but I believe that is a merely a sign of her immaturity. A tail is already coming in, at the base of her spine. And look here," he said, pointing at the screen. "Cres'sa doesn't have the inner jaw all xenos have, a rather formidable weapon she doesn't possess."
"I noticed that." Tanner stood with his arms crossed as he peered at the screen.
"But, see this mass back here? That...is a tongue, Richard. She also possesses a larynx, of all things. I believe that, with some training and patience, Cres'sa could be taught to speak. Basic words at first, maybe more complicated words later."
"A xeno who could talk? Now that would be something."
Circling his fingertip over her lower abdomen, Dr Thomas said, "Notice this dark mass here. She has a uterus, no sign of an ovipositer. If she ever breeds, she would obviously bear live young."
"Just like her mother. Her pregnancies produced live young, but she was human to begin with. This could mean a new strain of xeno. You know, Layton, that xenos are known to take on some features of their hosts."
"Yes, from what he have discovered."
Tanner continued. "Cres'sa's mother told me that the particular nest she found years ago had been hosted by a race of peaceful humanoids. That's why their queen didn't kill her right off. They even seem more intelligent than the average xenomorph."
"True. Those creatures are virtual killing machines," Dr Thomas noted. " But with this near-human physiology, it would also mean limited birth rates. No eggs, and no huge nurseries. That could be good news."
"Not to certain outfits that want to breed the xenos as soldiers," Tanner observed.
"I can't wait to find out how her brother differs..." Layton uttered excitedly. He was interrupted mid sentence.
"Jonathan refuses to let you examine him."
"...internally, since he appears more...what? What did you just say, Richard?"
"He's opted out. I won't force him." Tanner shrugged. "I will not force him to submit to anything he doesn't want to do, Layton, and that includes your examination."
"That's regrettable," he remarked, turning off the data screen. "Well, if he changes his mind, you will let me know."
"Absolutely, Layton. I really was hoping he would be ok with it."
While Tanner and Dr Thomas had been going over the results of the examination, Cres'sa crouched beside Ed Wheaton in a waiting room, enjoying the warmth of his body next to her. She reached out with a taloned hand, and played with the human's hair.
"Cres'sa, stop that," Ed said smiling, as he batted at her hand. "Now behave yourself." He continued checking his rifle, a nervous habit he indulged when there was nothing to do.
Cres'sa hissed low. She knew the human male was here to protect her, but she also felt the need to protect him as well. She nudged his shoulder with her head, and hissed again.
"Stop that," he said, slightly annoyed, yet unable to suppress the smile that was breaking his concentration. He turned to look at the xeno, his eyes taking in her form. She would have been a frightening creature, if he didn't already know that she wasn't the typical monster often talked about in the barracks of every military outpost he'd ever been stationed. There were too many stories about ships and colonies taken over by her kind, with sickening results. He reached up and patted her carapace. "You're a good girl, aren't you." Then he went back to checking out his weapon.
Outside, the soldiers in Tanner's unit were being attacked by forces unknown. Sergeant Evans sent half his group to flank the attackers from behind some decorative bushes. Smoke filled the area. Having no affect on the unit, it still made for low visibility.
The hovering ship finally stopped disgorging attackers, and flew away.
While his Special Forces readied to hold off the invaders, inside the building, Tanner was talking with his friend. "Layton, the Weyland Corporation would do anything to get their hands on a xenomorph. I won't let them get the twins." It was at that moment that an explosion caused the building to shudder slightly.
"Shit," Tanner uttered, while reaching for his commlink. "Sergeant Evans, report!"
"Sir, a ship just offloaded troops, and they're attacking. They must be after the xenos."
"Alright. Do what you can to keep them from getting inside. We're on our way to the ships. Meet us there ASAP, but before you do..." Tanner looked at his friend, worry for the staff here a consideration. "...take them out. All of them!"
"Aye, sir!" Sergeant Evans directed his soldiers to flank the attacking troops. "Shoot to kill. That's an order!"
Moving as a practiced team, each soldier knowing where they were to go, Tanner's Special Forces proved why they were the best. Breaking off into several squads, they circled the small but well-armed invading army. Donning their hyper-goggles, each soldier pinpointed an opponent's body heat using infra-red, before firing their weapons. If they missed, they knew their location would be revealed.
Weapons fire permeated the square, with some people exiting the building unknowingly finding themselves in the midst of a battle. They fled back the way they'd come, leaving Tanner's people free to pepper the area with fire power. A few of the attackers were hit directly, collapsing onto the ground.
Upstairs, in the med lab, Tanner hurriedly told Dr Thomas about the attack. "You'll have to make do with the information you got today, Layton. I have to get the twins out of here."
"Right. I think for safety sake, I'll encrypt all my files so if anyone even managed to get in here, they wouldn't be able to access it." Already, Dr Thomas was activating the lockdown feature of his computer system.
"Good idea. I'm sorry. I had no idea this would happen. At least I hoped it wouldn't. Take care of yourself, Layton. I'll be in touch." The two men shook hands, before Tanner took off in search of Wheaton and Philips, hoping the twins were close by.
Running down the hall, he found Wheaton and Cres'sa together. "Come on, Sergeant, the building is under attack. Watch Cres'sa!"
Ed touched Cres'sa's shoulder. "We have to go find Jennie and your brother. Do you know where he is?"
Cres'sa lowered her head, and left the room, with Ed following.
In another room, Jonathan was trying to apologise to Sergeant Philips, who was showing nothing but open disdain towards him.
"I want to ask your forgiveness, Jennie. I didn't mean to attack you. It's just..." Jonathan began contritely.
"Yeah, right, uh huh. You couldn't control your alien needs. I get it. It doesn't make me happy though. I feel like I can't trust you!" Jenn tried not to be angry. For one thing, she was not a quitter. This mission was important to the Major. He trusted in her enough to give her the important task of watching the xenomorph. She didn't want to fail him. But being raped by one's charge was not in the book.
"I'm not human, not completely anyway. I was raised by my human mother, it's true, but in the nest, there was no one else like me. How do you think it would be to be raised by people nothing like you, while you tried to retain your humanity. I don't even know what I am, Jennie!" He pleaded with his eyes and hands, as he made note of her attention. She was listening to him. "Please, try to understand. I'm so very sorry. I will never do that again, ever. Please, let me stay with you. If you don't agree, Uncle Richard will send me away," he lied.
Jennie was torn. She was curious about Jonathan, and could imagine it would be difficult to be raised amongst creatures so very different. And maybe he was right about not knowing his own physiology. If she told Major Tanner she would choose to continue to be Jonathan's protector, she had to be sure the hybrid knew she wouldn't tolerate any more actions similar to his previous antics. "Alright, Jonathan. For Major Tanner and for Cres'sa, I'll stay with this mission." Picking up her rifle for emphasis, she continued grimly, "But if you do anything like that again, I will not hesistate to use this. Believe me, I'll be keeping my eyes on you all the time."
Jonathan smiled in relief. "I understand, Jennie. I'll behave, I swear it."
Their conversation was interrupted by shouting and booted footfalls heading down the hallway. Major Tanner almost passed the doorway, but backtracked, sticking his head into the room. "We're under attack. Watch Jonathan, and come this way. We're heading back to the ships."
As they jogged down the hall, Jenn asked her commanding officer, "What about the others outside?" She never fled from a fight, and was ready to join her comrades.
"They're taking care of the attacking troops, and will meet us at the ships. But keep your eyes open in case anyone penetrated the building."
"Yes, sir!" Tugging on her charge's arm, Jenn told Jonathan, "Stay close." Just as they turned the corner right behind Tanner, they ran into Ed and Cres'sa. "You heard?"
"Yeah, we're heading for the ships, right?" Ed scanned every corridor branch-off they passed, his rifle at the ready.
"Right, although I want to be outside with the rest of the team," Jenn said.
"Agreed, but we have to protect the xenos." The small group moved along the exterior hallways of the building, until they reached the cargo elevator. As the two soldiers followed the xeno twins, they noticed that both Jonathan and Cres'sa were also wary as they moved ahead of their protectors.
Once out of doors, they ran for the waiting ships. In one, Tanner started up the engines. Philips herded the twins into the vessel, while Wheaton started the engines of the small troop ship. It wasn't long before Tanner's people arrived.
Jumping into the pilot's seat just vacated by Wheaton, Sergeant Reardon lifted off. While waiting to reach flight altitude, Sergeant Evans told Wheaton, "We lost Brooks and Marchen."
"Damn. Did you get a good look at who they were?"
"No. There wasn't an insignia in sight."
Ed thought a moment "Ok, as soon as we land, report to Major Tanner. We've got to find out what is going on, so that we can prevent another such attack."
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Far across space, Annalise was instructing her most recent offspring in the work of transforming a section of the complex into a comfortable living area for the xenomorphs. She sensed something akin to fear. She turned and called for Sul'ss. When he arrived, he stood at her side.
"Ahhhhnnleeessss, you are troubled," he hissed. He touched her shoulder, as he sensed a shudder move through her body.
"It's the twins. Something's wrong with the twins."
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Hours later, a transport vessel landed outside the medical research building, and several soldiers began the task of removing the bodies of their fallen comrades. Ignoring the activity, two men entered the building, one in a high ranking uniform, the other in an expensive suit. Taking an elevator up to the floor where the medical labs were located, they entered one room in particular. Seeing a man in a white coat, they headed right for him.
Dr Thomas sensed someone behind him, and turned around. "Gentlemen, I wasn't expecting you to arrive this soon." He finished his download, and removing the storage device from his computer, handed it to the man in the suit. "Give this to your boss. It has all the data concerning the physiology of the female hybrid."
"And the male?" The suited man asked, taking the device in his hand.
"Unfortunately, he refused to be examined. You'll have to examine him as soon as you're able to capture him. I don't believe he'll allow me any access to him, cooperatively anyway."
Nodding slowly, the man said, "You did very well, Doctor. Your funding will continue. I'm sure the Weyland Corporation will still have need of your research, even with this." Holding up the storage device, he tossed it in the air and caught it, before slipping it into his pocket. "Come on, Colonel Maxwell, we have to get this to my boss ASAP."
When the men left his lab, Dr Thomas slumped into the chair at his desk. Clenching his right hand into a fist, he muttered to himself, "I'm sorry, Richard, but I had no choice. I really didn't."
A/N:sorry for the delay in updating. Since my desktop died, I have been doing everything on my laptop, and that's harder to type on. Doesn't make for pleasant writing. Plus work pressures just take away any desire to write. I have the ideas, just need the inclination to type. Wish we had voice recognition computers. :-)
For the time being, I am rating this as "T", so it will now appear on main page. I'll wait to see what happens with the rumours about "M" stories. Thanks!