Thicker than Blood

Chapter 17

I do not own any film in the Alien franchise

Author's note:

I am so sorry for being so late. Between a family wedding in another state, illness, and a bit of writer's block, it has been hard to get down to work. I know where I want to go, but it's difficult figuring out how to get there.

Apologies, this chapter won't have the action I promised. Not yet. And it's a bit short. I realized I need to build up to the action. Anyway, back to the story.

Ed, Cres'sa, Jennifer and Jonathan had made their way to the flight bay. The door to the conference room was shut, with one of Tanner's men standing guard. Ed expected to have no problem in re-joining the meeting, but the guard had been told otherwise.

"I'm sorry, sir, no one can enter until the meeting is over. Major Tanner was explicit in his orders."

"But, I was a part of this before I had to go tend to Cres. He told me to take care of her first. I'm sure Major Tanner will allow..."

"I'm sorry, sir. No one may enter now that the meeting has started. Major's orders."

Ed sighed. "Alright, Private." He said the word in exaggeration, frustrated. "I'll wait." He turned to Jennifer, who was confused as well, and shrugged.

"Let's go wait in the flight bay. Tanner will fill us in later on what's been decided. Come on." Ed and Jenn led the group to the large expanse, where they sat on some steps.

Inside the meeting room, ideas were being bandied around, Intel was shared. The Yautja were making headway into major cities, that much was known. Whenever they were seen, people died. Right now, the attacks seemed more one on one, or against small groups. Was this just a precursor to an invasion, testing the waters on whether mankind could fight back effectively? The answer to that question was unknown, and Tanner wished he knew more. They would need to protect Earth and its population from what could be a superior force from another planet.

It was almost an hour later, when the door opened. Colonel Moore's people headed for the lifts, Moore giving Ed a nod as he passed the sergeant. Ed only glared at the man, having no respect for him. Seeing Major Tanner at the far wall, Ed told Cres'sa to wait with Jonathan while he talked with his commanding officer.

"Sir, how was the discussion? Moore appeared rather pleased with himself. Or am I reading things wrong?"

'We came to an...agreement. It will be up to us to make sure they stick to that agreement. Why don't we go to my office for a while. Is everything ok with Cres'sa?" Tanner looked over Ed's shoulder at the xenomorph, his eyes showing worry. Annalise and Sul'ss were already heading over to their children.

"She's fine, Major. We had a long talk. She understands more everyday. It's incredible, really." He hoped his voice wasn't betraying the secret Ed felt he needed to keep from Major Tanner. "So what kind of agreement with the devil have we made?"

The two men walked to Tanner's office, while Annalise and Sul'ss checked on Cres'sa and Jonathan. Annalise looked at Cres'sa, her eyes making notice of a change in her daughter. As queen and mother to her nest, there was little she did not notice in her children. "Jennifer, Jonathan tells me he is very fond of you."

Jenn's cheeks turned pink. The woman was embarrassed that Annalise may know the extent of her relationship with Jonathan. Why was it easier that they interacted with each other, without his mother being here. As long as she approved, Jenn didn't care anyway. Not really. "I'm fond of him too. He's...an amazing person." She smiled at Jonathan, who looked back at her with a knowing grin.

Meanwhile, Tanner gave Ed the update on the discussion with the Company's man. Moore had listened eagerly when Tanner said they could get help from Annalise.

"What? You intend to get the xenos involved? Surely, she wouldn't agree to that."

"Actually, she did. You and I will be returning to the colony, where Annalise and Sul'ss will decide who of the nest will be coming back with us. Yes, Ed, they will be part of our army, and I don't want to hear any objections from you! This isn't easy for me, you know. I've become friends with Annalise's people over time. But we need them."

"I know, Major. I just don't want to see Cres'sa...well, any of them hurt. Or worse." The expression on Ed's face told Tanner what the man was feeling in inside.

Standing, Tanner decided they'd better get ready to depart. The war wasn't going to wait until they were satisfied as to their preparedness. It was going to come anyway.

ON BOARD THE TRANSPORT SHIP

The latest vessel was designed for quick trips. Rather, it made them quick. This was the first time it was to actually be used on a mission. It sat on the flight deck, the prep crews already having cleared the area. Ed boarded the ship, followed by Tanner, Sul'ss and Annalise, and the twins. Tanner told them to sit in the back while he joined Ed up front.

The deck rose upward to the top of the shaft. Once they had cleared the now open roof, Ed pressed some buttons on the console, and the transport lifted off smoothly. The distance to Colony C-04 was too great for any ordinary ship, but Tanner had gotten his hands on this ship, cutting their time significantly. This transport was roomy, just what he needed for the task at hand. But it flew more like a fighter ship. He had once compared it to a bus that drove like a sports car. With time being of the essence, they had to get to the colony and back at top speeds.

In the back passenger bay, Annalise sat with Sul'ss, and their children. Jennifer stayed behind at the base so that she and the tactical staff could begin plans for transfer to the Company base. It was there the two groups would live and train, to prepare for the inevitable meeting between the humans and the Yautja. And it was there that the Company soldiers would have their first, hopefully bloodless, meeting with the xenomorphs.

"Sir, the Company jocks do realize that the xenomorphs would be under your command. I mean, they're not going to take them from you. I'm sure Annalise and Sul'ss would object if that happened." Ed had little to do but monitor panel readouts during this stage of the flight. His mind wandered to the possibility that Weyland-Yutani would kidnap the xenomorphs, and Tanner's group would have no choice but to fight them. They sure as hell didn't need to face two enemies.

Annalise had had the same thoughts. She shared those thoughts with Sul'ss, who bristled at her words. "Person...people hurt children...kill them."

"Yes, of course. I agreed that they may fight alongside the humans. But of they betray us afterward, we will spill their blood too," Annalise said. Sul'ss enclosed his mate in his muscular arms. He would willingly die to protect her and their young. He didn't trust the humans, except for Tanner's people, and would serve if it helped them. Sul'ss felt that such a union between human and So'reth'esst might save his own nest from invaders, if they had fought at their side in this war against the Yautja.

Annalise, silent in her own mind, watched her daughter. There was something different about her. She smelled...different. He memory took her back to the first time she got pregnant with Sul'ss' offspring. That had to be it, but how? Immediately, the answer came to her. Sergeant Ed Wheaton. The human who protected Cres'sa. But when had it happened? And how long ago?

Unentangling herself from Sul'ss' arms, Annalise went over to speak with the young xenomorph. Cres'sa could not lie to her mother and queen. She admitted to having mated with the human male, Ed. She told Annalise of her feelings for him. If she was, in fact, bearing his young, Cres'sa could not be happier. She nuzzled her mother in joy. Annalise embraced her daughter, wondering what Richard would have to say about this. She would have to tell him, of course. And Ed Wheaton too. But not yet.

Everyone seemed to have retreated into their own thoughts, making no notice of the passing time. Until...

"Major Tanner, we're just 10 minutes from the planet. Touchdown to C-04 is 6 minutes away."

"Good, I'll let the others know. I'll be ready to get this done, and head back to Earth. Heaven help us all if this doesn't work though." Tanner didn't trust the Company, and he didn't trust Moore.

"Sir, it will work. We'll band together against the Yautja, and Annalise and her family can go back home. End of story."

Reading the ship for landing, Ed added with forced confidence. "We'll make sure of it."

BACK ON EARTH

Jennifer and a Sergeant Masterson locked down the base, transferred data to mobile units that could interface with Company computers, and readied everyone with orders. Tanner and the others would be back before they knew it, and they didn't want to disappoint Major Tanner by not being ready.

Ships were fueled and checked for flight readiness. Jenn leaned against one, watching as crew were clearing exhaust ports. She was curious to spend time with the xenomorphs, who were very different from the twins. These were the real deal. Killing machines, with just one order from their queen. Jenn shivered as she hugged herself. There was no need to be frightened, she told herself. They would not hurt anyone at this base. And she was sure Jonathan would protect her, even against his own siblings.

"Everything is ready to go, Philips. We just have to wait for Major Tanner's return. I hope it's not going to be too long. I'm finding myself eager to get this show on the road." He handed her a cup of steaming coffee, assuming she might need it.

"Thanks, Masterson." Jenn inhaled deep the fragrance of the coffee, then sipped some of the hot liquid. "This hits the spot. I agree with you though. Once we get started, I can shift into auto mode, but right now, I'm thinking too much about everything, I guess. Trying to predict the future, seeing different outcomes. Makes me nervous." She took another sip of the coffee, then excused herself and headed for her quarters. She still had to pack. That had been low on her list of priorities, what with getting the computer storage units ready. Although others had the charge of the ships, she wanted to be sure there were no delays.

Stuffing her duffel bag with her gear, Jenn flopped on the bed. She missed Jonathan, that was part of the problem. She didn't trust Moore and his men. They had no choice but to join forces, dammit! The Yautja were superior fighters, if the stories were to be believed. Earth and mankind were in the greatest danger ever experienced in its history. There would be no reprieves or second chances. Fight to the death. That would be the order of the day. Every day.

Sighing, Jenn finished up and left for the control room. She wanted to be there when Tanner called in. Rather, when his message was received. It would not be live, but she still wanted to know that everyone were alright. If only they could back to the day where the word Yautja wasn't known.

AT COLONY C-04

Annalise led the party through what was left of the original colony's buildings. The nest inhabited areas that had not been damaged during the initial onslaughts by the xenomorphs. On their arrival, Annalise and Sul'ss were besieged by their children, all happy to see the Mother back safe. Tanner was greeted as well, having become the most trusted among the humans. Sul'ss reached out to his children, caressing them while mentally calling to each. Annalise quickly went to the nursery, finding the youngest of her children now grown to near full height. But she was not sure if they were ready to fight against the alien invaders. Sul'ss silently moved up behind her, taloned hands on her shoulders. He knew what she was thinking and wanted to reassure his mate.

"Bring all...will learn to fight, h'sta'ess. Strong children." To make it easier, he stopped talking and sent thoughts to her. She knew what he was saying though, and leaned back into him. Tanner would welcome the entire nest to Earth, needing all the help they could get. But now that she was here among her children again, Annalise found it difficult to think of them fighting and dying, for some would die. Closing her eyes, she drew strength from Sul'ss. She envisioned Yautja and So'reth'esst locked in combat, blades versus talons, blood flying, her people...dying. Humans, too, lay dying in pools of their own red blood.

Opening her eyes, Annalise shook away the vision. There was no time to be afraid. Returning to the main room, she walked up to Tanner. "We're ready to go, Richard, all of us."

Jonathan and Cres'sa greeted their brothers and sisters, who wanted to hear about the world of the humans. Their genetic memory reminded them that humans had once been their enemies, but since Major Tanner arrived and had made peace with their queen, things had changed. By the same token, the Yautja were still their enemies, and they would gladly fight until all were dead.

Jonathan found Annalise, sensing his mother's distress. He took her hands in his, squeezing. "We are ready, Mother. You have no need to fear for us. The murderers of the humans will die choking on their blood. We will see to that. I look forward to the battle." His black eyes almost seemed to flash red flame.

Annalise smiled at her latest son. His strength, she knew well. His affections for Jennifer, she accepted. He would fight for her and for the other humans too. God, how did it all come to this. "Yes, my child, we will fight and we'll win. The Yautja lost against us once before. And they will again." This would become the beginning of a new life for her people. Or it would be the end of all of them.

It was a short hour before Tanner ordered everyone back onto the ship. The entire nest of xenomorphs crouched in the passenger bay, while Annalise and Jonathan sat in seats. There was a palpable anticipation in the air. Tanner hoped the xenos didn't get frightened during space travel and cause trouble back there. This was a first for them.

Ed sent the vessel into a high orbit, before flying it into space and back to Earth.