The INTRUDER

As I headed through the winding halls and passages, I noticed something strange in the tunnels. An unusual amount secretion on the walls. Something wasn't right. I quickened my pace, leaping onto the wall and racing along the side. So, you must be like, how is he running on the walls? Well, I forgot to mention I'm a xenomorph. I have a wicked cool sharp as hell tail blade, sharp claws and teeth, an inner mouth, no eyes, and a dome shaped skull. Most other xenos go on two legs, only occasionally on all fours, but unlike them, I'm a runner, not a drone or a warrior. I can go on two legs, but I prefer my standard four legged stance. Anyway, as I shot through the tunnel, I felt Her enter my mind.

"Why do you come?" she hissed in my mind. (Xenomorphs communicate telepathically.)

"Where is everyone?" I responded.

"Out hunting and patrolling, like YOU should be!" she spat, her anger and annoyance raging through my mind.

"Mother, I apologize for my tardiness, but I have important news, which the entire Hive should be present for." I said. I felt her considering.

"Very well, I will summon your brothers and sisters." With that, she exited my mind. I quickly leaped onto the ground and entered one of the many vents that dotted the Hive. These led to our sleeping chambers, and to the Queens Throne Hall. I slid out and presented myself to Mother, dipping my head. She was our caretaker, the Queen Xenomorph. She ruled the Hive. She was now attached to her egg sack, and was sealed onto the throne by the secretion. I settled into a corner, my black skin blending in perfectly with the dark corner. Mother threw back her head, and screeched, a sound that rapidly called the rest of the Hive together. A dull thud echoed through the room, the sound of thousands of xenomorphs flooding the tunnels to reach the chamber. They settled in, climbing like lizards on the walls, and roof and corners. The room was packed soon.

"Hi Fastclaw." a soft voice echoed in my head. Turning, I saw a lithe female drone approach me. I purred.

"Hi Ribhead." She was one of the many drones in the Hive and one my closest friends. However, what set her apart from the drones was that she had a smaller slightly ridged head, like a warrior. Yet she was no warrior. They were bulkier, meant for fighting and protecting Mother. She and other drones tended to repairing the Hive walls, and attending Mother.

"Why has Mother called us?" she asked.

"I have information the Hive should know about." I replied. Her tail lashed excitedly.

"What news?"

"You'll see." I answered. Mother's voice suddenly cut through all our heads, silencing us immediately.

"Fastclaw has news for us." she announced. She beckoned me forwards as sea of surprised hisses and growls rippled through the room. I bounded up to the front, where a sea of eyeless domed faces turned towards me.

"I was out hunting today near the ridge. If you go up over it, there is a colony of humans starting to build there." I explained. A cacophony of deafening howls and screeches echoed through the Hive.

"We can't let them build!" shrieked one xenomorph in particular. Everyone stopped and turned towards him. Six stepped forward.

"You all know they took me prisoner and how they treated me. (Play AvP for Xbox Six is main character) Some of you here are from the compound." he said. He lashed his tail. "I will lead the patrol to destroy them." he said. Instantly, many others started claiming a place in the patrol.

"Hold on!" snarled Mother. "We haven't decided anything yet. I will meet with the Predalien Guards, Six and Fastclaw. The rest of you will go back to your normal duties." That sealed the deal, and within moments, the room was empty except for Six, me and several Predaliens. I couldn't help but stiffen as they approached. Several times larger than a xenomorph, they had a large crowned head, Predator mandibles, xenomorph tails, and inner mouths. Ale'con, the combat master for the Hive, stepped forward.

"Fastclaw, did they have a building already up?" he asked. I shook my head.

"They were just starting to lay the foundations of their hives." I replied. He turned to Mother. "Should we send a patrol to scout later tonight?" he asked. Mother nodded.

"Yes. Take two Predaliens, a warrior, two runners, Fastclaw, and Six." she said. My heart leaped that she trusted me enough to go. Mother dismissed me and Six. As we turned and headed towards a vent, I paused. Low hisses rippled through them.

"Maybe we should find another exit." suggested Six. "One that doesn't have our brothers and sisters thronging around it."

I nodded and climbed up to another vent higher up. I dove in and raced towards my nest shooting past the others who lined the walls. I felt their surprise as I pelted past them, but no one pursued me. Besides, the only one who can catch a runner is another runner. We are the fastest xenomorphs of all, even Mother. I quickly slid into my den, which was a small alcove off of the main shaft. It was once a ventilation shaft, but it was quickly turned into the hive, with secretion and webbing. I had a small hole above me that let me go out and view the sky. It was also handy for a quick escape if need be. I lay down on my ledge of animal pelts and curled up. I would need to rest. Just before I fell asleep, Mother contacted me.

"Meet Ale'con and the patrol at the east wing entrance tonight. I will send a drone to wake you." she said.

"Yes Mother." I sleepily replied.

"Fastclaw, wake up." a voice hissed in my mind. A clawed hand shook me roughly. Growling in annoyance, I shoved the drone away.

"Alright I'm up, put your claws away." I muttered. I stretched and headed out of my den, scurrying down the main shaft to where the patrol waited. "Hi." I said.

"Greetings." replied Ale'con.

"Remember, you are only going to scout, do not attack unless attacked." Mother ordered.

"Yes Mother." said Ale'con. We headed out into the forest. I observed the rest of the patrol. Sharphand was a warrior, and my fellow runner was Jaken. He was a friend to me and we often ate together. I was pleased to have him, because like me, he was small and swift. The two Predaliens, Ale'con and another named Jamar, were with us, and of course Six. He seemed very nervous. Even though he had killed so many in his frantic escape, he was not happy about returning to a human occupied area. I gave him a comforting nudge. He sent a thread of appreciation to me.

"It'll be fine." I said. He nodded. We quickly approached the ridge and slid into the bushes that lined it. The scent of humans drifted on the wind. We turned to Ale'con. He judged our position, then turned to me.

"Fastclaw and Jaken, go scout ahead and make sure the way is clear."

"Yes sir." I replied. Quickly, we shot off and ran through the sparse trees and bushes. I reveled in the strength of my legs and the air flowing around me. The night was cold and crisp, perfect for a mission. We slowed and fell into a crouch as we neared the compound. I glanced at Jaken and flicked my tail. We split up and did a slow circle of the area. I could feel the others watching through me. The structures were not yet up and had the vague outline of a human hive. I took a good look around and made sure that it would be safe for them to come.

"Come, it is safe." I called to them. Bushes rustled farther up the slope as they moved out. Jaken slid in next to me.

"Other side is clear, but this may be only at night." he warned.

"Then we will destroy as we see necessary." replied Ale'con as he and the others walked up. Six was visibly trembling. Sharphand sniffed the air, lip curling in disgust at the human scent.

"How do they hunt at all, he muttered. "Their prey must smell them a mile away." Six moved forward nervously, scanning the ground.

"I don't recognize any of the scents." he thought.

"Course you don't stupid." said Sharphand. "They aren't the same humans!" Six shot him a glare. I snorted.

"Enough." Ale'con rumbled.

"What do you want to do now?" asked Jamar. Ale'cons tail twitched.

"I think we have done enough tonight, but tomorrow I will suggest to Mother that we send another patrol." As we headed for home, we stopped to hunt quickly. I bagged a deer, Jaken a turkey, Ale'con a pig and a squirrel, Six had another deer, and Jamar had a feral dog. Loaded with fresh-kill, we finally headed for the Hive. Ale'con reported to Mother and the rest of us headed to our dens. Wearily, I curled up and fell headlong into the sea of sleep.

The next morning, I woke and stretched, grunting as my sore bones cracked. Shaking myself, I slipped out and leaped onto the wall trying wake up. Blearily I sat there and stared at the wall.

"Come." The one word sent xenomorphs scurrying out of their dens. We leaped into her chamber. I squirmed my way to the front, sitting next to Jaken. He flicked his tail, acknowledging my presence.

"I have been speaking with Ale'con and we have decided to continue a patrol tonight." Mother said. Ale'con stood next to her. "Tonight, Jamar, you will go back on patrol with Ale'con, Ryetail, and Orianna." Ryetail and Orianna were warriors. They were excellent fighters and they could move with as much stealth as a runner. Once everyone knew what they were doing, we left.

"What are you doing today?" asked Jaken.

"Repairing." I grumbled. No one liked getting the job of remaking the secretion that lined the Hive tunnels. Mostly it was drones who did that, but everyone had to do it.

"I'm hunting." said Jaken smugly. I bared my teeth, hissing in annoyance.

"Fastclaw, contain yourself." Mother's voice echoed in my head. I dipped my head. Heading to the outer wing of the Hive, I passed Xenomorphs repairing the walls. I squirmed in between two warriors, Darkface, and Gilliard. I passed my inner jaws over the walls, dripping the dark black secretion we used to heal ourselves onto the walls. It worked just as well on the Hive. I slashed my tail to get rid of the cracked and old secretion on the walls before applying more. While I was working, Ribhead slid in besides me when Gilliard left. I purred.

"Hey Ribhead."

"Greetings." she hissed. We soon developed a rhythm. She would crack the old secretion and I would apply the new. We worked in comfortable silence. At last, two other drones came to relieve us and we gratefully left to rest.

"Do you wish to come to my den to eat?" asked Ribhead. "Sure." I purred. We headed to the main chambers to get food. I choose to get the deer I had caught yesterday, as long as it was still there. Luckily it was so I took it and impaled it on my tail so I wouldn't have to have it hanging it from my mouth. Lifting my tail I followed Ribhead to her den. We shared the deer, chitchatting about this and that, until she asked me about the mission yesterday. "How did it go?" she asked. I snorted. "Absolutely fine, unfortunately, I could do with a quick fight." She chuckled. "You males and fighting." I sent a wave of shock to her. "What, is it not allowed that I like to fight?" I asked. She grinned, pulling her lips back in a xeno equivalent to a smile. "If you like, we can spar with Ale'con tomorrow." she offered. I nodded.

The next day, me and Ribhead were with Ale'con in the training chamber. Chestbursters that were turning into young xenomorphs were there watching. I arched my back and hissed at the Predalien. He roared and Ribhead screeched in response. He lunged and swung his tail at me. I shot into the air and leaped off the wall and over his head, while Ribhead used her small size to get in closer and use melee combat. Arcing my tail I slashed at Ale'con and he turned with lightning speed and leaped out of the way. He grabbed Ribhead and thrust her backwards. I lunged and grappled with the much larger Predalien. He easily overpowered me and tossed me over his shoulder. I landed, hissing with pain and anger. Lunging, I leaped onto his back, under his crest, so he couldn't reach me. He roared and tried to shake me off, but to no avail. I took my tail and slammed in under his chin, so that the tip pressed against his throat. He froze and I nudged him. "Gotcha." I hissed. He snorted and shook me off. "Good fight." he purred. Ribhead wound around me. "Good job." she whispered. I stood with my tail high. "Excellent battle skills." whispered Mother. I bared my teeth at Ale'con. "I wouldn't want to be the human caught in a fight with you, young one." he growled. Surprise rippled through me; Ale'con didn't give praise lightly. Once, when a full grown warrior fought him and lost, he came back out worse than when the fight was over. It wasn't pretty, Mother was furious. I bounded out of the room to my nest to rest. I was tired. Yet before I could, Mothers voice sounded in my head. "Take a hunting patrol out now." I wanted to wail. I was exhausted. But, I summoned Jaken, Ribhead, and Gilliard. We bounded out of the Hive and into the forest.

We headed out of the woods, feeling pleased, but utterly wasted. At least, I was. When we got back, I was staggering in exhaustion. I weaved through the halls, practically asleep on my feet. I climbed up the wall, into the vent, and sank down onto my pelts aching with relief.

"Fastclaw, wake up!" the roar had me shooting to my feet. "Mother what is it?" I gasped. "Get in here now, the humans have discovered- Before she had even finished I was racing into the hall and pelting down into the chamber. Ale'con and Six were there with Mother. "What do we do?" I cried. "Hide." said Mother. "Why?" I snarled. "We're not cowards!" Ale'con bared his teeth, lashing his tail. "This is not a matter of pride, this is life or death, runner! They have sent marines in." he snarled. I arched my back, hissing in anger, but Mother cut in. "Fastclaw, go to your den NOW." I hesitated, then turned and ran back to my den, furious. The Hive is strong, we could beat them easily. But, here we were, hiding in our holes like rats. Spitting in anger I shot into my den and leaped through the hole in the roof. "Get back in there!" I screeched in anger, but backed in and covered the hole. "Mother, what is they find you?" I asked. "I have the Predaliens and I am currently working my way out of my sack. I have sent the facehuggers and chestbursters to the main chamber." she said. I withdrew and sat near the entrance of my den. The Hive was absolutely silent. Normally, there was a dry rustle in the air, and hisses, but now, I could hear the water dropping. Every single xenomorph was in hiding. Suddenly I had an idea. "Mother, can we ambush them from our dens?" I felt Mother ask Ale'con, then responded, "Yes, you can try." Immediately, I sent my thoughts out to Six, Jaken, and Ribhead. They spread the word through the Hive and a low rustle was heard as Xenomorphs positioned themselves. Then, we were silent once more. I waited, and waited. "Where are they?" I hissed to Ribhead. "Hush!" ordered Mother. We fell silent again. Finally, I heard voices. I stiffened and every one shifted. It was the low rambling speech of humans. I tightened my claws. This was it. I could prove myself worthy of the Hive. "Remember, fight with pride and stealth. A victory will be won today." came Mothers low tendril of encouragement. Just then a light swept over my hall. Me, Ribhead, Six and Jaken froze. We all were in that hall. I drew my tail forward and positioned it at the ready. "Good luck guys." I whispered. They acknowledged me with a small twinge of appreciation. A human appeared at the entrance. He swept the light on his gun around. I drew back slightly as it passed over my den. The human said something into the small box on his shoulder before continuing in farther. He was alone luckily, so killing him would be easy. I felt anger from others in the Hive and small twinges of satisfaction as shouts and screams echoed through the Hive. Suddenly, the whole Hive was alive with Xenomorphs, stabbing and slashing and snarling bloody murder. I leaped onto the human as yowls and screeches filled the air. I stabbed my tail into his back and he screamed. Six leaned out of the wall, opened his jaws, and his inner mouth did the rest. We purred and dragged the carcass into the shadows. I leaped out and roared, my voice flying through the air. "To battle!" I screeched, before raising my tail and pelting into the main chamber of the Hive, the others hard on my heels.

In the end, Xenomorph casualties were few, humans all but one who was hiding somewhere in the Hive. Several had been cocooned to the wall as hosts, the rest were food. We celebrated. In the main hall, Mother was handing out prey to us. The young xenomorphs were practically ecstatic as they had helped by mobbing two humans who came too close. They were telling anyone who would listen how they took them down with one swipe. I yawned and ate some more of the human me and Six had killed. Arching my back I looked at Ribhead who was talking to Gillian. "I'm going to my den." I murmured. She looked at me in surprise. "But you love celebrations." she said. Mother was surprised too. "You won't stay and revel in the Hives strength?" I shook my head and slid back to my den. I had been reveling in our strength my whole life.