human
It was late night and Ava found it difficult to sleep. Every since she laid down at around 9pm, well, she couldn't seem to find a comfortable spot. Not to mention her mind was filled with so memories of the past few days. Mostly, it started out so simple. She came into the sterile room where marines had restrained a half dazed #24. The drugs used on the young Xenomorph would surely wear off in a few moments, but it was enough time to strap the female to a familiar steel table and leave her completely exposed to Ava's poking and prodding. Things had become so innocent and logical. Testing the female's reaction to pain and other stimulation. Slowly working the young female over until finally they had gotten to a point where they noticed just how human this one was becoming. Her genitalia was similar to that of the human female. It swelled when aroused and became slick with a strange substance. At first, they thought it might be as corrosive as the xeno's blood, but no. It was moist and sticky.
Things progressed drastically after that...
From teasing and toying to actual sexual stimulation. Coaxing an orgasm from the animal until finally they received a sample of her fluids. It was tested to see if there were any toxic agents within. None. If anything, there seemed to be something that encouraged sexual chemicals to be released. Almost as though the creature was built to coax it's lover to want it more and more. It had been tested on Ava. She tasted the sample and felt a warm tingle within her. Nothing strange or different, but she spent the night aching for something, anything...
Now, Ava laid awake and all she could think about was #24 in her confinement. It seemed unfair. To have such a beautiful creature secreted away like that. #24 deserved better. She wasn't like the other Xenomorphs they kept under lock and key. She certainly wasn't like the Queen that had spawned her. #24 was a rare, beautiful gem among scientifical discoveries. It was also speculated that #24 might be able to breed like her mother. That #24 wasn't a mindless drone, but a young queen herself.
Those were the thoughts that killed Ava's mind as she got out of bed and redressed herself in what she wore that day. Shrugging on her lab coat and grabbing her identification, she made her way down to the ship's hull where they kept the different subjects separated. Probably one of the most dangerous places to be, but she didn't care. She needed to see #24 again. If only to talk to the creature.
Ha. Think about it... a human... wanted to talk to a Xenomorph. Was there anything more ridiculous then that? Then again, Ava suspected that #24 was learning and understood more then most of them knew.
"At ease, Soldier", she breath. Holding up her tag, she flashed a stiff smile. "I'm merely here to check in on the subject."
"We didn't receive any orders of a late night visit, Dr. Bradley." The soldier, an older man in his mid-30s to early-40s regarded her with some amount of suspicion.
"Yes, well, I'm the doctor here, aren't I? And that's my project in there. Let me through so I can check on it." Yes, she had to keep her voice neutral almost cool. #24 couldn't be anything to her other then some creature they were studying. "Are you going to let me pass or will I have to contact your superior and tell him that we have a problem?"
A frown touched the older man's lips. He obviously didn't care for the doctors. Still, he let her pass, but not before asking Ava if she needed the subject restrained first.
"No, I've been working with this one and we have an understanding."
That gave the make a moment to look confused before Ava brushed past him. All it took after that were a few pass codes, another conversation with another guard detail and then she stood in front of #24's room. With a slow breath, she started punching in the numbers. This was dangerous. Going into a room with an unrestrained Xenomorph. There was a chance that #24 had been drugged for the evening, but Ava had no clue. Once the door slid open, she stepped inside.
"Twenty-four?", she called out softly, hoping her voice would sound familiar to the creature. "Are you awake, girl?"
gpt
While there was still some debate among the scientists on whether or not the Xenomorphs actually needed things like sleep, for what those arguments were worth, Xenomorph Specimen#24was still fully active when the good Doctor accessed the blast door separating her isolation cell from the rest of the facility. Alerted already by the sounds of the locks disengaging, the hybrid Xenomorph had scurried up the walls of her isolation cell, easily blending in with the dark-colored resin she had been creating ever since she had finished ??maturing??. Already, the room and its atmosphere strongly resembled that of a Nest.
She had been learning at an advanced rate when compared to her brethren, a combination of the communal Hive intelligence between them, and her own advanced nature. It was through her that most of the Xenomorphs knew of where they were, and where the prey was. She knew to stay away from the doors, to draw the humans intoherdomain. She had covered the vents that emitted the gas that sedated her with her resin, making it a much more difficult task of retrieving her.
As the door growled open ?? a sound that she just as much felt as heard - she felt the wash of cooler air as it stabbed into the more humid and warm atmosphere her kind favored, carrying with it the scent of two humans?one unknown male and one?familiar female.
Curiosity.
The sound that the female made, as well as her unique scent, instantly gave #24 the exact location she was standing at. She slithered across the ceiling, silent death packed into her jet-black frame. Had she not been so intrigued, she could have killed the two of them before they were ever aware of her presence. She let out a threatening hiss that was quickly absorbed by the room, before dropping down in front of the open door, landing perfectly. Her human-like body quivered, her attention focused not on the woman, but the panicking guard with the object in his hands. She could smell his terror, instincts drove her.
Danger.
Threat.
Kill.
Inside her mind, the other Xenomorphs were also screaming for blood, she had a clear path of escape ?? free them, make a Hive, spread. And for a ponderous moment she almost struck out at the pair. Gradually though, she turned her attention to the female. #24 knew her scent, the specific sound her voice made, her image. She studied the human female with a dark curiosity that much of her species lacked, rushed images of memory stirring about in her mind.
Prey?
Distorted fragments of memory, the woman. White space ?? cold against her, warm within. Unknown feelings stimulating every nerve ending. The woman ?? soft touches, something inside. Trembling. Soft sounds. Pure, enrapturing whiteness. The woman.
Ally.
Cocking her head slightly, she let out a soft hiss and seemed to relax, despite the enraged shrieks of the other Xenomorphs drifting in her mind. Once again, she proved her abnormality by purposely shutting out their presence, functioning independently from the Hive Mind?her own being. Despite the fact that she beat the human in height by nearly two feet, she crouched down to be almost at an ??eye?? level with her, her whip-like tail lowering in a more subdued manner.
But it was that same tail that was an ever present reminder to the guard of the danger that he was staring at. Was the woman mad? She had willingly opened an isolation cell containing an unsedated specimen! He had been part of the USCM for several years before Weyland-Yutani had hired him to protect their twisted little ??pet projects??. He had seen combat on dozens of worlds during his career, and yet these creatures made him want to piss his pants. And yet this woman, completely unarmed, without even as much as a bulletproof vest, was standing less than five feet from one. He gripped the M41A a little bit tighter, taking a step backwards, if only to be just one step farther away from this killing machine and the crazed woman who had released her. Why weren??t they dead yet?
Movement!
#24 let out a shrieking hiss, her attention snapping completely back on the guard, her bladed tail whipping angrily as saliva drooled from her lips, rising back up to her full height of nearly eight feet. The panicked guard whipped the pulse rifle at the poised Xenomorph, his grim face almost sheet white. He could feel a warm stain spreading across the front of his combat fatigues. #24 trembled, every muscle in her body taut and ready to lunge, tear the human apart, but the woman stood in her way. She could not harm her. Fighting against generations of instinct, she hissed dejectedly, but withdrew, lowering her form and almost sulking back into the depths of her cell.
human
Funny how some would call her brave if she were a man, but as a woman... she was insane, mad for letting her guard down around such a beast. Ava managed to remain absolutely still as #24 dropped from the ceiling above them. At first, she merely took in the room around them. It had been a while since she observed the hybrid's surroundings and now, wow, it looked almost alien in nature. The steel somehow striped and washed in a dark, almost sticky looking color. It smelled like animal in here. Musky and too warm. All they needed some was some greenery and she would say it reminded her of a jungle. Almost. Tilting her head, she studied the hive like structure around them. So dark and foreboding to look upon, but not any less impressive.
"Stay absolutely still", she spoke to the guard in a sharp, clipped tone. Then turned her attentions on #24 and felt her gaze soften. Ava slowly raised her hands in front of her, showing that she was unarmed. Unarmed and completely vulnerable. If that wasn't a sign of trust, she didn't know what was.
"#24..." Her voice was like a soft breeze. Gentle and tender. Wanting everything to calm the Xenomorph's instincts. "You remember me, don't you, girl?"
Ava tilted her head and chuckles softly at their surroundings. "You certainly do good work don't you, #24. I'm surprised you were even able to get this far. Hrm. May I touch you?"
She started reaching out with a hand, but kept her hand a fair distance from the Xeno. Allowing it to decide whether or not it wanted to be touched by her human hands.
gpt
As much as the former Marine detested standing there with his fatigues soaked in his own urine, in front of an opened Xenomorph isolation cell, he nodded a frail understanding to the scientist and didn??t move from his spot, knowing he had just had a brush with death that would never leave him. He was going to need a drink ?? or several ?? before the day was out?
#24 however, continued to slip back into the depths of her personal ??Hive??, crawling on her hands and feet, with her hips and rear raised and swaying in an almost purposely seductive manner. There was a grace to her movements that seemed to betray the killing machine she had been born to be, but her lethal tail still whipped and curled angrily back and forth behind her as she continued to fight her natural urges to lash out at the human male. He was not the woman, he was threat. He was prey. There was moment behind her, and she felt herself bristle, but she held herself back
Presence?
#24 paused when the soft sounds from the woman pressed against her. Deliberately slow, the Xenomorph turned to look over her shoulder, hissing softly before she raised herself up onto her legs and turned to face the woman, once again pausing at eye level. While she was unable to understand the words that the scientist was saying, shedidremember the woman. The woman was an ally.
Safety?
Curiosity...
The Xenomorph relaxed, cocking her head again when the human reached out with a hand, but not touching her. She let out another soft hiss, and held out her own in a similar manner, her long, clawed fingers just barely touching the white fabric of the woman??s second skin.
human
"That's it, girl", she whispered, barely audible to mortal ears. Standing there in her pristine white jacket and her back to the guard, she knew he couldn't see her expression. It was one of elation and delight. #24 was definitely responding to her. To her and no one else. Ava clutched onto that thought and held tight, her mind doing mental gymnastics to explain why the Xenomorph seemed so receptive to her. Slowly, she placed her hand over #24's. There was no glove, no protection in place other then her long jacket and clothing. All of which would have made a feeble attempt to protect her soft, human form from the beast if it decided to attack.
A grin touched her features, her fingers lightly tracing each digit while the monster just stood there. Something about her hard, outer casing reminded Ava of armor. Like a bug, but not quite. Something that would be suitable in protecting #24 if something bad were ever to happen. Then again... Ava knew that the marines were testing out new weapons on her sisters. Something modeled after another alien technology. From the reports, she knew it had been successful on more then one occasion. Such a thing would never befall #24. Not as long as Ava worked here. She's make damn sure of it. #24, unlike the rest, was special and more evolved. She was a marvel to her species and deserved better treatment then this.
The soft, warning hisses made the hairs along her neck start to rise. Smiling still, she took #24's deadly clawed hand and brought it up further, allowing the beast to trace her features. It was a great show of trust, but something in Ava wanted this, practically demanded it. A tender caress here, a touch of those warm tips to her cheek. It was hard to think beyond the moment. All she wanted was to stand there with the creature and forget about the marine in the room.
Just a moment alone... that's all she asked for, prayed for. A moment with #24 and she would be happy. Slowly, she was seeping into these thoughts and forgetting about so many thing. Suddenly, she snapped to. This was wrong, her human brain almost shrieked. What was she doing here? Fear laced trough her mind as Ava took a step back and then another. Slowly backing her back to the safety of the Marine.
"I, I think... we done here", she murmured. The fear she felt was more about herself then the creature. why was she even here? Like a dreamer starting to shake off the fog of some memory, she offered him a slight smile. "It seems #24 is quite tame about me, doesn't it? So my theory is proven and we can leave. Just, ah... just make sure she, it's comfortable."
gpt
It was just #24 and the woman from the wisps of her memory?her unique pheromones were strong from their proximity, keeping the Xenomorph??s attention on her and not the male human that stood in the distance. She froze when the woman??s hand touched her carapace, turning her head to look at the sight, her tail poised cautiously, but she did not move it. A moment that had never occurred between their species was happening between them, although the Xenomorph was unable to comprehend the momentousness of the occasion. She hissed gently, a sound that was almost as soft as the woman??s whispered words. She felt the pressure of the woman??s fingers as they traveled over her extended limb, her head cocked in an investigative manner.
Curious?
?
?
The Xenomorph??s instincts did not have the ability to comprehend what she was experiencing, her base thought patterns trying to wrap around the sensations. The woman??s hand closed against hers, and raised it up ?? making her hiss a warning at first, but she fell silent as the sharpened claws of her hands touched soft, vulnerable flesh. She had felt this once before, as she sank those claws into the soft body of another human, before she was subdued by the humans with the gas.
She felt her fingers twitch, but she seemed to droop a little as the human continued to slide those digits over her skin, sending #24??s mind into a whirlwind of confused impulses and thoughts. She began to feel that unknown heat rising within her, her nerves being stimulated as though she were alight.
Motion!
Threat!
Suddenly though, the woman pulled away, quickly. Startled, #24 leapt back in kind, an angry hiss spewing from her throat. Her tail arched up, twitching, razor-sharp blade curled and capable of lashing out into the retreating scientist.
Kill!
She did not?
#24 did not want to harm the woman. Her body quivered again as she fought against her instincts. It would be so easy. But?she hissed again, a soft, pitiful noise.
Betrayal.
Her mind was not fully understanding of the situation, but she retreated back into the depths of her Hive once again, taking a final look towards the woman. Her tail whipped down and she turned away.
The Marine guard did not take any more time. As soon as Ava Bradley was outside of the chamber, he rushed forth and closed the blast doors, his heart racing in his chest. He turned back to her, finally shouting his concerns at her. ??What in the name of Hell was that?!? He reached forward and nearly tore the identification badge off her chest, memorizing the information quickly. ??The hell is wrong with you? I??m reporting this in at once."
human
Outside, she breathed in the cool recycled air pumping it's way through the vents above. Things had gotten almost scary inside there and Ava was on edge. Just what had happened? She had no idea. Something about #24 fascinated and frightened her. Something inside her wanted to be near the beastly creature while another part of her screamed to be unbiased and detached from the situation. Only once they were outside the cell did she finally breathe. Well, it only last a moment. A time to relax before the Marine started shouting at her.
Slithering her gaze over to him, her blue eyes narrowed, she suddenly grabbed him by the wrist as he reached for her tag. Her fingers flexing into his wrist, threatening to break it if she had the strength. Which Ava didn't. Unlike #24, she was just a woman. A lowly human woman who was easily pushed around brutes like him and that pissed her of on a level that was unfathomable. Shoving the Marine away, she rounded onto him, snarling slightly.
"That, my dear, brainless service man, is called research. Unlike your easy job of killing unarmed men and children while raping their mothers, well... mine involves actually putting myself in danger once in a while. If you haven't noticed, #24 is special. There is something about that one. And I had to learn." Slipping her fingers over his neat, crisp collar, she pulled him towards her, her features softening softly. Those blue eyes peering up at him. Just a woman. Powerless. Weak. Timid. "I'm sorry, but this is in the name of education and you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs, right? Mmn. As you can see... I was perfectly fine in there. Besides, you can try reporting, but I don't think you'll get too fair."
Flashing a slight smile, she moved up as though to kiss him, her lips hovering slightly from his. "You see... my ex-husband happens to be one of the chairmen of this project. And the sole reason I'm here. Try it... see where lands you. You'll be lucky if you aren't given latrine duty for the rest of your stay."
Ava just hoped the threat would hold enough weight to distract the Marine from reporting this. Then again... he might also know that Ava Bradley and her ex weren't exactly on speaking terms. It was only through luck and perseverance that she managed to land a spot on the roster here.
Turning away, she walked away from him, her heels clipping sharply against the steel floor as Ava made her way back up to the deck. Her plan was to get a few breathes of fresh air and return to bed. Sleep for a few hours and then report to her own superiors.
gpt
The Marine was frankly quite surprised when the scientist pulled his hand away from her ID and shoved it away. Her glare shot daggers towards him, and while she made a fair attempt of gripping his wrist threateningly, he had endured the most terrifying moment of his life at her hand ?? and he was not about to let her boss him around. Her words dripped venom, lashing at him, at what she thought of him, filling him with rage. ??Brainless serviceman? Raping mothers?' It washisjob to keep people safe from idiot stunts like the one she just pulled!
??You little bi-?? His words were cut short by her slender fingers curling around the collar of his armor and jerking his face closer to hers. Her face softened, her voice quieter. Her breath played against his lips, almost as if she were about to kiss him?he hadn??t gotten any in months?so the appeal seemed rather great.
But then she explained how her ex-husband was a Chairman, one who was keeping her working here. As much as he was willing to call her bluff, there was always the risk that she was right, and he could end up fired or pulling janitorial duties. He grumbled in resignation and ??escorted?? her out of the secure area. Once she had left earshot, he informed the other guard that she was not to be allowed access again tonight, and that he would be taking a quick breather, and returned to his quarters for a change of outfit.
Fury.
#24??s tail whipped around furiously, her sharp claws tearing at the dark resin she had laid down, gouging claw marks in it in an act that almost resembled a tantrum. She did not ?? could not ?? understand the unknown sensations that pulsed through her mind and body. She only knew that it was the woman caused them. Why had the woman left her? The other Xenomorphs hissed and shrieked inside her head, their basic, instinct-driven minds were even less capable of comprehending than hers. It confused and enraged them, making them scurry around their cells and lash out at nothing. Their sister's unknown feelings almost seemed to cause them pain.
The infuriated Xenomorph hybrid did not settle down for several more minutes, until her body felt strangely devoid of energy. A hollow ache burned within her abdomen, threatening to devour her if it was not filled. It all seemed to peak at the apex of her legs. She hissed pitifully, tilting her head back to towards the ceiling, as if though she were seeking advice from a higher being. Without the pheromones to keep the woman at the top of her mind, it was harder for her to piece together those distorted wisps of memory, but with great effort, she drew them forth.
The woman.
Ally.
Betrayal?
Confusion?
The woman??s fingers had traced along that strange entrance between her legs, setting her nerves alight with a feeling that was hot, yet not painful. The woman had slid her digits inside, inciting that engulfing whiteness that had swallowed her mind and left her dazed. The woman...
#24 crouched down slowly, until she was almost sitting, her tail positioned out to balance her. Much like a child discovering herself for the first time, the Xenomorph spread her legs apart, exposing the soft, human-like slit that was of so much fascination to the scientists that had created her. Already, it was slightly slick with a sticky fluid, reflecting just the slightest bit of light in the dim cell.
Much like she had earlier, mimicking the woman??s movements, #24 did so again now, recalling those motions from memory and lowering her hand to graze around the excited slit. She rasped sharply and jerked at the sensation ?? one not as overwhelming as when the woman did it?but still an incredibly powerful feeling. She continued her touches, teasing her oil-black labia until they spread, revealing the delicate inner blossoms. She hissed again, and impulsively plunged her digits into the depths...
And the observation cameras caught it all?
human
"You're kidding, right?" Ava intoned as the other researchers took a look at this particular piece of precious video. Leaning forward, she watched #24 toying with her opening, those vicious looking fingers so delicate and tender. For a moment, Ava felt something deep inside start to tighten and flinch in jealousy as she looked to the others. Mostly men. No one viewed it with the same kind of fascination as her. In fact, some were almost amused while others were a little... put off. Not her, she watched #24 with baited breath, her hands resting on the console while the footage played over and over again. Was it possible that #24 was becoming aware of itself. Even they weren't completely sure about the specimen. Only that this particular one was different from the rest. Part of Ava felt almost... protective and a little proud. The Xenomorph was learning! It was showing a trait that none of the others did and it took interest in itself. The rest were more of a hive like mind. Moving together and reacting in a similar fashion. Not her. Touching the screen as the video, while on a loop, played from the beginning again, she jerked her gaze towards the others.
"As you can see. This creature is probably one of our better subjects and it deserves further examination. We already know that the corrosive agent isn't within it's fluids. In fact, upon further examination, we are finding more and more human genes. I think we're very close to understanding these creatures. If we treat it just right... we may one day be able to control them." Frowning, she looked upon each face. "Or at least, we might be able to control #24's brood."
Breeding. It had been one idea thrown onto the table before, but most had just scoffed at it. If they were able to figure out how the Xenomorphs pick and chose their genetics, they might be able to come up with one... well, that had been the thought. At the moment, Ava was just spouting off things like a broken record. Telling her colleagues everything they wanted to hear while believing none of it. She just wanted their eyes off of #24. They didn't deserve to know such a wonderful find. Ava hated to admit it, but she was growing attached to the Alien. Almost possessive. This was her project. Not their's. That was her subject. Not their's. Yet they were all patting themselves on the back and acting as though this were their victory.
Turning her gaze onto the screen, she reached over to turn it off and remove the disk inside.
"Now, gentlemen, if you're excuse me. I have another meeting to attend and a few tests to prepare."
gpt
??Dr. Bradley...? The familiar ?? if somewhat bitter ?? voice of her ex-husband rose up during the ensuing silence, not even addressing her by her first name ?? strictly business. He stood to his feet, a man firmly in his mid-fourties, brown hair just starting to become peppered with gray. His grim face looked upon her with an expression of unease, almost as if he didn??t recognize her. It was amazing how not a few months ago, they were happily married? ??Please remain here. I need to discuss something with you?? Turning to the remaining council members, he nodded. ??I apologize for this,? He spoke, of course, of his ex??s actions, ??We will resume council discussions in a few days time?? He remained pleasant as the other members of the Weyland-Yutani council stood and left, murmuring among themselves about the video they had seen. Some were rather unnerved that they had been called in to watch an alien finger itself, while others were pleased to see that this subject seemed capable of breeding, a fact that would come in handy, were they finally able to control them.
As soon as the last council member left, he calmly walked over to the soundproofed doors and closed them. Then he rounded on her. ??Just what kind of stunt were you trying to pull, Ava?? His expressions twisted in a scowl. ??Not only did you ridicule me in front of the council, but you jeopardized the lives of every person on this station.? Apparently, the Marine had not kept his silence about the situation. ??You opened the cell of an unsedated specimen? Did you even consider what would have happened if it had chosen to attack you? We??re still not even sure why it didn??t.?
??And do not expect the fact that we were engaged to work as an excuse. If it were my choice, you would have been arrested immediately?? He was fuming, but still kept his voice below a shout, even though the soundproofed walls would have kept any noise out. ??However?? It sounded almost painful to say, ??Due to the?specimen??s?lack of hostility towards you?the other council members view you as a?valuable asset-?? There it was. She was an asset. A resource. Something they could use to get the results they were really going after.
??Your research will go unhindered, but ?? I swear to God ?? you pull something like that again, and I will have you pulled from the project. Do you understand me??
human
Ava stiffened slightly at the sound of her ex-husband's voice. Always the calm, collected tone he used when discussing things. As though he knew better then you and controlled everything around him. Master of the Universe. She forced a smile to her painted lips and stood there quietly as her colleagues and council members alike filed past her. Ten seconds until the lecture, she thought while watching the door being closed behind them. Turning her attentions fully upon her husband, she offered a slight smile. Sweet, tender. An expression that had been created to melt even the iciest of hearts. Although, it never worked on him. Never on him.
Once upon a time... she called Edward Bradley the love of her life. Her wonderful, brilliant husband. They had a whole life planned for them. Two highly intelligent people with like minds settling together in a blissful marriage. It lasted a good number of years, she supposed. And children were starting to be talked about. She wanted them. He was a little hesitate, but seemed to be weakening against her charms. Standing there, Ava could recall the late mornings they stayed in bed, touching and holding. The evenings they worked together, shoulder to shoulder. He had been everything to her and more. Then it soured. She wasn't sure how or why, but it turned on a dime and things started going downhill. Like now.
"I would wonder if you were a little worried about me, but I suppose you're more focused on the connection we have... had and how that might reflect on you." There was no sense in being sweet and gentle. Ava doubted that he held any love for her. Not these days. They weren't enemies, but they weren't friends either.
#24...
Her thoughts went back to the Xeno. Something like that would remain loyal to the end. It would fight for it's sisters and lay it's life down on the line for it's queen. Some might say that was the life of a drone, but Ava felt differently. She wanted something like that again. To be held and told she meant the world to them again. Closing her eyes, she pinched the bridge of her nose, her glasses pushed up for a moment. There was no way she could be having thoughts like that. It was unnatural. Still, she would rather be wrapped within the arms of a monster then the man before her.
"Heh, I'm sure you have the entire interaction caught on camera." She laughed softly while rubbing her nose. Replacing her glasses, she turned those pale, icy eyes upon him. "What matters is that it didn't attack me. Aren't you curious as to why? Any other subject would have gladly bathed in my blood, but not #24. In fact, she mimicked me or did you not see that. You know this particular subject is very special."
Flinching, she soaked in his words after that. An asset. Termination. Arrested. Licking her lips, she forced that smile again. The one she used when ever he or someone else cut her to the quick. Pain blossomed in her chest. Once in love, but not any longer. She stared up at that familiar face and just smiled. He was still handsome. Still a Master of the Universe type. And she was just a valuable asset. What happened to the days when they were friends and lovers? Ava's hand curled into a tight fist, her spine shuddering slightly as she tried suppressing her own anger.
"I understand you", she murmured. Her voice almost tight with emotion. No matter how sterile Ava tried to act. Well, she was still hurt on some level by his words. Maybe a part of her cared for Edward Bradley. A tiny part, but it was there. Taking a breath, she straightened herself. Weakness wouldn't be allowed here. They were professionals. Some more then others.
"Pretty speech, by the way." Smiling coldly, she tried to remain calm, quiet. "One might think you were more worried about my safety then keeping your project under wraps. Now, if you'll excuse me... I have one more meeting to attend and then..."
She trailed off while waving her hand over a shoulder, turning towards the door to leave.
gpt
Edward Bradley watched his ex-wife coldly, but he said no more, not wanting to incite another argument with the woman. She had already walked off with a large sum of his earned money with the divorce terms, and the last thing he needed was another lawsuit jeopardizing his rising career. He too had once been a scientist ?? it was how the two of them had met ?? but his ambitions helped elevate him to his position on the council, at the cost of him performing tasks that some would have found...controversial. But the heads of Weyland-Yutani had watched his career with some interest, and had elevated him to his position on the council. They also been considering shipping him to their main offices, instead of this cramped research vessel. He watched her leave the room, the soundproofed doors closing behind her, before turning to the computer behind the desk. Calmly, he brought up the copy of the security feed he had made, showing his ex calmly manipulating the Xenomorph??s hand. Fast forwarding through the security feeds, his ex was gone, and the Xenomorph crouched, legs spread, fingers plunging in and out of her humanoid sex.
This might have been the break he had been looking for?
He activated the vidcom link on the computer, preparing the files to send?
/|\
Prey.
Kill.
Danger.
#24 scurried around the inside of her Hive-like cell, hissing at the four humans with the devices that shot raw heat, burning away at the material she had built around the door. It hissed and popped, releasing a foul-smelling soke as it burned away. Two others stood guard, aiming at her at all times, in case she chose to attack. In the hours following the moment with the woman, her condition had started to degrade, her mentality falling more and more in line with her Xenomorph brethren. Yet she still held a self preservation that they lacked, preventing her from launching herself at the humans.
The woman?
Those wisps of memory were all that she held on to, the pleasant feeling that had filled her. Pleasant. That was the word. She didn??t know how she knew what it was or what it meant, but she just knew. She knew the woman was responsible. She knew that her own mimicked actions were not nearly as rewarding.
Betrayal.
Why had the woman left?
The humans retreated from the door, having burned away a significant portion of her hive. Still keeping her in the sights of their weapons, they tossed in another human before closing the door.
Movement!
It was not the woman. She did not need to know more than that. She scurried along the walls, observing as the human started to panic, backing against the door. She hissed venomously, saliva drooling from her lips. The human??s head darted around, trying to find her in the darkness. It was the last thing it would ever do.
She lunged?
human
Ava went to her meeting and managed to stay together along enough to give her report and then leave without a word. There was no much on the scientists's mind and she was barely able to keep the pieces of herself together. Seeing Edward that way today had been a straw she didn't know would be the last. It wasn't in her nature to be vindictive, but he turned so cold and shattered every single one of her dreams. A happy life, a loving husband, a beautiful family... she would have given all of that to him if he hadn't, hadn't... Ava made it to her rooms and threw herself across her bed, tears starting to fall. She hated herself and she hated him. Why did she have to be so weak?
Funny, Ava thought that maybe they could patch things up on this vessel. Work together like in the old days and have that spark return. No, she was just an asset. An employee. All those soft words and gentle promises were torn out of her with a single sharp word. Asset. Rubbing her palm against her cheek, she continued crying into her pillow, trying to muffle the sound. Why couldn't they go back to how things were before? Laughter and kisses. Discovering new things together. Partners in every sense of the word. And why did she still have to feel this way? Weakness. So weak. Her heart trembling, her eyes red... it took some time before Ava finally managed to pull herself together again. Wash her face and brush her hair. A mask. Let everyone thing that none of this mattered. She was an employee and #24 was just a project.
Asset...
Weakness...
Rubbing her eyes, she made her way down to the observation deck above #24's enclosure. Maybe just seeing the Xeno would fill her with peace. How funny it was. Finding solace in a monster. At least #24 didn't hide what she was. She was everything Ava wanted. Strength, beauty and spirit. Her mind slowly breaking away from that repeative hive behavior her sisters still displayed. So different. Wild and free. No, not free. #24 would never be free. Like her. Looking down, she noticed the smears of blood and charred residue. Eyes widened, tears building.
No... Edward wouldn't have! Grabbing the microphone, she turned it on and started calling to the serpentine creature.
"Twenty-four!? Twenty-four, where are you, girl?" Panic filled her voice. Surely her ex-husband wouldn't be so snide as to terminate the alien. He might.
Freedom...
Weak...
Ava should have been smarter then this, but she was being emotional. Maybe even hormonal. #24's blood wasn't crimson. Not like that. And it was close to feeding time. It's just... her mind made the leap and her body reacted. Oh god, #24. Please be okay, she thought.
"Twenty-four, answer me!"