A genetically modified Xenomorph King begins his journey among the stars, with friends!
Deep inside unknown space, out the way of prying eyes a Genetically modified Xenomorph King is being held on a private research station. Far removed from his animalistic Xenomorph roots he is suddenly thrust into a strange new world, alongside his human companions.
Shotput Station In orbit around Paraxus 03:14 Hours
"ATTENTION: All crew be advised M-Class Cargo Ship USCSS Garoud docking, slight quakes may occur. Engineering department... please b-b-b-b-be on standby."
The station shuddered gently as the USCSS Garoud was clamped in and its cargo was secure on station.
"Oh thank God another supply vessel made it through the blockade, we've been out of coffee for weeks!", exclaimed a senior engineer.
"You have clearance to have coffee? Man I envy you! All commodities are restricted to command personnel and senior staff."
"Oh quit your complaining Micah! I thought I told you to check out the speakers, that crap is still on the fritz!"
"All right, all right chill. I'm working on it." Micah said.
Garoud Cargo Bay 7
"So..."
"So?"
"How in the sweet hell did you make it through that blockade it's tighter than some of the command staff around here. Any news from the front? How goes the war?" asked Roland.
"Same old war... blockading irrelevant worlds, making life hell for us freighters. I swear those Red Faction are targeting us on purpose like we're damn sport. Also... Luck, we encountered none of their scout squadrons." replied the Captain of the Garoud.
"Shit... really? The Command staff ain't gonna be too happy to hear the blockade is only getting larger. Let me just check the manifest real quick to make sure we got everything."
"Take yer time pal, I'll be glad to stick around, I don't feel like testing my luck against those bastards again." the Captain sighed.
"Seems legit everything we ordered... wait? What's in Cargo Bay 9, on the manifest it just says 'science supplies' but it's listed at 40 tons!" shouted Roland.
Roland made for the door to Cargo Bay 9 before the Captain pulled him back, "Don't go in there, we have no clue what's in there either but orders were clear from dispatch. No-one goes in, a specialized crane is supposed to take the whole bay out."
Roland stared at the Captain before turning back to look at the door as silence fell upon them. The Captain made the first move. "Well... no time like the present eh? I want this damned bay off my ship, its been messing with the balance the whole way here."
"Yeah... lets go." 'I got a bad feeling about this.' Roland thought as he followed the Captain out of the Garoud.
Shotput Station Deep Space Science Wing 04:33 Hours
"ATTENTION: External Generator 2 has failed. Engineering department please respond! Immediate service required. Station functions at 73% efficiency."
"That's a little worrying." a senior scientist noted.
"Nah it's fine, these generator failings happen every couple of weeks. I have faith in our engineering boys. As long as it doesn't fall below 20% efficiency we're good!" replied Chief Scientist Marmosa.
"Word from engineering is that The Special Orderfinally made it Marmosa. Specimen Centaurii-V12 has arrived."
"You're serious? Alright boys after eleven failed cargo drops and eleven of our finest research specimens dead in the void of space we finally got em!" Marmosa exclaimed
The Deep Space Science wing erupted in shouts of joy, finally they were able to get to work.
"All right! Everyone calm down we've got plenty of work to do now. We won't need another drop-off of research supplies for a few months I assure you... This specimen is going to keep us very busy." Marmosa grinned."
Shotput Station Cargo Bay 9 Specimen Holding Cell Alpha 05:04 Hours
With the Liquid Nitrogen tanks emptied The Specimen stirred, waking from its frozen slumber. Lethargic and clumsy it took several minutes to right itself and become aware of its surroundings with the remnant cold dulling its senses.
"Marmosa! Centaurii-V12 is awake, shall we begin?" question Senior researcher Marko.
"No... not yet. We cannot risk frightening the poor thing. Despite its 'containment' it is very much still a danger especially in its dazed state where it cannot determine friend from foe." Marmosa remarked.
Centaurii-V12 slowly stood its deep black carapace standing out from the sterile white walls of former cargo bay. How long had it been? Since being put on ice back on S'kath, his birthplace. Regaining his senses as the cold dimmed and wavered he took note of the sterile room and calmed, the white walls were safety, a sign of humanity.
The intercom shrieked as Marmosa's voice came through, "Awake are we Centaurii-V12? Good... how was your nap?"
The Researchers were all busy around the room barely paying attention until a deep echoing voice returned the question, with a question. "How long was I asleep for doctor?"
The room was stunned into silence, only Marko and Marmosa knew the true extent of the beasts capabilities. This specimen was not some hive minded beast like its ancestors. It was a monument to their achievements, turning a once fearsome predator into a docile yet deadly sentient creature capable of human speech... and emotion.
"Several months Centaurii... we couldn't risk you damaging the ship you were on. You barely made it as you did, the war is turning." Marmosa responded with a grimace.
"I feel disconnected from S'kath. I quite liked the Jungle air, any reason we were forced to move here?" Centaurii-V12 asked.
Before Marmosa could respond a junior scientist spoke up. "You knew that he was friendly and still made us crap ourselves? You really are a crazy bastard."
Marmosa smirked at him and turned back to talk to Centaurii.
Marmosa answered, "As I stated, the war is turning. The official government and military is losing ground to the revolutionaries. S'kath was no longer safe for you, our researchers or out experiments."
"The others? Others like me? Where have they gone. It is quiet."
"Dead. They were to be transported here, just like you. However the Red Faction destroyed the transports containing them, with no regard to independent trading licenses or neutrality."
"We are the last?"
"Correct." Marmosa said quietly stunning the other researchers, the man always had a smile on his face. "S'kath is gone too... fell two weeks after you were lifted off-world."
Centaurii remained quiet. No words came to him, he felt... sad. "I feel sad doctor. S'kath was my home, do you think those I made friends with are still alive?"
"Possibly, civilians are most likely alive. The whole point of the Red Faction is to take back space for the common people. If you're talking about the soldiers on base, they either left or fell with the planet. I apologise Centaurii."
"I see... it is regrettable. I wish I could've done something to help." Centaurii asked.
"I would've liked to help as well, but I am not meant for fighting. We were meant to do this before we S'kath but time was short, please choose a new name for yourself."
"ATTENTION: External Generator 2 has b-een repaired. Station efficiency ba-ck up to 100%."
"Must I choose a name? Can I not keep the current one?" Centaurii asked.
"That is the subject name we gave you. Before we knew you were like us, before we knew you were human. I give you the freedom to choose one for yourself. Please... you are the last, help us fix our mistake."
"I will think doctor... now onto business, what are we doing toda-" Centaurii began but was cut off by a massive explosion.
"WARNING: Station under attack, defences are down. Boarding parties are detected. All personnel with weapons clearance are authorized to arm themselves. For Humanity we fight."
"Shit... They found us?" Marmosa swore.
"The Red Faction? Is that correct doctor?"
"Correct Centaurii. It is imperative that we get you and ourselves off the station, we cannot let the Red Faction get this research. Move it guys! Get to the Garoud, we're going to have to commandeer it. Gather whatever research you can, purge the rest."
The Lab staff nodded and began gathering essential equipment while the order came over the intercom.
"ATTENTION: All non-essential personnel without weapons clearance to board the USCSS Garoud. All Senior Staff to board the Garoud and begin preparations. All personnel with weapons clearance to defend airlock hatches A though M. Boarding Craft on collision course with designated hatches."
"Can I be of any assistance doctor? I wish to help."
Frantically Marmosa replied, "Airlock L is the airlock attached to the Deep Space Lab. The hallways of this station should be large enough for you. I'm opening the chamber door for you now. Let me send out an alert telling all members aboard that you're on our side! Don't want any accidents."
Marmosa smiled manically as he pressed the Lab intercom and connected it to the station intercom.
"Attention everyone! This is Doctor Marmosa, if you see a hulking black mass running towards you do not shoot it. I repeat do not shoot, it is on our side. His name is Centaurii he will be protecting the airlock hatches nearby the science wing. Again I repeat: DO NOT SHOOT HIM."
"Doctor Marmosa! The Data is secure. It is on its way to the Garoud along with the science staff and security personnel stationed here!" Marko shouted over the alarms.
"Good Marko! Let us be on our way. Centaurii... do your best. Once we're ready for departure we'll let you know to run for the Garoud. Good luck friend."
"Good luck to you too Doctor. I will protect the station." Centaurii replied.
"Don't die..."
"I won't, now go doctor not much time is left!"
"WARNING: Boarding pods are 1 minute out, repeat 1 minute to impact. Enemy ship has been identified as the Battlecruiser RFR Agatesh, its support fleet is 8 minutes out. All Chief and Command Staff have authorized activation of the Magnetic Prototype. Firing solution achieved in 7 minutes."
Space around Shotput Station Orbit Of Paraxus 04:28 Hours
"Alright Raptor squad, really important mission here. So that means Hernandez no screwing it up."
The Marines laughed through their gas masks as one sighed in the corner.
"Heh, well this station is top secret. Illegal tech and research is bound to be onboard as well as some freaky shit! So I want no fuckin' heroics alright? We got a job to do, secure the station for the second wave, eliminate any hostiles.. yes even the civilians and researchers. If resistance gets too hot we hold out for help." Raptor Squad Captain explained to his men.
"Twenty Seconds to deployment. Brace." A Female Robotic voice spoke inside the pod.
"Right boys, get ready for a fight." The Marines nodded and checked their equipment and weapons as the shadow of the station engulfed them.
Shotput Station Deep Space Research Wing
Centaurii thundered down the metal halls of the Deep Space Wing, his foot claws leaving scrape marks as his huge weight pressed down on the solid metal floor. It wasn't long before he spotted the Security station leading into the Deep Space Wing and the Security forces preparing to defend there.
They saw Centaurii rather fast, a massive stomping creature being quite hard to miss. He slowed down as he neared the booth and defences, while the security officers had nervous looks on their faces as they fiddled with their guns. One of them being brave decided to speak up.
"Damn it... I-I uh take it you're Centaurii, the creature that Marmosa spoke of? God please be you."
"Indeed. Have you seen any boarders yet?" Centaurii spoke softly.
The officer, clearly the Captain of the checkpoint, visibly relaxed when Centaurii spoke. The Captain made his way around the defences and stood in front of Centaurii.
"Names Kirk, these are my boys. To answer your question, no. We've seen nothing yet, let me tell you I am GLAD you're on our side." Captain Kirk smirked while looking up at Centaurii.
"I take it you've seen my kind before... maybe up close?" Centaurii questioned
Kirk paled as Centaurii questioned him, "Well y-yeah and I.. had to kill them, they came this close to lopping my head off with your freaky tails... no offence."
Centaurii 'smirked', or at least tried to smirk. "I don't mind, my brethren are... animals to put it nicely. I would probably kill any I saw that weren't like me anyway."
Relaxing from his words, Kirk spoke up with a small smile. "Well I'll be glad to work with you Centaurii, now it's probably not long before the boarders get here so-"
A loud explosion from down the hall rocked the station and interrupted Kirk. It wasn't long before the sound of plasma cutters echoed down the hall, slicing through the reinforced airlock doors.
"Speak of the devils.. they'll come here first to clear us out. Can you support us?" Kirk asked.
"I'll help. Being honest though, it's more like you'll end up supporting me." Centaurii laughed after speaking.
"Yeah, yeah. Alright men, take positions check your sights. Please try not to shoot the massive creature that... just disappeared." Kirk looked around confused before a small drop of venom fell from the shadowed ceiling. "Well you know what to do men. Hold the line."
Explosions sounded out throughout the station, rocking it and staggering a few of the security officers inside the booth. A secondary explosion sounded out from down the hall as the airlock door flew off the sealing and into the station wall, landing with a crash as two dozen marines stepped out of the airlock and turning towards the Security booth.
"OPEN FIRE, DON'T STAY EXPOSED." Kirk shouted as he started firing down the hall, knocking down two of the marines as the body armour absorbed the blows.
"Move up, covering fire. Take out those hostiles Raptor squad!" The Raptor squad Captain sounded out as his men took up better cover positions facing the defending officers.
Kirk ducked as a spray of bullets flew over his head. Another officer, not as lucky, had his head vaporised as the bullets shredded him before he fell to the ground.
"Dammit, stay in cover they're gonna tear us apart with that mil-grade equipment!"
Raptor Squad began to slowly advance down the corridor, keeping pressure on the officers. One of the Raptor Marines noticed a small puddle forming just beneath him as his boots began to fizzle slightly in the liquid. He then looked up and pointed his flashlight above him. Illuminated under the bright light, Centaurii peered down at the marine.
"Oh... fuck." The marine let out as he dropped his gun in fear.
"HERNANDEZ WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU LOOKING AT, IT CAN'T BE THat... bad." The Raptor Captain trailed off as he looked at what Hernandez was looking at, "Shit, Shit, SHIT. SCATTER, FUCKING MOVE!"
The majority of the marines moved as Centaurii let go of his hiding place and dropped onto Hernandez's stationary body, crushing it into gore and viscera upon impact. Towering over the frightened marines, Centaurii looked down with a hiss and raised his claws. Before throwing his arm down and cleaving through two marines stood next to each other. The other marines looked on in horror as their comrades topple over, separated in two clinging onto life for a few more seconds.
"Retreating Fire! Retreating Fire! Back the fuck up, don't group up!" Raptor Captain screamed as the marines shock wore off and they started unloading their guns into Centaurii.
Stretching up to his tallest height, Centaurii let out an ear-piercing screech before charging the Captain giving orders and eviscerating his torso with his barbed tail. Centaurii turned around, acid dripping from his teeth as the bullets simply pinged off his heavily armoured carapace. Not long after killing the Raptor Captain, Centaurii being tearing apart the rest of the marines as the Security Officers looked on in horror and a sense of satisfaction that their enemies were annihilated. Blood dripped from Centaurii's claws, tail and feet. As the remains of the marines slowly dripped of of Centaurii's claws he turned and walked towards the booth and remaining officers.
"Not bad Centaurii... not bad at all. Maybe a little frightening. Thanks to you though, only one of us lost our lives. We'd all be dead if it weren't for you." Kirk explained with a look of awe in his eyes.
"Just helping Captain, you should get your men to the Garoud. There's nothing left here to protect."
"Aye, we're moving out. Head on ahead of us, we'll make it there a bit easier if you clear out the rest of the enemies in our path." Kirk suggested to Centaurii.
"Understood Captain, I hope we meet again." Centaurii turned to leave and started a slow gait down the hallway, passing through the checkpoint and entering the main portion of the station.
As Centaurii moved throughout the station he came across the bodies of several security officers and many civilians, clearly gunned down by the marines who's bodies appeared scarcely throughout the series of hallways and corridors. He grimaced, feeling angered by the callous murdering of civilians who's only 'crime' was being hired on the wrong station. Making his way through the hallway he came across the opening of an airlock who also had its doors blasted off. Getting closer he heard a radio spark to life as he smelt several humans inside the boarding pod.
"-tions from Raptor Squad? We've heard nothing from them." The radio blared.
"Nothing Sir, a couple of us are heading into the Science Wing to investigate." Replied the marine.
"Good, keep us updated. Jarek out." Jarek spoke through the radio before it cut to static.
"Dammit, well lets get a move on or our heads will be on a pike when we get back." The Captain of the marine squad said having his back turned to Centaurii.
The other marines in the pod noticed Centaurii and their eyes went wide. Letting their guns go limp, they tried to stammer words out while backing up inside the pod.
"Guys, what the hell are you doing. We've got a job to do." After the Captain spoke Centaurii growled lowly behind the Captain.
Frozen in place, the Captain slowly turned around before he was face to face with Centaurii.
"Oh crap." Were the only words any of the marines in the pod could get out before Centaurii spat a glob of acid into the pod melting the marines, as they screamed in agony from the acid eating away at their flesh and bones.
"Firing solution achieved in three minutes, all personnel please stand by for instruc----- This is Security Chief Rhein, any security forces available please report to the Command Centre, enemy forces are here en masse and we are losing men! If the Centre is lost there's no way anyone is getting off this station. Please send he- *KRZZTZZ*
The message ended in static after an explosion was heard in the background. 'Well at least I know where I'm going now.' Centaurii looked up at a directions board and began heading in the direction of the Command Centre under siege.
Gunshots and explosions echoed throughout the Command Centre and surrounding hallways as a desperate battle was raging between the boarding marines and the remaining security forces. Turrets suspended from ceilings firing rapidly at enemy positions before being destroyed in a fiery blaze as the marines blew them up. The security forces were slowly being pushed back as the marines gained more and more ground with every shot fired.
A shot whizzed overhead, "Chief Rhein! Close the blast doors, we can't hold on much longer!"
Rhein grimaced as shots smashed into the metal walls behind her, "Fine! But once those doors fail... it's over for us."
Rhein ran over to the main console and smashed the local lockdown button. One by one the doors surrounding the Command Centre dropped and sealed themselves as an eerie quiet overtook the area. Silence was interrupted by the hissing of Plasma torches melting through the Blast Doors.
"How long.. until-"
"Until they're through?" Rhein answered. "Too soon, we won't have enough time to fire at the Agatesh before they're through. Which means we'll have to make time. Alright men, this is a one way trip. We all make it sooner or later and I believe ours is due. Get prepped, reload and get in cover. It has been an honour serving with you gentlemen."
Various shouts and positive comments were thrown back at the Captain before his men got into place and readied themselves for their final stand. Which never came. Down the central hall leading from the main habitation unit, the plasma cutters stopped cutting. Loud bangs and the scraping of metal sounded out even managing to get through the thick blast doors. They got close, and closer.. and closer. Before long gunfire started rapidly in the hallway as screams of terror and agony rang out before quickly being silenced leaving no sound remaining but the rapid breaths of the wounded.
"Do we have any camera feed to the hallway?"
"None Chief. What should we do."
Contemplating what move to make Rhein failed to act in time before a set of black claws pierced the final blast door. Within seconds the door was torn apart and thrown from its housing and from the hall emerged a black beast, towering over the security officers with blood covering its carapace. Looking behind the monstrosity a trail of broken, and dismembered corpses lay there with blood slowly pooling beneath the creatures feet. Then Centaurii spoke.
"Did someone ask for help?"
Rhein looked on in shock. Shock at both the sheer level of brutality on display behind Centaurii and the fact that Marmosa wasn't lying or crazy for once. Rhein's laughter began to fill the room as everyone turned to look at him.
"Well... I asked for help and here the Devil comes, with blood stained fingers and a sense of humour." Rhein shook his head and looked towards Centaurii, "Thanks for the help, we'd be dead without you. Now lets see about dealing with the rest of them."
Centaurii nodded his head and acid dripped from his fangs.
Admiral Jarek stood there furious and confused. One moment they were about to take the Command Centre and capture the station, and the next? His communications were full of screams and terror filled whimpering as bullets and explosions hit something.
"Admiral.. I think I found what killed them."
"Let me see Ensign... Holy Mother of God." Jarek looked at the screen which contained video footage of one of the Marine's bodycams.
All Jarek saw was hallway full of viscera and a shadow black figure with acid and blood dripping from it.
"It's a fucking Xenomorph... on their goddamn side?! How the hell!" Jarek screamed bursting with anger. Calming down once he realised that's what killed Raptor squad.
"Prep weapons, the station is compromised. Who knows how many Xenomorphs are on that station.. no way we're taking that without significant losses." Jarek sighed
"The data sir?"
"Will have to be lost Ensign, command will understand." Jarek sat down in his command chair.
"And that- is the last hallway. Cleared of hostiles. Thanks Centaurii, you really saved our asses!"
"Firing Solution achieved, charging complete. Magnetic Prototype ready to fire."
"Hah! Well, want to watch the fireworks?" Rhein said looking out the window and approving to fire.
Throughout the station, lights dimmed and non-essential systems temporarily shut down as a massive amount of power was drawn from the recently repaired station generators. A swelling feeling ran through Centaurii's body as a bright blue light shone from outside the station pointing towards the RFR Agatesh.
"Admiral! Massive energy build-up coming from the station! We should-"
"Did I ask for your opinion or ideas Ensign?! NO! Stay the course, fire when ready." Jarek said with spite in his voice.
"B-but Admiral.."
Jarek shot the Ensign in the back of the head, "We have no room for the likes of you in the Red Faction, anyone else. ANY OTHER OBJECTIONS?!"
No-one spoke as Jarek holstered his weapon and looked forward towards the Station. His ship's weapons were ready to fire in half a minute, nothing could stop the station's destruction now. A bright light filled Jarek's eyes, then he was gone. Before he could even blink.
The station shuddered as a projectile the size of a freighter container was launched out at ludicrous speed towards the Agatesh, upon contact the Agatesh shattered. A hole was punched straight through the centre of the ship destroying the bridge and tearing what remained of the Agatesh in two. Alarms blared throughout the station as systems struggled to regain functionality after the massive power drain but it was clear that the Agatesh was no more.
Cheers rang out in the Command Centre as security staff celebrated their victory.
"Hey... HEY." Rhein's voice rang out silencing her crew. "Look I know this is a victory but now we have to leave. Double time it to the Garoud, we are getting the hell off this slag-heap."
Rhein and his Security staff began moving towards the hangar with Centaurii in tow. Most of the marines were dead and the few remaining were trying to regroup after the loss of the Agatesh. Within a few minutes the group made it to the Garoud where Marmosa greeted them.
"Ah, Centaurii! Chief Rhein! Wonderful to see you both alive. Quick come aboard time is of the essence! Scans show the support fleet is almost upon us!" Marmosa explained.
"Don't gotta tell me twice you crazy bastard." Rhein joked climbing aboard.
"Good to see you too doctor, let us get out of here." Centaurii agreed, climbing into a pressurised storage container as a voice rang out on the intercom.
"THAT is what we were carrying for month? If I had known that I wouldn't have gone into that asteroid field!" Jacob - Captain of the Garoud - exclaimed.
"No need to fret now Captain! We're all aboard let us get the hell out of here!" Rhein shouted over the intercom.
The Garoud disconnected from its docking and slowly manoeuvred out of the way of Shotput Station. Getting a decent distance before activating its main thrusters to begin escaping. Close to the wreckage of the Agatesh, the support fleet appeared after using their Jump Drives. Realising the wreckage of the Agatesh, several ships broke off the main group and chased the Civilian Freighter Garoud.
"Ah.. uh they're chasing us, anyone got a plan?" Jacob asked to the crowd aboard his ship.
"Heh... just one.." Rhein said with a laugh pressing the tablet on her arm.
Looking back, those aboard the Garoud saw explosions ring out across Shotput Station's exterior as its reactors went critical. The ships chasing them now too close to the station suffered major damage as the explosion threw space debris everywhere, the Garoud narrowly avoiding any major damage.
"I've given you some time Captain, now would be the time to jump!" Rhein shouted.
"Where to?"
"Doesn't matter, blind jump. We just need to get out of this goddamn sector!" Roland replied.
"All right don't blame me if we end up inside a star." Jacob murmured under his breath initiating the Jump Drive.
Before the jump was complete a strange energy seemed to grab the Garoud and overcharge the entire ship's systems, causing the Jump Drive to go haywire and shoot them off into Deep Space.
Date: Unknown Location: Unknown Time: Unknown In Orbit around (Un-named Planet) Strange Energy Detected from Planet - Recommend Expedition to Surface Planetary Atmosphere - - - SAFE TO HUMAN LIFE Begin Expeditions? Y/N ----- ------- --------- Y
