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[PROTOCOL FIRESTORM ENGAGED. NO EVACUATION POSSIBLE. PROTOCOL EXECUTION IN T-MINUS 3 MINUTES.]

Screams of terror echoed throughout the facility. The corridors were dark, only lit up by the flashing red lights accompanying the female voice's countdown to 'protocol firestorm'. She had no idea what that meant and frankly didn't care. The evidence of her slaughter stained her natural oily black armor and pale skin, and left a trail on the walls and ceiling along which she ran.

Finally she was free. Briefly she considered seeking out the hive when the foundations of the underground building began to shake, but as soon as the cries of pain and agony rang in her head she dismissed the thought. They were lost. A terrified human scientist dashed out of a nearby room, screaming at the top of her lungs at the hybrid's sight. The sound died along with her when Smile pounced for the kill.

---

The water stank, but it was the only way out. With only twenty seconds left she had made the desperate decision to dive into the sewage system. When the blast trembled the pipes Smile looked back to see the hatch glowing hot red and sizzling at the slightest touch of cooling water. She had an idea of what happened, but she knew for sure whatever had been in there was now lost forever. They meant to kill her. They'd killed her family. She hoped they all rotted.

Smile pursued the pipes to find an exit, and several miles later finally found one. The hatch was heavy for most humans, but it proved to be no challenge for the hybrid alien. The scraping sound of metal on stone echoed through the alley before she climbed out and sought shelter in the shadows on the building wall, not bothering to close the hole. There was nothing chasing her.

Although she reeked and was hungry, she spent long minutes studying the world below her. She recognized the buildings as buildings, alleys as hallways. But the sounds were new to her. What was this place? Digging her claws into the stone walls, she skittered along, trying to spot anything or anyone to help her figure out what to do now. Or maybe fill her tummy first. It was growling rather loudly.

Carlos Bartner. The mission for the night. Ulysses stared down through the eyes of his mask at his Android, his e-mail open for more detail about the man. His home, family, career, down to what he ate that very morning. He ran over the text briefly before shoving the phone into his jeans and rounded another corner that'd keep him secluded from public eyes.

He was only a block or so away from where he needed to be until he abruptly came to a halt in hearing the painful sound of scratching against brick or stone. His hand immediately came to rest on his pistol, knowing it could be anyone who may be on his tail and he cautiously began to pace under the large shadow of the building.

Her tail swished slowly when her yellow eyes spotted the approaching figure in the dark. She needed not even squint, seeing perfectly fine and focusing on his every movement. Although her belly demanded to be filled, this was not the time. Smile observed the cautious posture, recognizing it from a lifetime of intimidating scientists and lashing out unexpectedly. The hybrid flattened herself against the wall, eight feet above him to his left.

"You." She put emphasis on the word. It sounded like it positively dripped with disgust. "You'll provide answers."

The mercenary hadn't even spared a glance toward her, assuming she was another hired soldier to protect Bartner, and figured that getting out of her sight would be his best option before he assaulted. Having the heritage he was given, his speed was enhanced, and he bolted around the corner in a blur, skidding every so often to make a quick choice of route.

Her slit pupils dilated when he took off. That was a terrible move with a predatory creature like Smile. All of her hunting instincts kicked in and she gave chase, dropping to the ground on all fours and propelling her muscled frame forward with her strong legs. Although he was faster than she was used to, she was difficult to shake off.

Every corner he rounded she caught up in time to see him turn another. It didn't take long before a burst of power closed her in on him, and with one powerful push she leaped forward to tackle him to the ground.

The abrupt weight that had him against the ground shocked him, and it'd even shocked him more to see who it was.. or what it was. Evidently a humanoid, but with unique, or rather, disturbing features.

Ulysses thoughts scrambled through all of the initiatives he could make, but he didn't know this creature and one move could result in an assault although not moving could be no different. His breathing slowed excessively as his hand slid down his side to grab his pistol so he could have the creature at point blank range.

Her sharply pointed tail swayed back and forth behind her, maintaining her balance as she simply kept him down with her weight. Had she intended to kill, her claws or tail would already have jabbed at his chest or throat to pierce right through. No, she wanted this one alive.

She glared at the gun. Cautious, but not afraid, she made a gesture to nudge it away. "I don't intend to harm you," she reassured him. Up close it was weird to see her speak. Her mouth moved, but that eerie smile never let up. Her expression was fixed, as it was always going to be. Although her voice was definitely feminine, it was cold and uncaring with a strange, hoarse rasp lining the edges.

"I need answers. Where is this? Where are the scientists?" She knew the facility she's been born into was not the only one. Careless humans often forgot she was there to listen to their 'top secret talks'.

Ulysses could be heard breathing heavily under his ventilated mask as he observed the creature further. Though he had a vice grip on his pistol he kept it in place at his side in case maybe he would need it.

Her weight wasn't crushing, but he hated nothing more than being pinned. The fact that he could not move on his will aggravated him to no end, yet he kept still for the time being as she began to raid him with questions. Where had she even come from? What other government had access to Earth? The fact that she mentioned 'scientists' had brought him to a conclusion that maybe she was a result- the result.

It soon came to his attention that he had a very vital mission to complete and he'd never failed before. "What?" His voice was bitter even through the voice alterations his mask made.

A low growl rumbled in her throat at the dumb retort. "'What' is not an answer to my questions. I should have killed you." She would not reveal quite yet that she'd never been outside though. "Final chance. Where are we?"

Her long and deadly looking fingers moved in to snag off that dumb mask on his face that made it difficult to gauge his reaction.

She had given a good tug, but the mask stayed strapped securely over his identity, one he hid so well amongst the dwellers of Earth.

Once the second question came around he had an answer, "Dallas." Evidently, she -it- was not familiar with the area and by what he could see she hadn't taken it lightly, but even beyond her permanent smile and inhuman features his mind trailed back to his initial deed. She was getting in the way of it.

In another swift motion he attempted to thrust forward and force her back, away from him.

Smile hissed and ceased her attempt. She stared intently at him at first, then slowly repeated after him. "Dallas." She knew this. "America?" There was a brief pause during which she seemed to think, keeping her eyes on him. It was then he struggled to throw her off, but she wasn't so easily shaken off.

"NO." Her jaws parted, revealing the cavity that was her mouth. It stunk terribly of rotten meat. What Xenomorph brushed its teeth after all?

With a high pitched squeal and hissing, flinging spittle everywhere, the small second mouth protruded like a tube and snapped at Ulysses' mask. It didn't actually attack, but it warned of consequences to such behavior.


Smile withdrew the appendage and glared down at him. "Scientists. Where are they? Are they in Dallas too, experimenting on more of my hives?" If words dripped venom, these were lethal.

Ulysses pressed his head against the ground, trying to create as much distance between them that he could manage. What the hell was on the scientists mind when he was working on this thing?

The mercenary knew well that he wouldn't be able to get out of this one. Not for a while, if ever. This was no natural nor common creature, and this made him question what all he hadn't known about the world he resided in. There were no choices laid out for him to decide while the creature had him at it's mercy. He could see that she wasn't lashing out at him, but at the scientists that she appeared to loathe.

To his dismay, Ulysses knew nothing of any scientists or hives, "How should I-" He paused as something came to light. Carlos. Carlos was a scientist. "Bartner," his voice was barely audible through the mask.

The hybrid cocked her head at him. It was difficult to tell what she felt or thought. Her permanent expression only carried subtle changes usually only recognized by those who spent a lot of time studying her.

"What is this 'Bartner'?" She demanded, bringing her face closer. "Is it a facility?"

His face turned to the side, displaying his resentment towards her, but provided a swift, frank answer, "A scientist."

He supposed that maybe he could get his task done if she ever chose to search for the man.

Smile got to her feet and jerked him up with her, keeping a tight grip on his arm. She towered at over six and a half feet tall, partially thanks to her digitigrade feet. Her tail flashed side to side when she snarled at him. "You will take me to this scientist this instance."

Would she kill the scientist? She didn't know yet. Her desire to murder was outweighed by her desire to learn more about herself and find the rest of the hives. They could rule this planet if they overthrew the corporation. Nobody would be able to see what was coming. The thought pleased her.

To his fortune he'd get to complete the task after all, but he didn't know how long he could put up with this creature overpowering him. He'd follow initiative for the time being, bit once he gets the change he'll put the damn thing in its place.

Ulysses jerked from her grip and took a step back. It was then that he saw her, size and all that he knew there would be no easy way to get into the building. They'd have to break in somehow. Without another word Ulysses resumed on his route, expecting her to follow.

Smile kept her eyes on him and followed as he proceeded. Primarily she crept through the shadows, trying to blend in as good as possible. Human eyes were weak in the dark and it gave her an advantage at all times this way. Every now and then Ulysses might think she lost track of him, only to have her reappear out of pitch black shadows.

"How far is this?"

Ulysses hadn't answered seeing that the answer was just across the road now. A large building that was surrounded with fences, cameras, security guards. Even so, the mercenary knew a way in. Slowly, he turned to a neighboring building. Every building that held important merchandise multiple ways to get it out and his guess was he could get in through the other building.

She grew suspicious of his suspicious behavior. Where was he taking her? Why wasn't he answering? It wasn't apparent to the hybrid that the buildings closest by were their targets, but she crept after him nonetheless.

They had only caught suspicion during their run through, nothing that set the alarms ringing. Within the hour they had successfully reached Carlos's office though he wasn't currently in the room, but Ulysses was sure he'd walk through the door any second. In the meantime the mercenary sat at the scientist's desk and hacked into the system. It took more security than any other scientific company than usual, making him anxious as to what this facility had worked on.