Recently we had a new addition to my place of work. I have, for the most part, been going out of my way at work to keep the fact that I'm a published writer secret. Don't ask me why, I have no idea. I like spewing that fact everywhere else!
Anyhow, one of my co-workers let it be known to the new guy that I write. Of course he was interested in what I wrote. And, of course, he had never heard of Outlanders before.
So, he wanted to read something. I figured that a short story I wrote years ago (2002) would be suitable.
I did some cleanup on it, added a little flavour and figured - what the heck.
Enjoy! It's short, only 3,750 words. Oh, and a little warning - this short story contains graphic voilence.
Finally, sorry about the format... it didn't clean up as well as I would have liked.
Chris
She who gives life.
Flash -
Panic, a chaotic dance of movement, metal corridors, flickers of light and darkness, familiar yet strange images that hold no meaning, yet mean something forgotten.
Flash -
More movement, terror – screams intermixed with indifference - only a single goal in mind, primitive yet universal.
Flash -
Words without meaning, pleading, begging, and anger mingled with soul deep fear.
Flash -
Despair and hopelessness mixed liberally with pain, and then all encompassing darkness.
For the moment, warmth and blackness was all it knew - although there was an insatiable hunger growing in it as it too, grew in size and readiness. The sound of the host’s blood coursing through its body, lungs and organs was soothing to the yet to be born warrior. It curled its small, under-developed body into a tight ball, not caring that the host was discomforted by the movement and allowed itself to slip once again into the darkness, only occasionally disturbed by the flashes of light, sound and strange emotion. Soon, very soon. *** Time had no meaning to the unborn warrior. There was no way to judge how much had passed when the hunger became too great to ignore further. It uncurled, stretching lazily, the small sharp talons rending across the soft flesh of the host. It could hear the host’s pain filled whimper. It was the sound of music to the unborn warrior. The whimpers escalated into all out screams of pure agony as the small warrior coiled its long sinuous body and rammed its razor sharp teeth into the meat-coated bones of the host’s rib cage. It could feel the host thrashing as it reared again and thrust forward a second and then a third time. The bones cracked of the rib cage began to give under the small warrior’s relentless assault, the razor sharp teeth ripping out chunks of the hot flesh surrounding the hard bone.The host screamed one last time and then the whole body shuddered violently. The warrior propelled itself against the weakened rib cage and tore through it in a flurry of blood, bone, lung and muscle. The hot, dry air of the hive washed over its blood and viscera covered body as it slowly writhed its way from the torn and shattered cavity of the host. It hung there, slowly moving from side to side, screaming out its newborn cries of ecstasy and freedom. All around, the newborn warriors siblings hissed their greetings in return. The newborn finally wriggled itself free of the host and landed with a wet slap on the resin-covered floor. Like a snake, it reared on its long tail and seemed to gaze around the chamber, as if searching for something. The swivelling head passed before the magnificent queen, secured in her protective resin, breathing quietly as she disgorged egg after egg, ensuring the continuation of the species. The newborn warrior hissed its pleasure and turned about. Using its tiny, deadly sharp claws, it climbed up the corpse and nestled back into the cavity from wince it came, and slowly began to feed on the cooling remains. As the flesh was consumed, the newborn began to grow rapidly.
***
Deep inside the hive, time passed without notice. The young warrior continued to feed, even as it grew. The hunger, no matter how much of its host’s flesh it consumed, never seemed to be satiated.
Its belly filled with meat, the newborn warrior fell to the floor squealing and writhing, feeling the soft flesh of its first shell growing too small to contain it further.
Several of the mature drones milled about, watching the young warriors struggle. If it were able to tear free from the first moulting, it would survive. If not… The white flesh along its skull spilt open and the young warrior slid out of the discarded casting, feeling the limbs stretch and strengthen. It was growing so rapidly it would be double its birth size in a matter of a few hours. Around it, others were tearing themselves free from the hosts. The entire hive rang with the cries of death, mingled with the squeals and hisses of birth. The queen unfolded her massive arms and raised her head, hissing out a welcome to the latest generation of warriors and defenders to her domain. The young warrior turned its drying skull and hissed along with her, letting she who gives life know that he would be ready to serve her, no matter what she required. Hearing the youngsters squeal, the queen turned her skull towards it and grunted. She was pleased with the young ones eagerness.
It drew itself up with pride, and was eager to hunt and kill for her, to continue the life cycle.
Suddenly, movement just to the youngster’s side demanded attention. One of the newborn warriors was slithering up on its sinuous body towards the remains of its personal host.
It turned and drew itself up to its full height, all the while hissing at the much younger interloper.
The younger newcomer reared back and hissed as well, the tiny inner jaw jutting from its toothy mouth, answering the older warriors challenge. Had it found the older warriors host more appealing that its own, maybe because the body of the host was larger?
The older warrior didn’t care. Instinctively it new that it wouldn’t kill its brother, but that didn’t mean that it couldn’t teach the impudent youngster the error of its way. It struck out with its body, the speed rivalling that of a fully grown warrior. The older warriors head slammed into the still soft, pre-first moults body. The younger warrior was thrown back several meters, landing in an ungainly heap near the feet of its original host.
Sufficiently chastised, it slunk behind the remains of its host and slowly climbed up the host’s leg, moving towards the blood soaked chest and stomach. It would have to be content with its own host for sustenance.
All the while, she who gives life observed quietly. If she was pleased or disturbed by the altercation, she gave no indication.
***
The young warrior had just undergone its fourth moulting since it tore free from the host. It was now fully grown and ready to strike out as the she who gives life commanded. Little was left of its original host, as the warrior had fed off its flesh, gaining sustenance, size and strength. In its own way, the warrior almost felt affection and gratitude towards the host. Even though it wasn’t she who gives life, the host still provided the young warrior with a secure incubator and nourishment. Deep down, it would almost miss the host.Turning away from the remains, its head bowed in respect and reverence, the warrior sidled up slowly to the queen. It hissed at she who gives life and waited in silence. The queen lowered her massive crowned head and regarded the young warrior, running her long talons over the domed skull almost as if caressing. A low moan issued from deep within her chest, pulsating through her clear, dagger like teeth. Bowing once again, the young warrior understood its task and it bolted out of the chamber, hugging the walls as it moved with lightning speed on all fours. The warrior felt charged with life, nearly giddy with excitement as it was sent out of the hive into the host’s structures. It would capture one of the soft-fleshed creatures and bring it back to the hive. If it did, she who gives life would be pleased. The hive quickly disappeared behind as the warrior wound its way through the labyrinth of tunnels and corridors that marked the start of the soft-fleshed creature’s home. It was joined by several of its elder siblings, who knew exactly which tunnels and chambers to take. All around the warrior could sense the spoor of the soft flesh, as well as the death pheromones of its own siblings. Clearly taking the soft flesh would be a little more difficult than it had anticipated. Obviously the host creatures had their own teeth and claws. Flashes of images surged through its mind. Soft-fleshed creatures holding strange yet familiar metal objects in their claws, objects that spit fire and brought death from a distance to its siblings. It didn’t know how it knew of these images, nor did it care. The queen demanded fresh hosts, and it was ready to give its life to meet her commands.It arrived with its siblings outside a large metal hive. A dozen other warriors were already scrambling over the soft flesh’s hive, banging and tearing at it with their immensely strong talons in a frenzy to get at the soft flesh creatures that hid inside. The warrior knew that they were there; it could sense them, taste their terror and felt itself being dragged into the frenzy of lust. It threw itself at the foreign hive, tearing at the metal, looking for a weakness, anything that would expose the prey. Crawling on the shell of the soft-skinned creatures hive, it found where part of the metal was sunk inwards slightly. Tentatively, it ran a single talon down the edge of the metal, feeling a slight gap. The warrior squealed in triumph, alerting its siblings to its discovery. Gripping the outer shell with its hind legs, the warrior slashed at the indentation. The claws drew sparks from the metal as deep furrows appeared. Other warriors joined in and together they pounded and clawed at the metal barrier. The harder they worked, the more the metal gave way to their assault. They could hear the cries of terror and despair coming from the interior of the hive as they finally tore the metal apart, tossing the now useless barrier aside.
Like a living wave, the mass of warriors passed through the opening, swarming over the last refuge of the soft-fleshed creatures. A strange sound reached the warrior, a stuttering clash that came from the direction of the prey. Once again the image of the fire spitting object flashed through its mind, and it knew that there would be losses among its siblings.
But it planned on surviving, on capturing a host to take back to she who gives life. Nothing except utter destruction would prevent it. Pieces of hard flesh and liquid sprayed over its body as one of the warriors before it suddenly flew apart. Ahead of the warriors, the prey was backed into the far corner of the hive, holding strange yet familiar appendages. Each time the appendage made a sound, another warrior fell. The warrior had to somehow stop the soft-flesh from making the sound. The sound meant death to the warrior’s kind. So, they were able to fight after all. A challenge. Crouching low behind its charging siblings, the warrior broke from the pack and hugged the wall, moving quickly. It skirted over the unusual formations that were scattered around the soft flesh’s hive, not knowing or caring what function they served. It heard and sensed the death cries of another pair of siblings as it latched onto the ceiling. The prey was too intent on using their appendages, their talons, to notice the lone warrior creeping up on them. When one of the soft-fleshed creatures looked up, it was too late. The warrior lashed out, swatting at the noisy talon. It flew from the soft-flesh creature weak talons and landed on the ground before his siblings. The soft-skinned creature screamed and tried to cover its face, but the warrior ignored the creature and dropped from the ceiling, landing in the midst of the group. It whipped about, slashing with its talons and battering the creatures with its long, lethally barbed tail. The distraction was all the other warriors needed. The survivors flowed over the soft-fleshed prey like a black skinned tidal wave. It was over almost as quickly as it had begun. The soft-fleshed creatures were either dead or being carried off by the other warriors to the hive. The young warrior felt pride as it took one of the smaller creatures and tucked it against its exoskeleton chest. Like the soft flesh host that the warrior had grown in, this one would provide the life and nourishment for another warrior in service of she who gives life.
Silent as ghosts, the warrior and its siblings left the soft flesh hive and retreated through the tunnels.
***
A chorus of squeals, hisses and screams bombarded the young warrior as it and its siblings entered the queen’s chamber with their hosts. One by one the warriors broke away from the small mob and searched the resin covered hive walls for a spot where they could encase the hosts and bring the eggs.She who gives life stared down at the young warrior, and then raised herself in the hive support and roared. She knew what had transpired and was very pleased with the warrior. For one so young it had excelled in her service. A pair of drones drifted out of the hive and began tearing at the remains of a host that was sealed into the wall of the hive near the queen. The young warrior knew that it was being greatly honoured, that the queen wanted the soft flesh it had captured hived next to her gargantuan body. Reverently, the warrior slunk past the queen and placed the unresisting body of the host into the cavity that its siblings had created. As it backed away, its siblings went straight to work; secreting the resin coating over the soft-skinned host and making sure that it was secured in place. Another drone brought an egg and placed it on the floor before the host. It mattered not whether or not the host ever regained consciousness, the cycle would repeat, and another warrior would join their ranks.
The queen raised her head and screamed. Her whole body quaked and trembled in the hive supports, threatening to tear loose any second. The young warrior could sense her distress and outrage. What had it missed? Had it somehow displeased she who gives life? A fleeting emotion, something carried over from its host, flowed over its senses.
Fear.
Again, she who gives life howled. This time the young warrior knew that she wasn’t displeased with him. The hive was in danger.
Somehow, the soft-fleshed creatures not only had found, but also were in the process of invading her hive.
Another strange emotion washed over the warrior. It felt anger. It was enraged at the very thought of the soft-skinned creatures daring to defile its home, the home and sanctuary of she who gives life.
It didn’t need to be commanded twice. She who gives life had issued her command. Defend her and the hive, no matter the cost.The warriors bolted from the queen’s chamber, leaving only her and her royal guards. Leaping onto the nearest wall, the warrior joined its siblings. The need to drive the invaders from the hive was too great to ignore. As the warriors flowed through the tunnels, they broke off into smaller groups and approached the soft-skinned invaders from different angles. It hissed in anticipation, eager to test its mettle once again, go talon to talon with the soft-skinned creatures that were arrogant enough to dare invade the domain of she who gives life. Far ahead, the warrior could hear the now familiar sounds of the talons the soft-skinned creatures used to bring death upon its siblings. It heard the death cries of its siblings intermixed with the shouts and screams coming from the invaders. Ahead of it, three of its siblings hugged the wall and bounded around a corner. The young warrior could clearly make out the sounds of the death dealing talons and it stopped cold, moulding its body into the wall of the hive, not daring to move. A loud explosion shook the hive nearly dislodging it from its perch, but it managed to hold fast.
It sensed, more than heard the approach of the soft-skinned invaders. They were grunting and calling to one another as they moved. It could feel the fear emanating from the invaders.
Oh yes, they should be afraid. Two of the invaders appeared. Unlike the group the warrior and its siblings had captured only a short period of time before, these new invaders seemed to be a different species. They had strong shells covering their soft-fleshed bodies and the talons they had were different as well. Its body still blended seamlessly into the hived wall, all but invisible as the two soft-fleshed creatures crept into the corridor. Their fire spitting talons swept back and forth, searching for more targets.
Silently the warrior waited until the two invaders passed before it sprang to life. It launched from the wall and smashed into the two invaders, driving both to the resin coated floor. Using its powerful jaw, the warrior slammed into the rear of the first invaders skull, punching through the hard outer shell like so much paper, drilling through the soft inner flesh and finally shattering the bone. The arrogant invader died instantly.
Withdrawing its inner jaw from the ruined flesh, the warrior bounded off the corpse and whipped its tail just as the second invader rose to ward off the assault. The tail connected the invaders death talon and it flew away. Fear was emanating from the invader in waves, feeding the warriors bloodlust and rage. Even in its fear, the invader wasn’t about to give up without a fight. One of its talons moved and brought up a small metallic talon.
Ducking, the warrior heard the talon bark loudly. Searing pain tore through its left arm as the invader shifted the new talon. The warrior had no intention of letting the smaller talon cause it harm again. It shunted to the side as the talon roared a second, third and forth time.
But there was no pain to accompany the noise. The warrior slashed out and caught the invaders smaller talon. Like the first, the talon was torn free, taking a goodly portion of the invaders arm with it. Falling to its knees, the invader screamed loud and clutched at the damaged limb with its other weaker appendage. It wasted no time in finishing off the invader. One swift swipe of its talons ended the invaders pitiful screams. Throughout the hive came the sounds of combat where the warriors engaged the invaders. No matter how many warriors threw themselves at the invaders, they seemed unable to stop the encroachment. The warrior could feel the queen’s agitation. The invaders were getting too close to the hive and they had to be stopped. It would not let she who gives life down. The pain it felt in the damaged limb was easing and didn’t impair its movements as it ran through the hive towards the queen’s chamber. As it closed on the chamber, the fighting intensified. The invaders were at the threshold and the warriors were now retreating. No matter how many went down they had to stop the invaders. She who gives life must not be harmed! It paused on the wall and studied the resin covered tunnel ahead. A single soft-fleshed invader managed to get past the warriors and the first of the royal guards and was kneeling at the very entrance of the hive. Something burped loudly and was followed by a loud explosion. The young warrior could hear the distinctive cries of the royal guards guarding she who gives life.Not cries of triumph, but of death. To sacrifice itself for she who gives life is the greatest gift that a warrior could ever bestow upon the queen. Without hesitation or thought, it launched from the ceiling and snatched the invader from behind. The momentum carried both into the chamber where the last vestiges of the warriors were gathered, using their bodies as a living shield to protect she who gives life. Several others were still engaging the invaders, but young warrior could sense that the situation was indeed most dire.
Struggling against its grip, the invader tried to shake off the young warrior. It gripped the soft-skinned invader tighter and slammed the body into the nearest wall.
There was a sickening crunch as the hard outer-shell the invader was wearing gave way and it screamed out in pain. Drawing the invader back, the warrior slammed it a second, third and forth time into the wall.
At last, the invader ceased its struggles and fell bonelessly to the hived floor. The last vestiges of the battle were disappearing. Clearly the warriors were too much for the soft-skinned invaders to handle, and they had given up.
She who gives life bellowed in triumph. Her warriors had succeeded in destroying the invaders, and the hive was once again safe.
***
Hours passed before any of the surviving warriors ventured out of she who gives life’s chamber and into the rest of the hive. None had wanted to leave she who gives life until they were certain the danger had been eliminated once and for all. Raising her massive crown, she who gives life hissed at several of the surviving warriors. One by one they approached her and she held their heads, forcing them up as she disgorged the royal jelly into their mouths. The young warrior waited in silence, envious of its siblings who were being given the greatest honour she who gives life could bestow. They were becoming the new Royal Guards. She paused as her gaze fell upon the young warrior. She who gives life seemed to consider it, and then she hissed, beckoning the warrior to come to her. It could scarcely believe it. Somehow the warrior had impressed the queen enough that she would honour it by making it one of her personal guards. It crawled forward on all fours, keeping its head low until it was situated beneath the queen’s mouth. She growled quietly and the young warrior stood erect and raised its head. Tenderly, she who gives life held the warriors head and spewed her royal jelly down its throat. The sensation was warm and pleasant to the young warrior and it felt the pain from its damaged limb disappear. It crouched down at the feet of she who gives life and waited for the new moulting to occur.
The young warrior had pleased she who gives life, the queen. The mother, the heart and soul of the hive.
End
Either we suck or hes really that good! - Hertz from Shoot em up.