by Ben Hammott
The Mimic faded into view and stared at the model for a few moments before tapping the control screen to bring up the lower level. Her dark eyes studied the rooms, corridors and prowling monsters and then glanced at the door the humans had disappeared through. She'd understood everything they said and was pleased they were heading for the exit. Soon her long imprisonment would be over. She moved across the room and exited through a different door than that taken by the humans.
Different Paths
THE TEAM'S STEADY PACE through the corridors carried them nearer to the staircase to the lower level and so far it had been free of monsters, but when they passed the opening to a corridor that led off to their left, they heard something to indicate their luck was about to change.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
Lucy trembled as the memories of her previous encounter with a Clicker flooded into her thoughts.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
Without halting his stride, Theo aimed his flashlight down the dark corridor the sound had come from. The yelp of surprise that burst from his lips was drowned by the monster's high pitched shriek when it leapt at him with claws outstretched. Theo stumbled and fell to the floor.
Jane, directly behind Theo, saw the sightless creature caught in the light. The cut on its shoulder indicated it was the Clicker that had chased them through the forest room. Before its claws pierced Theo's flesh, she lashed out a foot. The power-laden blow slammed it against the corridor wall with a loud shriek.
Coming swiftly to his senses, Theo jumped to his feet and backed away.
The Clicker bounced off the wall and rolled when it made contact with the floor. CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! With swiftness the shocked onlookers found difficult to believe, it leapt to its feet and lashed out at its attacker.
Jack yanked Jane out of its reach and pushed her behind to join Lucy and Richard as they backed away.
Max moved to attack. The Clicker head him move. It spun around to face the new threat. Max froze with the ice pick he'd planned to slam into the creature's head raised above his shoulder. CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! The monster stepped to the side, splitting the group.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! The creature snarled at Max.
Realizing it didn't need eyes to see him, Max retreated.
A series of clicks drifted along the corridor, proof the monster wasn't the only one of its kind. They grew louder. The Clicker shrieked. Its comrades answered.
Jack raised the ice axe and lunged at the Clicker. Its keen senses alerted it to the new attack. It lashed out an arm as it turned. Claws swiped past Jacks face, so close the draft carried in their wake caressed his skin. Jack glimpsed the group of approaching creatures caught in the beam of Theo's fallen flashlight, rushing along the corridor. He glanced at Max. “Keep moving. We'll find a different route to the engine room”
The Clicker lunged at the voice as Theo, Max and Henry fled. Jack swung the axe. The Clicker grabbed his arm, halting the attack. Jack kicked it in the stomach. Winded, the Clicker released its hold and slammed back against the wall. Jack had no time to move in for the kill; the Clicker's friends were almost upon him. He turned and ran to catch up with Jane, Lucy and Richard who'd fled back along the corridor.
The sound of their running footsteps blended with those of Max, Theo and Henry as they fled in the opposite direction.
The Clickers split into two groups and followed their respective prey.
Max, Theo and Henry fled down the long corridor, turned left, moved through a door, along a short corridor, and another door until they reached the staircase. They rushed down to the lower level that was lit by faint blue light.
A distant CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
A short while later they arrived at a door blocking the passage. Max thumped the button.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! A little louder.
The door slid open. They peered through into the darkness. It was free of monsters. They stepped through and shut the door, drowning out the approaching Clickers.
The familiar bone-like struts highlighted by the faint blue lights, gave Theo hope they were heading in the right direction. “This might be the far end of the corridor leading from the engine room that we left to enter the cathedral room.”
“We won't make that mistake again,” said Henry, panting.
They sprinted for the engine room. It was a straight run now. All they had to do was keep ahead of the Clickers and hope the cold prevented them from following up the exhaust tube.
The door rasped open behind them.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
Theo glimpsed another door ahead. The engine room couldn't be far now.
They ignored the intersection they passed and kept heading for the back of the ship.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
When they reached the door they encountered another problem. Their escape would not be as straightforward as they hoped. The buckled hull had bent the door frame, jamming it shut.
Theo cursed.
Panting from their run through the ship, they all needed to rest. All knew they would die if they did. They turned to backtrack and seek out another corridor, but froze.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
The Clickers rushed at them.
They were trapped.
Sensing their prey had stopped and would soon be theirs, the Clickers rushed excitedly along the corridor, but after a few strides they stopped and sent out a series of clicks down a side corridor. All were aware they had wandered into another's territory, but the promise of food had overridden their caution. Now they'd sensed another creature's presence, their caution returned.
With confusion upon his face, Theo gazed at the stationary creatures. “Why have they stopped?”
“Whatever the reason, I don't expect it's because they're scared of us,” said Max.
Clawed footsteps drifted out from the side intersection. A few moments later a Hunter’s blue-lit shadow crept into the corridor. The Clickers reluctantly backed away.
Theo’s eyes quickly scanned the ceiling for something he'd noticed in other parts of the vessel. On spying what he sought, he rushed over to the small square vent in the ceiling. “Max, give me a hand,” he whispered, urgently.
Max turned. Theo was standing beneath a vent with cupped hands. Max guessed his plan and silently praised the man's quick thinking. He rushed over, placed a foot in Theo's hands, gripped his shoulder and heaved himself up. He reached out. His fingers slipped through the metal vent slats. He pushed it up and slid it to one side. Theo hoisted him up and he scrambled into the vent.
The Hunter creature emerged from the intersection, turned to stare at the Clickers and howled a loud warning.
The Clickers turned and fled.
The Hunter focused its attention on the sounds coming from the opposite direction. It sniffed the air. It liked what it smelt and followed the scent.
As soon as Max had cleared the opening, Henry quickly followed. Max pulled and Theo lifted. Henry slithered into the vent. After Henry had crawled past him, Max laid on his stomach and leaned through the hole with his arms outstretched. “Your turn, Theo.”
Theo shot a glance behind. The Hunter rushed at him. Theo leapt. Max grasped his wrists. Theo's weight dragged Max along the smooth metal. He jammed his boots against the sides of the small shaft in an attempt to anchor himself. It failed. Henry grabbed his legs, but the smooth sides of the vent offered no purchase to stop their slide.
Theo realized he would pull Max down if he didn't let go. He dropped to the floor. A quick glance along the corridor revealed the monster almost upon him. It howled. He looked up at Max blocking the opening. “Get back!” Fear and adrenalin fuelled his leap. He gripped the edge of the hole and pulled his head and shoulders through. The monster's footsteps grew nearer. Max grabbed Theo under the arms and heaved. Pain masked Theo's face. The monster had him. Theo was yanked back, pulling Max with him, who refused to let go. Max jammed a foot against the edge of the opening for leverage. He felt the Hunter
tugging Theo. He tugged back. Theo grimaced in pain from the claws ripping his skin. He kicked out blindly with his free leg. He felt his boot connect with flesh, but the monster's grasp remained firm. Theo knew there would only be one winner in this tug of war.
Theo stared into Max's frightened eyes. “Head to the back of the ship and leave this place.”
Max shook his head and using all the strength he could muster, he pulled.
Theo continued to kick out with his free foot until a vice-like grip clamped around that leg also. He expected the monster's jaws to rip his flesh at any moment. He'd rather face the creature head on than continue with this stalemate. “Let me go, Max. The monster has me. Flee while you can.”
Max knew his friend was right. They were achieving nothing except prolonging Theo's agony. He glanced at his friend's pained face and nodded. Reluctantly they released their hold on each other. Theo slid through the opening and dropped to the floor. Max stared at the look of absolute terror on his friend's face as he looked at something out of his sight and then up at him. “Flee, you fool, flee!”
The monster's face appeared. It howled up at Max and bent over Theo.
Henry slithered past Max and glanced below at the horrific creature. The vision of Eli filled his thoughts. He'd already lost one team member and couldn't bear the burden of losing another. He pushed Max aside, turned and dropped feet first through the opening. His feet thudded into the Hunter's back. The force knocked it forward. It tripped over Theo and fell to the ground. Henry rushed over and stamped hard on its head before it had a chance to recover. He pounded until the creature stopped moving. Breathing heavily, he backed away and looked at Theo. “Can you walk?”
Theo, shocked by the old man's brutal attack, nodded. “I think so.” He grabbed Henry's outstretched arm and climbed to his feet. Warm blood trickled from his leg wounds. Though painful, he could still walk and knew he was lucky to be alive. He glanced at the dead creature and looked at Henry. “Thanks.”
Henry smiled anxiously and began to shake when it sunk in what he'd just done. “You're welcome, but I'm not sure I could do it again.”
“I'm hoping once will be enough. Now let's go before another nightmare turns up.”
Max dropped down to help Henry lift Theo up to the vent and then hoisted Henry up. He leapt for the opening, grabbed the edge and Henry helped him climb inside.
Theo flicked on his flashlight and led them through the vent, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.
Spurred on by the monsters constant clicking, Jane, Lucy, Jack, and Richard rushed along the corridor.
Jack shot a glance behind. The three Clickers passed through one of the blue emergency lights, their frightening, ghostly forms a terrifying sight. “We'll never outrun them,” said Jack.
Richard had arrived at the same conclusion.
“I'm open to suggestions,” said Jane, breathlessly.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
They raced around a corner. Lucy stumbled, crashed into Jack, struck her head on one of the rib supports and collapsed to the floor.
Jack quickly regained his balance and knelt to examine Lucy. Blood seeped from a small cut on her forehead. Jack picked her up.
“Is she okay?” asked Jane, shooting a worried look back along the corridor and the creatures approaching footsteps.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
Jack glanced at her. “Unconscious, but we'll never escape if I have to carry her.” He nodded to the nearest door. “Open it, we'll hide her in there and come back for her later.” He entered the room and laid her on the floor.
Though Jane was reluctant to leave Lucy, they'd all be killed if they didn't. She closed the door when Jack exited.
Jack scanned the corridor. “Where's Richard?”
Jane turned and saw the man had gone. “He must have run off when we stopped. He never was a team player.”
Screeches from back along the corridor impelled them to run.
The Clickers turned the corner. CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! Their quarry was closer. They screeched.
Jack noticed Jane's concerned expression. “I'll come back for her, I promise.”
“I know you will. It just seems wrong to leave her.”
Jack saw the approaching door blocking the corridor. “I have another idea.”
“If it involves shoving me into a room and running away, you can think again, Jack Hawkins.”
“It doesn't. I'm going to try and kill or injure one of the Clickers, and hopefully the other two will stop to eat it and give us chance to get away.”
Jane, too breathless to continue the conversation and ask him how he planned to do that, put her trust in the man next to her.
They arrived at the door. Jack opened it.
“As soon as we're through, shut the door and keep on running to distract them.”
“And you'll be doing what?”
Jack held up the ice axe. “Waiting.”
Jane slammed a fist on the button when they were through and continued along the corridor.
The leading Clicker skidded on the metal floor and crashed into the door. It slapped the button and darted through as soon as the gap was wide enough.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
It sensed its prey fleeing along the corridor.
Jack punched the door closed to temporarily stop the other two from getting through and rushed at the Clicker.
The Clicker heard footsteps and turned.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
It was being attacked. It lashed out with a claw.
Pain seared across Jack's chest when claws ripped through the clothing layers to slide across his skin, leaving gouges in their wake. He slammed the axe with all his strength at the Clicker's head. The Clicker grabbed the axe, stopping it inches from its skull, snatched it from its attackers grasp and threw it away. Its other claw back handed Jack around the head. Jack slammed into the wall. Dazed, his legs buckled. He collapsed to the floor. The creature stepped toward its fallen prey.
Jane stopped and looked back. Jack's surprise attack had failed. The door slid open. A Clicker's arm was thrust through the widening gap. It smelt blood and was eager to taste it. She stopped the axe skidding along the floor toward her with a foot, snatched it up and rushed at the Clicker attacking Jack. The Clicker raised a claw to swipe at its prey. Jane leaped at its back, raised the axe and called out, “I hope your brain's hungry, because it's eating ice axe for dinner.”
The Clicker's head twisted toward her. With all her might Jane slammed the axe point into the creature's skull. She felt the barrier of thick bone momentarily resist the sharp point, and heard the crack when the force drove it through into soft brain tissue. She collided with the creature and rode it down when it toppled forward. Blood sprayed when she yanked the axe free. She jumped before the monster hit the floor, rolled when she did and jumped to her feet. She spun to face the remaining two Clickers stepping into the corridor.
The Clickers sent out a series of clicks and snarled at Jane.
Through dazed eyes and fuddled brain, Jack had seen the creature's arm rise for its attack, but he was in no condition to resist. The Clicker had turned away and then toppled toward him with a trickle of blood running down its face. Jack scooted back, but he wasn't fast enough; it landed on his legs, trapping him. He was vaguely aware of something leaping over him when he stared at the deep wound in the Clicker's skull.
“If you're okay, I could do with some help here,” Jane whispered. She reached over a shoulder and pulled out her own ice axe from her backpack.
Jack tilted his head. Jane stood aggressively with an ice axe in each hand. A globule of blood dripped from one and splattered on the floor.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
Jack looked at the Clickers. Both were focused on Jane. They growled. The nearest monster rushed at her. Jack grabbed its ankle when it passed. It stumbled. Jane attacked before it could regain its balance. She avoided the claw that swiped at her and s
wung an axe. It pierced the side of its head. Blood spurted. It collapsed to one knee. Jane rushed around the side of the Clicker and buried the other axe in its back.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
The second Clicker moved forward to attack.
Jane slipped on a pool of blood. The axe buried in the Clicker's back was pulled from her grasp. A claw brushed the top of her head during her fall. She stared up at the monster she slid toward. It turned its head from side to side, searching for her. CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! Jane swung the axe into its stomach and let go. She slid through its legs and turned onto her front. She jumped to her feet, rushed forward and slammed a shoulder into the screeching creature. It stumbled over its dead comrade and tripped. Jane pulled the axe from the dead Clicker's back, straddled the fallen creature when it turned and slammed the axe into its face. The Clicker's death-throes didn't last long.
Panting with the exertion, Jane collapsed to the floor and leaned against the wall.
“Are they dead?”
Jane looked at Jack. “I damn well hope so. I've not got the strength to fight again.”
“I thought you needed a hand?”
“I got fed up waiting. What did you do, have a nap?”
Jack smiled. “I tried, but with that racket you and your friends were making, it wasn't happening.”
They laughed.
Jack groaned when he pulled out from under the creature and leaned against the wall beside her.
He took deep breaths. “I think Ripley would be proud of you the way you fought those monsters.”
Jane looked at the three dead Clickers. “You only think she would be proud. She had an assault rifle, I had two ice axes and a napping accomplice; of course she'd be proud. Probably invite me along on her next Alien monster hunt if she gets to learn of this.”
Jack climbed to his feet and held out a hand. “Well, we can't spend all day basking in your glory― things to do, you know.”
Jane smiled, took his hand and pulled herself to her feet. They ended up face to face. They stared at each other, both wanted to kiss, but both were hesitant to make the first move. The moment passed and Jane stepped back. She noticed Jack's shredded jacket tinged with blood. “You're wounded.”