Storm Hawks: Alien VS Predator

Chapter Five - Fragile Alliances

As Carth led the Storm Hawks through the passageway, the screeching from the Xenomorphs could be heard outside. The constant screeching made the Storm Hawks feel uneasy. 

Finn: How many of those things are out there?

Carth: No idea. If I had to guess, I'd say hundreds, maybe even thousands. 

Upon hearing this, the Storm Hawks became deeply concerned. The fact that Carth didn't know the exact numbers of the Xenomorphs didn't make things better.

Finn: Thousands?! You can't be serious! 

Carth: Like I said, I have no idea how many of them are out there. What I do know is that they got the numbers advantage over us. 

Finn: So what are we still doing here?! Let's get out of here!

Aerrow: We can't! We still have to help the other Sky Knights that might still trapped in this temple!

Carth: We have to make sure those things don't leave this temple. If even one of those things is allowed to leave this temple, we could be looking at a bloodbath. 

It became clear to the Storm Hawks that Carth deeply feared of what could happen in Atmos if the Xenomorphs were allowed to leave the temple and descend on Atmos. That thought would dwell on their minds as they reached the sacrificial chamber. As they did, they came across what remained of a Talon squadron. 

Aerrow: Talons! 

As the Storm Hawks and Carth were about to fight, the commander of the squadron raised his hand to halt his troops. This display catches them off guard.

Talon Commander: Sky Knights. We have much to discuss. 

Piper: What's your game, Cyclonian?!

Talon Commander: There is no game. I am Commander Orion. This is all that remains of my squadron. We were overrun by those.....creatures. 

Carth: What do you want?

Orion: I propose an alliance. We have a common enemy. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. 

Upon hearing Orion's proposal, the Storm Hawks were shocked. Finn was the first to voice his opinion. 

Finn: Like hell we'd work with you!

Orion: We all know what's out there and what their capable of. Neither of us are equipped to face these creatures alone. But if we were to form an alliance, then we might stand a chance. 

Aerrow: Why should we work with you?

Orion: Because you have no other choice. An alliance is the best way we can not only escape, but to make sure those creatures don't leave this temple. 

Aerrow took a moment to think on this. While he didn't trust the Cyclonians, he understood that there was a greater threat in the moment. 

Aerrow: All right, Orion. We'll help you. 

Finn: Are you serious, Aerrow?! 

Carth: Aerrow's right. We're outgunned, outnumbered, out of our league. If we're going to survive, then we're going to need all the help we can get. I don't like this either, but this is our best chance at survival. There's too much at stake. 

As Carth reiterated the threat of the Xenomorphs, the Storm Hawks were hesitant to trust the Cyclonians. Despite this, the Storm Hawks had no choice but to work with Orion and the Cyclonians for the time being. 

Orion: I understand your reluctance, but this is for the best. If we can work together, then we will all survive this. 

Aerrow: So what's our next step?

Orion: While in hiding, I've taken the time to study the behavior of these creatures. Based on what I've seen, they seem to operate under some kind of Hive Mind. If I had to guess, they are led by some sort of leader. A Queen perhaps. 

Junko: A Queen?

Orion: Precisely. 

As Orion continued laying out a play, Piper notice something strange within the walls of the sacrificial chamber. She saw hieroglyphs in the ways. 

Piper: Guys! Check this out!

As Piper pointed out the hieroglyphs, Piper made an attempt to translate the hieroglyphs. 

Finn: What are we looking at?

Piper: It appears this temple was built in honor of something called the hunters. 

Aerrow: Hunters?

Piper: Thousands of years ago, these hunters found Atmos and landed on Terra Gruesomous. They taught the natives how to build and were worshiped as gods. Every hundred years the gods would return. And when they did, they would expect a sacrifice. Humans were used to breed the ultimate prey.

Upon hearing this translation, it became clear that the Xenomorphs were the result of religious sacrifice. 

Stork: Yep. We're doomed. 

Carth: What else can you translate?

Piper: This temple was used to bury the greatest of them as well act as hunting grounds for initiation rituals. Other than that, nothing much. 

Suddenly, a roar was heard in the distance. It wasn't like the high pitched screech from the Xenomorphs. Something was different about this roar. 

Junko: What was that?!

Stork: Whatever it is, it doesn't sound good. 

Carth: Orion. Did you encounter any sort of other creature besides the serpents? 

Orion: No. I've lost contact with a team not too long ago. The last thing I heard before the transmission was cut was a roar just like that. 

It soon became clear that the Xenomorphs were not the only creatures in the temple. What they didn't know was the the Elite Predators were hunting to restore their stained honor. As the Sky Knights and Cyclonians worked to formulate a plan, the Predators were moving to execute their plan to destroy the entire temple as to prevent their technology from falling into the wrong hands. The fragile alliance between the Sky Knights and the Cyclonians would soon be put to the test.