"What the hell, you must be malfunctioning!" Carl screams at Liam, said android standing by the lab entrance. "You plan on creating more Xenomorphs to make them 'bond' with humans? Isn't the one we got you enough!?"

"Private Carl, that is none of your business. My research is important for the future, you must understand that." Liam says coldly as Carl shakes his head.

"You're planning on dragging (Y/N) into this, aren't you?" Carl argues again as Liam sighs. "I should've known you were nothing but trouble. She would never go near one of those monsters. She was so shaken up and tired when she came up to me after you bred the first one!"

"You are a loud one, aren't you? Perhaps you would like to help me in my research?" Liam hums as Carl backs off.

"The hell do you mean-"

"Isn't it obvious...?"

~~~~~~~~~~~

Liam was certainly rough when it came to testing. One thing that wasn't to his liking and he would scrap the attempt and gas you again. The strong smelling gas weighed heavily in your lungs and even you could tell 526 was getting annoyed.

How long had it been? Days? Liam refused to tell you anything. You wondered why no one was coming to check up on you. Did Liam tell them something?

That thought plagued your mind constantly. Did anyone know that Liam was doing this to you? Did Carl know? Maybe they didn't and that's why no one came.

Someone had to know you're missing, right? Maybe you haven't been gone days. Was it only a few hours?

526 only ever got more irritable. Testing his knowledge was getting more difficult. Liam was getting irritated at 526 and you, too

"Could you at least tell me if anyone knows where I am?" You find yourself mumbling, eyes drifting fearfully towards 526 pacing back and forth in his cell. At least Liam separated them now.

"That's not important to my research."

"It's important to me! Wouldn't it be better to keep my morale up to get better results?" You try to bargain, Liam staring at you. He sighs and gives in.

"Yes, they do."

"Are they coming!?" You breathe, standing up and pressing against the glass. The sensors and gadgets Liam put on you to monitor your well being were heavy and you were tired from not getting decent oxygen. Standing quickly became a struggle.

"No, they aren't." Liam's voice is robotic, cold. Your heart clenches at his words. It was a stupid question but you had to at least ask.

"They...what?" You can't believe it. Was he lying to you? You already knew trusting him got you into this mess.

"They know better than to interfere with my testing. Marines are always busy, scientists want results, why do they need to stop me?" Liam's smile is malicious towards you.

Oddly you hear no hissing from 526, who usually acts up at Liam. You turn to see 526 silent in his containment cell. Observing.

He swivels his head around his cell and then locks onto you and Liam again. It's unnerving to you. You didn't notice until Liam pointed it out but your eyes were welling up with tears. Your situation was getting to you.

"I can understand learning that everyone you care about, including your dear Carl, betrayed you is devastating to the human mind. I'll give you some time to recover before we continue." Liam offers before sitting nearby. Androids were always so cold.

The thought of Carl and the others betraying you made your heart ache. You really had no one left, huh?

From one tragedy to another, you were forced to play along.

---------

For now you did what Liam said. Maybe when testing concluded you could finally be free and see if Liam was telling the truth.

Most of the tests included Intelligence testing for 526. You still had to cooperate in them because you were 526's supposed 'attachment'. Meant to be some sort of companion with the Alien.

Intelligence tests started simple to match 526's curiosity and child like intellect. Block puzzles, basic switches and levers, attempted communication between Xenomorph and Human.

Other tests included agility and compatibility tests. You would be given light weight armor and put in a course with 526. While you were happy that 526 would not be aggressive towards you, you felt something could go wrong.

526 also had a type of armor mostly to match with you as the companion. It was more like a training vest on him. Of course, in these tests weapons were prohibited. An attempt to escape and violence against Liam or each other would set off the ankle bracelet to gas you, also.

You theorized what Liam's goal was. Create a weapon using pairs of Xenomorphs and Humans. You and 526 happened to be prototypes.

Through testing you noticed how fast 526 could learn. Intelligence tests became faster, agility courses would be passed with flying colors.

Liam was more fascinated with 526's reaction with you, however. It was always just vacant staring at you through his cell or testing. It was clear throughout these tests 526 was curious of you.

The reason was yet to be found, however.

526 tended to space out a lot, too.

You wondered what was going on within his head, not like you'd ever understand.

No matter how much Liam forced you to, you could never understand a Xenomorph.

--------

When the lights were eventually shut off, it was quiet. The alien wasn't tired as he had no need to sleep. His gaze turns to the human girl.

The human that he was forced to suffer with. He felt indifferent to the human at first, yet through the testing he and the human were supposed to endure, he cared a little more.

She hated the metallic creature just as much as him, so they have something in common. Carefully, 526 looked around the lab one more time.

The speaker like device on the ceiling was silent. The vents that gas would flow in by were dangerous to traverse through. Carefully, 526 then observed the ankle bracelet and the glass. A clawed hand touches the cool surface softly in what seemed to be thought.

526 was tried of playing dumb for the metallic creature's amusement. It was the time he'd been waiting for.

(Hope you liked it, I plan on explaining background lore throughout the chapters of the book. This chapter was originally the one called 'Defiance')