Superior Predator (Read Desc.)

Chapter One

Hello, my name is Jacob Quest. I was never really one to be known as 'normal' throughout my life. My parents would tell me I'm just antisocial. Others would just say I'm not normal, not human. I don't really care much about others or even my parents, for that matter anymore. After I graduated from college at the top of my class, I was able to land a job as a Xenologist, my dream job since I was young, the study of extraterrestrial life. That's right, aliens.

At first, it was slow, I was stuck in an office studying papers and reading files that led me nowhere. But soon, a job opportunity came up. The government offered me and a few other workers from other departments a job to go to a newly made lab off the grid for a special assignment. I gladly accepted, not caring much for risks. I just wanted out of the cramped and bland space I was stuck in.

The plane ride there was a few hours, but the car ride was even longer. Driving through a vast and secluded jungle that made you feel like the car wasn't moving at all from how similar it all looked. You could have easily gotten lost in it. I remember being sat next to armed men in uniform while also sharing the car with two other scientists, one who majored in astrobiology, the study of life in the universe. The other, who studied astrobiology but majored in physical chemistry, the study of how matter behaves and how chemical reactions occur. I introduced myself and chatted with both of them for a bit on the ride there. The astrobiologist was named Sarah Beck. She was kind of sweet. The physical chemist was named Johnathan Puckett. He seemed like he was full of himself at first, but he turned out to be quite funny in the end.

Once we got out of the car, we soon met up with two other scientists who were brought out here as well in the other car that was in front of us. The first one was Steve Stewart, a Ufologist who studies, you guessed it, UFOs. The other one, Maurice Lawrence, a surgeon who also studies in xenology like me.

We all got acquainted with each other before we were taken inside. The armed men escorted us in and then left us once we entered into the front area. The lab was big, the walls were made of metal, and it seemed like we were underground.

"This place gives me the creeps." Sarah said, looking around.

"Well, I suggest you get used to it because we gotta eat, sleep, and work down here." John said, giving a smirk as Sarah gave him a look.

"He's right," We all turned to Maurice. "From what the job description was saying, we are gonna be here for a while."

"That's right." We all turn to the new voice. A man walks out from down the hall, he had silver short hair with shaved sides and a military uniform on. He stood with his hand behind his back as he looked around at the group. "Welcome to Lab 605, filled with the best and latest tech at your disposal. I already know who you all are, I am General Davidson, the man who had you all sent here. I am here to escort you and show you around your new home."

"New home?" Steve asked, raising a brow.

"That's also right." The general smiled. "You all signed a contract saying you are willing to stay here and are prepared for any dangers ahead, remember?" He raised a brow.

"Yeah, but- we were never fully informed what exactly we will be doing here." Steve chuckled nervously, fixing his glasses.

"Well, if you all haven't figured it out yet, you are here to study aliens," he looked around at everyone again. "But mostly, the Xenomorph." Everyone stays quiet, but as I look around at everyone else, I could tell some are tense, while others are excited. As for me, I can't stop myself from feeling both. Xenomorphs are some of the most dangerous creatures known to man. It's a xenologist's dream to be able to study such a creature, but I also have quite the fear of the power and intelligence this creature has. The general looks around again before continuing, "Don't worry, we have built this place out of the best stuff and have a weapons room for you just in case of emergency-"

"What do you mean weapons room?" John speaks up. "Are you saying we won't even have backup down here?"

"Well, yes." The general nods. "But do not freight, we have taken every precaution we can to make sure you all are safe here."

"Is there a way we can contact you?" Maurice asks, I look at him. He asked the same question I wanted to ask.

"Yes, we have a special communication station in the lab for you all to contact me and my crew from to inform us of how things are going." He turns around. "We brought you 5 here because you all have some sort of background that we believe is perfect for the studies you will be doing here." He waves his hand in a following motion. "Come on, I will show you to your rooms."

I began to follow him, followed by Maurice, Steve, then Sarah and John. He leads us down the hall to a row of doors on our left. He turns back to us. "Go ahead and pick your rooms. Once you're settled, I'll be waiting to show you the rest of the lab." He smiled as he then pushed past us and back down the hallway we had just walked. He gave me a weird vibe, but I didn't have time to look into him. I turned to see the others already picking their doors. I look to my left to see John, Sarah, and Steve pick the three doors on that side. Then, to my right, Maurice picks the door next to me. He looks at me, giving me a slight soft smile before walking into the room. I look forward at the door I got stuck with, I sigh before grabbing the handle, turning it, and walking in.

The room was a nice size, the walls made of the same thing as the hallways. There was a twin sized bed in the corner with a desk in the other, with a closet next to it. I close the door behind me, then look to my right to see some keys with a note on a little dresser. I grab the keys, looking at them to realize they are the keys to my room door. I guess it's fair. Even though we are all living with one another, we still get our privacy. I pocketed the keys and opened the note to read:

Welcome to Lab 605!
We are excited to see your work ahead and hope you will find it comfortable here.
General Davidson + others

I raise my brow. This welcome note, it just felt off to me. I put the note down on the dresser and put down my suitcase onto my new bed. I opened it to look at my neatly made clothes with a few other items that they allowed me to bring. We weren't allowed to bring a lot to the lab, only necessities. After taking out a few of my things and putting them away in the small closet in the room, I went and sat down on my bed, taking a breather before going back out. This was it. This was what I've been waiting for. The opportunity to study aliens, even if it's a bit dangerous. I looked up at the knock on my door. I get up and walk over, turning the handle and opening the door to see Maurice at the door.

"Sorry, the others and I are already out here, so I thought I'd try to grab you so we can continue the tour." He spoke, looking down since I was shorter than him.

"No, it's good," I replied with a smile. "Let's get going."