Who's the real Monster?

~ Colonel Henry Armstrong II

Watching Anderson freeze mid step an order came out of me automatically "Goddammit Anderson get in!" I had half a mind to grab her if she didn't move. I didn't need to follow her line of sight to know why her stopped. Eventually her body moved.

The helicopter stayed grounded until Anderson buckled up. "Move it!" I ordered the pilots directly.

When we were finally beginning to fly I turn to see Inmate Zero walk to the edge of the roof. Keeping my eyes on her my gut told me that she was different now. I have no idea in what way, I just knew. At the edge now I waited with baited breathe to see what she intends to do.

A long black tentacle was created from Inmate Zero's own shadow. It grabbed onto the helicopter footstep. Ordering the pilots to shake her off was in vain. Inmate Zero held on with an iron grip. She yanked on the footstep hard. I knew exactly who she wanted.

Anderson was so distracted that she didn't even feel me unbuckle her seatbelt. After another hard tug I pushed her out. She screamed while falling. It sounded like Anderson may have said something, probably cursing me before she dies.

Come on I thought as I watched Anderson fall. Inmate Zero waited until the last possible second to grab her with another tentacle. Reeling Anderson in as if she was no more than a fish made my blood boil. I hate these fucking Spawns.

Now focused on Anderson, Inmate Zero gave the helicopter a final hard thrust. The aircraft whirled erratically. The next minute was spent with people screaming, alarms blaring, and the plane thrashing. I barely saw the water before the crash.

The rush of salt water quickly submerged all of us. Unbuckling myself first I went to check on the pilots. Neither had a pulse. Probably died upon impact. Taking the dog tags I could at least give their families something to remember their loved ones by. Everyone else was scrambling to get out before they too met a watery grave. The survivors and I swam to the island. As I got closer to land my vision caught sight of a ship about to dock.

Once the sand was under my fingers I took a minute to catch my breathe. Taking the time to count the survivors I found out that out of the 50 us only 36 survived the crash. This officially marks Inmate Zero for over 100 confirmed kills.

Walk toward the ship I ordered everyone "Head for the ship! We're in enemy territory!" That lit a fire under everyone's ass. Taking a quick look back to see my men take on a defensive formation protecting the scientists. All of us headed to the ship on high alert.

A few soldiers from the ship came to greet us "Chief Petty Officer Block at your service Colonel Armstrong" a young black man told me. The others looked after the survivors leading them to the ship. "Who's your superior?" I asked keeping my stride strong.

"That'll be Master Chief Petty Officer John Halo, Sir", CPO Block answered. John Halo? Why does that name sound familiar? I thought to myself.

"Sir, if I may inquire why your aircraft crashed, Sir?"

"The less you know the better."

"Understood Sir. Are you in need of first aid?"

"No."

"Very well Sir."

Walking up the steps I heard a shot go off. Not needing to turn around to know that it was one if not many of the Inmates that one of the seaman fired a warn shot at. Looks like Inmate Zero is a bigger problem than anyone has ever anticipated.

Finally on the ship I was greeted by a man around my age "I am Master Chief Petty Officer John Halo. What fresh Hell have you brought to me and my men Colonel Armstrong?" Straightening my back to say with my chest instead of knocking this man out I reply "You and your men are here to get me and the others off this island. If you have an issue with that talk with Ripley."

Another shot was fired. Turning to see Inmates watching from the tree line I knew things are going to go sideways if we don't leave soon. "Halo get this ship running. If we don't leave now the shit will hit the fan", I warned him. Halo furrowed his brow before responding, "That's Master Chief Petty Officer Halo to you Armstrong."

Furiously I order "MCPO get this ship running now!" Before another word could be said a third shot was fired. I found out too late that turning around was a mistake. As the wind blew I felt a subzero chill clutch my spine, goosebumps covered me from head to toe, still I turned to see non other than my worst enemy so far.

"Going somewhere?" Inmate Zero taunted me.

~

Feeling Nightmare take over my body in the span of a millisecond. I saw from behind my own eyes.

Watching Nightmare grab Armstrong with a shadow tentacle only to bring him to the beach and face me. "Did you miss me?" Nightmare asked Armstrong.

Feeling Nightmare's bloodlust I said STOP!

Why?

We still need him alive.

Again why?

He is important. The last thing you do is kill someone who is important.

How the fuck is this sorry sack of shit important?

He's a Colonel, the Army doesn't give that title to just anyone. Now stop bickering with me goddammit.

Fine Nightmare growled before giving me control again.

With a blink of the eye I see Armstrong in front of me again. Squeezing him just a little tighter I ask, "Where were you headed?"

Colonel Armstrong stayed stone faced. Feeling a smirk coming on I said, "I will make you talk."

The Colonel only grunted in response. Flicking my index finger to watch it elongated and sharpen the way it did with Anderson I raised my hand to Armstrong's forehead to say "Last chance." He stayed silent. Slowly seeping my finger into his skin I took my time reaching this man's brain all the while he didn't flinch or so much as make a noise.