Antarctica - The cave. One day after Caleb had left.

The noise of bones getting cracked like sticks echoed through the icy halls as the so-called speaking specimen engaged on another feast. After all, it had a lot of leftovers from the little massacre one day prior.

“Bwah… dull. Fresh meat is way better than frozen ones. Should’ve kept some alive.”, the beast mumbled to itself in its mother tongue. 

Of course the cold had taken all the corpses' warmth and the blood spread all over the floor had been frozen solid, decorating this lair quite well.

A sudden chill on the spine of the alien made it stop in its movement. It dropped the frozen meat immediately and stood up, raising his gaze up to the thin icy ceiling.

“Mother…”

“Number 3, my dearest son.”

A beautiful comforting voice echoed through the so-called sons’ head. Of course there was no one to be seen, but the voice in his mind was clear as day and in this moment only directed to him.

“I’ve been awaiting your report.”

“Apologies, oh Mother.”

“So? Anything to report?”

“Indeed, Mother. I have encountered some insec- humans.”

“Oh? Do tell more, dear child.”

The vicious creature proceeded to give the mysterious voice a full report on what happened.

“He knows you can talk and you let him live?!”

The softness of the voice seemed to have faded and became distorted, filled with rage. As the child stood there motionless, she became quiet for a few seconds.

“No, actually… This is good, Number 3. I have a new purpose for you. We gotta make sure that our enemies don’t become too clever and cocky, you know? I wanna know everything they do behind the curtains… Let them think you are tameable.”

The alien lets out a small discontent growl.

“I can’t be tamed-”

“I know, my dear child. But they don’t have to know that. Just play along. Play ‘friends’ or whatever these humans call that weird relationship. Just don’t ever let your guard down around them.”

“So… does Mother want me to walk right into their arms?”

“No… let them come. I have a feeling this man you played with is gonna come back for you.”

“...?”

“Is my order clear to you, Number 3?”

“Yes, Mother. Understood."

The voice then faded and so did the chill in his neck. His purpose was clear, but it left him unsatisfied. Why, all of the sudden, did his Queen want him to act friendly towards his food? Maybe he just had to think about it like this:

It meant he’d get to play with his prey for as long as it was needed.