Patterns, pt. 2

"But that's impossible," said Rory, coming over. "They don't exist; they can't exist!"

"Oh, Rory, I'm afraid they do exist," I said. "One of my former selves had a very close encounter with one of their eggs." I shuddered. "Not an encounter I would like to relive in this lifetime."

"Where's Ellen Ripley when you need her?" said Amy sardonically.

I looked at her. "If it were only as simple as bringing a fictional character to life to fight a fictional monster." I flipped a few switches and pulled a lever, and the TARDIS whooshed us to the heart of London.

"So what are we going to do, Doctor?" asked Rory. "I mean, we can't fight them. Isn't this something, I don't know, UNIT should be dealing with? Or Torchwood?"

I swallowed. "I haven't heard from Kate or Captain Jack for some time. No, Rory, first we do what we always do. We give them a chance. We talk to them."

My eyes flickered to the exterior monitor. Two of the aliens were leering at an ice cream vendor cowering in her stall. "And fast," I added, stepping out of the doors.

"Hello there!" I called out. Both of the aliens turned their massive heads my way. "Are you looking to satisfy a sweet tooth?"

One of them snarled at me, and I was taken aback. "You are, really?" I heard the distinct sound of Rory hitting his own forehead with his palm. "Yes, Rory, I speak Xenomorph, are you really surprised by that? Would you mind going to connect the dots on the map?" I whispered over my shoulder. He sighed, and of course acquiesced.

Another snarl brought my head back around. "Well, I understand that, really, I do!" I called back to the taller of the two, who seemed to be doing the speaking for both of them. "But the people of Earth don't understand. They just see a big scary alien race, that, to be fair, was the subject of one of their most prominent science fiction slash horror franchises!"

The taller Xenomorph opened its mouth, and out came the smaller head, which hissed something unintelligible.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" I asked. It hissed again. "I'm afraid you'll have to speak up."

The head shot back into the mouth and the alien roared, sending me back a couple paces. "Yes, I understand, they're very racist! Some of them still can't get over other members of their own species, can you imagine?"

"Doctor!" Amy snapped from behind me. "If you wouldn't mind not insulting humans, can we please just take care of the problem?"

"See?" I said, turning to the aliens. "Even she's a little bit racist! Calling you a problem!" "Doctor!" "Sorry. Where is Rory?"

"Here, Doctor!" He ran up, holding his phone aloft. "I'm not sure what this is, but it's a definite shape."

I looked at the picture he had taken of the map. I looked at the Xenomorphs. I looked back at the picture, then back at the Xenomorphs. Reaching into a pocket, I pulled out a crumpled old bag. "Would you care for a jelly baby?"

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I ended up with the most votes for Xenomorphs, but I definitely got some great ideas for future research! Thanks to Thomas, Karen, James, Adam, Karen, Alicia, Chuck, Jonathon, Jennifer, Michael, Erin, Karen, Stephanie, Theresa, Regina, Joseph, Nayari, Stu, Carissa, Rudy, Ty, Tom, Mary, and Brian for naming some great alien races!

For next week, what is your go-to for breakfast food? Are you a cereal person, or eggs and bacon? Pancakes or waffles? Let me know in the comments section below, and please subscribe!