Alien: Alternate Realities

The vastness of space is always a wonder even in this modern age where far corners of the universe can be viewed by curious minds even when technological limitations make visiting them impossible.

Thanks to the discovery of M-Theory what was once impossible is now possible and has made space travel so routine that it has become almost mundane to many and ushered in a new era of commercialism and imperialism.

But in those vast distances between charted areas the countless variables and mathematical formulas that combine in space travel can open up unexpected variances.

An engine slightly out of alignment will still get a ship across the stars but can have unintended consequences such as arriving late or of course. The ship’s computer is responsible for handling all the variables while the crew sleeps and when the unexpected happens, the crew is not always able to respond in time and such is the basis of space-borne mishaps.

Imagine the crew of the Nostromo setting their course for home after their unexpected detour and the unfortunate situation that Kane and the crew had to endure. The capable repairs of Parker and Brett made the ship space worthy at a cost of cameras and systems that were not deemed necessary to repair. The ship itself encountered stress returning to space and while the repairs held; variations caused by the repairs could have some unexpected results when an anomaly is factored in especially when the laws of space and time are manipulated to allow faster than light travel.

Let us image one such anomaly that caused an alternate timeline; one in which Kane was placed in stasis immediately after the Facehugger fell off and died and one where the crew settled in for their ten-month journey home blissfully unaware of the danger that remained.

The lid on the Cryosleep pod opened and the light was always a shock to the system when one emerged from a prolonged slumber. Kane rose quickly as he usually did and began his usual routine of preparing coffee for the crew. His mind was still trying to fill in various gaps as he remembered the derelict eggs, being smothered and little else. He figured that the crew would fill him in, and his memory would return in time. As such he lit a cigarette and went about his tasks.

As the crew emerged and dressed, the smell of coffee filled the air and provided a calming sense of routine and tradition after their unexpected detour and the resulting tensions.

A scream of pure agony and cries of anguish filled their ears, and they quickly rushed toward the sounds and saw a ghastly sight of Kane gripping his chest as a crimson stain appeared. With one final scream of pain, Kane was silenced as a nightmare emerged from

a hole in his chest and rapidly vanished into the dark. Ash broke the silence by urging the crew not to touch or pursue the unwelcome arrival and that help is available as soon as they dock.

The ever-argumentative Parker agreed with this as while he was still in shock; the wisdom of letting the Company handle it was a better idea.

The bridge crew was ever vigilant as the last thing they wanted was an unexpected visitor while they began docking and their relayed their current status to Air Traffic Control and were advised to stay on course and that specialists were coming to meet them to deal with the situation and that they were to not make any personal communications until they were told to do so and under no circumstances were they to touch Kane’s remains beyond what was already done when they were removed to the medical area.

Ripley was highly suspicious of the communication blackout but hoped this would just be a little bit of Red Tape before she was able to see Amanda and what else could they do being so close to Earth orbit? Schedules had to be maintained, and they were already 10 months behind and eager to get on with their lives.

The refinery was detained from the Nostromo and carried away by tugs leaving the ship free to dock at an orbital platform. The routine would be for the crew to disembark and make a final report to the company and would then be free to make their way to the planet side with all related documents ensuring their payments and voyage credit.

The crew was instructed to gather at the airlock and to leave their belongings as they would be sent to them once the ship was cleared. Ripley and Dallas opted to stay behind to ensure that everything was handled while Brett, Parker, Lambert, and a protesting Ash were cleared to leave and out-process.

The crew that met them was a typical corporate suit named Murray and oddly enough he was flanked by black-garbed and well-armed individuals and scientific types who made their way onto the ship like they owned it and immediately scattered to all areas.

Ripley and Dallas urged them to be cautious as the dangerous and unknown nature of the creature was passed along and the reminder of the acidic blood of the previous creature was restated.

Ripley and Dallas watched as best they could as the remains of Kane and the Facehugger were removed and were again encouraged to leave as the ship was in good hands. Both of them stubbornly refused to go as they stated as the two senior officers on the ship they were staying to ensure that their final report would include the condition of the ship upon arrival and after the departure of their guest and crew which elicited a slight smile from

Murray who dismissed it with an “as you wish” but a not so subtle reminder to stay out of the way so they can be done quickly.

Rick Stanton was working his way through the lower decks of the ship followed by Josh Taylor as they provided security for some tech types whose names they did not know and did not bother to ask.

The five-person team made their way deeper into the ship and using a tracking device moved in on what they expected to be their goal. Jones the ships cat was contained shortly after awakening from Hypersleep and so they were aware that their intended target was close. Their instructions were to locate and keep the specimen alive and to escort the scientists off the ship as quickly as possible without drawing the attention of the crew.

A scientist made a gesture to his companions who quickly scooped up what appeared to be a mass of skin and sealed it into a container. They eagerly pushed ahead into the darkness of what appeared to be the landing gear bay. Condensation dripped down and combined with the clanking of chains made for an unsettling combination in the darkness.

The first scientist stopped suddenly appearing confused by a possible movement in the shadows. He and his team stepped closer at a reserved pace and saw the lead scientist vanish into the darkness only to be replaced with a scream and a splatter followed by a thud. The second scientist turned to run but was impaled by what appeared to be a barbed tail while the third was grasped by a nightmare vision in black which had emerged from the shadows. Deciding their orders could go to hello, Rick and Josh opened fire which not only cut the captive scientist to pieces but got the attention Murray, Dallas, and Ripley. Murray was outraged at the deviation from instruction, but Dallas and Ripley sprang into action and headed to the location of the attack.

Murray regained his composure enough to follow and were soon greeted by alarms warning of decompression issues. Wasting no time, they made their way to the safety gear with Ripley donning a full environmental suit and taking an emergency flare with her.

While Rick and Josh were able to wound the alien severely by blast away a limb in the process, their attack resulted in a wave of acid which was causing decompression, one that they did not survive as the creature had blocked their exit and even with one arm missing was able to use the remaining arm and its tail to decimate the two men.

Murray ordered an evacuation as he figured a safe retreat and regrouping with a more substantial team was the way to go, in the exchange with Dallas who in the end followed

company orders; Ripley managed to slip away and entered the darkness searching for her goal.

Igniting a flare that was designed to work in oxygen rich areas of a ship without the risk of flame due to the electronic nature of the device, Ripley laid a very precise path complete with noise as she went hoping to draw out their uninvited guest.

Just when she was about to let her better thoughts take over and return to safety, a hissing sound emerged and she saw the horror emerge from the darkness, she noted that one arm was much smaller than the other as if it was rapidly regenerating a limb similar to how a lizard could regrow a tail after escaping a Predator.

Activating a control on her suit, Ripley managed to open the inner airlock near her location and the subsequent noise and lights seemed to enrage the creature as she had little time to prepare as it rushed her with blinding speed. Just as the creature leapt at her, gravity failed for the deck due to decompression and the massive figure hurled toward her with a full amount of momentum. Ripley grasped a vent on the wall and held on for all she was worth as the creature went past her; its claws and inner jaw missing her by millimeters. The creature entered the airlock which Ripley quickly closed and opened the outer hatch thanks to the lack of gravity which gave the creature no purchase in which to regain its composure and continue the attack.

As she completed the sequence and watched with satisfaction as it was ejected into space, a whirring sound emerged followed by a bright light and voices, one addressing people as “sweethearts”.  In a rush it all came back to her; LV426, Gateway Station, the loss of Amanda, her Board of Inquiry, and her agreement to go back to where the nightmare began.

As she emerged from Cryosleep: Ripley prepared to face her nightmares and hopefully end them once and for all.