Prologue
He was relaxed. It was Saturday evening, nicely warm and dark. Almost like in Earth. He had jogged his usual path so many times that he knew every stone here. It was something somebody may call a "tradition": all of his family had liked jogging, for some reason. And everyone in his family had liked to jog late in the evening, preferably in a dense spruce forest. Okay, this wasn't actually spruce, but it was good enough. Unlike most of people nowadays, he liked to do things himself. Not that he didn't like comfort. He just thought that it was stupid to let your body lay useless when evolution had gave you one.
The night was perfect. Even from here, 63 light-years away from Earth, he could see Sirius; the first star system to be colonized by humans. The sky was full of stars and galaxies. He slowed his pace. He was there. His favorite place. The place of peace and quietness and nature. It was a cliff overlooking at the colony. It wasn't a big place to live, but it was perfect for him. He needed some peace. The colony had been founded at a valley next to a lake. This planet... It was very similar to Earth, but it was much younger. Just 2 billion years old. It was first named as "Earth's younger self", but what he called it, "Earth's Better Times". Before humans had came and destroyed the Earth, it had been a wonder of life. Here, it was like nothing had happened to Earth, but it had came here. Everywhere around him he heard voices of nature: Insects flying, little animals scavenging food, birds flying over his head... When this place had been found, everyone had wondered how similar this planet's lifeforms were to Earth's. And nobody knew even now. He had felt immediately that this was his home. The colonists here were nice and welcoming and there was no discrimination. This whole place was the place what Earth was supposed to be: Friendly and accepting.
Then he heard a familiar ringing. He looked at his hand's little screen. When a new colonist came in here, they were given this mobile... thingy. He didn't know its real name, but he just called it MUM. It was a computer fitted into a watch, and its only job was to introduce a new colonist to the planet they live on. He didn't need it anymore, as he already knew this planet better than anyone. And it was an AI. Or very close to it at least. "It's 8 o'clock at the evening. It's time to go back. I need to remind you that the colony will lock itself down at 9:00 pm." MUM said with her monotonic voice. He didn't want to get himself locked out of his home, so he stood up and decided to take the longer route back. It would only take about 20 minutes to get back anyways. So he went and jogged along the route in his head.
It was about 10 minutes after leaving the cliff he came to its base. It was a very steep cliff, with a lot of rocks here and there. Nobody was stupid enough to try climb it up. He looked at the cliff for some time. Somehow, even after two years it was strange to look at it; it seemed to brake laws of physics, as it leaned towards the colony. Staring at the formation, he almost didn't see a strange figure lying on the ground. As he noticed it, he almost jumped from surprise. It, unlike everything else on this planet, was very alien-like. It was a shadow-black, slender animal with a banana-shaped head and a long, jointed tail with a blade at its end. It had some kinds of tubes at its back. And it was surely a carnivore. Every detail of it almost radiated danger. But he didn't just run off. This thing was asleep. It didn't move, even when he got closer. Then he noticed a long, dark green scar go through the thing's left side of the head. And now he also noticed that this creature had bruises and a lot of these dark green cuts, but just a bit darker. This... thing was not sleeping. It was unconscious. And by looking at it, at the edge of dying. Even though this alien was indeed scary, it also was injured badly. The whole scene looked so sad. He turned his eyes from the creature and looked around. It seemed that it had fell from the cliff and then hit something so hard that it had rendered it unconscious.
He made his decision. Whatever this was, it was hurt. He couldn't just let it here dying. But how could he help it though? He looked at the things size. It was about 7 feet tall, and it had exoskeleton, like an insect. He slowly walked towards it, even though it was unable to do anything. He tried lifting it. And it rose. It was surprisingly light for such a big thing, maybe 40-50 kilos. He lifted it fully and walked towards the colony. Then he smelled it. The creature's smell was surprisingly sweet, with a little musk with it. It was a strange, but nice smell, he thought. He looked at the thing now closer, and saw that it had actually another set of jaws inside its mouth, all with clear transparent teeth. They shone like metal. This creature was surely a killing machine. It had all possible weapons. Now it only needed a perfect defense system.
He arrived at the colony. There was nobody out anymore, and this place needed no guards. It was so peaceful around here. He walked home. His home, like many other's, had two floors. He put the unconscious animal on the ground and opened the door by slicing his card through the lock. "Welcome home, Nick." The lock said and the door opened.
He laid the creature on his sofa. Now he was able to see this thing in light. Only word Nick could think to describe it was: Majestic. Its exoskeleton had many little details on it, making it look part organic, part mechanic. He took his Pocket-Doctor. What a stupid name for a device what was more like a hand-held x-ray scanner. "Many bone fractures, deep and major cuts and a serious skull fracture. Recommended action: Give the patient 20 milliliters of Sancon and a pill of Rezt. Give the patient something soft to lie on." The told on its screen after some beebing. Nick went to the kitchen and opened the medicals-cupboard. After some searching, he found the injector, a bottle of Sancon and the pack of pills. He went back to the living room. He knelt next to it. Only now he remembered: How was he going to be able to feed the pill for it? He carefully opened its mouth. Immediately the inner jaw came out trying to bite the interferer. Nick fell back in surprise. Had it woke up? He just stayed there, afraid to move. Then, after some snapping, the jaw retracted again. "No, it seemed to be some kind of reflex." He said to calm himself down. He stood up again. this was a problem. He could try it again and give the pill for the inner jaws as they tried t snap his hand off. But htat would mean he had to risk to be bitten. Although, those jaws were not that powerful looking. After some time thinking, he closed his eyes and took a step towards it. No action. So it had been a reflex. Unless it was faking, in which case he was going to be killed. But there was still no movement when he reached it again. Now he could breath again. He slowly reached the things mouth with his hand. When his head touched it again, the jaws snappend open and the inner ones extended. Quickly Nick put the pill so the jaw could reach it. And sure enough, the jaws catch the pill from his hands and swallowed it. Then the jaws retracted again. Nick's heart was pounding. It had happened so fast that he had been able to catch just a glimpse of the jaws actually taking the pill.
Then he grabbed the injector. It was like old injection, but it had a fungous head, from which it injected its contents through its receiver's skin. Unlike the old injections, it had no sharp spikes on it. Nick filled the injector with the corresponding amount of the medicine, and then put it on the skin of the alien. he pressed the button, and the liquid was absorbed in the creatures blood vessels straight through it skin. only now Nick understood to try the things skin. It was smooth, rubbery like and it had a bit of moisture on it. It felt actually very similar to dolphin's skin.
Now he took the Pocket-Doctor and scanned the creature. He wanted to know if this thing had been encountered before and if it was dangerous. He ran the search. It found one match. He selected it and it opened a picture of the creature, along with very much text. He read it:
Xenomorph
Xenomorph, usually preferred "Alien", is a highly dangerous carnivore. They seem to roam on many planets, making it a mystery for scientists as it has somehow been able to spread to outer planets. This species' origin is unknown. It has many physical abilities, for example climbing on any surface, acid blood, enormous strength, extendable inner jaw and a bladed tail. Its very intelligent predator, usually hunting in groups. Has been set into threat-level Red by Weyland-Yutani research corporation.
A xenomorph. Nick had no idea what that was, at least before this. He looked at his quest. The file had only confirmed that this thing was indeed dangerous. Somewhere in his head was a fight between fear and desire to help it:
-You helped it, now get rid of it before it wakes up and kills you!-
-No! It still needs care! It hasn't woke up, and who knows what could happen to it out there? Its still too defenseless.-
-Oh really? What I saw was it trying to bite my hand off!-
-It was a reaction. It doesn't mean it can defend itself from predators. Could I just let it be here for this night?-
-NO! IT WOULD KILL ME WHEN IT WAKES UP!-
-We could just lock it in the bedroom. It has a steel door, and we could just open the window for it when it wakes up.-
-I- Fine, but don't blame me when it kills me!-
Nick lifted the xeno by its hip and neck, rising it from the sofa. Then he walked up the stairs and opened the door to his bedroom. It was a nice, large room with a big bed in it. There was a drawer and a wardrobe next to the bed. He walked next to the bed and lowered the alien on it. It seemed so cute there, curled on a ball, desperate its scary look. With a final glance over his shoulder, he went out and closed the door.
Author's note:A new story! This is just a prologue so we get to know how they met. More coming soon!