Alien: Genesis
Disclamir: Alien and its related characters belong to Ridley Scott, James Cameron, H.R Giger, and 20th Century Fox.
Chap 6.
Bryce Smith sits contently at the massive oval shaped table with his hands clasped across the elegant wood. He stares knowingly at the three sitting directly across from him, mentally taking note of their facial expressions. The woman, Ripley, looked annoyed and ready to leave. Bryce doesn't blame her, if he was in her shoes he probably would feel the same way…except he wasn't now was he? He suppresses the urge to chuckle. Then he notices the marine's look which was more un-readable. Probably from his militaristic training thought Bryce and then his vision shifts to the little girl. Newt. He was annoyed that she was even present. He hated kids. Despised them; always has and always will. But it was no matter, the child was insignificant and did not deter him away any. With a small smile he begins his…briefing for the lack of a better word.
"So, I would like to know just what exactly happened on…" he takes a glance at a sheet of paper already forgetting the name of the planet, "on Lv-426."
Bryce lets that question hang in the air and sends a wondering stare at Ripley who displayed a look of exasperation.
"I've already told the story a million times!" cried Ripley, "I'm sure it's on your layer of papers there" she says vehemently pointing at the small stack of papers before Bryce.
Bryce was not affected by her aggression and keeps his glare on her as if he was trying to stare the answer out of her.
"Yes, I understand that Ripley. But I would like to hear it for myself" the side of his mouth curls up in a sardonic smile, "straight from the source."
Ripley falls back in her chair and rolls her eyes. The events of that day were still fresh on her mind and were swimming furiously through her conscience. She really did not want to repeat those details but what choice does she have? None, Bryce won't let up on his…interrogation; that what she is calling it anyway. Ripley takes a second to calm herself down before she begins the agonizing tail of events again. Bryce just waits quietly, his face cast in a brief shadow. That really didn't help Ripley any on the nerve department.
"Fine," replied Ripley trying to conceal her irritation, "A Marine Outfit along with me and Carter Burke as consultants were sent to Lv-426 because we had lost communications with a terra-forming colony."
Bryce, finally getting what he wants, leans in just a little on his seat as he is intrigued.
"Upon arriving and entering the colony we came discovered the place to be abandoned and in a state of array. At that time, we found Newt…the only survivor" Stated Ripley, sending a piercing stare towards Bryce.
"Only?" responded Bryce amused but he motions for her to continue, leaving the question to dangle in the air.
Ignoring that question, Ripley continues not noticing his wave of hand, "Then we discovered heat signatures on the farthest reach of the colony. Believing it to be the rest of the colony we set out to investigate…"
Ripley pauses as this part was the most glaring on her memory. Seeing that colonist plastered to the wall…the birth of that nasty alien…and the screams…, "The marines were sent in and discovered those damn aliens that I warned everyone about! And if it wasn't for the god-damn company they would all still be alive!"
Bryce seems to flinch just a little at her out burst. He looks at Ripley and sighs, shaking his head.
"There is no need for the hostility Ripley," spoke Bryce with a little of mocking ness on his voice "What happened after that?"
"Everyone died and we blew up the god damn planet!" spit out Ripley, looking like she wanted to strike Bryce but then quickly regains her composure.
Everyone was quite now, not sure how to proceed. Hicks kept darting his glances from Ripley to Bryce. He was completely taken back by her actions-but he doesn't blame her. He would have done the exact same thing. Then Hicks finally takes over for Ripley to let her take a breath.
"Excuse me but what is the purpose of this meeting?" asked Hicks in a clear, strong voice.
Bryce slowly turns his sights towards Hicks and sets his impeccable stare on him but Hicks was not phased. He stood his ground and returned the gesture with his own. This clearly annoyed Bryce as he wanted to feel like the supreme presence in these kinds of situations.
"Well the purpose is to find out whether or not there was treason and sabotage at work here" Bryce threw that statement out there and let it sink into them and smiled at the expressions that both Ripley and Hicks formed.
"What the hell? Treason? For what?" yelled Hicks surprised.
Bryce keeps up his smile and feels his demeanor return. He looks down at his papers and pretends to look for his response although he already knew what to say. Bryce just wanted to drag out the tension; he loved it.
"Yes Treason. The explosion that was on Lv-426 is…circumstantially as there was no evidence recovered off a nuclear failure that you provide in your original statements." Replied Bryce, "For all we know, you and your little crew could have staged the whole stunt."
Ripley never felt as much anger as she did know. This was insane to think that they were responsible for this! How could he accuse us? She thought angrily to herself.
"Or you being fucking serious?" yelled Ripley, "Are you trying to blame this on us!"
"Not blaming…just merely suggesting it is possible," calmly answers Bryce, "After all Ripley, you have gone on record stating that you hated the 'supposed' alien species that you had claimed that you and the Nostromo encountered were on Lv-426…"
Ripley interrupts him, "There no 'supposed' about it! Those things were there! We saw them! They killed those entire poor colonists and half of the damn marines!"
"Again, there was no evidence of that and I fine your accusation that Carter Burke a bit brash," said Bryce enjoying seeing their expressions "He was a close co-worker of mine and he was only trying to help further expanded the interesting of Weyland-Yutani. He would never put the company in danger of smuggling an extraterrestrial life form."
Hicks shakes his head vehemently; not believing what he was hearing.
"Then wouldn't you find it strange that the Marines would be called out there to the colony if there was no potential threat?"
"Ah yes, the marines," voiced Bryce, "That another cause for expecting a possible treason and/or sabotage."
Hicks stares at him wide eyed, what the hell is he saying?
"We would never do such a thing! What evidence do you have suggesting this?" demanded Hicks.
Bryce smiles and looks at papers again, "Well it has been stated numerous times that members of your unit did not particularly enjoy their jobs. A one Private Hudson has been on record to say, and I quote 'I hate this fucking outfit, man. All we do is bust are asses on bullshit for what? For nothing! And that's only one statement. Everyone points to the possibility that your unit was not happy with their assignments. Even one of your fellow marines was spotted talking with foreign powers. Wouldn't you say that could be probable cause too…say destroy a multi-dollar terra-forming outpost?"
"This is bullshit!" but Hicks was ignored as Bryce continues on his tirade. He knew that this man was spewing out complete trash; there no way this could be stuck on them. Bryce had to be grasping at straws here.
"After all Hicks, Weyland-Yutani has many competitors in the terra forming business. Plus, to make things interesting, upon studying flight records on the Sulaco there was two vessels called down to Lv-426."
Both Ripley and Hicks exchange looks upon hearing that each ones mind was doing cartwheels at trying to comprehend this new information. Two vessels? But who? Quickly thought Hicks but he kept coming up empty.
"What do you mean 'two'?"
"I mean exactly how I say," answered Bryce "There was two vessels to leave that ship. It's obvious you and Ripley here deliberately planned the explosion of the terra forming factory to hinder Weyland-Yutani, and then you came up with this concoction that 'aliens' killed the colonist and the rest of your marines, only to have those marines escaped on a separate vessel"
Hicks could only stare. His blood felt like it was boiling at this as his anger was surging through him. This was complete bullshit and he knows it. Hell they all know it. Quickly Hicks looks at his commander for help, but Colonel Cross avoids his stare. Cross was apparently on the same side of Bryce. Then Bryce draws his attention back to him.
"Now, I believe we are through here," smugly stated Bryce with a devious smile "We will be in touch."
Then Bryce gracefully gathers up his things, stations them back into his briefcase and quickly departs the room. He left in a stride that showed confidence-confidence in that he had won this round.
