"And for tonight's show, we welcome our newest guest, Frederic Bishop Weyland, CEO of Weyland-Yutani!"
Weyland, dressed in a smart suit, his hair combed backwards, and wearing the large golden ring that had once belonged to his father, walked into the studio. The talk show moderator was weird-looking, and there were a few other guests, mostly politicians, but this was his show. His first TV appearance, and he had to send a signal. A signal to all those Weyland-Yutani employees, that he was the right and proper owner of this firm.
A signal to everyone in this universe who he was.
Most of all, it was a signal to Schulz. He wanted his opponent to now that this wasn't over. He wasn't done yet.
"Hello, Mr. Weyland. How long are you leading Weyland-Yutani now?"
"For exactly a week. I've worked for this for a long time now, after the recent and unexpected demise of my dear father, a good friend of mine helped out for a few weeks, until I was prepared to retake the crown, so to say. My greatest thanks goes to Dr. Schulz, my long-time friend, who took over the management here, in the times I was not readily available."
"What do you say about the rumour that you fought your way up to the top floor of the Weyland-Yutani tower in London and practically seized the power?"
Weyland chuckled. "There is, as with most rumours, some truth in it, but it isn't as dramatic as you make it sound." He fully well knew that every word he said would be noted and examined, and if necessary, kept for ever. "My return was rather shushed, if you get me. I needed time alone to prepare myself for this task. So it was arranged for me to enter by the "Back door", so to say. Then we had a rather nasty AI trouble, and so I ended up climbing an elevator shaft up to my office. But probably someone thought it much more interesting to tell a story of me doing gunfights and maybe jumping from low orbit."
The audience laughed.
"Well, Mr. Weyland, what are you planning with Weyland-Yutani in the future? Will it be different to what your father has done?"
"My father saw a vision of a firm, but I don't see Weyland-Yutani as a mere firm. It is the future of the human race. Right now, we are pushing the boundaries of known space, but not only for the mere sake of it. No, we want to make this world a better place. We want to build a better world, but I can't do that alone. And here, I want to thank the fellow employees at Weyland-Yutani, no matter which rank or position, for making this possible. Without their dedication and love for their work, we would not be able to achieve all of this. I'm not alone, and you're not alone. We stand together, building a better future, but not just for us, but for everyone! Everyone will profit from what we have reached, from what we have discovered. We are not merely a firm, orientated by profit only, but we labour to answer questions that have been asked. To find solutions to problems that arise. To better our world, because we have the methods and the abilities to do so."
Weyland arose. "We are working on it. Right now, as we speak, exploration ships are launching into deep space, surpassing the borders of our knowledge. Our scientist in the laboratories spread all over space are working their best to discover new cures for old problems! And all of you will come to enjoy the fruits of all labour. I promise you this, under my leadership, we will arise to greatness, greatness none of you can yet think of, but I promise you, you will, in time! We will build a better world, not alone, and not for just for us, but for everyone! For each and every of you!"
The crowd in the studio cheered, and the moderator clapped as well.
"Well spoke, Mr. Weyland, well spoken!"
Akkan and Paul had chucked themselves on the bed, staring at the live-show of Weyland's speech. It had puzzled Akkan at first, but Paul had explained it, and the xenomorph was now happily watching the show.
So this is actually over now? Akkan asked, fondling Paul's back.
I don't think it is. Weyland will still want to kill Schulz.
Akkan growled Not just Weyland…
I don't get it! Schulz was a friend of mine! I knew him for about five years, we worked together! I don't know how he did this! It doesn't make sense to me. He snuggled up to Akkan's exoskeleton.
He hurt me. I think he's able to do anything.
Ugh… Paul scowled. I know he did, and that can't be forgiven. But he did it because he didn't know better. Despite all of Schulz' deeds, Paul still felt he couldn't just perjure his old friend.
He should've known that we aren't brutes. He should've known that he would hurt us. But he just did. Again and again. HE DIDN'T CARE!
Akkan jumped up, and slammed his body against the wall of the room, making the walls shake with a bone-piercing shriek, gashing the wall with his talon.
I WILL KILL HIM WHATEVER THE COST! I WILL SEE HIS BLOOD BEING SPILLED BEFORE THE END.
Akkan slammed his fist against the wall, and kicked at the bed, sending it flying. He lashed out, at everything in his reach, cleaving the bed in two in rage.
YOU WILL NOT STAND IN MY WAY. I WILL CLEAVE ANYONE WHO LANDS IN MY WAY. DO NOT TRY TO STOP ME!
Akkan's rage was insatiable. He screeched at the furniture, kicking it with rage.
Until he noticed the sweet, sickening smell of blood in the air.
PAUL!
The Xenomorph jumped over to the destroyed bed.
Paul was lying in a crumpled heap on the floor, red blood covering his face in a steady stream
Oh Paul, Paul, I'm so sorry. Are you okay? Oh please, you have to be okay. I'm sorry. I 'm sorry!
Paul wiped the blood from his eye with a shaky hand. Fear radiated from him, and he tried to crawl hastily away from the advancing xenomorph
I'm sorry! Akkan pleaded.
Paul stopped, and raised his hand. Akkan, don't ever do that again. Don't ever. It was so close right now. You were so close….
Akkan grabbed Paul from the floor, and cradled him in the arms. Blood seeped from a cut on his brow, it flowed over his eye, and stained Akkan's talon.
Are you hurt? Oh please, tell me you're all right.
I just took a hit. It was your tail, the end of it. It's just a scratch.
There's too much blood. You're dying!
No, you silly. It's just a head wound. They just bleed like crazy. I just need a plaster. Something like that. You know?
I don't… Akkan clutched Paul, and started to whine.
Stop whining. It's just a scratch. Nothing serious!
I'm sorry…
You should be. I'm not your enemy, I'm on your side. I don't want to hurt you.
Akkan growled. You must understand. He hurt me, more than you can imagine. Have you ever been hurt like that? You cannot understand that. You just can't. I have to come even with him. And there is only one way for me.
Paul closed his eyes. I understand that.
Akkan started wiping away the blood, and trying to close the wound with his talon. How can you? You've never been harmed like that.
Paul sighed. I haven't, that's true. But I've been through other things.
Akkan sensed Paul going heavy with sorrow. His wound still bled, but lesser now. The blood was drying. He set him down on the broken bed, and stroked his head. Tell me about them.
It's not easy.
If it hurts you more, then I don't want to know it. I'm sorry. What I've done and said was horrible, and I hate myself for it now. I shouldn't have given in to the hate. He whimpered, and put his head against Paul's.
Shh, Darling, it's all right now. It just happened. It's over now. I'm okay. Nobody is hurt.
You are…
It's a goddamm scratch! Not that I mind these days! I've been shot, manhandled, pulled through ventilation shafts, almost been killed quite a lot of times, I don't care about scratches and bruises now.
Akkan hugged Paul. I'm also sorry about what I said. It wasn't okay. I'm sorry. I really am.
Hey, shh. You couldn't know. Whatever happened to you is beyond my understanding, but I know the feeling of revenge you got in your heart, because… Paul sighed. I feel it too.
How?
I once had a boyfriend.
What's a boyfriend?
A mate.
You had a mate? Where is he-
It's not like with Xenos. Humans don't mate for life, at least once they start a relationship they won't know if it lasts.
Our blood binds us together. We cannot be parted, until death
I know.
Akkan was puzzled, but he decided not to ask till later. Go on with your story.
Well, I had a boyfriend on earth, whilst I was studying. Maybe a year before I went on sigma-44. I was living at his place whilst studying. I knew from the start that it wouldn't work for a long time, but I was desperate. I was so lonely. He didn't care for me… One night… he … and one of his friends…. Decided to do… Paul shook his head. God, I can't think of it again. I can't. But it just blots out anything else. It just... I can't.
With all of his mind, with all the strength he had, Akkan tried to reach out to Paul, to smother those thoughts. To erase all the pain, all the hurt within his lover's mind. It was an instinctive reaction, and he longed for nothing more than for Paul to smile right now. He wanted him to forget,
And then he was there. In Paul's head. He felt, saw, heard, as Paul did.
He saw himself, his black face, slightly drooling, looking down at Paul.
And then, his vision went black. He felt himself falling. Falling down. Screwing his eyes shut, he waited for the impact but there never was one.
When he opened them, he was not himself, and was not in the Suite in the Weyland-Yutani tower, but somewhere else.
His arms and legs were tied, painfully tight, with hard, cold ropes. There was a rough fabric over his eyes, and there was something in his mouth. He tried to lash out, but couldn't move. He was caught, caught in this nightmare, alone and unable to get out.
He felt his soft skin hurting, being hit by something hot and painful.
And then he knew.
He wasn't himself. He had fallen into Paul's memory.
And he wanted to get out. He wanted to leave this horrible, helpless scene, where he couldn't see anything.
He heard a voice, whispering close to his ear: "You're a good bitch now, and you will stay one. Forever. You're mine, forever. I can do with you as I wish."
He wanted to scream, to run, to free himself, and most of all, he wanted to get out of this nightmare.
Something hard slammed in his backside, mercilessly pushing inside him. Pain sparked from his back, and with a roar, he fell backwards, his mind ripping painfully from the memory.
Akkan awoke on his back, screaming like a child.
AKKAN! AKKAN! It was Paul, but he didn't dare to answer. He was so wrong. So wrong all the time. He was careless and cruel to the only thing in the world he cared about. He was doing it wrong all the time, whilst he thought he was doing it right. So wrong.
He should've died that day. He should've died, and never awoken from the sleep at all.
AKKAN! TALK TO ME!
Without a word, the xenomorph got up and grasped Paul in his arms, both lovers holding on to each other so tightly, as if the end of the world had come. Paul sobbed into Akkan's chest, and Akkan whimpered and whined, repeatedly kissing his lover's head for comfort.
I'm sorry, Paul. I didn't know…
If I get that guy into my grasp, I will kill him. Paul quietly said.
Akkan whined. I will too.
His name is burned into my memory. Merrill. Merrill Burke. Forever his face will haunt my nightmares.
We will kill him. Just as we will kill Schulz.