AN: Special shout out to MusVLuv (as well as those on AO3) who reviewed and encouraged me to churn out this chapter!

Thanks for the encouragement - it isn't easy writing this fic!

Part IV: The Prime Directive

Everyone was silent.

As an android, Harry remained relatively impassive, but everyone else looked infuriated and confused. Of course, he too felt a slight sense of worry. Would they get out of this? The creatures were ferocious and would be sure to come back. Worst case scenario, he would be forever trapped upon this floating fortress, forced to watch his friends die one by one before surrendering himself to a lonely eternity. Not a nice thought.

Not at all.

Just thinking about it sent what he could only label as a 'cold' sensation shooting through his systems. The original Harry had been a social creature, intent upon finding acceptance anywhere he could. Even now, that same fear of loneliness had pervaded into him, the new Harry.

Or was that just a universal fear?

Perhaps it was normal for him to fear this. One of his prime concerns as a piece of Oscorp machinery was his own wellbeing.

Meanwhile, Bucky's voice was shaky as he talked through the comm-link, "Group II, do you copy? What is your status, over?"

"This is Captain Rogers. We are still making our way to the hangar bay, Banner is in a stable condition but unresponsive. Over."

Bucky's entire form seemed to sink towards the floor, so apparent was his relief.

Harry felt a little relieved too. So Group II was alright so far…but what of Group III? He did not want to state the obvious but their chances were clearly not good…

"Roger that. As you were, Group II." Bucky turned to face Harry; "Android."

"Yes?"

"Do you think you can identify these bodies?"

Harry shrugged, "My technology only goes so far, but I might be able to do something."

With a sense of apathy, he peered over the corpses in the room in turn. This indifference scared him. Whereas before the mere sight of a corpse would have sent him reeling and doubling over, now he was able to coolly examine the cadavers, prodding at their limbs and pinching their skin. Instead of overwhelming emotion, he felt a detached sort of sadness for the loss of life and nothing more. The loss of what was lacking inside himself had him feeling more emotional than any amount of death in front of him.

"The other bodies are too mangled with no identifying characteristics for me to figure out who they were. I've saved all information so perhaps we can identify them with more advanced systems later on. However, I have managed to identify two scavengers, Peter Quill and Gamora Titan, as well as the Commanding Officer of the Gould, Janet van Dyne."

"I think we can infer that the scavengers forced her to override the navigation route and probably the communication systems too." Felicia cut in.

Sam pulled a face, "I want to know how 'Star-Lord' managed to takedown an entire Conestoga…"

Bucky nodded with a bitter smile, "Somehow I think it was the Titan's work rather than Star-Lord's - but to determine that, we need to gain access to the on-board computer. Hopefully then we can figure out what these things are and how they got onto the ship…and maybe we'll figure out a way to help Banner."

The group surrounded the massive computer system and Bucky let Harry take the chair with a grunt.

"Alright, we'll need to be quick about this. I don't know where those creatures are or how far away they might be. Let's try and get as much information as possible."

Harry turned on the computer and began to check the systems for any obvious anomalies.

"Well, the computers appear to be functioning perfectly well so far," Harry said slowly.

Bucky nodded, a little relief in his features, "Good. Alright I'll see what I can do."

Harry rose out of the seat, allowing Bucky to step in.

The lieutenant began to tap away at the keys, flicking through several screens to get to the security files. Typing in a generic code that Harry had offered him, he quickly retrieved the security tapes and any other useful files he could find.

"Peggy, I'm wiring you some security records that I need you to go through. Let us know if there's anything worth mentioning. We need to help Dr. Banner. Over."

"Roger that."

Turning his attention back to the computer, Bucky began to communicate directly with the main A.I. of the ship, the on-board Mother. He typed in a question.

HOW DID THE ALIEN GET ON-BOARD?

A reply flashed onto the screen.

GOULD RESEARCH CREW COLLECTED SPECIMENS FROM PLANET LX-X9IV.

"What? You mean they actually wanted these things on-board?"

An alien species was bound to be collected and studied, but this species was so incredibly hostile… How did they manage it in the first place? And once they figured out what they were…why were they not destroyed?

Harry smelled a rat. Norman probably.

Felicia quirked an eyebrow, "What about that planet, do we know anything about it?"

Bucky shrugged, "Never heard of it."

"I have," Harry said quietly; "It was discovered only a few years ago and currently it is strictly an Oscorp classified planet. Norman was particularly excited about it."

The memory had resurfaced dutifully as soon as Bucky had mentioned it. It was awfully handy for Harry that his memories acted like files or books, in that they could be pulled out with the simplest of words. Even memories that the first Harry would have forgotten.

"Oh?" Bucky's eyes flashed darkly, "Well, let's find out some more shall we?"

He bent over to tap at the keys.

WHY WAS THE ALIEN COLLECTED?

The computer whirred quietly as it processed the new question, only it seemed to take longer than the first time. Eventually, the answer flashed upon the screen.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PURPOSES.

Bucky hissed, "Well that's not very helpful. I think that's pretty darn obvious, don't you?"

He tried again, tapping at the keys with a bit more force.

WHAT DOES OSCORP WANT WITH THE ALIEN?

The gentle ticking went on for a full minute before the computer regurgitated its response.

SPECIAL ORDER 968. SCIENCE PERSONNEL EYES ONLY. RESTRICTED INFORMATION.

"This is bullshit! Bruce is incapacitated and those other scientists could be anywhere on this ship."

Bucky's outburst was accompanied by disgruntled noises from the others, who began to frown and mutter amongst themselves.

Clearing his throat, Harry stepped forward, "I may be able to access that information. I am an Osborn, as well as an Oscorp android."

The group fell silent and Bucky coughed awkwardly, "Yeah okay, you try it then."

Harry's fingers flitted across the keys and he went over every password that he'd ever seen Norman use.

He tapped in another question slowly, mulling over what would be the most appropriate and direct wording.

WHAT WAS THE PRIME DIRECTIVE OF THE GOULD SCIENCE OFFICER/S?

The same chastising answer flickered onto the screen.

SPECIAL ORDER 968. SCIENCE PERSONNEL EYES ONLY. RESTRICTED INFORMATION.

Harry cursed silently, but persevered. He would have to use his android expertise, as well as his Oscorp database. Quickly, he tapped away and entered every series of passwords he had seen Norman use before to override the system.

Finally, something that fucking worked.

At a higher level of authority, he entered a different question.

WHAT IS SPECIAL ORDER 968?

Harry waited with bated breath.

RETRIEVE AND RESTRAIN SPECIES: XENOMORPH XX121 AND RETURN SPECIMEN TO EXPENDABLE.

A string of cussing reverberated around the room as the apathetic letters appeared on the screen. Bucky's face was so cold with fury that it made everyone stand back a bit.

"Are you telling me that at least a dozen good marines are dead because of Oscorp?"

With perfect timing, Bucky's comm-link began to buzz as the Reed paged him.

"Bucky."

Peggy's voice was laced with concern.

"What?"

"We managed to sort through some of the more recent scientific records and security videos that you sent us." Peggy paused briefly before continuing. Everyone exchanged pointed looks, eager to hear the news.

"…the Gould science personnel had managed to retrieve four of those things, from god knows where, in jars. They were only in the early stages of their evolution, according to Dr. Stacey. After looking at the security videos, we've concluded that those things escaped when the scavengers hi-jacked the ship. The scavengers were going to sell those things, as well as any Oscorp tech, on the black-market, but obviously they didn't handle their cargo carefully enough."

Bucky turned his gaze to look sharply at Harry, as if he were sizing him up. Harry stared coolly back at him - he would not be intimidated. It was kind of insulting that he thought he was in league with the others…

"Peggy." Bucky's voice was scarily even.

"Yes?"

"Don't let any of the Oscorp representatives back on board without mine or Steve's say-so. They've been stringing us along from the start. They just want their specimens back, and I'm willing to bet they'll sacrifice any of us to do so."

There was an awkward pause before Peggy answered him, her voice much quieter as if she was whispering into the comm-link.

"I have Dr. Stacy on board…what are you suggesting I do?"

Swearing lightly, Bucky pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"J-just keep an eye on them for now…they might not even be in on it. But expect the worst. These guys will do anything to get that specimen back."

"Roger that." Peggy said smoothly, before disconnecting.

The room became enveloped in an awkward silence as the entire group turned to survey Harry with curiosity and suspicion. Bucky turned to him with a furrowed brow.

"Well, Osborn, it looks like your daddy's been herding some dangerous and very illegal cargo…"

"You don't believe I'm with them do you?"

From the look on Bucky's face, Harry would have to convince him of his innocence.

"All I've done so far is help you! I've made no efforts to capture one of those things, only destroy them. In fact, I didn't even know those creatures existed, much less that Norman wanted them. I'm only on this stupid mission because he wanted to send me away so he wouldn't have to look at his failure of a son."

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't just leave you here for the creatures to nab."

Well, this wasn't looking so good anymore…

"He's not even a real Osborn, Bucky. He's an android. You know that." Peter's voice was slightly defensive, but held no real conviction.

"It might be in his programming…we don't know do we?"

Clutching at straws, Harry spoke evenly, "What about Natasha? Do you doubt her? Or Loki? He's an android and a science officer. They are both Oscorp models too. I may be an Oscorp representative, but I have as much chance of being corrupt as they are."

He smiled bitterly, "Only, I'm part Replicant too. That means I have a higher order of freewill than they do. Norman designed me that way – to imitate life as closely as possible, to fill his son's shoes. If I have freewill than that means I can choose to disobey his orders. "

He paused and gestured to the group around him smiling coyly, "I'm clearly out-numbered so no fear that I'll make the wrong decision. We skin-jobs are unnaturally strong, but I think three marines and a burly engineer have an advantage on me. Somehow."

Perhaps the snarky finish was a bit too much, but the group was silent, clearly absorbing his words. The anticipation did not affect Harry much, who calmly waited for their verdict. Either they left him or they did not. Though his chances of survival might be higher if he tagged along with them.

"I believe him. His eyes are gold and everything."

Peter again. That boy had a strange fixation on him…

"Yeah, me too."

Sam. He'd had had an inkling that the engineer would be good company.

The group turned to Felicia, who nodded her consent, and then they all looked to their leader's verdict. Bucky looked skeptical, but he too nodded.

"You've certainly done well enough for us so far. Just don't prove me wrong in trusting you."

Intent on warning the others, Bucky had turned to stand in the corner momentarily to page down Steve or Natasha.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group meandered around the room and sorted through any potential weapons the dead scavengers possessed. Most of the weapons had belonged to the dead research crew and the marines. After prying a sleek VP78 pistol (an Oscorp invention), as well as a few smoke bombs, from the hands of a rotting scavenger, Harry went to stand by the window.

The thick glass was dirty, yet the space outside the impressive starship could still be seen.

Looking out on the sheer emptiness always made him feel incredibly small. But now, in this situation, it comforted him. They were only very small people, which meant those ferocious creatures were only very small too. They could make it.

His joints moved in reflex as his system became aware of someone standing closely beside him. The light touch on his hand made his head tilt. Harry looked down in surprise to see Peter's hand slipping over his own resting upon the wide sill. Slowly, he raised his head to meet Peter's gaze.

"Hey," Peter smiled, "Are you doing okay?"

Harry furrowed his brow and quirked his mouth sarcastically, "Was that question really for me?"

"I know you're just as unsure as the rest of us." Peter said defensively, whilst his fingers traced patterns over Harry's fake wrist bone absentmindedly.

Caught up in the strange movements, Harry paused before answering, "That's true, in a way. But I'm an android, Parker. Just a machine."

As he said it, he pulled his hand away from the window sill and turned away from the window completely to lean his back against the sill instead. To his pleasure, Peter did not turn away, but scooted closer until their shoulders were touching. He could not technically feel it…but it still made him feel better.

"Well, 'just-a-machine' defended his humanity back there quite well. He also did a great job of getting us away from those creatures."

A small smile bit at the corners of his mouth.

It was strange, though. Why did Peter Parker insist on getting so close to him? He had kissed him so suddenly back on the Reed, and now he was touching him casually as if they had known each other for years. It was a weird way to interact with a robot – or at least a robot of his function. He couldn't speak for the poor pleasure models.

"You seem awfully convinced that I'm more than an imitation of man made up of metal wiring and android fluids…" Harry finally ventured, eyeing Peter curiously.

Peter blinked, "Well that would be because I don't think you can measure someone's humanity or capacity for good by how 'human' they are. You can be more than what made you."

"How do you know?"

"Because back on Earth I've seen rogue Replicants been shot down in the middle of the street for venturing beyond their masters, for wanting more, for daring to dream. And I believe that they do dream. I believe that you dream."

Their brief moment together was cut short, as Bucky called the group together. The lieutenant looked upset and unsure with himself.

"Alright, change of plan," Bucky said wearily, "We're going to try and reach the med-bay. It isn't too far from here and Peggy should be able to keep us updated on where those things are. If there's any chance of helping Dr. Banner, it'll hopefully be there."

The group did not look happy and Harry did not like the idea either, but if there was the slightest chance of saving Bruce…

Peter appeared momentarily confused, "Why do you say that?"

"I'm hoping that the Gould scientists managed to study this thing and what it does. If not, they may have recorded what happened to the first few unlucky bastards who got hit with one."

Sam nodded in agreement, though his tone was reluctant, "You're right. I've been on the Reed for a number of years and if anyone who got hit by an alien was moved to the med-bay, there should be at least some information on the incident. The autodoc or med-computer should have recorded everything."

Biting his lip, Bucky continued, "I-I hate to put you guys through this. But we have to keep moving anyway and we'll be safer in a group, I think. Group II is already heading back to the hangar bay with Bruce, so we should try, for his sake."

Felicia put a hand on his shoulder, and her tone was firm, "We're not going to bow out now. You're right in that we need to stick together."

The rest of the group nodded, their hearts heavy but full of determination.

They could do this.

They could survive.

The flickering lights and darkened halls of the Gould felt even more daunting, as the group made their way quietly towards the med-bay. They winced with every heavy-footfall against the metal grating and every passing shadow that flickered against the walls.

Running steadily at the back of the group, Harry could see a cold sweat building up at the back of Peter's neck, and Sam was visibly shaking. The effects of utter fear were interesting to observe, but Harry felt a sense of concern for his team mates.

Just before, they had come together in a moment of solidarity. Sam and Peter had stood up for him, and the group as a whole had strengthened for the sake of Dr. Banner. But just how far would they allow themselves to be pushed before they snapped? This situation was highly stressful and already they were filled with dread. Tensions were running high as it was, so how long before they began to make enemies of each other?

Could he protect them from themselves if the situation called for it?

With a surprising amount of strength, Peter managed to push the sliding door shut and lock it. A collective sigh of relief rang through the group. How they had managed to make their way to the med-bay with nearly no-incidents was beyond them. Only one creature had crossed their path, but it had been young and with their combined efforts they had managed to smoke it to high heaven. Now they were in the med-bay, and the creatures were outside. The door was a small, temporary barrier but a barrier nonetheless.

Peter heaved against the door, letting his breath catch, and Bucky slapped him over the shoulder in thanks.

"Everyone, quick! Scope the area and let's clean out this bay of any more of those dratted demons." Bucky said hoarsely before turning his attention to Harry; "You, android, start accessing those files and wire them over to the Executive Officer. That's your number one priority."

As the crew scoured the room with guns held aloft, Harry sprinted over to the far end of the bay where the only surviving autodoc and the nearing computer systems were. Luckily, the med-bay computers had been powered up when they had turned on the on-board computer.

"All clear!" Felicia called.

"Yep, over here too." Sam said.

"Roger that!"

Soon they were all crowding around the computer beside Harry, whose fingers were flying across the keys as he tried to find the med-bay security footage and reports.

Ah. Success.

"Lieutenant, I'm sending the files over to the Reed for analysis but I can play them in real-time if you're curious."

Well, Harry was certainly curious anyway.

Bucky nodded, "Yep. Fire it up."

"Okay…I'm rewinding the footage back a few hours to the day we lost contact…"

"Everything looks normal so far. Go forward."

Harry did.

"Still normal. Go to an hour after loss of contact...ah, there we go. That's a lot of patients."

Peter paled, "T-there! One of them has one of those aliens attached to his face."

"Android, sift through the corresponding medical records," Bucky ordered before turning back to the screen; "Oh my god. There's another one, and still lots of additional patients. Looks like burns or contact with some sort of corrosive material."

"Bucky," Harry called, "I've just surveyed through this autodoc's databanks. Records state that the medbay was full after we lost contact with the Gould. Lots of acidic burns and a few patients with that t-thing attached to them."

Sam choked, "Geez! How the hell did those things get out?"

"I don't want to think about it," Bucky said bitterly; "Bring up those records on the screen. I want to see them."

Harry obeyed.

Bucky's eyes flickered over the names quickly and then narrowed, "…looks like some of these patients weren't authorised crew members. More scavengers, perhaps?"

"…according to my databases, some of these people are wanted criminals. Apparently this autodoc treated one Arthur Douglas, more commonly known as 'Drax the Destroyer'. Looks like there were quite a lot of Scavengers got on board."

Peter laughed, "Drax the Destroyer? That's a pretty stupid name."

"Let the android finish!" Bucky snapped, and Harry gave him a grateful smile.

Now was not the time for jokes.

"Uhh, what's important is that all of these patients were displaying the exact symptoms, save for those who had been hooked up to the machines prior to loss of contact. The hospitalisations occurred around five or so hours after initial loss of contact. Patients were made up of both crew and unauthorised passengers."

Bucky scratched his chin thoughtfully, "Make sure you're recording all of this, android. The higher-ups will want to know why their Conestoga was so easily overrun by a bunch of pathetic space pirates."

Harry nodded.

"I'm wiring these patient records over to the Reed," Felicia stated; "hopefully they will be able to help Dr. Banner."

"Anything particularly important that I should let Group II know, android?"

"According to the records, the alien life has extremely concentrated acid for blood. Hence the absurd number of patients. It says the crew tried to remove an alien from an afflicted party and very nearly took his face off with it. When they tried to cut the legs off, well, it began to bleed. I'm sure you can imagine what happened then…."

Harry trailed off. Everyone's faces had gone pale. Peter looked sick.

Bucky nodded dumbly before warning Group II over the comm system.

"Okay, go forward a few hours. I want to see if there are any changes in his condition."

"Yes sir," Harry said.

The figures on screen zoomed around at an absurd rate as Harry fast-forwarded the recording. Eventually, it came to a stop; around twelve hours after the man had been brought into the medbay.

On the screen, Douglas was pictured lying motionless in the autodoc, with the spidery creature still attached quite determinately to his face. The subtly rise and fall of its form as it breathed sent a shiver down everyone's spines. It was a horrid looking creature.

"…still no change. Something's recorded here in the written records though…"

From beside Harry, Peter gave a sudden start and a smothered "Oh!"

All eyes were fixated on the screen as suddenly the creature fastened to Douglas' head gave a horrific shudder. Pathetically, it rolled off of the man's heavily tattooed face and fell still beside the man's motionless body. From the rise and fall of his chest, the man was clearly still alive.

Like Peter, the science officers on screen gave off panicked shouts as the creature fell still.

"Check this man's vitals!"

"Is the xenomorph dead?"

Bucky glared, "Is that it?"

Harry shook his head, "There's further records. I'll fast-forward it."

Three hours later, the man had apparently woken up.

"Looks like the science officers cleared him. He was distributing signs of perfect health."

"Then why did he die an hour later?" Bucky mused.

Harry quickly fast-forwarded the recording again.

He quickly wished he had not.

On screen, the man was sitting upon the auto-doc, a bored expression upon his face. Until the convulsions began. Sharp tremors wracked his body and the man on screen began to yelp at blood-curdling volumes.

Shockingly, blood began to pool around the centre of his chest, staining his perfectly white shirt. The man's entire body was thrust forwards into the air and the blood began to weep.

Peter yelped as on screen, a hideous pale thing erupted from the man's chest in a torrent of blood and effectively rupturing his ribcage. With a piercing shriek it smashed headfirst through the glass of the autodoc and scuttled past screaming science officers in its bid for freedom.

With the advantage of chaos, it managed to escape the med-bay.

The room was silent save for the quiet buzzing of both the computer and of Harry's systems. He could hear them whirring as they processed this horrifying and utterly traumatising information.

Silently, they all turned to Bucky.

"We have to warn Group II," Bucky said, a look of horror seeping onto his face; "They can't let Dr Banner back onto the U.S.S. Reed."

NOTES:

Quarantine alert!

Who will save Dr. Banner? Will the creatures infect the U.S.S. Reed? Will someone please make Peter shut up for five minutes? Will Bucky ever make it back onto the Reed and relieve himself of this awful headache?

Oh the horror!

Tune in for the next instalment of this weird-ass space opera fic (it's more of a space-opera than anything else at this point. Five bucks that the Group I will eat Peter to shut him up, also Bucky will probably get pregnant, and Felicia will contract a terminal disease).

Writing that scene between Harry+ Peter was my legit favourite part of this chapter. It's such a gentle conversation and everytime I go back over it I start gushing in my head. I've had that planned since day 1. The conversation w/ Mother comes close second. Special Order 968 is the legit order from the Alien novelisation. I love how bloody cold the computer is to the danger that the crew face. Fuck you, Ash.

BTW, the Voight-Kampff is used to determine whether or not someone is a Replicant. Canonically, you shouldn't be able to tell if someone is a Replicant from the gold of their eyes (rather it is a symbol to reveal that Replicants aren't emotionless and evil, but that they have souls [it also connects them to the electric animals and highlights that like this priceless commodity, Replicants also have value – a value of life, of being REAL) but for the sake of creativity I have used it in this fic to my own ends. FUCK I LOVE THE SYMBOLISM IN THIS MOVIE. IF YOU HAVEN'T YET, GO WATCH BLADE RUNNER.