~ Inauguration ~

As my dreams of the future began to fade, I felt warmth begin to return to my body. Drunken with exhaustion I struggled to open my eyes, only to be assaulted by the bright lights of the room around me. As I let my senses return to me I looked around to see the others soon begin to awaken besides me. Mumbling filled the chamber, soon accompanied by yawns and jeers from the crew.

I fumbled my way out of the pod and nearly fell returning to my feet. As I regained my coherent thoughts, I looked to see as everyone else soon began to join me in standing. As the captain smothered his face in his hands, he exhaled a heavy breath. "Alright, rise and shine you lazy bastards, we've been sleepin for only fourteen years." He said as he began to stumble to the door. "Go get changed out and ready, we have a long day ahead of us."

After cleaning up in the locker room, I headed to my personal quarters. I smiled as I saw my bags, still hap-hazardly thrown in the corner, just as I left it on takeoff. As I clawed through my belongings I finally found what I desired, my official uniform given to me for my new position at R&D.

As I laid the clothes out I took a moment to analyze them. The coat supplied was made of a tough, synthetic, white, waterproof material, lined with a dark green rim across the seams. Adjustable straps were on the side for ease of fitting, and two additional pockets were held by extra straps on the side of the jacket. Alongside this was a white undershirt, a pair of black pants, once again lined with a green seam, and a chemical resistant surgeon's hood and gloves sharing the same color.

As I began to adorn my outfit, I opted to stow the hood and gloves until needed in my side pockets. I looked upon myself in the mirror with pride and a grand smile. Finally deeming myself presentable for first contact, I began to prepare all my things for the landing procedure. Once I finished collecting my gear, I turned to exit my room and join the crew in the cafeteria.

As I walked in, my nose was assaulted with the wonderful smells of eggs, toast, and even the smoky hickory of freshly cooked bacon. The crew had already been half way through their meals before I took my seat, all seeming quite happy with the food provided for them.

As I took a seat I felt a sudden slap against my back, startling me. "Wow! Look at you Mr. Orion! Now you really look like some stuck up Weyland prick!" Vasquez said with a chuckle. As his smile quickly faded, a flash of worry took form, quickly followed with embracement. "I'm only joking sir, don't mean any offense. After dealing with The Company for so long you just get in a mind set ya' know? Just uh, don't report that ok? Last thing I need is to be stuck in 'mannerisms training' again for a week." He added with a pleading grin, before shoving a fork full of eggs down his gullet.

I forced a chuckle as I grabbed myself a serving before responding, "It's alright Vasquez, I'm just happy to be here." A mechanic slapped the table with joy as he looked my way. "I don't know if we can let you go doc, if you're the reason we're feasting like this, we might just have to keep ya!" the man joked as his colleagues laughed.

As we returned to our breakfast a sudden alarm sounded from the bridge. "Sounds like we're getting hailed, finish up, and get ready for touchdown. Johnson, with me. The captain proclaimed as he rushed to the bridge alongside the pilot. In a blitz the crew scarfed down whatever they could before rushing to their stations. Vasquez soon stood as well as he motioned me to follow him.

When we arrived at the bridge I was stunned with the panorama of our destination ahead. Past the glass of our helm, a massive orange planet laid afloat in the distance of space. The star of the system peered just beside it, casting a massive shadow across the horizon. In awe I stared to the beyond, and with the twinkle of the countless stars, the sight only left me stunned.

Getting pulled out of my trance from a tap on my shoulder by my colleague, he soon directed me to the seat I had once sat in when we first launched. As I sat down and strapped in I couldn't help but imagine what the world would look like on the ground, in fact, now that I think about it I knew next to nothing of this world other than the lab itself. "Hey, Vasquez" I asked as he began to secure himself next to me.

"Yeah doc? Something wrong?" He asked with a final click of a buckle. "No, I was just curious about where we are going, like what kind of place this even is." With a nod of understanding, he began to peer out the window. "They call the planet BG-386, it used to be pretty desolate in terms of nature but overall held great potential for terraforming." they explained. "I still don't know why they would set up out here, as its hotter than the devils asshole and located between nothing and fuck-all."

Having my question answered, I felt underwhelmed. He brought up a good point in the strange choice of location for it. To set up not only a colony, but a major lab this far out, it just didn't make any sense. Devices began to whirl as the crew once again began to file in, taking their positions at their respective posts. As the captain flicked a switch the ship's engines began to once again emanate with power once again.

"Attention USCSS Astara, this is Ground Control, your codes are cleared for entry, sending you the flight path now." After a moment of electronic sounds the captain squinted at his screen. "Ground Control, this is Astara, the coordinates here are telling us to land at the main facility, is that correct?" silence filled the cabin before the static obscured voice returned. "That's correct Astara, landing pad will be lit on entry."

Giving a shrug, the captain began to plot the course alongside the pilot. As the ship began to shift course to our destination, the primary engines were once again kicked in. As we accelerated to a cruising speed I watched as BG-386 grew closer and closer. Eventually, as we neared re-entry, all engines ceased as the ship began to brace for the force of the planet's gravity.

As I clenched the straps keeping me in place, I felt the ship begin to rock as we began to get pulled down. As we fell further and further below towards the surface, the ship's rocking evolved to a violent shaking. Holding on for dear life, I felt a sudden jerk in our course as every engine the ship had lit off all at once to slow the descent.

As the great engines of our transport bellowed, I felt as the descent slowed from a terrifying fall to a relaxing glide. As our ship began to ease into the given path, I was able to take the time to observe the world around me. While the ship propelled through the air I could see a dense jungle down below as we passed over. In the distance I could see barren land for miles, and what even seemed to be volcanoes farther out.

After a short while, we passed by a refinery the size of a mountain, only to then pass over the colony I assume we were originally supposed to land. As we once again flew into a jungle once we passed the quarry, the facility finally came into sight. Nestled inside an alcove in the mountains, the facility was discreetly tucked away from any other part of the planet. Around its main gates was a dense forest full of strange, unnatural shapes piercing just above the canopy.

"Deploying landing gears now, brace for touchdown." The voice of the captain reverberated through the bridge as the pilot took manual control. The sounds of hydraulics filled my ears as we slowed to a graceful landing speed. With great elegance the ship finally connected to the ground, leaving the loud noise of metal whining to support the weight.

As we finally made touchdown, Vasquez and I immediately began to undo our buckles and head back to the heart of the ship while the crew ran some final diagnostics on the ship's flight data. As I grabbed my things, Vasquez walked in and began to pick them up as well. "Don't worry about your bags sir, you're gonna need to get signed in straight away, they can be a little impatient here. I'll bring in your stuff while you are inaugurated to the facility." Taking his advice, I quickly turned around and went to head to the exit of the ship. As I entered the airlock and began the procedure, I thought about how far I'd come. From a random colonist in a backwater home, to the top of the line facilities provided by the most powerful people in the universe.

As the final doors opened with a hiss, I stepped onto the deployed ramp leading to the landing pad. The large clearing was covered with employees as the managed machines, pipes, equipment, and tubes, all preparing to offload the contents of the transport. Among them was a shocking number of soldiers as well, clad in Weyland-Yutani provided equipment.

When I took my final step off the ramp, I saw a scientist emerge from the door to the facility, flanked by two heavily equipped guards, whose faces were covered. Increasing my pace, I met him at the large bulkhead of a door. The man wore an outfit almost identical to mine, only showing a difference with the yellow lining instead of green. His face bore deep wrinkles of age and the look of analysis as he studied my features. His scalp was adorned with a well groomed set of gray hair.

"Welcome to BG-386 Mr. uh..." He glanced at his personal notepad, "Mr. Orion, please follow me, we have not a minute to lose." As the man turned around and began his march back to the facility, I quickly took a place by his side. The great door ahead swiftly opened wide to clear our path. Hearing as the guards took their place besides us, my tour of the facility began.

"What you see before you is one of the greatest facilities we at Weyland-Yutani have ever established. The equipment is next to none, and its uses range from anything you could hope for." the man explained as we walked through the nicely lit halls of the facility. Screens lined the walls, all flashing different videos about The Company. The hallway itself reminisced the ship's more industrial side. Dark, metal plates covered the surface, accented support beams from the walls to the ceiling, if anything was for certain, it resembled a bunker more than a lab.

As we passed countless rooms, I was finally led into a well furnished office with a grand view of the world around me. Through the glass I could see the distant roof of the jungle, looking on as the rising sunlight flashed beautiful reflections off of their damp leaves of the canopy. Snapping back to attention I watched as the man took a seat behind his desk, motioning for me to sit as well.

As the man situated himself, he pulled out some files and clacked away on his keyboard before returning his gaze to me. His eyes feigned a friendly demeanor, as he suppressed his cold, calculating gaze from before. "You have quite the resume Nathan Orion, it's quite an opportune time for you to arrive at my facility. I don't usually introduce new personnel on the base, but due to current circumstances I feel it appropriate." The man flashed a glance towards his monitor before meeting his haze with me again.

Clearing his throat he continued. "I am the head scientist of this facility, chosen by Mr. Weyland himself, and fate would have it, we are just about to launch our most ambitious project here to date, and I would like for you to help spearhead it to full operational capacity." Giving pause the man turned and glared into his monitor again, before shaking his head to return his focus to me.

With a sudden change of tone, his stare turned cold. "Tell me, have you ever heard of a Xenomorph, Mr. Orion?". The name struck me like a truck, flashing memories of the past research I've conducted. Giving a moment to think of my response, I delivered my answer. "Yes I have, although I must admit I don't know much about them. I had studied reports of them back in my time in college, however many details were left out. All I know is that they are rare and are some of the most unique organisms we have ever encountered. For being our first alien, contact you'd think we know more."

Doctor Groves let out a small, brief, chuckle. "There are things in this galaxy that are best kept away from public knowledge. The Xenomorph, more than anything else, is the greatest of these." The doctor paused before continuing, "You see, as I'm sure you've noticed if you attempted to research your position, we have gone to great lengths to hide everything about Xenomorph as we possibly could, however, over the next couple weeks, you will be taught everything we know about them for your new position."

With the new information given to me, I was left only with more questions than answers. "So what exactly is this new project I'm being assigned to Doctor Groves." As he went to respond he took another glance to his monitor only for his eyes to widen in alarm. "I'm sorry Mr. Orion but our time has run short, my guards will escort you to your quarters, you'll start your studies on the Xenomorphs tomorrow, goodbye."

Quickly the man ushered me out of the room before rushing off down an unknown corridor. Confused as to the rush, I turned to the guard as he stared at me silently. With a quick turn he began to march and I stumbled to follow his sudden movement. After a lot of more walking, we finally arrived in the residential portion of the labs, and shortly after I was taken to a room furnished only with a bed, desk, computer, and a small personal bathroom.

As I walked inside the room and looked around, I saw my bags piled in the corner. Vasquez must have passed through here already. I walked to my supplies and slowly began to unpack, and as time passed I soon finished putting everything away. When I finally sat down on my bed, I collapsed in exhaustion. So much had happened in so little time.

Deciding to call it a day and prepare for tomorrow, I made my bed and slipped into my sleepwear. However, before I settled in the covers, I saw the light of the computer flashing ahead of me. I sat and contemplated, surely now I could access whatever XX121 is on the computer. I stood up and walked to the computer, sitting down to log in.

I punched in my code and was soon greeted with a search bar. With a tinge of excitement, I punched in the name and waited for it to load. As the screen loaded in, my anticipation grew more and more, until finally, the results were pulled. As I looked on in wonder dozens of new links revealed themselves. I looked on in amazement at the countless amount of results that filled the screen, a treasure trove of information.

I pondered the list on where to begin, before finally deciding the best choice. Letter by letter, my fingers collided with keys of the board, before finally filling out the words USCSS Nostromo. The tale of the Nostromo was one of mass speculation and theories. All that is known of that ship was that it was the one that made first contact with an alien source, but after that, nothing.

Conspiracists have theorized for years that what caused the ship's destruction was not a catastrophic system failure, but instead intervention from a member of the crew. As I looked on at the reports, my eyes widened in surprise, they were right. The Nostromo was initiated to self-destruct after most of the crew had been slaughtered by the Xenomorph.

The longer I read the file, the more my perception of The Company began to dwindle. According to the official logs, the android on board was told to capture the creature and sacrifice the crew if needed, a task he seemingly almost pulled off. It was from here I saw the mention of another ship, this one however I'd never heard of.

Clicking on the new report, the file of the Sevastapool grew on screen. From here it seemed the ship was sent to scavenge for the black box of the Nostromo, only to pick up a hitchhiker of its own. The Xenomorph on this station sent it to chaos, causing complete anarchy to rise. After the initial attacks, details dwindled before the station's eventual destruction.

Processing all this information filled me with doubt about everything I had ever known. While the Xenomorphs were deadly, no questions there, why would Weyland go so far as to keep it a secret? Wouldn't it be better for people to know the true threat these creatures posed, rather than keeping the masses in the dark? Scratching my head in thought, I yawned with exhaustion. My research has kept me up longer than I'd like.

Deciding that was enough for now, I began to close down the tabs. Before I shut down my computer, I decided to clear my history as well. While I may be an official member of the R&D program, I still have no idea what they consider taboo information is and what isn't. As I watched on as the evidence of my actions tonight got wiped from the system, I pressed the power button and watched the screen turn to black.

As I stood up and looked around, I walked to my bed before finally collapsing. As I adjusted myself to be sitting on the side, I grabbed my digital clock from my nightstand and set the alarm. Rubbing my eyes in exhaustion, I climbed into the covers of my bedding before pulling my pillow over.

Turning to my side I stared off into darkness in contemplation. Doubt plagued my mind and every thought as I reminisced on what I had just learned. If Weyland-Yutani lied about this, then what else had they lied about? It worried me, knowing that who were essentially the leaders of Humanity had carried such dark secrets alongside them.

- Authors Note-

With chapter three comes another chapter of our great protagonist Orion! Now that his long voyage to BG-386 is complete, who knows what will come of his profession. Even more, the special program he has been assigned to could carry with it a number of fascinating secrets as well! If you've played the game then I'll give you a hint, it involves a "collectable" from the xenomorph campaign. I can't wait to bring the next chapter of this story to all of you wonderful readers and I wish you a wonderful day, as always please feel free to leave any input good or bad. Every bit helps! See you next week!

This is your Narrator, signing off.