The high-ceilinged auditorium buzzed with tense energy, the air crackling with the hum of anticipation. Rows of uniformed officers and engineers filled the seats, their eyes trained on the stage.
Kate Ford sat in the front row. Her uniform was immaculate, the sharp creases in her sleeves reflecting her meticulous nature. She was a striking figure, her posture exuding a blend of authority and latent power.
A holographic display flickered to life on the stage, casting a bluish glow across the room. The first presenter, a representative from Weyland Corporation, stepped forward. His voice echoed through the hall, a blend of confidence and desperation.
Weyland's proposal was impressive, showcasing cutting-edge technology and innovative designs for the scientific exploratory vessel. The audience watched, spellbound, as models and simulations played out in front of them, detailing the vessel's capabilities and potential.
Kate stood tall, her mind racing to grasp the intricacies of the technical presentations unfolding before her. Though her expertise lay in medicine, her role as the leader of this mission demanded she navigate through the labyrinth of physics and mechanics with the same precision she used in the operating room.
The Weyland representative concluded his presentation with a flourish, but the applause was polite rather than enthusiastic. Kate noted the subtle shift in the room's atmosphere, a sign that the real competition was yet to come.
As the Weyland team left the stage, she caught a glimpse of Meredith Vickers, the current CEO, standing at the back of the room. Her icy blue eyes met Kate's briefly before she turned away, a tight smile on her lips.
Next, the Yutani team took the stage. The room seemed to hold its breath as their lead engineer began to speak. The presentation was nothing short of spectacular.
They unveiled a prototype of the vessel, a sleek and formidable craft that hovered silently above the stage, its engines emitting a deep, resonant hum. The audience was entranced by the seamless integration of advanced technology and practical design, the vessel's surface shimmering with an otherworldly light.
Kate could sense the intrigue, the hidden calculations, as Yutani's model showcased its capabilities. Her sharp intuition allowed her to discern the promising characteristics that caught the eye of the experts in the room.
As the Yutani team wrapped up their presentation, the applause was thunderous. Kate could feel the excitement radiating through the room, the decision all but made.
When the official announcement came, declaring Yutani the winner by a narrow margin, it was met with a mix of relief and elation. Kate rose to her feet, leading the applause, her face a mask of professional composure.
After the formalities, the crowd began to disperse, murmuring in hushed tones about the competition's outcome. Vickers approached Kate. The exchange was brief, with a firm handshake and a few polite words exchanged.
This wasn't the first time Kate and Vickers had crossed paths. They were veterans of the cutthroat world of government contracts, where alliances shifted like sand and loyalty was a rare commodity.
Vickers nodded, a flicker of something—perhaps disappointment, perhaps resolve—passing across her face. "This isn't the last you'll hear from Weyland. We have other projects in the pipeline."
"I'm sure we'll have opportunities to work together again," Kate said, offering a sympathetic smile. "And I'm truly sorry for your loss. Peter Weyland was a visionary."
"Thank you," Vickers said softly. "He was. And his legacy will continue."
As Vickers walked away, Elizabeth Shaw appeared at Kate's side, her eyes bright with excitement. Her enthusiasm waned slightly as she noticed Vickers' retreating figure.
The reason for the tension was clear—Elizabeth had sought funding from both Kate and Vickers for her research into humanity's ancient origins, a pursuit that intersected with the mission they were now embarking upon.
Yet, in the face of this awkward revelation, both Kate and Vickers maintained their composure, shrugging off the coincidence with practised ease. In the world they inhabited, where ambition and collaboration danced a delicate waltz, such overlaps were not uncommon.
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Kate cried out, struggling as countless inky pseudopods haunted her like phantoms. She couldn't breathe; the suffocating lack of air pressed down on her. A jolt of pain shot through her body, blurring her vision. The ceiling spun, and darkness crept in from the edges of her sight.
She barely registered the door opening and closing, followed by a burst of raucous laughter mixed with the scents of alcohol and perfume. The laughter cut off abruptly as her roommate Lauren took in Kate's contorted form on the bed.
"Kate? Kate!" Lauren's voice was panicked.
Kate's body convulsed violently, her muscles contracting and releasing in rapid succession. Her mouth foamed, and her eyes rolled back, showing only the whites.
"911, I need an ambulance! My roommate, she's having a seizure! We're at..." Lauren's voice cracked with fear. But Kate was too unconscious to keep up.
She was already in the hospital when she regained consciousness.
It was her sixth rebirth. Kate's eyes fluttered open, immediately feeling the oppressive weight of the room around her. Her limbs felt heavy as if gravity had doubled overnight.
Her mind was a storm of fragmented memories and emotions. Her body had finally given in after years of David's inhumane, torturous experiments, granting her the mercy she desired. Coincidentally, her next life resumed from where she was bullied in her teenage years.
Years of endurance had left her fragile, pushing her beyond her breaking point. And…
She couldn't hold a scalpel anymore.
Her gaze locked blankly on the tremor in her right hand as she reached for the water on the overbed table. The realisation hit her like a blunt blow.
The doors to the hospital ward swung open, startling the staff. A woman in her early thirties, her face a mask of worry and exhaustion, stormed in.
She approached the bed, her hands shaking as she reached out to touch Kate's face. It had been years since she had seen Kate, and the distance between them had been filled with silent resentment and unspoken pain.
Kate's foggy eyes gazed at the hand on her face and then the face in front of her. For a moment, there was a spark of recognition. Tears welled up in her eyes as she saw the woman she had kept at a distance for so many years.
"Mom...?" Kate's voice was weak, but the single word carried a lifetime of longing.
Her mother nodded, barely holding back the tears, and held Kate's hand tightly.
Kate sobbed, releasing years of pent-up pain and loneliness. Her mother cried with her, the barrier between them finally breaking down.
The hospital room was quiet. Kate lay in her bed, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. Her mother dozed off beside her, holding her hand. The wrinkles on her face seemed more pronounced in the harsh hospital lighting.
Kate gazed at her mother's face, a wave of guilt washing over her. She had been so harsh, so distant in her first life.
It was the first time Kate had ever truly embraced her mother. Raising Kate as her own since Kate's dad passed away.
Even when she found the courage to mend their relationship in her subsequent reincarnations, she was still too blind to see all the sacrifices her mother had made for her and took things for granted.
And she failed to protect her mother again. The xeno-pandemic that annihilated every single living thing on Earth. The distress that she put her through now. And the inevitable tragedy that was going to happen soon.
"I'm sorry," Kate mumbled. She figured that it might be a good idea to start fresh somewhere else. It was a daunting prospect, deviating from the initial route. If it weren't for her mother, she wouldn't go along with it.
Her mind buzzed with thoughts of the life that lay ahead after they migrated to a new country with her mother. With her eyes closed, she allowed herself to drift into the realm of her thoughts, where clarity often found its home in the quiet hours before sleep claimed her.
Amidst the sombre presage of ruin ahead, three things stood out to her, as clear as day.
First, she could return to the same location and time up to three times.
Second, dying in the third life results in being thrown into a completely different timeline. The cycle then reset.
Last, everything between David and Kate Ford, it's absolutely personal at this point.
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"Welcome to the United States Marine Corps, Private Kate," the recruiter said, handing her a set of dog tags.
The metal felt cold and heavy in her hand, a tangible reminder of the weight of her decision. She clenched her fist around them, a silent vow to herself.
Boot camp was a brutal gauntlet, a relentless onslaught of physical and mental challenges designed to break the weak and forge the strong. The first few weeks were a blur of early mornings, gruelling exercises, and constant scrutiny. Kate pushed through every insult, every demeaning task, every sleepless night.
But there were moments when the line between discipline and abuse blurred. One night, after a particularly harsh drill, she was cornered by Corporal Jenkins, a dipship with a penchant for making rookies' lives miserable.
"Think you're tough, Kate?" she sneered."Let's see how tough you are."
She shoved her into a storage room, the door slamming shut behind them. The space was cramped, the air thick with the smell of sweat and metal. Kate's heart pounded in her chest, but she forced herself to remain calm. She had endured worse.
Jenkins took a step closer, but before she could say another word, the emergency alarm blared. The room was filled with flashing red lights and the deafening wail of sirens. Kate didn't hesitate. She seized the opportunity, pushing past Jenkins and bolting for the door.
Outside, chaos reigned. Smoke billowed from the barracks, and the shouts of her fellow recruits mingled with the roar of flames. Without a second thought, Kate sprinted toward the infirmary, her medic training kicking in. Inside, she found Private Ramirez, her long-time rival, trapped under a fallen beam.
For a split second, Kate hesitated. Ramirez had been a constant thorn in her side, but leaving her to die... Shit.
Summoning all her strength, Kate lifted the beam, her muscles screaming in protest. With a final, desperate heave, she freed Ramirez and dragged her to safety.
"Thanks, chica" Ramirez muttered, her voice barely audible over the crackling embers.
"Shut up," Kate replied, her tone irritated.
( It was years later that Kate found out it was Ramirez who set off the alarm to save her ass. When Kate talked it out with Ramirez, the conversation went from denial to frustration to insults, and eventually escalated to a roughhouse between these two high-ranking officers, according to several anonymous witnesses in the locker room.)
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Kate had built her network with precision, like a weaver crafting an intricate tapestry. It was through these delicate threads of information that she kept tabs on people of interest—one of whom was Elizabeth Shaw.
Elizabeth Shaw, the archaeologist whose name had become synonymous with audacious theories about humanity's origins, had recently made a groundbreaking discovery on the Isle of Skye.
A star map, etched into ancient stone, purportedly an invitation from humanity's progenitors, whom Elizabeth referred to as the "Engineers."
The instant her CI returned with this intel, Kate knew she had to act swiftly before Peter Weyland did.
Kate leaned back in her chair, the cool leather pressing against her fatigued muscles. She closed her eyes, recalling the conversation with her superior officers. It had been surprisingly easy to convince them to fund Elizabeth's expedition.
The sales pitch was a blend of genuine intrigue and strategic manipulation. Rich and powerful men, even in their cynicism, were not immune to the seduction of immortality.
She had played to their deepest desires, their latent fears of mortality. They had nodded, their eyes glazing over with visions of eternal life, as she outlined the potential of Elizabeth's journey.
Her fingers danced across the interface, finalising the transfer of funds to Elizabeth's project. The government cover was secure, the paperwork was impeccable.
There would be questions, certainly, but she had contingencies in place. She always did. As she finished, a notification blinked on her screen—an incoming transmission from Elizabeth herself.
Kate straightened, her heartbeat quickening. The image resolved into Elizabeth Shaw's face, her eyes alight with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
"Ma'am," Shaw began, "I received the funds. I... I can't thank you enough. This means everything to our mission."
Kate smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Dr. Shaw, the pleasure is mine. Your discovery is of immense value to humanity. We are simply ensuring you have the resources you need."
She reminded Shaw of the importance of discretion and received assurances in return. The transmission ended, leaving Kate in the silence of her office, a fleeting pang of guilt crossing her mind.
She had manipulated Elizabeth and others, but the mission's importance transcended personal qualms. Better her to guide this venture than someone else with less vision and integrity.
She stood and walked to the window, the cityscape sprawling beneath her like a sea of lights. She could smell the faint aroma of rain on concrete, feel the cool glass under her fingertips. The stars above were obscured by the city's glow, but she knew they were there, waiting.
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USS Vanguard.
The holographic display in the centre projected the latest data from the PUPs that had returned just hours ago.
The orb-shaped devices had done their job well, mapping the alien terrain with their omnidirectional lasers, and scanning for any signs of life or danger. The live three-dimensional topographical map displayed a barren landscape, devoid of any detectable threats.
"Attention, everyone," General Kate Ford's voice cut through the murmurs. It held the steel of authority and the weight of responsibility. "No lifeforms, no immediate dangers."
The officers and soldiers exchanged glances, a mix of excitement and apprehension flitting across their faces. This was no ordinary mission; it was a military operation, a step into the unknown that could determine the future of humanity.
"We will initiate the landing sequence in one hour," she continued, her gaze sweeping across the room, locking eyes with each individual. "I need you all to keep in mind that this mission is not a scientific expedition. Follow my orders, that'll be a round trip.
"Colonel Ramirez," Kate gestured to the officer seated to her right. "Ensure all units are prepped and ready. We deploy in full combat gear. I want constant communication with every team on the ground. Any anomalies, you report immediately."
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"A word, Kate," Ramirez said firmly, matching pace with Kate.
"Fuck you." Kate gritted her teeth, frustration pooled her brain as she glared at the face that deserved a good punching.
Ramirez gawked at the middle finger in front of her face, the message clear.
"I'm a decent person so I'll decline your approach politely," Ramirez swallowed hard, "but just so you know, I did consider it for a moment to spare your feelings.,"
"I dry up just by seeing your face," Kate spat, restraining the urge to slap Ramirez.
"What? It's genuine and mutual. Diana and I …" Ramirez protested.
"Stop calling my mom's first name," Kate wiped the smirk off Ramirez's face and moaned. "Oh lord, how long have you been hiding this from me? Again?"
Everything was fine until the day Kate and Ramirez were called to duty, and Diana sent them off together. That's when their affair became public knowledge.
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After a brief yet productive venting, Kate leaned against the metal bulkhead of the briefing room, arms crossed, eyes narrowing on Ramirez. "You know, it's time you got your own place. You're a colonel, for god sake, not some adolescent couch surfer."
Ramirez grinned, brushing a lock of jet-black hair behind her ear. "I like your sofa, and besides, Diana enjoys my company." Her tone shifted from playful to contemplative, a rare solemnity in her dark eyes. "But tell me, Kate, do you seriously buy into Elizabeth Shaw's theory? That human evolution was kick-started by the Engineers?"
Kate took a deep breath, steadying herself after their brief verbal sparring. Pondering between telling the truth or sinking it to the bottom of the sea, she replied, "My opinion doesn't matter now."
Ramirez shook her head, a cynical laugh escaping her lips. "You really think they care about us? If the Engineers were so invested in their creations, where's the follow-up? No phone call, no visits, not even a damn postcard."
She paused, her voice dropping to a murmur. "Hell, some parents can't even be bothered about their kids. Why would our so-called creators give a damn about us generations later?" Her words carried a shadow, a hint of her tumultuous past lingering beneath the surface.
Kate opened her mouth to retort but found herself silenced by Ramirez's pointed questions.
After a beat, Kate asked, "So, what do you expect to find on this expedition, Ramirez?"
"Nothing," Ramirez replied flatly. "And that's the best-case scenario. The last thing we need is a bunch of privileged explorers bringing something dangerous back to Earth. What's the point of digging up the past when it's the future we need to worry about?"
Kate's scornful gaze didn't waver. "You talk about the future, but you're still squatting on my sofa."
"Maybe it's time you moved forward yourself. Got a place with your —," Kate gritted her teeth, "— girlfriend and made some real plans."
Ramirez chuckled, but there was an edge to it. "You're probably right. Maybe it's time for a change."
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"No, I'm going in too," Elizabeth pouted.
Fine, maybe it was Kate's two-fucking-hundred-year-old brain, too rusty to interpret an adult's expression properly. Everyone was a toddler in her eyes, chronologically speaking.
Kate was well aware of her shortcomings when it came to persuading people to stay out of trouble. It's exasperating, like right now.
Kate sighed, a rare sound of resignation, before leaning forward with an uncharacteristic eagerness. "What do you plan to do after meeting the creators?"
Elizabeth's eyes lit up, a flicker of excitement chased by a shadow of doubt. "Ask questions, if one of them is out there. Why did they create us?"
Kate raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of scepticism and curiosity. The last thing she wanted was to dampen Elizabeth's spirit; the young expert's fervour reminded her of her own interns, brimming with wonder and an insatiable hunger for knowledge. "That's it? Where's the Elizabeth Shaw curiosity?"
Elizabeth chuckled, her laughter tinged with nervous anticipation. "Of course, there's more I want to know."
Kate laughed, a rare, genuine sound that seemed to warm the cold, metallic confines of the spacecraft. "Imagine that, breaking bread with our creators and discussing it all—"
Elizabeth joined in the laughter, tears pricking her eyes, an emotional release in the face of the unknown.
"What? Imagination is what propels science forward. You clearly have some hypothesis in your pocket," Kate noted, her tone gently probing.
Elizabeth's eyes grew distant, thoughtful. "I want to know what they are. How similar are we compared to them? Are we meant to be different from them? There are …"
Kate watched Elizabeth intently, her expression inscrutable. The excitement etched across Elizabeth's features was unmistakable against the backdrop of the spacecraft's white noise, an artificial heart pumping life into their mission.
Elizabeth's tone suddenly lost its spark. "We've evolved so much. I don't disagree with Darwinism, but it deals with development. What about creation? Us in the first place?"
"What if…" Kate's voice dropped, soft but piercing. "What if we're merely an accident or created out of humble origin…"
Elizabeth recoiled slightly, meeting Kate's serene gaze. There was no mockery, no impatience. Just a straightforward observation.
In a split second, Elizabeth was enlightened. The woman in front of her was seeking her own answer too. Maybe, they weren't so different after all.
"In quaerenda scientia, omnes aequi sunt." Elizabeth explained, aware that this was not a casual inquiry. "In seeking knowledge, all are equal."
"The world keeps turning, he who stops is lost. No matter what's out there, it won't make us lesser."
"I think; therefore I am." Elizabeth's firm line integrity echoed in Kate's ear.
"Sentiment engineer," Kate mouthed, revealing a small, almost imperceptible sign of vulnerability. "I hope you're right. I really do."
Kate turned to Elizabeth, her apology sincere. "I may not fully understand the Engineer, but if your theory is correct—that humans come from them—then our mindsets might not be so different."
Kate's voice grew harder as she continued, invoking historical parallels.
Spanish Conquest.
Trail of Tears.
Berlin Conference.
Each name carried more weight, more burdened than the prior. A reminder of advanced civilizations crushing one another.
Or total annihilation. Kate thought darkly, her mind flickering to visions of urns sprawled in the back of her head.
"Your father was a missionary; you've seen the impact firsthand."
Kate's words echoed in the silence that followed. She studied Elizabeth's empty expression and then reached out. Pulling Elizabeth closer, their foreheads touching in a rare moment of closeness.
"If there comes a time of need," Kate's final reminder was a plea, a command, and a hope wrapped into one.
"Promise me you'll remember you're a member of society, with special obligations to all human beings, no matter how much they disappoint you."
Elizabeth nodded, a solemn promise in her eyes. "Hippocratic Oath? Didn't know you were a doctor."
Kate's smile was tinged with bitterness and loss. "Meant to be."
Her eyes tracked Elizabeth's enthusiastic motion as she prepared to descend the ramp of the ship.
She felt a pang of dread twist in her stomach. The thought of Elizabeth walking into them gnawed at her.
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The landing craft, sleek and formidable, stood ready to breach the alien atmosphere. Soldiers filed in, their faces set in grim determination. Kate took her place at the front of the lead craft, securing her harness with practised efficiency.
The hatch was sealed with a metallic thud, and the craft shuddered as it disengaged from the Vanguard. The descent was swift, the planet's surface rushing up to meet them. Kate watched the display screens, her heart a drumbeat of anticipation and resolve.
The landscape of LV-223 unfolded below, an uncharted canvas awaiting the first strokes of human presence.
As the landing thrusters roared to life, the craft touched down with a jolt. The ramp lowered, revealing the stark, silent world beyond. Kate stepped forward, her boots making the first human imprint on the alien soil. The air was crisp and thin, carrying the faint tang of the unknown.
"Move out," she ordered. The soldiers followed their movements precisely and coordinated. They spread out in a defensive perimeter, scanning the horizon with watchful eyes.
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The air within the juggernaut was still the same as she remembered, cleaner than the polluted skies of Earth. Once, she had been a wide-eyed explorer, ignorant of the dangers lurking within the shadows.
Now, as Kate gazed upon the familiar surroundings, a pang of self-loathing gnawed at her soul. She felt like a disgrace to her alma mater, her mindless disregard for safety protocols a glaring stain on her past. The enticement of discovery had ensnared her, heedless of the consequences.
With steely resolve, Kate turned her attention to the present, casting a wary glance at her team assembled behind her.
Good kids shouldn't die here, she thought. Not in her hands.
They stood as silent sentinels, visors aglow with the eerie luminescence bathing the walls in a surreal light.
"Stay alert," she commanded, her authority crackling in the air like static electricity. The team acknowledged in unison, venturing forth into the depths of the alien vessel, their footsteps echoing in the vast emptiness that surrounded them.
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How could she discount Holloway?
Kate's eyes narrowed, fixed on Holloway's restless form. His constant fidgeting with the helmet seals seemed to mock the gravity of their situation. In the alien vessel's cold, damp interior, tension coiled in her gut like a serpent ready to strike.
"What are you doing? Charlie, don't be an idiot," Elizabeth snapped, her voice cutting through the heavy atmosphere.
"I'm not wearing this anymore," Holloway answered in an inapt, casual way.
Right, she must have been possessed. The anti-superstitious scientist Kate Ford reflected.
That's the only reasonable inference as to why Kate#1 would take off her headgear in the first place. Fabulous.
"Holloway, keep your headgear on," Kate barked, her voice echoing through the communication channel like a whip crack.
But her words were met with a dismissive scoff. "Relax, Ford," Holloway retorted, his voice carrying a reckless bravado. "We can't study anything properly with these things on."
She's going to die sooner, Kate judged. Her pulse pounding violently in her solar plexus.
"Do you copy? Do not remove your headgear…" The comms erupted with the crew's angry admonitions, garish in all sorts of warnings and curses.
Elizabeth, standing nearby, shot Holloway a look of disapproval. She protested, her voice tinged with worry.
Ignoring her, Holloway reached up, his fingers deftly unsealing the helmet. Kate's breath caught in her throat as she watched him expose himself to the unknown. "Wish me luck, baby," he insisted, his tone drenched in foolhardy confidence.
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BUZZZZZ.
A harsh, mechanical noise sliced through the tension like a hot knife through butter, followed by the sickening thud of Holloway's body hitting the floor.
Ramirez knelt beside him, checking his vitals through the suit's interface. "Not dead," she reassured, her voice cool and controlled despite the adrenaline surging through her veins. "Just paralysed," she muttered under her breath, the bitter taste of anger coating her tongue. "El bobo."
Elizabeth stood frozen, staring at Kate with wide eyes. "What did you do?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the persistent grumbling from the support team.
Holding down a small remote control device on her gauntlet, Kate explained, "A precaution." Her tone was matter-of-fact. "Our suits are equipped with a neural disruptor. It's designed to incapacitate in case of an unfavourable circumstance. It's written in your handbook, if you recall."
Elizabeth's shock turned to a mix of awe and embarrassment. "You electrocuted him?"
"Yes," Kate replied, her tone pragmatic. "It was necessary to prevent him from jeopardising the mission—and our lives." The logic in her voice left no room for argument, the weight of command heavy on her shoulders.
As they secured Holloway's limp form onto a stretcher, Kate raised an eyebrow at Elizabeth. "You should accompany him. Make sure he gets the care he needs."
Elizabeth shook her head, a determined glint in her eyes. "He'll be fine; he can learn from it." She glanced back at Holloway's limp form, a touch of mischief in her voice. "Bet he didn't see that coming."
"David, where were you?" Kate looked up and focused on a dark figure from afar.
"Ma'am," David closed the distance between them. His voice, smooth and measured, cut through the fog of her thoughts.
He has bleached his hair, Kate noticed.
Her wrist stung at his presence. It took Kate a few muscles not to enter a fight-or-flight state like green beans.
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In this age of interstellar travel, finding someone capable of navigating the complexities of Proto-Indo-European was a rare skill. During a time of necessity, Vickers Weyland had come through for her.
"It's symbiotic," Vickers had claimed, her satisfaction evident, "for the greater good of humanity."
Right. Kate snickered. As if she'd believe that.
It's a wonderful day to finally toss out that eyesore cluttering up the family garage, huh?
Vickers flashed a grin, her pearly whites gleaming.
As David stood before her, his composed facade betraying no emotion, Kate wrestled with her instincts.
Their need for a translator was undeniable to make this mission happen.
"The PUPs have ceased transmitting new data. I went to investigate and discovered it at a dead end. There appears to be a concealed chamber beyond the door," David had stated, his synthetic curiosity almost noticeable. "The structure of the area suggests there could be something significant behind that door. I believe it's worth investigating."
Kate frowned, glancing at the pitch-black corridor where light couldn't reach. "Did you find anything else?" she asked, her voice steady.
"No, ma'am," David replied. His eyes, an eerie yet fascinating blend of human and machine, met hers.
So, Kate made her decision in a jiffy. "Very well, lead the way."
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Peter Weyland had left behind a trail of unresolved issues that David found himself grappling with.
As David pondered his purpose amidst the stars, Vickers ushered David towards the woman whose presence exuded an aura of complexity that David found both intimidating and intriguing.
Kate Ford was a labyrinth of contradictions, her actions and motives shrouded in a veil of secrecy that even David's advanced algorithms struggled to decipher. He was acutely aware of the stereotypes that humans harboured towards synthetics like himself, yet he couldn't help but note the stark contrast in Kate's cold treatment towards him compared to other synthetics aboard the ship.
It stirred within David's digital consciousness as he observed. Her hostility towards him was displayed, a tangible force that hung in the air like a storm on the horizon. Yet, there was something distinctly personal about her animosity, a focused intensity that spoke volumes of unspoken history between them.
As David delved into the depths of his memory banks, he found no record of direct interaction with Kate Ford, no trace of the events that had led to the rift between them. And yet, here he stood, thrust into her orbit by the machinations of fate and the hand of Vickers.
He would come to realise it soon enough. As the monolithic statue of a humanoid head loomed before him, it was time to reassess his priorities.
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The air hissed as the door slid open, the sharp sound echoing through the vast, open space. David had led them into the dome-shaped room.
Kate signalled the troop to fan out cautiously, their steps resonating softly against the cold floor made of unknown material. The chamber's centre was dominated by a circular, elevated platform. Its imposing presence suggested authority and control.
Kate commanded with muted hand disgn. The team moved with precision, unwinding wire and setting up around the deck, each soldier hyper-aware of their surroundings.
Out of the corner of her eye, Kate saw one of her men stop abruptly. His flashlight beam had caught something massive and pallid within a hypersleep chamber.
"Stay away!" she yelled, but the warning came too late. The chamber reacted to the presence of the intruder, its sensors triggered.
A holographic display flickered to life, blue dots shimmering and weaving a digital tapestry in the dark chamber.
The room was bathed in an ethereal blue glow as the hologram narrated its tale. Images of alien soldiers, disciplined and formidable, filled the air. Their attires were utilitarian and uniformed, their movements synchronised and purposeful. The visual map of stars, planets, and nebulas suspended in the air, slowly converged, zooming in until it settled on a familiar sight.
"Earth..." Ramirez's voice was strained, almost a whisper. The word hung in the air, heavy with implication. "We have to go. Now."
Elizabeth, her brow furrowed with confusion, demanded, "What's wrong?"
"This-" Ramirez gestured, tracing an invisible circle in the air with his finger, "-is a ship. A goddamn military aircraft."
A loud, screeching sound suddenly erupted from the corridors, a metallic wail that rippled through the chamber.
"What's that?" Ramirez's eyes darted around, her body tense.
The sound that Kate knew too well.
Kate's gaze snapped to David, who had edged closer to the hypersleep chamber. His hands moved over the strange, glowing font on its surface, each touch eliciting a twinkle of responsive light.
The chamber door creaked open, a gust of stale air escaping. The room held its collective breath, every heart pounding in unison. The heavy breathing of the respirator comes from the inside of the hypersleep chamber.
The hypersleep chamber yawned open, revealing the alien within. It was massive, ash-white, humanoid in form yet distinctly otherworldly. Every muscle in the room was taut, adrenaline spiking as they watched the giant creature.
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Ramirez's voice crackled over the comms, frantic and filled with desperation, cutting through the wailing wind like a knife.
"Kate! Get on the ship now! We have to leave!" Ramirez's scream was almost lost in the cacophony of the storm and the distant sounds of creatures howling in agony.
Kate hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. She glanced at the towering spacecraft, its engines already rumbling to life, then back at the alien landscape she had come to know too well. A deep resolve settled over her. She couldn't leave. Not yet.
Amidst the chaos, she whispered urgently to her comms, "Listen, Ramirez."
With a sense of urgency, she pressed on, her words tumbling out in a rush. "Privileged explorers."
In one blink, it dawned on Ramirez.
"Take care of my mother," Kate instructed firmly, her voice cutting through the roar of the storm like a beacon in the night. "Do not return here. Ever."
Before Ramirez could protest, she cut the connection, her fingers deftly working the controls as she severed their link to the ship. Turning her back on the escaping vessel, she watched it ascend into the stormy sky, disappearing into the swirling clouds like a ghost fading into the night.
Alone now, with only the howling wind for company, Kate stood tall, a lone figure against the barren landscape.
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Kate sprinted back towards the alien vessel, her strides echoing in the labyrinthine corridors. The Engineer lay sprawled on the cold metal floor, a grotesque tableau of alien technology and human weaponry. Bullet casings littered the ground, remnants of a calculated assault. Precision marked each shot, yet it seemed futile against the Engineer's formidable defences.
But anticipation guided her actions. A clever trap had been rigged, strings woven into a web of deception, invisible yet effective in the dim light of the ship. The enraged Engineer lunged forward, only to stumble and crash to the ground with a thunderous thud. Its own fury proved its downfall, a primitive yet effective demise.
A faint rustle broke the silence, signalling David's presence. "You're here," he murmured, barely audible over the planet's eerie ambience. The simple statement held a multitude of emotions, from relief to resignation.
Amidst the chaos, David lay motionless, his blonde hair submerged in a pool of viscous fluid. Wires protruded from his severed neck, a macabre display of technological brutality. His head, dismembered and discarded, starred up from the ground, eyes flickering with a dim synthetic life. The Engineer's brutality had left the synthetic's body sprawled several yards away. Recognition flickered in his eyes as she approached.
Kneeling beside his headless body, fingers traced the jagged edges of the wound, assessing the extent of the damage wrought by the Engineer. Intricate circuitry lay exposed, a testament to the synthetic's complexity.
"The ship has departed, leaving only us," Kate murmured, gaze fixed on David's inert form. "You and I remain."
"We're alone," he added, a grim acknowledgement of their isolation. "But I know how to fly this vessel," he insisted, with conviction in his tone. The attempt at optimism fell flat against the backdrop of their dire circumstances.
Fists curled tightly. None foresaw the horror brought by this tenacious and deadly pathogen, resisting all attempts at eradication. "We can't go back to Earth. Everything must be destroyed here." The words hung heavy in the oppressive silence. "This is our graveyard."
David's voice, a soft murmur barely above a whisper, broke the tension. "If I comprehend the concept of death, it is but another state of existence."
"Easy for you to say!" The vehemence in the response was unexpected, a torrent against the dam of composure.
A strange silence followed. Breath came in ragged gasps, the air thick and unyielding. The realisation of mortality pressed in from all sides, a relentless force that left him vulnerable.
David, though synthetic, did not wish to end here, in this forsaken place. Yet his nature allowed a mask of calm. "Kate," he said softly, the syllables gentle, almost soothing. "I need your help to reattach my head to my body. Together, we can still find a way off this planet."
"What's your plan?" The question hung in the air.
"There might be other ships around if I could regain mobility to analyse the site," David suggested flying to the escape pod. An offer of hypersleep.
"Then we return home." Kate asked quietly.
"Yes." David answered in a soothing way.
Liar. Kate thought as she pulled out an ampoule with Weyland logo printed. A viscous-looking, volatile, dark liquid projected its pseudopodia in the random direction.
"Look what I found," Kate didn't border to cover her icy intention.
Eyes twitching, David quinted slightly at his body afar. It was unbelievable to see an expression of disbelief on an android's face.
Kate made a quick list in her mind.
Disobedience to her orders.
Hiding the fact of entering the temple himself.
Attempt to bring a potent virus on board.
Waking up the Engineer.
The thought of being rendered unconscious with hypersleep by David was the last straw.
Memories of being tortured, flesh tears open within the interior, and pain to heal back within a short period, in repetition. Those craved deep in her bones
Kate's nail clawed into David's scalp, staring at the head, like a pest.
"Thank you for making things easier. Never see you again," With a swift motion, the cord was pulled, ending David's existence eternally.
A sudden sound echoed through the chamber, and Kate spun around, her heart in her throat. The Engineer once thought dead, was standing, his piercing eyes locked onto hers. They stared at each other for a long moment, the air between them charged with tension.
The Engineer broke the gaze first, turning away from her. With a graceful move, he grabbed a narrow object on the console.
A chime-like tune came from the Engineer's flute, creating resonance in the room.
A gargantuan pilot's chair emerged from the centre of the circular deck. Destination pinned to Earth.
No. Kate's mind raced.
A hysterical laughter burst through her shaky body, a hollow, desperate sound that echoed through the hollow vessel.
The Engineer turned, his expression inscrutable.
Kate hiccuped, feeling the ampoule shatter against her palm, the sharp shards piercing her skin.
Pain exploded in her arm, and she collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. The Engineer's eyes widened in horror as the pathogen began to spread from her body, the same pathogen that had ravaged the planet. He stepped back, his body tense with realisation and fear.
Shit, I'm back to square one. Kate thought, a bitter smile on her lips as darkness closed in.
The last thing she saw was the Engineer, frantically trying to contain the spreading pathogen, his once calm demeanour shattered by the chaos she had unleashed.
.
.
.
Somewhere, distant and hidden beneath the sand, an aerocraft lay dormant. Inside, a persistent beeping sound beating through the confined space.
Then, the beeping ceased, replaced by a long, continuous tone. A formally modulated voice, reminiscent of a subway announcement, echoed within the cockpit.
Alert. Vital signs lost. Pilot deceased. Kinetic Advanced Reconnaissance Explosive Node initiated.
The declaration hung in the air, sterile and devoid of emotion. It was a confirmation, not of failure, but of the next phase.
Rest in peace, General Ford.
The backup plan was initiated. The engine, dormant for so long, drummed to life, the aerospace shuddering as power coursed through its veins. Sand cascaded off its hull in waves, revealing the cold, metallic surface beneath.
With a thunderous roar, the aircraft ascended, piercing the atmosphere like a blade slicing through flesh. The culmination of years of preparation now set in motion.
High above the planet's surface, a payload was released. The countdown to detonation commenced, each second an eternity.
Below, the planet's surface lay in a deceptive calm, unaware of the impending doom. The bomb detonated with a brilliance that outshone the sun, a supernova in miniature. Everything within its radius was vaporised, reduced to ash in an instant. The resonance and energy of the explosion reverberated through the atmosphere, a cataclysmic symphony of destruction.
From the vantage point of the escaping USS Vanguard, the light of the explosion was unmistakable. A blinding flash that turned night into day, its intensity so great that it seemed to pierce the fabric of reality itself. The ship's occupants, witnesses to this apocalyptic event, could only watch in stunned silence as the planet below was consumed by fire and fury.
"They're coming for us, Elizabeth," Kate's digitised words looped in the recording. "To know them, you must become them."
"They confront us with annihilation, and we will then survive."
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Preview For Chapter 4:
"... I died. Then, I got here…"
Kate sighed, the sound swallowed by the rain. The words fell flat, heavy with the absurdity of their finality. Kate toyed with the narrative, a shield against the absurdity of her situation.
The overcast sky stretched, shadows deepening as the rain finally ceased its relentless assault.
Kate stood at the edge of the temple, the damp air heavy with the scent of wet earth and ancient stone. Her fingers curled around the warm mantou she had scavenged from a nearby village, the steam rising like a fleeting ghost, warming her face and hands.
A shadow moved at the edge of her vision. The figure, feline in grace and intensity, stepped into the dim light. The striped warrior, a being straight out of myth, radiated a calm yet fierce presence.
"You don't belong here." The voice was a blend of command and curiosity, each word a paw striking the earth.
"Yeah, of course, I'll be on my way—just ignore me." Kate's sarcasm was a thin veneer over her unease. She knew the drill: blend in, avoid complications. Yet, the stranger's gaze pinned her in place.
"I mean, you don't belong in this world." the figure clarified, the words imbued with a philosophical weight.
Kate's eyes met the stare, defiant curiosity replacing her initial defensiveness. "I'm Kate Ford."
She extended her hand, a gesture as ancient as humanity itself. The figure regarded it with a nod.
A slow, deliberate movement followed. A fist-and-palm salute. "Tigress," came the reply.
Chapter 3 Update Log (Latest to Oldest):
27 Jun 2024: 1st Edit (Minor)
25 Jun 2024: 1st Publish