A/N: 09/29/2024 Man I suck at updating across all platforms. Sorry about that.
Disclaimer: I do not own Aliens.
Chapter six: Companions~
Over the next few hours, Bishop becomes Ripley's designated companion. Although she knows this designation is technically by forced assignment from the company, it does, admittedly, make her feel slightly less alone. After fixing her hand, he had taken her to see her new living quarters, courtesy of the company for her past loyalty (which of course, was oh, so kind of them, considering that she had outright destroyed an expensive piece of their property - two pieces if you included the onboard android, Ash - without even batting an eye) and informed her that the space would be indefinitely hers until she found better footing. The quarters were ridiculously small - a 10 ft x 10 ft cubicle with a bed, enclosed bathroom, end table with a single chair, and small kitchenette - with no windows, and an air purifying system that smelled like it was about six months overdue for a new filter.
"This is it?" She'd said in disbelief as she looked around.
"I know it's not much," Bishop agreed. "But it is an upgrade from the infirmary." After a moment's pause, he'd added, "Is there anything I could get you to make it more accommodating?"
"Yeah," she'd sarcastically replied, walking past him to head back outside. "A cigarette."
They go on a tour around Gateway Station, Bishop showing her the residential district with all its shops and eateries, the viewing window where people went to stargaze and think in peace, the main cafeteria with its fancy self-serve food bar and cook-on-demand menus, as well as the recreational rooms with their basketball courts and other various simulated sports one could choose from. When they get to it, however, her favorite is the artificial gardens. It isn't extravagant by any means (in all honesty, it appears to have been an afterthought in the station's construction), just a floor-to-wall panoramic screen with various outdoor backdrops controlled by remote, a few benches for seating, and lush green plants all around to complete the look.
"There are five different backdrops to choose from," Bishop informs her, picking up the remote from its designated receptacle and handing it to her.
Their fingers brush as Ripley takes the small device from his hand, and she looks towards the screen as she hits the cycle button.
A forest landscape, complete with surround sound audio of birds chirping and leaves rustling.
Cycle.
A mountain range, early morning from the looks of it. The sun peeks just over the slopes.
Cycle.
An ocean view, waves crashing in the distance. Very sunny.
Cycle.
The lights in the room drop for this one, and she briefly looks up at the more obvious shift before focusing her attention back on the screen. It depicts a nighttime lake, with the full moon's reflection rippling off the water. Little crickets can be heard in the distance.
Cycle.
The final backdrop depicts a sunset in a desert oasis, the garden's lighting system dimming to accommodate the mood. There's even shade spots to make the viewer feel as though they are under a canopy of trees. Quite impressive.
Taking a seat on a nearby bench, Ripley presses the cycle button to go back to the forest setting. Bishop cautiously joins her, taking care to sit at the very edge so as not to make her uncomfortable. She supposes chivalry still hasn't died yet.
"Have you found a favorite?" He asks, curiosity in his query.
She doesn't look at him as she responds, just stares into the depth of the artificial forest. Its calm serenity reminds her of home, of Amanda.
"I think so," she says softly, propping an elbow on the back of the bench and resting her head against her palm. "I like the birds."
The answer is a half-truth, and he seems to pick up on this, but he doesn't fight her on it, doesn't press like anyone else might have done, and she appreciates this simple fact.
"This garden is very clever," she goes on to comment, looking around at all the hanging plants, stationary trees and bushes. "None of the plants clash with any of the landscapes."
"It was engineered that way." Bishop responds a bit too readily, and she looks over to see him proudly beaming. "Each plant carefully handpicked to be universally exchangeable with the backdrops."
Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise at his insinuation. "You?"
The smallest hint of a smile tugs up at the recognition, but his hazel eyes don't quite twinkle. "This area is my responsibility. I've taken care of it since it was first installed. I come here to water and prune the plants every day."
"Wow. I'm impressed, Bishop."
It's all she can say, really. She hadn't expected to get along in the slightest with a Weyland-Yutani higher up, but she surmises that in reality - if he's forgoing priceless suits in favor of bandaging wounds and taking care of gardens - he's more of a grunt like her. Like Kane and the rest of her crew had been. Maybe that's why they seem to mesh better than she'd originally anticipated.
Bishop shifts at the edge of the bench, his back a little straighter than she would think comfortable. "Are you hungry? We can head back to the residential district and try out a restaurant of your choosing if you'd like. My treat."
She can't deny that she is hungry, but she's not sure if she should be putting herself in a position where she owes anyone anything more than she already does. Although, she figures one couldn't really get themselves deeper in the hole than she had, blowing up company property and all. What the hell.
"Okay. Sure. Why not."
He smiles but it doesn't quite reach his eyes, and Ripley gets up to follow him back to the elevators, choosing to ignore for the time being the seed of suspicion growing in her gut.
She doesn't notice the placard on the wall as they pass, which reads:
Tranquility Gardens.
Established, 2102.