Murder Drones: Perfect Organism | Aliens Vs. Murder Drones

Chapter 3

At Gateway Station, a sprawling complex of steel and glass that—since their purchase of the station—served as a hub for JCJenson's operations, a human employee of the company made his way through the bustling corridors. His footsteps echoed softly against the polished floors as he approached a nondescript door tucked away in a quiet corner of the station.

With a practiced knock, he rapped his knuckles against the door, his voice carrying a note of deference as he called out, "Mr. Cameron? You've been requested by JCJenson."

Inside the room, Cameron, a scar-faced man with white hair and a formidable physique, glanced up from his work with a grunt of annoyance. He had little interest in corporate politics or the machinations of the higher-ups at JCJenson—his only concern was getting the job done, no matter the cost.

"I ain't interested," he replied gruffly, his voice rough with disinterest. "Tell 'em to find someone else."

But as the employee turned to leave, something caught his eye—a small badge pinned to Cameron's chest, bearing the familiar logo of Weyland Yutani beneath the insignia of JCJenson. His interest piqued, he paused in the doorway, a curious glint in his eyes.

"Weyland Yutani, huh?" he remarked, his voice tinged with intrigue. "Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time. What's your connection to them?"

Cameron regarded the employee with a steely gaze, his scarred features betraying nothing of his thoughts. "Just business," he replied curtly, his tone brooking no further inquiry.

But as the employee lingered in the doorway, a faint smile played at the corners of Cameron's lips.

* * *

Cameron entered the sleek, corporate office of JCJenson with a sense of wary anticipation, his scarred features betraying none of the emotions swirling beneath the surface. He had been summoned by a senior executive of the company, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this meeting than met the eye.

As he stepped into the dimly lit room, his gaze fell upon a figure seated behind a polished desk—a woman with an air of quiet authority, her features betraying a hint of weariness beneath a facade of professional composure. It was Ms. Yutani, a descendant of the legendary Cullen Yutani, the founder of the Yutani corporation that had once dominated the biotech industry.

Cameron's surprise was evident as he took in her presence, his memories flashing back to his days in the Colonial Marines and the encounters he had had with the Yutani family. "Ms. Yutani," he murmured, his voice tinged with a note of disbelief. "What brings you to JCJenson?"

Yutani regarded him with a knowing look, her gaze steady and unwavering. "It's been a long time, Cameron," she said quietly, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "But times change, and alliances shift. As for why I'm here... let's just say that JCJenson has its reasons."

Cameron frowned, his curiosity getting the better of him. "And what might those reasons be?" he pressed, his tone skeptical.

Yutani leaned forward, her expression unreadable. "You're out of the loop, Cameron," she said cryptically. "JCJenson bought Weyland Yutani from Walmart centuries ago. We're no longer the same company we once were."

Cameron's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation, his mind racing with questions. "But why would JCJenson, an interstellar mining company known for branded pens, want to acquire Weyland Yutani, a biotech giant?"

Yutani's lips curved into a sly smile, her gaze meeting his with a hint of mischief. "Knowledge is power, Cameron," she replied enigmatically. "And the knowledge we possess on the Xenomorph is priceless. And they needed something to base their Disassembly Drones' behavior on."

Cameron's brow furrowed in confusion, but before he could press her further, Yutani changed the subject, steering the conversation in a different direction.

* * *

As Cameron absorbed the shocking revelation of JCJenson's lost contact with a ship containing a Xenomorph specimen, a grim determination settled over him like a shroud. He was a mercenary, a soldier of fortune—trained to face the deadliest threats the galaxy had to offer, and this was no exception.

"So you want me to go to this icy hellhole and wipe out the Xenomorphs?" he grunted, his voice tinged with skepticism.

Yutani nodded, her expression unreadable as she leaned forward in her chair. "Yes, Cameron," she confirmed. "That's exactly what I want. JCJenson can't afford to have those creatures running loose, especially not on a planet that still has their name on the receipt."

Cameron's mind raced with the possibilities, his thoughts turning to the daunting task that lay ahead. A swarm of Xenomorphs was no small threat, even for a seasoned mercenary like himself. But if anyone could get the job done, it was him.

"And what's in it for me?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

Yutani smiled, her gaze steady as she met his gaze. "Double your usual pay, Cameron," she offered, her voice dripping with honeyed promises. "Plus a large seven-figure bonus if you bring back a live specimen. But killing all the bugs would work just fine for me."

Cameron considered her offer carefully, weighing the risks against the potential rewards. It was a dangerous mission, no doubt about it—but the promise of wealth beyond his wildest dreams was a powerful motivator.

"Let me get this straight," he said slowly, his voice laced with uncertainty. "You want me to lead a group of humans against a swarm of Xenomorphs, armed with nothing but our wits and whatever firepower we can carry?"

Yutani leaned forward, her expression serious as she locked eyes with Cameron. "You doubt the capabilities of humans against Xenomorphs," she remarked, her voice tinged with confidence. "But let me tell you a story."

With a gesture, she summoned a holographic display, images of LV-426 flickering to life before them. "It happened centuries ago, on LV-426," she began, her voice low and measured. "A group of Marines, led by a woman named Ripley, faced off against a horde of Xenomorphs in a desperate attempt at a rescue mission."

Cameron listened intently as Yutani recounted the harrowing events, the bravery of the Marines and the unexpected triumph against overwhelming odds. But as she spoke, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss—a nagging suspicion that there was more to the story than met the eye.

"And what happened to them?" he interjected, his voice rough with skepticism. "Did they all make it out alive?"

Yutani's smile faltered for a moment, a shadow passing over her features before she regained her composure. "Most of them did," she replied evasively, her tone carefully neutral. "Ripley and the young girl she rescued managed to survive, along with a single Marine and half a droid. They went on to face other challenges, but their legacy still lives on."

Cameron snorted derisively, his skepticism still lingering despite the tempting offer before him. "You've got a lot of faith in me, Yutani," he remarked dryly. "Let's hope it's not misplaced."

Yutani's smile widened, her eyes twinkling with hidden knowledge. "Trust me, Cameron," she said cryptically. "You won't regret it."

And as Cameron left the office, his mind already turning to the mission ahead, the weight of Yutani's words hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the uncertain future that lay ahead.

But for now, he had a job to do—and nothing was going to stand in his way.