Alien - Pandemonium

Chapter Three

As the week drew to a close, Judy felt a sense of relief wash over her. The cramped quarters of the Grafton had begun to wear on her, and she was eager for a change of scenery, even if it meant transferring to the Pandemonium Station. The prospect of more space and freedom was a welcome one, especially after days spent buried in paperwork on the bridge or in the Captain's quarters. As the Grafton neared the station, they were now just two hours away from their destination. The ship's systems hummed with anticipation as they prepared to exit hyperspace. With a sudden jolt, the ship was brought out of warp, accompanied by a deafening roar of power that reverberated through the vessel. Judy looked up from her seat, a smirk playing across her lips as she felt the familiar rush of adrenaline that came with transitioning between dimensions.

"Thank god," Judy muttered, her eyes flicking back down to the paperwork spread out before her. "Finally." She quickly completed a few remaining tasks, ticking boxes and signing her name before standing up to gather her belongings.

Just then, Charlie entered the bridge with Barry by her side. Barry's gaze briefly flicked over to Judy before returning to the Captain, who was now turning in his chair to address them.

"Charlie, how is the shuttle?" the Captain inquired.

"Fully operational and ready for transport, Captain," Charlie replied promptly, her tone confident and assured.

"Okay, good. Barry, go with Carter and prepare the shuttle for launch," the captain ordered. "Charlie, begin communications with the Pandemonium."

Charlie acknowledged the instructions with a nod and made her way across the bridge. Taking a seat, she turned to face the communications console. With practiced efficiency, she lifted a headset, pressed a series of buttons, and initiated the process of establishing a connection with the nearby station. The Grafton's advanced communication systems were well-equipped for deep space transmissions, ensuring a seamless connection with the Pandemonium.

"This is Officer Charlie Williams of the USCSS Grafton," Charlie announced firmly into the headset. "I repeat, this is Officer Charlie Williams of the USCSS Grafton. We are here on Weyland-Yutani orders to investigate the possible location of the Nostromo or its flight recorder. Please respond."

Her voice echoed through the communication channel, conveying a sense of authority and urgency as she awaited a response from the Pandemonium station.

Static crackled through the headset once more.

"Hmm," Charlie muttered, pressing the button again. "This is Officer Charlie Williams of the USCSS Grafton. Please respond." She maintained her composure, despite the lack of response, and waited patiently for any sign of communication from the Pandemonium station. "Captain, I'm not getting anything".

He frowned at the continued static, then turned to Charlie with a determined expression. "Recycle the channel and find another open frequency. Tune both them and yourself in, and try again."

Charlie nodded in acknowledgment, quickly taking action to reset the communication channel and search for an alternate frequency.

The Captain turned to Judy, his gaze searching her face for any signs of hesitation. "Are you prepared?" he inquired.

Judy met his gaze with unwavering determination. "Yes," she affirmed with a firm nod. "I have all my paperwork prepared, including the documents that designate me to take control of any immediate property related to the Nostromo."

As the Grafton drew closer to the station, Judy, Charlie, and the Captain gathered on the observation platform overlooking the controls. They peered out at the imposing structure before them, the Pandemonium station looming in the distance. Judy's heart raced as she took in the sight, her eyes scanning every detail of the station's design. It appeared weathered and aged, yet somehow retained an air of modernity. She swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in her throat as a mix of anticipation and apprehension washed over her.