Alien - Pandemonium

Chapter Thirteen

Charlie hurried across the lab, her footsteps echoing in the empty room as she made a beeline for the terminal. The soft hum of the machinery filled the air, mingling with the sound of her rapid keystrokes as she frantically typed in search of the access code to the restricted lab.

As her fingers flew across the keyboard, a sudden thud made her freeze in place. She spun around, heart pounding in her chest, to find herself face to face with a Working Joe. Its LED eyes bore into hers, piercing and unyielding.

"Are you authorised to be here?" it inquired, its voice devoid of emotion.

Charlie's mind raced as she searched for a plausible response. "Yes, I am," she replied, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm working with Doctor Yanagihara."

The Working Joe seemed to accept her answer without question, turning away and continuing on its programmed path. Charlie let out a shaky breath, her nerves on edge as she returned her focus to the terminal, determined to find the information she needed before any more unexpected encounters.

Charlie hesitated for a moment, her mind racing as she considered her options. Then, with a quick decision, she called out to the retreating Working Joe.

"Wait!" she called, her voice echoing in the sterile room. The synthetic turned to face her, its LED eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.

"I, uh, seem to have forgotten my keycard," Charlie stammered, her heart pounding in her chest. "Could you help me gain access to the lab? It's urgent."

The Working Joe regarded her for a moment, processing her request. After a brief pause, it nodded in acknowledgment.

"Of course," it replied, its tone neutral. "Follow me."

Relief flooded through Charlie as she followed the synthetic, grateful for its compliance. She knew she was taking a risk, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

As the Working Joe unlocked the door and stepped aside, Charlie's heart raced with anticipation. She hesitated for a moment, glancing around the hallway, half expecting to see the Xenomorph lurking in the shadows. But the corridor was eerily silent, save for the faint hum of machinery in the distance. With a deep breath, Charlie stepped through the open doorway and cautiously followed the synthetic down the hallway. Her senses were on high alert, every sound and movement sending a shiver down her spine. She kept a tight grip on the flamethrower, ready to defend herself at a moment's notice.

As they walked, Charlie couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. She glanced over her shoulder several times, half-expecting to see the creature stalking her from behind. But each time she looked, there was nothing but empty corridors stretching out behind her. Determined to focus on the task at hand, Charlie pushed forward, following the Working Joe as it led her towards the lab where the Xenomorph was being held. She knew that time was running out, and she couldn't afford to let fear hold her back now.

As they approached the lab door, Charlie's heart pounded in her chest. She raised the flamethrower, her grip tightening on the weapon as she prepared for the worst. With a deep breath, she braced herself for the door to open, expecting the Xenomorph to come charging out at any moment.

But when the door slid open, there was nothing. No monstrous creature lunging at her with razor-sharp claws and dripping jaws. The lab was eerily quiet, the only sound the faint hum of machinery emanating from within. Charlie cautiously stepped inside, her eyes darting around the dimly lit room. The space was large, filled with various scientific equipment and monitors displaying complex data. Tubes and wires snaked across the floor, connecting different apparatuses in a tangled web.

As she scanned the room, Charlie's gaze settled on a large containment chamber in the centre. Thick glass walls encased the chamber, revealing the dark interior within. She could sense the presence of something ominous lurking inside, hidden from view.