Alien - Pandemonium

Chapter Fourteen

The explosion erupted from the medical bay, a catastrophic blast that shook the entire station to its core. A deafening roar echoed through the corridors as flames billowed out, engulfing everything in their path. The force of the explosion sent shockwaves rippling through the station, knocking loose objects flying and causing alarms to blare even louder. As the explosion rocked the station, Judy braced herself against the wall, her fingers digging into the metal panels for stability. The force of the blast sent her staggering backward, slamming into the wall with bone-jarring impact. She winced as pain shot through her body, but she held on, determined to weather the storm. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, the entire station was plunged into darkness as the lights flickered and died, leaving the crew stranded in a world of shadows. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, emergency lights flickered to life, casting an eerie glow over the chaos.

Outside, the spinning medical bay was consumed by a maelstrom of fire and debris, hurtling outward into the vast expanse of space. The force of the explosion sent shockwaves rippling through the void, a silent testament to the cataclysmic events unfolding within the station.

Amidst the chaos and confusion, a voice cut through the clamour with a mixture of shock and disbelief. "What the fuck was that?" someone yelled, their words echoing off the walls.

Connor's fingers flew across the terminal as he attempted to make sense of the situation, his brow furrowed in concentration. "The medical bay has been jettisoned from the station," he announced, his voice strained with urgency.

Captain Henry's voice rang out above the din, filled with concern and desperation. "Did... did she make it off?" he demanded, his words punctuated by the blaring alarms. "Did Charlie make it off?"

Connor's shoulders slumped with frustration as he confessed, "I can't tell. I've been locked out of most of the systems. I can't get any information."

In the dim glow of the emergency lights, Captain Henry gathered his crew together, his voice a steady anchor amid uncertainty. "We need to find another way back to the Grafton," he declared, his tone resolute despite the chaos around them. "Now". Jack, Connor, and their group exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of their next move. The secure room had provided safety, but the unknown dangers lurking in the darkness beyond left them hesitant to venture out. They huddled together, grappling with the weight of their decision and the ominous silence that enveloped the station.

"Are you coming?"

As Captain Henry's question hung in the air, the group exchanged nervous glances, their uncertainty palpable in the dim emergency lighting.

"Yes, but we need to gather supplies first," Connor replied, his voice tinged with urgency. "We have a secure lock-up nearby."

With determined steps, Connor approached the large door, his hand hovering over the keypad. The red light flickered, then turned green as he punched in the code. But before he could react, a guttural growl echoed through the room, freezing him in his tracks. In an instant, the Xenomorph lunged forward, its inner jaw piercing through Connor's chest with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed across the room as screams erupted, chaos consuming the once-calm atmosphere.

Captain Henry wasted no time, ushering his crew into the nearby office, urgency etched into his features. Judy's cries of horror mingled with the Xenomorph's menacing growls as it prowled through the room, its movements swift and deadly. With each attack, the creature unleashed a wave of terror, impaling one victim on its barbed tail before flinging them across the room with brutal force.

As the crew members scrambled to escape the room, one survivor managed to slip through the doorway, relief flickering across his face. But before he could take another step, a nightmarish creature with arachnid-like features lunged forward, its long, spindly legs wrapping around his face in a suffocating embrace. With a sickening thud, its tail coiled around his throat, cutting off his screams as his body crashed to the floor. He convulsed violently for a few agonising moments before falling still, life extinguished by the relentless grip of the creature.

From the safety of the office window, Judy's eyes widened in horror as she witnessed the gruesome scene unfolding before her. With trembling hands, she crawled beneath the desk, seeking refuge from the nightmare that had overtaken their once secure sanctuary. Closing her eyes tightly, she prayed for a miracle amidst the chaos and terror surrounding her.

As the screaming outside gradually faded into unsettling silence, Captain Henry and his crew huddled together in the cramped office, their hearts pounding with fear and uncertainty. The Xenomorph's brutal rampage had left a trail of carnage in its wake, and they knew they couldn't afford to stay hidden for long. But the creature showed no signs of relenting, its towering form looming ominously over a badly injured crew member lying helpless on the floor. With bated breath, they watched as the Xenomorph threw back its head and unleashed a deafening roar that reverberated through the room, sending shivers down their spines. The sheer power behind the creature's cry echoed their helplessness in the face of such relentless terror.