Spartan One 019

Orion morosely marched his way into Harper's office, and when he entered the same old boring, minimalist space, he crisply saluted. 

However, this time there was a chair present, and a bottle of Jack Daniels on the desk…but no cups. 

What kind of power games is this guy playing at? 

“Enjoy your chat with the doctor?” Harper casually asked, lightning up a cigarette for himself, and then casually leaning back in his chair. “Please, take a seat.” 

“Is this what ‘full support’ looks like?” Orion asked, crossing his arms. 

“Don't get defensive now, Lieutenant, you've got no one else in the galaxy to talk to, it wasn't that hard of a guess.” Harper gave him a look, then took a satisfying drag, letting out a cool exhale of smoke.

Orion was somewhat irked by the statement…because it was true! 

“Besides, I couldn't get past her encryptions even if I wanted to. Those security codes are practically a red flag. Anyone familiar with the good doctor's methodology would recognize her work.” Harper praised, although he caught a reflection of his own robotic eye in his monitor, and ever so slightly winced. 

Orion rolled his eyes, and decided to get the ball rolling.

“Hadley's Hope, Acheron, aka LV-426, what do you know about it?” He sternly questioned. 

“You've done your homework, good. I was wondering when you would figure out ONI upgraded your clearance.” Harper stated with a glimmer of pride, and the sparkle of amusement in his eye. 

Orion patiently remained still. He in fact did not know that his clearance had been upgraded, but by the looks of things, the professional spy was having a laugh at him. 

“The mission.” Orion demanded. 

“Hadley's Hope has gone dark, and there have been whispers of a bug infestation. Given the ‘closeness’ to Reach, command has sent the Mad Cap, along with the Sulaco to investigate. If it is a full invasion, we shall flee and regroup with the rest of the fleet. At least, that's the official order.” Harper said in a self-satisfied tone. 

“Sending a pair of military grade ships to investigate a backwater colony with less than a thousand inhabitants? Something stinks. A satellite could've done the job better, and be more cost effective.” Orion shook his head, speaking his suspicions. 

Although he already knew the truth of the matter, he was curious at what game Harper was playing. Besides, these psychic events of ‘knowing the future’ were only so good. He wouldn't want people to become reliant on him for consistent deus ex machina type chicanery. Just because he knew the general plot of a few events from a handful of franchises, that didn't make him a god of foresight or a fortune teller. 

“Bingo. Now you're thinking, Lieutenant. ONI had similar thoughts, so we got to digging.” Harper said, and began to take out a manilla folder. 

Slapping it open, he revealed photographs of certain people, with labels on them detailing their official position. Among them were high level scientists, execs, and even a relative of the Weyland family. Orion, meanwhile, was silently marveling at the physical media. In an age where so much was digital, this future fusion of ideas still held onto a world with physical buttons, and was quite marvelously analog. 

Harper meaningfully tapped on several researchers photos. “These three cost a fortune for Weyland-Yutani to hire. Academic minds even ONI would love to possess. It isn't uncommon for researchers of their caliber to go missing, either due to work or…” Harper trailed of, glancing meaningfully at the black ops boogieman across from him. Clearing his throat, the spook continued speaking. “Regardless, we haven't heard from them in quite some time, and thanks to the doctor's newest assistant, we've gained access to some fragmented transmissions.” 

He then pressed a white button on a large recorder that sat on his desk, and the message began to play: [This is hdhe on bzz Sevastopol Station. Do you—-me, we are un—-attack. Repeat, bzzt, some creature—bzzt, stay-]

At the end of the recording, a haunting howl like something one might imagine coming from a ghost echoed in the room. 

“Frightening stuff, isn't it?” Harper muttered, looking off into the corner of the room, lost in thought. “We've dated this transmission from 42 years ago. Curious that it has arrived at our doorstep now of all times.” 

“Agreed. So, we're investigating a bug infestation?” Orion asked, leaning forward to stare the spook down. 

“Nominally, yes. But between you and me, we're there to gut any Weyland-Yutani assets, and seize what research material they've collected. The recent attack on Halsey's life has been seen as an affront to the Director, and we're going to make them pay. Of course, you cannot be caught, and there will be no survivors.” Harper said, leaning forward to hand several pictures over. “There is no record or file of these researchers. Memorize them, and rescue them if possible.” 

“More like kidnap.” Orion stated. 

“It wouldn't be your first time, Winters. Although I thought you'd be more enthusiastic. Getting revenge for your girlfriend, sticking it to the corpo, everything a hot blooded young man should be aiming for, no?” 

“You really think you have me figured out, huh?” 

“Yeah.” Harper nodded, leaning back again. “Yeah, I do. Sincerity, Lieutenant Winters, is the currency most coveted in our great game. ONI hordes it like a dragon miser sitting upon its horde. Reluctant to part with it, yet when it does, the dragon makes certain that it is a wise investment.” 

Orion let out a hollow laugh. Fuck this guy…he was right damnit. 

“Then I ask again. What do you know about Hadley's Hope? Because if this is all? Then frankly, sir, you don't know shit.” 

“I know you don't want to rely on foresight, and I know you think it is, how you say ‘horseshit.’ But please, do not hold back on account of myself or ONI. If you wish to survive longer, sincerity is your best coin to pay with. The floor is yours, Lieutenant.” Harper gestured with an open palm. 

Orion took a deep breath as he composed his thoughts. 

“What do you know about Project Prometheus?” 

“In regards to?” 

“Weyland-Yutani.” Orion pressed. 

“Not much, beyond the fact that Weyland Sr. perished just before the mission set out.” Harper shrugged. 

The fact Harper was aware of even that, and could link two events together that happened decades ago revealed that the man was sharp. Impressed, but unwilling to show it, Orion-who had not taken a seat this entire time-began to pace in the small office room. 

“The reports of Weyland Sr.’s demise were largely exaggerated. Placing himself in cryostasis, he followed a lead towards a planet…Calpamos. There, both himself, and his entire research team met their end at the hands of a pair of two different alien species. 

One was a tall, pale, intelligent humanoid species that is similar in appearance to Humans. The other is a predatory hunter larger than a grown man with acid blood, and reflexes + strength that match or exceed a Spartan wearing enhanced armor. 

The Engineers are a closed off people, with relatively few numbers compared to us. But their technology is advanced, and they have the capability to poison entire worlds. 

Meanwhile, an android had survived the ordeal, going on to bring back a biological accelerator created by the Engineers to Weyland-Yutani. This substance mixed with other DNA created the predatory alien species, the Xenomorph. 

For decades now, Weyland-Yutani has been researching this biological matter and these aliens in a search for immortality. Additionally, they wish to turn the Xenomorphs into a military force, however this is impossible, and is always doomed to fail. 

And it is now, upon Hadley's Hope, where we will find a ‘research facility’ for these Xenomorphs. For the strain was released on purpose, and the colonists became test subjects. Therefore, we can expect aliens no less dangerous than the Warrior Bugs, but for different reasons. 

On the open battlefield, the Warrior Bug is more fearesome everyday. They are bigger, stronger, and have thicker armor than the Xenomorphs. However, in the dark enclosed spaces of a space station, or large hab-block like Mega City One, the Xenomorphs are a nightmare to be rid of.” 

Orion then went on to detail several more facts, like Facehuggers, the chest bursting process, and how the Xenomorphs spat out a type of webbing to make their nests. From the extending tails, to the extreme punching power behind the secondary inner mouth, he left no secret unchecked. The damned spook wanted sincerity?! Then he gave the bastard what he wanted! Orion just hoped the ‘dragon’ didn't get greedy, and demand he spit up every ‘coin.’ 

Harper merely stared at Orion the entire time, however he was also recording the entire conversation for submission to the Director. 

“Thank you, Lieutenant, for this report. Once it is verified, many heads at Weyland-Yutani will roll, I can assure you of that.” Harper said in salute, tapping his cigarette into an ash tray. 

“While I wouldn't complain about that, I'm more concerned with the safety of our crew, and our men. I suspect Weyland-Yutani forces will have already infiltrated Sevastopol Station, and will likely attempt to launch a nuclear warhead at the Mad Cap.” Orion seriously warned with an urgent tone of voice. 

“Message received, Lieutenant, we won't go in blind. Worst case scenario, we cut away at the station, piece by piece, and let it float in the void. Then retrieve the data.” Harper confidently stated. 

“Xenomorphs can fight in the vacuum of space, but lack a means of propulsion.” Orion noted. 

“A most curious invention.” Harper muttered, tapping a pen against his desk, worrying Orion that he would do something stupid, and try to control them like the idiots at Weyland-Yutani. “For the good of Humanity, it must be eliminated.” Harper declared. 

Orion let out a sigh of relief, and nodded along. “I couldn't agree more. For the good of Humanity.” 

“Although it pains me to say this, and I understand your reservations…but I'm going to need you to not only extract the data, but if possible-” 

“No. Absolutely not. I will go to that station. I will kill as many aliens or Weyland-Yutani scum you want. But I will not capture one alive.” Orion emphatically refused. 

“To understand the enemy, we must dissect the enemy. You captured the Brain Bug, didn't you? In your report, you even specified that it was capable of brainwashing others. That it would try to take command of high ranking officials. With your knowledge, ONI has taken great precautions neutering its psychic potency. Mind control of a General in the right place, at the wrong time is no less lethal than what you have described should a Xenomorph escape. Rest assured, you can trust us.” Harper said, projecting confidence. 

Orion held his tongue, and shook his head. He knew ONI were capable, but the Xenomorphs had the most bullshit luck. Like Orks from 40k, they seemed to be able to survive in any environment, and could practically sprout up anywhere. The creatures were intelligent too, and knew when to bide their time. Then when a Queen with psychic potential was born…

Clenching his fists, he had made his decision, and turned towards the door. 

“You can collect the corpses, Captain. You can rest assured. I will not allow this alien menace to threaten a Human ever again. What data you need will be recorded by us soldiers in the field.” 

“I can see your devotion to our cause. The intensity of your psychic aura has grown once again…perhaps the defense of Humanity is your trigger.” Harper muttered softly, half talking to himself. Then, raising his voice, he addressed Orion. “Then let it be so. Search & destroy, you have your orders, Spartan.” 

“Sir!” Orion swiftly saluted, and then stomped his way to the weight room. 

Full of heat, fury, and a burning energy in his chest, he went to the onboard gym, and started pumping iron like a man possessed. Unbeknownst to him, a faint, almost invisible haze of untapped psychic potential was floating around his body. It retracted, expanded, and condensed around him as his emotions escalated. Weights that he could barely lift before were no longer as difficult, and the soreness of his muscles was much less than the past. 

However, lost in a haze of adrenaline & testosterone, all he cared about was working out his frustrations. 

Within two days, he would miss his date with Halsey, and face off against those Facehugger fuckers. 

These next few hours, he would assemble the crew, and give them a talk about the aliens. To limit casualties, dispelling the fear of the unknown ahead of time would be critical to their survival.