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EXT.kkDEEPkSPACE WekOPENkonkTOTALkBLACKNESS,kakseakofkstarskspreadkacrosskthekinfinitekdepths ofkspace.kkAskthekTITLESkROLL,kweknoticekthatkthreekofkthesekspec skseemkto bekmoving;konekofkthemkpic ingkupkaccelerationkandkracingktowardkus.kkOur perspectivekchanges,kandkwekcatchkakquic kglimpsekaskitkHURTLESkpast,kand intokthekgravitationalkpullkofkaklargekbrownishkplanet.kkKic ingkupkSPARKSkof FRICTIONkaskitkhitskatmosphere.kkItkseemsktokbekmanmade.kkOrkatkleast artificial. EXT.kkPLANETkSURFACEk-kDAY Thekplanetkiskdead,kbarren.kkDeathkValleykonkakgrandkscale.kkWekwatchkthe objectkplummetkthroughkthekwispykcloud-cover,kemittingkakfewklastkburning emberskbeforekfallingktokgroundkway-offkinkthekdistance.kkAkBOOMINGkECHO resonateskacrosskthekdustykplains,kbeforeksettlingkbac kintokankeerie silence. EXT.kkFISSUREkCANYONk-kDAY We'rekloo ingkintokakdeepkgorge,kdar kandksinister.kkAkhowlingkwindkwhips dustkintokaksandstorm,kreducingkvisibilityktokalmostkzero.kkAboutkseventy feetkdownkthere'skakholekinkthekroc -facekthatkjustkmightkbekakcavekentrance, andknearkiskakpeculiarkSHIMMERINGkinkthekair.kkWekhearkakmechanicalkBEEPING andkthekSHIMMERINGkdisappears,kreplacedkbykFIVEkhumanoidkSHAPESkclingingkto theksheerkroc k-keachkwellkoverksevenkfeetktall.kkTheykarekPREDATORS,kakrace ofkintergalactickbig-gamekhunterskonkpermanentksafari;ktheirkclothingkand weaponrykakbizarrekmixkofkaboriginekandkultra-hi-tech.kkInktheirkhandskare circularkmetalkdiscs;k'smartkweapons'kwhichkcutkintokthekstonekandkgivekthem purchase. PREDATOR-VISION.kkFromktheirkP.O.V.,kwekseekthekfissurekreducedktokTHERMAL HEATkSOURCES.kkThekentrancekregisterskaskakblac kgapingkvoid.

INT.kkFISSUREkNESTkTUNNEL Thekfivekhunterskclimbkinsidekthekrimkofkthektunnel,koutkofkthekwind's bansheekwailing.kkThekleadkPREDATORkreacheskupktokhiskheadgear,kpullingkat thekcouplingkpipeskconnectingkitktokakhiddenkbreathing-apparatus.kkHekremoves thekhelmet,kclipskitktokhiskrearkutilitykpac ,kandkta eskakdeepkbreathkofkthe air.kkAkcuriouskspec ledkpatternkrunskacrosskhiskwidekforehead,kmar ingkhim differentktokthekothers;kinkaddition,konekofkthekfangskofkhiskmandibleskhas beenkshearedkaway.kkWe'llkcallkhimkBROKENkTUSK,khe'skthekleaderkofkthe huntingkparty.kkHekreacheskoutkakhandktokcaresskthekwallkofkthektunnel. Severalkfeetkinkfromkthekrim,kitkchangeskfromkroc ktokaktextured biomechanicalksurface;kakswirlingkmasskofkdisturbingkshapes.kkHekhurries forwardkinkresponsektokthekGURGLING-HISSkofkonekofkhiskteamkwhokhaskfound something. ThekotherkPREDATORkholdskaktelescopickspearkupkforkscrutiny.kkS eweredkonkthe endkiskakshriveledkFORMkwithkeightkspindlyklegskandkaksegmentedktail;kit's akFACEHUGGER,kthekfirstkstagekofkthekdeadlykALIENklifeform.kkBROKENkTUSK HISSESkakcautionktokhiskparty;ktheykrespondkbykpullingkspearskand elaborately-shapedkswords.kkSeveralkshoulder-mountedkplasmakcannonskslidekup tokfiringkposition,ktrac ingkwithktheirkowners'khelmets.kkThuskarmed,kthey movekcautiouslykahead...ta ingknokchances.kkOnekhelmetedkPREDATORkpauses, scanningkthekarea. PREDATOR-VISION.kkHekswitcheskthroughkakvarietykofkdifferentkviews;kinfrared,kultra-violet,kenhancedkmotion-trac ing.kkNothing. He'sksokpre-occupiedkwithkthisktas ,khektotallykfailsktoknoticektheks eletal ALIENkloomkupkbehindkhim,kemergingkfromkthekbiomechanicalkgrowthkonkthe floor.kkAkbarbedktailks ewerskthekPREDATORkstraightkthroughktheknec , splashingkluminouskbloodkacrosskhiskchestplate.kkAkgargledkDEATH-RATTLE issueskfromkhiskthroat,kthekbandkofkPREDATORSkspinningkaroundkinktimektoksee himkbeingkdraggedkbelowkthekground.kkThekbandkofkextraterrestrialkhunters haveknoktimektokcomektokhiskaid;ktheykthemselveskareksetkuponkbykakhalfdozenkALIENkWARRIORS.kkThekcarnagekiskswiftkandkterrifying,kakblurkofkmotion. Steelkbladeskandkserratedkbiomechanicalklimbskscythekthekair,kalivekwithkthe CRIESkandkHISSESkofkbothkadversaries.kkOnekPREDATORkiskpinnedkagainstkthe tunnelkwall,khiskspearkoutkofkrange.kkThekALIENkclawskawaykhiskfacekmas , andkhekfindskhimselfkdodgingkthekALIEN'sktoothedktongue,kextendedktowardkhim withkpile-driverkspeed.kkHekreacheskdown,kgraspingkthek'smart-weapon'khanging fromkhiskbeltkandkbringskitkupkinkankarckthatkterminateskatkthekALIEN's grinningkface.kkBigkmista e.kkThektwokarekinksuchkclosekproximitykthatkthe ALIEN'skacidickbloodksprayskacrosskthekPREDATOR'skhead.kkWhilektheir technologykseemsktokbekresistantktokit,ktheirkbodieskaren't:kkthekviscous yellowkliquidkbeginskburningkintokthekPREDATOR'sks in.kkHek ic sktheks eletal corpsekawaykwithkakHIDEOUSkPIERCINGkSCREAM,kclawingkatkhisksearedkface. Itkallkseemsktokbekoverkaskquic lykaskitkbegan;ktherekcankbeknokquestionkas tokwhokwerekthekvictors.kkThekPREDATORSkstandkamidstkakseakofkbiomechanical limbskstrewnkaroundkli ekakcharnelkhouse.kkAskhiskcompanionskbeginkto carefullykdecapitatekthekALIENks ulls,kBROKENkTUSKkstepskoverkthekcorpses tokexaminekhiskfallenkcomrades.kkThekfirstkPREDATORktokbekattac edkwask illed instantly;khekcrossesktokthekother.kkWhatkhekfindskcauseskhimktokreactkwith pitykandkdisgust.kkHiskfallenkcomradekiskonlykjustkalive;kmandibleskclic ing frailly,khalfkhiskheadkburntkaway.kkBROKENkTUSKkwatcheskthekailingkPREDATOR slidekaksteelkbladekfromkit'sksheathkandkofferkitktokhim.kkHekta eskit, nowingkwhatkhasktokbekdone.kkRollingkthek nifekquic lykoverkthekbac kofkhis handk-ktheksortkofkelaboratektric kseasonedkGreenkBeretskperformk-khekplunges itkdownwardkintokthekfallenkhunter.kkThiskunpleasantktas kaccomplished, BROKENkTUSKkstraightenskupkandkactivateskhiskwrist-computer.kkAkdar kshape

blotskoutktheklightkcomingkfromkthekentrance;kaksmallkPREDATORkshuttlecraft, slee kandkelegant.kkItkhoverskinkthekairkwithklittlekmorekthankakloudkHUM, andkextendskakramp.kkTheksurvivingkPREDATORSkleapkaboard,kcarryingktheir trophieskwithkthekreservedksilencekofkmenkreturningkfromkcombat. Onekmorekthingkneedktokbekdone.kkBROKENkTUSKkbendskdownkandkflipskaksequence ofk eyskonkthekdeadkPREDATOR'skwrist.kkAkcountdownkiskdisplayedkinksome un nownkcharacter-set,kaccompaniedkbykakHIGHkPITCHEDkBEEPING.kkHekthenkturns andkswiftlykboardskthekcraftkwhichkta esksmoothlyktokthekair,kit'skundergear retracting. EXT.kkPLANETkSURFACEk-kDAY Akwhite-hotkfireballkeruptskoutkofkthekfissure,kthekresultkofkthekPREDATOR's suicide-destructkmechanism.kkThekshuttlecraftkpullskquic lykaway, disappearingkintokthekclouds. EXT.kkSPACE Aklargekspacecraftkisksuspendedkinkorbitkaroundkthekplanet;kthekPREDATOR Mothership.kkThekshuttlekheadskswiftlyktowardskit. INT.kkPREDATORkMOTHERSHIPk-kDOCKINGkBAY Ankairloc kRUMBLESkopenkandkthekPREDATORSkfilekNOISILYkintokthekMothership's doc ingkbay.kkAnkOLDkPREDATORkcrouchedkagainstkakstrutkta esktimekoutkfrom carvingksomethingkintokakbloc kofkwoodktokbrieflykloo kupkatkthem.kkLi ekthe PREDATORSkthemselves,kthekshipkiskakcuriouskmixturekofkoldkandknew.kkAn elaboratekfriezekwrittenkinkalienkscriptkrunskaroundkthekwall,kwithkrac skof sophisticatedkequipmentkrecessedkintokit.kkHatcheskleadkoffktokvariouskparts ofkthekship;kwekseekBROKENkTUSKkcarrykhiskALIENkheadkoffkdownkonekofkthem. INT.kkPREDATORkMOTHERSHIPk-kVIEWINGkGALLERY Thekgallerykseemsktokbekmorekmechanicalkthankthekrestkofkthekship.kkBROKEN TUSKkenters,kpausingknextktokak indkofkreadoutkdevice:kkakcylindricalktube containingkaksubstanceksimilarktokmercurykwhichkconstantlykchangeskit'skmass intokshapeskandkalienktext.kkHekpeerskoverkthekprotectivekrailing. WHATkHEkSEESkiskmagnificent:kkakcaptivekQUEENkALIEN,ktheknucleuskofkthekALIEN society,kfedkbykgiantkintravenouskpipes.kkEachkofkit'sklimbskisktetheredkby restrainingkclampskpreventingkanykmovement.kkTokthekrear,kit'skgiantkegg-sac glowskandkthrobs,ksuspendedkbykakjury-riggedksling.kkAkSCANNINGkMECHANISM hangskabovekthekEGGSkthekQUEENklays,kseeminglykdefyingkgravity.kkAskeachkEGG iskscannedkbykakbluektriangularkbeamk-ksimilarktokakPREDATORkgun-sightk-kit becomesktranslucent,kgivingkuskakviewkofkthekpulsingkFACEHUGGERkinside.kkThis done,kakmanipulatorkarekcarefullykloadskseveralkeggskontokakpallet,kwhich thenksin skintokakhatchwaykinkthekfloor.kkIt'skankassembly-linekofkalmost frighteningkmechanicalkefficiency. EXT.kkSPACE WekseekakpodkejectedkfromkthekMothership,kroc etingkawaykfromkthekplanetkinto deepkspace.kkThekinferencekiskobvious;kthekPREDATORSkarekseedingkworldskwith ALIENSktokhunt. INT.kkPREDATORkMOTHERSHIPk-kVIEWINGkGALLERY Thekbluekbeamkslideskacrosskonekofkthekeggs,kandksuddenlykchangesktokred, BEEPINGkrapidly.kkBROKENkTUSKkseeskthekflowingkdisplay-tan kalterkfromka

rotatingksimulationkofkankALIENkWARRIORks ullktokakrepresentationkofka QUEEN'skhead.kkThekmanipulatorkarmkswiftlykgraspskthekEGGkinkquestionkand moveskitkoverktokakprotrusionkonkthekfloor.kkThekcauseskthekQUEENktokgo berser ,kstrainingkatkherkbondskandkSHRIEKINGkferociously.kkShe'skobviously beenkthroughkthiskbeforekandk nowskwhat'skaboutktokhappen.kkThekprotrusion splitskopen,kspillingkoutkankintensekwhiteklight:kkankenergy-filledkblast furnace.kkThekmanipulatorkclawkopens,kthekEGGkdropskin,kandkisknokmore. INT.kkPREDATORkMOTHERSHIPk-kLIVINGkQUARTERS Ankorangeklightkplayskacrosskakwallkofks ulls,kcastingkdar kshadowskinto long-emptykorbs.kkBROKENkTUSKksprawlsklizard-li ekacrosskakflatkslabkofkroc inkthekcenterkofkthekroom,kinspectingkhiskformidablekarsenalkofkweaponry. Satisfied,khekreacheskoutktokrunkakfingerkacrosskthekjawkofkhiskALIENktrophy inkankalmost-erotickgesture.kkHekregardskitkforkaklongkmomentkaskifkcoming tokakdecisionkofksomek ind,kbeforekfinallykgettingktokhiskfeet. INT.kkPREDATORkMOTHERSHIPk-kVIEWINGkGALLERY TheklightskinkthekgallerykarekdimmerkwhenkBROKENkTUSKkenters.kkHekwatcheskthe cherry-redkbeamkofkthekglidingkSCANNINGkMECHANISMkloc kontokonekofkthekEGGS, thenkrunskhiskhandkinksequencekoverkthekcontrolkboard.kkThekmanipulatorkarm swingskover,kseizingkthekeggkandkloadingkitkontokakwaitingkpallet. BROKENkTUSKkpointskhiskfingerkatkthekQUEENkandkma eskakgutturalkCLICKING SOUNDkfromkdeepkinkhiskthroat.kkThekeffectkisknotkunli ekthatkofkakchild firingkankimaginarykgun.kkAskifkreadingkBROKENkTOOTH'skthoughts,kthekQUEEN liftskherkcrestedkheadkupwardskandkemitskakvenomouskHISSkofkcontempt. EXT.kkSPACE InkCENTERkFRAME,kthekplanetksitskstillkandkgreen,kawashkwithknebulouskclouds. Akhul ingkMETALkFORMkROLLSkRIGHT-TO-LEFTkacrosskourkview,ksunlightkglinting fromkit'sksurface.kkIt'skakrectangularksatellite-constructionkcomprisedkof hundredskofkcommunicationkdisheskinkaklatticewor kofksteelktubing.kkWekhear FILTEREDkHUMANkVOICESkO.S.kkSubspacekchatter. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kMIDDAY Imaginekakworldkwherekeveryksquarekmilekiskcoveredkbykakcanopykofktreetop foliage,kandkyou'vekjustkdrawnkyourselfkakpicturekofkthekplanetkRyushi. NestledkamongstkthisklushkrainforestkiskthekYutani-TemplinkCommunications RelaykStation.kkSeveralkinverted-'U'-shapedksuspensionkcraneskpaintedkbright yellowkloo kdownkoverkakcollectionkofkpreassembledkbuildingskandkroadways raisedkabovekthekswampkonkplatforms,kmuchkli ekaktruncatedkoil-rig.kkA navigationkbeaconkflasheskintermittentlykfromkaktallkgantryktowerkabove, whilekdominatingkthekviewkiskthekslopingkfacekofkakcommunicationskarray severalkstoreyeskhigh.kkOffktokoneksidekofkthekplatformkiskakgigantickmanywheeledkhaulagekvehicle.kkAkfloc kofkbird-li ekcreatureskflykpast. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER We'rekinkthekdar kwombkofkaksplit-levelkcommandkcenterkalivekwithkclusters ofkvideokreadouts,ksomewhatkreminiscentkofkakfuturistickair-traffickcontrol tower.kkOnkthekupperktier,kaklargekcircularkholo-displaykcurrentlykprojects ankimagekofktheksatellitekwekjustksaw.kkThinktrailerskofkpaperkflutterkgently inkthekcurrentkcomingkfromkthekairkconditioningkduc s,kthoughkbeadskofksweat stillkdotkthekforeheadskofkthekpeoplekmanningkthekconsoledkhere.kkWekmovekin onkCASSIEkDOLLANDERkandkROBkPARSONS,ktwokmonitoringktechnicianskoccupyingka controlkban .kkCASSIEklistenskcarefullyktoksomethingkonkherkheadset.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAh,knegativekonkthatkrequestkcommercial kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkfreighterk'Nan-Shan'.kkI'vekalreadykgot kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkankinboundkonkthatkapproachkpendingka kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbeacon-fix.kkHoldkonkmykmar kuntilkIkget kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbac kwithksomekconfirmation.kkRimward kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTraffickControlkout. ShekthumbskakbuttonkandkleanskoverktokPARSONS. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIEk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHow'skitkloo ing? PARSONSkworriedlyksha eskhiskhead. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThat'sktheksecondktimekIkrankit,kandkit kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkstillkreadsktheksame. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBetterktellkthekboss. PARSONSkpullskoutkakcoin. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTosskyoukforkit. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kEXECUTIVEkOFFICE HIROKOkNOGUCHIkisksweatingkheavily,kakblac kforeloc kofkhairkfallingkacross herkOrientalkfeatures.kkHerkeyeskflic erkwarilykfromkside-to-sidekaskshe holdsktheksmoothklengthkofkthekswordkbeforekher,ktryingktokassesskfromkwhere theknextkattac kwillkcome.kkShekdoesn'tkhavektokwaitklong;ktwokNINJA SWORDSMENkdropktokthekfloorkinkfrontkofkher,kstri ingkwithoutkhesitation. Shekexpertlykavoidkthekblows,kparryingkrelentlessly.kkAkpersistentkTONE beginsktokintrudekO.S.,kli ekaktelephonekRINGING.kkShektriesktokignorekit, butkherkconcentrationkiskclearlykbro en.kkAkTHIRDkSWORDSMANkappearskfromkout ofknowhere,khiskswordkSWISHINGktowardskherkchest.kkThekbladekplungeskdeep intokherkstomach,kemergingkfromkherkbac .kkShekglanceskdownkinkannoyed disbelief. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkFuc !kkHolokoff. ThekSWORDSMENkimmediatelykflic erkandkdisappear.kkSheksheatheskthekswordkwith onekprecisekmovementkandkcrosseskthekwoodenkpaneledkfloorktokherkdes . Moppingkherkfacekwithkaktowel,kshekthumbskakstud.kkThekRINGINGkTONEkstops, thekcorporateklogokonkherkflat-screenkdes kpanelkreplacedkwithkakblac kgirl's face. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNoguchi. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konscreen) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSomethingkjustkcamekupkonkDeepkSpace kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTrac ing. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatk indkofk'something'? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konscreen) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkEasierkifkyoukcomekdownkandkloo . kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'mkonkmykway. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kMIDDAY Ankeight-wheeledkarticulatedkcrawlerkrollsknoisilykthroughkthekrain,kclimbing ankaccesskrampkleadingkfromkthekswampktokthekoutpost'skemptykmain-street.kkA groupkofkrhinosk-kbrownktwo-hornedkquadrupedskindigenousktokRyushikrestlesslykstirkinktheirkcorralkatkit'skapproach.kkThekcrawler'skpneumatics HISSkgentlykaskitkcomesktokakhalt,kwhileksomewherekoffkinkthekdistancekakdog BARKS.kkDONkKAMEN,kakleankmankinkhiskforties.kclimbskdownkfromkthekcab mountedkfivekfeetkabovekthekgroundkandksquintskupkatkthekmainkrelaykantenna. Hekadjustskthekcowboykhatkonkhiskheadkagainstkthekdrizzlekandkcrosseskthe streetktowardskonekofkthekbuildings,kignoringkakPepsiksignkCREAKINGkinkthe gentlekbreeze.kkAkglass-paneledkdoorkSWISHESkautomaticallykopenkbeforekhim. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER KAMENkstepskintokthekcommandkcenter,knoddingkfamiliarlyktokthekDUTY PERSONNEL.kkAklong-hairedklabradorkrusheskupktokKAMEN,kwaggingkit'sktail. HerknamekiskBREWSTER.kkShe'skthekbasekmascot.kkKAMENkreacheskdownkandkruffles it'skfur.kkHekclimbskthekfewkstairsktokthekmonitoringktier,kpullingkthe French-plaitedkhairkofkANNIEkURIOSTE,kankItalianksystems-mechanickwithkher handskburiedkinkakdisassembledkconsole. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkURIOSTE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYoukdidn'tkwipekyourkfeetkcomingkin. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWell,kit'sko ay.kkYoukdidn'tktellkmekit kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwaskmonsoonkseasonkgoingkout. PARSONSkloo skupkatkKAMENkandkgrins. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHey,kbuenoskdias,kcowboy.kkWhenkd'you kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkblowkin? KAMENkplaceskhiskhatkonkPARSONS'kheadkandkTHUMPSkitkdown. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkJustkgotkbac .kkMissedkanything? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkURIOSTE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(snorts) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah.kkWe'rekalmostkoutkofkbeer. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAhh,kdon'tkpaykanykattentionktokUrioste. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkShe'skstillkpissedkthatkNoguchikwouldn't kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkletkherkgokoffkonkyourkhuntingktrip. KAMENkpourskhimselfkakcupkofkcoffeekfromkakBUBBLINGkpercolator.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWasn'tkmyktrip,kIkjustkdidkthekdriving. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk'Sides,kfreezingkmykbuttkoffkoutkinkthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwetkta ingkpot-shotskatktheklocalkwildlife kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkisn'tk_my_kideakofkakgoodktime,keither. Heksipskgingerlykfromkthekcupkofkscaldingkliquid. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhere'dkyoukleavekthem? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCampedkoutkbyktheknavi-beaconkoutkonkLinson's kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkRange.kkThey'rekma ingktheirkownkwaykbac kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktomorrow. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMarsCokwentkbelly-upkonkthekDowkJones. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkShit.kkWhen? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYesterday.kkWekgotkthekNetwor kfeedkfrom kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGateway;kitkwaskthektopkstorykonk'Sixty kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSeconds'.kkBiggestkmar etkcrashksince kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktwenty-four. KAMENkloo skill. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkFuc ingkgreat.kkIkinvestedksomekmoneykin kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthem. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYoukwinksome,kyouklooseksome. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIklosek'emkall,kthat'skwhykI'mkstillkout kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkherekonkthiskroc .kkAnythingkelsekyou kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwannakruinkmykdaykwith? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNo,kbutkIkgotksomethingkthatkmightkinterest kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkyou. HIROKOkenters,kpullingkonkakleatherkjac et. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat'vekyoukgot? KAMENknodsktokherkandkreceiveskakquic ksmilekforkhisktrouble.kkTheykturnkto watchkthekdisplaykclear,kreplacedkwithkakcomputerksimulationkofkthe neighboringksolarksystem. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAkpairkofkincomings.kkTheykpopped-upkon kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthekmedium-rangekaboutkthirteenktwentykkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkfourklocalktime.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWekfiguredkonkitkbeingkakmagnetickanomaly, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbutkwekrankakbac -tracekjustktokma eksure. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah.kkTurnskoutktheykdroppedkstraight kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoutkofkhyperspace. TheksimulationkZOOMSkIN,krevealingktwokunidentifiedkobjectskheadingktowards thekplanetkinkthekcenterkofkthekdisplay.kkComputerknotationskaccompanykthem. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIEk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCuriouskthingkis,kthekmasskdetectorksays kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthey'rektooksmallktokcarrykakdeep-space kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkdrive. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSoundskli ekakcouplekofkescapekshuttles. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThat'skwhatkwekthought. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHavekyoukgotkankupdatedkLloyds'kAlmanac kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktokcross-reffkthemkthrough? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDonekitkalready.kkNothingkmatches. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAndkifkyoukthoughtkthatkwaskinteresting, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwatchkthis... HIROKOkwatcheskthekcoursekofkthektwokobjectsksimultaneouslykchange. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkJesus. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah,kexactly.kkThose'rek_pre-programmed_ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkcoursekadjustmentskyou'rekloo ingkat. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTacticalknu es,kmaybe? Everybodykgiveskhimkakquic kloo ,kbutknobodyksayskanything.kkIt'skobviously notkankappealingkthought. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhere'rektheykheaded? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWekrankaktrajectoryksimulation.kkIfkthey kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkcarrykonkalongkthatkpath,kit'skpossible kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthey'llkma ekintra-orbitalkinsertion. There'skakgreatkexhalationkofkbreath,kandkeveryonekswapsksignificantkglances. HIROKOkseemskworried.kkShekscratcheskherkforehead. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkdon'tk nowkwhatktokma ekofkthis.kkGetka kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkcopykofkthektelemetrykrelayedkbac kto kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAntarcticakTraffickControl.kkBetterkalert kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktheknearestkRimCorpkBase,ktoo. PARSONSknods,ksuddenlykserious. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkFortkPowell.kkWhatkdokwektellk'em? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkJustkgivekthemkthekfacts.kkTheykcankleap kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktoktheirkownkconclusions. EXT.kkLINSON'SkRANGEk-kSWAMPk-kAFTERNOON Downkherekinkthekswamp,kthektrun skofkmagnificentktreeskterminatekinkgnarled rootskandkdisappearkintokwaterykmur ,kmuchkli ekakLouisianakbayou.kkAkgroup ofkattentivekLEMUR-TYPEkCREATURESksuddenlykboundkforkcoverkaskaklinekof bulletskTHUDSkintokthekwoodknearby.kkSecondsklater,kakloudkHUMMINGkNOISE intrudeskO.S.kandkakpairkofkmanta-ray-shapedkhover-bi eskwithkslee klineskand garnishkdecalskSLAMSkintokFRAMEksuspendedktwokfeetkabovekthekmire,ktheir powerfulkturbinesk ic ing-upkakswirlkofkspray.kkThektwokBIKERSks idktoka haltkandkwatchkthekCREATURESkscatter.kkACKLANDkandkYORKk-kmenkwhokonkEarth mightkbekcalledk"goodk'olkboys"k-karekbothkridingkone-handed;kpowerfulkhitechkrifleskgrippedkinkthekother. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(yelling) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYoukmissedk'em,kAc land! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkLittlekfuc erskmovektookfast.kkLet'skdoka kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksweepkandkcatchk'emkonkthekotherkside. YORKknodskhiskhead,kpullingkhiskgoggleskdownkoverkhiskeyes.kkThektwokbi es ROARkoffkinkpursuit. EXT.kkLINSON'SkRANGEk-kENCAMPMENTk-kAFTERNOON Upkonkakmud-ban ,katkthekbasekofkaksturdykgantryktowerkwithktwokblin ingkblue lightskatopkit,kstandskthekcamp.kkItkloo skaklittlekli ekakBedouinkbivouac, butkup-closekwekcankseekthektechno-fittedkdetails.kkAkhard-featuredkwoman seatedknextktokaksolid-fuelkburnerksipskfromkakmug,kwhilekherkVietnamese counterpartkiskmanuallykloadingklarge-caliberkbulletskintokakbelt-feed.kkThey watchkaskACKLANDkandkYORKkroarkpastkWHOOPING.kkMINHkscrambleskoutkofkthekway askakbeerkcanklobbedkbykYORKkCLATTERSktokthekgroundknearkhim. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMINH kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCrazykidiots. BEAUVAISkcupskherkdrin kwithkbothkhands,kassessingkhim. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBEAUVAIS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAhhh,kthey'rekjustklettingkoffksomeksteam; kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkdon'tkletk'emkgetktokyou.kkAc landkandkYor kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkaren'tksuchkbadkguyskwhenkyoukgetktok now kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk'em.kkJustkakcouplekofkwee endkwarriors...

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kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGetkoffkankall-bandskemergencykdistress, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkandkputkitkonkakrepeater. ShekmeetskKAMEN'skeyes. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkLoo skli ekyoukwerekright.kkSomeone's kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkklobbedkakpairkofksmart-missileskatkus. KAMENksha eskhiskhead. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkRelaykstationkli ekuskoutkinkthekmiddle kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkofkthekboonies;kwhykbother?kkAllkyou're kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkgonnakdokiskpunchkaktemporarykholekinkthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktraffickcontrolknet.kkThat'dkbeksmall kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkpotatoeskevenkforkterrorists. PARSONSkandkCASSIEkarekall-businesskatkthekcontrolkboard. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCankyoukpatchkmekaktemporarykloopkon kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDCMGS? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkO ay,kgivekmektheknumbers. Shekflipskakswitch.kkAknearbykscreenkchangesktokdisplaykankorbitalkpath s etchedkoutkinkrectangularkneonkbloc s. EXT.kkSPACE Akclusterkofkthrusterkroc etskonkonekcornerkofkthekrelaykframekignites,kand thekdar enedkbul kofktheksatellitekbeginsktokmove. EXT.kkDEEPkSPACE ThektwokpodskROARktowardskuskatkimmensekspeed. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER Thektwokblipskonkthekholo-boardkrepresentingkthekpodskma ekakmar ed alterationkinktheirkcourse. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThey'vekchangedktheirkheadingkagain. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCompensate! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPunchkmekinkaksolutionkforktheirkdeltakkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkvee. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkdokyoukneed? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAkthree-secondkburnktokport,konkmykmar . kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'skonkthekboard. EXT.kkSPACE Framedkagainstkthekgreenkbac dropkofkRyushi,kthekPREDATORkpodskroc etktowards thekcommunicationskplatform. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPic ingkupkvelocity. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMatchkit! Akbeadkofksweatktric leskdownkPARSONS'ktemple. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNotkgonnakma ekit... EXT.kkDEEPkSPACE ThekpodkspeedskTHUNDEROUSLYkintokCAMERA,kblottingkoutkourkview. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER Onekofkthektwokblipskonkthekholo-displaykvanishes,kandkthree-quarterskofkthe monitorskabruptlykturnktokstatic.kkPARSONSkcurses. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGoddammit! Hekpullskoffkhiskheadsetkwithkwearykresignation. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONSk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWe'veklostkthekdownlin .kkIt'skgone. EXT.kkSPACE Thekmasskofktheksatellitektumbleskend-over-end.kkAkgapingkrentkisktorn throughkit;ksomethingkspar skandkflasheskwithin.kkTheksecondkpodkaccelerates offkcurvingkintokthekatmosphere. EXT.kkLINSON'SkRANGEk-kRIVERBANKk-kDUSK AkSONICkTHUNDERCRACKkBOOMSkoverhead;kYORKkloo skupkinktimektokseekankobject searkacrosskthekdus ks y.kkHekpullskhiskbi ektokakstationarykhover. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkShit!kkWhat'skthat? ACKLANDkhaskalreadykdismountedkaskhekwatcheskthekfireballkhurtlektokthe ground.kkAkBOOMINGkECHOkresonateskacrosskthekforest,kfollowedkbykakfew plaintivekSCREECHESkfromkthekplanet'skindigenousklifeforms,kbeforeksettling bac kintokankeerieksilence. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMeteor,kIkguess.

Hekraiseskaksetkofkcompactkfieldkbinocularsktokhiskface.kkTHROUGHkTHEMkhe seeskakthinkhazekofksmo ekrisingkfromkthektreetops. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkD'youkfeelkanykimpactkshoc ? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(uncertain) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNotkreally. Heklowerskthekbinocularskandkfrowns. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMekeither.kkIktellkyou,kIkusedktokbekwith kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkakminingkoutfitkonkCallisto,kandkwhen kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksomethingkli ekthatkhits...kbelievekme, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkyouk nowkaboutkit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDokyoukwannakheadkbac kandkcallkitkin? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(hesitant) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkdunno...kIkdunno.kkSomethingkaboutkthis kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkfeelskfunny. Hekloo skacrosskatkthekplumekofksmo eksna ingkoffkintoktheks y. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLANDk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThatkiskthek_damndest_kimpactkI'vekever kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksaw... EXT.kkLINSON'SkRANGEk-kIMPACTkSIGHTk-kDUSK Thekearthkaroundkthekcrater-rimkiskcharredkandkcrac ed;ksomekofkthe surroundingkbrushkstillkaflame.kkAkSCORPIONkscuttleskinquisitivelyktokthe edgekofkthekpitkandkstops,kit'skstingerktwitchingkhesitantly.kkWekHEARkakLOW HUM,kandkthekSOUNDkofkMETAL-ON-METAL.kkBeforekthekSCORPIONkcankdecidekwhatkto do,kit'skfatekisksealed.kkAklargekMETALkCLAWkcomeskdown,kcrushingkitkinkan instant.kkAkSECONDkCLAWkemerges,kandkakMACHINEkheaveskitselfkoutkofkthekhole, it'sksurfaceksmo ingkwithkheat.kkItkpauseskforkakBEATkli eksomekgiant tarantulaksee ingkprey,kthemkmoveskpurposelykoutwardskaboutktwentykyards beforekhalting.kkAkhatchkonkthekundersidekopens,kandkakcomplexkdelivery mechanismkextends.kkAfterkakmomentkthere'skakLOWkCLUNK,kandkthekmechanism retracts.kkInkit'skplacekiskankALIENkEGG.kkThekMACHINEkcrawlskoff,kvanishing intoktheklongkreeds. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kNIGHT HIROKOksitskonkthekfrontkwheelkofkKAMEN'skcrawler,kherk neeskpulledkupktokher chin,kstaringkoffkintokakthinkmistkthatkma esktheknightkimpenetrable.kkBehind andkabove,ktheklightskofkthekcraneskandkthekcommunicationskarraykstrobekonand-off.kkAbovekthekbarkonkthekmainkstreetkiskakflic ingkneonksignkerected after-the-fact,kemblazonedkwithkthekwordsk"TORCHY'S".kkThekMUFFLEDkSOUNDSkof MERRY-MAKINGkfromkwithinkbecomekmomentarilyklouder,kandkHIROKOkglanceskover tokseekit'skpressure-doorkCRASHkbac ,kdisgorgingkseveralkdrun enkpeople. KAMENkfollowskthemkthrough.kkHekspotskHIROKOkandkheadskover. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHey,kboss.kkWonderedkwherekyou'dkgotten

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkto. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkjust...wantedktokbekputkonkmykownkforka kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwhile.kkClearkmykhead. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDidn'tkfeelkli ekwhoopin'kitkupkwithkthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkrestkofkuskbluekcollars,khuh? Sheksha eskherkhead,kandkmanageskaksmile. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'vekgotkaklotkofkthin ingktokdo.kk'Sides, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthekroomkwaskgettingktookcrowdedkforkme. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNotktookmuchkofktheksocializingktype,kthen? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNo,knotkreally.kkMoreksortkofkthek kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk'claustrophobic'ktype. KAMENkLAUGHS.kkHIROKOkiskstraight-faced. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'mkserious.kkThat'skwhykIkswitchedkfrom kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkorbitingktokplanetarykinstallations. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIskthatkakfact. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkUh-huh.kkUsedktokgetkitkprettykbad.kkI'd kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwa ekupkinkakcoldksweatkandkwantktokclaw kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkopenkakvacuumkhatch. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHowklongkyoukbeenkoutkherekforknow, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkanyway?kkThreekmonths? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkFour. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAndkbeforekthat? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSixkmonthkstintkonkDatus. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOnlyksix? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkiskthis?kk'TwentykQuestions'?

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkJustkcurious.kkThere'skaklotkofktal kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkgoeskaround.

HIROKOkshrugs.kkThin skaboutkit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkdon'tk now.kkIkguesskI'vekjustknever kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkfoundkanywherekIkreallykfeltkatkhome. Shekhugskherk neeskagain,kandksuddenlykloo skakwholeklotkmorekatkease.kkKAMEN spotskaksquarekglasskbalancedkonkonekofkthektire'skwidektreads. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkiskthat? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkRealkman'kdrin . Shekofferskthekglassktokhim.kkHekta eskitkandksniffkcautiously. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSeltzer? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWantksome? KAMENkhandskthekglasskbac kandkraiseskhiskownkbottle. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'llkstic kwithkmykown. Heksitskwithkherkandkstareskintokthekdar ness. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAnykluc kraisingkAc land'skparty? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNothing.kkWithktheksatellitekdown,kwe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkcan'tktransmitkoverkthekmountainkrange. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHe'skmostkli elyksittingktherekwondering kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwhykhekcan'tkraisek_us_. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkFirstklight,kwe'llkta ekakchopperkoutkthere kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkandktellkthemktokheadkbac . kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk'We'?kkYoukwannakflykoutktherekwithkme? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSure.kkDokmekgoodktokstretchkmyklegs. HIROKOkta eskaksipkofkherkdrin ,kherkbrowkfurrowing. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThiskwholekthing'skgotkmekspoo ed. KAMENkhopskoffkthekwheel. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDon'tkworrykaboutkit.kkIfkthekNetwor kgoes kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbykthekboo ,kli ekeveryonekfigureskthey kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwill,kakMarinekgunboatkfromkPowell'll

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkdrop-bykforkakloo -seekinkfour-or-five kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkdays.kkTheykcankgokpo ekaroundkoutkthere kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkandkfindkwhateverkitkwaskhitkus.kkAllkwe've kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkgottakdokisksitktight. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDokyoukthin k_Ac land'll_ksitktight? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThere'dkhavektokbekakhelluvakgoodkreason kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkforkhimknotkto. EXT.kkSPACE Akpeculiarkbluekscanningkbeamkplayskoverkthekrotatingkmasskofkthe incapacitatedksatellite,kexaminingkeveryksection.kkitkcomesktokthekrentktorn throughkit,kandkpauses. FROMkTHEkSCANNER'SkP.O.V.,kwekseekthekstructurekofktheksatellitekmadekupkfrom akserieskofkbluekgeodesickshapes.kkThekdamagekregisterskaskakcold,kblac mass. ThekbeamkswitcheskoffkandkthekhoveringkPREDATORkshuttlekturnsksmoothlykon it'skaxis,kthrustingktowardskthekplanet. EXT.kkLINSON'SkRANGEk-kIMPACTkSITEk-kNIGHT Shaftskofktorch-lightkfankoutkabovekthekthic kfoliagekinkthekdar ness.kkYORK andkACKLANDkwadekthroughkthekchin-highkreeds,kcursing. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkFoundkanything? YORKkloo skdownkatkhiskdata-stic ,kakhandheldktorchkwithkakmulti-purpose readoutkscreen. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNada.kkNokradiation...nokmovement... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkknothing. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWell,kjustk eepkloo ing.kkIt'skgottakbe... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwhoa,kJesus! ACKLANDkfallsktowardkontoksomething,kandkYORKkcomeskrunning. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkiskit? ACKLANDksteadieskhimself,kandkthektwokmenkshinektheirktorcheskatkthe rhythmically-breathingkSHAPEkonkthekground. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'skakrhino. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIskitkdead? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNo,kit'skstillkbreathing.kkKindakclammy

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthough.kkArekyouksurekyourkstic 'sknot kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbro en. YORKkloo skatkthekdata-stic kagain. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah,kit'skfine. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGod,kIkhopekthatkthingkdidn'tkbringkdown kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkakvirus. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIktoldkyoukwe...what'skthat? TheirktorchkbeamskPANkACROSSkakthree-footkhighkovularkshape. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkLoo skli ekakspore.kkFunguskofksomek ind, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkmaybe? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBloodykbigkifkitkis.kkTop'skopen. ACKLANDkstepskcautiouslykforwardktokshinekhisktorchkinside. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORKk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCareful... There'sknothingkinside.kkACKLANDkloo skdisappointed. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'skhollow.kkThin kourkrhinokmust'vekate kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksomethingkthatkdidn'tkagreekwithkhim. AkheavykgustkofkairkblowskunexpectedlykacrosskthekclearingkwithkakBANSHEE HOWL,krufflingktheirkhair. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkLet'skgetkbac kandkcallkthiskin. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWaitkakminute. YORKkreluctantlykfollowskACKLANDkaskhekthrasheskthroughkthekthinningkfoliage, comingkoutkatkthekrimkofkthekimpactkcrater.kkIt'skbeginningktokpartially collapse,kwaterkseepingkin.kkYORKkrunskhiskbeamkoverksomethingkatkthekbottom ofkthekshallowkpit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkiskthat...iskthatkmetalkfragments? ACKLAND'skmaybekgettingkaklittleknervousknow. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThiskiskverykfuc ingkweird. Hekseeskthekchurnedkearth,kandkthekmuddyktrailkleadingkoffkintokthekbro en foliage.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLANDk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'skli eksomethingkcamekoutkofkthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkcraterkandkwentkthatkway... There'skakTINYkCLICK,kandkACKLANDkloo skoverktokseekYORKkta ingktheksafety offkhiskrifle.kkACKLANDkwordlesslykunshoulderskhisktoo.kkTheykstepkaroundkthe craterkandkwarilykfollowkthekraggedkpathkto... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAnotherkone? ACKLANDkprodskthiskSECONDkEGGkwithkhiskgun. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah.kkThis'skclosed. There'skakCRACKLINGkNOISE,kandkthektopkofkthekEGGkpeelskneatlykopenkinkfour sections.kkThektwokmenkjumpkbac kinkalarm,kandkYORKkLAUGHSknervously. Somethingkorganickiskpulsingkinside.kkACKLANDkcraneskhisknec kforwardkforka betterkloo ... There'skankEXPLOSIONkofkMOVEMENT.kkAkspindlykshapekwithkaklongksegmentedktail launcheskitselfkjac -in-a-box-stylekatkACKLAND.kkIt'skakFACEHUGGER.kkACKLAND tripskbac wards,kcaughtkoff-balance.kkHiskfingerkinvoluntarilyksqueezeskthe triggerkofkhiskriflekaskhekfalls.kkAkvolleykofkshotskdescribekandkarckandk lightkupktheknightkwithkakPERCUSSIVEkBOOM,kandkwe... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCUTkTO ...AkSHORTkDISTANCEkACROSSkTHEkCLEARING.kkSOMETHINGkiskwatchingkthemkfromkthe trees;ksomethingkwithkakheat-visionkP.O.V.kkAkPREDATOR.kkWekseekthekflarekof ACKLAND'skgunshots,kthenkSNAPkINktokseekthekmulti-coloredkfromkofkhiskbody topplingkover,ktrailingkakpurplishkFACEHUGGER,kbeforekwe... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCUTkBACKkTO ...OnekofkACKLAND'skbulletskta ingkakmeatykchun koutkofkYORK'skthighkaskhe raceskforwardktokhelpkhiskfriend.kkThekHUGGER'sktailkiskalreadykaround ACKLAND'skthroat,kit'skfingerskscrabblingkforkpurchase.kkYORKkpullskatkone setkofkdigits,kandkmanagesktokraisekthemkforkjustkankinstant.kkWhatkwekseekis horrific;kthekloo kofkterrorkonkACKLAND'skface,kandkthekquestingktendrilkon thekHUGGER'skundersidektryingktokforcekit'skwaykbetweenkACKLAND'sklips.kkIn aksecond,kit'skallkover;kthekFACEHUGGERkstruggleskfreekofkYORK'skgrasp,kand clampskitselfkfirmlykonkACKLAND'skfacekwithkakfaintkSUCKINGkSOUND.kkYORK shivers,kthenkuseskhiskgoodklegktokpropelkhimselfkakfewkfeetkaway.kkHe watcheskthekhaplesskTeamsterkgokrigid,kthenkstopkmovingkaltogether. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOh,kGod;koh,kshit;koh,kGod. ThekFACEHUGGER'sktailkslithersktighterkaroundkACKLAND'sknec ;kandkaskYORK quic lykretrieveskhiskrifle,kwe... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCUTkTO AkPREDATOR-VISIONkSHOT,kwatchingkthekcolor-bloomkofkYORKkdraggingkACKLAND's bodykawaykfromkthekcrater.kkItkCLOSESkINkonkthekFACEHUGGER,kgivingkuskakmuted X-ray-typekVIEWkofkcirculatorykfluidkpumpingkaroundkthekHUGGERkandkinto ACKLAND.

YORK'sklimpingkbadly,kakdar kstainkblossomingkonkhiskbaggykfatiguektrousers. ACKLAND'sknotkaksmallkman,kandkthekphysicalkeffortkofkhaulingkhimkthroughkthe reedskma eskhimksweatkprofusely.kkThere'skmovementkonkthekground,kandkYORK seeskwhy;konekofkthekLEMURSkhaskfallenkvictimktokanotherkFACEHUGGER,kwhich dwarfskit'sksmallkfurrykbody.kkThekHUGGER'skfingerskallkrippleksimultaneously askitkstrengthenskit'skhold;kthekmovementka inktoksomebodykdrummingktheir fingerskonkaktable-top. EXT.kkLINSON'SkRANGEk-kRIVERkBANKk-kNIGHT AskYORKkhaulskACKLANDkontokonekofkthekbi es,khekhearskakTICKINGkSOUNDkfrom thektrees,kli ekankenginekcoolingkonkakwarmksummer'skday.kkYORKkclutcheskhis riflekandkstareskupward.kkTherekseemsktokbekakVAGUEkSHIMMERINGkFORMkinkthe boughkofkaktree.kkAlthoughkitkmightkbekaktric kofktheklight,khekisn't stic ingkaroundktokfindkout.kkYORKkgunskthekbi ektoklifekandkROARSkoffkabove thekswamp. EXT.kkLINSON'SkRANGEk-kIMPACTkSITEk-kNIGHT PREDATOR-VISION.kkWe'rekloo ingkatktheksitekinkcolours:kkthekcoldkbluekof emptykALIENkEGGS,kandkthekwarmkredskofkjust-breathingkANIMALSkrenderedkinert thekFACEHUGGERkparasites. AkgroupkofkPREDATORSkappearkinkthree-dimensionalksolidity,ktheirkcamouflage cloa skdeactivated.kkThekLEADkPREDATORkSPLASHESkacrossktokthekexposedkroots ofkaktreekandk neelskdownktokexaminekankANIMALkCORPSEkcurledkupkthere.kkMost ofkitkhaskbeenkmadlykmutilatedkbyksomethingkeruptingkfromk_inside_kit'skbody. ThekPREDATORkloo skupkandkscanskthekswamp,kignoringkthekswarmkofkFLIES buzzingkinkthekair. PREDATOR-VISION.kkThisktime,kankoscillatingklinekappearsktokthekleftkofkour view,kandkakbandksweepskquic lykACROSSkthekscreenksynchronousktokuskhearing differentklevelskofkSOUNDkSTATIC.kkThiskabruptlykstopskaskthekoscillatingkline beginsktokmoveskinkpea skandkvalleys.kkThekPREDATORkiskpic ingkupkradio waves.kkAkHUMANkVOICE;kalbeitkgrossly-distorted. EXT.kkLINSON'SkRANGEk-kENCAMPMENTk-kNIGHT WekhearkakRAPIDkBEEPING;kmovement-sensorsksetkupkonktripodsktokwarnkagainst intrudingkanimals.kkTheksoundkbringskBEAUVAISkoutkofkherktent,kbleary-eyed andkfumblingkwithkherkpistol.kkShe'sksuddenlykwidekawa ekwhenkshekseeskYORK's hover-bi e,klitkbyktheksensors'kflashingkredkstrobe.kkItks idsktokakhalt againstkakmud-ban ,ksendingkupkakspraykofksilt.kkYORKkclimbskoffkthekbi ekand stumbles,kthenkstartsktokunfastenkthekstrapskholdingkACKLAND'skbody. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBEAUVAIS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkJesuskChrist!kkWhatkhappened? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGivekmekakhandkwithkAc . ShekraceskoverktokhelpkYORKkeasekACKLANDkup. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBEAUVAIS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHowkbadkis...ohkmykGod. AskACKLANDkiskturnedkover,kBEAUVIASkgetskherkfirstkloo katkakFACEHUGGER. Shekshieskaway,krepulsed. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBEAUVAIS

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatk_is_kthat? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDon't...uuh...don'tk now.kkHelpkme... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkuuh...helpkmekgetkhimkinside.kkShit! YORKkgritskhiskteeth,kbutktheklegkinjurykisktookpainful.kkHekslumpskslowlykto thekfloor. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBEAUVAIS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(yelling) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMinh!kkMinh,kgetkoutkhere! INT.kkTENTk-kNIGHT Akportablekneonklightkinkthektentkflic ers,kcastingkstaccatokbluishklight overkACKLANDkandkthekFACEHUGGER.kkMINHkandkBEAUVAISkstarekatkitkinkhorrified fascination,kwhilekYORKkpullskaktourniquetkaroundkhiskthigh.kkHekwinces. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBEAUVAIS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHavekyouktriedkprisingkitkoff? YORKksha eskhiskhead. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkwantedktokgetkhimkbac khere;kgetkhim kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbac ktokbase. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMINH kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkForgetkit.kkWeklostktheksatelliteklin . kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'skdead. There'skaklongkpausekwhilekeveryonekconsiderskthekoptions. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBEAUVAIS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWe'vekgotknokoption.kk_We're_kgonnakhave kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktokgetkitkoff. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMINH kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOhkman... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGetkreal,kBeauvais!kkThatkthingkmightkchew kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkhiskfuc ingkfacekoffkforkallkbek now! ThekmotionksensorkoutsidekbeginskBEEPINGkagain.kkMINHkcatcheskBEAUVAIS' head-jer . kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBEAUVAIS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMinh... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMINH kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYep... MINHkheftskhisk'howitzer'kandkleaveskthektent.kkBEAUVAISkroundskonkYORK, continuing. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBEAUVAIS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHowkdokyouk nowkit'sknotkalready?

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkdon't,kbutkIkthin kwekshouldkjustkwait kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkandkletkthekDockta ekakloo ... EXT.kkLINSON'SkRANGEk-kENCAMPMENTk-kNIGHT MINHkwal sktowardskaklinekofkflashingkredkstrobeskatkthekperimeterkofkthe camp,kthekbarrelkofkhiskweaponkpointingkcasuallykforward.kkHekstudieskthe surroundingkdar ness.kkThere'sknothingkoutkthere.kkHeksha eskhiskheadkin disgust. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMINH kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(muttering) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTa ekakgoddamnkwrenchktokthosekthings... Hekthumbskakstudkonkthektopkofkthek'howitzer'.kkThere'skakgentlekWHINE,kandk thekHISSkofkhydraulickcylinderskaskthekharnesskmechanismkliftskthekweaponkup. Itkdartskquic lykto-and-fro;kakmechanicalksna eksee ingkaktarget.kkWeksee MINH'skhandkinkCLOSEkUP.kkInkadditionktokthekfiringktrigger,kthere'skalso akthumbkbutton.kkHeksqueezeskit... Thekgunkswingsksharplykaroundkinkakblindingkmovement,ktrac ingksomething automatically.kkThere'skakTHUNDEROUSkRUMBLEkaskitkfires-offkthreekshotskin rapidksuccession.kkSomethingkthatkwaskonlykyardskfromkMINHkAPPEARSkandkis blownkbac wardsktokCRASHkagainstkaktreekbole,kakmasskofkluminouskgreenkliquid andkmotion. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMINHk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(dumbstruc ) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGod. MINHkwatcheskthekhelmetedkPREDATORkfallkfacekdownkintokthekwaterkwithka SPLASH,kthenkliekmotionless.kkYORKkandkBEAUVAISkarekoutkofkthektentkinkan instant. PREDATOR-VISION.kkThreekhumans;kinkmotionkandk'hot'.kkThektriangular mechanismkofkthekPREDATOR'skgunkloc skontokMINH. AkBLASTkofkplasma-energykripskakgapingkholekthroughkMINH'skbody,kspraying bloodkacrosskYORK.kkHektoppleskdeadktokthekground,kakloo kofkpainedksurprise onkhiskface.kkBEAUVAISkisktherekimmediately,kracingkacrosskandkscrabblingkfor thek'howitzer'.kkShekdoesn'tkhavektimektokta ekthekharnesskoffk-kshekjust slideskherkfingerkthroughkthektriggerkguardkandkstartsksqueezingkoffkrandom shots.kkThekairkshimmerskaskankunseenkshapekraceskatkher.kkThere'skakloud SWISHkofkslidingkmetal,kandkaktelescopickspearkappearskoutkofkthinkair.kkIt SLAMSkthroughkBEAUVAIS'kbody,kliftingkherkoffkthekgroundkandkimpalingkher againstkaktree. YORKkwatcheskinkhorrorkaskBEAUVAIS'karmskthrashkaround.kkAkmomentklaterkher struggleskcease,kandkshe'dkdroppedktokthekfloorkli ekakbro enkmarionette. There'skakCRACKLINGkSOUND,kandkthekhazykairkaroundkBEAUVAISkdisappears.kkIn it'skplacekiskakPREDATOR,kakluminouskgreenkpatchktric lingkfromkakwoundkon it'skarm.kkIt'skheadkflic skaroundkaskitkzeroes-inkonkYORK,kthekthreekred dotskofkthekPREDATOR'skcannonkfollowingksuit.kkYORK'skquic kthough,kalready upkandkrunningkwhenkthekplasmakboltkEXPLODESkintokthektreekdespitekthekpain inkhiskleg. Hiskoptionskareklimited.kkThekhover-bi ekisknearby.kkHeksprintskforkthatkand hiskluc kholds...thek ey'skstillkinkthekignition.kkHekflipskit.kkThekengine COUGHSkandkthenkdies.kkYORKkloo skup.kkThekwoundedkPREDATORkboundskacrosskthe

YORKkswivelskthekbi ekonkit'skaxiskaskanotherkplasma-boltkripskintokthekrear, meltingkawaykaksizablekchun kofkthekbodywor .kkHekseeskakPREDATORkhanding fromkaktree,kandkthekSHIMMERINGkofktwokmorekPREDATORSkinktheirkcamouflage nearby.kkHe'sknotkstic ingkaroundktokarguekthough.kkYORKkjamskthekthrottle hardkandkthekbi ekshootskoffkintokthekbayoukaskmorekcannon-blastskblossom aroundkhim. ThekgroupkofkPREDATORSkappearkinkthekcampkandkcautiouslyksurveykthekarea. ThekLEADkPREDATORk-kthekonekwithkthekdistinctivekarmork-kcrossesktokthektent andkopenskthekentrykflap. INT.kkTENTk-kNIGHT PREDATOR-VISION.kkThekextraterrestrialkhunterkscrutinizeskthekpulsing FACEHUGGERkonkACKLANDkforkaklongkmoment,kbutkta esknokfurtherkaction. EXT.kkLINSON'SkRANGEk-kENCAMPMENTk-kNIGHT WekPANkSLOWLYkACROSSkthekdesertedkcampsite.kkTherekisn'tkaksoulkthere,khuman orkotherwise.kkThekwindkwhistleskeerilykthroughkthektree-boughs. EXT.kkRAINFORESTkAIRSPACEk-kDAWN Firstklightktheknextkday,ktheksunkrisingkonkthekhorizon.kkAk'chopper'kactuallykaktwin-turbinekheli-jetk-kflieskinklowkabovekthekveilkofkmist hangingkoverkthektreetops. INT.kkCHOPPERk-kDAWN Thekcoc pitkisksmall,kaktwo-seaterkwithkroomkforkcargokinkthekbac .kkKAMEN's inkthekpilotkseat,kandkHIROKO'skridingkshotgun.kkThekcontrolskmovingkby themselves,konkautopilot.kkAkREPETITIVEkBEEPINGkcauseskKAMENktokloo kupkfrom hiskmagazine. KAMEN'SkP.O.V.kkFromkoutkofkthekwindowkofkthek'chopper',kwekseekthektwinkblue lightskofktheknavigationkbeaconkblin ingkon-and-offkabovekthektrees. KAMENknudgeskHIROKOkawa e. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWa ekup.kkWe'rekatkthekbeacon. Hekswitcheskthekcontrolskoverktokmanualkandkta eskthekchopperkdown.kkHIROKO rubsktheksleepkfromkherkeyes. EXT.kkLINSON'SkRANGEk-kENCAMPMENTk-kDAWN Twinksearchlightskonkthekundersidekofkthekdescendingkchopperksweepkacrosskthe clearing.kkThekencampmentkhaskbeenkwrec ed,kmuchkofkiskreducedktokaktwisted tanglekofksmo ingkdebris.kkAll-terrainkgearklowerskfromkthekchopper,kaskit ma eskakwateryklandingkinkthekswamp. INT.kkCHOPPERk-kDAWN

clearingkatkfrightenedkspeed.kkYORKkturnskthek eykagain,kbutkthekPREDATOR's almostkuponkhim.kkThekcreaturekWHIPSkankornately-shapedklancekfromkit'skbac andkthrustskit...JUSTkASkTHEkENGINEkROARSkTOkLIFEkANDkTHEkHOVER-BIKEkRISES FROMkTHEkMUD!kkThekbladeksliceskintokthekbi e'skbodykandkjamskthere,kwhile onekofkit'skmanta-wingskSMACKSkintokthekPREDATOR'skjaw,ksendingkitkreeling bac wardskintokthekswamp.

KAMENkandkHIROKOkstarekatktheksitekinkdisbelief.kkKAMENkhaulskankautomatic pulse-riflekfromkthekrear. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkLoo skli ektrouble. KAMENkreacheskunderkthekpilot'skseatkandkpullskoutkakhand-pistol.kkPasseskit tokher. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMENk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkUsedkonekofkthesekbefore? HIROKOkcoollykexamineskit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkFabriquekNationalektacticalkautoloader. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkUsesktwelvekmillkhollowk'O'krounds,kwith kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthroughkthekbarrelksmartklaser-sighting. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSure,kIkcankhandlekthis. HIROKO'skshow-boatingkandkKAMENk nowskit,kbutkhekstillkcan'tkhelpkbeingka littlekbitkimpressed. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkO ay.kkWatchkwerekyoukpointkit... EXT.kkLINSON'SkRANGEk-kENCAMPMENTk-kDAWN Thektwokofkthemkpic ktheirkwaykacrosskmangledktripodskandkcharredkcanvas. Partkofkthekbivouackhaskcollapsedk-konekofkthekguidekropeskhaskburned through. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(quietly) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSomebodykpic edkankargument. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah.kk_Somebody_kwon. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkChec koutkthektent. KAMENknodskandkheadskoffkthatkway,kwhilekHIROKOkcarefullykinspectskthe wrec agekdottedkaroundkthekperimeter. INT.kkTENTk-kDAWN KAMENkopenskthektentkflapkandkpeerskinside.kkACKLAND'skonkthekcot,ksweating heavily.kkTherekisknoksignkofkthekFACEHUGGER. EXT.kkLINSON'SkRANGEk-kENCAMPMENTk-kDAWN Acrosskthekclearing,kHIROKOkturnskakpiecekofkcharredkplatingkoverkinkher handskbeforekdiscardingkit. Herkfootkslipskonkankobjectksun kintoktheksoftkmud.kkIt'skMINH'sk'howitzer'. Akdar kslipperykpatchkcoatskthekmetal.kkShekcroucheskdownkandkrubskher fingerskthroughkit.kkBlood.kkKAMEN'skVOICEkintrudes,kO.S.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'vekfoundkAc land! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHoldkon... Shekbeginsktokcrosskthekcamp,kandkherkfootkcatcheskonkaktautklengthkofkrope. SOMETHINGkswingskdownkfromkthektrees,khittingkherksquarelykinkthekfacekandk noc ingkherkoffkherkfeet.kkHIROKOkCRIESkOUTkinkfearkandksurprise,kthen freezeskatkwhatksheksees.

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kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkShekwaskrunningkaklittleksluggishkonkthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwaykbac .kkThin kthekturbineskmightkbe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkplayingkup. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGivekmektwentykminuteskandkI'llkdokit kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkmyself. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAppreciatekthat. REVNAkinterrupts. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkREVNA kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhere'rekthekbodies? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBaggedkandkinkthekbac .kkThey'reknotka kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkprettyksight. ACKLANDkiskwheeledkintokakfreightkelevator.kkAskKAMENkandkHIROKOkwal kaway acrosskthekrain-sweptkplatform,kakSHIMMERINGkFROMkdetacheskitselfkfromkthe rearkofkthekchopperkandklowerskitselfktokthekheli-jetkpad. PREDATOR-VISION.kkAknewly-arrivedkPREDATORkscanskthektowerskandkmoduleskof thekrelay-stationkwithkgreatkinterest.kkAnkoscillatingkredklinekappearskto thekLEFTkofkthekSHOTkaskthekPREDATORkanalyseskHIROKO'skvoice-pattern. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPREDATOR kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,kdistorted) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNotkakprettyksight.kkNotkakprettyksight... Hekreacheskdownktokhiskwristkcomputerkandkactivateskit. EXT.kkLINSON'SkRANGEk-kIMPACTkSIGHTk-kDAY Underkthekcathedral-li eklightkfilteringkthroughkthektreeskabove,kakrowkof metalkspi eskhavekbeenkdrivenkintokthekearth.kkFourkarektoppedkwithkstillsmo ingkALIENks ulls.kkTwokandkempty. PREDATOR-VISION.kkAknewlykdecapitatedkALIENkheadkiskturnedkaroundkinkanother PREDATOR'skhandskinkadmiration.kkThiskPREDATORkthrustskhisktrophykontokthe nextkspi e,kthenkstareskatkthekvacantkonekforkaklongkmoment.kkHiskwrist computerkBLEEPSkforkattention... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER Withknothingktokdo,kmostkofkthekscreenskarekoutkandkthekremainingkpersonnel bored.kkPARSONSkiskreadingkakmagazinekwithkhiskfeetkupkonkthekconsole, uninterestedkinkHIROKOkandkKAMEN'skconversationknearby. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'mkgoingktokneedkyouktokco-signkthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkreport.kkUntilkwekcomekupkwithksomething, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthis'llkbektreatedkaskfirstkdegreekmurder. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAgreed. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhenkwekgetktheklin kbac ,kandkIksendkthis kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkin,kI.C.C.'llkthrowkak_fit_. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAh,kdon'tkworrykaboutkI.C.C.kkThey'rekthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkleastkofkyourkproblemskrightknow. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkdokyoukmean? URIOSTEkwal skup,kverykserious.kkShekinterrupts. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkURIOSTE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSorry.kkCankIkhavekakword? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSure.kkWhat'skup? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkURIOSTE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThree-Pumpkfailedkakhalf-hourkago.kkThe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkalgaekmustkhavekcloggedkupkankinta e kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkduct. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThin kIkspo ektooksoon... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAgain?kkHowklongkbeforekwekstartknoticing kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthekdifference? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkURIOSTE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkrec onkit'llkbekanotherkdaykbeforekthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksmellkgetskunbearable.kkBeauvaiskusually kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkfixeskit,kbut...ah... HIROKOk nowskwhatkshekmeans.kkBEAUVAISkiskdead. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCankyoukhandlekit? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkURIOSTE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSure,kIkcankmanage.kkButkI'mknotkgoing kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkintokthekPitkonkmykown. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(tokUrioste) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAlright,kgetksomebodykfromkthekauto-shop. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(tokKamen) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIskthatkalright? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah,knokproblem.kkAs kDiller,khe'skgood kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwithkhiskhands. URIOSTEkexchangeskakgrinkwithkCASSIE. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'llkgokalongkwithkthat. AkSHRILLkTRILLINGkfromkhiskconsolekcommunicatorkma eskPARSONSkleapkupkto

answer. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkParsons. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(longkbeat) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah.kkHoldkon. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kINFIRMARY AkCLOSEkUPkofkankeye,kbrightkbluekandkdilated.kkDOCkREVNA'skshiningkakhandheldklightkintokACKLAND'skface.kkACKLAND'skregainedkconsciousness,kbutkiskfar fromkhappy.kkHe'sksittingkonkthekedgekofkakcotkinkthekbasekInfirmary,kan antiseptickroomkfullkofkautomatedkmedicalkequipment.kkThekAutodockis suspendedkfromkthekceilingknearby,kakcircularkclusterkofksophisticated manipulatorkarmsktippedkwithkcuttingkbladeskandksurgicalkparaphernalia. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHey,kc'monkDoc,kIkfeelkfine.kkReally. REVNAkflic skoffkthekprobe. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkREVNA kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHeadache?kkDehydration? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThekhead'sko ay,kbutkIkcouldksin kaksixkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkpac . kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkREVNA kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkForgetkthat.kkIkwantkyoukoffkalcoholkfor kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkatkleastkseventy-twokhours.kkI'vekgotksome kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktoxinkbuild-upktestskstillktokrun. REVNAksha eskherkheadkandkturnsktokKAMEN. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkREVNAk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHe'skbro enkakfeverkthatkwouldk illka kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkmule,kbutkifkheksayskhe'skalrightkI'm kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkpreparedktokbelievekhim.kkHe'skallkyours. HIROKOkenters.kkShekwatcheskfromkbehindkKAMEN. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkhappenedkoutkthere,kAc ? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(consternated) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkdokyoukmean,k'whatkhappened'?kkWhat kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkamkIkdoingkbac khere?kkWhere'skYor ? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(insistent) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat'sktheklastkthingkyoukcankremember? ACKLANDkthin skhard. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWe...watchedkakmeteorkhitkoverkLinson's. HIROKOkandkKAMENkexchangeksignificantkglances.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAkmeteor? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah,kitkimpactedkreallykoff.kkWekwent kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoutktokthekcrash-site...and...uh... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthat's...that'skall. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNothingkelse? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNo. KAMENkturnsktokREVNA. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkShowkhimk'Fido'. REVNAkpullskoutkakcylindricalkglasskstasisktubekfromkakwallkrac .kkShekhands itktokACKLAND.kkHekstudieskthekdeadkFACEHUGGERkfloatingkinsidekwithkmorbid fascination. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkREVNA kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkRingkanykbells? ACKLANDktrieskhardktokthin ,kbutkit'skaskifkakwall'skslammedkdownkhardkonkhis mind. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNotkreally,kno.kkUglyklittleksonuvabitch. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkiskit? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWekthoughtkyoukmightkbekablektoktellkus. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkfoundkitkbykyourkcotkatkthekcamp.kkYou kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwerekoutkcold. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkdidkYor ksay? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYor 'skvanished. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkVanished? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBeauvaiskandkMinhkarekdead,kAc land.kkYor 's kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkgonekawol,kunlesskyoukcankhelpkuskgoksome kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwayktowardkdisprovingkourksuspicion,khe's kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthekprimeksuspectkrightknow. TheknewskhitskACKLANDkhard.kkHekfalterskandkleanskbac ,kaddressingkREVNA. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCankI...um...haveksomekwater?kkPlease? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkREVNA

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSure. Shekgoesktokfetchkakcup. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMISSARY It'sklunchtime,kandkthekSOUNDkofkmachinerykSTEAMINGkfoodkmixeskwithkthe CHATTERkofkthektwenty-or-sokpersonnelkeatingkthere.kkHIROKOkandkKAMENkare deepkinkconversationkacrosskaktable. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDokyoukbelievekhim? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAc land?kkIkdon'tk nowkhimkwellkenoughkto kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksay.kkIfkwekwerekbac konkEarthkwekcould kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkrunkhimkthoughkankAldhovenktestkandkfind kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoutkforksure.kkThere'sknotkmuchkwekcankdo kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoutkhere. KAMENkstareskhardkatkher.kkThat'sknotkmuchkofkankanswer,kandkHIROKOk nowskit. Shekcapitulates. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAlrightkthen,kForkwhatkit'skworth...yes, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkdo. KAMENkdigskappreciativelykintokakcontainerkofkfoodkwithkhiskfor . kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYoukshouldktrykthiskseasonedkstuff.kkIt's kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkgood. GUTTIEREZkapproacheskthektablekcarryingksomething. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGotkakpresentkforkyou. HekhandskHIROKO'skleatherkjac etkoverktokher. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOh,kI'vekbeenkloo ingkforkthis!kkWhere kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwaskit? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYoukleftkitkinkthekchopper.kkOh,kandkbefore kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkforget,kDon?kkIkrankthatktestkyoukwanted kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkonkthekturbines. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAnd...? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAnd,knothing.kkTheykchec edkoutkjustkfine. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kAFTERNOON Akmetalkrailksurroundskthekperimeterkofkthekplatform.kkDILLERkleanskagainst itkdownkbykthekaccesskramp,ksmo ingkakcigarettekandkidlykblowingkringskinto thekair.kkBREWSTERkpric skupkherkyearskandkbeginsktokquietlykSNARL.kkDILLER

glanceskdownkatkherkcuriously. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDILLER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat'skthekmatter,kgirl?kkYouksmell kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksomething? Nowkthekrhinokarekrestlessktoo.kkCASSIEkwal skacrosskthekconcretekroadway tokjoinkthem. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkRhinoskloo kaklittlekantsy, BREWSTERkstopskSNARLSkandkprogresseskonwardsktokfull-fledgedkBARKING. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDILLER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah.kkNeverkseemk'emkactkli ekthis kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbefore. PREDATOR-VISION.kkCASSIEkandkDILLERkarek'warm',kbutkthekrhinoskarekBREWSTER arek'hotter'kstill.kkTheirkVOICESkandkBREWSTER'skBARKSkarekfilteredktokthe pointkofkunrecognizability,keerilykdistorted. CASSIE'skthekfirstktokhearkthekSOUND. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDokyoukhearkthat? DILLERkstraightenskup,kloo ingkoutkintoktheksurroundingktrees.kkIt'skakFAINT HUM,kgettingkLOUDERkeveryksecond. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDILLER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah... Akhoverbi ekappears,ktrailingksmo ekfromkonekofkit'skturbinekinta eskaskit hurtlesktowardskthekbase.kkHalfwaykbetweenkthektreeskandkthekramp,kitkclips akfallenklogkandkspinskend-over-end.kkIt'skriderkflieskthroughkthekairkand hitskthekswampkface-first.kkDILLERkandkCASSIEkracekdownkthekrampkwith BREWSTERkYELPINGkexcitedlykinktheklead. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkdon'tkbelievekit. DILLERksplasheskthroughkthekswampkandkpullsktheklimpkbodykoutkofkthekmire. It'skYORK.kkBloodkhaskca edkaroundkhiskwoundedkleg. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDILLER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHekloo skinkakbadkway.kkHelpkmekgetkhim kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkupktokInfirmary. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWaitkakminute... SomethingkelsekhaskcaughtkCASSIE'skeye.kkAk"something"kalmostktwokmetreskin lengthkprotrudingkfromkthekrearkofkthekwrec edkhoverbi e.kkGraspingkthekhaft firmly,kshekwor skitkfree.kkCASSIEkexamineskthekPREDATORkspear,kandkslowly sha eskherkhead. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIEk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHolykMary...

PREDATOR-VISION.kkThekconcealedkhunterkwatcheskaskthekcolorisedkhuman curiouslykturnskthekweaponkoverkinkherkhands. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kINFIRMARY REVNAksitskatkakdes kandkpeerskintokakmicroscope.kkEveryksokoftenkshekGRUNTS inksatisfactionkandktypesksomethingkintokherkcomputerkterminal.kkThekstasis tubekcontainingkthekdeadkFACEHUGGERkstandsktokoneksidekofkthekcomputer screen.kkThekInfirmarykiskverykquiet,kandkonlykthekgentlekTHROBkofkthekairconditioningkintrudes.kkACKLANDktosseskuncomfortablykonkhiskcot.kkHekfinally sitskupkandkmassageskhiskchest. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOh.kkOhkGod... REVNAklowerskherkpenkandkloo skacross. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkREVNA kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkiskit? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'sknothing,kDoc.kkJustka...touchkof kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkindigestion...something. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkREVNA kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDokyoukwantkaktablet? ACKLANDkwinceskinkpain.kkHiskbreathing'skgettingkheavy.kkHeknods. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkUh-huh. REVNAkgetskupkswiftlykandkcrossesktokankautomatedkpharmacy.kkACKLAND's beginningktokCOUGHknow. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkREVNA kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThatksoundsknasty.kkI'llkgivekyoukakcouple kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkofkDemazine. ACKLANDknodskagain.kkHiskCOUGHINGkhaskdeepened,kandknowkhe'skbangingkhisk chestkwithkakballedkfist.kkREVNAkhurrieskoverkwithkthreekredktabletskandka disposablekcupkofkwater.kkACKLANDkta eskthemkgratefullykandkgulpskthemkdown. Thekeffectkiskalmostkimmediate;kACKLANDkquietenskandkankappreciativeksmile comesktokhiskpaleklips. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkREVNAk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBetter? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkACKLAND kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah... Beforekhekhaskakchancektokelaborate,kACKLANDkCOUGHSkoncekmore.kkAkthinkspray ofkbloodkandksalivakdotskREVNA'skwhiteksmoc kandkspec leskherkchee . ACKLAND'skscrabblingkfingerskgrabkherklapelskaskhekbeginsktokhyperventilate. Shekpullskaway,kdraggingkhimkfromkthekbedkinkthekprocess.kkHekfallsktokthe floor,khiskMOANSkgrowingkinkvolume. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkREVNA kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHoldkon,kit'skalright.kkI'mkgonnakgivek kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkyoukakshot...

Herkfingersktremblekaskshekclumsilykexamineskaktraykofksurgicalkinstruments. Shekfindskakpneumatickspray-injector,kfullykchargedkwithkakvialkofkamber liquidkattached.kkACKLANDkSCREAMSkandkfallkbac wardskontokthekfloor,khis handskclawingkatkthekair.kkREVNAkfumbleskwithkthekinjectorkcontrolkandkgives himkakblastkinkhiskupperkarm.kkACKLANDkconvulseskoncekthenkgoeskstill,khis eyeskstaringkfixedlykatkthekceiling.kkThekInfirmarykiskdeathlykquietkonce again. WekhearkakgentlekCRACKING,kli ektwigskbeingksnapped.kkREVNAkwatcheskin horrifiedkfascinationkaskakpoolkofkbloodkspreadskswiftlykoutwardkacrosskthe floorkfromkbelowkACKLAND'skcorpse.kkREVNAkshudderskaskthekbodykmoveskak little,kthenk_iskrolledkoverkbyksomethingkunderneathkit_. WHATkSHEkSEES.kkACKLAND'skbodykslumpskforwardkontokit'skfront,krevealingka gapingkcavitykinkhiskbac .kkBitskofkspinekandkribcagekarekjustkvisible.kkA CHESTBURSTERk-ktheksecondkstagekofkthekALIENklifeformk-kpullskitselfkclear andkwipeskredkgun kfromkit'skbodykwithkakpairkofkstill-underdevelopedkarms. Aroundkit'skheadkiskakdistinctiveknascentkcrest.kkItk ic skawaykfromkACKLAND withkakpowerfulkpushkfromkit'sklegs,kquic lykgainingkbalance.kkAfterkakmoment appraisingkit'sknewkenvironment,kitkstal skoffkbehindkaktable.kkREVNAkthin s quic ly.kkShekleapskforwardkandkTHUMPSkaklargekredkstudknextktokthekpressuredoor,kwhichkpromptlykRUMBLESkclosed. Thekroomkiskbathedkinkpoolskofkshadows.kkPlentykofkhidingkspacekforkthek creature.kkREVNAkhearskbrea ingkglass,kma ingkherkstart.kkShekcautiously edgeskoverktokthekAutodockandkloo skupkintokthekforestkofkprobe-arms. There'skakwic edkloo ingkbladekthere,kthek indkusedkinkmajorksurgery.kkREVNA reacheskupkandktwistskthekbase;kitkdetacheskeasily.kkNowkshe'skarmed. Stoopedkover,kshekbeginsktokstal kthekCHESTBURSTER... There'skakflurrykofkmovement,kandksuddenlykthekhunterkbecomeskthekhunted. ThekCHESTBURSTERkvaultskfromkthektablekatkherkwithkakSHRILLkSHRIEK,kand REVNAkblindlykswingskherkma e-shiftk nifekinkdefense.kkWekhearkakSIZZLEkli e fryingkbacon... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kINFIRMARYkCORRIDOR HIROKOksprintskdownkthekcorridorkandkreacheskthekInfirmary.kkDILLER,kCASSIE, andkakfewkotherskarekcrowdedkaroundkoutside.kkYORKklayskunconsciouskonkone ofkthekmedicalktrolleysknextktokthekdoor,kma ingkaccesskdifficult.kkAbove them,kakhingedkflapkonkthekwallklieskopenkrevealingkakcircularkmechanism beneath.kkBREWSTERkscratcheskatkthekbul headkandkWHINES.kkMUFFLEDkTHUMPS comekfromkwithin. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkhappened? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDILLER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYor kjustkturnedkupkoutside.kkWe'rektrying kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktokgetkhimkintokInfirmary. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(astonished) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYor ... HIROKOkleanskoverktokexaminekhim,kbutkakparticularlykloudkCRASHkfromkwithin thekInfirmarykdistractskher. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D)

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat'skgoingkon? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThekdoor'sksealedkfromkinside.kkDockRevna's kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkinkthere,kandkitksoundskli ekAc land's kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkgoingknuts. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkForcekthekdoor. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDILLER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCan't.kkIt'skpressureksealed. GUTTIEREZkraceskupkandkhandskDILLERkakwrenchkwithkakshapedktip. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHere... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDILLER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThan s. Hekinsertskthekendkintokthekopenkflapkandkpullskhard,kthekphysicalkeffort showingkonkhiskface.kkThekdoorkgrindskopenkaboutkeightkinches... ThekbloodiedkCHESTBURSTERkforceskitselfkthroughktheknarrowkgap,kHISSING vehemently.kkYellowkfluidkwellskfromkakwoundkinkit'skcrestedks ull, dissolvingkeverythingkitkcomeskintokcontactkwith.kkTheksmallkgroupkgathered aroundkfallkbac kinkpanic,kjarringkYORK'sktrolleykandk noc ingkHIROKOktokthe floor.kkBREWSTERkBARKSkatkthekCHESTBURSTER,kwhichktenseskaskifktokleap. DILLERkbringskthekwrenchkdown,kbutkthekCHESTBURSTERkevadeskhiskblowkandkta es flight.kkItkstri eskatkHIROKO,kwhokreflexivelykdrawskherkheadkbac kand escapeskwithknothingkmorekthankaklightkscratchktokthekchee .kkThekALIEN disappearskdownkthekcorridor,kleavingkaktrailkofksmearedkbloodkandkakseries ofkacidickpitskwhichkmeltkthekgrillewor kflooring.kkGUTTIEREZkbendskdownkand helpskHIROKOktokherkfeet.kkShoc ed,kshekMUTTERSksomethingktokherselfkin JAPANESE,kandkregainsksomekofkherkcomposure. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGetkafterkit,kdon'tkletkitkgetkaway! DILLERkstandsktherekwithkthekmetalkbar.kkDoeskshekthin khe'sknuts? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGokon! ThiskgalvaniseskDILLER.kkHekraceskoffkinkpursuit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkJan,kgivekmekakhandkoverkhere. HIROKOkANDkGUTTIEREZktryktokforcekthekdoor,kbutkDILLERkwaskrightk-kitkwon't budge.kkHIROKOkslipskherkarmkthroughkthekgapkandkfumbleskaroundkblindly.kkShe mustkhavekhitkthekcontrolk nob,kbecausekthekdoorkslideskbac .kkCASSIEkloo s inside. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOhkmykGod... Shekturnskawaykandkretches.kkHIROKOkstepskthroughkandkgoeskpale.kkTherekare blood-smearskoverkeverything,kandkit'skallkGUTTIEREZkcankdoktokstopkBREWSTER

fromkgettingkinkthere. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER PARSONS'kfingerktraceskakpathkalongkaksetkofkcomputerkschematicskdisplayed onkaksuspendedkglasskscreen. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkItkleftkakmeltedktrailkonkthekdec kall kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthekwaykdownktokhere... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkiskthat? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDILLER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSecondarykfluidickshuntkforktheksewage kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksystem.kkIkfoundkthekgratingkrippedkright kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoff.kkTheklittlekfuc erkwask_strong_. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWherekdoeskthatkleadkto? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCentralkPumping.kkAllkthekwastekgetsk kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktreated,kbro en-down,kandkflushedkout kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkintokthekswamp.kkIfkitkwantedkakquic kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkexitkthenkitkreallykluc ed-out. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYou'vekchec edkthatkend? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNotkyet,kno. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDokit.kkIkdon'tkwantkthatkthingkonkmy kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkinstallation.kkIkwantkitkcaughtkand kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkdestroyed. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCorneringkitkshouldn'tkbekakproblem.kkEach kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkpartkofkthiskstationkiskbasicallykakselfkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksufficientkdeep-spacektransportkmodule kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkrunningkoffkexternalkcouplers.kkIfkwe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkdisconnectkthemkandksealkoffkeveryksection, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwe'vekgotkakceilingkofkaboutkthirty-six kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkhourskonkinternalkpower.kkThatkshouldkgive kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkuskamplektimektokfindkit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAlright.kkPullksomektrac erskandkheadsets kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoutkofkstores,kandkI'llksignkakreleasekfor kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthekweapons.kkCassie,korganisekakteam kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkrosterkandkputkitkonkthekboard. CASSIEknodsksoberly.kkHIROKOkloo skatkeverybody,kandkherkwordskarekcarefully chosen. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkdon'tkcarekhowkyouk illkthiskthing,kjust

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbekcarefulknotktokgetkinkit'skwaykwhenkit kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbleeds.kkYoukallksawkwhatkhappenedktokDoc kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkRevna. Therekareknodskofkagreementkandkgeneralkenthusiasmkallkround. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNobodykwanderkoffkonktheirkownkuntilkit's kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkfound.kkKeepkinkpairs.kkDiller,koncekthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkfirstkteam'skdonektheirksweepkIkwantkyou kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktokgokdownkwithkAnniektokThree-Pumpkwhile kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkshekreplaceskit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDILLER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkO ay. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOnekfinalkpoint.kkKillingkthisksonuvabitch kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoughtktokbekakrewardkinkitself.kkHowever, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkjustktokaddkaklittlekincentive...I'm kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkauthorizingkakheftykbonuskinktheknextkpaykkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkpac etkforkwhoeverkdoes. Thiskseemsktokappealktokthosekassembledkthere.kkThere'skakpalpablekbuzzkin thekair. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAlright,klet'skgetktokit.kkNewkYor krules kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkapply. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kEXECUTIVEkOFFICE YORKkiskrecountingkhiskstoryktokKAMENkandkHIROKOkinkakhushedkvoice.kkSmall beadskofksweatkstandkoutkonkhiskforeheadkandkhiskeyeskarekhauntedkby remembrance.kkThekman'skakmess. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk...Ikmean,kthese...thesekmotherskwere... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwerek_huge_.kkTheykloo kli ekbushmen, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbutktheykhadkallkthiskhi-techkshit kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkstrappedkallkoverk'em.kkTheykmust've kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwastedkBeauvaiskandkMinhkinsidekthirty kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkseconds.kkMinhkgotkoffkakcouplekofkshots kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkfromkthatkcannonkofkhis,kbutkhekmightkas kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwellkhavekbeenkusingkakB-Bkgun.kkIkdon't kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk nowkhowkthekhellkIkmadekitkoutkofkthere kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkalive. HeknodsktowardkthekPREDATORkspearkinkHIROKO'skhands. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORKk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThekonekIkclippedkwithkthekhoverbi e kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkshovedkthatkatkme.kkWhateverkit'skmadekof, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkitkwentkstraightkthroughkakdouble-layerkof kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkhoneycombkpolyalloykcompositekli ekitkwas kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbutter. YORKksha eskhiskheadkinkfear.

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kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThat'skwhatkIkmean.kkThiskiskthekquietest kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'vekeverkheardkit.kkIt'skunnatural. GUTTIEREZkshiverskinkthekwindkaskhekloo skoutkintokthekimpenetrablekblac ness beyondkthekconfineskofkthekbase. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDekVries? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNextktimekyoukhavekakthoughtkli ekthat? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKeepkitktokyourself. BREWSTERkthekdogkstareskinkfascinationkatkthekrhinoskthroughkthekmeshwor fencekofktheirkpens.kkThekanimalskmovekaroundkinkagitation.kkNotkatkher,kbut atksomethingkelse... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSomethingkspoo ingkthekrhinos? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkdunno. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSWAMPkLEVELk-kDUSK PREDATOR-VISION.kkThekrhino's,kthekdog,kandkthektwokhumanskcankbekseenkway abovekonkthekplatform'skedge,kbrightkred. Indistinctkinsidektheirkcamouflagekcloa s,ktheksmallkgroupkofkPREDATORSkwade carefullykthroughkthekwaterktowardskthekbasekofkthekinstallation. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPUMPkROOM DARKNESS.kkDILLERkandkURIOSTE'skVOICESkheardkO.S.kinkHUSHEDkTONES.kkThe scrapingkofkMETAL-ON-METAL. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDILLER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkiskthat...iskthatkit? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkURIOSTE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNo.kkI...thin kthat'skakregulatorkvalve. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHoldkon. There'skmorekNOISE. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkURIOSTEk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAh,kgotkit...! Aboutkakdozenkfluorescentkstripskringingktheksmallkcircularkchamber illuminate.kkThreekotherskflic erkerratically,konekofkthemkremainingkunlit. DILLERkwaveskthektrac erkcautiouslykaroundkandk eepskhiskpulse-rifleklevel. Hekenters,kfollowedkbykURIOSTE.kkShe'skcarryingkakportablek-kbutkbul ykpiecekofkmachinery. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkURIOSTE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkArekyoukgettingkanything?

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kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTa ekakloo katkthis. GUTTIEREZkmoveskoverkforkakcloserkloo .kkThere'skaktornkholekinkthekmeshwor , justkbigkenoughkforkakrhinoktoksqueezekthrough.kkBloodkandkfragmentskofks in coatkthekedgekofkthekgap. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOnekofk'emkmustkhavekescaped. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThat'skimpossible,kman.kkThiskfencekis kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkhigh-tensile.kkThekbrea ingktolerance'd kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkstandkupktokthekstrainkofkakrhino,keasy. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIk now,kIkputkitkup. GUTTIEREZkshineskthekflashlightkalongkthekdec .kkAktrailkofksmearedkblood runskallkthekwayktokthekperimeter.kkTheksurroundingkfencekhaskbeenkbuc led andktwisted.kkTheykcrossktokitkandkloo kdownkatkthekswamp.kkThektorchkbeam spar leskonkthekmur ykwaterkfarkbelow. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThere'sknokwaykakrhino'dksurvivekthat kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkdrop. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGoldsmith'skgonnakbekplentykpissedkat kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkklosingkonekofkherkbabies. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThat'skakfact. GUTTIEREZ'ktrac erkstartsktokBLEEP.kkHekraiseskitkexcitedly. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhoa,kwaitkakminute... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkJustkgotkakreading... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER MostkofktheklightskinkAdminkarekoff,kandkthekroom'skdeserted.kkPARSONSkis seatedkawaykfromkhiskusualkstationkatkakconsolektoppedkbyktenkmonitor screens,keachkdisplayingkaksecuri-camkpicture.kkHekloo sktired.kkKAMENkcomes upkbehindkhimkcarryingktwokmugskofkcoffee. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHow'skitkgoing? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah,k'GoodkEvening'ktokyou,ktoo. Hekta eskthekcoffeekgratefullykandksipskatkit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONSk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkToday'skparty'skfinishedktheirksweep,kthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkreliefkteam'skoutkthereknow.kkEverybody

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkelsekiskeitherkasleepkorkrunningkshiftkin kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthekauto-shop. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYoukshouldkhitktheksac ,ktoo. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNah,kI'llkstic kitkoutkforkanotherkhour kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkorkso. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatktime'sksundown? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk'Boutkfivekminutes. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGivekmekakyellkisksomethingkhappens. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYoukgotkit,kcowboy. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kDUSK GUTTIEREZksweepskthektrac erkslowlykaround,kandkBREWSTERkbeginsktokgently SNARL.kkDEkVRIESkpullskonkthekdog'skleashktokquietenkher. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'skupkthereksomewhere... Hekshoulderskhiskrifle. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkComekon. Akmetalkladderkrunskupktheksidekofkonekofkthekbasekbuildings.kkGUTTIEREZ crossesktokitkandkstartsktokclimbkthekfirstkfewkrungs. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat?kkArekyouknuts?kkJustkthektwokofkus? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'vekseenkthiskmother,kDekVries.kkWekcan kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbagkit,knokproblem. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkForgetkit,kman. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkC'monkDekVries.kkThin kofkthekbonus. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkFuc kthekbonus.kkIkhatekheights.kkYou kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwouldn'tkgetkmekupktherekevenkifkit kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk_wasn't_knight. GUTTIEREZkstartsktokclimbkthekladder. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkthekhellkarekyoukdoing?

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHey,kfairkenough.kkIfkyoukwon'tkcome,kI'll kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkhandlekitkmyself. DEkVRIESkrunskherkfingerskthroughkherkhairkinkfrustration.kkComesktoka decisionkcounterktokwhatkshekwantsktokdo... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWaitkakminute! GUTTIEREZkstopskclimbing. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIESk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAlright,ko ay.kkLoo ... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'llkcomekwithkyou. BREWSTERkBARKS.kkShekdragskthekdogkoverktokakmetalkstanchionkandktieskthe leashkaroundkit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIESk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkButkI'mkgoingkfirst... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAnythingkyouksay,kMammacitta. ShekclimbskaroundkGUTTIEREZkandkbeginsktokascendkthekladder.kkBREWSTER WHIMPERSkandkplaintivelykBARKSkafterkthem. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kROOFTOPkLEVELk-kDUSK Thekrooftopkiskdar ,kmysterious.kkPieceskofkretrofittedkjun kcankbekseenkin silhouette,kedgedkinklightkfromkwaykbelow.kkDEkVRIESkandkGUTTIEREZkcarefully stepkoverkthekthreshold.kkTheykspea kinkWHISPERS. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCarefulkofkthatkedgingkthere... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah,kIkgotkit. AlthoughkwekhavekankoutstandingkVIEWkofktheknightklightskofkthekbasekupkhere, thekimmediatekgloomkiskimpenetrable. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhere'skthatkflashlight? Bykwaykofkankanswer,kakpowerfulkraykcutskakswathekthroughkthekair.kkDEkVRIES ta eskthektorchkfromkhimkandkshineskitkonkthekground.kkCircularkextractor fanskrotatekquietlykinkthekgloom. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIESk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkStillkgotkhim? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'skmovingkslow.kkAbout...elevenkmetres. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOnkthekleft. DEkVRIESkplayskthekflashlightkacrosskthekrooftop. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkLittlekbitkfurther... Thekbeamkcomesktokrestkonkakprotrudingkpiecekofkapparatus.kkAkshort-range antennae,kaboutksevenkfeetkwide. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah,kyeah,kyeah.kkRightkthere,kright kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbehindkthekantennae.kkIkthin kwe'rekgot kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkitkcornered... EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kDUSK HIROKOkbendskdownktokinspectkaksmallkplastickgratingkfittedkflushkwithkthe roadway.kkThekbro enkgrillewor kiskmeltedkoutwards.kkKAMENkandktwokother menk-kCALDWELLkandkTHOMASk-kstandkbehind. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMAS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThekdoorktokthekfoodkstoragekloc erkwas kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksmashedkopen.kkItkmustkhavekcomekstraight kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoutkofkhere. HIROKOkyawns. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAlright.kkKeepkyourkeyeskpeeled. ShekvoiceskherkconcernktokKAMEN. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIfkitkgotkoutkofktheksystems,kitkcould kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbekanywhere. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kROOFTOPkLEVELk-kDUSK It'skverykquiet,kandkwekcankhearkthekNERVOUSkBREATHINGkofkGUTTIEREZkandkDE VRIESkasktheykcautiouslykstal kforward. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHoldkit,kholdkit... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat'skwrong? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'mkpic ingkupkanotherksignal. DEkVRIESkloo skaround,kunnerved. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat?kkWhere? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkJustkbehindkus,koverktokthekright.

DEkVRIESkshineskherkbeamkoverktheksurfacekofkthekyellowkcranektoktheirkrear, shiftingkherkattentionkto-and-frokfromkitkandkthekantennae. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCan'tkseekakthing.kkArekyouksure? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah,kI... Theksecondkblipkonktheksmallkscreenkabruptlykvanishes. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWait.kkLostkit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHow? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkdunno.kkMightkbekakglitch. FromkbehindkthekmetalkdiscktherekcomeskakSHUFFLINGkSOUND,kfollowedkbyka METALLICkTHUNK.kkThiskgetsktheirkattention.kkThektwokofkthemkhaltkinktheir trac s. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOh,kman.kk_That's_knokglitch! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'skalright,kit'skcool... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIskitkstillkmoving? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNo,khe'skstopped;khe'sktotallykstill. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkJustkta ekitknicekandkeasy,kbabe.kkNice kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkandkeasy... Aksmallkmany-limbedkSHAPEkhurlskitselfkfromkthekconfineskofkit'skhidingkplace withkakFERALkSHRIEK.kkDEkVRIESkYELPSkinksurprise,kandklooseskoffkakspraykof bullets. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kDUSK HIROKOkloo skup,kstartledkbyktheksoundkofkGUNFIRE.kkShekseeskthekrooftopkof onekofkthekbuildingkmodulesklitkbyktracerkfire.kkBREWSTER'sktetheredknearby, BARKINGkfuriously. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPUMPkROOMk-kPUMPkSHAFT Akthin kmetalkcablekconnectedktokherkjac etkharnessksuspendskURIOSTEkinkthe gloomkofkthekPumpkShaft.kkInkfrontkofkherkiskakmachine-partkweksawkherkcarry earlier.kkWithkthekstrapkofkakflashlightkclenchedkinkherkmouth,kshe'skjust finishingkupkboltingkthekpartktoktheklargerkpiecekofkmachinerykinkankalcove, withksimultaneouslykdoingkherkbestknotktoktouchkthekwallskwhichkarekcovered bykakthinklayerkofkgunge. ThekREPORTkofkDEkVRIES'kweaponkcankbekheardkevenkdownkhere,kperhapskmore startlingkinkthekconfinedkspace.kkURIOSTEkjumps,kdroppingkthekflashlightkinto thekwaterkinkthekprocess.

INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPUMPkROOM DILLERkturnskawaykfromkthekwinchkandkpeerskintokandkbeyondkthekaccessktunnel leadingkoutside.kkURIOSTE'skVOICEkfloatskupkoutkofkthekshaft. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkURIOSTE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,kmuffled) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkwaskthat? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDILLER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(raisingkhiskvoice) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSomethingkoutside... EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kROOFTOPkLEVELk-kDUSK ThekwindkwhipskatkGUTTIEREZkaskhekblin skawaykhiskshoc . kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHolyk_shit_... DEkVRIESk eepskherktorchkbeamkonkthekmovingkshape.kkItkhaltskbykthekedgekof thekroof,kandkstareskatkthem. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOh,knicekgoing,kman!kkItkwaskaklemur! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAkgoddamnklemur! GUTTIEREZ'kradiokheadsetkCRACKLESktoklife. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkheadset) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGuttierez,kwhatkthekhell'skgoingkonkup kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthere? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkUh...sorrykaboutkthat,kboss.kkEverything's kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkfine.kkFalsekalarm,kthat'skall. DEkVRIESkglanceskaroundkthekrooftop,kannoyed. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHey,kloo ;klet'skforgetkit.kkThere's kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkknothingkupkhere. PREDATOR-VISION.kkDEkVRIESkinkCLOSE-UP,kglowingkbrightly.kkHerkVOICEkreplayed andkdistorted. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPREDATOR kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNothingkupkhere.kkNothingkupkhere. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPUMPkROOMk-kPUMPkSHAFT URIOSTE'skflashlightkbobskup-and-downkonkthekwaterkbelow,kstillklitkandkwell outkofkreach. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkURIOSTE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(disgustedly) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkShit.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDILLER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,kmuffled) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat'skthekmatter? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkURIOSTE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'vekdroppedkmyktorchkintokthekwater. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGivekmekabout...uh...akmeter-and-a-half's kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkworthkofkslac . kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDILLER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,kmuffled) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkO ay. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPUMPkROOM DILLERkcrossesktokthekwall-mountedkwinch.kkOnkthekmechanism'sksidekiska luminouskdigitalkcounterkgivingkthekcurrentkcablekdepthkinkmeters.kkHekpulls akthrow-switch,kandkthekdisplaykslowlykchangeskfromk"8"ktok"9.5"kaskthekcable feedskout. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPUMPkROOMk-kPUMPkSHAFT URIOSTEkdescendskthekdingykshaft,kpartiallykabseilingkoffkthekwalls.kkHer feetkalmostktreadkwater.kkShe'skdownkaskfarkaskshekcankgo. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkURIOSTEk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhoa,kwhoa... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPUMPkROOM URIOSTE'skVOICEkechoeskupkoutkofkthekpit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkURIOSTEk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,kmuffled) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk...That'skenough. DILLERkloc skthekwinch-switchkbac kintokit'sk'up'kposition.kkThekWHINEkofkthe cable-feedkstopskimmediately. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPUMPkROOMk-kPUMPkSHAFT URIOSTEkstretcheskoutktokthekfloatingklamp,kflexingkherkfingers.kkIt's... just...about...in...reach... SixkslenderkfingerskEXPLODEkfromkbeneathkthekwater'sksurfacekandkclampkli eka visekaroundkURIOSTE'skwrist.kkAkslee keyelesskheadkfollows,ktrailingkakbody straightkoutkofkakcharnel-houseknightmare.kkAkSCREAMkformskinkherkthroat, rapidlykcut-offkaskthekALIEN'skotherkhandkclampskfirmlykoverkherkmouth, jer ingkherkdownwards. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPUMPkROOM DILLERkwhirlskinkresponsektokthekCHOKEDkCRYkfromkbelow.kkHekseeskthekwinch tripodkabovekthekshaftkRATTLE,kthekcablekgoingktautkaskankangler'skline. Thekwall-mountedkdrumkiskyan edksokhardkthekleverkleapskfromkit'sk'clamped' position,kfreelykunspoolingkcablekatkakfrighteningkrate.kkThekdigitalkcounter flic erskrapidly;k"11...11.5...12...12.5...13..."kkDILLERkwatcheskthe tripod'sktubularklegskbuc lekandkcollapsekunderkthektremendouskstrain.kkHe scrambleskforkthekwinch-leverkandkonlykjustkmanagesktokloc kitkfirmlykinto

place;kthekover-stressedkcablekvibratingkwithkakLOWkMETALLICkTWANGkaskitkhits thekshaft'skedge.kkDILLER'skmomentkofksatisfactionkiskshort-lived;kthekdeepsun kboltskattachingkthekmechanismktokthekwallkarekpullkoutwardkbykthe colossalkforcekfromkbelow.kkHekleapskaside,kavoidingkthekheavykpiecekof machinerykaskitkHURTLESktowardskhim.kkWatcheskitkdisappearknoisilykintokthe conduit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDILLER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAnnie! DILLER'skquiveringkfingerskgropekforkhiskflashlight. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDILLERk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAnnie! Hekfeverishlykreacheskthekshaft'skedgekandkpeerskintokthekdar ness. WHATkHEkSEES.kkThektorchbeamkpic skoutkthekbiomechanicalkformkofkthekALIEN emergingkfromktheksewagekandkeffortlesslykclimbingkthekshaftkwallsktowards him.kkRecoilingkinkhorror,khekma eskakrunkforkthekdoor.kkHalf-wayktherekhe rememberskhiskpulse-riflekandkdivesktokthekfloor,kgraspingkitkjustkaskthe ALIENkreacheskthektop.kkDILLERkfumbleskwithktheksafetykandkgivekthekcreature akfullkBLASTkonkroc -and-roll,kBLASTINGkitkbac kintokthekpit. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kROOFTOPkLEVELk-kDUSK GUTTIEREZkandkDEkVRIESkhearkthekgunfirekfromkbelow. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThekhellkwaskthat? PREDATOR-VISION.kkThekPREDATOR'skgazekSNAPSkawaykfromkthektwokhumanskandkdown ontokthekplatformkbelow.kkHekwatcheskthekinfra-redkshapeskofkotherkpeople runningktowardsktheksourcekofkthekshots... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPUMPkROOM DILLER'skonkhiskfeetkandksha ilykheadingkforkthekexitkaskANOTHERkALIEN's clawskemergekfromkthekexposedkhole.kkHekraceskacrosskthekthresholdkandkSLAMS thekthinkinnerkdoorkclosed. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kDUSK InkakHAND-HELDkSHOTkwe'rekrunningkwithkHIROKO'skgroupkalongktheknarrow catwal kbridgingkthekroadwayktokthekPumpkRoom,kKAMENkta ingktheklead.kkDILLER sprintskoutkofkthekbuildingkli ekakbatkoutkofkhellkandkcollideskwithkhim. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKev,kwha...? DILLERkbrea skfreekofkthekotherkman'skgrasp.kkHekloo skaskifkhe'skaboutkto sayksomething,kbutkneverkgetskthekchance. There'skaksoundkofkTEARINGkMETAL,kandkakHISSINGkseven-footkexpressktrainkof teethkandkbiomechanicalklimbskERUPTSkfromkthekshadows. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kROOFTOPkLEVELk-kDUSK PREDATOR-VISION.kkGazingkdownkatkthekplatform,kankunseenkhunterkwatcheskthe swiftkblac kSHAPEkofkthekALIENkinkamongstkthekgroupkofkhumans...

Fromkthekcornerkofkherkeye,kDEkVRIESkseesksomethingkmovingknearby.kkShe violentlykpullskGUTTIEREZkoutkofkthekpathkofkthekshimmeringkFORMkthatkbarges pastkthem,klaunchingkitselfkfromkthekrooftop. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER PARSONSksitskboltkuprightkinkhiskchairkaskthekscenekoutsidekiskrelayedkto hiskban kofkscreenskbykankexteriorksecuri-cam. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOhkmykGod... EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kDUSK Withksuperhumankstrength,kthekALIENkbrutallykbac -handskDILLER,ksplintering hisks ullkandk illingkhimkinstantly.kkHiskbodykcaromeskintokTHOMAS,k noc ing thekmanktokthekfloor.kkThekALIENkturnsktokKAMEN,kit'skquestingkfingers closingkaroundkhiskthroatkandkhaulingkhimkoffkthekground.kkThekspacekonkthe catwal kitklimited;kthere'sksokmanykpeoplekit'skimpossiblektokgetkakclean shot... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMove!kkGetkoutkofkthekway! HIROKOkdrawskakbeadkonkthekALIEN.kkShekflipskoffktheksafetykonkherkrifle. It'skthektiniestkCLICK,kbutkthekALIENksomehowksenseskdanger.kkIt'sks eletal tailklasheskout,ksendingkbothkherkandkthekweaponkflying.kkCALDWELLkgetskin forkhiskshot,kbutkthektail'sktherekinkaksecond.kkItkstri eskli ekaksna e. Once.kkTwice.kkThekstingerkpunctureskCALDWELL'skchestkandkthroat.kkNobody couldksurviveksomethingkli ekthat... ThekALIENkflic skit'sks ullkbac karoundktokKAMEN.kkThekman'skheadkiskinches awaykfromkit'skeyelesskface...akrowkofkburnishedkmetalkteethkopen...the toothedkinnerktonguekreadyktokstri e... WHOOMPH.kkSomethingklandskheavilykclose-up,kjarringkthekcatwal .kkThekALIEN dropskKAMENkandkWHIRLS.kkAkspearkwieldedkbykankINVISIBLEkFORMkappearskoutkof nowherekandkPIERCESkthekALIEN'skmidriff,ksprayingkacidickfluid.kkThekcreature emitskakOUTRAGEDkSHRIEKkandkflailskaround,kit'skubiquitousktailkarcingktoward thekcamouflagedkassailant.kkThekSTINGERkma eskcontact:kkthere'skakSPUTTERING SOUNDkaskthekPREDATOR'skcloa ingkdevicekbeginsktokflic erkspasmodically, givingkuskpee -a-bookglimpseskofkit'sknaturalkform.kkElectricalkspar skdance aroundkthekPREDATOR'skruinkwrist-computer,kluminouskgreenkbloodkwellingkfrom akwoundkinkhiskarm... FromkoutkofkthekPumpkRoomkcomeskmorekNOISE,kli ekmetalkbeingktrashedkinka compactor.kkHIROKOkSCREAMSkatkKAMEN,kwho'skCOUGHINGkpainfullyknextktokthe doorkpanel. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGetkthekdoor! KAMENkhastilykslapskthek'close'kbuttonkandkbothkhalveskofkthekexterior pressurekbul headkRUMBLEktogether.kkAkSECONDkALIENkappearskfromkthekshadows withinkandkpriseskit'skfingerskintokthekdwindlingkgap,kstrugglingkfor purchase.kkDespitekthekALIEN'skbestkefforts,kthekdoorkmotorskarektookpowerful andkthekopeningksealskwithkaksatisfyingksolidkCLUNK.kkMUFFLEDkPOUNDINGkcomes fromkthekotherkside.

Nearby,kTHOMASkhaskretrievedkCALDWELL'skweaponkinkthekheatkofkthekfightkand iskbringingkitktokbearkonkthekPREDATOR.kkAtktheklastkpossiblekmomentkHIROKO seeskwhatkhe'skaboutktokdo... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNo! Reflexively,kshek noc skthekbarrelkawaykaskTHOMASklooseskakvolleykofkshots. PREDATOR-VISION.kkThekPREDATOR'skspeechkanalyserkplayskbac kherkvocal patternskaskwhite-hotkbulletsksearktheknight. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPREDATOR kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNo! PREDATOR-VISION.kkSNAPPINGkINkforkakcloserkloo katkher. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPREDATORk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNo! OnekofkthekALIEN'skhandskclampskfirmlykontokthekPREDATOR'skmas kandkwrenches itkoff.kkHIROKOkstareskatkthekPREDATOR'skfacekinkfascination.kkFromkthe distinctivekfeatures,kwekseekthatkit'skBROKENkTUSK.kkThekPREDATOR'skgoodkhand flasheskdownktokhiskthigh,kalmostktookquic ktokfollow.kkInkonekrapidkmovement akcirculark'smart-weapon'kiskbroughtkup,kslicingkthekfrontkofkthekALIEN s ullkawaykfromkit'skhead.kkInkakfeatkofkstrength,kthekPREDATORkliftskhis opponent'skcorpsekonkthekendkofkthekspearkandkhurlskitkoverkthekcatwal railing... Notkwastingkaksecond,kBROKENkTUSKkperformskankalmost-verticalkboundkofksome twentykfeetkwithkastoundingkgrace.kkHekgripskakpipekrunningkdownktheksidekof onekofkthekbuildingkmodules,kthenkclamberskoverkthekroof'skedgekandkfinally disappearskfromkview.kkBREWSTERkcontinuesktokBARKkfrenetically. HIROKO'skheadsetkhaskbeenk noc edktokthekfloorkandkakFRANTICkMUTEDkVOICE iskcomingkfromkit.kkShekpic skitkup,kandkpresseskthek'transmit'kswitch. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(intokheadset) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'skalright,kRob... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER PARSONSklistensktokHIROKO,ksuddenlykwidekawa e.kkThekmorningkshiftskare startingktokfilterkin,kandkit'skobviousktokthemksomething'skwrong... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea er) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk...Everything'skunderkcontrol.kkWaitka kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksecond. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kDUSK THOMASkiskmovingkfromkDILLERktokCALDWELL,kchec ingkthemkforksignskofklife. HIROKOkcatcheskhiskeye. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWell? THOMASksha eskhiskhead.kkGUTTIEREZkandkDEkVRIESkracekacrosskthekplatformkto

joinkthekstunnedksurvivorskofktheks irmish.kkGUTTIEREZkbendskdownkbykDILLER's body.kkTHOMASklayskakhandkonkGUTTIEREZ'karm. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMAS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkComekon,kman.kkLeavekitkalone. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOh,kGod.kkDearkLordkJesus... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThiskiskli ekakbadkdream,kman.kkAkbad kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkfuc ingkdream. HIROKOkthin skquic ly,kandkcomesktokakdecision.kkShekspea skintokherkradio headset. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkRob?kkIkwantkyouktokevackeverybodykfrom kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktheknon-connectivekmoduleskintokadmin. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThatkgoeskdoublekforkanybody... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea er) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk...alreadykoutkhere.kkWe'rekgoingktokloc kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkeverykbul headkandksealkthekbase. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kDUSK HIROKOkturnskherkheadsetkoffkandkwatchesknumerouskrotatingkcolouredklights dottedkaroundkthekplatformkstartktokblin kon-and-off.kkKAMENkCOUGHSkakfew morektimes. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkArekyouko ay? KAMENkrubskhiskthroat.kkHeknods. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'llksurvive. BREWSTER'skBARKSkcease,kreplacedkinsteadkwithkakTERRIFIEDkLOWkWHINING. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat'skwithkthekdog? GUTTIEREZkjogskoverktokBREWSTER.kkLowerskhiskriflektokthekgroundkandkfumbles withkthek notktyingkthekdogktokthekpipe. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHey;kc'monknow,kgirl.kkIt'skalright.kkLet's kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkjustkgetkthisk notkundone... AkspraykofkplastickshardskEXPLODESknotkthreekfeetkawaykfromkGUTTIEREZ.kkThe riflekgoesks itteringkawaykoutkofkreach,kandkhekscrambleskawaykaskankALIEN half-pullskitselfkoutkofktheksewerkoverflow,kwetkandkglistening... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkJan!

BREWSTER'skakmasskofkfur,ktotallykoutkofkcontrol.kkWhenkthekALIENklasheskout tokgrabkthekHOWLINGkanimal,kthere'sknothingkGUTTIEREZkcankdo.kkBREWSTER's legskarektheklastkthingkweksee,kthrashingkhelplesslykaskshe'skdraggedkdown intoktheksplinter-edgedkgap. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGetkoutkofkthere,kman! THOMASkgrabskCALDWELL'skriflekfromkthekdec .kkHekracesktowardskGUTTIEREZ, withkDEkVRIESkclosekbehind... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMAS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCatchkthis! FromkbehindkcomeskthekSOUNDkofkmorekrupturingkplastickaskbiomechanoidklimbs strugglekupkoutkofknewly-bro enkducts.kkTHOMASkheaveskthekriflekoverkthe headskofkthekemergingkALIENS.kkAlthoughkGUTTIEREZksnagskitkaw wardly,khe quic lykturnskthekbarrelkonkthekrelentlesskcreatures. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkChewkonkthis! DEkVRIESkraceskupktokjoinkthem,kSCREAMINGkaskshekfires.kkKAMENkglanceskdown atkthisktrac er'sktinykscreen.kkItkshowskclusterskofksignals,klotskofkthem. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(hollering) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThey'rekallkaround,kthey'rekinkthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkdrainageksystem! DEkVRIESkreactskswiftly,kloosingkakroundkofkshotskatkthekemergingkALIENS. GUTTIEREZkyellskacrossktokKAMEN. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGetkyourkasskoutkofkhere,kboss! ALIENSkarekappearingkeverywhere.kkFromkthekoverflowkducts;koverkthekplatform edges;kalongkoverheadkcableksupports.kkHavingkta enkonkthekgenetic characteristicskofktheirkhosts,kmanykofkthemkareknon-humanoid.kkAllkofkthem areklivingknightmares. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOhkmyk_God_... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kLIVINGkQUARTERS CASSIEkbrusheskherkteethkinkfrontkofkthekwall-mountedkmirrorkofkherktiny bathroom-cubicle.kkAkraucouskemergencyk laxonkGOESkOFFkinkthekcorridor outside. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkShit. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMkFARkSIDEk-kDUSK THOMAS,kGUTTIEREZ,kandkDEkVRIESkarekcut-off.kkAsktheykracekswiftlykdownkthe street,kGUTTIEREZktrieskhardktokinterpretkhisktrac er'sksignals.kkA particularlykloudkBLEEPkregisterskfromkaksourcekimmediatelykbehindkthem.kkHe glanceskoverkhiskshoulderkandkseeskankALIENkcrawlingkdownkthekoutsidekofka

modulektowardskthem. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDekVries! DEkVRIES'kheadkturns.kkShekseeskthekALIENkandknailskitkwithkakrapidkburst. Itkfallskontokthekconcreteknearby,kwrithingkinkit'skdeathkthroes. Thekgroupkroundkthekcornerkofkakbuilding.kkAcrosskthekstreetkfromkthemkis par edkKAMEN'skcrawler. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkInside,kinside! Theykscramblekupkintokthekcab.kkGUTTIEREZkthrowskhimselfkintokthekdriver's seat.kkAnkALIENksprintskatkthekcrawlerkwithkbaredkteeth.kkTHOMASklooseska shot,kblastingkitkbac wardkintokakPepsiksign. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMAS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYo'kmomma,kboneface! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(tokGuttierez) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkC'mon,kman;kpunchkthiskcow! GUTTIEREZkfumbleskatkthekignition.kkTheyk eyskarekthere.kkHekflipskthem,kand thekenginekGROWLSktoklife. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCRANEkCATWALKk-kDUSK PREDATOR-VISION.kkFromkwaykupkhere,kwe'vekgotkankoutstandingkviewkofkthe humanskrunningkacrosskthekplatform... Crouchingkonkakbright-yellowkcatwal ,kBROKENkTUSKkpresseskclosedkakpanelkon theksmallkcontainerkbalancedkonkhisk nee.kkInsidekitkarekrowskofkmetal instrumentskwithkakpristineksurgicalkqualitykaboutkthem.kkBROKENkTUSKkflexes hiskhandkexperimentally.kkSatisfied,khekclipskthekmedicalk itkontokhiskbac beforekgettingktokhiskfeet. StandingkaroundkhimkarekseveralkotherkPREDATORS.kkAllkbutkonekhavektheir camouflagekcloa skactivated.kkThekSOUNDkofkGUNFIREkwaykacrosskthekstation drawsktheirkattention... EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kDUSK HIROKOkandkKAMENkboltktowardskankexternalkhatch,kwithkKAMENklayingkdownka fieldkofkcoveringkfirekonkfull-automatic.kkThekblazekofklightkfromkthe rifle'skbarrelkabruptlykstops. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'mkoutkofkammo.kkGetkinside,kgetkinside! HIROKOkhearskakHORRIBLEkNOISEknearby.kkAkfieldkofkcowskbeingkslaughteredkby macheteskwouldksoundkli ekthis. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThey'rekinkwithkthekrhino!

EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kRHINOkPENk-kDUSK AnkALIENkiskSMASHEDksidewayskintokthekoneksolidkwallkofkthekpen,kbroadsided andkinstantlykcrushedkbykaktonkofkFRENZIEDkrhino.kkIt'skyellowkbloodkeats intokthekweightykquadruped,kelicitingkANGUISHEDkBELLOWSkofkpainkfromkthe haplesskcreature. ALIENkstingerskslicekthroughkthekair.kkRhinosktryktokboltkbutkarekintercepted bykinhumanlykpowerfulkforces.kkIt'skwholesalekcarnage. PREDATOR-VISION.kkWe'rekmovingkswiftlykalongkthekrooftopskandksurveyingkthe meleekbelow,klesseningkthekdistancekwithkeachksecond... SeveralkindefinablekFIGURESkplungekintokthekfray,kcreatingkanarchykwithinkthe ALIENS'kran s.kkThekbiomechanoidskHISSkwithkfurykaskthekPREDATORSkjoinkbattle againstkthem... EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kDUSK AnkALIENkhurlskitselfkthroughkthekairkandkontokthekspeedingkcrawler'skroof. INT.kkCRAWLERk-kDUSK KER-CHUNK!kkThekcab'skoccupantskreactkaskthekthinkroofkbuc leskslightly. S eletalkfingerskSLICEkthrough,kRIPPINGkatkthekmetalkli ekakcan-opener. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkJesus! THOMASkraiseskhiskriflekandklooseskakfusilladekofkshotskthroughkthekroof. OnekofkthemkRICOCHETSkoffkthekinterior,kSHATTERINGkthekwindscreen.kkThere's akTHUMPkfromkoutside... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIESk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYoukgotk'im! Theirktriumphkiskshort-lived.kkGlobuleskofkyellowkacidkperforatekthekroof li ekSwisskcheese,kdrippingkdownkonkthem.kkGUTTIEREZkfloorskthekbra es.kkThe crawlerkswingskthroughkninetykdegreeskbeforekSCREECHINGktokakhalt. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER CASSIEkenterskadminkatkakrun.kkBefore,kitkwaskempty.kkNowkit'sksheerkchaos. Shekshoveskherkwaykthroughkdozenskofkgrim-facedkpeople.kkPARSONSkiskstanding atkakconsole,kYELLINGkintokhiskheadset. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSealkeverythingknow! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat'skhappening? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCassie,kthan kChrist!kkWe'rekunderkattac . kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWe'rekwhat!? Yor kraceskin,kSHOUTINGkabovekthekclamor.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThekson-of-bitcheskgotkintok'E'kwing! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThey'rekrippingkitkapart! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkFuc !kkSomebodykgetkoverktherekwithksome kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkguns!kkNow! CASSIEkwatcheskthekscenekunfoldingkonkthekban skofkmonitors.kkPEOPLEkmouthing unheardkwordskintokcamera.kkBurstskofkSTATIC.kkFleetingkglimpseskof nightmarishkSHAPESkdartingkacrosskthekpicture... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHowkmanykofkthemk_are_kthere? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTookmany. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMkFARkSIDEk-kDUSK GUTTIEREZ'kgroupkhurriedlykexitskthekcrawler.kkAkcloudkofkacridksmo ekrapidly fillskthekcabin. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(coughing) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMovekit,kman! ThekdeadkALIEN'skcorpsektumbleskthroughkthekacid-eatenkhole,kfallingkintokthe cab'skrearkseatkandkpromptlykburningkthroughkthatkaskwell. Notkfarkawaykacrosskthekplatform,kthekmassivekdoorsktokthekauto-shopkhanger arekRUMBLINGkslowlykclosed... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(shouting) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHoldkthekdoors,kholdkthekdoors! Theykdon'tkhearkhim.kkThekdoorsksealkwithkakBOOMkofkfinality. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOverkthere,konkthekright! THOMASkseeskthektwokALIENSknimblykclimbingkthekplatform'skedge.kkHeksqueezes offkaboutkfivekshots,kmanagingktok illkthekFIRSTkALIEN... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMAS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThesekbastardskain'tksoktough!

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk*************************** kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk*****kPAGEk70kMISSINGk***** kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk*************************** THOMASkloo skconcernedlykatkGUTTIEREZ. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMAS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIskthatkthingkwor ing?

GUTTIEREZkta eskoffkthekheadsetkandkscrutiniseskitkclosely. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkShit!kkThekcasing'skcrac ed! DEkVRIESkripskherkheadsetkoffkandkurgentlykpasseskitktokhim. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkUsekmine.kkChannelktwenty-six. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kDUSK Despitektheirkferocitykandkweapons,kit'skclearkthatktheksmallkgroupkof PREDATORSkarekbeingkoverrunkbykthekALIENkhorde. BROKENkTUSK'skshoulderkcannonkswivelskautomatically,kblowingkawaykanother attac er.kkHearingkakdistinctivekSCREAM,khekloo skacrosskthekplatform.kkOne ofkthekPREDATORS,kit'skcamouflagekcloa kflic eringkintermittently,kisktrying tokresistkbeingkdraggedkdownkintokakduct.kkThektwokALIENSkinkeitherkside plungektheirktail-stingerskintokthekPREDATOR'skbody,kma ingkitkCRYkOUTkin agony. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCORRIDORS Pumpedkupkwithkadrenalin,kKAMENkreacheskankintersectionkandkencounterska harrowingktableau.kkAnkALIENkbloc skhiskwaykonkthekotherksidekofkakcorridor bul head,kholdingkakSTRUGGLINGkMANkabovekthekfloor.kkIt'skpiston-li ektongue shootskintokthekMAN'sks ull,ksprayingkgore. ThekALIENkseeskKAMEN,kandkit'skmouthktwistskintokakbloodykSNARL.kkBothkKAMEN andkthekALIENklungekforwardktogether,kbutkKAMEN'skgotkthekedgekbykaksplitsecond.kkHekSTRIKESkakbrightkredkswitchkandkthekoverheadkpressurekbul head SLAMSkdownkandkloc skintokplace.kkHiskbreathingkiskheavykaskhekslowlykbac s awaykfromkthekhatch... EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMkFARkSIDEk-kDUSK ThektwokALIENSkTHOMASk illedkmustkhavekbeenkthekscoutkparty.kkOtherskappear, morekcautiouslykthisktime... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHurrykupkandkfigurekthatkthingkout,kman! GUTTIEREZkiskdesperatelyktryingktokoperatekthektinykplastickmicroswitcheskon thekheadsetkwithkhiskfingernails. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMAS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWe'vekgotkcompany! THOMASkbringskhiskweaponktokbearkandkpullskonkthektrigger.kkHekgetskoffkone shot,kthenknothingkmorekhappens.kkHekloo skatkthekcounterkonkthekside.kkIt readsk'zero'. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMASk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkShit,kI'mkdry!kkYou'rekup!

DEkVRIESkraiseskherkrifle.kkShekaims,kand... CLICK. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'mkjammed! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMAS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYou'rekwhat?! Shekwor skthekmanualkslide. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'skloc edksolid... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMAS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkQuic ,kgivekmekthekclip! DEkVRIESkfumbleskthekammunitionkclipkfromkherkrifle.kkItkfallskfromkherkhands ontokakplastickoverflowkgrate.kkTHOMASkleapskafterkit...aboutkaksecondktoo late.kkItkslipskthroughktheknarrowkgap,kgonekforkgood. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMASk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOh,kLord!kkPlease,kno!kkNotknow! INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kEXECUTIVEkOFFICE HIROKOkenterskherkofficekatkakrun.kkShekcrossesktokankinsetkcontrolkboxkon thekfarkwallkandkpresseskakbutton.kkTwokexteriorkpanelskbeginktokslidekclosed behindkthekpolycarbonatekwindow. KERSMASH!kkFractureklineskappearkonkthektoughenedkplastickaskitkcomeskunder assaultkfromkthekrazor-edgektipkofkankALIEN'sktail.kkInkshoc ,kHIROKO reflexivelykfallskbac wardskontokthekfloor,kscramblingkaway.kkShekwatcheskthe creaturekprecariouslykbalancingkonkthekthiskledgekoutside,kfightingkagainst thekclosingkshutterskwithksimultaneouslykrainingkrepeatedkblowskonkthe windowkwithkit'sktail. ThekALIENkleapskthroughkthekgapkaskthekwindowkgiveskwaykunderkthekonslaught, showeringksplinterskacrosskthekroom.kkThektwinkshuttersksecurekbehindkit, closingkonkthekcreaturesktailkinkthekprocess.kkItkHISSESkinkindignationkand thrasheskabout.kkLi ekaklizard,ktheksegmentedktailkSNAPSkinktwo.kkThekfreed ALIENkstaggerskaklittlekbeforekgainingkbalance,kbloodkdrippingkfromkthe lacerationkandkpenetratingkthekwoodenkfloorboards.kkItksightskHIROKOkand hurlskitselfkinkherkdirection,kankunstoppablek illingkmachine... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHolokon! HerkVOICEkquaversksokbadlykwithkfearkandkpanic,kit'skakwonderkthekcomputer cankrecognizekit.kkFOURkNINJAkSWORDSMENkpromptlykappear,kformingkaksemi-circle betweenkHIROKOkandkthekALIEN.kkThekALIENkhalts,kconfusedkbykthiskintrusion. Itkswipeskatkthekpre-programmedkholograms,kbewilderedkbyktheklac kofkcontact askit'skclawskpasskthroughkthem. Gainingkonkakfewksecondskofkboughtktime,kHIROKOkflingskherselfktowardskthe PREDATORkspearklyingkforgottenknearby.kkThekALIENkloc skinkonkthisksudden movementkandkchargeskthroughkthekhologramskatkher.kkHIROKOkGRUNTS,kswinging thekspearkwithkherkfullkstrength...

She'sknoksuper-athlete,kbutkthekcuttingkedge'skadvancedkmetallurgykdoeskthe job.kkItksliceskhalf-waykthroughkthekALIEN'sks ullkandkstic skthere,kspewing yellowkfluidkeverywhere.kkHIROKOkbeatskakhastykretreatkaskthekdying biomechanoidkfallsktokthekfloor,kfumblingkatktheklodgedkweapon... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCORRIDORS HIROKOkreelskintokthekoutsidekcorridor.kkShekSHRIEKSkaskherkshoulderskare seizedkfromkbehind... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkComekon! HIROKOkloo skatkKAMENkconfusedlykaskhekcontinueskalongkthekcorridor. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThat'skthekwrongkway! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDetour.kkOtherkway'skbloc ed... EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMkFARkSIDEk-kDUSK Bac koutside,kthekALIENSkhaveksensedkthatksomething'skamiss.kkDEkVRIESkturns desperatelyktokGUTTIEREZ. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYoukgotkanykslugskleft? GUTTIEREZkloo skdownkatkthekcounterkonkhiskslungkweapon. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah.kkUh... DEkVRIESkripskthekweaponkoffkhiskshoulder.kkGUTTIEREZkcompleteskhisksentence. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk...Seven. BLAM!kkBLAM!kkBLAM!kkDEkVRIESktriesktokma ekeachkshotkcount.kkSheksightskan ALIENkcrawlingkacrosskthektopkofkakgroupkofkcylindricalkstoragekcontainers. Drawskakbeadkonkthekmetalktan kandkfires... AkmoltenkballkEXPLODESkoutward,ktransformingkthekimmediatekvicinitykintoka blazingkinferno.kkThekALIEN'skbodyktwistskend-over-end,kremainingkimmobile askitkhitskthekdec .kkAkcurtainkofkfirekrippleskacrosskthekplatform... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMAS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk_Yes_! Theirkvictorykiskshort-lived.kkThekotherkALIENSkcrawlkcautiouslykforward, flamesklic ingktheirkfaceskbutkleavingkthemkunharmed.kkWekcankclearlykhear thekHISSINGkofktheirkinternalkjaws. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTrykagain,kman... ThekheadsetkinkGUTTIEREZ'khandkBLEEPSkaskitkturnskintokthekcorrectkchannel. HekYELLSkintokit...

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMatt!kkOpenkthesekdamnkdoorskrightknow, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkorkI'llkreamkyourkassksokbadkthesekthings kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoutkhere'llkseemkli ekthekEasterkBunnykin kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkcomparison!kkSwearktokGod! THOMASkturnskandkhammerskonkthekimpenetrablekplatekmetal. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMAS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOpenkthekdoors!kkOpenkthekgoddamned kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkfuc ingkdoors! BLAM!kkBLAM!kkBLAM!kkCLICK.kkGUTTIEREZ'kbulletskarekgone. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThat'skit!kkWe'rekdead! ThekfirstkofkthekALIENSkrusheskatkthem.kkThiskiskthekend.kkDEkVRIES SCREAMS... There'skakblindingkflash,kandkmostkofkthekALIEN'skheadkvaporises.kkGUTTIEREZ blin skiskdisbeliefkaskhazykSHAPESkcomprisedkofkrefractedkfireksuddenly occupykthek illingkgroundkbetweenkthekHUMANkandkALIENkantagonists.kkIntense burstskofklightkilluminatekthekplatformkaskhi-techkPREDATORkweaponrykfarkin advancekofkthekhumans'ksearskthekair... GUTTIEREZkturnskatkthekSOUNDkofkthekhugekmetalkdoorskGRINDINGkslowlykopen. Justkenoughkforkthemktokgetkthrough. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMove! INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kAUTO-SHOP THOMASkpusheskDEkVRIESkthroughkthekopening,kwithkGUTTIEREZkhurriedly following. ThekAuto-shopkiskaklargekspaciouskwor shopkwithkthreekbayskliningkonekwall. Thekfrontkofkakcrawlerkpo eskfromkonekofkthem,kwhilekinkthekcenterkofkthe roomkanotherkcrawlerkiskraisedkabovekakmaintenance-pitkonkakhydraulic platform.kkAkhandfulkofkGREASEkMONKEYSkstandskaroundkthekdoorway,kbrandishing power-toolskinklieukofkfirearms.kkAkblondeksurfer-typekwithklongkstraggly hairkrusheskoverktokthem.kkThiskiskMATT,ktheirksavior. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMATT kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkClosekitkup,kclosekitkup! GUTTIEREZkstareskthroughktheknarrowkopeningkaskthekdoorsksealkbac kup.kkIn thekmidstkofkthekflames,kthekALIENSkarekfightingkakpitchedkbattlektooth-andnailkwithktheirkunseenkopponents.kkIt'skli ekakscenekoutkofkHell. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCORRIDORS Clusterskofkrotatingkemergencyklightskwig-wagkabovekHIROKOkandkKAMENkaskthey fleekthroughkthekmazekofklongkcorridorskleadingktokthekCommandkCenter.kkKAMEN iskfallingkbehindkasktheykapproachkakjunction. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHurrykitkup.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDon'tkwaitkforkme! HIROKOkandkKAMENkracekalongkthekfinalkcorridorkleadingktokthekCommandkCenter. Halfwaykdown,kKAMENkturnskinkresponsektokakJARRINGkSOUNDkfromkthekrear.kkThe metalkgratingkma ingkupkthekfloorkiskSMASHEDkviolentlykfromkbeneath. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkRun! INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER ThekPANDEMONIUMkfromkthekoutsidekcorridorskgetskthekattentionkofkYORKkand everybodykelsekinkadmin.kkHekcrossesktokthekbul headkdoorframe,kandkwhatkhe seeskma eskhiskeyeskbug. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkJesuskChrist! HekSHOUTSkbac kintokthekcrowdedkroom. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORKk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThey'rekinside,kinsidekthekcorridor! INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCORRIDOR HIROKOkandkKAMENktryktokoutrunkthektidalkwavekofktwistedkandkbro enksteel thatkemergeskinktheirkwa e.kkKAMENkYELLSkwithkfrightkaskankALIENkclawkpinions hiskan le.kkHektrasheskabout,kclutchingkatkanythingktokpreventkhimselfkbeing draggedkbeneathkthekfloor.kkCRYINGkOUTkiskpainkasksliverskofkedgedkmetal slicekintokhiskhands... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(anguished) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNo! INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER YORKkstandskfrozenkatkthekbul headkframe,kstaringkdownkthekcorridorkin horror.kkCASSIEkraceskupkandkpusheskhimkoutkofkthekway... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCORRIDOR HIROKOkloo skfuriouslykaround.kkSpyingkankemergencykaxekinkit'skwallkhousing, shekSMASHESkthekglasskwithkherkelbow,kcuttingkherselfkinkthekprocess.kkHIROKO heftskthekheavyktool,kswingingkitkdownkontokthekdisappearingkALIEN'skcarapace withkallkherkmight... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBastard! Thekbladekbiteskdeep,kandkyellowkbloodkburstskfromkthekthreshingkALIEN's wound.kkSpec leskofkitkdotkKAMEN'skleg,keatingkthroughkthekmaterialkofkhis trouserskandkintoktheks inkandkmusclekbeneath.kkHekSCREAMS,kaksoundkofkpure intensekpain... HIROKOkhurlskthekaxekaside.kkShekbeginskpullingkKAMENkoutkofkthekholekaskthe caustickliquidkseepskintoktheknearbykelectricalkconduit.kkThere'skakSPARKING, followedkbykakFLASHkandkakSHEETkOFkFLAME.kkCASSIEkstepskthroughkintokthe corridor,kjustkaskvalveskevenly-spacedkalongktheklengthkofkthektunnelkopen

up,kjettingkwhitekhigh-densitykfoamkunderkextremekpressure.kkThekhatchktokthe CommandkCenterkatkthekfarkendkbeginsktokclose... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCassie...! CASSIE'skheadkshootskaround. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER YORKkseizeskakmetalkchairkfromkbehindkaknearbykconsolekandkwedgeskitkinto theknarrowingkdivide.kkCASSIEksqueezeskthroughkthekgapkandkurgentlykHOLLERS tokHIROKO... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkItkyoukdon't...uh!...movekyourkass,kyou're kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkgonnakneedkakhelluvakdietktokgetkthrough kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkhere! INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER FromkCASSIE'skP.O.V.kwekwatchkHIROKOksupportingkKAMENkandkstumblingkhim along.kkFoamkfillskthree-quarterskofkthekcorridorktoktheirkrearkandkisknearly upktoktheirk neeskeverywherekelse.kkThekchair'skframekCREAKSkominouslykin protest... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHurrykup,kwe'reklosingkit! CASSIE'skeyeskwidenkinkterror... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBehindkyou! HIROKOkturnsktokseektheklong,kphallickheadkofkankALIENkemergekmomentarily fromkoutkofkthekfoam.kkSomethingkyan skatkKAMENkandkhekdisappearskbeneath theksurfacekwithkankexpressionkofkpainedksurprise... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKamen! HIROKOkstartsktokthrashkatkthekfoam,kbutkCASSIEkreacheskoutkandkdragskher away. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'sktooklate! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNooooo! Thekchairkbeginsktokbuc le,kcollapsingkinkonkitself... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'skgoing! Withkaksupremekeffort,kCASSIEkyan skHIROKOkthroughkthekgap.kkYORKkvaults clearkaskthekchairkSNAPSkinktwo,kleavingkthekbul headktokTHUNDERkclosed. Thektwokwomenkcollapsekinkakheapkonkthekfloor. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kDUSK

ThekbattlekoutsidekiskgoingkbadlykforkthekPREDATORS.kkThere'skonlykthreekof themkleft,kandkonekiskBROKENkTUSK. AkprojectilekWHISTLESkthroughkthekairktowardskankALIEN,kexpandingkinkflight intokakwirekcaptureknet.kkBarbedktipskonkeachkcornerkbitekintokthekwallkofka basekmodule,ktrappingkthekenragedkcreature.kkSmallkmotorskWHINEkaskthekthin metalkpullskinward,kslicingkintokthekALIEN'skbody... ThekPREDATORksavorskthekscenekforkjustkaksecond...whichkiskaksecondktooklong. ALIENSkarekallkoverkhim,kclawingkandkrippingkatkhiskbody.kkThekshouldermountedkplasma-cannonkiskunceremoniouslykyan edkawaykandkCLATTERSktokthe floor. ThekPREDATORkgoeskdown,kgropingkforkthekself-destructksystemkonkhiskwrist. Hekmanagesktokstro ekakfingernailkacrosskthekactivationkbar,kbutkgetskno further.kkAnkALIENkpounceskatkhim,kit'sktailkdescending.kkThekPREDATOR raiseskhiskarmkinkreflex,kbutkthekstingerkSMASHESkstraightkthroughkthekburies itkinkhiskface-plate,kta ingkoutkthekwrist-computerkinkthekprocess. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER HIROKOkstareskatkthekclosedkbul headkwithkankexpressionkofkdazedkdisbelief. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMisskNoguchi? Nokreaction.kkHektrieskagain. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONSk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMisskNoguchi! HIROKOksnapskoutkofkit.kkShekcrosseskoverktokthekban kofkmonitoringkscreens. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat'skthekstory? PARSONSkrunskthroughkeachkofkthekscreens. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkEverythingkonkthiskmodulekiskloc edkand kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksealed.kkWe'veklostk'B',k'C',kandk'E' kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwings,kbutk'E'kwaskthekonlykonekwekdidn't kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkmanagektoktotallykevacuate. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHowkmany...howkmanykpeoplekarekmissing? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkUnconfirmedkreportskofkeighteenkorksokfar, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbutktheknumberskarekallkoverkthekplace. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat'skourkweaponsksituation? DRISCOLLk-kakbigkguykwithkakbeardk-kLAUGHSkcurtly. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDRISCOLL kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkShit!kkOurkarmory'skakbigkbluekboxkfrom kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthekbac kshelfkofkstores.kkWekgotkabout

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktwokclipskleftkforkankautoloader,kand kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthat'skit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAuto-shop? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAuto-shop'sksealed,kbutkthosekboyskare kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkcut-off. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHaskanybodyktal edktokthem? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNotkyet. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDokit. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kROOFTOPSk-kDUSK BROKENkTUSKkandkthekotherkPREDATORkscramblekupkontokthekrooftopkinkakbidkto escapektheirkunstoppablekopponents.kkBac -to-bac ,ktheykta ekupkfighting positions.kkAkfewksecondsklater,kthekfirstkofkthekALIENSkarrives. BothkthekPREDATORS'kshoulderkcannonskblaze,kfiringkvolley-after-volley. StillkthekALIENSk eepkonkcoming,kfinallykreachingkthekpointkwherekit'skhandto-hand...andknothingkelse. It'skakvicious,kfast,kandkbloodykonkbothksides.kkBROKENkTUSKkta eskflight; hiskcompanionkisknotkaskluc y.kkThekotherkPREDATORk ic skankALIENkfromkhim andkoverkthekroof'skedge.kkThekALIENklasheskoutkwithklightning-fastkreflexes, pullingkthekPREDATORkwithkit.kkBothkcreatureskhurtlekdownwardkandkhitkaknest ofkcablingkstretchedkacrosskfromkonekofkthekmodules.kkCaughtkli ekflieskinka spider'skweb.kkBothkthrashkabout,kseveringkcableskasktheykdo.kkElectrical spar skCRACKLEkthroughkthekair... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER EverythingkelectricalkinkthekCommandkCenterkflic erskmomentarily,kandkthe ban kofkmonitorskturnktokstatic.kkThere'skankinstantkofksilencekcollective concernskamongstkthosekgatheredkthere. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDRISCOLL kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkthekhell...? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDon'tkpanic,kpeople.kkWe'vekjustkswitched kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoverktokinternals. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTheyk noc edkoutkthekexternalkfeeds. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkLoo skli ekit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThirtyksixkhours? PARSONSknods.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGivekorkta e. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWe'reknotkgonnakma ekit,karekwe? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGetkthekauto-shopkon-line. PARSONSksha eskhiskhead. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCommunicationsktokauto-shopkgokthroughkan kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkF.O.klin koffkthekmainktrun .kkThat'skdown kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwithkthekotherkfeeds. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWell...trykthekheadset. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kAUTO-SHOP Spiritskareklowkinkthekauto-shop. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMATT kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'mktellin'kyou,kit'skimpossible.kkNothing kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkcankgrowkandkreproducekthiskfast. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMAS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah.kkRight.kkYoukwannakgokoutsidekand kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktellkthemkthat? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat'sk eepingkthosekfuc ingkMarines,kman? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTheykshould'ak_been_kherekbyknow! THOMASklasheskoutkatkankemptykcan,k ic ingkitknoisilykacrosskthekfloor. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMAS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMaybektheykain'tkcoming.kkMaybektheykdon't kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkevenk nowkwe'vekgotkproblems... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkdon'tkwannakhearkthatk indkofkcrap, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThomas.kkThey'rekcoming.kkJustkakmatter kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkofktime,kthat'skall... GUTTIEREZ'kheadsetkliesknearby.kkPARSONSkmutedkVOICEkcomeskoutkofkit.kkOne ofkthekGREASEkMONKEY'sksnatcheskitkupkandklistens. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGREASEkMONKEY kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYo!kkGuttierez! INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThroughknow. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkJan,kit'skHiro o.kkWhatksortkofkshapekare

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkyoukinkdownkthere? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea er) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPrettykdamnkgoodkshape,kconsidering.kkYou kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkcanktellkDonkKamenkfromkmekhiskpeoplekhave kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkgotkballskofksteel. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKamenkdidn'tkma ekit,kJan. There'skakpregnantkPAUSEkfromkthekspea ers. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkJan? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah.kkI...we'rekstillkhere.kkWe'rekall... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkuh...allksorryktokhearkthat. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCankyoukma ekitkbac ? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkUh...I'dksaykthatkwaskaknegative.kkIfkwe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkopenkthekdoors,kthosekthingskarekgonna kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkswarmkinside.kkThere'skanotherkproblem, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktoo. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat'skthat? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDekVrieskputkakroundkthroughkthekstorage kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktan skoverkbykthekwestkpierkonkthekwaykin kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkhere.kkRightknow,kthekstuffksprayin'kout kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkiskjustkburnin'kup,kbutkifkwekgetkakblowkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbac ,kakgoodkpartkofkthekstationkcouldkgo kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwithkit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOh,kman... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAlright,klet'sk eepkcalm.kkWe'vekgotkto kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkhavekankoptionkofksomeksort...there'skgot kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktokbekakwaykoutkofkthis. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOhkyeah?kkLi ek_what_? YORK'sk eptkquiet,kbutkeveryonekturnsktokhimknow.kkHisktonekiskscathingkand cutsktokthekmarrow. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWell,kwhatkaboutkthosekotherkthings kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoutside;kthosekwarriors?kkMaybekwekcan

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkcutksomek indkofkdeal... YORKkloo skaroundkatkthemkinkincredulouskdisbelief. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk*************************** kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk*****kPAGEk84kMISSINGk***** kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk*************************** INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kAUTO-SHOP MATTkwal sknervouslykaround,kholdingkthekheadset.kkEverybody'skeyeskarekon him. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMATT kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWell,kitkoccurredktokmekthatkwekcouldkuse kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthekoverheadkcranektokloadkthekadmin kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkmodulekontokthekbac kofkBigkBertha.kkThat kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwaykwekcouldkputkakbitkofkdistance... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMATTk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk...Betweenkuskandkthekstation.kkLeastk'till kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthekguyskfromkFortkPowellkarrive. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThatksoundskpromising.kkCankwekoperate kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthekcranekfromkhere? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDRISCOLL kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNah.kkIt'skgotkprogrammablekfacilities, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbutkitkwaskneverkriggedkforkremote kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoperation.kkSomeone'dkhavektokgokupktokthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkcabktokgetkitkupkandkrunning. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhichkmeankphysicallykgoingkoutside. DRISCOLLkloo skaroundkuneasily. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDRISCOLL kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTERk-kLOWERkDECK Aksmallkgroupkofkpeople,kmostkofkwhomkweksawkinkthekCommandkCenter,kare clusteredkaroundkaksectionkofkthekpoorly-litkmaintenancekcorridor.kkHIROKO's wearingkakblac khi-techkcatsuit,kakfetishist'skdream.kkAcrosskherkshoulderkis akpistolkinkakslungkbandolierkholster.kkSheknodskatkakpilekofkclothingkin DRISCOLL'skhands. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIskthisktheksuit? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDRISCOLL kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkUh-huh. Shekta eskitkfromkhim.kkSlideskherklegskintokthekbottomkhalfkandkpullskit up.kkYORKkwatcheskwithkankexpressionkofkincredulityketchedkonkhiskface.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThiskiskfuc in'klunacy!kkYou'reknotkgonna kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkma ekitkacrosskthekplatformkonkfoot! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkShutkup,kYor . kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNo,khekright.kkHaskanyonekgotkakbi eknear kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkhere? AkREDHEADEDkGIRLkloo skaroundkhesitantly,kthenkraiseskherkvoice. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkREHEADEDkGIRL kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkhave. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkLetkmekhavekthek eys. ThekGIRLkrummageskinkherkpoc etskandkthrowskthek eyskover.kkHIROKOkputskthem inkakpoc etkonktheksuit'sksleeve. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhichkonekiskit?

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kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkREDHEADEDkGIRL kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkUh...thekHyundaikracer.kkYellowkandkblac kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkstripes.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkofkthekcleaningkremoteskintokthekhelmet. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'llkprojectkthekroutekthroughktheksewer kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksystemkontokthekinsidekofkthekglasskaskyou kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkgo. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDRISCOLL kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah,kIkstrippedkdownkakmotionktrac erkand kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkhardwiredkitkthroughktokthekhelmetkpic -ups, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktoo.kkThat'skalsokonkthekdisplay. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSoundskgreat. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'sknotkallkgoodknews.kkWekhadktokta e kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoffkthekhelmetklights.kkYou'llkbekgoingkin kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkblind. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat?kkWhy? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDRISCOLL kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWekhadkto.kkTheykwerekjustktookcumbersome kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkforksomekofkthekconduitskyou'rekgonnakhave kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktoknegotiate.kkBesides,kallkthekcrap kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkfloatingkaroundkreduceskvisibilityktokthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkextentkwherekIkdoubtkhavingkhelmetklights kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwouldkhavekma ekthatkmuchkdifference, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkanyway.kkMaintenanceklightskdownkthere kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoughtakbekenoughktokdokthektric . kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHowktightk_are_kthesekshafts? CASSIEkandkDRISCOLLkexchangekworriedkloo s. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTight.kkWekchosekakroutekwekfeltkwould kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkreducekthekchancekofkyoukrunningkintokany kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAliens. HIROKOkta eskakdeepkbreath.kkBeadskofkperspirationkdotkherkforehead.kkPARSONS nods. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThere'skstillktimektokbac -out. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkForgetkit.kkIkwouldn'tkas ksomebodyktokdo kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksomethingkIkwouldn'tkdokmyself.kkWhere's kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthekdis ? PARSONSkhandskoverkakvinyl-wrappedkpac et. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDon'tklosekit. HIROKOkslipskitkintokakbreast-poc etkandksecureskthekflap. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDon'tkworry.kkIkwon't. DRISCOLLkhandskseveralkmetallickobjectsktokHIROKO. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDRISCOLL kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHere.kkIfkyoukgotktokusek'em,kma ek'em kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkcount. They'rekmagazineskforkherkgun.kkShekslotskthemkintokthekbandolier. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThan s. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkLet'skjustkrunkthroughkitkonekmorektime kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksokIk nowkyou'vekgotkitkstraight. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkO ay,kIkpullkthekaccesskpanelkoffkofkthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkconsole.kkInsertkthekdis ,kandkpresskthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkgreenkenablingkbutton... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(interrupting) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNo.kkThere'sktwokofkthem. Shekpullskonkthekzipkandkbeginskloc ingkthekharnesskclaspskintokplace. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSorry.kk_Two_kgreenkenablingkbuttons... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkRight.kkWhenkyou'vekdonekthat,kdon'tkwaste kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkanyktimekgettingkoutkofkthere.kkOncekthat kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkcranekstartskmoving...well,kit'skboundkto kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkprovo eksomek indkofkresponse. YORKkhandskoverkaksophisticated-loo ingkpower-tool. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYou'llkneedkthiskforkthekgratings. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTriggerkfingerktokoperate,kthumbkbutton kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkktokswitchkoverktokthekrivetkgun.kkThe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksensors'llkchoosekbladekorksoc etkheads kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkautomatically. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkRight. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(longkbeat) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkO ay,kI'mkset. YORKkandkDRISCOLLklowerkthekmassivekdome-frontedkhelmetkoverkHIROKO'skhead. Auto-claspskloc kintokplacekaskitkbrac etskwithkthekcollar.kkPARSONSkclips thekslimlinekair-tan ktokherkbac ,kandkDRISCOLLkma eskthekconnections. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAlright,klet'skopenkherkup.kkCarefully, kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkknow... CASSIEkandkthekotherskholdktheirkweaponskandkmotion-trac ersksteadilykatka

fixedkpointkonkthekground.kkTwokONLOOKERSkbendkdownktokthekpressure-hatch beneathkthekfloor-grating.kkIt'skidenticalktokthekonekDILLERkandkURIOSTE removedkearlier.kkAkplumekofkpressurisedkgaskjetskintokthekair,kandktheykpull thekmetalksealing-plugkfree.kkCASSIEkscrutinizeskherktrac er... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAllkclear... HIROKOkreacheskupktokherkhelmetkandkpresseskakchun ykbuttonkonkonekside. HIROKO'skP.O.V.kkWe'rekloo ingkthroughkthektransparentkbowlkofkthekhelmetkat thekopenkshaft,kbra enkwaterkSLOSHINGkaroundkit'skrim.kkSuperimposedklines ofkglowingkneonkappearkonkthekvisor'sksurface,kakpreciselykoverlaid duplicationkofkthekscenekinkcomputer-graphickform.kkAkflatly-synthesisedkmale COMPUTERkVOICEkcomeskoverkthekhelmetkspea ers,kO.S. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCOMPUTERkVOICE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkApproachingk'A'kmoduleklowerklevelkventuri kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkductkDSkOh-four... HIROKOkgetskdownkonkherkhandskandk neeskandkcrawlsktowardskthekopening.kkShe stareskatkthekmur ykwaterkwithkmountingkapprehension.kkTriesktokreassure herself. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkO ay.kkO ay. Shekloo skaroundkatkthekimpassive,kstaringkfaces.kkSummoningkupkherkcourage, sheksubmergeskthekhelmet... HIROKO'SkP.O.V.kkThekpalekilluminationkofktheklowerklevelkdec -lightskgives wayktokabsoluteknothingness;kakstygianknightmare.kkShekSHUDDERSkwithkhorror andkpullskherkheadkfree. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOh...!kkOh,kGod... ShekWIPESkfreneticallykatkthekslic ly-coatedkvisor,kbreathingkheavily. Worriedkhandskgrabkher. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkArekyoukalright? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat?kkWhat'skwrong?kkWhatkiskit? HIROKO'skeyeskdartkaround,kspea ingkvolumes.kkShekswallowskhardkandkcalms down. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIt'skalright.kkI'mko ay. Steelingkherself,kshekta eskakdeepkbreathkandkplungeskheadfirstkintokthe waterkoncekmore... HIROKO'skP.O.V.kkEverythingkgoesktokblac nesskagain.kkThekhead-up-display presentskakviewkofkthekunseenktunnelkinkcheerfulkcandy-applekhues. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCOMPUTERkVOICE

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkEnteringkventurikduct,kenkroutekto kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksecondarykoverflowksumpkDSkohkfourkslash kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkeleven... YORKkwatcheskHIROKO'skfeetkdisappearkintokthekshaft. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSealkit. Thekheavyksealing-plugkiskdraggedkacrosskthekgratingkandkpositionedkoverkthe hole.kkYORKksha eskhiskhead. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYORK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSuicidekrun,kman.kkFuc in'ksuicidekrun. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kVENTURIkDUCT CASSIEkwasn'tk iddingkaboutkthekventuri-duct.kkIt'skonlykaboutkhalf-againkas widekaskHIROKO.kkThekonlykilluminationkcomeskfromkthekhazykcirclekabove.kkAs thekplugkresealskthekhole,kevenkthat'skgone.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAllkthekcomfortskofkhome. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThan s,kCassie. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDon'tkmentionkit. Shekincheskherkwaykthroughktheknarrowkspacektowardskus,kbreathingkheavily. ThekCLICKINGkofkthekmotion-trac erkinkherkhelmetkiskoverwhelmingkinkthek silence... EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kANTENNAkARRAYk-kNIGHT Thekstation'skmassivekantennakarraykiskbeingktransformed.kkOtherworldly shapeskcomprisedkofksurrealkcreatureskandkprotrusionskarekstartingktokcover it'sksurface.kkALIENSkdropkfromkdizzyingkheights,kexudingkstreamskof gelatinouskgun kfromkthekfourk'exhaust'kpipeskonktheirkbac s.kkThey're buildingkaknestkofkstaggeringkproportions. Unnoticedkbykthekbusykbiomechanoids,kfaintkspar skflic erkfromkthekcrane catwal khighkabove... EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCRANEkCATWALKk-kNIGHT BROKENkTUSKksitskonkthekcatwal kfloor,kaksmallkshowerkofkspar sklightingkhis face.kkHe'skattemptingktokrepairkhiskbro enkwristkcomputerkwithkankintricate tool.kkHekremoveskitkandkpresseskakswitch.kkThekdisplaykglowskbriefly,kthen fades.kkHekinsertskitkagain.kkElectricalkspar skCRACKLEkacrosskthekcomputer's fascia,kbeforekburningkout.kkBROKENkTUSKkthrowskthekruinedkmachinekawaykin disgust.

Somethingkflic ers.kkTwokwea kfluorescentktubeskcomekon,klightingkthekmur withkakfaintkorangekhaze.

INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kAUTO-SHOP FromkourkP.O.V.khighkupknearkthekroofkofkthekauto-shopkwekseekTHOMASksitting onkthekraisedkhydraulickplatform.kkHekGRUNTSkaskhekpullskakvalvekonkthe crawler'skunderside. Acrosskthekroom,ktheksecondkcrawlerkRUMBLESkoutkofkthekfarkbay.kkOnekofkthe GREASEkMONKEYSkwal skslowlykbac wards,kwavingkitkon. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGREASEkMONKEY kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkO ay.kkBac .kkBac .kkLittlekbitkmore... Hekstepskintokakpoolkofkslipperykresiduekandkloseskhiskfooting. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGREASEkMONKEYk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhoa...shit! Thekmankcroucheskandkrunskakfingerkthroughkthekcolorlesskgookonkthekfloor. Scowlskfirst,kthenkfrowns.kkIt'skstic y. Overknearkthekdoors,kMATTkexhaleskdeeplykonkakcigarette.kkDEkVRIESkisknearby, listeningkattentivelykaskGUTTIEREZkgetskakmessagekonkhiskhelmet. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkShekjustksetkoff! MATTkclapskhiskhandsktogetherk-kjustkoncek-ktokgetkeverybody'skattention. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMATT kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkO ay,kpeople.kkLet'skhustle... There'skakSCREAMkfromkbehind.kkTheykwheelkaroundkinktimektokseekthekGREASE MONKEYkbeingktuggedkintokthekmaintenancekopening.kkTHOMASkyellskdownkfromkthe platform. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMAS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThey'rekcomin'kupkthroughkthekpit! Akboxkwithktwoklargekbuttonsk-konekgreen,konekredk-kdangleskfromkthekceiling onkthekendkofkakcable.kkMATTkforceskdownkthekredkcontrol,kma ingkthekplatform lower.kkSeveralktonskofkmachinerykandkcrawlerkbringkaboutkthekdemisekofkthe ALIENSkasktheykreachktheklipkofkthekopening,kCRUSHINGktheirkchitinousklimbs toksmithereens. AnkALIENkrollskoutkofkthekpitkinktime,kscramblingkforktheksafetykofkthe nearbykshadows.kkDEkVRIESksightskit. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOverkthere! OnekofkthekMENkhaskseenkit.kkHiskheadksnapskupktokakmammothkengine-bloc suspendedkfromkakwinchkhighkabove.kkHekLEAPSkforkthekrelease-catchkaskthe ALIENkpasseskunderneath.kkPullskhardkonkthekgrip.kkChainskRATTLEknoisilykas thekbloc kTHUNDERSkdown.kkThekALIENkbeginsktokloo kup,kjustkaksecondktoo late.kkThekheavykpiecekofkmachinerykSMASHESkintokthekcreature,kflatteningkit instantly. Unseenkbykanybody,kanotherkALIENkhaskescapedktokthekroofkofkthekplatformboundkcrawler.kkItkwrapskit'sklong,kbonykfingerskaroundkthekfacekofkthekMAN, stiflingkhiskCRIESkandkpullingkhimkoffkthekdec .kkThekLOUDkCLATTERINGkofkhis

chainsawkbouncingkoffkthekfloor-gratingkgetskTHOMAS'kattention. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTHOMAS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMother-_fuc er_! THOMASkretrieveskthekfallenktoolkandkjamskthek'on'kswitchkhard.kkThekALIEN's tonguekshootskthroughkthekGREASEkMONKEY'sks ull,kshoweringkTHOMASkwithka faintkspec lingkofkblood.kkThekALIENkdiscardskthekbodykandklungeskatkTHOMAS, whokcounterskbringingkthekchainsawkup. Thekbladeksliceskintokthekcreature'skthroat,kandkupkthroughkit'skhead. THOMASkdrawskoutkthekchainsawkquic ly.kkSomethingkhappensktokthekPITCHkof thekblade,kakpeculiarksound... Thekacidkeatskthroughktheklin skofkthekchainsawkband.kkLi ekakmetallicksna e, itkWHIPSkoffkit'sksupportingkframe. StraightkatkTHOMAS. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kVENTURIkDUCT HIROKOkelbowskherkwaykfurtherkthroughkthekcrampedkwater-filledkduct.kkAkwide grillekdirectlykinkherkpathkbloc skfurtherkheadway. HIROKO'SkP.O.V.kkGreenkneonkflasheskinkherkdisplay,kwithkaccompanyingk notations. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCOMPUTERkVOICE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkProgressktoksecondarykoverflowksumpkDS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoh-fourkslashkelevenkimpeded.kkGrating kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk_must_kbekremovedktokfacilitatekentry... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(intokheadset) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkO ay,kI'mkatkthekfirstkaccesskgrate. CASSIE'skVOICEkiskaklittleklesskclearknow,kwithktraceskofkSTATICkdrifting in... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCopykthat.kkBekcareful,know. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYoukbetcha. Shekplaceskthektipkofkherkpower-toolkoverkthekfirstkofkthekgrille'skanchoring bolts.kkThekcomplexkmechanismkWHINESkaskitkselectskthekcorrectkwrench-tipkfor thekjob... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER PARSONSkraceskupktokthekGIRLkmanningkthekcommunicationkconsole. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkiskit? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGIRL kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAuto-shop.

INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kAUTO-SHOP-kCRAWLERkCABIN THOMASkisklaid-outkinkthekbac kseatkofkthekcrawler'skcab,kwithkDEkVRIESkand MATTktryingktokstaunchkthekwoundskfromkthekchainsawkband'skimpactktokhis chest.kkGUTTIEREZkspea skintokhiskheadsetkmi e. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkRob?kkWekgotkproblems. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kSUMPkCHAMBER THUMP.kkTHUMP.kkSLAM!kkThekgrillekink noc edkoutkofkit'skhousingkandkfloats lazilykoffkintokthekwater.kkHIROKOkpasseskthroughktheknewly-createdkhole. HIROKO'SkP.O.V.kkShekfindskherselfkinkankuprightkcylindricalkchamber,kabout fivekfeetkinkheight.kkMassivekextractorkfanskchurnkdangerouslykwherekbothkthe floorkandkceilingkoughtktokbe.kkKic ingkupkakswirlkofkparticles.kkPalekblue lightkfilterskdownkfromkabove. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCOMPUTERkVOICE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCaution!kkEnteringksecondarykoverflowksump kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDSkoh-fourkslashkeleven.kkGratingk_must_ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbekremovedktokfacilitatekentryktokCentral kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkReservoir... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(annoyed) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah,kyeah,kyeah... Withkdifficulty,kshekstraddleskthekfloorkturbine.kkAkvortexkofkwaterkswirls aroundkherkaskshekbringskthekpower-toolkupkoncekmore. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER PARSONSklistenskattentively.kkHekCLICKSkhiskfingerskatkCASSIE. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWherekiskshe? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkComin'kupkthekCentralkReservoir. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkQuic !kkRunkaktracekonkthekculvertkleading kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoffkthekauto-shopkmaintenancekpit. CASSIE'skall-business,kimmediatelykcalling-upkthekbasekfloor-plankfileskonka monitor. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONSk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(intokheadset) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIskThomaskgonnakma ekit? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkUh...difficultktoksay.kkIkthin ... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kAUTO-SHOP

GUTTIEREZkloo skonkaskMATTkties-offkakbandage. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk...Thekchainsawkbandkmightkhavekpunctured kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkhisklungs. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER CASSIEkloo skup,kworriedly. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkfoundkit... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAnd? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDrainskrightkintokthekCentralkReservoir. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGetkherkon-line.kkNow! INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kSUMPkCENTER HIROKO'skpullskherkthirdkboltkfree.kkItkdriftskslowlykdownward,kslipping betweenkthekvaneskofkthekfloorkturbine. AkfragmentedkVOICEkcomeskthroughkonkherkheadset,kdistortedkbeyond recognition.kkHIROKO'skforeheadk nitsktogetherkinkconcentrationkand annoyance. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkwaskthat?kkIkdon'tkcopy. CLICK.kkCLICK.kk_BEEP_!kkThekroutineksoundkofkthekmotionktrac erkchanges suddenly.kkHIROKOkturnskherkattentionkfromkthektas -in-handktokstudykthe trac er'skhelmetkreadout.kkTHREEkNEBULOUSkBLOBSkhavekappearedkfromkoffscreen.kkHeadingkstraightkforkherkposition. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER CASSIEkturnsktokPARSONSkinkfrustration. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkcan'tkreachkher.kkTookmuchksignal kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbrea -up. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKeepktrying! INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kSUMPkCHAMBER BEEP.kkBEEP.kkBEEP.kkTheksignalskpic -upkspeedkthekcloserktheykget.kkCASSIE's garbledkVOICEkisn'tkhelpingkeasekHIROKO'skpanic.kkShekloo skwildlykaroundkthe chamber.kkThekonlykwaykoutkthekwaykshekcamekin... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCOMPUTERkVOICE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAttention.kkRemovalkofkrestrainingkbolts

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkitknecessaryktokfacilitatekaccesskto... HIROKOkstabskthekexteriorkhelmetkcontrol.kkThekCOMPUTERkVOICEkceases,kwhile thekBEEPINGkfromkthektrac erkriseskinkbothkpitchkandkvolume.kkWhateverkthe signalskare,kthey'rekalmostkonktopkofkher... HIROKOkturnsktoktheknarrowkentrykduct.kkIt'skpositionkma eskitkvirtually impossiblektokgetkbac kinto.kkShektrieskanyhow. BEEPBEEPBEEP_BEEP_!kkAkrushkofkdisplacedkwaterkfloodkintokthekchamber, flatteningkherkagainstkthekwall.kkDARKkSHAPESkTHUNDERkpastkthekotherksidekof thekgrillekli ekexpressktrainskinktheknight...goingkawaykfromkHIROKO.kkShe twitcheskinkfearkandkdisbeliefkaskthekBLOBSkonkthekmonitorkscreenkrecedekand finallykdisappear.kkThektrac er'skpitchkreturnsktokit'skhollowkCLICKING. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kNIGHT BROKENkTUSKktriesktokbekaskunobtrusivekaskpossiblekaskhekpic skthroughkthe aftermathkofkthekbattlekdownkbyktheknow-emptykrhinokpen.kkHekfindsksomething. AkPREDATORkface-mas ,kwithkakmassivekcrac kdownkonekside.kkHekturnskit carefullykoverkinkhiskhands. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kCENTRALkRESERVOIR HIROKOkemergeskfromkthekwater,kakthinkmembranekofksurfacekslimekadheringkto herkhelmet.kkBlinded,kshekraiseskakglovedkhandkandkwipeskthekmucuskaway... HIROKO'SkP.O.V.kkShe'skinsidekthekCentralkReservoir,kaklongkcylindrical concretektunnelksomekeighteenkfeetkinkdiameter.kkThekwater-levelkcomeskup aboutkhalf-way.kkWhatkfillskthekremainderkfreezeskherkwithkrevulsion... She'skfoundkthekmainkoffshootkofkthekALIENS'knest.kkGluedkintokthekcurved wallskbykaksecretivekresinkaskBODIES.kkHUMANS,kRHINOS,kLEMURS.kkOther ANIMALS.kkMostkarekdead,ktheirkinnardskblownkopen.kkThekrestkarekcomatose, twitchingkoccasionally.kkEveryksquarekinchknotkcontainingkbodieskiskfilled withkALIENkEGGS.kkIt'skli ekHellkforkreal. HIROKOkreacheskslowlykupkandkreactivateskherkhelmetkreadout. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCOMPUTERkVOICE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk...Brrzzt.kkTraversingkCentralkReservoir kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkenkroutektokplatformkventurikdustkDSktwokkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksix. HIROKO'skP.O.V.kkShekloo skaroundkandkfindskthekexitkpointkonkthekdisplay. It'skseveralkfeetkaway.kkUnderktheksurface.kkShekwadeskswiftlykthroughkthe water,kpassingkbeneathksomethingkthatkgiveskherkcausektokpause.kkAklarge PULSATINGkBAG,kaboutktenkfeetklongkandkroughlykovularkinkshape.kkItkmight bektranslucent,kbutkinkthisklightkit'skhardktoktell. HIROKOksubmerges.kkSurekenough,kthere'skthekgrille.kkShekraiseskthekpowertoolkandkstartskextractingkthekbolts.kkBZZZZ!kkThere'skthekfirstkone,kno problem.kkBZZZZ...BZZZZ!kkTheksecondkandkthirdkarekjustkaskeasy.kkShekgoes forkthekfourth.kkBZZZ...CHUNK.kkNothingkhappens. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkComekon... Shekbearskdownkonkthektriggerkagain.kkThekmotor'sknotkrunning.kkAktinykgreen

LEDkflasheskonkthekmachine'skside.kkIt'skloc edksolid.kkAkmalfunction. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCOMPUTERkVOICE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAttention.kkRemovalkofkrestrainingkbolts kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkisknecessaryktokfacilitatekaccessktok kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkventurikducts. There'skonlykonekrecoursekleftktokher.kkShekjamskdownkthekthumbkbutton... KER-SLAM!kkThekforcekofkthekrivet-gunkpropelskherkbac wards,kherkinternal suit-pressurekma ingkherkrisektoktheksurface.kkShekwipeskthekslimekfromkher helmetkyetkagain... ...AndkfindskherselfkstaringkatkankALIENkEGG,kit'sktopkcrac ingkopenkinkfour neatksections.kkThekFACEHUGGERkleapskstraightkaskherkfaceplate... ...Andkmisses,kit'skfingerskfailingktokgainkpurchasekonkthekslipperykdome. HIROKOk ic skawaykfromkthekspindlykcreaturekaskitkorientateskitselfkonkthe water'sksurface,kit'skpowerfulktailkpropellingkitselfkbac ktowardkher.kkIt contractskonkitself,kpreparingktokleap.kkHIROKOkraiseskthekpower-tool, reflexivelyksqueezingkthektriggerkagainkandkagain.kkFatkrivetskRIPkthrough thekFACEHUGGER'skbody.kkItkwritheskaroundkonkthekwater'sksurface,kakcloudkof yellowkacidkbillowingkoutwardkfromkit.kkHIROKOkdiveskintokthekwaterkagain. Shekramskthekpower-toolkatkthekfinalkbolt. BZZZZ!kkIt'skout!kkSheklevers-offkthekgrille.kkForceskherselfkintokthe confinedkspacekbeyond... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kVENTURIkDUCT Anotherkpoorly-litkshaftkfilledkwithkmur ykwater,kthoughkthiskonekgoesk upwardskonkakdiagonalkslope.kkHIROKOkbraceskherselfkagainstkthekwallskand beginsktokclimb. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCOMPUTERkVOICE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea er) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTraversingkventurikductkenkroutekto kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkplatformksurface. WHAM!kkAnkALIEN'skheadksqueezeskthroughkthekopeningkbehindkher.kkIt'skclaw sna eskin,kgropingkblindlykjustkincheskfromkherkfeet.kkShekgritskherkteeth andkputskmorekeffortkintokherkascent. WALLPO!kkIt'skhandkcloseskaroundkherkleg,kyan ingkherkbac .kkShektries franticallyktokgainkpurchasekonkanything.kkShekfails.kkThekALIENkdrawskher nearer,kit'skotherkhandkclosingkonkthekhelmet'skvisor.kkFractureklineskappear onkthekglass,kfollowedkbykcrac s.kkPollutedkwaterkstartsktokfloodkin,kwhile air-bubbleskexpandkoutwardkfromkthekbro enkglass. HIROKOkdriveskthekpower-toolkatkthekALIENkandkmasheskthektrigger.kkRivets penetratekthekcreature'skendos eleton,kma ingkitkdrawkbac .kkAkhazekofkyellow bloodkspillskoutkintokthekduct.kkHIROKOkpusheskupward,kcoughing.kkShekcloses herkfistkaroundkakleverkabove.kkPullskonkitkwithkallkherkmight. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kNIGHT Internalkpressurekforceskthekmetallickplugkoutkli ekakchampagnekcor .kkIt hitskthekplatformkwithkakloudkCLUNK.kkHIROKOkhaulskherselfkfromkthekshaft, trailingkakcloudkofksmo ekaskthekacidkeatskintokherksuit.kkShekthrowskthe

helmetktokthekground,kSHATTERINGkthekvisor.kkYan skdesperatelykatktheksuit's releasekclamps,k ic ingkthekruinedkgarmentkoff. Askpromised,kthekyellow-and-blac khoverbi ekisknearby.kkHIROKOkstartsktowards it,kthenkrememberskthek eyskarekinktheksleevekpoc etkofkthekruinedkpressuresuit.kkShekdropsktokhek neeskandkgingerlykpo eskthroughktheksmo ingkpilekof cloth.kkFindskthekflap,kRIPSkitkopen,kandkwithdrawskthek eys. SLAP!kkAkglisteningkwetkclawkemergeskfromkthekopenkhole.kkHIROKOkscrambleskto herkfeetkaskthekinjuredkALIENkpullskitselfkout.kkShektearskacrossktokthekbi e andkramskthek eykintokthekignition.kkThekturbineskROARktoklife,kandkitklifts smoothlykintokthekair.kkHIROKOkpivotskthekpowerfulkmachinekaround,kavoiding thekcreature'skquestingkgrasp.kkLosingkit'skbalance,kthekALIENkSMASHESkinto thekdec . HIROKO'skgunskthekbi ekaway,kspeedingkalongkthekplatform.kkThekfirekoverkby thekauto-shopkrageskoutkofkcontrol,kakcolumnkofkblac -and-orangeksmo ekrising intokthekair. AkDARKkFORMkhurlskitselfkatkherkfromkankoverheadkcable-support.kkYetkanother ALIEN.kkItklandskaw wardlykonkthekprotrudingkfrontkcowlkofkthekhoverbi e, gainingkbalancekinkankinstant. HIROKOktwistskonkherkcontrols,ktryingktokdislodgekthekcreaturekbyksee-sawing thekbi ekside-to-side.kkThekALIEN'skgotkakfirmkholdkthough,kcrawlingkhandover-handktowardskher.kkHIROKOkreleaseskherkgripkonkbothkthrottles simultaneously.kkAir-bra eskcutkin,kandkthekbi ekSLAMSktokakhalt.kkThekbreath WHOOSHESkoutkofkHIROKOkaskherkchestkimpactskwithktheksurroundingkroll-bar. ThekALIENkiskevenklesskfortunate;kmomentumkhurlskitkbac kontokthekconcrete. HIROKOkgunskthekenginekagain,kandkthekleading-edgekofkthekmanta-shaped machine'skaerofoilkcatcheskthekrisingkcreature,kneatlykdecapitatingkit. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCRANEkBASEk-kNIGHT Thekhoverbi ekGROWLSktokakhaltkbykthekbasekofkthekcrane.kkHIROKOkdismounts andkdrawskherkpistol.kkTa eskinktheksheerkheightkofkthekladderkshe'skgoingkto havektokscale.kkThumbskherkheadset. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkO ay,kIkma ekitktokthekcrane.kkYou... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER Everybodykinkadminkregisterskastonishmentkaskherkvoicekcomeskoverkthe spea ers. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk...Cankallkuncrosskyourkfingers. k AkWHOOPkgoeskup.kkVariouskhandskarekSLAPPED. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWekcopy,kboss.kkNicekgoing. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCRANEkLADDERk-kNIGHT HIROKO'skclimbingkthekladder.kkShekstopsktokcatchkherkbreath. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah,kwellkdon'tkgetktookcarriedkaway; kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwe'rekonlykhalfwaykhome.kkTal ... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk...Tokyoukshortly.kkNoguchikout. PARSONSkclic skhiskfingersktokDRISCOLL. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDriscoll;kyou'rekup. DRISCOLL'skmovingkevenkaskPARSONSkspea s. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDRISCOLL kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkhearkyou... EXT.kkRHUSHIkSTATIONk-kCRANEkCATWALKk-kNIGHT HIROKOkreacheskthektopkandksprintskalongkthekcatwal ktowardskthekControlkCab. Sheknarrowlykmissesksomethingkmetallicknearkthekbasekofkthekhandrail.kkIf she'dkta enkthektimektokstopkandkloo ,kshekwouldkhavekseenkBROKENkTUSK's ruinedkwristkcomputer. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTERk-kLADDERkWELL DRISCOLLkflipskopenkankaccesskflapkonkonekwallkofkthekladder-well.kkPrinted onkthekinsidekiskaksetkofkinstructions,kwithkthekfollowingkprintedkboldlykin red; kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCAUTION!kkEXPLOSIVEkBOLTSk-kREAD kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCAREFULLY! Hektraceskhiskfingerkalongkaklinekofktext. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCRANEkCABk-kNIGHT HIROKOkenterskthekcabkatkakrun.kkShekflipskakrowkofkswitches,kandkthekcontrol boardkcomesktoklife. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAccesskpanel...accesskpanel... Shekfindskit.kkGetskherkfingerskinkthekgroovekandkslideskitkout.kkBeneathkis akmini-dis kdrivekwithktwokbuttons. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBingo. Shekpullskthekvinyl-wrappedkpac etkfromkherkcatsuitkpoc et.kkCarefully withdrawskthekdis kandkslideskitkhome.kkThumbskthekfirstkbutton,kwhichkglows ankemeraldkgreen. Thekboard'skflatscreenkmonitorklightskupkimmediately.kkHIROKOkstudieskitkfor akmoment,kthenkpresseskherkheadsetklin . kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkO ay,kwe'rekinkbusiness.

INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkRight.kkAuto-shop,kyoukallkset? INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kAUTO-SHOPk-kCRAWLERkCAB EverybodykfromkAuto-shopkiskcrammedkintokthektwokarticulatedkvehicles. GUTTIEREZksitskinkthekdriver'skseatkofkthekfirstkcrawler.kkHekglanceskoutkof theksidekwindow.kkMATTkgiveskhimkak'thumbs-up'kfromkthekcabkofktheksecond crawler. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(intokheadset) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkSaykthekword,kandkyoukwon'tkseekoutkasses kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkforkdust. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCRANEkCABk-kNIGHT HIROKOkwipeskaktric lekofksweatkfromkherkforehead.kkShekpoiseskherkfinger overktheksecondkdrive-button. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkAlright.kkHerekwekgo... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER Everybodykinkadminkloo sktense. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThree... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kAUTO-SHOPk-kCRAWLERkCAB GUTTIEREZkleanskforward. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkheadset) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTwo... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCRANEkCABk-kNIGHT HIROKOkblin skasktheksweatkdrainskintokherkeyes. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOne...mar ! Shekstabskthekdrivekswitch. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCRANEk-kNIGHT Smoothlykmaintainedkengineeringkcomesktoklife.kkThekenormouskyellowkcrane startsktokmovekonkit'sktrac -rails. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCRANEkCABk-kNIGHT Thekcontrolkboardkmonitorkisksuddenlykawashkwithkinformationkand schematics...

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkO ay,kI'mkoutkofkhere! INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBlowkthoseksuc ers,kDriscoll! INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTERk-kLADDERkWELL DRISCOLLkraiseskakblac kdevicekshapedkli ekakcylinderkwithkakhandgripkonkthe end.kkSlotskitkintokthekmechanismkbeneathkthekflapkandkcarefullykturnskit.kkA tinykredkLEDkcomeskon. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTERkMODULE Complexkmechanicalkassemblieskattachkthekmodulektokit'sksupportingkpierplatforms.kkTherekarekaknumberkofkLOUDkBANGS,ksimilarktokcarkengines misfiring.kkExplosivekboltskreleasekthektethers. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTERk-kLADDERkWELL DRISCOLLkreportskintokhiskheadset. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDRISCOLL kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBoltskblown! EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCRANEkCATWALKk-kNIGHT HIROKOkrunskbac kacrosskthekcatwal .kkShekmightkhavekmissedkthekPREDATOR's damagedkcomputerkbefore,kbutkshekdoesn'tkthisktime.kkHerkfootkcomeskdownkon itkandkshekslips.kkThekgunkgoeskflyingkfromkherkhand.kkHIROKOkwatcheskin horrorkaskitkteeterskonkthekcatwal 'skedgekforkakmoment... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNo! ...Thenkgoeskover.kkShekdropsktokallkfourskandkpeerskoverkthekside.kkLuc ily it'skonlykfallenkaboutkfourkfeetkontokakdirtykledge.kkShekreacheskoutkfor it... INT.kkFIRSTkCRAWLERkCAB GUTTIEREZkpusheskforwardkonkthekcrawler'skcontrols.kkThekhead-upkdisplay projectedkonkthekcabkwindscreenkchangeskfromk'NEUTRAL'ktok'DRIVE'. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMkFARkSIDEk-kNIGHT ThektwokcrawlerskTEARkOUTkofkthekauto-shop'skopeningkdoors,kheadlights blazing. INT.kkFIRSTkCRAWLERkCABk-kNIGHT GUTTIEREZkbraceskhimselfkasktheykspeedkonkakcollisionkcoursektowardskthe ditchedkcrawlerktheykleftkoutsidekauto-shopkearlier. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkShit!

EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMkFARkSIDEk-kNIGHT KER-SMASM!kkGUTTIEREZ'kcrawlerkramskthekotherkvehiclekoffkthekroadwaykand throughkthekplatformksafetykbarrier.kkItkbalanceskprecariouslykforkaksecond, untilkfinallykit'skweightksendskitkplungingkintokthekswampkinkakCACOPHONYkof STRESSEDkMETALkandkCRUMBLINGkCONCRETE. INT.kkSECONDkCRAWLERkCABk-kNIGHT kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMATT kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYee-haa!kkDemolitionkderby,kbaby! EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kROOFTOPkLEVELk-kNIGHT Holdingkthekcrac edkmas ktokhiskface,kBROKENkTUSKkloo skupkatkthekgigantic cranekmovingkagainstktheknightks y. PREDATORkVISION.kkAlthoughkthekhelmet'sknightsightkiskmalfunctioning,kit's stillkgoodkenoughktokregisterkthek'hot'kinfra-redkshapekofkHIROKOkonkthe catwal . TheksoundkofkthektwokcrawlerskhurtlingkacrosskthekplatformkgetskBROKENkTUSK's attention. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCRANEkCATWALKk-kNIGHT HIROKOkgetskakfirmkgraspkonkonekofkthekrailingkrungs,kanchoringkherself. Stretcheskforkthekpistolkwithkrenewedkdetermination.kkShekbrusheskthekbarrel. Notkgoodkenough.kkTrieskagain.kkSuccess!kkHerkfingerskcurlkaroundkthekweapon, andkshektugskitkupwards. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kNIGHT Thektwokcrawlerskplungekintokthekcurtainkofkflameskspreadingkacrosskthe platform. INT.kkFIRSTkCRAWLERkCABk-kNIGHT DEkVRIESkYELLSkatkGUTTIEREZkoverkthekROARkofkthekflames. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHotterk'nkhellkoutkthere! EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCRANEkBASEk-kNIGHT HIROKOkleapsktheklastkfewkrungskfromkthekmovingkcranekontokthekplatform.kkShe dashesktowardskthekhoverbi e,ksomekthirtykfeetkaway.kkWithknoktimektokloose, shekslideskherkbootskintokthekfoot-supports,kwhichkautomaticallykWHIRR closed.kkGropeskforkthekignitionk ey... Beforekshe'skevenklocatedkit,kthekhoverbi ekmoves.kkSCRAPINGkacrosskthe concrete.kkALIENkclawskappearkaroundkthekedgekofkonekofkthekbi e'skmanta wings.kkShe'skpar edkthekbi ekoverkakdrainagekexit! HIROKOkSPINSkthek eykandkgunskthekengine.kkThekwhite-hotkdownblastkfromkthe turbinekexhaustkSPLASHESkacrosskthekSCREECHINGkALIENS.kkThekvehiclektiltskand KICKSkforward. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kNIGHT

Thektwokcrawlerskemergekfromkthekconflagration,kscorchedkandktrailingkfire. InkthekBACKGROUND,kthekcrane-hoistkcenterskoverkthekadminkmodule. CATWALKkP.O.V.,kloo ingkstraightkdown.kkFourklaserskscankquic lykaroundkthe module'skedges. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCRANEkCABk-kNIGHT Akblin ingkmessagekonkthekcrane'skmonitorkscreen: kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPOSITIVEkMATCH.kkCOMMENCEkLIFTING kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkOPERATION. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMkFARkSIDEk-kNIGHT TheksoundkofkSHREDDINGkMETALkma eskHIROKOkloo kdown.kkAnkALIENkiskhangingkon thekundersidekofkthekbi e!kkShektwistskthekthrottle,kreducingkacceleration andkcausingkthekvehiclektokdropkseveralkinches.kkSpar skshowerkthekground fromkwherekthekcreaturekma eskcontactkwithkthekroadway.kkThekALIEN's determinationkiskastounding.kkIt'sktailkSLAMSkupkthroughkthekalloyk'wing', anchoringkit. Thekbiomechanoidkstartsktokpullskitselfkup,kshiftingkthekbi e'skcenterkof gravity.kkShekfightskthekcontrols,kbutkfindskherselfkswerving.kkOne-handed, shekta eskaim.kkBLAM!kkBLAM!kkShekmisseskthekALIEN,krupturingkakfuelkpipe instead. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kNIGHT Thekcrane'skclampingkmechanismkcloseskaroundkthekadminkmodule,kloc ingkinto place. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER CLANG!kkEverybodykreactskaskthekSOUNDkpenetrateskthroughkthekwallskandkECHOES aroundkadmin. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPARSONS kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkO ay,kpeople.kkHoldkonktight... EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kNIGHT Thekcranekhoistskthekmodulekaloft,kfreekofkit'skumbilicals. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER Pencils,kdisposablekcups,kandkanythingkelseknotkboltedkdownkallkrollkfrom table-tops.kkMostkarekgrabbedkbyktheirkowners. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMkFARkSIDEk-kNIGHT HIROKO'skbi ekveerskblindlykaroundkthekcornerkofkakbuilding,kwithkHIROKO stillkSHOOTING.kkShekloo skupkandkherkeyeskwiden.kkAheadkiskthekout-ofcontrolkblaze.kkAktonguekofkflameklic skoutkacrosskthekplatform,kdirectly inkherkpath. HIROKOkslideskthekgunkquic lykintokherkshoulder-holsterkandkduc skforkcover behindkthekbi e'skwindshield.kkThekALIEN'skheadktwistskaround,kandkthey plungekintokthekinferno...

WHOOMPH!kkThekliquidkfromkthekbreachedkpipekignites,ktrailingkakplumekof yellowkflame.kkHIROKOkjamskdownkonkthekfoot-releasekandkwrenchesktheksteering barkhardktokthekright.kkShekleapskforksafetykaskthekburningkbi ekwithkit's ALIENkpassengerkcrasheskthroughkthekstation'sksafety-railkandkplummetskinto thekswamp. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMkRAMPk-kNIGHT ThektwokcrawlerskTHUNDERkdownkthekramp.kkGUTTIEREZ'kvehiclekpullskintoka tightkrightkturn,kwhilekMATT'skcontinueskonkit'skcourse.kkThekcranekwithkit's underslugkmodulekcontinuesktokRUMBLEkslowlykforward. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMkFARkSIDEk-kNIGHT HIROKOkmechanicallyktriesktokgetkupkfromkthekconcretekroadway.kkWinces. Somethingkhurts.kkShekloo skdownkatkthekbac kofkherkleftkhand.kkTheks inkhas beenkscrapedkaway. AkDISTANTkNOISE,ksomethingkelsekbeingkbro en.kkHIROKOkturns.kkThroughkthe conflagration,kALIENSkarekadvancing. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kBIGkBERTHAk-kNIGHT GUTTIEREZ'ksmolderingkcrawlerkpulls-upkalongsidekBigkBertha'sktitanickwheels. INT.kFIRSTkCRAWLERk-kNIGHTkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk GUTTIEREZkturnskhiskheadktokonekofkthekguyskinkthekrear. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkTa ekthekwheel,kRoy! EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kBIGkBERTHAk-kNIGHT GUTTIEREZkandkDEkVRIESkexitkthekcrawlerkinkakbigkhurry.kkThekmomentkthey're clear,kthekvehiclekstartskupkandkiskgone.kkDEkVRIESkiskalert,kthektipkofkher riflekprobingktheirksurroundings. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkC'mon,kman!kkLet'skshagkit! GUTTIEREZkbeginskclimbingkthektallkladderkrunningkupktokthekBertha'skcab. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kNIGHT HIROKO'skrunningkalongkthekplatform,kpistolkclenchedkfirmlykinkhand.kkShe thumbskherkheadset. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkRob,kit'skHiro o.kkComekin. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER CASSIEkanswers,kholdingkonktokthekedgekofkherkconsole. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHiro o,kit'skCassie.kkWhat's... HIROKO'skVOICEkinterrupts.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI'veklostkthekbi ekandkI'mkcut-off. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kNIGHT HIROKOkspinskaroundkthekcorner,kpointingkherkgunkcop-stance. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIfkIkcankgetktokthekchopper,kI'llkmeet kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkyoukatkthekrendezvous.kkDon'tkwaitkforkme. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCASSIE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBut... EXT.kRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kNIGHT Thekheli-jetkpad'skjustkupkahead.kkThekreliefkonkHIROKO'skfacekiskenormous. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNok'buts'.kkJustkdokit.kkNoguchikout. INT.kkBIGkBERTHAk-kNIGHT GUTTIEREZkandkDEkVRIESkpilekinsidektheksurprisinglykcrampedkdriver'skcab. There'skakseatkup-front,kwithkanotherkbehindkaksmallkcontrolkfasciakpointing out-bac .kkDEkVRIESkhandskoverkherkriflekandkslideskintokthekrear.kkShe flic skonkankoverheadklight.kkTapedktokoneksidekiskakblac -and-whitekmagazine cut-outkofkakna edkmalekbody-builder. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNicekbuns... Shekgiveskthekcontrolkboardkakcursorykonce-over.kkGUTTIEREZkcallskbac kfrom hiskvantagekpointkatkthekdoorway. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCankyoukhandlekit? DEkVRIESkpowers-upkthekconsole. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPiecekofkca e. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kHELI-JETkPADk-kNIGHT HIROKOkrunsktowardskthekwaitingkheli-jet.kkThekflic erkofkankandrenalinfueledksmilekplayskonkherkface...thekdisappears. Li ekakscorpionkscuttlingkoverkakroc ,kthekALIENkclimbskupkonktopkofkthe groundedkmachine.kkIt'skheadkturnktowardskher.kkHIROKOkstartsktokraisekher pistol...thenkstops.kkOtherkALIENSkarekdescendingktheknearbyknavigation tower...straightkforkher. HIROKOkturnsktail.kkShekraceskoverktokakladderkrunningkupktheksidekofka buildingkandkbeginsktokclimb. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kBIGkBERTHAk-kNIGHT

Thekshadowkofkthekcranekandkit'skcargokfallskoverkBigkBertha'skrearkflatbed. Flashingkwarningkstrobeskilluminatekthektwinkhydraulickarmskwhichkrisekupkto meetkit. INT.kkBIGkBERTHAk-kNIGHT DEkVRIESktwistskonkthek'waldo'kcontrolskoperatingkthekmanipulatorkhands. EXT.kkSWAMPk-kNIGHT ALIENSkrisekupkoutkofkthekswampkbelow,kandkstartktokscalekBertha'skballoon tires. INT.kkBIGkBERTHAk-kNIGHT GUTTIEREZkfireskakbarragekdownkatkthekoncomingkcreatures.kkHekHOLLERSkbac kto DEkVRIES. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMovekitkbaby,korkthey'rekgonnakbekchewin' kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkonkmykcojones! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkCouplekmorekseconds! EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kROOFTOPkLEVELk-kNIGHT HIROKOkta eskflightkacrosskthekrooftopskwithkthekALIENSkinkpursuitkli eka pac kofkdogs.kkShekvaultskextractorkinta eskandkretrofittedkjun kwithkease. SokdokthekALIENS. Shekcutskacrosskakconduitkoverpasskbridgingktwokbuildingskacrosskthekmain street,ktryingknotktoklosekherkfooting.kkJustkbeforekreachingkthekotherkside, HIROKOkslipskandkfallsktokherk nees.kkHerkheadsetkdropskthirtykfeetkontokthe concretekroadway.kkHerkhandkrestskonksomethingkred.kkIt'skthekcoverkforkthe explosivekboltskconnectingkthekconduitktokthekbuilding.kkShekscrambleskonto thekrooftopkandkflipskoverkthekhatch.kkGlanceskup.kkThekALIENSkarekalready startingkacross.kkShekpullskthekprimerkcylinderkoutkbykit'skhandle.kkJamskit intokthekdetonator,kandkturns... She'skpracticallykonktopkofkthekbolts.kkThekEXPLOSIONkiskDEAFENING.kkWithkthe clampkonkthisksidekfree,kthekconduitkfallskintokthekstreetkwithkakSCREECHkof twistedkmetal.kkOnekofkthekALIENSkiskpulverizedkbykthekfallingkdebris,kbut thekothersksurvive.kkAllkHIROKO'skmanagedktokdokiskbuykherselfksomekbreathing space... Shekraceskacrosskthekbuilding'skroof.kkReacheskthekotherkside...straightkinto akdeadkend. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kBIGkBERTHAk-kNIGHT Thekadminkmodulekloc skontokBertha'skmanipulatorkarmskwithkaksatisfying CLUNK.kkAutocouplerskslotkintokplace,kandkthekcranekreleaseskit'skload. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCOMMANDkCENTER Thekconnectingkjoltkiskevenkgreaterkthenkbefore.kkSeveralklargerkobjects CRASHktokthekdec .

INT.kkBIGkBERTHAk-kNIGHT kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkDEkVRIES kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThat'skit!kkWe'vekgotkit!kkGetkuskoutkof kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkhere. GUTTIEREZklooseskoneklastkvolleykatkthekALIENS.kkHekpullskthekcabkdoorkshut, andkthrowskhimselfkintokthekdriver'skseat. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkC'monksweetheart.kkDokyourkstuff... EXT.kkSWAMPk-kNIGHT Bertha'skwheelskGRINDktoklife,kspillingkALIENSkandkcrushingkthemkunderkit's treads... EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kROOFTOPkLEVELk-kNIGHT HIROKO'skP.O.V.kkIt'skakstraightkdropkthirtykfeetkontokconcrete,kwithkno ladderskorkanykotherkwaykdown.kkShekloo skdesperatelykaroundkforkanother avenuekofkescape. ThekleeringkfacekofkankALIENkcomeskupkoverkthekroof'skedge.kkHIROKOkswings herkpistolkoverkandkfires.kkItkfallskaway...onlyktokbekreplacedksecondsklater byktwokothers. Herkgunkgoeskdry.kkQuic kaskakflash,kshekejectskthekspentkmagazine.kkShe slapsktheksparekinkandkcontinueskfiring. INT.kkBIGkBERTHAk-kNIGHT BigkBertha'skheadingkawaykfromkthekbasekintoktheksurroundingktrees. GUTTIEREZkgritskhiskteethkasktheykplungektowardskthekhighkbranches. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGUTTIEREZ kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGetkdown! DEkVRIESkhitskthekfloor.kkThekthic kboughskimpactkwithkthekcab,kSHATTERING theksafetykglass. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kROOFTOPkLEVELk-kNIGHT BANG!kkBANG!kkBANG!kkBANG!kk_CLICK_.kkHIROKO'skgun'skempty.kkShekreacheskfor anotherkclipkonkherkbandolier...thenkrealiseskthatkwaskherklastkone. ThekencirclingkALIENSkHISSktriumphantlykandkclosekin.kkWithknokplacektokgo, andknokmeanskofkdefendingkherself,kHIROKO'skakgoner.kkThekleadkALIEN'sklethal double-barrelkteethkopen.kkIt'skalmostkonkher.kkHIROKOkCRIESkOUT... WHOOSH!kkThekALIEN'skfacekiskseveredkinkhalf.kkAkcircularkmetalkobjectkblurs throughkthekairkandkloopskbac konkitself,kalmostkfasterkthenkthekhumankeye cankfollow.kkAkmassivekformkSLAMSkdownkinkfrontkofkHIROKO,kpushingkherkout ofkthekway.kkShekhitskthekdec khardkandkgasps.kkBROKENkTUSKkiskstanding beforekher.kkHeks illfullykcatcheskthekfrisbee-li ek'smartkweapon',kthen throwskitkagain. HIROKOkwatcheskwithkawekaskthekPREDATORkjoinskbattlekagainstkthekALIENS. HISSINGkALIENkjawskareksilencedkbykBROKENkTUSK'skformidablekfightingk technique.kkQuestingklimbskarekBLASTEDkandkHACKEDkawaykbykadvancedkPREDATOR

weaponry.kkAcidickbloodkflowskfreely.kkTheks irmishkisksurprisinglykbrief. BROKENkTUSKkandkHIROKOkstarekatkonekanother.kkBROKENkTUSKkpullskakslungkmetal rodkfromkhiskshoulder.kkTwokbarbedktipskSCHNICKkoutwards,kformingkakspear. ThekPREDATORkloo skatkher,kandkhisklipkcurls.kkItkta eskaksecondkforkHIROKO tokrealisekhe'skofferingkitktokher.kkBewildered,kshekacceptskit,kpulling herselfkup. Akbrightkorangekballkofkflamekmushroomskupkbehind,kgettingkbothkofktheir attentions.kkBROKENkTUSKkregardskher.kkHiskmandibleskCLICK-CLACKknervously... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkLoo .kkDon'tkta ekthiskthekwrongkway,kbut kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwhenkIkimaginedkthekcavalrykcomingktokmy kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkrescue...theykneverkloo edkli ekyou. ThekPREDATORkturnskaway,kseeminglykuninterested. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kNIGHT AnotherkgoutkofkflamekBELCHESkoutkofkthekchurningkmasskinkthekmiddlekofkthe station. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kROOFTOPkLEVELk-kNIGHT HIROKOkturnskherkrecoveredkheadsetkoverkinkherkhands. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBro en.kkUseless! Shekthrowskitkaside.kkBROKENkTUSKkstandskbesidekher,k eepingkguard.kkAnother DETONATIONkgoeskoffkbehind,kevenkLOUDER. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkJesus.kkI.C.C.'rekgonnakhavektokclosekthe kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkboo konkthiskplace. ShekSLAPSkBROKENkTUSKkonkthekarm. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkComekon,kButch.kkLet'skgo. Shekbeginsktokwal kaway.kkBROKENkTUSKkcrossesktoktheksafetykbarrier,kpeering overkthekside... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHey!kkIksaidkcomekon! ThekPREDATORkturnskakdeafkearktokher.kkHekgaugeskthekdistancekbelow,kthen throwskhimselfkoffkthekplatform'skedge. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhat...? Shekraceskacrossktokthekrailkandkgazeskdownward. HIROKO'SkP.O.V.kkThekPREDATORkwadeskthroughkthekswampktowardsksomethingkshe cannotksee.kkHIROKOkloo skaroundkthekplatform.kkShe'sksuddenlykverykalone. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D)

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkShit! Shekcrossesktokakmaintenancekladderkandkbeginsktokdescend. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSWAMPkLEVELk-kNIGHT HIROKOkSPLASHESkthroughkthekswampktowardskthekPREDATOR.kkBROKENkTUSKkhas pausedkbeforekakculvertknestledkwithinkthekshadowskofkthekplatformkpiers, runningkdirectlykoutkintokthekswamp.kkMostkofkthekdrainkiskunderwater,kwith onlykaboutkeightkincheskprotrudingkfromkthekwater.kkThekthic kmetalkgrille coveringkitkiskmangledkandktwisted.kkBro enkfromkwithin. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYou'vekgotktokbekjo ing.kkNokwaykamkI kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkgoingkbac kinkthere! Nokjo e.kkBROKENkTUSKkstartsksubmergingktokgetkacrosskinside. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHey! BROKENkTUSKkpauseskforkakmoment.kkHekgiveskherkakloo ,kthenkdisappearskinto thekblac ness.kkHIROKOkloo skaround.kkIt'sknokfunkbeingktheklastkpersonkleft alivekhere. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkGoddammit! Shekta eskseveralkdeepkbreaths,kthenkreluctantlykfollows... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kCULVERT HIROKOkemergeskwithinkankairkpoc etkinsidekthekdrain.kkShekshivers.kkIt's justkaskdirtykandkcrampedkaskshekremembers.kkSeveralkofkthekmaintenance lightskdownkherekarekbro en,kandkvisibilitykiskminimal. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(quietly) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWha...? BROKENkTUSKkwhirls,kandkclampskakhandkacrosskherkmouth.kkShekgetskthe message. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kCENTRALkRESERVOIR Theykexitkthekculvertkthroughkanotherksmashedkgrate.kkHIROKOkfindskherself bac kinkthekCentralkReservoirkagain.kkShekwadeskthroughkthekwaterkbehind BROKENkTUSK,kholdingkthekspearkabovekherkhead.kkThektwokofkthemkloo kvery vulnerablekinkhere.kkTheykpasskbeneathkthekPULSATINGkSACkHIROKOksawkearlier. Itkloo skriperknow,kreadyktokburst.kkAnkINSIDIOUSkPULSINGkNOISEk-kli eka heartbeatk-kgainskinkvolumekthekfurtherktheyktravel. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kPUMPkCHAMBER Theykcomekoutkinkakchamberksomekfortykfeetkinkheightkandkdominatedkbykan enormouskpump.kkALIENkgun kcoverskeverything. HIROKOkgasps.kkHighkabovekitkakQUEENkALIEN,knestingkonktopkofkthekvast mechanism.kkIt'skEGGkSACkdrapeskaroundkthekpump;kspiralingkdownkaroundkit. Shekseemsktokbekasleep.

BROKENkTUSKkignoreskthekQUEEN.kkHiskeyeskareksearchingkthekmultitudekof formsk-khumankandkotherwisek-kcocoonedkintokthekwalls.kkHekfindskwhatkhe's loo ingkfor.kkUpkonkonekwallkiskanotherkPREDATOR.kkDead.kkIt'skstomach blownkopen. HIROKOkholdskherkspearktightly.kkFACEHUGGERSkpulsekmalignantly,kwrapped aroundkseveralktrappedkvictims.kkAknumberkofkemptykEGGSkarekscatteredkhereand-there. BROKENkTUSKkloo skaround.kkNokALIENS.kkHekbeginskclimbingkthekorganickfresco, watchingkthekQUEENkALIENkcarefullykforksignskofkawareness.kkThekbellows-li e SOUNDkofkherkBREATHINGkiskoverwhelming.kkHekreacheskthekentrappedkPREDATOR. It'skleftkarmkiskencasedkinkaksolidifiedkmasskofksecretedkresin.kkBROKENkTUSK raiseskhisk'smartkweapon'kandkactivateskit. ThekSPLINTERINGkNOISEkma eskHIROKOkwince.kkShekglanceskupkatkthekQUEEN.kkIt's breathingkstartktokchange,kandkit'skheadkmoves... BROKENkTUSKkseeskitktoo.kkHekhesitateskforkakmoment.kkThekQUEENksettles,kand herkbreathingkgoeskbac ktoknormal.kkBROKENkTUSKkresumeskhiskwor ,kchipping offkthekfinalkchun kofkcoating.kkHeksheatheskthek'smartkweapon',kandkflips openkthekotherkPREDATOR'skwristkdevice.kkHekwithdrawsktheksmallkmanipulator devicekweksawkearlier,kandkgoesktokwor ... DOWNkBELOW,kHIROKO'skbac ingkaway.kkShekdoesn'tkseekthekarmkcoatedkinkslime thatkgraspskatkherkhair.kkShekshudders,kstiflingkakSCREAM.kkHerkeyeskarekwide askshekturns... It'skKAMEN.kkHe'skbeenkembeddedkintokthekbiomechanicalkfrieze.kkWhenkhe spea s,khiskvoicekiskwrac edkwithkpainkandksuffering. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHiro o... HIROKOkfearfullyksaysksomethingkbeneathkherkbreathkinkJAPANESE. UPkONkTHEkWALL,kBROKENkTUSKkhaskfinishedkhisktas .kkHekslideskthektipkofka clawkacrosskthekself-destructkmechanism.kkIt'skreadoutkdisplaykilluminates withkalienkcharacters.kkHekactivateskakbutton,kandkthekreadoutkbeginskto blin ... BELOW,kKAMENkisktal ingktokaksic enedkHIROKO. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMENk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkThey...theyksnappedkmyklegsktokfit... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkfitkmekinkhere.kkIkdon't...remember kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkwhatkhappenedknext. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWhatkcankIkdo? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIkcan...feelkitkmovingkaroundkinsidekme. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYou'vekgotktok illkme. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkI...Ik_can't_! kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYouk_have_kto... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkKAMEN kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNo! BROKENkTUSKkappearskaskHIROKO'skshoulder.kkHekraiseskhiskrightkarm.kkSCHNICK! Thekwristk niveskslicekoutwards.kkRedkbloodkSPATTERSkHIROKO'skpalekface. BROKENkTUSKkgrabskherkarmkroughlykandkpullskherkaway. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kCENTRALkRESERVOIR BROKENkTUSKkpusheskHIROKOkthroughkthekreservoir.kkAnkALIENkEGGkonkaknearby wallkPEELSkOPEN.kkBeforekthekFACEHUGGERkevenkhaskakchancektokspring,kBROKEN TUSKkswingskhiskwrist-bladeskinkakwidekarc,kcuttingkthroughkthekEGGkandkit's writhingkcontents. Thektwokofkthemkreachkthekdeepkendkandkhavektokwade.kkHIROKOkpusheskherself alongkthekbiomechanicalkoutcropping.kkAheadkofkthemkiskthekPULSINGkSAC. Beforekthey'rekevenkpassedkbeneathkit,ktheykhearkSOMETHING.kkAkSOUNDkli e water-filledkballoonskhittingkwetkconcrete. ThekSACkruptures,kspatteringkthic kgloopykmatter.kkAkformkcomprisedkofk slenderklimbskemergeskfromkwithin.kkAnkIMMATUREkQUEENkALIEN.kkThoughkjustborn,kit'skreflexeskarekrazor-sharp.kkItklasheskoutkatkHIROKOkandkBROKEN TUSK.kkHIROKOkduc s,kandkthekQUEEN'skclawskembedkthemselveskinkBROKENkTUSK's shoulder,kdestroyingkhiskautomatickcannon. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kPRE-DAWN AkVASTkEXPLOSIONkripskthroughkthekbase,kbroilingkcloudskofkflamekrolling acrosskthekplatformkandkseepingkintokthekdrainagekducts. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kPUMPkCHAMBER ColumnskofkfirekjetkfromkfissureskandkopeningskinsidekthekPumpkChamber, ripplingkacrosskthekadultkQUEENkALIENkandkherkhaplesskvictims.kkShekbegins tokSCREAM,kflailingkaroundkatopkherkmetalkthrone... INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kCENTRALkRESERVOIR ThekadultkQUEEN'skSHRIEKkechoeskthroughkthekreservoir,kaccompaniedkbykakball ofkfirekthatktravelskpartkofkthekwaykdown.kkThekIMMATUREkQUEENkturnskherkhead inkreply,kansweringkwithkherkownkYOWL. BROKENkTUSKkHISSESkwithkhate,kandkbringskhisk'smartkweapon'kSLICINGkdown throughkherkarm,kseveringkitkatkthekwrist.kkHIROKOksimultanesoulykDRIVESkher spearkintokthekALIEN'skchest.kkShekgrabskthekinjuredkPREDATORkandkpullskhim awaykfromkthekthrashingkcreature. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkComekon!kkComek_on_! INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kPUMPkCHAMBER ThekalienknumberskonkthekPREDATORkself-destructkreadoutkinexorablykcount down... EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kPRE-DAWN ThekmetalkplugkHIROKOkblewkduringkherkearlierkescapekstillkliesktokonekside

ofkthekductkHIROKOkandkBROKENkTUSKkcrawlkhastilykoutkof.kkFireballskare eruptingkallkaroundknow,kma ingktheirksituationkprecarious. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kCRANEkCATWALKk-kPRE-DAWN Fromkakvantagekpointkhighkabove,kwekseekHIROKOkandkBROKENkTUSKkracingkacross thekplatformktowardskthekheli-jetkpad. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPLATFORMk-kPRE-DAWN BROKENkTUSKkstumbleskandkfalls.kkHIROKOkbendskdownktokhelpkhimkup,kbutkthe PREDATORkshoveskherkaway.kkHekdoesn'tkwantkherkassistance. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkIfkyoukdon'tkmovekyourkuglykbutt,kwe're kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkgonnakendkupkbarbecued!kkComekon! EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kHELI-JETkPADk-kPRE-DAWN HIROKOkrunsktowardskthekwaitingkheli-jet,kwithkthekPREDATORkclosekbehind. Theklandingkpadkiskmadekupkofkankintricatekserieskofkgrilleskdesignedkto deflectkdownwardkexhaustkgases.kkHIROKO'skfeetkCLATTERkacrosskthekmetal... KER-SMASH!kkThekmetalkiskSMASHEDkfromkbeneath,krightkinkfrontkofkher.kkThe IMMATUREkALIENkQUEENkhaskmadekiskoutkofktheksewerksystemkandkhaskgotkthekjump onkthem.kkHIROKO'skforwardkmomentumkwon'tkallowkherktokstopkrunning...she's tookclose.kkAlmostkatktheklastkmoment,kshekjumps.kkclawskbrushkherktrouser leg,kbutkclosekonkthinkair.kkShekhitskthekdec kandkquic lykclosesktheklast fewkfeetktokthekchopper. BROKENkTUSKkstops.kkALIENSkarekappearingkallkoverkthekpadkandkoutkofknearby drainagekducts. INT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN HIROKOkslipskintokthekchopper'skpilotkseat.kkShekflipskakbunchkofkswitches andkthekturbineskRISEkinkVOLUMEkfromkakLOWkWHINEktokakDULLkROAR. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kHELI-JETkPADk-kPRE-DAWN AnkorangekballkofkflamekmushroomskupkbehindkBROKENkTUSK.kkWithkthekALIENS bloc ingkhiskpath,kthere'sknokrefugekforkhim. Almost.kkThekNavigationkTowerkloomskoverhead,knearby.kkBROKENkTUSKkta eska calculatedkris kandkLEAPSkforkit. INT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN Thekheli-jetkflieskprettykmuchkli ekakstandardkhelicopter.kkHIROKOkpullsbac konkthekcollective,kandkthekturbines'kpitchkchangeskfromkakTHROATYkGROWL tokakHIGH-PITCHEDkWHINE. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kHELI-JETkPADk-kPRE-DAWN Thekheli-jetkrises,kaklittlekunsteadily.kkThekwashkfromkthekturbineskplays acrosskthekSHRIEKINGkALIENS. INT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN HIROKO'SkP.O.V.kkThroughkthekcanopykdome,kwekseekBROKENkTUSKkclimbingkthe

NavigationkTower,kwithkthekALIENSkclosekbehind. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkO ay,kButch.kkIkcankplaykcavalry,ktoo... EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kNAVIGATIONkTOWERk-kPRE-DAWN BROKENkTUSKkscaleskthekladderkaskquic lykaskhekcan.kkAskthektopkofkthektower iskakgallerykcatwal ksurroundingkthekflashingkbeaconkarray. ThekIMMATUREkQUEEN,kaccompaniedkbykakphalanxkofkwarriorkALIENS,kiskalmost uponkhim.kkThekPREDATORkdriveskhiskwristk niveskintokthekthroatkofkakgrasping ALIEN,kwhichkfallskdownward,kwrithing.kkItkCRASHESkintokthekQUEEN,kwhokalmost loseskherkgripkonktheks eletalkmetalwor .kkShekHISSES,klashingkoutkatkthe creature.kkSendskitkhurtlingktokthekground. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kTOWERkCATWALKk-kPRE-DAWN BROKENkTUSKkma eskitktokthektop.kkThere'sknotkmuchkspacekonkthekcatwal kto maneuver.kkHekloo skaround,kthenkdown.kkThiskiskhisklastkstand. Instinctively,khekreacheskdownktokhiskwristkforkthekself-destructkcomputer. Ofkcourse,kit'sknotkthere. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kPUMPkCHAMBER Thekthirdkrowkofkdigitskonkthekalienkdestructkmechanismkdisappear.kkTime's runningkout...fast. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kTOWERkCATWALKk-kPRE-DAWN BROKENkTUSKkSMASHESkhiskfootkhardkintokthekfacekofkankALIEN.kkAkBLASTkof displacedkairkhitskhimkli ekaksledgehammer.kkHekturns... HIROKO'skheli-jetkhoverskstationarykjustkakfewkfeetkawaykfromkthektower,kthe doorkonkthekco-pilot'sksidekflappingkopen.kkShekHOLLERSkatkthekPREDATORkover thekROARkofkthekengines. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkC'mon!kkJump! BROKENkTUSKkloo skdown.kkIt'skaklongkdrop...butkit'skthekbestkoption availablektokhim.kkHekjumps. THWACK!kkHiskhandskgripkthekdoorkframe.kkThekheli-jetkwobbleskslightly,kit's centerkofkgravitykshifting.kkBROKENkTUSKkhaulskhimselfkupkandkthroughkthe doorkas... ...KER-BLAM!kkAkmassivekexplosionkmushroomskupkfromkthekbasekaskthekstorage tan skbelowkignite.kkThekshoc kwavekbuffetskthekchopperkagainstkthektower. INT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN BROKENkTUSK'skP.O.V.kkThekgrinningkfacekofkthekyoungkQUEENkgetsksuddenly closerkaskthekheli-jetkiskpropelledktowardskthekmetalkstructure. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kNAVIGATIONkTOWERk-kPRE-DAWN CRUNCH!kkThekchopperkhits,k noc ingkseveralkALIENSkfromktheirkhandholds.kkOne ofkthekQUEEN'skarmskSHOOTSkOUT,kwrappingkitselfkaroundkthekportkenginekmount.

INT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN HIROKOkpusheskonkthekstic .kkThekheli-jetkpullskaway...thenktiltskviolently tokonekside,kengineskdesperatelyktryingktokcompensate. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPRE-DAWN ThekQUEENkiskhangingkfromkthekbeleagueredkcraft,kit'skweightkdrawingkit slowlykdown.kkInkthekBACKGROUND,kthekNavigationkTowerkbeginsktokslowly collapse. INT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN HIROKOkwrestleskthekovertaxedkcontrols. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkShit! BROKENkTUSKkturnsktowardskher. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkInkthekbac !kkInkthekbac ! ThekPREDATORkmayknotkunderstandkherkwords,kbutkhekcankfollowkthekfrantic jer ingkofkherkhand.kkHektwistskaroundktokloo kinkthekchopper'skrear. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPRE-DAWN HIROKOkpilotskthekheli-jetkoverkthekstation'skstoragektan s.kkThe conflagrationkbelowkhaskgottenkcompletelykout-of-hand. EXT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN ThekQUEENkiskstartingktokstrugglekup,kit'skarmskflailingkforkpurchase. INT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWatchkyourkshots!kkIfkyoukhitkthekengine kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkyou'llkblowkuskbothktokhell! BROKENkTUSKkgoeskforkthektrigger.kkHiskindexkfingerkwon'tkslidekintokthe triggerkguard...it'sktookbig!kkHekta eskthekguardkinkbothkhandskandkexerts pressure.kkSNAP.kkProblemksolved. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kPUMPkCHAMBER BLEEP!kkThere'skonlykoneksetkofkdigitskleftkonkthekdestructkdevice'skdisplay counter. EXT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN AkredkdotkofklightkrunskacrosskthekQUEEN'skhead.kkShekmustksensekitksomehow. Herkheadkcomeskroundktokbear... BROKENkTUSK'skgotkthekpulse-riflektrainedkrightkonkher.

BROKENkTUSKkpullskoutkakpulse-riflekfromkthekrear.kkHekquic lykta eskstoc ofkit.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBROKENkTUSK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkChew...on...this...! BLAM!kkAkroundkopenkaknice,kneatkholekinkthekQUEEN'skhead.kkShekYOWLS.kkBLAM! Aksecondkroundkdoeskthekjob.kkThekQUEENkrelinquisheskherkgripkandkfalls, SCREECHINGkallkthekwaykdownkintokthekragingkinfernokbelow. INT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kSEWERkSYSTEMk-kPUMPkCHAMBER Theklastksegmentkofkthekdestructkmechanism'skdisplaykdisappears.kkWekhearka HIGH-PITCHEDkTONE. INT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN HIROKOkthrowskthekjoystic kforward. EXT.kkRYUSHIkSTATIONk-kPRE-DAWN Thekheli-jetkaccelerateskhell-for-leatherkaway.kkAnkincandescentkBALLkOF ENERGYkexpandskoutward,kvaporisingkthekstationkandkmostkofktheksurrounding bayoukforkaboutkakmile'skradius. EXT.kkLINSON'SkRANGEk-kENCAMPMENTk-kPRE-DAWN BigkBertha'skpar edkbykthekblin ingkbluekbeaconktower,ksitekofkthekill-fated huntingkexpedition.kkAboutkakdozenkorksokpeoplekarekmillingkaround,ksmo ing cigaretteskorktal ing. MATTkandkDEkVRIESkarekleaningkagainstkthekwheelskofkMATT'skcrawler.kkThey feelkthekconcussivekshoc -wave,kandkloo kupward. TheirkP.O.V.kkAbovekthektreetops,kakblindingkwhite-lightkBLURSkOUTkthe horizon... kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkMATT kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHolykshit! INT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN Gaugeskandkotherkinstrumentskarekgoingkcrazykaskthekheli-jetkrideskthe turbulencekout. EXT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN Akchun kofkmetalkiskpropelledkthroughkthekairkandkRIPSkintokthekchopper's starboardkengine.kkThere'skakBURSTkofkflame,kthenkthekextinguisherskcutkin. INT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN Thekheli-jet'skbuc ingkli ekakbroncoknow,kandkthey'reklosingkheightkrapidly. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWe'veklostkthekstarboardkengine!kkWe're kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkgoingkdown!kkHoldkon! EXT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN Thekchopperkclipskthektreekboughs,kandkbounces. INT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN

HIROKOkandkBROKENkTUSKkarekhurledkaroundkthekcoc pitkli ekragkdolls.kkThe glasskcrac skwithkthekimpact. HIROKO'SkP.O.V.kkLeaves,ktwigs,kandkbrancheskrushkpastkaskthekheli-jetkbrea s throughkthekcanopykofkfoliage. EXT.kkSWAMPk-kPRE-DAWN Thekheli-jetkPLOUGHSkintokthekswampkfloorkwithkaksic eningkCRUNCH,kspraying mudkallkaround. INT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN Thekcanopykimplodes.kkAkhailkofkglasskshardskRIPkthroughkthekcoc pit, sprayingkacrosskHIROKOkandkcuttingkherks in.kkShekSCREAMS. EXT.kkSWAMPk-kPRE-DAWN Thekchopperkcomesktokrestkinkthekswamp.kkThekSQUAWKINGkofktheklocalkWILDLIFE O.S.kgraduallykdieskdown. INT.kkCHOPPERk-kPRE-DAWN HIROKOkmoveskherkhead,kandkGROANS.kkThere'skaknastykgashkacrosskherkforehead. ShekturnsktokBROKENkTUSK.kkThekdoorkframekonkhisksidekiskbuc ledkandktwisted. Partkofkthekmetalkhaskshearedkoff,kit'sksharpkendkimpalingkhimkthroughkthe shoulder.kkThekPREDATORkcoughskluminouskgreenkblood. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkWe'vekgottakgetkyoukoutkofkhere. EXT.kkSWAMPk-kDAWN TheksunkbeginsktokrisekaskHIROKOkexitskthekheli-jetkandkgoeskaroundktokthe otherkside.kkShekmanagesktokgetkthekmangledkdoorkopen.kkBROKENkTUSK'skwound loo skevenkworsekup-close. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKOk(CONT'D) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHoldkon.kkThiskiskgonnakhurtksome. HIROKOkgetskherkarmkunderkBROKENkTUSK'skshoulder.kkThekPREDATORkbraces himself,kandkstartsktokmove.kkThekagonykiskexcruciating;khiskmandibleskopen andkhekletskoutkakLEONINEkROAR. HIROKOkhelpskhimkoutkofkthekseat.kkThekPREDATORkgetskunsteadilyktokhiskfeet. Whatkhappensknextkisktotallykunexpected. BROKENkTUSK'skthroatkBURSTS,kfountainingkgreenkblood.kkShoc ed,kHIROKOkgets outkofkthekpathkofkthekPREDATOR'sktumblingkmass.kkShekloo skup. ThekALIENkstowawaykonkthekroofkofkthekchopperkretractskit'sksledgehammer tongue,kit'skheadkfollowingkherkmovements. ThekPREDATOR'sk'smart'kweaponkhaskdroppedktokthekfloorkandkisklayingkbladedownkinkthekmire.kkHIROKOkscoopskup,kactivatingkitkandkscramblingkaway.kkShe getsktokherkfeetkandkholdskthekHUMMINGkdisckbeforekher. ThekALIENkclimbskwarilykdownkfromkthekheli-jet,kandkthektwokopponentskface eachkotherkli eksumokwrestlers.kkHIROKOkassumeskakdefensivekstance,kholding

thekdisckreadyktokstri e.kkThekALIENkhisses,kit'sktailkstingerkcomingkaround. Itkleapskforkher,kandkbattlekiskjoined.kkThekALIENklasheskout,kbutkHIROKO counterskbykswingingkthekweaponktimekandktimekagain.kkWithkeachkthrust, surgicallykthinkwoundskopenkupkonkthekbiomechanoid'skbody.kkOnekofkthe ALIEN'skattac sksendskherkreelingktokthekfloor,kit'skstingerkarchingktowards her.kkShekparries,kslicingkthektailkinkhalfkandkstrugglingktokherkfeet. ThekALIENkstri eskagain.kkHIROKOkfeints,kthenkthrusts,kloppingkoffkonekof it'skhands.kkThekALIENkHOWLSkwithkpain,kblindingklashingkoutkatkherkand sendingkthek'smart'kweaponkflyingkfromkherkgrip. She'sklost,kandkthekcreaturek nowskit.kkIt'sklipskcurlkintokakSNARL. KER-POW!kkKER-POW!kkThekALIEN'skheadkDETONATES,kandkit'sks eletalkbodykslumps forwardktokSPLASHkintokthekswamp...revealingkBROKENkTUSKkpointingkthekpulse rifle. ThekdyingkPREDATORkGURGLES,khiskheadkdrooping.kkHIROKOkstumbleskacrosskto him.kkBROKENkTUSK'skinkakbadkway,kgreenkgorekiskpulsingkfreelykfromkit's throat.kkItkgazeskupkatkHIROKO. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkBROKENkTUSK kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkNot...akpretty...sight... Andkwithkthat,kthekPREDATORkdies. HIROKOkloo karound.kkTheksunkiskrisingkabovekthektreetops,kandktheksettingkis serene.kkSomehowkbeautiful. Thekspea erskinkthekheli-jetkcabinkCRACKLEktoklife,kjarringkher. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkVOICE kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk(O.S.,konkspea ers) kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkRimwardkTrac ingkStation,kthiskiskthekone kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkthirty-secondkRimkCorpkBattalionkoperating kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoutkofkthekcruiserkTartaruskfromkFort kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPowell.kkPleasekrespond.kkOver. There'skaksoundkO.S.,kli ekakTHUNDERCLAP.kkHIROKOksurveyskthekhorizon. HIROKO'skP.O.V.kkAkpairkofkMARINEkDROPSHIPSkfloatkabovekthekdistant rainforest,ktheirkweaponskarmskunfurledkli ekexotickarmedkinsects. Searchlightskprobekthekgroundkfarkbelow. AkshadowkfallskoverkHIROKO,kbloc ingkoutktheksun.kkAkmonstrouskSHAPEkoccupies thekairkabove,kdelineatedkonlykbykaktelltalekvibration.kkThekPREDATOR shuttlecraftklowerskit'skcloa ingkdevice,kextendingklandingkgearkandkakramp. Itktoucheskdownkinkthekbayoukwithkscarcelykakwhisper. HIROKOkwatcheskthekPREDATORSkfilekslowlykout.kkBROKENkTUSK'skbodykiskborne aloftkandkcarriedkbac kinside.kkThekLEADkPREDATORkturnsktokHIROKO.kkHe crossesktokher.kkHIROKO'skfacekiskreflectedkinkthekfacetedkeyepieceskofkthe PREDATOR'skhelmet. Thekextraterrestrialkhunterkpullskoutkhisktelescopickspear.kkKER-CHUNK!kkThe tipskloc kintokplace.kkThekPREDATORkofferskitktokHIROKO.kkShekaccepts,ka littlekconfused. There'skaklongkmoment.kkThekPREDATORkiskstillkstandingkthere.kkWaiting. HIROKO'skeyesknarrow.kkHerkmindkiskwor ingkfuriously.kkWhatkdoktheykwant?

Shekrealises.kkItksuddenlykbecomeskclear.kkSheksmiles. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkHIROKO kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkYeah.kkWhyknot. HIROKOkglanceskbac katkthekhoveringkDROPSHIPS,kthenkwal skaroundkthekwaiting PREDATORkandkintokthekshuttlecraftkwithoutkloo ingkbac . ThekPREDATORkfollowskher.kkThekrampkSLAMSkclosed,kaskwe... CUTkTOkBLACK _THEkEND_ --