Introduction:Ellen Ripley, the only survivor of the Weyland-Yutani
Corporation space freighter Nostromo, is rescued and revived after drifting for
57 years in hypersleep. Interviewed before a panel of company executives,
Ripley’s testimony regarding the Alien is met with extreme skepticism, as no
physical evidence of the creature survived the destruction of the Nostromo.
Ripley is informed that LV-426, the ‘planetoid’ where the Nostromo crew first
encountered Alien eggs is now home to a terraforming colony, and loses her space-flight
license as a result of her “questionable judgement” in destroying the Nostromo.
Between shifts at her new job loading cargo, Ripley is visited by Weyland-Yutani
employee Carter Burke, who informs her that contact has been lost with the
colony on LV-426; the company is dispatching Burke and a unit of Colonial
Marines to investigate, and offer Ripley a place as a specialist.
Psychologically traumatized by her experience, Ripley initially refuses to join
them, but accepts when she realises that the mission will not only restore her
credibility, but allow her to face her demons - as well as possibly restoring
her flight status. Arriving in orbit of LV-426 aboard the warship Sulaco, she is
introduced to the Colonial Marines, including the novice Lieutenant Gorman, the
veteran Sergeant Apone and the android Bishop. Ripley gives an emotional account
of her original encounter with the Alien to the unit, but her warnings are
dismissed by the cocky Marines.