Aliens: Beyond Time and Space

Ripley's thoughts were going haywire with what Harrigan told her. It was impossible for her to believe it.

"You? Encountered that creature?" She had to make sure

"I mean, back in the ship I escaped, I stumbled upon a few skulls mounted on the walls as if they were trophies. Then I saw what that kid encountered I can't help but wonder if that creature looks familiar..." He explained in a short but clear detail

Ripley wanted to think Harrigan was making up his own side of the story. She can hardly believe that he came across a skull of the alien that gave her a lifelong trauma, when it was already hard for someone else to fight it one-on-one.

Just before she can rebuke him, something else popped up on her mind; Back when she warned them about the aliens, he mentioned about an alien that skins their corpses, something 'her' alien don't even do.

Then there's that time when he introduced himself to her and the Night Raid, he mentioned something about tracking down a creature who's ripping people's heads and spines off their bodies.

Lastly was his claim that he saw a skull resembling that alien, mounted in a wall like a trophy. The look on his eyes when he told her that shows no lie.

If that was the case, maybe the alien Harrigan was chasing is one who's capable of combating the Xenomorphs singlehandedly, but what kind is it?

She looked on at Newt, drained from using Spectre. She thought she can help uncover what alien did Harrigan encounter in his world.

"I can show you where their ship crashed, if they're still intact. It's not that far from your camp"

Perhaps she may not need Newt's help after all. Might as well give her some time to rest.

"Are you sure about that?" Najenda asked, to which Harrigan gave her an assured nod. She still need some details about Harrigan after all.

Mine interjected between their conversation as she was still stunned by what Newt showed to them

"What in the Hell was that thing!? It sounded just like the Danger Beast I heard, when I found you two."

Ripley immediately turned to face her

"Where and when did that happen! Did you see it!?"

Mine shook her head "No. It ran away when I shot at it. After finding you passed out behind some bushes."

"All the more reason to leave this place." Harrigan replied.

Realizing the convenience of the looming danger, Najenda gave her orders to her team

"Everyone, we'll abandon camp at once, then we'll move to where their 'ship' crashed. Su, pack our things and get ready to leave. We'll take the survivors to the Air Manta with Chelsea and Mine. Lubbock, take out your barrier, then we'll regroup. The rest of you, proceed on foot and follow our lead. Be on the lookout for any signs of danger"

"Ripley!?" Newts calls out to her with a frightened expression, but Ripley places her arms around her reassuringly

"Don't worry Newt. I think we're safe for the time being, as long as we stick togethe." She looks at the others "Am I right?"

Wasting no more time, all of the Night Raid follow suit. With the additional crates they found on the colony, it took them about 20 minutes to load everything into the Air Manta. Everyone on board was accounted for, with the exception of Tatsumi, Leone, Susanoo, and Akame. Given the short flight, it's possible for the four of them to go on foot. The former two activated their Imperial Arms in case a Danger Beast pops out of nowhere, with the latter two providing support.

At the Air Manta, every member of the Night Raid on board looked on at the three survivors, still wanting an explanation on what Newt showed to them. The little girl placed her hand on Ripley's, assuring her that she will be okay.

"Newt."She addressed the little girl "Can you use that headpiece and look inside my memories, and show everyone here what you see?"

"She should be able to, Ripley." Najenda ascertained "Her demonstrated abilities show that she has 100% compatibility with Imperial Arm, Spectator."

"If that headband can do that, then she should be able to peer into mine too That way you'll all be ready for what you will see when we get there" Harrigan interjected, to which everyone agrees

With ready determination, Newt nods her head. Ripley turns to Najenda and the others. When she sees everybody settled down and listening intently, she began to speak

"It all started on the starship, USCSS Nostromo when my crew and I were pulled out of hypersleep and diverted off course to investigate an unknown broadcasting signal…"

Jaegers' Quarters

Royal Palace

Capital of the Empire

Esdeath was busy admiring Tatsumi's hand drawn face in her little art book, when Run entered the room carrying a portfolio with papers inside.

"Ma'am, new orders from the Prime Minister." he offered the folder to her "And there's some intel on the recent flood of rumors, circulating throughout the Empire."

The General makes a frown, then slowly closes the book and puts it away. She takes the portfolio held out to her, and began looking over the pages.

"Run, gather the Jaegers. Have them meet in the conference room immediately."

Some time later, the doors leading into the conference room swung open.

The first ones to walk in was Run, followed by Wave and Kurome who was busy munching on a bag full of sweets. Bols came in after, carrying his daughter and with his wife walking by his side. He gives his daughter one last hug and tells them both to go back home. Everyone began taking their seats, when the last arriving member came bursting through the doorway.

"Greetings, Fellow Warriors of Justice! Seryu Ubiquitous, Reporting for Duty!" Seryu raises one of her metal arms and salutes. Her Imperial arm, Koro does the same.

"How soon can we go out and dispense Justice on those lowly criminals of Night Raid?"

"If you hurry and take your seat Seryu, I can explain the details sooner." Esdeath answered calmly "We're against the clock on this.one."

With a cheerful grin, Seryu sat down next to Bols. The leader of the Jaegers unfolds a map, and places it on the conference table

"Like I just told Seryu, we don't have a lot of time to waste. So, I'll just tell the important bits. The Imperial Army has been mobilized to investigate a disturbance near the Empire's southern border."

Wave raised his hand, and asked "Is it the Revolutionary Army? Are they mounting an attack?" Esdeath shrugs

"Don't know. All we have are eyewitness accounts from the local garrison, claiming they saw a bright flash of light and a thunderous explosion shook the ground and devastated the nearby mountain range. An Expeditionary Force will make its way through the wilderness and establish a forward base, just North of this mountain" she points to a certain area on the map

"Its peak has been blown off as a result of the explosion, and it should make it easy for our forces to traverse it and reach the valley beyond. We the Jaegers, are being sent out there as well to assist in the investigation."

"But first…" Esdeath traces her finger upwards along the map to highlight a widespread portion "We've been getting reported sightings of a Danger Beast, flying around this area here. The reports go on to describe the creature as large and dark in color. With a long streamlined body and a broad shape towards the front."

This time Run was the one to speak up "You think it's Night Raid? Riding atop their Air Manta, they've been rumored to have?"

Esdeath throws him a smile, and answers "It seems likely. The Danger Beast has been circling several small towns and villages before making it's way towards the Capital."

"But why expose themselves already?" Wave inquired "Why let so many people see them, before making their way towards us?"

His Commander smirked, and replied "It's probably one of Najenda's cheap tricks to draw us out. Regardless, we'll know for sure when we see it for ourselves. The most recent sightings places it here, south of the fortress Shisuikan. If it continues on its current flight path, it should reach the fortress within the next day. We're riding out there today to head it off."

"Yes, Commander! Justice always fights Evil head on! Let them just try and lay a trap for us, it will never work with Justice in our side!" claimed an enthusiastic Seryu.

The others Jaegers sighed and shrugged their shoulders. Esdeath kept on speaking "We'll launch an attack on it to bring it to the ground. If it turns out to be Night Raid, we'll eliminate them in an all out fight. If it's just a random Danger Beast, we'll just kill it for distracting us and continue riding to join with the Expeditionary Force."

All of her subordinates nodded to confirm they understood the plan.

"Then gather your weapons and Imperial Arms, and meet me at the stables. We ride out as soon as possible!"

Esdeath stood by the horses with one hand on a horse's reigns and the other resting on a large rapier hanging by her side, waiting for the other Jaegers to join her.

Run and Wave have just arrived, with Mastema's wing discs tied to Run's shoulders, and Grand Chariot in its cutlass form strapped to Wave's hip.

Kurome was in her room gathering more sweets into her bag. She reaches for her katana Imperial Arm, Yatsufusa in its sheath and ties it to her waist.

"Wait for me Big Sis." she murmured "I'll be seeing you real soon." She then trotted out the door.

In a nearby room, Bols takes one last look at a photo of his wife and daughter.

"Wish me luck. I'll be back as soon as I can." he says, before placing the framed picture on a shelf and picking up his flamethrower Imperial Arm, Rubicante and strapping its harnesses over his shoulders. He walks out the door, and follows Kurome towards the stables.

In an armory behind Dr. Stylish's lab, Seryu was going over inventory of all the Judgment of the Ten Kings, left for her to use. After confirming that she was fully stocked, a malicious grin takes form across her mouth

"Just wait Night Raid! I'll have Koro devour each and every one of you right down to your feet!"

Beside her, Koro also makes a sinister grin showing rows of cruelly sharp fangs.

"Koro! Load Up!" ordered the auburn haired murderer, and the biological Imperial Arm enlarged his head and opened his expanded mouth expectantly.

Seryu began placing various types of weapons and equipment into the gaping maw. A large drill, an anti- tank rifle, a hook-shot, a spiked ball and chain, a metal arm with a radar scope attached to it, another arm with a missile pod attached to it, a large blade, four missile launcher turrets, and a giant heavily armored missile which Koro had to use his expanded arms to help shove into his mouth.

Koro then closed his mouth and returned to his normal small size. Seryu rubbed the back of her head thoughtfully, before picking Koro up and made towards the lab's exit. She took one last look at the lab to reminisce about the man who once worked in it

"I'll bring Justice to those bastards that murdered you Dr. Stylish!" she swore "Then you and Father and Captain Ogre can rest easy."

At the Palace walls, its large gates open to let the Jaegers through on horseback with Esdeath leading them. Hidden in the bushes nearby, two men watched them leave

"Get a message to HQ." One says to the other "Tell them the Jaegers are on the move, and to warn Night Raid."