"Alien: Beyond Science"

Eleanor's hands trembled as she worked quickly, dressing in her lab uniform with calculated efficiency. Every movement sent sharp aches through her body, but she couldn't afford to hesitate. She had come too far to let pain slow her down. She reached for the small medical case on the counter, flipping it open to retrieve a syringe filled with a regenerative compound—an advanced Weyland-Yutani formula designed to accelerate healing. Without hesitation, she injected it into her thigh, wincing as the cool liquid burned through her veins. Almost immediately, the pain dulled, her muscles relaxing just enough for her to move more freely.

The baby in her arms stirred slightly, wrapped snugly in a sterile white blanket she had torn from the supply cabinet. Eleanor glanced down at the child, her breath steadying. The girl was quiet, her dark eyes open and alert, as if she understood the urgency of their situation.

With one final glance at the lab, Eleanor knew there was no turning back. She had sealed the room, wiped any traceable data from the primary system, and disabled the automated security protocols. But it wouldn't be long before someone realized what had happened.

Moving swiftly, she approached the emergency weapons locker at the far end of the room. Using her clearance as one of the head researchers, she bypassed the standard security measures with a quick scan of her ID, the metallic door sliding open with a hiss. Inside, a selection of standard-issue firearms gleamed under the dim emergency lights. She reached for a compact Weyland-Yutani issued pistol—a reliable sidearm with enough stopping power to get her through any potential resistance.

Holstering the weapon, she secured the baby in her arms, cradling her close as she exited the lab. The hallway outside was eerily silent, the red emergency lighting casting long, flickering shadows along the walls. The security cameras were disabled, but that wouldn't last forever. If she was going to escape, she needed to move fast.

The outpost's hangar bay was her only chance. She knew the security protocols inside and out—after all, she had helped design them. With her high-level clearance, she could override the docking systems and steal one of the small research shuttles before anyone could stop her.

Her footsteps were quiet against the metal flooring as she navigated the corridors, her heart hammering in her chest. Each turn brought her closer to the hangar, her grip tightening on the child as she moved.

Then, in the distance, the sound of boots against steel.

Damn it.

Security was already mobilizing. They must have detected the anomalies in the system. She ducked into a side passage, pressing herself against the cold wall as a pair of guards passed by. Their voices were muffled, but she caught snippets of their conversation.

"Dr. Reed's lab was sealed, no response from the internal comms."

"Command wants a full sweep of the sector. Someone's moving without clearance."

Eleanor clenched her jaw. She had minutes at best before they locked down the hangar. Shifting the child slightly, she adjusted her grip on the pistol and moved the moment the guards disappeared down the corridor.

The hangar doors loomed ahead—massive steel constructs designed to withstand atmospheric breaches. Her ID scanner beeped as she swiped her clearance card, and for a split second, she held her breath.

Then—access granted.

The doors slid open, revealing the dark expanse of the hangar. A row of shuttles lined the docking bay, each one primed for planetary transport or emergency evacuations. Eleanor wasted no time, sprinting toward the nearest one.

As she reached the shuttle's entrance, the station's alarms blared to life. A flashing red light illuminated the bay as a voice echoed through the speakers:

"Unauthorized launch detected. Security teams, report to Hangar Bay Alpha immediately."

Eleanor cursed under her breath, scrambling up the shuttle's ramp. She secured the baby in the co-pilot's seat before rushing to the controls, her fingers flying across the console. She bypassed the automated launch restrictions, initiating the pre-flight sequence manually.

Behind her, the hangar doors opened once more—guards pouring in with weapons drawn.

"Stop! Step away from the shuttle!" one of them shouted.

Eleanor didn't hesitate. She slammed the launch sequence into action, gripping the controls as the shuttle roared to life. The engines flared, shaking the small craft as it began to lift off the ground. Bullets ricocheted against the outer hull, but it was too late—she was already in motion.

With a final push, she engaged the thrusters, and the shuttle shot forward, tearing through the hangar's atmospheric shield and into the darkness of space.

She exhaled sharply, her body finally allowing itself a moment of release. But she couldn't relax. Not yet.

Adjusting their course, she set the coordinates for deep space—far from Weyland-Yutani's reach.

She glanced at the baby girl beside her, who stared back at her with those eerily intelligent eyes.

They were free.

For now.