The rolling thunder and biting rain muted out all sounds within his beautiful city. It's gray misery blotting the perfection it cascaded upon. It poured from roofs and ran down drains, running down the windows of Mr. Cades office like a water fall. Inside bickered two devils of a different sort.
"Mr. Weyland, there isn't any need for alarm, I assure you. The instance occurred in the Southern hemisphere of the planet, miles away from here. All Synthetic recon teams report that the old hive was destroyed. There is no need for the marines."
"The old hive, yes. But the xenomorphs thrive on the threat of extinction. They will rebuild, and that's not a risk I'm willing to take. The marines stay as a precaution."
"There are none left to rebuild, Mr. Weyland. Please, your being paranoid."
"Paranoia is a powerful tool, it can keep you alive, Mr. Cade. As a soldier, you should know. It's how we survivors persist. And that's why I want you to close this down."
"Mr. Weyland, you know that you can't afford that. All you and Weyland-Yutani have lost over the years in your pursuit to study these creatures, these xenomorphs....... It's cost you billions. This world is a prime for exotic plant life, more potent than any that use to flourish in Earth's rain forests. The local wildlife has an amazing amount of longevity and youth, which we attribute to the high mineral concentrate in the majority of the water sources. This city, My city, will be the focal point for a new breakthrough in health and cosmetics. This is your chance to make a gain, Mr. Weyland, and we both know you can't risk losing it."
"Can you really delude yourself into believing that? That this city of yours is safe? I thought you'd be the voice of reason, but it seams this project has become your Modern Prometheus. It's time to end this."
"With all due respect, Mr. Weyland, I will not end this. This is my fucking city. I will not see it be lost on some childish fear of monsters in the jungle. I will Not let you end it!"
"Fine. Enjoy your little playground. Burn with it. But the marines are going to stay, and that is final. Good bye, Mr. Cade."
The transmission cut out, as did the last ounce of Mr. Cade's restraint. In a fit of rage, his arm smacked the monitor off his desk. Pain shot through his forehead, causing him to grasp at his eye, trying to ease the throbbing aches. He gazed out his window at those eye sores that loitered on his landing pads. In large, white letters, U.S.C.M. was scrolled on each of their sides. Mr. Cade could feel a slight trickle of blood inch it's way from his nose, but was able to catch it before any droplets stained his shirt. The voice from his front desk chimed in over his comms.
"Sir? I have a Major William Alexander here. He wishes to speak with you, Sir."
"....... Yes. Yes, send him in."
Wiping the last traces of the blood from his nose, Mr. Cade turned to see his guest. He was by no means grateful for their presence, and did little to hide his contempt. He motioned for the Major to take a seat, sitting down himself with his hands crossed behind his desk.
"Before you speak, let me make something abundantly clear. I did not ask you here, and I do not want you here. Your presence is merely a formality to put my superiors at ease. I do not want you grunts littering my streets and scaring my citizens. You are to patrol around my city, investigate the colonies surrounding us, and then report back that you have found nothing. Am I undertsood?"
The drop ship finally touched down on solid ground, all it's occupants happy the ride was over. The high turbulence from the storm had made the trip down harsh.
"Jesus, is it me or is that ride getting longer and rougher?"
"Heheh, just like ridin' yer mamma, Miguel!"
"Hey, fuck you, Riggs!"
"Both of you lock that shit down! The man's about to make his speech."
The marines turned to their leader, hell, their role model, Master Sergeant Banks, as he gave his orders.
"Your orders are to sweep the northern part of this jungle until you arrive at the colony. From there you are going to make sure the civilian zone is clear of all threats, and then you will report in to me. Is That Clear!?"
"Yes Sir!"
There voices resonated throughout the jungle. Their moral was high. They were all anxious for some action. Bug hunts were the single most dangerous detail a marine could be assigned to, but for those proud veterans of xeno battles, this was the rite of passage. Banks cracked his neck, before giving his last words of encouragement.
"We are talking this very seriously, and after what happened at the Garring Colony, are making sure we have the manpower to keep any more incidents from occurring again. You all know what route you are taking, Now Move Out Marines!"
"Man brings a tear to my eye every time."
Caveman had nothing but respect for that man, having to wipe an actual tear from his eye.
"Yeah, that's not homo at all."
"You'd know, Miguel."
"Fuck you, Riggs."
"I'm sure you'd like to try."
Carlson strode behind the two bickering marines, giving both of them a firm smack on the shoulder pads.
"Alright, love birds, knock the shit off and save it for the xenos. You can have the make-up sex on the ride home."