The Origin Facility, also known as the Derelict Facility,[1] was a Weyland-Yutani research installation headed by Michael Weyland constructed around the derelict ship on Acheron (LV-426) following the Xenomorph outbreak at the nearby colony of Hadley's Hope. Following the colony's destruction in 2179, Weyland-Yutani discovered the location of the derelict and immediately began constructing a facility around it to study the Xenomorphs, using the Eggs still on board the ship to breed live specimens.
Overview
Headed by Michael Weyland, the facility was code-named "Origin". It was protected by an elaborate network of electrified fences that kept any Xenomorphs roaming free on the moon (of which there were many) from entering the labs. Aside from ongoing Xenomorph research, Corporal Dwayne Hicks was also detained at the complex and subjected to torture during interrogation in an attempt by Weyland-Yutani to acquire further information regarding the Xenomorphs and, presumably, events at the nearby colony when Hicks and the other Marines from the USS Sulaco landed there.
The labs themselves contain numerous Xenomorph containment cells, as well as a large chamber where the Second Acheron Queen was held. Outside the labs are numerous vehicle garages and extensive cargo areas, likely used for storing construction materials to be used in the ongoing expansion of the installation. The Resolute, an FTL-capable starship, was also stationed at the base. The complex is heavily fortified, with several armories and even a network of anti-aircraft weapons designed to prevent aerial assault. Weyland-Yutani PMCs patrolled the grounds at all times.
Despite the nuclear detonation of the Hadley's Hope Atmosphere Processing Plant, much of the derelict ship within the facility remains intact, although one of its "arms" has been destroyed. Most importantly, the huge numbers of Eggs stored inside remain undamaged, and Weyland-Yutani scientists had set up additional laboratories within the derelict itself to facilitate their study.
Captured colonists were used as hosts for the Xenomorphs studied at Origin Facility, which were delivered to Origin by Weyand-Yutani spacecraft.
History
Following the rediscovery of the derelict by the Shinyo Maru, the Origin facility was constructed incredibly quickly — full-scale study of live Xenomorph subjects was already under way within 17 weeks of the explosion at Hadley's Hope — thanks to the use of pre-constructed modular lab units. The holding cell for the Queen and the associated laboratories were among the first structures to be completed.[2] Live Xenomorph specimens were readily available thanks to the large numbers of Eggs on board the derelict. Weyland-Yutani captured off-world colonists in stasis and put them on Weyland-Yutani ships to be delivered to Origin, where they were used as hosts for Xenomorphs.
One of these ships was the USS Legato. After the ship's destruction while intercepting the Sulaco, the latter was placed in orbit over LV-426 and turned into a makeshift research facility.
Despite the facility's hostile location and dangerous work, the scientists successfully kept their subjects under control until Corporal Christopher Winter and the United States Colonial Marine Corps infiltrated the base and deactivated many of its security measures, including the electrified perimeter fences. In the resultant chaos many of the staff at the facility were either killed or cocooned within the new derelict Hive and impregnated with Chestbursters. The complex was completely overrun, and virtually all of the PMCs guarding it slaughtered.
Trivia
- The idea of a Weyland-Yutani facility built around the derelict was also used in the 1999 video game Aliens versus Predator, in which it was the location where the player Marine character, Private Anderson, was stationed.
- The name Origin is taken from the audio logs scattered throughout the game, specifically in the missions "Bella" and "Rampart".
- Frost's Flamethrower and Vasquez's Smartgun are found here, even though these Legendary Weapons were actually abandoned inside the Hadley's Hope Atmosphere Processing Plant, which means they should have been destroyed.
- Origin Facility was also the name of the testing facility for Project Origin in the F.E.A.R. franchise.
- If you turn on the lights inside the the Xenomorph containment pens, you can see skulls under their carapace.
Appearances
- Aliens: Colonial Marines/Stasis Interrupted (video game)
Gallery
References
- ↑ Aliens: Colonial Marines - Special Projects - Dog Tags - Dog Tag S. Baroski
- ↑ Stasis Interrupted, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 version, Gearbox Software, 2013.