Who's the real Monster

~ Anderson's POV

I should be awarded an Oscar for acting surprised with Armstrong's declaration. Having done my research with a fine tooth comb on everybody here. I saw Armstrong's father and my adoptive one had a couple of things in common. They both served in the Vietnam and were in the same platoon.

A lifetime ago I heard my adoptive father tell my niece at the time a story about a meteor that he touched during the war. Some kind of slime leaked out to seep into his skin while another part of it slithered into the jungle. My niece was no older than five, I doubt she remembered anything he told her that day. I'm honestly surprised he didn't hear me let alone sense me eavesdropping. Talking about how he survived as a POW by listening and talking with an imbodied voice. I thought he was finally losing it. I kept a close eye on him from that day until he died. Enough of that sentimental shit.

Seeing Joan walk to me I saw by the look in her eyes that she had some good news for once. Armstrong finally turned to see that I had been there the whole time as he had his little monologue. His eyes landed on Joan to ask, "Any news Dr. Lott?" She looked from me to him before answering, "Same old, just need Director Anderson to take a look at these reports." "Very well ladies, good day", Armstrong replied not bothering to hide his disappointment.

Joan passed me the clipboard when Armstrong turned his back on us. I had to clench my jaw to keep from making a sound. The results for Project Omega and Inmate Zero were combatable. We had tested all the other detainees samples against Project Omega and each time it was a failure. Looking up to Joan I said, "Let's discuss this further in the lab shall we Doctor". Once both of us were inside everyone was doing busybody work to make it look like they weren't waiting for me to come in. All of us knew we were being watching by both Armstrong's men and the people over my head. Finding a spare sheet of paper underneath the data I wrote down 'Tell no one about the results'. Giving it back to Joan she gave a slight nod before handing it to someone else so everyone could read it. Leaving the lab to head up to my office I needed to send this data to Ripley.

After what felt like hours which was a barely 5 minutes if I'm being generous I was finally inside my office. Locking the door behind me I let my shoulders fall in relaxion, lit a cigarette, opened the window, and sent a fax over to my superior. While waiting for her response I took a few puffs before reading some of the files I had been needing to get to. Nurse Ratchet's report was right on top.

Feels like time has been passing by faster than usual. Skimming through her notes my eyes landed on two words 'unknown scare'. What the hell? Nurse Ratchet wrote that there appeared to be a hysterotomy scar on Inmate Zero. That can't be. I don't remember reading anything about that when she was first caught let alone brought here. There is no way in hell that she got that kind of scar while on the lam, plus any doctor with the right tools would've made a phone call after seeing her blood.

Sending a quick email to Ripley, 'Ma'am there seems to be something odd with Inmate Zero. She has an unknown surgical scar that was recently seen by a member of my crew. If you know anything about this please reach out to me', sent. Looking at the time I knew it could be days if not weeks for Ripley to get back in contact with me. To my surprise she reacted within a few minutes. 'Pick up' was her reply.

After the first ring I answered, "Yes Ma'am." "Who saw the scar and who else knows about it Anderson?" Even though her tone was the same I could sense an uneasiness in Ripley. "Well?", she asked impatiently. Straightening my back I replied, "Only myself and Nurse Ratchet know." Barely a second went by before she replied, "Good, keep it that way." Pushing back I asked, "Why does that matter Ma'am?" With a little authority this time, "Anderson when I say 'jump' you say 'how high'. You also know better than anyone else that I hate to repeat myself. Did you just gets these reports today?" Clearing my throat I replied, "The fax was just today and the other thing was in a file that was dated a few days ago." Ripley was silent for a moment before ordering, "I want more extensive samples and black out the other file." Replying automatically, "Yes Ma'am." The line went dead as I replied.

That was odd. Ripley has never asked me to do anything like that before. Reading more into Nurse Ratchet's notes on the scar it appears to have been completely healed. Meaning the surgery could've been done years or depending on Inmate Zero's healing abilities weeks or even days ago at most. Nurse Ratchet would know with certainty if she had had more time or another session to interrogate Inmate Zero. If it wasn't dangerous to all of us I would let her take another try at breaking Inmate Zero.

Now with Ripley's orders buzzing in my brain I have to black out Nurse Ratchet's file and forget I ever read it. Ripley wants more samples of Inmate Zero and Project Omega. The safest way to do so would be to have Inmate Zero brought to the Solitary Until, strap her down, and take as many blood samples as possible. All while using the samples of Project Omega we keep under lock and key. Even though Armstrong isn't going to like it. He'll follow orders the second I mention Ripley. That man has a one track mind. I just have to steer it a bit.