Back on Earth, Ellen Ripley learned that the planet LV-426, now called Acheron, had been colonized. The same LV-426 where the crew of the Nostromo encountered the first xenomorph - a ruthless killer known as the Alien. Under the protection of the Colonial Marines, the colonists make efforts to terraform the storm-stricken planet. Its two inhabitants, Anne and Russell Jorden, are here looking for the happiness that eluded them on Earth. On Acheron, Anne gives birth to the colony's first child, Rebecca Jorden, nicknamed Newt. Exploration geologists discover a huge rotting starship. The horseshoe-shaped vessel is of particular interest to Weyland-Yutani because it could be the answer to their dreams. But what Ann and Russ find aboard it—what turns out to be its crew—is less a dream than a nightmare.