When Ellen Ripley finally returns to Earth, she learns that the planet LV-426-now called Acheron-has been colonized. But LV-426 is where Ripley and crew of the Nostromo found the original Xenomorph-the killing machine known as the Alien. The colony known as Hadley's Hope is where a group of colonists-protected by the Colonial Marines-seek to terraform the inhospitable planet, and to uncover Acheron's unknown resources. Two of the residents are Anne and Russell Jorden, wildcatters who came with an infant son, Tim, seeking a fortune that eluded them on Earth. On Acheron, Anne gives birth to the colony's first newborn. Rebecca Jordan, also known as Newt. The wildcatters discover a vast, decaying ship, once piloted by members of a strange, unknown race. The horseshoe-shaped vessel is of particular interest to Weyland-Yutani, and may be the answer to their dreams. But what Anne and Russ find aboard the ship proves to be the stuff, not of dreams, but of nightmares.