I finally got around to checking out Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. I wasn't much of the fan of the original Alien movies because there just wasn't much of a back story. Dug Sigourney, though. #pow. When Prometheus came out, I was very excited and looked forward to seeing it.
It was 2012. I suppose it had been too long between the time I had seen the original Alien movie (or the subsequent sequels) and Prometheus because I recall thinking that I simply wasn't impressed by the origin story. A bit over a decade later (this weekend, in fact), I rewatched Prometheus and for the first time watched Alien: Covenant. The second time around, it landed for me. I love how the back story is woven—a mixture of human innovation and ancient life forms gone awry. But what's missing still is the origin of the Engineers, which is much more fascinating to me than anything else.
I know that there is an early draft of the original Prometheus script that has some detail about the origins of the Engineers. I also know that there was a making-of documentary that had some insights that some folks have gleaned. But none of it is concrete.
The Engineers are a mysterious and ancient race of beings. So I decided to create my own origin story for them…
The Cosmic Tapestry
In the primordial epoch of the universe, a sentient cosmic entity, the Tapestry, emerged. This colossal force, a convergence of energy and consciousness, wove through the cosmos, embedding threads of life and knowledge within the fabric of reality.
The Tapestry, seeking agents to manifest its grand design, birthed the Engineers. These beings, carved from stellar essence and imbued with the Tapestry’s consciousness, were destined to be cosmic gardeners, cultivating life across the void.
Edenos, a barren canvas in the cosmic expanse, witnessed the dawn of Engineer civilization. The Engineers, wielding their extraordinary powers, transformed Edenos into a sanctuary of life and knowledge, a testament to the Tapestry’s vision.
The Schism
A faction among the Engineers, intoxicated by their might, sought to craft life without the Tapestry’s guidance. This hubristic endeavor resulted in the creation of the Xenomorphs, beings of pure instinct and terrifying adaptability.
Infuriated by the betrayal, the Tapestry retracted its essence from the defiant Engineers. Stripped of their immortality and diminished in power, the rebels were cast out, and a chasm erupted within Engineer society, leading to a devastating civil war.
The Age of Seeding
The loyal Engineers, adhering to their sacred duty, traversed the galaxies, sowing seeds of life on desolate planets. Earth was one such recipient, with the Engineers’ genetic legacy subtly influencing the evolution of life, culminating in the advent of humanity.
As eons passed, the Engineers observed Earth, occasionally intervening to correct the course of human development. These enigmatic appearances and contributions were etched into human mythology, casting the Engineers as gods and titans.
The Reckoning
The Engineers watched with a mix of pride and trepidation as humans mirrored their creators’ duality. The burgeoning potential for both creation and destruction within humanity echoed the ancient conflict within Engineer society.
Perceiving a looming catastrophe, the Engineers contemplated purging Earth. However, the shadows of the past resurfaced as the Xenomorphs, now a galactic scourge, turned their sights on their progenitors, setting the stage for a cosmic battle involving Engineers, Xenomorphs, and humans.
This expanded origin story weaves a complex narrative tapestry for the Engineers, intertwining themes of creation, rebellion, and destiny. It provides a mythic foundation for the Engineers’ role in the universe, their connection to humanity, and their inevitable clash with the monstrous Xenomorphs. Each chapter in this saga reflects the grandeur and tragedy of existence, mirroring the epic scope and depth of Ridley Scott’s Alien franchise.