Specimen 6

*"Number 6. I've never seen an Alien with that kind of intelligence. Perhaps Mr. Weyland had the right idea about this one."* —Dr. Groves regarding Specimen 6

**Specimen 6**, also known as **Number Six** or **Six** for short, was a Xenomorph Warrior (and eventually Praetorian and Queen) bred on Nexus by Dr. Groves and his Weyland-Yutani research team. Six was the first Xenomorph on the planet to successfully escape from its containment and she was directly responsible for the release of the Xenomorph Queen also held there, thereby triggering a large scale outbreak on the planet.

Bestowed with intelligence in excess of an average Warrior, Specimen 6 was instrumental in the propagation of the Xenomorph infestation on Nexus, and in defeating a Super Predator was directly responsible for the creation of the Nexus Predalien. Six was later recaptured by Weyland-Yutani, only to escape again and exact revenge on Dr. Groves.

## History

### Growth and Experimentation

Specimen 6 was birth in a controlled environment at the Weyland-Yutani research facility on Nexus by Dr. Groves and his team. Having gestated inside a human host (a restrained technician), Specimen 6 was born directly into a containment tube, just like the other Chestbursters that had been collected at the facility. However, when the scientists entered the room to retrieve the creatures, Six burrowed back inside her host's chest and emerged from the man's mouth to escape captivity. Dr Groves promptly activated the emergency coolant systems in the room, killing the scientists and subduing Specimen 6, but the infant Xenomorph was spared at Karl Bishop Weyland's insistence, who was impressed with its intelligence.

Six was placed in a secure harness and branded with the number "6" on its forehead. Over time, Six developed to maturity and was subjected to numerous tests by Weyland-Yutani designed to explore its lethality, including being allowed to kill an engineer and an armed security guard. During one such test, Six heard the call of the captured Matriarch and attempted to escape, but was gassed and recaptured by Groves.

### Escape

*"All facility staff, this is Dr. Groves. We have experienced a containment breach. Try to stay calm and follow procedures. I assure you, everything will be alright."* —Groves, during the Xenomorph outbreak

When Weyland finally opened the Yautja Pyramid located beneath the research facility, a powerful electro-magnetic pulse was unleashed, shutting down all power in the research complex and consequently allowing Specimen 6 to again slip out of her restrains. Six immediately escaped into the facility's ventilation ducts and quickly freed more of her siblings from another nearby holding facility, before the Xenomorphs moved to the large lab where the Matriarch was being stored, seeking to free her. All workers were ordered to evacuate, with Ryan, one of the volunteers working there at the time, briefly catching a glimpse of Xenomorphs killing security androids. Six killed the guards and shut down the power to the Matriarch's restraints, before opening the main tramline doors, allowing her and the other Xenomorphs to escape into the jungle before Weyland-Yutani could respond.

### Overrunning the Colony

The Xenomorphs made their way to the nearby Nexus Prospect colony, where the Matriarch set up her Hive within the ore refinery. Six and the other Warriors moved into the mines from there, killing most of the androids and workers there before proceeding to the colony itself to harvest the colonists and eliminate the security forces there. A force of Colonial Marines soon arrived on the planet to combat the rapidly spreading infestation, and Six encountered soldiers armed with M260B Flamethrowers in the sewers beneath the colony complex.

With most of the colony's residents all used as hosts for more Xenomorphs, Six moved into the surrounding jungles, sabotaging the Marines' communications network and infiltrating a Marine outpost there to slaughter those inside. Despite the Marines' attempts to stop the Warrior, Six managed to outsmart them before slaughtering the Marines stationed in the outpost's command bunker and manipulating the controls to the rear gate so that she could leave. Acting on the Matriarch's orders, Specimen 6 next made her way toward the ancient Yautja ruins on the planet. Inside the ruins, Six encountered and defeated several Weyland-Yutani combat androids guarding the entrance to the Pyramid.

### Creating the Predalien

With the androids destroyed, Six approached the ancient combat arena where she and several of her siblings were set upon by two Young Blood Yautja and a brutal battle ensued. By stealth and guile, Specimen 6 killed both Predators, an act that caught the attention of the Berserker, a Yautja Elite. Six and the Berserker fought in single combat, the latter seeming to have the upper hand for most of the fight. However, the Yautja somehow managed to knock Six in the head, stunning the creature. Weakened, Six fell to the ground, but she was merely playing dead, allowing the arrogant enemy to get close enough for Six to launch a surprise attack with its tail, impaling him. Wounded and at Six's mercy, the Berserker collapsed and was rendered defenseless as Six removed his Bio-Mask and pinned it down. A Facehugger consequently latched onto his head and impregnated him.

### Rampage

By this point, most of the Marine force on the planet had been overwhelmed by the Xenomorph infestation and their attempts against the Matriarch failed. Knowing that the Predalien would soon emerge, Six gave a cry of triumph before leaving the combat arena and heading out of the ruins, glimpsing its previous victims now in the ruins as well. Six went out into the jungles, encountering pockets of Colonial Marines and a few combat androids. Six was intent on returning to the research facility to exact revenge on Dr. Groves, but found the path there was not a simple one.

At one point, Six stumbled upon an Elite Predator engaged with several Warriors and tried to take down the Predator, only to find the Yautja more tough than the last. When Shadow resorted to his plasma caster, Six retreated from the area and allowing the Yautja to move on. On the Matriarch's orders, Six subsequently headed back toward the Hive.

### Capture

*"No. Don't kill it. This one... This one's an old friend."* —Dr. H.G. Groves, upon cornering **Six**

    After escaping from Shadow's onslaught, Six was located by androids and cornered in the jungle. Six managed to take out two of the androids until she was subsequently captured under Groves' orders, and was taken to an orbiting starship for further study.

At some point after the events on Nexus, Six had escaped once more, evolved into a Praetorian, built a new Hive and successfully cocooned Dr. Groves. With its nest established, Specimen 6 evolved into a new Queen and gave a monstrous roar of victory.

## Traits

Specimen 6 was the sixth Xenomorph to be bred by Dr. Groves and his team at the Weyland-Yutani Research Facility on Nexus. Shortly after birth, she had the number "6" branded into the front of its head. Specimen 6 at first appeared to be a normal Warrior with physical traits typical of the caste, but she later evolved into a Praetorian and later still a Queen. In becoming a Queen, Six shed its original carapace and lost the number branded into her head.

Six exhibited physical behavior typical of a Xenomorph, particularly with regards to her unquestioning servitude to the Matriarch. She was capable of moving quickly across walls, floors and ceilings with equal ease, and could leap large distances to rapidly attack prey. Her combat abilities were advanced, as seen when she successfully defeated a highly trained Super Predator single-handed.

### Intelligence

*"No, Dr. Groves, I want it alive. I like this one..."* —Karl Weyland

Even at the time of her birth, Specimen 6 displayed heightened intelligence not found in most other Warriors, burrowing back into her host to avoid capture after birthing and emerging from the chest cavity into a container.

As an adult, she frequently displayed advanced situational awareness in excess of an average Warrior, often cutting power to vital systems or destroying light sources to lure or disorientate her enemies and give her an advantage in combat. Later, during testing in the research lab, Dr. Groves commented that Six's tactic of hissing to lure unwary humans closer is a "strong indicator of intelligence". He also took note of Six's tactic of destroying lights, musing, "a new stratagem?"

It is not clear whether Six's intelligence was a precursor to her ultimate transformation into a Queen, or whether her heightened intellect merely ensured her survival until such a point as she evolved into a higher caste.

## Notes and Trivia

* Despite there being at least six Xenomorph specimens bred by Groves' team, Specimen Six is the only one to be branded with an identifying number.
* Six's attempt to attack Shadow may be a reference of Grid attempting to attack Scar in the movie ***Aliens vs. Predator*** only to be forced to retreat when the main Yautja uses their plasma caster.