AVP: Evolution (Novelization) Wikia

***AVP: Evolution*** (also known as ***Aliens vs Predator Evolution***) is a novel loosely based on the mobile game of the same name and written by the author of ***Apocalyptia***. The novel is set in 2182 on the planet Nexus, colonized by the humans with a Weyland-Yutani presence and focuses on the battle between the Predators and Xenomorphs as a group of colonists attempt a daring escape.

It is currently a work-in-progress and no official release date has been announced, but it is expected to be released sometime in 2017.

## Summary

*In the year 2182, Weyland-Yutani has overseen mankind's colonization on various planets across the Universe. The planet Nexus is among those on which humans have colonized. But what Nexus hides beneath the surface has drawn the Company's attention, to which they establish their own research complex on the planet. What the Company discovers is an ancient ruins that contain long-imprisoned Xenomorph specimens—including that of an ancient Queen. Their research of the deadly creatures only leads to a world-wide infestation, prompting a response from the United States Colonial Marine Corps as well as an unexpected visit from the Predators. Caught in the middle of the gruesome conflict, a group of brave colonists take it upon themselves to get off the planet as quickly as they can.*

## Synopsis

The planet Nexus is the site of the Nexus Prospect colony as well as the recently established Weyland-Yutani research labs. While the colonists believe Weyland-Yutani to be working to create a better environment for them to live in, the Company is secretly breeding several Xenomorph specimens to experiment on. One week earlier, Weyland-Yutani senior director Josh Bishop Weyland and his team discovered an ancient temple deep beneath the planet's surface, where they discovered an ancient Xenomorph Queen locked away in a sealed chamber. Shipping the Queen to their research labs, the Company has spent much time breeding Xenomorphs for study. One specimen proves much more intelligent than normal, attempting to escape during an electrical malfunction. Interested in its intelligence, Weyland orders Dr. Shewfelt to mark the specimen up for "the program," believing it to be the key to finally weaponizing the Xenomorphs. The story transitions to the colony, with Ryan Lee entering the Prospect's Bar to meet up with his best friend, Caleb Meyerhoff. Caleb reveals to Ryan that he's been selected for a special project at the research labs, which means that this will be his last day working at the colony. Ryan is surprised by the news and sad to say goodbye to his friend, but happy that Caleb finally got another job opportunity. To celebrate the moment, Ryan makes a toast to "unexpected job opportunities."

On the opposite side of the colony, Ashleigh Yzerman arrives for her shift at the colony's Admin Center. She is greeted by her old friend Sierra Meyer, who currently works as the colony's new Administrator, chosen by Director Weyland himself. Walking with Ashleigh to her office, the two discuss their own individual lives while off-work. Sierra reveals that she hopes to call her family back on Earth by the end of the week, and Ashleigh simply wants to spend some quality time with one of her closest friends, bringing Sierra to the topic of her relationship with Ryan. Ashleigh admits to liking him, but notes that Ryan always seems busy with other things. Sierra is supportive, believing that Ryan feels the same way and encourages Ashleigh to tell him. At the research labs, Dr. Shewfelt observes a number of tests on Specimen 7, including her methods of killing her prey and following verbal instruction. Despite himself, Shewfelt finds himself becoming quite impressed with the results. Upon hearing the call of the Matriarch, Specimen 7 attempts to escape in the ventilation ducts but fails when Shewfelt locks down the vents and gasses the Xenomorph. That afternoon, Jonathan Hicks is seen cleaning his hovel when Ryan returns from the bar. Jonathan isn't the least bit surprised to learn about Caleb's new job, having been aware of all Caleb's hard work lately. Ryan admits to feeling stressed about it and sits down, wanting to get his mind off it. Jonathan remembers that Ashleigh had stopped by to say hello earlier that morning, but he hadn't been home then. Knowing of the relationship between the two, Jonathan suggests that Ryan stop by her house sometime to talk.

Meanwhile, Karsten Seidel finishes his shift at the Prospect's Bar and leaves to meet his girlfriend, Taylor Williamson, at the usual place. Taylor is shown to be standing on a balcony overlooking a vast canyon where the massive Nexus Prospect Refinery is supposed to be located. When Karsten approaches, Taylor confides to him her belief that the Company is up to something they don't want the colonists to know about. Aware of Taylor's past, Karsten comforts Taylor in his knowledge that whatever Weyland-Yutani does at the labs will have no effect on them. Taylor asks him to tell her of the future, of what it holds in store for them. In response, Karsten kisses her and reassures her that nothing bad is going to happen. Back at the research labs, Dr. Shewfelt is arranging for a new set of tests for the next day, unaware that Specimen 7 has suddenly freed her tail from its restraint. One of the scientists informs Shewfelt that Weyland has demanded a report on the program. Dr. Shewfelt downloads a copy of his recordings onto a datapad, which he instructs the scientist to deliver to the director, as he is currently busy setting up for the next session. That night after the labs are shut down, Specimen 7 quietly uses her tail to loosen her restraints with her acid blood, an act that is unnoticed by the guards. Back at the colony, Ryan is focused on writing a letter to Ashleigh suggesting they meet sometime at the bar to talk. Unable to think of what exactly to write, Ryan crumples up the letter and throws it away before getting ready for bed.

The next day, Ryan bids Caleb a goodbye as he leaves for the research labs. Spotting Ashleigh on her way toward Admin, he decides to take the opportunity to speak with her again. Ashleigh is surprised by his sudden attention, but gladly accepts his offer to walk with her to Admin. Back at the research labs, Dr. Shewfelt prepares to run the new experiment with Specimen 7, only for the Xenomorph to suddenly kill one of the scientists with her tail and break free from her restraints. Dr. Shewfelt escapes while Specimen 7 slaughters the scientists involved in her torment before escaping into the ventilation ducts. Shewfelt sounds the alarm as Specimen 7 releases other captive Xenomorphs, prompting a response from both Weyland-Yutani's security force and combat androids. In the ensuing chaos, Specimen 7 releases the Matriarch from captivity before the released Xenomorphs escape into the jungle. Caleb arrives shortly after Dr. Shewfelt gives the order for security teams to move out and secure whatever specimens to salvage their research. Shewfelt ignores Caleb's question regarding what happened, advising him to return home until problems have been resolved. In deep space, a Yautja starship intercepts a distress signal directed to the United States Colonial Marines, prompting the ship to set course for Nexus. Meanwhile, a security team arrives at the colony and instructs everybody to return home and lock their doors until further orders. Taylor promptly confronts Karsten on his claims about everything being okay, which Karsten is unable to muster a response. A number of Xenomorphs breach the colony, overwhelming the security team and capturing random colonists in just a matter of hours.

Jonathan soon experiences an encounter with the Xenomorphs, though he just manages to escape by seeking refuge in the closest hovel. He is met by Sierra, who also just barely escaped the creatures. At the same time, other Xenomorphs invade Administration, overwhelming the resident security force posted there. Ashleigh just narrowly evades the creatures, while Ryan sneaks his way back to find her. Around the same time, a Colonial Marine detachment arrives above the planet in the starship *Typhoon*, with several dropships being deployed to the surface. One of the teams touch down in the jungle, where they are attacked by several Xenomorphs. The Marines are able to hold the Xenomorphs off before their line is broken, forcing them to retreat into the caves, where most of the team is killed. Back in Administration, Ryan encounters a security guard with fatal injuries. In his dying moments, the guard hands Ryan his gun and warns him of the creatures. Proceeding onward, Ryan briefly encounters a Xenomorph Drone before arriving at the offices, where he meets up with Ashleigh, who is relieved to see him. Ryan refuses to sit around and do nothing, encouraging Ashleigh that they need to get the hell off Nexus before it's too late. Ashleigh refuses to abandon her friends, and Ryan reluctantly agrees to help her search for them. In orbit, Major Kevin Veenstra and his team begin their own descent on Nexus; their landing coordinates outside the colony's refinery. As their dropship enters the planet's atmosphere, they witness the arrival of a Yautja starship which promptly destroys the *Typhoon* and launches three of its own pods toward the planet surface. The debris from the wreckage and the shockwave of the explosion cause the Major's dropship to make a rough landing on the surface.

After making sure nobody was hurt in the landing, Major Veenstra reminds them of their objective: locating and destroying the Hive. With the area apparently clear of Xenomorphs, Kevin orders his unit to head for the Refinery, with Corporal Caroline Floyd covering the rear. Elsewhere, another group of Marines discover the bodies of colonists presumably killed by Xenomorphs. Unbeknownst to them, they are observed from the trees by one of the Yautjas responsible for the destruction of the *Typhoon*, a Predator known as Shadow. Stealthily, the Predator dispatches two of the Marines before proceeding east through the jungle toward the Refinery. Back at the Nexus Prospect Colony, Ryan and Ashleigh cautiously search the colony for signs indicating that their friends are alive. While searching Prospect's Bar, the two find several dead colonists cocooned to the walls, with Ryan realizing that they aren't quite safe in the colony. Not wanting to wait around to see if his theory is correct, the two continue their search. Jonathan soon reveals himself and pulls them into one of the hovels, pointing out the presence of "something else" in the colony. Peaking out at the rooftops, they notice what appears to be a shimmering silhouette scanning the area. Ryan begins to get the feeling that something is very out of place, while Ashleigh questions Jonathan if he saw anybody else. Jonathan delivers the bad news that most of the people he saw "stood no chance." Saddened by the discovery that they were the only ones left, Ryan resolved to gain access to one of Weyland-Yutani's dropships to get off Nexus and back home where they belong. After a moment of mourning, Ashleigh agrees that leaving is the best option they have.

Major Veenstra's unit soon advances on the Refinery where they rendezvous with another team of Marines. In order to better secure the area, Kevin orders a small group to hold their position outside the Refinery while the rest head inside to confirm the presence of the Hive. The Matriarch, sensing the presence of intruders, wakes up most of the Warriors to engage the threat. At the same time, the Predator Shadow arrives at the Refinery and proceeds to wipe out the patrolling Marines one by one. Kevin and his unit soon come under attack by Warriors, including Specimen 7, and despite the use of M260B Flamethrowers, the Marines are eventually overrun and forced to retreat. Corporal Floyd leads the way out of the Refinery, but only eight of the Marines make it out, with Major Veenstra being among those captured. Finding most of the remaining Marines dead, Corporal Floyd concludes that the operation has been blown. With no more than eight Marines left over, Floyd orders an immediate withdraw, unwilling to risk any more lives in another attack on the Hive. Specimen 7, now with scorch marks, proceeds into the sewers beneath the structure, while Shadow descends into the Hive on a mission to eliminate the Queen once and for all. After ensuring the coast is clear, Ryan leads Ashleigh and Jonathan through the colony toward the jungle. Along the way, Jonathan stops when he hears a message through a dead security guard's walkie talkie requesting help. Recognizing the voice as Karsten's, Ashleigh insists on responding. Though he is still alert to their surroundings, Ryan agrees that it wouldn't be right to abandon old friends under any circumstance. Unbeknownst to them, the Predator known as Chopper observes them from a distance.

Deep in the jungle, Corporal Floyd and the surviving Marines become aware of another threat aside from Xenomorphs.

## Characters

### Humans

* **Ashleigh Yzerman**
* **Ryan Lee**
* **Caleb Meyerhoff**
* **Karsten Seidel**
* **Taylor Williamson**
* **Jonathan Martin Hicks**
* **Sierra Meyer**
* **Carlie Olfert**
* **Josh "Bishop" Weyland**
* **Dr. Mark Shewfelt**
* **Caroline "Willow" Floyd**
* **Major Kevin Veenstra**

### Predators

* **Shadow**
* **Chopper**
* **Talon**
* **Wolf**
* **Young Blood Pack**
	+ **Claw**
	+ **Unnamed Young Blood**
* **Super Predator**
	+ **Stryker**

### Aliens

* **Facehugger**
* **Chestburster**
* **Drone Alien**
* **Runner Alien**
* **Warrior Alien**
	+ **Specimen 7 "Scorch"**
* **Praetorian**
* **Queen Alien**
* **Predalien (caste)**

## Notes and Trivia

* One of the Marines references the events of ***Aliens*** when he says that he hopes the current mission to Nexus "turns out better than Acheron", the planet from that film.
* The title of the book may refer to Specimen 7's evolution from Warrior to Queen.
* As shown on the cover page, the Predalien is one of three main antagonists in the novel, the other being the Alien Queen and Josh Weyland.
* Unlike the ***Aliens vs. Predator*** film, there are more fight sequences shown between the Predators and the Aliens.
* The character of Willow was actually taken from DLC for the 2012 video game ***Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City***.