So, one of my favorite bits in Alien EU is from the first story of the Bug Hunt anthology, Chance Encounter, where the crew of a ship on a biological survey happens to see some Xenomorphs. Having no idea what they are, they report a description of these "Leapers" to the Company, who asks them to try and get some samples. . . but warns them not to take any unnecessary risks to do so. The Captain even comments, "It makes me nervous when even the Company is concerned about what they might be sending us into."
If you take only the first two films into account, signs point to the diversion of the Nostromo being just some executive wanting a look at something potentially interesting. When the ship vanished as result, whoever this was burned the files and never looked back. Leading to no one in the Company in Aliens believing Ripley about what happened, and in that film, Burke is explicitly acting entirely on his own ("There's no exclusive rights for anybody!") It's really only in the third film that the Company is portrayed as unambiguously villainous, out to get the Alien at all costs. The more I think about it, the more it seems odd that Weyland-Yutani goes from "We don't believe you so hard you're grounded" to "It's a magnificent specimen!" between Aliens and Alien 3. Combined with other weirdnesses in that film, it's easy to see why a lot of fans like to call it Ripley's hypersleep nightmare.
(For the record, taking it's production troubles into account, I think Alien 3 is an astonishingly good film, I just wonder what might have been if Fox hadn't set a release date without having a writer, director, script, or even concept, and instead waited for the right combination of elements to make a film that wanted to be made, not one the executives decided needed to be made.)
Because, let's be honest. . . thanks to Ellen "It's The Only Way To Be Sure" Ripley, there's no physical evidence or hard data available on these creatures by the end of the second film. No specimens (living or dead), no detailed analysis of remains (Ash's facehugger studies were blown up with the Nostromo, Bishop probably wasn't able to salvage his data before Hadley's Hope went blewie), no camera recordings (Nostromo's recording equipment was mostly down per dialogue in both films, the Marines' helmet cam footage probably went with the APC and dropship), nothing at all to convince Weyland-Yutani how truly dangerous these Xenomorphs are.
But what if, starting at about LV-426, humanity is entering an area of space where the Xenomorphs are more common? What if more ships, expedition groups, or even colonies are lost to them? What if, bit by bit, pieces start trickling in that start forming the truly ugly picture? What does Weyland-Yutani do then?
Instead of seeing a goldmine of biotechnology research, they see an existential threat to humanity. . . and worse, an existential threat to their profits. Their first encounter cost them a very expensive starship and its payload, the second a colony complex and atmosphere processor, as well as costing the UA a platoon of Marines and raising tensions among already tense governmental and corporate superpowers. How much else did they lose in starting to get the picture?
Rather than attempt to arrange a blundering into an Alien specimen to bring back to the bioweapons division, an investiture of funds and infrastructure is called for. LV-426 is the perfect place. The terraforming process was mostly finished, it still has a breathable atmosphere, just plunk down a new atmosphere processor to finish and maintain as needed. Then start building the biggest, most heavily-fortified research base in history. Invite the Colonial Marines to take up security, and the UA to send their own scientists to assist. Of course, offer the same arrangement to the 3WE. Maybe even invite the UPP to join if they want (though probably expecting their response of "No thank you, capitalist pigs"). Maybe even invite representatives of competing corporations, as show of how serious this new threat is. The goal would be the same: to capture and study a Xenomorph specimen, but not for bioweapons potential, to learn how to effectively exterminate them.
Not sure precisely how secret this base would be. . . if it would be tippy top secret, it's known to exist but you need the right clearance to know where, or what. Regardless, the place would soon become a magnet for spies. Every organization that wasn't invited to the party (and probably most of the ones who were, come to think of it) would try to get spies into this facility. Could lead to every major character being a spy for some other group, leading us into what TV Tropes calls a Flock of Wolves, which could be fun.
And nearly any kind of player character could fit in. Marines for security. A robust collection of scientists. Officers and administrators for the soldiers and civilians. Corporate representatives of a few different persuasions. Medical staff. And, of course, the "oily rags" who bust their asses making sure all this fancy hi-tech crap actually works. A way to get an interesting assortment of characters who wouldn't normally interact closely all working together.
I would be tempted to start things as the facility is close to, but not fully operational. The last few personnel are trickling in, the final sections of the base are being brought online, biological containment protocols are being tested and drilled. But in a few weeks, maybe a month or two, they'll be ready to head out and look for a specimen.
The Derelict would be the logical place to start. Maybe it survived the destruction of Hadley's Hope completely intact. Maybe it's damaged, or partially or fully buried. Maybe it survived but its cargo did not. Either way, could make an interesting few sessions, excavating and exploring the place. Then maybe get in some star-hopping actually looking for a Xenomorph to bring back, if one can't be found on Acheron.
I have some thoughts on details about how the facility should be built, but I'm no mapper. I'll describe it as best I can soon, though.
Thoughts?