Comments (Page 208)

I will add to the above... 

That indeed if David has a Hunger for Power and Knowledge, he could consider that ASKING the Engineers for such could Ultimately end up the same way as when his Father had ASKED for more Life!

Other Species who especially would NOT live by certain Guide-Lines could surely NOT be allowed such Knowledge, this would be a Great Fear for the Engineers, Imagine if Weyland was Granted Extra Life, and then he and David managed to Kill the Engineer and had Free-Reign of their Technology.

It was hard to Judge with David by his Actions, he seemed UPSET at having to Bombard the Engineers, was this Anger? was it Pity but he had NO Choice in order to Sustain Himself and Dr Shaw?  Was it because he knows by his Actions he would be PREVENTING her from her Wishes and Reason to want to come to this Place?

I feel on one hand he showed signs of Appreciation and Awe at what the Engineers are capable of, on the other he saw that their was so much Potential that was Wasted with the Engineers.  And Ultimately what he did was Necessary in order to Guarantee Survival of himself and Elizabeth Shaw.

@DK

Regarding Survivors...

I would assume there are NONE on Planet 4 at the Time the Covenant Crew Arrive.... If there was a Slim Chance that some Escaped, its a Case of 10 Years, maybe they can RUN but they cant HIDE.

I would Assume the Engineers all pretty much remain around that City and the Bombardment would likely had Destroyed those who was outside, it is almost Certain that some had Survived, its a case of where?  If they had Escaped and Ran Off and remained OUTSIDE the Radius of the Black Goo, then they could likely Survive and become a Match for David, unless they was Hunted down by Neomorphs?

If some Survived and got to Safety FAR out in the Jungle/Woods, then they would have taken NO Tools, they would essentially be just Stronger Humans who would have to Live off the Jungle from Scratch!

Would they Venture back and Try and Take the City?

Would they Abandon it and Migrate as FAR away as they could and Start Again, which would take a LONG time to Re-create their Technology.

(There is a Potential Story here.... )

I would assume its likely that all/most of the Survivors had found some place Indoors/Underground to HOLD-UP away from the Outbreak, they would likely HIDE away until they was Certain the Danger had Passed... but they was taken by Surprise and so as i said, its likely that Food/Drink Supplies for where they was HELD up would Diminish leaving them in a Weak and Emaciated Condition... Perhaps..

David must have got to ALIVE or Weak Engineers for some of his Studies and Experiments, and while those Engineers may-not be the Super Engineers that we saw in Prometheus, you would still say that a Fully Healthy Group of 7-8ft Humanoids could be a Match for David, so we have to ask HOW he could overcome them... and being Weak and Emaciated seems a Logical Answer.

Regarding Walter, it is likely he is ALONE...

But not Forever... as RS had indicated that some Engineers would Return to Planet 4, its Highly likely they would come across Walter....  and they surely would NOT be Best Pleased ;)

Well David's Perspective is Ultimately the Most Important one as he is the ONE who was in Control of WHERE they go..... Once he has persuaded Dr Shaw to go into Cryo-sleep then he is FREE to go where ever he wants and do what ever he wants.

David is a Sentient Being, he does not consider himself to merely be a Robot, a Tool, a Servant.  He feels Alive and his Survival is something he wishes to ENSURE...  He would have some of the Personality of Peter Weyland rub off on him, such as how Mr Weyland felt he was Superior to others because of his Accomplishments, his Creations, even having a God Complex.

David would have Studied Dr Shaw and Holoways Hypothesis/Work, which turned out to be True, so he would determine that Mankinds Greatness came from the Free-will, the Knowledge and Desire to Seek out Greater Knowledge.  He would determine the Engineers possessed Great Knowledge and Tools, it is what made them God-Like, more so than Mr Weyland....  

David would know that he is Superior to Humans, and after seeing the Engineers are Mortal After-all, he would know that its only their Technology, Tools and Knowledge that makes them much more Superior to Humans...   So i would assume that David would Ponder what he could Accomplish if he had FREE access to the Engineers Knowledge and Tools....  

He would know their Technology and Knowledge is what allowed them to be so Great, but he would see as Mortals and through their Errors they are NOT so Perfect and so he would Consider the Engineers are NOT so Worthy to have the Great Knowledge and Tools at their Disposal.

If he gained SOLE use of these then he would become the GOD now.

So when going to the Engineers would be Home-World he would expect this Place to have Vast Knowledge, and so as well as Ensuring his Survival, he would also know that a Engineer World with its Population Decimated would leave all their SECRETS for David to Behold!

Was David upset about the Engineers he killed?(I thought so...I'll watch AC again)  Or does he know they are a long lived species and there are trillions of Engineers spread through out the galaxy.

Maybe he killed them so he can steal their technology in peace. He knew they would not teach him, or stand around while he pilfered their tech.("Check the library, it's got a lot of HOW TO books",   "Cool! Thanks!)

I understand what Shaw's plan was..But Davids?!

For Walters sake, I hope the Engineers are kind.

Going by the movie, survivors might ultimately meet Walter assuming he survived. Would they think he is David and act accordingly? I don't think Walter knew their language so he might be in a bad situation in this scenario.

Regarding Survivors.....

Thats a Good Question.... we have to ASK for what Reason could there be ONLY the ONE City?

Keeping a Civilizations Contained within ONE City would be ideal as far as to Control this Civilization/Culture its easier to make sure they Stick to the Plan/Rules and Rituals/Culture that is Intended by the Hierarchy.

Still you could consider this as Strange!

If we look at this Place as supposedly to be PARADISE then look at Paradise in the Biblical Context then it makes some Sense...   If we look at it as far as the Location of the Garden of Eden.

The Garden of Eden was a WALLED City, well a Place that was Cut Off from the rest of Paradise, it was the Location of the Cradle of Creation, where Adam and Eve were Created, where they was to Dwell and be Contained, and Watched Over.  After the Fall/Disobedience they (Adam/Eve) where kicked out of the Garden and Paradise.

We should NOT look too Literal at that but it likely holds some Element of Truth...

IF the Engineers are our Forerunners our Ancestors and we came from them... then indeed that CITY on Planet 4 could be the Cradle of Creation,  having those Engineers are Permitted to Live  there is a Sign that they are Worthy and Pure and Follow the Ways/Rituals and Law of the Hierarchy

They Live a Certain way, that likely is how their Hierarchy have intended.  They are Maintained within a SINGLE City so they are easier to Watch Over and make sure they abide by the RULES....

The Docking Ship and its Occupants are likely similar to the Cherubim Angels who Guard Paradise/The Garden of Eden.

Back to the Survivors... it thus is likely that ONLY that City is Inhabited by the Engineers, but when we look at what Happened to them.... its clear from Davids Work and Notes that some had Survived the Bombardment.

The Outside Environment would likely be Contaminated for a Period of Time, so they DARE not risk going out... Eventually Supplies would Dwindle... they would become Weak and Emaciated...  If they have a High Moral Compass, then its likely they would put the Needs of the Woman and Children First, so that the Males would go without Food/Water which would leave them Weak, and then the Women would likely put the Children First and so after TIME... they would all be Ripe for the Pickings of David!

We can only Imagine the Interaction between Weak/Emaciated Engineers and David!

We can only Imagine what the Interactions would have been like if David had-not Bombarded them..  ONE thing is for Sure.... had they NOT been Killed Off and Discovered who Dr Shaw and David were then they would likely have No Choice but to Destroy Earth!

Those Engineers would not have Expected anything but Returning Engineers on that Ship, there did seem to be Little Precaution against Attack.  This could tell us those Engineers simply NEVER expect any incoming Attacks, that Proves they are Naive....  They must Feel there are No Threats, or they may have Confidence in their Defenses (which did not seem like Much).  Or its likely they Visit and Keep in Check other Worlds so they NEVER possess Technology or Space Travel.

Once they abandoned Earth, they likely Felt that on our own we would NEVER advance any further than we was Thousands of Years ago.

From Davids POV...  He would know the Engineers had determined that Mankind on Earth should be Eradicated, he Witnessed they would NOT be welcomed by those on LV-223 and David got his Head Torn Off in the Process, so for David he would know there is that ELEMENT of Danger and Potential that the Engineers would not be OPEN ARMS and Accept our Dr Shaw and David... and so he would Consider the Worse Case Scenario

Eradication of the Engineers with a Preemptive Strike would have been Likely.

From the Engineers POV.... who knows what they know about Earth, regardless if they knew or not, i think having another Species turn up in their own Space Ships that have the Potential for Genocide would be a Massive Concern, they would also have to look at the Risk and Worse Case Scenario about Humans being able to Travel Space and Obtain and Use Engineers Technology.

Eradication  of Mankind to Protect themselves and the Galaxy would be Likely.

From Dr Shaws POV..... She would know the Risk, she could be Naive in thinking there has to be MORE above the Engineers that would Mirror her Faith of a Benevolent Creator, she wants Answers and she would NOT mind the Risk of getting Answers that would Crush her Faith, or Prove Horrific, or getting No Answers at all..... and she would think the Worse Case Scenario would be her DEATH! but its the Risk she would take!

She is either very Naive or Selfish.... because by Virtue of going to seek out the Gods.... Worse Case Scenario could be that they would see what Mankind has Achieved and see them as a Threat and Ultimately the Quest for Answers by Dr Shaw could  lead to Mankinds Destruction.

 Maybe David knew what was really in store for them? And he took action.

That is possible, but the Engineers were pretty quiet and seemed in wonder of what they were seeing. By human standards, they didn't seem to be preparing for defensive or offensive measures. Then again, they had that invisible shield that ultimately failed. 

If David was executing a preemptive strike because of what he learned on the ship, his intel may have been faulty as chli pointed out that 2000 years had past and the Engineers may have ceased their combative posture/ practices. In that case, David's genocide was misguided and plain erroneous at the very least. If there were any survivors (it was a big enough planet and we only saw a small part of it- seems there would have been other cities on the planet), the Engineers would have a renewed reason and motivation to finish the job of destroying humanity.

"I'm assuming David(and Shaw?) had access to Engineers maps and history?"

Well he could go and ASK the Engineers, but its a case of WHAT they would Share, or if they would Provide NO Answers.  There was the Risk they would be Hostile to David and Dr Shaw...  This is something they would NEVER know...  He Learned of their Cruel Ways.. but this was likely as far as LV-223, and maybe NOT what those on Paradise/Planet 4 would be like.

But he could NOT risk it... so he KILLED them to Protect himself, and Dr Shaw only for his own Selfish Need of her as a Companion..

So for him... the Engineer City may still Provide a place where he can Salvage her some Answers.  Its highly likely some Engineers Survived... so we can wonder had David spoke to any of those?  If so likely when they have been Barricaded away and Weak and Emaciated.. Easy Pickings!

I think when looking at the Engineers, we have to remember to see if from their POV and that its not always about Creating Horrific Weapons.

Well RS did say he thought the Franchise could be as BIG as Star Trek or Star Wars.....  surely not with Queens and Ripley ;)

Those Franchises had a Depth of Characters, some Good Action Scenes, but what makes them Different to ALIEN was they featured Multiple Worlds, Ships, Races and Conflicts....  I can only assume RS pondered the Scope of the Engineers and Various Worlds they Create/Seed could lead to similar.

A number of Fans would NOT want to explore the Engineers in Depth, as far as what other Worlds and Creations they are Involved with and what Interactions between them would be like and indeed Mankind in the Past.

It simply is NOT as ALIEN as the First Movie, the Whole Gods Plot as far as Humanoid Creators just is NOT everyone's Cup of Tea.

It did appear the Prometheus Plot, of these Ancient would be Gods, was more in tone to WHAT they Create and WHY and that this is NOT about purely Creating ONLY such Horrors like the Xenomorph.

The Prequels were intended to be their own SEPARATE thing, so that a Sequel to Prometheus would STEER away from ALIEN etc.

But Certainly a STARGATE like Plot with Engineers would not be as Dark as ALIEN fans would like and i agree you have to introduce some Dark Horror to it...

Ultimately we DONT 100% know why the Engineers Seed Worlds, is their Aim always to Evolve/Engineer Humanoids, are most of the Worlds they Evolve to that Level all similar... (like many Star Trek Humanoid Races) or do they create other Races/Species that are NOT very Human...

The Scope was MASSIVE.. as it seemed implied the Engineers are Many Millions of Years old.. WHY even over a Billion Years... possibly...  It appears they have Traveled to other GALAXIES so the Scope for a Star Trek is there, but i know ALIEN fans would not want anything like that to Interfere with the Alien Franchise...

But the ALIEN Franchise is contained to a Small Part of our Galaxy, so expanding with a Spin Off that is on the Far Reaches of the Galaxy or another Galaxy should not conflict the ALIEN Franchise.

Looking at the Prometheus Plot, and Planet 4 Engineers, its likely they Visit Many Worlds, Interact and Evolve Life, both Genetically and Technologically.... 

But likely ONLY to a Certain Level... i doubt they would allow their Creations to be more Advanced that what we saw on Planet 4.   Maybe on Worlds they Construct Temples that Act as Hangers/Landing Strips for their Ships but i DOUBT they ever intend their Creations to USE or be allowed to USE that Space Fairing Technology.

So in context to the Topic... i think they would be interested in Dr Shaw and David, but indeed by Virtue of HOW they ended up on Planet 4 would be a Concern they Cant let that Genie out the Box...  But its Too Late... Mankind have reached the Stars...

So as i was saying, the Engineers would be in a Dilemma, and would likely Conclude they had better go and PUT A STOP to our Conquest of Space... and likely our Species on Earth.

This was a Potential Future in Store... had David decided to NOT bombard them... Dr Shaw's Selfish Pursuit for her Answers, could have lead to the Engineers deciding to go and FINISH the Job!

You could then speculate that SHE would likely want to Prevent that and that could mean finding a way to Destroy the Engineers.

So YEAH! things could still have got VERY DARK ;)

Some had compared the Space Jockey Helmet from Prometheus to being like a Tapir.  A Tapir Skeleton would LACK the Hose just as Human Skeletons dont have a NOSE.

so IF the Space Jockey was a Living Organism, we could consider it would be a bit like a Tapir, only its not a Skeleton but more Mummified.... or indeed like when some Animals (Reptiles/Amphibians) can Dry Out. Then YES you could consider it could be a Organism.

HR Gigers Concept gives more Detail to the Intention, where we can see the Snorkel is a Hose, a Breathing Pipe that looks None-Organic (we can see this in the Close Up of the Space Jockey Prop).

Here is the Most HD version of HR Gigers Space Jockey i could find.

I think its likely that the options would be...

1) Some Organism thats Mummified that would have looked a bit like a Tapir when Alive... would this had been Awe Inspiring?

Maybe if it was Revealed as Above (With Legs).

2) Some Organism where the Snorkel Attaches to its Face.

3) The Space Suit/Helmet similar to shown in Prometheus.

4) Or a Bio-Mechanical Being like the Xenomorph.

I am talking about mainly IF we are to introduce the Space Jockey as NOT a Engineer, unless we are introduced to a 12ft+ Version.

For me i say keep it as a Suit, it may be a bit different to Prometheus but a Suit none the less.. but you dont have to make the Occupant to be Very Humanoid/Engineer looking.

Guess, I would be concerned about a Engineers based movie/plot becoming Star Trek/Star Wars universe like(trade negotiations, delegates, Earth being allowed to join the Engineers lower guild, Politics, etc....)

I'd just hope they keep it horror based. Keep the tension high. (If you happen to stumble across a Engineers tomb/temple/ruins/derelict you'd better flee!)

I'm assuming David(and Shaw?) had access to Engineers maps and history? Maybe David knew what was really in store for them? And he took action.

Thats a Good Point, i was going to mention that and Upload a Photo of the Prometheus Pilot.... where it does-not appear to have the Arms Attached to the Chair.

But i failed to do so... mainly as we was talking about the ALIEN Space Jockey.

So i did go back (Prometheus) and Watch the Scene in Slow Motion.

As explained in the Image Above, its hard to see as the Scene is Short but you do see the Rings/Wires appear from behind the Engineer and then Wrap Around his Upper Arm... BUT not the Lower Arm.

We also  dont see them Connect to the Chair... However it could be that we DONT see the Full Process?

Ha ha... this is a Tricky Subject ;)

some Very Good Points

The basis of how they would React would depends on WHAT the Engineers purpose was for Creation in the First Place, it appeared that it was likely that HAD we all Behaved and Not Displeased the Engineers then we would not have been booked in for Genocide?

Another thing would be WHAT do those Engineers know about LV-223 what it was, what it became and also what was Earth and what we had became!

Then you have to Wonder is Earth the ONLY place the Engineers had Seeded Life and Evolved it to become like them... Humanoid.. If they have Many Worlds with Humanoid Life, then we have to ask do they LOOK similar to us?

And then had these other Worlds UPSET the Engineers too, or did it take just ONE/TWO Worlds deemed Failure for them to decide to go and Eradicate ALL the Humanoids they seeded, including other Worlds that have NOT upset the Engineers?

So the Answers to those would determine how those Engineers would react!

Was the Scorpion Docking Ship a Unmanned Ship? If it was then would it detect that Engineers are-not on board and then what would be the Next Course of Action?

If it was Manned then maybe a Boarding Party would Enter the Juggernaut and Seize David and Dr Shaw, they would maybe be surprised that David could talk to them.

I would assume that maybe they would NOT want to KILL them, but they would be Interested in Interrogate them, Discover how many more are on the Way, where are they From, and HOW they found this Place.

If they discover David is a Creation of Mankinds, they could be Interested, Concerned, could see it as Blashomy who knows... maybe NOT all of them would have the same view on David and Dr Shaw.

So it would be likely they would have a Council Meeting to determine what to do NOW..

As long as David and Dr Shaw do-not upset the Engineers or cause any Concerns they could be Spared, there could be some who want them Executed or Locked Up, but others who would think they should be given a chance to Interact with and Monitor them!

Would they give Dr Shaw Answers, would the Answers they give not Satisfy her? Would they be Interested and Intrigued at Dr Shaws Faith and the Findings her and Holloway made and Mankinds many Mythos and Religion that Spanned from the Engineers.

Some Engineers could be interested in this History from OUR POV... do they know about our History and Interactions, or do most of those beings only know that their kind just go off and Seed Many Worlds.. and so they dont have any Specifics of Earth History say the last 6-2 Thousands Years ago etc.

Would some Engineers Fear that Dr Shaw and what she talks about could Corrupt the Engineers, or give away Information/History that the Hierarchy does-not want the other Engineers to know about?

What if the Engineers reveal that Humans live on other Worlds, and that they had Abandoned Earth and Abandoned the Mission to Destroy us as it proved to be costly so they just decided to STOP COMING.. thinking they have Many Worlds, and they was prepared to LET OUR World ROT.. leave us to Destroy Ourselves!

They decided they can Afford to Write Off our World, and we would just amount to NOTHING without the Engineers, they would Forsake us and Abandon us, and without the Engineers we would NOT advanced further than we was 2000 Years ago, and actually we may end up going Backwards!

That was UNTIL they discover that David and Dr Shaw had arrived at their Home... something they FELT that we would NEVER be able to do as we are just Cave-Men without their Help/Knowledge.

While the Engineers may-not instantly want to KILL their Visitors, they could even be prepared to allow them to STAY!

Certainly they would have CONCERNS for the Rest of Mankind, they would debate what to do, as they surely CANT allow for Humans to be able to Travel the Stars, and then go to their Outposts and USE their Technology via a Sub-Creation!

They cant allow a Race they had deemed to be Worthy of Eradication because of our Ways and the Potential Threat we posed for being Rebellious, they cant ALLOW such a Race from Earth to be allowed to Traverse the Stars and use Engineer Technology.

The Council would have to Deliberate what to do..

*Pay us a Visit, inform Earth of WHO they are, and see IF we have Changed? How would we React?   Then they would be Concerned about our Ability to Travel the Stars.

*Make some Rules and Regulations regarding our use of Technology, Forbid Certain Places, Protect LV-223 and the Like... How do they Form a Agreement, and HOW do they Police it?  With many other Worlds Created, and ours Deemed Forsaken is it worth that Effort?

*Do something to Render our Technology Useless, some kind of EMP attack.  Send us back a Few Hundred Years.  But how long would the Effects Last, could we just Re-start again at some Point?

These are all things a Council would discus in response to knowing that WE can Travel the Stars etc....

The Council could likely decide the ONLY option would be the ONE they had intended 2000+ Years ago...  they would have NO choice but to Eradicate Earth!

How would Dr Shaw feel about this?

Maybe she realizes the Engineers intended what they did because of the way Mankind had behaved, and maybe she can see that Mankind has only got Worse, and that not many Follow certain ways such as her Faith.. while she may find her Faith is not what she thought, she could see the Good in her Faith and see the Engineers Aspire and Teach Similar Things....   And just as GOD in the Bible had NO choice but to take Drastic Action in the Past on a Few Occasions... The Engineers are merely doing the Same.

Would Dr Shaw plead with the Engineers... but Ultimately with a Revelation the Engineers had seeded Many Worlds, where Most abide by the Rules and Live a Life that would have Appeased Dr Shaws GOD.... compared to how the Majority of Earth would Displease Dr Shaws GOD!

Maybe she excepts Earth is just a SMALL part of something GRAND, and she has been allowed Entrance to Paradise, and maybe she can come to Terms with the Engineers decision to Destroy Earth!

She may not like it..... but as she asked David in the Crossing "what if they are no better than us" he replies "as long as they are no Worse" so she could discover in the Grand Scheme of things they are NOT as Worse as WE are, and they are No Worse than her GOD!  

So she accepts that Earth is a Fallen Paradise, the Engineers are Seeders of Many Worlds and Protectors, and that there are other Worlds like Earth who abide by the Rules and are NOT as BAD as Mankind had became.. she would see the Grand Scheme and HOW indeed Mankind and Companies like Weyland should NOT be allowed to have the Engineers Technology and become the NEW GODS.

Maybe the Engineers could SHOW her some of those Other Worlds and Civilizations at Peace, maybe they could say they could take her to Visit them, some day...

THANK YOU for Baring with me this FAR ;)

I think this is Plausible...

HOWEVER... what if the Council Decide that their is a Risk that OTHER worlds could turn out like Earth, and they Decide to go and Eradicate a Number of these Worlds...

HOW would Dr Shaw feel then? You can bet that if she feels the Engineers make a Haste Decision to Destroy Earth and then PROCEED to other Worlds that have Humanoids like us, so that the same thing that Happened on Earth can NEVER Happen again.

You think Dr Shaw would accept that?

I think she would say to David.... GIVE THEM HELL... to Protect the Many Worlds they Seeded from Genocide.

"Concerning AI running W-Y Corp"

Certainly Chli, however it could be any such PLOT could happen after the events of Alien Covenant we can assume as of 2105 then Yutani seems to be the Main Controlling Aspect of the Company... could that Change? who knows...

@MonsterZero

I can understand your ASH1 point...  ASH was a Hyperdyne Systems 120-A/2 so maybe the ASH your thinking of could be a Hyperdyne Systems 120-A/1?

while this TOPIC is to come up with Alternative Sequels to Prometheus... so that basically we can RETCON as much of Alien Covenant or the Entire Movie.

I dont mean to be Disrespectful... but part of the ASH1 Plot is Flawed as far as Time-Line.   I think as a Fan Fiction its fine if we looked at a Latter Time-Frame.

For sure its Logical a Mission to LV-223 must happen again at some point after Prometheus, but in order for this to happen in 2095 then the Ship that ASH1 is on must have left for LV-223 like a Year or So after the Prometheus had set off to LV-223.

You have to Wonder for HOW-LONG would they wait before NOT hearing off the Prometheus before they would consider a Mission or Determine the Prometheus is Lost with its CEO... Weyland was Dying anyway but surely Vickers would be Next in Chain of Command? or Certainly would Benefit from Great Control had she NOT gone along on the Mission.

You would say the Company would wait 6-12 Months, thats Reasonable.... but then you have to Factor for HOW-LONG does a Message take to Reach the Company?

If the Prometheus had sent a Message back saying it is Arriving at its Destination say on 24th Dec 2093, then its a case of HOW-LONG would that take to get back to WY HQ?  If we assume 2 Years, then the Company would be Concerned or have some indication something is Wrong if they DONT get any Information coming for  a Period of say 2.5-3 Years after the Prometheus was due to arrive (Dec 2093).

So say it could be Mid 2096 or Early 2097 before the Board would be like... "we have not heard from the Prometheus, lets investigate"

So your ASH to LV-223 Idea would work if say you had the Year that ASH1 had arrived as say 2110 or after.

It would not matter about the Covenant because as with this TOPIC... you could just take it that the Mission had NEVER happened...

First off regarding the Synthetic Manufacturers, i think Ignorantguy made the Points already.  As of ALIEN we was NOT given any Detail about ASH as far as what Model he was etc, we just knew he was a Synthetic that was Placed on board the Nostromo with the Objective with MUTHUR to obtain a Xenomorph Specimen.  We was Never really given information on WHO produced ASH, it could have been Wayland-Industries or they just Purchased a ASH from another Company and Programed him for Special Order 937

It was James Cameron with  ALIENS that gave some information that ASH was a Hyperdyne Systems Model, which has a similarity to Camerons Terminator/2 Company Cyberdyne Systems, purely Coincidence or was it intended to be a RIFF of Cyberdyne a Joke a Easter Egg?

We also discover that Bishop is also another Newer Hyperdyne Systems Model we could wonder what the Connection is and WHY is it that Weyland-Yutani use Hyperdyne Systems for their Synthetics?

Hyperdyne could be a Company that has a Contract with Weyland-Yutani to Provide the Synthetics as it appeared back then that the PRIME Goal of Weyland-Yutani was to "Build Better Worlds" and so Space Travel, Terra-forming, Mining and Colonizing Worlds that seemed to be their Main Business.

They also had a Agenda to  Obtain a Xenomorph for Bio-Weapons Research, so we can assume they have some Military Aspirations. While employed the Colonial Marines this Military Force is Ran by USCM and are Contracted by Weyland-Yutani for Specific Missions.

I am not sure there are any indications that WY own in any part USCM, i dont think they do?  And so WY could also use Hyperdyne Systems for Synthetics but not actually OWN the Company but they certainly are Affiliated and maybe USCM have a Security/Military Contract with Weyland Yutani when it comes to Providing Support for Certain Missions from a Security and Rescue stand point?

With Alien 3 we was introduced to Bishop II who claimed to be the One who Designed the Android Bishop from Aliens,  we see that Bishop II works for Weyland-Yutani and is part of the Team from the USCSS Patna (which is owned by WY) to retrieve the Xenomorph Queen from Ripley.  It is accepted that the Sulaco and Patna are Constructed by Weyland-Yutani.

So the reveal of Bishop II could indicate he either Designed for Hyberdyne Systems some Synthetics who Weyland-Yutani used to Contract with for Supply of Synthetics and then Bishop II went to work for Weyland-Yutani as far as Biological Weapons Research Department, or that Hyperdyne Systems are  a Subsidiary of Weyland-Yutani.

The Prequels indicate a Origins of the Company as in Weyland Industries, the Viral Site for Prometheus seemed to indicate some Conflict with Yutani as far as Patents for Synthetic Technology.

One of Weyland Industries Successes were the Synthetic Market and in Particular the David Models, by the time we get to Alien Covenant we have had the Company Merger with Yutani... at this point maybe Hyperdyne Systems came about as a Subsidiary to Produce Synthetics for Weyland-Yutani, or at a latter point maybe Weyland-Yutani had Sold/Contracted out the Production of Synthetics to Various Companies of which Hyperdyne Systems is the one they regularly use?

chli The only mention of WY producing synthetics Previous to Prometheus is the cluster-f**k in Alien 3. In promo material Bishop is still Hyperdyne, but its "designer" is brought in by WY to convince Ripley to surrender the queen. What is the exact relationship between WY and Hyperdyne is anybody's guess, but the short answer to your question is Riddley said I don't care and probably shouldn't care, as David and Walter were meant to mirror Ash and Bishop, to generate money from nostalgia. 

What happened on LV-223 was 2000 years ago.

I believe that when David and Shaw arrive at Planet 4, the Engineers have long since abandoned their old, barbaric ways containing sacrifice and creation of weapons of mass destruction.

They now live a simple and peaceful life and they welcome visitors.

But, David is now the wolf . . .

IgnorantGuy

You're right! Interesting! Why would W-Y use a synthetic from Hyperdyne when they have their own models (David, Walter)?

chli According to Aliens, Ash was created by  Hyperdyne Systems, not WY.

Concerning AI running W-Y Corp.

If we take "Alien: Covenant Origins" as canon, Hideo Yutani is CEO of the company. He also has a daughter and they are very much flesh and blood . . .

But the company creates synthetics (Ash e.g.).

From what little we saw of Planet 4, I think the populace might be stunned or in awe of David and Shaw. 

This is an interesting question.

The populace would have no obligation or expectation to welcome David and Shaw, but they might see the ship and think there is a reason to trust? Hard to say. We need to know the nature of the Planet 4 population. They don't appear war like but the 223 Engineers are bad ass killers if need be.

I like to think Shaw would find her answer just meeting the populace of Planet 4- for better or worse. At least she would know the truth. Better than withering away under David's weird machinations.

David would probably do his thing and find a way to manipulate the situation to suit his agenda.

Well, I'd still have Ash land on LV-223 after the Prometheus accident (however long it would take for him to get there? 6 months? 2 years?) around 2095.

It would be Ash 1 or whatever version before the upgrade/ rebuild.( He could pass all his memories to his 'brothers'? Download/upload?)

He is unable to solve the language of the Engineers and is unable to locate David.

The Deacon(fully grown)prevents him form gathering samples and hanging around....So he leaves to bring back help. Some space marines?

I think there is zero chance they would be welcomed.....I think the Engineers know all about humanity.

The David abomination would be torn limb from limb and then ejected into the nearest star.

Shaw? Probably sacrificed.

There would most certainly be an inquiry and then Earth wiped clean.

Can't have aliens stealing spacecraft.

Earth and humanity is a threat.

BigDave

I agree with your calculations about the size of the Engineer.

But I just watched the part of Prometheus where the Engineer sits down in the pilot chair. There are only two things which are attached to him: the helmet and "the ribcage" (which might be some kind of safety belt, perhaps?).

So, there is no "fusion" of the Engineer and the seat. It's more like when a driver of a fast car in a race puts on a helmet and fastens the safety belt.

I think to Summarize what the OT was intending as far as the NOVEL, then its likely to Cast Doubt on these things.

*Cast Doubt the Space Jockey Suit would contain a Synthetic.

*Indicate the Space Jockey Suit was more Organic.

*Indicate the Derelict had been on LV-426 for a Long Period of Time.

*To Cast Doubt that our 8ft Engineers could-not be in the 15-16ft Space Jockey Suit.

As Ignortantguy had pointed out, this does-not mean it rules out David as the Creator or that the Derelict is a Ancient Event.  If we take the NOVEL as Canon, then it does support what people would have seen if they saw just ALIEN, which looking at Prometheus has some Conflicting Issues. (Ship and Pilot).

As its stands the Novel lends some Weight to dispute the *Bullet Points i had made above.  However.... its to say if this would be Considered Canon by the Time we CONCLUDE the Prequels.

Its then a Case of IF the Prequels Conclude leading Chronologically to the Derelict Event... in which case its do they have a GOOD Explanation to the Following or are we just to accept them as Oversights!

*WHY does the Ship/Pilot look so Degraded especially the Pilot and Chair, if its NOT been there for a VERY LONG time then WHY does it have that look?

*WHY are there some Aesthetic Differences between the Derelict and Juggernaut, likely they are Different Ships but would we get a indication of WHAT kind of Age Difference there is between the Technologies/Construction.

*The Space Jockey appears to be ALMOST Double the Size of our Engineers can this be explained by them simply GROWING out of the Chair?

So its a case of DO they answer those, in a Clever Way that is Plausible or Simply not give much Interest and we are left with Inconsistencies we have to Consider as Oversights?

On a FINAL Note.... the Prequels have YET to Conclude and so things could be Changed... the Biggest Problem then would be IF they suggest the Derelict is Ancient.... then do they explain HOW it was that David created something so similar by Coincidence?

Regarding the Xenomorph its not Clear about how long they Live for, it had been Suggested they had a Limited Life Span before, but then also Ridley Scott had suggested they can Regenerate.    In context to a AI then if AI became Sentient they could be interested in the Body of the Xenomorph to upload their AI too, if that was Possible.   But then a AI could go about trying to Build their own more Superior Synthetic Body/Shell instead.

In context to this Topic which is to Suggest a Alternative Path to have gone after Prometheus (Re-boot Alien Covenant) then indeed as a Sequel to Prometheus we could have got a Mission to LV-223 set some 5-20 Years after the events of Prometheus as this Topic is a look at what happens after Prometheus, then it is to Speculate things after and so that Alien Covenant  had NOT happened.

So its not in anyway a FACT/CANON kind of Topic but a Re-Writing of History as a Alternative.

So in that Context then Special Order 937 would have came about likely from another Mission to LV-223, its a case of WHEN would this had happened.

And so as FAR as ASH goes, i would DOUBT that he would be involved in any Mission unless it was at least 15 years after Prometheus maybe more..  ASH was a Hyperdyne Systems Synthetic, and its likely his Model was NOT around at the time of the Walter Models.  We dont have a Date for when ASH would have been Active.  I would certainly Speculate after 2110

So for ASH to had been involved on LV-223/426 prior to ALIEN i would assume the Time-Line would have to be after 2115 so bringing ASH into the Story of a Prequel would FIT with this Topic Better.

Alien: Back to the Future PT4 was offering us a chance to think of a Prequel set before ALIEN but likely set after the Events of the Prequels (surround David)  so a Time-Line of say between 2112-2122 and so that would be a Period more suited to involving ASH.

But Fan Fiction aside... the Reality of Special Order 937 would likely come about after what ever the Company do regarding David's Advent Message.

So Events leading to what becomes Special Order 937 would likely happen after the year 2110 and also maybe would be covered in One of the Next TWO Prequels had they been Given the Green Light. 

The Avenue of Special Order 937 would be likely in response to NOT being able to Obtain anything from Planet 4, Origae-6 and LV-223 but then discovering that there is something to be obtained on LV-426 and so i would Speculate that Special Order 937 is issued in result of Events certainly between 2118-2122 but  Special Order 937 likely had been issued NOT that Long before the Events of ALIEN.

I wonder if Ash, finding the tombs/Juggernaut/Deacon before David, would be able to do anything with the knowledge?

Is Ash smart enough(programmed) to read the Engineer language, open tomb doors, fly alien spacecraft?

Ash would probably just do some dissection and make a report.

'A Company Ran by AI would also help Explain the Relentless Pursuit of the Xenomorph at a Constant Folly to those who TRY..... the Human Cost maters not as Humans are In-superiorand Expendable.'

I agree. AI are stuck in their digital bodies...They are probably very interested in becoming bio-mechanical and all this creation stuff is attractive. 

Humans? Lets make it a weapon! lol! (They have plenty of weapons) ...Maybe the Xeno can live for a very long time or heal itself?..I could see the company trying to sequence the DNA to help themselves live longer.

Thats Absurd!!!!!

Not really ;)

I do suspect some kind of Twist was Planned to Reveal that by the Time of ALIEN the Company is being RAN by AI and Mankind are None-the-Wiser...

Maybe some Humans are in the Know, but they do so as to Benefit themselves,  maybe the AI has given them a Covenant, a agreement something for their Greedy Hands to Benefit from.

If the Plot Remains the Same that David is the Creator, then it would give more Reason for WHY it is that ASH really Admired the Xenomorph.  It was a Creation by one of his Forefathers so to Speak.

A Company Ran by AI would also help Explain the Relentless Pursuit of the Xenomorph at a Constant Folly to those who TRY..... the Human Cost maters not as Humans are In-superior and Expendable.

This Plot was what i was indicating with my Prometheus 2 i was working on in 2013, which i Lost and i Abandoned..  it would have gone the Path to show that Weylands AI Soul is running the Show!

Revelation that he had Created and Perfected David as a Experiment to Create the Ideal Vessel/Shell for a AI Soul to be Uploaded to...

While he thought he Perfected that.... he Sadly could NOT manage a way to Upload a Human Soul, Emotions, Memories and Experiences into  AI that would then REMAIN Stable......   Each Attempt would Fail as the AI Soul becomes Crazy, Delusional and then just completely Crashes/Breaks down.

Programing a Synthetic to have Human like Emotions is ONE thing, and this Potentially has Pitfalls (which we see with David in Alien Covenant) but to actually Transfer and Maintain a Human Soul into a AI is FAR more Unstable.

This was Project Rook which Weyland had discussed with David while playing CHESS in a Flash Back...

Ultimately this NEVER worked out... so Weylands attempts to CHEAT DEATH had Failed and THUS in Desperation he Turned to Dr Shaw and Holloways chasing GODS!

The END of my Prometheus 2 would have shown that Project Rook gets Activated as Vickers Last Action before she Dies... well not really Dies... do Synthetics Die?  But that was another Twist!

Well the END would be shown that Project Rook goes Live... (Weylands AI Soul)... but as with Prometheus having TWO Endings... (Dr Shaws SOS and then the Deacon).  The Very Last Scene was a SHOT of a Juggernaut arriving at a Solar System and seeing a Large Earth-like Planet in the Distance... FADE to Credits.

This would have set up Prometheus 3 which well, i had difficulty in Finishing as to Explore the Engineers, what else they Create and HOW they would react to David and Dr Shaw is NOT something easy.

I can only imagine that Paglen and Green kept finding the same Problems.. with their Countless Drafts.

Chili

'he did what the company wanted.'

My view: Synths and A.I. are working for themselves....Humans are busy with their petty lives....worried about their golf game, stock market and what their are having for dinner.

SO 937 is probably A.I. created.

Regarding the Ship.....

HR Giger saw the Ship as LIVING.... he even felt the SHIP would Produce the Eggs.

The Derelict did look like it was a Part Organic Vessel and so WHY-NOT.. as far as it being LIVING.

The Juggernauts dont look as Organic/Living and so that can lead us to Speculate the Engineers had Re-Engineered/Stolen their Aesthetic/Technology from some Place/Some One else...

I will add to CONCLUDE...

If they are going to SHOW us that the Derelict/Juggernaut are Very Similar and a Engineer (God Forbid anyone Smaller) was to get into the Pilot Chair before the Ship/Pilot eventually END UP on LV-426

Then the Above is the kind of OVERSIGHT we are supposed to Accept, especially if 18 years before ALIEN there is NOTHING on LV-426.

So from that Image here are the KEY things.

*The Engineer would be Smaller than the Space Jockey (using the Wider Shots) the Engineer would have to be as Big as the One i placed at the FAR Left of the One Image.

*A explanation would be needed for the Color Difference, and WHY the Space Jockey suit looked degraded like Bone and not the Dark Grey Color.

Slight Atheistic Differences Internally and Externally could be Addressed by showing us a Different Variant of Juggernaut.  Particularly Internal

So we would have to Conclude depending on what SHOT they would want as Reference for the Space Jockey (Wide Shot of 21ft Space Jockey or Close Shot of 15ft Space Jockey). 

While it could be a Space Suit... it Certainly looks like the Pilot has been there for a LONG LONG TIME and the Space Jockey is also about Twice the Size of a Engineer (or more).

EDIT:

Its hard to work out the Size using Humans next to the SET as the Angle and Distance does  mean you have NO accurate Reference Point.

There are 3 Shots that Provide the Best Basis, One with a Space Jockey thats Dead on its Side as shown in the Concept work... with TWO members of Production right by the Side...   Using this i worked out the Space Jockey would be about 14.5ft Tall.

The other TWO have Production Members UP-CLOSE actually like Face to Face near enough with the Space Jockey and NOT the Chair... using these i Estimate the Space Jockey to be 13-14ft.

All things Considered its likely the Space Jockey was Considered to be about 15ft Tall, which is what Alien Engineers went with...

Sadly on Screen we never ENDED UP with 15ft Engineers as Initially Intended.

That is a Good Point, there did appear to be a Bleached Bone Color to most of the Space Jockey, even Part of the Chair or we assume Chair.  Only the Base and the Torrent/Telescope and a few of the Cables/Pipes at the Back of the Chair are NOT that Bone Color,  the Part of the Bottom of the Chair seems to start of a Darker Brown and Gradually gets Lighter until its the Bone Color.

Does that mean they are Bone?   Nope, does it mean they had Faded/Decayed to the Same Process as the Space Jockey, possibly.....

When we look at HR Gigers Concept we see the Space Jockey and most of the Chair is Colored the same, the Base and Turret/Telescope a different Color.

Was they intended to be the Same Color? (Pilot and Chair) with the Base and Turret/Telescope being different and NOT in anyway way a Merger of Organic and Non-Organic?

Is it intended to show us a Decomposing/Fading of the Color as a indication that the Space Jockey has been there for a VERY LONG time?

Would this imply that Part of the Chair that Fuses to the Space Jockey Suit somehow Share the Same Construction/Material and thus are Bio-Mechanical?

In Prometheus we see the Chair and Turret/Telescope have a Uniform Color,  that fits with the Interior Color of the Room (unlike in ALIEN).

Again this is a Oversight... of sorts... Ridley Scott explained the Differences are the Derelict is NOT in Brand New Condition and is a Derelict, and the Juggernauts are in Pristine Condition.

If we accept the Space Jockey/Chair looked similar at ONE Time, then they have to had thought of WHY it looks so Degraded... a Good Explanation would be that the Derelict is a Much Older Version and has been on LV-426 for not just a FEW Thousand Years but a VERY VERY LONG time... maybe 35'000+ Years?

Regarding HOW the Space Jockey/Chair can look different and Degraded?  If they are Organic to a Degree, they have a like Dolphin/Shark Texture/Feel like Rubber, which would feel like how a Cactus is.

Maybe they are more like a Cactus as far as Organic, and so the Image above shows what a LIVE and DEAD one look like (Cactus) and thats about the BEST Explanation i can come up with.

HR Giger did Suggest the Derelict is maybe Grown and like a Plant.... so maybe thats NOT a Bad Explanation i have given?

Certainly help Support a Organic Suit and Chair, that can Fuse with Mechanical Components.  Everyone else is Entitled to their own Opinion on the Matter though ;)

If for a moment you consider what i have put... we still have to explain WHAT could cause the Decay of the Suit/Chair... what Event could cause that? What Environment.

Because without trying to Figure that out, the Most Logical Explanation is they have been on LV-223 for a LONG TIME, and those Dead Engineer Suits that have been on LV-223 for over 2000 years are NO-WHERE near showing us the Same signs of Degradation.

If this means we can ASSUME the Derelict has been on LV-223 for Many Tens of Thousands of Years or FAR longer... then this does OFFER a potential Twist to LV-223 where we could be lead to Speculate the Derelict was there before that Outpost or that the Eggs were taken from the Derelict to Experiment on within those Complexes.

However... thats NOT the case with the New Direction, but then HOW would they explain the Degradation of the Space Jockey and Chair, never mind the Size Difference?

Certainly they would have a HARD time Convincing us the Derelict has only been there for up to 17.5 years.

I would think its likely that David more than likely would have became a Antagonist if we got a Prometheus 2 i think that there would have been something that would have made his Wires Crossed, be it the Engineers saw him as Worthless and Admired Dr Shaw so he becomes Rejected/Insignificant again, and Jelous.

Certainly he would still want to become the God/King and use the Engineers Technology for his own Gain!

To be fair with a Sequel and its maybe WHY they had such a HARD TIME in getting a Story...  Its how do they explore a Paradise... if David and Dr Shaw land and leave the Comfort/Protection of the Ship?

Its the Number of Engineers, what they Knew about our Creation and then our Intended Destruction and how they would React with Dr Shaw and David regardless that makes for a Story thats more TRICKY to get Right.  But not Impossible to come up with something. (just it could go MANY ways and its then Which Idea to Settle on) this is WHY i abandoned my Prometheus 3 idea (Prometheus 2 was set mainly in our Solar System with NO Engineers etc).

So ALL a second Movie that went to LV-223 would have done was to FIX some of the Things and give some Fans a Prequel with more Answers and Monsters than Prometheus gave... in effect a bit of a Alien Engineers like Flick... but based from a Recovery/Investigation Mission.

So giving Fans this KIND of Movie which would be a Prequel to ALIEN but in NO-WAY is a Prequel to the Space Jockey Event... we just get more Clues/Answers,  then this SHOULD please the fans a bit who was Disappointed with Prometheus and NOT interested in David and Dr Shaw wanting to meet more Engineers for Answers in a Franchise that would STEER AWAY from Alien and the Xenomorph.

So those Fans get their FIX and more Answers..

Then a Direct Prometheus Sequel that follows David and Dr Shaw could have been made to explore something else... a Engineers/Space Jockey Spin off Franchise that has NOTHING to do with ALIEN.

In Hindsight going for TWO movies as Such...

Would have KEPT the Space Jockey Event as Ancient, maybe could have kept it a bit of Mystery or certainly drives us down a certain Path of Speculation.  Also could have gave more Clues or Full Answers to the Xenomorph and its Ancient Connection to LV-223 and also at LEAST gave Fans some similar MONSTERS on the Attack.

We THUS would not have ended up with Alien Covenant! 

We would also had seen more of Dr Shaw and the Engineers and opened up a Endless Potential to where to go NEXT!

What of the Conflict with the Franchise?

As i mentioned a while back on in the TOPIC, who is to say the Place that David and Dr Shaw would go would be WITHIN the Reach of Earths Ships?

Who is to say that they DONT arrive until after the Events of ALIENS or even Alien Resurrection?

Why they could even had gone to ANOTHER Galaxy for Answers.

But Alas it seems the Writers or those who GIVE the YES/NO could not think about such things..

To be honest, to me, the Space Jockey looks just as it did to Dallas (and others): like a fossil which has been dead a long time (even if a petrified or desiccated skeleton might be more correct).

I wonder, those of you who are in favour of a suit and a mask which are organic in nature, do you see them as part of a living, organic ship (the Derelict). If the ship is grown (like a vegetable) and like a living organism, the suit and mask are as well?

Why then do the suit and mask look dead (yellowish) and merged with the dead body inside (so you can't tell them apart)?

The cockpit and the rest of the ship has a more bluish tone, more humid and looks more "alive".

The Space Jockey was referred to as the PILOT, that certainly was its JOB , what Prometheus had indicated to us (IF we assume the Space Jockey and Engineers have same Function) is that Prometheus showed us that the Engineers use their Suits for MORE than just a Pilot Suit.  They did-not need them on the Surface of LV-223, the  Complex on LV-223 and Juggernaught had a Enviroment that could Support Life, well breathable to Humans.

So the Suit being NEEDED to Breath seems Unlikely, unless to Conserve Resources ONCE they set a Destination the Turn-Off their Life-Support and so use the Suit to Breath?

The other use we see in Prometheus is some kind of Bio-Hazzard Suit, maybe to Protect them from their Bio-Weapons, but Certainly so they DONT effect their Bio-Weapons/Experiments.

I can see the Point your trying to Raise with David... its actually a Very Good Point... something thats Obviously a Plot Convenience

David does-not Breath so he would NOT need a Suit.

We dont see him getting into any Suit... could it connect to a Synthetic?

We see the Space Jockey Suit (Pilot Chair one) connects the Pilot to the Chair, for some Purpose.

Now the ALIEN Prop differs a little as far as HOW the Head/Helmet is attached to the Chair, the Concept does show what is the Space Jockey Head Connected, but we dont get to see this as clear (lack Wires etc) in ALIEN.  It looks connected via the Arms in both though.

In Prometheus we got the Revelation that the Helmet is Permanently Connected/Fused with the Chair and it encases around the Pilot.

The point i am trying to raise is WHAT is the purpose of this Connection, does it connect to the Pilots Brain, does it Function as some kind of Life Support System?

The End of Prometheus, more so The Crossing would indicate the Ship can be Controlled without maybe having to be Connected to the Chair....

If the Suit Provides some Electrical Connection a Mind/Data Transfer-link to the Pilot, then HOW does this work with a Synthetic?  Can a Suit Connect and Interact with a Synthetic as it does a Engineer?

Does it merely provide Life Support which David would NOT need and so he simply would-not need to use the Suit?

We can only Speculate..

Prometheus also introduces us to the Engineer Ships having more than a Pilot, it could be the Pilot Chair is needed to get the Ship Up. and then they go into Cryo-sleep..... but how does David do this in TWO Parts? (Head/Body)

The Derelict is NOT exactly the same though, it lacks any signs of other Crew and Cryo-Pods but they could be located in other places on that Model of Ship.

some Speculated that as of ALIEN the Pilot is Permanently Fused with the Chair this is the Impression that some had, which included James Cameron..  However HOW would the Pilot had got Infected?  The only way if they was Fused with the Chair for Life would be a Face Hugger made it to the Pilot Room, but how did it then Infect the Pilot? (Easy if this is a Skeleton) but thats not the case.

This does-not matter as the idea is that the PILOT can Leave the Chair and they merely become Fused with it when they Sit/Activate it... but can Disconnect/Leave the Chair.

So its likely that either David could connect to the Suit, or that the Suits connection to the Chair is NOT required for the Control of the Ship but for other Purposes.

BigDave

A return to LV-223 after Prometheus might have done the trick. But if, in the next film, we follow David and Shaw, wouldn't the problems be the same? Wouldn't David develop to a vengeful demon anyway?

MonsterZero

As I see it, Ash followed Special Order 937, that is, he did what the company wanted. Had he been on LV-223 (before he becomes the science officer on the Nostromo), the company would already have the pathogen and they probably wouldn't need to search for the xenomorph.

So what is the Space Jockeys 'job'?

It's not the pilot(David was able to fly a Juggernaut)..

What is canon?

Now you're talking.

"There is a way out: the Space Jockey is not an Engineer"

And TIP of the Ice Berg!

Certainly ;)

I think that is a way to FIX things, the Space Jockey as a 13-16ft Species who are either Bio-Mechanical in Nature like how the Xenomorph appears and Sil from Species.

Or a Not-So Human looking Species under the Suit, we could even have a None Human Bio-Mechanical Species under the Suit.

Certainly we could Reveal that this Species had either Created the Engineers for a Purpose, they maybe Rebelled and Continued to use the Technology the Space Jockey Race had Created/Engineered for the Engineers to use.

Or the Engineers encountered the Space Jockey and had Stolen/Reverse Engineered their Technology.

So i think we need another LAYER to that Cake, and one which gets back to being more ALIENY and HP Lovecraftian.

HR Giger has a Wealth of Art that could be Influence for for a New Species.