Dean

"Dean really only has two functions: identify and destroy the alien creatures."

―Caspar Nordling on Dean (from Aliens: Stronghold)

Dean was a specialized Combat android designed for the primary purpose of eliminating Xenomorphs.

A monstrous android of gargantuan size, Dean served as a security synthetic on doctor Caspar Nordling's research facility, and would regularly be sent to deal with potential Xenomorph outbreaks, pacifying the creatures with extreme prejudice.

Dean ultimately assisted fellow synthetic Jeri in holding off a large Xenomorph horde, helping supply runners Philip and Joy Strunk escape from the facility.

Characteristics and Equipment[]

"I don't understand Dr. Nordling. How is Dean specialized? Is it his programming? What I mean is, can't any of your androids wear that contraption?"
"Mrs Strunk, Dean is not inside that "contraption", as you put it. Dean is that contraption."

―Joy Strunk and Caspar Nordling on Dean (from Aliens: Stronghold)

Being roughly ten feet tall and rivalling the size of a Queen, Dean was a behemoth of a synthetic, and was unique among other combat models, in that his purpose of creation was to specifically kill Xenomorphs, with all other functions secondary.

For this task he possessed a three-tonne titanium exoskeleton laced with a Neutra-Gel exterior, making him near-indestructible to damage and impervious to Xenomorph blood. He was primarily armed with a specialized heavy plasma-rifle and a built-in Flamethrower in his right arm, though Nordling also makes mention of thermite grenades and "a few other things".^[1]

Biography[]

Quelling an Outbreak[]

ASDean — Dean pacifying a snafu within the hive.

After security auditors Philip and Joy Strunk arrived at Doctor Nordling's research facility on a supply-run, Dean was called in to quell a potential Xenomorph outbreak within the facility's Hive. Nordling showed the two the combat android going to work - he swiftly slaughtered the creatures in little time. Nordling enjoyed teasing his synthetic subordinate, Jeri, specifically sending him into the hive on errands, only for him to desperately identify himself to Dean before his was killed by the latter; Dean's only means of identifying Jeri was through speech, resulting in several close encounters that would leave Jeri at the butt-end of Dean's plasma rifle.

ASDean3 — Dean holding Jeri against the wall.

Nordling went on to drug the Strunks, intending to harvest them. However, Jeri saved the two. After the Strunks and Jeri infiltrated Nordling's office to access their ship, Dean crashed into his office and held Jeri at gunpoint against the wall, whilst Nordling entered and pointed a handgun at the Strunks. Dean released Jeri after the latter identified himself to him. After Jeri and the Strunks realized that Dean was not under Nordling's control, Nordling subsequently retreated.

Last Stand against the Xenos[]

ASJeriandDean — Dean, Jeri and the synthetics hold out against the Xenomorph horde.

Nordling's synthetic staff joined the Strunks in opposing the doctor, and they began destroying the facility. Nordling, in a fit of rage, ended up overriding security measures and opened the entrance hatch to the hive, causing hundreds of Xenos to flood out. The Strunks and synthetics were suddenly rushed by a wave of Xenomorphs. The group held out valiantly in a brutal firefight, but were ultimately outnumbered. Just before they were wholly overwhelmed, Dean crashed through the wall, though he remained inactive until Philip granted him permission to enact his programming within the given environment. Dean subsequently joined the slaughter, giving the survivors a significant edge against the horde.

Eventually, the synthetics bought the Strunks enough time to board their ship and escape, despite Joy's objection of leaving Jeri and the others behind.

Dean's ultimate fate is unknown; though he could have successfully quelled the outbreak alongside the other synthetics, it is equally possible that he and the androids were eventually overwhelmed and destroyed.

Personality and Traits[]

"You know, Dean, I'm almost convinced you derive a perverse pleasure out of stalking me."
"Per...verse. Perverse?"
"That's right. Perverse. Ask Dr Nordling to explain it to you."

―Jeri and Dean after a typical close encounter (from Aliens: Stronghold)

Having little programming beyond eliminating Xenomorphs, Dean seemingly possessed far less intelligence to that of his other synthetic peers, being only capable of limited thought.

Dean's relationship with Jeri was largely one-sided, and Jeri was incredibly cautious around Dean, as his Xenomorph appearance led Dean to continuously mistake Jeri for a real Alien - only when Jeri would frantically identify himself to his lumbering comrade would Dean back down.