To be honest, I agree- I also think time travel is not fitting into the Alien Universe. And yet- you could still do something interesting if you create an alternate route, without retconning. I mean sure it worked with Godzilla but I really would like for it to all fit together. I don't wanna lose the joy of watching the films in one go. I don't wanna switch realities in my head.
So how about the idea that, Ripley existed before Alien 1? Like she is actually a product of the engineers.Now- after the Escape Pod from the Sulaco hits Fury 161, the engineers put another one in!
Along with replacements of Newt and Hicks. Just two see how an alternate scenario would play out. They compare what happens with Ripley on Fury- and in the Alien 5 scenario. They survey both and compare. Studiying humans and their interaction with the Aliens.
Hehe look- anybody knows where I can publish Alien Fan Fiction? Is there a site where people actually read this stuff? I would love to write one
For the Canon question- I don't think there are any contradictions at this point.
If I watch Predator 1&2, then Predators, then AvP 1&2, then Prometheus, Alien, then I will listen too the audio book from Out of the Shadows- play Alien Isolation, read River of Pain, watch Aliens, read Fire and Stone Aliens, Prometheus, AvP, Predator in that order, play AvP on PS3 (even though not Canon), watch Alien 3, Alien 4 and then read Sea of Sorrows, before going into the Rage Wars- oh boy- perfect Holiday Season. Alien Covenant, The Predator and Alien 5- the have to fit in there neatly somehow.
I mean I am reading Alien Omnibus right now- and I can switch realities in my mind. Its a good read- but at this point, its more like a filler until the next Rage Wars releases. I just don't want Alien 5 to feel the same way.