Metroid: In Command
By Chris Walden
Okay, so it's been over a year and a half since I got my act together on writing another Metroid fiction. It seems I've written dozens of introductions like this one on incomplete stories, and I still have hopes of completing this ongoing adventure. I'm reading 'The Kihunters' for source of humor and writing style, since I lost a lot of my old style. It seems fans likes Ridley as a bad guy - so, since you're the readers - Ridley will be a bad guy in this fiction unlike the rest of my attempted stories. All I know about Metroid and written here be credited to John Morey (though he did not write this.)
(I have had inspiration and momentum in writing the first few chapters listening to the Final Fantasy Tactics Soundtrack.)
Hey, I remember the day I asked the Fanfiction.com Webmaster to start a Metroid section. Look at it now! So many talented fanfiction writers have propelled the number of stories to over 20! We're well on our way, and everyone should know that I'll be another one of those many writers that will continually back Metroid up. Kudos to Metroid Prime BABY!!!
Introduction
The Galactic Federation library has only until recently been taking into account the recent events concerning the exploits of the bounty hunter Samus Aran and Armstrong Houston. The two and a half years after the destruction of Zebes has been action packed, and stories of Samus' adventures are numerous around the public of the Federation. Ridley has not been seen on the big stage for a long while - while the Federation assures Samus he must surely be dead, the thought still itches at her memory. Armstrong Houston, still is as aware of his relation to Samus as she of his, works with the Federation a little more wary of the regulations and constrictions of policy. Samus has since ignored such restrictions, and no one can complain: Samus has caught dozens of rogue space pirates and evil masterminds unnamed yet to the Federation, so long as the criminal activity keeps to a minimum. Note that space pirates might still have operations yet that Samus has not been leaked information of. The head of the Federation operations is Chairman Keaton, a short alien with pale greenish skin and always wearing a brown hooded robe like some ET friar tuck. (Sound familiar?) Samus never really got along well with the chairman, and avoided getting into the messy politics. Houston fared badly as well. The chairman, as in most cases, is the cause of the majority of the political controversy and distrust of Samus Aran, ending in the obstruction of her work. Of course, this is before she kicks the door down herself and ignores Keaton's attempts to detain her. On the other hand, the Chief Deputy of the Federation (now on a much lower level than Keaton) is a rather large human named Hardy. Hardy is a pleased eater, and sneaks in sandwiches and food into his office whenever his officers aren't looking. As rotund as he is in comparison to the sturdy adventurers, Hardy uses a laser pistol as well as a fork. Several times Hardy has been the Federation's underdog, while not being more than ten feet from his office station, he has done Samus's job at home without her help. Though this is only once or twice, Hardy has saved Keaton's life a few times. Otherwise, everyone knows he eats a lot, but still respect him for the respect he gives in return. Samus and Houston get along well with Hardy.
Ah yes, the final chapter of the prologue - the space pirates. Well, can you guess who might just pop up again in this episode? He has survived Zebes twic- err, once, and a master of Samus reactions and moves. After all, he and Samus have been true rivals since the day she started ruining his life of crime and murder. But, after all, it's all in a day's work. And today is no exception. Care to join me for a small glimpse?
Chapter 1: Petty Theft
It was a simple day (EST) on the Federation space station Alpha Centauri, where the outpost was serving as a traffic and security station to the solar system. Federation troops patrolled lightly around the corridors and civilians both residential and business hurried from platform to platform in their daily bustle. Though in the middle of it all, something didn't seem right to someone in the crowd. In the business district of the station, far from the rough docking bays of the exterior areas, the Galactic Federation Bank was full of traffic, both of people and money. To Brevey Kolt, a security guard well acquainted with the clerks, today seemed off. Maybe it was his coffee.Brevey couldn't figure out what was wrong with the situation in front of him. The lobby was loud of announcements and people shouting to one another, but guards like him had little work to do. Not that there was ever any work to do, but what else does a security guard do without people to arrest? "Brevey? 'You all right or something? You look like a glomian blorff trampled over you all week (and twice on Sunday!)" Brevey blinked hard and turned to see another patrolling security guard smiling oddly at him. "Probably, Rocko. I just don't feel right today - something's off." The larger and shorter security guard Rocko only smiled a toothy grin at Brevey. "Brave, you're just being anxious. We haven't had action in here since last year. And that was the space pirate raid. Why don't you get some coffee?" Come to think of it, Brevey didn't have any coffee, so what was he complaining about before? Brevey shrugged, "Okay, you're probably right, Rocko. I'm going for a coffee - want one too?" Rocko smiled and waved Brevey off as he continued his patrol, shouting back for Brevey to hear. "Sure! Just get me two frappachinos, three bear claws and a -"
The entire bank and surrounding business district exploded in a giant fireball, sending security guards and shrapnel flying through the air. People were screaming, and Brevey watched in frozen horror as the events folded out in front of him. Soldiers armed to the teeth and wearing black heavy space armor poured in through the gaping maw in the wall linking the bank to the docking bay. Alarms were going off and the lights all turned red. Brevey could not draw his gun as he saw Rocko set mowed down by suppressive laser fire from the black-clad soldiers. They were wearing black helmets and visors too, and easily slipped through to the bank vault. They had made it past the front line of defense, but Brevey was the only security guard there. "WARNING! ENEMY FORCES HAVE BREACHED THE PERIMETER! REPEAT -" Before the intercom could shout another warning, it went dead with crackling and the rest of the wall on the same side of the station went up in another explosion. Brevey was just out of the shrapnel's range. Then the reinforcements arrived. Federation trooped armed and armored just as well poured in from the docking bays and formed firefights with the terrorist soldiers. Brevey was frozen to the wall between the two battle lines, and no one bothered to fire at the hapless guard. Breaking the sound of continuous blaster fire, was a primal and deafening roar that Brevey hoped never to hear again. A stream of fire washed over the Federation lines and left the troops rolling and sprawling on the ground on fire. Federation laser batteries were impaled by a huge spear-like appendage. A monstrous and infamous form of a dragon descended into the quieting fray in front of the black-armored terrorists. "I never like loudspeakers anyway. Let's get the stuff and get out of here before she comes!" The dragon roared orders to his armored cronies and they infiltrated the empty bank, clearly looking for something not cash-wise. One of the armored soldiers with a red shoulder guard called out to the dragon. "Here, sir! We have it!" Brevey could not tell what the terrorists had found, but suspected it was important if they had to go through all this just to get that and that only. The dragon laughed with a biting cackle and waved the trooped back to the breach. "Right then! Fall back to the ship! On the DOUBLE!!!" And as the armored troops rushed back through the breach, covering each other on their way out, the dragon cocked an eye at Brevey. Brevey was struck with deathly fear and almost stopped breathing. The dragon grinned an evil grin and winked at Brevey, and followed the last of his troops through the hole in the wall. Moments after he got out of site, a final smoky explosion covered their exit and they were gone. Brevey could only hear the eerie silence of the Federation troops screaming for help or reinforcements, and the fires burning throughout the business platform. Brevey did the only thing he could think of - he turned around and picked up an emergency phone line and screamed into it, "HEEEEEELP!!!!"
* * * * *
Authorities and a division of Federation troops arrived within the hour to take care of the wounded troops and investigate the scene. Some detectives were questioning Brevey incredulously while the Federation Officers entered the smoldering platform. Chairman Keaton was right behind Chief Deputy Hardy. Seconds after them were the famous bounty hunters, Samus Aran and Armstrong Houston. Samus was wearing a gray jumpsuit, armed only with a blaster at her side. Houston was wearing his formal Federation uniform, and had a similar firearm. Keaton and Hardy looked as they always did. Keaton was in front and was met by a Federation detective. "Officer! What the hell happened here?" The detective saluted and gave a formal response. "Chairman! Based on our witnesses and troops, a well-organized attack was made on the Galactic Federation Bank." Keaton was already in his wise-up mood. "Tell me something I don't know, officer." Samus and Houston departed from the political jabber to speak to some of the recovering wounded. Hardy remained with Keaton and overheard only a little of the report. "The troops were reported to be highly equipped, armed with what seem to be medium repeating laser rifles, and armored with suits unknown to our technology division. No enemies are reported to have had casualties." Keaton was growing more and more furious and Samus decided to be a bit more personal and polite to the investigators further away from Keaton. A Federation doctor was attending one of the less seriously wounded soldiers. Samus let the soldier get his bearings before speaking to him. "You saw what happened right?" Samus was serious but quiet and that earned her a response. "Yes, madam. What do you want? I already told Keaton-" Samus waved him off. "How'd you guys get these burns?" Samus thought she knew the answer already but almost didn't want to hear it. "A giant red dragon attacked us from above, spewing flames all over us." Great, it was as Samus dreaded. Ridley was back.
Chapter 2: Wrath of Chairmen and Dragons
Far from the Federation outpost swarming with authorities, a heavy space cruiser barreled its way further and further into the outer rim of Federation space (which wasn't very far.) Ridley was as pleased as punch with the maneuver he pulled off. Not only did he recruit the finest band of space pirates since the days of Mother Brain, but he also stole the Galactic Federation's weapons development plans intended on being shipped to Earth. Too bad he got there first. To top it all off, he didn't have to deal with that meddlesome bounty huntress, Samus Aran. Life couldn't get any better. Now to find out what these weapons development plans are. Ridley leapt off of his command chair and almost flattened one of the nearby armored guards. "Commander! Have we figured out what the Feds were working on?" The armored soldier only nodded, his black visor hiding his expression. "Affirmative sir, our engineers have decoded the files and are awaiting your personal inspection." Ridley noted the word awaiting. Ridley grabbed the man by the throat and lifted him off the ground a few feet. "Waiting?! How long has it been since they were ready? Why didn't you tell me?!" The guard struggled under the pressure, but let out an unusually clear response, though concern for his own well-being. "Sir.it has been fifteen minutes since, and if you hadn't jumped on me on my way to tell you that, you might have been in a better mood." Ridley scowled at the insubordination, but dropped the guard to the ground. The man quickly got back to his feet, still not taking off the visor. (And no, he's not a main character.) Ridley cackled at the guard's loyalty. "So be it then! Tell those nerds I'll be down to see their progress in two minutes!" The guard nodded and sprinted to the comm. Station, where Ridley would see that he was doubling his efforts to please Ridley as quickly as possible. Too bad he can't be promoted any higher. Thought Ridley, and he stepped into the enlarged turbolift and made ready his early arrival. After all, he needed to make sure his engineers weren't as lazy as his first officer. A little surprise inspection wouldn't hurt. All (thank god), without the surprise parties with Samus Aran. Too bad she couldn't find him. He'd be found when he was ready to be found. (As Always.)
* * * * *
"You think what?!" Keaton was irritated beyond belief (though he was rather edgy) and Samus knew that this was the best she'd get out of Keaton in the mood he was in. "Chairman, I believe strongly that Ridley is alive and well, and was behind this attack on the Federation." Keaton didn't change his expression. "What happened back on Zebes, then? You stated in your report that you killed him yourself!" Samus made her alter ego roll her eyes where Keaton was watching, and sighed. "He has the cunning ability to regenerate when near-death and escaping.well, escaping self-destructing terrains. He's an expert of survival and manipulation. I request to have my ship back to hunt him down." Keaton didn't even consider. "Nonsense! This cannot be the doing of that long gone space pirate. Whoever it is, the Galactic Federation Navy and Inspection Agency will track him down and bring him to justice. We already have a lead." This time, it was Samus's turn to be incredulous. "Who could you possibly claim to have a match with a giant dragon and flame throwing effects?" Keaton looked at Samus like she was a civilian (without an assignment, officially she was.) "The information you extracted from the soldiers is not credible. As for our lead, is a rogue robotics corps just out of the reach of the nightmarish paperwork we put to snare stray companies." Samus knew what was coming. "AlphaTech? They have nothing to do with this! They're not even equipped to assault and urban militia!" Keaton wasn't enjoying Samus's presence, and decided to squash it some more. "Silence! Another outburst like that out of you will send you to police work on Saturn! The troops invading the bank earlier today were equipped with a suspected robotic technology. One Federation officer reported to have seen one take a direct laser cannon hit and keep firing like nothing had happened. AlphaTech's prototype AIs have superior armor to that of any personal firepower." Samus couldn't believe Keaton wasn't taking in all the facts. "What is it with you, Keaton? You can trust the officers and political adversaries, but when it comes to the individual fighting soldier, you lose faith in them completely! I'd like to see you show half the bravery they show every day!" Keaton was ready to explode. "That's enough! Samus Aran - you are dismissed from your post! I won't have any more of your insubordination!" Samus shot up from her seat in front of Keaton's desk. Keaton flinched back as if afraid of Samus slugging him. "All words, Tonberry boy! You can have Ridley to yourself, without my or Houston's help!" Before Keaton could call security, Samus already stormed out of his office and slammed the door behind her, shattering the glass. Samus was already fuming from her debate with Keaton, and thought angrily to herself. Forget this, since when did a bounty hunter take orders from the law? I should let Houston know our new orders.to find and destroy Ridley once and for all!
Okay, so it's been over a year and a half since I got my act together on writing another Metroid fiction. It seems I've written dozens of introductions like this one on incomplete stories, and I still have hopes of completing this ongoing adventure. I'm reading 'The Kihunters' for source of humor and writing style, since I lost a lot of my old style. It seems fans likes Ridley as a bad guy - so, since you're the readers - Ridley will be a bad guy in this fiction unlike the rest of my attempted stories. All I know about Metroid and written here be credited to John Morey (though he did not write this.)
(I have had inspiration and momentum in writing the first few chapters listening to the Final Fantasy Tactics Soundtrack.)
Hey, I remember the day I asked the Fanfiction.com Webmaster to start a Metroid section. Look at it now! So many talented fanfiction writers have propelled the number of stories to over 20! We're well on our way, and everyone should know that I'll be another one of those many writers that will continually back Metroid up. Kudos to Metroid Prime BABY!!!
Introduction
The Galactic Federation library has only until recently been taking into account the recent events concerning the exploits of the bounty hunter Samus Aran and Armstrong Houston. The two and a half years after the destruction of Zebes has been action packed, and stories of Samus' adventures are numerous around the public of the Federation. Ridley has not been seen on the big stage for a long while - while the Federation assures Samus he must surely be dead, the thought still itches at her memory. Armstrong Houston, still is as aware of his relation to Samus as she of his, works with the Federation a little more wary of the regulations and constrictions of policy. Samus has since ignored such restrictions, and no one can complain: Samus has caught dozens of rogue space pirates and evil masterminds unnamed yet to the Federation, so long as the criminal activity keeps to a minimum. Note that space pirates might still have operations yet that Samus has not been leaked information of. The head of the Federation operations is Chairman Keaton, a short alien with pale greenish skin and always wearing a brown hooded robe like some ET friar tuck. (Sound familiar?) Samus never really got along well with the chairman, and avoided getting into the messy politics. Houston fared badly as well. The chairman, as in most cases, is the cause of the majority of the political controversy and distrust of Samus Aran, ending in the obstruction of her work. Of course, this is before she kicks the door down herself and ignores Keaton's attempts to detain her. On the other hand, the Chief Deputy of the Federation (now on a much lower level than Keaton) is a rather large human named Hardy. Hardy is a pleased eater, and sneaks in sandwiches and food into his office whenever his officers aren't looking. As rotund as he is in comparison to the sturdy adventurers, Hardy uses a laser pistol as well as a fork. Several times Hardy has been the Federation's underdog, while not being more than ten feet from his office station, he has done Samus's job at home without her help. Though this is only once or twice, Hardy has saved Keaton's life a few times. Otherwise, everyone knows he eats a lot, but still respect him for the respect he gives in return. Samus and Houston get along well with Hardy.
Ah yes, the final chapter of the prologue - the space pirates. Well, can you guess who might just pop up again in this episode? He has survived Zebes twic- err, once, and a master of Samus reactions and moves. After all, he and Samus have been true rivals since the day she started ruining his life of crime and murder. But, after all, it's all in a day's work. And today is no exception. Care to join me for a small glimpse?
Chapter 1: Petty Theft
It was a simple day (EST) on the Federation space station Alpha Centauri, where the outpost was serving as a traffic and security station to the solar system. Federation troops patrolled lightly around the corridors and civilians both residential and business hurried from platform to platform in their daily bustle. Though in the middle of it all, something didn't seem right to someone in the crowd. In the business district of the station, far from the rough docking bays of the exterior areas, the Galactic Federation Bank was full of traffic, both of people and money. To Brevey Kolt, a security guard well acquainted with the clerks, today seemed off. Maybe it was his coffee.Brevey couldn't figure out what was wrong with the situation in front of him. The lobby was loud of announcements and people shouting to one another, but guards like him had little work to do. Not that there was ever any work to do, but what else does a security guard do without people to arrest? "Brevey? 'You all right or something? You look like a glomian blorff trampled over you all week (and twice on Sunday!)" Brevey blinked hard and turned to see another patrolling security guard smiling oddly at him. "Probably, Rocko. I just don't feel right today - something's off." The larger and shorter security guard Rocko only smiled a toothy grin at Brevey. "Brave, you're just being anxious. We haven't had action in here since last year. And that was the space pirate raid. Why don't you get some coffee?" Come to think of it, Brevey didn't have any coffee, so what was he complaining about before? Brevey shrugged, "Okay, you're probably right, Rocko. I'm going for a coffee - want one too?" Rocko smiled and waved Brevey off as he continued his patrol, shouting back for Brevey to hear. "Sure! Just get me two frappachinos, three bear claws and a -"
The entire bank and surrounding business district exploded in a giant fireball, sending security guards and shrapnel flying through the air. People were screaming, and Brevey watched in frozen horror as the events folded out in front of him. Soldiers armed to the teeth and wearing black heavy space armor poured in through the gaping maw in the wall linking the bank to the docking bay. Alarms were going off and the lights all turned red. Brevey could not draw his gun as he saw Rocko set mowed down by suppressive laser fire from the black-clad soldiers. They were wearing black helmets and visors too, and easily slipped through to the bank vault. They had made it past the front line of defense, but Brevey was the only security guard there. "WARNING! ENEMY FORCES HAVE BREACHED THE PERIMETER! REPEAT -" Before the intercom could shout another warning, it went dead with crackling and the rest of the wall on the same side of the station went up in another explosion. Brevey was just out of the shrapnel's range. Then the reinforcements arrived. Federation trooped armed and armored just as well poured in from the docking bays and formed firefights with the terrorist soldiers. Brevey was frozen to the wall between the two battle lines, and no one bothered to fire at the hapless guard. Breaking the sound of continuous blaster fire, was a primal and deafening roar that Brevey hoped never to hear again. A stream of fire washed over the Federation lines and left the troops rolling and sprawling on the ground on fire. Federation laser batteries were impaled by a huge spear-like appendage. A monstrous and infamous form of a dragon descended into the quieting fray in front of the black-armored terrorists. "I never like loudspeakers anyway. Let's get the stuff and get out of here before she comes!" The dragon roared orders to his armored cronies and they infiltrated the empty bank, clearly looking for something not cash-wise. One of the armored soldiers with a red shoulder guard called out to the dragon. "Here, sir! We have it!" Brevey could not tell what the terrorists had found, but suspected it was important if they had to go through all this just to get that and that only. The dragon laughed with a biting cackle and waved the trooped back to the breach. "Right then! Fall back to the ship! On the DOUBLE!!!" And as the armored troops rushed back through the breach, covering each other on their way out, the dragon cocked an eye at Brevey. Brevey was struck with deathly fear and almost stopped breathing. The dragon grinned an evil grin and winked at Brevey, and followed the last of his troops through the hole in the wall. Moments after he got out of site, a final smoky explosion covered their exit and they were gone. Brevey could only hear the eerie silence of the Federation troops screaming for help or reinforcements, and the fires burning throughout the business platform. Brevey did the only thing he could think of - he turned around and picked up an emergency phone line and screamed into it, "HEEEEEELP!!!!"
* * * * *
Authorities and a division of Federation troops arrived within the hour to take care of the wounded troops and investigate the scene. Some detectives were questioning Brevey incredulously while the Federation Officers entered the smoldering platform. Chairman Keaton was right behind Chief Deputy Hardy. Seconds after them were the famous bounty hunters, Samus Aran and Armstrong Houston. Samus was wearing a gray jumpsuit, armed only with a blaster at her side. Houston was wearing his formal Federation uniform, and had a similar firearm. Keaton and Hardy looked as they always did. Keaton was in front and was met by a Federation detective. "Officer! What the hell happened here?" The detective saluted and gave a formal response. "Chairman! Based on our witnesses and troops, a well-organized attack was made on the Galactic Federation Bank." Keaton was already in his wise-up mood. "Tell me something I don't know, officer." Samus and Houston departed from the political jabber to speak to some of the recovering wounded. Hardy remained with Keaton and overheard only a little of the report. "The troops were reported to be highly equipped, armed with what seem to be medium repeating laser rifles, and armored with suits unknown to our technology division. No enemies are reported to have had casualties." Keaton was growing more and more furious and Samus decided to be a bit more personal and polite to the investigators further away from Keaton. A Federation doctor was attending one of the less seriously wounded soldiers. Samus let the soldier get his bearings before speaking to him. "You saw what happened right?" Samus was serious but quiet and that earned her a response. "Yes, madam. What do you want? I already told Keaton-" Samus waved him off. "How'd you guys get these burns?" Samus thought she knew the answer already but almost didn't want to hear it. "A giant red dragon attacked us from above, spewing flames all over us." Great, it was as Samus dreaded. Ridley was back.
Chapter 2: Wrath of Chairmen and Dragons
Far from the Federation outpost swarming with authorities, a heavy space cruiser barreled its way further and further into the outer rim of Federation space (which wasn't very far.) Ridley was as pleased as punch with the maneuver he pulled off. Not only did he recruit the finest band of space pirates since the days of Mother Brain, but he also stole the Galactic Federation's weapons development plans intended on being shipped to Earth. Too bad he got there first. To top it all off, he didn't have to deal with that meddlesome bounty huntress, Samus Aran. Life couldn't get any better. Now to find out what these weapons development plans are. Ridley leapt off of his command chair and almost flattened one of the nearby armored guards. "Commander! Have we figured out what the Feds were working on?" The armored soldier only nodded, his black visor hiding his expression. "Affirmative sir, our engineers have decoded the files and are awaiting your personal inspection." Ridley noted the word awaiting. Ridley grabbed the man by the throat and lifted him off the ground a few feet. "Waiting?! How long has it been since they were ready? Why didn't you tell me?!" The guard struggled under the pressure, but let out an unusually clear response, though concern for his own well-being. "Sir.it has been fifteen minutes since, and if you hadn't jumped on me on my way to tell you that, you might have been in a better mood." Ridley scowled at the insubordination, but dropped the guard to the ground. The man quickly got back to his feet, still not taking off the visor. (And no, he's not a main character.) Ridley cackled at the guard's loyalty. "So be it then! Tell those nerds I'll be down to see their progress in two minutes!" The guard nodded and sprinted to the comm. Station, where Ridley would see that he was doubling his efforts to please Ridley as quickly as possible. Too bad he can't be promoted any higher. Thought Ridley, and he stepped into the enlarged turbolift and made ready his early arrival. After all, he needed to make sure his engineers weren't as lazy as his first officer. A little surprise inspection wouldn't hurt. All (thank god), without the surprise parties with Samus Aran. Too bad she couldn't find him. He'd be found when he was ready to be found. (As Always.)
* * * * *
"You think what?!" Keaton was irritated beyond belief (though he was rather edgy) and Samus knew that this was the best she'd get out of Keaton in the mood he was in. "Chairman, I believe strongly that Ridley is alive and well, and was behind this attack on the Federation." Keaton didn't change his expression. "What happened back on Zebes, then? You stated in your report that you killed him yourself!" Samus made her alter ego roll her eyes where Keaton was watching, and sighed. "He has the cunning ability to regenerate when near-death and escaping.well, escaping self-destructing terrains. He's an expert of survival and manipulation. I request to have my ship back to hunt him down." Keaton didn't even consider. "Nonsense! This cannot be the doing of that long gone space pirate. Whoever it is, the Galactic Federation Navy and Inspection Agency will track him down and bring him to justice. We already have a lead." This time, it was Samus's turn to be incredulous. "Who could you possibly claim to have a match with a giant dragon and flame throwing effects?" Keaton looked at Samus like she was a civilian (without an assignment, officially she was.) "The information you extracted from the soldiers is not credible. As for our lead, is a rogue robotics corps just out of the reach of the nightmarish paperwork we put to snare stray companies." Samus knew what was coming. "AlphaTech? They have nothing to do with this! They're not even equipped to assault and urban militia!" Keaton wasn't enjoying Samus's presence, and decided to squash it some more. "Silence! Another outburst like that out of you will send you to police work on Saturn! The troops invading the bank earlier today were equipped with a suspected robotic technology. One Federation officer reported to have seen one take a direct laser cannon hit and keep firing like nothing had happened. AlphaTech's prototype AIs have superior armor to that of any personal firepower." Samus couldn't believe Keaton wasn't taking in all the facts. "What is it with you, Keaton? You can trust the officers and political adversaries, but when it comes to the individual fighting soldier, you lose faith in them completely! I'd like to see you show half the bravery they show every day!" Keaton was ready to explode. "That's enough! Samus Aran - you are dismissed from your post! I won't have any more of your insubordination!" Samus shot up from her seat in front of Keaton's desk. Keaton flinched back as if afraid of Samus slugging him. "All words, Tonberry boy! You can have Ridley to yourself, without my or Houston's help!" Before Keaton could call security, Samus already stormed out of his office and slammed the door behind her, shattering the glass. Samus was already fuming from her debate with Keaton, and thought angrily to herself. Forget this, since when did a bounty hunter take orders from the law? I should let Houston know our new orders.to find and destroy Ridley once and for all!