Hello all! Well, here we are, the next story. As I've said before, I will be writing on for each Halo from 2-4, and eventually 5 when we learn more about it. As usual, please leave a comment to tell me what you think, and favorite and follow if you enjoy what you read. Oh, and be sure to check out the first story if you haven't already!
I do not own Halo or Metroid, and if I did, this all would have happened long ago.
Prologue
Samus Aran was, for lack of a better word, bored. As she observed her dull, grey surroundings, she sighed to herself. The room she was in was tiny, just a square with a table and two chairs. All greys, with a large mirror on one side.
When she had first been thrown in here, she had found it amusing. The room was obviously a kind of interrogation room, used to question troubled individuals and war criminals. And while Samus thought she was neither, she really couldn't blame them in the end.
She thought back to what felt like just a few hours ago. The Arbiter, Johnson, Miranda and herself had just jumped out of slip space only to find a welcoming committee, a small fleet of Human ships waiting for them. They had been boarded, and Samus had been placed under arrest, after a short but heated argument. She had considered simply shooting her way out, but wanted to be on the nice side of the 'new' Human race. The Arbiter had also been arrested, with Johnson and Miranda escorted out as well.
Her ship had been compounded, and they were all now aboard one of the larger ships. She hadn't caught the name, but it seemed like it was some kind of frigate. They had been taken and separated, which was the last Samus saw of any of them. Then, they had chucked her in here, and that had been hours ago.
She looked at the wall length mirror and rolled her eyes, hoping whoever was watching saw it. She knew it was a one way mirror, and when she had first come in, she had been trying to talk to the people on the other side. She had no clue if they heard, and after an hour or so, had just ended up sitting in one of the chairs, occasionally throwing a look of malcontent at the mirror.
She observed her reflection, yet again. She took note of her pale skin, and her vibrant blonde hair. Her eyes were the most striking blue. The face in the mirror looked tired, and annoyed. But even with that look, Samus had to admit to herself she looked pretty good. She had a lean, athletic body, hugged tightly by her Zero Suit.
'Good for my age, anyway' she thought to herself humorously. She yawned and leaned back in the chair, stretching. She had no clue how long she had been in here, and she didn't even have Adam to tell her. They both had decided it would be smarter, and safer, for him to remain in the ship until all this was sorted.
She was getting to the point again where talking to the wall was sounding like a good idea, and was just getting up when the door creaked open, and someone entered the room. Samus froze, narrowing her eyes at the movement. It was the first interesting thing to happen in all this time. Had they finally remembered her? Or was this going to be her execution?
She was surprised to find that rather than a group of questioning scientists, or a firing squad of marines, it was a lone man who entered. He closed the door without looking at her, then walked over and took a seat. They both looked at each other in uncomfortable silence of awhile, Samus still in her frozen standing position.
Then, the man spoke.
"I'm surprised you aren't sitting. You've been through a lot these past few days" he chuckled, settling into his seat. Samus blinked, not sure how to process that. She slowly sat down and replied, remaining cautious and guarded.
"I've had enough rest recently" she muttered, eyes scanning the man over, trying to get a read on him.
He was an older man, with pale skin and no hair. He wore an amused expression, mixed with something akin to military professionalism. He wore a white uniform, adorned with various badges and medals. The fact he was someone high up in the UNSC was clear, but how high up she didn't know. She also had no clue what this would be about. Had it been scientists, she guessed they would ask about her ship, or suit. But he just sat, looking at her.
"I must say, it is an honor to meet one of our ancient ancestors, truly" he said quietly, humor gone. The look in his eye was replaced with admiration.
"Well now, let's not get too carried away. I'm not that old" she said, smiling. Whoever this person was, she liked them already. He chuckled, adjusting his position in his seat. He then did the oddest gesture, extending his hand across the table, palm open. She knew what it was, but was confused why he was doing it. She slowly extended her own hand, and took his, letting him shake it firmly.
"My name is Terrance Hood, Fleet Admiral of the UNSC. And you, are Samus Aran" he said, his smile as firm as his handshake. Samus was initially surprised he knew her name, but dismissed it quickly. Obviously they had spoken to the others first, saving her for last. She let go of his hand, still confused as to what was going on.
"Right, guess I'll jump right into it. I've spoken to the others from your ship, and frankly, they have told me some crazy things about you" he said, leaning forward.
"Like what? I have a crazy obsession with the color orange?" she replied, knowing that was not what he was saying.
He blinked, taking a pause before continuing.
"No, I was talking more about the powers you wield. Your armor and weapons." He said, expression unreadable. She smirked, wanting to roll her eyes. Here it was. The part where they asked to 'study' her gear, so they could use it too. Well, that hadn't worked out well for anyone in the history of ever, and Samus was sure as hell not going to let them have it either. But for now, she would play it cool.
"Oh, and I suppose you want to ask if I would let you take a peek at my tech?" she asked casually, playing it off. When the Admiral shook his head, she felt lost again.
"Here's the deal, Miss Aran. I am a powerful man, but not the only one. There are many in the UNSC that would love just that. But I have come to a different conclusion" he said, leaning back in his chair. Before she could form a response, he spoke again.
"Tell me, what is it you used to do. Before you were frozen?" he asked, expression still unreadable. She blinked, not expecting that at all.
"Uhh, I was a Bounty Hunter, Admiral" she replied, wondering where he was going with this.
"And, what kind of jobs did you take? Did you have a moral code in your line of work?"
"Well, not quite. I would never take a job that harmed innocent people, I was usually employed to assist soldiers and to take out threats that no normal person could destroy"
He remained silent awhile, his expression curious. He then got up, and slowly paced around the room. Samus remained seated, watching him.
"So you would say you 'fight for good?' Is that right?" he asked, continuing his lap of the tiny room.
"Well, in lack of better words, yes" she said.
"Interesting…" he muttered, sitting back down in his chair.
Samus was getting closer and closer to yelling at this point. She was a very direct person, and this whole dancing around the point was getting on her nerves. She was about to voice her annoyance when once again, the Admiral interrupted her thoughts.
"I heard that while you were on the Ring, you encountered one of our soldiers, the Master Chief" he said slowly.
"Yes I did, he's…one hell of a soldier" she said, frowning.
"And…do you know of his current location?" He asked, eyes alert. She shook her head, before retelling of the events that led to them coming together, and the events that split them up. She told of the demise of the Prophet of Regret, right up to them being separated by the Gravemind. The Admiral seemed mortified at the mentions of the Flood, but he kept his cool.
"Thankfully I know where he is. He was inside a Forerunner ship, but long range scanners showed that he jumped out as the ship descended. He landed in a jungle on the surface" he muttered. Samus could see that the Admiral was distressed by this news, and she knew why. It was highly unlikely he would survive a jump like that, and by the way everyone talked about him, she assumed he was a big deal around here.
"The Master Chief was more than a soldier. He was a legend, a mythic figure the troops would rally behind. He walked away from foes and odds that no man, or army, would have" he muttered. She chuckled, despite the grim conversation.
"Sounds like what I used to do" she said, glancing at her reflection.
"That was my thinking…Look Samus" he began, but Samus held up a hand. It was about time she finally got her say.
"No you look. I don't want to join your army, or become some lab rat. I came to Earth to see what Humanity had become after all these years. And I came to drop of the others. I already served in one army, I'm done" she near shouted, having risen from her seat. She turned her back on him, her reflection glaring angrily back at her. She was waiting for him to shout, or to simply leave, but he remained seated.
"I wasn't going to say either. I was going to give you another option"
She turned slowly, unable to keep the anger out of her face. His face remained calm, and in control of the situation. He slowly stood and walked over to her. She would have found it funny that she was half a foot taller than he was in any other situation.
"You were a hero of your time. All I ask is you be one now, in this time. I won't conscript you, or hand you over to our RnD. Instead, I ask that you do what you used to do. Take this 'job' from me, if you will" he told her, eyes unwavering.
"And, what would this job be?" she asked slowly. She was slowly putting the puzzle together, and was starting to get where this was going.
"Help us win this war, Samus. Help save Humanity once again" he said quietly. She could see the worry in his eyes, his demeanor finally cracking.
She looked at him silently awhile, watching his expressions. She sighed heavily, before responding.
"Do I get to walk away after all this?"
"If we win this war, and you don't want to be here, I guarantee you will be free to go" he replied, a faint smile breaking on his lips.
She looked away, thinking. Then she took a step back, and held out her hand.
"You have a deal, Admiral" she told him, shaking his hand when he took hers. His smile widened, and he took a step back from her. He gave her a salute, which she returned as best she could.
"Well, if you would follow me then, I'm going to reunite you with your ship and sergeant Johnson" he told her, turning and making his way out.
Samus followed closely behind. They entered a long corridor, and the Admiral indicated the way to go. As she followed him, she glanced at the personal that they passed, all of them giving her odd looks. She couldn't blame them. For one thing she was half a foot taller than they all were. Not to mention her choice of fashion. While they all wore olive drab, she was in her skin tight Zero Suit. She was more than aware of the looks some of the men were giving, but she focused on following the Admiral.
They soon arrived in a massive hanger, the place she had first been brought. She quickly spotted her ship, and a familiar face in front of it. As they walked up, Johnson cracked into a smile. He strode up to them, saluting Hood and nodding at Samus.
"It's nice to see the pretty lady got out" he chuckled, giving her a wink.
She smirked, letting out a laugh. Johnson so far was the best person she had met so far. What could she say, he was charming.
"Yep, no foreseeable strings attached" she told him, glancing around. She noticed the Admiral had vanished, but she dismissed the thought. He probably had very important Admiral stuff to do.
"Well, go grab what you need inside, and then were going to be taking a ride in that ship there" he said, pointing to a Pelican with soldiers gathered around it. She nodded and made her way inside.
As soon as she stepped in, Adam appeared on the command table, his face wrinkled with worry.
"Samus what happened? Are we being kept here?" he started asking, more questions coming. She held up a hand, and began explaining as she moved throughout the ship, checking to see if everything was the way she left it.
Adam listened quietly, nodding to himself every once in a while. When she had finished, she strolled over and pulled him out of the ship, inserting him into the slot at the back of her head. She set the ship's computers to automatic, meaning she could call on it when she needed, and after giving it one last look over, made her way back out. Johnson nodded and started making his way over to the Pelican, Samus in tow.
"So what happened to The Arbiter? Miranda?" she asked him. The thought had been bugging her for a while now. Johnson chuckled, glancing over his shoulder at her.
"Miranda is fine, gone back to her regular duties, but as for tall, dark and ugly…"
As they strode toward the Pelican, something huge walked out the back hatch. Large, and covered in gray armor, The Arbiter, also known as Thel Vadam, was an imposing sight, especially to the marines gathered nearby, who gave him a wide berth. He strode toward them both, his mandibles forming somewhat of a smile, as if that was possible.
"Johnson, Samus. It is good to see you both. Are we prepared?" he asked, his voice monotone and level. Johnson nodded, and beckoned the marines over to him. Samus moved closer, questions on her tongue.
"So how is it they haven't killed you yet?" She asked him, hands on her hips. The Arbiter's body rumbled, the equivalent of a chuckle.
"The Admiral and I discussed many things, and we both came to the conclusion that Humans and Sangheili won't be able to win this fight alone." He informed her, then went on to elaborate the temporary treaty they had agreed upon. Samus was about to ask more when Johnson's booming voice interrupted.
"Alright marines, listen up! We have word of the Master Chief's location, and we're going in to find him! Now I'm sure some of you may have noticed our two odd guests, but they are to be treated as if they're your commanding officers, do you hear me marines?"
The marines all called out various affirmatives, though more than one gave Samus and Thel strange looks. Johnson then began ordering them into the Pelican, and preparing for lift off. Samus activated her armor, save the helmet, getting more than a few gasps from the soldiers. She chuckled to herself, slightly enjoying how awesome she must seem, before jumping in and grabbing a seat.
The marine next to her gave a smile, one of few to not be giving her looks of suspicion. He extended a hand, waiting for her to take it.
"I'm Carmine ma'am, and I just want to say I'm glad for the extra firepower you're bringing" he said brightly. He looked quite young, no more than mid-twenties. He got several wolf whistles from his fellow soldiers, but she ignored them, smiling at him instead.
"Thanks kid, glad I can help"
He didn't seem to get annoyed at being called a kid, and instead smiled more and nodded. A loud voice interrupted all chatter.
"Alright marines, better buckle up and hang on to your helmets, because we're going in!" he shouted, giving the signal for the Pelican Pilot to take off. Samus felt the craft shudder to life, then the thrust as it moved out into space, and headed for the surface. She checked her weapons were online, her cannon giving off a glow as she switched between every one of her main weapons. Once she was satisfied, she looked out towards the front, at the surface of Earth getting ever closer. She sighed, eyes narrowing in thought.
'Looks like I'm saving you once again John, let hope this is the last time…'