The Grey Curtain
Disclaimer: I do not own the Metroid Franchise. I mean, if I did, why would I be writing this?
PROLOUGE
"Ah, Ms Aran, so nicccccce of…you to join me."
"…"
"Not very talkatttttttive today, are we? Oh well. I guess that is to be expected…from someone in your position."
"…"
"I do hope that you be…gin speaking again soooooooon, Ms Aran. I need someone to…talk to."
"…"
"Really, Ms Aran? How could you be so cruel? All I want is…someone to sssssspeak to."
"…"
"Now, Ms Aran, I am a patient man, but-"
"You…"
"Ah, so you speak. That was not so hard, was it?"
"Please…"
"Please? Please what, Ms Aran?"
"Please…"
"Hm? What is thissssss, Ms Aran? Are you…crying? How delightful…"
"Please…just one more chance. I know I've used up my other lifelines, but please, I'm begging you. I can save all these people. I know I can. Just…a few more minutes. Please."
"I'm sorry, Ms Aran, butttttt you have already used all the lifelines…I have bestowed upon you. I have never given more than three, and I do not innnnnntend to start with you."
"But I've come so far…I can't just let all of these people die. You told me I could save the galaxy, you told me I could save the innocent, but I failed. Because of you!"
"Oh, it is no fault of…mine that you did not use yyyyyyour lifelines correctly. I gave you your chancccccces, and you wasted them."
"…"
"Good. You have accepted that you have no way out of this situ…ation. Now, you want and extra chance? I will show you what you did with your previous lifelines, and the faaaaaaavours you owed me as consequence."
"Let me see…Ah yes, here we are. You used your first lifeline…about one-hundred and thirty four hours ago. You used it to save the entiiiiiiiire Galactic Fed…eration Fleet from total obliteration from the hands of the Space Pirates."
"Yes, I…I remember that well…"
"Good. Do you remember the favour I asked of you?"
"…"
"Well, Ms Aran?"
"I do."
"And what was that favour?"
"I had to…torture and kill an innocent civilian."
"Yes, to save an entire military instal…lation, you had to kill one woman. Now is that so hard?"
"Yes! She was innocent! She didn't deserve that…what I did to her…"
"Oh, but she did, in her own…way. Now, letssssss move on. Your second lifeline was spent saving yourself from torture at the hands of the Space Pirates."
"I…just couldn't take the pain anymore…"
"So you asked me for assistance. And in return…"
"I had to…to…"
"Go on, Ms Aran, say it. Say what I…want to hear."
"I…had to…destroy a Galactic Federation outpost."
"There we go. That one was rather selfish. You could have withhhhhhstood the torture, you could have escaped, but instead, your seco…nd lifeline was used. You are lucky I made it look like the Space Pirates blew up that outpost. And, the last one…"
"You sa…ved the entire Galactic Federation and the Space Ppppppirates from obliteration. But at what cost?"
"You know that one well."
"Yes, I do. And now, here we are, you trying to rescue thissssss small planet of civilians from Pirate …attack, me stopping you."
"Well, Ms Aran, I must be off. But remember the condition of our final arrangement. You used all of your lifelines."
"Please…Give me six minutes, and I can save all of these people. Just six minutes! That's all! Please! Please!"
"…Hmm. You do not want to let this go, do you? It is only a planet of meaningless people. Why do you care so much for them?"
"Because they never did anything wrong! They are all innocent. The Pirates should all be killed for this! What they are doing now, what they have done in the past!"
"Oh, they will be, Ms Aran, by your hand if you so dessssssire, but for now, I cannot help you. But…I will give you those six minutes you desire."
"Thank you. You won't regret this!"
"I already believe that I do. Now run along, Ms Aran, go save…these people, if that is what you believe you are really doing. Those people are poor, and most wish to die, anyway. So, are you really saving them, Ms Aran?"
"Meanwhile, I have more…pressing matters to attend to. But I will return in six minutes. You had better be readdddddy to leave by then. If not, I will take you by force. Do you understand, Ms Aran?"
"Yes, I do."
"Good. Now go. Oh, and remember, Ms Aran…from the second those six minutes are over…"
"I own you."