I forgot this in the Prologue:
Disclaimer: I do not own Metroid Prime: Hunters, or any of the Metroid games or characters. Any characters that I have created, I will specify if and when required.
Chapter 1
Samus sighed as she leaned back in her cockpit. Another mission completed, three dangerous criminals arrested, and a whole week's worth of leave lined up. It was perfect.
"Come hither, mighty heroes of the Sentients." Samus sat up straight. "Claim the power which was hidden aeons ago." . She fumbled with her intercom, trying to pinpoint the sender.
"Who is this, please?" she asked quickly.
"The secret lies in the Tetra Galaxy, deeper even than the ancient ones' strongholds.
Almost panicking, she grasped for the release switch and threw off her helmet, already trying to block out the mention of that place.
"Find it, and dominance shall be yours. Eternally…"
It wasn't a normal message. It was telepathic. Shrugging off her rising fear (a rare emotion in her case), she pressed an open palm to the control panel.
"Commander Hardman, come in." she spoke, struggling to keep her voice steady.
"Samus Aran. Good to hear from you. Are you ready to dock your gunship yet?"
"Yes sir. And, when I arrive, I need to speak to you. Urgently." There was a pause.
"Samus, what's going on?"
"Later Commander. When I arrive."
The wind whistled softly across the icy plains of Vho. There was little to be seen except for the blank white of the snow, and the equally pale hue of the sky.
This was the mighty Vhozon planet. Hidden amongst the ancient glaciers and chasms lay a vast, monastic kingdom, concealed from unwanted attention (and invasion) of the outside world. Or universe, whatever.
And so it had always been.
The clouds seemed to churn at the peak of the visible atmosphere. Though not uncommon, this particular occurrence was new.
The sky was tinted red.
With an insect-like drone, ten huge crimson spacecraft plunged through the fog, casting umber rays of light at the frozen tundra below. Kriken technology. The Empire was here.
Inside the Vhozon High Command HQ, generals and abbots were arguing heatedly (a serious problem for an ice-alien). Technicians wrestled with their reluctant computers, trying to assess the danger. It was clear from all their scans that ten Kriken motherships had penetrated the atmosphere. Though their intentions were unknown, they were assumed to be hostile. With Krikens, it was rarely otherwise.
Noxus burst through the door. He already had his judicator cannon loaded and ready, and his normally calm expression had changed to one of concern.
And anger.
The Vhozon are known peacekeepers. They rarely embark on any kind of offensive campaign, unless their Council of Elders deems it necessary in order to enforce their sense of justice.
And from Noxus's point of view, this was unjustifiable. This was no military exercise, as the Kriken Emperor tried to make out for every attempted (and often successful) invasion. This was a direct violation of interplanetary law. Something that, while expected from Krikens, was still outrageous.
"Elder Noxus. We have reports of a Kriken offensive on western surface outposts!" wailed one operative
"Communications to the northern Vhozon divisions have been cut off!" stuttered another.
"We must hurry. Send a message to the Council Hall. Tell them-
"Come hither, mighty heroes of the Sentients."
"What? Who is this?" (he was getting several confused looks from already worried members of staff by this point.)
"Claim the power which was hidden aeons ago." Noxus gasped and reached for a support. He found a desk and clutched at its planished surface (despite his lack of opposable thumbs.).
"The secret lies in the Tetra Galaxy, deeper even than the ancient ones' strongholds. Find it, and dominance shall be yours. Eternally…"
At the mention of that place, the place where he had come so close to death, almost made him gag. He remembered in all-too-vivid detail the sensation of having all energy and strength sapped from him by the creature, Gorea. It had stolen his very life force, and even stripped him of his natural cryokinesis. Fortunately, his powers had returned at the death of the creature, but the experience had left him emotionally scarred, perhaps for life.
"Hold on here. I need a teleported pod to the Council, right now. I'll send another Elder as soon as I can."
"But sir!-"
"No buts! There's something I need to do…"