Chapter 2
Samus and the gang arrived at the main temple room with three other doors on each side of the room. Four Splinter cocoons hung from the ceiling, surrounding what looked to be a giant one. Samus scanned it.
Unable to scan object. Unknown energy field is scrambling the scan wave. Field is localized and holding at a steady level. Further investigation advised.
Samus stepped forward. Suddenly the four cocoons burst and four Splinters came down. A dark cloud sprang forth from the giant cocoon and engulfed the creatures, turning them into Dark Splinters. The marines hung back, deciding it was better to let Samus deal with them.
Samus destroyed the nasty bugs, then watched as an Alpha Splinter burst out of the giant cocoon. This was an alpha male of a Splinter nest, bigger and stronger than its brethren.
After scanning the thing, Samus pounded at, then saw another cloud come out of nowhere and engulf it, turning it into the Dark Alpha Splinter. Samus pounded it with missiles and charged shots till it died.
As the enemy's body melted away, a bright sphere of light emerged from it and hovered in front of Samus. Samus touched it, and it flew around the room and slammed into her chest. A warning message popped up. System alert. Unknown item acquired. Alien technology has bonded to armor systems. Threat scan complete. No negative impact on suit performance.
"That's odd," said Samus. "Oh well, maybe we'll find out what it is later."
The other doors were blocked, including the one they came thru, so they went thru the door in front of them and saw an elevator. It took them up to another door which led them into a room some sort of thing in the center with a bright sphere of light above it enclosed in a cagelike structure. As they came into the room, Samus saw a bizarre creature, very tall, who looked like a giant moth.
The creature stepped forward and spoke.
"Do not be afraid. I am U-Mos, sentinel of the Luminoth. Please listen, and hear of our world's peril."
U-Mos extended his hand and a hologram appeared showing Aether as seen from space.
"Long ago, a cosmic object struck our planet Aether, exploding with great force. A rift was torn in time and space and a strange power flowed over the world."
U-Mos changed the hologram into an image of two planets. "Where once there was one Aether, there were now two. One of light and one of shadow, each existing in its own dimension."
U-Mos raised his other hand and showed an image of the same type of creature a mob of whom had jumped on her after Prime had destroyed the crystal. "It was the end of peace on Aether, for a new race was born that day on the Dark World; one filled with hate and terrible power. They are the Ing."
U-Mos lowered his hands and continued his narrative.
"The Ing are creatures of shadow and darkness, knowing nothing of peace or mercy. For decades we stood against them yet now we lie on the edge of defeat."
"When Dark Aether was born, our planetary energy was divided: half for our world and half for theirs. Should one world seize control of the other world's half it will perish."
U-Mos extended his hand and showed an image of a blue ball of light identical to the one that had entered Samus's suit. "Before you arrived, the Ing had stolen a device from us. One that absorbs planetary energy. With it, they have weakened our planet to the verge of collapse.
U-Mos smiled and pointed at her. "But fortune smiled upon us this day, for the energy transfer module is now bonded to you. With it you can help us. Help us restore our world. You're our only hope, Samus."
What U-mos said next chilled the blood in her veins.
"Should we fall, the Ing will look to the stars for new planets to ravage and conquer. Your species could be their next victims."
For the first time the enormity of the situation struck Samus. If Aether fell and Dark Aether came into this dimension, the Ing would surely spread throughout the universe in search of more planets to conquer... and more life forms to extinguish. The stakes had never been higher.
"The Ing have taken our energy to three temples on Dark Aether. Find these temples, and transfer the energy from them to our own. I have updated your translator module. You can now access devices and doors coded with violet holograms. Search the areas now open to you."
Samus nodded in acknowledgement. "Prepare well for your journey. The Ing now know you possess the energy transfer module. They will try to recover it at all costs." U-mos raised his hands. "May the Light of Aether shine upon you."
Samus bid farewell to the marines and went back down and scanned the door with the violet hologram. She went back to the Temple Grounds and scanned the door at the industrial site.
Beyond this door, the path to the Agon Wastes lies. Once fertile plains, now sands scorched and ruined by war. May life thrive there again one day.
Behind the door, Samus found a dead Luminoth. She scanned it.
Final entry, warrior J-fme. Their army swells. Beasts and rogue machines join the ranks of the horde, all eager to bring death to the Luminoth. They came to fight me while they watched from safety. Cowardly mongrels! My only regret in death is that I did not live to see the day of their defeat. May it come soon!
Samus went thru the door and grabbed a missile expansion, then took the elevator down to Agon Wastes.