Sorry everybody, but due to technical issues my updates will be intermittent at best.

I have a request: if anyone reads this and has a deviantart account, I would REALLY appreciate it if you drew something from any of my fanfics (scenes, characters, etc) since I can't draw worth crap. Just please say that it is from a fanfiction by Archon of Darkness or masterofThardus (my deviantart account name).

Now then, on to the next chapter.


Three ships dropped into orbit around Aether.

Two of them were relatively normal Hunter-class gunships (though one was more than a little dark).

The third was a large, heavily modified Vulture class transport. Modifications included forward mounted heavy Vulcan cannons, computer controlled turrets, missiles, and newer engines.

These three ships belonged to bounty hunters: Samus Aran, Jonathan Samson, and the "amnesiac" Sarah.

Down on the surface, the three ships landed beside the Great Temple. Hatches opened, revealing three figures wearing remarkably similar armor. Two were obviously female, despite the thick armor they wore. The third was extremely tall and muscular. His armor was very similar to Sarah's.

In unison, all three hunters walked to an elevator at the Temple's base.

As the elevator neared the top of the Temple, Jonathan noticed how it seemed to be struggling slightly, most likely from the half ton of armor he was wearing.

"Yeesh Jon," said Samus when the elevator stopped. "You need to lose some weight."

He shrugged. "Well, I guess that's what ya get fer bein' fat- OOF!"

Jon clutched between his legs as he fell to his knees.

"Good God," he squeaked. "Why the hell do ya kick so hard? And I wasn't talking about you, I…meant…me!"

Samus immediately deflated. "Oh…er….sorry?"

Jonathan waved her off and got up. He walked away with awkward steps. Samus and Sarah looked at each other before following him. Sarah just barely heard him mumble, "My God, soon I'm gonna sound like Mickey mouse!"

U'mos meet the three in his usual spot. He glanced at Jon, noticing his awkward stance, then jumped to the meat of the matter.

"It is good that the Federation sent you. I assume that they want you to guard the specimen until a Xenoresearch team arrives?"

All three nodded. None of them really liked doing simple guard duty, but it was possible that a Space Pirate raiding party would try to steal…..whatever it was that U'mos had found.

Besides, it came with a good paycheck.

"Just what did you find anyway?" asked Samus.

U'mos prepared to talk, but stopped. "Perhaps it would be better if you just saw it," he said finally.

He then turned and led the trio down a passageway to a closed door. Quiet clicking footsteps sounded from inside.

"Hold on a sec. That thing inside isn't gonna try to eat our faces off or anythin' right?" asked Jon.

U'mos gave him a look. "It could try, but it wouldn't do much damage." Jonathan grunted. Samus rolled her eyes at him. Sarah (as usual) said nothing.

The Luminoth pressed a button on the door. When it opened, Samus immediately stepped back with a gasp and aimed her cannon inside.

Inside the room, staring back at her with a wide red eye, was an Ing.