Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Metroid. There I said it.
A/N: This story takes place after the Sasuke retrieval arc and after the events of Metroid Prime.
PLEASE REVIEW!! I need to see how well (or not) I'm doing; please review!!
Thank you toBOM333, Helcion Pheonix, Shining Pheonix, and g 52 goodman for reviewing!!I really appreciate your comments. I can't change the POV (too drastic a change) but I can improve on it with suggestions. As for pairings…we'll see ;). Thanks again!!
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Blood of the Chozo
IV: Plan
Perhaps this is what having a friend truly means…
Naruto has been back for maybe ten minutes and he's already accepted me back. That's something that most here don't even want to try. They see me as a mini-Orochimaru…which is wrong on SO many levels. But I guess I can't blame them, training with the snake can lead to many social issues…
Frankly…I'm not a social person anyway, and I'm getting stronger each day, I can feel it. It has been keeping me alive these past few months. Shikamaru has told me many times that we lack information on the enemy, so I have done as much as I can to gather said information. But this stranger that Naruto has brought with him seems to know more than any of us could ever hope to learn in such short time.
Samus Aran, Naruto, Shikamaru, and I are currently in a meeting with Tsunade; partly for Naruto's report from the inside, and partly to see if this 'Samus" could be trusted. Naruto has already explained his captive conditions and how Samus came out of nowhere and saved his life. Then came that lull in the conversation that usually means that some hard questions are about to be shot at someone. This time they came courtesy of Shikamaru.
"And why are you here?" Samus waits a few seconds before answering.
"I came by chance. I was trying to locate any possible Space Pirate activity when I passed by this planet. This planet has only recently been registered in the Galactic Federation's records, essentially making it the newest planet in the galaxy. I noticed that several things made this planet vulnerable to Space Pirate activity."
"Those being?" Tsunade asks.
"Any new planet is ripe for the Space Pirates to check it out for potential resources. Also, this planet shows high amounts of energy, which Space Pirates crave more than anything else."
"What energy do they want?" I can tell that Tsunade has an idea, but doesn't exactly want to hear it…I don't really want to either.
"The largest sources of energy on this planet…" he pauses for a breath, "are found in the inhabitants themselves."
"So they want chakra…" Shikamaru states.
"If that is what you call it." Samus adds.
"So wait…how do they plan to get it?" Naruto asks the stupid question. I spare Samus the task of answering.
"How else, idiot? They're going to suck it out of us. It's not like we're going to give them chakra for the heck of it." Naruto shuts up for a moment as that thought sinks in. The moment doesn't last long.
"Then we have to save the others!! We can't just sit around here and leave them to die!"
"Brilliant idea Naruto, but how would YOU go about doing it?" Shikamaru replies before I can. "What do you think we've been doing this whole time, twiddling our thumbs??!!" Shikamaru nearly yells. He's showing a bit more passion than he usually does. I don't think Naruto expected that reaction either, and when you catch Naruto off guard…
"Then what HAVE you been doing, huh?!" Naruto shouts right back.
"We've been trying to--."
"Where have you been while we've been waiting to die?!"
"ENOUGH!!" Tsunade stands and silences the room before glaring at Naruto.
"We have been trying our best Naruto, but I don't think you understand the gravity of this situation. This place, the Sound village, is one of the only strongholds left on this continent! The Earth country is the other one remaining, and they are abandoning their home in hopes to find new land somewhere else. All of the other nations have been conquered! THIS IS ALL THAT'S LEFT!!" Tsunade takes a breath.
"Only the strongest of ninja were able to make it here, and we have been trying desperately to come up with a plan to best an enemy that has more numbers, more power, and better technology than we do. But so far, all our plans end in death. If it wasn't for the young man you just lost your temper with, we'd all be dead along with you!" Silence takes over again as Tsunade sits down once more. I take this opportunity to explain further.
"We lack information, running into a fight without good information is suicide; you should remember that from our Chunin exams."
"He said running in with BAD info is suicide." Naruto countered, "He also said that ninja often must run into situations with little or no information to complete the mission, even if that mission is risky." Surprisingly, a good counter, Shikamaru had my back though.
"Yes, but he also said this when the ninja villages were in their prime, thinking that even if there were casualties, the next generation of ninja would take their place. However, in this time of crisis, when our very race is on the verge of destruction, the next generation seems like a dream."
Tsunade adds, "Also, I don't want ANY fatalities, life is precious and time is running shorter and shorter. I'll reiterate; we don't have the numbers to survive a failed mission, period. The plan must succeed if we hope to survive." Tsunade turns to Samus.
"You say you are the eternal enemy of the Space Pirates…I assume this means you know their weaknesses."
"I know more than that…" he says, pressing the side of his helmet with two fingers. A beam shoots out of his visor, flickers, then widens, forming a greenish 3-D image. "This is the ship that the Space Pirates have converted into their base of operations here on this planet, mainly for holding potential sources of energy." The 3-D image zoomed in on the ship, showing the different rooms of the inside. "Based on energy readings, your people should be located here…" He pointed to one red light, "…and here." He pointed to another on the other side of the complex. While Naruto and I were still marveling at how the heck he was doing this (Naruto showed more interest than I did, but I thought it was…intriguing), Shikamaru doesn't hesitate to ask,
"And what's this?" pointing to a bluish light roughly between the other two lights
"That is where I suspect the experiments on the prisoners take place, based on past experience with this type of vessel." Shikamaru nods. Samus takes a breath before continuing. "There are a total of 15 entrances and 20 exits." 15 blue squares appear around the outside, showing where the entrances were, likewise, 5 red squares appear showing exit-only openings. There are a total of 750 space pirates on board, 100 of those being scientists."
The hologram disappears as a small orange disk ejects itself out of Samus's helmet. "Whenever you want to see the hologram, place it on a level surface and press the button." Shikamaru accepts the disk and before he can ask Samus continues. Another image appears, one of a Space Pirate. "This is a Space Pirate, as I'm sure you know. You asked for weaknesses, anything that can pierce or crush the exoskeleton will be useful as well as attacking the joints, which have little to no armor on them at all. Like most insects, they are resilient and you've got to make sure they are dead before moving on. Destroying the upper torso is a good bet, the best way to pierce the armor to do any damage is to go through the head. Also, their own weapons are quite potent against themselves as well."
"Thank you. This will help us greatly. Dismissed." I begin to leave when Tsunade calls me to stay. She waits a few moments after everyone leaves before starting.
"I want you to take Neji and confirm as much of this as you can. Do not go any closer than you must and make sure you aren't caught. This is an A-rank mission. I want you to leave before nightfall. Understood?" She hands me the disk that Shikamaru left behind.
"Got it."
Looks like my day just got more interesting…
-T-T-T-T-
After sending Sasuke and Neji to confirm Samus's information, I ordered several ANBU to watch our guest. A few hours later, several reports came in all at once. The ANBU reported that Samus had returned to his ship and was very good at keeping them out. Sasuke returned quicker than I thought, proving the information accurate. I call in Shikamaru to pick up the disk so he can formulate a plan of action. As he walks out, I swear that he's excited about finally coming up with a decent plan. Before he walks out, he informs me that he'll be stopping by Samus's ship to gather more information. I give him the okay.
Now for the hardest part of the day, planning the meeting. The final meeting before we strike back.
-B-B-B-B-
A trickle of sweat rolls down my masked cheek. This was not good. The numbers are dialed and the transmission is sent.
Requesting reinforcements.
When the Commander alerted me to the fact that Samus Aran had landed recently, I did not understand the many problems that her presence presented. Then the Commander was kind enough to inform me, blaming my inexperience for my ignorance. Then, mere minutes ago, our security systems picked up two intruders, one of whom was holding technology similar to that of the Hunter's power suit.
The Commander quickly deemed this situation to be dangerous in our current position, saying that we were not prepared to fend off a full scale attack headed by Samus Aran. So he had the brilliant idea of calling the one person who would come at the mention of her name. And he would come with such murderous intent that it would make Gaara seem docile.
My name is Amenoa Burish, or Dr. Burish, and I am the head scientist of this expedition. I am not like most Space Pirates…I am not insectoid like them…but I have earned my place here. Which is fortunate, considering they normally kill anyone not of their predominant species. Only those with exceptional abilities are allowed to make this exception. There aren't very many. I was chosen for my knowledge of the IES network essential for this expedition; I am also a favorite among the higher-ups, explaining my promotion to head scientist. They feel that I may be able to counter Samus's attacks; I don't quite see their logic. Getting on the crew was harder than I thought…but saving the Commander from a mutiny was enough to solidify my place here.
I said earlier that only those with exceptional abilities could be a non-insect Pirate. The one we are calling happens to be another…his ability? Power…so much so that he is the leader of the Space Pirates, the undisputed head of the new empire.
Ridley. I became one of his favorites after I questioned one of his orders. I did not know at the time that such an action would usually result in a painful death. Which is why I really did not want him to come here. No one on the ship did, but he was the only good option. I tuned out the conversation between the Commander and Ridley; I knew what was coming anyway.
Tomorrow…he'd be here by tomorrow. Perhaps now I'll get the chance to thank him for not killing me…
Hm…
I hate all of them…every last one…
I pity the people here…for he is truly terrifying…
And I don't terrify easily…
-T-T-T-T-
The time has finally come…
Shikamaru asked me to call Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Kabuto, Kakashi, Guy, Temari, Kankuro, Sasuke, Neji, Naruto and Samus Aran to this meeting. Though I should call it a briefing. When Kakashi finally shows up, I stand and start.
"I have already told you all what this meeting is about. Shikamaru finally has a plan to save the captured ninja. Shikamaru?" I sit as Shikamaru takes the floor.
"Thank you. Due to the recent contributions made by Samus Aran do we finally have enough information to raise the chance of success from 15 to 75 percent. The plan is simple," he lays the hologram out for all to see. During his talk with Samus he must have switched the disks, this one was more responsive and could turn and swivel if needed. "The basic idea is diversion. There will be five groups each will have their own task. Group One will be led by Jiraiya and will have at least 50 high-level ninja to back him up." He turns to Jiraiya, "Your job is to distract and lure as many space pirates out as you can to the Eastern side of their base." An orange arrow shows Jiraiya's path.
Turning to Orochimaru, "Orochimaru is leader of group Two, your job is similar to Jiraiya's, only your group will have a much greater role nearer to the end of the mission which I will explain later. In the beginning, however, you are simply to work with Jiraiya with distraction." A black arrow joins the orange.
"Groups Three and Four will be led by Tsunade and Kabuto respectively. Your job will be to infiltrate the base and rescue the prisoners. The entrance points you will take are located on the Southwestern side, and you will go in after groups One and Two have caused enough havoc." Purple and yellow arrows show our entry point. Once inside they split and connect to two blinking red dots, then converge and exit the base. "You will have to be quick; each of you will find a cell and rescue the ninja, then exit through the Northern openings instead of backtracking." The black arrow starts to move toward the other two arrows. "This is where group Two's main job starts; making sure that groups Three and Four get out safely."
"Group Five will be led by Kakashi and Guy, their job is to destroy the ship, taking the same route as groups Three and Four." A green arrow finishes the plan. Shikamaru turns to Kabuto and I, "Your groups will be the smallest, and consist of at least two other medic-nin and should exceed no more than five ninja total."
"That doesn't seem like enough to save the people inside, what if they can't move on their own? They'd leave us vulnerable." I asked.
"Based on Samus's tests on Naruto when he escaped, he was sedated. Bring plenty of soldier pills for everyone; that will give them the energy to get here." I nod in agreement. Guy speaks up,
"So that's why we're doing damage, to keep them from chasing us so the prisoners have time to recoup. Brilliant!" He smiles, the twinkle nearly blinding me.
"Why did you call US here?" Neji asks in a no-nonsense tone. I assumed he was speaking of all the lower ranked ninja. Shikamaru turns to them.
"Temari and Kankuro are going to be long range support. Once groups Three and Four break out, you two will be keeping any pursuers back that slip through group Two's defenses. Neji, Sasuke, you will be group Three and Four's eyes. You are to guide them through as well as keep watch for any enemies that will show up to stop the rescue. Naruto you will be in Jiraiya's group along with Samus; from what Samus has told me, he will attract many Pirates, which is perfect for this operation. I will let you chose your own teams. We will start at noon, and should be finished by 3 or 4. That is all."
I perked up, a smile on my face. "All right we're done, rally your troops and get them ready, we start tomorrow!"
It's about time we hit back!
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PLEASE REVIEW!!
Next Time: The Counterattack Begins! Operation Piercing Wind!!
A/N: Please review and give feedback, what do you think?Honestly, this Chapter was hard. But again, I really am just bad at transitions. The action should pick up as the story moves along. Also, I know Samus' true identity, but no one else in the story does.