Metroid IV: Alone In The Stars

by Magus523

Crippled and half-dead from a failed mission, Samus Aran now fights against an even deadlier lifeform than the Metroids, her own body now fused with the extinct monsters. Novelization.

10. Chapter 9: Toys In The Attic

Chapter 9: Toys In The Attic

Lord Rugier of Kyl's evening party had been going for an hour now, and the socializing was in full swing. Dress code was loose and varied, from the Federation's finest dress uniforms to wealthy merchants in gaudy silk and velvet. Chattering politely and often mindlessly, the partygoers drifted around Rugier's country resort, sipping sparkling pink punch and dining on tiny nut-cakes, as the latest hit from the Jimmy Demyx Experience played overhead.

Nobody paid much attention initially when another black hovercar, identical to a hundred others, arrived. When the door opened and its occupants emerged, however, all eyes turned to stare. The woman was tall and lean, beautiful with blonde hair and burning blue eyes. Her dress was simple and black, cut enough to be daring but not indecent. Her male companion, dark-haired and sharp of feature, was a different story. The suit he wore would have been nice, were it not for the black-and-red checkered coloring.

"I still think picking this atrocity out was over the line, Samus." Adam Malkovich muttered low enough so that only her ears would hear, ignoring the startled buzz from the rest of the crowds. "What did they make this out of? A tablecloth from Florrie's Palace?"

"Fair's fair, Adam. I'm at one of these ridiculous parties. Me." Samus growled back, not an ounce of sympathy in her voice. "In a dress. As soon as these clowns stop staring at you and figure out who I am, my life will officially be over. The scandal-rags will never live this one down."

"Damn the scandal-rags, lady." Adam continued to whisper. "Anybody who actually believes what they read in that trash isn't worth your time or mine. This will be good for your reputation, Samus. Being feared when you're on the job is all well and good, but now some people in very important positions will see that you can be a sentient, too." He paused. "Besides, you forgot one. You're at one of these ridiculous parties in a dress with a Fed. I'd think that would be the worst part."

"You're an exception, and if anybody says different, I'll be glad to explain it to them." Samus smiled thoughtfully. "At length. With an umbrella." Passing one of the tables, she easily scooped up a glass of the punch. "This stuff any good?"

"If you like water." Adam shrugged. "Don't count on getting anything else out of it, though. One of these days I'm going to find out where everybody gets that stuff. I swear, every single one of these parties serves it, no matter which planet they're on. I went to one on Evir once, and there it was. At least the food looks good. I think I see chilled winemelon over there."

"Knew there was a reason I came here with you." Samus joked. "Don't suppose we could just grab some of that and keep people away with glares? I'm good at glares."

"Unfortunately not, as much as I'd prefer that." Adam shook his head; the noise level had risen again, as people began to recognize Samus and spread the word. "Being in my position carries certain responsibilities."

"In other words, circulating." Samus sighed. "Mingling. Socializing. Damn." She bit her lip.

"You're not with the Chozo any more, Samus. You're going to have to learn how to interact with other people who aren't at the bottom of the social ladder eventually." Adam looked at her face, and closed his eyes. "I'm sorry. If this is really going to bother you that much, I brought a way out. I've got an envelope with 'blackmail' written on it in bright red in my pocket. I can pull it out, give it to you, and you can ram me into the punch bowl and take off. They'll buy that."

"If you even think about it, I'll make you eat that envelope." Samus threatened. "I agreed to do this. I don't go back on my word." She took a deep breath and straightened her back. "All right, Adam. Let's do this."

"Whatever you say, lady." Adam said with a smile.

The next few hours passed in a blur, as countless guests were introduced to her by Adam, and mind-numbing pleasantries exchanged. Though Samus still had her doubts, Adam bolstered her calmly, providing commentary under his breath between conversations to help her stay informed. Eventually, she began to get the hang of things, and Adam sensed this, leaving more openings in the conversations for her to take up.

"Good job dealing with the Kingdok, lady." He congratulated her, nodding as they left the company of an entire planet's ruler behind them. Aside from his water breathing tank, the crustacean had only been clad in metallic gold body paint. "That was a very diplomatic refusal. I don't think he'll hold a grudge about it."

"As if I was going to get drawn into the Evir's idiotic clan wars." Samus rolled her eyes. "But you had a point; people like him, it pays to be on good terms with. I've made more ground here tonight than a month in the bars would get me, and that's with bribes. None of that needed here."

"So you concede that it was a good move coming here?" Adam asked slyly.

"If it was anybody else, I'd say shove it. But yeah. This hasn't sucked as hard as I thought it would." Samus shook her head. "Of course, if it was anybody else I wouldn't even be here in the first place."

"Careful, Samus." Adam warned her, smiling faintly. "You're starting to sound like you actually like me."

"Am I? How about that." Samus smiled back; they were being left alone for a moment, and she took the opportunity to sit down on a stone bench. "Is that so surprising? I'm not that much of a barbarian, am I?"

"Not at heart, no. But up until now, you seemed hell-bent on making everybody you met believe differently." Adam joined her on the bench. "I daresay I'm one of the only people in the universe who knew better up until tonight, and that's mostly by luck."

"I wouldn't go that far." Samus closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again. "It's kind of nice, actually. Acting like a normal person for a few hours. Thanks, Adam."

"It's my pleasure, Samus." Adam said seriously. "Any time you want to do something like this again, I'll be glad to help. No matter when or where."

"Might want to be careful, talking like that." Samus murmured, suddenly feeling her heartrate increase. "Somebody like me might get the wrong idea, and I don't know if you'd like that. Could be pretty dangerous, Commander."

"Maybe I don't mind danger, if it's for the right reasons." Adam replied, just as quietly, his arms slowly reaching around her. "Maybe I don't think it's really as hazardous as everybody else would, anyways."

"Maybe you're right." Samus agreed, eyes dancing.

"Ah, Adam!" A new voice suddenly interrupted them, and they jerked apart suddenly, turning to look at the interloper. An old man in a suit even more hideous than Adam's, neon purple, smiled cheerfully at them over rose-tinted glasses. "You must tell me where you got that suit! It's marvelous! And is this the legendary Samus Aran? My, my, what a surprise!"

"Renpou." Adam said, going pale. "I wasn't aware you would be attending, sir. I'd have greeted you right away if I had known. My apologies."

"A friend of yours?" Samus asked calmly. "Nice to meet you, I guess."

"The pleasure is mine, I assure you." Renpou chuckled. "I just dropped by, Adam my boy. You know how it goes, suddenly feeling the urge to do something silly, right? Oh well, fortunately there are many people around ready to oblige an old man's whims." Draining a glass of punch, he turned to leave. "I won't keep you, then. Enjoy your evening."

"Adam." Samus growled once Renpou was out of earshot. "Who was that guy?"

"Renpou?" Adam coughed. "He was... is an Admiral. An Admiral in the Wall patrol fleet."

"Right." Samus narrowed her eyes, knowing bullshit when she heard it. In an instant, everything changed, and she stood, ignoring what almost felt like pain. "Well, I've been here long enough to satisfy our deal. I'm taking off. I can call my own cab."

"Samus, wait." Adam rose as well, following her. "Don't-"

"Should have thought of that a minute ago." She said, not pausing for a moment. "Go back to your desk, Adam. I'll call you when I need some more cash. Follow me out, and I'll break your arm." She kept walking, and after a moment more, Adam stopped. She didn't look back as she left the party, even once. She knew that if she did, she wouldn't be able to keep going.

---

"Fuck." Samus' eyes snapped open, and she stared up at the ceiling. "So that's where I remembered seeing the old bastard from. No wonder that stuck with me."

What are you jabbering about now? Ridley groused, sounding half-asleep. I was having a nice nap too, you know. That party looked dumb, by the way.

Never mind. Not important. Samus shook her head, rolling out of her bed and coming to her feet. Exiting the room, she saw Sa and Falar standing near the coffeepot; the other three were absent. "Morning, guys."

"Hi, Samus." Sa waved. "The others are still sleeping. We wondered if you'd wake up before they did."

"The ship's computer informed us that this device would produce a strong liquid stimulant, and instructed us in its use." Falar explained, indicating the coffee. "We thought you would appreciate some as well."

"My kind of passengers." Samus nodded gratefully, pouring mugs for all three of them. Taking hers, she leaned against a wall and took a sip. "Couldn't sleep well?"

"Not particularly." Falar admitted, dipping her beak into her mug and blinking, then doing so again. "To be frank, certain current events have us rather worried."

"I assume you mean what the Feds did to you." Samus guessed. "Don't worry. I already told you, you're with me now, and I make that count. If I have to, I'll take you back to your home planets myself and ask whoever's in charge dirtside to shelter you from Fed attention. You'd be surprised how far my rep extends these days."

"That would be appreciated." Sa smiled for a moment, adding more sugar to his coffee. "But our personal safety isn't the only issue here. If your Federation is risking offending unallied planets to this degree, Samus, it could mean some very dangerous things for all of us. Everywhere." The serious talk coming from the tiny Etecoon would have been amusing under other circumstances.

"It's still a bit hasty to actually be planning anything." Samus said, looking skyward significantly. "But I've heard a few things that indicate you're not the only ones who are thinking that way. When I drop you guys off, I'll give you comm numbers for some people I know. You don't have to get involved personally if you don't want to, but..."

"But if we need to, we'll be able to." Falar finished. "Thank you, Samus."

"No problem." Samus nodded. "All part of the job. Speaking of which, don't really want to seem rude, but I should talk with my handler about what I'll be doing here next. Good news is, as far as I know, we'll be done here within about a dozen more standard hours, and then we can see about getting you all home."

"That is excellent to hear." Sa agreed, jumping down from the counter. "I'll go kick those lazy brothers of mine awake, then. Have fun."

"Good hunting, Samus." Falar concurred, then turned to stare at her mug, apparently trying to devise some method of carrying it without spilling the contents.

"Thanks, guys." Smiling, Samus headed into the cockpit. "Morning, computer."

"Good morning, Samus." Adam replied. "Your relationship with those five interests me. At least, coming from somebody who professes not to have friends."

"I don't." Samus snapped reflexively, then paused, reflecting on her interaction with the Etecoons and Dachurai. "I've just been forgetting that. That's all."

"Forgetting that you don't have friends?" Adam repeated skeptically. "If I may propose an alternative theory?"

"Feel free. Just don't expect me to actually give it any credit." Samus shrugged, drinking more coffee.

"You base your inability to have friends on your behavior in civilian life." Adam explained. "But from what I understand of your mentality, you never feel truly at home in that role either. It's only when on the battlefield that you actually feel like yourself. If that's true, then it would make sense that your only true friends would be those you interact with while doing so."

"Bullshit." Samus growled. "I'm playing nice to those folks because Falar has a kid, and the Etecoons are like kids themselves. That's all."

"Really." Adam said skeptically. "If you're so confident, then you wouldn't mind telling me who the closest things to the friends you don't have are."

"Fine." Samus shook her head in disgust. "If it makes you happy. Matrix, but he's dead now."

What? Ridley gasped. What the fuck did you just say?

Later. Samus thought angrily. "Horzat, I guess. Commander Malkovich, another dead man." She paused, then sighed. "And those five."

"Matrix, you met on your mission to eradicate the Metroids on SR-388." Adam said smugly. "The other two, you first interacted significantly with on the original mission to Zebes." He paused, then continued. "I was unaware you held my namesake in such high regard, however."

"Malkovich?" Samus closed her eyes. "Don't bring that up, okay, computer? Not now. Talk about something else."

"Very well." Adam conceded. "I forgot to bring this up last night, but you stopped by the data room in Sector 4 on your way out yesterday, correct?"

"Yeah. Another missile upgrade. Diffusion, or something." Samus shrugged. "Never seen that before, but I'm not gonna argue with free loot. HQ didn't tell you that was ready?"

"No. A procedural error, I'm sure." Adam replied calmly. "Something got lost in the paperwork. Or possibly someone. There's certainly enough of it for that to happen."

"And people ask me why I like a job in the field." Samus rolled her eyes. "Well, I've got them. And before you ride my ass about opening up the level 4 hatches, I had to. There was a cave-in, and it was the only way out."

"Very well." Adam sighed. "But try to use more discretion from now on, please. At any rate, we've got another problem. I'll wait while you fall over and go into convulsions from shock that anything could possibly go wrong."

"Laugh it up, computer." Samus smiled. "It's not the SA-X, is it?"

"Fortunately, no." Adam replied. "Let me explain. Do you remember the security robot you fought in Sector 3 earlier?"

"Yeah. It's back on the rampage, huh?" Samus shook her head. "Figured that'd happen eventually. Where is it, then?"

"It's not that simple." Adam continued. "As I worried about earlier, its organic components have been infested and replicated by the X. As soon as they did, it made a beeline for Sector 6, and it's currently crashing around in there. For once, I'm not sure what it's up to, but I suggest we don't wait to find out."

"Sounds like a plan to me." Samus finished her coffee and stood. "I kind of like the thought of cutting those blobs off before they even get started for once."

"I thought you might." Adam said with a slight chuckle. "I'll look into that Sector and see you at the entrance, then."

All right, spill. Ridley said as soon as Samus was off the ship. What's this about Matrix being dead? I thought the whole point of that last mess was that everybody wanted their hands on him!

It didn't work out that way, okay? Samus snarled mentally. I'm not perfect. He's dead, I'm not, Zebes is fucked. Any more questions, your honor? Grabbing a Hornoad off of the ground, she pulped it with her hand alone.

Just one. Ridley said after a moment. How did he die?

Fighting. Samus replied, relaxing just a bit. He went down fighting.

A warrior's death, then. I'm glad. Ridley said, his own voice becoming more controlled as well. Suppose I can't ask for more than that, in this shithole universe. I liked the little leech.

Yeah, the queen bitch said he took to you. Samus admitted. Guess he knew you had something the rest didn't, even if you were a murdering pirate bastard. That sort of thing wouldn't bother Metroids much, I guess.

Nope. Ridley agreed smugly. Admit it; if it wasn't personal, you wouldn't make such a big deal about it either.

Maybe. But it is personal. Samus took the elevator down to Sector 6. And I don't waste time thinking about impossibilities. Shaking her head, she walked into the navigation room. "All right, computer. What have you got for me?"

"We made the right call, Samus." Adam replied grimly. "The Security Robot's original programming seemed to order it to hold back on its most dangerous abilities. Those restraints have now been removed. Be careful; it's not going to be the same as before."

"Cool. Neither am I." Samus shrugged with a smile. "You worry too much."

"Perhaps, but that's not the only thing I'm worried about." Adam continued. "Under other circumstances, I'd say to come back here later, but we can't afford to let the security robot remain unchecked."

"The SA-X. It's here." Samus guessed.

"You've got it. Once you destroy the robot, leave the NOC sector immediately." Adam instructed. "It will probably start tracking you as soon as it realizes you're here. Don't stay any longer than you must."

"So take another way back, too." Samus nodded firmly. "Leave it to me. I'll slag that droid and be back before you can get a cup of coffee."

"That would mean more if I actually could get coffee." Adam said dryly. "Or if there was anything I'd want to do with it."

"You catch on fast." Samus chuckled, leaving.

So this place is Crateria. Ridley guessed shortly after, as Samus made her way through the caverns, blowing away replicants by the dozen. We've already been to Brinstar, Maridia, and some frozen hellhole that they probably threw in for kicks. That leaves Norfair and SR-388, right?

In short, yes. Samus confirmed, heading towards where Adam had indicated the robot would be on her map. It was off the official section, of course, so she went towards where she had found a red hatch that had been closed on her first visit. Sectors 3 and 1, respectively. What's your point?

My point is, if this is supposed to be a fake Zebes, then where's Tourian? Ridley asked bluntly. Can't be a party without that.

Shit. Samus slapped her visor. How the fuck did I miss that one? I must have sold my brain on F-Bay. Tourian had always been the heart of Space Pirate operations, the only section of Zebes that wasn't a natural environment. Cold steel and boiling chemicals were its features, and high-ranking Pirates its only inhabitants aside from their Metroids, who were kept there with Mother Brain, the only one who could control them. I hate to admit it, but you've got a point, scaletail. There wasn't even anything looking like it on the Main Deck.

Doubt they intended the trainees to go up there at any time during their 'missions', anyways. Ridley reminded her. Secret passages between sectors, after all. If there's a Tourian, the only way to get to it will be from one of these.

And you figure it's in here? Samus realized, then cursed as she fell through a weak section of ground and landed in a room below. In a pool of neck-deep water. "Shitweasels." Climbing out of the stagnant muck, she kept going. I guess both Tourians did have Crateria access, even if I got to the first through Brinstar. Makes the most sense that it would be here, yeah.

Not only that, but Macintyreknows it. Ridley predicted. Awful convenient for the SA-X to be lurking around now of all times, isn't it?

It's set traps before. Samus protested, then gave in. Still, you might have a point. All right, I'll look around while I'm here. Damn! In the low light, she had slammed her head into a Zebes bull, which was not an irritable bovine, but a floating, biological sack of caustic gas. Snarling, Samus killed it, then continued down into the gloomy caverns. Might as well, anyways; the robot should be around here, but I'm not seeing it. I hate the ones that won't stay still.

Over there! Ridley urged her. Look, straight ahead!

Huh? Frowning, Samus walked over. The artificial rock suddenly ended, replaced by a plain steel hallway, undecorated save for black-and-yellow hazard markings, along with numerous "Caution" and "Keep Out" signs. The hall was blocked shortly by a metal gate with tiny viewing slots. Through them, Samus could see a flashing node hanging from the other side on the ceiling. Standard security gate. Have to hit that thing on the other side to open it. Figures that for once, I don't have my Wave Beam by this time.

"Warning." The station's computer suddenly spoke, as a mechanical eye appeared above her. "No entry without authorization. Warning. No entry without authorization."

"God, if I have to listen to that repeat forever, I'm going to go nuts for real." Samus muttered, turning around. "Out of here." Climbing back up through the caverns, she suddenly paused, hearing crashing sounds from above. "There we go! Sounds like it's coming from this way..." Dashing back, she entered the room with the stagnant pool.

A moment after she did, the roof crashed in, and the Security Robot landed in the pool with a titanic splash. The legs were all still undamaged, six of them positioned evenly around it, but the central body was only a few scraps and pieces of metal armor around the plasteel tank containing the organic core. More than ever, it looked like a gigantic brain, and once more, Samus had to fight down the instinctual reaction of furious rage.

So that's what it looks like. Eh, I've seen better. Ridley remarked. See if you can take it down in five minutes.

"Those stupid firebombs won't do much in the water, that's for certain." Samus muttered, then groaned as she saw a pair of bare wires release from the robot. Dropping into the water, they instantly pumped it full of electricity. "Oh, great. Now what?" Glancing around, she saw rungs across the ceiling of the room, and jumped up to grab them. "All right, this works."

The robot was not impressed. Hopping around, it jumped high enough to pass right in front of Samus before falling again. A diffusion missile in the tank covered its surface with frost, but didn't do much to deter it. Pausing, it hunched down, and the weapons hatch on its top flipped up. Instead of firebombs, this time it used something much more deadly; rockets. Four of them.

"You have got to be shitting me!" Samus yelled, flinging herself back onto the shore as the missiles crashed into the rungs where she had been. Instantly, the robot was on her, bearing its entire massive right down onto her prone form. Growling, Samus ignored the pain and aimed up, towards the core. A diffusion missile rocked it backwards, and another flipped it back into the water. By the time it regained its footing, Samus was back on the rungs, hitting it again.

I get it. Cool it down first, then switch to charged shots. Ridley guessed. With the plasma beam, that much heat'll crack it. Temperature shock.

Bingo. Samus nodded, blowing the last of the core's metal fragments off and dodging another jump. Now, where the robot was moving through the water, it left a trail of ice on the surface that was instantly blown apart by the surging electricity. "That ought to do it." Switching to her beam, she began firing, turning it upon the rockets whenever the robot launched them. Charged shots, like Ridley said, did even more damage to the tank at its low temperature, and huge cracks began to appear in its casing.

The robot, unfortunately, was undeterred by the beating it was taking. Pausing for thought, it released rockets, then jumped at Samus in the same moment.

"Crap!" Unable to avoid both attacks, Samus was hit by the charge, and borne into the water. As she fell, electricity coursed through her. Her suit kept her from frying instantly, but the pain still ravaged her body, and the robot rushed forward, pinning her into the side of the pool. Gasping, choking, Samus saw the ice clearing from the robot's core. Rage rose again, and this time, the pain kept her from the necessary thought process to fight it back.

"Kill the bitch." She snarled, three tiny fangs popping out of her palm. Shoving both it and the cannon into the largest crack, she began firing blindly, while at the same time pulling at the plasteel. "Rip out her guts." Scorching her own fingers with her attack, pain overriding every limit on her, Samus lunged at the brain in the bottle. "Drink her blood!" The edge of the plasteel sliced her hand, but still she pulled, and it came loose. Shoving her cannon into the opening, she kept on firing.

Aware of the massive damage it was taking, the robot tried to pull away, but Samus hung on grimly, pulling herself out of the water and onto the robot's top. It crashed around blindly, trying to knock her off, to no avail. Even when the rocket launcher popped up, Samus simply shot them all in less than an instant, detonating them in their bays.

"Pull out every single one of those ass-ugly fangs!" Howling now, Samus continued pulling its casing apart with raw, frenzied strength and cooking the brain inside with beam fire. "Pound them all into her eye, slowly, one by one!" Dropping inside the remnants of the tank, she kept attacking, kicking out the remaining casing before hurling herself onto the pulped meat. "Shred everything that's left!" Several times, she almost shoved her palm-fangs into the bloody mess, but something always held her back, and with a snarl, she returned to her rampage.

Explosions around her almost returned Samus to her senses. Reacting on instinct, she jumped up and out, clinging to the rungs overhead. Looking down, she saw the robot die, and the smashed remnants of the organic core flop out, useless without their body. Shimmering, they vanished, and a Core-X rushed her from the robot's remains, single eye firing beams. The sight of it returned Samus to her senses, and she dropped onto the robot, using it as a foothold to keep out of the water while she fired, then jumping to land when it approached.

Half-a-dozen missiles later, the inside of the Core-X was released, and Samus absorbed it, then quietly looked back at the robot, feeling the energy from the monster heal massive wounds she hadn't even been conscious of.

It was her, wasn't it. Ridley said quietly. Ma Brain. She killed Matrix.

Yeah. Samus looked away. But that's in the past. It's done. She's dead too. Way dead. And I've got a job to do. Wishing she believed her own words, she examined her systems. Wave Beam. Just what the doctor ordered. Let's see what's on the other side of that gate.

---

The Wave Beam was a particularly strange upgrade which caused Samus' shots to pass through solid matter that it couldn't burn for several yards before dissipating. On the security gate, it worked like a charm, and she strolled through, ignoring the blaring alarm.

"Map says I'm not in Sector 6 any longer." She noted quietly as she walked. The rooms were dimly lit, so she turned her headlamp off, but what she saw wasn't encouraging; nothing but strange machines lying around. "Sector 0. Restricted Area. You were right again, pal. This is their take on Tourian."

Well, I'm glad to be that good, but I wouldn't just leave it at that. Ridley said. There's got to be something they're actually doing here. Something the chatbot didn't want to tell you about.

"Yeah." Samus admitted. "What matters is how important it is. If it's just dirty laundry, or something dangerous, I'll still be cranky but I'll probably give him a break. Eventually. But if there's something more..." She fell silent as she continued through a transparent plasteel hall, showing the stars outside all around her. "Okay, this looks cool, but it's a seriously bad id-"

The next room took her breath away instantly, as the secret of the Federation's current plans suddenly became all too apparent.

Holy shit. Even Ridley was stunned. No fucking way.

"Way." Samus muttered absently, staring around her. Four plasteel tanks covered the side walls, and a cylindrical fifth took up the center of the room, all of them stretching up hundreds of feet. Inside all of them, dozens of tiny shapes drifted around aimlessly. Familiar shapes. Shapes that Samus was all too familiar with, but had believed she would never see again. Walking forward, she stared into the central tank, just to be sure. It was no illusion. They were real.

Bodies like jellyfish, mostly slime, with transparent skins deceptively more durable than a battlecruiser's hull. Veins inside connected to the only recognizable organs, a cluster of red spheres at the base. Twin fangs dangling from the bottom, each able to punch into a full Gravity Suit like it was paper and drain life energy at a frightening speed. These were only the size of Samus' head, juveniles, but they were no less frightening for that. The Galactic Federation had been so terrified of their abuse at the hands of the Space Pirates, they had sent her in to exterminate the entire species.

"Metroids." Samus whispered, hand against the central tank. "They have Metroids here. How?"

Two possibilities. Ridley replied. Either they made a trip to SR-388 themselves before they sent you in. Or they kept a sample of Matrix's cells on hand, and finally managed to crack cloning technology. Even Kraid never managed that one, though, so...

"No, that's what they did." Samus shook her head. "They had some of Matrix's cells, all right. That's what they used on me." On the other side of the glass, the baby Metroids were drifting towards her curiously, but didn't express any of the predatory behavior that all of their kind except one had always regarded other life with. "I don't believe this. This is insane."

Believe it, sister. Ridley said harshly. It's here. You can deal or you can die. Which is it gonna be?

"Don't have to ask me that." Samus snapped, recovering. "Let's see what else is here." Continuing on into another room, she walked up staircases and catwalks, past several more tanks. These each contained only one Metroid, dead and suspended motionlessly for view. "A fully grown larva." She noted, passing one that looked like a human-sized version of the juveniles with four fangs. "And there's an Alpha." The next was flipped, its slime-body converted into an underbelly, with an armadilloid carapace above, bristling with claws and a headhorn that functioned like the fangs. Two compound eyes seemed like an afterthought.

We never did manage to get any but the larvae, Ridley mused. It was tricky enough nabbing those. Wonder what would have happened if we had.

"This is getting to me enough without imagining that, thanks." Samus said, passing the next form, which added insectoid limbs to the claws, multiplied the horn and eyes by three, and finished with an elongated armor protrusion like a nose. "Gamma, there. And over here, a Zeta." The next form actually stood upright, the limbs further altered into four legs and two arms. The face had become an elongated head, the horns disappearing and replaced by a fang-filled mouth. "And in the next room, we have..." All that awaited her was more babies. "Looks like they never got an Omega or a Queen."

That's a great comfort, that is. Ridley replied sardonically. If they can clone them, they don't need to make them divide asexually with gamma radiation. That means these ones will grow up fully, instead of halting their development at the first form.

"No. They won't." Samus growled. "I'm going to stop it, right here. And then I'm going to fucking kill that computer-what the hell?." Below her, there was suddenly a great deal of noise; multiple detonations, accompanied by the breaking of plasteel, a familiar cacophony of hungry screeches, and an even more familiar voice cursing aloud. Before Samus could react, however, the floor collapsed, and amid the rubble, she fell into the first room with the Metroids. Now freed, the terrifying little blobs filled the air, as the SA-X shot wildly.

"Monsters!" The replicant screamed madly, as it fired. "Abominations! You live again! How? How? I wiped you out!"

Well. Ridley said calmly as Samus fell into the chaos below. Hard to see how this could get any worse.

"Warning." The station's computer spoke. "Restricted laboratory breached. Sixty seconds to detachment and self-destruct of restricted laboratory."

"You had to say it! You just had to fucking say it!" Samus howled, landing behind the SA-X. The replicant didn't even notice, too busy firing at the Metroids.

"Die die die!" It screeched, Ice Beam freezing them in the air. Unfortunately for it, there were simply too many for it to hit them all, and they swooped down, covering it en masse. "No! No no no no no!"

"Goddammit all!" Samus stared up to the top of the room, where another hatch was now visible. "That had better lead out." The one she had used to enter had been demolished by the SA-X, of course. Ignoring the brutal feeding frenzy, she spun into the air, Space Jumping past more Metroids as they emerged. The infants continued to regard her with nothing more than curiosity before joining their brethren below.

They can tell you're a Metroid too. Ridley noted. Lucky break. You'd never have made it if they went for you too.

"Feel free to shut up any time now!" Samus said testily, making for the hatch. Pausing, she looked back down. The SA-X had been unable to fend off the Metroids, and was now lying still, as they continued to feed. "Well. That takes care of that, at least." Shuddering, she turned away from the sight, knowing full well that it would remain in her nightmares for some time; all that had been visible was a limp hand. Her hand.

Through the hatch, Samus found herself in another plasteel tunnel. Before she could reach the end of it, an airlock slammed shut at the end behind her, and she turned to see the laboratory fall off into space. Since it seemed she was safe, she waited and watched. Once it was clear, the piece of the station exploded in a flare of light, blinding her for a moment. When her vision cleared, it was gone, not even rubble remaining in the stars. Turning without a word, Samus kept on walking, away from the secrets.

"Samus, I really wish you hadn't done that." Adam greeted her the moment she entered a Navigation Room. "This may cost both of us quite dearly, and quite soon."

"One of us more than the other." Samus snapped. "One last chance to convince me not to kill your ass, Fedbot. Otherwise as soon as we're off this station, I don't care what planet we land on, I'm rigging the ship with enough bombs to put a crater in the surface. I'm not the one who fucked up here, buddy."

"Samus." Adam paused for a moment, then continued. "I don't like getting technical, but the deal we made was that I'd tell you what the original plans for this station were. I did that, just like we agreed. This use of Sector 0 was only started several Standard weeks before the X outbreak."

"You-" Samus yelled, then stopped for a moment as well. "All right. You've got me there. But I'm still pissed off that you kept this from me. How the hell did you think I'd respond to the Federation having Metroids?"

"That would be why I didn't tell you, yes." Adam replied, temper showing for a moment before he relaxed. "Look, Samus. The Federation has been working on their Metroid breeding program here, yes. But they meant it for peaceful applications only. Please don't get the wrong idea about this."

And if you buy that one, I've got a planet to sell you, too. Ridley added.

"What gets me is that I took this long to figure it out." Samus admitted, calming down as well. "Secret Federation station for black ops projects they want out of the public eye. No morals whatsoever about what they do here. Metroid cells that they're keeping around just for the hell of it. And Sector 1, perfect for raising the buggers in. Can't keep 'em in those tanks once they start growing up."

"Exactly. That was what drew the eye of certain members of the Federation, once the program had been initiated." Adam agreed. "Sector 1, SRX, was perfect for the development of Alpha, Gamma, Zeta and Omega Metroids. An experimental technique for accelerated growth proved successful, resulting in the deceased examples you saw preserved back there."

"But they were careful to only speed-age one at a time, and before they could get an Omega, the X broke out." Samus guessed quietly, then suddenly lurched forward, slamming her fists against the monitor. "You fucking tinbrain, don't try and bullshit me! Peaceful applications? For trying to get an Omega Metroid out of a larval one in only a matter of days? Sure, and I'm the fucking Pope!"

"There's nothing I can say, is there?" Adam replied after a moment. "You're convinced I was a part of this, rather than simply being aware of it. You've already decided."

"Save the self-pity for someone who cares." Samus drew back, and thought for a moment. "All right, how about this. The SA-X released all of those Metroids. Did any of them get away, and escape onto the station, before I got out? I didn't see."

"No. However, there is one Metroid already present." Adam answered readily. "It was released into Sector 1 shortly before the X outbreak. I was unaware of that when we first arrived, but learned of it shortly afterwards. The X were not able to enter the portion of Sector 1 it lived in until you unlocked Level 4 hatches, so they were unaware of its existence as well."

"So it's been out long enough to grow up." Samus shook her head. "Damn, am I glad they don't look at me like lunch any more. All the same, I'm going to find that thing and kill it. Five bucks says I'll come out in Sector 1 from here. Shouldn't take me too long."

"I wouldn't suggest that." Adam said readily. "The X are now aware of the Metroids. There is already another SA-X on its way to do that, I would wager."

"Nah, that's one good thing. The bitch is dead-wait." Samus blinked, his words processing. Slowly, her lips peeled back in a snarl. "What do you mean, another?"

"Samus." Adam actually sounded surprised. "Oh, come on. Don't tell me you didn't have a suspicion about that. You know how quickly the X reproduce. You specifically told me you hoped that killing their strongest monsters would keep them from making more, once they saw that those had failed. Didn't you even think about the most dangerous one of all?"

"How many." Samus forced herself to say it, cold and blunt. "How many are there."

"At the moment, there are ten of them." Adam explained. "Our time on this station is drawing to an end, obviously. Samus, I'd love to continue this conversation, but to put it bluntly, that would be suicidal. Get out of there, and quickly. If you stay there, the SA-X will find you while searching for the other Metroid. Leave them to fight it out, and get back to the ship. We'll discuss our plan of action from there."

"This isn't over, computer." Samus threatened, walking away. "For you, me, or the Feds."

Oh, sure, forget me. Old Ridley doesn't matter. Ridley grumbled mockingly.

"I'm not sure how HQ is going to take this, honestly, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Adam sighed. "For now, get back here. I'll see you soon, Samus."

"You say that like it's a good thing." Samus said as she departed. "I wouldn't, if I were you."

Riding an elevator up, Samus took a moment to gather her thoughts. Shit. This does it. If the Federation's breeding Metroids, I can't afford to wait any longer. This won't stop them; they've still got cell samples they can clone elsewhere. No way to wipe those out.

So I was right. Ridley urged. The Feds are just as bad as we are. At least, the people in charge are. That Renpou guy.

It's looking that way. Samus admitted reluctantly. I'm going to have to take steps. Not to mention figuring out what the hell I'm going to do about you.

I've got a few ideas, but I doubt you'd like them. Ridley chuckled. More importantly, though. What about the chatbot? Are you seriously going to hang on to him?

I don't like it. Samus admitted, leaving the elevator. He gets to me, I'll admit. Acts a little like my old boss, Malkovich, but not enough. He's still just a computer, and one I can't really trust. Problem is, we made a deal, and he was right-he did hold up to his end of it. I don't like it, but when I make a deal like that, I hold up my end as long as the other guy does.

Huh. Honor among thieves, or something, then? Ridley sighed. Well, it's your ass.

Until it gets blown up. Samus added wryly, heading out into the secret half of Sector 1. Okay, we were wrong about something. Now we're in Tourian. The décor was exactly like Mother Brain's control centers had been, a maze of metal piping and ledges interspersed with pits of acid. Climbing and jumping around, over and through the lot, Samus blasted anything in her path quietly and mercilessly. Can I ask you something?

Can't exactly stop you. Ridley answered. Whether I answer or not depends on what the question is.

It's one I doubt you'd tell me normally, but we're kind of in special circumstances here. Samus said with a wince as she entered a hallway and found a pair of familiar faces waiting for her. "Oh, this is just what my day needed." Two Zebesian Space Pirates stood calmly in the middle of a hall, their armored carapaces golden and shiny.

Now there's some familiar faces. Ezer and Garan. Ridley said cheerfully. The two Pirates had been his number-one lackeys, dull-witted but with extreme physical ability even before the experimental cybernetic armor had been grafted onto them. At his orders, they had massacred an entire space station full of scientists, and Samus had paid them back for that on her second mission into Zebes. Guess they were loaded onto the same ship as me. Ma was going to actually revive them? Their dad must have really made her happy.

Which leads into my question. Just how strong would you figure the Pirates are right now? Samus swore quietly as the two Zebesians began firing dozens of beams on automatic fire, and began running and dodging while closing the gap. "This is going to be a hassle. At least they're not sentient."

Weakpoints in their armor at the base of their skulls. Ridley pointed out. And the fact that you seriously think I'm going to answer that has me curious. Why would I?

Thanks. Samus grunted as the first replicant launched a flying kick at her head. Fortunately, she was familiar with the move, and ducked under it before rising and firing a charged shot into the back of its head. For a moment, it looked like there was no effect, and then the replicant toppled over, smoke rising from its skull, before dissolving into X. Snatching them up, she turned to the other. Because I'm considering doing something really stupid, and it concerns you.

Now that's interesting. Hell with it. Ridley said. Orders in the event of losing Ma Brain again were to load her corpse and the four of us onto five separate battlecruisers. Each of them was then to take off to a different portion of space, with our remaining forces divided evenly between them, and attempt to regroup-and, in time, revive us from the dead. Obviously, the Heart Of Norfair won't be doing that.

Obviously. Samus agreed, killing the other replicant. So that leaves four.

Right. This soon after Zebes, I doubt any of them will have a Lord or Ma back up yet, so the one in charge will probably be her personal assistant. Ridley continued. Zeral, Ezer and Garan's dad. He won't be able to do much, though; they'll be scattered all over the place, without any real center of power.

Think I met him once, Samus remembered, continuing on over more acid pits. Cunning bastard. Yeah, okay. So your gang won't be able to do much to the Feds for a long time. Fuck it all.

So, what's this something stupid? Ridley inquired. You've got me curious about it now-hey, check that out. An eye guardian awaited at the end of the acid. Macintyre didn't say anything about something you needed to kill here.

Nope. But now I'm curious about this, whatever it is. Samus blew the guardian away and walked in. Besides, another Core-X is always good. The room was much larger vertically than horizontally, and contained nothing but more complicated machinery, and one other inhabitant. In addition, it was swelteringly hot, much moreso than the rest of Sector 1. Looking down, Samus narrowed her eyes, then jumped off the entry ledge to land in front of the enemy.

"Good evening, Samus." The Ridley-X replicant greeted her, voice identical to the one in her head. "It's been a while." Crouched in the back of the room, wings folded and foreclaws on its knees, it regarded her calmly, a space dragon the size of a horse. Unlike the original Ridley, its scales were clean and unscarred by a lifetime of combat.

You know, I'm really not surprised by this. Ridley commented quietly. To be honest, I've kind of been expecting it for a while. Of course, I'm still rather pissed off, but it could be worse.

Glad to see you're being realistic about this. Samus thought before regarding the replicant. "Hi, X. It hasn't really been that long, because you're not the real thing. How about you quit trying to psyche me out, huh?"

"Now that's just rude." The Ridley-X grinned, baring hundreds of fangs. The light above was strangely red-tinted, making the teeth appear almost blood-dyed. "Come now. This form was a lucky bonus for us; it's the only one we've found as formidable as your own. You could show a little respect."

"Boy, are you in the wrong line of business." Samus snickered. "You want respect, run for political office. I'm here to kill your ass. Why waste time with niceties?"

"Well, if you insist." The replicant brought a claw up and tossed an empty syringe onto the floor. "But physical prowess is not all that this one gave us. Knowledge came with it as well. Certain chemicals produced by his associates are quite fascinating." In the red light, he began to expand, flesh and bone stretching nightmarishly longer, taller, larger.

"Sys-gro." Samus muttered, recognizing the symptoms of Kraid's personal supersteroid. "You were Kraid's buddy. He told you how to make it."

But I never used that crap. Not myself. Ridley seethed. Drugs? On my body? Scratch being calm. You're planning something to do with me, I know. You want me in? Fuck this shit up, and I'll make you a deal, whatever it is.

"Done." Samus blasted a diffusion missile into the monster's jaw, and followed it up with several more uncharged explosives. "You're going down, ugly."

"I'm sorry." The Ridley-X's giant claws shot out, snatching the followup missiles out of the air. "Was that supposed to hurt?" Screeching with laughter, it flapped its wings, and rose into the air, larger than the Nightmare had been now. "Come, Samus Aran! Your greatest nemesis shall finally triumph over you!"

"Fuck that." Samus gazed up at it for a moment, both of them bathed in red, then followed it into the skies. "You're nothing, big boy. Nothing compared to the real thing. Nothing to me. Just another replicant to kill. You're already dead, X. You just don't know it yet. My job to educate you."

"Is that so?" The Ridley-X's eyes bulged madly, as its maw swung open and fire emerged in sheets. "Burn, abomination!"

"You all keep calling me that. I don't think you know what it means." Samus spun and danced in the air, Space Jump ability carrying her in directions and arcs actual flight could never manage. Some of the fire found her, but she bore it calmly, as most swept past. Another diffusion missile was blasted away, and with an annoyed grunt, she switched to her beam. At least when the waves of cold swept over her, the fires were doused.

Good idea, Ridley noted. With the Wave Beam, it'll phase through him instead of just burning in. With that much mass, it'll do a lot on its way.

"That's the plan!" Samus glared up at the shrieking monstrosity. "Gonna take a shitload to bring it down, though. You were bad enough already."

"You talk nonsense!" The replicant gloated. "Has your mind finally snapped, Metroid? I'll put you out of your misery!" Suddenly stopping its wingbeat, it crashed down upon her.

"Nice try!" Dodging out of the way, Samus fired into its back, smiling as it screeched, the blast emerging from its chest. "You clown. You think bigger is better? You're more unwieldy than a hovertruck. I could slaughter you in my sleep!"

"Is that so?" Whirling around, the replicant charged back up into the air. As Samus dodged again, a claw shot out and slammed into her, ramming her into a wall. Before she could struggle free, it whipped up, then threw her down like a ball into the floor. She bounced. Twice.

"Okay, new plan." Samus groaned, peeling herself out of the dent. "Don't let you cop a feel any more."

Funny. Whore. Ridley snarked. But you've got a point. I wasn't so much about muscle, but Sys-Gro changes that up.

"I noticed!" Diving out of the way of the replicant's landing, Samus fired a charged shot over her shoulder before taking to the air again. From the screech, she guessed she had aimed correctly, and whirled around in midair to see the Ridley-X rushing her like a hovertrain.

"Burn, Samus Aran!" The monster bathed her with flames once more before snatching with both its foreclaws.

"Tried it already. Not my thing. Sorry." Diving past both claws, she rushed into the monster's open mouth. Before it could respond, she blasted half a dozen missiles down its throat and flipped backwards a moment before the jaws slammed shut. "That's how I took Kraid. Bastard's skin was as bad as a Metroid's on the sys-gro, but he couldn't keep his big mouth shut." Once again, the ice diffusion put out the fires, keeping her burns to a minimum.

"Is that supposed to impress me?" The Ridley-X roared, finally bringing its most threatening weapon into play. A Drakar's prehensile tail was segmented, armored, and tipped with a massive spearhead. Whipping around to build up momentum, it stabbed at Samus, missed, and came out again without pause, then again, and again.

"Nope. Wrong. Sorry. Try again! No biscuit! Oof!" Samus taunted the replicant, then grunted in pain as it scored, stabbing into her arm and smashing her into a wall. Before it could follow up with a grab, she sprung away, over its head. The tail followed her, and she paused for a moment in the air before slipping aside at the last moment. It shot past, straight into a light fixture.

"YEEEEARRRGH!" Screeching, the Ridley-X spasmed as electricity coursed through its body, pulling its tail back and flopping onto the floor, a smoking mess.

"Got Draygon that way. Should be careful what you do with weapons like those." Samus continued jumping around above it, firing charged shots down into the head. When the replicant rose suddenly, she was ready for it, and fell back, landing on her feet below and behind it.

"Got you!" The Ridley-X laughed, its tail pointing straight downward and shooting back and forth at a frenzied pace while its wings carried it backwards towards Samus.

"Shit!" Samus tried to take to the air, but she was too close to the wall, and she slammed into her enemy's wings, which knocked her back down. A moment later, the jackhammer tail punched her into the ground. Again and again, it slammed in, punching her into the floor with enough force to create a dent shaped like her body, and gouging into the suit's reduced armor.

"Die, monster!" The Ridley-X screamed at her. "You don't belong in this world!" It paused for a moment, then added, "Richter Belmont, Castlevania season 10."

"Okay, that's just disturbing." Samus grunted painfully, firing a Diffusion missile up to knock the tail away. "An X quoting holovids. I guess some things do carry over." Before it could strike again, she rolled out from under the replicant, and rose up into its face, delivering a mighty uppercut into the jaw. Rattling its skull, she proceeded up, dodging the grasping claws and flying up above its head. Halting, she dropped down onto the beak, and punched her beam cannon straight into one crazily rolling eyeball before firing a charged shot.

"Arrrgh!" Hissing, the replicant snatched her off, and began squeezing, crushing her in its claws. "Enough screwing around! You're dead, Aran!"

"On second thought, I preferred the holovid quotes." Samus snapped, forcing her cannon out of the claws and firing one ice Super after another into the monster's bony chest, point-blank. "At least those weren't cliches." Repeated trauma to the chest caused the beast's claws to spasm involuntarily, just as it always had with the real Ridley, and Samus didn't waste a moment before blasting up and shooting out the replicant's other eye. "Going for the eye was how I offed Phantoon. Obvious weak point, really."

And that's one reason I never went with that shit. Ridley chortled as the replicant thrashed around furiously. The bigger you are, the bigger a target the soft parts are. Looks like my species has a particular issue with the eyes on that stuff. Amateur. He paused. Season 10 was one of the best, though.

"I've had about all of this I can stand." Samus said to nobody in particular as she circled around the replicant, continuing to fire charged shots through its body, concentrating on the torso where the organs would be. Blinded, it could only breath fire everywhere and lunge wildly, and that wasn't enough. Dodging most of the flames and all of its physical strikes, she pumped beam fire into the replicant until something gave.

"Damn..." Croaking, the Ridley-X began spurting fire from its wounds as well as its mouth, then from its nostrils and eyes. Squinting, it somehow managed to locate Samus, and grabbed her out of the sky one last time. Before it could crush her, however, its claws fell limp, only holding on out of reflex. "You got me. Nice job, Samus." Grinning, it exploded violently, and a shelled Core-X flew out of the remains, knocking Samus flat.

A scrapper, I see. More than just my sense of humor rubbed off. Ridley noted. Not bad, I guess. Still, it belongs dead.

"Damn straight." Samus rose, and circled the X until her missiles had blasted the shell away. "And that was how I beat the real Ridley, X. By just plain-out being better." Reaching up, she took the X in her hand, and drained it into nothingness.

Think you'll get memories? Ridley wondered. They didn't kill me after all. Just found my corpse in cold storage.

"Fifty-fifty. Let's hope not." Samus waited a moment, then relaxed. "Nothing. Good. But I did get my Screw Attack. That's the last thing I really needed." She clenched her fist. "Tempting as it is to wait for a SA-X to show up, let's get out of this dump. We've got things to do."

That's right. You said you had something stupid in mind. Ridley remembered. Let's hear it.

"Regardless of what happens with the computer, there's one thing I want to do." Samus explained as she rose through a vertical shaft with Zebesian replicants hanging on all the walls. The Screw Attack covered her body with a field of sizzling energy when she engaged the Space Jump, transforming her body into an engine of destruction. "I need to kill an SA-X. Fair and square, in one-on-one combat."

And you want my help in doing so. Ridley guessed. I've fought you more times than anybody else. I know the little tricks to your style. The patterns, the blind spots, the instincts you rely on. The same ones the SA-X will use in a straight-out fight. It doesn't have your knowledge, but it has your abilities. And it doesn't care if it dies, so it'll be more reckless. Even with your suit back at full capacity, its armor is heavier. You've got ice missiles, but that won't be enough to give you an edge. That about what you figured?

"Basically." Samus agreed as she emerged into the SR-388 environment, then narrowed her eyes. Before her on the ground was a transparent shell, cracked and empty, in the shape of a Metroid's body. "That Metroid the computer said is out here. It's grown into Alpha stage, at least." She shook her head. "As I was saying. I know very well you're not going to just give this one to me freely. But I think I know what your price is going to be. If you've got any ideas about it, let's hear them."

Skip right to the point, why don't you? Ridley chuckled. Yeah, I've got an idea or two. And I do owe you for killing that replicant of me. All right, Samus. We'll make a deal, you and me. I've wanted to do that for years.

"And I've held off on it." Samus shook her head, devouring more X to heal herself from the fight. "But it's not up to me, any more. The universe changes, and we change with it." Killing another replicant without looking, she walked on, towards the exit, and the end of the mission.