Note: Sorry to keep all readers waiting for so long, but I've been very busy lately with my other fics, getting through and recuperating from my hardest college semester ever, and not feeling motivated to update this fic. But as of now, know 2 things: 1. That I have not forgotten about this story or you readers. 2, and as this chapter will prove: The longer the update, the better the chapter!
Enjoy!
Chapter 11: Conspiracy Theories
SR388
Back in the tunnel where the marines are located, Smythe, Angseth, Benet, Chris, and Milligan are stationed at the end closest to the cacti pit whereas the remaining ones are guarding the end leading back into the place where the lava had once been.
As soon as the marines are growing bored at guard duty, their HUD's radars show a small number of hostiles coming their way via the end where Houston, Monz, Brode, Triplette and Exeter are located. Not even speaking, the latter five bring their weapons up and get into attack stances.
Triplette: "Contact!"
Five ramulkens come hopping in, each one heading for a marine, who use this to their advantage.
Each gets out a grenade and lets it drop to the ground, and then they dodge the creatures just as the explosions go off in the ramulkens' weak undersides. All but one perishes in the blast, and the remaining creature's survival comes at the price of losing its appendages, leaving it helpless.
Houston calmly walks over to the creature whose wounds are gushing out green blood, and shoots it in the eye, killing it.
Monz: "Hot damn!"
Benet: "Good thing we looked over the list of hostiles indigenous to SR388 before touching down here."
Then the ground starts shaking (albeit not an earthquake) and in the next few seconds, a herd of motos charges into the area.
Exeter: "These things again!"
Monz: "Side-step or jump to let 'em pass!"
The group does as they're told and kill a few of the motos in the back of the herd. But the remaining 30 creatures keep running toward the group at the other end, the latter also stepping out of the way and watch as the motos fall into the poison cacti pit and roar in agony as they die.
Chris (voice on comms as he addresses the troops at the opposite end): "Big Bro, stay frosty. These things weren't trying to kill us, they were running 'cuz they were scared."
Houston's voice on the comm: "Roger that, Chris. We figured that out as soon as they didn't break formation and come for us."
It hadn't taken long for the other marines to get used to Chris addressing Houston with "Big Bro" instead of "Major" during missions. But as long as he doesn't forget to say "big," Houston isn't bothered by what would normally be considered a disrespect for ranking. Because such casual talk only occurred during missions, or when no other higher-ups were around, Dane and others whom the brothers had served under rarely had a reason to care as well. It was simply how the two brothers had always been.
Chris and Houston are closer than most siblings and had become a team of fighters for the weak ever since grade school and through high school where they were the bullies of bullies. As they grew, so did their devotion to help others. Before their father died from a hover car crash, he taught his sons the valuable lessons of giving back to those who were less fortunate than themselves. He did this by taking them to renovate deteriorating buildings, helping relief teams clean up destruction caused by natural disasters, and doing yard work for the elderly who couldn't afford robots to do the job.
During the Space Pirate Uprising Years was when the two joined the Galactic Federation Marine Corps. Because they were too young to volunteer when the war first broke out, they could only watch the holo-news as the Pirates laid waste and took over many planets and settlements under Federation control in an effort to make their species the dominate authority in the cosmos. Back then the Space Pirates were a force to be reckoned with and could overtly battle the Federation; nothing like fighting from the shadows as they do today. The brothers only fought in the last three months of that five year conflict, but the experience made the two decide that they would be a greater help to others by protecting the Galactic Federation from its enemies across the stars. The Pirates suffered so much loss by the war's end that today they are limited to such small-time strategies such as attack-only-when-the-situation-favors-them and hit-and-run raids, along with the occasional bioweapon attempt.
But as the Houston brothers have discovered today, you apparently don't have to be a Space Pirate to get into bioweapon development.
Suddenly there's a thoom sound…followed by another, and then another. The frequency of the sound then increases and gets louder. Given the size of the other organisms on SR388 that the marines looked at prior to landing, they quickly deduce that there's only one creature capable of such weight and power.
Brode (grimly): "I think I know what that is…"
Houston (sternly to those around him): "Squad, fall back NOW." (On comm, addressing the marines at the other end): "Hey ladies, get your asses down here we're about to face a—"
The upper area of the rock-encased entrance seems to explode from where it had been. It's immediately accompanied with the roar of an omega metroid!
The creature spits its acid at Triplette, missing him just barely. Before the omega can try to hit him again it gets hit in the frontal nuclei by some .50s.
Houston: "We gotta lead it further in the tunnel so some of us can attack it from behind!"
Monz: "Then let's get to it!"
As the five attempt to run, the omega jumps so that it's blocking their path to join the other squad.
Again, the marines use this to their advantage, especially since there are now two squads on each side of the metroid. Smythe's squad starts shooting the omega in the face, and with the combined firepower they shortly put out an entire eye socket and blast holes in its cheek area which spews green blood.
This of course enrages the animal, making it focus on the five marines. But when it turns its back, Houston's squad succeeds in hitting the four pipes with their mini rockets which destroys the monster's secondary nuclei. The omega roars in pain and falls to the ground.
Not giving it a moment to recoup, Angseth hits the other eye socket, blinding the metroid. But the danger is far from over, for a metroid's other senses allow it to hunt effectively even without using its eyes. The omega quickly gets back on its feet, finds a particular prey, and lashes out at Smythe who is knocked off his feet and lands flat. Before the omega can step on Smythe with its gigantic toe-claws, Chris and Benet effectively hit the gaps in the creatures external ribcage, destroying its second nuclei.
With a long roar of pain, the monster falls backward and doesn't get back up. The marines get clear so that no one is flattened by the metroid, but they do get knocked on the ground by the impact. The fact that the creature possesses that kind of power even when it dies is unsettling to Houston and Monz, but they keep their opinions to themselves as all troops quickly get up and start to celebrate with whoops and yells of triumph.
Exeter: "Fuck yeah! That's one dick-faced omega metroid down!"
Houston: "Excellent work, everyone."
Angseth: "That wasn't as tough as I thought it would be."
Brode: "With all that power, comes slowness…"
Chris: "If this is how tough these omegas get, I'd say we're in good shape."
Monz: "But don't forget that there were ten of us and one of them. Plus, we don't know how many more omega metroids there are…"
Milligan: "Hey, bring 'em on!"
Houston notices how killing of the omega made his fellow marines beam with joy as they spoke. He understands it completely. His own hands are shaking in the adrenaline aftermath, he's speechless, and has a sudden memory of how he felt after his first battle in which he acted daring and bravely. How elated he had been, how incredibly alive.
But as he looks at his HUD, he's reminded of the importance of keeping a clear head…And on this planet, that is far more important than even the sweet taste of victory.
Houston: "Be careful what you wish for, Private. My radar's showing more targets headin' our way from both directions. Head back to your original guard posts on the double marines!"
Marines in unison: "Yes sir!"
When the marines arrive back at their previous locations, a zeta and normal metroid arrive at Houston's end and a gamma and alpha emerge from Smythe's end. The humans expect the animals to rush at them while attacking as they had done at the landing site, but the metroids oddly hesitate, as if sizing up their prey before risking a fight. For a moment, humans and aliens alike stand still and do nothing, making Monz feel uneasy.
Monz thinking: "They're more cautious now, just like Adam said. They learned from the surface that brute force isn't enough to kill us."
Exeter: "Come get some, ugly fucks!"
As if awaiting the invitation, the zeta and regular metroid spring into battle. The zeta dives forward, making Monz jump…right into the path of the normal metroid that grabs him in its mandibles. Triplette quickly shoots .50s at the creature that has Monz before it can drain any energy, and silently thanks the people who invented smart weapon features.
Monz: "Shit that was too close. I owe ya one, Trip—WHOA, heads up!"
Monz shoots a gamma metroid that suddenly appears from the exit/entrance of the cave. Its lightning attack deflects the .50s, but gives Benet the chance to attack the creature from behind.
On the other end of the tunnel, Brode succeeds in killing the alpha metroid and is about to join the others in taking out the gamma when the zeta metroid makes a loud screeching sound that echoes throughout the tunnel. The zeta then uses the claws on all four limbs to dig a tunnel in the ground and vanish. The gamma follows shortly after. The marines talk to each other via comm.
Chris: "Looks like they're bugging out…Cowards."
Milligan: "Naw, it ain't cowardice. It's cuz they now know not to mess with us!"
Houston: "Don't relax just yet, people. We have no idea why they fled…They could be up to somethin'."
Brode: "Well lemme tell you somthin', I do not like how all of us are staying in one place. It makes us too vulnerable for creatures to gang-bang us."
Monz: "What sucks is that we don't have a metroid detector, otherwise we'd be able to hunt them instead of them hunting us."
Exeter: "Well, what'd you expect? That bastard Malkovich is probably hiding out with his girlfriend in some safe spot in the alien ruins while we're here standing like steaks during shark feeding time."
Angseth: "How dare you compare Samus with that son of a bitch! She doesn't sit around and take breaks, especially if there are other people around who she can help. She takes care of business with no bullshitting in between."
Benet: "Besides she did lead us back to the surface and saved our lives on a few occasions. I still don't trust her completely, but she doesn't come across as the type who gets lazy in a warzone...I guess all the stories Higgs, Kisawa, Favreau, Pierce, and Smithsonian said about her were real."
Smythe: "So were their stories about Adam before the Sky Station. And I've been noticing his crimes don't match up with his deeds. I mean, he saved all of us along with Samus too. Not to mention he gave us the tips on the metroids' weak spots. A psychotic murderer normally wouldn't do that."
Milligan: "Unless he's earning our trust before he tries to stab us in the back…"
Brode: "You've got a point there. We still don't know much about Adam, but he's one shady guy if you ask me."
Houston likes that some of the others have also begun to worry less about the Adam Malkovich from the Federation Database and more about the Adam Malkovich who is here on SR388 with them. Misgivings still exist, no one fully trusts him, and Monz's comment also holds merit, but it's hard to disagree with Benet and Smythe as well.
This is why this unit of Federation marines operates so well together. Everyone knows each person is as intelligent as they are skillful, and they share what's on their minds with the others instead of keeping things to themselves...no matter how unpopular an opinion is. But Houston also thinks the conversation has gone on long enough and wants them to refocus on the here and now instead of the theoretical.
Houston: "All of ya shut up and let me contact Samus and see if she's done." (Opens comm to Samus and Adam frequency) "Yo Samus, Malkovich, you read me?"
Adam (on comm): "Loud and *huff* clear…Major."
Houston: "You doing alright? You sound like ya ran a mile."
Samus (on comm): "You would too if *pant* you had to *huff* fight two omega metroids back-to-back."
Houston: "Yeah, we killed an omega ourselves…Pretty tough nuts to crack, just like you said Adam. And I thank you on behalf of all—" (glances at Exeter who's rolling his eyes) "I mean, all but one of us marines for telling us how to kill it."
Adam (on comm): "My pleasure, Major. Just keeping my end of the bargain, remember?"
Samus (on comm): "We also ran into a gamma and alpha metroid, but they both scrammed outta the ruins when we backtracked through them."
Benet: "We took care of the alpha, but the gamma followed a zeta through a tunnel it dug before we could kill them, and haven't shown up ever since."
Adam (on comm): "Sounds like the metroids are getting smarter…Either that or the Queen is learning to be more tactical and careful in how she uses her offspring."
Samus (on comm): "We're almost at your position. We'll regroup and move to another area if that sounds alright with the rest of you."
Houston glances at his troops and sees them nodding in affirmation.
Houston: "Roger that. And the new plan sounds pretty g—"
Loud and numerous roars and screeches suddenly interrupt the conversation.
Smythe: "What the hell was that?"
Chris: "Radar's showing multiple hostiles closing in on us from the other side. And closing fast!"
Triplette: "Time to cook some creatures!"
Adam (on comm): "We're nearly there. Give Lady and me 10 seconds to…" (yelling) "What the shit?!"
The loud sound of falling rocks comes out from the end where the cacti pit is located. It's followed by nothing but silence.
As the dust begins to clear from Samus and Adam's side of the cave, Houston contacts the two.
Houston (on comm): "Adam? Samus? You both ok?"
Samus (gets up from having to dive away): "We're fine, but a God damn zeta metroid caused the tunnel to collapse. We're cut off. Wait, unless…Claire?"
After a two second pause Samus speaks again.
Samus: "Just scanned the debris, it's made of denzinium. My power bomb will clear the rubble."
Adam: "No way, Lady! If you do that you'll vaporize me and the marines, even with our smart weapon features!"
Samus: "Then get your ass out of range, NOW! Unless there's any objections, Adam…"
Samus's snarky comment using Adam's famous (and prided) phrase would normally cause him to cuss her out. But he decides that now's not the time for that, because the marines are in immediate need of reinforcements.
Adam (in bitter defeat): "Dammit…Ok."
Samus: "Alright marines, you need to go to the other end of the tunnel, near the entrance where we walked in and wait."
Exeter (on comm): "That'll put us right smack-dab in the path of the approaching hostiles."
Brode (ditto): "You say that as if it's a bad thing…Means we'll be able to shoot 'em better!"
For the marines, Brode's comment takes the danger out of the pending battle and replaces it with confidence. It's always important to feel upbeat when going into a fight; to know that you will prevail no matter what happens, and Brode sure could raise morale. His flattery is the result of his life of being a thrill seeker and adrenaline junkie. Similar to people who skydive or hover-surf during a hurricane, he never felt truly alive unless he's living on a fringe and starting death in the face. He joined the Federation Marine Corps seeking adventure and combat after growing bored with the "dangers" of Earth. Never backing down from a challenge, his combat high provides him with edge and source of concentration. The fact that he knows each day could be his last only fuels his edge and ability to see the lighter side of combat, which is contagious in all the right ways as Exeter's next comment demonstrates.
Exeter (on comm): "Works for me!"
Houston (ditto): "We'll tell yuh when we're ready, Samus. Houston out."
As the marines head toward the entrance on the far side of the cavern, the sound of approaching hostiles fills their ears…Making them focus on what's coming their way in the front and not what's coming out of the hole that the zeta had dug.
They get ready to fire once the creatures are in range…but react too late when an alpha metroid, using the zeta's hole, sneaks up behind Monz and bites his head off. They turn to start shooting but to make matters worse, not only are more alphas and regular metroids emerging from the hole, but the blood spewing out of Monz's neck splatters on most of the marines' visors and obstructs their view. The glass in the visors is designed to make any liquid slide off in a matter of seconds, but that's all it would take the metroids to kill more.
Only Houston and Smythe's vision aren't blinded, and before they can turn around to cover their comrades, swarms of glowflies, moheeks, yummes, and needlers come storming into view from the tunnel's entrance/exit.
Houston: "FUUUUUUUUUCK! SAMUS, we're surrounded by fuck knows how many mother fuckers and need help NOW!"
As the events with the marines is transpiring, Samus waits for Adam's locator to be out of her power bomb range on her radar. Once it happens, she goes into her Morph Ball and is about to plant the bomb…Until.
Adam (frantic): "Oh shit! Lady, some metroids just flanked me! I could use some help here!"
Samus: "Just let me bomb the place and I'll be on my way—"
Houston (on comm): FUUUUUUUUUCK! SAMUS we're surrounded by fuck knows how many mother fuckers and need help NOW!"
Samus: "Shit…"
Samus goes ahead and lays the power bomb, but can't choose who to help: Adam, her best friend and the foremost expert of everything about SR388; or the marines who she has come to respect as warriors with the same code of ethics and dedication she herself has. She knows she can't let her feelings decide the matter, and has to make the right choice by thinking of the long-term effects of her actions when she helps one or the others.
Either way, time is running out, and she has to act fast.
Galactic Federation HQ
Several news crews and spectators wait outside the doors of the Federation Supreme Courthouse's main chamber for the emergence of the higher-ups from Biologic Space Laboratories and the Galactic Federation. With the trail over, the atmosphere inside the building is one of surprise, joy, and uncertainty. But even that pales in comparison to the storm inside Chairman Keaton who is surging with impatience, anger, and bewilderment.
Having exited the main court chamber, Keaton's secret servicemen deter the many news people asking him questions he's in no mood to answer as he, B.S.L. Vice President Saboutai Takahashi (a bald Japanese man in his mid-50's), and President Aleksandr Powalski head over to a private meeting room to discuss some important matters. Both Federation and B.S.L. guards keep the swarming press away from the VIPs who enter the room, and once the door is closed they activate the soundproof function.
The trial did not go nearly as well as Keaton anticipated. In fact the exact opposite happened. The trail concluded with Federation Supreme Justice Joanne Holloway announcing that B.S.L. is now an autonomous entity free to make its own rules, organizational practices, and anything else it requires without the authorization of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, or Federation Supreme Council...as long as it follow the existing Federation Laws.
With all the violations of the FL 326706 that B.S.L. was committing in recent days, the result should have been B.S.L. being properly charged with disobeying that law and remaining under Federation jurisdiction. Again and again, B.S.L. had disregarded the FL 326706, done things on its own without the Chairman's or any Federation Supreme Council's permission, and assumed it could do whatever it wanted.
It turns out that Federation objections to such actions were exactly what B.S.L. was counting on all along. The Court ruled that the FL 326706 was unconstitutional on the grounds of violating the Federation's constitution itself. Namely that the Federation is "To allow all entities and groups of entities within it to enjoy the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as long as such actions do not violate any Galactic Federation laws on the local, planetary, and interplanetary levels." B.S.L.'s recent so-called violations did not go against any existing Federation laws; only the FL 326706 was not followed. Hence, for such a large group of people who make up B.S.L. not being able to do as they please as long as it does not violate any GF laws besides the FL 326706 is indeed unfulfilling of the constitution.
The Federation Justices also ruled the FL 326706 unconstitutional on the grounds that the law applied only to B.S.L., while other organizations under Federation jurisdiction had no similar law and didn't have to have authorization from the Chairman, Vice Chairman, or Federation Supreme Council to do what they needed to for the betterment of themselves and galactic civilization. Although B.S.L. certainly had more power and even its own military that other Federation organizations lacked, the fact that B.S.L. used its power and military to pursue its goals that (at face value) fell within the parameters of basic Federation planetary and interplanetary laws made any action for the betterment of B.S.L. constitutional.
But Keaton finds several things troubling, and none of them are the challenges of the Federation's authority over B.S.L. that occurred during the trial. Though angry with B.S.L., and not wanting to admit it out loud, Keaton himself knows that the FL 326706 really was a violation of the Federation Constitution. It really wasn't right to let any organization require authorization of the Federation Supreme Council to do everything: that was a classic case of a large powerful government interfering with the freedoms of one particular organ while doing nothing of a similar sort to others.
The troubling thing about what the future may hold in Keaton's opinion can be summed up like so: What about the things B.S.L. did that were subversive and illegal such as the Sky Station Incident? Without the FL 326706, B.S.L. could do anything it wanted without supervision or observation…even develop its own judiciaries to make former Federation Laws null and void for B.S.L.
But even so, what is most troubling is that B.S.L.'s arguments against the Federation were too effective, as if they were a two steps ahead of everything the Federation would say against it. Such a feat couldn't have been accomplished without help from someone in the Federation, or at least in Keaton's opinion. But his instinct is rarely wrong, and the whole trial from opening argument to the final verdict screamed assistance from inside...of conspiracy. And worst of all: corruption.
The thing that pointed the most to this belief was that the Sky Station was barely touched on in the trial. The reason for this was more than the vow of silence taken by the people who were privy to the event. First, any attempt to use that against B.S.L. would not get far since that incident—as far as the Federation Database was concerned—had nothing to do with the court case at hand. Second, there was no evidence available to condemn B.S.L. for that incident; it was simply listed in the history books as a big and horrible accident.
Furthermore, with the suspicion of a person inside the Federation helping out B.S.L., Keaton—though willing to sacrifice his place as Chairman of the Galactic Federation if it meant doing the right thing—couldn't risk the possibility of being accused of ipso facto allowing the event to happen due to his negligence of not sending Federation inspectors to check out the Sky Station while it was still in operation. He of course didn't do it because back then nothing seemed to be wrong with B.S.L.; only after Adam Malkovich's trial did Keaton start to believe something was amiss with the Federation's best asset. But for the time being, he needs to be in charge of the Federation at this critical venture in history. Because out of all the Federation's politicians, he is the one who can most likely convince the Federation Court System to press charges against B.S.L., whether the FL 326706 was in place or not.
By now Takahashi notices the look on Keaton's face, and when he speaks it's in a benevolent voice. But it's also as if Takahashi is a concerned parent and Keaton is a child—someone who is below him (Takahashi) now.
Takahashi: "Mr. Chairman-sama, is there something troubling you?"
Keaton: "Just trying to wrap my head around all that's happened, Mr. Vice President."
Takahashi: "Hai, it's all so sudden, but none of it unpleasant."
Keaton thinking: "Says you."
The Chairman wants to voice his wary opinion, but decides it would be best to let B.S.L. have its day to celebrate. So when he speaks, it's in genuine interest, his voice free of all political and diplomatic intent.
Keaton: "How so? Out of curiosity, what are your plans for B.S.L. in the future?"
Takahashi: "Ah, patience, Mr. Chairman. There is much work to be done and so little time to do it. And remember that we no longer have to tell you anything if we don't feel the need to. But in a nutshell, let's just say that B.S.L. has A LOT of growing to do."
Powalski: "But you'll be happy to know that we plan on having all economic ties between B.S.L. and the Federation unsevered, Mr. Chairman. Only now, both the Federation and B.S.L. can reap the prosperity of our organization's profit. So rest assured, the Federation's economy will not be hindered but only improved."
Keaton: "That's…comforting."
Takahashi notices that Keaton did his best to sound relieved, but still caught a small hint of sarcasm in the Chairman's voice. Both Takahashi and Powalski deduce the man is worried about another Sky Station. To be true, so is Takahashi because B.S.L. wouldn't survive another loss like that. It will take a full five years for B.S.L. to recover from the death and destruction of their best personnel, laboratory equipment, weapons, and over four billion credits. They must instead be more low-key in their operations, to gradually replace what was lost rather than impulsively trying to get it all back in one move.
Powalski: "You may be skeptical now, Mr. Chairman, but come next year you will see for yourself the benefits of this new era dawning right here and right now."
Takahashi: "And you should be honored that this era began under your term, Mr. Chairman-sama. It will be great PR for you. Might even get you re-elected."
Keaton thinking: "So much for keeping diplomacy and politics out of the conversation…" (Out loud) "I really appreciate that suggestion, and I'll probably end up using it too." (Thinking) "But let me worry about my image and campaign, gentlemen." (Out loud): "In the meantime, is there any way the Federation can help B.S.L. facilitate this 'new era'?"
Powalski: "Ah yes, Mr. Chairman. What you can do is kindly attend to your own matters and let us do the same. We will send you, Vice Chairman Donaldson, and the members of the Supreme Council a detailed report of the new amends in regards to the old FL 326706 later this evening for you to review some other time. Oh! And before it slips my mind, don't worry, we still have faith that your marines will wipe out the metroid threat on SR388. But if they do fail, I will let Supreme Commander of the B.S.L. Special Countermeasure Task Force, Luther Malkovich know, so B.S.L. can clean up the mess Adam Malkovich started."
Takahashi: "And speaking of Malkovich, please let B.S.L. handle the search for him, Mr. Chairman-sama."
Keaton: "Thanks for letting me know that, now."
Takahashi (grins thinly): "I see Colonel Dane shared you the information I gave to him. And we'd like to stay and chat some more, but we have our hands full and need to take care of some things, Mr. Chairman-sama."
Keaton: "Then I won't waste anymore of your time. I'll read your report first thing in the morning." (Extends his hand) "And congratulations on this victory."
Powalski: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and good day to you."
Keaton shakes Powalski's hand and Takahashi's as the two men leave the room with their heads high and with smiles on their faces.
Before leaving himself, Keaton smiles at being right about B.S.L. listening in on the Spearhead's communications. And if B.S.L. wants to conduct subversive activities against the Federation, well, with the FL 326706 now dissolved, the Federation could do the same to B.S.L.
There is much that has to be done indeed.
After making it to their limo, Takahashi and Powalski sit down as the vehicle takes flight and turn off all surveillance equipment in the craft so as to not be heard by anyone but each other.
Powalski: "I always knew having our own money reserve would 'pay off' someday."
Takahashi laughs in sarcasm at his colleague's terrible joke.
Takahashi: "Really, Aleksandr? You had to make a pun like that?"
Powalski (smiles in mock embarrassment): "I never was really good at comedic deliveries."
Takahashi (nods yes): "But I know exactly what you mean. Indeed, the Federation Justices seem to be severely underpaid if they accepted our bribes to conduct the trial in a way that gave B.S.L. the advantage. That, and our loyal Federation connection in Keaton's personal staff who threatened the Justices with their jobs if they resisted our initial bribes. Without him, we would have lost for sure." (Looks Powalski seriously in the eyes) "And speaking of the Chairman…"
Powalski: "Da, he knows. And I found it quite foolish of you, Saboutai, to confirm his suspicion of B.S.L. monitoring the Federation Military's communication channels by referencing Colonel Dane."
As a smile slowly but surely forms on Takahasi's face, Powalski is reminded of why he chose the man as his Vice President in the first place.
Takahashi: "That's because I wanted him to know, Aleksandr-san. B.S.L. is now free to make its own corporate laws…particularly against Federation spying on us."
Powalski: "I see your plan! It's brilliant."
Takahashi: "Hai. Let's get our intelligence to be wary of any bugs the Chairman will try to use on us."
Powalski: "We then catch them in the act and press for a law against any spying on B.S.L. and when that's done, we'll concentrate on our Bioweapon Development. This calls for a celebration, da?"
Takahashi (smiles): "Hai…Champagne from my home country would do."
As Powalski presses a button at a nearby drink dispenser that pours two glasses of Japan's finest champagne, Takahashi reflects at how the tragedy of the Sky Station has become a blessing in disguise. However unfortunate the loss of human lives has been, the metroid problems that have happened after that incident confirm the success of the experimentations on those animals. It has also provided B.S.L. with a chance to study the combat effectiveness of the metroids against several diverse foes. First the crew of the Humane Society: a group of humans who were not adequately armed and caught by surprise. Then, the GFIPF: people with training and adequate weapons who had a better understanding of the threats they could face. Next, the Federation Marines: highly trained soldiers with state of the art weapons, combat experience, and thorough knowledge of the threats they would face. And now Samus Aran has entered the fray: one of the strongest, best-equipped, and battle-intelligent humans in the cosmos. It's like fate itself has been favoring B.S.L. by providing them with opponents that gradually got tougher. But by far the best thing about the events on SR388 is that the low chances for survival of the marines' mission ensures that any deaths will be ruled as the result of SR388 and its hostile organisms; B.S.L. would not be held responsible, especially since it is now free to decide what information can be displayed on the Federation Database.
Takahashi thinking: "Why stop there? B.S.L. should have its own database now, a place that ensures only our employees have access to our information. We'll of course share what we can with the Federation, but only what we want them to know about us.
"That reminds me, Luther Malkovich is personally overseeing the construction of what will become the jewel of B.S.L.'s research facility. The station we're constructing will put the Federation's Bottle Ship vessels to shame. It will be run by the greatest computerized AI in existence, and it will be the heart of the B.S.L. Database. Because if anything can be trusted to decide what digital information should be shared, along with safeguarding our most vital (and illegal) secrets, it's a machine."
By now Powalski hands one of the glasses to his colleague, but neither of them drink yet.
Takahashi: "It's a good thing that the SCMTF led by Adam Malkovich was too busy catching metroids to notice the scientists plant camouflaged surveillance devices while B.S.L. explored SR388 prior to the Sky Station Incident. Without those devices, we'd have to put personnel in danger to observe and record the combat data the old fashioned way."
Powalski: "Not to mention it would be easier for the Federation to apprehend such observers and risk revealing our plans."
Takahashi: "Even so, the marines currently battling on that planet are tougher than we anticipated, but they're triumphs are only contributing to making stronger bioweapons. It's just too bad that our mole among the marines was captured by the metroids before he had a chance to re-activate all surveillance cameras on SR388 on the surface where there's no interference. We've only been able to see footage of areas he's been in personally."
Powalski: "You say mole, but I prefer the term 'Deleter' since his secondary orders are to ensure that he is the only one who leaves SR388 alive. But thank the Lord for Madeline Bergman's ingenuity of having the secret cameras throughout the planet automatically activate whenever the sensors detect a concentration of armed humanoids battling SR388's bioforms…The intellect of that woman was unmatched and no one was more dedicated to our cause more than her…Rest her soul. She will be irreplaceable…"
Takahashi: "Regardless, we haven't seen as much footage at all ever since the battle at the landing site was nearly over. And I find it peculiar how all five cameras in that sector simultaneously stopped feeding us footage right when all hope seemed to be lost. I do not believe it was a mere group of local lifeforms who caused that."
Powalski: "You're saying one of the marines must have found out about the cameras and jammed their transmissions? That's highly unlikely, Saboutai, since one would have to know the exact signal frequencies the cameras use to do so—and only you, me, and our Deleter knows those frequencies."
Takahashi: "That's exactly what troubles me Aleksandr-san…Perhaps it was Samus Aran. Her advanced battle armor is quite versatile, especially at finding hackable objects. Or maybe…"
Takahashi's eyes widen and he gasps at his own thoughts, nearly spilling his wine and catching Powalski's undivided attention.
Powalski (asking intently): "What is it?"
Takahashi (solemnly): "Maybe the Federation has been monitoring us sooner and closer than we originally thought." (Smirks and talks confidently) "So unfortunate…for the Federation. If I can prove it, and I am sure I can, 'Unauthorized, unlawful, and/or premeditated espionage deliberately used against any organization protected under GF law for the purpose of hindering, deterring, and heresy evidence against the said organization's activities that follow proper Federation law' is quite the recipe for a case that will defeat the Federation using its own law. All we have to do is find a way to convince our new friends at the Federation Court that our activities have been following Federation law."
Powalski: "Our loyal Federation connection will be of much help in that endeavor. You focus on the anti-surveillance law against the Federation, I'll work on formulating a secondary plan to extract metroid DNA from SR388 in the unlikely event that the marines succeed in their mission…and if our 'personal operative' fails in his."
Takahashi: "I concur. And now," (raises his glass ) "a toast: to B.S.L.'s bright future."
Powalski (raises his glass): "Da, and for our Deleter to succeed in his mission."
The two men tap their wine glasses together and drink. Once their limo arrives at Biologic Space Laboratories Headquarters, the two separate to work on their new plans…Still unaware that their badges contain the bugs being relayed to the data banks of the person who installed them, and who has been deactivating the secret B.S.L. cameras on SR388 ever since he first showed up on the planet: Adam Malkovich.
SR388
Two hours prior to the events currently transpiring with Samus and the marines in the tunnels
As soon as the creature emerges from the tunnel, Anthony Higgs, James Pierce, Maurice Favreau, and K.G. Misawa all feel like they're staring at the worldly incarceration of the Devil himself—or in this case, herself. The four men stand where they are: James and Maurice side by side and in front of Anthony who is behind them, and K.G. who is behind Anthony. Not one moves a muscle, frozen in true fear. Their mouths tell them to scream, but they can't. Their legs tell them to run, but they can't. Their arms tell them to bring up their weapons and shoot, but they can't. Their eyes tell them to stare at the horror before them, and that's exactly what they do. They don't know it at first, but what they are gazing at is none other than the Queen Metroid.
A green head resembling that of a crocodile—only uglier and several times more vicious—is armed with massive jaws filled with three rows of gleaming and salivating 12-inch long white teeth. The tips of the teeth have holes in them that contain hundreds of microscopic energy siphon glands which enabled the Queen to leech out a large quantity of her prey's bio-energy with as little as a single bite like a vampire would with blood. Analogous to her offspring, the Queen consciously controls the amount of bio-energy she siphons out of prey and can therefore drain a creature dry at any pace she wants whether she elects to do so completely in one bite, or slowly, one bite at a time.
Behind the jaw line on each side of the head is a cluster of four blue dots in a cross shape that the marines correctly theorize are the monster's eyes. The head is connected to the rest of the behemoth's body by a 15 foot long saurian neck that matches the color scheme of its muscled physique. The creature's back is dark metroid-green from the jaws all down the dorsal side, and also contains three overlapping ridges. Its ventral rock-brown color matches fittingly with the geography of its home planet, save for the belly area that is a transparently turquoise color with red nuclei similar to the appearance of a normal metroid. Its length is as long as a medium-sized hover bus (36 feet), its width half of that (18 feet) at its widest point.
When reared up, the monster is 20 feet high. Two pipe-like structures rise at an upper angle from the rear like periscopes out of hell. Four legs provide it locomotion, with each of its feet the length and width of an average man and armed with toes/claws as long as a human arm. Deep scars adorn its hide as a result of surviving the Sky Station crash into the now-dormant volcano where the four men and single beast are currently located—the heart of the Queen's egg chamber.
What scares the marines even more than the hideous appearance of the Queen is the fact that it's staring right back at them, observing them as closely as they are observing the her front. Unlike her offspring, the Queen's vision is purple in which the prey appeared not in red but in the exact colors the human eye would see, providing the Queen with a more accurate and thus deadlier visual perception.
The Queen also has more senses than the naked eye can observe. Similar to a shark, she can detect vibrations and electric signals given off by muscle contractions using millions of microscopic cilia hairs mostly lining her head but also her body, meaning she can pick up and sense prey from all directions at once and over great distances. Her sense of smell works in perfect coordination with taste, allowing her to literally know how prey sampled by "tasting the air" around and emitting from it.
The Queen is currently doing the latter…and absolutely loving every second of it. The four men give off an odor and "taste" far sweeter and richer than the bitterness and sourness of most creatures inhabiting her planet. It had been a long time, far too long a time, since the Queen has tasted humans. But as much as the Queen desires to eat/drain the four men in front of her, she cannot do so. These four will be for her unborn children—the first dozen—to feast on once they hatch.
By now the four marines figure out what they're looking at, the Metroid Matriarch, which makes them all the more afraid. Fortunately, James is able to be petrified by the monstrosity in front of him and keep thinking straight at the same time. His HUD map shows a display of the large dome-shaped lair they are in, and two paths they can go: one in front of them through the Queen, and one behind them. He is the first to break the deafening silence engulfing the egg chamber with a frightened and soft whisper to his three compatriots' comms.
James: "G-guys?"
This attracts Her Majesty's attention who snorts and cranes her neck towards James's face, emitting a rising hiss from her mouth.
K.G.: "Y-y-yeah?"
James: "Check out the map on your HUDs, there's a path behind us."
The Queen's hiss turns into a growl and she takes one step closer to the group; even one foot making the ground shake.
James: "Get ready to run out of here; she's too big to fit through."
Anthony: "Something tells me this Mama Metroid is faster than she looks…And my leg hurts like hell from being bitten by a metroid. I can barely walk, much less run."
Maurice (slowly steps back to Anthony): "I'll help ya move long enough until we're at a safe distance to apply a med patch on your wound, sergeant."
K.G.: "Anyone have an armor breach where they hurt? Both my arms feel like crap, but I don't have a breach."
The other three do a quick examination of their armorsuits using the HUDs to bring up a 3-D image of their armor to look at the status they are in (Note: Like looking at the image of scanned creatures in the Metroid Prime 2 and 3 inventory). Being snatched up by gamma metroids left James and Maurice with barely a scratch on their armor. The mandibles of the alpha metroids that brought K.G. and Anthony left dents in their armor, but no breaches. And even so, their injuries weren't severe and would be healed by applying medical patches to the wounds.
This gives them all confidence when they need it most: right as the Queen stomps her two front legs and she gets into an attack position. Having knowledge of insect and arachnid behavior, they believe the lack of their wounds is the result of the metroids wanting to make sure the mens' life energy was strong by the time the hatchlings emerge—something they intend to avoid at all costs.
James: "When I say 'Go', run. As fast as you can."
The Queen lets out a roar that causes the humans' ears to ring. Sounds from behind force K.G. (who's closest to the exit) to look over his shoulder. It's dark down the path, but by using his HUD's binocular function he can make out the images of two zeta metroids, one gamma, and the leg of an omega at the other end of their only practical escape path.
K.G. (grim): "Sirs, she's got the exit guarded tighter than a Kankeh sea crab's ass."
The other three sigh…any recent optimism fading away with the air leaving their bodies. The Queen's message is clear: There's no escape from her domain. And soon, her attacks will immobilize the four men, leaving them helpless and vulnerable for her young upon birth. She begins to raise her body up, rearing upward to aid herself as she builds up her homing globs she will launch from her mouth at each of the marines. This however, provides a stroke of luck for her prey.
By rearing up, the Queen gives James the opportunity to use his HUD's binoculars to clearly see down the path where the she had emerged. He whispers vocal commands to produce a 3-D map of the particular area he is looking. The map reveals a smaller chamber, similar in shape to the one they are currently in, that has a hole in the ground large enough for a standard metroid to fit through—and more than enough for a human male to do the same.
James (grinning unseen): "Hey guys, I got us another way out. Just follow me when I say to."
Seeing the Queen stop rearing and begin to emit a low rumbling sound makes the other three in no mood to argue. They know what James is thinking: running past the Queen and into the tunnel she came from.
James: "Anyone got any grenades left?"
Maurice: "Yessir. Tell me when, sergeant."
James: "If that thing roars as loud as I think it will, it'll make concentrating on escaping tough. So activate your soundproof dampers as soon as I give the signal."
Anthony: "Roger that."
There is silence as the men prepare to make one of the riskiest moves in their lives—which is saying much given the things they've done in the past in the GF 07th Platoon. During those days they had put down insurgencies and rebellions, faced Space Pirates and other ferocious creatures by the skin of their teeth, rescued many hostages and others in need from peril, and survived missions that would have killed lesser troops. And it wasn't just because of their luck or skill…it was something different entirely.
They have always been talented soldiers, but when the situation calls for it they are into putting pizazz on the battlefield. It was the actions of Samus when she was a part of the 07th Platoon that inspired them (out of envy) to do ridiculous and insane feats while in the middle of combat. It wasn't showboating that spurs them, they simply take no quarter in doing things so daring that it quite literally exemplifies the phrase, "Fortune favors the bold." And despite the craziness and supposed implausibility, their exploits worked every time. One reason for this is that by acting like a gang of kamikazes—rather than soldiers—who attack with no regard for their own lives, it breaks all the rules of war and makes their actions unpredictable. All of this catches the enemy by complete surprise and opens a path for the four to use to their advantage, whereby any other compatriots can push forward in their wake.
The mentality behind this has always been that no one is crazy enough to do such feats…but they are that crazy. And what they are facing now with the Queen Metroid is yet another one of those moments. Although Lyle is regrettably no longer with them, they remember his motto that perfectly describes the type of men they are right before doing their mystifying maneuvers: "One bold stroke and we'll be home free, or dead. Place your bets."
Anthony: "James?"
James carefully watches the Queen whose head has yet to lower from preparing to attack, waiting for the opportune time—
James: "NOW!"
Knowing the Queen would instinctively turn her attention toward her unborn brood if they faced danger, Maurice tosses the grenade to the side at some metroid eggs. His plan works just as he hoped, and the men start running past the creature. But what catches them all by surprise is that the grenade doesn't explode. Instead, an internal mechanism causes cylinders to open from the grenade giving it the appearance of a spike ball. The marines fear their plan will horribly backfire and turn to face their doom…
But instead of an enraged Queen Metroid lunging at them, the creature's knees buckle and it behaves erratically: clumsily moving in awkward directions and flopping on the ground as if being savagely tortured by an unseen force—which is exactly what is going on. The marines waste no time following James who leads the way to the mouth of the tunnel that is now wide open in front of them, but then recall the metroids standing guard in the opposite direction. Fearing the creatures are already coming after them, they glance back at the tunnel they originally planned to exit from, and see (via their binocular HUD function) the group of metroids doing the same thing as their matriarch. K.G. figures it out first as they continue traveling down the 50 yard tunnel and can't keep his excitement from showing.
K.G.: "A sonic grenade that emits an ear-raping, high-pitched sound for a couple of seconds that hurts like a son of a bitch? Fuckin' brilliant, Maurice!"
Maurice: "I-I didn't even know I packed one…"
Anthony: "Well it's a damn good thing you did." (yelling) "Now let's haul ass!"
James: "You're speaking my language, Anthony. C'mon guys that sound won't last much longer."
The four continue their trek, now halfway down their escape route, but Maurice having to help Anthony is slowing them down.
Maurice (sarcastically): "Dammit Sergeant, ever think about going on a diet?"
Anthony (in humor): "It's not fat you're pullin', lance corporal, it's my 6 foot 8 inch perfectly-muscled frame. Don't make me send my size 23 boot up yo ass."
Maurice (smirks): "Why do that when you can use that big-ass plasma gun to do the job, sir?"
Before Anthony can make a witty reply, they feel the ground shaking and look back to see that the Queen is starting to come after them, the sonic grenade having run its course.
Maurice and Anthony simultaneously in monotone shock: "Oh shit."
James (runs over to Anthony): "C'mon, I'll help you guys out!"
Anthony: "Anyone have another sonic grenade? Or ANY grenade?"
James, Maurice, and K.G. in unison: "No."
K.G.: "Move, move, move!"
Rather than helping Anthony walk, James and Maurice pick the large man up and carry him, his weight straining their arms by each passing second. However, the motivation the two need to bear with the pain and run as fast as they can comes from the Queen's vibrations that are becoming more frequent and stronger as she storms into the tunnel at a startling 20 miles per hour. But even so, the rate that Her Majesty is moving, coupled with the distance the marines still have to travel, leads to an awful prediction.
James: "Arrgh. We might not make it!"
Anthony: "Just leave me behind, I'm only slowing you down!"
Maurice: "The hell with that, sarge! We're not letting you get lunched!"
James: "Damn straight. That bitch'll have ta work for her meal!"
K.G. (stops and turns around with his gun raised): "I got a full mag of mini rockets left, I'll try to slow her down."
His arms hurt badly, but without a moment's pause, K.G. fires down the tunnel where his rocket hits part of the top, causing a large section to collapse and block the Queen—
—Who plows straight through un-flinched and unhindered like an unstoppable bulldozer, demolishing the rocks in the process.
K.G. (glances at his gun-arm): "Fuck this…"
He runs toward the other three, gets behind Anthony, and props the large man's back on his shoulder, relieving the load James and Maurice are carrying which lets them run faster.
Maurice: "We're almost there!"
The humans have only 10 yards to go until they reach the area where the hole is. The Queen with her neck fully extended is 20 feet from her prey, and gaining fast; driven by primal rage. In two seconds, she's 15 feet from the marines. Then 10.
The marines are out of the tunnel and see the hole in the small sideways oval "room." Their muscles tense as they prepare to jump on the count of three. The Queen is five feet away. She lunges forward with her maw wide open at the exact time the men jump into the hole, their passage to safety; the only thing that can save them from certain death.
The Queen's jaws snap shut with a loud CRACK!
The Queen Metroid's taste buds immediately fill with the sweet taste of humans, but she quickly realizes there is nothing in her mouth except air that was giving off the humans' "taste" to her senses. Comprehending what has happened, The Matriarch lets out a roar of frustration and anger at having lost her young ones' first meal. The sound is so loud that its echo can be heard for five kilometers, and the vibrations alone cause small rock slides to fall within the whole volcano and even two stories below.
Once the roar is over, the Queen's anger subsides. She orders her "guards" at the end of the tunnel to look for some more food for her unborn offspring to eat once they hatch. Of course, there is no threat to her if her first dozen eggs hatch without an awaiting feast. Being the matriarch of her hive-minded species on SR388 prevents lesser metroids from turning on her, including hatchlings, because she is the only way for her species to multiply. Her newborns will simply be slightly harder to control if they are deprived a meal at birth, but will nevertheless obey their mother.
Unless—and this is the Queen's deepest and only fear—one of her current children or soon-to-be-born children also matures into another queen, which could possibly wrest control of the existing reign away.
The thought of what will be below the hole never crosses the four marines' minds at any point until they go through. After barely managing to avoid the Queen Metroid's jaws, the marines have fallen down a 100 foot chasm. They are screaming all the way and fear what they believe is solid rock covered in moss at the bottom of the drop once it comes into view. Only, it isn't rock, nor is there moss.
Once Maurice discerns what's at the bottom, his words—whether intentionally or not—literally describe what they were plunging into.
Maurice (yelling): "OHHHH, SHHHIIIT!"
Next thing the marines know, they land right in a large pool of Queen Metroid excrement.
James (scowling): "FUCK! We just jumped into that monster's toilet!"
K.G.: "At least we're alive, sergeant!"
Maurice (after laughing hysterically): "Thank you Jesus! For once, I am SO happy to be in deep shit!"
Maurice, being quite the joker, is the type of guy who has the rare talent of looking on the brighter side of any situation. While there is nothing inherently wrong with that, he does so using very bad puns which rarely have the intended effect on anyone besides himself.
That is, until now. For some reason, the normally eye-rolling lame pun that Maurice just said causes the mood to lighten, and the others join the hysterical laugh fest. What causes this isn't so much the pun (though it does play a role) as it is the circumstances surrounding it.
It's absolutely terrific. They are completely lost, cut off from their friends, surrounded in hostile territory, have virtually no ammo, and swimming in monster feces…but it appears Maurice still hasn't lost his sense of humor.
Maurice has always believed that soldiers who aren't in good spirits don't fight well, and that laughter is the best way to fix things. Moreover, his opinion is validated by his family history. Maurice had experienced the heartbreak of losing family at the age of eight when his grandfather on his dad's side passed away from a heart attack. He had shed his tears, but as his parents and older sister were leaving the cemetery, Maurice had remarked that "At least Gramps can die happy by being a true Bull Sharks Fan." The reference of his family's favorite professional ball team brought a smile on everyone's faces. It didn't lighten the mood for long, but still did wonders for everyone's torn emotions, and prevented their sorrow from mentally and physically paralyzing themselves. Years later, the only thing that has changed about Maurice is his age, while his sense of humor has remained untouched and unbroken as always.
Anthony: "No lance-corporal, thank Christ we're wearing our armorsuits that haven't been breached!"
The man lets the others have a few more moments of laughter before speaking in a calm voice.
Anthony: "But even so… (frenzied) "We're in metroid shit here!"
With reality returning, and disgusted beyond belief, they frantically search for a way out; their fear of dying now instantly replaced with the fear of not being able to escape their…current location.
Maurice: "Hey, over here!"
The others turn to where Maurice is pointing and find a ledge three feet above them. Maurice grabs on and climbs out first, then looks in front of him.
Maurice: "Another passage. We can follow it and hopefully meet up with—"
James, K.G., and Anthony yelling in unison: "HEY?!"
Maurice (looks back down into the…"pool"): "What?"
James, K.G., and Anthony yelling: "HELP US GET OUTTA HERE!"
Remembering that Anthony and K.G. are injured, Maurice extends his left hand for K.G. to grab while James gets behind him to push him up. K.G. grunts in pain from his injured arm, but is free. James goes up next and the two of them painstakingly haul Anthony out.
They don't leave yet, there's something they all need to do. James frees both hands by detaching his gun then types a code on his armor's chest plate which opens a small concealed compartment large enough to hold several paper-thin medical patches. K.G. also detaches his gun to free his right hand which he uses to open up the section of his armor where his left arm was bitten, then does the same to his right arm. The armor at both spots moves apart sideways with one section going left and the other going right. Maurice raises K.G.'s arms so they're extending outward as if K.G. is making a "T" with his body. After wiping his armored hands clean on real moss along the path's walls, James finds a med patch to wrap fully around both of K.G.'s wounded areas.
Functioning exactly like a band aid, but laced with gel designed to instantly heal any flesh wound, the medical patches briefly sting but the pain passes quickly. As the med patches continue to do their job, K.G. is grateful that the alpha metroids' mandibles didn't break any bones, because med patches aren't designed to go that deep into the body.
After 30 seconds, and with his wounds now fully healed, K.G. re-types the code to seal up his armor.
K.G.: "That's much better. Thank you, sirs."
James: "Just doing what we were trained to, K.G. You're next, Higgs."
Anthony is already sitting down with his left leg extended. He uses his left hand to type in the code that opens the section of his armor where his one leg injury is. Fortunately his wound is also minor and doesn't extend to a broken leg. After placing the patch, Anthony closes his armor and is helped onto his feet by Maurice and James.
Anthony (whistles "fiuuuu"): "I feel like a million bucks. So what's the plan? Walk down a maze of unchartered tunnels filled with God knows how many bloodthirsty hostiles and metroids, with almost no ammo, as we try to contact or show up on the radar of our unit who is most likely looking for us?"
James: "Sounds good enough. Unless there are any objections or suggestions?"
K.G.: "No sirs."
Maurice: "Same for me, sirs. Although I'd really like to find some water and wash all this shit off along the way."
James (nods "yes"): "I second that."
K.G.: "Wait, sirs, we shouldn't. The shit will make most hostiles avoid us because it contains the Metroid Mama's scent."
Anthony: "K.G., you're absolutely right!"
James (jokingly): "Not to mention the smell alone will ward things off…Like you said, Higgs, thank God for the armorsuits—our life support systems makes us not have to smell it."
Maurice: "We should also mark the location of the egg chamber, sirs. We're gonna have to kill that Mama Metroid in order to complete our mission."
Anthony: "Got that right."
James: "It would be wrong not to."
K.G.: "I agree."
James: "Well get to it, men. We're movin' out!"
In spite of the danger, they can't help but feel excitement that the four of them are together again—the last (non-disavowed) members of the Galactic Federation Army 07th Platoon united once more for another mission just like the good old days. As long as they stay alert, keep their cool, watch each other's backs, and don't pass up on any opportunity to use the 07th's famed pizazz, they can survive. They can win.
Before leaving, they mark the Queen's location on their maps and begin their new objective…the thought of the Queen Metroid's "scent" being able to attract other metroids, failing to pass through their minds. Well, apart from one exception.
That exception is none other than B.S.L.'s "Deleter" whose identity remains unknown to the other three marines. He walks among them with the mission of eliminating everyone so that he is the only person who makes it off SR388 alive, along with a sample of metroid DNA for B.S.L. The latter objective's success is easier for him now that the location marking the Queen's egg chamber is stored in his databanks. The four will reach a sector containing concealed B.S.L. cameras soon, whereby he plans to upload the progress of his mission to his superiors at B.S.L. Headquarters. He will also upload the location of the Queen's nest so as to make a fail-safe for the worst case scenario of him failing his mission.
But he never fails any mission given to him, and will do whatever it takes to succeed…No matter what it takes or what it costs.
What actions will the Galactic Federation do against the now-independent B.S.L., and vice versa? Who will Samus choose to save first? Will Adam be able to use Powalski's and Takahashi's conversation to bring the evil organization down before it's too late?
Who is the Deleter: James, Anthony, Maurice, or K.G.? Will the Deleter succeed in his objectives, or be discovered before that time?
The answers to these questions and more you might have can be summed up in 5 words: Keep reading to find out!
Sayonara…until the next action-packed, suspense-filled chapter!