Metroid: Mission Alpha
Episode 14: The Answers Continue
Now that Samus and Alpha had managed to save Foreterna's Eternal Orb from Master Greblai and Master Silhouite's evil clutches, they had completed one mission. Having successfully prevented the destruction of Eterna, the pair returned to HQ to receive their next mission.
Inside the main room, Samus and Michael had met while Alpha and Eta played together. "I'm glad we were able to save one of the Eternal Orbs," Samus said.
"Yes, as long as one Eternal Orb is left, Eterna will not fall," Michael replied, "However, with only a fifth of its power remaining, its environment will remain unstable. We need to get the other orbs back to restore Eterna's stability."
"We'll have to get them back from Master Greblai and Master Silhouite," Samus said, "but it won't be easy. I wonder what they want those Eternal Orbs for, anyway."
"It's likely they want the orbs for the energy they contain, probably to give more power to their equipment."
Just then, Tim came in the room. "Good news, Samus! I've got your Power Suit fully repaired." Everyone went to the mechanic room, where the Power Suit was waiting. "There's just one thing that bothers me," Tim said, "I found this in the body armor." In his hand was a tiny, square device that was dark in color.
"It's a kind of computer chip!" Michael said.
Tim nodded. "I studied this chip carefully and found that it once contained electrical power, which has all been drained now. The amount of electricity it stored would be enough to kill most beings and short-circuit most machines, which explains the damage to the Power Suit. Samus, I know Master Greblai and Master Silhouite must have planted this chip in your suit."
"So that's why the Greblai took my Power Suit when I was on Lavolca!" Samus exclaimed, "They wanted to plant that chip in the armor while I was unconscious. Since I didn't even notice its presence, they could set it off to destroy me!"
"What I don't understand is, why did they go through the trouble of using the Electrifier when they could have just used this chip?" Tim said.
"I think I know," Carol came into the room, "Master Greblai and Master Silhouite were waiting for just the right moment. The electricity sent from the Electrifier has a unique wavelength that causes it to pass through mechanical matter with no effect but cling to living matter. This explains why it affected Samus but not her suit or the chip. With the electrical activity of her cells heightened, the chip would have been even more effective, especially when the electricity had moved deeper. I can also guess that the chip was meant to be used as a last resort. Our enemies expected Samus to give up, but when she persisted, they decided to finish her off right away."
"Everything is starting to come together now," Samus replied, "We're up against a team with unusual schemes."
"Yes," Carol replied, "I think that since those two can't hurt you with their own powers, they will try whatever other means they can to stop you. We're fortunate that we all kept their plan from working."
Michael looked angry. "I will not tolerate those evil creatures trying to kill one of my workers as well as the innocent Snacanids. We've got to put a stop to this!"
"That's what we're all here for," Tim reassured him, "We'll make sure nothing happens."
Glad to have her Power Suit back, Samus put it on and went back to the main room with Michael, Alpha, and Eta. "The next thing we need to do is go to Lavolca and get the four Eternal Orbs back," Michael said, looking at a computer, "They should be somewhere in the Greblai settlement or the Silhouite settlement. I'm not sure of their exact location as of yet."
"I know we can find them," Samus answered, "There's just one thing that bothers me. When we find the Eternal Orbs, will they even have any energy left?"
"That I don't know, but…the Eternal Orbs are able to recharge themselves when in their proper place. They should be fine once we have them back where they belong."
"That's good," Samus said. She looked at Alpha and Eta, who looked up, wagging their tails.
"Yes, but I hope we can stop Master Greblai and Master Silhouite from making their equipment too powerful. From the looks of things, they already have a lot of power, and they may use it to harm more Snacanids…" his voice trailed off. He looked sad; no doubt he was thinking of the awful fate of a few of the Snacanids he'd cared so much about.
Samus felt an even greater desire to carry out this next mission. Michael was a nice man and a caring HQ leader, and she hated to see his feelings hurt. So she stood up and reassured him, "Don't worry, Michael. No one will be harming the Snacanids if I can help it. You can count on Alpha and me."
Michael smiled weakly. "Thank you, Samus. By the way, it looks like Alpha has an idea."
Samus looked over to see Alpha standing by the door, tail still wagging. A smile spread across her face. "Even though we've been on many missions together, I haven't really spent enough time with you, have I?"
A minute later, Samus and Alpha stood in the field outside the HQ. "Let's see just how skilled you are," Samus told Alpha. She shot a small beam from her arm cannon. The Snacanid used his Thunder ability and bounded after the beam, leaping right into it. Samus shot a few more beams, and Alpha leapt into them too. "How about this?" Samus used the Wave Beam, which Alpha also caught. "You're pretty good at this!" Samus said. Alpha jumped up happily and came back over to her.
"Now, can you catch up to this?" Samus morphed into a ball, something she could only do while wearing the Power Suit. Alpha seemed delighted to see the metallic ball rolling across the field. He chased Samus playfully, staying right with her the entire time. When she jumped up onto a platform, he did too. From the HQ window, Michael glanced outside and smiled, knowing Alpha needed a short break after so much adventuring.
On Lavolca, things were not going so playfully. Master Greblai and Master Silhouite were in their lab, which had been repaired since Samus and Alpha had left it in ruins. They watched a machine which contained the four Eternal Orbs in a capsule. "I can't believe Samus was able to follow us to Foreterna," Master Greblai said, "I thought you said the Electrifier was supposed to keep her from bothering us!"
"It was," Master Silhouite replied, "but somehow, Samus's friends managed to return her to normal. We will have to come up with another plan."
"All right, but let's not get too carried away," Master Greblai said.
"No need to. As long as we have these Eternal Orbs, we'll have the power we need to get what we are looking for."
Samus came out of ball form and petted a now tired Alpha, who lay down to rest. "Great work," she praised, "With skills like that, we should have no trouble on our coming missions." Though he was still tired, Alpha barked.
After Alpha had rested for a few minutes, he followed Samus into the Gunship. The bounty hunter took control of the ship while her ally hungrily started to eat his Snacanid food. It's time to get the Eternal Orbs back where they belong, she thought, I know Master Greblai and Master Silhouite will make things difficult for us, but as long as I have Alpha by my side, I can't fail! Then, with its controller more ready than ever to carry out her new mission, the Gunship flew into space.
(Original story from February 2017)