Samus P.O.V

Midnight came around and Samus and Ghor met Gandrayda at the vault. It was evident by Gandrayda's cheery reaction that it meant a lot to her for them to follow through. Ghor did as he aimed to and tampered with Sylux's weapon to the point it was functioning at limited capacity but not to the point that he would easily notice until the stakes were high and he fully needed it. Smart human cyborg.

xxxxx

Sleep did not come easily to Samus Aran that night afterward. She had never gone on a mission in her life, unlike a lot of the other potentials. The thought both excited and terrified her. She would also be lying to herself if she said that the argument with Rundas didn't bother her. As annoying and arrogant as he could be, he was always looking out for her. Once things calm down a bit I will explain to him that I don't appreciate being told what to do as I have been taking care of myself since the day I lost my parents. With this resolution, Samus was finally able to sleep

xxxxx

Samus was awoken by a timid knock on her door. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she went to answer it revealing Ghor standing in the doorway.

"Is everything okay, Ghor? We still have an hour until we have to be down for missions," Samus inquired, glancing at the clock.

Ghor walked in and sat down on her bed. "Honestly Sam, I'm just so nervous. I couldn't sleep all night. I'm scared something horrible is going to happen to me again."

Samus hugged him… awkwardly as affection wasn't something she was used to displaying or getting. "I know Ghor, and I know the missions are individual but I am going to help protect you in any way I can. I never thought I would be able to open up and start becoming friends with anyone here, but you are making me reconsider that."

Ghor squeezed back, turning the awkward hug into a supportive embrace between two people who have been through hell and back. "I have heard secondhand of the trauma you have experienced, and the moment you feel comfortable to talk about it I will be here for you. As you know I'm an open book, but I understand that you need a little time to warm up before you delve into life's trauma."

"Thanks, Ghor, I appreciate how you let me do things at my pace and support me no matter what."

"Ah, shit barging into your room is my job, but it looks like Boltz beat me to it. And what a tender moment."

Samus jolted out of the embrace, turning to stare at the icy intruder. Rundas stood in the doorway chest puffed up as always, but Samus could tell that his shoulders were dragging a little and his voice didn't carry as much playful humor as it typically did. She caught his eyes and for a few moments, they just looked at each other tensely, until she decided to relax her posture and give him a coy smile. "Well, are you going to join?"

"Oh hell no of course... fine." Rundas came over to the bed and gave Samus a bear hug and Ghor quickly joined in. Thanks for being my friends.

Rundas P.O.V.

Xxxxx

"A SCAVENGER hunt?!" whined Rundas. "Are we a bunch of 5-year-olds!? I thought arts and crafts were over."

"For once, I agree with Ice Brain," huffed Sylux.

Admiral Dillon had begun explaining the first mission. Each potential was assigned a specific artifact to find around the Galactic HQ and given a tracker that helps lead to it.

"You didn't let us finish!" squealed Dillon." I'll let Dane explain the rest."

"I understand your complaints, for a mere scavenger hunt is not enough to put you pansies to the test.

"WE ARE NOT PANSIES!"

"Shut up, both of you are so ungodly irritating to me. Anyway, calling this a scavenger hunt does not do it justice. Along your journey, you will face unexpected obstacles that challenge your brain and your brawn. People are gonna get hurt if they don't take this seriously."

Ghor winced, and Rundas saw Samus turn to comfort him.

"If everyone could check your personal communication device, your artifact will appear momentarily. Some of you will have the same artifact. It is up to you if you want to work together or compete against each other. Remember- it's not always about the outcome, but how you get there. There is no time limit and this isn't a competition, we just want someone to eventually find each artifact. Now…. GO!"

On Rundas's PCD, the image of an ornate-looking screw popped up with the words. Next to it, was a flashing arrow pointing upwards. He looked up and saw Samus doing the same. "Race you there, Princess?" Before she could respond, he shot ice at his feet and used it to propel himself to the second floor of the dining space. Something I've been working on and waiting to show off with dramatic flare, now time to find this artifact!

xxxxx

The tracker led him through multiple corridors for what seemed like hours (but was probably only a few minutes because Rundas is extremely impatient.) Finally, he was lead into a large room where there was A GIANT-ASS BESERKER LORD OHMIGOD. Where the hell did the Federation get this thing from since when did they let Phazon mutants into the premise?!

Almost immediately, it swung its giant arms towards Rundas and he narrowly dodged the impact. Still in shock, he started haphazardly throwing spears of ice that the Beserker Lord batted away effortlessly. Okay.. okay keep your cool Rundas. This is obviously a challenge that one fresh potential isn't equipped for. It's time to show them that I can win this challenge anyway. He started to aim his ice towards the weak spots on the monster's shoulders all while dodging its strikes, which seemed to be doing plenty of damage. The red orbs guarding the Beserker eventually shattered, causing it to collapse to the ground.

"Ha! Take that you big stupid monster! No one is a match for THE Run…." The Berserker Lord fired a purple orb of energy that completely knocked Rundas to the ground, causing him to slam his head so hard on a pillar that his visor came off. Oww… that really got me. My vision is blurring and I can't move. Oh shit it's coming towards me and I can't defend myself - this can't be the end!

Suddenly, the second purple ball of energy that was careening towards him was reflected by a plasma whip to hit the monster right back. With blurred eyes, he watched orb after orb get reflected right back at the monster by Samus and her whip. As it finally fell, a large bird-like alien swooped down and starting clawing and pecking into its weak spot until it stirred no more. As the bird-like alien began to morph back into a pink alien, Rundas lost consciousness.

xxxxx

Samus P.O.V.

After the defeat of that terrifying monster by her and Gandrayda (which was honestly fueled by pure adrenaline), Samus ran towards Rundas pulling out the portable scanner given to her before the mission started to assess how hurt he was.

"Subject: Rundas of Phygris. Status: Unconscious and afflicted with a concussion and various bruises. No fatal conditions detected." Oh thank god.

Gandrayda came up beside her and giggled. "Well I guess slow and steady wins the race, Sammy now let's keep going since our impatient friend is going to be okay."

"You can go ahead Dray, but I'm gonna stay behind and wait for Rundas to wake up."

"But he left us without even giving us a chance to get up!"

"I know, but that is typical Rundas. I wouldn't expect differently. But Dane basically told us to work together, and if this was only the first threat imagine what we will face. And who knows if we would have been able to defeat it without Rundas weakening it so much. I feel like it will take the three of us to make to the end of this task."

"Oh Sammy, you're so smart and so right!"

xxxxx

Rundas P.O.V.

A 4-year old Rundas stood in horror as he saw a giant wall of ice fall down and land on his little mining village. Flashing before his eyes he saw the mangled and frozen bodies of his parents and sister. He saw a dragon-like creature, standing over the mess cackling. He saw a federation trooper pulling him out of the snow as he cried and cried and cried, not knowing what would happen to him next.

"Rundas, are you okay?" He was awoken by someone frantically shaking him. Ugh my head.

He opened his eyes to see Samus looking at him, her blue eyes full of concern. "Oh good, you were knocked out by that giant monster we fought and then started jerking around in your sleep."

"Yeah yeah… I mean ow my head, but I'll be okay." He sat himself up and turned towards Samus (and Gandrayda). "Thank you for not letting that monster kill me, but you didn't have to wait up for me. I was being a competitive jerk and left."

"Don't thank me Rundie dear," said Gandrayda, "I wanted to keep going but Samus made the point that we may need you to find this artifact. You are going to help us now, right? I know you always talk about wanting to work alone and not needing anyone else.

Rundas chuckled. "You know me so well. But I am also a man of honor. If it wasn't for you guys I would most likely be dead." He noticed Samus lurch a little after he said that. "Of course, we will work together. And I really don't want to face a Beserker Lord by myself again what the heck are they thinking bringing one of those into the base."

"Oh it wasn't a real one, just a robot replication programmed to imitate the way one fights but also within the control of the GF."

"How do you know that?"

"Because we had a similar mission last year. The GF doesn't actually want us to die on these missions and will do what they can to make sure we are safe even when we are defeated."

"Ah so since I wasn't actually going to die I don't owe you guys anyway." Gandrayda began to puff up in anger. "I'm kidding take a joke, Leech."

"I am NOT a leech and you know that mister, you just like to call people names like the meanie you are. Now the tracker is pointing to the door that just revealed itself to the left, let's get going." Gandrayda then strutted off.

Samus helped Rundas up, still looking at him with concern in her eyes. "Is there something you need to talk about, you were obviously having nightmares."

"Let's just say you aren't the only one with a tragic childhood, Princess."