Chapter 10
Memories Please!
Samus Aran piloted the small ship packed with Chozos to the top of the shaft. The hatches leading to the surface opened and the two ships flew out into the outer world of Crateria. Samus turned on her communications link and began talking to Houston.
"What happened to all the other ships?" She asked Houston.
"Scint tells me that the pirates raided there first to keep anyone from escaping", Houston answered over the static filled link. Samus looked out of her view port down at the surface of the planet Zebes. Explosions could be seen down below as the pirates' ships swept over the surface blowing any remnants of the Chozo race into dust. Pirates were swarming into the caves and a few were slaughtering the helpless Chozo within the valley. A blast from behind rocked the small ship sending the riding Chozo into a panicked frenzy. Samus maneuvered the ship into the clouds trying to lose the pursuing ship in the thick mist. The pirate held steady with Samus.
"Houston! I've got a pirate on my ass!" Samus screamed into the COM link. She received no reply and tried again. "Houston.HOUSTON!" Samus still received nothing but a static silence from the link. Another blast rocked the ship and red lights began flashing on the console. The view port began mapping the ship showing areas of damage. Samus' visor flashed showing the ship's armor at 25%. Samus pushed the ship trying to get away from the pirate. Houston's blue ship descended from the clouds above and placed itself behind the pirate. Houston let out a wave of firepower and the pirate's ship smoked and began to fall before it exploded into a ball of fire.
"WHOOOOOHOO!" Houston screamed over the link.
"Damn it! Don't do that to me Houston!"
"Sorry Samus but I couldn't let him know I was there", he replied.
Another pirate ship appeared in front of the two ships charging them head on with its blasters whizzing by the ships. The two ships turned toward space and began to ascend. The pirate ship followed suit and began following the two into the dead of space. Samus armed her blasters and hit the reverse thrusters on the ship. Houston and the pirate ship flew by. Samus positioned herself behind the pirate ship and using her visor's cross hair was able to control the blasters for the ship. Once locked on she fired, but the blasts bounced off the enemy ship's armor. Samus armed the missile bays and readied them. She locked on again and the pirate ship began basic maneuvering. Samus tried her best to keep up but had some difficulty. Once she locked on she fired a dozen missiles. The pirate ship evaded the majority of them until its luck ran dry and it was engulfed in a fiery inferno.
"If you are done playing Samus, we have cargo to deliver", Houston said over the link.
"I couldn't let you have all the fun", Samus responded.
The two raced away to Amidos.
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Samus Aran and Houston Armstrong approached the planet of Amidos. The side they were landing on was still in night. Samus followed Houston's ship down into a deep canyon that ran the side of a mountain range. The end of the canyon soon came into view and the rock face split revealing a landing pad. The two slowly set the ships down on the rocky surface of the cavern. The hatches opened and the Chozo began to exit. Samus ran over to Houston.
"We didn't have time to completely finish our little project here but with some time it will be no problem", Houston said looking around the soon to be docking station.
"Well where's the little station you were telling me about?"
"It's located on the edge of the cliff on the surface. I'll take you there later to show you around. Right now we got to get back and get the others."
Samus nodded and climbed on top of a nearby rock. "Listen to me. You are safe here, this is Amidos; it's a piece of Zebes broken off long ago. Houston and I have to go back to Zebes to find more survivors and until we get back Scint will be in charge."
The Chozo started murmuring amongst themselves looking around the unfamiliar terrain. Houston and Samus boarded their ships and departed from the station setting their course back for Zebes.
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The two ships entered Zebes atmosphere two hours after their first departure. The majority of the pirate ships had left and the surface of Zebes was covered in smoke. Samus and Houston landed the ships in front of the old wrecked ship. They immediately ran for the main entrance to Criteria, which was guarded by a few space pirates. Houston blasted one while Samus quickly took care of the other two. They entered the tunnels and headed for Samus' home. Once in they found the place in shambles. Samus ran to the closet where she normally would have her power suit and found a couple of Chozo cowering in the small dark space.
"Don't be afraid. It's only me Samus. Houston is going to take you someplace safe."
Houston gathered the Chozo and ran out the door heading back to his ship.
"Meet me down in the counsel chamber when you get back!" Samus yelled after Houston.
Samus made her way to the counsel chamber. Upon entering she found Old Bird bound up and set against a wall. Samus ran up to the old Chozo and untied him.
"Samus, I am so glad to see you alive. We must get out of here, the pirates are planning on something big!" Old Bird said getting to his feet. Houston ran into the room with shots being fired at him from the tunnel. A few blasts hit the wall sending dust and rock flying about. Houston returned fire.
"Did you get the other Chozo to the ship?"
"Yes they are fine. I don't know if we will be able to get out of here. There is a hell of a lot of pirates coming down that tunnel." The door shut leaving the three to there thoughts. Blasters hit the door to no effect. "How are we going to get out?"
"The only way I can see is to scale the walls of that docking station", Old Bird said pointing at the hidden station behind the statue. Samus ran to the cavern and looked up at the shaft.
"Can you make that climb Old Bird?"
"I can manage I think", he replied.
Before the three could start there trek up the side a shadow flew over the roof opening before it returned and began to descend down the shaft. A swift breeze flew down and Samus and crew backed up. The infamous Ridley made is entrance breathing fire. Once settled on the ground his wings folded over on his back. He walked toward Old Bird. "So you pitiful creature, I see your beloved human came back after all to save your hide", the dragon hissed.
"You are truly a fowl and despicable creature Ridley", Old Bird said.
"I'm only following orders. My boss wants this planet for itself and sent me to dispense of the Chozo. You and your two human friends here must die now." Ridley through his head back and spewed hot flames toward the trio. Samus grabbed Old Bird and rolled out of the way. Houston somersaulted over Ridley, blasting him in the back of the head with his blaster. Ridley began laughing, "Really now, do you think that measly weapon of yours will harm me?"
"That may not but this will!" Samus yelled firing a missile toward Ridley. Ridley attempted to dodge the missile by flying into the air but found himself hollering in pain when the projectile hit him in the wing.
"You wretched rat!" Ridley yelled slamming his tail into Samus who slid along the ground. Ridley fired another flame toward her and she rolled out of the way.
"Get Old Bird out of here!" Samus yelled to Houston, "I'll hold him off!"
"You seem very confident Miss Aran", Ridley said flying over to Houston and Old Bird. Samus ran toward him firing her arm cannon at him. "Foolish human, do you never learn?" Ridley swung his tail around but missed Samus who somersaulted over the incoming appendage and landed just to Ridley's right firing a missile. Ridley dodged the projectile firing back at Samus. A hard breeze brushed by and Houston's blue ship descended down the shaft.
The hatch opened and Scint stuck his head out, "Get in!"
Samus continued to fire at Ridley, distracting him from the escaping ship. Houston tried jumping back out of the ship but Scint grabbed him and pulled him back in. Samus was left to fend for herself.
"I guess it's just me and you Miss Aran." Ridley took to the air swooping overhead trying to grab Samus. Samus rolled around on the floor trying to evade Ridley's sharp talons that barely missed slicing her open. Samus jumped from the floor and was able to land on Ridley's back. The dragon fell to the ground from the weight of the extra body unexpectantly landing on his back. With a loud thud he hit the ground stomach first and Samus rolled off of Ridley dazed from the sudden stop. Ridley swiftly raised himself and grabbed the confused Samus, gripping her with his tail. He took to the air again with Samus wrapped in his tail. Ridley brought Samus around to his face and ripped the helmet off of her head. Samus' green hair fell from the helmet and Samus looked Ridley in the face. She began squirming around to get out of his grip but it did no good. She tried to fire her arm canon but the light ball of energy just tickled the red dragon that tightened his grip. The arm canon crushed beneath the pressure and Samus screamed in pain as the metal began to pinch her arm. Ridley began to smile as the torment showed on Samus' face. He was enjoying every minute of this. Ridley loosened his grip a little.
"Let me down so I can kick your red scaly ass!" Samus screamed as she gasped in the air.
"Quite feisty aren't we Samus? No matter", Ridley said bringing a talon to her face, "I'd hate to mess up such a pretty face." Ridley touched Samus' cheek with his talon, pricking it just hard enough to draw a drop of blood, "Oh dear. I seemed to have marred up your face. Such a shame, I am sorry." Ridley began laughing hysterically.
"Damn you.you.you MONSTER!"
Ridley immediately stopped his laughing and eyed the fragile human. "Monster? MONster?! How dare you call me such a hideous and rude name! I am not a MONSTER!" Ridley yelled flying hirer into the air. Ridley fixed his composure, "Very well then, if I'm a monster I will show you what a monster can do!" Ridley's eyes widened as he gave Samus a snarled grin, his crooked teeth reflected in the light and saliva dripping from between them. Ridley released his grip on Samus and watched her fall toward the rocky ground below. With a maddening cry Ridley swooped down toward the falling Samus, slamming his claws into her back and pushing her faster toward the ground. Samus screamed in fear as the ground flew toward her at an enormous speed. In an attempt to protect herself, Samus tried to straighten out her body to reduce the impact size keeping all of her appendages flat to keep from breaking. Ridley slammed Samus into the ground, rocks flew up and the dust settled. Samus yelped upon impact and was thrown into the darkness of unconsciousness.
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Samus' eyes fluttered open taking time to adjust to the bright light that flooded her eyes. The first thing she noticed was the immense pain she was in. Her head was throbbing and the rest of her body felt stiff. Her neck was wrapped and she could not move it but she could feel her arm was in some sort of cast. Her eyes began to adjust more easily as someone dropped the blinds on the nearby window. People hovered over her talking but she could not hear what they were saying. One bent over talking to her but she couldn't understand what he was trying to say. Another person, rather a bird like creature set his hand on her forehead. She could feel the warmth and somehow knew the creature. Her ears began to pick up sounds and soon she could hear the words and sounds that surrounded her.
The bird like creature bent over Samus again and he asked, "Are you feeling any better?"
Everyone stopped talking and looked over at the injured Samus. Samus paused to think to herself. "Is that who I am? Am I Samus?" She asked with confused and blank eyes. She found herself trying to figure out the people surrounding her but drew blanks. "Who are you people? I'm lost and confused."
Houston, Scint, Old Bird and a few other humans surrounded Samus. "This is not a good thing", Houston said turning to Old Bird then back to Samus. "You are Samus Aran", Houston said pointing to Samus then pointing to himself, "Do you remember who I am?" Samus shook her head no.
"Oh dear, this isn't good at all!" Old Bird said looking at the doctors.
Samus Aran piloted the small ship packed with Chozos to the top of the shaft. The hatches leading to the surface opened and the two ships flew out into the outer world of Crateria. Samus turned on her communications link and began talking to Houston.
"What happened to all the other ships?" She asked Houston.
"Scint tells me that the pirates raided there first to keep anyone from escaping", Houston answered over the static filled link. Samus looked out of her view port down at the surface of the planet Zebes. Explosions could be seen down below as the pirates' ships swept over the surface blowing any remnants of the Chozo race into dust. Pirates were swarming into the caves and a few were slaughtering the helpless Chozo within the valley. A blast from behind rocked the small ship sending the riding Chozo into a panicked frenzy. Samus maneuvered the ship into the clouds trying to lose the pursuing ship in the thick mist. The pirate held steady with Samus.
"Houston! I've got a pirate on my ass!" Samus screamed into the COM link. She received no reply and tried again. "Houston.HOUSTON!" Samus still received nothing but a static silence from the link. Another blast rocked the ship and red lights began flashing on the console. The view port began mapping the ship showing areas of damage. Samus' visor flashed showing the ship's armor at 25%. Samus pushed the ship trying to get away from the pirate. Houston's blue ship descended from the clouds above and placed itself behind the pirate. Houston let out a wave of firepower and the pirate's ship smoked and began to fall before it exploded into a ball of fire.
"WHOOOOOHOO!" Houston screamed over the link.
"Damn it! Don't do that to me Houston!"
"Sorry Samus but I couldn't let him know I was there", he replied.
Another pirate ship appeared in front of the two ships charging them head on with its blasters whizzing by the ships. The two ships turned toward space and began to ascend. The pirate ship followed suit and began following the two into the dead of space. Samus armed her blasters and hit the reverse thrusters on the ship. Houston and the pirate ship flew by. Samus positioned herself behind the pirate ship and using her visor's cross hair was able to control the blasters for the ship. Once locked on she fired, but the blasts bounced off the enemy ship's armor. Samus armed the missile bays and readied them. She locked on again and the pirate ship began basic maneuvering. Samus tried her best to keep up but had some difficulty. Once she locked on she fired a dozen missiles. The pirate ship evaded the majority of them until its luck ran dry and it was engulfed in a fiery inferno.
"If you are done playing Samus, we have cargo to deliver", Houston said over the link.
"I couldn't let you have all the fun", Samus responded.
The two raced away to Amidos.
.|.
Samus Aran and Houston Armstrong approached the planet of Amidos. The side they were landing on was still in night. Samus followed Houston's ship down into a deep canyon that ran the side of a mountain range. The end of the canyon soon came into view and the rock face split revealing a landing pad. The two slowly set the ships down on the rocky surface of the cavern. The hatches opened and the Chozo began to exit. Samus ran over to Houston.
"We didn't have time to completely finish our little project here but with some time it will be no problem", Houston said looking around the soon to be docking station.
"Well where's the little station you were telling me about?"
"It's located on the edge of the cliff on the surface. I'll take you there later to show you around. Right now we got to get back and get the others."
Samus nodded and climbed on top of a nearby rock. "Listen to me. You are safe here, this is Amidos; it's a piece of Zebes broken off long ago. Houston and I have to go back to Zebes to find more survivors and until we get back Scint will be in charge."
The Chozo started murmuring amongst themselves looking around the unfamiliar terrain. Houston and Samus boarded their ships and departed from the station setting their course back for Zebes.
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The two ships entered Zebes atmosphere two hours after their first departure. The majority of the pirate ships had left and the surface of Zebes was covered in smoke. Samus and Houston landed the ships in front of the old wrecked ship. They immediately ran for the main entrance to Criteria, which was guarded by a few space pirates. Houston blasted one while Samus quickly took care of the other two. They entered the tunnels and headed for Samus' home. Once in they found the place in shambles. Samus ran to the closet where she normally would have her power suit and found a couple of Chozo cowering in the small dark space.
"Don't be afraid. It's only me Samus. Houston is going to take you someplace safe."
Houston gathered the Chozo and ran out the door heading back to his ship.
"Meet me down in the counsel chamber when you get back!" Samus yelled after Houston.
Samus made her way to the counsel chamber. Upon entering she found Old Bird bound up and set against a wall. Samus ran up to the old Chozo and untied him.
"Samus, I am so glad to see you alive. We must get out of here, the pirates are planning on something big!" Old Bird said getting to his feet. Houston ran into the room with shots being fired at him from the tunnel. A few blasts hit the wall sending dust and rock flying about. Houston returned fire.
"Did you get the other Chozo to the ship?"
"Yes they are fine. I don't know if we will be able to get out of here. There is a hell of a lot of pirates coming down that tunnel." The door shut leaving the three to there thoughts. Blasters hit the door to no effect. "How are we going to get out?"
"The only way I can see is to scale the walls of that docking station", Old Bird said pointing at the hidden station behind the statue. Samus ran to the cavern and looked up at the shaft.
"Can you make that climb Old Bird?"
"I can manage I think", he replied.
Before the three could start there trek up the side a shadow flew over the roof opening before it returned and began to descend down the shaft. A swift breeze flew down and Samus and crew backed up. The infamous Ridley made is entrance breathing fire. Once settled on the ground his wings folded over on his back. He walked toward Old Bird. "So you pitiful creature, I see your beloved human came back after all to save your hide", the dragon hissed.
"You are truly a fowl and despicable creature Ridley", Old Bird said.
"I'm only following orders. My boss wants this planet for itself and sent me to dispense of the Chozo. You and your two human friends here must die now." Ridley through his head back and spewed hot flames toward the trio. Samus grabbed Old Bird and rolled out of the way. Houston somersaulted over Ridley, blasting him in the back of the head with his blaster. Ridley began laughing, "Really now, do you think that measly weapon of yours will harm me?"
"That may not but this will!" Samus yelled firing a missile toward Ridley. Ridley attempted to dodge the missile by flying into the air but found himself hollering in pain when the projectile hit him in the wing.
"You wretched rat!" Ridley yelled slamming his tail into Samus who slid along the ground. Ridley fired another flame toward her and she rolled out of the way.
"Get Old Bird out of here!" Samus yelled to Houston, "I'll hold him off!"
"You seem very confident Miss Aran", Ridley said flying over to Houston and Old Bird. Samus ran toward him firing her arm cannon at him. "Foolish human, do you never learn?" Ridley swung his tail around but missed Samus who somersaulted over the incoming appendage and landed just to Ridley's right firing a missile. Ridley dodged the projectile firing back at Samus. A hard breeze brushed by and Houston's blue ship descended down the shaft.
The hatch opened and Scint stuck his head out, "Get in!"
Samus continued to fire at Ridley, distracting him from the escaping ship. Houston tried jumping back out of the ship but Scint grabbed him and pulled him back in. Samus was left to fend for herself.
"I guess it's just me and you Miss Aran." Ridley took to the air swooping overhead trying to grab Samus. Samus rolled around on the floor trying to evade Ridley's sharp talons that barely missed slicing her open. Samus jumped from the floor and was able to land on Ridley's back. The dragon fell to the ground from the weight of the extra body unexpectantly landing on his back. With a loud thud he hit the ground stomach first and Samus rolled off of Ridley dazed from the sudden stop. Ridley swiftly raised himself and grabbed the confused Samus, gripping her with his tail. He took to the air again with Samus wrapped in his tail. Ridley brought Samus around to his face and ripped the helmet off of her head. Samus' green hair fell from the helmet and Samus looked Ridley in the face. She began squirming around to get out of his grip but it did no good. She tried to fire her arm canon but the light ball of energy just tickled the red dragon that tightened his grip. The arm canon crushed beneath the pressure and Samus screamed in pain as the metal began to pinch her arm. Ridley began to smile as the torment showed on Samus' face. He was enjoying every minute of this. Ridley loosened his grip a little.
"Let me down so I can kick your red scaly ass!" Samus screamed as she gasped in the air.
"Quite feisty aren't we Samus? No matter", Ridley said bringing a talon to her face, "I'd hate to mess up such a pretty face." Ridley touched Samus' cheek with his talon, pricking it just hard enough to draw a drop of blood, "Oh dear. I seemed to have marred up your face. Such a shame, I am sorry." Ridley began laughing hysterically.
"Damn you.you.you MONSTER!"
Ridley immediately stopped his laughing and eyed the fragile human. "Monster? MONster?! How dare you call me such a hideous and rude name! I am not a MONSTER!" Ridley yelled flying hirer into the air. Ridley fixed his composure, "Very well then, if I'm a monster I will show you what a monster can do!" Ridley's eyes widened as he gave Samus a snarled grin, his crooked teeth reflected in the light and saliva dripping from between them. Ridley released his grip on Samus and watched her fall toward the rocky ground below. With a maddening cry Ridley swooped down toward the falling Samus, slamming his claws into her back and pushing her faster toward the ground. Samus screamed in fear as the ground flew toward her at an enormous speed. In an attempt to protect herself, Samus tried to straighten out her body to reduce the impact size keeping all of her appendages flat to keep from breaking. Ridley slammed Samus into the ground, rocks flew up and the dust settled. Samus yelped upon impact and was thrown into the darkness of unconsciousness.
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Samus' eyes fluttered open taking time to adjust to the bright light that flooded her eyes. The first thing she noticed was the immense pain she was in. Her head was throbbing and the rest of her body felt stiff. Her neck was wrapped and she could not move it but she could feel her arm was in some sort of cast. Her eyes began to adjust more easily as someone dropped the blinds on the nearby window. People hovered over her talking but she could not hear what they were saying. One bent over talking to her but she couldn't understand what he was trying to say. Another person, rather a bird like creature set his hand on her forehead. She could feel the warmth and somehow knew the creature. Her ears began to pick up sounds and soon she could hear the words and sounds that surrounded her.
The bird like creature bent over Samus again and he asked, "Are you feeling any better?"
Everyone stopped talking and looked over at the injured Samus. Samus paused to think to herself. "Is that who I am? Am I Samus?" She asked with confused and blank eyes. She found herself trying to figure out the people surrounding her but drew blanks. "Who are you people? I'm lost and confused."
Houston, Scint, Old Bird and a few other humans surrounded Samus. "This is not a good thing", Houston said turning to Old Bird then back to Samus. "You are Samus Aran", Houston said pointing to Samus then pointing to himself, "Do you remember who I am?" Samus shook her head no.
"Oh dear, this isn't good at all!" Old Bird said looking at the doctors.