Chapter 3

Metroid Resurrection

            I sat between some Federation officers that I've never met as I sat at the long dining table.

            Kyan was very kind and mannerly to push my chair in for me as I sat down.

            I was unfamiliar with such customs due to my duties as a bounty hunter and my isolation from other human life forms.

            Kyan sat across the table from me. I didn't understand why he couldn't be seated beside me.

            It became unclear to me why I wanted him so bad. I felt the need to be at his side and the urge to touch him. I couldn't help but to stare over the table at him.

            He turned his head toward my direction and caught my stare. He smiled pleasingly and sweetly, which made me blush.

            We both turned our heads to the front of the table to listen to the speaker.

            Officer Stellbak spoke, "I welcome you all on behalf of the Galactic Federation and the Terra Science Research Facilities. It is a great pleasure that you all could come to this welcoming ceremony dedicated to our top investigator, Samus Aran." He turned his head to look around. "Where is Samus? Could you stand up for us please, Samus?"

            I pushed myself up and stood.

            Officer Stellbak smiled at me, "Ah, there you are, Samus, I didn't recognize you without your power suit on."

            I heard soft snickering around the table. I turned my head to look at Kyan who was staring at me, looking as though he didn't care about the small joke, only focusing his attention on me and who I was.

            My eyes rose into his piercing green eyes again and I felt the same warm sensation run all over me. I smiled at him and turned back to Stellbak.

            "Very funny." I joked back.

            Stellbak smiled again and asked, "Do you have a statement for us, Samus?"

            I pursed my lips to think a moment, realizing I had not prepared a speech for such a ceremony.

            The fact was, I'm a bounty hunter that works alone, I'm never able to be with other people, and I'm not a big talker.

            I realized I had to rely on my own instincts.

            I nodded and replied, "Yes." I turned my head to look at everyone at the table. "I thank you all for your hospitality and inviting me to come to your colony so that I may take a break from my regular duties as a bounty hunter.

            I plant to only stay for a while before I return to my work." I sat down.

            Stellbak replied, "Thank you, Samus." He turned his head to smile again at me.

            He turned his head to return his attention to everyone, "As you all may know, Terra has been the most successful human sustainable space colony in all of the galaxy.

            As a Galactic Federate and a supporter of the Terra space colony, I am honored to have Samus Aran as a part of the human civilization of Terra."

            The room filled with the sound of clapping.

            I turned my attention back to Kyan, who was one of the ones clapping. He stared and smiled at me as he clapped.

            I smiled back at him and felt my cheeks flush.

            Stellbak held his hands up in the air to silence the room.

            The clapping quickly ceased.

            He continued, "On a side note, the Terra Science Research Facility is working on a new experiment, but it is not to be let out. This one is top secret."

            "I don't think it is so top secret anymore after you let the Galactic Federation board of officers and the science staff know about it, Stellbak." Doctor Horn stepped into the room with his gentle smile on his face.

            Everyone at the dining table chuckled and laughed out loud at Horn's joke.

            Stellbak made an apologetic smile, "Everyone in this room knows about the Metroid Resurrection Project... Well, except for our bounty hunter." He looked at me, "We wanted to tell you we were going to try to revive the race of Metroids and give them a planet of their own to populate on.

            Thanks to the knowledge of the Antarians, we were able to make the Metroid cell colony into actual Metroids.

            I suddenly stood up, ignoring my chair as I accidentally knocked it over.

            "You created real Metroids?" I asked in an amazed voice.

            Doctor Horn nodded, "Our friend Kyan provided the data to duplicate Metroid DNA and even create Metroid cells.

            The Metroids can reproduce naturally and they have the same capabilities even before they became extinct."

            Stellbak spoke after the doctor, "But the Metroids are still in egg form. We haven't had any that has hatched yet. We only started this project a week ago. We wanted you to be he first to see the first Metroid to hatch."

            Stellbak and Doctor Horn both smiled pleasingly.

            I held my breath and slowly let it out. I narrowed my eyes and deepened my voice, "What will happen to the people on this station if the Metroids are to escape?"

            Officer Stellbak and Doctor Horn looked at each other.

            Doctor Horn turned back to me, "This colony is made up of three sections. The larger section is for the civility colony. The other, where we are now, is the Science Facilities. The third section, which is below this one, is the Monster Breeding habitat.

            The Metroids are being handled in sealed rooms that not even a laser can penetrate through the protection glass.

            Everyone is perfectly safe." Doctor Horn smiled at me, "You have nothing to worry about."

*          *          *

            Officer Stellbak escorted me to the civilian colony on the transport train.

            We stood in a large cart that had thick glass windows to look through.

            I looked out the windows to see the blackness of space.

            Space looked so empty and alone. It twinkled with small specks of light from distant planets. The twinkles of light were so small and close to one another, but in reality they were so far and large.

            Stellbak stood beside me and looked out the window as well.

            "Amazing."

            I turned to look at Stellbak, "What is?" I asked.

            He turned to me and smiled, "You are, Samus. You hunted down the Space Pirates that threatened mankind, you are fearless and brave to go alone, and it makes me wonder why you haven't settled down with a family yet."

            Stellbak pulled a white envelope out of one of his uniform pockets.

            "Here." He handed the sealed envelope to me, "Its from your friend."

            I opened the envelope and took out the letter.

            Lady,

            I apologize again for not being at your side during the dinner ceremony.

           

            As you may know, I had something important to do. I feel guilty not being able to tell you what I'm doing, but you will know someday.

            I hope you didn't feel alone while at the dinner, and I hope that you have made new friends.

            I hope to see you soon, Lady.

            Sincerely,

            Adam