Chapter 4

The Metroids

            My apartment was rather large just for one person, but it was nice.

            I thanked Officer Stellbak before he left, closing the door behind him.

            He had told me that the Terra Officials provided this apartment for me. They would even pay for the expenses, and provide me with money so that I may buy clothes to wear, and other supplies such as food and water.

            I went into the bedroom and threw myself down onto the king-sized bed. I sunk into the blanket covers and mattress. I've never felt so comfortable in my life! It was like lying on a blanket of clouds!

            I slowly became tired as I lay there. I quickly sat up to keep myself awake.

            I turned my head to study the room.

            Above my bed was a stuffed bird known as a Hawk. It had its wings spread out and it looked out over the room like it would its prey.

            I saw another stuffed Hawk perched on the coat rack, which was placed in the corner of the room, with its wings folded behind its back and its head turned toward the bed to stare at me.

            There was a white marble statue of a Hawk with its wings spread out and its beak open. The Hawk was on a stand beside the door, facing toward the bed.

            It was an unusual bird that I've never encountered before.

            Thanks to Adam, though, I knew that it was a Hawk because he showed me a book of Birds of the World.

            He showed me the type of birds that lived on a planet called Earth.

            Adam even showed me other books of all sorts of creatures that lived on Earth.

            I was amazed that all those strange animals could live on such a small planet.

            Adam told me that Earth is a beautiful planet, full of all sorts of life and mysteries about the planet that haven't been fully discovered yet.

            He promised to take me to Earth someday so that I may see it for myself.

            I got up from the bed and went into the room known as a kitchen.

            There was a basket of fruit and a large vase full of bright red roses on the counter in the middle of the room.

            I approached the roses and saw a note beside it that read Samus in fancy writing.

            I picked up the letter and read it.

            My dearest Samus,

            It was my greatest pleasure to have finally met you. I have never met such a wonderful and brave woman such as you.

            You were amazing in the blue dress. I couldn't take my eyes from your splendid beauty.

            I really enjoyed being with you.

           

            I'm coming over to your apartment right now as you are reading this letter.

            I may even be at the door right now.

            Kyan

            I heard a knock at the door. I set down the letter and raced into the main room to answer the door.

            My eyes fell upon Kyan.

            He smiled as I looked up at him and I smiled back.

            "Kyan! What an expected surprise!" I joked.

            Kyan laughed and smiled again.

            His laughter sounded gentle, kind, and friendly. It made my heart race.

            He placed his hand on my arm and drew closer to me, "I had to see you again, Samus. I cannot put you out of my mind. You are the only one I can ever think about." Kyan spoke softly and gently.

            He took up my chin in his hand and brought his face closer to mine.

            My eyes grew wide! My heart raced faster and faster!

            I stared into those bright green eyes as they slowly closed.

`           My eyes slowly slid down to look at his pale lips as they parted.

            I felt his other arm wrap around my waist.

            I couldn't resist! I was excited and scared at the same time!

            Kyan placed his hand on my cheek. My cheeks became hot, realizing that I was blushing bright red.

            I half closed my eyes. I felt his soft lips press into mine.

            My lips parted and we kissed.

            Kyan kissed me deeply, taking me by complete surprise by sliding his hand from my cheek to the back of my head.

            He fully embraced me, pulling me into him as we kissed.

            I pulled my head back and gasped, trying to resist his embrace. I turned my head away and tired to push away from him. Kyan pulled me closer and pushed me at the same time. He pushed me away from the doorway and he kicked the door shut. Kyan continued to push me and I fell onto the dark green silk couch.

            Kyan came down beside me and threw his arms around me to keep me from getting up.

            "Stop!" I demanded, but for some reason I wanted him to continue. I didn't understand the mixed feelings.

            I opened my eyes as he stopped.

            He looked into my face with his soft-sad looking eyes. "Samus." Kyan said very softly.

            "Kyan, I..." My cheeks blushed.

            Kyan released me and stood up. He briskly walked toward the door.

            I stood up and loudly spoke, "Kyan! I... I'm sorry for that."

            Kyan stopped and turned to look at me. He smiled his sweet smile and shook his head, "Its not your fault. I just remembered I had to help Doctor Larson with the rain forest habitat of Terra.

            I will see you later, my dearest."

            He turned away again and opened the door.

            Before Kyan could step through the door, I ran to him and whirled him around to face me and threw my arms around his neck and pressed my lips to his.

*          *          *

            Officer Stellbak led me back to the Terra Science Research Facilities and brought me to Doctor Horn's lab.

            The lab was just as large as the docking bay and had many large glass containers containing strange living creatures I have never seen!

            I was also amazed at how many panels of flashing and blinking buttons there were covering the walls!

            Doctor Horn approached me and greeted me with his friendly smile, "Welcome, Samus. I'm glad that you could come. You have arrived just at the perfect moment! The Metroid eggs are showing signs of hatching!

            Please follow me. I will show them to you." He spun around and briskly walked toward two double sliding doors.

            Stellbak and I hurried after him.

            We came into a darkly lit room that only had a faint green glowing light in a large tank sealed behind thick glass.

            I walked toward the glass and placed my hands against its warm surface. I peered inside. I lowered my gaze to find many Metroid eggs all over the ground inside the tank.

            I saw one then two eggs shaking and cracking open. My eyes grew wide with wonder.

            Suddenly, the first egg split open and out flew a tiny baby Metroid!

            I took a deep breath and became excited by the sight of the young Metroid. The tiny Metroid hovered around above its egg and slowly flew toward me. It gently pressed itself into the glass, trying to get to me.

            I smiled and ran my hand over the glass, as if running my hand down the Metroid's jelly-like skin.

            I looked up suddenly to see more of the eggs hatching! More of the baby Metroids popped out of their eggs and hovered around in the air.

            I smiled and laughed happily as they approached me and pressed themselves into the glass.

            I peered over the Metroids and saw one single egg unhitched, alone in the corner.

            I turned to Doctor Horn and asked, "What is going on with that one?"

            Doctor Horn came toward the tank and looked around the group of Metroids and saw the egg that had not cracked open. Horn rubbed his small gray beard, "Maybe its not fully grown yet. That could have been the one the other scientists put into the tank just a few days ago." He turned to me and smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry about it. It will hatch in a couple of days... You should go home and rest. It has been a long day."

            I nodded and smiled at him then turned to leave.

*          *          *

            I found myself in a world of darkness. It felt so cold and lonely, like space.

            Emptiness...

            I blinked, slowly reopening my eyes and suddenly found myself on the surface of SR388.

            I blinked again and this time found myself in a small room with a Metroid egg in the center.

            This time, after blinking, the room remained the same. The Metroid egg was still in the middle of the room.

            I slowly walked toward it, lowering my gaze.

            I suddenly realized I was in my old power suit before it had been affected by the X parasite.

            I raised my gaze back up and saw the Metroid egg starting to hatch.

            I walked closer to it, lifting up my right arm.

            My beam cannon.

            Again, I looked to the egg. It shook, cracking open.

            The egg burst open and out came the Metroid hatchling!

            My eyes filled with tears as I realized this was the exact same Metroid hatchling I had found so long ago back on SR388!

            I watched as the young Metroid hovered around its egg and floated toward me. The baby Metroid circled around me. It thought that I was its mother!

            I ran into the next room, the young Metroid hatchling followed.

            I blinked and suddenly found myself kneeling down and breathing heavily.

            I looked up and saw the leader of the Space Pirates... Mother Brain!

            I wanted to and tried to get up to fight, but I felt so weak.

            I watched in fright as Mother Brain stomped toward me, ready for the last attack.

            I closed my eyes, waiting for the end.

            Suddenly, I heard Mother Brain screaming and roaring in pain!

            I slowly peeled my eyes open and saw the Metroid hatchling, fully grown, sucking with all its strength on Mother Brain's head!

            As I watched, I realized that this wasn't real. It was only a dream based on the past.

            But why? Why am I dreaming it?

            I blinked and saw Mother Brain crumbled into pieces all over the floor.

            The Metroid slowly floated down toward me. It floated in front of me, as if staring at me.

            I suddenly felt a chill run up my back. It was the same chill as the one I experienced in the docking hanger.

            I knew what it was... Trouble.

            What kind of trouble though?

            I stared at the Metroid, seeking the answer.

            I slowly stood up, the Metroid slowly floating up to match my height.

            I reached out with my hand and touched the smooth jelly-like surface of the grown Metroid hatchling.

            Another chill ran up my back, but this time it circulated throughout my entire body!

            Get out of here! A soft voice spoke in the back of my mind.

            I blinked again, but then I found that I was floating in the emptiness of space.

            What was this dream about? Was the Metroid hatchling telling me something? How could it? There's no possible way it could be alive!

            An image came into my mind... an image of the single egg, which had not hatched, alone in the corner of the tank.

            Is there a connection?

            I opened my eyes and found that I was in my bed. I sat up and looked around.

            I lowered my head and sighed, "It was only a dream." I said softly, rubbing my head.

            "Too bad the Metroid isn't still alive."