Chapter 6

The Metroid Hatchling

            I went back to Doctor Horn's lab, the next day, to check on the egg that had not hatched from the previous day.

            Fortunately, Doctor Horn or anyone else wasn't in the lab.

            I put on my power suit and went into the Metroid egg containment tank.

            I slowly and carefully walked toward the Metroid egg. I knelt down to get a closer look at the egg.

            The egg began to crack and shake! I quickly stood and stepped back.

            The Metroid egg popped open and out came a very small Metroid. It flew toward me and went around in circles around me! I realized my and the Metroid hatchling's excitement and couldn't help but to smile.

            A teardrop shed from my eye and ran down my cheek. This looked exactly like the Metroid hatchling on SR388!

            This moment felt so familiar, same as the experience on the Metroid's home world! It was as if the Metroid hatchling had been reborn!

            The young Metroid hatchling came toward my face and floated there, as if staring at me.

            I reached up with my hand and gently touched the Metroid's smooth looking surface. The Metroid hatchling slowly floated closer and pressed itself against the glass of my visor.

            You must get out of here. A soft voice spoke into my mind. I shook my head and thought I was going insane.

            I suddenly heard a soft tapping noise on the glass of the tank. I turned around and saw Doctor Horn, Officer Stellbak, and Kyan looking into the tank at me.

            Kyan smiled and waved at me. I smiled and waved in return.

            I turned back to the Metroid hatchling and softly stroked its smooth surface.

            "Stay here, little guy." I whispered to the baby Metroid.

            I quickly turned and headed for the sealed doors. I stepped out and the doors quickly shut and sealed behind me.

            I took off my helm as I walked toward Doctor Horn. I smiled at the Doctor, "I apologize for going into the tank without asking."

            Doctor Horn smiled and replied, "It's alright, my dear. If the Metroids are that important to you, you may have my permission to come in and see them whenever you want."

            I smiled pleasingly and turned toward Kyan. Suddenly, I felt a queasy feeling come over me and I placed my hand on my stomach.

            Kyan rushed to my side and asked worriedly, "Samus, are you alright?!"

            I nodded without looking at him, "Yeah, I'm fine, just feel a little sick."

            Doctor Horn placed his hand on my shoulder, "Let's take a look at you just in case."

            I turned my head to look at him and he smiled.

*          *          *

            I lay on a table with a blanket over me. I felt cold and shivered, since I had to take my clothes off to be scanned.

            Doctor Horn pushed several buttons on a panel and I looked up to see a large clear screen slowly be brought down by mechanical arms. It stopped just a few inches above me.

            Doctor Horn, Officer Stellbak, and Kyan surrounded the table and looked down at the screen.

            "Ah ha!" Doctor Horn placed his finger on the screen above my stomach. "This is what it is!" Doctor Horn smiled and looked at me. "You're pregnant!"

            I raised my eyebrow, "What?"

            Doctor Horn smiled gleefully, "You're going to have a baby!"

            I stared at Horn, "You're kidding right?" I asked.

            The doctor shook his head and laughed, "Don't be silly, Samus! I would never joke about our number one investigator being pregnant!"

            I finally realized my surprise. "I'm going to have a… baby?" My voice rose as I spoke. I looked up at Doctor Horn, "But how?!"

            The doctor chuckled kindly, "Well, there has to be a father involved."

            I blinked in confusion.

            Officer Stellbak sighed, "Who was the man you had sex with?" He turned his head to look at Kyan. "I always see you two together, so my first guess would be Kyan."

            "Huh?! How could Kyan get me pregnant?" I asked, totally confused.

*          *          *

            Doctor Horn explained to me the miracles of life to me and how babies are produced.

            I was shocked, surprised, frightened, and delightful all at the same time! I couldn't believe that I was going to have a family of my own to take care of! But it also saddened me.

            He told me that the pregnancy takes nine months for the baby to grow and I couldn't risk working while it was still developing. After having a child, I will have to mother it for several years until the child can do things on its own. Also, having a family would mean I couldn't go back to bounty hunting ever again.

            I remained calm while returning to my apartment. Upon returning, I tore my whole apartment apart in frustration! I couldn't live like this! A bounty hunter is my job and my life!

            I sat down on the couch, which was missing its pillows, and rubbed my stomach.

            Doctor Horn also told me that I'll never be able to put on my power suit after a month because my stomach will become a pulp from the developing child.

            I asked him why I couldn't just lay it as an egg. He explained to me how the female human body works. I figured that the male species couldn't have babies, so I discontinued arguing about the matter.

            I closed my eyes and buried my face in my hands and began to cry. Crying was not my specialty. This is the first time I've ever cried since the death of the Metroid hatchling.

            I heard a soft knocking at the front door.

            "Go away!" I shouted, half sobbing. I looked up as I heard footsteps come in.

            Kyan came into the room with a sorrowful look.

            I quickly stood up and approached him and slammed my fist into his gut. Kyan only stood, looking sadly down at me, as if the punch was only a poke in his gut.

            I glared at him, "Why in the hell did you do this to me?!" I screamed at him!

            Kyan took me into his arms and held me close. "Samus..." He said softly.

            I tried to push away from him, but his arms held me in my place. I pounded on his chest with my fists, trying to get him to let go. Kyan grabbed my fists and held them gently. He lowered my hands, releasing them and placing one of his gentle hands on my cheek. I closed my eyes and let him gently rub my cheek with his thumb. I stepped forward and threw my arms around him. Kyan's warm loving arms embraced me.

            "I'm sorry." I whispered. "I just don't think I can live like this. All I've ever known is how to fight."

            Kyan ran his hand through my hair. "Then you can learn to know how to live like a family." He whispered gently. "I will take care of you, Samus, I promise."