Author's Note: Finally, chapter 8 is here! Sorry for the long wait. This chapter was longer and harder to write. As always, I appreciate any feedback on my writing that you can give. I hope you enjoy this chapter, thank you!
Samus stared at the man in front of her as if he was a bug she was inspecting under a microscope. He squirmed as her intense gaze scanned him from top to bottom, inspecting and analyzing. After enduring this inspection for a full three minutes, Sam's father cleared his throat and asked, "Er, may I come in?" Samus obliged, stepping aside and letting him through the door. Shutting it behind him, she said, "You're...Sam's father?"
"Yes, Malcolm, my name's Malcolm," the man said, extending a hand. His hand was rather sweaty and clammy, Samus noted. "I came as soon as I could," he said, turning into the kitchen and setting his hat down on the table. Samus followed, watching him. He turned and asked, "Where is Sam?"
"He's at school. He won't be home until after five, he works at Old Pete's shop," Samus replied. She was curious why Sam's father thought his son would be home during normal school hours.
"Oh, he works?" Malcolm asked a bit absent-mindedly, looking around the kitchen furtively, as if he were afraid something might be hiding behind a cabinet and about to jump out at him. An awkward silence set in. Samus thought about interrogating him to find out what part of the Federation he actually worked for, but decided that it would be better to wait. Better to confront him about it once he got more comfortable in his house and with her. "I suppose you can stay in River's room for now," Samus finally said, breaking the silence. Malcolm jumped a little at her voice, but nodded. Seeing his hesitance, Samus pointed up the stairs and said, "It's the first door on the right."
"Oh, yes, thank you," Malcolm said and made his way upstairs with his bag. Samus watched him go curiously. He acted as though he didn't know his own home; had he really forgotten what it looked like? How long had he been gone? Shaking her head, she went back to her chores, mulling over her analysis of Malcolm. He was hiding something sinister, she was sure. The trick would be getting him to spill the beans about it. Glancing at the clock, she muttered to herself, "Well, better be prepared for disaster tonight." Sam would not be happy to see his father.
"I'm home!" Sam called, as he entered the house that evening. "Has Mom called-" he started to ask Samus, but stopped abruptly when he saw his father sitting at the kitchen table. With a nervous grin, Malcolm rose and said, "Hi, Sam. It's good to see you."
Sam stood frozen, staring at his father. Then he felt the heat rising in his cheeks, and his hands clenched in anger. "What are you doing here?" he snapped.
Malcolm looked a little surprised and hurt at Sam's response. "I-I came as soon as I could after I heard about Angela. Your mother asked me to come," Malcolm said.
"Well maybe you should have stayed in space! It's not like you ever came to help us before, and we did just fine without you!" Sam angrily lashed out. He grabbed the milking pail and turned to leave before his father could say anything more.
Sam slammed the door behind him. Stomping into the barn, he sat down on the pail to milk Maya and began squeezing so hard the cow let out a disgruntled moo and gave him a hurt look. Sam sighed and mumbled, "Sorry Maya." He was just so angry. Why had his father come now? He was angry that his father had not come sooner, angry that his father came at all, angry, just angry!
Though it had long since turned dark, Sam stayed in the barn. He would start to simmer down, but then he would think of his father and the anger would boil in his heart again. He could not go back to the house yet. "I just want to punch something...or someone," he said in frustration.
"Don't do something you'll regret," a voice answered. Looking up, Sam saw Samus leaning in the barn doorway, holding a lantern and looking at him with her piercing gaze that seemed to look right through you into your very thoughts. Sam sighed.
"I just—I hate my dad! Sometimes I wish he-" Sam stopped himself abruptly, but Samus quietly finished his thought.
"You wish he was dead?" she asked. Sam looked away. It was a horrible wish, he knew. But sometimes he wished that he had known his father as a hero who had died fighting for Earth, not a father who left his children and wife for months at a time, sometimes a year, and hardly ever wrote to them. Did he even care about his family?
"I know it's not right. I shouldn't want him to be dead, I should be willing to forgive him like Mom says, but I just can't! It's not fair for him to abandon us, not fair for Mom to have to take care of me and Angela and the farm by herself. Why doesn't he care about us?" Sam exclaimed.
"Have you asked him why?" Samus asked.
Sam frowned and answered bitterly, "No, but he'd probably just give the excuse he always gives when he goes away. He'll say that he's doing it to make sure we have enough money to live on. If he really wanted to provide for us financially, why doesn't he get a better paying job? Or if we're going to be poor anyway, he could at least come home more often."
It made sense why Sam was angry and couldn't forgive his father, Samus thought to herself. Yet she could not get out of her mind how River had told her that forgiveness was not something to be earned, or how the man in the book she was reading said that you should love your enemies. It seemed utterly foolish and weak to love and forgive your enemies; but then again, the man in the story had done a lot of powerful things, like healing illness with just a touch or a word, or making a storm stop by commanding it. And he had said that if you loved your enemies you would have a great reward. At this point, she wasn't sure if the man's words or the stories in the book were true, but if they were….could loving and forgiving people who had hurt you really be that good?
"What would happen if you did forgive him?" Samus asked thoughtfully.
"What do you mean what would happen? I guess it would mean not being so angry...though I don't think that's possible," Sam muttered.
After a pause Samus asked, "Are you really angry at him?"
Sam looked up in confusion. "What do you mean? Of course I'm angry at him!" he said.
"Or are you afraid of something?" Samus continued. Her blue eyes bored into Sam's skull, and he looked away.
"I," Sam hesitated, "I am angry at my father….but...I'm afraid… for Angela." Suddenly, he could feel tears forming in his eyes. "What if she dies? What if they can't figure out what's wrong? What if I never get to see her again?" Sam sobbed. "And I'm scared for Mom. She's already had enough problems and stress with Dad being gone, and now this...What if she gets ill or something? I always tried to be strong and be the man of the house, but Angela got sick and I can't do anything! I'm not strong enough to take care of them both," Sam said, burying his face in his arms.
Samus hesitated for a moment, then set the lantern down and put her arms around Sam as he cried. It felt a little awkward to her, having not hugged anyone in years, yet at the same time it felt somehow natural and comforting. She held Sam for a while, until his sobs subsided. Slowly, Sam sat up, sniffling and wiping his eyes. "Thank you. Sorry for being a crybaby," he murmured.
Samus shook her head and said, "Don't be. I used to think that I could do everything on my own and be okay. That I didn't need to ask for help. But since being with your family, I've realized that maybe I do need people, that maybe I can ask for help, even if it's just that I am lonely or scared. So...if you ever need help or feel afraid…." she hesitated, then said awkwardly, "I'm here if you want to tell me."
Sam looked up at her. She had changed, he realized. Before, her gaze had been distrustful and wary, even fearful, especially if she was about to be left alone. When he first met her, he had perceived her as a cold, proud individual who did not care about others. As he looked at her face now, however, Sam could see in those piercing blue eyes a softness he hadn't noticed before. And being alone did not seem to bother her as much. What had changed her, Sam wondered.
"Samus…," he paused, then said, "thank you."
Samus nodded and stood. "Let's go back in. It's late." She turned to go, then said, "But will you try to not be so angry with your father? River would probably prefer that."
Sam nodded with a sigh. "Okay, I'll try."
A couple days passed since the first night Malcolm stayed at the farm. Not much was different for Samus. Sam would go to school after milking the cow and eating breakfast, and then she would gather the eggs and tend the garden, wash laundry, clean the house, and do other chores in the morning or after lunch if need be. Malcolm offered to help, and though he seemed a bit confused about where things were at first, he knew how to do the chores. In the afternoon, Samus would sit in the living room or outside and read her book, while Malcolm would disappear into River's room. On the third day, however, Samus decided it was time to find out who Malcolm really was.
After the lunch dishes had been put away, Samus stopped Malcolm before he headed for River's room. "Malcolm, I would like to talk with you about something," she said.
Malcolm looked at her nervously, apparently noticing something in her tone, but he followed Samus into the living room and said, "Uh, sure, what do you want to talk about?"
"What part of the Federation do you work for?" Samus asked bluntly.
Malcolm blinked. "Err, the business department. Why do you ask?" he said anxiously.
Samus frowned. "What do you do in the business department?"
Malcolm shifted uncomfortably under her severe gaze. "Well, I actually transport some things for people, trading you know," he said.
"Trading what?" Samus continued.
"Wh-why do you want to know?" Malcolm said, growing pale.
"I didn't recognize your uniform, and the one section of the Federation that I know that does deal with trading does not wear your badge," Samus said, her eyes stabbing Malcolm with their penetrating gaze. Malcolm gulped audibly.
Samus continued, listing on her fingers: "Furthermore, I have several reasons now to question you and the Federation. One, if you were merely trading goods, why would you come to the desolated planet I was on when I fought the Largonak? It seems unlikely that they would send a mere businessman to such a dangerous planet. Two, why would you be away from home so often that you do not even know where things are around your house? While it could possibly be explained away by saying you have to work, your nervous attitude at home makes me suspect something else. Three, I have reason to suspect the Federation is trying get rid of me. Since River and Angela left, I have not been taking the medicine the nurse from the Federation told me to take; whenever I do take it, I have become nauseous and overwhelmingly tired. I suspect it is some sort of poison. Four, they left me with no weapon and took custody of my suit. And five, the day before Angela collapsed, River received a package that was supposed to be medicine for Angela. At first, I thought nothing of it, but when I examined it recently I found that it looks very similar to the medicine I was given. If it is indeed the same or similar, it would make more sense why Angela collapsed; and if she is still being given it, it makes sense why she does not get better. Now then, will you tell me what is going on?"
Malcolm gaped at her. "Y-you don't have proof," he said weakly. "And even if you did, wh-why would I tell you?" he said, trying to sound brave but failing.
"Your attitude itself is suspicious," Samus pointed out. She sighed. "If you really won't tell me..."she said, pulling a gun from out of her dress. Conveniently, she had been wearing her blue dress that had pockets for guns.
"H-how did you get that? I thought you said they took away your weapons," Malcolm yelped, backing up against the living room wall.
"It's yours," Samus replied.
"When? How?" Malcolm could only gasp.
Ignoring his question, Samus said again, "So will you tell me what is going on?"
For a moment, Malcolm just stared at the gun pointed at him, then said in anguish, "I-I really should't. If they find out I told you they'll have my head, and might even harm my family."
Samus frowned. "They? You mean the Federation? Don't worry, I won't let them harm your family- or you," she said. Seeing that he still hesitated, she said, "If you don't tell me, I will find out another way; but it might be more dangerous for you."
Malcolm seemed to deliberate with himself for a moment what she might do. Then, he sighed and hung his head. "Very well, I'll tell you. I work in a secret branch of the Federation that trades weapons and chemicals to the Space Pirates." Samus scowled. "I'm just a transporter of the goods, so I don't know what exactly they are giving to the Pirates. I didn't know I would be involved in this work, I thought I would be a regular Federation official when I first joined. Once I realized what they were having me do, I tried to get out, but they threatened to do something terrible to my family if I tried to quit or reveal what they were doing. After that, I decided to stay away from home. There would be less chance of my slipping up and saying something I shouldn't about my work. I just didn't want my family to suffer, please believe me!" he said desperately.
"So that's why you were on the same planet where I fought the Largonak. To pick something up?" Samus asked.
Malcolm shifted uncomfortably and replied, "Well, actually I was giving away supplies to Space Pirates on that planet." Samus' frown deepened.
"And what about the medicine they were giving me?" she asked. "What do you know of that?"
Malcolm replied, "Well, I don't know all the details. But yes, from what I have heard from conversations between my superiors and the Space Pirates, it sounds like they want to get rid of you so you won't cause a fuss about the trading. And they might also be testing out the medicine's effects on you. I remember overhearing some of the Pirates asking my superior if 'it' was ready, and my superior said something about 'it' still needing testing to make sure it was as potent as possible."
Samus grunted and said, "But why would they have Angela take it?"
Malcolm shook his head glumly. "I don't know," he said.
After a thoughtful silence, Samus commented, "I suppose it makes sense why you would avoid coming home; but you know your family still suffered anyway because of that, don't you?"
Malcolm looked away. Instead of answering her, he asked anxiously, "So, what are you going to do? You're in more danger now that you know. Are you going to run away?"
"No. I'm going to stop the Federation," Samus replied.
"What?" Malcolm asked in horror. "You'll never succeed! They're too strong... Don't you understand, they have the Space Pirates behind them as well as all the new Federation technology, and who knows how powerful that stuff is. And what of me? If they find out I told you, they'll have my head and not just mine, they'll probably kill my family not to mention you-"
Samus cut him off, "Yes, I am stopping them, and you cannot stop me. What they are doing is wrong, no matter how many pirates or guns or powerful pieces of machinery they have at their disposal. Now, how much of the Federation is in on this? Are they all involved in this conspiracy?"
Malcolm stared at her for a moment. "You're really going through with this? Do you not care what happens to Angela or River or Sam?" he said. Samus' gaze remained steady.
"Yes, I do care. But will it really help them if I just sit here and let Space Pirates take over the Federation and rule the universe?" she replied.
Seeing she could not be swayed, Malcolm sighed in defeat. Glumly, he said, "I'm sure many of the regular soldiers and minor officials don't know about the trading, but all of the higher ups know. They are the ones allowing it and covering it up, anyway. I do not know how long it's been going on. I was drafted into it soon after starting with the Federation, but they had already been trading with the Pirates."
"Are there others besides you that were drafted into this?" Samus asked.
Malcolm nodded. "Yes, there are a few. We transport the cargo to pickup locations so the Space Pirates don't have to come to Earth," he said.
"What is the likelihood that these others would be willing to revolt?" Samus asked.
Malcolm stared. "I…I don't know. I think they would probably be scared that they would get killed," he answered.
"And what about the other divisions in the Federation? If they learned what was happening, would they be willing to fight?" Samus continued.
"Again, I don't know. They don't let us talk much with the other divisions," Malcolm said.
Samus frowned. That was a problem. If the Federation was not willing to correct itself, then who would? It would not be a good idea to try to completely overturn Earth's government, let alone the biggest power in the universe's politics, by herself. Suddenly, an idea popped into her head.
Sam came home late that night. He was going to claim that Pete had wanted him to stay and help set up signs for a sale. It was true, he had been helping with the sale signs, but in reality he had stayed late because he wanted to prolong the moment when he would see his father. He was a little less angry than that first night, especially because of what Samus had said, but he still felt very bitter and upset whenever he saw his father sitting at the dinner table. There he would sit, trying to make light conversation during dinner, but never explaining why he had practically abandoned the family. Sam knew he should just ask his father outright, like Samus had suggested, but he couldn't. Not yet. Maybe if he had a little more time to cool off.
There was an odd tension in the air when he stepped into the kitchen that evening. Samus and Malcolm had been waiting for him to get home before they ate dinner, so they were both sitting at the kitchen table. Though they were not usually that talkative before dinner anyway, an unusual silence seemed to fill the space between them. Samus wore a brooding expression, her brows furrowed and her gaze fixed on the plate in front of her. Sam's father kept glancing nervously at Samus, as if afraid she would bite him. When Sam came in, his father gave the boy a weak smile and said, "How was school today?"
"Um, fine," Sam answered. He was so caught off guard by the situation, he did not answer with his usual angry glare.
Samus looked up. He had never seen such an intense look on her face; it was no wonder his father seemed scared of her. "Eat," she ordered, "and then we need to talk." Sam did not argue. Not when she looked like that. Her passionate gaze reminded him of when she had threatened the bullies at school. What on earth had riled up Samus?
Dinner, consisting of Mac 'n Cheese (Samus did much better than that first night), did not take long. Immediately after Sam had taken his last bite, Samus said, "You mentioned you have a friend named Rascal, correct? And he knows about the Federation?"
"Well, yeah, Rascal is my coworker, and he likes politics," Sam stammered in surprise.
"I need to speak with him," Samus said. "How soon can you arrange that?" Sam gaped at her. Why in the world did she want to talk to Rascal? And she was acting like it was urgent. What had gotten into her?
"I could ask him at work tomorrow; maybe invite him for dinner?" Sam offered.
"Do," Samus said, rising from the table. She began gathering the dishes and putting them in the sink.
"But," Sam asked, "why do you want to talk with him?"
Samus answered matter-of-factly, "I need an insider on the Federation. There's some illegal business going on and I am going to put a stop to it."
Sam stared. His father winced at the mention of illegal business and shuffled his feet nervously. "Wha-" Sam stuttered. "What illegal business? How do you know?"
Samus turned around from the sink, pointed at Sam's father, and said, "He's been forced into assisting it. Kept it a secret to try to keep his job and you and your mother and sister safe." She turned back to the dishes.
Sam turned in surprise to his father, who now looked absolutely miserable. "You mean, you were doing something illegal? Is that why you never come home? What were you doing?!" he exclaimed.
Sam's father swallowed hard and said, "The Federation has been trading chemicals and technology with the Space pirates for a few years now. I-I should never have agreed to do it, but I didn't know what they were doing! They promised me they would pay handsomely; and then they said I couldn't stop or else something bad would happen to my family. That scared me so much, I stayed away from here because I didn't want to risk accidentally saying something that would put you all in danger…." Sam's father buried his face in his hands. Sam gazed in astonishment at his father, now a broken, sobbing mess. He didn't know whether to be angry at him or sorry for him. He certainly had reason to be angry; his own father was smuggling goods to pirates and keeping it secret from his family. But now Sam just felt surprised and bewildered. It seemed surreal that his father was actually involved in something truly criminal.
Malcolm looked up then with a stricken face. "Who knows, they might even have put cameras and microphones in the house! Especially with you here, Samus. They wouldn't want you finding out," he said.
Samus replied a little smugly, "Don't worry, I searched the house and despatched them before I interrogated you. And I made sure you didn't have any in your clothes either."
"You went through my clothes?" Malcolm gulped. He looked very self-conscious.
"Yes, when you were in the shower; that's also where I got your gun," Samus said. Malcolm turned red, Sam coughed uncomfortably, but Samus acted as though it were an everyday thing to rummage through someone's clothes when he was taking a bath. "Make sure your friend comes tomorrow," Samus told Sam as she finished laying the dishes on the drying rack. "I'm afraid I can't help with math tonight. I need to think," she said and strode out of the kitchen.
Sam and Malcolm stared at each other for a few minutes. Then Sam's father cleared his throat and said, "Err, would you like me to help with math?"
Sam shook his head. "No, I'll be fine. This unit is easier," he said. Malcolm nodded and left for his room as Sam pulled his school iPad out of his backpack. He shook his head. Could things get any stranger?
Rascal was elated when Sam asked him to come for dinner, even when Sam told him how far it was from town. "Are you kidding? I hardly get asked to dinner by anyone, o' course I'm comin! 'Sides, iffin ya don't mind me stayin' the night, I've always wanted to sleep in a barn," he said. Sam agreed he could stay the night, though he didn't have to stay in the barn if he would rather have a bed; Angela's bed was free, after all. Rascal shook his head. "Naw, I wanta sleep in the barn, smell that hay, and see the stars!" he insisted.
When they arrived home, Rascal fell in love with the place. "I love the city an' all, but the country's pretty cool too. Just see how pretty those stars are and how clean that air feels," he said. He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. He sighed, "Such nice air. Never been out o' the city before." He grinned at Sam. "Sammy, I done taught you a lot about the world, but now it's your turn to teach me," he said. Sam smiled. Rascal didn't realize how proud and happy those simple words made his friend feel.
After showing Rascal how to milk the cow, which he insisted on being shown before doing anything else, they entered the house.
"This is Samus, a family fri-" Sam started to introduce Samus, when Rascal gasped and jumped as high as the ceiling, which was not far since the ceiling was only about 6 feet above the floor.
"Samus? The Samus? Samus Aaron the bounty hunter?! Oh man, you never tol' me she was your friend!" Rascal yelled. He grabbed Samus' hand and began to shake it vigorously. "I'm so happy to meet you, I'm like your biggest fan, oh man this is so exciting," Rascal gushed, excitement pouring out of him. Samus pulled back, surprised.
"Oh, sorry sorry! I'm just so excited to meet you! I never thought I would really meet the famous bounty hunter," Rascal said. Samus nodded uncomfortably and gestured for them to sit down. As they sat down at the table, Rascal whispered to Sam, "I owe ya one, man! Why didn't you tell me she was yer friend?"
"I didn't know you knew about her," Sam muttered back.
"Rascal," Samus said, once they were all seated and served. Rascal eagerly looked up at her from his plate of spaghetti. "You know about the Federation?" she asked.
"Sure, why do ya ask?" he responded.
"I need information from someone inside the Federation, someone who's not in the top hierarchy. Do you know anyone?" she asked.
Rascal cocked his head and said, "Yeah, I know a few people. But why you asking me? You probably know more 'an I do."
Samus frowned and glanced coldly at Malcolm, who shrank down in his seat. "Not anymore. Who are these people you know? Can you take me to them?" she said.
Rascal said, "Well, there's Joe the janitor, he's usually easy to find. I also know Hamilton, who helps fix some of their computers when they got bugs. Oh, and I do know one Captain, Captain Mikey. He only commands one section of the local defense infantry, so he's not one of the 'higher ups,' if ya get my meaning."
"How do you know all these people in the Federation," Sam wondered.
Rascal grinned. "I got my ways," he said and winked.
"Captain Mikey would be perfect," Samus said. "How soon can you arrange a meeting?"
Rascal rubbed his chin in thought for a moment. "Maybe in 5 days? He's usually a bit busy," Rascal commented.
"Arrange it as soon as you can," Samus said.
Rascal grinned. "Anythin' for my favorite hero!" he said. Samus' mouth twitched, but she said nothing. After that business had been settled and Rascal had gotten over some of his excitement at seeing Samus, he finally seemed to notice Malcolm. "Hey, that isn't yer no-good never-coming-home father, is it?" he whispered to Sam.
"Yeah, it is," Sam replied uncomfortably. "But please don't make a scene," he pleaded with Rascal, who was glaring daggers at Malcolm. Rascal scowled, muttered a grudging agreement, and went back to slurping down his spaghetti.
Though Sam offered Angela's bed again to his friend, Rascal still insisted on sleeping in the barn. "I want the full experience of bein' a farmer," he said. Sam didn't think sleeping in the barn was a common experience even for farmers these days, but seeing Rascal's determination, he ceased arguing. When Sam got up the next day and came downstairs, he was surprised to see that Rascal had already milked Maya and was helping Samus with breakfast.
"Wow, thanks, Rascal," Sam said, impressed.
Rascal grinned. "My pleasure," he said. "Maya's a gem, real nice cow."
"Ah, sure," Sam said, not sure how to respond. At breakfast, Rascal kept asking Samus questions about her missions; as a result, Samus looked a little relieved once he and Sam left.
"By the way, Rascal, do you go to school?" Sam asked as they walked toward the bus stop where his school bus came.
"Nah, ain't got money or time fer that," Rascal said. "I just work for Ol' Pete all day."
"You don't want to to go to school? You want to be a politician, right? Don't you have to go to school to become a politician?" Sam asked.
Rascal grinned and said, "Sure, school might help; but as long as you have connections and knowledge and skills, you can get in. Leastways, that's how I see it. Oh, looks like yer bus is here."
"How are you getting to the city?" Sam asked.
"Don't worry about me, I'll walk. Pete'll understand if I'm late," Rascal said. Before Sam could protest, Rascal had run off in the direction of the city. Sam shook his head at Rascal's oddities and boarded his bus.
The next 4 days were torture for Samus, she was so impatient to meet the captain. Whenever Sam came home from work, she would ask if Rascal had said anything about the Captain, to which Sam would have to give a negative reply, causing her to lapse into brooding silence. Her impatience began to make Sam feel anxious too. It was a relief, then, when Rascal finally sent word that Captain Mikey could meet with them the next day, a Saturday. They were to meet in Old Pete's shop after the store closed, with Pete's permission of course. Sam wasn't sure how Rascal had persuaded Pete to allow them the space, but on the afternoon before their meeting all Pete said was to make sure they locked up behind them and "don' let that captain or bounty hunter steal anythin.'"
After work, Sam stayed to watch the shop while Rascal went to show the Captain the way. Samus had said she would come by herself to the shop. Watching nervously from the front window, Sam wondered what Samus was planning to do. Whatever it was, he had a feeling it would be dangerous. How could it not be, if she was seriously thinking of stopping an illegal trade being conducted by the major ruling government of this planet? But what could she do, anyway? He sighed and rubbed his temples. It was all too much for him to think about.
Finally, he saw Samus approaching from the other side of the street, and soon after he let her in, Rascal and the Captain came. Captain Mikey was a tall middle-aged man with brown hair that clung tightly to his head. His brows were knit together in a constantly concerned expression. Sam wondered when was the last time he had taken a vacation or even smiled. He greeted Samus with a somber handshake, saying, "Greetings, Samus Aaron. I trust you are feeling better?"
"Yes," Samus replied.
"So, why did you want to meet me?" the captain asked, getting straight to the point. Samus proceeded to tell him about the illegal trading done by the Federation, as well as how they had tried to get rid of her. She did not mention Malcolm's name, however.
"That's a serious accusation you're making," Captain Mikey said. "If it's true, and that's a big if," he said with a meaningful look at Samus, "then you are putting yourself and me at great risk by even meeting with me. Just what exactly are you hoping to accomplish?"
"I need a ship," Samus said.
The captain frowned. "A ship? Where are you thinking of going?"
"I also need to know where these shipments are sent," Samus said, ignoring his question.
Captain Mikey scowled and said, "Samus, if you're thinking of trying to defeat the Space Pirates by yourself, you'd better forget it. I know you're renowned for fighting pirates and even saving whole planets, but if they've been receiving technology from the Federation, you can't take them on yourself. I've seen some of the new weapons we've made. It would be suicide."
Samus gazed steadily at the Captain. "No, I can't defeat them alone. But," she said, with a smile that Sam had never seen before, "I won't be alone. Plus, I was going to ask you anyway to provide me with names of bounty hunters up for hire."
Captain Mikey stared. "And just where are you going to get the money to pay them?"
"I do get money for my missions, you know. It's called bounty hunting for a reason," Samus replied.
The Captain shook his head and sighed. "I seriously don't think this will work. I can give you a ship so you can escape the Federation, but I can't do any more. It's too dangerous, for me and you," he said.
"Very well," Samus said, surprisingly calm. "Thank you for your time and help."
Captain Mikey nodded. "I will let Rascal know the location of the ship. It will be ready in a few days. Now, if you'll excuse me," he said and took his leave.
"You're really going to fight the Space Pirates?" Sam asked. He was both awed and worried. Yes, he wanted the bad guys to be brought to justice, but this was dangerous; and he already had two family members away from home right now. With Samus gone, he would be alone…except for his father, but he didn't really feel like family. Though Sam would never have admitted it when she first came, he realized he didn't want Samus to leave.
Samus nodded. "Alright, go Samus!" Rascal exclaimed. "Let's kick those Space Pirates' butts!"
Samus glanced at him. "Let's? You want to come too?" she asked.
Rascal bowed. "I am at yer service, Samus! Please, let me be of use! I know how ta use a gun, been practicing for a long time now, quite a few years. Some people in the Federation kindly taught me. 'Sides, ya need someone to come along, right?" he said.
Samus gave him her analyzing look, studying him as if she was trying to decide if he was a useful weapon or not. Finally, she nodded and said, "Very well. Come to the farm and show me your shooting skills. If it's satisfactory, you may join."
Rascal let out an elated whoop and began profusely thanking her. Sam interjected, "But what about the bounty hunters? How are you going to get them? You're not going to go with just you and Rascal, right?"
"Oh!" Rascal suddenly said, "I know some guys who could help. They're a gang, and they're really good shooters too."
"How many?" Samus asked.
Rascal rubbed his chin in thought, then replied, "Probly 'bout ten of 'em."
Samus nodded. "That would be perfect. Have them come to the farm tomorrow as well, so I can see how good they are," she said.
"Righto! Boy, this is exciting!" Rascal said, rubbing his hands together gleefully.
"It's going to be really dangerous, though, isn't it?" Sam asked uneasily.
"Sure it is. But heroes gotta do dangerous things sometimes. Didn't ya say you liked those stories of knights fightin' dragons and stuff? Well, I kinda think of this like their adventures; we're gonna be the heroes fighting the space pirates," Rascal said.
Reading stories was one thing, but this was real life where you could actually die, Sam thought to himself. In the stories, you knew the hero would win. But in this case, there was no guarantee that Samus and the others would make it back alive. Sam felt his chest tighten a little at the thought.
"Well, we better close up shop here. I'll talk to the gang and have 'em come out tomorrow evening," Rascal said, and they headed out of the shop. Rascal waved goodbye after locking the door and ran off down the street. Sam and Samus managed to find a bus running this late and took it halfway back to the farm, walking the rest of the way. As they trudged home in the dark, Sam gazed up at the night sky full of stars. What was it like up there? He had never been in space, never even bothered to think about what it would be like. Was it lonely? He had heard it described as vast, dark, and empty. He shivered. That sounded scary. If you were not in a space station or on a planet with gravity, you could float away and get lost, right?
"Samus, have you ever been afraid in space?" Sam asked.
Samus said, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, isn't it kind of scary having nothing around but distant stars?" Sam said.
Samus thought for a minute. "That part hasn't been so scary. It can be lonely. I'm more scared when I get in a situation where I'm trapped and cannot get out," she replied. They walked on in silence a little longer.
"Samus," Sam spoke again, "Aren't you afraid to go face the Space Pirates?"
Samus looked at Sam. "Yes, of course I am afraid. I am always somewhat afraid before a mission. There is always the chance I could die or fail, and I have realized that even more so after my last mission. But they must be stopped. And… I know now that I am not alone." Sam looked at her, wondering. He had the sense she was not just talking about having companions on this mission, but something deeper. She spoke with a calm and energy he had not heard in her before, almost as if she had been a lost child that had finally found her way home.
"But, what if you...can't defeat the pirates? What if…" Sam hesitated.
"What if I die?" Samus finished his sentence.
Sam swallowed hard and nodded. "Even if you have people with you, that doesn't necessarily mean you'll win," he said.
"There is that possibility," Samus admitted, "but I think we have a chance. If Rascal and his friends turn out to be good shooters, we should be fine."
"You're not afraid of what happens if you die?" Sam asked softly. He had never really thought much about what happened after death, but now that Samus and Rascal were about to head into a dangerous mission, he began to wonder. He knew his mother said that if you believed in God, you would go to heaven….
Samus stopped walking, and Sam turned to her. "I wouldn't say I'm not afraid," she said slowly. "But, somehow I feel better about it knowing I won't be alone. And I would feel worse if I knew about this illegal business and did nothing," she said. They walked on again in silence for a while.
Finally, Sam broke the silence again. "Um, Samus, is there anything I can do to help? I know I can't use a gun or fly a ship or anything…"Sam said hesitantly. Though he was rather scared of the prospect of looking for and fighting space pirates, he also didn't like how he was feeling useless right now. Samus seemed so brave, being willing to go even though she could die.
"Ah, yes, I actually do have a job for you. I'll tell you when we get home," Samus said. Sam looked at her in surprise but merely nodded.
When they arrived home, they found Malcolm sitting in the kitchen, anxiously awaiting their return. He looked up with relief when they came in, but then asked in concern, "How did it go? You weren't followed were you? Are you really going through with this?" Samus filled him in on what had been decided. He groaned and put his head in his hands. "So you are going through with it," he said glumly.
Samus nodded. "Yes, but don't worry. You and your family should be safe. Sam, here," she said and handed a small object that looked like a pen to Sam. It had a green blinking light on the tip and a button in the middle. Samus pulled another pen out of her skirt's pocket. "That blinking light will stay green as long as the pen I have is undamaged. We can also communicate by holding the button and talking into the device. If the light turns red, you'll know something has happened to me. At that point, I want you to take Malcolm, get your mom and sister, and go to Pete's shop. He'll tell what you to do then," she said.
"Wait, Pete's shop? Why?" Sam asked in surprise.
Samus replied, "Rascal introduced me to the old man before we met with Captain Mikey. He's agreed to help your family escape if something goes wrong."
Sam shook his head. "Wow, you seem to be really prepared already, Samus."
"Of course," Samus said. "You have to be prepared for missions like this." Sam looked down at the pen in his hand. Was this the job she had said she had for him? It didn't seem like he would be doing much to help….
"I wish I could do more," he murmured.
Samus said, "If I know that your family will be taken care of, I will be able to focus better and not worry about River and Angela." Sam nodded, though he still wished there was more he could do. "Now, we'd better get some sleep," Samus said. "We have a big week ahead of us." As they headed off to their beds, Sam wondered to himself just how big this week would be.