Yay! New chapter! This one introduces a new main character, and leads up to a huge action chapter! I don't own Samus, but everybody else is my own original characters. Please leave a review!

Aran's Apprentice-Thanks for reviewing! Yeah, I really did enjoy your fic. Will you be writing more? And I don't intend to show what happens in the older games, this one is focused on Samus' childhood. But I may decide to do books on those games after this fic is finished!

Pixiegirl- Didn't I always say that authors were truly evil people at heart? I'm not going to reveal what they want with her for a loooong time! Mwahahaha!

Alright! On to the chapter!

A New Arrival

A siren began blaring, shrill and loud. A red light positioned above the door began to flash. The creature removed the needle from Samus' forehead, causing only a small wound. It had not done more than just penetrate her skin: Whatever was inside the syringe would remain there for the time being.

Samus heard the coarse, harsh language of these creatures being broadcast throughout the building. The creatures all seemed to listen intently, and then they dashed out of the room. The siren stopped, but the red light continued to flash.

Samus knew that this was her big break: It may be her only chance for escape. Her quick, chozo-like mind vaulted into action. She searched the room for any way to remove the straps binding her to the table. Unfortunately, the room was barren. There was nothing sharp, and even if there was, nothing was in her reach anyway. She was completely powerless.

Her eyes snapped toward the door as it opened again. "No!" she thought, "I can't deal with this!"

She was surprised to see not one of the creatures that had been holding her captive, but a young male human. He burst into the room as if he were being pursued by some menacing enemy. Though it would be hard not to, he didn't seem to notice Samus, and instead ran behind her table and crouched behind it.

At first, Samus was too shocked to do anything. After a moment or so, however, she came to and realized that this was her opportunity.

"Hey! Help me!" She said to the boy, trying to keep her voice from wavering, but not succeeding. Samus could not see the boy as he was now behind her, but she heard him respond as if he were surprised: He truly had not noticed her before.

After a moment, the boy replied, "Uh, how?"

"Untie me!" The response was trite and urgent. Without saying another word, the boy jumped up and attempted to untie the strap on Samus' left wrist. His hands were shaking violently, Samus noticed, and he was having trouble getting at the tight knot.

After he had worked it a bit, Samus managed to pull her hand free. She immediately set to untying her head, then her waist. The boy loosened her other wrist and Samus managed to get her feet free. Without second thought, Samus sprung from the table and immediately regretted it: Her limbs were all numb, as the straps had cut off her circulation. There were deep indentations where her limbs had been strapped to the table. She rubbed her forehead: There was a small smear of blood on her hand, but it was nothing serious.

This was the first time that Samus had actually gotten a good look at the boy. He seemed to be about her age, perhaps a bit older. He was wearing nondescript, plain tan clothing. His shirt was torn at the shoulder, and he was shaking like a leaf. He had fear in his soft face. He looked like a small, tortured Fireflea: Helpless and cornered.

Samus had to take her mind off her throbbing feet and arms, as she couldn't walk yet anyway, so she decided to ask the boy a few questions.

"I'm Samus. What's your name?"

"Caern."

"How old are you?"

"Seventeen cycles."

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

Caern hesitated a bit before answering, "I'm not sure. My whole family was on our merchant ship heading to the Ceres station to pick up supplies, when we were attacked by space pirates. They came and killed my parents, stole all of our cargo, and took me prisoner. They left my little sister on the ship to fend for herself," He bit his lip, trailing off. "After that I woke up here. They've been keeping me in a tank with a bunch of other creatures. Just now, one of them broke free and entered the access code to unlock all of the cages. He had been spying on the pirate scientists for quite some time, it seems.

"I took the opportunity: I got out of there as fast as I could. I ran down the hall, and didn't look back. I came in here to hide, and -- " Caern started to shake violently again, as he realized that he was still in peril.

Samus saw this, and decided that the situation was too dire to rest her limbs. She would have to move quickly. They didn't have much time before they would be found.

"Come with me." Samus half-ordered. She realized that this boy would not have the mental strength to get himself out alive: He would break down soon without proper leadership.

Samus dashed out the door, carefully surveying the hallway outside. She had no idea where to go, but she could not let Caern know that. Her confidence seemed to give him strength.

Samus did not realize it at the time, but this would not be the last time that she would have to sneak blindly around a Space Pirate lair. In fact, she would practically make a career of it.

Samus slowly started slinking down the corridor, Caern following close behind. Suddenly, they heard a sound that made their blood run cold: Footsteps, coming quickly in their direction!