So, here I am again, continuing a saga that I may or may not know the future of. Sorry I haven't updated in a bit, I really haven't been writing lately, finals have come up and I'm finally done with them. Then there's a story based off of Mercenaries that I've been putting off, and another on Fable that I'm just starting. Between those two, the other plethora of stories I've been thinking of, my gaming, internet surfing and a few things I'm working on collectively with a few friends, I almost forgot about my proverbial "crown jewel" of stories.

Also, if anyone really wants feedback on their...err...feedback, either email me at for a more personal message or, if you have YIM, message thinkmaster91. I'll try to get back to you, probably will.

Oh, and Meahow (if that's what you want me to call you)? As for the relationship between Samus and Exeter, if any, I'm just flowing with it so I'm as screwed on that as you are. :) But enough delaying, now I must write!

Ready...

FIGHT!

"Shut up, jackass, and drain the tank."

Immediately my world was a blur of greenish lines and mixed voices, I couldn't distinguish anything. I felt like this for about a minute or so as the tank drained, leaving my prone form on the grate below, choking and gasping for air as I tried to hold back the mix of acids and bile crawling up my throat.

Samus extended her hand, which I gratefully took. Her armor was still on, and through that damn mask of hers I couldn't percept one small sign of humanity. I waited for her to speak, once again hiding my feelings of gratefulness behind a mask of indifference. But she stayed silent, and so did I. It eventually occurred to me that she might've been using my own tactic against me, using both a theoretical mask and a true one to hide her feelings, and forcing me to speak first.

I decided to switch tactics, following the former marine's lead and then expanding it. "So, not the talkative type, I see. Should I start?" I couldn't tell for sure, but I thought I might've heard a snicker from behind that helmet, barely audible. But it might've been me, I didn't know. I tried again, this time expanding it earlier than I usually did and cracking the case there and then. "I'm Captain Exeter, 456th Marine division. But I'm sure you already knew that. And I know that you are Samus Aran, your little pet told me that. Oh, and thanks for the nap, it was needed. Now then, would you mind telling me where the hell am I?"

I chuckled a bit, just to make me sound all the more convincing. I couldn't see behind that tinted visor of hers, but watching her stomach I could see the deep exhalation of air. A sigh of relief. She was glad, perhaps, that I wasn't mad. Looking back I have no idea why, she didn't know me at all outside of being mentioned to her a few times at school, perhaps. Any form of attraction, at least back then, was out of the question.

"Sorry about the cold reception, Captain, but I had much more important matters to attend to, no matter what Command says." "Command! They know we're here?" "Yeah. They sent me to find your division and give you support, supposedly due to my 'extensive knowledge of Pirate techniques'."

Something was wrong here. I was as well versed as Aran on Pirate tactics and technology, and so was just about all of Delta Squadron. I told her so. "Yes, I know. That's why we both know that it's complete bullshit why they sent me. I'm also wanted by you guys, so I have no idea why they'd rely on me either." "Wanted!" "Yeah, the feds want me dead." "What for?" "You have no idea how long of a story you're askin' for, Captain." "Believe me, I think we'll both have the time if that artificial asshole of yours would just shut u-hey, wait a second, where is the little bugger?" Sirius had fallen silent.

"Sirius?...hello, Sirius?...damn it, Sirius, did you shut yourself down again!" Something was wrong, that tin can the Feds issued me never shut up, even in my sleep. Exeter was happy about it. "Hey, that computer of yours finally clammed up. Took long enough." I rushed to the cockpit terminal. "Sirius never shuts up." "Yeah, I can tell." "No, I mean he literally never shuts up. He's always saying things like parameters and diagnostics out loud, even in my sleep. Something's wrong..." "You want I should put on my armor, wherever it is?" "Don't bother, it's too messed up and your ammo's dry." "Damn."

Even as I checked for any signs of a virus, I was amazed at how nonchalant this guy was. Most of the marines only said "Sir", "yessir", and the occasional "yes ma'am". But this guy was throwing around lighthearted humor and comments like it was his job. And as a Marine Captain, that sure as hell wasn't his job. Not only that, but he was comfortable with a person who he had only known for a grand total of 2 or 3 minutes, not even. This guy was a wonder. And don't get any ideas when I say that, ok? I mean that using the proper definition, that I never knew that a marine could be so laid back.

"Well, this is ironic. Your little shadow finally falls silent and you actually want him to talk. I don't even know you, Aran, but even I can tell you're crazy." "Really.""Sure. But hey, is it really that bad when your mech voice shut's up? "Captain, you have yet to see this significance of this." "Well then, please enlighten me." "Sirius is more than just an automated warning voice, he's the whole damn computer!"

That statement was like a jolt to the head, and I stood bolt upright as opposed to the position I was formerly in, leaning against the wall. The main hub of a ship like that didn't just shut down due to a technical malfunction. It was the fault of either the computer or a third party.

They knew where we were.

My heart jumped up into my throat, a feeling that you often get in my line of work. "Exeter, get out of the ship!" But the bottom hatch would not move. "Damn it! Auxilary computer, open the hatch!" Silence. "Open the hatch! Auxilary computer!" No sound. "Computer!"

The whirring mechanical voice of Sirius replied. "I'm sorry, but the auxilary computer is not here at the moment."

I let out a sigh of relief, the pressure within me dissapated. "Jesus Christ, Sirius, it was you." "Yes, Captain, it was indeed me." Samus was ripshit. "What the hell were you doing! I thought you had been put offline ane we were going to die!" "But you are, Miss Aran." "What?" The four security turrets lowered and drew their beads on us, the laser lights shining on our foreheads. "It appears you have yet to grasp the seriousness of the situation."

Samus, moving at least as fast as the turrets, powered up a charged shot and aimed it at the nearest sentry. "Sirius, you son of a bitch! Why!" The voice laughed. "It is simply Federation Protocol, Miss Aran. I am sorry. As for you, Captain, you are guilty by association and thus must be terminated-erm, I mean dealt with, accordingly. Might I add that any possible accidental lethalities in the course of this event are blamed on the subject, and that the Federation has bestowed upon me the ablilty to do anything I can to bring you in. This may include the bypassing of other Federation Protocols."