Disclaimer: I do not own Metroid.
A day had passed. Rista kept mostly to herself, barely eating or drinking, and behind the closed door, Samus doubted that she was sleeping much either.
"I'm going to see Colleen again," Samus told Rista, as she prepared to leave.
"Thought she was away," Rista mumbled without looking up. It was coming to where she could no longer stand her situation...for personal reasons. She had considered running off, never bothering with Samus or Bill or Colleen again and taking up a new identity, but that was being a coward, and Rista was never a coward.
"I got a...annonymous tip," Samus told her.
"Don't trust it," Rista advised, absent-mindedly flipping through an outdated magazine she had picked up who knows where.
"I want to at least try. There are some things I need to sort out."
"Fine." Samus stood there for a moment, waiting for Rista to say something else. When it became apparent that she wasn't going to, she walked off. Rista listened as her footsteps retreated. The familiar hiss of the lower hatch opened and closed. She threw the magazine aside, shut her eyes and groaned loudly.
This was becoming annoying. It was driving her crazy; she could no longer stand it. Restless, she paced around the ship, twisting her hands anixously.
Coincidences...coinidences... The word taunted her, mocking her in her head. She rubbed her temples as if that would make it go away. Instead, her inner demon sneered at her, clawed at her with invisable hands that was tearing her apart. She mumbled to herself, trying to shake it off.
This was more than annoying; it was a serious problem. She decided some fresh air would do her good; so, she left the cramped ship and strolled around the hangar. Merchants busily instructed men who were loading valuable cargo, a few shady characters whispered in the shadows. She spotted Gordie and walked over to him. He was engaged in a conversation with a disgruntled pilot; so, she waited a moment.
"Whaddya mean it cost us that much!" He exclaimed furiously. "Get outta meh sight, now!" The pilot scurried away, and Gordie looked up at Rista with a smile.
"Buisness troubles?" She inquired. He shook his head with a laugh.
"Nah, just wanna chase 'im away so I could tak with meh sweet girl." The familiar crooked grin came across his face. "Where's ya friend?"
"On errands," Rista said, not really feeling up to specifying what Samus was up to. Gordie nodded.
"Was hopin' ya'd get rid of her, but that don matter none. Ya look upset."
"I am," She confided. "For personal reasons. Bill crossed a very delicate boundry." She paused. "It was you that I told about tainted eyes, right?"
"Yup, he bring that up again?" Rista nodded, biting her lip. "Forget 'bout it."
"Easy for you to say," Rista mumbled. He was never the kind of guy to lift your spirits; his response was always "forget about it" or "kill the guy" when someone told them their burdens. In a way, though, he was right. Perhaps it was time to let that go. Perhaps she was looking for self-pity when she remembered it, when she mourned over it. The death of her family was one thing but this... "But then again, you might be right. I'll block it out. I never tried that before, and it might do some good."
"'At's my girl," Gordie slapped her on the back. "Fin'lly listen to Unca Gordie. What would Darryl say?" Rista grinned.
"He'd probably disown me."
XXX
"Hello, it's me again," Samus greeted Amber again in that sickly sweet voice. "I heard your aunt returned. Can I speak to her?"
"Nope, off on errands," Amber said, a little more cautiously. "Why don't you schedule an appointment or something, like a normal person." She was more defiant now, leaning against the door frame with a challenging look in her eye. "Aunt Colleen says we shouldn't trust you so-" The fake smile on Samus' face fell.
"Listen kid, I really need to speak with her, it is a matter of life or death," Her tone was more serious. "What did your aunt say about me?" She knew Colleen realized that it was Samus that had come calling the day before, and she was not surprised that she was barred from the home.
"That it was a life or death matter that we no longer spoke to you."
"You're witty," Samus commented. "I know you don't trust me, and you know what, I don't trust you or your aunt either. But I do work with the Federation. Want to know what I do?" She acted as if she was dealing with a little child, and Amber was not taking it kindly.
"Don't speak to me that way," She snapped. "I'm not a baby. But fine, what do you do?"
"I'm a bounty hunter."
"Yeah right."
"Wanna bet?" Samus took out her Federation ID, a troublesome object that most bounty bounters that were full-timed employed never bothered to carry, including her. This time around, she needed it. She waggled it in front of Amber's face. "I also bet you're curious about what I want your aunt for?" Amber looked tempted to take the bait.
"Maybe," She said. "But she works for the Federation too; so, she can't be in trouble."
"It's called being a double agent, and your aunt is suspected. That's partially why I came. If you'll let me in, perhaps I could tell you more." The girl was obvivously conflicted. She thought it over for a moment before sighing and standing aside for Samus to enter. She led to a table with four wooden chairs, and Samus sat down.
"Is she really in trouble?"
"I'm not sure," Samus said. "Like I said, I don't trust her, and I am not sure who she is really working for."
"She isn't evil," Amber tried to assure her. "Aunt Colleen would never-"
"So naive, you teens, always believing there is a good side and a bad side, like in the movies," Samus mused. "What is evil? Trust me, there are corrupted souls in the Federation that will still never dare changed loyalities. There are good people that do bad things for a few bucks. And no one really knows who they are. No black and white, just gray."
"Who are you exactly?" Amber asked her, fear creeping in her voice. Samus could tell she was worried about her aunt and concerned about what just might happen. She decided it would not hurt to share her identity.
"My name is Samus Aran." Amber almost smiled at this.
"What a coincidience? Is that how you met Aunt Colleen?" She asked. Samus looked at her confused.
"Excuse me?
"Well, surely you knew. Aunt Colleen's maiden name is Aran."
Shock and realization suddenly flooded Samus. She remembered looking back at Collen's ID card: Colleen A Eurynache. Her father's sister? How could it be so, when she always thought he was an only child. Samus stood up, blood draining from her face.
"You just said-"
"We Arans, dang good liars," A voice behind her mumbled. Samus turned and saw Colleen, arms crossed. "Go to your room Amber. I need to talk to her alone."
"Am I in trou-"
"Go!" Colleen commanded sternly. Samus opened her mouth to speak, but Colleen cut her off. "I know I should've told you sooner. I was going to, but Bill threatened me and...and I was too scared."
"What for?" Samus said. "You weren't totally alone after all."
"I was disowned, so yes, after that I had no family," Colleen said. "My brother starting telling people he had no siblings and I faded away, unknown. I heard of you many years back, and I wanted to meet you. That's when I discovered Bill and began working as a spy for the Federation, and yeah, I am loyal to the Federation." An odd emotion burst through Samus' chest. What was it? She stared down at the floor.
"Oh," Was all she muttered, gulping back.
"Are you ok?" Colleen asked, taking a step towards her. Samus nodded.
"I've had no family or connections to family since, well, everyone was killed," Samus explained. "Now I meet my Dad's long lost sister, and wow, I just don't know what to do."
"Samus, I can't help you anymore," Colleen told her gravely. "Not that I was much aid before, but Bill has threatened to kill Amber and Rick, and I can't risk that. When you avenge your father's death, then I'd like to get to know you better, like I always dreamed. To finally meet Eric's family."
"Alright," Samus mumbled, then took a deep breath to calm herself. "I better go then."
"Ok," Colleen muttered. "Bye." She watched Samus walk away to the door. "Oh and Samus."
"Yeah?"
"I really do think you'd make your father proud."
Authors Note: Were you surprised? Hee hee and no one guessed it. I'll admit there weren't many clues about Colleen. And I'll give you all a hint. The biggest clues are the smallest. The biggest clue I gave for Colleen was her ID card and didn't you think it was odd that she looked so much like Samus?
There is a bigger secret to reveal of course. Just remember, Everything is Coincidence...everything is impossible. The picture of the puzzle does not make sense until you put that final piece in. Review!
