Disclaimer: I do not own Metroid.


"Gukt och queto lich." To any other human being, the thick, gutteral language of the Space Pirates was nearly impossible to comprehend, but Bill had spent many years among the species, and he could understand it almost as well as he could speak it. He indefinately prefered Galactic Standard tongue, since it was easier on human throats; so, he surrounded himself with only the Pirate Generals that knew it as well.

"I want her alive for the time being," Bill informed the Elite Pirate beside him. His voice was a cool monotone, serious and deadly. "I am sick of playing games with these children, but I have a certain purpose for the Nevaria. I have already figured I can only kill one of them at present, and Aran is probably a bigger liability. Nevaria will get the job done just nicely for me."

"Yut guori juch erfop." What is the plan? Bill turned.

"You will find out in due time, General. Meanwhile, bring Nevaria to full health. When she is conscious once more, inform me at once. I need to speak with her." The Pirate nodded and left, his footsteps echoing on the metal floors. The sound riccocheted through his ears, blasting his eardrums. Bill rubbed his temples as the pounding migrane wracked his head. He stumbled to his chambers and grabbed the bottle of heavy-duty asprain that he kept by his bed. These migranes were quite frequent.

He popped two in and laid down on his bed. The lights shut off, and he closed his eyes to try to rest. Sleep did not come easy. He tossed and turned as the recurring nightmares came back to haunt him once more.

It was Miranna's wedding day. Every time Bill thought of that, it was like his heart was being torn out by the hand of her fiancee'. Slowly, he made his way to her dressing room. He had to speak to her one more time before she became another's for the rest of eternity.

He knocked twice on the door. Barbra, her Maid-of-Honor answered. There was a slightly quizical look on her face when she saw who it was.

"William, what you doing back here, sweetheart?" She asked. "Ain't it bad luck or something if a man sees a bride before her wedding."

"Only if it's the groom," Bill assured her. He continued in his more cockier tone. "And, my, don't you look ravishing today." Barbra blushed and giggled.

"You're charming, like always William, but Miranna getting ready for the big ceremony right now. Can't you come back later?" Bill shook his head.

"Miranna's like a little sis to me, and I want to offer her a few last words before she's hitched," Bill said. "If you don't mind. I'd want it to special and uh...private."

"Oh, well I suppose I can leave you two alone for a few minutes," She said, stepping aside so Bill could enter. "I have to rush out and snatch a few bobby pins. I just can't imagine where mine disapeared to!" She hurried out the door. Miranna was in front of a full-sized mirror adjusting her veil. She turned her head slighly to smile at Bill.

"Hello Bill," She greeted.

"You look beautiful today," Bill breathed. She looked beautiful everyday, but right now, she was gorgeous. Her long, brown hair had been swept up in a braided bun with ribbons. The white wedding gown nicely accenuated her slim figure. It appeared sleeveless, though there were really sheer ones that reached her wrist. Pearls adorned her long neck. Bill could not help to stare, and Miranna felt uneasy under the glare.

"Thank you," She muttered and turned back to her reflection.

"Miranna, why are you marrying this man?" Bill summoned up the courage to ask. It came out as a nervous squeak, the words fused together. Miranna froze.

"Because I love him," She stated.

"Why do you love him?"

"Don't you mean, why do I love him and not you?" She snapped. Her brilliant chocolate eyes widened in shock when she realized what she said. "Oh Bill, I'm sor-"

"Yes, that is precisely what I mean to ask," He said coldly. All signs of the jovial friend Miranna had known her whole life disapeared, and in his stead was a bitter, jealous man. "I love you Miranna, more than anything. I love you more than he does and more than you love him. So why won't you marry me, Ms. Nevaria?"

"After today, I will no longer be Ms. Nevaria to you, and you'd do best to remember that." She became rageful and irritated. His affections had always bothered her, and she could no longer take it. She would be getting married today, and Bill had to know that this had to come to an end.

"Mirannie!" Barbra's exurberant voice bounced through the door. "I found some bobby pins." Miranna gave her a weak smile as her best friend stood in the door.

"Thanks." She mumbled.

"Miranna, I'm sorry," Bill truly sounded like he meant it. "If you'll forgive me and forget that this ever happened."

"That would be for the best," She agreed. Bill left the two women, with Barbra prodding Miranna as to what happened. She just shook it off as Bill walked away.

Bill's eyes snapped open. He had been sleeping for the last three hours. With a groan, he pulled himself up, rubbing the side of his hip where it always bothered him when he moved it after a long rest. Eye's still misty, he made his way to the Med Room where Rista was being held. The Pirate Nurse informed him she was in stable condition, even after losing so much blood. The Meta-Pheonix, the guard robot that attacked her, had let out a the quickest sleep gas known in the galaxy in order to bring her back alive.

Bill stood at the edge of the bed where Rista slumbered, hooked up to several machines. Her breathing was ragged and bandages were tightly bound across her chest and stomach, but she looked peaceful.

She looked so much like her mother. The same hair, same smile, same thin lips and straight teeth, same almost lanky build...she was pratically her clone in every way.

Except for one thing...


Author's Note: Rista's part should be out by tomorrow. Tainted eyes should make a little more sense, but I will explain it further in later chapters.

Can you guess Rista's part now? If not, I bet you guys will get it by the end of next chapter...REVIEW!