Disclaimer: I do not own Metroid.
The pounding of footsteps...
Rista twisted in her unconscious state.
Echoes and blasts and screams reached into their home. Rista clung tighter to her mother's hand.
Her face involunarily scrunched into an expression of physical and emotional pain.
The closet door slid open with a whoosh and her mother seated the two frightened girls inside. She settled them among the disarry of old toy and worn coats, hiding them the best she could. A thunderous explosion shook the very foundation of the house, but it did not hinder her in her quest to hide the children.
Rista's body remained tense as her eyes fluttered open once before they shut again.
"I love you two so much," Her mother sobbed. There was a pounding at the door as the creatures tried to break in. "Rista, promise me you will take care of your sister. Promise me!" Rista nodded. "I won't survive girls but you will. You must remain brave."
"Don't die mommy," Her little sister was crying. Rista placed her arms around her and hugged her tightly. With a worried glance at the door, Miranna leaned forward quickly and kissed and hugged both girls.
"I love you," They cried out, but their mother placed a finger to her lip.
"I love you too," She whispered and the door hissed closed. She locked the closet with a swipe card key and slid it under the thin crack under the door.
There were several little bangs outside and the door crashed open as the creatures zapped through it with their gun thingies. Rista had to place a hand over her sister's mouth to quiet her sobbing, though there was no equal comfort for her own fear. She was older, and she had to take care of her little sister.
There were sounds of their guns firing that was now familiar to Rista's ear, but there was also a louder, more distant shooting. Rista figured her mother had dragged Grandfather's antique gun. But there were only three shoots from it before there was a cty of pain and a thud to the ground.
Rista's grip on her sister grew tighter as she realized that Miranna had just died.
Rista woke up in an alien place, quite literally. It was a Med room, but instead of the sterile white that accompanied most Fed Med Rooms, this was a deep navy blue. Even the metal bed she laid in was twinged with the color, an interesting choice for the Pirates. One of the hideous nurses came over and checked one of the several machines she was hooked up in. Then she/he/it growled to another before it too ran off.
Why did they keep her alive? Bill wanted her dead more than anything. It would make sense that he would let her die and watch with pleasure. Speaking of Bill, he had entered the room, ambling slowly to Rista's bed side. She glared a thousand daggers at him, but he did not seem to notice.
"Hello Ms. Nevaria," He greeted, a hint of a smirk on his face. "See you are doing well." Rista did not respond. "I bet you are wondering why in the universe I would let you live.Well, I have a generous offer for you. One with rewards that you surely cannot turn down."
"What is it?" Rista asked hurridly, so that her words slurred together.
"Be patient and I will explain." He waited until the nurse pulled a stool up for him to sit. He made himself comfortable before continuing. "You see Rista, I am an old man. I am over sixty. I can't continue doing this, and you see, Space Pirates don't retire. They get killed off. Now, I am willing to let you live, let go of my grudges against you, and you don't have do the same for me."
"How so?"
"Now, it would a little unfair if I just let you kill me. The Space Pirates really dislike your friend, Samus. She has ruined so many of their missions and bases. I need her dead. You kill Samus, and I will let you kill me."
"Kill Samus?" Rista asked incredulously. "Are you kidding? Even if I wanted to kill her, I can't! Have you seen the space suit she wears?"
"Does she always wear it?"
"Well, no. Not on the ship but..." Rista shook her head, which still rung with bit of a headache. "I won't do it."
"Then you die."
"Huh?" Bill laughed a manical laugh.
"Didn't I tell you that if you don't then you die in her stead?" He was taunting her. Rista gulped to try to swallow her fear, but it was not working. She knew dealing with Bill was dangerous, but never before had there been a due date on her death. Bill continued. "We will strap you with a bomb, that if taken off improperly with explode anyways. There is also a camera. If I do not see you kill Samus, then I will detonate it. If you're in her presence, then you both die."
"How do I know that you just won't detonate it after I kill her so I'll die too?" She challenged him.
"My word. Listen Rista, under the circumstances, it would be best to trust me." She leaned back, trying to keep a cool appearance though her insides were bursting with anxiety.
"I guess I have no choice," She said. "Though I would hate to kill my friend."
"Your friend," Bill snorted before chuckling. "Why Rista, I don't believe you even know her last name."
"Why...of course I do," Rista lied, and it showed on her face.
"And you don't find anything odd about it?" Rista shook her head.
"No, why should I?" She knew he knew she was not telling the truth. He was mocking her, and that kind of annoyed her. She just playing his game and fell for his trap. She tried to control her breathing, but nothing worked. She was scared of what he might say.
"Because the name in question is Samus Kristina Aran."
All the blood drained out of Rista's face.
Author's Note: I never said I would tell you by this chapter: I just said that you would probably know. If you don't, then it is another evil cliffie for you! And I promise that it will all be revealed next chapter. Though I thought I made it kind of apparent in this one. Just think hard, think very hard...Bye for now! AND REVIEW!
