Sorry about the delay, exams are a pain.
Thank you, to my new reviewers.-Yes, I admit that my Samus is a little emotional but she is so often shown as inhuman. One of the points of my story is to show that, in my mind, Samus does feel, that she does bleed. Of course the whole point of reviewing is to tell me your own take, so thank you for doing so, and please, everyone, continue to review. About possible "name playing", well, who really knows.
k0m0do-342, if you so desire, you may use the name "Creto".
This is not my favorite chapter, but an essential one. Enough of my blabbing, read!
Chapter 10: Threats and Justice
Samus stood outside the resort's glass doors and watched Maelos drive up the hill. Fresh out of the shower she was wide awake and ready to get going. As the hovercraft came to a stop she walked over and once again neglected the door.
"Do bounty hunters not like doors or something?" asked Maelos. He said it in jest but Samus gave him a real answer.
"No, we don't. Normally doors mean that there is some enemy that wants to eat you on the other side. Or you have to find the key code, which can mean hours of searching," she looked at him with a grin. "I usually just blow them up with missiles or power bombs."
"Speaking of missiles," said Maelos as he passed a slow moving vehicle, "I have four giant crates full of them next to your ship. And where did you get them from? Because the guy who dropped them off looked really shady."
"Don't you worry about where they came from, that's my business," replied Samus.
"Okay, I won't worry then.'
They remained in silence until Geros's shop was in sight. The building was dwarfed by its surroundings, looking tiny next to the business center of Nebulon. Home sweet home, thought Maelos.
"Oh yeah, Samus, how do you put up with that computer?" asked Maelos withcuriosity. "That thing is driving my father crazy. Whenever he works, it asks him all these questions about Nebulon, or starts telling him the history of the Galactic Federation. And then there's the holograms, Samus-"
"Yes Maelos, I know all the stupid things Creto does. You don't have to tell me. I put up with it through a lot of patience."
Creto was bored. There was nothing to do. Its mistress was gone, to some ocean resort Maelos had said, and left it. Of course she had to leave, thought Creto, she couldn't stay in the ship while it is being repaired. It's times like these that make you want to be human.
The men working on the ship were normally friendly. Creto had taken a liking to the younger one, the man with dark eyes. The father though, was really quite mean. The first day, while they had been fixing the scanners, Creto had struck up a conversation with the father, or at least Creto had thought it a conversation. Geros finally flipped after the third round of twenty questions.
Geros had called Creto every curse in the Common Tongue and then some. Of course Maelos had come to the rescue, but it was too late. Now, every time Geros worked on the ship Creto would annoy him, just for amusement, stopping only if Maelos asked it to.
The hologram incident had been very interesting. Once Geros had had to step inside the ship to reroute the cooling systems. While his back was turned to the control panel, Creto had conjured up a life-size hologram of a Space Pirate. What fun that was! Creto remembered. When Geros had turned around to see one the galaxy's most feared creatures, he nearly had a heart attack. Now though both the mechanics were gone, and Creto was all by itself.
Creto used its visionary sensors to look around. The hole in the ship had been patched up, good quality work too. The scanners were back online and the cooling/ heating was coming along nicely. The ship's windshield had been removed to allow for easier inside access. It lay neatly against a wall. There were also four loads of missiles besides the ship. A bounty hunter's job is never over, Creto thought.
The scanners were picking up something. Looking closely Creto could see two human life forms nearing the building. Creto knew that Geros was in the office so that meant the two humans had to be Maelos and Samus. Samus!
The bright orange hunter ship was a welcome sight to Samus's eyes. She walked into the station to see her precious ship and took in a quick breath at the thought of flying it through space.
Geros came out of the office with several strange looking tools and headed to the ship. Maelos called to his father who turned to greet them.
"Hello, Miss Aran, nice to see you looking so well," he said. "Your ship is nearly complete, it will be done early believe it or not."
"Well, that's good," replied Samus. She walked over to her ship, and stepped inside it via the missing windshield.
"My Lady!" exclaimed Creto with obvious joy. "I have missed you!"
"Hello Creto," Samus said with a smile.
"The young mechanic, Maelos, told me you were staying by the ocean. Tell me, how is your stay there?" Creto asked with concern.
"Oh, it's fine Creto. Much nicer then my sleeping quarters on this ship. I think you would like the ocean Creto, if you were a human anyway." Samus told it.
"Yes Samus. I have researched the natural state of this planet, and I think I would like the ocean," Creto said. "I also downloaded all the files from your suit, and filed your request by hacking into the Federation Database. I found nothing on the substance Phazon. Also there was no trace of a colony of Chozo, anywhere. I am sorry."
"That's okay, I didn't except anything." Samus said. She sat down in her cockpit chair, and watched Geros and his son. They were headed to the office to get a new tool, Geros looking disgusted with the current one.
"Samus?" enquired Creto.
"Shoot," Samus said attentively.
Like a young child afraid of being reprimanded Creto said, "I do not like Geros."
Samus burst out into laughter.
"Well, I don't Samus!" Creto said while Samus continued laughing. "He yells at me, even when I try to help him."
"Probably because you annoyed him with all your questions. Maelos told me about your picking on Geros. Now, what did you do with the hologram?" Samus asked with interest.
The human and computer continued talking as the father and son returned to finish the cooling repairs. Soon they were done, at which time Samus and Creto had moved on to what course they would set when they left.
"I think that I'd like to visit the Lithiun Sector, that was a really beautiful place. Remember it Creto?" said Samus.
"If you wish, we could go there," replied Creto.
"Hey Samus," shouted Maelos from outside the ship. "Right now would be a good time to load those missiles. Okay?"
"Yeah, I'm coming," said Samus. "Prepare missile acceptance, Creto."
"Yes, Samus."
Rising, Samus jumped out of the ship and landed soundlessly on the cement floor. She walked over to the crates, each roughly 3x3x3 feet and made of strong black alloy. She yelled toMaelos who came over and helped her carry one over to the right side of the ship.
"Ready Creto!" she yelled.
The ship's orange side split into gradually larger horizontal sections. The inner ones slid over the larger, outer sections until there was an opening only slightly larger than the missile crates. Samus and Maelos lifted the first crate into the opening. The crate slid in and the sections closed, causing Maelos to jump in surprise. There was a grating sound, then a humming buzz. The orange side opened again and the crate ejected itself, one side missing and empty, landing in front of Samus.
"Wow," said Maelos in genuine surprise. "You do this every time you need more missiles?"
"Yes," said Samus as she went back for another crate. "I normally have my suit on, so I could lift these crates by myself. These missiles are for my suit, but I put them in my ship because, well, its hard to explain. Basically, both my ship and suit can work independently, but they work best when used together. I load these missiles in my ship, then my ship can store them in my bio-suit. It's easier then loading them into my suit the normal way."
Maelos looked at Samus over the crate they carried and asked, "these giant missiles get put in your tiny bio-suit? How?"
Samus sighed and replied, "it's a little complicated, Chozo technology."
Maelos nodded in understanding, but a look of intrigue came on him. Chozo technology? Wow. They continued loading the crates until all four were taken care of. When they were done, Samus went back to the cockpit and Maelos to work. Soon it was 12:46 pm, according to Maelos's watch, and time for lunch in the mechanic's opinion.
"Samus, I'm going to go get some lunch, do you want anything?" he asked her before he went to pick up some Nebulon delicacies..
"Sure," Samus said.
"Like…" asked Maelos.
"Ah, a local favorite, how about that?" replied Samus.
"Okay, I'll get you something from Yuit's Luncheon," Maelos said and then left.
Samus sat in her chair as he left, the warehouse becoming eerily quiet when the hovercraft's engines could no longer be heard. Looking through the open window, she could see Geros headed her way with a piece of ventilation. Time to take care of some unfinished business, Samus thought.
She stood up and headed to the back of the ship. Next to the compartment where her bio-suit was stored was an eyelevel display of small-caliber weapons. A good variety of beam guns, her father's wave beam gun, a couple laser daggers, the odd alloy knife, and finally a sturdy Orcois wood staff. She took out the staff, holding it reverently.
Samus went back into the cockpit, which Geros had stepped up and into with the ventilation. Geros saw her and offered a smile. Samus did not return it.
"Geros?" Samus said quietly, too quietly. "Do you see this staff?"
Geros set down his work and answered, "yes, I do Miss Aran."
"Well, this staff is quality work, made by Chozo hands. It is simply designed but strong, much like your work," said Samus.
"Why, thank you Miss Aran," replied Geros who took it as a compliment. He started on his work again, thinking the lesson was over. It was just beginning.
"Unlike your work though it was made by honest beings," started Samus.
"Now wait a minute here. What are trying to say, that I'm a crook?" Geros questioned as he stood up. He turned and faced Samus.
"Yes, I am, Geros of Nebulon!" replied Samus just as heatedly. At her anger Geros stepped back, I knew a bounty hunter would be trouble!
"You cowardly, greedy man! Look at this!" shouted Samus. In her other hand she held up the estimate Geros had given her. "Don't try to fool me, these repairs might add up to a good amount but not 27,000 credits."
"That is the Federation's standard price for such work, parts and labor included--" Geros began when Samus swung the staff. The greedy man saw his life flash before his eyes as Samus stopped the wooden staff on his throat.
"I hoped it wouldn't come to this, but if I have to threaten you to get a fair price I will," Samus said calmly. "Now, Geros of Nebulon, you will finish your work. I advise you continue with the same workmanship of this staff, or else Creto will know, and it will tell me."
"Yes, Geros, I am ever loyal to my Lady," put in the all too happy computer.
"I will pay you exactly 18, 342 credits, the standard price according to Samus Aran, and then I will leave. Do you understand Geros of Nebulon?" said Samus.
Geros nodded.
"Good, now get back to work."
When Maelos came back, he found Samus sitting in her chair while his father was finishing the ventilation. He went over to Samus and gave her Yuit's Luncheon's finest, spicy Hurit wraps and a side of hot Creole peppers.
"Uh, thanks Maelos," said Samus as she took her lunch.
"You'll like it," he said to her.
Geros was under the ship repairing the oxygen containers when Maelos found him. The father looked angry and frightened when the man with dark eyes gave him his lunch.
"Let's just finish this and get her out of here," he said quietly to Maelos. Maelos was no fool, he realized something must have happened while he was gone, but he merely agreed.
"Samus, what did you do?" he asked as he entered Samus's hunter ship. Samus remained emotionless, finishing off her lunch.
"Samus…"demanded Maelos.
"I did what was necessary," replied Samus coldly. She got up and headed to the back to throw her trash away. Maelos followed her.
"My father is scared half to death by you now. Granted, he never liked you in the first place but--"
"But what Maelos?" said Samus as she turned on him. "Your father is a ruled by greed, you said so yourself! If he tries to rip me off, I am in the right to deliver justice. Maelos you are my friend but don't forget who I am."
The two humans were in front of Samus's gun display. Maelos turned and looked at it. He was abruptly chastised by its reminder of Samus and what she was capable of.
"You're right Samus, I'm sorry. I know my father, he needed to be taught a lesson," Maelos surrendered.
An awkward silence followed, Maelos afraid of Samus's wrath and she frightened to damage this newfound friendship.
"It's okay Maelos," she said. "I didn't hurt him, only instilled a little fear and respect."
Above them Creto let go of its imaginary breath. For a second there it had thought Maelos was going to get it. To anger my mistress is not something I would advise, lucky for Maelos he has befriended her.
"May I suggest that Maelos return to his work, and that my Lady and I finish our course setting?" it said out loud.
"Computer," stated Maelos. "I think that is a very good idea."
Later in the afternoon, roughly five o'clock, the man with dark eyes and the Hunter were headed back to Eros's Ocean Resort. They were talking about current events, the issue on Tallon IV to be exact. Maelos wanted to know Samus's take, since it involved Space Pirates. Samus merely played dumb, best for him not to know what I did. Best that no one know.
"Well, the Federation may ask me to investigate, but I will decline if they ask," she said.
"Why would you decline?" asked Maelos.
"There would be no trail to follow, if the Federation is correct in its time estimate. It would be a waste of my time," Samus said.
"They think some of the ruins were made by Chozo," he stated.
He turned to look at her but looked back to the road when Samus didn't respond. It must be hard on her, the only family she knew just disappearing. What bothers me is why and how they disappeared, he thought.
After a minute or so Samus asked Maelos, "have you thought about what you are going to do? With your father and your dream."
"Oh," said Maelos. He hadn't expected this question. "Well, Samus, after what happened with you, I know I have to leave. I can't stay with him, even though I love my father. I figure that I'll leave next cycle, when my apprenticeship ends. After that…" he trailed off.
"You'll go to school, learn how to be a politician while keeping your innocence," Samus picked up. "You'll find a job and work yourself through those years. Never once will you forget your goal, or me." She turned to him with a smile.
Man, her smile is gorgeous! Thought Maelos.
"After all your hardships you will emerge and help your planet by bringing justice and a better understanding of justice to it. That's what you'll do," Samus finished. Maelos nodded his head in silent understanding.
The rest of the ride was filled with the talk of good friends, and much needed laughter. I had forgotten how wonderful laughter is, Samus realized.
When Maelos pulled up to the resort he stopped the hovercraft, shutting it down so he could continue their conversation.
"This is the last time I'll drop you off here," he said to Samus.
'But not the last time you'll see me," she told him.
"True," thought Maelos out loud. "Hey, did you ever think it a little funny that I've been your chauffeur this whole time?"
With a grin Samus said, "someone had to."
She stepped out and bid Maelos good-bye, "eight o'clock sharp tomorrow, bus boy," she jested.
"I'll be here, compulsive shopper," Maelos jested back. Then he left, leaving Samus to her last night in Nebulon.
The Hunter was walking, and the waves lapped at her feet. Once again in her faded sweatshirt, Samus was headed to the hill by the ocean. This was her final night at Eros's Ocean Resort, the last time she could visit this place that beckoned to her. I could come back, she thought, but inside she knew that it would never be so.
Samus reached the grassy hill and went to its top. The sea was a deep blue and the sky was turning bronze as the sun dipped into the sea. She wrapped her sweatshirt around her, even thought there wasn't any wind. She made herself comfortable because her intuition was saying this could take a while. And her intuition was rarely wrong.