CHAPTER 9
The creature crept around the three as they stood still. They could hear it sniffing the air, getting whiffs of their scents. It seemed as if he was familiar with them already.
"ino doubt you have come…ssssssssssss…for the ssssssscell…/i"
"How do you…" Cade started, but was interrupted by a hand covering his mouth.
"We have. How do you know us?" Lita asked.
"iyou are the disssciplesss of the massster…you and only you are able to get the sssssscell…/i"
"We have no master. What are you talking about?" Samus blurted.
"ihe isss not byour/b massster, but mine…he createsss thossse who dessstroy…/i"
"I am no creation of a master, creature. You must be mistaken," Samus said.
"iyou are undoubtedly the onesss…the renegade…the defect…and the chosssen one…/i"
"What do you mean by that?" Lita asked.
"iyou…child…are…the one…and he isss…the renegade…and the other one…ssshe isss the defect…/i"
"Defect! Explain yourself, beast!" Samus demanded.
"iI wasss not put here to exsssplain…but you…are the massstersss failed prototype…the defect…the firssst to live…the firssst to disssobey…the massster disssposssed of you quickly…/i"
Samus stood flabbergasted. Her arms were at her sides and her free fist was clenched.
Lita reached over and touched Samus' shoulder.
"Creature, what about us? He and I?" Lita asked.
"iyou…are the one…the perfect being…the massstersss finessst creation…you were lossst to the massster…in an attack…your…vesssssel took you away…/i"
"Vessel?" the word could barely escape Lita's lips.
"iand…he isss….the renegade…the rogue…he refussssed to fight…he came after the one…he wasss a near copy…with…modificationsss…he essscaped from the massster…/i"
"But what are you?" Cade asked.
"ii…am…the…keeper…/i"
With that, a green glow emanated from the creature, who was now fully visible.
The illumination penetrated the glassy eyes of the froglike humanoid. Reverse jointed legs extended out from a fleshy lump of a torso, as did two arms, one with a hand, the other with a single sharp claw. The mouth was quite large for the size of the body. Small razor sharp teeth extended every few inches along the jawbones.
"That's the cell…it's inside this thing…" Lita observed.
"Then I guess it's time to get it," Samus said as she lifted the arm cannon.
The creature let forth a grotesque noise as it jumped at Samus.
She let loose one shot that connected with the creature's chest, sending him hurtling backwards. In a final correction of balance, the creature flipped over and skidded on its feet along the ground.
"What IS this thing!" Samus yelled.
"Try again, Samus!" Lita said back.
Samus rapidly fired the cannon, but the shots seemingly had no effect on the approaching monster.
After several shots, Samus stopped firing. The arm cannon was illuminated with a red heat and sizzled.
Lita brandished a plasma pistol and sent a shot toward the keeper, but it immediately took notice and dodged it.
The creature bounded and kicked Lita in the chest as it quickly changed direction and tackled Samus.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH!" Cade screamed.
"Cade! Cade! Where are you?" Lita looked around frantically, but couldn't find him.
"ii…ssssee now that you are not…ssssssssss…worthy…/i" said the beast as he raised his claw into the air.
Samus lie helpless on the floor with her arms pinned by the keeper's legs.
iBut Samus? Why the military? You could do so much more by going to college and getting your degree.
Welcome to the Galactic Federation military, Private Aran, I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure this experience is a living hell for you, you get that! A LIVING HELL!
Due to outstanding performance in the line of duty, we award Lance Corporal Samus Aran the rank of Sergeant.
What do you plan to do now, Commander Aran? You have your own unit.
You may or may not come back from this mission, is that understood Commander Aran. We know you're prepared to do what is necessary for the betterment of the Galactic Federation…/i
"No."
After a splatter of fluid hit Samus in the face, she snapped back to reality.
In front of her, she saw a hand in a fist, dripping with slime. After focusing, she saw that the had was through the throat of the keeper, from behind it.
Cade then stood, lifting the creature into the air. With his other hand, he ripped the fuel cell out of the creature's abdominal cavity. He then tossed the carcass aside.
Samus and Lita sat in amazement.
"No way I'm letting something that ugly take out my commanding officer," Cade uttered.
"Apology accepted," Samus sighed.
