10 - The Planet

(A/N: the planet is based on Chimera from Jyu Oh Sei. Awesome series, check it out)

Eli woke up with a throbbing in his head. He must've been off-balence at some point during the crash and fallen because he found himself with a newly treated wound on his head. Looking around, Eli saw that Samus was nowhere to be found. He sat up dizzily and saw that his suit's shock-cannon was also missing. Eli slowly put on his suit, getting ready to join Samus in her exploration.

He checked to make sure everything was as it should be before opening his hatch and swinging his blade as a form was right there.

Samus caught his arm, and even with the strength enhancers in his suit, the attack was stopped cold. "Nice reflexes," she commented, apearently unbothered by the attack.

"Sorry," Eli apologized.

"You did what I'd've done," Samus shrugged. "This planet sucks. Everything is trying to eat us, even the plants."

"Carnivourous plants," Eli confirmed exhasperatedly. He'd almost been eaten once before by a flower that tried to snap closed on him during one of his smuggling busts against Maurader. "Great. Anything else?"

"Structures a few miles to the East."

"A settlement or mining camp?"

"Actually," Samus turned Eli's shock-cannon absent-mindedly in her hands, "it looked more like a temple."

"Great," Eli's sarcasm was so obvious that Samus swore she could tell his eyes were rolling behind his helmet. "Let's go pray to plants that prey on us."

Samus nodded and opened the hatch. She turned when she didn't hear Eli's footsteps.

Eli stood, stroking the walls of his ship as if petting a dog. "I can't believe you're done..."

"Eli," Samus interjected, "it's just a ship."

"No," Eli shook his head and removed his helmet. A strange emotion contorted his face, "she's been my home for years. Everywhere I've been, she's has gone too." A single tear rolled down Eli's cheek as he replaced his helmet.

Samus didn't really understand, it seemed like she lost a ship every few missions. She'd never gotten attached to much at all in her life, let alone a vehicle. However, she did understand the feeling of loss. She stayed silent out of respect, despite how silly she thought Eli was being.

Eli's entire body moved with a heavy sigh before he looked over at Samus, "let's go."

As they walked, Samus began pointing out plants she'd identified as dangers already. Eli noted that it seemed to be everything but the trees which had leaves that came in all colors. Almost hesitently, Samus looked over her shoulder.

"What?" Eli looked behind him, not able to read Samus' expression.

"Was that a joke?"

"What's a joke?" Eli was genuinely lost.

"That praying to the preying plants, that was a joke right?"

Eli had to think for a moment to even remember the quip. "Uh, yeah. It was... why?"

"It wasn't very funny," Samus continued hiking and jumped out of the way as a vine lashed out at her.

"I really haven't told any jokes for years," Eli slashed at the vine when it tried after him. "I wouldn't expect my humor to be very funny anymore."

Samus had a sad expression when she looked at him before pointing.

Eli saw what she meant when Samus had said it looked like a temple, however it was more like a temple-city. "Wait, I've seen statues like these... Aren't they Chizi or whatever that race was called?"

"Chozo," Samus sounded almost insulted that he couldn't say it right.

"Are you mad at me for something?" Eli asked, "I can't think of anything I've done wrong."

"I may be human," Samus cast a look out of the corner of her eye, "but the blood in my veins is Chozo."

"I'm sorry if I insulted you... But what do you qualify as now?"

Samus turned up her nose, "are you trying to insult me?"

"No!"

Realizing how much of a bitch she was being, Samus looked at Eli. "Sorry, I'm not much for people. I guess I should have warned you."

"Its fine," Eli waved it off, "just keep your cool. Keep in mind, you are the better of the two of us."

"I wonder..." Samus suddenly trailed off, and wondered into the temple.

"Wait up!" Eli called as she reached the first door.

Once they passed through it, the doors snapped shut and all the lights went out.