Garnak sighed as he flew through space in his ship, searching for Ayame. His battle with Weavel had been a forced draw, as the pirates had apparently been called elsewhere. He didn't like that at all. He preferred it when things had a conclusive end to them. That was how all Gorast were raised to believe. There are no "draws" in battle. You either win or lose in a fight to the death. Simple as that. He was certain that tracking down Ayame and her compatriots would eventually lead him to Weavel, so that they could finish their duel.
He soon realized that he didn't have to wait too long, as he spotted a familiar orange shuttle soaring through space. He quickly made contact with the ship. "This is Garnak. Ayame? Do you hear me?"
"I hear you loud and clear, Garnak," Ayame replied. "What is it?"
"I wish only to accompany you in your mission to find Samus Aran," he said truthfully. "And besides, I now have business with the pirate called 'Weavel.'"
There were a few moments of silence. Garnak assumed that she was debating with her comrades about whether to include him on their personal mission. "All right," Ayame finally said. "There's strength in numbers. We're heading for the Pirate Homeworld. Just stay close to us."
"Very well." The Gorast warrior was actually somewhat thrilled and a little apprehensive at going to there of all places. But if that's where they had to go, then so be it.
-o-
"Ayame, are you sure about this?" Connor asked. He was still worried about his longtime friend. "You're including Garnak on a pretty dangerous mission."
"Like I said, Connor," Ayame replied calmly. "There's strength in numbers. Having him along will definitely help."
Connor frowned. Ayame's voice was her own, but her tone was someone else's. Someone colder, and less kind, like they were a living computer. Ayame had definitely changed since the incident on the warship. He looked over Anthony. Even he looked concerned.
-o-
"Well, lady, gentlemen, and freaky bug-man," Gear said, extending his communication to Garnak's ship, "here we are. That giant red orb of menacing death is the Space Pirate Homeworld. Death rays, enemy armies, and hordes of mutated monstrosities await. Gee, sounds swell, doesn't it?"
Ayame narrowed her eyes at the red planet that was the home of the Space Pirates. This was where her self-appointed mission would finally come to an end. She would save Samus, kill Ridley and as many other pirates as she could, and then leave this damned rock for good. She had Gear scan the planet for a secluded landing site where no one would find them, then marked the coordinates at an ideal spot near what appeared to be the main command center. That was most likely where the execution would be held for all those pirate bastards to see.
They managed to get through the area without trouble, though Gear did alert them to the acid rain that was pouring down from the planet's blood-red sky. Ayame couldn't hide her revulsion at the polluted look of the Pirate Homeworld. It was simply disgusting. How could the pirates care so little about their own home?
"It doesn't look like anyone's spotted us yet," Connor said as the two ships touched down. The metal walls and floors looked like they hadn't been maintained in some time. Rust was visible on just about everything.
"Welcome to tetanus paradise," Gear stated jokingly. "Sheesh, you'd think the pirates would take better care of their base. And don't get me started on the lack of security."
"They likely don't think anybody would be dumb enough to come here," Anthony theorized as they exited the ship. Garnak was already out waiting for them, with his energy sword already prepped and a collapsible rifle strapped to his back.
"Then we must be fools," the Gorast said as he walked up to join them. "But sometimes, fools can be the greatest asset in battle."
"Another Gorast proverb?" Ayame asked.
"No." With that, the group of four readied their weapons and armor and headed through the nearest door.
-o-
Samus was guided through the Space Pirate command center by the three commandos to a large chamber that resembled a court. There were nine high-ranking pirate officers sitting at what looked like a judge's chair that was lengthened to fit all of them. To the right of the center chair, Ridley sat with his tail swishing from side to side, a sadistic grin on his face. Samus assumed the pirate to Ridley's left must've been the highest ranking officer in the pirate military, as he was decked out in the most intricately designed armor she had seen from the pirates. He was definitely their leader.
"Samus Aran," the center pirate said with disgust and hate evident in his voice. "You have made yourself an enemy of the Space Pirates, and now face countless charges, the punishment for all being execution. We hereby find you guilty. You are to be executed by firing squad within the hour." He waved his hand dismissively. "Take her away."
The commandos then led Samus out of the room. She managed to get one last glare at Ridley, who waved his clawed hand as though saying goodbye to a dear friend. The bastard.
-o-
A single militia pirate sat at his post, completely bored out of his mind. He had wanted to watch Samus Aran's execution just as much as any other pirate, but his superiors had ordered him to stay and guard this area. Where no one ever comes by. Ever. The place was completely barren almost one hundred percent of the time. He groaned in frustration. Why did he have to stay in this worthless abandoned facility?
"My life is just terrible," he muttered.
"It's about to get much worse," said a female voice from far off to his right. The pirate immediately shot up from his seat, his weapon ready. He then froze when he saw something that bore a frightening resemblance to the Hunter's armor suit. It held its weapon aimed straight for his head, and had three companions similarly ready. The pirate immediately raised his arms in surrender.
"Ayame, he might be able to lead us to where the execution will take place," Anthony said as he approached the militia unit, never lowering his weapon form the pirate's head. "Think you can manage that, pal?" The pirate nodded furiously. "Then lead on."
Ayame took the lead of the group as the pirate led them to Samus. She was getting closer and closer. Hold on just a little longer, she thought with what little hope remained in her heart. She ran a quick diagnostic of her suit to make sure she had everything she might need. She was fully stocked on missiles, bombs, and energy for her suit's shields. Good. She needed all of that in order succeed.
The pirate led them through the apparently abandoned facility. Everything was in disrepair, and the whole place looked like it was about to fall apart. "What happened here?" Ayame inquired, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"This facility was intended to act a research station," the pirate answered. "I do not know much about it, but I have heard that the intended research material somehow became hostile, so the entire facility was scrapped."
"Metroids again?" Anthony asked.
"I do not know," the pirate admitted. After that, none of them said anything as they continued down the path. None of them knew that there was another pair of eyes keeping them within sight.