While walking through the Chozo Ruins, Samus and Master Chief fought against giant wasps and beetles as they head for the first location of a suit function nearby. They finally walk through a blue door that was in the far back of the Chozo Ruins to the left, and entered a round tunnel. Suddenly, they heard what sounded like bats, but it turned out to be these round, bug-like creatures that crawled along the ceiling and eventually dropped down onto Samus and Master Chief. On contact, they exploded and caused some damage to Samus, but little to Master Chief. "What the hell were those things?" Master Chief said as he wiped off the remains of the creatures from his visor. Samus scanned one that was still attached to the floor and hasn't exploded. The scan read: Morphology: Scarab. Exploding parasites that can embed their bodies in solid rock. Scarabs think nothing of sacrificing themselves for the safety of their swarm. When a hostile life- form is sighted, they block its progress by embedding themselves in floors and walls. Embedded Scarabs violently self- destruct when threatened."
"Those were Scarabs, and apparently they commit suicide to protect their swarm by exploding. The hide in tunnels like this." Samus was calm and unfazed by the Scarabs exploding on her.
"Next time we hear them, just kill them. I don't need any more bug remains on my visor."
"But the look suits you…" Samus teased in a bit of a mean way.
"Thanks. Now let's move. Time is wasting." Master Chief walked in front of Samus and continued on.
"Can't you take a joke?"
"In a time like this, no, I can't. Now move." Master Chief shot the blue door, but it would not open. It will only respond to Samus' beam cannon.
"Let me get this." Samus shot the door and it immediately opened up. The pair walked through a corridor that had sandstone built around it, but it was dark. Suddenly, a bug that glowed brightly was flying close to Samus and Master Chief. Samus scanned the bug and the scan read: Morphology: Plazmite. Small insect capable of storing and releasing thermal energy. Plazmites are attracted to sources of heat, thriving on the energy present there. They emit light when hunting, and will expel small burst of thermal energy when threatened.
"It's a Plazmite. I don't think it's harmful unless we attack it. I suggest we use it for a light source, but be careful when approaching it."
"Hmph. I already have Night Vision, but since its emitting light, it really has no use. If we want to avoid touching it, we should go against the wall and move slowly." Master Chief replied to Samus.
Samus and Master Chief pressed themselves against the cold wall as they moved slowly to avoid touching the Plazmite. Although it is easy to kill, the Plazmite is not attacking, so there is no point in attacking it. They came to another room that had small sandstone platforms and from what it looked like, acid. Plazmites also were in the room, one of them being close to the blue door. Samus and Master Chief jumped from platform to platform as they wanted to avoid the acid from below. They managed to dodge the Plazmites as well, and Samus soon opened the door. As they walked in, a room green in color with a long path was ahead. In the back of the room was a large black structure that had red lights on it. Samus' visor went off as it recognized one of the suit upgrades was hidden in the room.
"I think we found one of my suit functions, but I have no idea where it's being hidden."
"I think that black… machine over there might contain it. Destroying it would be the best option."
"Without knowing what's inside of it?... I like your idea Chief. You're pretty bold aren't you?"
"No. I just want to get the mission done. That is how Spartans are, and always will be." Master Chief had a serious tone in his voice.
"Just what exactly are Spartans? Are you human? A subject of genetic engineering?"
"A mix of both. Now are we going to destroy this thing or not?"
"Fine. But I really would like to know more about Spartans and what they exactly do. I tried scanning you before, but it was cut off from something. What, I don't know."
Samus scanned the odd structure. Oddly, she had to scan it "underwater." It read: Hive Mecha, security unit programmed to work with predatory hive dwellers. A design flaw makes the shielding on Hive Mecha weak around their access ports. These units are second-generation combat drones, able to interface with organic units at a higher level. They train, shelter, and work with hive dwelling predators. Unarmed, they rely on their hive beasts to handle any threats.
(Scan before battle: Mechanical device appears to be inactive. Life-forms detected within hollows of machine.)
"That thing is called a Hive Mecha. It's a second-generation combat drone that relies on the inhabitants inside to deal with organic units that are harmful. Without the creatures inside, it's weak and vulnerable. It seems inactive right now…" Samus said as she walked forward towards a round platform.
As soon as she and Master Chief stepped onto it, the Hive Mecha activated, and they were suddenly surrounded by wasps.
"What the hell!? You said it was inactive!" Master Chief yelled at Samus.
"I said it seemed inactive… listen to my wording next time!"
The wasps flew around Samus and Master Chief rapidly. Finally, one stopped and stabbed Samus with its stinger, knocking her back until Master Chief grabbed her by the arm. "They're planning on pushing us into the acid. Let's kill these damn pests, destroy the Hive Mecha, and get the hell out!" Master Chief pulled Samus up without a problem. He pulled a bit too hard as Samus slipped into his arms. Master Chief was stunned at this action, for he does not know what affection from the opposite gender is like, or ever having any affection. Samus looked at Master Chief for a moment, and the pair held their stare for a few seconds until another wasp flew in. Master Chief's reflexes were quick enough to kill it before it hit Samus and himself. Samus and Master Chief suddenly went into combat mode as they shot and killed the wasps instantly. The Hive Mecha turned and had a bright red light glowing. This was its hatch it uses to let wasps inside of it. Samus shot the hatch rapidly, and caused damage to the Hive Mecha. The Hive Mecha spun around again, and even more wasps appeared.
"More of these bastards… so the game is we kill them, then after the Hive Mecha opens up, we shoot it?"
"Yes. If we work together, we can get through this quicker."
"Sounds like a plan to me."
Master Chief said as shot a few wasps and Samus did the same. The Hive Mecha opened again, letting Samus and Master Chief shoot it and weaken it more. More wasps appeared as they circled around Samus and Master Chief quickly. When they stopped, they were killed instantly. The Hive Mecha opened up again, and became weakened more as Samus and Master Chief shoot it. The final wasp swarm around them was quite large, but both of them were unfazed. Samus and Master Chief killed the wasps quickly after they stopped moving around. With the last hatchet opened, Samus and Master Chief took a few shoots at it, and soon the Hive Mecha was destroyed. Inside the Mecha was a missile that floated in midair. Samus walked up to it, and she now has her missiles back.
"That wasn't too hard."
"I agree. So, does that function allow you to shoot missiles from your arm cannon?"
"Yes. If we find anything that is hard to destroy, it will come in handy."
"I have grenades, but I'll use them later. This place is ancient, and it would be a shame, let alone a horrible thing to see it destroyed."
"Wow… that's pretty Nobel and nice of you Chief."
"Not Nobel. It's the right thing to do. I'm not an emotionless or heartless soldier like you may think I 'am."
"I don't. You helped me out with those beetles, and even caught me before I fell into the acid below. That shows me you have emotions and morals somewhere inside that bulky armor of yours. Speaking of the save you made, I just want to say thank you. If I fell, that acid would tear through my armor, and eventually kill me."
"It was the least I could do after helping you out. But don't read too much into it Bounty Hunter."
"Then why did we stand there with me inside your arms while staring at each other for a few seconds?"
"Simple. It was our way of saying thank you to one another. Nothing more." Master Chief had a slight seriousness to his voice, maybe even cold.
"If that's what you think…"
Samus felt a bit awkward when she said that question. As she and Master Chief walked out of this part of the ruins, she couldn't help but think: "Nothing more? Does he really mean that?" She stopped for a moment and softly said: "No. It was nothing more. I have no intentions on having a romantic relationship, especially with him. And yet, I felt a bit sad when he told me it was nothing more… why?" Master Chief turned around and saw Samus standing there.
"Got cold feet? We need to move. Standing around won't get us anywhere, will it?"
Samus looked up at Master Chief.
"Sorry. I just had to stop and think. Let's go and find the rest of my missing suit functions."
As Samus and Master Chief walked to their next destination, Samus was still deep in thought. What is she feeling? Why is she feeling this way? Did Master Chief really mean what he said? Does he even feel anything? These questions are best to remain unanswered until the future comes into fruition. For now, Master Chief and Samus will have to continue looking for the suit functions, and eventually find out the plot behind the Space Pirates and if the Covenant could be involved.