Chapter 6: Some Like it Hot

Using the large hole the Mystery Creature created, both Samus and Anthony descended into the Sector Three "Pyrosphere" via a long shaft and soon went their separate ways. Almost immediately, Samus noticed a trail of green blood going in the opposite direction Anthony had gone, and began to follow it. As the seasoned mercenary had experienced many a hot and hostile environment, Samus wasted no time in activating her Power Suit's Varia armor, which would prove invaluable in her exploration of the lava-filled sector. Now prepared to face the perils of the sector head-on, Samus continued down the corridor and entered the next area.

Once she refilled her ammo and energy tanks at the nearby Navigation Booth, Samus continued into a long, glass tube corridor. The large, expansive exterior of the chamber was filled with deadly lava and rocky cliffs, the simulated sky an ominous blood red. She recognized most of the creatures found within Sector Three were natives to Planet Zebes' Norfair region.

As she began her trek down the glass corridor, Adam's voice soon filled her helmet: "Samus, be especially careful in this sector. I probably don't have to tell you that the creatures found here are especially violent and aggressive. Proceed with the utmost caution. Use of the Ice Beam has been authorized."

Though she knew he was only looking out for her, Samus couldn't help but rebuke his words of caution with hints of irritation in her voice. "Don't worry about me; worry about your men. Just let me do my job."

As she continued down the corridor, her comm system oddly silent, "Discretion has never gotten me anywhere." Samus mused out loud.

Though she couldn't see his face, Samus could hear Adam's faint amusement. "Regardless. Remember, I still need you around, Lady."

Samus felt her frigid heart warm at his remark. She had never been one to read into things unnecessarily. No expectations, no disappointments, that was her motto. But she couldn't help but feel something odd about his remark... Something dangerous yet powerful. He needed her? Was he merely trying to be funny with that comment? No. Unless he had become a whole different person in the last few years, she never knew Adam Malkovich to be much of a jokester. Even within her presence. He could be more open and approachable, but never funny. However, as much as she wanted to dissect this issue further, Samus knew she still had a mission to do. And the minute she lost focus was the moment she also lost her life.

Continuing her run through the Observation Deck, Samus caught a glimpse of a rather large lava beast poking its head out of the lava lake as it swam through the molten liquid. Suddenly, and with the end of the tunnel drawing near, Samus stopped just shy of the fish-like beast as it thrust itself out of the lava with its large maw wide open in hopes of catching a quick meal - her! All it got, however, was a mouthful of glass and metal from the Observation Deck and disappeared into the sea of lava once more. Samus breath came fast as her adrenaline surged. With her progress compromised, the clever hunter activated her whip-like Grapple Beam and simply traversed the large chasm via Grapple Point and continued into the next room.

In spite of her Varia armor, oppressive heat struck her head-on as she emerged in a large, lava-filled expanse with many rocky platforms and large human-esque lava creatures known as Magdolites. Even within the confines of her suit, Samus could feel beads of perspiration drip down her face. The inside of her visor was starting to fog over with every breath she took.

"Maintaining suit lockdown. Dangerous temperatures detected. Life support systems stable," said the suit's mechanical voice. Samus nearly sighed in relief as she felt refreshingly cool air starting to circulate throughout her suit.

Soon Samus found herself within the heart of the Pyrosphere, a large volcano. Within the craterous depths, a gigantic hand of an equally gigantic beast rose out of the lava. Almost immediately she noticed the lava beginning to rise. Samus began her ascent in haste in an attempt to try and outrun the steadily-rising lava pool. To make her climb more difficult, the bounty hunter also had to contend with angry Sidehoppers and their Pyrosphere cousins, the Dessgeega and the reckless swatting attacks of the giant lava monster. Her strong legs carried her as fast as they could over the rocky, uneven terrain and tight upright corridors, all the while as the lava continued to gather momentum. Once at the top of the volcano, Samus caught her breath, but knew there was to be no rest for the weary.

The lava creature known as Goyagma soon surfaced from the lava pool in the center of the volcano, towering over Samus. It appeared dragon-like as its long, serpentine body and clawed tentacles thrashed about the pool in anger. The creature ominously towered over its victim and proceeded to reach for her using its great speed and reach to its advantage. Even with her augmented speed, Samus was unable to dodge the creature's lunging hand, and soon found herself within its powerful grip. As she wriggled about, attempting to break free, Goyagma brought her to within inches of its face, its eyes narrowing. Goyagma then opened its mouth, ready to devour the bounty hunter whole, and Samus immediately saw her one chance to break free; instead of feasting on her, Goyagma soon found itself feasting on an icy blast from her Arm Cannon.

Goyagma released her, and Samus fell hard to the rocky terrain, She forced herself to her feet. Using her scan visor, Samus discovered the creature's weak point as its pulsing neck. With Goyagma's reach and speed however, she knew this would be no easy fight...

Somewhere within the frozen corridors of Sector Two, Maurice Favreau was busy conducting his investigation for survivors when he suddenly came upon a sub-zero environment in the grips of what he could only assume was a simulated blizzard; he could barely see his own rifle in front of him as he carefully traversed the deep snow banks and rocky mounds.

"SFC. Favreau, I've lost visual. What's your position?" Commander Malkovich asked over the screaming wind.

"I'm making my way towards a point of interest, Commander. It looks to be a large building of some sort." Maurice replied, his rifle still trained in front of him. "Wait! I think I see someone, Commander." he added in haste after noticing what looked to be a human blond woman standing in the middle of the large facility.

"She very could be a survivor and a key witness. Secure her safety immediately." Malkovich replied before his ear piece suddenly fell ominously silent. "SFC. Favreau, do you copy? Repeat, do you copy?"

Adam could hear nothing but the ominous sound of radio static on the other line...

Scans indicated that Goyagma was dangerously close to death. Even though he had changed his attack patterns mid-way through the battle with Samus Aran, the crafty veteran bounty hunter had managed to avoid his fire attacks and counter with her own array of Ice Beam charged attacks. With no arms left, the desperate Goyagma now had to resort to using his elongated neck as a weapon. Anticipating that the creature would, again, try to knock her into the lava depths, Samus promptly dodged Goyagma's whip-like attack, and quickly jumped on his head, where she clung for dear life. The creature seemed to be able to feel its death was near and began to thrash its neck and head about in an attempt to dislodge Samus. But the stubborn Hunter would not budge, her Arm Cannon - and the bane of its existence - ready to fire a sub-zero blast into its cranium.

Goyagma felt a white-hot surge of pain shoot down its rubbery body, and the last vestiges of life fade away. As the now lifeless creature fell to the depths of its fiery grave, Samus dislodged from the head and jumped to safer ground, watching breathlessly as Goyagma's body - and the lava pool - disappeared. The creature had been the control specimen for the lava pool.

Samus caught her breath as Adam's voice filled her helmet. "Samus, what is your status?"

"Goyagma... has been... terminated. I'm... all right."

"Good work, Samus. Stay alert. There's been a change in your mission. I want you to investigate Sector Two and find out what happened to SFC. Favreau."

Not another one… Samus thought as an air of foreboding filled her. "How long has it been since his last transmission?" she asked instead.

Adam sounded generally concerned. "Approximately five hours. He was busy investigating the Experiment Floor area of the Cryosphere, where he discovered what we believe to be a survivor, when I suddenly lost contact with him."

Even though she barely knew the Engineer, Samus couldn't help but feel a bit concerned over his sudden disappearance, as well. Suspicion gnawed at her brain. "...Understood. I'll go see what I can find. What about the others?"

"Pierce and Higgs remain online. Report back to me once you find Favreau."

"Roger that. I'm on my way..."

After performing a quick scan of her suit's systems, Samus began her trek towards the Main Sector and Sector Two.