Metroid: Mission Alpha
Episode 5: Search for Answers
After escaping from Lavolca, Samus and Alpha came back to HQ, where Samus could have her Power Suit's broken visor fixed and tell Michael about their discoveries. Alpha and she went to the main computer room, where Michael was waiting. He noticed right away that something was different. "Welcome back, Samus and Alpha…what happened to your visor?" he said.
"It was broken during our quest," Samus replied, "I'll have to see Tim about getting it fixed. Then I'll talk to you about what we found." Tim was an HQ leader who knew a lot about technology and who maintained the machines and equipment of the HQ and its members. He was friendly and the most laid-back HQ leader but sometimes was a bit too talkative. Still, Samus could always count on him whenever her suit or her Gunship needed repairs.
While Alpha stayed behind to spend some time with Eta, Samus went to the mechanic room. A man-Tim-was working on a piece of machinery. He saw Samus come in and stood up. "Samus, anything I can do for you?" he asked.
A few minutes later, Michael watched Alpha and Eta chase each other playfully when Samus came in without her Power Suit. "Tim said the broken visor will be a simple repair," she said. She looked at the two Snacanids playing. "Those two certainly are good friends, aren't they?"
"They are," Michael smiled, "Eta has been a great help to me in my research. She's quite intelligent, and with her around I can study Snacanids anytime! Anyway, wasn't there something you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Right," Samus said, "Alpha and I made some interesting discoveries on Lavolca. We found out that the aliens I rescued Alpha from are known as the Greblai."
"The Greblai? I believe I've heard about them," Michael said, "They are a common Lavolcian species."
"We found the lair of their leader, Master Greblai. He knew me although I had never met him, and he seemed to know about Alpha, too. I believe the Greblai are trying to capture Alpha and are behind the sudden volcanic activity on Lavolca."
"That's very possible."
"That's not all we found. That mysterious shadow we saw on Venine was also on Lavolca and wanted Alpha. We saw it twice after my suit was taken."
"This is all very puzzling," Michael said, "It seems that there are two different species trying to capture the Snacanids. They must be working together, though I don't know what their exact plan is. By the way, how did your visor break, and how did your suit get taken?"
"When I was in Master Greblai's lair, one of the Greblai struck my visor with enough force to shatter it! Then Master Greblai seemed to release a strange scent; whatever it was, it put me to sleep. The next thing I knew, I was locked in a cell with Alpha and without my suit. Somehow the Greblai figured out how to remove the Power Suit."
Michael looked worried. "That's all very troubling. I know your visor is very sturdy, which means the Greblai must possess great strength. Plus, the fact that they managed to remove your Power Suit-something only you should know how to do-means that they must know much about you. Also, I don't know about the chemical Master Greblai must have released to put you to sleep. While I research these species some more, I suggest that you use the Bio-Scanner to make sure there were no harmful effects, just to be safe." Since Michael knew how Samus disliked taking orders, he never ordered her around; he usually made suggestions instead, although Samus always agreed with his ideas anyway.
Also wanting to be safe, Samus agreed and went to the Bio-Scanner room, where another woman was working. She was Carol, another HQ leader. She knew a lot about biology and medicine, and her job was to take care of the other HQ members and the creatures being kept there. Samus liked her because she was the only other female member (besides Eta and some creatures being studied) and for her kind and caring personality. The two of them didn't see each other often, since they were busy with different jobs. "Hello, Samus, what can I do for you?" Carol said with a warm smile.
"I believe I was exposed to an unknown chemical on my latest mission," Samus answered, "Michael suggested that I come here about it."
"All right, let's see…" Carol got up and turned on the Bio-Scanner, which proceeded to make a complete scan of Samus's cellular structure. Then she looked at the scan. "Good news," she said, "The scan shows no unusual chemicals in your body or any harm done. It looks like that chemical was harmless."
"That's good to know," Samus said, "Thanks, Carol." Then she went back to the room where Michael was looking at a computer while Alpha and Eta watched. "Carol said everything was fine," she said, "Have you found anything?"
"Indeed I have," Michael replied, "That shadow we saw on Venine was a Silhouite, a common Lavolcian species. They have the powers of darkness while the Greblai have the powers of light. Both species are the most intelligent of the planet and live in colonies with one leader. Also, both leaders are able to release a chemical that tells the others of their species their location. While it is harmless and has no effect on Greblai or Silhouites, it works like an anesthetic on other species, inducing unconsciousness when inhaled."
"That explains part of what happened. Master Greblai must have planned to have my visor broken so he could use that chemical. That way he could take my Power Suit and trap us with ease."
"That's right, but what I still don't understand is why the Greblai did all that without harming you or Alpha or your Power Suit."
"Alpha used my Paralyzer on them so they wouldn't harm us," Samus looked at her friend, "and he probably agreed to being locked in a cell so he could stay with me." Hearing his name, the male Snacanid, who was lying nearby, looked up.
"Well, Alpha is quite an intelligent creature," Michael gave a nod, "and I know he would do anything to keep you safe. I believe he does like you very much, Samus." Alpha wagged his tail in agreement, and Samus smiled at him. Then Michael continued, "But I found one thing even more astounding. The Silhouites are capable of teleportation, and the Greblai and they apparently frequent Venine. I don't know the reason, but I can guess that they decided to capture Snacanids because they are the most powerful creatures on Venine. Also, the two species are somehow immune to the Snacanids' elemental abilities, making it easier for them to achieve their goal."
"That explains a lot," Samus replied. Noticing that Alpha and Eta looked slightly worried, she went over and petted them, soothing their worry.
"What's more, both the Greblai and the Silhouites traveled to Planet Zebes years ago and met the Chozo race. Whether their relationship was positive or negative remains unclear, but it turns out the Chozo were actually immune to the light powers of the Greblai and the dark powers of the Silhouites! Since you have some Chozo DNA, this may very well explain why they have made little effort to defeat you-you would be unaffected by their powers!"
Samus stood up, looking a bit surprised. "Really? Now I know why they took my Power Suit-so I would be less able to escape and attack. They were wrong about all that, though."
"Yes, many things are starting to make sense now, but a few questions are still unanswered. For now, I'm going to keep researching and watching out for trouble to keep any more harm from happening to the Snacanids…" Michael looked sad for a moment, then continued, "In the meantime, I think Eta could use a change of scenery. Do you think you could maybe bring her with you for a while?"
Samus looked at Eta. "What do you say, Eta?" The female Snacanid barked excitedly in agreement. "That settles it, then," Samus said, "Don't worry, Michael, I'll protect Eta in any way I can."
A short time later, Samus returned to the Gunship with Alpha and Eta and put her Power Suit, with its newly repaired visor, in its capsule. She noticed that the sky outside was getting darker-night was arriving. Alpha and Eta yawned; Alpha went to his bed while Eta made herself comfortable on a spare cushion. "We're all going to adventure together soon, but for now we'll have to wait for our next mission…and get some rest for the night," Samus said. Then she used the Gunship's control center to turn off the lights.
(Original story from September 2016)