Metroid: Mission Alpha

Episode 8: Aquatic Action

After exploring Eleterna, Samus, Alpha, and Eta had gone back to the Gunship for further instruction. They had not been there long when the CM beeped again. "You must have solved the trouble on Eleterna," Michael's voice said, "but now I'm picking up a signal that two life forms have appeared on the aquatic planet Aqueterna!"

"They must be Master Greblai and Master Silhouite," Samus said, "We found them at the station on Eleterna. It turns out that they were the ones following us across the planet. They even hacked into the signal system to lure us there!"

"What?!" Michael was alarmed, "The systems are extremely secure! This means that these leaders we are dealing with are dangerously intelligent. I don't know what business they have on Aqueterna, but it doesn't sound good."

"We'll go there now and see what they are up to," Samus replied, "Don't worry, we'll take care of it."

"Be careful, and good luck."

Samus flew the Gunship to Aqueterna, a blue planet that was clearly mostly aquatic. When Alpha, Eta, and she came onto the planet's surface, they could see that rain was falling from the sky. Except for a few small areas of land, the entire terrain appeared to be underwater. Currently, there was no sign of any other life.

"Aqueterna's environment is in a constant state of rain," Michael's voice said from Samus's speaker, "but since the water evaporates quickly, floods are rare. Most of the landscape is underwater, and so are the native creatures. You'll be fine since you have your suit, and Alpha and Eta can use their Water ability to breathe while under the water."

"Got it," Samus replied, then turned to Alpha and Eta, "I'll need my Gravity Suit so my movements won't be slowed by the water. Are you ready?" Alpha and Eta agreed; their eyes turned blue and a blue glow surrounded their bodies, and Samus changed to the Gravity Suit. Then the three of them went into the water.

After landing, Samus, Alpha, and Eta started to move forward. Soon, Samus stopped for a moment, feeling a little strange. Alpha and Eta noticed and stopped too. "I'm fine," Samus told them, "Let's keep going." So they continued to move. It wasn't long before they saw two familiar villains. Master Greblai and Master Silhouite-both wearing swimming gear-were wandering the planet. "Stop right there!" Samus said, pointing her arm cannon at them.

"Ha, you'll have to catch us first!" Master Greblai said rather confidently. Master Silhouite and he fled, and Samus and the Snacanids gave chase.

The chase continued for a distance, until Samus suddenly stopped again; she had felt something like a zap. Alpha and Eta stopped too and looked at her with concern. "I felt something like…like static electricity," Samus said, "but how could that be? It's strange to find static in this suit." She then realized this was no time to try to figure things out. However, Master Greblai and Master Silhouite were already out of sight. "I let them get away," she sighed. She got out her speaker. "Michael, we lost track of our enemies. Do you see where they went?"

"Yes, it looks like they're not too far from you. You'll find them if you keep going straight."

"All right." Samus moved forward with Alpha and Eta. After a few minutes they saw Master Greblai digging in the sand while Master Silhouite watched. What are they doing? Samus thought, but she knew she had no time to think about it. She went in front of the villains and pointed her arm cannon at them again.

Master Greblai jumped back, looking frustrated. "You again!" he exclaimed.

"What are you doing on this planet, anyway?" Samus demanded.

"Searching for something…but it's none of your business!"

Samus fired at the two villains, but they escaped. "They got away again!" Samus said, determined to catch them. Right now, however, she needed to tell Michael what was going on. "Michael, Master Greblai and Master Silhouite were digging in the ground and said they were looking for something! Do you have any idea what it might be?"

"Oh, no…there is only one possibility," came the reply.

That didn't sound good. "And…what is it?" Samus asked.

"They must be looking for Aqueterna's Eternal Orb. Every planet in Eterna has an Eternal Orb buried beneath its surface. It is a round, white gem that contains a tremendous amount of energy. This energy supplies Eterna with the power needed to stay in existence."

"It sounds like a very important gem that must stay where it belongs," Samus said.

"It is," Michael said, "If all five gems are taken, Eterna will fall, and so will every being on its planets!"

"I'll bet the Greblai and the Silhouites are trying to sacrifice countless innocent creatures so they can use the energy for their own evil plans!" Samus said angrily.

"Yes, and since they were on Eleterna, I'd guess they already found its Eternal Orb. They must be stopped before they cause any damage!"

"We'll gladly do it," Samus now had an even more important reason to complete this mission. One thing that always angered her was seeing innocent creatures harmed by evildoers. She was ready to do whatever it would take to keep that from happening in Eterna, so she continued on with Alpha and Eta.

Shortly after, the three of them found Master Greblai and Master Silhouite again. Master Greblai dug for a moment, then stopped-and held up a white, glowing orb while smiling evilly. It was the Eternal Orb! Before he could escape, Samus tackled him. Alpha and Eta watched the two struggling to overcome each other while preparing for battle themselves. "The Eternal Orb belongs right here! Give it up!" Samus said.

"Never!" Master Greblai hissed. Samus managed to grab the orb from him and both of them jumped back, standing across from each other. Master Greblai tried to take the orb back, but Alpha and Eta tackled him. Master Silhouite then tried to grab it, but Samus agilely dodged his tentacles. She aimed some missiles at him, knocking him back, but at that moment, Master Greblai managed to push Alpha and Eta away and got up. Samus turned to battle him, but then she felt another zap, this time stronger than before. It caused her reaction to be delayed. So Master Greblai was able to snatch the Eternal Orb and teleport away with Master Silhouite.

Samus was frustrated with herself. "How could I let them get away with the Eternal Orb?" she said, "…Come on, let's go." Alpha and Eta whimpered as they followed her back to the Gunship. Now they were worried about Samus; they knew she would never just let an enemy get away. Not only had this mission been a failure, but it was also clear that something was not right.

When the three of them were back in the Gunship, Samus went over to the CM. "Did you find Master Greblai and Master Silhouite?" Michael's voice said.

"Michael, I-I'm sorry. They got away with the Eternal Orb."

"Samus, is everything all right?" Michael could tell by the tone of Samus's voice that something was going on. It was unlike her to fail a mission.

"I kept feeling something strange, like static electricity," Samus answered, "We're going to make a brief stop at HQ and have Carol check it out."

"Good idea. We want to be sure you're fine."

Samus smiled weakly beneath her helmet. That's just like Michael, caring about the welfare of his workers, she thought as she started up the Gunship. Even though this was an important mission, she knew going back to HQ was also important right now.

(Original story from October 2016)