Metroid: Mission Alpha

Episode 9: Frozen Without Fear

After exploring Aqueterna, Samus, Alpha, and Eta went back to HQ to see why Samus had been feeling strange. They went to see Carol in the Bio-Scanner room. "While we were exploring Aqueterna, I felt something like static electricity several times," Samus said.

"Let's see what it is," Carol said. She turned on the Bio-Scanner, which was able to scan Samus through her Power Suit. When the scan was finished, Carol looked at it, then showed it to Samus. On the scan, a yellow ring was highlighted around Samus's body. "I've found the problem," Carol said, "It looks like there is an abnormally high level of electrical activity in the cells of the highlighted area, in this case in your skin. It appears to be caused by a wave of electricity."

Samus was beginning to figure this out now. "So that's it! On Eleterna, I was struck by a wave from something called an Electrifier. That must have caused this!"

"I've never heard of such a weapon, so I'm going to research it. There's no telling what effects it may have in the future, so please be careful. If it gets worse, I think it would be a good idea to return here, also. I'll tell Michael about what I've found."

Later, while Eta had stayed at the HQ to help Michael again, Samus and Alpha were back in the Gunship. I hope I'll be able to complete this mission, Samus thought, This might be risky, but it has to be done. Otherwise, Eterna and all its life will die out!

Then, the CM beeped. "Samus, it looks like Master Greblai and Master Silhouite are now on Frozeterna-no doubt looking for its Eternal Orb," Michael's voice said.

"We'll take care of it," Samus replied. She flew the Gunship to Frozeterna, a pale blue planet that appeared to be covered in snow and ice. When Alpha and she came onto the planet, they saw that it did have a wintry environment with glittering ice formations. A chilly wind blew, but Samus's Power Suit and Alpha's fur helped to protect them from the cold.

Michael's voice came from Samus's speaker then. "Frozeterna is covered in snow and ice, and there is an ice cave a distance away from you. The temperatures are extremely cold, but your suit and Alpha's fur will give you some protection. Alpha's Ice ability may be useful in the iciest areas."

"Master Greblai and Master Silhouite could be anywhere on this planet," Samus said, "We'll have to look around for them." Alpha and she started to move, but before long, she suddenly stopped, feeling unable to move. Alpha saw her move in a trembling motion and was instantly concerned; he knew she wasn't cold. When the feeling subsided, Samus sighed. "It felt like I had no control over my muscles for a minute. It must be an effect of the electricity, but…we have to move on!"

Samus continued on, knowing that even with these difficulties, this mission was extremely important. She was just going to have to do her best-after all, five entire planets were counting on Alpha and her. Though Alpha was still worried about her, he followed. For a while all the two of them saw was snow and ice, until they noticed movement behind an ice formation. "That might be our enemies," Samus said softly, "Follow that motion."

Samus and Alpha ran behind the ice formation, where Master Greblai was digging in the snow while Master Silhouite watched, as expected. Samus fired an Ice Beam at them, but Master Silhouite saw it coming. He went next to Master Greblai and teleported. "Ha! Do you really think you can stop us that easily?" he said. Samus and Alpha looked up and saw that the two villains were now on top of the ice formation.

Samus ignored Master Silhouite and spoke to Alpha. "Alpha, try using your Ice ability." The Snacanid obeyed. His eyes turned light blue and a light blue glow surrounded his body. His eyes flashed, and then the ice formation began to shake. It slowly moved along the ground, throwing Master Greblai off. However, he landed smoothly on the snow, and Master Silhouite floated down to him.

The villains fled, and as Samus and Alpha chased after them, snow began to fall. Before long, the snow fell more heavily-so much so that Samus and Alpha could not see the two villains they were chasing. "We can't find them in this blizzard!" Samus exclaimed, trying to figure out where to go. Alpha and she fought against the freezing gust-by now, even Alpha was beginning to feel the cold. He whimpered with worry. "We have to find shelter!" Samus shouted over the harsh wind, "Michael said there was a cave on this planet, but where is it?"

After a bit more searching, the snowstorm had not died down. Still, Alpha was barely able to see something nearby. He barked and moved toward it. "Do you see the cave?" Samus asked, following him. She stopped where he did and saw a large snow-covered cave through the falling snow. "Good work," she told him, "Let's go in."

Samus and Alpha went inside the cave. In the entrance, the ground was covered in snow. Icicles hung all over the ceiling but seemed to be ready to fall. "This looks dangerous," Samus said, "I'll need to use the Speed Booster to get us through here. I'll be moving at a blinding speed, so you'll want to hang on tight." Alpha knew what she meant. He jumped up onto her back and held onto her shoulders with his front paws. He was somewhat heavy since he was the size of a wolf, but Samus could handle it. "Are you ready?" she asked. Alpha nodded, so Samus activated the Speed Booster and ran.

With the Speed Booster, Samus could run even faster than Alpha. After initially being surprised at this, Alpha soon enjoyed the ride. He watched the scenery zoom past. Icicles fell from the ceiling, but Samus and he were able to escape them. After they got past the icicles, though, the enjoyment ended. Samus tried to stop but, to her horror, her muscles wouldn't respond. She kept running, and a wall of ice was straight ahead! "Alpha, I can't stop!" she exclaimed.

Fortunately, Alpha reacted quickly. He used his Ice ability to move the ice wall out of the way. Soon after, Samus finally skidded to a stop just in front of where the floor was covered in ice, and Alpha jumped onto the ground. "That was a bad time for another episode from the Electrifier," Samus panted. Then she looked at where Alpha and she were now. They were in another area of the cave where the ground was icy and glistening crystals lined the walls.

This new place was stunningly beautiful, but Samus and Alpha didn't have time to admire it. They moved on, trying to keep from slipping on the ice. Alpha was clearly having trouble with this, as his paws moved in a slipping motion beneath him. Soon he lost his balance, landing on his belly. Samus gently pushed him back up, and he looked up at her, wagging his tail. Both of them moved more slowly this time, which helped.

Eventually, Alpha saw something ahead. He forgot to slow down and, as a result, slid forward right into something large and scaly…Master Greblai! Master Silhouite tried to grab Alpha, who yelped and skidded out of the way. Since the Snacanid couldn't move well on the ice, he barely avoided being grabbed.

When Alpha had moved out of firing range, Samus sent a Charge Beam at Master Silhouite. The villain avoided it and tried to grab her, but she leapt out of the way. Just as she was preparing another Charge Beam, Master Greblai took something out of a spot of snow where he had been digging. It was another Eternal Orb! Samus turned her Charge Beam toward him and was about to fire, but at that moment the feeling of paralysis she'd experienced earlier came over her again. She was unable to move while Master Silhouite teleported Master Greblai and himself away. A minute later, Samus was able to release the beam, which hit the wall.

"I can't believe they got away with the Eternal Orb again!" Samus said. Frustrated, she turned to leave, while Alpha followed. They went back to the Gunship; fortunately, there was only a light snowfall now. With all this trouble, it seemed that this mission was much harder than expected. Even despite this, though, Samus was not going to give up. "They got away again, but we'll do our best to catch them," she told Michael through the CM.

"Don't worry, there is still time. Two Eternal Orbs are left," came the reply.

Samus knew that was true, but she couldn't help but feel a little worry. Carol said I should come back to HQ if I got worse, and there is no telling what future effects I could find, she thought, But I can't afford to take time away from this mission-Eterna is depending on me! So she started up the Gunship. "On to the next planet!" she told Alpha, but as the Gunship left Frozeterna, she thought, I just hope I can make it through this mission…

(Original story from November 2016)