Metroid: Mission Alpha
Episode 23: Return to Venine
Having saved the planet Faunora from the EnerDrop, Samus, Alpha, Michael, and Eta had also managed to destroy the dangerous machine. Now, they had returned to HQ, where they were keeping watch for any new distress signals. "Now that the EnerDrop machine is gone, we won't have to worry about it anymore," Michael said, "However, I'm sure Master Greblai and Master Silhouite are working on their next plan."
At that moment, Carol entered the room. "I just received a call from a research member who had been visiting Venine," she said urgently, "He said one of the Snacanids was showing signs of illness. I need to travel there and help that Snacanid."
Alpha and Eta whined sadly at the thought of a suffering fellow Snacanid. "Is it all right if we go with you?" Samus asked Carol, noticing this, "I think Alpha and Eta would like to be there for that Snacanid."
"Fine with me," Carol nodded.
"Good idea," Michal added, "It's been quite some time since we visited Venine. Maybe we can explore more of the planet while we're there."
Michael and Carol, in their spacesuits designed by HQ, boarded one of the HQ's ships with Eta; Samus, in her Power Suit, boarded her Gunship with Alpha. The two ships set off and eventually came to Venine. As they landed on the surface of the dark Canyon area, several Snacanids were visible and strolling around the landscape. As everyone exited their ships, they could see a group of the wolf-like creatures crowded around in a circle, gazing down worriedly. Alpha and Eta rushed over to the group with a few worried sounds. The other Snacanids stepped aside, revealing a male that was lying on the ground.
"That must be the sick Snacanid!" Carol exclaimed. With her medical equipment, she hurried over to the male Snacanid. The other Snacanids fortunately knew her enough to trust her, so they moved back to give her some space while still watching. Carol took out the Snacanid-identifying device and held it in front of the Snacanid. "It's Upsilon," she remarked, "Let's see what I can do…"
After quickly examining Upsilon, Carol concluded, "Upsilon has the Veninian Virus, seen only in Veninian creatures. He shows the typical symptoms-fever, muscle pain, fatigue…thankfully, it's easily treatable with medicine, and he'll make a full recovery. I'll treat him right now."
"It's good to hear that it's nothing serious!" Michael replied, "While you're taking care of Upsilon, maybe Samus and I can explore another area of this planet-if that's all right with her, of course." He glanced over at Samus.
"We might as well," Samus agreed, "Everything is peaceful at the moment, anyway." Alpha and Eta ran over to her, barking. "Do you want to come along?" she asked them, to which they nodded.
"Looks like it's settled, then," Michael grinned.
Samus, Alpha, Michael, and Eta walked through the Canyon area, and then came to a different environment. Lush green grass grew all over the flat landscape, along with a few scarcely scattered trees bearing small reddish fruit. The sky was blue with a few white clouds, and the sun bathed the entire area in a warm, bright light. "This is the Prairie area," Michael said, "It's home to many species, including the Snaca tree that bears Snaca fruit, also found in the Mountain and Woodland areas. Unlike the Canyon area, which has endless night, this area has endless day."
A small, tan mouse-like creature with large ears, pointed whiskers, a fluffy tail, and purple eyes popped out from the grass nearby. Alpha and Eta growled and chased it until it crawled into a burrow. The two Snacanids stood by the burrow, barking. "That was a Galamin, a creature native to the Canyon and Prairie areas," Michael explained, "Snacanids often hunt them, so they hide in burrows to avoid their enemies. Galamin can hear very well with their large ears and sense vibrations with their tails. There is a mysterious energy in their whiskers that tell other Galamin how they are feeling when they rub their whiskers together."
Then, a bird-like creature with very dark reddish feathers, pink and blue wing tips, blue-green eyes, webbed feet, and a blue pouch on its tail tip flew overhead. "That's a Vertavi, mainly found in the Coastal area but also in the Prairie, Woodland, Mountain, Island, and Aquatic areas. They are also hunted by Snacanids, but are able to escape more easily. They can swim and float well in water thanks to their webbed feet and long feathers. Vertavi store water in the pouches on their tail tips, which they release when they feel threatened."
One more creature was soon seen scurrying through the grass. It had yellow fur with four curved growths on its head and blue-green on its forehead, on its belly, and on the two stripes on its back. It had two fuzzy pale yellow growths on its back, two claws on each of its front paws, a fluffy white tail, and lavender eyes. "And that," Michael said, "is a Phoson. They are mostly found in the Mountain and Woodland areas but sometimes travel to other areas. Their strong back legs allow them to leap long distances, and sharp growths that come from the fur on their backs assist them in climbing. Phosons can release electricity and light from their stripes, which the growths on their heads protect them from. They are herbivores but have few natural enemies."
"What an amazing planet Venine is," Samus commented, beginning to move on with Alpha and Eta. Michael was about to follow them when he noticed a strange movement behind him. He turned around, and a shadow cast over him…
Samus, Alpha, and Eta stopped suddenly when they saw a familiar villain appear in front of them. It was Master Silhouite! Alpha and Eta yelped in surprise. "Master Silhouite! What are you doing here?" Samus said angrily, preparing for a fight.
"Why, you should know by now, Samus," Master Silhouite answered slyly, "Just taking what should become mine!" He tried to grab Alpha and Eta, but Samus fired at his tentacles. The shadowy villain dodged the attacks and tried again, as the two Snacanids leapt back and forth to avoid him. This time, when two tentacles lashed out, Samus grabbed onto them. Master Silhouite pulled away in an attempt to escape, but Samus was strong enough to hold him in place.
Nearby, the Phoson that had been running through the tall grass looked out with curiosity. Seeing the struggle that was taking place, it dashed forward. Master Silhouite moved his two free tentacles, ready to strike at Samus, when suddenly the Phoson leapt out from the grass. Sparks coming from the stripes on its back, it latched onto Master Silhouite, causing Samus and him to let go of each other. The Phoson released electricity and light, surrounding Master Silhouite and itself in a bright blast. With an angered groan, teleported away, and Phoson landed on the ground. "You were helping us, weren't you?" Samus said to it, "Thank you." With a smile and a cheerful sound, the Phoson departed.
Suddenly, Samus realized that someone was missing. "Where's Michael?" she wondered, looking around. Alpha and Eta looked around too; the HQ leader was nowhere in sight. The three of them searched through the open field. "Michael! Are you there?" Samus called out. Then, she caught sight of Michael's spacesuit…he was lying motionless on the ground! Samus ran to him and knelt beside him. "Michael! Michael, are you all right? Respond!" No answer. Alpha and Eta whimpered worriedly. "Alpha, Eta, can you still sense his aura?" Samus asked them, trying to remain calm. When they nodded, she was slightly relieved. "Go and get Carol. I'll stay here with Michael." The Snacanids obeyed and set off.
When Carol came with Alpha and Eta, she said worriedly, "What happened?"
"I don't know," Samus responded, "We found Michael like this."
After quickly looking at Michael, Carol said, "It's safe to move him, so we need to take him back to HQ for examination. Luckily, Upsilon has been showing improvement, so we can focus solely on Michael now."
Samus carefully took Michael in her arms, and Carol, Alpha, Eta, and she hurried through the Prairie and Canyon areas. Samus and Alpha took Michael into the Gunship, and Carol and Eta went into the HQ's spaceship. Inside the Gunship, Samus set Michael on the bed gently before seating herself at the control center. Glancing back at the fallen HQ leader, she thought, Hang in there, Michael… and both ships flew off into space.
(Original story from June 2017)