Metroid: Mission Alpha
Episode 32: A Friend Indeed!
With their long journey on Mysteke completed and the rogue machines M-01 and M-0 destroyed, Samus and Alpha had one more task to fulfill for now. They needed to get Harmony to HQ so she could be treated and nursed back to health, so Samus landed the Gunship outside HQ.
A few minutes later Samus came inside the building, with Harmony in her arms and Alpha by her side. They all were greeted by Michael and Eta, who then noticed the little creature Samus was carrying. "What have we here?" Michael said, looking down at Harmony with concern.
"This is Harmony," Samus replied, "We found her injured and starving in the Rainfall region. I'll tell you the full story later; right now we have to take her to Carol."
Samus and Alpha hurried to the medical room, where Carol was working. When she noticed Harmony's condition, she expressed her concern. "Hello, Samus and Alpha. What happened to that poor creature?" After Samus told her the same things she'd told Michael, the HQ leader gently took Harmony in her arms. "I'll see what I can do," she said, "I've researched Magicklopes before, so I can feed Harmony a specialized formula and then examine and treat her accordingly. Don't worry, I'll do my best."
As Carol began her work, Samus noticed Alpha letting out a yawn. Looking out the window, she could see that it was nighttime now. "Good night, Carol," she said, "We'll be back to check on Harmony in the morning." Then she, followed by her Snacanid friend, headed back to the Gunship.
Once inside her ship, Samus pushed a button on her arm cannon, causing her Power Suit to move from around her body to inside its capsule. Soon after, she turned off the Gunship's lights and noticed Alpha curled up in his bed. Sighing quietly, Samus sat on her bed and undid her ponytail, letting her long hair fall down her back, before trying to go to sleep.
However, a short while later Samus was still awake. Her mind was occupied with everything that had happened recently. Carol did say she would do her best to care for Harmony, and Melody did say that her sister was in good hands; but still, Samus couldn't help but wonder if the injured creature would pull through. As she sat up and looked out at the stars, she knew that she had done what she could, and Harmony was indeed a fighter. Even so, were the odds against the baby Magicklope in her condition?
Suddenly, a slight sound of movement woke the bounty hunter from her thoughts. She looked back; in the dark she could make out Alpha's furry shape walking over to her. He stopped in front of her and looked up at her with his gentle red eyes. "You're still awake too, Alpha?" she asked him. Alpha jumped up beside Samus and lay down with his head on her lap, whimpering softly. "You're thinking about Harmony, aren't you?" She knew he must have been feeling the same way. He whimpered again and looked up. "Well, I am too," Samus said softly, "I hope she'll be all right, but we can't find out until morning…"
Alpha sat up and licked and nuzzled Samus's cheek reassuringly. She chuckled lightly as he slowly leaned forward, causing her to fall onto her back. Giving the friendly wolf-like creature a hug, she rubbed his furry head. "You're right," she told him with more confidence, "We have each other for support. No matter what, you'll be there for me, and I'll be there for you. You're such a wonderful friend, Alpha! Now, let's both keep believing that Harmony can make it." Both of them knew that they were more than just allies…they were friends, always looking out for one another, always together in hardships like this. Knowing this, they soon fell asleep peacefully.
The next morning, Samus and Alpha visited Harmony, who was being watched by Carol. Though still weak, she appeared stronger than before, opening her eyes and lifting her head to look at the two visitors. "Good morning, Carol. How is Harmony doing?" Samus gently petted Harmony's head. While the rabbit-like creature had never seen the bounty hunter without her armor before, she recognized her by her voice and the look in her eyes. With a happy expression she wagged her tail slightly.
"She's regaining her strength after being cared for last night," Carol smiled, "She's lucky that you found her and brought her here when you did; much longer and she surely would have died. It's a miracle she survived!"
"That's Harmony for you-a true fighter!" Samus, like everyone else, was glad to hear the good news.
The next several days passed surprisingly quietly, with no distress signals or missions, allowing Samus and Alpha to spend some time at HQ. They visited Harmony frequently, watching her heal and recover. Samus also told Michael about Alpha's and her travels on Mysteke, about Harmony's past, Melody's story, the Magicklopes, and M-01 and M-0's strange corruption. She found out that fortunately, Michael's injuries from the last mission on Venine had completely healed. In the meantime, Alpha and Eta played together and enjoyed each other's company, and everyone continued to bond with Harmony.
Then one day, Samus and Alpha came into the medical room and found Carol feeding Harmony with a bottle. They could clearly see how much Harmony had transformed from the care she'd received; she sat up on her hind legs to drink with renewed strength, her eyes were bright, her weight had returned to normal-she was healthy. After her bottle was empty, Harmony leapt right into Samus's arms. She caught the young creature and laughed lightly as Harmony affectionately and joyfully nuzzled her. "Look at you, Harmony!" she petted Harmony's head, "Now you're going to grow up big and strong!"
"Indeed!" Carol agreed while Harmony jumped into her arms, "Harmony is almost old enough to eat solid foods. Michael and I decided that for now, we're going to keep her here at HQ, but once she's mature she should be ready to return to her natural habitat." It was clear that Harmony loved her new friends and rescuers and was happy at HQ.
Throughout that day, Harmony ran and played with new energy and treated everyone with affection and gratitude. Seeing a creature once close to death now doing well and happily enjoying life was a wonderful thing. Samus and Alpha knew they had made a difference by saving her life, and it made their hearts full.
That night, Samus and Alpha were awakened by a sound outside the Gunship's door. Samus got up and opened the door, finding Harmony there with tears streaming down her face. "Harmony? What's wrong?" she asked. Harmony only jumped into her arms. "There, there. It's okay," Samus said softly, petting the creature's fur and sitting on her bed, "Are you…thinking about your family?" Harmony looked up and nodded.
As Alpha came beside Samus to help comfort Harmony, the bounty hunter spoke gently to the Magicklope. "I know how you feel. I am an orphan, just like you. I lost both my real parents and my adoptive parents, but I know they are always with me, always watching over me, loving me forever…your family is the same way, Harmony. They will never leave you, no matter what." Harmony looked surprised that her strong rescuer had once been a helpless orphan like herself. "Now, I care about you too, and I'll be right here with you tonight," Samus lay back down, cradling Harmony in her arms. Her warm embrace reminded the little one of her own mother, and she felt relaxed and comforted. Before the three of them fell asleep, they almost thought they could see three faint Magicklopes looking at them gently and lovingly.
The next morning, Samus, Alpha, and Harmony came into the HQ's main room, where Michael, Eta, and Carol all came to greet them. "Harmony paid us a visit last night," Samus smiled, looking down at Harmony. The creature, happy to see everyone again, ran around the room and hugged them. Everyone smiled at this.
"We have another mission for you now," Michael spoke up then, "I sent another bounty hunter to investigate a minor disturbance on the planet Metaneous yesterday, but I haven't heard from him in hours. Do you think you could search for him?"
"You can count on us!" Samus replied, and Alpha nodded, but Harmony looked sad. "Don't worry, Harmony, we'll be back before you know it," Samus reassured her, "Carol and Eta can keep you company in the meantime." Carol picked up Harmony, who smiled, and both of them and Eta agreed. Then Samus and Alpha walked out the door, ready for their next mission.
(Original story from November 2017)