Metroid: Mission Alpha

Episode 45: Alpha in Peril!

Last time, Samus traversed the immense Lavolcian cave in search of Alpha, who had been captured by Master Silhouite. She had found him trapped in the villain's dangerous machine but had managed to rescue him. Now, Alpha was in need of medical help from HQ…

Samus hurried into the building with Alpha in her arms. Michael and Carol were already waiting in the main room. "Bring Alpha to the medical room and I'll take a look at him," Carol said.

Samus and Carol went to the medical room and Samus set Alpha on the table. Before Carol could look at him, his eyes began to open. "Look! He's waking up!" Samus said. But something was wrong; Alpha began to howl noisily and squirm about on the table, though he seemed unable to sit up. "Alpha, what's wrong?" Samus asked. But Alpha paid no attention to her.

"He doesn't seem to recognize you," Carol said worriedly, "Maybe it would help if you removed your Power Suit." Samus did just that, but it made no difference; Alpha still appeared distressed.

"Alpha, it's me! Calm down! You're safe now!" Samus exclaimed, but it was no use. Alpha's senses were numbed and his mind clouded. He could not see the pink aura surrounding his friend. He could not hear her familiar voice nor smell her familiar scent. The world was like an array of frightening, confusing blurs to him at this moment.

Samus and Carol tried to hold Alpha still, but in his fear and confusion he used his Fire ability. They drew back to avoid the small flames that burst from his mouth. "I have no choice but to give him a tranquilizer before he hurts someone," Carol concluded. She quickly prepared and gave the injection, putting Alpha back to sleep. "Now I can examine and monitor him. What caused this to him, Samus?"

"When I went to Lavolca, I found Alpha in the very same machine that he and I found surrounded by Snacanid skeletons a while back. There was a claw-like mechanism latched onto his head, and the entire machine was glowing."

While Samus waited for Carol's diagnosis of Alpha, she returned to the main room and told Michael about her recent adventures. Alpha and she had learned of Master Silhouite's increase in power. The villain had overpowered Samus and taken Alpha. Samus had gone back to Lavolca in order to rescue Alpha. And now Alpha was in an unusual mental state.

Soon Carol came into the room. "I've got the diagnosis and the facts about the machine that affected Alpha," she announced. She led Samus, Michael, and Eta, who was also in the main room, to the medical room. Alpha was lying on another table and was attached to several machines.

"The machine that Samus found Alpha inside is called the Energy Absorb machine," Carol began, "It is actually able to absorb the mental energy of its victims. Draining all of their mental energy shuts down their brains, causing instant death."

"That's what caused the death of those missing Snacanids…" Michael said softly.

Carol looked sad and nodded. "I don't know what Master Silhouite wants that mental energy for, but it can't be good. Now, about Alpha's condition…he has had some of his mental energy drained, but Samus saved him before all of it could be drained. However, in this state his brainwaves are abnormal. He is confused, his senses are clouded, and he is physically weak. I had to tranquilize him for our safety."

"Will he be all right?" Samus inquired with concern.

"Well, even though Alpha's brainwaves are abnormal, his heart rate and breathing are stable. He'll be okay for a little while, but if left in this state untreated his organs will begin to shut down," Carol replied, her voice softening at the last part.

Everyone's eyes were filled with worry. "Isn't there anything we can do?" Samus asked.

Carol looked somber. "There is…no known cure…"

While Carol continued to care for Alpha, Samus and Alpha sat at a table in the main room with Eta lying on the floor nearby. No one said a word; they sat in dismal silence for a time. It was Eta who broke the silence with a disconsolate whimper. Her ears drooped. Her belly had grown even rounder by now; the birth of her young was near, but her best friend Alpha may not live to see them.

Looking at Eta, Samus felt her heart sink. She had never seen the female Snacanid so sad. "What about Alpha's children? They may never know their father," she sighed. She knelt down beside Eta and comfortingly petted her head.

Now Samus found herself thinking of the memories of her adventures with Alpha. They had explored Lavolca numerous times and visited Venine several times. They had searched for the Eternal Orbs on Eterna's five planets and the Fantasy Blossoms on Fantastar. They'd worked to destroy the EnerDrop on Faunora and M-01 on Mysteke. They'd saved Noctre from Subject 10, returned captured Etecoons and Dachoras to Zebes, rescued Brian on Metaneous, and even went through adventures at HQ.

Samus and Alpha had gone on so many adventures together. They had come so far, accomplished so much. They couldn't stop now! They needed to save Venine and the Snacanids. Alpha needed to be there for his pups. The two adventurers had bonded so well and had made many memories-the memories must continue! There just had to be some way to save Alpha!

Samus sighed and again sat at the table. "I just don't understand why Master Silhouite was so intent on harming Alpha."

"Remember, the Chozo are apparently an enemy to him, and you have Chozo DNA," Michael replied, "and you've been trying to stop him. He probably figured that if he took Alpha away it would distract you from him, and I bet he did it out of spite as well."

A typical underestimation from Master Silhouite, Samus thought, Doesn't he ever learn? But she was too focused on Alpha to be angry right now. "I just wish there was something we could do for Alpha," she said.

Michael sighed. "The Chozo were immune to the powers of the Greblai and the Silhouites…if only we could somehow use Chozo power, maybe we could cure Alpha."

Suddenly, something lit up in Samus's mind. "That's it!" she exclaimed, standing up, "Stay here and keep an eye on Alpha. I'll be right back! I've got an idea!" Then she ran out the door, leaving Michael and Eta looking on with curiosity.

With her idea in her head, Samus went back to her Gunship and was ready for liftoff. My next destination: Planet Zebes, she thought. Then, with newfound hope and increased confidence and determination, she set off. This mission was important; it would be done for Alpha's sake, for the sake of the Snacanid Samus had so closely bonded to. And so she was ready for anything.

To be continued…

(Original story from June 2018)