The first thing she saw upon waking up was… Well, a lot of blue.
Basically, she found herself facing an endless void of blue. Everywhere she looked, she saw blue. Upon further examination, she saw the blue consisted of veins. Long pulsing veins.
Her confusion set in further as she followed one of the veins with her eyes and found it leading straight into her.
Her first instinct was to try and pull the thing out. She reached down and wrapped her hands around it.
"No."
The voices in her head sounded familiar. But too many had said no at the same time for her to make them out.
"Why shouldn't I?"
The voices all spoke again. This time they all said different things so she couldn't make them out.
"Please. One at a time. Where am I?"
"With me."
This time one voice spoke out. It too was familiar. Feminine. It radiated power.
She actually felt herself cowering a bit from the voice. She knew she had to tread carefully.
"Please. I mean no disrespect. I just…."
She found herself shuddering. She held arms around her to warm herself up. But to no avail. That's when she realized it wasn't cold that was bothering her.
Loneliness. She felt loneliness. And a drive to find someone. Anyone. To break this feeling.
"I sense your anxiety. Come. Let's talk. I'll bring you to me."
Before she could respond, she felt her mind going blank as she felt herself drifting away into nothingness.
….
"Find them. Whatever it takes."
"Lord Rimuto, our forces are busy enough trying to defend- "
"No excuses. They took two of our best fighters. Retrieval of property is a top priority."
"I- Understood. We'll find them."
"Retrieval of property?"
"Admiral Dane. I don't recall requesting a meeting."
"Well, given the current situation, I think it well justified."
Though both men were adapt at keeping their faces free of emotion, their opinion of each other was quite clear.
"I'd just like to say that our men are fully willing to aid you in returning your lost soldiers."
"I appreciate the sentimentality Admiral Dane, but- "
"That's an interesting word choice. I assure you. This is not that. Since we are working on this calamity together, it seems only fitting we aid one another with failures. Besides, one of my best soldiers is among those presumably captured. It's in our best interest to see his safe return."
"Yes. I suppose that makes a certain degree of sense. Very well. We can send some of your soldiers out with search parties."
"Our soldiers? Or our property?"
Rimuto's face remained passionless but annoyance crept into his voice.
"Do you have issue with our terminology?"
"I admit I do. Soldiers are not property."
"My apologies. I will refrain from such words."
"Words aren't the only issue, err… Lord Rimuto. Even if you choose not to address your women as property, your treatment of them suggests you see them as nothing but."
"Our treatment? We provide them training, weapons, and abilities beyond any other army in the galaxy."
Admiral Dane raised an eyebrow.
"An army of 47 women? Smallest army in the galaxy as well."
"Unlike you, we have high standards. Only the best make it into our ranks. The strong."
"And what about those who don't make the cut? What do you do with them?"
"We have other uses for them. Other tasks that don't require battle."
"Really? Can't say I've ever seen them."
"We keep them confined to headquarters where they need never see the realities of war."
"Must be quite a number then. Given how few warriors you have stationed in the field."
"Do you really wish to question me on morals? Are you saying you have never done any questionable things in the pursuit of galactic security?"
"Oh, not at all. But even I have limits. Do we both I wonder?"
Both men retained their stoic facial expressions. If they had auras however, they would be flaring up like alphas asserting their dominance.
"Admiral Dane. I think it best that we halt this line of communication. We are supposed to be allies are we not? Should allies be second guessing each other like this?"
"On the contrary Lord Rimuto, Allies should always second guess when said ally displays numerous troubling behaviors that we would consider a violation of employee safety."
"These are not employees. The organization is not a job in the same way your military is. It is more a family."
"Quite a way to treat your family. It does not bode well for your treatment of our soldiers."
By now a clear sign of anger was starting to etch its way onto the strange man's face. Admiral Dane decided to wrap this up quickly.
"Good sir. I only say this for both our benefits. Neither of our groups have worked together in any major capacity before. If we hope to work together and build an alliance of mutual trust and respect, we must show that we are both committed not only to the wellbeing of the galaxy, but also our soldiers. After all, without them, we are nothing."
"Yes. Indeed. Thank you for that lecture, admiral. I will keep it in mind. Now I believe we must attend to the wellbeing of our warriors who have been kidnapped. Shall we?"
"Of course. Lead the way, my lord. I hope we can put this unpleasantness behind us and move on."
Like hell.
….
"I am sorry my child. Sorry for all you've endured."
"What? Who… Grey Voice?"
The elderly Chozo nodded in sadness. Samus' confusion quickly turned to joy as she realized the implications.
"You're… alive? But if you're alive, then- "
Grey Voice shook his head.
"No. I am sorry. Old bird and the rest are gone. They chose death over assimilation. I…. hesitated. And the great poison claimed me and my mind."
"The great poison? You mean Phazon."
"Yes. That is the name passed around by many who know it. Whatever you call it, it is the same thing. A living cancer that infests and binds all together."
Samus gestured about at the pulsing blue expanse surrounding them.
"So, what's all this? The afterlife?"
"No. Our bodies exist. But our minds have been absorbed. Trapped in this shared consciousness. It exists in the subconscious of all infested with the poison."
He smiled humorlessly.
"It's ironic, actually. The Chozo always dreamed of unity. Now that I have achieved it, I fail to see the beauty."
"So, we're all united?"
"United in tyranny. Bound to the will of that witch."
Now Samus was even more confused.
"Witch? Not the poison?"
He chuckled.
"It was that way at first. The poison is alive. It hungers. And it commanded all under its thrall to spread its misery to the entire universe. Now though, it appears to serve the will of one it sought to control."
"How does that even work?"
"Before, I heard the voices of all in unity. Their shared strength forms the collective conscious that commands all. Now though, I hear one voice. That one voice commands the rest. It calls to all to find it. Free it. What it means by that, I do not know."
Another thought hit Samus.
"If this voice commands us, is it telling you to say this?"
"No. At least, I don't think so. I- "
Dawning fear came across his face.
"Where is this voice?"
"What? You want to confront it? No, my child. It's too dangerous. Too powerful. You cannot do it alone."
"I'm not alone. I have you."
The elderly Chozo hesitated too long.
"You don't want to come, do you?"
"I... cannot. It is too late for me. The poison has seeped into my body and soul. It is taking everything I have just to speak with you like this. I cannot move against the forces that bind me. But you. You are so strong. And the poison has not consumed you completely. If anyone could stand against it…"
A thought hit Samus. Of another in her position. Strong enough to resist.
"Do you know Priscilla? She was also infected shortly before me."
He shook his head.
"If she is here, you can find her. Listen out for her. Or follow something unique to her."
Samus immediately knew what to do and reached out her aura.
It was difficult given the amount of phazon energy she felt about her. Interspersed here and there were auras of other warriors also trapped in this blue void.
A thought hit her. What if she was hiding it like she did in battle? With all this sensation, she might panic and-
"Her thoughts," Grey Voice interrupted. "Follow her thoughts."
Her thoughts! She couldn't hide her thoughts! By reaching out for what went through Priscilla's mind, she found her almost immediately.
There was fear, but also hate. Endless hate for yoma. And for herself. And… Love. For Samus.
A tear actually rolled down Samus' cheek. She knew her partner had developed a strong bond with her and refused to go anywhere without her. But to think that she could have developed an attraction…
"Here, in this place, there are no walls. No secrets to hide. We are all one. All our desires and fears laid bare. Were we not all bound in the purpose to bring ruin upon the universe, it would be beautiful."
It still was beautiful in a way, thought Samus. She took a deep breath and steeled herself. She knew where to find Priscilla now. But these revelations made her dread their reunion.
"Where are you right now?" She turned to Grey Voice. "Where is your body?"
"Resting. Waiting for our master to awake and command it to do its foul bidding."
He sighed and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Do not try to find me. It is too late. But there is still time for you. Somehow you are able to resist being completely absorbed. You can still move. Find your friend. Escape. Live. For our people. And for Old Bird."
She stared back silently for a moment then nodded and made the Chozo sign of farewell. He did the same.
"Before you go child- No. Samus. I- I am- "
Samus raised her hand.
"There is no need Grey Voice. You were right to be concerned. Believe it or not, I actually learned a bit from you. No. The apology should be mine. I betrayed you. I joined the organization…"
"For Love. You joined for love. That is not such a terrible crime in my mind."
He paused one last moment in thought.
"Old Bird would be proud of you, my child. As am I."
She smiled. Another tear rained down her shoulder as her mind once again went blank and drifted away.
….
"Alicia. Please say something. Sister…"
The newly awakened being did not respond. She didn't attack either, but that was obviously more due to the constant music playing over the speakers.
Her sister simply sat next to her unable to help. No matter how much she strained to pull her back.
"Lady Ilena! It's not working," she cried. "Why isn't it working? Why isn't she responding?"
Number 4 placed her hand on number 3's shoulder. Just her luck that the top three soldiers had to have the emotional resilience of children.
"It seems something has gone wrong with the system."
"I can still feel her aura. But she won't respond to my call!"
Ilena/Irene grimaced.
"Damn organization. Did they not do a proper screening?"
"Most likely. And in all honesty, on purpose."
The two stable claymores turned to their savior. This spiky haired woman who managed to put their number two to sleep.
"You think they would willingly put us at risk with untested equipment?"
"Why not? They put you at risk all the time."
"No." Beth. Rubbed her hands along her sister's face. "They tested it on us! It worked! They wouldn't have sent us out if they thought it would fail!"
"Why wouldn't they? Failure often produces better results than success."
"But we're numbers two and three! How could they decide our lives so disposable?"
"They consider everything disposable. No matter how high your rank."
Ilena/Irene looked the woman up and down. In the corner Si did the same. Though for different reasons.
"Did they consider you disposable? Were you part of our ranks once?"
The woman remained silent for a time. No expression.
"I was. In the time before the Tallon IV incident. You might have known me as Number 6. Phantom Miria."
Ilena/Irene actually showed surprise.
"I thought it might be something like that. That technique matched what I heard of you. A shame I never met you."
"I lost enough friends during my time as a slave. When I was offered a chance to break free from their chains, I took it."
"So, you think you're free?" Sid interjected. "You still serve someone else."
"No. I'm not free. But I see the truth. No more blinders for me."
"I heard many things about you," Ilena/Irene said. "Great things."
"Please. I was number 6. You were number two. I could never have matched up with you."
"I'm not so sure. I heard that in a team, you were even more effective than Teresa of the faint smile."
She didn't miss Miria's subtle shudder at that name.
"Not a fan of Teresa? I'm surprised. She too left the organization."
"And lost herself along the way."
Ilena/Irene nodded sadly.
"I know. We had to put her down ourselves. A terrible end to a great warrior…... And a friend."
Miria stared in silence.
"You were friends?"
"We were close. As close as two warriors could be."
"That might prove a problem," Miria muttered.
"What does that mean?"
"No. I think that's enough for now. You'll learn all you need to soon."
She turned to make her way back to the cockpit.
"Quit staring human."
Sid's face turned red.
….
"Well, well. A new one?"
Samus felt her heart stop. A warrior stood before her. But not Priscilla.
She recognized those dreads. Those blue eyes.
"Hy… Hysteria?"
The woman's eyes lit up.
"You got it too! First try! To think I'm still popular after all these centuries!"
"What do you mean I got it too?"
"Oh, I mean she got it as well. That annoying hick there. Friend of yours?"
"Priscilla?"
Another woman sat in the corner covered in blue tentacles. Her eyes widened in shock.
"Samus? You're here too? No…"
She nodded.
"Yes. I'm afraid it got me too."
"No! You fool! How could you be so careless!?"
"I wasn't careless! Something fell on me, that's all."
"Exactly! Careless! How could you let something fall on you!? And you call yourself number 10!"
"Uh, sorry to interrupt you. But I'm sort of the star here. Think you could give me some attention?"
"You? Attention? You're a monster! You tried to kill us!"
"You keep saying that. But I don't recall your face ever."
"Liar! You attacked us underground! You and that traitorous bitch!"
Now Hysteria became mad.
"Traitorous? Me? You betrayed me! All of you!"
"You awakened," Priscilla retaliated. "You were beyond saving! A bloodthirsty beast! You had to be put down!"
Hysteria gritted her teeth even further. Suddenly a voice echoed in their heads.
"Peace sisters. Peace."
And just like that, a peaceful expression came across the formerly dead woman's face. All anger was gone. The same did not happen to Samus or Priscilla. She noticed this.
"Why no peace sisters? You heard the master. Come! Come! Give me a hug!"
Samus stepped back. The woman looked hurt.
"Why don't you hug back? What did I do wrong? Oh, right. I awakened. So, is that it? Am I no longer welcome in the club?"
"Club? This is not a club! It's- "
"Priscilla, please. Let me handle this."
"But- "
"No."
She hesitantly stepped forward and placed a hand on the annoyed woman's shoulder. They stared at each other.
"You're one of us. A sister of the blade. A number 1. You never leave this club."
The woman raised an eyebrow.
"Look, I'm trying to say that we're not against you. You're stuck here, aren't you? Just like us. We can help you. We just need- "
Hysteria laughed.
"Spare me your empty promises. I can read your minds. You don't want to work with me. You want to ditch me and go out there doing my job!"
Hysteria's face suddenly went peaceful again as the voice once more told her to calm herself.
"Ah, what does it matter what I feel? That was the past. I don't care what those slaves think anymore!"
That was an utter lie, but Samus didn't want to upset this woman's fragile ego anymore.
"Even if I wanted to let you go, I can't. I'm not in charge." She grinned.
"You'd have to ask the boss. And from her opinion of you, I don't think she's likely to let you leave."
"The boss?" Priscilla shifted a little bit more, managing to break free.
"Send us to her! We'll take her down and set you all free!"
Hysteria's grin widened.
"Heh. Yeah, I'd like to see that. All right. I think she wants to see you anyway. Not like I can stop her."
"Wait," Samus insisted. "Maybe we can help you- "
Hysteria scoffed.
"Like I want help from your kind. I'm not part of the club anymore, remember? No. I'm done with you. Just… Leave me alone. Please."
The sadness in that nearly made Samus' heart break. But before she could, her vision went blank, and she faded away once again.
….
Anthony stared at the two sleeping claymores. They seemed stable. The phazon, as their kidnappers called it, hadn't moved any further throughout their bodies. Their condition remained the same. And their sleep continued.
"Incredible."
Anthony stared at their kidnapper. The silver-eyed woman with the bun. Tabitha, was it?
"Forgive me if I don't see what's so incredible about this!"
"That they haven't been entirely taken over. Most bioforms would be fully under the poison's will. Another drone to the hive mind."
"Hive mind? The hell you talking about? You speak like that stuff's alive."
"It is. In a way. Have you never seen it pulse? It react? It move?"
"Uh…"
"How did it get into her?"
"Some giant… Monster fell on her after it died."
"And what happened to the phazon?"
"It wound up in her, duh!"
"And how did that happen? You say this monster was giant. Surely, some of it would have wound up on the ground around her. Are you telling me all of it got into her? How is such a thing possible?"
"That's… A pretty good point actually. I never considered that in all the chaos."
"We've seen such things occur before. The phazon prefers a living host. It condenses itself to fit within said host. No mere element could do that. This stuff is alive."
Anthony pondered the implications at work here. He'd dealt with some weird shit in his life, but this took the cake. A living hostile poison. He needed a drink.
"So, what's this about a hive mind?"
"We believe all phazon is connected. Like it's all the same thing, acting towards the same goal."
Anthony blanched.
"So, they're all like one organism or something?"
"That's a way to think of it. A massive nervous system. And every victim is a nerve in that system. All working toward the goal of total assimilation."
"And what's your goal?"
They turned to Galatea. Even unable to sense Tabitha's yoki, she still managed to tell where she was based on her voice.
"To prevent assimilation. To ensure the galaxy survives."
"Really? Then why aren't you with the organization like the rest of your sisters?"
Tabitha breathed in deep.
"We do not associate ourselves with such evil. We will not be slaves to their will. To their conquest of the galaxy."
Galatea frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
….
"What…. What is all this?"
Samus and Priscilla found themselves in a field of the blue substance. Strewn throughout the field were thousands of sleeping bodies. All connected by the same blue veins.
The bodies were all different species. Some Samus had seen. Others were totally unknown. Creatures she had never seen in all her travels.
"So many…" Priscilla stared in shock. "How many lives have been destroyed by this…. Abomination?"
"More than I can count."
"Far too many! We must set them free!"
"Priscilla, wait!"
She did not wait. She ran forward and pulled at one of the blue tendrils.
A screech emitted from the entire field. Including from the two claymores.
In their bout of agony, they fell to the ground. The bodies stopped shrieking. They both gripped their heads and slowly rose to their feet.
"Stranger and stranger. They all responded the same at the same time. But if we're connected, why aren't we?"
"Why don't you ask the boss?"
They both wheeled about to two newcomers. Their eyes opened wide.
"I remember you both. You were in the mines along with Hysteria."
The one with the curls grinned.
"That's right. We were there along with that hysterical freak. Recall our names?"
Both claymores stared at each other trying to recall their names. The curly haired woman scowled and looked to her own shorter haired companion.
"Can you believe this? They remember old dreadlocks, but not us? What is wrong with this generation?"
"It's probably better that they don't remember me. I'm not someone worth- "
"Maybe not you. But me? I'm astounding in every way! Name's Roxanne! Roxanne of Love and Hate. And this here is Cassandra the dust eater! Remember it!"
Priscilla clutched her head.
Cassandra… Roxanne… Wait…"
She reached for her sword. When she found none, she lunged at them.
"Priscilla, wait!"
"They're traitors! Traitors who defied the organization!"
"I said, wait!"
"I'd listen to her brat. You don't wanna get on my bad side."
"Excuse me!?"
"Stop! Pris, please!"
Her friend growled but nodded and complied. Samus let go of her arm and walked past Roxanne.
"Uh, hello? You ignoring me? Hello?"
"Cassandra, was it? Do you remember me?"
The former number one looked her up and down. She seemed extremely confused.
"No… I don' think so. Should I?"
"Uh, yeah you should Cassie! We fought and kicked their ass around the same time the boss woke us up. Don't you remember? How could you forget?"
"I… remember that. A lot of fighting. A lot of blood. Blood of…. My sisters…"
Cassandra looked lost for a second. Then her eyes widened.
"My sisters. I fought my sisters? Why did I fight my sisters? Why did I kill them? Oh goddess?
"Why? You know why! The boss told us! And whatever the boss says, you do. Whether you like it or not!"
Roxanne laughed bitterly.
"Not too different from the organization, I suppose. A slave in my old life. A slave in this one."
"What are you talking about? A slave? You were a warrior!"
"Pris. Please. Let's not argue. We already did that with Hysteria."
Roxanne looked at Priscilla annoyed.
"A slave who's too stupid to see how she's being used, only to eventually be thrown aside like all the rest."
Roxanne paused a moment in thought then chuckled.
"Come to think of it, that's not too different from what I did in life. Guess we're kindreds of a sort."
Samus held out a hand to Priscilla encouraging her to stay back.
"Samus. We shouldn't waste our time with these two. They both went berserk and attacked their fellow sisters. And they did so without awakening! They deserve no compassion. They deserved to be cut down."
Roxanne grinned.
"She's right. I don't deserve compassion. I'm a very bad girl."
Cassandra had very different reaction."
"Why does everyone say that!? I'm not a killer! I'm not! I can't be…"
Roxanne laughed.
"Oh, Cassie. Of course, you did. You had a fit of rage about the unfairness of it all. All those soldiers having fun and getting along without you. Poor Cassie. Never did get along with normal warriors, did you?"
"What are you saying," Samus asked. "That she killed her sisters out of spite?"
"I'm afraid so. Isolation does terrible things to the mind. And poor monster Cassie was all alone with her thoughts. Those twisted thoughts and voices telling her to- "
"Enough!"
Everyone jumped at Cassandra's interruption.
"I'm not a monster! Nor a killer! I can't be! I can't…"
"That's good Cassie! Very good! Expressing emotion like that! Let it all out! Fuck the organization and their rules!"
Priscilla tried again to strangle the cruel claymore. And again, was barely held back by her comrade. Even here, her strength was unquestionable. Roxanne loved every second of it.
"You've got some impressive energy girlie! You a number 1 too? You'll fit right in here! A collection of freaks!"
"That's right! Number 1! The greatest you've ever seen!"
"Stop."
And just like that, they stopped. Priscilla quit attempting to strangle Roxanne who in turn stopped jeering. Samus let go of Priscilla. Even Cassandra seemed to forget what she had been talking about.
"Wait. Why are we here again?"
Roxanne looked at Priscilla grinning smugly.
"The greatest I've ever seen? Try telling that to her."
"We… Must… Find her…." Priscilla spoke while huddled on the ground. Her hand covered her face and she shuddered. Samus knelt down beside her.
"Easy Pris. Take it easy."
"No… Not easy…. We must find her…. Kill her…."
"Pris, we don't even know where she is. Or who she is! How would we- Um, excuse me?"
Cassandra had crawled over and placed her hand on Priscilla's shoulder. Priscilla stared into her face as she began to rub said shoulder.
Both number 1's stared at each other confused and uncertain. Clearly both were not used to close contact like this. Priscilla responded first.
"What…. Are you doing?"
"Uh…. Isn't this helping?" Priscilla clearly had no idea how to respond. Not at first anyway.
"Get away from me monster! Don't touch me! You're not fooling me!"
"Priscilla!"
She stared up in shock at Samus' outburst. The hunter ignored her and extended her hand to Cassandra.
"You seem like a good woman. Why don't you come with us?"
Cassandra stared up at her gob smacked. She could not believe someone was offering her their hand. It had never happened in the history of… well, ever!
"I… I don't… why would you want me to?"
"You seem like a good woman. That's why. Come on. Let's get out of here. You don't need to be alone."
Cassandra remained silent for a bit. No response. Simply staring back. Tears in her eyes?
"Forget it, Cassie. You can't rebel against the boss. They're on a suicide mission."
"For such a tough talker, you sure give up easily. Don't you have any issues with playing second fiddle to someone else? Isn't that why you lashed out against the organization in the first place?"
"It's not about what I want. No one can leave. Once you're in the blue, there's no escape."
"Serves monsters like you right."
"Priscilla!"
"With that attitude sweetheart, you'll be one of us soon enough."
"One of us."
Samus repeated that line and looked to the miles of sleeping bodies.
"You're not one of them. You're not sleeping. None of us are sleeping. Our minds may be connected but we're still ourselves. How is that possible?"
Roxanne for once seemed unsure how to respond. It was a refreshing change from her usual self-satisfied grin.
"That's… a pretty good question. Truth be told, I'm not sure. Guess I'm just that strong?"
The grin came back much to Samus' dismay.
"So, you're still yourselves but you obey this boss?"
"I don't really get it either. But nothing I can do. For now."
"That's no way for a number one to talk…." Priscilla slowly rose to her feet.
"Take us to her. Take us to her. And let me take her head."
"No!"
Cassandra moved forward and grabbed Samus' hand.
"Don't go. Please. Don't leave me alone."
"Alone," Roxanne said incredulously. "Hello? What about me?"
Samus placed her hand over Cassandra's cheek. This arose feelings of jealousy in Priscilla. Why couldn't she do the same for her?
"You won't be alone. When we're all free from this poison, we'll be able to see each other."
Roxanne laughed. A malicious sound that sent chills up her spine.
"Didn't you hear your nutso friend there? Cut down? We were dead until this blue stuff injected life into us again. Without it, we're corpses. Though Cassie here might consider that a blessing, eh?"
Samus stared into Cassandra's eyes. The fear within.
"I- "
She didn't get to finish though as she felt darkness overtaking her once again and pulling her away.
Cassandra reached out in shock and grabbed onto her arm. She looked into Samus' eyes.
"Please don't leave…."
Samus reached back to hold onto this poor soul. But to no avail. Darkness prevailed.
….
"Captain Miria!"
Tabitha launched herself at the former number 6, raising many eyebrows.
"Tabitha please."
"You're injured! Did they do this?" Her eyes flashed angrily in Sid's direction.
"Why do you think I did anything? Is it my face? I'll have you know that I-"
"They didn't do anything. Not to me anyway. We encountered Rigardo."
"The silver eyed lion king? I'll kill him! I swear!"
"Unlikely. Now, about your mission- "
"I mean it Miria. He will die for this. No one hurts you and lives."
"Tabitha. We talked about this. Stay focused on the mission. Everything else can wait."
"I... Oh of course you're right. As always. That's why you're captain. That's why I follow you."
"Sheesh," Sid said. "Why don't you just kiss?"
"Excuse me!?"
"Nothing. Nothing. Just- Wait. What are you doing here Higgs?"
Tabitha huffed.
"I told you to wait until I told you to come out!"
"Couldn't hold up any excuse to see an old friend."
Sid scoffed.
"We're hardly friends. You're a slacker who somehow cheated his way into the elite branch!"
"I can't take all the credit. I learned a lot from a particular future hunter."
"You rarely show it."
"As do you. Where's the rest of our force?"
Sid didn't respond.
"Exactly my point."
"Enough." Miria held up a hand. "We have somewhere we need to be. Let's move."
"I can hear you. But I can't feel you. How is that? Are you a warrior? Or a regular human?"
Miria showed actual shock at Galatea.
"You question her? You dare?"
"Tabitha, enough. What happened to your eyes?"
"Adam the awakened one showed me his "mercy."
"Adam. I know that name. You have my sympathies. I presume you've improved your aura sensing to make up for your lack of sight."
"Indeed. Yet, I can't sense anything from you. How are you doing that?"
"Perhaps if you work with us long term, we can show you such techniques. Now Tabitha. The hunter. How is her condition?"
"Condition? What do you mean by condition?" Ilena/Irene asked.
"I'm afraid we haven't the time. Let's mount up. We'll explain on the way."
"Hey," Anthony stopped her. "Your girlfriend here said we could save Samus from her coma. Was she bullshitting or is she right?"
Tabitha blushed. Miria pondered.
"In exchange for something."
"And that is?"
"One set of chains for another."
….
"I've had enough of this! I want out! I can't stand all this madness!"
"Priscilla, calm down. We need to- "
"No. No more calm! Who's in charge? I've got- "
"Pris. Calm down."
Samus wrapped her arms around Priscilla. She performed a massage trick on her back that she'd learned from the Chozo. It helped Priscilla during some of her more intense moments.
"Samus…. Thank you…"
"No need Pris. You know I'm always happy to help."
"Are you? Are you truly happy to always help?"
"For you? Yes, of course."
Priscilla didn't seem convinced.
"I know it must be such a burden. You're providing the organization all these weapons and knowledge about the Chozo and federation. You have to train them and recruits in its use. Everyone looks up to you. All the children. Even the single digits! And of course, you have to babysit me."
"Pris, it's fine. I told you. I'm happy spending time with you."
"So, you enjoy calming me down when I'm losing it? When I'm close to awakening? When I go berserk? When I almost hurt you? When I do hurt you!?"
Samus paused. Too long.
"Your silence is deafening."
"I…"
What did her elders say?
Rely on the truth. If they are too weak to withstand it, it shows all you need to know about them.
"I won't deny that it's difficult sometimes."
Priscilla raised an eyebrow.
"Sometimes?"
"Fine. Many times. But what part of a warrior's life isn't difficult? When are our lives not filled with blood and trauma? In truth, spending time with you is kind of a relief from all that. Doesn't hurt that you do most of the fighting."
Priscilla blushed a little.
"I know it's a hassle to work with me. Believe me I know. But I appreciate it. I really do."
She touched her thumbs together. Much as she might blush, Samus knew her well enough to tell she was happy. Though not without some trepidation.
"There's a reason I choose you. I could have asked anyone else. But I only want you. Have you ever wondered why?"
"Because everyone wants to hang out with me?"
She smiled.
"That's not false. But it's more than that. You make me feel… Calm. Normally I'm stressed out all the time. I can't think straight. I'm angry all the time. I can't function."
She took a deep breath.
"But not with you. You keep that at bay. Keep me together. Keep me whole. I've never felt that way with anyone. You're such a calming influence. With you, I'm never at doubt that I can pull through."
"I… don't know what to say Pris."
"There's nothing to say. You make me happy. Safe. As long as you're here, nothing. Can make. Me."
"Pris? What are you looking at?
She followed Pricilla's line of sight to find another warrior. Same blonde hair. But this one had an aura beyond any of the others. Certainly, beyond either of them. It didn't take a genius to know who they faced this time.
"Miss Teresa." Priscilla spat. "Your death is long overdue! For your crimes you must die!"
"Hang on Priscilla! Let's think about this!"
"What's there to think about? You heard the others! A powerful force has taken hold of this collective mind! Of our minds! What else could possibly do this? It's her! It's always been her!"
"Always been me?"
The former number 1 appeared right in front of them without even moving.
"It hasn't always been me actually. I only began to take control about 3 years ago. Around- Around when I met you."
That same chilling smile spread across her face. She raised her hand towards her.
Priscilla didn't like that. She sent a fist towards her enemy's face
"Don't you touch her! She's mine!"
Without looking, Teresa raised a hand and caught her opponent's.
Priscilla raised another fist. But she didn't get the chance.
Teresa's eyes flared blue and Samus once again found her world being swallowed by darkness.
….
"Shit! Miria, they're going into shock!"
"Give her another dose!"
"We're uh… Actually out."
"What!?"
"Well, I don't want to point fingers but…."
"No time! You! Blind girl! You can manipulate yoki energy, right? Keep them stable!"
"Both of them? At the same time?"
"Just do it!"
"I can help!" Cynthia stood up and ran to place her hand on Samus' head. "You take care of Priscilla! I'll handle her!
"Don't be ridiculous," Galatea shouted. "you don't have the skill compared to me!"
"Not alone. You're right. Yuma! Can you link your armor to Samus'? Help moderate her aura?"
"I… Yeah. Maybe? Not that well, though."
"Beth! Number 2 Beth! Can you lend us a hand?"
Beth barely registered. She was still too focused on her sister in her state.
"Beth! Beth! You two! Get her over here, would you?"
Anthony and Higgs looked at each other.
"I think she's talking to us."
"Whaddaya know. A chance to be semi useful."
"Let's go do it."
Miria ran to the cockpit and turned the ship off autopilot. She turned it to full throttle.
"What's happening to them?"
Miria didn't look back at Ilena/Irene as she responded.
"The controller is increasing its influence. They've gained her attention. They need a trace of the serum to hold back the phazon spreading through their bodies or they'll be more drones to her will."
"What the fuck did you just say!?"
Miria ignored her and stepped on the throttle.
"Let's hope their will is strong as their ranks. It's 45 minutes to our destination. They need to last."
….
"There. Now that she's a bit more obedient, perhaps we could actually talk?"
"Priscilla! Priscilla! Wake up!"
"She's fine. No need to worry. I just thought we could use some time alone."
Samus took a deep breath and turned to the all-powerful entity who could destroy her without any trouble. She seemed incredibly focused on the hunter, looking her up and down with intensity that made her tremble.
"Such sadness. Such misery. An outcast amongst the Chozo. An outcast amongst humanity. An outcast amongst our sisters. You've always been alone. Haven't you?"
Samus didn't respond. What was she supposed to say to that? How did Teresa even know that?
"Yes, I can read your mind. Here we are all one. Here no one is alone. Just as the Chozo all wanted."
Tell that to Grey Voice, she thought.
Teresa frowned.
"Yes. Grey Voice and some of the Chozo have been refusing unity. Out of respect for all they did for me, I've given them some time to come to their senses and embrace what I have to offer."
Samus tried to move her mouth but found herself still overwhelmed by this woman's presence.
"Go on. Ask away."
"How do you know the Chozo?"
Teresa smiled wistfully at that question.
"It was after I left the organization. After my… awakening. I was alone. Feared. Hungry. The Chozo found me. Helped me contain my hunger. Gave me love. Something I'd never truly felt before."
Samus felt joy flow from both of them. Teresa due to her memories and Samus from hearing someone praise her beloved family.
"They taught me much about their ways. How all things have purpose. Deserve love. How not to focus on the small things. They were all precious to me. But one stood out above all others."
The joy was replaced with profound sadness.
"The day I lost control and killed her was the beginning of the end. I couldn't risk endangering the rest. So, I had them seal me away in those mines."
The blue veins around her begin vibrating. They turned a darker blue as if signifying their master's emotional state.
"Locked away in my despair, I lost control. My inner beast took command. But the state the Chozo put me in kept me contained. I slept the rest of that year away."
She looked around. The veins had returned to a regular lighter blue, signifying their master's despair abating.
"In my sleep this… Poison as they call it came. It slipped into my resting place. My tomb. Once it entered, I could sense all the souls it had touched. All their anger. Their desires. It sought to bond me to all of them. Another slave to its will."
She grinned at this point. Not a subtle smile. A full-on prideful smirk.
"I proved stronger. I reached out to these souls. Three in particular. Those warriors you encountered. Long dead. One of them I fought myself. The poison took their bodies and brought them within my range. I rested them from the poison's grip. Filled them with my light. They fell asleep, just like me. Until you woke me up."
"So, you're awake again? Why haven't you- "
At this point Priscilla opened her eyes and grabbed Teresa's ankle. The warrior was clearly surprised by this as Priscilla managed to pull her down.
"Quickly Samus! Get away from her!"
"No. Stop."
Though calmly spoken. A great deal of authority was carried in that voice. Samus found herself pausing.
"No! Don't stop," Priscilla insisted. "She can't control us! Not like the others!"
"Is that a challenge?"
Teresa's eyes flared blue again. Intense pressure settled over them both. Their senses dulled.
They both gripped the other's hand. Concentrated on each other. Their yoki. Their aura. Slowly their haziness faded. Teresa 's serene smile was replaced with annoyance.
"I suppose that's to be expected. We do share yoma flesh. And it seems I've fallen into another annoying slumber."
"You'll never have us," screamed Priscilla. "We are warriors of the organization! Defenders of the galaxy! Such evil like you will never win!"
"Evil? Am I? Unfortunately, the world isn't so black and white, little missy. If you had half a brain, you might realize such."
She rose to her feet. Blue wings sprouted from her back. Number 1 and 10 took defensive stances.
"If this is our final stand, it's been an honor, Miss Samus."
Miss Samus really wished she didn't say things like that. She really didn't want to die.
It appeared the universe heard her. Because in that moment, her vision turned dark again.
Teresa's eyes narrowed.
"Those bastards. They dare?"
She took a step towards them. But not in time. Darkness took hold once more.
"This changes nothing. I am still inside you. I will awaken again. I will make you see reason. I will see you soon."
….
"She's waking up! They're both waking up!"
Samus opened her eyes and found herself on her side on a surprisingly comfortable operating table. Priscilla lay nearby on another. She too began to stir.
"Just in time. A few more moments and… you might be stuck in a coma."
She turned hear head in the opposite direction.
"Ilena. Or is it, Irene? Whichever. It's good to see you."
"Hey! What about us?"
"Noel… Sophia… Glad to see you've survived."
The three warriors crowded, and all grabbed her hand. She couldn't stop a smile from breaking out upon her face. No matter how many warriors she worked with, these three were her first and would always retain a special place in her heart.
"It seems I've missed some things."
"Boy, did you ever! Wait'll you hear- "
All three turned from her towards the entrance to the room. She raised her head up weakly.
A woman stood in the doorway. A woman with long spiky hair. And a powerful aura.
"You."
Miria nodded.
"Yes. Me. I'm sorry to break up this reunion good hunter. But events are in motion. MY master requires your presence."
"Your master?"
Miria took a deep breath.
"Isley the Silver King. The first number 1 ever made by the organization. And the first abyssal one."
She said that with some measure of disgust. Samus stared at Priscilla. She looked like she wanted to tear this woman limb from limb.
"And what does the silver king want with me? With us all?"
"He wants to show you something. Something you've been denied too long."
"And what would that be? A proper rest? Because you're denying me that right now."
Miria actually chuckled at that.
"No. He wants to show you the truth. And Teresa of the Faint smile."
That got her attention.
"What the fuck do you mean by that?"
"She's here Samus," Ilena/Irene said. "Here in the sanctuary fortress."
Samus looked to Priscilla. Confused as they both were by that statement, they both nodded regardless.
"Fine. Let's go say hi. Again."