Author's Note

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Uploaded

12/09/2023

LEGEND BELOW

"Chief, that's not a good idea..." = Normal speech.

''You're you, don't let it control you...'' = Normal thoughts/Receiving coms.

Chapter 37

The Aftermath part 3

Rated-M

M rating for blood, and language, and violence.

Music of the day

Metroid Prime 3 Corruption - Skytown

Everything felt so surreal, the events up to that point a constant fight for survival. To have a moment where she could let her hair down, strutting casually through the halls of the Infinity with a distracted mind, no fear of danger looming over her…

It was refreshing, to say the very least.

She had to remind herself that no one here was going to try and kill her, no one was out for her blood, nor were they secretly conspiring to capture her for inhumane experiments.

They were just people…

Just people that she had risked life and limb to save, to protect, to defend. Her views of people had become skewed since her transformation into what she was now, and yet her battles and struggles alongside the Master Chief during those long days on Requiem had helped her keep the proper view of humanity in place.

It would've been all too easy to fall into the idea that no one was important to her, that humanity meant nothing to her, that they were just another food source for her if they decided to cross her, and something to push out of her way when they weren't.

"Greetings, Samus. Glad to see you out of bed!

That was how the rampaging Metroid dna inside her viewed them, and it was far more difficult to keep the proper view with her blood constantly begging to feed on every single human that passed her by. It was why there was always a hesitation whenever she went to shake someones hand, or interact with them in general.

"Evening Lady Aran. Thank you for your service."

Suffice it to say, if her unfiltered thoughts were aired aloud before she could stop them, people would likely be running for their lives when she came walking by. She was allowed to live with that fact because she'd yet to actually eat anyone, so she must've been doing something right.

"Oh, it's you. Thanks for helping us on Requiem, I-I don't think I'd be here if it wasn't for you, ma'am."

But even then, she didn't wish to attend a populated place, ever if she could help it. Walking about within these walls, surrounded by people everywhere she went was already testing her mental strength. Every second was a battle with the warring sides of her mind, and purposefully tilting the scales to one side was not a smart idea, nor was it a safe one.

"Thank you ma'am, we're forever in your debt!"

That being said, with every passing person that offered her a grateful salute or words of appreciation for her efforts in the battle, she felt her cool faced confidence slipping as her bloodthirsty body began taunting her.

Why wasn't she wearing her helmet again?

She forgot why she'd taken it off, but now she couldn't stop smelling every person she passed by, and the smells only made her hungrier.

Oh now she remembered why, because she wanted to shove her tongue down a certain man's throat over and over again.

Her cheeks flushed as she remembered the moment, a very pleased smile gracing her jet black lips. It was enough to distract her from her theoretical growling stomach for the moment.

She just wished that she knew how to stop her tail from responding to her derailing train of less than appropriate thoughts pertaining towards said man.

"Well well well, someone's happy…" Anthony exclaimed as the lady of the hour stepped onto the landing bay. "Come on, I don't think I've seen you smile like that for years. Are you really that happy to see me?" The man teased loudly as he opened his arms to embrace her in a hug, something she found herself surprised to return so easily.

She punched the man in the chest in response, before embracing him in a hug. Although considering her, it was a gentle little love tap, her fist dinking off of his armor. "I've missed you too…" She murmured quietly into his chest, sighing in his embrace.

"Hey Princess, come on now, none of that. We're all here, everything's over now." The big man comforted, patting her on the back. "Come on, I think there's a few ladies that want to see you." He said as he pulled her along, not letting her in on what he truly meant.

Her eyes widened. "Oh, that can wait. Where are my children, I was told you were keeping watch over th-?" She asked, only to be caught off guard as a giant green colored weight slammed into her, pinning her to the ground.

Her eyes widened as she hit the floor, the loud noise of gleeful cooing Metroids ringing in her ears.

"Mother, you are awake! We were so worried, we thought you would not waken from your deep sleep!"

"We have missed you dearly, please do not leave us again Mother…"

"We were very worried about you, Uncle Anthony assured us that you were fine."

"Anthony is a smart man, we see why you choose him as family. He is strong, Zeta can agree."

"Gamma, do not tell Mother lies. I can defeat Uncle Anthony in combat easily." Zeta scoffed haughtily.

"Please ignore Zeta's attitude Mother, she is trying to appear strong for you. Alpha is the strongest."

"Alpha, we agreed that lying to Mother is a foolish idea. Gamma is strongest, please refrain from spreading misinformation. Mother will not be pleased with your behavior…" Gamma informed factually, sitting on her haunches as she turned her attention towards her sister.

"And Zeta is accused of speaking out of line…" Zeta hissed softly, her large plated tail scraping across the ground in irritation.

"Please forgive these two, Mother. We are pleased to see you awake once more, we were so greatly fearful for you when Father informed us of your condition." Gamma sighed softly as she lay down at the food of the Bounty Hunter, resting her maw on her mother's legs.

Samus remained silent throughout the entire back and forth, staring wide eyed at…

At…

At her children as they…

Well…

As they talked between one another, arguing about seemingly childish things as they tried to prove who amongst them was the strongest. And they named themselves, referring to themselves in third person…

Slowly she sat up, mouth opening and closing multiple times as she tried to process what exactly she was seeing, what she was hearing…

She turned to Anthony as if for answers for her sudden list of questions. The man merely shrugged with that trademark smirk on his face. "They evolved while you were gone…" He stated as if that answered everything. "Their psychic powers are so strong that they can voice their thoughts, that's how they speak to us. It's kinda wild to see in action."

Her eyes darted from the man and back to the large creature currently sitting in her lap, the Metroid that had aptly named herself Gamma. Without even thinking she found her left hand coming up to begin running down the back of her long pointed head, her claws gently rolling over the green armored ridges of her crown.

"Mother, are you well? You have not said a word…" Zeta hummed in worry, her footsteps thudding as she moved up to the Hunter's right. Samus barely reacted when the creature nuzzled against her bicep, nuzzling her head to her.

"Has something happened? Your silence is growing worrisome to us…" Alpha questioned as she snuck up behind her, resting her chin on top of her head as she began humming a low yet pleasant sound.

Has something happened…?

Yes…

Something had indeed happened, and it had happened while she was gone.

Her children had evolved once more, achieving their fourth form in secret without her knowledge.

It was strange, for some reason she felt upset that she'd not been around to see them evolve. Typically she'd brush aside the minor inconvenience as it was, an inconvenience…

But this was different, felt different.

These were her children, and they were growing up without her around to see it happen.

And now here they were, talking and naming themselves, acting like well behaved children in her absence.

It was all so surreal…

It was one thing when they were faceless floating creatures with nothing but vague emotions to express themselves to her telepathically, and another entirely when they'd evolved to the point of holding entire conversations with each other. Their minds had evolved to the point that they could express their thoughts into words all those around them could hear within their minds, seeing as they lacked vocal ability to speak typical spoken language.

"N-No… I'm-… Everything's fine, I'm OK." Samus found herself muttering in response to sooth her worried children, eyes distant as she tried to wrap her head around it all.

She shook her head, focusing herself right there in that moment. She glanced down to the Zeta Metroid in her lap, lips twitching up into a small smile. "Gamma…?" She breathed, the words slipping past her puffy black lips.

The Metroid quirked up in response to her name, staring up at the Hunter. "Yes mother?" She hummed curiously, eyes glowing lightly when she spoke.

Samus quirked an eye to her right, nearly nose to jaw with her second child. "Zeta…?"

"Are you OK, mother?" Zeta asked in worry, nuzzling her forehead against her mother's Metroid armor-suit.

"And… Alpha?" She asked as she glanced upwards, staring at the neck of her third child. In response, Alpha began humming a sort of purring sound, the noise sending soothing waves down the green haired woman's spine.

"I'm here mother. We are all here for you." The Metroid cooed gently, her voice a careful whisper.

Samus's eyes widened as she stared at all of her children, creatures she had birthed, all alive and speaking. Then her gaze softened, lips quirking up into a gentle yet at the same time, undoubtedly genuine smile. She moved to stand, her children moving to sit before her. Then, she embraced them in a hug, as if to reaffirm to herself that they were real, that this was real.

"I'm just happy to see you all, nothing more." The Bounty Hunter reassured gently. In response to her words, their tails began wagging across the floor of the bay, the scraping sounds easily audible.

"I hate to brake up this family reunion…" A new voice spoke up, metallic footsteps echoing out as they approached. Samus glanced up to find Exeter approaching her from the Tyr, his helmet's faceplate opened, graying mustache showing his age. "I'm glad to see you on your feet again Samus." The man stated, grinning an aged smirk.

"I'm just happy everyone made it out alive…" The Bounty Hunter murmured, taking a slow deep breath. "But I'm assuming you haven't come over to start a casual conversation with me, no?" She stated, turning an inquisitive eye his way.

"That I haven't…" He sighed. "I need to speak with you, in private if you are willing." He said seriously.

Samus glanced down to her children, before returning her gaze to the man. "Of course." She muttered.

He motioned to an empty corner of the landing bay, moving casually to a set of shipping containers. He took a seat, patting the metal box next to him. She took a seat beside him, her large plated tail coming around to lay across her lap.

"What did you need?" She asked curiously.

"We were sent from Federation HQ on an off the record mission to track you down and render assistance in any way possible. No other perimeters were established, mission end date, or specific goal." He explained, gaze staring off into the distance. "With that said, I believe we've completed this mission, and should be returning home to make an official report."

"…" She didn't say anything, staring silently at the man.

"Besides not knowing just how to return home, I do have another issue to bring forth. After witnessing the events that have transpired here, I have come to the conclusion that certain events need to be wiped off the record." He continued, unwavering in her silence. "If the Federation found out about the existence of this alternate reality, I don't doubt that many problems may and will arise from it. If not from some within the Federation hierarchy, then when the knowledge eventually reaches the Space Pirates…"

He stared at the open void just beyond the blue colored energy barrier that kept them inside, and the cold darkness of space, out. "Regretfully, I am not the one that gets to make the decisions. As a Commander in the Galactic Federation, I am bound by oath to report all of my findings to high command upon my return." He sighed as if it couldn't have been helped.

"…" Samus remained silent still, yet she had grown tense, eyes narrowed at the man. She knew he was getting at something, but she wasn't sure quite what it was just yet.

"However, being that I am currently not the acting commander of this Trooper Squadron, I am not at liberty to do as I wish. If the acting commander ordered it, this mission would remain off the records…" He smirked, glancing to her from the corner of his eyes.

She straightened up in surprise, eyes slowing widening as came to a realization.

"So… Commander? What will you have us do?"

Samus stared silently at him, her expression unreadable, face neutral. He knew she'd heard him, and the tiny movements of her eyes was his answer.

She was thinking.

Then…

She grinned.

"Here's my orders…"

"You sure about this Princess…? You could still come back, we could make this work."

"Anthony…" Samus sighed, trying to remain strong for him in that moment.

She'd made up her mind…

She was staying behind, and nothing he or anyone else said would change her mind on that matter.

And yet, she felt a part of her unshakable will cracking at the look in his eyes. And she knew that if he begged, her unwavering stance would begin to splinter.

That's why she pleaded with him to stop.

"I know… I know nothing I say will change your mind. I just had to ask." He shook his head, his trademark smirk on his face.

This time, however, it seemed fake.

He sighed, turning back to the Tyr. Everyone else had already boarded the ship, all that was left was him. "Well… I guess I'd better get going. Take care Princess." He said, smiling as his helmet's faceplate fell back into place. "Maybe come and visit sometime?" He tossed the offer her way as he walked off.

She stood by, watching as the Tyr lifted into the air, making its way out of the ship. They were on their way back to the original rift now. If it was still open, all it would need was the energy of the Light Beam to open. She'd shared just enough with them for a return trip in case she was ever needed in her dimension once again.

She hoped that day never came…

She knew that there was a real possibility that this was the last time she would ever see them again, but it wasn't enough to convince her to return. Her dimension was so full of strife and pain, it had taken everything that had ever been important to her…

There was nothing left there for her.

This was her chance to start anew, in a world so different than her own.

She just hoped that she could live up to the standards of the Chozo that raised her all those years ago, carrying on their legacy in her own way.

She'd accomplished her original goal as the Ultimate Warrior, bringing an end to the Space Pirate menace, stopping the corruption of Phazon permanently, and bringing an end to both the X parasite and Raven Beak's split military empire.

Now all that was left to do was leave it all behind, leaving the galaxy in the hands of the Galactic Federation. She knew that if knowledge of her death was spread around, the Federation would have to get their heads out of their asses, because without her, there was no one strong enough to clean up their messes.

Without her, no one could propagate Metroids, no one could stop another event like the Bottle Ship or the BSL if it went wrong again.

In a way, without her presence, the galaxy would be safer off.

She had to believe it to be the case, otherwise she may be tempted to return once more.

"They can handle the galaxy on their own… They have to…" She murmured, gaze drawn to the vastness of space beyond the space dock.

The Trooper squadron was long gone now, having hopefully made the passage to the other side safely. But she'd found herself stuck in the bay, staring off into the limitless depths of space.

"Are you going to be alright?" A voice spoke up from beside her, his voice gruff yet concerned.

She took in a deep breath, before exhaling. "I'll be fine, John…"

"I know you'll be fine." The green Spartan stated, following her gaze to the void where the Tyr once sat. "Lasky has finished preparations on the Prowler, it's ready for you whenever you are ready." He stated after a pause.

The reality of it all seemed to slap her in the face.

This was it.

The time had come to say goodbye.

At least for some time. She needed time to settle down, to come to terms with her life as it was now, as the Queen of a new species. It was still all so much to take in.

"Okay…" She said after a moment, moving to make her way out.

Her children all watched her move, and loyally went to move after her.

She hadn't been prepared for the hundreds of people that came to see her off, soldiers and Spartans alike all lining a path to her Prowler. She stepped into bay four completely unprepared for what lay in wait.

The resounding echo that came about as all in attendance moved to stand at attention, offering her a salute as she entered was astounding. Standing at the entrance to her new ship was the Infinity's commander himself. Lasky smiled at her from a distance, hands clasped firmly behind her back.

It was unexpected, to say the least.

Not one to waste time, she immediately set out for her ship. Her loyal children followed after her, staring curiously at all that they passed, their footfalls echoing out as they went.

"Well Samus, it's been a pleasure working with you. I only wish it could've been under better circumstances." Lasky stated as the Bounty Hunter approached. "I hope this isn't the last time we see each other. I want you to know that you are an ally to the UNSC, as well as all of Humanity. You have my thanks, the Captain's thanks, and all else out there. I can't imagine what would have happened if the Didact was allowed to roam freely with that kind of power at his disposal…"

"Likewise, Commander." Samus offered the sentiment. "You'll see me again, I have a feeling." She said lightly, stepping up to him. She reached out, offering her left hand to him.

He took it without hesitation. "Godspeed, Samus. Good luck out there." He smiled, shaking her hand.

She moved past him, wings folding up on her back as she stepped inside her new ship. Compared to her typical Gunship, this one was massive. She found that she didn't dislike the added size and space.

She turned back to Lasky, the man offering her one last salute as the bay door closed.

Silence fell over her, and for the first time in a while, she was alone with no one else around besides her children.

Her shoulders fell as the tension in them faded, her armor beginning to light up orange.

The Metroids all stood back and watched as her body seemed to change. And before they knew it, her green armored body had faded away, leaving behind nothing, the Queen standing naked in her ship.

"Oooh finally… Haven't a chance to take that off in ages…" She groaned as she stretched, the kinks in her neck and shoulders popping loudly. She moved for the front of the vessel, finding the command deck. "Adam…?" She called out, gaze drawn upwards.

The computer terminal above the Captain's seat hummed a light blue. "Greetings, Lady. I see you are enjoying your private time." Adam's dull and unimpressed voice rang out.

"Don't judge me, I haven't taken the Power-Suit off since I gave birth…" She snapped back, although it was lacking any heat.

"Of course, Lady." The A.I. hummed robotically. "What is your order?" He asked.

She slipped into the seat at the head of the ship, her children coming up to flank her. Alpha sat on her right, Zeta on her left, while Gamma moved to lay at her feet, her maw resting in her lap. Her tail came to rest by her children, going limp as the exhaustion of the mission hit her.

"Set a course for SR388…" She sighed, sinking comfortably into her seat. Her eyes slowly drift closed as that sleep she desperately sought came quickly to her.

"As you wish, my Lady." Adam's voice echoed out in the background, her eyes already closed. This time, surrounded by her children, she found that nightmares didn't come to her.

"Are you sure it was wise to let her go…? I'm not saying you could stop her, but, well… Maybe you could've convinced her to stay?"

The Master Chief found his gaze torn from the Prowler as it took off into space, glancing down to the commander who had seen the woman off. Lasky glanced up at him, carefully examining his reaction.

"She needs to find out where she belongs in our universe… She's not going to do that stuck here on the Infinity." He said softly, gaze stuck on the ship as he watched it leave. Eventually, however, she jumped to warp, and she was gone.

"You think we'll ever see her again…?" The commander couldn't contain his curiosity.

"Hmm, without a doubt." The Spartan muttered.

"Oh? You seem so sure." Lasky quipped, smirking at the super soldier. "What makes you so confident? She seemed all too eager to leave…" He pointed out.

"Because she can't keep herself away from trouble. The next time something comes up, she'll be there to help handle it. It's just what she does." He stated simply, as if it couldn't be helped.

Lasky turned back to the empty landing bay, the Bounty Hunter long gone. "Well, for our sake Chief, I hope that's years away. Don't know if I'm ready to suffer another impromptu war with an ancient space terrorist…" The man sighed, reaching up to rub at a crick in his neck. "What happened to the Didact anyway?" He thought to ask.

"Samus took care of him." The Chief stated simply.

"The implication being…?"

"Hmm… She shoved her giant tail through his skull, repeatedly, multiple times…" The Spartan explained colorfully. "I guess she didn't want to leave anything to chance, something about it always coming back to bite her later." He trailed off.

Lasky paled at the explanation. "Hell… What brought that on? Why didn't she just shoot him?"

"I think it had something to do with the bastard threatening to tear this big lug limb from limb that made her lose her shit. Frankly, threatening him openly was his last mistake." Cortana chose that moment to speak up, adding her witty response to the conversation.

"Well… That did happen too, yeah…" He added after a moment. "She did shoot him too, she just missed."

"She took half his face off with that beam!" Cortana exclaimed.

"Right, but he didn't die. So, she missed." He restated his point.

"I don't think that counts…" Cortana sighed, pinching the bridge of her digital nose.

"I do." He smirked behind his visor.

Lasky watched the two banter back and forth, and he couldn't help but feel lucky that he had them both back same and sound. Halsey was going to have a field day once she got the news, if she didn't know already.

Crafty woman…

"Well, I'll leave you two then. The Captain needs me on the bridge." The commander muttered as he turned to leave.

He couldn't help but think that despite the hell that had occurred since crashing on that Forerunner planet, they had managed to make it out alive. He decided to count his blessings, realizing just how close they had all come to hell itself descending upon humanity…

Chapter

37

End