Chapter 11: Interrogating the Enemy

I've been lucky enough to never have to shoot another human being. It is different than shooting an alien. Humans have blood, red blood. They have bones. They have hearts. And only one of them, not four or five. I know how I am just like them, which is why I never knew how I could live with killing one of them. Back at the Academy, I was undergoing a training exercise and was hit with a stun round. It was the worst feeling in my life. Why? Because if it were a real bullet, I would have been dead. I had to live with knowing my life could have ended if that were real. Stun rounds were the only thing I've ever shot a human with. How would it feel to shoot a human with something that could potentially end their life?

"Steve, get me whatever you can on this place. I want to know what we are up against."

"Already on it."

These two weren't exactly the top of the line in the Federation, but this was a low-ranked mission. Simply put, they were just examining the planet now that it was rid of Phazon. They had no idea that I was also on the surface. In fact, they had no idea who I was. If they were tested on the roster of active bounty hunters, I doubt they'd be able to recognize even the most popular of hunters. At the time, I was under the assumption that they were on a search for me, so I kept myself in the shadows when I really didn't need to. As far as they knew, any humanoid being was on their side.

Cameron Randall was the head of this two-man crew, but was a normal soldier of the front-line. He was only on the mission because he could successfully pilot a vessel. A stereotypical thick-headed soldier, he was always on everyone's case about getting a job done. There was nothing special about him except his determination to complete a mission. Unfortunately, many viewed him as an annoying bastard, which he was, as well as a hothead, also what he was.

The complete opposite of him was his partner Steven Keller. Barely out of boot camp, Keller is what most would call "potential cannon-fodder". The Federation was known for putting new recruits in hard situations to see how they would fare. Keller got lucky and survived, but it never got much better until the GF recognized him as a champion soldier at heart. He had a good shot with any gun he used, that was a fact. He was also good at ass-kissing. If you were a superior to him, he'd suck up like it was his mortal duty. His Commanding Officers saw this as a nice gesture, but fellow soldiers felt like whacking him with the butt of their guns sometimes.

Ironically, as different as they were, the Federation always felt like putting them together on missions. Keller never saw this as a bad thing, but Cameron absolutely hated it. He knew Steve was a better shot than him and, because of it, he sometimes doubted his skill at times. He couldn't do much about it, so he sucked it up and went on with his mission. To his credit, Cameron was good at giving orders, so at least the mission would be organized. That just seemed to be the least of their problems.

"Nothing special showing up. Everything is placid. The only one in the Ooromine system, to be exact."

"Good. At least it isn't anything like Billium or Twin Tabula. Those shit holes are nothing but trouble."

Steve spun in his chair to face Cameron. He was pressing buttons on the tablet before him, completely unaware of Steve staring at him. He finally looked up and gave a puzzled lift of the eyebrow to him.

"Yeah?"

Steve shrugged his shoulders and turned back around.

"Should I scan the ship? Could be something valuable."

Cam looked up again and peered at the screen Steve was fixed on.

"Yeah, go for it. Could be reinforcements or something."

"Why would we need reinforcements? There isn't anything here."

The two froze. Steve didn't pull his gaze from the screen as information streamed at the top. Cam stared at the back of his head. His mouth couldn't utter a word. Reinforcements wouldn't be needed. If they were, they would have called for them. Reinforcements don't just show up.

"Hunter Class Gunship R-347. Issued to Bounty Hunter Samus Aran after the destruction of her previous ship, Gunship M-589, in the asteroid field near the former BSL Labs. Contains intelligent AI."

Cam broke his frozen gaze with a slight shake of the head. Jumping up from his seat, Cam rushed over to the screen, taking in as much information as possible. Steve looked over his shoulder at Cam, then turned back over to the screen. Information finally stopped streaming and the scan came to a close.

"Name doesn't ring a bell, but it is a Federation-issued ship. Could be a completely different task to complete."

Cam walked off, twiddling his thumbs behind his back.

"We won't engage. Let's just leave the hunter be. If we need anything, or he needs any help from us, then we'll contact. If not, it is best not to get into the matter. We don't know exactly what he is doing or why, so let's leave it that way. Get suited up, we are going topside."

Leaves shuffled as I tried to get a good look at the contacts before me. The Overworld was drenched in rainfall as it continued to fall from the heavens. The sound of water bouncing off my suit became a melody in my ears. I was relaxed, but still alert.

"It's a Federation vessel. Two-man crew. Doesn't seem to be much of a threat, but they do have weaponry on board. I'd suggest staying clear, but I suppose you have an idea of your own, Lady?"

"I can't just avoid them. I've gotten what we've came for and it's time to go. I doubt I'll be able to leave without them noticing."

"Yes, but they could be looking for you. I highly doubt they'll just let you leave when you are a wanted criminal according to them."

I heard him, but it didn't warrant a response. I knew they could be sent to bring me back, but the Federation knows of my strength. A two-man crew is a gross understatement of what it would take to get me in. Even if they are a threat, it wouldn't take much to relieve them of their abilities to fight...or breathe. It was time to leave Tallon IV and the only thing that stood between the ship and I was these two lonely soldiers. No sweat.

The troopers, armed with basic energy rifles, stepped off their ship with some difficulty. They looked like the first astronauts to land on the Moon, taking small, cautious steps. Expecting to bounce, the troopers landed on the ground with a thud. They both clicked off their face-plates and welcomed a gust of fresh air into their helmets.

I stepped out with my left arm raised, issuing the universal "I come in peace" gesture. My arm cannon was down, but it wouldn't take more than a split-second to lift and fire if they shot at me. The troopers looked up and leveled their rifles.

"Radio channel opened by the troopers. Shall I connect?"

"Yeah, let's hear what they have to say."

A crisp flush of static filled her ears. It silenced as the channel opened and the voices of the beings before her came online.

"Federation troopers Randall and Keller. State your name and purpose."

Shit. I couldn't tell them my real name."

"Stand down. Federation Hunter...uh, Houston."

"Purpose?"

"Confidential."

"Sir, we must know of your objective or we may have to use lethal force."

"With all due respect, it is none of your business. I am about to be on my way. Give me leave or maybe I'll have to use lethal force. Stand down."

Cam waved his hand in front of Steve's rifle. He uneasily lowered his gun as Cam did.

"Hold on, I've got someone else on the other line."

Cam clicked off the channel and walked behind his vessel – out of my sight. Steve followed. I could only see their shadows, but I kept my concentration on where they would come out from behind the ship.

"Randall, do you copy?"

"Yes sir."

"Randall, we need you and Keller to report back to base. We have another mission for you."

"Sir, we haven't finished here."

"This is damn more important than studying flowers, soldier. We have a rogue bounty hunter on the loose and need as many of you guys here on the double."

"Rogue, sir?"

"Yes, rogue. Samus Aran, to be exact."

"Never heard of-"

How could he be so dense? A bounty hunter stood just before him by the name of Armstrong. Armstrong? Was it the dreaded Samus Aran simply tricking them? Steve even said it was issued to Aran. Was he seriously that narrow-minded?"

"Sir, I believe Aran is on Tallon IV at this very moment."

"Then what are you doing standing around, soldier? Make sure she doesn't get away. We'll be sending back-up ASAP. Hold on for as long as possible, got it?"

"Sir yes sir!"

Randall turned to Keller as the private channel turned off.

"Keller, we have enemy contacts."

"Who?"

"The damned hunter standing right in front of our faces."