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May 2023 It's been hectic this last year, but we are alive and celebrating our fifth year of adventure and tales. A lot has been worked on to help make the Monoverse one that everyone can enjoy and explore their story while becoming a part of the greater cosmos. All of you, new and long time players, stay safe, and see you in the Sea of Stars!
the things that you might like don't grow inside of me
Rather than approaching the small gunship head on, the approaching fightercraft would break off to either side of the ship before executing tight turns to loop around and follow it - and were it allowed, settle into escort positions off to either side of the Thrush as the communication channel that Samus had been hailed on lit with the sound of a familiar voice, should Samus remember it from nearly two years prior.
"It's good to be back, and Captain Caulfield sends her regards. Our picket ships will escort you down, in the meantime I'll patch you through to Operations. If possible they'd like to speak to you before you touch down planetside, there's a few things they'd like to discuss."
That impression was not the one she needed him to have right now. Her right hand held up to signal for him to be quiet as Samus tapped the glowing key to respond. "Uh…yeah. Mainly here on behalf of the Cho'za tribe and my father, so, not much reason to be unappreciative of the backup if we have any surprises."
A minute or two before they came on was all she had to try and diffuse a very bad misunderstanding before it grew. Samus hit the mute key, then turned back to face her passenger. "Eresh, what I am about to tell you does not leave this cabin…not even to General Be-hek, or I will pluck you and shove you in an oven as a Solstice turkey." She took a breath before continuing, her scars tightening across her face. "I don't know where it is, but I know what it is, and the place that Confed evacuated the surviving Zebes nest to is a very high security location that I'm pretty sure Admiral Dane has never been to." Another pause as she slumped in her seat and sighed.. maybe a few seconds left. "They would have combed every byte of his message and known about this, I just didn't actually expect they'd beat us here."
The squelch as the comline transfer completed. With a deep breath, Samus made sure it was audio only still, as she was in no condition for a video conference right now.
He would listen quietly, sighing as he did so. For all their good intentions, humanity had an ever so small bad habit: namely their desire to get their fingers into places where they didn’t belong. That the elders that raised Samus were kept from her for no doubt was a hundred security reasons was just another example of their overbearing need to maintain a sense of control. Where the situation different, he might’ve found amusement. The Confederation had many similarities to his own culture In how they attempted to ensure their peoples safety. He could see why Samus was so on edge because of it.
“I have much to say..but it can wait.” He said, shutting up as the contact with the crew of the Confed ship resumed.
the things that you might like don't grow inside of me
"Appreciated. One moment." The voice would say, the comm line falling silent just as Samus muted her end of the conversation. A moment later another voice would follow over the line, albeit this one masculine and not one that Samus had heard before when the Anvil had been recovered.
"Huntress Aran? Lieutenant Warren, Operations. Direct and to the point, we've a general idea of why you were asked out here. Rest assured, we don't intend to get in the way, quite the opposite. Reports from within the Federation and loss of a survey ship in this system several weeks back gave reason for concern, and those reports likewise suggested potentially troublesome wildlife on the surface as well. Metroids, if the briefing is to be believed. Specimens obtained after the events on Zebes that have been encountered elsewhere since. On the chance that the Kromus were present and running an operation within the system FLEETCOM saw fit to deploy us here as support. So far, though, we've seen nothing of the sort quite yet. We've taken the liberty of performing topographical and deep survey scans of the world in the last day or two we've been here." The Lieutenant said, and a moment later Samus would be informed of a second transmission inbound from the cruiser - not simply a voice communication but a direct dump of raw data, and a sizable chunk at that.
"We're sending you what we've been able to gather so far, along with EM spectrum overlays and visible spectrum orbital imagery. With luck it should make narrowing down the location of your facility much easier if you don't have the location already." Warren continued, although after that was said the comm line would fall silent for several long moments before his voice would return, tone carrying a tightness that it hadn't before.
"I'm sorry to say it, but you'll be on your own once you touch down. We don't know why the outpost fell silent and until we know otherwise we have to consider either a hostile ground environment that overwhelmed their defenses or a potential biohazard contaminant of some sort. We won't be landing troops on the surface. Should you need it you'll have access to close air and orbital support if requested and we'll remain on station should suspicions be correct and the Kromus make a surprise appearance, but that'll be the extent of what we can offer. Our pilots will fly you down if you'll allow it. Is anyone else aboard with you?"
Her eyes went to Eresh, slightly nervous as she hadn't been expecting to answer that kind of question. As she had told her passenger, she had fully expected to be done with her job and on her way back to Federation space before the Confederation had gotten there.
"Just myself and another hunter who understands very clearly the position of 'do not talk about this' once we're done here."
At least she hope that Eresh understood that idea very clearly. The last thing she needed was for the Mawkin leaders to find out what had been going on at Agár, and get any bright ideas of their own. Eresh was a friend, and General Be-hek had always acted as a concerned figure, but they were also looking out for their own people's best interests.
"I don't expect too much trouble. If all goes as I expect, we should be in and out within a day."
To his credit, Eresh would nod and simply sit back down. He wasn’t going to say anything at the moment, content to let her take care of the handling of this interaction. Though he was gradually growing a bit more restless. He wanted to just get the mission started already, and the fact that they were asking if she had other passengers made him ever so slightly uneasy.
the things that you might like don't grow inside of me
Back on the Anvil, a larger, pale man in blue naval fatigues and with short cropped black hair would frown slightly at the confirmation of another Hunter aboard the Thrush. At which a hand would reach over his shoulder to invade Warren's personal space and momentarily mute the feed. Glancing back to the other man behind him, Warren opened his mouth to speak only to be cut off with a look from the other officer - not one of the bridge crew but someone whose word still carried a degree of weight aboard the cruiser.
"It's fine, we know who it is. Continue." Following that cryptic sentence that other man would lift his finger from the console and take a step back, once again allowing the Lieutenant his personal space as he looked back to his workstation with only a slight amount of hesitation.
"Understood. Be aware that, circumstances allowing, we'll have to enforce a quarantine period of at least 24 hours after you embark from SR388's surface. As stated before, until we know exactly what transpired we can't be too careful and as we won't ask for access to the data logs you'll be retrieving the usual quarantine procedure when dealing with potential biological contaminants will have to stand. Apologies for the inconvenience. In the meantime, good hunting." Warren continued, once again broadcasting to the Thrush.
Her hands quickly danced over the main console, resuming their course toward the planet as soon as the Anvil had ceased communications. It was strange that DAW wasn't pulling some kind of stunt to get the data she came here for. Least that's the boogeymen she imagined that department of ConFleet as being from how much Dane had warned her about them.
"Guess that leaves us to get what we need, purge any networks left, and get the hell out," she muttered, more to herself than to Eresh. A few commanded input to the navigation AI, and the entry countdown displayed on the main canopy, allowing her to sit back again and close her eyes for a minute. "I've got an rough idea where the The'nau research laboratories are, and the Anvil's data should fill another gaps once we arrive."
“In that case, suppose the only thing we truly have to worry about in the immediate future is whatever threats we stumble upon on our way to the objective,” Eresh said with a familiar lightness of tone that he normally had whenever the prospect of adversity was presented— the fact that he was already unpacking and assembling that rifle always carried with him and the sword he had placed on the floor beside him being indication that he already expected there to be some sort of trouble once they landed.
“Full disclosure, Ha’chidari, I may need to ask you to allow me some.. liberties regarding information and possible mechanisms located planetside.” He said as he clicked the barrel of his weapon into place, taking a moment to sight it at the wall before resuming. “The data your father wants, that’s all yours. But other pieces of data, especially regards to technology.. I wish to be able to have access to it before we purge the networks. Nothing that’s essential to your mission, as I said. But.. you’re not the only one who has people who need all the help they can get. Anything that can help my tribe better acclimate to our new home, even slightly.. it would be extremely appreciated. I’d be in your debt, truly.”
A soft chirp came under her breath as Samus was silent in response to his request. Somehow, she had not been surprised by what he was asking, as much as they both had to know it broke the illusions of his 'exile' from the Mawkin. But a part of her was disappointed. She understood her desire to his people, without question. But the request…it sounded a lot like he was looking for something in particular. Like weapons tech. And being the Metroids had been created here by her adopted kinsman, she was suddenly aware of the paranoia growing in the back of her mind.
She knew of General Be-hek as a military leader. She knew Eresh respected him, likely reported to him often despite the young Mawkin hunter's official 'banishment'. Samus respected the general as well as a military leader and someone who had the welfare of his people to carry on his shoulders.
But she also knew damn well that even with good intentions, a military could be corrupted by their own determination to be on top in a conflict. The military history she had studied back at the army academy had shown her that even the Confederation, and its predecessor governments, had always had that dark corner. Central Intelligence. Section 7, Division 13. The Office of Naval Intelligence, Strategic Readiness Agency…it was why whenever Dane warned her to watch her interactions with Advanced Warfare or the Department of Military Oversight and Defense Affairs, she never let her guard down.
Nothing of value on Agár would likely be viable toward helping the Mawkin better adjust and develop their claimed home. They already had everything that the previous tribe had left behind when the Gro'mau went silent nearly a century ago. It may have been more paranoia than insight, but the young woman was also not naive.
"To be honest, I'm not sure all what information we'll be finding. If there's any navigation and stellar cartography data, I'll see what I can do." She hesitated a moment as the gunship was preparing for atmospheric entry. "Lets discuss that more when we find the labs. I've got a general area that we're going to, but we're going to need to filter the Anvil's data to find the actual entrance to the The'nau research nest."
Ten seconds until the automated entry protocols kicked in. She already could see the shields flicker as they adjusted for absorbing the heat of high speed atmospheric penetration. With a sigh, Samus glanced into the reflection of the upper displays to see the containment chamber where her suit was being prepared and readied for use. Why was she suddenly having worries about this? Why was she feeling so paranoid?
What the hell was she going to find had actually happened down there?
Eresh could hear the change of inflection, and noticed the tensing of her body language; he could tell that she was suddenly worried about something when he brought that up.. and his hand would gently rest on her shoulder.
“I really believe that we should talk about this now, in order to remove any further misconceptions that we might have about why we’re here. You’re a great warrior, Samus, but you have a very poor poker face. Why are you so hesitant about my request? It’s a fairly straightforward answer really: yes or no. I have no true claim to anything here.. that’s why I made the request. If you didn’t want me to touch anything, you could’ve said no and that would’ve been that, I’m here because you asked for my assistance, I would respect your decisions. But to string me along with a “maybe” is something of an insult to the both of us.” He then sighed
“I get it, you probably see me as just a K’ro for asking that.. and I won’t lie, if there was something on this planet that could be used for a combative purpose… yes I would ask if this information would be safe to copy for my people. But that’s just it: I would ask. We’re friends, battle-siblings.. there is no way in hell that I’d ruin our bond by just stealing from you and your people. And if you mistrust the General.. then I suppose it doesn’t really matter what I say. But I will say that it does hurt that you’d assume I’d be that underhanded.”
Which was true. His mission stood, but truth be told there were countless opportunities to further it. If he could get data that could benefit his people during this trip, perfect. If not? There was always next time; he would rather keep his friendship. But this mistrust towards him couldn’t be allowed to persist- it could prove to be deadly for the both of them.
“But if you are truly worried about me, I will request to wait for you on the Confederation ship until you finish your mission. Better that I remain on station somewhere that lets you operate without distraction or apprehension that I might do something that invalidates your trust.” He said, his tone steady.. but his shoulders were again slumped.
The Thrush had already begun to rumble with the resistance of atmospheric entry. Samus found herself biting her tongue as she considered her answer. It actually might be safer for Eresh on the Anvil...but at the same time…it felt like he was trying to guilt her for bringing him along, and then having concerns about what might be on the planet. They were friends, but she was fulfilling a request from family.
"It's not a maybe, it's an 'I don't know what's down there'." Again, that chirp as she resettled in her seat. This was a very conflicting situation. She had trusted him enough to offer him a ride along, a chance to see what his cousin tribes had been like. She had intended to find something to share with him once they had finished, but his request as soon as the Anvil had ended communications somehow had set off her worries.
Maybe she was being overly paranoid. She had at times, to be fair, used a trust in rightness in situations that turned out well enough. Ramsey had been one of those situations, but they were few between. And that distrust had kept her alive since Zebes. She could not afford a fault of judgment here.
But if something went wrong here, she also needed someone she trusted. It was hard.
"Look, we're already in entry, and I need to get this done as quickly as possible in case the Kromus decide to make a run for what I'm trying to recover. Dropping you off with a ship and crew from a Terran culture four hundred years gone by is a waste of your talents, and of our time here." She paused for a moment, noting that they were through the upper atmosphere and now over the region that her father's message had implicated as the location of the Chozo research nest. A few taps at the screen began running scans using the same data package that the Anvil had sent her. It wouldn't take long to find the entrance to the research labs.
"I trusted you enough to bring you with me and to tell General Be-hek where we were going, even though he won't be able to get here for at least another week and a half at best. Which reminds me, it may be prudent to inform him that we'll be done here before he has a chance to arrive."
With a muffled chirp under her breath again, Samus resigned herself to taking manual control of the Thrush and following the trail that was appearing on her screens; they had it. Guilt tripping her or not, Eresh was going to help her out since they were already here. She could discuss her feelings when they didn't have more important priorities to worry about. If she had least learned something from three years at the Mountain Point academy, it was that. "I'd advise you buckle up. We're going in hot."
The nimble gunship raced over the surface of the planet slowing and using the underside repulsors to allow it to hover as it began searching for the hidden entrances into the Chozo facilities. Several minutes crawled by as the ship's sensory array picked up what registered as some kind of hollow structure underneath a particular pattern of stones. It was hermetically sealed, allowing nothing in or out without what seemed to be a transmission code to the facilities beneath the surface. It forced the gunship to sweep around, seeking another possible entry when an opening in the nearby mountain was detected. While it was impossible to scan through all the cavern passages that were coming from up, enough was readable to find that they led into the very area they needed.
Dust and rock began to blast away as the gunship came about to settle in for landing. Small two legged toad-like creatures bound away in fear at this unknown thing with bright yellow-red coloration, clearing the zone for three dozen meters. The Thrush came to a silent halt, a hiss emanating as coolants began processing through the exterior thrusters. After a few moments, the rear hatch would lower, revealing the yellow and red suit of powered armor stepping down to disembark.
And as her feet crunched against the dirt and rock of the surface, Samus Aran would raise her viridian cannon, ribbons of light swirling around it briefly as a click could be heard, and the outer casing snapped back along the main body to reveal a micro-missile loaded into the barrel.
If she was expecting some argument or a comeback from the Mawkin.. he instead was silent for a few moments before he began chuckling..and then flat out laughing- raucous, raspy guffaws that probably would take the young hunter by surprise.
“There we go, you are actually being honest with your feelings now, good. Good,” and he then would gently grip her seat to stabilize himself as the turbulence of their entry rocked the ship. “I’m sorry for giving you that ultimatum.. I had to make sure you were going to commit- regardless of what is gnawing at your heart. I hoped that hearing the truth might help you see my resolve to help you regardless of what would happen.” He then paused “… you invited the general? Because I certainly didn’t think to request that he make the trip.” Eresh said, quite confused. “It would take him weeks to get here.”
He then shrugged “No matter, I’m sure he would understand. But, ah..” he then looked around the cabin “I’m afraid you don’t have any safety harnesses that are my size.”
Well that didn’t matter, he would brace himself as best as he was able.. and once they finally touch down on the surface.. he would sigh and ready his gear. “I’ve had better landings.. but I’ve had even more worse ones too.” He said as he followed the Hunter.. weapon now at the ready as they disembarked.
"It's about three kilometers from this cave entrance into what looks like the The'nau facility," came her quick response, getting straight to the point. "I can't say for sure what kind of native life forms we'll see in there, but general rule; if it doesn't attack, don't shoot."
Ironic, given her prepared missile, but Samus knew that her paranoia was at an unusual high here, and it was better to be ready than not. With a deep breath, she ran ahead into the cave, her HUD immediately switching to dark vision as the natural sunlight was dimmed out and lost inside the tunnels. So far, nothing tried getting in her way as she led Eresh down the crude corridors and around very anxious wildlife. "May be a decent easy run after all, but best keep your guard up."
As they continued deeper into the mountainside and the caverns beneath it, Samus began to notice a pattern of light emplacements that were coming on as she and Eresh neared, filling the underground passages with a soft glow. It was enough to tell them that they were on the right path to get to the Chozo laboratories, and that finding their way might not be so difficult at all.