literature

Metroid: Rogue: Final Chapter

Deviation Actions

Triforce-Dragon's avatar
Published:
1.6K Views

Literature Text

Debriefing


The first thing I felt was a splitting headache which jacked me awake. I tried opening my eyes, but the world only slowly started to return to me, I could see the inside of my helmet and a bright light shining through the visor. Voices tethered at the edge of my hearing, slowly becoming clearer.

“Doctor, I think she is waking up,” said a man’s voice somewhere to my left.

“Unlock the restraints, dampen the light,” answered a woman’s voice somewhere in front of me, getting louder even as a figure leaned in over me, a shadow against the bright light behind her which was slowly dimming, “Samus Aran, can you hear me?”

I felt something slide of my wrist and I slowly raised a hand displaying a thumbs up even as I spoke, “yeah, I can hear you.”

“Good, easy now, take it slow. You have been out for a bit and while no lasting injuries are apparent we cannot be certain,” said the same woman in a gentle voice.

I slowly sat up, feeling a bit dizzy as I did, the world now coming into focus. I was in a lab of some kind or hospital, I had been there before or at least somewhere similar.

Three people stood around me in white doctor’s coats and I could help but notice two marines at the only visible door. They were unarmed, but nonetheless watched me.  

“Am I in the Federation HQ? How long was I out?” I asked slowly as I turned to the nearest person, a young doctor, likely who had spoken.

“You have been out roughly a day since you were recovered from a drop pod on the seafloor, not far from the wreckage of the GFS Valhalla from what I have been told,” told the doctor gently, “how are you feeling?”

“Lightheaded, slight headache,” I noted.

The doctor nodded and moved closer, “would you mind removing your helmet? While we ran a scan of your body, and beyond a few bruises everything checks out fine, I would like to do checkup on your head as you might have a concussion.”

“Understood,” I said eyeing the marines for a moment and I could see one briefly speak into his comm unit, but made no other moves beyond watching me. I was a bit on guard, not knowing what had happened.

The doctor quickly examined my head, turning it and lifting my hair even as she asked me a range of questions regarding my wellbeing. The dizziness of earlier was rapidly disappearing now, along with the headache and the doctor soon smiled.

“Everything checks out, but just in case keep an eye out for any symptoms like memory problems, nausea, headaches or dizziness,” she said logging something to a data pad. “Now, I have been informed that upon waking up you were to be escorted to a nearby room for a meeting, provided you feel well enough for that?”

I picked up my helmet, carefully tugging away my long hair as I put it on. “Yeah, I am fine now.”

“Splendid, I believe the two gentlemen over there will show you the way,” said the doctor gesturing to the marines.

I nodded and stood up, still on guard even as I approached them. One of them opened the door as I approached, the other one saluting me. “Please follow us, Samus,” the one saluting me said respectfully, making me ease up somewhat as they led me out the door.

They led me down a short corridor into a series of hallways, though we only headed straight ahead for a little while before they turned to a door on the right, opening it and directing me inside.

They did not follow me in even as I entered a small office. Two chairs had been set up with a table in between, datapads strewn across it and Commander Merak was standing next to one chair. He was out of his armor and instead in full commander dress uniform, greeting me as I entered.

“Good to see you are okay, Samus Aran,” he said with a quick salute.

“Commander,” I answered politely even as I walked forward, “may I ask what this is about.”

Merak sighed a bit, but then smiled, “pretty much everything really. I have been given the task of debriefing you following the events of the last six months or so, as well as a small mountain of other things. But first and foremost…”

He walked a bit away from the chair and bowed deeply towards me. “On behalf of the Federation and the majority of its ruling Council I extend an official pardon for the alleged breach of orders and unsanctioned destruction of SR388. Furthermore, I am to apologize on their behalf for the injustice visited upon you and present numerous compensations for the problems this wrong sentence caused you over the span of the last four months. They also extend their thanks for helping to unravel this conspiracy that had festered within their ranks,” he said firmly and precisely before raising his head again.

I looked at him a bit surprised by it all, but also slowly relaxing completely. One big question was starting to rise in the back of my head even as I spoke, “thank you, it is good to know that this is over. But how come you were tasked with this instead of the council itself explaining it all.”

Merak seemed to sigh heavily even as he sat down, gesturing to the other chair. I followed his lead and sat down.

“The council, and most of the Federation HQ, is in complete chaos. While the attack was not dangerous, thanks to you, Adam and Anthony’s actions, the information you recovered from the conspirators’ space station and which Adam delivered to the council was substantial,” told Merak.

“The Council members present, realizing the danger they had been in, were quick to trust each other seeing as they had all been targeted, but outside of that no one knows who can be trusted or not. The information recovered mentioned few names beyond who were already known,” continued Merak, resting his head upon his hands and seeming very tired.

“I was deemed trustworthy due to my actions in the conflict and assigned to this task while they are still debating and trying to decide on the best cause of action. For now, any Council members not present at the building has been put under house arrest at whatever location they were at,” he continued, “but this is going to take a while and the council felt it important that you be thanked for your actions, even if they will probably have more to say once things quiet down.”

He raised his head a bit and smiled, “oh and none of this leaves this building. The council is trying to minimize how many people know the exact details of what happened before they are ready to make an official announcement on the events. For all everyone else know for now the planet was simply attacked by a group of zealous, but foolish space pirates who had captured the wreckage of the Valhalla.”

I nodded in understanding, before speaking. “If you don’t mind me asking, where is Anthony and Adam, oh and Thrusk for that matter.”

“Anthony has suspended from the force for aiding an, at the time, known criminal. He is to stay on the planet, with full pay, until further investigation is done,” said Merak and I was about to protest when I saw him smiling.

“The fact that he aided you while you were a known criminal cannot be ignored, but this is not a punishment, more like vacation. He will have a few weeks to rest and will then be brought back in with honors once the entire thing has at least somewhat blown over,” told Merak, “as for Adam he is still on your ship and has been in communication with the council, frequently requesting status updates on you. He has been given information on most of what is going on, including possibilities for his own future which he will be able to discuss with you. As for Thrusk…”

Merak’s expression became grim and his voice dropped a bit, “Thrusk is considered a trustworthy commander and is aiding the effort to unveil this entire problem, but in private he has expressed a desire to retire. The doomed mission which saw the loss of his platoon as well as the ambush aboard the communication station has shaken him deeply as he considers himself responsible for the dead, to the point where he volunteered to ram the Valhalla should all else fail. He will be receiving counseling as soon as I can arrange for it.”

“I see,” I said slowly, “I hope he gets better.”

“So do I,” said Merak simply even as he turned to the datapads in front of him.

“Now I am sorry to say it, but I will have to ask for as detailed a report as possible about everything you did since the incident at SR388. Adam has already supplied ship logs, but we will need verification as well as your own words on the events, provided you feel well enough for it,” said Merak clearly seeming tired at the mere prospect of it, “should I call for some refreshments?”

“That would be a good idea I think,” I said even as felt slightly tired myself at the idea of what was going to happen.

By the time I was done recounting the events that had led to this point evening was falling outside and though Merak admitted that several other things remained we agreed to wait for tomorrow with them.

Instead I headed out to find my ship and was led out of the building and directed to a landing platform atop one of the many hotels around the Federation HQ. As I walked through the streets I drew countless stares from other people walking around me, many stopping to look after me, but I only noticed the signs that a battle had taken place in the city not long before.

Cracked walls and smashed glass marred a storefront where it was clear a battle with the ground bound diversionary space pirate force had taken place. I did spot several marines standing guard or patrolling the streets as well, but otherwise things seemed calm.

I reached the hotel, taking the elevator to the top after only a brief verification from the clerk at the counter and found my gunship in perfect condition. It opened as I approached and as I took the lift up into the ship a well-known voice greeted me.

“Welcome aboard, lady,” said Adam a note of relief in his voice.

“Good to be back, Commander,” I answered with a smile even as I looked around. “Everything in one piece it seems.”

“Yeah, they were quick to switch focus to the Valhalla when it came into view. I assume everything is okay with you as well?” he asked with some concern and after a moment adding, “and why must it always end with you outrunning an exploding or crashing ship or space station.”

“Call it natural talent,” I said with a smile even as I sat down in my pilot chair, dematerializing my power suit and leaning back with a deep breath, “I am quite fine. I will need to have a scan done regarding the new effect from the metroid vaccine, but it can wait a few days. Think I have earned a bit of downtime.”

“You could take it slow till the end of your days and no one would be able to criticize it in any way,” said Adam.

“But we both know I would not be able to do so,” I answered still smiling as I leaned over the controls a large number of messages popping up, mostly Federation stuff. Thanks from various council members and the like. Adam seemed to have answered most, but my attention was drawn to one from Anthony which had remained unopened.

I opened it and was greeted with the words Hey Princess.

If you are reading this then you should be back on your feet for which I will be grateful. I have a few weeks off now apparently so I was wondering if you wanted to hit a bar and celebrate getting out of this mess alive, my treat.
Just contact me when you have the chance.

Anthony.


I smiled as I closed the message and leaned back wondering how to respond. I recalled him having talked about it back on Aether and wondered if I should take him up on it. Could not even remember when I had last just hit a bar.

I would also have to visit Aether again. U-Mos needed to know that everything was okay and there were other Luminoth I really needed to thank for their aid even if they would probably brush it off as the least they could do considering my past deeds for them.

I slowly sat up and focused on the purple dot on the screen.

“What are your plans now Adam?” I asked.

“That is still a bit up in the air,” he said slowly, “I have been in contact with the council and they have in fact already issued me and you a new mission, but one a bit different from the usual fare.”

“How so?” I asked a bit surprised.

“They are not asking it to be completed anytime soon, should you accept, in fact things need to quiet down before they can truly follow up on it,” said Adam, “and it is an escort mission.”

“Who would I be escorting and where?” I asked not quite sure where this was going.

“You would be escorting me to the Aliehs III shipyards where I will be integrated into the construction of a new Olympus-Class battleship which has been under construction to replace the Valhalla,” told Adam, “I will be part of a new initiative to upgrade existing AI with exemplar performance into a new Aurora Unit instead of building a new AI from scratch.”

“They are making you into an AU?” I exclaimed in surprise.

“That is the offer I have been given, though I am fully able to turn it down at which point I would be cut loose from the Federation military under the condition that I remained with you,” told Adam.

We were both silent for a bit as it sank in for me, but finally I asked, “what do you want?”

“Being reunited with you and able to aid you on this past mission has been great, Samus,” said Adam his voice upbeat in a way I rarely remembered it, “we have accomplished something I doubt anyone else could have done and stopped a vicious coup against the Federation. It has truly been an honor working with you.”

“Likewise, commander,” I replied with a smile, though I also knew what came next.

“But,” he continued, his voice lowering a bit and becoming more calm and firm, “I am not a bounty hunter, I am a commander as you said yourself. The Federation is my home and as an AU, one aboard an Olympus-class ship at that, I feel I can aid the Federation in the best way.”

“I expected you to say that,” I said feeling a tiny sting of sorrow, but just knowing that Adam still lived in some form was enough to banish that thought.

Adam said nothing, but instead opened a note on the message offering the mission, the reward offered for bringing him there. “The Federation is offering to build you a new ship to replace the one lost at SR388,” he said even as I read through it, confirming that it was a deal similar to when ship I was sitting in currently was built, only this time it would be free.

“Well I could always use another ship. It seems like they get destroyed about as much as I lose parts of the suit,” I said jokingly even as I leaned back, “but let us not go right now. After all they wanted us to wait for things to quiet down and I think I want to take Anthony up on his offer.”

“Sounds like a good idea, I will stay in touch with the AU of the Federation HQ to see when things are under control on their end,” said Adam even as I started contacting Anthony.

It was already late so we decided to meet the next day at a bar not far from the Federation marine base, apparently a bit of a hangout spot for the local marines.
It was easy enough to find, a rather large place brightly lit from the outside and impossible to miss in the growing dark of the evening.

Anthony had arrived ahead of time and was already inside. He had suggested I arrive separately and outside of power suit to see how long it would take before anyone recognized me, just to see that look on their faces. To this extend I once again found myself in civilian clothes, pulled over my zero suit, a loose hood pulled over my head and holding most of my hair even as I headed inside.

The music was loud and the entire bar buzzed with life, mostly marines off duty going by the number of uniforms among the bar patrons. A few screens behind the counter showed the latest news, including a broadcast about my own involvement in the recent events.

Looking around I quickly spotted Anthony sitting at the counter, conversing with two other marines on his right.

I moved up, taking the seat on his left even as I felt slightly uncomfortable. I could not remember when I had last been somewhere like this and even then it was not places I frequented often.

Anthony turned away from the two marines briefly. “Glad you could make it,” he said giving me a confident smile before ordering a drink for me and turning back to his conversation with the other two marines. I sipped at my drink as it arrived, listening in on the conversation as I did.

“Why was it you ended up at the Valhalla anyway? Who did you piss off?” asked one of the marines, the one sitting furthest from me.  

“No one really, as it turned out, someone just wanted to use me as leverage against Samus Aran,” told Anthony.

“Samus Aran, the bounty hunter Samus Aran?” asked the other marine in disbelief and I noticed Anthony nodding confidently in response.

“As if, man,” laughed the first marine, “you were to be used as leverage against the greatest bounty hunter in the galaxy?”

“We were in the same platoon back when Samus Aran was in the Federation army. Still talk to her every once in a while,” told Anthony in a confident tone, though I could only imagine he was finding their skepticism rather hilarious with me sitting right next to him. I was also starting to find it rather funny and wanted to see just how far Anthony was going to pull this.

“Yeah we know, you have told us that like a dozen times over the years,” said the second marine, “yet you have never been able to back it up that you knew her personally.”

“Well she is in the city right now, who do you think brought down the repaired Valhalla,” told Anthony, “told me she might even stop by and have a drink.

Both marines laughed clearly not believing Anthony. “If she is still planet side she is probably at the Federation HQ right now getting paid then. I mean, I heard she has destroyed planets, she probably has better things to do than visit a bar like this,” said the first marine skeptically.

“I doubt she has even destroyed a planet,” said the second marine and quickly tuned to Anthony, “I mean don’t get me wrong, no doubt she has earned her reputation, but one person destroying a planet seems more than a little farfetched.”

“True that,” said the second marine and they both took a large sip of their respective drinks. He then looked towards me, “anyway I don’t think you have introduced your friend, Anthony, who is she?”

I was about to answer, turning my head towards him when I noticed the first marine looking towards me, his gaze resting on me for a few moments as if he was checking me out even as he took a sip of his drink.

He had barely done so before I saw his eyes widen and his gaze shifted to the screens above, an image of me out of my power suit on one of them and back to me. He seemed to nearly choke on his drink, managing to down it before letting out a few coughs.

His buddy turned to help him and Anthony took the chance to look at me with the biggest grin on his face, obviously nearly cracking up at this point. Focusing on the two marines again, the first marine was pointing at me even as he struggled to form words, his friend turning to look at me and now the same look of realization crossed his face.

I smiled even as I raised my drink, any feelings of discomfort I had had gone as I watched the two marines’ reactions. “If you have to ask, my actions have resulted in few more blank spaces on the star charts, but the exact circumstances have varied,” I said confidently even as I downed the rest of my drink and turned to Anthony.

“And even the galaxies greatest bounty hunter sometimes needs someone to watch her back,” I said even as I fist bumbed Anthony.

“Not sure you really need me to watch your back, but I will take the compliment,” said Anthony and now let himself laugh a bit as he turned to the other two marines, raising his own drink.

I smiled at the two marines as they started to regain their composure and then ordered a new drink as I turned to them, “so, got any stories to share?”
Hello

Been a long ride, but this is the end. Not sure everything turned out the way I originally envisioned it, but i am honestly glad I finished this as my activity level has been less than stellar since I started it. 

Anyway hope you enjoyed this little story about Samus Aran.

Metroid and all things related (C) Nintendo

See ya next time
© 2016 - 2024 Triforce-Dragon
Comments5
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
bluerosekatie's avatar
Wow.  This was an amazing read! Everything, at least to me, seemed to follow naturally from the events of the games, and I would love to play a Prime series like game of this storyline!!!