User blog:RoyboyX/Metroid Fusion: The Novel

My fourth novel, this time taking us back to the BSL and the X Parasites.

Chapter 1: Reborn
It had been two years since I destroyed planet Zebes and killed Mother Brain. I'd been assigned to watch over Biologic's research team, so I once again found myself on the surface of SR388. It was there that I was attacked by a life-form I had never encountered before. The specimen appeared when I killed a Hornoad that attacked the three of us. It was only later that I learned the identity of my attacker: the parasitic organism we now know as X. Unaware of my condition, I was returning to the station when disaster struck. Once the X had infested my central nervous system, I lost consciousness and my ship drifted into an asteroid belt. The ship's emergency systems automatically ejected the escape pod before impact. My ship was destroyed in the crash. Biologic's vessel recovered it and transported me to Galactic Federation HQ. However, during the journey, the X multiplied within me, corrupting large areas of my Power Suit.

It then came to light that the organic components of my Power Suit had become so integrated with my system that it could not be removed while I was unconscious. Large portions of my suit had to be surgically removed, dramatically altering my physical appearance. However, the X in my central nervous system were too embedded to be removed safely. I was given a minimal chance of survival. Then, someone found a cure. They proposed using a Metroid cell to make an anti-X vaccine. It seems that the Federation had managed to preserve a cell culture from the last infant Metroid from SR388. The serum was prepared and injected without delay. The X parasites were immediately and completely destroyed. As for me, one life ended... yet I survived, reborn as something different. Pondering this fact, I realize... I owe the Metroid hatchling my life twice over. I held my hand to my chest. The Metroid hatchling that had died so long ago to save me was with me forever.

"We'll soon be arriving at the B.S.L research station. I must prepare for docking." The ship's computer has notified me of our approach to the Biologic Space Labs, or B.S.L, research station. During my surgery, the research team sent the last batch of creatures we captured there, as well as the infected pieces of my Power Suit. After regaining consciousness, I learned that an unexplained explosion rocked the station. For some reason, this awoke a nameless fear in my heart, and now I am being sent there to investigate. My mission on the B.S.L station will be overseen by my new ship's computer. Following the commands of this blunt, computerized CO is something I have to bear, as it was a condition of my taking the ship. For someone who dislikes taking orders, this is the second time I've found myself having to do so. It makes me recall my other CO... He'd died during my last mission to wipe out the Metroids on a facility called the Bottle Ship. I still had his helmet - my possessions were left at Galactic Federation HQ, so I didn't have to worry about that. However, I'd taken them with me again.

I piloted the ship and landed in the Docking Bays. Activating my suit, the computer briefed me. "There's been an explosion in the Quarantine Bay. The bay currently stores capsules containing recent samples from SR388 as well as parts of your suit infected by the X parasites. The cause of the explosion is as yet unclear. Investigate. The Quarantine Bay is here. Move quickly and quietly... You are still unable to use most of your latent abilities. Don't forget that, Samus. Stop at the Navigation Room on the way. Uplink from there. Is your objective clear?" I nodded. "Now, go to the Quarantine Bay."

Chapter 2: X
After it provided me with a map of the Main Deck, I exited the ship from the bottom. I "disliked the look of my new ship. It was too purple, and didn't remind me much of my old ship. Oh well. Later, I would fly to the asteroid belt and gather the pieces of my old ship, then rebuild it. I ran through several rooms before I came to a Navigation Room. The computer told me that these would be used to uplink with it, so it could give me its orders. "The Quarantine Bay is ahead. Bio-signs are confirmed. Be careful." The next shaft was remarkably darker. As I entered the Quarantine Bay, I saw numerous crates shattered and in bad repair. The entire area was damaged. How could such small specimens do this much damage? I encountered a lone Hornoad and killed it. Another X emerged from it. I backed away slowly, but it found its way into me. I absorbed it and began to panic, dashing toward the Navigation Room. The computer told me this:

"This is unfortunate news... The specimens brought back by the field team were infected by X parasites. The X can mimic its prey; any specimen could have hosted it. Before the explosion, a security sensor scanned one..." An X Parasite scan appeared on the screen. "The gelatinous X parasites invade and rapidly reproduce, killing the host creature. They also absorb DNA and use it to mimic the host. You were almost killed by an X infection. Only the Metroid vaccine saved your life. It seems Metroids were the main predators of the X. That's why the vaccine worked so quickly and so well. But it has also changed your cellular makeup. You will never be infected by X again... In fact, you can now absorb any free-floating X parasites without a host by merely touching them. This will allow you to replenish health and restore weapons. You may also restore latent abilities this way, so pursue free X parasites whenever you possibly can. This station is home to many species...some violent ones. We must keep the X out of the breeding environments at all costs. This is vital, Samus."

The scan disappeared as the computer highlighted a location on my map. "I am already detecting massive bio-signs in this region. The X are gathering. This may be our chance to exterminate them, but... You are only at 10% battle capacity. Your chance of survival is extremely low. The Federation needs you alive and on duty, Samus... Is your objective clear?" I accepted. "Now, get going. I have released the lock on Level 0 hatches. Look for the blinking hatches." The hallways had lit up in nature. Now I was able to see properly. At the top was one of the hatches the computer mentioned. It was silver in color, and flashing. A Hornoad was in the connecting hallway. I killed it again and wasn't so fearful when I absorbed the X.

I spotted a Save Room - a welcome sight. These copied the data components of my suit. In case my equipment malfunctioned, I could return here to reactivate my suit. If my equipment did malfunction, my Zero Suit was the outfit of choice. It was a blue bodysuit that enabled acrobatic movement and faster running. Unfortunately, all I would have to defend me was a mere Paralyzer, a small hand gun that shocked enemies long enough for me to escape. I relied on it during my first Zero Mission, and utilized it during the escape from the Bottle Ship. I hoped I wouldn't have to use it again.

Mechanics aside, I ran into the next, large shaft. In front of me I saw the miserable form of a lab worker's corpse. Its remains were splattered all over the floor. Humans were just food for the creatures. They were too weak to be mimicked. I then saw an X come in and infect the remains. I tried to absorb it, but it dodged my every attempt. Ultimately, it formed into a large, purple mass with torn fragments of the researcher's lab coat. I could kill it, but it would leave behind another mass that I wasn't able to destroy. The X escaped and reformed. I decided to just ignore it.

I continued up even farther, and saw a green biomass blocking the way to a room. It was a Geron. These creatures lived on Zebes during my original Zero Mission. They served as obstacles. I couldn't destroy them; I had to attach purple parasites that would decompose the masses. However, it appeared to be vulnerable to my own fire. However, my shots wouldn't get it. I needed Missiles, but they were in the infected parts of my Power Suit, which were nowhere to be found in the Quarantine Bay. In the nearby Navigation Room, the computer gave me my next orders.

"I have received news from HQ. They can support you with downloadable weapons data. Once you have this data, you'll be able to use Missiles. This will help against some enemies your beam can't hurt. Head to the Data Room for the download. The Data Room is here. Is your objective clear?" It pointed out the location of this "Data Room" and sent me off. "With Missiles, your chance of survival climbs to 20%..." I ran to the elevator leading up to the Operations Deck. As the elevator went up, I started to think. I'd did a lot of that during the Bottle Ship incident. I figured I would do some more this mission. I believed that the Galactic Federation group that had cloned bioweapons off DNA on my suit was continuing their illegal operations on the BSL. Did that mean there were Metroids aboard?

On top of everything, I began to think about my computer. That computer reminds me of a gruff Federation CO I served under named Adam Malkovich. He called me "Lady" on missions; from anyone else, it would've sounded sarcastic, but Adam made it sound dignified. Out of respect and with some irony, I named the computer after him.

The elevator had arrived at the Operations Deck. As I entered the main operations room, I stopped for a minute to look out the window. There was a breathtaking view of space. I could see SR388 from here, as well as that accursed asteroid belt. There were three rooms above me. The bottom led to a Recharge Room, the second a Navigation, and the third was blocked by a red door. I investigated it until "Adam" chimed in. "Samus, you can't access that room yet. Proceed to the Data Room." I did. Perhaps the secrets of the facility, if any, were behind that door.

In the Navigation Room, "Adam" said, "The Data Room is just ahead."

I entered the Data Room and stood on a platform as I felt energy surge into my back. The data terminal uploaded the Missile data through the three diodes on my back. The diodes made me think Metroid nuclei. I re-entered the Navigation Room, and it suddenly darkened. This is what Adam had to say. "Electrical interference has knocked out the elevators on the Main Deck. This may be related to the X. I'll work on it. As for you... Try to find another way to the target. It's located here." He once again pointed me to the location where he'd detected bio-signs. "I'm reading huge bio-signs, so I hope your Missiles work... To reload Missiles you can use a Recharge Room or absorb a special type of X parasite. You'll see them. Try it out."

Mission accepted. "Missiles are your only hope. Don't hesitate to use them. Now, find a way to the target." I entered the shaft again and found a glowing red panel on the far wall. I tried shooting it. The panel crumbled and gave me a new pathway. I travelled through several corridors, ultimately coming to another area on the Main Deck. I'd also encountered the X that Adam mentioned: green-colored parasites that replenished my Missile ammunition, as well as a new sight to me: ladders that were attached to the ceilings and walls. Among many more Zombie researchers, I saw another familiar sight: Gadora.

The Gadora was a bio-engineered life form created by the Space Pirates, my sworn enemies. It was an eyeball-like mass that covered doors. I could only destroy it when the eye was open. The Gadora here was swollen red and very grotesque. And it didn't always open its eye to be damaged: it would also harden its eye to the extent where it could fire energy blasts. Upon its defeat, a Red X Parasite emerged. It fully replenished my energy and missiles.