Experiment 7526 is an unsuccessful attempt at converting a Space Pirate into an Elite Pirate. Its fragmented remains can be seen inside a tall, indestructible Xenome Containment Unit in the Research Lab Aether room of the Phendrana Drifts, in Metroid Prime.
Experiment 7526 appears to possess a wide variety of features, such as plating on its head and neck, six eyes, two tentacles, a translucent membrane with an inner nucleus reminiscent of most standard Metroid types (especially the evolved forms of the SR388 strain), a thorax with a stinger, and a large claw with a built-in gun barrel. The claw in particular causes it to resemble a Zebesian more than any Space Pirate on Tallon IV.
Official data[]
Scan (Research Lab Aether)[]
"This tank holds the remains of experiment 7526. Conversion of Elite Pirate unsuccessful."
Development notes[]
Early concept art
E3 2001 concept art for Prime depicted Experiment 7526 in its intact state. An anonymous former developer from Retro Studios later revealed that this creature is a scrapped enemy, a mutated Space Pirate that is a failure in the Pirate Phazon experiments. Its model was then repurposed as background fodder.[1]
The gun barrel claw and abdomen are likely remnants of early concept art and models for Space Pirates that more closely adhered to the classic Zebesian design. In addition to its Metroid-esque torso membrane, the head of experiment 7526 bears some resemblance to the head of an Omega Metroid in concept artwork by Danny Richardson. All these traits imply the creature was, in addition to Phazon experiments, some kind of failed Metroid-Space Pirate hybridization.
Metroid Prime 1–3: A Visual Retrospective features concept art of various Space Pirates from Prime, including the standard Space Pirates and Flying Pirates having Metroids as part of their equipment alongside Elite Pirates and the Omega Pirate having a Metroid as their head or their torso resembling a large Metroid. This indicates that Space Pirates besides this scrapped one were meant to use or be hybridized with Metroids.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has brought back the above concept via Metroids that can fuse with organisms and trigger the growth of the species' characteristic membranes on the hosts' bodies. This time expanded beyond just Space Pirates. Aberax and Carvex are currently the only visually confirmable examples.
Gallery[]
References[]
| Elite Pirates | |
|---|---|
| Characters | EPG-8644 and EPG-8656 • EPG-8701 and EPG-8702 • Experiment 7526 • Omega Pirate • Phazon Elite |
| Technology | Chameleon Manta • Energy-siphon system • Omega Pirate Absorption System • Plasma Artillery Cannon • Plasma Incendiary Launcher • Repulsion Shield • Wave Quake Generator • Wrist Bayonet • Cryosleep Tank |