Chapter 29: Prime Pt 6

The adult Sheegoth was not happy. Standing right in front of them were two creatures that were responsible for the death of its young. With its eyes full of hatred it charged towards Samus and NRG, who were quick to dodge the attack. The hunter started blasting the creature but each shot only bounced off of it.

"That's not going to do it, any ideas?" NRG askes as he punched the Sheegoth by the side of its leg with his ice gauntlets.

This action only served to make the creature angry and it kicked the Prypiatosian-B away.

Seeing that her friend is in trouble, Samus quickly scanned the creatures and the scanner revealed a possible weak spot.

Morphology: Sheegoth

Supreme predator of the Phendrana Drifts.

Logbook entry

Sheegoths are invulnerable to most Beam weapons. The crystals on their back absorb energy, which they can fire at prey. Sheegoths have poor stamina. They hyperventilate after using their breath attack, making their mouth area vulnerable. The soft underbelly of a Sheegoth is susceptible to concussive blasts. In battle, they expel blasts of frigid gas to ensnare their targets. They are also fond of ramming and trampling their hapless prey.

"Ben, hit it from bellow." Samus said as she fired several missiles at its stomach.

Seeing this NRG tapped the Omnitrix and changed into Bloxx. The Segmentasapien turned his hands into a pair of Bloxx-Lobbers and started shooting at the Sheegoth. The attack caused the creature to roar in slight pain and stagger back a bit before it breathed out its ice gas.

The Hunter and Segmentasapien quickly dodged out of the way and saw that the creature was having trouble breathing and the two took advantage by firing missiles and explosive blocks into its open mouth. The pain the Sheegoth felt was unbearable and it charged forward easily knocking Bloxx aside. The Segmentasapien sailed across the room and crashed into a wall shattering him.

Before Samus could shout out to him she saw Bloxx was regenerating his body and formed a hammer out of his left hand. He then charged towards the Sheegoth and swung the hammer right into the back of its knee bringing it down.

Samus took advantage and fired several missiles at its side and the Sheegoth roared again before breathing out more ice gas. Samus quickly jumped into the air to avoid the gas and fired several missiles as the Sheegoth began to breath. When the last missile struck the Sheegoth roared in agony before collapsing.

Samus checked the creatures vitals and they confirmed that the adult Sheegoth was dead. Shortly after, the two heard a sound and saw that Samus's upgrade had re-immerged from the ground.

With nothing left to cause trouble for the two they walked up to the stand and Samus reached out to grab it. Just like before the upgrade downloaded itself into her suit and she once again felt energy course through her body until it reached her blaster.

"What is it this time?" Bloxx asked.

"The Wave Beam. Now I can be able to deal with the Pulse Bombus and Scatter Bombus." Samus answered.

"Alright!" Bloxx said.

With that the two then decided to leave with Samus using her new wave beam to open the door and the two exited. There they made their long way back with Samus blasting both Pulse and Scatter bombus until they finally reached the outside of the temple. The two the began to head to the ruins where they first encountered the Baby Sheegoths and looking around Samus spotted a large icicle with a large crack in it. Samus blasted the icicle and it fell creating a platform for the two to climb.

There the two dealt with a pair of Crystallites before quickly taking out a bunch of 'Ice Shriekbats'. There they saw a small gap that led to another gap with the door on the other side. Bloxx saw this and stretched out to create a bridge out of his body to allow Samus to cross.

When she reached the other side and the Segmentasapien repeated the same action to the second gap. When Samus got to the door she used her wave beam to open it and as she entered Bloxx tapped the Omnitrix and changed into Clamp kick and followed her. The two then moved through a long corridor that was filled with two swarms of Scarabs and one Pulse Bombu. After dealing with both threats the Hunter and Zebesian entered the next door.

When they entered the two were met with a very large, open room, its floor covered with water that is frozen over in most places. In the center is a tall stone structure and a number of small ice platforms are in the water, some floating, some stuck to the ground.

They looked around before they noticed some type of deviceon the ledge. Samus then enters her morph ball and rolls inside of the machine. Then she began to rotate the machine with theBoost Ball, and three hatches high up in the room open.

She can then reach the Bomb Slot via some ice platforms and detonate abombin it, which causes the room to fill with water from these hatches. The floating ice platforms rise with this, and they heard what they instantly knew was a timer, meaning that they had to get moving before the water drains.

So with little time the two quickly moved across the water using the ice to get to a cliff and the two were able to reach a ledge just as the time ran out and the water drained away. The two continued upward until they reached the top and spotted a door in front of them but a large gap was in their way. The two leaped into the air and landed on the other side. Samus blasted the door open and the two were about to step inside before quickly ducking for cover upon seeing a defense turret. Clamp kick pointed his claw in the direction of the turret and fired several shots destroying it.

"Somethings going on down there." The Zebesian said as he and Samus carefully moved inside.

The two trekked through the hall and were about to enter the next door when suddenly something dropped in front of them causing the two to jump back.

"A Space Pirate?!?" Clamp kick asked in shock.

The Pirate was wearing a large purple helmet that obscure its entire face, including its eyes, which feature a large translucent blue orb on the forehead. The only weapon they possess is a scythe and the Pirate lunged toward the Hunter and Zebesian preparing to deliver a vicious slash.

This resulted in Samus to quickly dodge and allow Clamp kick to quickly deliver a high kick to the Pirate's chest that sent it sailing. Samus fired a missile and it struck its target. Once the Pirate fell it roared in agony before collapsing. Clamp kick tapped the Omnitrix changing back to Ben and scanned the Pirate's body. What he got was something truly unexpected.

"Whoa! This is defiantly new." He said.

"What?" Samus asked.

"My scans say that this guy is called a 'Shadow Pirate'. Space Pirates that are trained and equipped with sophisticated cloaking technology for stealth operations." Ben said as he moved his hand towards the Pirate's corpse.

Samus was about to say something but then an unexpected voice was heard.

"UNKNOWN DNA SIGNATURE DETECTED. COMENSING SCAN." The voice of the Omnitrix said, and a yellow light shot out and scanned the Shadow Pirate.

A few seconds later the beam vanished, and the Omnitrix spoke up again.

"SCAN COMPLETE. UNKNOWN DNA SAMPLE AQUIRED." It said.

"Ok... what was that all about? You mean to tell me that there are different kinds of Space Pirates?" Ben asked.

"That's one way of putting it." Samus answered.

"Really? But I thought that Zebesians were the only Space Pirates." Ben said.

"That's not exactly the case Ben." Samus said.

"What do you mean?" Ben asked.

"Well, in general the average Pirate soldier is tall and bipedal, though they favor a more hunched posture. However, beyond this their physiology changes dramatically. Sometimes they resemble crustaceans, insects, reptiles and even avians. This has led many to believe that the Space Pirates are less likely a single species and more likely a faction comprised of multiple different species across the galaxy." Samus explained.

"So they're basically the plumbers, except they attack and invade other planets. Ok, got it." Ben said as he thought about it more.

With that the two walked inside the next room. It was a large room containing many pillars, wires and metal walkways and a few crates, with an upper metal-floored level. WhenSamusand Ben entered the room, a small device appears from the ceiling and before they could figure out what to do, the machine sounds an alarm. Just as it floated back into the ceiling, blast shields rise, thedoorslock andfour Space Piratescome running and began to fire their weapons. This resulted in Samus and Ben to quickly duck for cover as Samus quickly returned fire.

Ben hid behind a pillar and was about to activate the Omnitrix but he had to quickly duck under a Pirate who tried to cleave his head with its blade. This resulted in Ben to quickly kick it in its abs knocking it back. The Pirate however quickly recovered and grabbed Ben by the throat and hoisted him into the air with no effort.

Samus looked back to see Ben in the Pirate's grasp and immediate concern was plastered on her face, but before she could provide aid, she saw something that immediately impressed her. The Pirate was about to slit Ben's throat but before it could do so, Ben gave the Pirate a swift kick right in between the legs.

Never had a Space Pirate ever felt such pain.

The Pirate lets go of Ben before dropping to its knees and clutched its crotch and this provided Ben a chance to activate the Omnitrix and changed into AmpFibian and shot an electric blast at the Pirate killing it instantly before the Amperi quickly took to the air.

'Well, that's one way to get out of a situation.' Samus thought as she blasted another Pirate.

AmpFibian quickly dodged as one Space Pirate shot at him and he intern shot several bolts back at it. Then the Amperi quickly shot towards the Pirate who continued to fire blasts and AmpFibian quickly phased right through it's body and the Pirate instantly felt an electrical surge corse through its body before collapsing dead. The Amperi spotted the last Pirate and fired several surges towards it. The Pirate was quick to avoid the blasts but couldn't dodge a missile that was fired curtesy of Samus.

"Heck of a shot." AmpFibian said.

"I try." Samus simply answered.

As soon as she finished that sentence the two saw that the blast shields recede, and the doors unlock. Wanting to check the area incase there are any more Pirates they entered the door in the far left and upon entering the room they were met with another map room. Samus walked towards the machine and placed her arm cannon on the panel and the map downloaded itself into her helmet.

With their newly acquired the two walked back to the room the two encountered the Pirates.

"Where to now?" The Amperi asked.

"Up there." Samus said pointed to the upper level of the room.

With that the two moved upwards a nearby ledge that was shaped out like a ramp and then reached the upper walkways. They continued on until they reached the next door. Samus set her blaster to wave beam and fired at the door. Upon opening the two continued on with Samus dealing with two Scatter Bombus before entering the next room. Upon entering the two were met with a large room but the two couldn't get a good look around due to a force field blocking off most of the room.

"Ok, guess this means someone wants to keep us out." AmpFibian said.

Samus looked around hoping to see if there was a way to shut the force field down.

That was when she saw a terminal on the side she scanned the terminal and this opens up the lower floor of the lab.

Now that the field was gone the two now saw much more of the room which contains multiple containment units, and piles of crates and computer screens off to the sides.

"What is this?" The Amperi asked.

"It appeared to be some sort of laboratory called Research Lab Hydra." Samus answered as she looked inside of one of the containers.

Just as the two were about to press on they heard a sound and looked up to see two Space Pirates hanging on the ceiling. The Pirates instantly dropped down and this forced the Hunter and Amperi to move out of the way and find cover.

AmpFibian quickly took cover behind one of the containers while Samus hid behind some boxes before quickly returning fire. The Pirates shot at the two's hiding spots hoping to force them out but this resulted in the two returning fire.

The Amperi then realized that this won't last and tapped the Omnitrix changing into Chromastone. The Crystalsapien quickly stepped out into the line of fire and began to absorb the Pirate's energy blasts. This drew Samus's attention and she used the opportunity to fire two missiles at the Pirates killing them. The two then looked around the lab and saw that there was more things above them. With that they looked around and saw a nearby elevator they could take that leads to the next floor. Samus activated the elevator and the two began to move up.

They reached the second floor and stepped off and moved across a walkway that led further up where they were met with more Pirates. Due to how narrow the walkway was Chromastone set himself as a wall to seperate the Pirates and Samus. One Pirate fired several blasts at the Crystalsapien but he absorbed each blast and shot his own energy blasts at the Pirates who couldn't avoid the blasts.

The two continued on until they reached the second floor and encountered two more Pirates. One was hiding behind several boxes while the other was behind the rail of another walkway. Chromastone quickly fired at the one by the walkway while Samus shot the one in the boxes killing them. They were about to move on but they instantly ducked back when an auto defense turret started firing at them.

Chromastone quickly stepped forward and took several more blasts from the turret before Samus fired a beam at it destroying the turret. With that the two continued until they reached the last floor. There the two encountered one last Pirate who tried to get the drop on them. Before Chromastone could act Samus fired a missile at its head obliterating most of its upper torso.

"Ok that was gross." Chromastone said as Samus walked passed him.

"What do you suppose they were doing here?" She asked as the Crystalsapien changed back to Ben.

"Well lets take a look." Ben said as he used his helmet's visor to hack into one of the computers in the lab.

"Anything?" Samus asked

"Well… I can't find much, but I did find several audio logs." Ben said as he played the first log.

'Log 10.344.8

We have codified the newfound energy source as Phazon, a V-index mutagen of which we have very little reliable data. Indications point to a meteor of unknown origin impacting approximately 20 years ago, expelling Phazon into the environment. This material appears to possess lifelike characteristics, mutating organic life-forms strong enough to withstand its poison. These mutations appear promising, with abrupt evolutionary leaps appearing in single-generation reproduction. Plans to establish a full Science Team on Tallon IV are being finalized.'

"Phazon. That must have been what was in the meteor. Phazon." Ben said realizing what was going on.

"The meteor must have been carrying large quantities of Phazon when it crashed, and it began to spread across the entire planet affecting every living creature that came into contact with it." Samus said as the next log began to play.

'Log 10.587.7

Mining operations have begun near the crater where Phazon appears to be most concentrated. Daily Phazon yields have increased 44%, and our mining system becomes more streamlined as personnel and equipment flows increase. Several incidents of Phazon-induced madness have been reported, prompting augmented life-support regulations in the deeper chambers. Symptoms include loss of equilibrium, erratic respiration, muscle spasms, and in the most extreme cases, hallucinations. A timeline reassessment for the refinery operation is recommended, as the material proves more unstable than initial analysis indicated.'

"So, the Space Pirates found the Phazon and began to mine for it, but in doing so it causes them to go insane." Samus said.

"Kind of reminds me of when Gwen and I went to The Null Void Incarcecon while looking for Kevin." Ben said as the next log began to play.

'Log 10.712.1

Most terraforming and retrofitting of security checkpoints on Tallon IV is complete, but we continue to research the alarming epidemic of breaches by local creatures. Door records show no unauthorized entries, so we must presume the creatures are either slipping in undetected during daily personnel moves or else finding their way in through subterranean tunnels. We have found many small breaches of this latter sort and plug them wherever we can, but it is unlikely that we will ever achieve full extermination within our current timetable.'

"Guess even in the far side of the universe you got to deal with pest problems." Ben said as the next audio began to play.

'Log 10.664.2

Research outpost Glacier One in the Phendrana Drifts region of Tallon IV's mountains is operating at 85% capacity. Sub-zero temperatures have made the Metroids sluggish and easy to control, even those well into Phazon-infusion cycles. Cold-containment stasis tanks are sufficient for the juveniles, but some of the larger Metroids have been moved to quarantined caves for safety purposes. Security doors remain an issue, as malfunctions due to ice occur every day. Large predators in the wastes are also a concern, as they continue to kill personnel and breach secure areas. Unfortunately, it has become clear that our containment teams cannot neutralize all of them without a vast increase in munitions and soldiers.'

"Phazon-infusion cycles in the Metroids?" Samus asked in confusion.

"I do not like the sound of that." Ben said as the next audio played.

'Log 10.515.8

Our initial tests exposing Tallon IV's indigenous parasites to Phazon appears to be successful. Increases in size, strength and aggressiveness are common in all test subjects, as well as unforeseen evolutions like additional poison sacs within the abdomen and the appearance of a second ring of mandibles in several subjects. These creatures were chosen because of their resilience, and it appears possible that, given enough exposure to Phazon, they may one day be able to survive on any planet we transport them to. Our methods will have to be refined; we currently have a 100% extinction rate after the fourth infusion period, and most survivors of the third infusion stage are so violent and uncontrollable that they have to be euthanized. Even still, we remain hopeful that further experimentation will result in success.'

"That explains the Parasite Queen back on the Orpheon station. The Space Pirates were experimenting on the Phazon. Trying to weaponize it." Samus said.

"Just like Professor Paradox told me." Ben said.

With this information in mind, the two agreed that once they stopped the Pirates they'll have to destroy this lab and all of they're research. But that will have to wait as they began to leave the lab by taking the door that was located in the celling. This led to a long corridor that was filled with auto defense turrets. The two quickly took cover behind several boxes and Samus quickly fired a missile at one of the turrets destroying it. Ben quickly activated the Omnitrix and slammed down the core and when the light faded in Ben's place was an alien who's appearance somewhat resembles aniguana. He had small spikes around his face, three dorsal fins reaching down his back and white gills on the sides of his head. He had white pants and a black open-front shirt with white cuffs and he wore theOmnitrixsymbol on his left hand.

"ARCTIGUANA!!!" Shouted the Polar Manzardill.

Arctiguana quickly took action and shot forward and fired his ice breath at the remaining turrets freezing them and thus left them vulnerable for Samus to fire a missile at each, destroying them instantly.

"Nice shot." The Polar Manzardill commented as they continued.

With the turrets no longer an obstacle the two then made their way to the door and entered.

Upon entering the next door the two where were met with a large, tall, cylindrical room ofSpace Pirateconstruction. There are many ledges around the edges, wires across the floor and computer screens at the far side from thedoor.

"What is this place?" Arctiguana asked.

"Must be some sort of Observatory." Samus said looking around the room.

The two didn't get far as three Space Pirates dropped down attempting to take the two by surprise. The Polar Manzardill shot out his ice breath at the pirate who was right in front of them. The beam made contact with the Pirate and it was frozen instantly. Samus charged forward smashing through the frozen Pirate like a glass window and shot several blasts towards the Pirate on the left while Arctiguana took the one on the right.

The Pirate fired several blasts towards Samus who was able to avoid the blasts before firing several blasts of her own. The Pirate quickly dodged a few of the blasts but couldn't avoid the last one as the blast completely obliterated the Pirate's head.

As the Pirate's corpse fell Samus looked towards Arctiguana who had finished his fight with the Pirate he fought completely frozen solid.

With their enemies dispatched the two heard the sound of a computer powering up. The two made their way towards the computers and noticed two things on opposite sides of the computer. Samus quickly took a scan of the two and saw that they were more Pirate audio logs.

'Log 10.401.7

Phazon mining is under way. Several garrisons have been established, and terraforming of the Chozo Ruins is under way. Security systems are operational, and Science Team continues to make progress in their biotech research. The Phendrana Drifts have proven to be an optimal location for Research Headquarters, and soon it will be joined by a fully operational Combat base and starport. If Command's predictions are half true, we shall rise to dominance in this sector within a deca-cycle. Truly, these are glorious times.'

"Sounds like they're starting to make progress in the Phazon mining." Arctiguana said.

"Indeed." Samus answered as she played the next log.

'Log 10.229.2

Scans of theSpiral Sectordetected a massive energy spike emanating from aWanderer-classplanet identified as Tallon IV. Scout reconnaissance was immediately dispatched to the center of the spike, a land mass at the heading mark 40.08.08, returning with planetary samples and atmospheric imaging. Analysis shows the energy source to be an unstable radioactive material of enormous potential. We are unable to form an accurate risk-assessment at this time, but we are unlikely to find an energy source this powerful again. Analysis will continue but currently Tallon IV appears to be a viable secondary headquarters.'

"This must be when they first discovered the Phazon radiating from the planet." Arctiguana said.

"And the pirates quickly took advantage and set course towards the planet." Samus concluded.

With this in mind Samus scanned the computer hoping to find more information. Upon scanning the computer it activates aBomb Slot on the right. Once the two saw this they made there way towards the slot with Samus jumping up to the ledge and Arctiguana scaling the wall.

When they reach the slot Samus entered her morph ball and Arctiguana picked her up and placed her into the slot. Samus then set off a bomb and this began to power up the machine in the center of the room.

Another Bomb Slot is activated on the opposite side and the two made their way to the slot. Once they did they repeated the same process and this time fourSpinnersaround the floor opened. The two quickly made their way to the bottom floor were Samus entered her morph ball and entered one of the spinners. Using theBoost BallSamus was able to lower one of the four locks for the bottom of the machine. Once the lock is completely lowered Samus repeated the process three more times and was able to unlock the lower half of the machine.

Now free the top half of the machine lowered itself and a projection appears displaying a holographic projection of the FS-176 System.

"Whoa. It's the entire FS-176 System." The Polar Manzardill said in amazement.

The two cold only watch in fascination of the entire system being displayed. Spotting several planets and moons including Zebes and Tallon IV. When Samus scanned the hologram of Tallon IV she was not pleased by what she saw.

"What's wrong?" Arctiguana asked.

"My scans say that due to the Phazon radiation at the current rate of decay, Tallon IV will be a barrenClass XIII wastelandin approximately 25 years." Samus said.

"All the more reason to stop this thing." Arctiguana said in determination.

With that the two began to make their way upwards with Samus jumping from platform to platform while the Polar Manzardill scaled the walls. Eventually they reached the top and that was when Samus spotted something in the middle of a large gap.

She jumped towards it and saw it was another of her upgrades. Samus reached out to touch it and just like before the upgrade downloaded itself into her suit and she once again felt energy course through her body until it reached her blaster.

"I've just reacquired the Super Missiles." Samus said, seeing what it was.

"Alright!" Arctiguana said in excitement.

With that the two then made they're way to the door and exited the Observatory.