Prologue – Log Files

Excerpts from the research journal of Head Scientist T'ska-atha:

Project Mantis has goals that are at once simple and vastly complex. A single sentence that states everything we need to know.

Produce a warrior that can match and exceed the Hunter.

The legions we have can do nothing against the Hunter as it stands now. The Hunter has technology from the old races. The powerful ones. The Chozo, The Luminoth. These things give her power. No matter how we combine the technology with our own, we cannot completely master the theories behind it. Morph Ball technology in particular eludes us. While not seemingly the most useful form of technology, it has enabled the hunter to survive where others fail – though this is but one of many examples. In addition, the legions themselves are useless to such an endeavor. The legions are too used to responding to the commands of the hive as a whole, making them too easy to predict.

Project Mantis seeks to reduce or eliminate these difficulties as well as is possible. Mother has given us access to all the data we have at present to accomplish this. All we know of the Chozo, the Luminoth, the Ing, the metroids, phazon, the Dark Hunter, and the Hunter herself, not to mention our own formidable technology. All these technologies and biologies are being considered, evaluated for their strengths and weaknesses, and recombined for maximum results.

The reports of those who spot the Hunter and live, at least long enough to record their observations, have been considered as well. It seems that the Hunter moves with a clarity of thought that far exceeds any of our forces.

Perhaps, like with technology, it is time to fight fire with fire. We need something capable of independent thought. Something… someone adaptable, capable of surviving of long periods of time in a hostile environment. The subject should come from a planet with mid-range technology. Not advanced enough to catch the eye of the Federation, but still advanced enough to understand the basics. If Mother approves, we may finally have a worthwhile plan.

Excerpts of the mission log of Strike Leader X'll-chak:

As expected, the Terran Federation watches over the entire system carefully, as they have demonstrated with other Terran planets that are coming close to the technology levels needed to ascend to the stars, preventing all out invasion. This sneaking in like assassins disgusts me. We should strike hard. But, these orders come directly from Mother herself. I cannot disobey.

I can only hope this 'Project Mantis' is worth this effort.

…

Mother preserve us!

I had not thought highly of Terrans before now, but these we were sent after are clearly of different stock. They fight like the Mother's own Guardians. Clearly the energy spikes were not glitches like the scientists first thought!

One in particular incapacitated over half my men on its own. Several will require new limbs; a few others are dead, cut cleanly in half by waves of energy. We managed to subdue this one only by force of numbers wearing it out… Anything Project Mantis can do with these to augment our forces may finally make us a match for the Hunter.

…

We have barely made it back to the colony intact. The Federation discovered us as we made our way out of the system. One of the strikes disabled the holding cell on the powerful one. Several more of my men died, and several vital systems were damaged before he could be overpowered again.

This one is stronger than any of us, and may in fact be a match for one of Mother's Guardians if fresh. Such power in the hands of an un-augmented Terran frightens me. No one says anything, but I am certain it terrifies us all.

Further excerpts from the research journal of Head Scientist T'ska-atha:

Mother grows impatient. The first subjects met with limited success, but over all were dismal failures. One reacted well to the Phazon. This was a risk, as we abandoned the phazon research several years ago as unstable. No real mutations occurred, but the increased levels of energy production were an extraordinarily good sign. The subject was, however, not quite as intelligent as we were hoping. Sniper units took it down with some effort. Another could outperform the snipers, but was unable to deal well with direct combat. The others faced similar problems, and have been put down. The one we have left though, is the one Strike Leader X'll-chak refers to as the powerful one. I can only pray that this one is what we hoped for, because I fear we do not have much time before Mother orders us executed.

So, this is it. All or nothing.

…

Success!

Even if Project Mantis fails against the Hunter, we have still managed to balance and mix the various technologies and genotypes in such a fashion that Space Pirate technology will become vastly superior to what it was.

I cannot help but revel in the success we had. With our lives on the line we risked everything, trying several untested techniques, but it worked.

The subject, like several of the others had unusual reactions to liquids of varying temperature. We were not able to figure out the entirety of the energy matrix bound within, but we were able to remove the liquid triggers and make them instinctive. We then replaced the genetic structure that should have uncoiled, a female terran, with an untested hybrid of Ing and Pirate DNA, while we treated the subject directly by splicing in metroid DNA. In addition, we drained the energy out of the matrix, a nearly everlasting, self-replenishing flow, and replaced it with pure phazon. Fortunately, the subject's abilities to instinctively handle energy combined with the metroid's own cellular fusion abilities caused a subtle mutation along the body, letting the phazon flow through the subject's body, augmenting without harming.

Fascinating.

The hybrid of Ing/Pirate genetics contained in the energy matrix allows us control of the subject through Ing means, not upsetting the subject's natural adaptability, but uses the standard Pirate interface for control. While the subject is connected mother directly, it has no access to the Hive. It must learn and grow constantly if it is to keep pace with the Hunter. In any case, the mixture can be 'released' from the energy matrix at will. The Ing ability to form solids from liquids, and even absorb and use technology has given the subject the ability to assume a hard carapace over its flesh, and interchange said technology at will. Like the previous genetics though, the Ing genetics run more than skin deep once active. The subject genetics used most closely resemble the Ing type designated as the Hunter Ing. Capable of rendering himself discorporate, and lashing out with lightning fast tentacles, any subject would be rendered into a most effective weapon, to say nothing of the subject's inherent qualities.

In the startup tests, the subject exhibited all of these qualities, but also many of the innate abilities the subject had prior to the procedure. It's blast of energy and thrown blades have increased their effectiveness, being constructed of phazon mixed with the indeterminate energy the subject had use of originally. It additionally demonstrated invisibility, and temporary speed boosts.

A weapon that may be able to match the Hunter indeed.

Mother is pleased.

…

While the suit may be retracted, the subject has had several elements of something the terrans refer to as 'deja-vu' with the suit off. Until we can counter this problem, or until the need is great, we've sealed the subject's ability to remove the suit, and wiped its memories of such things. Still, as this does nothing to diminish combat performance, Mother is still happy.

But, without the connection to the Hive, we are forced to teach the subject the old fashioned way. With the control inhibitors in place, the subject learns quickly enough, though our language seems to be giving him some trouble, no doubt due to the various differences in our throats – the subject is a mammal after all.

…

This 'X' the metroids prey on is impressive, and MANTIS PRIME can absorb trace particles for rapid regeneration. We were lucky to have found those trace particles in what was left of SR388. The particles were damaged in their genetics, unfortunately, and we can only speculate from the files that we are missing the more fragile pieces that govern its intelligence, and it abilities at self-evolution. This is a boon, as Mother would tolerate them less if they gained true intelligence. The research team on Strid has to help evolve and incubate it, but it still seems impressive. Impressive enough for… testing.

What makes it impressive though, is its standard evolution, the piece the team found floating the debris field. The X managed to copy the Hunter. The Federation files we obtained refer to the creature as the 'SA-X' while, like the metroids, they are unable to be controlled, and indeed, are vastly more dangerous than the metroids, we still have learned to breed one or two, learning much about Chozo technology in the process.

Not only that, but it gives MANTIS something test itself on. The SA-X has not the intelligence of the original Hunter, but it is still a good test of skills. Still, the Hunter's intelligence, or reputation for advancement should never be discounted. It's why the project exists.

The tests with the SA-X have revealed a weakness to cold brought on by the metroid DNA in MANTIS's system. This weakness is unsettling, but given the subject's original adaptability, MANTIS has simply learned not to be hit by that blast under any circumstances. The rate of success rose dramatically after that. Mother is still reasonably pleased.

It's a far higher success rate than any other of our forces alone or in groups could accomplish.

---

He awoke in darkness, as befit all of his kind. Sensing that he was conscious, the room turned on the overhead lights, giving him the ability to see accurately. Not that he couldn't see without light, simply that his vision was somewhat… inadequate in the dark.

He stopped to examine himself, and found everything was in order. A hard armored carapace of dusky black covered his body, interspaced with glowing red veins. His knees had wicked looking protrusions off the top, the veins coming up and forming the edge around them. He was mostly humanoid in appearance, but for the insect like helmet covering his head. He knew it was a helmet, like the rest was a suit, but he could not remember ever seeing himself without the garment and helmet on. It seemed fitting. His forearms had jagged, razor edges along the outside of them, and spikes on the top of his wrists that he knew would jut out to be able to strike an opponent at a thought, or even extend into full tentacles, able to grab things from a distance. He had two other stronger, more durable spikes jutting off his back at the shoulder that he knew were capable of the same.

His ponderings were interrupted.

Greetings MANTIS PRIME.

Mother?

A feeling of approval.

Yes… You deserve a designation, youngling. Our hope should have more than his model name.

As you wish, mother.

I think… yes. That is fitting. I call you into my presence, youngling. Present yourself to the Guardians as S'tome-r'nma.

I am coming, Mother.

---

Personal log of bounty hunter Samus Aran:

The request from the Federation Government has sent me on dispatch to the planet Strid.

This call is unusual, given the fact that the situation is not yet completely hopeless. There are still quite a few of the 'native' Stridians left on the world. Even the Federation themselves aren't completely out gunned, merely confined to a small base – the only one the Stridians would let them have, suspicious of the Federation government as they are. A few of the more hardy refuse to leave their homes, and instead trade intelligence for supplies. This is not a hopeless situation, and it makes me feel uncomfortable. Not so much because I wish for the admittedly significant pirate presence on the planet to overwhelm them, but because I am unused to going it alone and dislike working with others. Especially if those others are Federation.

Adam tells me I'm being silly. He would say that.

Having non-hostiles in area, primary mission of protecting a certain point rather than being on the offensive… it rubs me the wrong way. But this time, they say, the Pirates are dug in deep. Can't just rush their premature defenses like before. Actual fortifications, like they're in for the long haul. Or the base wasn't built recently.

It rubs me the wrong way. But there are Pirates here, and there's bound to be a hole in those defenses sometime. Even if I have to make one. I'll watch and wait.

Another curious fact is that this planet also shows up on another star chart I have. The one that depicts all the planets the Chozo inhabited before they abandoned their technology and settled on various other worlds to live a simple existence. The information about the planet – the Chozo refer to it as Helgedom – also reveals another familiar name. Luminoth. Seems it was a meeting place for their races.

Adam's own preliminary scans of the planet indicate the presence of the X. That means metroids to feed on it. But how did either of them get here? The Pirates possibly, but how would they have gotten their hands on the X? There are also some phazon traces, but that may be Pirates. Thought they'd abandoned the phazon infusion process as unstable.

Makes me wonder what the Pirates are up to this time.

For that matter, it makes me wonder what the Federation is up to this time.

Adam's scan also picked up something else down there – and it almost made me turn around anyway.

---

Adam, the re-christened auburn and gold star craft of Samus Aran, descended out of the atmosphere, and parked next to a blue craft similar looking to her old one, the Texas. Elevator lowering her between the the landing skids of her ship, Samus's power suit was the same colors as her ship, or at least it was now that she'd had the thing repainted from that ghastly purple.

Leaning against the Texas, rested another figure in power armor, his suit's blue the same color as his craft also. His power suit was also an open imitation of her own. For all their resemblance, Houston's (Ass always did like his puns) suit was a cheap knock-off, and barely rated higher than standard Federation gear. He had his helm off, letting his red hair (and there was a lot of it on a full head, bushy eyebrows, mustache and beard) wave slightly from her touchdown.

Samus's own helm vanished in a flash of light, letting her blond ponytail fall free. She glared at the idiot grin Houston was wearing.

"What, no greeting for your old partner?"

Samus's glare deepened. "We were never partners. As I recall, Houston, you got me distracted at a critical juncture and nearly got me killed."

His smile faltered a bit, but it reasserted itself shortly as he crossed the distance to her while she walked towards the door.

"I'll win you over eventually, Sam. Just you wait."

Samus didn't think her glare could get any deeper, but Houston kept pushing the buttons. "Don't," she hissed, "call me Sam."

Houston coughed a little and backed up a couple feet. "Anyway, Commander Tark wanted to meet with you once you touched down. Wants to talk about orders."

Samus didn't respond, she simply stared. He glare lightened up a bit once he stopped actively making her angry, but he turned around and led the way to Tark's office without further comment. Outside the office, a young woman with short black hair and a harried expression on her face looked up, and sighed with relief. She was in full battle uniform minus the helm, which rested within easy reach, and her right arm was uncovered, blaster also within easy reach. Samus approved. She'd be ready for a fight in moments despite the paperwork she seemed almost buried in. She spoke to them quickly. "I'm Lieutenant Commander Kim Raynor. I'll most likely handle your dispatches after Commander Tark is through with you. Better get in there fast. He doesn't tolerate tardiness – or anything else – from military personnel, let alone anyone else."

She buzzed them in, and Samus saw what she meant. A large bear of a man, commander Tark obviously had a custom power suit. Not because he could afford it, or had the rank for it, but simply because he wouldn't have fit into a normal suit of power armor. He glared at them from behind his desk, the light shining in on his bald head, thick mustache, and the cigar he had clenched in his teeth.

"There you are!" The man's normal tone of voice seemed a loud bellow. "I've been waiting a goddamn half hour here, while those damned Pirates pick off all the men I send out there on patrol! I've had to cut back on it because of that! I need that intel, damnit! You can't really trust a word those mud hoppers say when they bring us their reports. Wouldn't know a regular pirate from a commando. Probably can't even count. Raynor's got your patrol routes! Dismissed!"

The sheer force of his last word likely had enough force to shove them out the door by itself. Samus and Houston found themselves outside his door suddenly. Houston offered a small smile to her. "Pleasant, isn't he?"

Samus fought off an urge to smack him. Why was it things she'd accept from anyone else made her want to hit him every time he said them? Oh, that's right. He nearly got me killed.

Lt. Commander Raynor awaited them outside the door, with data disks in hand. "This is the patrol data. Just make note of any Pirate activity you find."

Samus arched a thin eyebrow. "Report?"

Kim bit her lip a little. "Well, we're trying to keep the people alive here, so we're not supposed to engage them – it just gets our people killed."

Samus nodded. "But, I'm not a part of the chain of command, right?"

Kim nodded. "Your discretion, Miss Aran… but try to stay alive out there." She offered a half smile. "Commander'll have my hide if you die."

Samus nodded and walked out, the light flash replacing her helmet again as usual. Houston followed her, trying to catch her attention, but she ignored him in favor of the map data provided.

---

Force Leader, formerly Strike Leader X'll-chak stood calmly while the commoners below him scurried about in response to the news.

The Hunter's new craft had been spotted lowering onto the landing platform at the Terran base Nedrig. He snorted in disgust. The ones below him didn't know terror until they'd seen an unarmed terran start ripping their fellows limb from limb. That image had stayed with him even after all these years. That was true horror, the unknown. Power suits could be explained. What he'd seen that day… could not. X'll-chak later inquired as to the results of Project MANTIS, just to see if it had been worth the sacrifice of those under him, and while he was told no specifics, he was told that it had been successful.

So when the Hunter's craft appeared, he'd simply sent notice to the home world concerning the Hunter's appearance. He was went immediate orders to dig in and wait for Guardian S'tome-r'nma to arrive and confront her. They were to worry about the Terran forces, and not pursue the Hunter actively. No chance of that, he thought bitterly as he noticed the panicked were either calming down or exhausting themselves. Either way it was quiet now, which he appreciated. He told his aid to tighten defenses and not give the Hunter the space to get in.

All they had to do was wait, and the Hunter would die.