[M] Metroid: Retrieval

[TheDoctor]

Vance nodded, swiveling his arm to cover his flank. "Well then Iron Wing, consider yourself an honorary member of Nova for now. Nova, move out!"

With a tensing of his limbs, Vance burst into action, sprinting from the vacant area and towards the only path free of vegetation. The green blips on his radar denoting the other members of Nova, including a new sky blue blip that appeared to signify Iron Wing's addition, followed the path that Mikeal had trace for them in their mini displays with Vance taking the rear. Only five members of Nova that were sent on the mission are left. We are only a couple hours into the mission, and I've already lost two men to something that shouldn't be involved in our operation. He scowled in his helmet, his breath starting to pick up as they continued to run with their eyes scanning the forest line. Was the Federation deceived by these creatures? And how can their signatures possibly be so identical?

The minutes passed almost in mere seconds, and before Vance knew it, they were approaching the base of a mountain rather bare of trees. All we need to do is ascend that mountainside, and then we can finally reconsider our plan to apprehend Aran.

But as soon as the others began to ascend, Vance noticed an incredibly large signature on his radar...coming from the trees behind them. No! "Everyone, get up the mountain, now!" Suddenly, he heard another shout, and as he turned around, he saw Markus being pulled back by the tentacle. The man was struggling against the appendage's strength, pointing his bolt shot directly against it and firing repeatedly. As Vance sprinted towards him, his plasma blades bare and charged, he shouted out to him. "Steiner!"

Vance began to cut at the tentacle, but it was too thick for only one slice (like the plasma blade usually was). "Hold on, Steiner!" But in the next instant, with a hearty tug of the tentacle, Markus was hurled away and into the forest. Before Vance could even release a shout, the signature crunch resounded in his intercom, and Markus's connection went silent.

God dammit! The commander stared at the forest line for several more moments, perplexed by the loss of another comrade. Another one...gone... Then he jolted to his senses, turning away and sprinting back to the mountain. "Keep running! Get up that mountain, Nova!" His breath was huffing at this point. They had been running for a while, and exhaustion, not to mention disappointment and frustration, was setting in.

"We don't stop until we get to safety."

[Jacogos]

Katalia forced herself not to look as yet another of their squad was yanked to an untimely death. She felt numb, her body working by someone else's command. She realized she was using her boosters to help her up the mountain all the faster, fear driving her all the more faster than rational thought ever would. You're a damn coward, Ivanov... she thought as her eyes stung with tears.

All that was left was her, Lt. Mikeal Sillian, Lt. Seth Mercury, Commander Longfall, and the enigmatic new addition, Iron Wing. A paltry force compared to the 7 that had started this mission... Although in all fairness, Iron Wing alone was worth at least two of the deceased, as much as it pained Katalia to admit it.

Why was it only the Commander trying to save them...? Why couldn't that damned Chozo do anything? He was certainly capable before! she thought bitterly before forcing herself to shut off that line of thought and focus on continuing up the mountain. It was only a few seconds later that she reached the plateau and immediately scanned the area for threats before proceeding. No one else was going to die... She had to keep telling herself that.

[Raindrop]

The minutes flew by as the moved towards their destination, everyone was performing accordingly as expected from NOVA and Iron Wing included. Shit went from bad to worse when Marcus Steiner were crushed by the beast, Mikeal held back his emotions towards the moral breaking sound of Marcus being crushed to death.

In fifteen minutes, Nova had reached a perfect lookout. They stood at the top of an outlook upon the mountainside, trees sparse and infrequent, with the rest of the mountainside behind them. When they finally stumbled into safety, all of them but Iron Wing fell to the ground, coughing and breathing heavily through their helmets.

Vance felt his suit revitalize him with a boost of nutrients and water, a function that had been placed in the suits to enable rather prolonged use. If I establish the temporary atmospheric alteration, we could be picked up by anyone. It'll have to wait until tonight. With a sigh, he pushed himself to one knee.

After a short rest Mikeal too was able to maintain focus a work with the knowledge they had gained, heavily including Iron Wings earlier statements.

"Commander, I got good news and bad news..."

The call came from Mikeal. Glancing up, Vance nodded. "Proceed, Sillian."

Nodding in confirmation Mikeal looked up
"The good news is that I got several theories as to why we find Samus readings on this planet..." Mikeal took a deep breath and sighed, "The bad news is that as I said, I got several theories, non of which I can nail for certain, but I will give you my two best bets." Mikeal said and took a seat on the rocky ground, crossing his legs and whit holding a respectful composure all the same. His revitalizing suit functions had kicked in a moment ago and slowly he was starting to feel refreshed.

"First of all, Iron Wings information has made me think that this fourth dimensional traveling could be one of major reasons why our readings suggests that she could be all over the place. Taking to account the the fourth dimensional travel warps relative space, it could be that Samus has found a source and traveled elsewhere, her doings there could heavily have effected the current environment of this planet and confounded our tracers. But if that is the case, in order for her readings to still be strong at this planet would suggest that there is a gate or portal still open around here somewhere."

Mikeal finished his suggestion on his first theory, slowing down a moment as a couple of thoughts went to his newly passed comrades.
"I could be completely wrong sir, but that is the only theory I currently have that would support that non is at blame, my other theory would involve accusations towards the Galactic Federation, still care to hear it out?"

Vance pushed himself to his feet so that he could sit down upon a small boulder, his breath slowing down with each heartbeat. If the Hunter is warping as well, then we need to confront Iron Wing about this fourth dimensional travel and how to implement it. What still confuses me is how Aran may have managed to establish a portal. If the Federation couldn't how could she? Of course, this is all based upon the belief that she really is here...

After a pause, Vance nodded sternly again. "Go on."

Mikeal looked up around him onto his remaining comrades, "Well, complicated as it is sir, I sort of got a hold on certain classified files from SR388... Files I have peeked into without clearance from the Galactic Federation, Commander."
Mikeal claimed and took a deep breath before continuing his confession.
"I hacked into one of their database sir, following the events on SR388 I have reasons to believe that the scientist and research team involved around SR388 may have been able to retrieve samples from the Metroid leftovers, at least there is a certain documented discussion that supports this, everything else is hard to clarify and be this the truth, our federation could have their hands deep in this shit. How morbid as it sounds, it is possible we are being played as pawns by the Galactic Federation for whatever sick purpose they have in mind."

Mikeal sounded a little irritated about the necessary last statement, he hated to admit his more or less innocent boundary break as well as having to aim a suspicion towards the federation.

So now he knows of the Metroid genetic code as well...of the true purpose of this mission. Vance took a generous pause before replying, considering his words while simultaneously playing a facade of contemplation of the "new" information. Forgive me, Mikeal. "It's something to consider, Sillian, but now is not the time or place to be doing it. All we must do is follow the chain of command and get ourselves--with the Hunter--out of here in one piece. That is our mission, regardless of purpose."


Mikeal was deeply in concern, "You are right Commander, We are here to fulfill a purpose given by us from the Galactic Federation, but be this planet their playground... I mean, they claim our suits are able to measure Samus Aran, but ever since we landed on this planet, shit have gone wrong, from wrong to bad and now it is a fucking catastrophe... I, I won't forgive them for their faults... For fuck sake, we lost comrades down there to something that could possibly be their fault. Why did they create such foul monsters?!" Mikeal's tone had gone up and hinted panic. "I am sorry, I need some time for myself..." Mikeal said and shut off his microphone channels, only allowing emergency communication through. Mikeal just needed to take a moment in pretend solitude, may it be he sat near them all, but this was Mikeal's way of handling the toughest of situations, Vance would know it would surely not be the first time Mikeal had reacted like this at places that left time for reflection.

Vance stared at the Paladin Lieutenant calmly for a moment before pushing himself to his feet. The man will have to bask in his suspicion for a while longer. "In five minutes, we need to be on our feet and seeking further shelter. Chronos loses light in two hours, and I'm currently requesting ordinance to allow us to stay the night safely." His eyes flicked across the display in his helmet, prepping the ordinance. "I'll approve the drop as soon as we find shelter. Rest up now, we will be moving soon, Nova."

[DoughGuy]

Iron Wing let out a small sigh at the death of another of the squad they were with. Another death in the fight that had already claimed many. The only emotion that needed to be felt was disappointment that the mission would be harder due to the person's loss. Upon reaching the plateau Iron Wing stood silently watching the forest below, their shoulder mounted launchers trained of a outcropping of rock, ready to send a stony avalanche down on anything which followed them up.

The creatures that hunted the squad seemed to be far beyond their power to defeat. Iron Wing wondered if even they would have the power to defeat more of the creature's solo. And if they couldn't defeat these minions then there would be no point trying further. Nodding to itself the Chozo made a decision. The next time they were attacked it would take command, lead the group against the monster. They needed to be blooded properly if they were to survive much longer.

It heard the leader's command to rest before they moved and the comment about ordinance. "A cave will serve us well if you are requesting artillery support. We can search the mountains for one, or make our own." it said to Vance, gesturing with the fist it had punched the first creature with.

[TheDoctor]

Vance shook his head. "We'll find one. We don't know what could happen if we start tunneling into the mountainside. Let's scout the terrain, find somewhere secluded to provide us with shelter." His plasma beam unsheathed to envelope his hand. "Keep an eye on your sensors. If you find anything suspicious, do not approach it. Let's move, Nova."

~~~~~

Several hours later, Chronos's star had set upon the horizon, and their planet side had been bathed in darkness. The squadron had found a small cavern to reside in for the time being, a fifty-foot deep by thirty-foot wide cave that was only fifteen feet high. The ordinance drop had come bearing a temporary atmospheric alteration device and minor provisions, and Vance quickly retrieved the contents and vaporized the pod to erase the evidence. When he returned, he stuck the small rod device in the ground and deployed the alteration. A gentle atmospheric field burst from the rod to establish a sphere with a radius of fifty feet, a sphere outlined in a very faint blue that replicated the atmospheric conditions and conduct of Earth.

With a sigh, Vance sat down against the side of the cave and triggered the locks of his helmet. A hiss was expelled from the seal as it depressurized and opened up the airlocks, and with a click the safeties detached. He set the helmet down at his side, taking deep breaths of the artificial terrestrial air. Snatching a canteen of water, happily provided by the Maelstrom far above them, he opened the top (with some difficulty due to the gauntlets of his CRPS) and poured some in his mouth. The suit's revitalizing functions were helpful, but they did not provide the same relief that provisions and water could. Thankfully, the Maelstrom had also sent several extra capsules for their suits to use when necessary. Vance had a feeling that they might just need them in the future.

"We can take shifts, two people up at all times. I'll take first watch with Mercury, then Ivanov and Sillian. We'll trade back and forth from there." His now exposed eyes glanced at Iron Wing. "Apologies. As far as I know, the Chozo don't breathe the same air as us. Might have to stay in that suit for a while."

[Adrian Faust]

Mercury was spaced out, but even so he had followed orders without questioning, just like a good dog this time. Mercury was beginning to understand how serious and unbelievably dangerous this mission had become. When they finally had found a safety spot Vance ordered Seth to stay guard with him on the first shift. "Aye commander..." Seth spoke sounding a bit off. Seth had been thinking alot these hours.

"Commander... thanks for having faith in me... and I know why I'll never become a Commander, cause I would use my team as pawns then to the dirty work myself. You on the other hand, you're a strategist by heart and mind... you rather run then waste what I would call pawns for the greater good of the mission. Guess the GF consider that's important, after all soldiers cost resources, both education and equipment..." Seth spoke with no signs of emotions.

"Just wanted you to know that I understand why your rank is higher... if it sort of put you slightly at ease or something... I don't know..." Seth filled in. "You'll probably be the last one to die commander, first of all I think you're important... you've saved my ass and I need to re-pay you sometime... thank you..." Seth spoke again, even though he doesn't sound emotional. The way he's acting right now probably is the far most emotional he would get.

[Jacogos]

Katalia sat closer to the back of the cave, head back against the rocky wall she leaned against. She was still within normal speaking distance of the others, mostly out of paranoia against leaving them to go find seclusion deeper in their shelter. She didn't really hear Mercury's spiel, tuning out after the Commander gave their sleep rotations. She couldn't really focus on anything at the moment, her mind buzzing dully with random thoughts and half-baked fears.

Katalia closed her eyes slowly, breathing the manufactured air mechanically. What are we going to do...? she wondered to herself, turning her head to look at the other three humans. The commander looked as contemplative as ever, not to mention a bit worried around the eyes. She couldn't imagine what she looked like herself if he was letting even that much show. She didn't want to know. Mercury looked... well, he was always plain-faced, but he seemed like he was struggling with that at the moment. Honestly, Lt. Ivanov didn't care for the man enough to worry about what was going on in his mind at the moment. Sillian was deep in thought, likely about the bit of stuff he had revealed earlier.

Which prompted Katalia to mull over the revelation herself. She had been too distracted by the recent deaths to worry overly much about Mikeal's thoughts. Now, though... Was he onto something? She had always thought that Samus's actions at the SR388 station had to have been a misunderstanding, but this made it seem like maybe they were the bad guys and Samus the rogue hero. It didn't sit well with the red-headed soldier, but she tried to push it from her mind for now.

"Commander..." Katalia said quietly, raising her voice ever so slightly as she had to 'compensate' for not be able to speak into a mic that fed her voice directly to the man's ears. "What is our plan now...? This new information and the Chozo's mission are probably amazingly important.... but whether we decide to help him out with it or not, what exactly are we going to be doing now? Tracking Samus is going to be next to impossible with the similar signatures roaming about, not to mention the local fauna is probably the most deadly sons-of-bitches any human has ever faced. We're..." she stopped herself short, keeping back her fears, holding back her need to voice the elephant in the room. They were dead, there was nothing they could do about that.

"I just want a bit of motive here..." She murmured after a pause, looking down at her knees that were now pulled up to her chest. With a grimace, she resumed a more dignified sitting position and breathed in again. Answers would be nice, too...

[Raindrop]

Mikeal had recently after given new prioritized directives from the commander released his helmet and solitude, orders had not been an issue to pick up upon after all.

Everyone was beaten and bruised, if not physically, clearly psychologically they were all in some kind of down spiral demise. Lt Ivanov, Lt Mercury, myself and the Cmd Longfall, we all need to pull our shit together, hell if the army saw us now they'd be laughing, kind of...
But they wouldn't know how it feels to be powerless in one of the GFs most well developed gear and lose comrades which got crushed like a dry toothpick.
Still, surely the army would pull their shit and morale together sooner than this...
Then again, we are a unit, whether we like it or not we have spent time together and even if we like or don't like each others company, we have a special bond...
That is why losing our comrades fuck shit up.
Mikeal took a deep breath, a mouth full of water from the canteen and gazed out of the cave entrance.
What the fuck am I thinking about this for? I am such a moron, what I should do is start building up a portfolio of my theories, accusations and evidence to back all of this shit up when I file in my report upon returning to Maelstrom! I'll have everyone know about what went on down here if my fears are to be revealed as true. First up on agenda, I need a plan, a great fucking plan! Mikeal found himself jumping in thoughts and visibly he started to restlessly shake his leg like so many others do during different circumstances. Mikeal was just glad to find focus on anything that kept his sorrow numb and his focus forward! revenge always worked just fine.

Mikeal quickly pulled up a slimmed private pad and started working on documenting their experience here on Chronos, all worked upon as incognito from any link devices and communication, relaying a one way signal back onto Mikeal's smaller database at Maelstrom which he deemed secure enough to handle instant back up data like this.
Now no matter what happens, someone will at least find my report in there if I fail to return.
Now as all preparations was complete for work Mikeal started storming in texts of encryption codes and shortcuts in order to speed up the documentation as well as enable a more true report hidden into wall of text.
Sure, if he ever returned, people could just work through the recording made from the suit systems, anything from stress levels to physical history out through their mission.

[TheDoctor]

Turning his gaze to Seth, Vance raised an eyebrow. Well, then. This is certainly one of the more unexpected parts of our mission, including everything we've already been through. As the Vanguard Lieutenant continued with his confession, Vance poured some more water into his mouth before handing his canteen to Seth as he finished. I suppose that this is reassuring considering our circumstances. I can't afford to lack the trust of my own men.

"Mercury," The Paladin Commander wiped his mouth with his armored forearm. "I am not going to let anyone else die. We had an unexpected turn of events that caught us by surprise, but we've learned from it. We'll be cautious now, but aggressive. The moment where we are able to isolate our target, I'll request backup from the Maelstrom, and we'll all get out alive with the mission accomplished."

But do you even believe in that yourself, Vance? He gave a tired, yet reassuring nod to Seth. "Don't get soft on me now, Lieutenant. We'll have time for that later."

You just lost three expertly-trained soldiers who wielded supposedly some of the most powerful weapons the Federation has to offer, and it has only been half of a day. Standing again, Vance navigated towards the front of the cave, helmet in hand, until he was at the edge of the false atmospheric border. Can you really call yourself a commander if all you've done is lost men in your retreat? You don't deserve this title any longer, Vance, and yet still you must bear it. You have a mission to complete and a company to pull out of here alive. But what will your next move be? How will you avoid this great terror while pursuing the Hunter? What is the next step?

And as if on queue, Katalia's questioning remarks reverberated from the back of the cave. This is obviously concerning to Nova. I need to set their mind at ease so that they can rest up for the coming day. Vance allowed silence to pierce the room louder than any shriek or howl could before he answered, speaking over his armored shoulder at the Vanguard Lieutenant.

"I've sent our readings back to the Maelstrom, they're currently deciphering the differences between Aran's signature and the signatures of these organisms. Hopefully they'll have the updated data in the morning. From that point, we'll keep from the jungle and watch our radars. If we hustle tomorrow, we'll be back on the Maelstrom by nightfall with the mission accomplished. These things can be killed, we know that for sure."

Regretfully, Vance locked the helmet on again and heard the airtight pressure seals compress. His voice spoke out through his microphone. "Get some rest, Lieutenant. That's an order. I'll wake you in two hours." With that, Vance stepped out of the artificial atmosphere and extended his plasma cannon back around his hand from its previous retracted state. First watch was going to be tense.

[Adrian Faust]

Seth turned his head towards the others. "Maybe I need to apologize to the rest of you as well Nova Squadron... Lt.Ivanov, the profile I've been reading about you is slightly off... you're actually a better soldier than I imagined... cause now even I've got expectations from you... and Mikeal, I believe you would be next in command after Longfall, if something ever would happen to him, you're pretty much like him except you're more of a nerd than he is... and you stranger... Iron Wing was it... I don't really trust you yet, but if you truly want to team up then I'm glad you're an experienced warrior on our side..." Seth spoke sounding serious enough.

Seth turned around raising his voice slightly.
"Me... I'm selfish and a loner... I lack social skills and I compensate in battle, I've more or less grown up in battlesuits. I'm an experiment I think, a canine of the GF... K9 is my usual nickname. I'm superior in my elements CQC with blades, infiltrating and sabotage. I'm usually a one man squad. So don't be suprised if I once every little now 'n' then wander off on my own, doing my own thing... what I'm considered best at! And don't hate me for being such, one of those days you're saved by me and when I die you've the advantage of not missing me at all, it might be harsh upon you to lose your comrades. But remember, we are soldiers we kill and get killed. One life for another... it's always been like that!" Seth spoke with confidence, somehow trying to raise the morale of the group again with his own words. Reconing the squadron needs to snap out of it, knowing it's hard for them to accept death. "One more thing I think is strange, is the way you can't accept death, even though death was accepted as soon as you became a soldier, we're on a mission to reduce death by stopping threats. That's why we need to stay brave isn't it? That is why I'm trained never to feel the fear... never to feel anything but maybe the physical pain in combat. Maybe it's time for you to get your shit together and be the soldiers you were trained to be, you all have something to protect right?" Seth spoke being the soldier he was raised to be. "Oh... and sorry for filling in after an order sir..." Seth told commander Vance.