Metroid Equis
Chapter 12
Cloudsdale
The new day over Ponyville began ever as peacefully as it always had, and none would be the wiser save for the virulent Phazon wreaking havoc on even more of Equestria. What Samus had silently admired was how the common ponies took everything; not in stride, but rather, coping with the circumstances. Many societies would have descended into anarchy and complete pandemonium by now, but yet, the ponies, at least of Ponyville, were continuing about their days, smiles on their faces but never oblivious to what was happening. On another note, many of the residents of Ponyville had at least one other pony staying with them… family who had most likely lived in the affected cities.
Speaking of the Hunter, Samus was just stirring once again. There was no grace to her sleeping body. It was strewn and contorted comically as Samus undoubtedly got some of the best sleep in her entire life. As the clock struck seven in the morning, the blonde-haired girl, who was currently lying face down but almost orthogonal to the bed itself, began to move. She lifted her trunk up with her hands and brought herself to a sitting position. Registering where she was after ten seconds, she ran both her hands through her hair and stood up off the side of the bed. Going through her normal routine, she yawned and began her stretches and light acrobatics: back bends, hamstring stretches, splits, et cetera. Working up a light sweat once more, she gladly shed her Zero Suit and strode into the bathroom, grabbing a towel on her way. A much needed shower was in order.
Oh YES do I need this!
What Samus failed to notice, at first, about her discarded attire was that the inner part of the left forearm of the Zero Suit had turned jet black.
After fifteen minutes (felt like five) of scrubbing her body of sleep, sweat, and reminiscent muscle pains, the Hunter emerged from the bathroom, discarded the towel, applied some sterilization fluid to the inner Suit, and donned said Zero Suit once more. She tied her hair up in her usual style and let the usual two locks frame her face. Lastly, she holstered her Paralyzer… but that’s when she saw it:
“What..?” Samus asked incredulously as she held up and gazed at her left forearm. Rubbing her eyes and gently running two fingers over the composite material of the Zero Suit, she indeed convinced herself that the area was completely black in color. It contrasted perfectly with the blue which was probably why she didn’t notice it at first. Nevertheless, it didn’t detract from how perplexed she was. Since her under-attire never changed color upon acquisition of the Astral Suit, this did well to garner her suspicions. But, there were more important things to take care of, and as such Samus would have to let it be for now.
Barely on this planet for four days and I’m already losing my damn mind.
Opening the door to her room, Samus found Rarity with her hoof raised, as if about to knock, as well as the semi-shocked expression on her face from the door opening at the coincidental time.
“Hi there!” Samus spoke first in a tone most unlike her, looking down about two feet at the alabaster unicorn.
“Well… good morning Samus! I was just coming up here to make sure that you were awake. We’re almost ready to depart, and I see you’re all set. I apologize if I was disturbing you at all…” Rarity replied a tad uneasily.
“Not at all!” Samus replied in a friendly manner, waving her hand dismissively. “Are the others packed and ready?” the Hunter asked.
“Indeed! Gathering the last few necessities and waiting on you,” Rarity spoke, in return, dropping any uneasiness in her voice and embracing Samus’s friendlier attitude. “Then, we can just send a letter to Celestia and she’ll commission a Guard Carriage for us.”
“Hmmm… That won’t be necessary. Come,” she beckoned Rarity and the two made their way fully into the common room. There were various bags of clothes, toiletries, and other equipment organized neatly in the center and of many different colors. Of course most of them belonged to Rarity.
“Hi everyone,” Samus spoke cordially.
“Mornin’ sleepyhead!” Applejack joked, earning a few giggles. Samus just glared at her before letting her expression devolve into a small smile.
“You shut up!” Samus pointed at the farmer pony and tipped her hat off her head.
“Watch it, partner!” AJ shouted back and placed her hat back on her head. The others laughed, once again, embracing the Hunter’s friendlier aura. Samus ignored her scolding and got serious once more.
“Twilight, are we going straight to Cloudsdale?” the Hunter asked in her usual ‘down-to-business’ tone of voice… the one she used ninety percent of the time.
“Uhhh yeah, as far as I know. Once I call a Guard Carriage we should be on our way. Shouldn’t be more than an hour…” she then turned her head towards the kitchen. “Spike! Can you send for the carriage now?” she yelled out. Samus stepped in.
“That’s not needed. I’ll drive. Send a message to Celestia noting that instead.”
The others looked to her, one eyebrow raised.
“We’ll make better time if we take my ship and—” Samus couldn’t even finish her sentence when Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie both jumped up and screamed in a giddy fashion and ran for the door.
“… go straight there,” Samus finished. She turned to the door and then back to Twilight, looking for an answer.
“Ummmm… sure I guess. Does your ship have enough room for us and the bags?”
“Plenty. Let’s go. Now,” Samus directed and everypony filed towards the door. Twilight hefted all the bags easily with her magic. The Hunter fell into step beside the lavender unicorn.
“This is probably a better idea actually, Samus. I received another letter from Princess Celestia this morning… it’s getting really bad,” Twilight spoke up, trailing behind the others as they filed out the door.
“How bad are we talking?”
“Bad enough where they’ve classified types of Phazon poisoning and corruption as well as having to lift victims to hospitals in Cloudsdale and Cirrostratus… there’s not enough room in many general hospitals around the country,” Twilight mused in a somber tone. “That’s where we’re going first when we get to Cloudsdale: Celestia is going to meet up with us and we are to observe some of the patients. She feels your experience with the substance could provide more information.”
“I understand,” Samus replied with a gentle nod and they exited the door. Twilight turned back to Spike:
“Alright Spike, you’ve got the Library to yourself for a couple of days. I trust you’ll keep things in order?” Twilight asked her Number One assistant. Samus stood a couple of paces ahead of her and intended to wait for the unicorn… but...
“HEY! Get off the engines!” Samus scolded as she stomped over to where Rainbow Dash was, on top of her ship and poking her head inside the exhaust port. Twilight giggled a bit before turning back to the baby dragon.
“I got it, Twi. You don’t have to worry about me, really. Just be careful up there, alright?” Spike replied.
“Of course, Spike.” Twilight nuzzled the little guy affectionately and planted a small kiss on his forehead. “I’ll be back soon,” she said before joining the others, Samus having pried the prismatic-maned pegasus from the engine port.
“The hatch is up top. Let’s load the stuff in and be on our way. You all will guide me to where we’re headed,” Samus stated.
“Okie Dokie!” Pinkie chimed in while bouncing around a bit. Before Samus could get started in helping out, Twilight spoke up:
“Samus, since we’re going to Cloudsdale I’m going to need to give you cloud-walking abilities.”
“Cloud-walking abilities?” Samus asked with skepticism as to what that really meant.
“Well, unless you enjoy stepping on clouds and then falling to your possible death…”
“Fair enough. This sounds weird as it is but then again, I’m not in a position to comment on ‘weird’ from all the things I’ve seen. Do what you gotta do,” Samus conceded easily, equipping her Astral Suit. Twilight immediately cast the necessary spell over the Hunter’s form, her raspberry aura completely shrouding her for a few seconds before getting absorbed. Samus, once again, felt magic course within her and this time, head straight for her legs. The boot portion of her leg armor shown a bright lavender color and died out, the spell complete and successful.
[Scanning…]
[Cloud-Walker Boots Acquired!]
[Your suit’s boots as well as your physical form have been augmented to allow safe traverse over clouds and dense fog. Cloud environments of Equis now accessible.]
“Hm. I’ll admit, I’m a bit curious as to what I’m to expect,” Samus mused out loud while unequipping her Suit. Deciding to get on with the show, the ponies and human all got to work in storing their bags and equipment in the Gunship. Samus directed them all to a storage compartment on the lower-right side of the ship. One by one, the ponies entered the ship through the hatch, Samus of course entering first in order to direct them properly. It was a tad tight of a squeeze, but everybody was able to get comfortable… although the Elements were completely awed by the technology Samus’s ship possessed.
“What is this?” Twilight asked, staring at a screen displaying schematics of the ship. Other similar monitor screens were present in other various places of the ship, especially where Samus sat, in the cockpit. She swiveled in her chair and faced the other ponies, each fascinated by something different.
“Computer. Specifically, an Integrity and Inventory computer.”
“What’s a computer?” Twilight followed up. The others also looked at Samus expectantly, curious about the advanced technology. Samus opened her mouth but nothing came out… she then retreated into her seat and thought about her answer… not really knowing how to explain what a computer was in one sentence right off the top of her head.
“Simply put, and this is really over-simplified, it’s a device that has the ability to process and store vast amounts of data, as well as run and automate processes,” she decided to say. Naturally, Twilight’s face brightened and was about to ask for more but Samus cut her off.
“No. We don’t have time. Who’s gonna be my navigator?”
“Oh! Me!” Rainbow Dash came to the forefront. Samus nodded and pointed to her.
“You.” She thumbed in the direction next to her. “Next to me. You’re my co-pilot,” Samus confirmed as she swiveled back around and keyed in the necessary commands into the central pilot console to prepare for takeoff.
“Heck yes!” Dash hoofed the air and hovered next to the sitting Hunter, who looked over her shoulder and addressed the others:
“The ride won’t be too bumpy, but just brace yourselves for takeoff… Now,” she warned.
“Oh dear…” Fluttershy cowered slightly. The others huddled around her and did as they were told, getting a better footing on the floor of the ship. Samus keyed a final round of commands, took control of the joysticks and pressed another button. The engines roared to life and the under-ship thrusters slowly but surely began a steady ascent.
“Woah-nelly!” Applejack exclaimed as she wobbled a bit in place, not expecting the sudden loss of solid footing. Pinkie was somehow happily bouncing lightly up and down without much of an issue and Rainbow Dash propped herself on her hind legs and leaned against the side of the cockpit window, a gleeful smile plastered on her face. Soon, they had enough altitude and Samus ceased ascent for the moment, looking over at her interim navigator.
“I don’t have a map to Cloudsdale, as it appears it was moved by wind currents. Where to?”
“Southeast,” Rainbow pointed with her hoof. “Climb through the cloud layer over there and we should find it.”
“Got it,” the Hunter replied. The rear engines roared once again, causing the mares in tow to jump a bit, and the craft gently accelerated towards the destination. When the flight was stabilized, all the ponies got to their feet a bit shakily and went to the cockpit and looked out the enormous window.
“Woah…” sounded a collective word of awe as they flew through the sky. They had all been on chariots, yes, but this was obviously a new experience on a different level. Samus gave a gentle half-grin and ascended through the cloud layer, leaving Ponyville behind. After light conversation amongst the mares and Samus diligently piloting her ship, they broke through the cloud layer and spied the enormous cloud-city in the distance. Samus had to admit, it was very impressive, more-so based on the fact that it was entirely made of clouds. As they drew closer Samus’s computer piped up:
“Objects approaching ship directly ahead. No data available on craft type.”
They all looked forward and spied two specks approaching from the cloud metropolis at high speeds. As they got closer, they were revealed to be two pegasi of the Equestrian Air Wing. They overshot the ship and quickly banked around, coming up on both sides and extremely close.
“Ummm… Twilight, what do we do? I don’t believe they’re carrying radio equipment,” Samus asked calmly. Twilight didn’t respond but lit her horn, which the left pegasi was able to see. Getting a closer look, he identified Twilight Sparkle immediately and she waved to him. He nodded and beckoned with his hoof.
“We’re good. The pegasi are gonna escort us. Princess Celestia will be expecting us when we arrive,” Twilight finally spoke.
“Alright,” the blonde-haired Hunter replied. She banked the ship left and followed the military pegasi all the way to the city, bypassing line after line of other ponies waiting to enter the aforementioned metropolis. After a couple of minutes, they were all directed to what Twilight recognized as a chariot landing pad, and directed Samus to land there.
“My ship can't land on the clouds, so I’ll have it suspend over the side to prevent the thrusters from evaporating the clouds beneath,” Samus explained as she delicately eased the craft to a stop and turned it so the right side was facing towards the pad. Initiating the craft into a static position, they had finally arrived.
“Alright, let’s get out and unload the cargo,” Samus stated. She directed the ponies to ascend the hatch one by one and as they exited, they jumped off the hovering Gunship and safely onto the clouds below, Twilight having cast the cloud-walker on them already. When the last of the candy-colored equines filed out of her ship, Samus ascended as well and stayed up on the hatch, just leaning forward and peering at the dense clouds below. Her instinct told her she’d fall straight through. The Elements were waiting for her below.
“Come on, Samus! It’ll be fine!” Twilight shouted to her.
“It’s always weird the first time. Nothing’s gonna happen, and even if something did, I’d catch you in ten seconds flat!” Rainbow Dash added to the ‘words of encouragement,’ having seen the hesitancy of stepping on clouds in many Earth Ponies. Samus said nothing, but merely gazed at the six ponies in front of her and shrugged. She hunched down and with a grunt of exertion, launched herself into the air into another iconic somersault. After four flips in the air, her feet made perfect contact on something extremely soft yet sturdy. She opened her eyes and got up from her hunched position, gazing at her feet which had depressed the clouds about an inch and a half.
“How fascinating…” Samus mused, starting to march in place a bit and test the sturdiness, finding it to be almost like walking on a thick rubber mat. She keyed another command on her arm and the ship’s cargo-bay door opened revealing all the luggage. Before any other words could be exchanged, the sound of somepony clearing their throat resounded and the group of seven turned forward to find a beige unicorn with a white and navy-blue camouflaged helmet and uniform. He had brown eyes and an identically colored mane and tail.
“Glad you all could make it. The Elements of Harmony, as well as the famous Hunter… It’s a pleasure,” the soldier stated with a polite bow and a salute, stepping up to the group as he finished the gesture.
“Lieutenant Solar Storm at your service. I’ve been sent by Princess Celestia to escort you seven to her. I’ll have your luggage taken to where you’ll be staying. ”
“Pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant,” Twilight spoke, being the voice of the group, and Samus was perfectly okay with that. “Thanks for the welcome. Lead the way,” she gestured.
“Yes ma’am,” the soldier replied back. He cast a look upwards to Samus, eyeing her for a second. She gave him a miniscule nod of her head in acknowledgement and he in turn did the same. “As for your… ‘ship?’ Or whatever it’s called, it shan’t be disturbed. Please follow me.”
“Thanks,” she replied.
Damn right it will be taken care of. If you even breathe on it wrong I’ll level this base.
Samus then blinked and realized what she had just thought… that seemed a little too far for a dark-humored joke; coming off almost like a legitimate, internal threat. She shook her head and rubbed her forehead, once again gazing at her black-suited forearm and being reminded that the anomaly was still there.
Odd…
The seven formed around the soldier and they were off, Samus choosing to bring up the rear, keeping the group in her peripheral as she gazed upon the cloud architecture. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, Samus makes sure to give credit where credit was due: she was very impressed. All the buildings looked modern, relatively speaking from what she had seen on Equis. She overheard previous conversation on a ‘weather factory,’ and neglected to follow up on it, so she naturally deduced that the nation manufactured its own weather… which was unheard of! Samus began just mentally going over the possibilities if such techniques could be used by the Federation. She’d have the chance to show them when their fleet arrived in the next few days.
The group crossed what looked like a service road on what appeared to be a new military base, if the chariots ferrying Equestrian troops and building-clouds were anything to go by. Samus decided to not participate in the discussion with the group and the Lieutenant, who were talking about how the base went operational yesterday and Twilight asking about the military. Opting to keep silent, she continued to gaze around at her surroundings. As was expected, the six-foot tall bipedal human easily garnered looks from civilian and soldier ponies alike, especially the soldiers, who eyed her suspiciously; Samus couldn’t blame them. However, what she could do was have a little fun and return their stares with one of her hard, stoic ones; watching the presumably new recruits falter under her piercing blue eyes. She silently chuckled to herself.
Rule number one: I win.
Her thoughts were dragged back to reality when she found herself plus the group being led into what appeared to be a logistics room. Samus came to this conclusion after she had seen maps plastered all over the white/blue cloud walls, soldiers and civilians working diligently at their desks with scrolls and what appeared to be an archaic form of typewriters… Samus wasn’t really sure how that was working. Her assumptions were also reinforced when they passed through one more doors, guarded by two Royal Guards, and spied the Solar Princess speaking with several officers. The princess spied them as soon as they all entered and smiled, temporarily dismissing her military entourage. The six Elements bowed before their leader and Samus offered a respectful acknowledgement.
“Twilight, and the rest of the Elements,” Celestia greeted in a friendly manner, nuzzling her most faithful student. “… And Samus as well. Good to see you again. I thank you all for arriving so early, but there’s plenty we need to go over, set up, and eventually execute by nightfall. I feel we’re on the brink of a breakthrough… or I hope, rather.”
“Sounds good, Princess. What will you have us do?” Twilight asked. Celestia nodded and got right to it, leading the seven to a large map of the city on the center table. Samus leaned on the table and got a better look as Celestia began explaining.
“As you can see, we’re right *here,* at Hurricane Military Installation. Rainbow Dash, you start on Supervisor duty in the Cloudsdale Weather Factory today and I want reports ever half an hour. Twilight, you’ll be going with her to send said reports.”
“I won’t let you down, Princess!” Twilight spoke up.
“You got it, Your Majesty!” Rainbow Dash also answered, giving a mock salute.
“Rarity, I would like you to head downtown into some of the more… secret taverns and bars. We’ve come across them thanks to other informants and near constant surveillance. These places are often frequented by underground crime groups and some fanatical cults. Your charisma is unchallenged, and as a result, I would like you to see if you can charm your way into any new information. If you find anything and I mean anything of value in terms of info, you send me a report immediately. We have intelligence that points to a decent probability of something happening at the Weather Center tonight. Applejack, you accompany her just in case.”
“Well alright, Princess! Ah’ll make sure she doesn’t get into trouble,” AJ tipped her Stetson.
“Of course, Your Highness. It shall be done,” Rarity confirmed.
“Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, I unfortunately can’t offer you two a more concrete role in this operation but I’ll need you two close by just in case. We are all going to pay a visit to the nearest hospital and when we leave, I would like you two to stay there and help boost morale among the sick. Smiles are contagious, even in dark times, and any increase in some collective morale that things will be alright will be an enormous help, and very much appreciated.”
“Okie Dokie Princess!” Pinkie bounced once and smiled, seemingly excited for her job.
“Y-Yes Princess,” Fluttershy gently bowed her head and hid behind her hair. Celestia nodded to all of them in understanding.
“Very well. When the time comes, all but Rainbow Dash will be given either an illusion horn ring or a leg band to modestly alter your appearances to the outside world. This will be necessary, for if more than one of the Elements is reported, it could potentially compromise the mission. As of right now, I’d like to take a small trip to the nearest general hospital-converted-quarantine center. Let us leave,” Celestia finished, leading the troop of seven out the door and eventually off the expansive base, Samus taking more time to look at her surroundings and realizing how surreal it was.
Then again… was a city made of clouds really that odd for her? Granted, there was a certain, tiny little fluttering in her stomach and a few warning signs in her brain due to the fact that the only thing keeping her from falling to her messy demise was a bit of magic… and water vapor. Even so, she had crossed a dimensional rift to parallel world on Aether and battled hordes of monstrosities and inverse-dimensional creatures. And THAT rightly left a tad bit of permanent damage on her psyche. Samus pursed her lips.
Fuckin’ Ing.
Deciding to focus on the task at hand, she caught up to the group (though she didn’t really fall behind) and listened as a couple conversations went on at the same time. Samus had little desire to intrude, but that would change when she felt a timid poke on her thigh. The Hunter looked down and found Fluttershy staring up at her.
“H-Hi Samus…”
“You know you can just call me if you’re looking for me, right?” the Hunter replied with a knowing grin, raising her right eyebrow just a pinch. Fluttershy blushed in embarrassment and looked away for a few moments before turning back to her. Before she could speak though, Samus spoke up once more:
“I apologize for being so short with everybody yesterday… but, thank you for dinner. That was really thoughtful of you.”
“Not at all, Samus,” Fluttershy spoke softly, albeit with more confidence in her voice.
“Now, I believe you wanted to ask me some stuff?” the young woman confirmed, remember the whole spiel the day before.
“I only had a few questions…” Shy’s voice trailed.
“And I have a few answers,” Samus affirmed.
The two went back and forth for the duration of the modest walk, Fluttershy asking Samus questions about her earlier life (Samus answered what she felt was appropriate), her travels and experiences with other creatures, life as a bounty hunter, et cetera. Samus had to admit, the shy one was growing on her a little bit. Passed what she would describe as Fluttershy’s annoying level of shyness and borderline cowardice, beyond that exterior the pink-maned pony was quite enjoyable to have a conversation with. Fluttershy even actively talked back with Samus, not just listening on what the Hunter had to say.
Samus was just never informed about her ‘stare.’ Or the incident of what many would colloquially describe as ‘Flutterbitch.’ Their conversation died out when they were about to enter the hospital.
“Ach!!”
Samus yelped out as she felt a sharp pain deep in her head, shooting her hand up to the bridge of her nose, baring her teeth and clenching them hard in pain, eyes shut tight. The other ponies stopped abruptly and turned to her.
“Samus, are you okay?!” Fluttershy asked with urgency, instantly by the Hunter’s side. Samus was in a fair amount of pain. She was no stranger to the onset of headaches… severe ones too. Migraines were all too common when she had gone without much sleep in her travels. Thus she resolved to start implementing adequate camping time in the wilderness or on the field. The problem was, was that she had not felt anything this bad in a long time, and the last time she did was when she completed half her mission on Tallon IV without even stopping.
“Samus! What’s going on?!” Twilight added.
“Samus?” Rainbow Dash was hovering by her side, rubbing her hoof on the Hunter’s back as she rode out whatever pain she was going through. The oddly comforting gesture and the concerns of the other mares helped Samus eventually forego the pain… until it subsided completely and left as mysteriously as it came about. She had broken out into a light sweat and her eyes appeared to be a tad red.
“What in tarnation happened??” Applejack demanded to know. Samus only shook her head, regaining her steady breath.
“I don’t know. That was… I’m not even sure. Whatever it was, it’s completely gone… but holy shit that hurt like a son of a bitch!” Samus added. Celestia only turned away, pursed her lips, and closed her eyes tightly, shaking her head. She knew what that was. Celestia knew exactly what that was.
“I’m fine… really!” the Hunter assured. She didn’t feel bad at all anymore… there were no residual effects of the sudden headache. The other mares eyed her with skepticism but decided not to press further, each voicing their concerns to themselves.
“Okie dokie…” Pinkie acknowledged with a less than cheerful tone that was so characteristic of her own being. Samus was more than just a little concerned. That wasn’t a natural headache, according to her brief analysis. But, once again, that would have to wait as they were given clearance to an intermediate room, which lead into the quarantined ward.
The fleet of nine warships exited slipspace with simultaneous ruptures, the capitol ships still in perfect formation with each other and patrolling fighters still buzzing around. Ridley continued to eye the space in front of him, vaguely looking at the brightest object in front of the formation: a speck that was undoubtedly still a ways away. The Planet Equis. The Space Pirate commander had plenty on his mind, but first and foremost, was to get to the damned planet… for other reasons of course.
Miserable little brat! She has been the bane of my existence and our operations for too long. I should have killed her back on K2-L immediately instead of running my damn mouth.
Ridley’s defeat on Zebes and subsequently on Tallon IV had not just hardened his hatred and resolve to peel Samus’s flesh from her bones… but it also gave him (however small) a sense of humility. He was definitely not as egotistical and arrogant as he was back on Zebes, that much was for sure. The experience of death and defeat had indeed humbled him as he had found his true adversary, his rival… his nemesis.
Killing the hunter wasn’t a manner of not having a single regard for life, or even revenge, though that played a great part in his drive. Ridley was driven to kill Samus in what would surely be a bloody battle between the two of them. The Phazon was only coincidence… something that gave the two reasons to find each other and settle the proverbial scores… well giving him reason at least. Samus had plenty of reasons, no thanks to Ridley. He chuckled darkly at that thought.
A shame I didn’t get to slaughter her whole family in front of her little eyes.
“Lord Ridley.”
The voice drew the space dragon out of his thoughts as he turned to the same Pirate Admiral.
“Admiral?”
“Our course has made extraordinarily better timing than previously expected. We calculate that our fleet will be within the Planet’s orbit within a day and a half to two days. There will be no more need to enter faster-than-light travel.”
“Excellent. Send a report to High Command. As well, be prepared to dispatch foothold-units to the planet when we are within a day’s reach of orbit. I want scouting reports and bases set up. When the Phazon is discovered, I expect to be notified immediately. See to it,” Ridley ordered straight and to the point.
“Yes, Lord Ridley,” the Admiral replied and exited out of Ridley’s lair in order to carry out his will. The metal-plated Space dragon sighed deeply, running his claw over his mandible, which had new plates installed on it. Yawning, he revealed a set of alloy-based teeth, none of which were organic anymore.
As long as you live, the Federation will survive. I could forego revenge if it meant obliterating the Core Federation Worlds. Your slaughter will only serve as a much sweeter reward.
Ridley bared his razor-sharp teeth in what could be inferred as a dark and anxious smile. He clenched his fist as the ships under his command cruised gently towards that bright speck in the sky.
I’m coming for you, Aran.
Edited by Tatsurou