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The Space Pirate frigate Straxus hung silently and invisibly in the void of space, its cloaking field fully operational to protect it from prying eyes and scanners. On the inside of the aggressive recon vessel was a flurry of activity, as the Pirate sensors had picked up a surge of incredible power, and their operators scrambled to find its source and any data they could on it.

The door to the bridge slid open with a hiss, and the dreaded general Ridley entered, batlike wings tucked close against his reptilian body. His eyes glowed with menace and irritation at being roused from his recuperative rest; his last battle with his hated enemy and the Federation dogs she served had taken a lot out of him, and he'd only just retired to his quarters when these idiotic parasites had begun yammering for him to come down to the bridge because something enormous had happened. This had better be as important as they claimed, he thought to himself as he approached the ship's captain, who was standing at the chief communications officer's station awaiting him.

"You found something?" the draconian commander snarled.

"Our sensors just picked up a surge of power unlike anything we've seen in this sector, Lord Ridley," came the captain's guttural reply through his bug-like mandibles. “We’re attempting to ascertain its source now.”

“We have it now, sir,” the communications officer interrupted.

“Put it on the main screen,” Ridley ordered. The officers complied, and the large viewscreen taking up the center of the bridge displayed an image captured by one of their remote drones: the ruins of Von Helson Manor, and the last few moments of a spectacular battle.

"What the hell is that?" queried Ridley as the probe's imaging enhanced, revealing a glowing armored figure. It seemed vaguely familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.

"It appears to be the source of the power spike, Lord."

"Monitor it closely. Find out everything you can about what just happened there."

((Sorry for the long absence. Consider me back.))

A great deal of observation and planning later...

"A techno-organic construct that can assimilate any form of life it chooses," said Ridley to the other members of High Command over their secure channel. "The potential applications for our cause are limitless, far greater than the idilium deposits I came here to commandeer. It is, however, quite powerful and will take more manpower than we currently have to subdue."

"You intend to capture it?" came the distorted voice of the darkened shapes on the screen.

"Absolutely. According to our data, it appears to be of reasoning intelligence. Perhaps we can communicate with it, appeal to its baser instincts. But we can't make a move against it with our current numbers. There's a chance it could turn hostile, and you've seen the devastation it can cause from my report."

There was a pause on the other end as High Command considered Ridley's proposal.

"Due to the vital service you've performed for us in the field in the past, we will grant your request. We will have additional battle frigates en route within 3 cycles. Do not disappoint us."

"I will not, comrades."

Another pause, then a tactful inquiry:

"And what of the Huntress?"

Ridley stopped, impotent rage broiling in his brain, but he hid it well.

"If Samus Aran even survived our last encounter, I doubt she is even in any condition to challenge me again. If by some chance she does, however, I am prepared."

"Excellent. We will be waiting for your report."

The image on the screen faded.

((You are welcomed to post in the 'cave' thread that is in this sub-forum... if you dare ;D ))