The Champion

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*As the Kennett’s were busy dealing with the damage and comm traffic over a certain two individuals. A small stealth craft appeared a short distance away, shrouded in a field that cloaked it from the fleetship’s scanners. Alaina gave a relieved sigh as the ships seemed to take no defensive action against their presence*

Gotta say, Samus’s violence prone actions have proved to be great cover for our infiltration...though you sure stick out.

*She nodded toward the towering diamont*

Well it’s not like all eyes aren’t on our quarry at the moment anyways. Might help her to have some of the forces split. 

*Alaina sheathed her blade onto her back, she then picked up a long rifle along with purple colored cartridges that shimmered from the wave energy stored within*

Ok, now let’s see a scan of the ship...

*A hologram emitted from one of the nearby console’s displaying the outside of the ship. Alaina eyed the map until she spied a hatch on the exterior that seemed to be a maintenance hatch. She then plotted a course to that specific spot on the ship’s hull before turning to the others*

We’ll magnetize to that maintenance hatch, then we will have to find where Samus is wrecking things. Hopefully, we are back on the Dark Star within a few hours...

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*Alaina gave a short glare towards Weavel as she fastened her mask upon her face. She lead Weavel into the Dark Star. As they wandered through the passageways of the space station, they received innumerable stares as the denizens were curious of the pairing*

Alaina: In here.

*They came to a door that opened into what seemed to be a gambling hall for the arena. There was a counter that encircled a robotic AI who verified the authenticity of the currency given. Upon seeing Alaina, the AI motioned taking off its hat to her, even though it had no hat to begin with. The spherical construct then spoke to the two*

Gambling Suite AI: Ah the champion of Dark Star’s arena, betting today rather than fighting?

Alaina: 500 on the Crimson Star.

Gambling Suite AI: Ah very well, you may move to the observation room reserved for your viewing pleasure.

*Alaina gave a nod, and then motioned for Weavel to follow her. They climbed a set of stairs just past the AI which led to a private viewing room. Below them, a gladiator garbed in crimson armor was in the midst of battling several grenchlers, the beasts had surrounded him. It was a tense moment for the gladiator but Alaina paid no attention to it*

Alaina: This is the meeting room. I think you’ll like the first contact that I have in store for you to meet.

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*Alaina raises her arm and catches the volt driver blast, the electricity channels through her arm for a moment and a visible grimace crosses her face, however afterwards she gives a remorseful expression*

I wish I was just a gladiator...

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*Alaina shook her head at Weavel with an unamused gaze*

Since you idolize her so much, you realize that she will most likely have already freed herself by the time we arrive. I’m sorry to say, with her track record I don’t think she’s into pirates.

*Alaina brushed a loose strand of her back over her head as she gave a stern look to Weavel*

Alaina: I respect Samus for who she is and what she’s capable of, but half the shit she’s done has been cleaning up Federation fuck ups. Save her, fine. Kiss the Federation’s ass, I’ll pass.

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*Alaina let out a short burst of laughter at Weavel’s stoic nature*

Sorry, it’s hard to believe you were once a bounty hunter.

*Her face returned to a serious gaze*

You know how many people owe me on the Dark Star, I could have a band of mercenaries in several hours. We get a small strike team and then we take out those kennets. You can have your noble pursuit, they crossed me.

*Alaina sheathed her sword forcefully*

That’s enough for my crew to remind them who they’re dealing with.

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*Alaina’s helmet was placed on the console next to her as she leaned back, her face had bruised from Weavel’s blow earlier but she made no visible notice of it as she looked at him. Her legs were crossed as she leaned non chalantly into the chair. Her green eyes looked straight into Weavel’s visor*

Dead or captured, those kennets over ran the evacuation point. I helped Akai here defend this ship so we could get the hell off of that water world.

*Alaina shifted her gaze to her sword and picked it up with palms of her hands, holding the blade out horizontally in front of her, the energy coursing through it seemed to remain stable for the time being, she looked back up to Weavel*

My suggestion is that we return to the Dark Star for the time being, they have a fleet at their disposal.

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*Alaina retained her relaxed position as she responded to Akai*

I appreciate the offer, battery acid does have its uses. You repaired Weavel rather efficiently, do you perform repairs often?

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*Alaina used the blade of her sword as a mirror as she observed the bruise on her face*

(Not as bad as I thought it’d be…)

*She took a glance at Weavel, who was still undergoing repairs. Alaina was impressed by the loyalty of Akai, who had been at constant work on Weavel since they left Okeana*

Almost died for people who couldn’t give a damn about you…

*Alaina sighed as she slid her mask back on. Her green eyes narrowed*

(To think, how I’m plotting on how to “acquire” your services for the Dark Star…)

*Alaina chuckled to herself as she leaned back in the chair with her hands behind her head, debating on the reaction Weavel would have when he woke up and found her on his ship*

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*Alaina nodded as she quietly withdrew an electrical stun baton, she crawled over to the access panel and pressed the baton into the panel*

Ok Akai, three....two....one.

*Alaina activated the electricity and it channeled into the panel, Alaina had to turn her head as sparks flew chaotically from the point where the baton and panel had connected*

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*Alaina ducked back into the ship as the troopers fired at her, the energy blasts whizzed by overhead*

Akai, we won’t see Weavel if we die here. Is there a way that we can draw them away from the ship?

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*Alaina reconnected a wire as she spoke to Akai*

Call it a gut feeling, or  having him owe me a favor. Perhaps that would be an easier reason for you to understand.

*As the ship became attacked, Akai mimicked Weavel with a seamless interpretation which caused Alaina to glance at the command console*

Don’t do that.

*Alaina then heard mechanical voices shout to her in a threatening manner as she repaired the internal component. She stood up and grabbed the energy DMR that she had set down. Once more, she spoke to Akai*

I hope this ship has some proximity defenses active. If there are some, we’ll need the extra fire power.

*Alaina jumped up and grabbed onto a short ladder which led to a hatch to the roof of the ship. She waited for a few moments before popping the hatch open. As she rose into the open air, she fired at the kennet soldiers in hopes that Akai was preparing a countermeasure*

[thechampionatfacetroid]

Weavel is off being the Federation’s janitor while thinking he’s playing the role of the hero. Needless to say, he has suffered considerable wounds. I tried to have him join me in this endeavor but he refused. Also, from the way he was talking, it sounds like the other “you” within him got destroyed. Look, I hate the Federation and the Space Pirates but I don’t hate Weavel, or the other hunters for that matter, for giving a damn to fight for the universe. Just half the time it involves cleaning up the Federation’s self inflicted mess or Space Pirate’s spreading corruption.

*Alaina shook her head as she continued to repair Weavel’s ship*

Don’t know why the hell I’m opening up to a computer right now but it’s been a hell of a day. Got the shit kicked out of me by two cyborgs.

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*As Alaina hopped out onto the left wing of Weavel’s ship, she began to weld metal taken from the Federation gunship. She spoke to Akai as she worked*

You’re mighty loyal for a computer. Let me ask you something, why wouldn't I just leave with that gunship if I intended to leave Weavel behind? Why would I go through all of this effort to repair his ship?

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*Alaina tilts her head as she reconnects a wire within the ship, causing some of the ships power to return, lights flickered to life in the passenger hold*

Oh, he’s more than alive. Our mutual friend caused this.

*Alaina raised her hand up to the cut that ran from her mouth to across her cheek. The blood had dried around it but it was evident that Alaina had not been able to lick her wounds in the time it took her to get to Akai’s panel*

Seems like life support is back on, can you pinpoint any breaches in the hull that would expose us to the vacuum of space when we’re in the air? We also still need to get the engines working or we’ll be stuck here. 

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*A squad of Federation soldiers were guarding Weavel’s ship, a Federation gunship approached from the west, a cautious marine spoke up in alarm as sunlight reflected off of the vessel as it drew closer*

Marine: We weren’t expecting reinforcements, squad leader.

Squad Leader: Put it on communications.

Marine: This is squad ninety two, what’s your-

*The gunship opened fired, a hail of energy blasts peppered the area, killing the members of the patrol party who were trapped in the open air. Grass blew uncontrollably due to the thrusters of the gunship as it landed. Alaina jumped out and quickly dispatched the remaining marines who had survived with well placed shots from a stolen Federation DMR. As she walked into the grass, a marine grabbed her ankle, the squad leader was bloodied from wounds caused by the airstrike. Alaina pulled out her blade as the squad commander could do nothing but gasp for air. She could see by his mannerisms that he was making an effort to speak but he was unable to. The vanquisher pierced through his chest, causing the energy in his suit’s systems to spark and go out. Alaina pulled the blade from his body and examined it*

Negligence, Weavel. This is nonsense, a waste of resources and lives. 

*Alaina then began the process of repairing Weavel’s vessel. She figured that the Aurora Unit would have a fail safe if things went awry so Alaina wasted no time in beginning the process of removing the damaged components of Weavel’s vessel that were beyond repair. She went into Weavel’s ship and activated the onboard computer, hoping that a copy of his AI Akai or something similar was there to aid in the repairs*

Hey, if you want the owner of this ship to live, help me fix it. Engines and life support take priority. I don’t have the time to move gun mounts for weapons. I brought a whole bucket of fresh parts.

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*Alaina stood up and wiped the freshly drawn blood from her mouth as she looked at Weavel*

You’re right, child would be more fitting. You god damn bounty hunters are just pompous assholes with way too much power for your own good. If you want to serve them, be my guest. My offer still stands.

*Alaina pulled her sword from the ground and continued to walk towards the hanger bays of the facility*

[thechampionatfacetroid]

*Alaina slammed her sword into the ground as she crossed her arms to Weavel with an unimpressed look in her eyes*

Cleaning up after them isn’t the way to fix all of this. It seems your best comeback to the sins of the Federation is that the Pirates are worse. A machine being sentenced to slavery and only knowing subjugation is destined to revolt. After all, you broke the Space Pirates hold over you. Don’t throw that freedom away for the Federation. The real people aren’t here on this hell hole of a secret facility in the depths of Okeana.

*Alaina pointed forcefully to her side*

They’re out there! You’re just putting a band aid on the wound, not curing it.