[X] Stay by Miss Militia and Dauntless.
Numbly you turn around, crouching down beside Miss Milita's and Dauntless's ruined bodies. The other's are still talking, shouting, confused.
You don't really care the moment, questions swirl in your head with more and more speed until it's a blanket white noise as you stare at the shattered forms before you.
"Huntress, do you know what it meant?" You hear Armsmaster ask.
You don't respond.
"Huntress."
You don't respond.
"Huntress!"
"For fuck's sake Colin leave her alone!" Battery shouts.
"That thing just spoke a line from a madman in the early twentieth century, which was referring to the coming of an "Age of Horus." Given what we know about the Chozo this may be a-"
"Look at her!"
You shoot Miss Militia and Dauntless, renewing their stasis shell.
"She's checking on them-"
"Fucking Christ Colin, could you not be dense for five seconds! Our teammates, our friends might die because you're an egotistical dick. Could you leave the kid alone for five fuc-"
"Please don't fight because of me..."
You don't look up at them, still staring at Miss Milita and Dauntless.
"Please..."
"I'm... I just... We aren't going to fight. Come on, lets wipe off that blood..." Battery says, trying to help you to your feet.
You don't budge, even though you hear Assault and Velocity talking to Triumph about what happened. They seem to be doing what Battery is trying to do.
"Samus, this wasn't your fault. They're going to be fine once we get them to the clinic. You don't have too-"
"Have to paralyze them..."
"I shall watch over them. It is... my responsibility." Armsmaster says with some difficulty.
You still don't budge, and Battery lets out a sigh. Instead she takes up position beside you, but you notice she's not looking at her fallen friends.
Armsmaster awkward shuffles onto the opposite side of Miss Militia and Dauntless, and he fires two paralyzer shots at them.
This... routine continued for a bit until the ambulances arrived. You and Armsmaster keeping Miss Militia and Dauntless in stasis, Triumph quietly talking with Assault and Triumph and Battery staying close to you. You appreciate she didn't try to hug you. You didn't want any hugs right now.
The PRT paramedics try to offer their opinion on Miss Militia and Dauntless but Armsmaster silences them. Soon you're in an Ambulance with Dauntless. You don't really pay attention to what's happening, other than occasionally firing a Paralyzer shot. It's excessive as just one paralyzer shot would last quite a while compared to like the second it would last on you but at least you feel like you're helping rather than making everything worse. The Paramedics sitting in the ambulance with you do flinch noticeably every time you fire a shot though.
When you arrive at the clinic more paramedics as well as Dr. Vahlen and Dr. Tygan as well as... Mouse Protector in a hospital gown.
Looks like she got out of the Biopod in decent time. They descend on Dauntless and Miss Militia, putting them on stretchers. Mouse helps, instantly moving to Miss Militia. She looks... stressed, worried about her friend. So worried she was standing barefoot in the snow without complaining.
You don't leave the ambulance until they had all left into the building, Armsmaster following them from the other ambulance. You like that they forgot about you in their rush, you don't really want to talk to anyone. So after they entered the building you slipped out...and instantly heard the paramedics returning. Of course they wouldn't be needed.
Luckily for you in armour you are significantly faster than the speed of sound. It doesn't take much for you to easily slip past them and then into the reception area where... everyone else is waiting. Including Taylor and Mr. Hebert. Both are covered in blood smears. Looks like they helped get Mouse into the Biopod.
Of course, you suddenly appearing in the room naturally drew everyone's attention towards you.
"Samus! Mouse just appeared cut in hal-" Taylor yells, running up to you. She stops however when she see's what you're covered in. "Holy shit..."
You look at your left arm, examining the flecks of Miss Militia's blood covering you. Maybe... maybe it'd be a good idea to demateralize your suit.
There's a flash of light and your armour and the blood vanish, leaving you in the clothes Mr. Hebert had brought you. You're vaguely aware you're wearing Taylor's old shoes with how they were just a little too big for you and rather well worn. Not that they wouldn't be too big for long, you were practically growing an inch a month.
"Samus, you alright?" Taylor says, tilting her head.
You don't respond.
"Uh... you want to sit down?"
You nod, and follow Taylor to the chairs lined up against the wall, all while hearing people talking.
"Hey, does she ever blink?" One of the paramedics ask another.
"What? Uh yeah, see her in the cafeteria all the time. Isn't that a weird questi-"
"No really look, she isn't blinking."
Your attention shifts away from them however when you hear Mr. Hebert talking with Velocity.
"What the hell happened here? First Mouse Protector shows up cut in half and then Samus shows up covered in blood. Miss Militia's blood from what Paramedics told me and it's all because of some alien statue? Just what is happening?"
"Mr. Hebert, what happened today was.... Look I'm going to be frank with you, I have never seen anything like what happened today. All I know is that they attacked Huntress and my friends got caught in the crossfire."
"Why though?! What do they want with her?" Mr. Hebert asks.
"I think it's supposed to... test her."
"What kind of bastards are these Chozo that they try to murder a girl and any bystanders as a test? And what will happen when my daughter is with-" Your hands start shaking as Taylor suddenly shoots to her feet. "DAD NO."
She must have had some bugs near Mr. Hebert.
Mr. Hebert turns around as everyone in the room turns to look at the two of them, running a hand through his thinning hair. "Honey, it's just adults talking. I just... I just want you to be safe and-"
"She's not at fault for this! Alright?! Samus isn't responsible for any of this."
They fear them...
"I'm not saying-"
They think the Chozo are monsters...
"She gets just as hurt by this as everyone else."
Grampa... Grey....
"I'm not... " Mr. Hebert sighs. "I'm not saying anything. It's just been a long day, and it isn't even noon yet. I think it'd be best if we all went back home to rest, especially Samus."
Taylor nods, then gently taps your shoulder. "Come on, lets head home Samus."
You awkwardly stumble to your feet, feeling like you want to lie down for a bit but you have enough control over your movements that Taylor doesn't seem to notice. Triumph, Battery, Assault and Velocity all wish you and Taylor to take it easy for as long as the two of you need too.
However before you leave Armsmaster entered the reception area. "Wait Ms. Aran, Ms Hebert! I have a message from the Director and Dragon."
Mr. Hebert turned around, eyes narrowed. "My daughter and her friend are exhausted, whatever this is can wait."
"I... Wish to hear what Dragon wants me too know." You say quietly.
Mr. Hebert very much looks like he's biting back a retort. Armsmaster however immediately launches into the message.
"The director expresses her sympathies for what happened and will offer them in person tomorrow after the two of you rest. I am also here to inform you Miss Militia, Mouse Protector and Dauntless are fully healed, and are currently waiting for a change of clothes in one of the side rooms. However with recent events the distribution of Federation Armour is being pushed forward and while we don't currently have the numbers to equip everyone there will be a general fitting and testing event tomorrow evening with New Wave, civilians however will not be able to attend."
"You can't honestly expect them to-" Mr. Hebert starts before Taylor interrupts. "Dad, that armour is as durable as Samus's, right? If I get it I'll be practically indestructible."
Mr. Hebert just sighs again. "If that's what you want..."
"What about Dragon?" You ask.
"She has something to show you, and I can assure you it'll ensure you won't have to fight any more monsters." Armsmaster replies with a hint of pride, suggesting he was involved in whatever this project is. Knowing Dragon however you suspect it's a Dragon suit of some description. Considering her restrictions you wonder what the internal systems are like. You know she likes biological computers for a reason she didn't want to tell you but she'd been thrilled when she found out that was what the majority of federation AI systems used and would be more than capable of handling her software without trouble, and wouldn't have the risks installing her into your own systems would have.
"I look forward to it." You say politely, and eventually you, Taylor and Mr. Hebert leave.
But... what do you want to do when you return to the Hebert's house?
[] Wash and then lie down for a bit, it's been a long day.
[] Watch TV with Taylor, maybe there'll be a movie on that'll help you relax?
[] Have Taylor show you funny stuff online, that's what Dennis uses after long days.
[] Write-In.
