Metroid: The Last Aurealian *REWRITE*

K.G.

"What is one of the most lethal attacks an Aurealian can inflict?" Commander Malkovich asks on the training grounds.  I scratch my head. A bite to the neck?

The Commander shakes his head. "No."

A slash in the ribs?

"Again, no."

My pupils narrow deep in thought. A swipe with my tail? Wait a slap with my tail spines. That's can stab someone heart out like meat on a stick!

Commander Malkovich suppressed a shrug. His eyes glinted with annoyance. "One of the most lethal attacks you can inflict is your plasma breath. You should know that already, if you've read Valakara's anatomy book. An Aurealian's plasma breath is one of the most devastating attacks you can inflict. It can melt the flesh and bone of any living organism. Even small amounts can permanently scar tissue."

My scales shiver at the gory description along with another gloomy thought. It must be that lethal if Ridley uses it all the time. "In ancient times Aurealians used their plasma breath on the battlefield, scorching any opponent in their reach. Since the Era of Peace they've used it to create art and fortify their homes. A gift like that shouldn't go to waste."                   

The Commander leads me to an open training ground, set with hulking war tanks and airboats.

Twenty targets dotted the grounds, set on steel poles or attached to defunct machines. Ziir greets the Commander with utmost respect, explaining how he worked all night to set up the targets and ensure everyone was safe.  "All is ready Commander. This shall be interesting." He trots to my side, patting my shoulder. "Don't be nervous, just do your best and you'll be fine."

"Yeah take it easy kiddo, all ya gotta do is belch out plasma, that shouldn't be hard. You did it before." Skye gives a reassuring grin.  I smirk, nudging him as a thanks.                                                

I turn to Commander Malkovich, awaiting his orders. Commander Malkovich tells Skye and Ziir to back away several yards behind, lest I scorch them to a crisp. He stands at my shoulder, clad in his traditional military uniform. He places his hands behind his back in his normal stance,

"First what you need to do is open you Plasma bladder, the organ that holds your weapon. It's located at the bottom of your chest, right below your lungs.  Inhale and exhale to flex the muscles, you should feel it contract." My sides heave as I breathe steadily. I can feel the bladder constrict and the warm plasma bubbling deep in my chest.

Commander Malkovich inspects my chest, seeing the muscles ripple he gives a nod of approval.                                               

"Good. Now take the deepest breath you can manage and let lose your Plasma bladder." I raise my neck inhaling a gust of air, taking the deepest breath I'd ever taken. Then with ever fiber and muscle in my body I exhale.

Nothing only a gust of warm air, I keep pushing at it until my lungs strain but nothing else comes out.  I grumble disappointed. Damn I was so sure I could nail it, maybe I need to breathe deeper. I try again, taking a deeper breath until I was sure my lungs would explode. Again nothing.

"Keep goin at Champ!" Skye calls from behind. "You're gonna get it eventually!"  I try four more times, the third resulting in a belch and the fourth in a wad of saliva dripping from my mouth.        

I turn away sheepishly, licking the spit away. Come on, I've done it before, why can't I get it? Even worse the hard-eyed no-nonsense CO is watching my every failure. He must think I'm a total joke, a wimp in every sense of the word. 'Why do I even bother training her?' he must think if I can't even eject a marble of plasma from my mouth. I must be a waste of his time, maybe I should just quit.