"I am sorry that we could not spare any Aflorite but the Federation is getting impatient to get this shipment." A man spoke as he walked with two bird like creatures through the living huts toward a ship sitting on the outskirts of the clearing near the trees.

"We understand. We can seek Aflorite elsewhere. But the Magnaite you provided will be of great assistance to our people regardless, Captain Aran." The talker, younger Chozo replied.

"It was the least that we could do for your help with the mining drills. Our productivity has tripled in the last week." The man said. "Not to mention the agriculture machines you provided. We only have enough food for another month here and we were looking at having to barter for food before we could become self-sufficient."

"It is our people's ways to better the universe around us, no matter how we do it." The elder Chozo said.

"Rodney!" A woman's voice called out. They turned to see a woman running down the path to catch them.

"What is it, Virginia?" Rodney asked his wife.

She took a second to catch her breath. "Have you seen Samus?" She finally said when she could breathe again.

"I haven't seen her since this morning." Rodney replied, dread starting to well in him.

"She is missing. She isn't in the camp and I've looked all around for her." Virgina said.

"Ok. Get Ryan to organize a search pattern. She is probably lost in the woods." Rodney said. Virgina nodded and ran back to the encampment.

"I apologize for that. My daughter has a bit of an adventurous streak." Rodney explained.

"How old is she?" Old Bird asked.

"3 years old." Rodney replied.

Old Bird nodded and walked over to a tree on the edge of the forest. He placed his hand on the trunk and closed his eyes. He stood silent before he removed his hand and opened his eyes.

"I shall return. Wait for me before you send the search party." He replied before he walked through the trees into the forest. Rodney just looked at Grey Voice who nodded to trust the elder Chozo.


Old Bird made his way through the dense trees, silently listening to the rustle of leaves, the flow of the stream, the breeze blowing. As he walked a new sound began to make its way through. It was the sound of crying. He looked off the path down a small embankment and saw a little girl, her eyes buried in her fists as she cried. He made his way down the embankment toward her. The sound broke her out of her wallowing, and she looked up, fear in her eyes at the sight of a large, old, birdman.

Sensing her fear, he held his hands out to his sides. "It's already, Little One. I am not here to hurt you." He said as he knelt in front of her.

"Tell me, child. What are you doing out here by yourself?" He asked.

Between sniffs she told her story. "I was walking along the edge of the forest when I slipped and fell down, my backpack falling off. When I stood up a Simian had taken my backpack and ran into the woods with it. I chased after it and fell down this embankment. The Simian left my backpack up there," she pointed up about 10 feet above them, "And I can't get it. Mommy will be angry if I lose my backpack." She returned to crying.

"Peace, child. There is no need for tears. I cannot reach it, nor can you. But if we work together we can get your backpack and get you back home to your parents. They are very worried right now." He said, gently stroking her back.

"Really? You'll help me?" She asked.

"It is the way of my people to help whenever we can." He said, smiling at her.

"Thank you, Mr….." She trailed off.

"My name is difficult for humans to pronounce. You can call me Old Bird. All my friends do." He said.

"My name is Samus. I'm 4 years old" She replied.

"That is a very pretty name, Samus. Now tell me, are you hurt?" He asked.

"I scrapped my elbow falling down the hill." She said, pointing her elbow toward him. There was a minor scrape that was beginning to scab over. He took her arm gently and looked at it closer.

"I don't see any major damage. But I had better wrap it, just to be safe." He said as he pulled out some bandages from the pack he carried. He quickly wrapped her elbow, tying it off.

"There, how does that feel?" He asked.

She gently bent her elbow, testing the resistance of the bandage.

"That is much better. It doesn't hurt anymore." She smiled.

"I soak those in a special ointment I make to help speed healing. Your scrape should be gone by tomorrow." He said. "Now, lets get your backpack." He continued, standing and looking up.

"Can you fly?" She asked him.

The Chozo shook his head. "No, Little one. We do not fly. But you can fly." He said as he reached down and lifted her by her arms into the air. Samus giggled as she went higher and higher until he had lifted her above his head. With his height and arm length she was almost 10 feet off the ground exactly. She reached out and grabbed the backpack off the branch, and he slowly let her down. She landed on the ground laughing and smiling.

"That was fun!" She said.

"You did well, Little Bird." He smiled at her. "Now, we should get back to the camp. Your mother and father will be happy to see you again." He held his hand out to her. She placed her small hand in his and they walked back to the path toward the camp.


Rodney and Virginia were pacing and fidgeting for the past 20 minuites as Grey Voice stood stoic and waited.

"They should have been back by now if he found her" Virginia said.

"My father does things in his own way on his own time. The best thing for us to do is wait until he returns." Grey Voice spoke. Virginia jumped, having forgotten the younger Chozo was still there.

Rodney was about to reply when Grey Voice spotted two figures making their way down the path. They came into the clearing and the two humans took off on a run toward the two.

Old Bird let Samus' hand go as her mother grabbed her into her arms, eyes welled up with tears.

"Samus! Oh my God! Don't ever wander off like that again." She exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, Mama. A Simian stole my backpack and I couldn't get it back until Old Bird came and helped me." Samus explained.

Rodney turned to Old Bird. "Is there anything I can do to repay you? I can let you have the Aflorite you requested."

Old Bird looked to Grey Voice almost as if he were speaking to him. After a few moments Old Bird returned his gaze to the parents.

"If you can spare one barrel that is all we require. I think that is an acceptable trade for the opportunity to make a new friend." Old Bird smiled at Samus.

"That is less then a quarter of what you needed." Rodney stated puzzlingly.

"It will be sufficient to begin the experiments we needed it for. This will allow us to minimize delay in our schedule and still leave you with enough to meet your obligations to the Federation." Grey Voice explained.

"Done. Ill have a barrel loaded onto your ship at once." Rodney said as he pulled out his Comm to have the barrel brought to them.

Once the barrel was loaded the two Chozo bid their farewells. Old Bird knelt in front of Samus.

"Beware of any more naughty Simmians, Little Bird." He said. Samus hugged the elder Chozo.

"Thank you." She said, sniffing at saying goodbye to her new friend.

"We shall see each other soon. Until next time. Peace, my friends." Old Bird spoke as they entered their ship and lifted off to return to Zebes.