Games - Space Pirate

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	Games - Space Pirate

Space Pirates are a fictional sentient aggressor species that appear throughout the Metroid series. They are sometimes referred to as Zebesian Space Pirates, or just Zebesians in the Super Metroid game manual, although later games have revealed that the Space Pirates are not native to the planet Zebes. In Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, in the Luminoth Lore, it speaks of many races that were met in the travel in space, "We met a vast number of enlightened minds...the N'kren, the Ylla, and the Chozo among them." This leads some to believe that one of these races could be name of the pirate's race, even though the Chozo believe they are far from enlightened.

This alien race specializes in raiding starships and planets in a quest for dominance in the galaxy. Their species has a wide range of morphological variation – their base forms have hands featuring two thumbs and a single finger, but many are genetically engineered with lobsterlike claws with their gun barrels lodged within. Some of these clawed pirates, called Troopers, have their other arm replaced by a massive blade rather than a second claw. (Oddly, the manga shows the pirates with claws, but they don't actually fire them, so perhaps the guns were a post-Prime addition) Also, the question arises that if both arms are used for weapons, how to they operate their computer systems. Such mutations can likely be attributed to the species' affinity for genetic manipulation – in Metroid Prime, they displayed no qualms in their reports about using the mutagenic properties of Phazon to modify the local wildlife and each other.

Among the Space Pirates' numbers are three recurring Metroid bosses – Kraid, Ridley, and Mother Brain. The Space Pirates are generally the main antagonists in the Metroid games because they are often at odds with the Galactic Federation (the Metroid galaxy's equivalent to the United Nations) with their experiments and take-over plots. In particular, they are infamous for attempting to use the Metroid organisms as biological weapons. Often, with their already existing weapons – wrist-mounted scythes, Galvanic Accelerator Cannons, and Quantum Assault Cannons (the aforementioned clawguns) – as well as their often-superior numbers and cunning battle tactics, the only person who can attempt to defeat their larger bases and have a chance of succeeding is bounty hunter Samus Aran, the main character in the Metroid games. Samus has a particular disliking for the Space Pirates after one of their raids orphaned her. This event was depicted in the e-manga and in the Nintendo Power
comic. It was also alluded to in the Metroid Prime instruction manual and game.

Space Pirate variants

Pirate Troopers

The most basic form of the Space Pirate species. They contain moderate shielding and are the mainstay of the Space Pirate armies. They are extremely common in Space Pirate operations and activities. They wield either Galvanic Accelerator Cannons or Quantum Assault Cannons, and are quite agile. Some wield photonic energy scythes for a melee attack. They rapidly attack intruders with their accelerator cannons and will charge or jump over large distances to attack enemies with their scythes. Pirate troopers will often disable door systems in the rooms intruders are in so they cannot escape. Space Pirates appear to be a vastly intelligent species and they use this intelligence to come up with battle tactics. Space Pirates will also cling to walls while firing or run up close for a melee attack. Space Pirates will also hide when on duty so as to not be seen. When intruders enter however they will attack with extreme aggression and prejudice.

Mutated Pirates

Phazon-induced variations include the hulking behemoths known as Elites, a solitary extra-mutated version called the Alpha or Phazon Elite, and an even larger Omega Pirate.

; Elite Pirates: Elite Pirates were developed after many experiments with Phazon on Space Pirates. Elite pirates are roughly two or three times the size of normal Pirates and are highly dangerous at any range. Prior to Samus Aran's arrival on Tallon IV, Elite Pirates were to be rushed into mass production to launch attacks on all of the Space Pirates' enemies—however, these plans were abandoned after she destroyed their labs. The Elite Pirates have an energy-siphon system, allowing them to absorb beam weapon energy with hand-produced shields. They use this siphoned energy to fuel their massive Plasma Artillery Cannons. Concussive weapons (Missiles) are more effective against Elites.

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