Topic: Metoid Prime Hunters - Possible satellites? Thoughts/Theories

Observing from the cockpit of Samus's gunship, the display for the Alimbic Cluster appears to be clear and simple. There is a star, there are two worlds and there are two large space stations with marked orbits. Looking just on the surface in regards to the Alimbic Cluster though is deceptive, and there is a confirmation of that early in the investigation of the Celestial Archives. Within the Meditation Room, navigational charts leave a much different picture of the surrounding galaxy. These charts do not appear to just show four major territories and a local star, but seem to show around 10 celestial bodies within the region. A few minutes after this new frontier for Samus is first seen and it doubles in potential scope.

Personally, I've known about this expanded scope of the Alimbic's former dominion for nearly half a decade. It has been a mystery to me for some time as to how this expanded scope fits into what I had been seeing from inside the gunship when choosing where to land. That's where the problem was in attempting to form a connection, it was never a connection with where I could land. Where I can land in the cluster is obviously four territories, with a fifth late at the Oubliette. I was never going to get to a total of nearly 10 celestial bodies in the surrounding galaxy from that perspective.

It took me some time to realize that where I could not land and sites that were not marked by the gunship could have some significance and could verify the expanse of the galaxy as displayed by navigational charts. Crossing the gunship display, top to bottom, from the local star to the edge near Arcterra's marker, four objects can be seen in addition to the four major territories in the region. For years, I have considered these objects just to be strange sites with no real importance...just there for the sake of making the uncharted regions of the Tetra Galaxy appear more mysterious. Now, I'm under the belief that these objects did have a role, serving as potential satellites that were launched by the Alimbics during their time in the cluster.

Half of the satellite objects are located near the local star in the cluster, one appearing to be southwest of the star and the other appearing to be northeast of the position. The other two satellite objects in a more darker corners of the region. The third nearest to the star is positioned almost as a neighbor to the Celestial Archives, accompanying the station off to the west southwest. The final satellite able to be seen in the region is very distant from the center. It's so far off in fact that its position can't be lined up exactly while using the gunship's display. This final satellite, arguably the outermost object in the region, is located a bit northeast of the world Arcterra.

With these satellites being confirmed via observation from within the gunship and matching up with the expanded scope of the region noted by navigational chart displays within the Celestial Archives, their existence and placement in the Alimbic's former dominion must have had purpose that was critical to the civilization being as advanced and as stable as it was. My wonder and curiosity with those thoughts ultimately took over a bit as I progressed through the title's single player recently. Instead of being that fierce badass on ground, I kind of took on the role of a cosmic explorer determined to dig into the function of these potential satellites.

As mentioned before, nearly all of the satellite objects are well within the cluster. What stands out in particular is that three of the four satellites are positioned close to the vicinity of Alinos, the world that can be argued as the heart of the Alimbic civilization being where their great warriors were gathered and trained and also for serving as home to the Alimbic Order of Elders. When I see this placement around Alinos, one thought I have is that these satellites are like eyes. Imagine that the Alimbics on Alinos choose one direction to observe space from with grounded resources while these three satellites, forming apparently a triangular network around the planet, provided detail for an additional three. It would be comparable to me having my natural eyes up front, a pair on my left side, a pair on my right side and a pair of eyes on the back of my head. How can anyone land a critical blow on you when you take that much in? I imagine that might have been part of the thought process regarding these inner satellite positions.

Another vital role that the inner triangle could have filled in ensuring stable living is giving multiple insights on the activity of the cluster's local star that is right next door to Alinos. For a race that was having its way in making technological advancements and discoveries, I would imagine the Alimbics would want to know of anything that could possibly impact those areas of performance. Stellar storms and other high energy events could definitely carry major blows to the world, but being prepared with information and forming forecasts would help manage and potentially prevent disastrous impacts. Regarding the history of the Alimbics, it really seems that they were comfortable around the star so if these satellites were providing stellar details that knowledge was used effectively.

Going out to the farthest reaches of the region, the fourth satellite out seems like the first alarm for the galaxy. While the satellites near Alinos could be used to spot a close threat, this satellite would enable the real muscle of the Alimbic people to get prepared and set. In that sense, if any threat ever reached Alinos it should in theory get the Alimbics' best every time. Being so near to Arcterra, this satellite may have been placed to make forecasts as well for the world's inhabitants. While the world's brutal cold is well known, and Arcterra likely has had many powerful storms in its history, the potential forecasting may have been less about the chills but rather when there might be an opportunity to witness some faint stellar light. After all, it's on Arcterra where the Alimbic people seem to worship the local star.

Combining the positioning of the inner satellites with that of the outermost, the reason for the Celestial Archives being built may be given. Depending on how powerful each satellite is in their ability to make observations, the Alimbics may have had access to a giant lens with which they could have used to enhance their understanding of the universe as a whole. On the negative side, having these satellites around could have been a reason why the Alimbics developed a belief that they were unassailable (Alimbic Pride 05). Gorea showed that they clearly were not in spite of the level of stability a satellite network may have brought to the race.

While the full expanse of the Tetra Galaxy is still a mystery, the presence of these four potential satellites combined with the navigational charts of the region displayed in the Celestial Archives does bring that bigger picture some clarity. It is amazing that objects and charts I felt were unrelated and insignificant years ago could reveal many possible facets of the Alimbic civilization when those details are brought together. It's a reminder that just because Samus doesn't get to navigate every site, such sites can still offer tales of their own for the player to unravel.

What are your thoughts on the topic? What are your thoughts on the structure of the Tetra Galaxy? What are some celestial objects or off world settings/sites that have interested you in the Metroid Series? Does astronomy and related sciences play into your love for certain Metroid settings?