Space Pirate
From Wikitroid, the Metroid wiki
"A race that is completely subordinate to a powerful master. Just like worker bees that obey and follow their queen because of a hierarchy. They're a smart species." - Mother Brain
Space Pirates are a sentient aggressor species that appear throughout the Galaxy. 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. The reasoning for this was explained in a Japanese Metroid Zero Mission interview, which stated that they use the term "Zebesian" similarly to how modern American immigrants refer to themselves as "Americans" even though they are not native to the area. The Space Pirates were not present during the events of the original Metroid and Metroid II: Return of Samus, though they do appear in the manuals' backstory, and the Zero Mission remake places their corpses in a few of the original Metroid areas, as well as featuring live ones aboard Ridley's ship.
This alien species specializes in raiding starships and planets in a quest for dominance in the galaxy. Their species has a wide range of morphological variation – they have been seen to have lobster-like claws in some appearances, but ordinary three-fingered hands at other times. Even the arrangement of these fingers varies between two fingers and a thumb to one finger and two thumbs. Corruption implies that the claws are simply gauntlet-style guns that fit over the fingered hands, but some other media depicts the claws as a natural formation. Additionally, while some games and comics depict them as having reptilian or fish-like maws, others give them beaks, while still others feature bug-like mandibles. It is unknown which of these, if any, is their 'basic' form, but scans in the first Prime game, as well as interviews with various creators, do indicate that there is only one species of pirate, despite their varied forms. (This does not count, of course, other species helping the pirates, such as Ki-Hunters and whatever species Ridley is.) It could be assumed the pirates in Corruption are the basic form, as they were the only ones to appear on their homeworld--however, the homeworld was also heavily Phazon-corrupted at this time, so these may be mutated as well.
Varieties include Pirate Troopers, Pirate Aerotroopers, Pirate Commandos, Pirate Commanders, Pirate Grenadiers, Shadow Pirates, Power Troopers, Ice Troopers, Wave Troopers, Plasma Troopers, Elite Pirates, the Phazon Elite, the Omega Pirate, Weavel, Pirate Militia, Shield Pirate Troopers, Shield Pirate Militia, Assault Pirate Troopers, Assault Aerotroopers, Advanced Pirate Troopers, Advanced Aerotroopers, Berserker Knights and Berserker Lords.
There is some debate as to whether Ridley, Mother Brain, or High Command is the actual leader of the Space Pirates. According to the manga, Ridley was their leader until Mother Brain took control of the pirates, stating them to be fearful creatures who always needed to be obedient to a master. Herself, Grey Voice, and the reluctant Samus were all designated as Commanders. Samus however, refused.
Space pirates, although often vicious and cold hearted, have been known to keep pets, such as gronkats, olbaps, and even Metroids (despite warnings that Metroids are not to be kept as such). This is shown on a Pirate Data scan in Metroid Prime, where they had to dispose of such pets due to phazon madness. There's also a scannable warning to troops that soldiers caught using containment pods for "recreational uses" will be punished.
The pirates are merciless to those who break their rules. There are many posted warnings threatening execution for various reasons, and disloyal militia often end up killed and eaten by their superiors.
They are fairly tall creatures in comparison to many other sentient organisms, and seem biased against shorter beings, going so far as to attempt to murder a young human slave simply for being too short in the manga. They also tend to zealously support any causes that will strengthen their race and organization, regardless of cost. They are often, however, quick to panic and flee when things go awry. It is also stated in the manga that they have levels of alkaloids in their systems, and that it can be used to track and find them.
The Space Pirate Homeworld is visited for the first time in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. The planet is plagued by constantly falling Acid Rain, which harms anyone without proper protection. The planet is completely composed of Space Pirate machinery, and seemingly lacks any signs of flora or fauna. All traces of nature seem to have been eliminated, and it seems that the planet has become completely mechanized. The planet was the first to be struck with a Leviathan. The spread of corruption on the planet caused all matter on the planet to slowly begin changing into Phazon.
