Orpheon

From Wikitroid, the Metroid wiki

Orpheon is the name of a Space Pirate frigate Samus receives a distress signal from in Metroid Prime. It is featured at the beginning of the game. The vessel is operated by Space Pirate Science Team as a transport and research vessel and was key in the transportation of Metroid samples from the fallen base of Zebes to the research facilities on Tallon IV. Other than Metroids, the vessel housed various other bizarre species that the Space Pirates were running tests on, most likely for militaristic purposes; the most notable being the Parasite Queen (not to mention a reborn Ridley). Phazon could also be found on the frigate. The ship was crippled in orbit due to a fusion core accident (caused by the dying Parasite Queen falling in to the Reactor Core). The frigate later crashed into the surface of the planet shortly after Samus defeats the Parasite Queen. Samus would later find the wreckage and have to traverse through it to reach the Phazon Mines.

The vessel makes an appearence in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as a stage, the stage is located in the reactor core with the Parasite Queen watching. The stage occasionally rotates 180 degrees.

[edit] Notes/Trivia

• Three more "Parasite Queens" are encountered on the Orpheon by Samus (Two already dead, one in hibernation, with the fourth being the Reactor Core boss). The first one encountered in the Emergency Evacuation Area (either killed by the pirates or succumed to Phazon poisoning), the one located in Biohazard Containment (died due to infusion of Phazon Batch 0732.C, it being incompatible with its DNA), the other is found Biotech Research Area 1, in hibernation (it later encountered during Samus' escape from the crippled Orpheon, trying to escape its stasis tank, dying in the process).

• Before the Reactor Core's meltdown, it appears that most of its crew had evacuated the vessel due to the escape of two Parasite Queens (the one Samus defeats in the Reactor Core & the one found dead in the Emergency Evacuation Area). It is likely that some if not most of the crew who fled the Orpheon where members of the Space Pirate Science Team. A small number of the figate's still living crew remain onboard, mainly those unable to evacuate (the injured) and possible those who were either forced (or bravely chose) to remain there (as the pirates may have also been trying to retake the ship). The injured were likely left behind as they were not longer useful (or beyond help).

• The Orpheon is also where the defeated Ridley was resurrected/rebuilt into Meta Ridley after his defeat on Zebes. It is also where Samus first encounters him (in his "new" cybernetic-enhanced form) during her escape from the crippled Orpheon. It is unclear exactly why Meta Ridley was still aboard as most of the ("able-bodied") crew had evacuated 6 hours before Samus' arrivial. He was abandonded either because his resurrection was incomplete (leaving him onboard so it could be completed by remaining crew or automated systems), left behind to fend for himself (a likely possibility), or Ridley may have chose to remain himself (as he is a Space Pirate Enforcer/General and would be freely able to escape the ship on his own), possibly staying to either observe the situation or lead the remaining "pirate forces" in subduing/eliminating the remaining rogue Parasite Queen (the one Samus eventually defeats), or secure the one still remaining in hibernation (located in Biotech Research Area 1). Ridley may have even ordered the evacuation himself (given his rank), choosing to stay as he would be better qualified to handle the problem himself.

Note: Ridley is an intelligent commander and would probably realize the importance of removing vauluable personal (the Science Team) and research data that might easily be lost if thing got to out of hand (as they eventually did).

Areas of Tallon IV
Tallon Overworld | Chozo Ruins | Magmoor Caverns | Phendrana Drifts | Phazon Mines | Impact Crater | Orpheon