NOS-4-A2.0

When The Eyes Meet....

 Some time later after showing Minerva where things were again Team Lightyear were on their way to their cruiser when Buzz's communicator sounded. Everyone looking at it Buzz opened it up to see Commander Nebula on the screen. Quickly growing a bit worried about what this might be Buzz hid it as he asked, "Hello, Commander. What seems to be the issue?" "Sorry to interrupt your little tour but we've been getting reports of disturbances on Tradeworld," Nebula replied. "I want you and your team to go and check it out and see what's going on. I think that this will be just the mission to get your new team member back into the swing of things." Nodding in understanding Buzz said, "Don't worry sir, we'll get right on it. Lightyear out." Closing his communicator and looking at his team he said, "Well, it looks like we're going to Tradeworld, team. I've got a feeling that these disturbances are not what they seem to be. Let's get to to 42 and get there as soon as possible." Everyone else nodding in agreement they hurried to the cruiser and getting in Buzz directed Minerva over to XR's station then sitting down in his chair they quickly took off and flew their way to Tradeworld. Managing to get there in good time Buzz found a place to park to cruiser and as the team emerged he directed, "Okay team, in order to cover more ground we going to need to split up. Mira and I will take uptown, Booster you get central and XR, you and Minvera will cover downtown. Try to cover as much ground as you possibly can in two hours then meet back here. Whoever is making these disturbances won't stay hidden for long." Everyone nodding in agreement the team split up and flew up off in their prospective directions. 

 During their investigation through the alleyways of downtown Tradeworld XR and Minerva were getting to know one another better since now they were now teammates. During their conversation the topic of what kind of villains the two had faced came up and wondering something Minerva asked, "So I've been hearing a lot of stories about this NOS-4-A2 character and how the team's faced off against him, you in particular. What can you tell me about that?" Not really expecting her to bring that up XR fidgeted a bit, unsure of how to answer her. A few moments passing without hearing anything Minerva looked down at XR and asked, "XR...is everything okay? Was it something I said?" Shaking his head he soothed, "No, no, it's not you. It's just that the history between me and NOS-4-A2 is a bit...complicated. I guess what I mean is that he's probably the only bad guy that has really scared me ever since he took over my mind the first time we faced him. No matter how many times we faced him he would always send a surge of fear through my circuitry and all I wanted to do was run and hide before he had the chance to make me his minion again. He had the ability to put the fear into any robot he met and use that fear to get the upper hand in ensnaring you and making you one of his undead servants. I'm just thankful that he was finally destroyed before anymore of his evil spread across the galaxy." Nodding in understanding Minerva could see how this was a touchy subject for XR and she felt bad for bringing it up. Getting a sheepish look on her face she apologized, "I see. I had no idea that this a strong effect on you like it does. I'm sorry for bringing it up without knowing more about it beforehand." Brushing it off XR replied, "Hey, it's all good. At least now he can't get to me anymore which means no more zombie evil minion duties for me to fulfill." Giggling at that Minerva said, "I guess you're right. And by the way you described him and if was still online I would never want to have the chance to run into-," but at that moment while she wasn't looking she had accidentally ran into a robot that had been standing right in the way.

Crying out in surprise Minerva was sent falling backwards towards the ground but before she had a chance to make it all the way the robot who she had run into was quick enough to turn, see who had bumped him and reach out grabbing ahold of her wrist and pulling her back up to her feet. Feeling all of this happen Minerva breathed a sigh of relief and looking up to thank the robot the two had locked optics on each other and both felt like they couldn't break away. Meanwhile XR had watched the whole thing happened and as he tried to help Minerva as well he had gotten one look at the robot, felt the same surge of fear he talked about earlier and run for cover, hoping that it wasn't who he thought it was. A moment of silence passing Minerva was the first to break it by saying, "Uh, th-thank you for the save. Who knows what kind of damage I might have had if you didn't catch me in time. But I am so sorry for running into you like that. If I had just paid attention to where I was going-" Giving her a warm smile the robot interjected, "No need. It's was just an accident that couldn't be avoided. And you're welcome. Besides, I'm sure the damage wouldn't have been that bad anyways. After all, aren't Space Rangers like yourself supposed to be strong and tough to fight all the evils of the universe?" Feeling a little enamored by the compliment Minerva lightly giggled and answered, "Well, you are right about that. We have to be strong in order to stand up to anything we might have to face." Charmed by her happy mood, noting the tone of her giggle, the robot said, "I must say that you have a bright and optimistic personality about you. I actually find it rather invigorating....eh, I'm sorry but I don't think I caught your name." Feeling embarrassed again Minerva replied, "Oh, sorry. It's Minerva. Minerva Sparkstar. Ranger Minerva Sparkstar." Chuckling himself the robot returned, "Minerva. What a very interesting name. I'm known as ASON-2-4.0. It is a true pleasure to meet you, my dear." "It's nice to meet you as well, ASON," Minerva nodded, unable to hide her bashful smile.

Catching onto the smile ASON moved a bit closer and leaning down just a tad he was about to say something when the alarm set on Minerva's communicator went off saying that two hours were up and that she and XR needed to head back to the cruiser and rejoin the team. Lifting her arm and turning the alarm off Minerva looked at ASON and said, "I'm sorry but my partner and I have to go. I...I hope to see you around sometime." Nodding in understanding ASON replied, "Of course. And maybe. Just maybe. So farewell until then, Minerva." Smiling in farewell Minerva turned and walked away going a few feet until she found XR hiding behind a dumpster and getting distressed about him she asked, "XR, is everything okay? Have you been hiding behind here this entire time?" Suddenly hearing Minerva's voice beside him XR looked up at her and answered, "Oh, uh, yeah I'm fine. That robot just reminded me of someone...that's all. And I wasn't here that long." Tilting her head at his answer Minerva was slightly unconvinced that was the real reason and also a bit confused she said, "XR, I'm sure that ASON is not who you think he is which means that you didn't have to get scared and hide from him. Now come on, we need to go meet up with the others and see what they found out about the disturbances." Nodding in agreement the both of them activated their jetpacks and took off, not knowing that ASON had already disappeared the moment Minerva had turned and walked away.

 While traversing down another alleyway NOS-4-A2.0 he had been pondering about the Ranger he had just met. As he thought he couldn't stop replaying the moment that their optics met and how they couldn't look away from each other. Surprised that it happened he chuckled at the fact then a little harder when he remembered how XR had freaked the moment he got a look at his face. So the little tin of snack chips still recognized him even with his upgrade. Chuckling some more he figured that XR was going to get even more freaked once he got his hands on him. It was at that moment that he felt his energy levels drop below normal he realized that he needed to feed before continuing on with his plans. Figuring that some sort of was robot was going to be passing through there at any time he snuck away into the shadows and patiently waited for his next piece of prey. Not too long afterwards a humble trashbot entered and began picking up any kind of garbage and rubbish that saw and never thinking the wiser. Seeing that the trashbot was approaching NOS felt a conniving smirk cross his face and preparing himself he waited until the trashbot was right in front of him he pounced slamming the trashbot against the opposing wall and screwing his fangs into it drained it of all of its energy. Once he felt every last surge of power leave his prey NOS released his fangs and dropped the trashbot to the ground and feeling his levels replenish he leaned up against the same wall and thought aloud, "So, it looks like Team Lightyear has grown a bit stronger now with the addition of this Minerva Sparkstar. And I have to admit she is quite alluring indeed. And the way we connected like that...I can see now that she is destined to become my dark bride for all eternity." Looking down at the trashbot a plan formed in his mind and smirking evilly he added, "And what better way to lure them out then with a sign to warn them that I have returned better and stronger than before..." Letting out a maniacal screech he sprouted his wings, grabbed the trashbot and took off into the air, ready to face the Rangers at long last.