NOS-4-A2.0

The Battle of Wits

 A short while later Minerva and XR had arrived back at the cruiser and by the time they arrived the rest of the team had returned as well. The entire team landing with each other Buzz asked, "Alright team what have you found out? As far as Mira and I know no one in the upper areas has heard about any rash disturbances that occurred since the call came in." "I looked through all the best possible places in the central district and asked everyone I met and they didn't know anything either," Booster replied with a light hesitance in his voice. Nodding in agreement Minerva responded, "XR and I hit the same dead end. We searched every alley we could that might seemed the most logical place for any rash disturbances but there was nothing whatsoever." Listening to the responses Buzz nodded and surmised, "This is all too coincidental. We get a report saying that there were rash disturbances on Tradeworld and when we arrive and investigate we find that there are no disturbances to speak of. Team, I'm starting to think that someone called in a bogus report to get us out here for an entirely different reason."

Then out of the blue a loud crash off to the side grabbed everyone's attention and looking to where it came from they quickly headed over stopping when they came across the powerless shell of the trashbot. Quickly kneeling down to look it over Buzz said, "By the looks of it, I'm not sure what or how this trashbot got here but-," then stopped when he came across the fang holes and knew then who had. Looking up he finished, "There's no question that NOS-4-A2 is behind this." Suddenly getting a fearful look in his optics XR replied while trying to sound like it wasn't possible, "Oh come on Buzz, NOS-4-A2? All of us know that he got destroyed once Ty threw him onto that piece of metal. There's no way possible for him to still be alive." Leaning down to look herself Minerva disagreed, figuring that this wouldn't ease XR's fear, "I'm afraid that Buzz could be right on this. This has all the tell-tale signs that NOS-4-A2 did this. The fang marks, all of its energy drained. This is the most logical conclusion that I can come up with."

 It was at that moment a very loud and very familiar screech emitted high in the air causing the team to look up and see a vague figure circling above them with a familiar set of red wings. Everyone quickly figuring that it was who they thought it was they quickly took off flying straight up to confront the creature. As they were getting closer almost everyone was beginning to see that the figure wasn't who they thought it was and being the first to wonder aloud Mira asked, "Uh, is it just me or does NOS-4-A2 not look like NOS-4-A2?" "Yeah," Booster agreed, very confused. "Didn't he used to not have any legs at all?" Being more afraid about who it was XR denied, "Well, whoever it is I certainly don't want to make an introduction." Confused herself Minerva pointed out, "I'm a bit unsure myself but he looks just like the robot I met while XR and I were searching earlier." Her mind still trying to figure this out suddenly it began comparing ASON's name with NOS's and with a little rearranging suddenly the puzzle became clear. Gasping in shock as she realized who she had really met she exclaimed, "And I think I know why he looks so different. He told me his name was ASON-2-4.0 but when it's rearranged it's NOS-4-A2.0! Zurg must have rebuilt him to be stronger and a renewed threat to the galaxy!"

Hearing that as the team approached NOS chuckled and thanked, "My, I'm rather quite flattered by that. And yes, it's true. Zurg reconstructed me to be his ultimate trump card against the universe and you pathetic Space Rangers. However, you know what I did the last time I was online so "dear daddy" gave me this marvelous upgrade in order to make me his willing slave all over again. But frankly being a brainless automaton is not in my programming so I have no problem betraying him once again to further my own plans of conquest." Knowing that he couldn't let that happen Buzz disagreed, "Sorry NOS-4-A2.0 but even with your upgrade there's no chance I'm going to let you succeed with those plans." Letting out a furious growl at that NOS declared, "Well then Lightyear, since you want to be the first to try and stop me I'll be more than glad to take you out first!" Spreading his wings out a few inches more NOS darted forward, locking optics directly on Buzz. Watching the vampire come straight for him Buzz readied himself and timing it just right pushed himself up and over through the air the moment NOS sailed right under him. Flipping over the rest of the way Buzz watched as NOS circled around to attack again he called out, "It looks like even with that upgrade you're still performing like the old version of yourself!" Returning that with a malicious smirk NOS replied, "You'll be surprised Lightyear since now that I have this upgrade my strength and agility have been increased ten-fold!" To prove it he pushed himself forward at lightning speed and expertly twisting himself around while he flew he delivered a powerful kick to Buzz's chest sending him back a few feet and grimace in pain. Both Mira and Booster quickly rushing over to make sure that Buzz was okay NOS snorted at the sight then turned his attention towards XR and Minerva giving both of them a dark and conniving grin. Turning his body so that he was completely facing him he said, "Now, I think it's time to take care of another little detail in my conquest. Isn't that right, little one?"

The moment he heard that XR wimpered in fright and quickly hid behind Minerva, absolutely shaking in fear at what NOS was planning to do to him. Watching XR hide behind her and hearing him shake so much it broke her heart at how he was this afraid of this monster. Feeling that she had to do something suddenly her mind was computing several ideas and quickly came up with something that just might work. Looking directly as NOS she challenged, "Not this time. I'm not going to let you continue to torture XR like this, to make him feel so scared and terrified. Whatever you have planned to do to him....do it to me." Contemplating her challenge to him NOS smirked and replied, "Well then my dear Minerva if you so wish to take it then so be it!" Flying foward he readied himself to attack at the same time Minerva set herself into a defensive position and in a split second popped out a hatch built into the outer side of her right leg, grabbed a specially designed blaster out of it, took aim and fired the shot hitting NOS straight on sending him back a couple of feet. Though it didn't do any damage to his body it did hurt quite a bit and growling in pain he looked up at Minerva and asked, "Wha...how you were able to shoot me so...so fast?" Holding up her baster and blowing the smoke out of the barrel Minerva looked at him and answered, "Quite simple really. I've been one of the best shots to ever come out of Star Command and with my own enhancements my skills were improved ten times over. So do you want to get another taste or are you ready to admit defeat?" Seeing that she was tougher than she looked to be NOS sighed and said, "Very well then. I shall admit defeat. For now. Until next time, my sweet. Until next time." Flapping his wings a few times he turned around and flew off into the hubbub of the city below.

 Watching to make sure that NOS was really gone Minerva turned to look down at XR and told him, "It's okay now, XR. I've sent that has-been monster packing." Still shaking a little bit XR looked around and seeing that his enemy was really gone he calmed down and said, "Thank goodness. I thought he would never leave. Thanks for coming to my defense when you did. By the way, did you really mean that you would take whatever NOS had planned in my place or was that all just part of the ploy so that you could shoot him?" "Of course I would have, XR," Minerva replied sincerely. "Though I used it as a ploy to trick him I would have taken it for you even if the calculations of my plan were off. We're teammates and friends and it's something that I'll always do." By then Buzz, Mira and Booster had joined them and glancing at Buzz Minerva asked, "Are you doing okay, Buzz?" Nodding in reply he answered, "Yeah, I'm doing a lot better now. I guess that I never accounted for the fact that he would know how to use those new legs of his that quick." "I agree," Mira added, unable to believe what she had seen as well. "Now that's he been rebuilt like this it's like we have relearn how to fight him all over again." Feeling his lower lip tremble a bit Booster asked, "So how are we going to stop him now?"

Thinking for a few moments Buzz concluded, "I think the best thing to do now that he's gone for the time being is head back to Star Command and report this to the commander. He's definitely going to need to know about this." Everyone nodding in agreement they flew down to the cruiser, boarded and getting things really they took off flying straight back to base. However what they didn't know was that they had an unknown hitchhiker tagging along. After taking off in "defeat" NOS had disappeared, circling around to sneak back and hide himself on the outer hull of the ship so that he wouldn't be seen by the Rangers and let them take him straight to Star Command where he wanted the next part of his plan to take action. As the cruiser was flying toward the team's destination he said to himself, "Soon, they won't even realize the true plan of destruction that I have in store for not just them but for the entirety of Star Command!"