Another Side Of The Universe

Chapter 16 : The Orb Of Valor

Scrozux drive his spaceship, away from Junkberg. When Astraeus ranger's attention are on Zaroro, he sneaked and snatch the bag of money. And he immediately run away. After he's far enough from Junkberg, he let his spaceship fly on auto pilot.

Scrozux sighed. He looked at a parchment scroll in his hand. He opened the scroll and looked at the ancient words inscribed in it. The parchment contains writings about Strengthbot ability and weaknesses. But it doesn't tell Scrozux how to activate it. Since Zaroro wants the orb, Scrozux assume he know how to activate Strengthbot. The plan was to use Strengthbot as a decoy to find out how to activate it. He was ready to fight Zaroro head on for the information should Astraeus rangers didn't come to interfere.

Suddenly, his computer screen beeped. Scrozux glances at the screen. He suddenly stands up in shock as he slams the table. He immediately controls his computer into showing him recording of Junkberg's battle.

Scrozux droop on his chair.

"Impossible," he mumbles as he watches Zaroro fall on the recording. He come back to his computer and immediately search for Zaroro's location.

"Yes... hahahahaha," he laughs. His laughter gradually grows louder. Filling corners of his spaceship.

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Zaroro managed to run away with Strengthbot. His ship wanders quietly among the stars.

"Those Astraeus bastard," Zaroro groan. "I will make them pay."

Suddenly, an alarm goes off.

"What?! Computer, what's happening?" Zaroro yelled.

"Our ship is under attack," said the Computer.

"WHAT?!!! Could it be, Astraeus has already catch up?!"

Something hit the ship, shaking the whole spaceship violently. The ship's camera showed Scrozux.

"Scrozux?!!!" said Zaroro in shock. Looking at Scrozux who made a hole in his ship and hijacking his engine room.

Zaroro slam the table and growl in anger. He immediately put on his armor and go after Scrozux.

Scrozux walks around the engine room. He uses his hacking device to take over the ship's control. But Computer from Ata Ta Tiga is hard to override. He breaks the ship's power source. Making the Spaceship undergo power failure. The ship got black out for a moment before turning to backup generator and runs again in a power saving mode.

"SCROZUX!!!" Zaroro yelled.

Scrozux turn around to find Zaroro in full armor. Strengthbot is still in his chest armor. He looked at Zaroro.

Zaroro tried to act tough. But he can't hide his pale expression. His stamina hasn't fully recovered.

"You dare hijack my ship!!!" Zaroro yelled.

"I'm here for Strengthbot," said Scrozux calmly.

"Hmph. You are not worthy for this power," Zaroro sneered.

"Neither are you," said Scrozux. "Strengthbot give tremendous power, but it drains your stamina rapidly. Most people can only last for 3 minutes. Weaker people won't be able to use it. That's why people of Rubrum shared it with their knights. They can use Strengthbot because they share the stamina of the whole army."

"You... how did you?"

"You're not the only one who found Rubrum's ancient parchment," said Scrozux.

"I see.... The parchment that I have is incomplete," Zaroro mumbled. "You have the other half of the parchment."

"Indeed. Now, I'm taking Strengthbot and the parchment you have," said Scrozux.

"HA! In your dreams."

Fight broke out. Scrozux who run away from battle at Junkberg is still in a full condition. While Zaroro is at disadvantage from running out of stamina. Zaroro tried to activate Strengthbot, but he doesn't have the stamina. Eventually, Zaroro is defeated.

Scrozux walk closer to Zaroro who lay helplessly on the floor.

"When I saw you activating Strengthbot, honestly, I thought it's over. Who knows, how the table turns," said Scrozux as he kneeled near Zaroro.

Zaroro looked up at Scrozux with resentment. Scrozux forcefully pull Strengthbot from Zaroro's chest. Zaroro scream loudly. He tried to fight back, but he doesn't have any energy left.

"Now, with this. My job will become much easier," said Scrozux. After rummaging and rampaging through Zaroro's ship, he left with Strengthbot and the parchment. Leaving Zaroro stranded with his wrecked spaceship.

"Now, where should I go?" Scrozux wonder. He looked at his computer and see data about a bounty hunter.

"Noche...." he mumbled.

Scrozux's mind wander back to the fight at Junkberg. Something about Axion's fighting style looked familiar. Noche, an S class bounty hunter. Nobody know who she is. In few months, she makes her name as one of the best bounty hunter. Scrozux often cross swords with her during missions. Especially when the alien he's supposed to kill hired Noche to kill Scrozux's client. Noche is the reason why Scrozux stays an A class Hunter.

Scrozux chuckled. "Right. She'll be a perfect try out for Strengthbot. Now that I know where you are, I might as well get rid of you, once and for all," said Scrozux as he grins.

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Astraeus alarm sounded throughout the command room.

"Admiral, our radar has caught a fully armed vessel approaching the station," said Rum.

"Whose vessel? " ask Admiral.

"I don't know," said Rum. "we're checking on it."

But before Rum can find out who it is, the spaceship shoots missile at the station.
The station experience a mild tremor.

"Admiral, we're under attack!" said Ramenman.

"Run the defense protocol!" said Admiral.

The unknown spaceship keeps shooting the station. The station's shield managed to reduce the damage. But the ship keeps shooting at the hangar. Creating a hole and eventually landed harshly into the hangar. Astraeus member ready to confront the unwanted guest with guns on hand.
The ship's door slowly opened. Making way for Scrozux to come down from his ship. He wears a similar armor like Zororo. And on his chest, Strengthbot can be seen.

Astraeus member looked at him in wary. Admiral and the rest of Kaizo's team hurriedly come to the hangar. Captain Albi and Lieutenant Forctis follow with few Rubri troops that has recovered.

"Scrozux. So, you managed to get Strengthbot," said Admiral Maskmana.

"How nice. Now we don't need to bother looking for The Power Sphere," said Ramenman.