Disclaimer – Not Big Guy, Rusty, the Pit crew, Doctor Slate or anyone else dealing with them are mine. (Though I have to say Czarina, Justin and Jennifer are mine along with anyone else unfamiliar.)

Summary – Following the defeat of Hapar, everyone tries to slip back into a normal routine. That idea is soon shattered when new enemies appear on the scene, forcing a few to make big decisions.

00000

In Another Lifetime

The Big Guy gently guided the Legend 1 gently over the city. He glanced down at the buildings below and wondered how the people would react if they knew the truth about anything and everything he had to deal with. Lieutenant Dwayne Hunter had seen many strange things in his service masquerading as the Big Guy but he knew he wasn't quite expecting something like his most recent adventure to knock on his door.

Literally.

He moved the lever that moved the robot's arm to allow the door open and let a familiar figure crawl inside. Without even turning around, Dwayne Hunter knew exactly who it was.

"So you did decide to come, I see. I'm glad," he mused.

"I'd do almost anything for you, Big Guy. After all, you did save my life," Tera replied. "What is it that you wanted to talk to me about anyway? It sounded pretty important."

The lieutenant didn't know where to start. He wanted her help but wasn't sure how people would react to a creature with a mind of its own. The circumstances surrounding her appearance had confused many a people.

"Tera, have you heard anything about your presence around town lately?" wondered Big Guy.

"Not as much since Hapar was defeated. I mean, I was big news at first since pterodactyls are supposed to be extinct. They seemed to have noticed that I'm now on your side instead of trying to obliterate them," she replied.

Dwayne couldn't help but laugh out loud. The one thing he was relieved about was after Hapar and his crew had left Earth, things had gotten pretty quiet. He sat back in his chair and gave a sigh.

"Tera, we do need you to help scout the city for danger. As much as I hate to admit sometimes, I cannot be everywhere even with Rusty's help," he said.

Tera smiled as she quickly nodded. Gingerly stepping to the console, she carefully watched the giant robot with an observant look. It was as if she knew what was going on.

"Big Guy, what is the real reason you asked me to come all the way out here? You could have asked me that at any time during my visits to the Dark Horse. Jo might have been able to ask me that too," she inquired.

Dwayne hesitated for a moment and Tera quickly took notice of this. She climbed onto his shoulder and stared directly into Big Guy's face.

"What is it Lieutenant Hunter?" she demanded.

Dwayne gulped, knowing that he would like to leave the premises as soon as he furthered his questioning.

"Tera, I need to know if there's anything else," he finally said.

"Anything else? To what?" she repeated.

"To you, to me, to Doctor Slate, anybody. I mean, the doctor and I saved your life through a remarkable foreshadowing of events. Was there anything else? A secondary prophecy or something else you might have neglected to mention?" he posed.

Tera gulped at the request. For a split second, her eyes darted away from him and Dwayne thought he noticed the mild terror within her eyes despite her apparent calm demeanour.

"No, there was nothing else. There was only the one prediction," she replied.

Appearing unruffled, she climbed down and quietly laid down beside the robot. Dwayne was slightly confused by the response for it was not at all what he was expecting. He began to move the Legend 1, slightly wondering if there was indeed anything by how she reacted but was too scared to say anything.

'I wonder if Justin and Jennifer suggested that she not say anything yet, if there really is anything,' he thought.

00000

Two figures looked at the blue and green planet. They appeared human save for their slightly elongated heads and pale green skin.

"Is this the right one Tane?" one asked.

"I'm positive this time Shzar. He had always considered this planet his crown jewel for conquest. Now that our enemy has been defeated, it leaves room for us to take over the entire sector," the other replied.

The information continued to pour in on their computer through the probe they had dispatched just minutes earlier into Earth's orbit. After several long moments of browsing over the data, Shzar finally turned back to his comrade.

"Pray tell, how are we going to take over this planet when our enemies have failed? You know we will meet resistance from the locals. I've even heard about a robot that protects these people and it won't be easy to find him either," he questioned.

Tane walked over to the window and gazed out over the planet.

"I've heard about that as well. That's why I brought something with us. Little does he know that we know his secret and we will exploit it for our use," Tane explained.

Tane walked over to a console and opened it to reveal a small device. Shzar smiled as he slowly realized what it was for.

00000

Dwayne climbed out of the cockpit and removed his helmet, only to be greeted only by Jo. The blonde had her arms crossed and a smirk was written across her face.

"I don't know why you insisted on doing it this way. You know I could have easily asked her myself," she told him.

"So I've been told but there were things that I personally had to ask her. Things I'd rather be kept private, even from you and the others," Dwayne replied.

"Suuuuure. Not even going to let Doctor Slate know about your little rendezvous?" Jo drawled.

She watched as he climbed down to floor level and make his way down to the nearby console. After a few moments of his fingers running over the keypad, Lieutenant Dwayne Hunter walked out of the hangar completely. The smile on Jo's face completely disappeared and a worried look crossed her features as she watched her friend and boss vanish.

'What is he up to now?' she thought.

TBC...