Star Cruiser 101
Actions speak louder than words.
A Buzz Lightyear fanfiction by Shalako87
Genre – General/OC
Rated – PG for laser fire and use of the word, "but."
February 2009
Teaser:
Mira swung her wrist ray up. "Freeze!" she ordered. "Space Rangers!"
Mira stared into the black muzzle of Avent's laser rifle. Beyond the muzzle, Avent's crazy-green eyes stared back down at her through the laser rifle's sighting system.
Mira never realized until that moment…
Chapter 1
The Adventure Begins in the Star Command Launch Bay:
Star Cruiser 42 set down in Star Command's launch bay. Commander Nebula was there to greet Team Lightyear.
"Good job out there people, that'll teach Zerg to think twice before trying wholesale toy shipments."
"Thwarting Zerg is one of the perks of my job, Commander sir." Buzz replied with a grin.
"And they gave us all free snuggle buddies!" Booster put in.
"Yeah, only the ones damaged in the fire fight," XR replied sourly. "What a miser."
"Kinda reminds you of a certain robot I know," Mira said pointedly.
"Mira, you wound me!" XR shot back. "And after I gave my own snuggly buddy to Booster?"
"The thing was burnt so bad, Booster thought it was a toasted muffin!" Mira retorted with her fists in the air.
"Eh-mem." Commander Nebula cleared his throat loudly. "Soon as you two are through there, I've got something to show you all," he said and fixed the two of them with a threatening look.
Both Mira and XR quickly refocused.
"Finished sir!" Mira said as she snapped to attention.
"At ease Ranger," Nebula said waving the clipboard he held. "And about face, it's parked in the next berth."
Commander Nebula cracked a rare smile as they all did a jaw-drop in unison.
"Her name's, Star Cruiser 101. Star Command's latest, and the first interceptor-class Star Cruiser. And Buzz, I want you and your team to take her out for a test drive. Think you can handle that?" Nebula finished.
"Right away Commander!" Buzz replied and darted for the entry hatch.
"Have fun kids," Nebula muttered as the engines roared to life.
That sound always filled him with memories of his youth, and the wonder of the stars…
Commander Nebula looked down to where his desk was chirping at him.
He sighed deeply. "Fine, where do I sign?" he asked.
X X X
Star Cruiser 101: Out bound from Star Command.
"Wow it's so cushy!" Booster called to XR as he bounced up and down in the squeaky new seat.
"Sure, but I can't believe this heap stole the Star Command interceptor contract right out from the X-113! I had so much invested in that developer company!"
"We're clear of all traffic zones Buzz," Mira reported cheerfully.
"Time to see what this baby can do," Buzz said and pushed the throttle to maximum. "To infinity, and beyond!" he proclaimed as the engine roar filled the cockpit.
"Sweeeeet!" Mira exclaimed.
"Let's see how she corners," Buzz said, and promptly slammed the controls left, then right. The ship pitched, yawed and cork-screwed enthusiastically.
"Not bad," Buzz understated when he had recovered his breath. "A little heavier in the turns than Star Cruiser 42, but not by much," he finished.
"Weapons, and systems to spare; power too," Mira mused. "Wonder what lucky crew is getting this ship?"
"I'm sure that only the best veterans from the star cruiser pilots," Buzz stated with conviction.
X X X
Back at Star Command:
"Rookies!" Buzz exclaimed. "I don't believe this!"
"Calm down Buzz, it's not as bad as you think," Commander Nebula said, trying to console Buzz.
"But… Rookies, Commander, sir!" Buzz repeated, still in shock.
"The ship's Captain is not, a rookie." Commander Nebula stated, then added, "at least not in the usual sense. He's part of a military integration program we've started with the planet Urikry. The same program that made the design for Star Cruiser 101, a reality. The Captain has already logged combat time with the Urikry military."
"Uh, Commander? How is that suppose to work? I mean, Star Command is putting their latest ship under the command of a foreigner?" Mira inquired.
"Well, the Urikry are part of the Galactic Alliance, have been for the past five years. And the kid's been through Ranger training. Look Buzz, he may not have much on you, but he's got some seasoning. Trust me."
"If you say so sir," Buzz said, trying to hide his discomfort, making it only more obvious.
"You won't have to take my word for it Buzz," Commander Nebula said. "You and your team will go head-to-head tomorrow afternoon in a demonstration for the Galactic Senate. That's why I had you take Star Cruiser 101 for a drive. Now you'll know what you are up against."
"Are you sure, Commander sir?" Buzz asked rubbing his jaw. "I mean it could get messy, and it might be over so fast… that would not make for a good demonstration." Buzz was trying to be thoughtful, but the predator in him was peeking out from all sides.
"I'd hate for a rookie to get humiliated in front of the whole Galactic Senate," Buzz finished.
"Not to mention all his fellow Rangers," Mira put in, looking, for all the world, like a cat primed to pounce.
Commander Nebula put a knowing hand on each of their shoulders. "You two get in there and mess it up as much as you need. That's an order! I want an honest evaluation of this new star ship and crew. The future of the Galactic Alliance may very well hang in the balance. When the time comes, I want to send this ship after Zerg, not to Zerg! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" Nebula finished in a voice that shook the windows.
"You can count on us Commander sir!" Buzz spoke for the team and snapped a salute, as did the rest of Team Lightyear.
"Glad to hear it," Nebula replied, returning the salute. "Dismissed."
X X X
Top secret location:
"Ma'dam President, members of the Galactic Senate, it is with great honor that I present to you, Star Command's latest and first Interceptor Class Cruiser, Star Cruiser 101." Commander Nebula announced and held up his hand. At his signal, Star Cruiser 101 roared into view.
The crowd applauded enthusiastically.
Commander Nebula continued. "And now as a demonstration of both the Urikry Military Personal and the Urikry Technology Integration Program, along with Star Command's new, Interceptor Class Cruiser-- as well as for you entertainment-- Star Cruiser 101 will now go head-to-head with Star Command's finest, Team Lightyear, flying Star Cruiser 42."
Again the crowd cheered as Star Cruiser 42 roared into view and did a corkscrew as it pulled alongside Star Cruiser 101.
Nebula shook his head. "Show offs," he muttered under his breath.
X X X
"That wasn't showing off now, was it Buzz?" Mira asked knowingly.
"I just want to let this crew know what they're in for," Buzz replied smugly.
"Riiiight," Mira answered clearly enjoying the situation.
"Hot rockets! We're going to show those rookies, right Buzz?!" Booster exclaimed.
"You are referring to them, right?" XR asked Booster.
"You bet we are, Booster." Buzz said as he shot a look at XR.
"What?" XR asked defensively, "It was a legitimate question."
"Go!" Commander Nebula's voice rang out.
In less than ten seconds, Buzz had Star Cruiser 101 in his sights.
"Like taking candy from a-- Wow!"
Star Cruiser 42's sensors blipped for half-a-second, and Star Cruiser 101 vanished from the weapon sights.
"Buzz!" Mira called.
Out of sheer reflex, Buzz slammed his flight-stick to one side. Blue, practice laser bolts, flashed past Star Cruiser 42's windshields.
"Hot rockets!" Booster exclaimed. "He pulled a scissor-cross while firing counter-measures!"
"Nice try Rookie," Buzz muttered as the two ships fought for position through multiple scissor-crosses. Star Cruiser 101 had taken advantage of the affects that its counter-measures had on Star Cruiser 42's sensors. At the moment Star Cruiser 101 had the upper hand; what's more, the pilot knew it. Even now he maneuvered the heavier Star Cruiser 101 to press his advantages of more powerful weapons and engines.
"101's pulling a southern-cross," Mira observed. "We should be able to cross their bow and get around behind them again," she suggested.
"Negative, Ranger'" Buzz said.
"But, that's how we won last year against Star Cruiser 29, Buzz." Mira said. "And our shields have more power, we could do it."
"Yes Mira, and that's just what 101's pilot is hoping for. But you forget 101 is a heavier class than 42, its weapons could do what Star Cruiser 29 could not last year," Buzz countered.
"So what are we going to do, Buzz?" Booster cried.
"We pretend to do, what we did last year, but we pull a loop-d-loop at the last possible second," Buzz answered and did, just that.
101's pilot realized the trap and tried to counter. Blue laser bolts splashed off Star Cruiser 42's wings. It had almost worked, but Star Cruiser 42 was lighter, therefore turned tighter than Star Cruiser 101.
"He's good, but I'm better!" Buzz said as he pulled in behind Star Cruiser 101.
"Weapons locked!" Booster cheered.
But before Buzz could squeeze the trigger, Star Cruiser 101's engines lit up, and blasted Star Cruiser 101 out of the combat zone-- forfeiting the demonstration.
"That's right, you better run!" Mira shouted after the departing Star Cruiser 101.
Buzz rubbed his large chin thoughtfully.
"What a-fraid-d-cat, huh Buzz." Booster called.
"Yeah, where are they recruiting from lately anyhow?" XR put in. "Why in my day, recruits had to pass stringent requirements."
"But you were built, not recruited, at least that's what they tell me," Mira said and laughed. "Still, a forfeit is no fun."
"Actually," Buzz began, "that rookie showed good judgment, and the rare ability to carry it out. Most young pilots have way too much pride to do what Star Cruiser 101's pilot just did," he finished.
"To do what, lose?" Mira asked.
"Star Cruiser 101 may have just lost this single engagement, but when the pilot saw he was out maneuvered, he disengaged with his ship and crew unharmed."
"Whatever," Mira muttered.
"I'd like to meet this crew personally," Buzz said.
X X X
Back at Star Command's Launch Bay:
"I wonder who Star Cruiser 101's pilot is?" Booster spoke. "Could it be anyone we know?"
"Probably some kiss-up," XR commented.
Mira shrugged. "Well anyone who can pilot like that, can't be all bad--!" Mira gasp at the Ranger sliding down from Star Cruiser 101's entry ladder.
He hit the deck lightly, spun around on one foot, and flashed a blinding smile. "Ha! Ranger Mira Nova, and Team Lightyear, you look positively dashing today, what?"
"Phop Doppler!" Mira squeaked when she had found her voice. "You're the pilot for Star Cruiser 101!"
"Ah no, Star Command said they wanted someone with more combat experience, so that honor went to our Captain, Avent Horizon."
"Avent Horizon?" Mira repeated, unsure relief in her voice as she glanced up to the entry hatch.
Avent Horizon slid down the entry ladder and landed with all the grace of a meteor impact and turned around.
"Team Lightyear?" Avent Horizon greeted. "I don't believe it! I'm Avent Horizon, Captain of Star Cruiser 101, and I'm so pleased to meet you." His large hand wrapped around Buzz's hand and shook it vigorously.
Avent Horizon was small for an Urikry, standing just over two meters tall in his Star Command uniform. He had long, massive arms and legs, and iron-red skin. His green eyes were set like jewels in his square facial features, typical of the Urikry race. He had blue hair, that was cut short above a head band tied across his forehead. The patterns on the headband marked him as an Urikry warrior.
"The pleasure is all mine Ranger, that was some flying out there," Buzz replied, and turned to the rest of his team. "And this is my team, Mira Nova, Booster Munchopper, and XR."
"Delighted!" Avent said. "You've met my co-pilot Phop Doppler, navigations is Andromeda Flare, the lady coming down the ladder now. And at the lady waving from the top of the ladder is Terra Terrafirmia, our communications officer," Avent finished.
"When Commander Nebula told me they were giving Star Cruiser 101 to a bunch of rookies, I had my doubts," Buzz admitted.
"I still do," Mira muttered with a side glance at Phop Doppler.
Buzz continued, "But I can see now the; interceptor cruiser class is in good hands," he finished.