Second Chance
Chapter One
Another Life
It couldn't be. It can't be. Were his eyes playing tricks on him?
It was her!
"Aya...!" Hal gasped. "You're alive, I-I can't believe it...!"
The crude automaton's eyes had the same gentleness. She came back to them through whatever parts she could find... She was alive!
"Thank you, Green Lantern Hal," I'm also pleased to see you again, all of you."
She was still alive...?! But... how? Didn't the Anti-Monitor destroy her?
"Impossible..." Razer heard himself under his breath.
"You look... a little different," began Kilowog. "What happened?"
"When I was critically damaged, I was too far away to upload into the Interceptor's computer banks. I managed to transfer into a disabled Manhunter's CPU, and could not communicate, however. So I followed the ship as best as I could, until I caught up."
"Can't believe it, you're alright...!" The Bolovax hugged her.
"Don't scare us like that again," smiled Hal, placing a hand on Aya.
"I will endeavor not to, Green Lantern Hal."
Hal then explained the plans of the Manhunters and the Anti-Monitor. They were heading to Ismalt, and to stop them they had to be two steps ahead.
"It should not be a problem, but it would be helpful if Red Lantern Razer would assist me."
All eyes were on Razer.
"Of... course."
Once Razer checked on the battery system, he entered the chamber Aya was in.
"The Manhunters must have ruptured the flow valves to the impellers. Can you repair them?"
"Directing energy to affected systems," she began. "Rebuilding. The damage is considerable."
"... I see that."
He glanced at her new body, made from scrap metal and spare cogs. She just about lost her life out there if they weren't too careful. He held her body... fizzing out from all existence. She was almost lost to him...
Aya noticed his long glance.
"Is my appearance disconcerting? I believe I can rectify that problem."
White body parts feel from the ceiling and onto the floor.
"Since my unfortunate meeting with Attrocitis, I've created a set of spare parts for myself."
Green sparks downloaded from the heap of rubble to the white armour. They began to glow as Aya assembled herself to her true height. Once she was finished, her face was more clear.
"There. This is better, correct?"
Razer froze. "I..."
She was back. She was right in front of him. By some sheer force she came back to him. He wanted to hold her. Tell her everything about his life before the Forgotten Zone, before he became a Red Lantern...
... but he couldn't loose her again.
"Thank you, Razer, for helping me," said Aya. "I must now go help Green Lanterns Hal and Kilowog."
She began to walk to the deck. This was his only chance. He had to know if she knew.
"Do you remember anything?"
Aya stopped in her tracks.
"I remember the Anti-Monitor eliminated me, then my power malfunctioned, the last I saw you came and held me..."
He felt himself swallow. "Do you remember anything else?"
"That's all I can recall. I didn't see or hear anything else. My processor must have been knocked out during the blast. What interest you in what I remember, Razer?"
He froze.
"Don't go... I love you. I love you, Aya..."
He gave too much away.
"It's nothing..." he began. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright. I'm... glad you came back alive, Aya. This ship would be nothing without you. ... Literally."
A warm smile drew upon her lips. "I'm glad for your concern."
She didn't knew. She didn't knew that he said he loved her. Good. At least she was still alive and came back to them.
He felt a smile coming on to his face as well. He watched her as she began to walk away.