Yep, I'm completely and totally crazy. But what can I say? My brain likes to drive me towards insane ideas and won't leave me alone until I deal with them.
So as you've probably guessed by this point from my stories, I love comic relief characters. And I love doing horrible things to characters I like. But what you probably didn't know previously was that, when I watched "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command" years ago, I rather enjoyed the episodes about Nos-4-A2.
I thought he was a creepy and threatening villain. He's a vampire-type of character that fits my traditional opinion of what a vampire should be like: cultured, ominous, dangerous, enjoys their power, and merciless. I wasn't completely opposed to the idea of a "good" vampire, but I've always felt that the villainous role should be standard. And even if Nos-4-A2 didn't win, he did have some pretty impressive results in his episodes on the show. He managed to take over Star Command in his first episode, attack an unknown number of robots in "The Slayer," inadvertently turned Parsec into a wirewolf while getting away unscathed in "Wirewolf," gained control of a large group of adaptive nanobots in "Dirty Work," and easily conquered Planet Z from Zurg and nearly enacted plan that would effectively leave him in control of the entire galaxy in "Revenge of the Monsters." Combine all that with the animalistic shriek he uses when hunting, his cultured accent when taunting, and the very descriptive and drawn-out demise he planned for XR in "The Slayer" and you're left with a very unnerving character. If his victims hadn't been robots, his episodes would have seemed even more gruesome.
So yeah, here's a story of Nos-4-A2 coming back after the events of "Revenge of the Monsters" and seeking revenge. And you can probably guess who he's after. It isn't the most original idea and the title isn't that original either (the title is meant to sound like one for an old horror movie sequel), but maybe it won't turn out too badly.
Though it really isn't going to be pleasant for XR, just in case you need a warning about that sort of thing. Horrible and cruel things are in the future for non-organic entities. Just FYI.
This story was at least partially inspired by "Dark of the Night" by Laulima1357 (which is actually two writers who worked together on the story). It is listed in my Favorite Stories if you're interested.
I do not own "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command," "Toy Story," or any of the characters connected to them. That would be Disney, Pixar, and so on. If I did own Disney, there would be DVD and Blu-ray copies of the cartoon for sale by this point. And "Bonkers." And the rest of the "Darkwing Duck" cartoons.
Revenge of the Energy Vampire
The explosion barely finished echoing across red-tinged skies and the Space Rangers barely left the planet before Brain-Pod 172 scurried out of hiding. Pink and squishy with eyes attached to his brain-shaped body, he floated in a globe of clear liquid on top of a frail robot body just like all the other Brain-Pods on the planet. They truly looked liked "brains in jars."
Their temporary new boss had mostly ignored the Brain-Pods during his time controlling Planet Z, focusing solely on the Hornets and the Grubs who could build his weapon of doom. That didn't concern Brain-Pod 172.
What did ignite his attention and fascination was how Evil Emperor Zurg was sent fleeing in fear from his own planet. Such things did not happen often and were worth taking notice. Zurg may have his quirks, but he was not a pleasant person to work under and fear was the most common emotion for the inhabitants of Planet Z. But it was always the Brain-Pods, the Grubs, and poor kidnap victims who were afraid, not the Evil Emperor himself.
Working for Zurg was not really a choice since "choice" implied it was possible to select a different option. If you were on the planet, you did whatever he said. Escape was not easy. A few Brain-Pods had defected and slipped away, but it was getting harder to accomplish. For most, there was no way to get out from under the Evil Emperor's control.
But Brain-Pod 172 was not one to give up so easily. He was younger than some of the other Brain-Pods and not quite as downtrodden yet. He didn't like his boss and he finally had an idea of how to handle his problem. The pieces were scattered and fragmented, but a little exploration turned up exactly what he was searching for: the mostly-intact microprocessor of Nos-4-A2.
Zurg created the predatory robot himself, basing the idea off the legends and folk stories of the energy vampires of Vladracul IV that were said to attack the generators and the power grids of isolated communities. He'd always found the stories creepy, even if he admitted that they probably weren't real. He'd hidden the development and creation of Nos-4-A2, wanting no hint of his plan to slip out. And it did work for a while. Star Command was under Nos-4-A2's control and victory seemed certain. But then the Space Rangers managed to retake the space station and the robot essentially went rogue from that point on.
The schematics on the creation of the energy vampire should still be stored in a few of the files. And the Brain-Pods were always ordering and designing specialized parts, so he should be able to gradually gain access to the necessary components to rebuild the robot. The Grubs were usually in charge of construction while the Brain-Pods did all of the thinking involved in projects, but he was certain he could perform the work himself in secret. It would just take some time.
When he finished, there were two possible scenarios Brain-Pod 172 could use to achieve his ultimate goal for a better life away from Planet Z. Nos-4-A2 either could become an ally to help him escape or he could attack Zurg and maybe even end with their mutual destruction. The result would be beneficial for the Brain-Pod regardless.
But the first part of achieving his plan was to deal with the microprocessor. He needed to repair any damage and ensure that the memory files were still intact. Improper deactivation could cause so many issues, after all. And explosions that ripped a robot apart were certainly the improper deactivation technique. It wasn't like Zurg would have built and designed his systems to be repeatedly mangled in combat and in accidents like the robot ranger that kept following Lightyear around. Brain-Pod 172 hoped desperately that Nos-4-A2's memory files weren't corrupted or lost during damage to his systems and deactivation. He'd hate to go through a lot of trouble just to discover that the energy vampire was useless.
Power Levels At 17 Percent.
Run System Diagnostics.
Running…
Memory Files Intact. Artificial Intelligence Chip Model T3-P35 Intact. No Corruption Or Degradation Of Files Detected.
Power Levels At 26 Percent.
Microprocessor Intact. Primary Programming Intact. Secondary Programming Intact.
Power Levels At 42 Percent.
Detecting 89 Percent New Systems And Components Since Previous Systems Diagnostics. Servo Pump Replacement 23 Percent More Efficient. Upgraded Memory Data Banks By 34 Percent. Anti-Grav Generator 7 Percent More Efficient.
Power Levels At 58 Percent.
Sensors Recalibrating In Progress.
Visual Sensors: Complete.
Audio Sensors: Complete.
Tactile Sensors: Complete.
Chemical Composition Sensors: Complete.
Wave Frequency Sensors: Complete
Energy Detection Sensors: Complete.
Damage Assessment Sensors: Complete.
Sensors Recalibration Complete.
Power Levels at 67 Percent.
Energy Wings Recalibrating. Recalibration Complete.
Energy Wings Control Systems Online. Foreign Systems Control Broadcasting Systems Online. Virus Implanting Systems Online. Energy Draining Systems Online.
Power Levels at 74 Percent.
Systems Diagnostics Complete. All Systems Operational.
Complete Restart…
…
Power Levels at 80 Percent.
All Systems Online In 3… 2… 1.
Nos-4-A2 snarled as he burst off the workstation, his last recorded memory of pain, destruction, and fury. He knew he was online once again, intact and unharmed. He knew someone must have rebuilt him for some reason. But that didn't make him any less angry at his humiliating failure.
Clinging to the corner of the room near the ceiling, he dug his claws into the metal and glared at his surroundings. He spotted the one obviously responsible for his reconstruction. He could sense the flow of electricity through his robotic shell, though the organic creature inside the clear dome was far less appetizing. The Brain-Pod was cringing from the surprising reaction of the energy vampire.
He wanted something. Nos-4-A2 knew the little Zurg minion would not have rebuilt him out of the goodness of his heart. And the lack of others in the dimly-lit room suggested that the Brain-Pod repaired him in secret. He wanted something from the energy vampire, something he did not wish for his fellow minions or Zurg to know about.
If Nos-4-A2 had felt grateful for the Brain-Pod's help, he might have considered a small act of reward for his actions in restoring the energy vampire. But he did not. For beings called "Brain-Pods," they could be surprisingly foolish. He knew the Brain-Pod merely wanted to use him for his own agenda, whatever it might be. Such a thing was laughably obvious. And it had been a long time since Nos-4-A2 obeyed the will of another.
"Now calm down," said the Brain-Pod slowly.
Nos-4-A2 shrieked at him, the animalistic sound sending the Brain-Pod flailing backwards in fear. Releasing his clawed grip of the ceiling, Nos-4-A2 let himself drop briefly before activating his energy-projected wings. He swooped right above the Brain-Pod, making him duck in panic, before the energy vampire flew out of the room and into the depths of Planet Z.
He ignored the imploring calls of the Brain-Pod. He had no reason to listen. And since Brain-Pod obviously didn't want anyone to know what he tried to do, no one would know the energy vampire was back online.
Nos-4-A2 watched from the shadows, waiting for the sentries to wander by on their rounds. He'd lurked in the darker corners of the planet in the days since his revival, hidden and quietly hunting. There were certainly enough Hornets on Planet Z that he wouldn't have to wait too long for his next meal. His sensors were specifically calibrated to detect robots, artificial intelligences, computers, and energy in general. Actually, everything about him was designed to be the perfect predator. The Evil Emperor Zurg may have originally built him for a specific plan to take over Star Command, but all the programming, sensors, and unique features continued to serve Nos-4-A2 well once he grew beyond that specific purpose. He was perfectly equipped to hunt his prey.
Power Levels At 83 Percent.
At the edge of his awareness, he sensed the concentration of energy approaching. A little more focus and he felt the simple and basic AI of one of Zurg's Hornets. He smiled to himself as the delicious treat marched closer.
He watched from the shadows as the tall, armed, yellow robot stepped into view. Nos-4-A2 couldn't help chuckling when the featureless triangular face started looking around and stopped moving. The Hornet was within range to detect the subtle frequency the energy vampire broadcasted. It allowed him to control most basic technology and the artificial intelligences he'd already ensnared, but it also had a lovely side effect on robots that he enjoyed. Even those barely aware of detecting the frequency experienced the side effect. All robots with advanced enough programming would be hit with overwhelming and unexplainable fear. Even before the poor robot saw him or realized they were in danger, they were terrified. And frightened prey was far more satisfying to attack.
Searching for the source of the laughter, the Hornet turned in the perfect direction and Nos-4-A2 pounced. Clawed hands grabbed the unsuspecting robot as his fangs drilled through metal until there was a connection to the inner workings. Automatically the virus was installed, the program intended to induce obedience and loyalty to Nos-4-A2 when activated. It was particularly useful to compel silence when he didn't need screams of pain to attract attention. At the same time, he feasted.
Energy Drain In Progress.
He could drain the robot slowly and painfully, stretching the process out for as long as possible. But the Hornet's programming was too basic for proper fear responses. He'd learned that early in his existence, before Zurg sent him to infiltrate Star Command. Back then, they were the only robots he'd devoured. He hadn't known how much better it was to torment and terrorize his dinner first. Only later did he discover that pleasure, how wonderful it was to trap a helpless victim and witness their suffering. Holding such power over them and their fragile existences was nearly as invigorating as the meal itself. But only more advanced robots could respond correctly, so there was no point in dragging out the Hornet's fate. Instead, the energy vampire went for speed, draining the power within seconds.
Power Levels At 87 Percent.
The heavy, lifeless, mechanical body fell with a clang as Nos-4-A2 activated his energy-projected wings and took flight once more. With how frequently the Hornets were destroyed, no one would miss him. That would give him time to sneak aboard a ship off Planet Z.
He could take over once again, enslaving the Hornets like before. Even without XL, he could do it. Galactic conquest from there would take time and planning, but Nos-4-A2 knew he could achieve it eventually. But that wasn't his goal for the moment. That wasn't the first thought in his microprocessor when he was restored, his memories and programming miraculously intact. Even hunting down a delicious and powerful source of energy was of secondary importance this time. No, his thoughts were turned towards a simpler and purer purpose: revenge.
All of his failures flashed through his microprocessor. The girl on Tradeworld getting past his randometer. The unexpected use of plant weapons, which went against all his files about Lightyear's behavior, because the Rhizonmian scientist showed up. The betrayal of XL and the wirewolf slipping out of his control. So many unexpected variables that not even Nos-4-A2 could predict. So many unlucky moments. But there was one who he blamed above all others, the one who was responsible for his initial failure, was involved in other setbacks, and was the first to escape his power.
The Little One. The robot member of Star Command. The Experimental Ranger. The delicious morsel that kept escaping his demise. XR.
How strange that someone so unimpressive could cause so much trouble. In retrospect, Nos-4-A2 knew he should have suspected something was wrong when fragments of XR's personality continued to remain apparent even when under his power. It never happened with any other AI he ensnared before, though he'd only dealt with Hornets and such at that point. The Little One's programming was a chaotic mess that didn't make sense, as if an amateur or a group of ignorant fools later adjusted a more traditional robot's software. The disorganized, contradictory, nonsensical strings of coding scattered within the Little One's programming interfered with his hold on the robot Ranger and allowed the Little One to eventually slip free completely. It was for that reason that Nos-4-A2's perfect plan faltered.
Zurg built and programmed the energy vampire to combat Commander Buzz Lightyear and view him as the most dangerous opponent, ensuring Nos-4-A2 possessed all his knowledge on the Ranger. And when other variables did not interfere, Nos-4-A2 could defeat Lightyear. But since his first encounter, the energy vampire had added the Little One to his list of formidable threats and primary targets. Yes, he was certainly a complicated robot. XR could derail his plans or be an entertaining snack, making him a priority target either way. Whenever Nos-4-A2 encountered the Little One, he went after the robot Ranger above all other energy sources.
In the end, the Little One was the greatest cause of Nos-4-A2's problems. He was the one who deserved to suffer the most out of all of them. He was also the easiest target to handle. He would be the first to experience the energy vampire's revenge.
Nos-4-A2 already described his initial plans for the Little One back on Tradeworld, but he'd been developing it in the time since. He'd practiced on other robots before the explosion destroyed the energy vampire temporarily. He knew how to feast slowly on the Little One's power, how to cause as much pain and fear as possible, and how to finally ensure a permanent destruction of the robot's personality and memory files when he was finished. No matter how confident the people at Star Command might be that they could repair any damage, there were ways to kill even a robot.
Once he escaped Planet Z, there would be a few preparations to be dealt with before handling the Little One. He would need a secure and hidden lair that no one would pay attention to nor would want to explore. He would need a vast hunting ground, somewhere that either wouldn't attract attention when robots disappeared or would have alternate sources of power he could exploit. The Little One would satisfy his desire for causing suffering and fear, but not his hunger. Not if Nos-4-A2 wanted him to last. He would also need information, the type of information only available at Star Command. None of these would be particularly difficult to achieve for someone like Nos-4-A2.
Catching sight of one of the ships, Nos-4-A2 glided down silently and slipped past the working Grubs and a couple of guarding Hornets. With all the stealth of a hunting predator, he floated inside undetected. Chuckling to himself as he entered the cockpit, the energy vampire started the launch sequence. Even with the nearby Zurg forces, he managed to get it into the air before they could react. In less than a minute, he was leaving orbit and on his way to the more inhabitant corners of the galaxy.
The Fixer was counting down the seconds until he could close up for the night. No matter how profitable being the friendliest mechanic on Tradeworld and the one famous for always being able to get whatever part required, he was still tired by the end of the day and ready to leave for the night. His job wasn't easy and getting rare parts could be stressful, especially when he needed to use less-than-legal methods.
Shifting restlessly in his anti-grav chair, the Fixer scowled. Pale green skin, a dark blue scraggly beard, wearing his work jumpsuit, and possessing a figure that reminded some of the annoying neighborhood children of Santa Claus, he was not nearly as cheerful as his advertisements made him seem. But he was one of the best and relatively friendly by Tradeworld standards, so his customers dealt with his attitude regardless.
Unsurprisingly, most of his customers were robots. They tended to be the ones who needed a mechanic and rare parts the most often. And Tradeworld, though not exactly a secure and hospitable place to live, was actually relatively popular with robots.
While the Galactic Alliance standardized a lot of laws and regulations, there was still some that were decided on a sector-by-sector or a planet-by-planet basis and those dealing with robots tended to be some of the less standardized ones. It all depended on the jurisdiction. On some planets, all robots were treated as property. Other planets would require proof of how sentient the robot was and might award more advanced ones limited citizenship. Yet others would give the more advanced robots equal rights, privileges, and protections as any other being on the planet. Oddly enough, Tradeworld was one of the planets where an advanced enough robot could own possessions, run businesses, hold positions of power, vote, marry, adopt children, sue someone, earn degrees, pay taxes, and theoretically be protected from harm by the same laws that protected organic beings. Apparently someone realized that such rights and freedoms would attract a large robot population to the planet, who would then have to participate in commerce and pay taxes. If there was one thing Tradeworld was good at, it was finding ways to profit.
Of course, it was still Tradeworld and that meant there were plenty of people who would be happy to swindle someone at best and attack someone at worst. Some sections of the planet weren't that friendly and other neighborhoods could be downright deadly for organics and robots alike. Sometimes the Fixer sold parts to replace those damaged or lost by some criminal stealing the gyro servos right off a poor chump. Other times, he was "liberating" parts from a robot reduced to scrap in an alley. Just because some thug broke a poor defenseless robot beyond repair didn't mean the Fixer couldn't make a profit from the death. He did, after all, have to make a living.
It was already dark and raining, so he didn't expect for someone to open his door when there was literally only thirty seconds left before the end of operations that day. The Fixer groaned, but didn't even bother to look up from where he was trying to wrestle a BFM-97 microchip out of the tangled mess that used to be a Young Childcare Nannybot's microprocessor. Those chips were worth a pretty stack of uni-bucks and he was lucky the robot was knocked offline while between jobs. He'd run the serial numbers through the system and found out no one was looking for her yet. It meant he didn't have to split the profit with anyone.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a figure approach his counter. Apparently his potential customer wouldn't take the fact he was ignoring them as a hint.
"We're closed. Get out and come back in the morning," said the Fixer.
"I'd rather not," a smooth and cultured voice said. "I recommend you hear my proposal out. You may find that the arrangement I have in mind will be mutually beneficial."
The Fixer looked up abruptly, the sound startling him. He didn't get customers who speak like that very often. That sort of accent tended to be found on Capital Planet, Tangea, or another one of the snooty planets. Not Tradeworld. At least, they didn't show up often and certainly not in his place of business.
He finally took a good look at his surprise customer. He was a robot, but not of any model that the Fixer was familiar with. And he could recognize most common robots, even when modified and personalized to an extent. That hinted towards this one being a more specialized and unique robot rather than one from an assembly line.
The robot was about as tall as the average humanoid. He was one of the hovering models rather than having legs or treads. That tended to be less energy efficient, but there were fewer issues about dealing with different terrain. His body shape was more triangular, starting at a thin point near the bottom while extending towards his pointed shoulders. His head was similarly triangular, with a pointed chin and the top far wider. One of his eyes seemed to be a larger RE-76 model and the smaller a RE-54 model, giving the impression that he was wearing a large red monocle. The red-eyed glare that resulted from those particular models tended to be at least slightly ominous, which is why most people preferred robots with green, yellow, blue, or even purple eyes.
He also appeared to be wearing a cape of all things. The Fixer didn't even want to ask about that particular accessory.
"What do you want?" asked the Fixer gruffly.
The robot said, "I have heard from a few sources that you are someone who buys, sells, and repairs parts, no questions asked. Especially in regards to rare and difficult-to-obtain parts. Would that be correct?"
"Maybe. What're you looking for?" he asked, crossing his arms.
"I'm looking to help you acquire a large number of off-lined robots that you can disassemble for profit. I tend to… find their powerless and lifeless bodies so often that it seems such a shame to just leave them around for curious Space Rangers to stumble upon. In exchange for information, a few small items, and a favor, I can provide a steady supply. As long as you don't ask too many questions, that is."
The Fixer narrowed his eyes at the robot. He knew a shady deal when he heard one. This was the type of offer that was rarely legal.
On the other hand, at least a third of his customers were at least a little shady and criminals' money was just as good as honest uni-bucks. That one crazy robot, XL, used to be his best customer before he vanished. As long as the Space Rangers didn't start poking around, the Fixer wouldn't mind too much.
"What kind of information do you need, my friend?" he asked.
"Lists and locations of robots that, shall we say, won't be missed if they should vanish suddenly. A high-quality and adjustable charger unit. The use of your address for a delivery or two. And a few possible locations that are isolated, empty, secure, and where sound won't carry far."
The list made the Fixer feel a little uneasy. He had a feeling that he'd have to change the serial numbers of the robots his new "friend" brought in. And he suspected that very bad things would happen at whatever location the robot chose. He didn't have the complete picture of what was going on, but he was starting to have some ideas.
But his attention to the profit margin still held sway over his decisions. He could possibly point his new partner towards other robots with valuable parts or past customers who tried to swindle him. And it wasn't like he knew for certain what the red-eyed robot had in mind. The demands weren't too outrageous and weren't actually illegal. He could still plead ignorance if the Rangers came to call.
"Tell you what I'm going to do," said the Fixer slowly. "I'll look up a few places and scrounge together a list of robots that aren't that popular in their neighborhoods. Come back tomorrow night with something I can sell and I'll see if there's enough uni-bucks for that charger unit. They aren't cheap, but I might know a guy who'll give me a decent price. After that, we'll figure out if this arrangement will work out long-term."
Chuckling darkly, the robot said, "I'm so glad that you accepted my offer. It would have been far messier and unpleasant to do things the hard way."
The shiver that went up the Fixer's spine at the laugh was outweighed by the sound of his profit expanding. This could be a very lucrative deal in the long run.
The standard-issue Star Command Guardbots had more complicated and better programming than Hornets, but not by much. They still lacked the spark of personality that made hunting so fulfilling. They were so easy enough to find and bring under his control that Nos-4 A2 wondered why he never tried it before. All he needed to do was find a prison transfer and stage an "escape," letting the random criminal flee in fear while the two unlucky robots experienced a quick couple of bites. From there, the obedient and controlled guards were able to gain access to all the information he desired and handed over a copy to their Dark Master.
Looking over the "borrowed" computer he was using to study the stolen file, Nos-4-A2 found himself being intrigued by what he discovered. His comparison to the Little One being put together by a group of ignorant fools wasn't quite wrong. Thanks to his "father's" tendency to talk about himself, he was quite aware of Zurg's theft of the Uni-Mind and how it disorganized the LGMs. What he was unaware of was how many mistakes and alterations were incorporated into XR as a result of that event, explaining the chaotic programming that his control could barely hold. And it explained why the Little One possessed so many personality traits that were contradictory for the task of being a Ranger, something no one would normally program. It was surprising he could function at all.
There were multiple schematics on file concerning the Experimental Ranger. In addition to the original blueprints of how they intended for the Little One to turn out, there were sketches showing what changes they'd discovered after the return of the Uni-Mind. The fact there were several varieties of the plans suggested the LGMs were still finding strange additions in the robot, both in the hardware and especially in the software. XR was unique, something beyond his creator's intentions. Perhaps that was why his intense reactions of fear appealed to Nos-4-A2 so much. His random programming led to stronger and more natural emotions than most robots he encountered.
A few consistent traits extended through all the various schematics. Due to the expectation that the Little One would be regularly destroyed, his body was designed to break at easy-to-repair points while protecting more important components from harm. That was why his arms and legs were often separated in explosions while his head remained intact. There were backup and emergency systems in place to keep his microprocessor protected and sometimes even online when suffering damage. In the right conditions, he could even manipulate his unattached limbs to a certain extent. And of course there was the electromagnet panel that kept his head floating while also transferring electricity to his microprocessor without the use of wires. Regardless of which plans he examined, those features remained constant.
What truly intrigued Nos-4-A2 were the power systems. In addition to using the electromagnetic panel to transfer energy to XR's floating head, there was a small amount of electricity always stored there in case of damage so that at least his memory files would be preserved. There were redundancies, backup systems, auxiliary power, and emergency cut-off systems in place to ensure that no matter what was damaged or jumbled in combat, the irreplaceable and irretrievable parts of his software were protected. His weapons also contained their own power supply rather than running off his main power source like the lasers installed in the suits, ensuring he could fight even at low energy and in damaged states. Nos-4-A2 had to give the LGMs credit for being thorough with their work. Even if everything else was smashed apart and all his systems knocked offline, there would be enough power left in his microprocessor to preserve his mind until repairs could be performed.
Of course, an energy vampire was unlike anything else that might attack the robot. Nos-4-A2's energy draining abilities bypassed all those types of features in his victims, stealing away power that would normally be protected. Only when his meal was interrupted or he chose to stop sooner did his victims retain a few amps. If he drained the Little One completely of energy, there was a relatively small amount of time before the files in his microprocessor would be lost. That was standard for any robot and one of the downsides of advanced AIs. Chance may preserve a few files in a retrievable format, but most would be lost if proper shutdown procedure wasn't followed during the loss of power. And due to the schematics describing exactly which model his microprocessor was and the detailed report on the artificial intelligence chip they designed, Nos-4-A2 could predict exactly how long the Little One could last with no power before he'd either have to recharge him or let XR essentially die.
Filing the information away for later, Nos-4-A2 pulled up a few more files on the computer. Apparently XL now worked at Star Command, serving as a photocopier, a fax machine, and performing clerical work. Big brother rejoining the side of good alongside his younger sibling. Lovely. And based off how XR's mission reports continue to address him, both of the robots seemed to view Commander Nebula as their father. Whether or not the man truly considered himself in that role was irrelevant. What did matter was how it inspired him concerning his revenge.
His revenge against the Little One could be used against several people with only a little extra effort. XL betrayed him, so he would lose his brother. Lightyear and his team opposed him repeatedly, so they would lose a teammate. Commander Nebula resisted Nos-4-A2's takeover of Star Command. Regardless of how the Commander felt about XR, his career indicated a desire to protect others from harm. His punishment for that resistance would be seeing that he failed to protect his own Rangers. As for Ty Parsec, who destroyed him while in wirewolf form, it would show him the nightmare was not yet over and remind him of what monsters lurked within the dark and within himself. Nos-4-A2 would later need more personalized revenge plots against them while also locating that meddlesome girl and the Rhizomian scientist, but it would be a start.
Shutting down the computer, Nos-4-A2 stretched out his wings. The blood-red glow filled his lair. It was time to go on the hunt once more. He hungered.
First off, I had issues with trying to decide the exact chronological order of the episodes concerning Nos-4-A2. The biggest issue is XR's reactions to him in "The Slayer" in comparison to his other encounters and the fact they premiered the second episode about the wirewolf before the episode that showed how the wirewolf came into existence. So I'm ignoring the broadcast order of the episodes and going by the order that seems most logical to me based off character comments and common sense. That order is "Nos-4-A2" (because that's his first encounter), "The Slayer" (because his past encounter with the energy vampire left XR a little overconfident initially), "Wirewolf" (because Mira mentions "last time" when describing the first encounter with Nos-4-A2 and it was technically her second encounter since she wasn't in "The Slayer"), "Dirty Work" (because Nos-4-A2 was still at large at the end of the "Wirewolf"), and "Revenge of the Monsters" (because that's when Nos-4-A2 is blown up).
Second, I tried to devise semi-believable explanations for how XR and Nos-4-A2 specifically and the robots in general works. Mostly this comes from re-watching the show (especially the Nos-4-A2 and XL episodes) and drawing conclusions about what different robots can do and what he can't. Not to mention the different states XR ends up in when damaged. Some is pure technobabble while the rest has at least a hint of logic behind it. XR's floating head and how it got power especially gave me some trouble until I found something semi-believable. Wireless energy transmission is the transmission of electrical power from a power source to a consuming device without using solid wires or conductors. Inductive coupling or resonance inductive coupling makes use of coiled wires and magnetic fields to transfer power. Whether or not it would work for XR's floating head, it at least sounds plausible.
And third, this story won't be as cheerful as the cartoon normally was. As fond as I am of happy endings, I am not nice to characters I like. I tend to make them suffer. But so many cartoons seemed to have no problem doing horrible and graphically violent things to characters just because they're robots and won't bleed on screen. What is the life of a non-organic worth?