Episode: NOS-4-A2

Title: Signed and Initialed

Summary: Nebula notices just what it takes to get XR back to normal.


Commander Nebula never felt so right in his life. Of course, this was no time for feeling "right" or "wrong" considering all the zombie space suits that were attacking them. All the same, that so-called robot ranger was a traitor, no matter what Ranger Nova said.

(In the back of his mind, he wondered just when XR was "bitten" by that energy vampire. It couldn't have been in the science bay unless XR had stupidly shut down the force field surrounding the box. The only other time the two robots were alone together were... When Nebula sent XR to examine the cargo... Well then...)

He was pinned down by the space suits, and he glanced over to see that large, red rookie merely pulling random objects out of the robot instead of taking care of the darn thing. "Quit monkeying around and blast that robot to atoms!" he ordered as he struggled to break free from the suits.

"Forget it!" Booster shouted at him. "Uh- I mean- Um- Requesting permission to disregard your orders, sir, please!"

Nebula wasn't in much of a position to reprimand the rookie and hardly caught Booster announcing that he found whatever he was looking for. However, he did catch sight of a red frame and heard that annoying robotic voice sobbing something...

"My creation authorization form..." What was going on...? "Signed... And initial...!"

Nebula's eyes widened when he saw XR's optics flicker back from red to their normal color. Had that form that HE signed actually been the key to breaking XR from whatever trance that energy vampire put him under? Nebula pushed past the space suits, just needing to see what the robot was up to.

And sure enough, there he was, draining NOS-4-A2's energy... "I'm a little more than just a machine! I'm a space ranger!"

Commander Nebula never felt so proud in his life. Of course, he wouldn't admit that to anyone. But still, this little robot cared about Nebula's signature enough that it could give him enough will power to break free from mind control and save all of their hides, and that was saying something.

"That is going in my report," Buzz said, sounding proud as well.

"I don't need any stinkin' report!" Nebula answered before he could stop himself. "You heard him, Lightyear. He's a space ranger!" He had to clench his teeth to keep from grinning.

"Thanks, pop!" XR saluted. The robot didn't seem to know how close he was to deactivation.

Nebula frowned and leaned in front of him. "Would you stop calling me that?"

"Aw, dad!" XR wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed his cheek before Nebula could stop him. Nebula just sighed and dropped his shoulders.

"Alright then," Nebula said, pulling away. "Let's go free the others and get the rest of our rangers back before the run out of fuel. And I want that energy vampire taken care of, pronto."

"Yes, sir, Commander," Buzz saluted before gathering his team to do their jobs.

Nebula went straight to mission control to help out there. As he walked, he wondered if he was making allowances for XR. ...Though if he was, it was because that little robot was expensive, not because he was his son, not because he was proud of him, and not because he cared. Yes, because it would be a waste of funds to shut him down. That was it.

After all, he signed and initialed that work order. So, he was responsible for making sure XR continued to do a good job as a ranger.

He didn't even notice his own smile at the thought.