Nebula had to admit, the quarters they'd set up for him were pretty decent, considering how hard it was to find a bed large enough for a normal-sized person on that planet. Normal was relative, of course—to the LGMs he was probably the weird one for being so big. Either way, it was good to be able to stretch out. He wasn't so keen on the location—he'd been given a chamber in the catacombs, and they were just as dark and dusty as they'd been when he arrived—but the lamps the LGMs had provided made the place a bit more homey, and he was slowly getting used to it. He still didn't know where Xlgta slept. Somewhere else in the catacombs, probably. If she slept at all.
Suspicion was still gnawing at his gut. He couldn't trust her, that much was certain. She still hadn't elaborated on her exact intentions or what her connection to Zurg was, but he reckoned it was nothing good. And on top of everything else, he just couldn't bring himself to trust someone without looking them in the eye first. He didn't even know if she had eyes.
This whole business stinks, he thought gloomily.
Getting offworld wasn't looking too hopeful, unfortunately. None of the LGMs were offering any help, and though he knew Xlgta had to have a ship somewhere nearby, his searches had all proved fruitless. Even worse, he was pretty sure she knew what he was up to, and the old woman seemed amused by it.
Just you wait, he thought, grinding his teeth together. Just you wait, lady. Nebula doesn't give up that easily.
Getting out of bed, he yawned and pulled on his suit. Even in the dark, with no windows to provide a view of the outside world, he knew it was morning without having to check his suit's chronometer. His instincts had been honed well over the years, and his body clock never failed him. When he reached the main chamber there'd probably be an LGM waiting for him with breakfast. He didn't care much for the cuisine on their planet, but what could you do? Give him Star Command field rations any day.
He plodded down a stone passage, holding up an electric lantern. The path was familiar now, so he probably didn't need it, but he'd be darned if he was going to stub his toes in the dark.
Wonder what all these tunnels were for. Xlgta said they were built during the war with Natron, but she'd never told him their exact purpose. A hiding place, maybe? Not a very good one, he figured, unless the tunnels were shielded from sensors.
Just as he'd predicted, he met an LGM with a tray of food at the top of the stairs. Grabbing a bowl of grey, unappealing mush, he strode through into the library. Xlgta was sitting there as she always seemed to be, her helmet buried behind the covers of a book.
"Morning," he grunted, taking a seat beside her. He wondered what would happen if he suddenly overpowered her and demanded she take him to her ship. Most likely she'd refuse, even if he threatened her life. She had a very definite stubborn streak.
"You are always up so early," she remarked, not raising her head from the book.
"Space Ranger. Used to getting up at the crack of dawn. Besides," he added, "you're always up earlier."
"I used to make my army get up long before the crack of dawn. My troops were among the most disciplined in the universe."
"Your troops, eh? What are you, a commander? A general?"
She lowered the book. "My army is long gone. I command nothing."
"Retired, huh?"
"Oh, never that," she laughed.
He shrugged. "Me neither." They'd have to drag him from his command kicking and screaming before he let it go.
There was a scurrying in one of the passages. An LGM appeared, its three eyes quickly seeking out Xlgta. "There is neeews," it announced.
Xlgta didn't seem to be paying attention. Her gaze remained on the book, and she pulled it closer to her face, gripping the covers tightly.
The LGM coughed. "Neeews."
"Oh? What?" She glanced at it.
"Zuuurg."
That got a reaction from her. She sat up straighter. Nebula put down his breakfast and folded his arms. "What's the bucket-head done now?"
"We have received word he is sending a shiiip," said the LGM. "Soon this planet will be added to his empire."
Xlgta nodded. "We knew this was coming. It was only a matter of time."
That was a severe under reaction if he ever saw one. Maybe she was okay with Zurg getting his agents on the LGM homeworld, but Nebula was far from keen on the idea himself. If Zurg found out he was there, he was as good as dead. He wondered if Xlgta had any similar fears, or if she was somehow in league with the emperor. He couldn't figure it out. "So what are we gonna do about it?" he demanded. "Jump planet?"
"Yes," Xlgta answered.
Nebula blinked. "Whoa, just like that? Don't get me wrong, I think it's the right idea, but I didn't expect you to agree. I thought you had some special work to do here or something."
"I do, which is why we will not be leaving just yet." She clasped her hands together, resting them on the book on her lap. "Praise all the ancient gods though, I've finally found what I sought in this library."
Frowning, Nebula looked from her to the book. It was just another dusty history volume, nothing special. "Which is...?"
"A name. A name that hasn't been uttered in a very long time."
Thank the galaxy for nanosurgery, Warp thought, taking another swig of his coffee. Huh. It actually tasted good. That was a first. Standards at the Ambassador Hotel must be higher than on Planet Z.
Through a combination of treatments from Alliance doctors and Brain Pods, he'd gotten back on his feet long before the end of the week, which meant facing Zurg's wrath was one less thing he had to worry about. Not that he was quite ready to return to duty; the doctors had warned him he needed another day or two of rest, though he would've gladly taken a whole month. But at least he could walk and his back wasn't killing him anymore. They'd kicked him out of his ward that morning and he'd been assigned a room at the hotel that Zurg had commandeered.
Nice place, this. I could get used to this kind of living. It wouldn't last long, of course. Zurg would probably want to return to Planet Z asap. Better enjoy it while it lasts.
"Agent Darkmatter!" The squeaky Grub's voice was familiar in its exuberance. He glanced down at the little fellow walking past with a tray.
Must be that new assistant of Zurg's. "Hey."
The Grub seemed to take that as an invitation and jumped into the seat across from him, setting its tray down on the table. "Good morning!"
"Eh, quit it," said Warp, holding a hand over his ear. "D'you have to be so loud this early in the day? Zurg's not here, you know! You don't have to play the happy little employee game with me."
"Sorry." The exuberance dropped away more abruptly than it had appeared. "Just a habit."
Warp studied the Grub. "You okay?"
"It's... er, it's nothing."
"Whatever." He rested his chin in his hand, staring unseeingly at the breakfast room around him. "So, how's it going around here? Good, right? Looks like we're really making ourselves at home."
The Grub nodded. "Evil Emperor Zurg has fully subdued the planet and the entire Galactic Alliance, just as he always said he would."
"'Bout time, if you ask me." Maybe a little too late. Warp suddenly wished he could roll back the years and have it all happen much sooner. Maybe then he could've enjoyed it. "So, uh, have they caught Lightyear yet? Either of them?"
"No." The Grub gulped. "I would suggest not bringing this subject up around Emperor Zurg..."
"Hey, do I look like an idiot to you? I haven't survived Zurg this long without knowing which buttons not to push." Warp leaned back. "Any leads?"
"Not yet. We have ships out hunting, but..."
Warp nodded. "I know, this is Buzz Lightyear we're talking about. Even when he's evil, he's still too good for the rest of us." There was a time when his pride would never have let him admit that, but it was true—Buzz was better than him. Better than any of them, except maybe Zurg, and even then he had his doubts. The emperor could be pretty spectacular when he chose to be, but winning this final battle had been down to sheer luck and superior firepower more than anything else. Actually, hell, it was still down to Buzz. The evil one, but Buzz all the same.
He realised he was getting nervous. He didn't like to think about the alternate Lightyear being out there, free as a stray photon particle and ready to strike at any moment. I shouldn't have let him get away. Now Lightyear had escaped, Brain Pod 17 was dead, and he was still recovering from a knife-sized hole in the back.
"Do you... do you think we did the right thing?"
Warp turned back to the Grub, narrowing his eyes at it. It was playing with its food, barely nibbling any of it. "What are you talking about?"
The Grub gulped. "Nothing... I was just thinking..."
"Don't. That's not what you're paid for." Craters, I sound like Zurg now.
Shifting the fork around its tray, the Grub looked up at him with big black eyes. "When both Lightyears and their accomplices are apprehended and destroyed, what do you think will happen?"
"Zurg'll have finally beaten the system once and for all, I guess. The ultimate victory." Just what we've all always wanted, right?
"But... but will it be better? Will it be good?"
"Huh?"
The Grub folded its little arms. "Will it be worth it? Did we really... er, win? You know, make things better...?"
"For us? Sure." Warp shrugged. "That's what counts. No more worrying about Star Command, no more battles. Just the good life from now on, doing whatever we want. No one's gonna stop us." He knew that wasn't entirely true. Zurg could do what he wanted, but the rest of them would still have to obey orders and probably get assigned the usual tedious grudge work. But at least the Galactic Alliance is out of the way. And I'm on the winning side. I need to remember that. He grinned at the Grub. "It'll be better, trust me."
She couldn't believe she'd finally found it. Xlgta stared at the page once again, as if the words might have melted away while she wasn't looking. No, still there. She'd definitely found it.
Her hands traced over the cover of the book. It was old, centuries older than even she was, and that was saying something. But still not as old as she'd expected. She thought she'd find the name in one of the ancient scrolls, but instead it was in a simple history book, cataloguing the events of the war. It was very thorough—the LGM that had written it had researched each note extensively before jotting it down. She supposed the name must've still existed back then on some fragment of paper, and the histographer had found it and added it to the annals. Good for them. Even better for me. She closed the book with a snap, and dust flurried up from its pages. Now I have what I need.
There was still the main task left undone, however. She hadn't come to the planet of the Little Green Men just for a name. The name was merely a key. No, she was after something much greater.
"Is it ready?" she asked the LGM standing on the platform beside her.
"Yeees." The short being shifted, looking at her with an uneasy face. "Are you suuure?"
"I always am." Not always right, but I'm always convinced that I am.
"Then we can proceeeed." The LGM stepped forward, yellow light playing over their face as they reached out and touched the pulsating surface of the orb that was their Uni-mind. "We are one. We are ooone."
The Uni-mind hummed louder. They let go, a sophomoric smile spread over their face. "It is now open to youuu."
"Good. Thank you, my friend. If I ever see Nick again, I will tell him how well you have all served me." She knew it was Nick's good word that had gotten her their support, and the LGM beamed even brighter at her praise. Even now, they were still loyal to their Protector.
Xlgta took a deep breath, feeling the strain on her old ribs as her chest rose and fell. I have faced the hordes of the enemy at the pits of Xothal. This is nothing. I held my beloved empress and watched her die, too late to save her. Nothing. I am not frightened. With care, she removed her left gauntlet, letting it drop to the floor. Her skin had cracked like the bark of a dying tree, and her nails were chipped and brittle. Once they had been sharp enough to claw an assailant's eyes out. She wondered if it would hurt to touch it. It looked like it would burn...
Stepping forward on unwilling feet, she extended her arm, feeling energy crackling around her as her hand neared the orb. It beat like a living heart. I will do this. I must. For you, my empress. She touched the yellow sphere. It looked as if it would be hard, just as the smaller psytronic spheres were. But it rippled like the surface of a pond, giving way beneath her hand. Suddenly her body was alive like it had never been before, nearly bursting with electricity. If this is how connecting always feels, I now know why so many train to become Guardians of the Uni-mind. Yet amidst the pleasure and the singing in her ears, there was also a deep, troubled moan. And hidden behind that she could almost hear screams.
I must focus. She shut her eyes, closing herself away from the yellow-and-green light show going on around her. Connect. Connect.
She searched in the blackness of her mind, and suddenly it was there. A tiny spark in the dark. No, not a spark, a silver thread. She grabbed hold of it, and then her mind flooded with white light. The connection was open.
I wish to commune with you.
Silence.
I've come a long way, seeking knowledge.
Silence.
I have a promise to keep, and I need your help.
Silence.
I know the word. I have the key.
The light in her head seemed to glow a little brighter.
Runa'recorlai-na'mav'ii.
She was glad she only had to think it, for even her dexterous tongue would have struggled to pronounce it. The language of the LGMs always had been more mental than verbal anyway. Maybe that was why their names were always so bloody complicated.
The glistening whiteness transformed into a doorway. Come, a voice echoed from within.
She stepped through, and realised she was doing the same thing in the physical world as well. Her sensations were numbed, but she could feel the orb opening up for her, softening its exterior to let her through. It was like walking into a giant pudding.
The walls closed up once she was in, and she had to fight back the feeling of being trapped, drowning. The intensity of the energy crackling inside the sphere made her think of a thunderstorm. She was in a cloud and lightning was flashing all around her. It did burn this time, but she wasn't sure she minded. There was just so much... so much everything. She could feel a million minds all linked inside this one hub. So many thoughts. They were all running through her, and it seemed she would almost burst from the force of it. And it also felt as though she were being torn apart, every little thing that made her who she was being shredded and circulated around the pulsating sphere.
Where are you, she screamed into the light.
We are here.
She sensed it. A mind so big and yet split into so many thousands of tiny fragments, in much the same way she feared she might be if she stayed inside too long. You are the One?
We are the One. No, I... I am the One. A pause. My name... you knew it.
Yes.
It has been a long time since I heard it.
She didn't doubt it. I had to speak to you.
What do you need?
There was a gentle probing of her mind. She knew the consciousness could rip away any thoughts it wanted, but it was holding back, letting her choose what to share and only touching her thoughts very gently, like the soft caress of a mother over her newborn's head.
I'm not the first to be here, she told it.
No. There was one other—the good one. The one who would never give up. His light was very bright when his mind shone inside mine.
So it was true. She'd heard Buzz Lightyear had entered the Uni-mind to repair it from Zurg's corruption. He is not the one I seek.
Then who?
You were touched by a different mind. He rewrote your very core and made you into his own image.
She heard—or maybe felt, all her senses had blurred together—a sigh that held both weariness and pain. Yes. There was one who did this.
He is the one I want. Does any of him still live within you?
Every mind I have ever touched still exists inside me, the One told her. Many are long dead, but their memories live on. I remember it all. Or I did... I don't know... It sounded almost frightened for a moment.
You lose the memories sometimes? Xlgta asked.
Everything fades in time. But I cling to what I can. And the recent memories are always strong. Do not worry, the remnants—the fingerprints—of the one you seek are still here.
She braced herself. Show me.
If I were to pour every thought and feeling he left behind into you, it would burn you up. Life is so fragile. We—I—have learned the value of being careful.
Then do it slowly. But do it.
There was a pause. I shall give you the memories, but they will be locked, on the edge of your mind where you can only skim across the surface. You will have to go through them one by one—never all at once. The flood of so many thoughts would kill you.
Very well. So this was it. All traces of Zurg that had been left in the Uni-mind would be hers. Everything she needed for her plans to succeed. Do it.
The arcs of electricity that buzzed everywhere all coalesced into one solid stream and slammed into her. The jolt made her gasp. Power flooded through her body, carrying with it whispers of a mind that was not her own. She wanted to scream, but there was no air inside the sphere to carry the sound.
It ended just as suddenly as it had begun, and she found herself staggering back out the Uni-mind. The energy was letting her go.
Thank you, whispered the One. Thank you for using my name. It was good to remember who I was again.
Then she was on the ground, breathing heavily and coughing while several LGMs formed a worried circle around her and checked her vital signs. It hurt too much to move.
She realised she was clasping something in her ungloved hand. Looking down, she saw a small, yellow orb pulsing in her grasp. It must have come from the heart of the Uni-mind. One final gift, she thought. Thank you, Runa'recorlai-na'mav'ii. She now had the last thing she needed.
Nebula wandered through the village square, hearing insects buzzing in the potted shrubs that stood beside every street corner. He passed a small wooden stand where an LGM was handing out oblong red fruits of some kind to anyone who passed by. There didn't seem to be any exchange of currency. Nebula couldn't remember if the LGMs used money or not. It'd been a long time since the Galactic Alliance had surveyed the planet, and few offworlders had visited since then. They don't like people snooping around here, he remembered. Prefer to keep to themselves. That was why it was the only planet in the Alliance not to have foreign ambassadors on its soil. All part of the special deal.
There were details he still wasn't privy to—at the time the LGM's induction into the Alliance had been negotiated, he'd just been another soldier providing security for the diplomats—but he knew the gist of it. Part of him still felt a little guilty when he strolled through the halls of Star Command and saw dozens of LGMs hard to work, but they seemed to enjoy what they did. The arrangement worked out well for all of us.
The Uni-mind had been a lucky find by the expedition that had made first contact. The LGMs had tried desperately to conceal it and begged the survey team not to report their findings, but of course it was all in vain. Next thing the Little Green Men knew, the Alliance was sending scientists over to study it and there was even talk of taking the sphere back to Capital Planet. Only when the LGMs had agreed to join the Alliance and share their knowledge and their workforce did the Alliance leave them alone and promise never to tell the rest of the galaxy about their precious Uni-mind.
It shouldn't have happened like that, Nebula thought, his brow furrowing. But times were different back then. We're better than that now. Besides, Zurg had done far worse.
He continued walking. It was a beautiful day, just like every other day. Did they ever have bad weather on this planet? His boots clattered on the cracked stone streets. All the architecture looked so ancient, yet it had clearly been maintained and kept strong and functional. He got the sense that it was done with love. The LGMs seemed to have a deep respect for the past. The town was certainly a lovely place, brimming with beauty and colourful little sights. But he wasn't a tourist and didn't have time for things like that when the galaxy needed saving. And more than that, he sometimes got the creeps looking at all the LGMs. They were all so... identical. He hoped it wasn't just a case of "all aliens look alike"—that attitude belonged in the past, and he liked to think he was better than that too. But it really was disconcerting to walk amongst a race of beings who didn't seem to vary one iota from each other.
"Floweeers?" he heard an LGM call from another stand. "Do you want some floweeers?"
"No thanks." Nebula marched past without a second glance. He snorted. Flowers. He had more important things to think about.
Finally bored with exploring the town, he returned to the underground chamber. When he reached the end of the stairs and entered the hall of the Uni-mind, his eyebrows rose in surprise. There was Xlgta, stretched out on the floor, with a dozen LGMs attending her. He rushed over.
"Something wrong?" A quick assessment told him she had no visible signs of injury. She had quickly pocketed something small and round that appeared to glow. He wondered what it was. His eyes suddenly fell on her left hand and he realised her glove was off. What are you, Xlgta? This was his first real glimpse at what she looked like underneath her suit. The skin was a dull lilac, and clearly belonged to someone very old. There were sharp claws on her fingers, or the remains of them anyway. But it wasn't enough to identify her species.
"Commander Nebula." She pulled herself to her feet, sounding pained. Her breathing was loud and raspy as she bent to the floor and picked up her left gauntlet, slipping it back on. "I am glad you have come. I was about to send a messenger to find you."
"What's going on?"
She dusted herself off. "We are leaving. Follow me—we shall go to my ship."
The ship. Nebula hurried after her, feeling a surge of hope. Finally, a way off this rock. Perhaps his big chance had come at last.
A/N: Sorry for another long wait! Life being busy plus me getting sick constantly has made things difficult, but the next few chapters will definitely be posted soon!
Poor Nebula still doesn't have any of the answers he wants about all this mysterious stuff, but maybe that'll change once he and Xlgta leave the planet. And it looks like Warp's back on his feet again!
Thanks as always for the reviews!