"The biggest party this side of the cosmos!" Qwark reaches into his storage and pulls out a sheet of paper. Childlike scribblings of various party goers in ballroom gowns and tuxedos cover the canvas. "There's gonna be snacks, cameras, and those fancy little cocktail shrimps imported from Aquatos! It's gonna be great!"

Nova gives an encouraging smile, moving her face away from the paper to look at him directly. "That sounds like a lot of fun, Qwark."

Quark backs off, practically bouncing with excitement at the response. "Great! How does tonight sound?"

"T-tonight? How many people will be there?"

He shrugs off the question, and begins to name guests and count them off with his fingers. "Oh, not too many people. Just me, Helga. Al-"

Al? Nova's mind catches that name. He's the guy Miss Aphelion mentioned. Maybe he can help me with the hologuise?

Qwark pauses his rambling, looking down to see the markazian staring into the distance in deep thought. "Hey, you there little buddy?"

The focus immediately returns to her eyes, and she flicks her attention back to the larger robot. "Uh, yeah, I'm listening. Go on."

"Like I was saying, there's gonna be the president and a whole flock of sponsors too! And it's gonna be televised! It'll be so fun! There's gonna be dancing, snacks, and live music! Courtesy of yours truly, and Courtney Gears!"

With a sigh, the woman begins to prepare herself mentally for the next few hours. "That, uh, it's a lot to take in. But it sounds fun, though. Sure, I'll be there."

"Oh, it will be Nova. It has been quite some time since I have been to a formal event. I believe you will enjoy it!"

"I sure hope so. I hope they're not too disappointed."

"They will not be," Clank encourages. "You saw the cheers in Destructapalooza, after all! We should choose a suitable dress for you, or a tuxedo if you would prefer."

"Ooh, we'll all go shopping! I know just the place!" The LEDs in Qwark's eyes sparkle like stars. A huge green hand scoops the markazian up, grabbing her a little more gently than before. Qwark leads the way to their parked ships as Nova tries to wiggle out of his grasp.

"Whuh?! W-wait! Hey, let me go, you pretzel! I can walk, you know." The squirms stop, replaced with a slightly embarrassed pout.

"Pretzel? Aw, I get a new nickname already? Thanks, little guy! We're gonna be good friends again, I can tell! I mean, anybody would be lucky to have a friend like Captain Qwark, so you're welcome!"

The larger bot's complete, giddy deflection of her flustered squirms completely melts her unease, with confusion taking its place. "Uh...thank you, I guess?" Settling into her new position, draped over Qwark's shoulders, she looks down to her smaller robotic companion. "Is he normally this, uh, excited?"

Clank giggles at the display. "I suppose some things never change."

…

At the mall, Qwark leads the way towards the overpriced stores. Passing shoppers watch in awe as the group moves; some ask for pictures, others for autographs. Instead of completely shutting down, Nova gives them what they ask for with an awkward smile.

"Ah, just like old times, right? Back in the Q-Force days, we'd all have to beat off the ladies with a stick!"

After waving goodbye to the final pair of fans, Nova looks up at Qwark. "The Q-Force? I, uh, assume so."

Clank smiles at the markazian with pride. "You are adjusting to the attention quickly, Nova."

"Yeah," she replies, scratching her hair a bit. "Things are a bit easier here than having hundreds of eyes on me at once."

"Don't worry, cadet! As a shining beacon of the hero community, and a strikingly good looker," he purrs, "I'm more than happy to take any and all questions and autographs on our behalf!" The green robot leads the way through the mall, stopping at the food court.

"Ooh, let's get a bite! I hope they have meatloaf!" Sure enough, one of the stalls seems to sell that very meal. Smaller patrons are shoved to the side, or back away on their own to save themselves.

The markazian and robot share a glance and shrug, following Qwark to stop him before he hurts someone in his eagerness.

Nova decides to mostly keep her distance from the chaos, building a plate of rice, meat, and veggies. Despite the sauce drizzled on it, it seems a lot less heavy than meatloaf. Clank simply orders a cup of oil from a nearby stall.

Qwark finds a table, then excitedly waves to Nova and Clank for them to join him. The second she sits down, the markazian watches the metal hero dig into the slab of meat. Nova tilts her head at the idea. "I thought robots couldn't eat, though. How can you?"

"Well, we don't really have to," he clarifies. "Most can just recharge in their own way, depending on what parts they've got. Some like to eat anyway, though." He pauses his eating for a moment to wipe himself clean. Qwark smacks his torso, making the metal ring out. "Some robots are built to have metal organs like organics do. We can eat, we just have to clean that stuff out manually every once in a while! Like going to the bathroom, but with extra steps."

The sound and image makes Nova's mind lose focus for a moment, combining with his volume. "I, uh, see. So you kept your guts, they just turned metal when you bio-transferred."

"Exactly! Just like Skidd was back in the day! Well, before Al turned him back to normal. Those were crazy times, right Clank?" With that, Qwark goes back to scarfing down his meatloaf.

Gently placing down his cup, Clank nods. "They were certainly interesting times. I am thankful that we were successful in stopping Nefarious from using the Biobliterator."

"Yeah, good times all around. And now, the Q-Force is back together again! Right, cadet?" Qwark draws closer to the woman, and the lights in his optics add little stars to his eyes in excitement.

Nova drops her gaze, picking at a chunk of meat with her fork and rolling it in the rice. "Yeah. Just like the good old days, I guess." She closes the container with a sigh, and puts the food away into her personal storage.

The stars are blinked away, and he backs off. The larger robot wipes himself clean once more, even going so far as to pull out a clean rag and metal polish. "Ah, that hit the spot. You know, it's kinda ironic that it's the same tech that the Biobliterator used that's kept me here!"

The woman straightens her posture at the claim. "Wait, really? Is that true, or some dramatic over exaggeration?"

Clank puts down his oil once more. "That is very true, Nova. The Galactic Rangers salvaged some of the device's parts, and the technology was reverse-engineered. The process of gathering enough material, researching, and testing took a few decades. Progress was slowed down tremendously due to political and moral concerns."

"Why's that?"

"In summary, there were fears that the coding Nefarious used to control the minds of biobliterated victims remained embedded in the technology, so most did not trust it for a very long time. Eventually, these theories were disproved, but very few people wished to test the process. The concept was then rebranded as a 'bio-transfer', cleared for public use, and made affordable to most."

Nova chuckles lowly at the universe stealing the doctor's work. "I bet Nefarious hates that, for sure."

"Oh I bet he does," Qwark nods with a smile. "He hates people getting in the way of his plans. I still remember the look on his face when he launched you two into space on that asteroid way back when!"

Clank looks up at the other robot, raising a hand to correct him. However, he's too busy taking in the memory to mind the smaller bot much.

As hearty laughter reaches her brain, it combines with the commotion of a busy food court. The ingredients sizzling as they cook, the conversations other patrons have, and it all makes the laughter even louder than it already is.

"Nova," she mumbles. "My name is Nova. I, Nova, wasn't there."

"True, but I'm sure the little guy's in there somewhere right? He's gotta be!" A thick hand gently brushes her hair to the side. "I mean, the stripes are there! And you fight just as hard as you used to way back when!"

Nova's eye twitches. "See? And you're even doing that thing back from when you two found me in my secret hideout after I faked my-"

"Qwark, can you shove a pie in it for two minutes?!" With wide eyes, she realizes that she's standing up now, and watches as the crowd around her goes silent for a moment. "I mean…" She sighs, lowering her tone and sitting back down. "I don't remember. I'm sorry, but I don't. Please, stop digging for memories that aren't there."

For the first time that day, Qwark goes completely silent. The markazian before him looks smaller somehow, as if she would disappear in that moment if she had the power to.

"He's...gone for good, isn't he?"

"Yes," she confirms. "He's with us in spirit, watching over us with the others. I'm sorry, Qwark. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. It's...something I'm working on."

The green robot rubs the back of his neck, trying to find the right response. "I was so excited to see you, and I thought you'd be too. I, uh, always knew how to push Ratchet's buttons I guess!" He chuckles, which Nova responds to with a tired grin. "Sorry, Nova."

"Thank you. I'm sure he'd be happy to see you too if that's how it worked. As for me, I don't mind the nicknames. Still, I ask that you try to remember that I, Nova, haven't met you until today. I have no memory of you, and no knowledge of you other than what Clank has shared with me. You seem like a good person to me, one who's grown and changed a lot."

"In that case, I'm sure I can set aside the time in my schedule to make some new memories! Whaddya say, cadet?" Qwark stretches out his hand towards Nova.

A softer look spreads across her face, and she returns the gesture. "Sounds like fun, Captain Pretzel."

...

Continuing their quest for formal wear, the green hero stops in his tracks with a squeal. "Oh, this place is my favorite! They're even having a sale! Come on!" Grabbing the markazian's hand, he drags her into the store. Before they get too far, Nova flicks Clank to her back for his smaller stature to keep up with Qwark's excited pace.

A valkyrie meets Nova at the boutique, completely ignoring the men with her. "Welcome, miss! I take it you're in the market for something to make a statement, yes?" The measuring tape around her neck is flicked outwards and cracked like a whip. "Something bold?"

The organic brings her hands inward, a bit intimidated by the ferocity of the crack. "O-oh, I'm fine with something simple, ma'am. Earthy colors, maybe. Like home."

"The bolder the better!" Qwark rushes over to the metal woman, and whispers some sort of suggestion in her ear.

Nova widens her eyes at Qwark's behavior, but the valkyrie tailor hums with interest. "Ah, is that so? Then you need something from our premiere collection! Come with me, darling! I think I have the perfect dress for you!"

The two women disappear into a nearby dressing room. There's a muffled series of yelps and gasps, and clothing is thrown over the door. There's a puff of smoke and a short cough, then silence.

The robotic tailor exits, and grabs the dressing room's curtain with a smirk. "So, are you boys ready for the big reveal?"

Quark practically vibrates out of sheer excitement. "Show me! Show me! You ready, Clank?"

Clank nods in agreement. "I am ready to see it; please show us, miss."

The click of heels breaks the silence in the room as the young hero steps forward. The floor length skirt is a muted gold, made from layers of thin material that give plenty of body without being awkward to walk in. The bodice of the dress is a sleeveless piece; solid blue, with silver specks meant to resemble stars. More sheer cloth gathers at her hips, draping that same darker pattern over the right side of the skirt, and bunching up into a bow that falls over her left side. Jewelry and makeup is kept simple; a natural makeup look, and a pearl necklace imported straight from Pokitaru. Her hairstyle is also kept simple. The first layer is pulled back into a ball of curls, while the rest of the length is left to drape down freely over her shoulders.

Qwark is the first to speak, letting out a gasp at the ensemble. He practically dances around the dress for a moment, then grabs Nova's shoulders and positions her in front of a mirror. "Oh my god, you look so great, Nova! Absolutely perfect! Almost as good as I do!"

"Nova, right? Well let me just say you were born to wear this! All the guests at the party will be begging to be crushed by your heels, I guarantee it." Humming in approval of her work, the robotic woman carefully winds her measuring tape back into a tightly wound roll.

"I hope I wouldn't have to, but thank you ma'am. What do you think, Clank?"

Green optics take in every detail in silence for a moment. The young woman before him beams towards him, practically glowing. Every inch of her is displayed with a genuine happiness that's such an incredible contrast from the day they met. He steps forward so his reflection stands by hers in pride. "You look absolutely stunning, Nova. I believe this dress suits you perfectly. More importantly, do you like it?"

Staring into the mirror, Nova smiles at the encouragement. "I feel...incredible. It's so perfect, I love it!"

For a moment, her focus shifts elsewhere as she searches for the price tag against her better judgement. "Hope there's enough in the bank for this," she mumbles under her breath. "The shop's down...ammo gets expensive, and armor fixes…"

Clank notices this, and looks back to Qwark and the valkyrie he's speaking to. In the celebrity's hand is the price tag Nova's looking for, already being given to the tailor to purchase the dress. Qwark has always been strikingly skilled in distraction and deception, he thinks fondly. It is good that some things never change.

There's a sudden chill in Nova's palm as metal surrounds it, gently pulling her from her original task. In the mirror, there's Clank smiling brightly at her. She gently squeezes his hand in return.

The valkyrie steps behind her, gesturing towards the changing room once more. "Alright, miss Nova! Follow me, and I'll get you back into your normal clothes."

"Okay." As Nova releases Clank's hand, the two of them share a smile before heading that request.

After a few minutes, Qwark once again leads the way out of the store with their bags in hand. "Well, team, I think today's mission was a complete success! Just one last thing before we go, Nova."

"What'd we miss? Didn't we get everything we needed?"

"Not yet, I still need one more thing. On the count of three, give me a fist bump in the air and a 'Go, New Q-Force!'"

Nova stops in her tracks, chuckling at the idea. "Really? That sounds so silly."

"Not if we all do it! It'll be fun! Please?" The green bot claps his hands, begging for her to comply. "Pretty please? With a cherry on top? You like baking, right Nova? I'll even put a cherry on it!"

She laughs, watching as the captain bounces in front of her. Sharing a glance with both robots, she gives in with a shrug. "You know what? Sure, for the cherry and the New Q-Force. Clank, do you want to count down?"

The tiny warbot giggles. "Very well, why not? One, two, three."

"Go, New Q-Force!"

As the group exits the mall, the valkyrie shopkeeper can hear laughter, both organic and synthetic. She reads the tags Qwark gave her, wondering how in Orvus' name a celebrity like him comes into that kind of cash.