"Warp is on shore leave with all the days that he hasn't used." Nebula replied.
The crew were at the desk, waiting, their arms folded, after having marched in demanding for answers regarding their absent captain.
"That's close to six months!" Booster exclaimed.
"Yes, very inconvenient." Nebula agreed with a nod.
"Way to go, sir!" XR said, proudly. "How did you convince him?"
"It was fairly simple," Nebula beamed in response. "ordered him to."
"You made it a mission?" Mira asked.
"In a Ranger way that I could have done." Nebula said.
"At least he is going to be relaxing," XR said, relieved. "Zurg has been stressing him out lately."
"In the mean time, there's a mission of utmost importance." Nebula handed Mira the padd as the crew beamed. "Flash-mob-thieves."
"They've been striking at random." Mira said then grew curious. "This is something he wouldn't pass up."
"He's cut off from civilization," Nebula replied with a small smile. "He needs this time. Tell him all about it after he gets back."
"Who's the commander of the forty-two then?" Mira asked.
"Mira Nova," Nebula said, beaming upon her. "you are acting captain."
"You did it, Mira!" Booster smacked her back, proudly.
"It's a honor." Mira was very flattered as XR patted on her shoulder with his extended arm.
"Temporary, first command, lead it well, it could become a permanent thing."
"Could." The commander emphasized. "Warp hasn't dealt with his grief, and if he doesn't. . ." the commander grimaced before adding. "he'll be honorably discharged for his own damn well being." Booster's ears lowered. "Told him that myself."
Mira nodded, in agreement then departed with the crew. The commander looked down toward his arm console, concerned, but bore the unwavering faith that a commander would have in a guilt ridden Ranger. He looked toward the direction that the rookies had gone then closed his console, briefly closing his eyes, regretfully. No more Rangers had to be lost, to cause madness, to cause chaos, not now, what was deserved was Ranger Darkmatter returning triumphantly on his own after dealing with his issues.
"What is the anniversary?"
"Like on Venus you'll be told."
Zurg pressed a button, sending a shot into the Space Ranger's being with a yelp, then tapped his claws together.
"You said I should know." Zurg said, calmly. "That can only mean one thing." His sinister voice, one that normally scared grubs, frightened civilians, brought only the amusement of the mole. "This was a event that featured you, Buzz Lightyear, my hornets, myself, and my current plot of the month."
"No . . ." Warp's head was hung, bearing a wide evil grin, panting. "hints."
"Curse you, Warp Darkmatter!" earning only laughter from the Ipsedan.
"I get why Buzz likes hearing you swear," Warp said, bemused, lifting his head up. "it's pretty satisfying." Then he glared back at the emperor, delighted, enjoying the question to be nagging on his processor. "To be the foil of your evil plans."
"My evil plans!" The android's optics lit up. "Of course." He paced back and forth, linking his claws together, recalling his recent activity. "Why yes." he turned away looking aside reconsidering. "I've been focused on you that it has torn me off them."
"Your plans are stupid." Warp said.
"Do you have any better ones?" Zurg asked.
Warp looked aside, thinking, shifting through his ideas of villainy.
"Steal Star Command," His attention returned toward the evil emperor. "and abandon it in the Delta Quadrant, but no," He squinted back at him. "you won't." He grew a smug smirk. "You don't have what it takes to be a villain."
"That idea. . ." Zurg regarded as he flew up to the Space Ranger's level, stroking the hairy chin, grasping the chin in the process. "you are not that stupid after all."
"Hmmph." Warp said with a eye roll. "Nebula would like to disagree with my methods."
Zurg stared at the Space Ranger for a long moment, almost squinting, then flung a electric ball at the Space Ranger's forehead. It was a nice painful shout that the emperor enjoyed to hear. Where had everything gone wrong?
"Once, I were told by the evil emperor Buzz Lightyear," Warp stared at the emperor in confusion at the mere collection of words. "-that I weren't cut out for villainhood." Zurg briefly paused for dramatic effect as he turned his back toward Warp. "He's wrong." Then he turned toward the Space Ranger. "I'll prove you that!"
Warp could only laugh as the evil emperor departed the chamber. Three monitors were moved into the room by a series of grubs that displayed Star Command as he watched the events proceed to unfold, he watched to his amusement Booster and Buzz Lightyear play a game of chess only for the older man to lose to the giant, who promptly cheered, as the older man simply smiled. He looked toward the photograph across him of Buzz defeating a younger version of Warp in a game of chess then lowered his gaze down, nostalgic, then put away the equipment passing by the photograph with a smile.
It was a short time later that Star Command trembled, and the Space Rangers proceeded to act. It was quick, it was effective, Mira and Buzz ghosted to the dreadnought, XR and Nebula including a bunch of others worked in removing the equipment that was towing Star Command. He laughed, amused, cackling, at the sheer effort that was drawing their combined intellect, Zurg at the top of his game, Buzz managing to send Star Command back to it's former resting spot by a simple chance of solar winds that lead right back to Morph with the help from the local weather station that had been airing.
Buzz had lived, he had survived, he had been triumphant, like he had been in the old days that were incredibly fond. Those days were long over, watching Zurg and Buzz perform a game of physical fight in hand to hand combat lacking the wrist laser and plasma blaster, determined on winning, being the best at what they were skilled at, a battle that took incredible luck to solve without the death of both parties. Warp stopped laughing, relaxing, giggling, recalling how in the old days, they were a unstoppable team and had fun in the battle against the emperor. And then how it ended, the sorrow replaced by rage, sheer unstoppable rage, how it all ended, how one simple mistake ended it all.
The Space Ranger took his electric shackles, dangling, ready to be used as a weapon, determination in his veins. If it were anything like old times, Buzz Lightyear would be behind him, firing his wrist laser, knocking out the oncoming hornets, having the time of his life, while making his get away. He ran and ran, fast as his legs could carry him, flinging his weapon against the surface of hornets, electrocuting them, getting closer to a escape ship, he dodged a blast and the two hornets destroyed each other just like that. Warp looked at the direction of the smoked hornets then blew imaginary smoke off his shackles.
Warp ran toward the nearest shuttle then collapsed to the ground, his chains magnetized.
"Moonrocks!"
Grubs loomed over him then tsked.
"What are you looking at, punks?"
They exchanged a glance then shrugged and walked away.
"Yeah, saunter off, losers, you're not on the side of good! Looosers! LLUUHH-SEERS!"
Escape attempt five; a complete failure. That was what he noted as the two strong armed hornets loomed over him then picked him up, by the legs, then the arms, and proceeded to carry him back.
"Oh, I am using all of my shore leave for all this mooncraters after getting back! And I'm going to destroy you on my next escape!"
Zurg was sulking, a bad cloud looming over his helm, upset upon his return.
"I need stronger shackles." Zurg noted.