Right…part three now. Been another reasonable wait I know but I'm sure you've all managed to cope. Thanks for the feedback so far, all appreciated.
Anywho, this next part should help answer some of the questions some of you may or may not have about the story so sit back and enjoy, or at least try to.
It's just after midnight in New New York and after a particularly trying day, Fry and Bender find themselves on the run, nowhere to go, without the slightest idea of what is actually happening and sitting in the house of a complete stranger. It had been one of those days…
Fry and Bender sat silently on the sofa in the living room. They watched the old man stand motionless by the window quietly surveying the city. When he seemed content with what he was seeing he moved away from the window and began to walk towards a seat opposite the sofa.
Man (sitting down): Looks like they've given up the chase for the time being, we should be safe for about an hour or so I'd guess.
Bender (slightly aggressive): Who are you and when are you going to give us some money?
Man (laughs): My friend, money won't be much use to you, not when you are the two most wanted people in the whole city…but anyway, might as well get the pleasantries out of the way, my name is Leo. And you two are of course, Bender and Fry…
Fry (surprised): How did you know?
Leo (laughs again): Well considering that the news has been littered with your supposed antics it's almost impossible not to know who you are.
Fry: Well…I guess so, but what is it with the news anyway? They keep making things up! I'm no murderer! They just told me that I annoyed the peace or something when I was in jail.
Leo: There has been many a story branded about, none of which I believe, first of all it just came out that you were opposed to the Major…
Fry: But why would I be? I didn't even know his name until last week.
Leo: Well, who wouldn't be opposed to him? He's brought fear to our once relatively peaceful city. People are afraid to breathe these days, I doubt that there is one honest citizen that doesn't want him dead, but it's their own fault really, they believed all the crazy things he promised and once he was in power that just allowed him to tighten his grip on the whole city whilst the majority lived in ignorance. By the time anyone realised it was far to late because…
Bender: Yeah, yeah. Point taken, but what about all the crap about my pal here being a murderer? I mean, the words 'Fry' and 'dangerous' don't exactly go together, especially since the time he lost a fight against that inflatable elephant we bought from Neptune Carnival…
Fry (annoyed): Meh… he got lucky…
Leo: Well, seeing as when it was revealed that Fry was opposed to the Major the public started to view him as a hero. Like I said before, nobody is in favour of the Major's rule. So to turn the public against Fry they had to add more to it. Such as saying you were a murderer and a communist…they even said that were the president of the 'National Dungeons and Dragons Association'…
Fry: (shocked upon hearing the last bit): What? That's crossing the line!
Leo: All the same, it helped turn a large proportion of the public against you, there are some however who still remain sceptical such as myself.
Fry: But…what do they want with me anyway?
Leo: I'm afraid I don't hold all the answers; I can only assume that the Major sees you as a threat to his rule.
Fry: Wait a minute…he took Leela and the others too, what does he want with them?
Leo: I wish I could tell you, I really do…I'm afraid they could be half way across the galaxy for all we know.
Upon hearing this Fry became downbeat and slumped in his seat. It all seemed so hopeless, he didn't have a clue what to do to save the others and worse still, Leela could be in danger and there was nothing he could do. Leo noticed Fry's stricken expression.
Leo: Don't give up hope Fry…I'm sure…
Fry (almost in tears): Don't give me that! There is no hope! I mean look at me! I'm a totally worthless sack of crap!
Bender (interrupting): Yeah! Damn straight!
Fry (carries on):…what can I do? I'm a nobody! I once…
Leo (interrupts): That's enough! If you think like that you might as well turn yourself in now. Someone's got to make a stand and be counted and it looks like fate has chosen you to be that someone…
Bender: Aw…we're boned…
Fry: But why me?
Leo: It's just the way it is. Don't ask me why as I could not tell but obviously the Major fears you, that is why you are a wanted man. Now listen, you have to move on, you can't stay here any longer.
Fry (slightly scared tone): But…why not?
Leo: Well, seeing as you were last sighted in this area it won't be long before the street outside is swarming with the Major's best soldiers. They won't underestimate you for a second time…
Fry: Wait a minute, where do I go?
Leo (thinks for a second): Hmmm, I tell you what, there are a group of rebels who are very hostile to the Major. They have been watching him and his men for sometime, they believe that there is some truth in the rumours that have been going around, they believe that he is up to something. I'm sure they'd be willing to help you.
Fry: But where are they?
Leo: Go speak to the bartender at O'Zorgnax's Pub. And show him this…
Leo stands up and hands Fry a necklace which has two swords crossed together as decoration, not to mention a sapphire jewel encrusted between the two swords. Bender zooms his eyes towards the necklace to get a better look.
Bender (eyes go back to normal): Hey wise guy! How come I don't get one?
Leo: I'm afraid I only have one. (Bender groans) Anyway, that is their sort of secret identification sign.
Fry (puts on necklace): So if I show him the jewelthingy…he'll take me to the rebeljiggy?
Leo gives Fry a confused look whilst Bender just sighs.
Bender (to Leo): Don't worry about him spare ribs. I'll do the talking.
Leo: Er…that might be for the best…anyway, you two have to go now before it's too late!
Bender: But O'Zorgnax's will be closed now won't it? Ever since that jerkwad of a Major stopped us robots fuelling up after midnight.
Leo: Don't worry, the bartender will still be there to keep watch. They usually stage the meetings after closing time. The door should still be unlocked. Anyway you must go now, hurry!
Bender leaves the building, dragging Fry along behind him and they find themselves alone on the dark streets of New New York. Meanwhile, Leo closes the door and sighs.
Leo (to himself): I just pray to God that fate chose correctly…
Bender and Fry arrive at the door of O'Zorgnax's Pub without so much as meeting a single person. Nightlife had been very quiet ever since Major Dorena took the helm; the majority of people were scared of going out at night in case they inadvertently landed themselves in trouble with the Major. Bender tried to open the door and sure enough, it opened and Bender and Fry walked into the gloomy building which only a year ago would still have been full of noise and rowdy laughter by this time. How things had changed. The pair continued to wander aimlessly through the murky room.
Fry: Aw crud…nobodies home!
As soon Fry had finished speaking a voice came out of the gloom.
Voice: Hold it right there…
Suddenly a spotlight was shined onto the pair. Fry screamed whilst Bender jumped onto Fry pinning him to the ground.
Bender: I got him Mr Major! I've got the jerk! Don't hurt me, I didn't do nothing!
Then out of the gloom came a figure…and sure enough, it was the bartender holding a shotgun and spotlight. Fry was still being held down by Bender.
Fry: Hey, cut it out Bender! That's not the Major!
Bender (trying to regain his dignity gets up): Er…of course not! I knew that…I was just training you incase you get jumped! And judging by that test if I'd have been a soldier you'd be dead by now…
The bartender looked on pretty bemused by the antics of the pair. He then spoke as they got to their feet.
Bartender: Look, what is it you two want?
Bender: We just need to see those rebels you're hiding from the government.
Upon hearing this the bartender looked worried.
Bartender (panicking slightly): What? I don't know what you are talking about…I've not got time for law breakers…I'm just trying to earn an honest buck you know…
Fry: Whoa relax, we're not cops. I was told to show you this…
Fry pulls out the necklace from under his t-shirt and shows it to the bartender. Upon seeing this the bartender relaxes somewhat.
Bartender: Ah, you must be Fry. I apologise for earlier, it's just that you can never be too careful these days. Soldiers regularly check out these premises.
Fry: Wait, how come you know who I am?
Bartender: We've been expecting you for some time, (beckons the pair) come.
The bartender wander off into the gloom shining his spotlight ahead of him, Fry and Bender follow somewhat bemused at how everyone seems two steps ahead of them all the time. The bartender eventually led them into a room that seemed to be full of cleaning equipment from what they could make out. The bartender put down his gun and light, picked up an empty bucket and proceeded to fill it with water. When it reaches about three quarters full he then walks over the corner of the room and places it down on the floor next to the wall. Our two heroes then watch on amazed when, as if by magic, part of the wall slides to one side to reveal and archway. The bartender beckons the pair as he walks through the arch. They then walk down a narrow flight of stairs in single file to be greeted by none other than Major Poopenmeyer (Ex-Major anyway…)
Poopenmeyer: Hey! Who are these two? Soldiers?
Bartender: Relax…these are Fry and Bender, you know, the ones that our leader told us about?
Fry and Bender looked at each other when the bartender said the last part. How come everyone seemed to know so much about them?
Bartender: Anyway, you take them to the rest whilst I go back and keep watch.
The bartender leaves Fry and Bender with Poopenmeyer.
Fry: Hey…I know you! You're Major Whatshisname aren't you?
Poopenmeyer: Major? Ha! Noone has called me that for while, not since the "honourable" Major Dorena took my job anyway, before throwing me out of house and home and leaving me to rot! Well…I guess I better take you to the others.
Fry and Bender allow themselves to be led through a small doorway leading to another room. This room was lit by a single lamp in the middle of a table, which was surrounded by two familiar figures…
Fry (surprised): Calculon!…and TV cook guy!
Elzar: Hey! That's Elzar to you.
Bender: What are you two doing here? I didn't think you two were against the Major?
Calculon: Well…it all started when the Major shut down production of what was to be my latest movie, "Calculon – The King of Kings" due to it being simply too brilliant to be view by anyone…or so I would imagine. And ever since then I have fought tooth and nail to see the Major removed from power anyway I can!
Bender (uninterested): Ah boohoo…
Elzar: Why should we tell you anyway? Who let you in on this?
Poopenmeyer (points to Fry): Apparently he is the savoir that our leader promised…
Elzar: What? Him? I remember this guy from last month when he got his foot stuck in the toilet of my restaurant…
Fry: (looks down ashamed): I had some ice cream on my shoe…
Calculon (dramatic): Oh we're doomed! Why has our leader forsaken us?
Bender: Leader? Oh man…I haven't wandered into one of those crazy religious meetings again have I?
Elzar: Nah…no religion involved, he's just someone who seems to know what he is talking about so we appointed him as leader.
Fry: Well…could we see him?
Elzar signals towards Poopenmeyer who then pulls a sort of remote control device and presses a button. A stoplight then shines on an open doorway. Bender and Fry watch on partly in fear at who or what might step through the door, only to be left dumbfounded as out the of the doorway walks…
Fry (shocked): Nibbler!
Nibbler: Who disturbs my slumber?
Fry (surprised): Wait, you can talk?
Nibbler: Indeed, and I have other amazing powers which we won't go into right now.
Elzar (to Nibbler): Would you care to explain to us why we were promised a hero and were given dumb and dumber?
Nibbler: I promised and delivered.
Bender: Wait, you told these guys that Fry's a hero?
Nibbler: Indeed I did.
Fry: Aw crud…talk about setting unachievable standards…
Bender: But in all fairness if he'd have talked you up as being a totally lazy, unwashed porksack it would have still been setting unachievable standards.
Nibbler: I assure you that Fry is the man for the job. After all, he has not only saved our world once…but also the universe!
Fry: Damn right! (realising)…wait, what now?
Nibbler: Well, do you remember around two years ago when Earth was attacked by flying brains?
Fry (thinks for a second): Hmmmm…I…don't remember…
Nibbler sighs and signals to Poopenmeyer who then presses another button. This causes a screen to pop down from the ceiling, which then displays images of the brainspawn flying around Earth.
Fry (remembers): Wait, I do remember! But nobody believes me!
Bender: Whoa, whoa, whoa…are you saying that old ham slice here wasn't under the effect of alcohol when he told us the brain story?
Nibbler: Indeed, and not even Fry remembers the second incident with the brains…
Fry: What now?
Nibbler: Wait, just relax, I'll unblank your memory.
There is suddenly a flash. Fry glanced around as is he was lost for a few seconds. Then the memories of that memorable night where he destroyed the infosphere came flooding back. It was almost too much for Fry to take at first he just stood there gaping at what he had just remembered.
Nibbler: You see Fry, you are a hero…and you will prove yourself a hero for a third time.
Elzar: Well…I'm still not convinced…
Fry: Wait…how can you just doodle with my brain like that? Was it you who gave me those weird dreams as well?
Nibbler: Indeed, it was part of our prophecy that Earth would come under threat once more, although this time, the details are sketchy. Even my people don't know the full scale of what is going on…but we are getting closer each day. I just temporarily gave your brain access to the prophecy to not only warn you but to also allow you to be lead to me.
Fry: But what has this got to do with Leela and the others? And where are they?
Nibbler: As far as the intelligence we have can tell it is more the Professor that they want, they just kidnapped everyone who was currently in the building so nobody would be able to raise the alarm.
Bender: But what use is old incontinent prune face to the Major?
Calculon: I'm afraid we are not entirely sure…all we know is that your friend has something in his possession that the Major is looking for. What it is I don't know…
Nibbler: Indeed, we also know where they have been taken…
Fry (relieved and surprised): What? Really? Where?
Nibbler: They have been taken to a little known planet called Nomian, where we presume they will be interrogated…and that is where you two come in.
Bender: Ah jeez…
Nibbler: For you see, you two must go to Nomian and get the Professor and your friends away before they find out where the Professor is keeping the article of their desire.
Fry: But what is it they want anyway?
Nibbler: I'm afraid we do not know yet…we have been working night and day to find out and I promise we will inform you as soon as we know.
Fry: But…how are we going to get there? We haven't got a ship and I don't know where Norman is!
Nibbler (hands Fry a disk): This contains the co-ordinates of the planet Nomian…just put it into the navigation console of the Planet Express ship…
Fry: But we don't have the PE ship anymore, the Major took it away.
Nibbler signals to Poopenmeyer who presses another button causing the screen to change to an image of what looked like a military base.
Nibbler: This is where the ship is being held. It is on the outskirts of the city near the prison. All you have to do is break in, steal it and fly away.
Fry: Sounds easy enough.
Nibbler: Oh, did I mention that the Major's elite soldiers guard it?
Fry (scared and quiet): No…
Bender: Ah quit your whining, there hasn't been a high security military complex that I couldn't break into…
Elzar: That's good, means we don't have to do it.
Nibbler: Well, whilst it's still dark I guess you two ought to get going.
Fry: But…I'm tired, can't I at least sleep on the floor for five minutes?
Bender: Ah, come on you pansy! (starts dragging Fry towards the door)
Nibbler: Oh, one more thing. Just thought you ought to know the new rumour that has come to surface. Apparently, the Major is answering to someone else.
Fry: You mean like a boss?
Nibbler: Yes, who that is we don't know…but we'll let you know as soon as we find any developments.
Fry: Well…thanks I guess.
Nibbler: Good luck the pair of you…
And with that, Fry and Bender once again find themselves on the empty streets of New New York. Armed with a slight idea of what is actually going on they make there way towards the complex in which the PE is being held. Fry knew what he had to do know…or at least, part of what he had to do.
To be continued…
Well, so ends the next part. Admittedly this was mostly dialogue and not a lot of action but it was required so you guys can hopefully get a better idea of what is going on in the grand scheme of things.
Anyway, god knows when the next part will be here…but I'm sure that it won't pain anyone to wait a while, but it will be here eventually.
Thanks for reading and leave your feedback, appreciated as always!