Well, once again it's been a while but I eventually manage to get going sooner or later. Even though everyone has probably forgotten this tale of 'wonder' I might as well continue what I started over a year ago now. So, without further ado, here's part 5...
Fry didn't know how long had passed, when you are lying semi-concious your perception of time isn't particulary accurate. He didn't know what time it was or how close they were to arriving at Nomian. His mind was still littered with images of recent events, each still startling in it's vividness. It just didn't seem real to him, nothing did anymore. He was still taking in the fact that the feelings he possesed for Leela were mutual, let alone the events of the last day or so. Although he could believe the way that everything had gone totally wrong seemingly. That always seemed to happen to him, get a glimpse of happiness only to have it snatched away from him. On other occasions he would just have to accept it and get on with life as best he could...
...but not this time. Fry wasn't about to let fate get one over on him yet again. Not whilst there was still life left in him. Fry might not be the brightest or the strongest but there was one thing that he always tried his best to do - come through for his friends. He might not always get it right but this was going to be one occasion where he somehow triumphs over adversity and save the day...
The only trouble was that he didn't have a clue how to go about it.
As Fry lay on the sofa, still dressed in his black get up, he was still emmersed in a strange state somewhere between being asleep and awake. The only sound coming from the real world being the muffled roar of the PE ship's engine.
Then came a beeping sound from the main console. It was the auto pilot signalling that their journey was nearing it's end. Now, most people would now be wide awake after being roused by the auto pilot alarm...but Fry doesn't come under the 'most people' bracket. He just assumed the noise was just part of his dreams as he lay half asleep on the sofa in the bridge. So he just lay there in blissful ignorance whilst the beeping grew ever more ominous.
After a short while the beeping stopped just as suddenly as it had began. The beeping was then replaced with the sound of Fry's name being repeated over and over, each time getting more and more urgent. There was a certain 'in your face' element to the voice that seemed ever so familiar...
Then, two metal hands grabbed Fry and threw the startled delivery boy to the ground. It was at about that time when Fry worked out who the voice belonged to...
Fry: Ow! Jeez Bender! What was that for?
Bender (sarcastic): Oh nothing much organ bag...just that we're currently on course to create a bigger explosion than the Professor did at last years 'most child friendly invention' ceremony...
Fry (still dazed): Err, wha...?
Bender then grabbed Fry by the scruff of his neck and dragged him up so he could see the view from the cockpit window. His eyes went wide when he saw the planet surface of Nomian getting closer by the second.
Fry (jumping from Bender's grasp): Holy nuts! We're going to crash!
Bender (seemingly unflustered): Well observed.
Fry: We've got to move the ship!
Bender (still calm): Correct again...
A few seconds of silence passed before Fry eventually spoke up.
Fry: So...why aren't you doing it...?
Bender: Doing what?
Fry: Steering the ship?
Bender: Why should I? It's not my turn.
Fry (slightly confused): ...not your turn?
Bender: Well, I figured that since all those losers are constantly saying that you're the big hero in this crappy adventure whilst ignoring ol' Bender here I thought it was about time you did something...
Fry (sarcastic): Gee Bender...thanks for telling me...
Bender: Don't mention it...
Another few seconds passed with the two friends just standing there waiting for the other to speak. This prompted Bender to clear his throat...or whatever robots have instead. This managed to trigger Fry's brain into action and he remembered that the ship was still hurtling towards the planet surface.
Fry: ...uh oh...
Fry then stumbled across to the pilot's seat as quickly as he could whilst Bender looked on. He managed to bundle himself into the seat and grabbed the steering control. The ground was only a few seconds from impact now and Fry desperately tried to lift the ship from it's perfectly vertical descent. The ship's nose started to rise but it was too late. The ship's nose, now at a 45 degree angle to the ground, cut into the grassy terrain of Nomian throwing the pair of them around the bridge. The ship continued along the ground at great speed, carving a trench in the dirt as it went. This resistance eventually slowed the ship down gradually but it suddenly came to a complete halt as it slid into a large bank of dirt.
Inside the ship our two heroes lay dazed on the floor of the bridge. Amazingly, they hadn't been badly injured, aside from a couple of bumps and bruises. They both sat up and tried to get their bearings together, Bender then spoke up.
Bender (annoyed): Congratulations, you're the first person ever to make Interplanet Shuttles look safe...
Fry: Sorry Bender...
Bender: Yeah, you will be...(sarcastic) so what's the plan now captain?
Fry: I dunno...look for that place where Leela and the others are I guess.
Bender: And where's that then?
Fry stood there looking blank for a few moments before responding with a simple...
Fry: Dunno...
Bender sighed and went to get some beer from the storage deck. Fry decided to go to his cabin and do some serious thinking which in itself was a rare event.
About thirty minutes later Fry emerged onto the bridge wearing his usual clothing, Bender was already waiting for him drinking beer on the sofa.
Bender: So...thought of a plan yet general?
Fry (defensive): Yeah actually.
Bender: Oh this is going to be good...
Fry: Well, first I figured that we give Nibbler a call, then he can give us an idea of where the others are.
Bender: That all?
Fry: Well...yeah.
Bender: ...and it took you thirty minutes to think that up?
Fry: ...yes...
Bender (sighs): I don't know what Nibbler sees in you...
Fry: What's that supposed to mean?
Bender (angry): Oh like you haven't noticed? Everyone's like "oooh, Fry's the king" and and "Fry's our only hope...". Where does Bender come into this? We'd be dead by now if it wasn't for me, I don't need anyone to tell me I'm great but no...I don't get any credit at all...it's all about you. It's like being outranked by a chipmunk!
Fry was a bit lost for words after that, he'd seen Bender upset before but this time he obviously felt rather put out. Fry could understand what Bender was talking about though, the truth was that Fry himself couldn't understand why he was so important to all this. Sure, he'd done some heroic things in the past but this seemed way out of his league. He eventually replied to the robot.
Fry (sincere): I'm sorry you feel that way Bender...but to tell the truth, I don't know why people are making a big deal about me, I'm not cut out for this thingy...hell, the only reason we've got this far is because you saved my ass.
Bender seemed to have calmed down a bit on hearing how Fry saw things, after all, Fry never asked for the hero tag, it was enthrusted upon him.
Fry: Look Bender, I don't know much about what's going on or how I'm going to save Leela and the others, but I do know that I need you with me.
Bender now began to feel slightly guilty at laying into Fry. He knew that for once, Fry was talking sense.
Bender: Ok...I guess so...friends?
Fry (smiles): Friends.
The two then embrace in a quick hug before Bender pulls away and looks around nervously.
Bender (looking around): Noone saw that did they?
A short time later Fry and Bender have just got through to Nibbler using the ships comm system. The pair a gathered round Nibbler's image on the screen.
Nibbler: What is the trouble mighty one?
Bender glares at the screen whilst Fry scratches the back of his head uncomfortably. He never felt comfortable when Nibbler referred to him as that... He didn't mind when Leela did though.
Fry: Erm...yeah , hey...we just erm, 'landed' on that planet that you told us to, but we need help in finding where the others are.
Nibbler: Fear not your mightyness, we've gained some intelligence on the position of the building in which they are being held.
Fry: Great! Where?
Nibbler: By tracking your position using this very signal, I can tell you that the building in which they are being held is about seven miles directly south of your position.
Fry: Great, thanks Nibbler!
Nibbler: My pleasure mighty one, now if you'll excuse me I've got business that needs attention. Good luck your mightyness.
And with that the transmission ended. Fry walked up and manned the cockpit with Bender taking a seat on the sofa. Fry pressed a few switches and initiated the launch system.
Fry: Right, here I come Leela...
Fry then pulled the throttle to start the ship...only for the ship not to start. Fry looked around confused.
Fry: What's wrong? Why won't this stupid thing move dammit?
Bender: Don't ask me...although it might have something to do with you crashing the ship about an hour ago.
Fry: Oh...yeah, I'd forgotten...
Bender rolled his eyes as the pair went outside to assess the exterior damage.
Outside they were greated by a sorry looking PE ship. It's nose was crumpled whilst the rest of the hull had taken a pounding too. The left wing had also broken off and as for the engine, that was about twenty metres back. Fry looked thoughtfully at the damage.
Bender: Well, that's going about as far as one of Zoidy's investments...
Fry (confidently): I'll handle this...
Fry then walked up to the ship and felt around the hull with his right hand as if searching for a certain part. Then he gave the hull a swift punch. Fry then stepped back expectedly...only for absolutely nothing to happen.
Bender: What the hell was that supposed to do?
Fry: Strange...that always seemed to work in Happy Days...
Bender (sighs): Well...what do we do now then?
Fry: Dunno...walk I guess...
Bender (apathetic): What? Seven miles?
Fry: I guess...
Bender: Aw man...at least it'll give me chance to try out this new gadget I stole.
Fry: Cool! What is it? Some futuristic tracking device that transforms into a car?
Bender: If by that you mean a compass then yes.
Fry (slightly disapointed): Oh..right. Anyway, lets go.
And with that the two friends set off into the distace on foot in search of their friends.
Well, that's another part over, perhaps not the longest but hopefully I'll be able to update more frequently in the future. I'll be making a start on the next part very soon so it shouldn't be a long wait if all goes to plan.
Anyway, thanks for reading and leave your feedback, muchly appreciated.
So until next time...