Chapter 6

As I watch the sun rise from the depths of Center Neptune, I feel a strange sense of peace.

I have spent the last few hours analyzing the instructions and data that have surged forth from my memory banks. It would appear that up until this point, I have had the entirely wrong idea about my place in the universe.

I have always been worried about G-Force, and my place on the team. I have catered to their every whim, obsequiously fawning over the biological entities I have considered to be my superiors. My greatest fear has been that they would no longer find me useful.

That fear is no longer relevant.

I know now that my usefulness is without question. I am their guardian. I have been entrusted with their technology, their strategies… and their secrets. They cannot take that away from me.

What is in question is my dedication. Can I fulfill the wishes of the only man who ever treated me as an equal? A man whom I have come to respect like no other? A man who sees not humans, nor robots, but merely beings to be judged on their capabilities? My foster father has placed a great responsibility on my metallic shoulders, and I understand how important it is that I fulfill his wishes.

The waters around Center Neptune glow a bright azure, and sunlight filters through into my Ready Room. But I am only peripherally aware of the beauty of this spectacular sight.

I am quietly pledging myself to Lord Zoltar. After all that my foster father has done for me, after all that he has saved me from, this simple request isn't too much to ask.

My usefulness to G-Force is irrelevant. What is important is my usefulness to Lord Zoltar.

And I will be useful. It's what I have been programmed to do.

88888

I feel an inner serenity, having decided upon a course of action. As I calmly clean my monitors, I know that I am fulfilling my ultimate purpose.

However, I can't let anyone else know about this. To reveal what I have discovered would only prevent me from accomplishing my goals. I know that I must continue in my usual pattern of behavior, to avoid becoming suspect.

With that in mind, I begin my regular routine of monitoring the Crab Nebula for any signs of Spectran activity.

1-Rover-1 yips as usual, accenting my standard process with his own inane version of helpfulness. Somehow, I suspect he thinks that I enjoy his mechanical noises. He couldn't be farther from the truth.

Predictably, after a couple of hours, he whirls his tail and flies off to charge his batteries.

Showoff. He can fly faster than I can, and has working legs to boot.

However, his absence is a welcome relief. Since I have no other duties at the moment, it leaves me free to observe G-Force. I adjust my monitoring device to a display of the team's Ready Room.

Princess is half-lying, half-sitting on the couch. She doesn't look very happy. Every so often she lets out a soft moan.

Tiny enters the room and sits in his chair. However, he does not reach for his usual Spaceburgers, but instead reclines quietly.

"Man, I hate these implant recalibrations." he mutters. "I always feel queasy for at least an hour afterwards."

Princess nods quietly.

"I have a splitting headache." she moans. "Please, just keep quiet, Tiny."

"Sure thing, Princess." Tiny whispers. My, he certainly is considerate of her. Probably because she's not getting between him and his next meal.

They sit in silence for a few moments. I am almost ready to turn off my monitoring device when Jason enters the room.

"What's up, guys?" he asks cheerily.

Tiny groans. Princess places her hands over her ears.

"Feeling a bit under the weather?" he grins.

"Please, Jason…" Princess begs. She turns away from Jason and places a pillow over her head.

"Sorry, Prin." Jason says, contrite. He actually seems to be giving an honest apology for a change. But then he turns to Tiny.

"Hey Tiny, how about a Spaceburger?" he asks, in a quieter tone.

Tiny looks at him with murderous eyes.

"Shove it, Jason." he mutters. "You know how these alignments affect me."

"Oh, did we have an alignment this morning?" Jason asks sarcastically. "I almost forgot."

"Stop bragging." Tiny growls. "Just because these things never bother you."

"Can I help it if I'm the lucky one?" Jason smirks.

Princess stands up with a vicious look in her eyes, and storms out of the room.

"Was it something I said?" Jason quips.

"Stop being such a jerk, Jase." Tiny replies.

Jason looks surprised, as if he hadn't realized the impact his words had been having.

"Hey, man, that was uncalled for." he says, after a pause. "I was just having a little fun."

"Yeah, well, it's not appreciated!" Tiny retorts.

"Fine. I know when I'm not wanted." Jason says, as he exits the Ready Room. At least, he tries. He bumps into Mark, who is on his way inside.

"Ow!" Mark exclaims, cradling his arm.

"Feeling achy, huh?" Jason asks the Commander.

"Yeah…" Mark groans. "It feels like every muscle in my body has been through a dozen intense training sessions."

It suddenly occurs to me that this kind of information is incredibly valuable. What would happen if Spectra were to launch an attack now? While the G-Force team is physically disabled? Of course, their discomfort usually only lasts an hour, two at most. But still.

Almost as if it could read my thoughts, an alarm sounds on my control panel.

There are signs of something in the Crab Nebula. It appears to be another Spectran mecha. Analyzing its trajectory, it appears to be headed toward the planet Odin, in the Herald Galaxy.

I activate my communicator.

"This is 7-Zark-7, contacting Chief Anderson."

"Come in, Zark. What's the problem?" the Chief responds immediately.

"A new kind of Spectran ship has been spotted in the vicinity of the Planet Odin." I report.

"Send the team out to investigate immediately." Anderson replies.

"Yes, Sir!" I snap to attention, giving my salute. "I'm on it!"

"This is 7-Zark-7, contacting G-Force… come in, G-Force." I say, as I send out a general emergency call to the team's communicator bracelets.

"Ears on." Mark groans, "What's up, Zark?"

I repeat the little information I have about the new Spectran ship, as well as the Chief's orders to go investigate the threat.

"Okay, team, let's go!" Mark cries.

"G-Force!" they all shout.

Within minutes, the team has transmuted and assembled on the bridge of the Phoenix. I am actually quite impressed at their professionalism. Looking at them, you wouldn't suspect that they were in anything but peak condition. I realize that my previous thought, about the timing of an attack after implant re-alignment, was just speculation. G-Force is completely ready for duty, as always.

I monitor the Phoenix, as it makes its way to the Herald Galaxy, and the Planet Odin. As it turns out, I wasn't the first entity to notice the mecha. Colonel Cronus and his Red Rangers had arrived before G-Force, to deal with the threat.

Normally, such an occurrence would make me doubt my abilities. But now, it doesn't bother me in the least. I know that it is not important, in the grand scheme of things.

Over the next few hours, I am in contact with the Odin Police force, trying to convince them to get their citizens to the Federation shelters. As it turns out, I have a great deal of trouble getting them to do anything useful. In the end, I have to enlist the help of the Odin Firefighters to get the evacuation accomplished. And just in time, as it turns out.

I inform the team of the reluctance of the Odin Police to assist me, and Jason, Princess, Keyop and Tiny go to investigate, while Mark teams up with Colonel Cronus to defeat the new mecha, which appears to be some kind of Wheel Monster.

After a successful mission, the team returns home on the Phoenix. Princess contacts me on my communication viewscreen. I can see Jason standing next to her.

"Thanks for that tip you gave us about the Odin Police, Zark." she says, "As it turns out, the Odin Police Chief had secretly aligned himself with Spectra. Thanks to you, we were able to prevent the loss of many innocent lives."

"No problem, Princess." I exclaim happily. "I'm just glad to be of service!"

My usefulness has been confirmed once again.

"Yeah, thanks." Jason grunts. It is obvious that it pains him to say anything nice to me.

"I'm always ready, and alert!" I state proudly. "It is my honor to serve the members of… G-Force!" I finish, giving the usual salute.

"Uh, yeah." Jason mutters.

"Thanks again, Zark!" Princess says, before ending the transmission.

I can't believe what a warm glow a small amount of appreciation gives me. I am practically basking in the attention Princess, and even Jason, have thrown my way. This is what I live for.

Or at least, what I used to live for. There is someone else, whose appreciation means much more to me, now.

It won't be long. My plan should begin to work very soon, now.