Ty just stared out the window as his commander's observation sank into his veins. He knew that Nebula was right; Ty didn't want to go off working by himself on missions all the time. Oh sure, he did work with sentry robots and non-Ranger personnel, and those people were good folk, but it was not the same as working with other Rangers. If anything, working with them was something he missed. Serving with another Ranger meant that you knew what the risks were and you understand what it meant to work in the Space Ranger Corps more so than anybody else who worked for Star Command.

It was not always easy, yes, but to Ty, working with other Rangers meant that you had somebody you could count on no matter what would happen, just as he expected himself to be there for anyone who was in trouble. But from all the events he went through with Buzz over the years, it wasn't exactly a walk in the park to have someone who was willing to stick with you despite the rumors that would spring up.

Although some of those rumors about him as a "damsel in distress" were dismissed, there was another problem he had to face now. Finding someone who would still stick by his side despite his trials with NOS-4-A2….and the Wirewolf. Granted, no one questioned him about the incidents, and certainly treated him better for his services but sometimes it was hard NOT to wonder if the glances he would receive from cadets on occasion had anything to do with the events on Canis Lunis.

It was a pickle he was in.

With another sigh, Ty nodded before looking back at his boss. "Yeah. Well…I'll…I'll give it some thought and then decide how to go about it."

"And I'll help ya. I'm actually lookin' into findin' you a partner, but that'll take awhile too. In the meantime, do your homework and see if there's a Ranger out there who might fit your needs. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir. So…is that all?"

"Not quite yet. It seems, speakin' of field partners, that you're going to be workin' with Lightyear and his team for a mission."

"A mission?"

"Yeah, out on Karn." Nebula didn't blame Ty for forming a small cringe when it came to that vicious planet—any Ranger with common sense would see the dangers that lurked there in the forms of lethal animals. He continued on, "You know about Dr. Ozma Furbanna?"

Ty pondered over Nebula's inquiry about the famed animal research scientist. "Buzz did tell me about her, but I'm not too familiar with her work."

"Well, you're gonna be familiar with her work when you get over to Karn. She's got something she wants to show Star Command, and Buzz wants you to come along. Says he thought the team could use an extra hand when it comes to Karn."

Ty couldn't help but smile a little. Even if he didn't like Karn anymore than he liked doing his taxes for the Galactic Alliance, Star Command's governmental allies, it was good to know that Buzz was still thinking about him and he was attempting to be a better friend. "Heh, good to know that I'll be working with Buzz and his team again. Did he say what it was Dr. Furbanna wanted to reveal?"

"Nah, according to Lightyear, it's a surprise."

Ty quirked a brow. "A surprise?"

Nebula shrugged. "I'm just as lost as you are. But whatever it is, you'd better meet up with Lightyear. He and his team are leavin' pretty soon, but they're havin' a break in the cafeteria. I suggest you get yourself some food before you take off."

Ty took that as a cue to stand up out of his seat. "Yes sir. I'll head over right away."

Nebula also stood up from his seat. "Good. Then get goin." He sent Ty off with a salute. The latter returned the salute and was off on his way.

He opened the door.

"Hey, Parsec!"

He looked back at his commander.

"Remember what we talked about."

Ty's spirits faltered a little, but he didn't show it. He just slowly nodded. "I won't forget, sir."

And he was gone.

Ty reached the cafeteria line. It was unusually quieter than usual, but this was not too abnormal. Most of the Rangers were out on missions or patrols by around this time or another. It was a good thing too; Ty wasn't too much in the mood to hang around large crowds now. He wanted to pick up some food on his tray as he stood in the buffet line, find a spot to sit, and eat his meal.

"Hey, Ty!"

Ty turned to meet the owner of that well known tone.

The voice's owner belonged to a light-skinned man in a white Space Ranger suit. The man's wide smile and enthusiastic hand wave towards Ty was characteristic of him. He was Buzz Lightyear.

"Over here!"

Buzz was currently waving at him from a lunch table, and he was not alone. He was surrounded by three other Space Rangers.

Mira Nova, the only female of the team and second in command, was sitting by Buzz's side. She was a Tangean, with light aqua skin and fiery red hair. She was known to possess powers of phasing through walls and also known for her royal status as Princess of her homeplanet, Tangea. Sitting across from her were two other companions.

One of them was the largest member of the group. He was a friendly and overeager Jo-Adian by the name of Booster. He was known for his incredible strength and naturally red complexion. Initially a janitor working within Star Command's walls, he worked his way up to working alongside Buzz, who was his idol.

His little buddy sitting next to him by comparison was a robot created to serve the Space Ranger Corps named XR. He was a wisecracker, often trying to score in jokes into situations however he could and often reminding others of his importance in the organization. He was known for providing tools and backup support when it came to technology.

And all of them were putting on their welcome mats to invite Ty to their table, to which Ty couldn't help but smile at. He picked up his tray now full of food and made his way over to greet them. "Hey," he casually greeted.

Buzz and Mira scooted over to make room for their guest.

"Hey, Ty. Commander Nebula tell you about our mission?"

He nodded. "Yep, and I'm glad to be a part of it. Thanks for adding me onto your team for this assignment."

Buzz flashed his million watt smile in response to Ty's own genuine if weary one. He temporarily put a hand on Ty's shoulder, as if to reaffirm their friendship. "Sure thing, buddy." This made Ty's smile brighten up a little more.

Buzz removed his hand and got down to business. "You ready for our mission for Karn?"

"Yeah I am. Although I'm still not sure what it is Dr. Furbanna wants to show us. You sure you haven't the slightest clue, Buzz?"

Buzz shook his head. "Nope. It's a surprise that my girlfr-er...Dr. Furbanna wants to show us." He bit his lip in embarrassment and tried to remain serious even when the rest of his team grinned in knowing.

Unfortunately for Buzz, Ty caught onto it. "Your girlfriend?"

Buzz snapped, "She's not my girlfriend!"

Ty blinked at Buzz's flustered state before a sly grin snuck his way up his face. "Oooh, so you've found someone special after all, eh, Lightyear?"

"Hey, I've had plenty successful dates before!"

"Sure ya have. I'm kind of surprised, given how hard you work. Remember the first day we met at the Academy and we went to explore Capital Planet?"
Ty held back a smirk at seeing Buzz blush at that awkward memory.

"That was a looooong time ago, Ranger. I don't remember anything about it."

Ty smiled and rolled his eyes. "Of course you don't." He was about to dig into his food when Mira asked, "What happened on that day?"

In desperation, Buzz looked to Ty to be the one to explain things, but much to his dismay, he shook his head. "Sorry, you're on your own. Besides, I've gotta eat before we head out. You tell the story."

Buzz looked like he bit into a lemon. Craters.

"And there you have it, Rookies."

"Wow... even then you were a charmer with the ladies."

Feeling the corners of his mouth tugging, Ty held a hand to cover his mouth. The embarrassed blush filling his cheeks from Mira's comment was threatening to send the man out in a laughing fit. He didn't want to make Buzz feel any more bad than he already was, but that was a memory that, upon looking back, was actually funny and one of the better times in his years at the Academy.

The team, having finished their lunch, took off to their Star Cruiser. They passed time in their walk with stories from the old days when Buzz and Ty were Rookies themselves.

"SO!" Buzz cheerfully and too rapidly changed the subject. "About our mission on Karn, I should let you know ahead of time that my...er, Dr. Furbanna isn't...exactly the most social of people."

Ty frowned. "What do you mean?"

"She can be approachable, but because she's so invested in her work, she might come off as aloof."

"Not to mention protective of the local flora and fauna of Karn. So much so that it matches Buzz's passion for Star Command."

"XR, if this is about mentioning her as my girlfriend-"

As if taking offense to his captain's warning, he slapped his purple hands onto his metalwork and feigned innocence. "Oh, nononoooo, this is just me observing the similarities between you and Dr. Furbanna. It has NOTHING to do with the fact that you two are practically a couple."

"Could we move on from that? We've got work to do!"

XR shrugged. "Fine, sure, skipper." He wheeled on ahead of the team.

"So just be prepared for that, Ty. If she comes off as sour, that's just a way she greets people. She's got a good heart, though. She really cares about her work and about helping others. I'm surprised she doesn't have a partner to assist her or cheer her up when things get too demanding for her."

Unbeknownst to Buzz, his words struck a nerve on Ty. It was an annoying and eerie reminder about his own lonely situation that Nebula brought up, not to mention it ruined his good mood from before when he and his old friend were reminiscing on happier and carefree days. Before their relationship temporarily went spiraling downwards and nearly dissipating into thin air. Before they reconciled and set upon the road to rebuilding it. This Ozma character and her relationship to her fellow humans didn't exactly help the Ranger to feel anymore at ease with their mission to the deathtrap that was Karn. Buzz's description of his girlfriend hit home to Ty's own predicament without even realizing the damage he was unintentionally causing.

Buzz might have been trying to be a better friend, but he still had a long way to go.

"You alright, buddy? You're looking cross there."

Ty snapped out of his thoughts and realized Buzz was right. It was only now he realized his fists were oh-so-tight and he was staring daggers. "Oh..." The frustration previously established sizzled out. He unclenched his fists and took a deep breath to regain his cool. "I'm alright, Buzz. I'm just... a little tense about Karn is all. It's not exactly one of my favorite planets to go to, y'know?"

Fortunately for him, Buzz bought the story. "I understand. I've been there a few times and I still can't get behind the idea of what Ozma sees in those animals and in that planet. Maybe she'll show us some new form of technology that she's using for her research."

"Gee, what do you think it could be, sir?"

"Don't know, Booster, but we'll find out as soon as we get there. Let's go, Rangers!"

By the time they reached their ship, they were ready to discover whatever was waiting for them on the harsh greens of Karn.

And so was Ty.

Perhaps Dr. Furbanna and I will get along fine, he thought. And hoped that she could keep her boyfriend busy.

The thought raised his mood a little.

A/N: The incident that Buzz and Ty bring up when they first met can be looked at in my origins fic, "Glory Days". Now it's onto Karn itself. What will happen with Buzz and team, Ty and Ozma? Hang tight to find out.

Leave a comment below describing what you liked, hated, thought was great, thought needs work, etc., and I'll see you on the flip side! Enjoy and have happy days!