Disclaimer: I don't own the BLoSC series or the movie. Enjoy.
Chapter 5
Captain of Stars
It's hardly called a morning when everything is still pitch black and red outside.
There is not a single solar system near the infamous planet, only the mechanical defense moon that orbits around it. Few would cursed at those commercials from the news station, always advertising and showing the artistic golden sun rising up like a baby and painting the dark black sky into a bright blue one.
And let's not forget the milky clouds waking up from their slumber and started travelling around the sky visiting the wonderful environment.
Zyra wished that every morning should be like that but on Planet Z, that will never happen.
However, the Z Tower can act like the sun for her since it is powered by solar energy cell, giving her skin the Vitamin D it needed.
The genius behind the invention was none other than Brain Pod 99. His ideas are astronomically wild and crazy but it works well with her projects. That's why she sought out his aid with the Desmond project, being the first among many to be completed.
Her other projects includes some infiltration gadgets and communication devices for her future adventures such as spy bugs and taser-like wrist bands. But they still need lots of work to do because the moment they activated them, they either exploded, malfunctioned or went haywire before a Grub put it out with a fire extinguisher.
Her dream of having wonderful gadgets seem so far away.
Her arms were flopped lazily on top of her desk, putting more creases on her onesie purple pajama. She took a glance at her watch with an emblem "Z" as its background.
Eight o'clock and thirty two minutes in the morning. Great. Zyra thought.
She thanked whoever invented the digital clock in this universe, otherwise time would stood still on the purplish red planet, emphasizing how utterly gloomy the place is.
After working for two full hours from the crack of dawn, Zyra can finally get to relax. Currently, she is in the Science bay 4, working on Desmond's voice box and tampering with the final touches. She hoped that it's working fine or risk of her creation with a malfunctioned audio speakers.
"I won't know until I put it back in." Zyra whispered to herself as she yawned, "Anything yet, Grub?"
A Grub nearby woke up immediately from a short nap and at the same time shoving off some mechanical parts and papers from the monitor table. He check on the computer in front of him and he shook his head.
This made her groan in disappointment.
News stations by now should be blasting the headlines about someone, not Zurg, has infiltrated one of the Galactic Alliance top forces in the whole galaxy. Yet not one of the news display about it, not even in the world wide web.
Roaming around the internet and looking into the news sites had only increase her memory bank full of useless information.
Speculations clouded her mind as to why the media hasn't release the scoop of Star Command's base within and she only come up a few.
Desmond's memory log was cut short once the Commander was down on the floor. The Commander could still be knock-out or slowly recovering in the med bay and not to inform the public of his temporary absence of duty.
Another one would be that Commander Nebula didn't want the media to know that he got beaten up by a Hornet look-alike. He still has to uphold his reputation as the strong leader of the entire Alliance team.
That would be hilarious.
But it won't be so funny anymore if her father got to the news first before her. This is the reason why she kept on eye on the daily news.
It was risky to use the cargo ship without an authorized clearance from the Evil Emperor. That's where she pull in favors with some Grubs because of building friendly relationships with them since she was five years old. No one involved with the great infiltration mission would sold her out or themselves.
Cunning but useful.
But if her father knew that she had done something without his permission, there will be punishments.
Zyra knew that she won't go through with the punishment, most likely either ground her for a month or no chocolates for a week or two, but she's more worried with the other staff who are entangled in it.
They will be severely punished in the bubble of torment, which generates high bolts of electricity. She wished no harm on the adorable buggers.
It's highly possible that they would have their brains fried with the right amount of voltage.
And this is probably why some would high tailed out of Planet Z and hope they won't be found by Zurg again.
Base from the gossips from the Grub and Brain Pod society, there were several who wants to defect from the Zurg Empire and her father sent in the galaxy's best hit-man to vaporize the renegades. Which of course, she hasn't met the guy because her father was highly cautious. It would be disastrous if the whole universe knew that Zurg has a daughter. He might also thought that the hit man would likely make used of the information to anyone for a hefty price.
But knowing the real identity of the bounty hunter known as Shiv Katall, she doubts that Commander Nebula would do something like that. That goes against his code of honor as a Space Ranger. Since Buzz Lightyear hasn't made a name for himself at this time period, the head hancho of Star Command still operates as Shiv Katall in disguise.
She got to admit, his skills as a bounty hunter got her respect and admiration.
He is the main inspiration behind the making of Desmond, down to the color schemes of his armor, weapons and his skills. That's how Desmond beat Commander Nebula with a huge power gap between them. Plus, if she can get the man to show more of his abilities, those will be added to Desmond's main hard drive.
Another possible long term plan added along with her lists of Evil plans, If cruising around the whole galaxy is one of them then it's alright in her book.
She wondered what Commander Nebula used the bounty money for. Donation for Charity? More weapons and gadgets for his troops? That got her curious because there were a lot of zeroes in his bank account, which she hacked out of boredom the other day.
Suddenly, three huge knocks were heard from the door, making the staff stopped their work.
Zyra groaned as she hid herself behind the desk, "Please don't tell me its father."
Knowing Zurg's tight schedule for this week, there's almost a zero chance of her father going in to Science Bay 4. She caught him one time sneaking around her "lab", which she claimed its now hers, and Zyra scolded him for that.
But also, he might scold her for being out and about in the early morning. He thinks that young girls like herself should sleep more for the sake of her growth.
Nosy parent with an over bearing protective….argh!
"Check the door's console monitor!," Zyra said, the Grub run with quick light steps checked the monitor and the screen showed two people. One is Desmond and the other Brain Pod 99.
"It's them, my lady," The Grub replied, "They're back from the testing area facility."
"Craters, they scared the bejeepers out of me," said Zyra as she puffed out the dusts from her pajamas.
The lab doors to Science bay 4 automatically opened and Desmond walked in with Brain Pod 99 by his side.
To her horror, she cringed at Desmond's tattered state. A long jagged gash on Desmond's chassis and one of his shoulder armor pads bent inwards. It's like he got wrecked by a bullet speed train head-on and fought wire-wolves to the death for days.
"What happened to him?"
"Testing the durability of his armor," Brain Pod 99 spoke while he lists off from his paper clipboard, "the force from the titanium puncher only damages 35% and that kind of power could put a huge dent on one of Star Command's cruisers."
"As much as I love to do these tests, but may I remind you that I want my robot in good condition and back in one piece." Zyra said sternly.
"Of course, as you command. We have already prepared another exoskeleton made from a different material for Desmond once all of his hard drive is completely transferred to his new body," 99 said.
"Ah yes, the terillium-carbonic alloy," she said gleefully.
It's light as a feather but stronger than any alloy. The only ones to access the source mine from another quadrant are the Galactic Alliance and Star Command. It's true that anyone can order it but the ones that Star Command has, it was top grade quality and she must have it.
But thanks to Desmond, she was able to download the code to her computer's software system. It's only a one-time deal code and she has to make used of it by ordering a huge shipment of it overnight, all of it done in her quarters.
The cargo ship carrying it was easily hijacked by her personal Hornet squad this morning and immediately delivered it to the Science Bay Area without her father or the security cameras noticing it. It's a huge piece of rock, no bigger than a Hyper Hornet. Most of it was used for the construction of Desmond's new body while she save some of the material for her future space suit.
The other files that she requests Desmond to get were still being downloaded in her room's computer.
A Brain Pod pressed a button on a remote and waited for the two containers to rise.
Two capsule pods emerged from the middle of the lab. One is empty and the other is occupied by Desmond's new terillium-carbonic armor body. It looks the same as his old one but more shinier and sturdier at a glance.
"Come here for a moment, Desmond. I need to put the voice box on you for testing before we start the transfer," she motioned the stoic blue robot to her side. He kneels before the little girl, so that it's easy for his little master to access his chassis armor. The laceration didn't damaged the open mechanism to the inner chassis compartment and saves the trouble of recycling the intact old parts for something else.
Desmond access his chassis which split opens, revealing the inner workings of bionic parts and other mechanical organ like engines. She could actually see his human-like mechanical heart pumping crystallic fusion liquid across his entire body. The wonders of technology.
She placed the device delicately behind the heart engine where a rectangular shape embedded on the armor wall. Little robotic wires automatically attached to the side of the voice box and the chassis closed itself. Few clicks and a pings were heard inside and Desmond started to test the voice box's function.
"t..eess….tesstt…"
It was rough at first going by the scratchy noise coming out from his voice module but he got over the technical difficulties and proper words were made.
"testin..testing..1.2.3..testing….is this alright, master?" Desmond said.
Zyra contemplated about his voice module. Hmm…the way he speaks…how should I describe it…it feels…modulated and controlled yet pleasing to hear. In fact to anyone hearing it, his voice is filled with no emotion just flat but his tone changes to one who respects and admires when speaking to her.
She can live with that.
"Yeah, needs a little more practice, to get in sync with the numerical codes. It's a working progress." she said, closing the chassis.
Once Desmond checked his internal functions, he went inside the capsule pod and turned his body face forward. The capsule lid closed on him and his visor turned grey as data is being transferred to the new body beside him.
A Grub survey the monitor beside the capsule with the terillium-carbonic alloy body.
"Data transferring procedure is on the way, your grace. Estimated time...Two days max."
Two days?! Zyra shrieked in thought.
She didn't expect the transfer to be this long. Are the program files in Desmond's motherboard really that huge amount of bytes?
What should she do now without her robot companion? Besides hanging in the Science Bay Labs while messing with some random contraption, Zyra wanted to spend some quality time with her partner in crime.
BEEP BEEP
The noise came from the main computer and a Brain Pod stationed on that area paled at the caller's name and location.
"Your highness, there's an incoming call coming from the Throne Room." said a nervous looking Brain Pod.
"Oh shoot!" Zyra quickly hid behind a desk again. The Grubs quickly covered the two capsules with a huge blanket while Brain Pod 99 zoomed in front of the main computer to receive the call, acting like there's no suspicious activity going around the lab.
This is just great. Now she'll get her sleeping wear dirty again If this goes on.
The main computer in the Science Bay turned on, started with the common television static effect and the image of a frightened Grub appeared.
She peak at the side of the desk and sighed in relief.
"Oh thank goodness it's not father."
This particular Grub is working on the Throne Room's station and she had asks him to inform her of any updates of Zurg's plans, that way she can keep in track some of the events happened before the Uni-mind event. Which she didn't tell that last part to the insectoid, he simply nodded the orders he given and went on his daily duties. But that doesn't mean to scare the life out of her without notifying her in advance.
Stepping out from her hiding spot, Zyra slightly glared at the screen, "You should have sent a message in advance before you make the call."
"My apologies, your highness. But there's something that needs to be addressed urgently." said the frightened Grub.
"Oh?" that got her curious, "What is it then?"
"It's…it's better if you see this." The Grub put up a mini screen beside the video chat and it showed the Hornet Factory from the Military Industrial Complex in Sector 5 through surveillance cameras. Zyra could see bits and pieces of black and yellow metal on the conveyor belt were fused together to make a Hornet with the help from the Grubs.
"A Hornet Factory? Any reason that you are showing me this?"
"Yes, something is unusual. Please take a closer look at the footage." The Grub pointed at the other screen with his insect-like hand.
She moves closer to the main computer and squinted her eyes at the factory. Nothing seems out of the ordinary, until her eyes were wide open at the sudden realization.
From the video, the mass production of the Hornet unit is increasing in an alarming rate. Some Grubs were tired out from welding the metal together and collapsed on the metal floors out of exhaustion. She was told from one of the supervisors when she visited the plant that the output of the Hornets per day were only minimal and what she is seeing now, the production is double- or tripled even.
Those Hornets were then form into massive groups and marched up to the shuttles and blasted off to who knows where. This is entirely suspicious and she has one question to ask.
"Why does father need this many Hornets?" Zyra wondered.
"I'm not sure. Us, low rank officers, can't access to it. I'm sorry." The Grub replied sadly.
Tsk. What on earth are you up to, Zurg? She thought angrily.
"You're forgiven. Carry on with your work and thanks for informing me." Zyra said.
"At your services." The Grub lightly bow before the video chat switched off but leaving the surveillance camera screen for her to watch any other suspicious activities.
This is grating her nerves. She doesn't want to be left out of the loop on whatever her father is planning. It could change all of her plans! This could even put a major damage to any events before it happened. And more importantly, her chances to survive will be at stake.
"But we know that the Evil Emperor Zurg is planning something big. Look" said Brain Pod 99.
She turned to the screen as the angle of the surveillance camera changed and zoom in on the massive Dreadnaught. It's a long, red violet ship with two sets of wings, two of which resemble dark grey horns beside the upper deck giving a menacing devil look of Evil, parking at the factory's hangar as some Grubs pumped the pipe filled with crystallic fusion fuel to the ship.
Several groups of Hornets were loaded inside and there, she saw her father, dressed in his usual Emperor attire, talking with one of the supervisors with his arms behind his back at the bridge to the ship.
She speculate further with what she has seen so far. Shuttles full of Hornets. The Emperor leading such forces. This can only be one thing.
"We need to get on that ship. I highly doubt that daddy would let me in on the ride. But with Desmond out of commission, we have no means of spying inside the control room." Zyra said, tapping her chin with her finger. But they need to think fast because Zurg just entered the bridge to the Dreadnaught.
"But how?" Brain Pod 99 asked. Even 99 is clueless on what to do.
She could use her mini spy drone but it is still unstable to use and this made her cursed internally. They need something that could infiltrate naturally without question and fast.
"Umm..excuse me..."
Both Brain Pod 99 and Zyra swerved their heads to the source of the voice and a Brain Pod is standing on the lab entrance way, holding what it seems to be a suitcase.
"Greetings, your highness and 99. Evil Emperor Zurg just promoted me to be part of the Science Division on the Dreadnaught ship and one of my colleagues left his gravitational screwdriver in this lab. Do you perhaps know where it is?" the Brain Pod asked kindly.
Brain Pod 99 and Zyra look at each other for a moment. They thought of the same idea and gave an evil glint at the other Brain Pod.
"What? Why are the both of you staring at me like that?"
The hangar area in Sector 5 is buzzing with life, truckloads of Hornets aboard the massive ship. Grubs wearing safety helmets and gears were busy repairing any metal dents of the ship, checking the wingspans and everything else as functional as possible. Once done, they immediately vacate the area as the ship's engines making loud noises, preparing for lift off.
The supervisor in charge of the ship's Science Division is like any other Brain Pod except with an ivory sash over his mechanical body. He is standing at the entry of the bridge, tapping his clawed hand over his other arm.
His job is to make sure that all of the members are accounted for. Among his checklist, there's one missing member, the newly added Brain Pod in his division and he is five minutes late before departure.
"Sorry for the lateness, chief!"
The supervisor saw the incoming Brain Pod with his suitcase and waving at him weirdly.
"You're late." He said grumpily.
"My apologies. I just went back to get something for my colleague from another section. But! But I'm honored to be part of this expedition." He said nervously. There's something strange about this Brain Pod. But since the new recruit is here, he has no room for complaints. Because they need to wrap this up though. They are wasting His Majesty's valuable time.
"Come on. Let's get you settled in." The supervisor led the new recruit up on the runway to the entrance of the infamous ship. But unknown to him, on the "Z" emblem of the new recruit, it shifts out the symbol and turned into a big wide camera lens, videoing through the dark purple metallic corridor.
Now Zyra can finally see what's inside one of the Empire's ship through her hidden spy camera. If her theory is correct, she doesn't want to miss the action for a second.
Soon with the go signal from the hangar's control room, the massive ship's thrusters flared out flames and slowly exited the hangar bay. Several items were flying everywhere from the impact of the thrusters. Then the ship flew out into space along with the fighter ships, passing by the defense moon and the security sensor beacons.
Back at Star Command, one officer in green Space Ranger uniform just got back from his break with a hot coffee in his hand when he notices the blinking lights in one of the monitors. He approached one of the LGM's station, took a sip from his coffee and he quickly spewed out sprays of coffee on the screen. He activated his communications watch with no time to waste.
"I need everyone on the Control Room. Now! This is an emergency!" he yelled.
"What's the situation, son?"
The officer turned around at the voice and gawked. He couldn't believe his eyes as he quickly saluted at his superior. "Commander Nebula, Sir? Shouldn't you be resting at the MedBay?"
Commander Nebula arrived via the elevator without his usual Commander suit, wearing only his Star Command issued body suit of light purple and green cuffs.
"As if I'll let a bucket of volts stop me from doing my duties. Now I'll ask again. What's the situation?" Nebula asked in a commanding voice.
"Understood, sir. We're are picking from the scanners of multiple ships entering the outer rim of Star Command's air space."
"Zoom in on those boogies."
The officer nodded and type in the keys and the image appeared holographic in front of them. The image began to pixel itself for clearer view and Commander Nebula gritted his teeth at the sight.
First is the intruder and now is the whole Zurg fleet? He should have known not to trust the words from that automaton and this is all part of Zurg's plan all along, his plot to take over the galaxy.
"ATTENTION ALL RANGERS!" he yelled through an open mic system from the control room, "TO YOUR BATTLE STATIONS! Report to the launch bays for immediate launch! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! I repeat! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!"
RED ALERT! RED ALERT! RED ALERT!
The entire base is on red alert. Space Rangers from different sectors were running through the corridors, heading to the launch bay areas. Officers were on stand-by in the control room, assisting the Space Rangers through communications and passing on orders. Commander Nebula stared as numerous of Star Cruisers launched into space and preparing themselves for intergalactic battle with their sworn enemy of the Galactic Alliance.
This is not the first time that Zurg initiate a large scale attack like this. But the whole situation is very alarming to the Commander. He never knew that Zurg can use a tactic by sending his robot to do the dirty deed to weaken him while amassing his army to attack them at their lowest. But not on my watch.
Leaders from each Space Ranger Team were speaking through the communication system of the Control Room, sounding off before the battle.
"Commander, Sir! Star Cruiser 34 is in position!"
"Star Cruiser 16 is on the go!"
"Sir! Star Cruiser 20 is ready and locking on enemy coordinates. We are going to send them back home, boys!"
But among the many, there's one team that he can always count on in these type of situation. The team of professional rangers who stood by him since he became Star Command's leader. All the lines turned silent, waiting for their Star Team to speak. One spoke through at the last monitor with confidence.
"This is Captain Luna of Star Cruiser 42, Zurg's main ship is in sight. We await for your command, sir!"
"Alright, rangers! Defense formation!" Commander Nebula yelled.
As the cruisers get in to their positions, the Control Room officers were picking up from their monitors a strong formation of hyper molecules forming in front of the Star Command Attack fleet, somewhere in the empty space.
Author's Note: Thank you all for your reviews and interests with this fanfic. This is an updated chapter (March 24, 2020) Tune in the next chapter of Purple Flame.