Chapter 2: Buzz's Research

I'm sorry to say that Mira's decision was soon to be put into question. Fop was put into another run through the obstacle course, and started to leap well over the hurdles and keep a steady rhythm through track training.

"Oh my…" Buzz gasped under his breath. "Er… Mira, you er… still think you made the right call?"

"Buzz… don't even ask!" she huffed.

When Fop got off the track, he shook hands with the trainer. "I think you may have set a record there, Fop," the trainer said in approval. "Wait till this gets back to Nebula."

"Oh, how jolly good!" he smiled. He waved up at the stands, where Mira was with her team. "Seems like the wedding will be going ahead after all, mind muffin."

Mira quickly walked behind Booster's chair and crouched down, trying to hide the disdained look on her face. "Can we go back to Star Command, boys?"

"Good idea," Booster said quickly. "Back to 42, everyone!"

"Hold up, hold up!" called Fop. "I think we can all go for a soda… of course, that robot friend of yours may want something else–"

"We have a report to file!" Buzz said curtly. "Rangers only."

"That includes me!" Mira pointedly added. "I have responsibilities to Team Lightyear as Co-Pilot and Second in Command."

The organics started to make their way back to 42, but XR hung back a bit longer to give an "I got my eye on you" gesture to Fop. The male Tangean blinked in confusion. "Wait, if you're leaving, how can you watch me, wot?"

XR rolled his eyes and went to catch up with his teammates. "Sarcasm is lost on him, it seems…"

Behind them, Commander Nebula also felt very confused. Usually, when a cadet did well, Team Lightyear was among the first to congratulate them. And didn't Mira say she knew Fop personally? The Commander decided to use this as a chance to have a one-on-one with the trainee.

"You've definitely got some potential," he complimented. "Most cadets would have backed out by now due to pressure."

"Well, you know what they say," Fop smiled, "you'll never win if you count the reasons you'll lose. Actually, Mira taught me that one, shortly after one of your rangers helped stop Zurg."

"Ah, she learned that from Buzz," Nebula commented. "That's how she and Buzz met actually; he was the head of security for the seminar of Tangea joining the Galactic Alliance. A couple of weeks close to a year ago was the anniversary of when that happened."

Fop titled his head down and brushed one foot against the other. "Er… yes, sir. About them, and Booster and XR… they were the ones who gave me the idea to sign up."

Nebula put a hand to his chin. That raised even more questions. Surely, Team Lightyear, especially Mira, didn't want Fop to fail, did they? "Maybe they are just busy, son," he said at last. With a slight chuckle, he added. "Not to let it get around, but Buzz Lightyear is the pride of Star Command; he and his team are put onto a lot of heavy assignments."

Fop couldn't help but give a laugh too. "I'll keep that in mind, sir. I'll get back to training and make you proud."

"You are already doing that," smiled Nebula. "Keep up the good work, son."

"Craters…" sighed Mira, slamming the Tangean rulebook on a nearby table. "Why now? Why did he choose to be good at it now?!"

"Maybe he just… improved his skills?" Booster suggested. That only got Mira to glare at him. "Er… sorry, not helpful…"

"Well, looks like the wedding bells will be ringing after all," said XR. "Say, could I be best man?"

"XR!" fumed Mira and facepalmed herself. "Oh, why did my plan backfire on me?! I worked so hard to be a Ranger, and… now my father, Lord Angstrom and Fop have to spit it all back in my face! I had so much to shoot for…"

Buzz was the only one not talking through Mira's rant; instead letting his fellow ranger vent out. He did have respect for other planets' traditions and cultures, but this was Mira that this was concerning. Ever since the day she became his co-pilot and second-in-command, Mira's sharp wit, determination and compassion had pushed her potential further and further as a ranger.

She loves it too much to back down now, he thought, and started flipping through the rulebook. There must be a loophole in here we missed. "Let's see… etiquette, no… dress code, no… sheesh, some of those dress rules are a bit ludicrous… ah ha! Rule of the first born." he said confidently. "Hmm…" The rule of the first born's marriage is exempt for Commissioned Officers. "Of course!" Buzz nodded in triumph. That had to be it! If Mira was promoted to Commissioned Officer, she wouldn't have to go through with the wedding, regardless if Fop passed or not.

Buzz glanced up just in time to see Booster gently tap Mira on the shoulder; the Teagan blushed with embarrassment when she realised she had been babbling… again. "I'll… go and take a walk." she sighed. "Maybe I'll get some water and calm down."

"Okay, Mira," called Booster as she walked out of the room. "We'll meet you in the rec room later."

"Me too," said Buzz.

"Why?" asked XR. "Where are you off to?"

"Oh… just got to file a report for our patrol this morning." He couldn't say what he was really up to. Even if Booster and XR could keep a secret – which, neither of them were particularly good at it – there was still a chance Mira could read their minds.

"Buzz," groaned XR. "Didn't we just do that twenty minutes ago?!"

"Hey, you can't be too careful," Buzz insisted. "Got to be thorough. You two can go and relax if you want."

Buzz strolled off, while Booster chuckled. "Always keeping on top of everything, that's Buzz for ya."

Buzz went over to Nebula's office, taking a deep breath. This shouldn't be too hard, right? Mira is a terrific ranger; he said so on the night she earned her Co-Pilot jacket. And he too was highly respected by Nebula.

No need for nerves, Buzz, he thought, as he gently knocked on the door. You got this.

"Come in," Nebula's voice rang out. Buzz opened the door and entered. "Ah, Lightyear." He smiled, having a coffee in his hand and offering Buzz a seat. "What brings you down here?"

"Well… I wanted to talk with you about Mira," Buzz began, hoping he didn't sound shaky in his voice. "She's really benefited Star Command since she got here."

Nebula nodded. "Indeed she has. Can't believe she's earned her one year anniversary jacket already."

"Yeah…" Buzz smiled as he went on. "I still can't believe she beat Level 10;Icouldn't even do that. And she also managed to locate where the Planet Destroyer was; saving the entirety of the Galactic Alliance from allying with Zurg."

"She's certainly made her mark," said Nebula. "Not half-bad for a Rookie."

"That's what I wanted to talk about," now or never, Buzz thought. "I think she should be promoted to Commissioned Officer. She has a lot of leadership skills already; whenever I'm absent, she–"

"Buzz." Nebula cut him off.

"Commander?" Buzz asked in surprise. "W-what's the matter?"

"Did you forget something in the Mission Manual?"

Had he? No, that was impossible. Buzz had written half of the thing himself! Hastily, he pulled out the manual from under the desk and flipped a few pages. When he stopped on a certain page, Nebula pointed to some of the text. Buzz read it aloud.

"Section 2, Subsection Alpha… Only Rangers who have been Rangers for 3 years or more can be promoted to Commissioned Officer." Oh… oh, craters. There goes that idea…

"In spite of all that Mira has done," Nebula insisted, "rules are still rules. She can't be Commissioned for two more years."

"I… I see, sir," sighed Buzz. He gently closed the book and put it back under the desk. The Captain was about to get up from his place, but Nebula motioned for him to sit back down.

"There is one other thing I want to talk to you about, Buzz," he said. "It's Fop Doppler. He said you and your team were very curt to him after training. He did really well and you didn't congratulate him."

"Oh… oh that," Buzz wasn't quite sure what to say to that. Nebula was a fair Commander, that was for certain. But what would he say to this whole thing being Mira's idea to get out of a political marriage? Instead, Buzz opted for: "My… team was just having… personal issues, sir; Fop caught us at a bad time." It wasn't entirely a lie; Mira was having a personal argument with her dad. "Don't worry, we've got things under control very quickly after we flew back here."

Nebula sighed. "I see. I have some…" he groaned. "Paperwork to sign; and the desk is driving me crazy because it's behind! I'll see you later, Buzz."

"Heh, good luck with the paperwork, sir." Buzz had to give a light chuckle as both men took their leave.

As soon as Nebula was gone, Buzz gently shut the door behind him. "Craters…" he muttered unhappily, "How did I forget that detail?" Hopefully he'd be able to vent this out to the next space ranger he saw–

"Buzz?"

"Mira!" Unless of course the ranger in question was the subject of the conversion he just had with Nebula. "Oh, er… hi." He mopped his brow and cleared his throat. "Are you heading to the rec room?"

"Er... yes," Mira raised an eyebrow at her superior. "Buzz, are you alright?"

Buzz sighed. "Er… just got into an argument with Commander Nebula. That's all."

"Argument?" It wasn't like Buzz and Nebula to get into an argument that left Buzz feeling downtrodden. Frustrated, yes, but not this. "Did you want to talk about it?"

"No, Mira." Buzz took a deep breath. Mira had a lot of weight on her mind. To hear this news would only make her feel even worse. "Come on, Booster and XR are probably waiting for us." Maybe a bit of fun would help ease the situation.

The two rangers strolled down the hallway. However, Buzz's shoulders tensed and he tried to keep his breath soft.

"So, Buzz," said Mira, trying to make small talk. "Who's turn is it to pick the movie this time?"

"Er… I… think I picked last time," Buzz shrugged. "It could be your turn."

"Are you sure about that?" asked Mira. "I thought last Saturday, I picked the movie. Remember? It was Stone of Cold Fire."

"Huh… oh, oh, yes," Buzz said quickly. "The er… one about… Cera's niece and nephew, I think…"

"No, Buzz!" chuckled Mira. "It's the one about Petrie's uncle. Cera's niece and nephew are in Saurus Rock."

"Uh, right…" groaned Buzz, shaking his head. "Sorry, I just… forgot which movie was which."

"You're usually more focused than that," Mira said slowly. "Buzz, something is on your mind. What is it?"

"It's nothing you need to know, Mira," Buzz insisted, waving his hands in the air. "I swear, nothing's–"

But it was too late. From the moment Buzz uttered that objection, Mira had started reading his mind.

"Mira!" he cried. "This is really unnecessary–"

"It's for your own good–" Mira cut herself off as a voice echoed in her and Buzz's head. Two more years before that premonition could be considered… The Tangean removed her hand in disbelief, looking up at her captain. "Buzz…" she trailed quietly, "you... tried to get me promoted to Commissioned Officer…"

Knowing the jig was up, Buzz sighed in defeat. "Okay, you got me…" he admitted shamefully. "Mira... I'm sorry it didn't go to plan…"

Mira wiped away a tear from her eye with a weak smile. Ever since she met Buzz, he had changed her life. Pursuing her new dream as a Ranger, and living a life of freedom; one that her father could never offer her. And now… Buzz had attempted to keep the dream alive by promoting her to the rank that would have exempted her from being forcefully married off. She threw her arms around her Captain, a warm feeling spreading through her. "You tried, Buzz," she whispered. "That's what really counts. Thank you…"

Despite everything, Buzz too gave a weak smile. "Come on, I think it may be Booster's turn to pick the movie…"

This is probably my favourite chapter of the story. Buzz's Team Dad energy in this show is honestly quite adorable. He really looks out for his rookies, and I imagine he does use his privileges in Star Command to help them out once in a while. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work this time, but his heart is in the right place.

This also touches on a bit of the Fop Doppler situation, and how Nebula is a fair man. He treats all of his rangers and the cadets like his 'children' so to speak. At first, I was neutral on him, but Nebula has grown on me as a character.