… Reboot…..
[reestablishing program]
[10%]
{Rebooting}
….…
…
…
[40%]
….…
….
{system back on}
…..
….….….
….…
[60%]
…
….….
…
….….….
….…
[95.8]
….…
…
…..….….….…
{reboot completion:100%}
{Objective: unknown}
{Uni-mind status: unknown}
{Antimatter: effecting the subject's fuel efficiency}
[Effects may shut the subject
[hibernation state will start when subject is below 25%]
{Energy status: 75%}
{system back}
5….
4…..
3…..
2…
1…
Lights came to life in the optics of a destroyed energy vampire. Nos-4-a2 was rebuilding himself, slowly but gradually. It took him a moment to focus and tried to focus on his surroundings But for this energy vampire, he was questioning why and how he's back online. Especially when he's supposed to be offline.
Permanently.
Yet here he is, online and…. Rebuilding himself so to speak. His lower half of his body was slowly patching itself and he had no choice but to wait and lie back to wait. Being alone with his thoughts about what was going on was not something he enjoyed.
'Why am I even here?' Nos looked up to the sky, his motherboard was processing everything he had gone but he could not help but find himself looking past the red sky. It was nothing special since he has passed through space, but he never took the moment to gaze at the stars. He scanned the stars and he could not help but enjoy the view. He used his magnification to zoom into space to pinpoint the time he's been offline. But his focus was on his systems.
{Operation goal:… Unknown}
{rewinding last memory from the last 24 hours in 5 minutes.}
He watches it and feels he can attempt to bury himself into the ground somewhere and anywhere from here. 'I'm alive but I was destroyed,' He can assume everyone thinks he is dead but instead of planning his return, he felt it was pointless. He did not know what to do now. 'I cannot help but feel so lost about what to do being a ghost.' he instantly opened his panel to see if his uni-mind core was still in place or did it need repair. He was surprised to find no cracks in his core but it was a different color now. It was now orange and red. It was not purple and red like before where it was manipulated by Zurg, but it seems that his program had a hard reset. He was no longer seeking power like his predecessor or revenge. However, his hunger, it was still there but it was not concerning him.
At least not yet.
"Thank goodness the core is not damaged." He lies back sensing it will not be too long until he leaves. This dreaded planet along with his shame. Sensing his body was complete, he shuffled until he could float again. He stumbles for a bit, and not too long he gains his balance. When he did, he scanned all over the wreckage for his cloak or anything he could eat. He did find his cloak, but it was beyond ruined and it seems there was no energy to spare.
'Well only the top.' He wondered if anyone else was around-
"Oh my back!"
Nos turns to the direction of the voice and glares at the last person he did not want to see. He had already thought of his grudge over the tyrant. It was possible to eliminate him right there!
{Target locked}
[Blaster ready to blast only at 30%]
'I can kill him right now and claim this world-'
[Blaster ceased, standing down]
He stopped himself and saw he didn't have enough power to stay online. Although he was fully in function, his body was still in the repair mode.
{Power at 35%}
He needs to eat soon and if he stays here, he will only be taken in and be a slave again or worse. He lowers his hand down but his hate for the tyrant never ceases. It was irritating knowing that ending him would only drain him. 'Is... Is it truly even worth the effort?' He knew Zurg was not worth dying for and after that failed plan, Nos was tired of losing. He shook off any temptation and flew off in top speed, making certain no one saw him escape. He flies through the atmosphere, searching and sensing where his ship is located in space. Luckily it did not take long and he was more than happy to see his ship. He used his powers and his ship revealed itself. The coffin-shaped ship opened up for him and he simply slipped inside and into his flight deck. Nos entered in, finding nothing out of place. He slowly floats to the seat closest to him and takes out batteries he kept in a closed hidden compartment. He bites into the battery and devours the energy and can feel it seeping into his system.
{Battery supplement only 5%}
{40%}
Nos felt a bit better but he knew it was not enough. He rewinds his memories back again in search of something and to his surprise, he saw the little one alive. He sighed in relief to see XR was not destroyed. Nos relaxed but wondered what to do now? He no longer has a place to stay on planet Z.
{Listing all possible locations}
{...}
{Tradeworld: 95% chance caught
Gravitina's: 50% chance caught
… Star command: Highly dangerous}
He massaged his temples, wondering why he would even go to Star command!?
{XR}
He dismisses the answer and shuts it off. He does not wish to go to tradeworld, Gravitina did not sound so bad but he could not let his dear friend get hurt.
{30%}
He growls, just thinking and processing his options took more than he hoped. Already he was falling into sleep mode, and must have used too much energy when passing through the atmosphere.
He uses his powers once more and starts his ship to depart.
{24%
Beginning sleep mode}
"Setting course to…." And Nos fell into the dark bliss as his ship took off.
{Recharging at 70% beginning back online}
Nos awoke to find himself in his ship again but this time his ship was not active. He types and bangs his fists into the control panel but nothing is turning on. He flicks the switch to have the screen split apart to reveal the dashboard to see where he is. What appeared to have landed on a green field. Nos decided to check it out but not before scanning where he is. He waits and on the screen, it showed
"Capital planet," he grumbles to himself. He was annoyed to be here but he had no choice. He scans where he is and maps out the closest town or city.
[closest location with energy: an hour by walking, 20 minutes by flight]
{Power will decrease by 30"}
"How quaint." He said irritably but he had no choice because his hunger would lead to madness. He exits out but not before locking his ship up and turning it invisible. He expanded his wings and took flight into the gray clouds to hide himself. While flying atop of the land, he was surprised by the outskirts of the field and could not help but feel calm. Nos, contemplating what to do now, flew across with his head in the clouds. "Everyone believes I am dead, I have no one to turn to for help…. Perhaps I could reach out to Gravitina?" He knew she would welcome him to her home with open arms. She was the only organic he could trust that would not sell him out. However, if Zurg finds him, he would put her in danger.
His mind did go to Star command but shook it off just as it came. "Definitely not going to Star command. I have created enough fear in li- XR." He does not hate him, far from it, he admires him. "He is someone that I am not and he is unique." He mumbles and glares out to the sky. Ever since his "death", he was free from the evil programming in his system but that leaves him without a purpose. What was he supposed to do now?! What can he do that can fill this hollow feeling in his chest?
{Arriving to location: a small town}
{50% remaining}
[Incoming storm ]
Nos without a haste, flew to the ground and hid in a small alleyway between the buildings. "They will believe a storm caused a blackout." He said to himself, hoping not to get caught so he can continue to a bigger city to feed off of. During his path, he was a bit inawed by the beautiful town, it was as if walking into an old painting. He floats through the empty streets, searching for something he can take energy from. He found a source of power, but he couldn't in himself take a whole town's worth of power. He withdrew and decided to look around to find one building to be more than enough, or so he told himself. He watched as the people were opening their umbrellas, watching this town be so lively. What caught his sight were the glowing lanterns that had fire in them but it illuminated the brick roads. He shakes his sight away and looks around until he senses the energy bursting in one cabin building near a park. It was just across from the park and was in the center of the town. He can feel his hunger driving him wild.
{35%}
'Need to feed.' He felt the rain coming down now and found the generator in the back. He looks around to see no one and smirks but already his body is lagging.
"I need to feed." He rushed to the generator but lost his balance and now was on the ground. He growls, feeling pathetic.
"You need help?"
He looks up to see a man who looked around his 60's who held an umbrella over him. The man was not an alien looking. He looked more… human was the word, but unlike the human wirewolf or buzz, this man was older and his age reflected on his features but his hair still retained its dark hue pulled slick back. He did notice the old man was adorning sunglasses, so dark, he could not tell even with the scanner and he had up to date programs.
"Young man, you need help. Let me help you stand." The old man kneels but Nos backs away, growling and trying to be as terrifying as possible.
"Why would you help me, old man?!" He growls, Trying to scare him away. "I am an energy vampire! I can destroy this town's power!"
However, the old man had yet to back off and in fact was getting closer. "I don't think you would." the man smiled. "If you did, why did you hesitate? Why did you choose to 'search' rather than just take the power already?"
Nos eyed him but he could sense there was no malicious intention in this old man.
"Do you know who I am?" Nos asked. 'If he does, he'll just run away and call star command.'
"I do," Nos, who was struggling, couldn't look at the old man. He was already preparing to hear any insults. "You are a young man who needs to get up instead of welling in misery."
Nos tiredly blinks at him and laughs at that. "This is the first time an organic that is not evil wants to help me."
The man smiles and helps Nos up and pulls his left arm over his shoulder and helps him walk out of the rain and is distancing themselves from the building and the town.
~·~
"Welcome to my home!" He states and Nos was amazed how old yet pristine it looked inside but sensed how warm it was. The old man helps him sit on a red recliner chair and passes through to grab some towels. "Here! To help you dry off!"
Nos grabs the towel carefully and begins to dry himself off. "Thank you."
"This is the first time in a long time I have had guests." He spoke as he dug through the drawers, finding a battery. "Never have I ever met someone like you." he hands Nos a battery and Nos bit into the battery hungrily. He did not inspect it until he let go and found this was a highgrade battery that would be used to generate a casino! Nos felt full now and gained more control again.
"Thank you again." Nos looks around to find many books all around from the floor to being an odd tower of books. He wondered if this man was a humble and rich man since he has a battery like that around as if it was no different than a basic battery.
"Forgive me for the mess, when you enjoy books, you forget to put them away." The old man chuckles and carries a stack away.
"No it is not that! You see," he grabs a book and looks at it, analyzing it, "this is the first time I have opened a book I was interested in."
"Did your creator ever give you a chance to see a book?"
Nos froze in fear. "I…" He looked down hurt but felt a palm on his shoulder.
"Then start reading." The old man smiles and looks through his books.
Nos looks surprised but the old man continues. "You can read my books as much as you like, a library is like an ocean of knowledge and knowledge should be explored." He smiles and passes him a book of Shakespeare. "I would start with Shakespeare. Nothing can help you better than Shakespeare."
Nos goes through it quickly but is stopped by the old man.
"You need to take it slow." He sits across from Nos and pulls a book. "I'll join you." He smiles and delves into the book. Nos looks to the man and then to the book, he carefully opens it and begins reading the story and the more he read, the more he continued. He was amazed by the story and the second he closed the book he realized it was 3 in the morning and the old man was nowhere in sight. Nos was ready to leave but paused and looked back. He had nowhere to go and this stranger allowed him in his home.
Nos looked to see the mess and sighed.
'I can clean up for him before I go.' He thought and began to organize the books.
Nos woke up to realize he was sleeping again only to find himself in a bed and a blanket covering him. Nos was rather confused but sat up and found himself in a room where he could assume it was the old man's. There were as given drawers and wardrobe he can assume was for special coats and clothes. He looks to gaze out at the scene he recalls from the story. A field of green with different colored flowers. A lake reflecting the sky and a forest that was like a fence around the property He uncovers himself, sits up and turns to find batteries on the nightstand.
He grabs one to absorb the energy, thinking what to do now.
He didn't have any plans so instead chose to look for the old man. Nos enters the kitchen and frowns to find him nowhere. Puzzled, he looks around and spots a piece of paper on the fridge.
He grabs it and begins to read it.
Dear young man,
I am at work but don't worry I will return but for now please make yourself at home.
-Mr. Atu
P.s the batteries are in the cabinet, I will get more.
Nos was puzzled even more and sighed. "This is my chance to leave." He makes his way to leave but sees a note by the door.
-Young man it seems my lock has jammed. May you stay until I can get back?
Nos, glaring, closes the door. He couldn't just leave when the old man's home is left unprotected- "Why do I care?! I can just leave! Take off!" He stopped to remember the old man smiling to him, the sincerity in those old eyes. Nos gave up and decided to give himself a tour since he is house sitting.
He was amazed by the things the man collected in one room. Nos studied each object and saw the time it was found and the small information. He found a tapestry of a red soldier and felt some nostalgia from it. He was confused how the man was able to keep such items safe or even keep them this pristine. He shook away the thoughts and decided to move on.
He was surprised to find no pictures of the man, not even a small picture. He was confused but figured he was not fond of pictures and opened to find an empty room. Nos was surprised and shook away the idea. "He would not want a murderer in his house." He closes the door and looks further into the house.
After looking around, Nos decided to read a book, the only way to pass time. He looked through the books and found a book on meditation. He began to read and understand the concepts of meditation and thought why not try it.
"No harm in trying and it will be easy to do."
Mr. Atu enters his home, hoping his guest was alright as he held a box full of batteries.
"Young man I am ho-!" He was shocked to see the robot trying to fix the hole in the wall.
Nos paused from his work. "I can explain." He blurted out but saw the old man was chuckling. He only nods and ushered him to sit and talk
"I was clearing my mind and all of a sudden I unconsciously blasted a hole in the wall." Nos looked down, ashamed. 'If anyone else hears about this…'
"We all make mistakes and if anything this is quite funny."
Nos raised a brow, "I made a hole in your wall, you should be mad. Threatening me even?"
Mr. Atu only smiles"Look young man it was an honest mistake, an easy fix. I am more concerned about your well-being."
Nos looks away, "I was…. I am a terrible monster." Nos stated.
"I knew that already." Mr. Atu waves it off.
"You knew who I was and you still let a monster in your home? I could have done harm or worse! And I did!" Nos was sensing or feeling what he knew was anger but it was not like before, He was angry at how much he does not deserve this kindness, this patience.
"I am no better." Mr. Atu stated and Nos was confused. The older between the two waited for the youngest of the two to calm himself and continued. "I am not exactly normal either. I too am a monster young man. I have done much worse than you Nos-4-a2 and the acts I have done were horrible in order to ones you have bitten can fix themselves whereas mine are buried in the ground with the maggots." Mr. Atu looks down. "You changed Nos-4-a2 and so did your way of controlling your powers."
Nos looks down and frowns. "Then I should just leave before I destroy something else." he looked at his claws and startled when he was emitting energy out.
"Let me help you walk." Mr. Atu patted his shoulder, and taking the hand that was filled with energy soon diminished.
Nos looks up and sees the man smile but he was confused by that statement.
"Let me help you walk and run so that you can make it on your own. Do not hide in the shadows that limits you. There are reasons why we gain a second chance and someone up there is giving you a chance." Mr. Atu clasped his hand over Nos shoulder.
Nos was quiet but felt the old man pat his shoulder.
"We will begin tomorrow so be ready in the morning but for now tell me about yourself."
Nos frowns. "Well… I was a terror across the galaxy. I was made to be evil. There is nothing much to say."
"Nonsense! There is always something more about someone. I can see you enjoying a book! Tell me what else you enjoy?"
"Aside villainy…." Nos pouted and looked to the window to think. "...I enjoy mending and shaping metal into little figures?" Nos was a bit hesitant and asked rather than say it but saw the old man smile.
"There we go! I have some stuff you can use to craft and of course books on sculptures and craftsmanship if you want to further your studies." Nos was amazed and smiled a bit. "Thank you."
"It is nothing young man! This is the most fun I've had in centuries!" Mr. Atu grins
Nos tilted his head but shook it away and grabbed a book on sculpture art. 'He is an odd man; but a nice odd man.'