Note: Warning mention of child harm and abuse and minor character death
"'Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore! Quoth the Raven 'Nevermore.'" Nos reads away, the heat was intense as he walks up the side of a mountain just beneath a narrow cliff. He walks around underneath a cliff as he reads a book. He had to admit, walking upside down was a new change for him but he was able to readjust to his new form near the end of july. Though he was unable to do some work thanks to the training but hopefully by today he can. He stops thinking how to tell his friend about this.
"12 hours and 25 minutes being in your organic form, how do you feel?" Nosfer was sitting, just as upside down with Nos. He had been keeping an eye and concerned over Nos since the first day of retraining his body. He knew it was going to be hard, especially when he had to learn how to walk, how to control his newfound powers and above all watch out for any signs of antimatter breaking out. Yet he could see Nos was more than happy to learn and so far no signs of the antimatter.
He could not help but feel everyday was a gift and a blessing to be with his son learning like a newborn. Nos was able to experience more than few robots could get a chance but he was worried over Nos's core.
His core was practically his very being, his soul.
"I feel less drained than before. I have been able to preserve energy so switching is not a problem. That and the pain has subsided now." Nos closes the book. "Maybe I can try shapeshifting-"
"Not yet fiu." Nosfer will stop his son when he knows it can hurt him. "You are barely scratching the surface and with the new powers in this form, you need to take it day by day. You have all the time in the galaxy to control your newfound powers." Nosfer grins. "And it is really fun to teach you such gifts."
Nos smiled as he sat with him. "What was your son like?" Nos was curious, wearing some of Nicholas's clothes his tata kept safe until now made him wonder about him. He knows he cannot replace family, His adopted father taught him that and he will not want to be any substitute but he was curious about Nicholas.
"He was a great mind in the science world, but terrible in the arts of magic." Nosfer answered but it took time for him to talk about his first son to him. But it was nice to talk about the past with his son who had no malice. "He was like you in his youth, persistent, learning to control his powers. He was also a good hunter in his own right but he was a very kind and curious lad. He was not always bad, but it was painful to see his obsession become a reality. He feared the worst but he did not see he was becoming the worst. I didn't see what was becoming of him until it was too late."
Nos felt he was hearing a bit of himself but it was hard to believe his father had a son like that when his Tata is so kind. "I think he just wanted to keep his family safe. I cannot say for myself but he was probably scared to lose you."
"Nos, do not undermine yourself, you have changed so much and you have become outside of your original program. You made a life and now here you are, being yourself." Nosfer pats Nos's back. "Come, it is 1 pm, time to return to the shop. You got a lot of customers waiting for you now that you can take on this form. Especially a small angry girl who keeps asking if you are dead."
Nos rolled his eyes as he expanded his wings and saw that his tata did the same but he marveled how large they were. He was practicing with the new weight but his wings were the same, something he was happy to have. He fell and began to fly with his father and made their way to the town. He could not help but like being in this form, having the enjoyment to feel the cold air and the excitement as his organs were working overtime as he flaps his wings. Feeling all of the organs to the artificial muscles shifting and moving. 'It is sensational!' He thought as he flew down and was still amazed by the fact his feet touched the ground! Ever since he began his practice to walk, he feels elated, excited to learn to walk! He worked hard to understand his body in hopes to do the things he thought he cannot ever do! He walks with his father to the cafe, he did not notice people were watching. Some people has known Nos-4-a2 but it took some people to recognize it was him but did not ask, assuming Nos changed bodies. He waved off to some of the usual patrons on his way out and went to his shop. He was amazed to feel the weather was still hot, meaning the heat will linger in the mountains. He looked up to see it was July 29th. He was grateful to his customers for being patient and it was good most have yet to see his face. He walks through the street to see that standing by his shop was Savy.
He smirks with a mischief idea. "Do you not have school around this time?" Nos raises a brow and waits to see what Savy will say as she ignores him until she sees him walk up to the door.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing!? This isn't your building!" Savy glares, grabbing his arm but lets go when she feels how cold he is.
Noos opens the door and smirks. "It is me Savy, and I am merely checking on many things since I have not been here for a month." It took Savy a few minutes to realize It was the energy vampire. It was priceless and hilarious! He snickered at the sight of a dumbfounded cadet.
"... You have to be wearing a hologram. Or some bizarre disguise." She followed him in and began poking him but was startled to see it not only looked real, but felt real. "You took bizarre to a new level."
"Thank you for the compliment but I have to say this is thanks to you." Nos walked over to the counter and saw everything was cleared of dust. His father must have come by to clean up. "Because of you, I realized sooner or later people will come here and recognize me so I needed to conceal myself. I could not just simply do a simple disguise, I needed to keep hidden from any form of exposure." Nos grins excitedly.
"Please tell me you did not do some crazy deal with the devil or something." Savy was still shocked by this.
"I just got creative and here I am, in somewhat flesh." Nos smirks.
"Does that mean you can go anywhere in the galaxy now?" Savy asked and could practically hear the breaks hit in his mind.
Nos was silent until he answered her. "... I do not wish to leave here."
Savy was confused by this energy vampire! He has the chance to finally travel but he's too chicken! "Wait a sec, you made a literal perfected disguise and you won't go out there? You're really that scared?!"
"It is not that I am scared… partially. I enjoy being here, I have a business I enjoy. But the thing is, I was floating in space with no home, or even a sense of where I belonged. You can understand that better than anyone what it means to have a family and a sense of home you cherish."
Savy was perplexed and took a breath. "You're right, but you know, you got a chance to enjoy the galaxy without being arrested or chased after. Just think it over." She tells him before she goes.
"And I didn't come here to check if you're ok! I came to make sure you weren't doing anything bad or you were dead!" She points out to him and leaves.
Nos only grins. "Of course though I guess you are in a hurry without selling those chocolate bars or cookies." Nos watches her leave but he feels bothered. He did not want to leave mostly because he did not wish to come across XR. He has seen on the news of him with his girlfriend and how happy he is now. He felt it was best to not leave and be trouble for XR. He looks over his newest messages and finds there are many new customers hoping to commission him. He has his life here, what else did he need?
It was August 5th, the heat was slowly shifting down to cool winds, meaning summer was ending and fall was arising. Upon the clear sky was the well hidden energy vampire flying to the grand city, feeling nervous getting closer. He looked for an area to hide as he flew down into the nearest alley. Landing, he took it off his hood and revealed himself as his disguise. To enter the city was now or never to move past the fears he had all morning.
He took a deep breath, something his tata taught him when it comes to getting anxious to take his time before moving forward. He entered the streets of the capital city and was relieved it was too busy to be noticed and most of all, no sign of space rangers here. He was nervous but the more he made his way in this city, the less fear he had of being caught. It was quite different being in this form, but he did not feel adamant nor disgust. He noticed in this form, his hunger was not as bad and he did not need to feed constantly. He felt utter relief to feel his body was stable after flying longer. Now was a bigger test to see how he does in a bigger environment full of energy
The main reason for his departure to the city was because he needed gems for his current commission and unfortunately he had not taken inventory for weeks. His Tata was busy so it was a good excuse to take the first few steps into the main city to test his body out. He was doing well and keeping to himself. "I am 12 minutes away-" he moved away in time when a little girl ran past him.
Nos looked back only to get pushed away when two thugs ran and went the same direction as her. He growls at the men but his thoughts were if he should intervene; if he does, he'll get too much attention drawn on him. Seeing the child running from it, men bothered him.
That is when he made his choice.
"I hope I will have to make another plan for the store another day…." He slips into a nearby alley.
The girl ran through the streets crying as she tried to get away. She didn't get a chance to stop but all she could do was remember what her mom said.
"Run!"
And she did but she had no idea how to find her mother in this city, she didn't understand why she was even being chased.
"Get back here!"
A little girl with light lavender skin and burgundy hair with red on the inside made a quick turn. She ran as fast as she could but just as she made another turn she was at a dead end. She cried and tried to find somewhere to hide but she couldn't. She shook in tears and curled into herself, 'Mommy please! I don't want to be alone!' She hears the men approach and she cries away, keeping to the wall, wishing it hid her away. She wished she could be with her mom.
"Aww! Did the little girl lose her way?"
The little girl shook when they were feets away from her. Their voices taunted her and she could only feel fear.
"Don't worry it'll be all over. Someone paid to end you swiftly…"
The girl huddled in a ball, waiting for whatever was to come… only it never came and she hears the men screaming. She looks up to see a man standing in front of her, as the two men were wrapped in wires like flies in a web. She saw her attackers being held up by some sort of wires and wrapped in a cocoon. For a moment she thought she saw her dad but it wasn't possible.
'He passed away.' She thought.
"Are you alright?" Nos asked, he was relieved to have come in time, he turned to her and kneels so he was at her level.
The girl nodded but too shocked to move or speak.
"I am Nos-4- Nosferatu Atu." Nos held a hand to her so he could help her up.
"... Vanet… Vanet Helsing." She whispered. She finally had time to calm herself but she felt her legs were no longer moving. She felt her legs were hurting but mostly losing strength after running for so long.
Nos looked at it and saw she needed help. "Allow me." He picked her up and with his wings flew off and away. He made his way toward his shop, he already sent a message to his tata, hoping he can bring them to get answers. He doubts he will get help from the patrol or space rangers.
The energy vampire brought her to the shop and began treating her leg with the first aid kit Nosfer gave him just in case along with a med spray. He could tell she was not severely hurt but her shoes looked worn out and her knees had scrapes around meaning she was running for a long while.
"Why did those men attack you?" He asked as he was wrapping her leg.
"I don't know…" She whispered. "M-my mommy told me to run." She began to cry. "I just want my mommy."
Nos frowns and sees she was not worse for wear but she needed to eat. "Stay here, I will get you something to eat." But just as he got up he felt her hand on his and did not let go. He could tell she was still scared so he instead changed to his robotic self. "This shop has a security system so if someone approaches this place, I will be alerted and I will come to protect you." He reaches and pet her head, reminding him what his tata does when he is worried or feels overwhelmed. Seeing her calm once more he floats away and presses a few keys and the shop's windows are dark so no one can see inside his shop.
As promised, he came back bringing some warm milk and a slice of cake in a box but tenses to see her nowhere. He zooms into his workshop and sees her asleep in his coffin. He scans to find she was alright. He sighed in relief but saw around her wrists were cuts of some kind. He wondered if those men did this to her, making him boiled with rage but he calmed himself down. He cannot risk himself nor the girl's safety.
He needed to get answers.
He carefully picks her up and while carrying the items, He makes his way out and flies back home.
Vanet woke up to find herself in a bed in an unknown place. She was waking up and remembered the past hours and felt scared once again. She sat up and took in the view, realizing it was not a bed but a coffin she was in.
"You are up."
She looks up to see the robot from earlier by the bed, reading a book in a chair.
"Thank you sir-" She coughs a bit and Nos floats to her bringing her a cup of what smells like hot cocoa.
Nos sees her drink it until she is shedding tears again. "I got separated from my mom at the city train station." She sniffles. "I don't know where she is but please help me find her."
Nos can tell she was not from here and checked up on her wrists healed up and luckily they were not severe enough to be damaged. "Where are you from, child?"
"Planet Montresa." She answers.
He hums before thinking but knew he needed to get her to safety. His first thought was star command but killed that plan. His second thought was… going to the capital city again to find a space ranger station or that place. *It is a bad idea…* he hums at the thought but he couldn't just walk there, or fly there with possible kidnappers watching the sky for anything. He could ask his Tata to take her- the image of seeing her and his Tata hurt disturbed him. He had to find a better way.
"Stay here, I will be back." Nos reassures her and goes downstairs to find his father entering from the basement.
"Fiu, I need to speak to you." Nosfer spoke just as he saw his son floated down to the entrance of the stairs.
"Any luck?" Nos asked, seeing his tata was wiping his mouth. He learned his Tata was a very old vampire that feasts on blood, anything red was a way to keep off of feeding.
"Well from what I drank, those two men were hired to kidnap that little girl and the mother. Unfortunately it's not enough to get a full answer but maybe using hypnosis will work."
Nos crossed his arms and sighed knowing well it was dangerous but there was no other way. He will have to go back to the city and reach out to the Galactic Federation. They were similar but they have higher authority than them. Meaning he can still get caught.
"You know it is the right thing." Nosfer smiles catching Nos's attention. "I recalled you told me you have to face your fears and this child needs your help."
Nos hears his tata remind him and he felt it was the only way so he changed into his organic self and saw his clothes fit him better but saw he needed to change. He goes back up and in a few minutes he returns wearing a new set without the coat.
Nos smiles and sees his father was happy before going back up. He hesitated but entered. "Vanet, we will be going soon to find your mother." He explained to the little girl where they will go. He can tell she was a little nervous. He saw she was shaking from possibly the cold air blowing from the mountains. He goes to his closet and opens up the box revealing his old cloak. He trimmed and altered it and in 5 minutes it was done. He floats over to her and holds out the new cloak he made for her.
"For you, I hope this helps. It will keep you safe." Nos knew it was a lie but the girl accepted the clothing and wore it. He was glad it fit her and she took his hand and he carried her in his arms. He makes his way down, appearing in his disguise.
"I will take Vanet soon but see if you can find any more information from these kidnappers." He spoke and saw that Vanet was ready.
"Worry about the girl. Be home soon fiu." Nosfer patted his arm to reassure him.
Nos nodded and took the girl to the station. He expanded his wings out and flew up and across the sky. When Nos and the little girl made it to the train station, the energy vampire was nervous. He has not been entirely in the city. He felt this was a bad idea until the little girl tugged on his sleeve. He looks down to her.
"I'm nervous too." Vanet answers.
Nos shook it off and only smiled. "It is just… Hard to be around crowds." He answers.
"People are scary but you're scarier. In a cool way." She smiles a bit but looks out the tracks waiting for the train.
Nos couldn't help but chuckle and felt less nervous as the train came and they stepped in and made their way to an empty cart room.
"Do you think my mommy is ok?" Vanet asked.
"I hope she is, dear child." He smiles as they enter the cart. He sat, watching Vanet sit across from him but her eyes on him. He looks out to the window, they have not left yet but closes the binds with the sunlight directing towards them. As they waited He sees the little girl was staring at him.
"Your real look is better." Vanet blurted out.
Nos raised a brow but understood what she meant. Not sensing anyone lingering, people passing by and the glass was not clear to see through, he changed back but he had legs mobilized just in case. He sees her watch in awe by his looks. They sat waiting until they felt the train move. Nos did lose his balance, this being the first time he has been on a train. He wouldn't say he was scared, he was just surprised. He watched as the child was unfazed and could not help but feel ridiculous.
He was not considered a child but ever since that fresh start, he has been having childlike experiences. He leans back and thinks about the criminals, if they were after the girl, then there could be a chance there is another third person looking for her. 'Then again it is not my concern.' He thought but sat up sensing something or someone coming up that was different from others. He changed to the other form and hid against the side before he groaned, annoyed hearing that awful voice.
"It's me Nos. Open up." Nos growls before opening the door and sees none other than him. "Warp Darkmatter." Nos was not going to deny it, he can assume Warp had tracked him but saw Warp was wearing casual clothes and his arm, a prosthetic one, looked real. "You followed me." Nos crosses his arms but he stands by the door, blocking his ex-comrade of evil from spotting the girl.
"It wasn't that hard." Warp lets himself in, and Nos can feel a migraine coming. "Plus it's not often you get a reading like yours." The man smirks and shows him what he means. He showed a small gadget he had that tracked special electro frequencies that were hidden.
Nos bites down his growls and closes the door. "How much to keep your mouth shut? I will double what he paid." He crosses his arms and sees Warp sitting on his spot.
"Look I came here on my own terms so you're not a target. Can't I just say hello to my dear old friend?" Warp looks at him and Nos only glares. They stop their bickering after hearing a cough and Warp takes out a handkerchief and gives it to her. "Hi, I'm Warp Darkmatter, a friend of mr. Gruff here. Any chance you can tell me yours?"
The girl takes it and coughs a bit but looks to Nos for some confirmation. Nos nodded and she answered. "Vanet Helsing."
Warp smiles. "That's a pretty cool name, catchy too. You remind me of someone special, I'm pretty sure you'll be just as cool as she is."
However, Nos stood in front of the little girl from Warp. "What is the real reason for finding me?" Nos was not convinced at all that Warp Darkmatter was here just out of coincidence. He sits next to the little girl, keeping her close to him if they need to run.
"Some rich guy hired more criminals to find her. Apparently her value went up-" Warp felt Nos covered his mouth.
"Outside. Now." Nos glares and pulls him out. When they were out, Nos growled. "What happened to the mother?" He had no doubt if Warp was here for a bounty, he would have alerts or messages about the child and her mother. But Warp did not came to capture the girl, he changed.
Warp was quiet before showing him the news. It was in bold letters, he saw that the little girl's mom died in an accident.
Nos did not know what to say, he felt everything in him stopped. He did not know what to do, all thoughts were not on planning; no plan A or backup plans to think about or process . All his thoughts were on the little girl who had no idea of what had happened to her mother.
"You can't take her back to the city and I didn't come here to take her to the guy that put the bounty." Warp spoke.
"I can't let her stay with me." Nos knew he was his own target, she would be in more danger than before. "She needs protection. I am not safe to be around. I can put her in danger-"
"You should know whoever is doing this, could also make it a star command mission to aid him." Warp added and Nos was tense but hear about this man. te was getting enraged. "Remember what I said, the guy has a hand in everything. Sooner or later this guy-"
"Give me a name." Nos was not caring who this man was, much less his reputation. His spark to annihilate this man was becoming a ticking time bomb.
"Buddy look-" Warp was pushed against the wall, lifted up by the energy vampire who reverted back to a robot. He sees Nos was beyond rage.
"Tell me now." Nos eyes glowed and glares.
Warp was not scared a lot but seeing Nos like this was a surprise. He has not seen the energy vampire like this. "His name is DRAC, a high rich tycoon who also invests in Zurgs projects but I don't know how long they work together. I even heard he donates to star command under a different alias because he wants to keep Zurg in check."
Nos remembered that name from somewhere until he realized who he was going through his memories. 'He was part of the reason I'm an energy vampire.' He senses a reading of danger and finds many more criminals coming. "We need to get out." Nos goes back inside, he needs to get her out fast.
"Little one, we need to leave-" He sees her looking at the news that appeared on the screen and never had he seen such pain like Savy but the young teen can bring her parents back.
Vanet cannot.
He covers the girl with his cloak. "Stay in the cloak." Nos picks her up and with one punch, The laser proof glass breaks and he jumps out and expands his wings and flies in speed.
Warp didn't follow them after. If he did, Zurg would track him and find Nos. He did want to see for himself the truth from what Gravitina told him and was surprised how much changed in that robot. He was glad Nos was alive but shame he turned a new leaf. "He can owe me one." He smirks and goes to attack the upcoming criminals.
Nos flew out and hurried away from the city until he brought her to the lake in the forest. He landed, his wings withdrew into his back. He places Vanet down and sees her in tears.
"My mommy died….!" The little girl was in tears.
Nos kneels down and hugs her, never was one to comfort someone but here he is doing now trying. "Do you have any family around?" He knew it be hard-
"No." Nos watches the girl curled to herself in tears. "My mommy raised me after daddy died." Vanet shook. "I'm all alone now….!"
Nos watches her cry it out and screams. He could not leave her, for some reason he just cannot. He sits by her side and pats her head. He holds his hand out to her. "You are not alone in this." Nos responded. "I will protect you." He stated and he knew it would be dangerous. 'But I knew what it was like to be alone until my true father found me.' He stands up and picks her up before heading back home.
Upon returning, Vanet was sound asleep and Nos was quiet the whole time. He took her to bed in the guest room and soon after she was tucked in, he told his father what he learned.
"This tycoon is not a man, Fiu." Nosfer's usual warm smile now became a tired frown. "This vampiric robot is a monster that wants her dead because she is a Helsing and it seems to be the very last bloodline."
Nos was surprised. "What do you mean? As far as I know, I am the only energy vampire."
"You are Nos, but this kind of vampire is something against natural laws, even against the laws of rationality." Nosfer sighs. "For centuries, there were hunters that destroyed monsters like our kind. They held special gifts that made them capable to withstand such forces of creatures and immune to our powers. But my son, he was driven with desire to make the perfect weapon, the indestructible force to eliminate the Helsings."
"This sounds too familiar." Nos answers and Nosfer frowns. "Of course back then, the technology was not to his expectations but he used dark and twisted magic so he could obtain the source of power that devoured life itself. He called it mâncător de viață but its scientific name is antimatter. He used it on two robots that survived the experiments and although he succeeded, they turned on him." Nosfer was calm as he held his cup, remembering the moment he came to see him but it pained him to watch both the son he made become a monster and the son he watched grow be killed in front of him. He would have relived the memory had Nos not touched his hand. He looks up to his third son he adopted, it was as if he was seeing both sons in one but Nos is not them. However he is happy to cherish his life with Nos. "I could not blame them, especially when my son made them suffer."
Nos felt he was hearing his story being retold differently but he felt it was a warning to him of seeking vengeance. It had crossed his mind but it was something he cannot do and perhaps never will.
"Drac-2-LA of course took control and sent AL-2-4D to confinement, never to be seen again. That was when the Helsings were being hunted down. Over time, they learned to become immune to the Antimatter, which is why Drac began to annihilate all Helsings. I doubt the child or her mother knew of their heritage. However, he knows because he has been tracking them down."
Nos looks to his father, feeling powerless knowing he would be a fool to fight such a vampire like this Drac. It would be a cat facing a lion. "What do you think is best? She has no relatives and if one simply proclaims rights, we won't know if they are her real relatives."
Nosfer hums before crossing his arms. "She stays here. Drac will find her in most likely places, but she will be safe with us."
Nos knew there was another part he had to do. "And if she stays, he will come to us. This way I will face the antimatter vampire." He could have an advantage on this knowing what he is and how to fight him.
"Fiu, this vampire is not like me or the heroes and villains you met. He has lived long enough to know how to fight and plan and has Antimatter. I fear he can beat you and destroy you or make you like him." Nosfer recognized that name well and he was no simple robot.
"Then teach me what to expect from him, what to do to beat him." He gets up but looks to the stairs worried. "I have been a weapon of destruction, but I want to be a shield for protection."
Nosfer can see the anger in his eyes, similar to the same Antimatter vampires. However this was different, his Fiu biggest want is to protect. However he cannot lose another son again. "If you do this, you could be targeted by him and be killed. There is time to move-"
"If I do nothing, there will only be more atrocious hunters coming after her. If star command takes her in, they can be manipulated by the hand of Drac." He thought back of his past. "I cannot sit idly and hide away when she has done nothing wrong. I already accepted being her guardian the second I learned about her mother's death," He thinks about it. "And an annoying ranger said… something good and evil can't rule over- he has said so many annoying speeches, I do not record them!"
"Then how about what you would say." Nosfer pats his back.
Nos looks at him before thinking. "…. You cannot always run from danger when there are those that need your help…?"
Nosfer smiles and pats his back. "Now that is a heroic speech."
Nos smiles and decides to go outside for air. Just as he opened the door there was a tall robot with a visor screen and one red optic.
Nos, being A few inches shorter, looked up at him, attacked without a thought using an energy blast. He could only assume he was another assailant and did not wish to stop and ask.
The robot visor turned red taking off his trench coat as he got up. "I just bought this coat!"
Nos glared down at him and changed to himself, he was better at fighting this way. He blasts at the robot who had dodged his blast but when he tried to get close, Nos flew high and flew in speed and pinned the bot.
The bot tried to get the other off and glared at Nos. "Guess you're gonna kill me now?" Nos glares back and pushes himself off. "I am not a murderer anymore." He growls and forces the bot to stay still and grips the wrists firmly. "But I am taking you to jail."
"Here's the thing, I am a federal galactic agent, Nos-4-a2." He said. "And I tracked the kid here."
Nos glared and looked at him and scanned him to find his information. He sees this bot has a higher ranking than even star command. But thinking of his plan he releases him. "Look agent, I am on a personal mission-"
"Do you think that's wise?" The agent cuts him off and blocked his path, hearing Nos growl at him. "I am here to protect her."
"As am I." Nos growls, "I know who is doing this-"
"Hey lone ranger, save me the speech but if you go after him, you could die-"
"I already did, I'm used to that." Nos retort.
The agent sighed. "Look give me the girl-"
"Over my dead body." Nos growls.
"Look she needs protection-"
"I am her protector-"
"Not legally." The agent stated. "And how will you protect her, going toe to toe with a guy who has his claws in almost everything?"
"I can deal with the legality after." Nos waves it off but the agent stops him.
"Look pal, if you go out there, you could start a war-"
"There are already some across the galaxy." Nos mocks him.
"Last I checked, you're a target, should a certain tyrant come looking for you, I'm sure he's gonna be happy to tear that child apart in front of you." The agent retorted.
"..." Nos grips his claws. "What do you suggest?" He wants to so badly drain this cyclop' jerk and toss him in a pit. But he cannot do that.
The agent hums before the thought appears. "First, let's grab a drink in the city." He states. "And you can leave the kid here."
Nos did not trust the bot but had no choice but to follow him but changed to the organic version of himself.
"You know you really pull off the skin." The agent spoke.
Nos ignored him and walked past him to go to the vehicle the agent used to get here.
The agent shrugged and followed him but got to the driver's side.
At the diner in the city.
Nos was tense as he sat across from the agent in a booth. He was not liking this at all. The diner was a little like the one in space but it was more pristine. It had a high class theme and there were more organic than robots if you count the busbots.
"If you're worried about those space bees there, you're safe. They won't bother their superiors." The agent pointed with his thumb at the space rangers that were not too far but not in ear shot.
"Why did you bring me here?" Nos was trying his best to not fight but this agent was more annoying than lightyear!
"We're near the Federation where I work." the agent spoke, drinking his cup of coffee as the energy vampire could sense. "Working there has perks: better career, insurance, and a new start, legally speaking."
Nos raised a brow. "And you want me to work there? You almost made me laugh."
"Look, this Drac guy has his hand in everything but the Galactic Alliance Federation. If you work there, the kid is protected. You can have a new life, back story, all the shindig. Not even star command can lay a finger on you."
"What is the catch?" Nos crosses his arms. "There is always a condition to any so-called New life." He was grateful for his adopted father and not once asked for anything, but here is an opportunity too good to be true.
"If you do choose to work with the Galactic Alliance, you will have to sign some conditions as to not betray or go against the GA." The agent spoke. "You have to understand-"
"Alright." Nos bluntly answers.
"Look it's no- wait you agree?" The agent was perplexed.
"If the GA doesn't give me up to Zurg or as any deal, and I live free from being a target from star command, as well as being the child's guardian, I will accept it." Nos felt he was not losing much and if he has immunity, he will be even protected from star command. 'I can handle Zurg.'
"Alright but I gotta ask; why do you want to be the kid's guardian?" The agent asked.
Nos had thought of that for a while. "I was given a new chance by some miracle and a reboot. However, the only organic to ever give me a chance was the old man. Seeing the girl lost and alone, I felt I should protect her." He frowns knowing it was not the whole reason. "Since she is a target, this will lure out this perpetrator that is threatening my new life."
"So I guess redemption and some revenge." The agent finished his coffee to get a refill.
"Something like that." Nos added, his eyes glowing with rage.
"I would be lying if I said it's a bad idea." Ryder leans back, "You should know there's regulations we gotta go through. And you need to show you're capable of trust like bringing in those criminals or-"
"Here." Nos hands held out his wrist with a small drive injected out, he did not intend to hear the speech. "This is all the information and current from planet Z. If this helps me get to where I want, I will gladly offer it."
The agent hums amazed by the energy vampire before taking it. "I think you and I are gonna be good partners."
"I do not believe that." Nos glares at the agent.
"Names Ryder." The agent now named Ryder held his hand to him.
Nos was not convinced but seeing the bot was showing some degree of kindness, held his own hand. "I am Nos- Nosferatu Atu, I prefer Nos."
"Like the old movie. We can check it out when we become friends." Ryder commented.
Nos was curious about the movie but awkward about the agent. "Why are you…. Comfortable around me?" That was something he was curious about.
"Well, we have some common history. Both of us were made to be weapons, only I was a failed experiment." Ryder spoke.
Nos then thought of XR. "You have more connection to another robot than I do."
"I'm a bit of a fan of this said robot you're talking about." Ryder drank his cup once it was refilled.
Hearing this, made him smile. 'It is good he is getting that acknowledgement.' "When do I apply?"
"We can go right now." Ryder spoke.
The energy vampire nodded. He hoped he was making the right choice.
It didn't take a long walk from the diner but the energy vampire was on his toes and he feared this was a bad idea. Nos stood outside waiting in the lounge Ryder left him to talk to the head of the Federation. He was not exactly happy to sit by and wait. He noticed a few people enter the lounge which did not bother him at first. However what was just two, became three and then there were eight people surrounding him. 'Ryder you better not be a part of this.'
Meanwhile
"So you're telling me, the same Nos-4-a2 that turned the GA into wirewolves and he's here to work for us?" Madam president was surprised but the second Ryder showed her the uploaded plans and the trades Zurg had control of, she knew how serious this Nos was.
"Yep and he even has the girl safe and even taking down two high level crooks. Having Nos part of this federation can be a benefit to us. He is untraceable and has the potential to even surpass Lightyear and the best part is he doesn't have an expiration date." Ryder knew saying that could seal the deal to hire Nos.
"You make a point but he has been thwarted by lightyear many times our agents have that level of skills-"
CRAAAAAAAAASH!
Both madam and Ryder stopped when they saw the top 3rd agent was slammed against the wall and they rushed to the lounge to find a steamed Nos with a torn shirt and disheveled hair.
"This had better not be your idea Ryder!" Nos growls at Ryder as they see all their agents were beaten or crashed out through the mess of the lounge.
"Alright I see your point." Madam was won over by the energy vampire. "You must be Nos-4-a2, can we talk?"
Nos was quiet but gave a nod and followed her, while Ryder shook his head. "If you can think 8 against one was a bright idea, you all can clean this up yourself."
[Ryder: agent 0001/ head of the agents.]
Meanwhile Nos, who was in his robotic form, sat as Madam President told him about being an agent but she was as far as he can tell, not upset by his presence. It was a bit alarming. "How are you calm around me?"
"You made an alliance come through thanks to your event. Do you know how hard it is to make people join peacefully?" Madam asked.
"From what I have seen, very much." Nos had to agree with her.
"Exactly! And you have people who can indirectly ruin it and I'm not just implying Zurg."
"Star Command's number one hero? I would hardly believe that." Nos feigns his shock and hears her giggles.
"Yeah yeah, but my point is, Buzz Lightyear has become a beacon of hope but he's not indestructible or could come back to life after being destroyed."
"Thank you? But I am not Buzz Lightyear." Nos reminded her.
"That's the best reason! You are not Buzz, but someone who can protect the peace where he can't. Buzz may be the hero but I need someone who can be there to bring the protection of diplomacy."
Nos had to think about it for a moment, it was different from what he expected and it was quite a talk to the head of the galactic alliance and given what he hears, she does not need another Lightyear. "If I join, I want to hold legal guardianship and be paid to work here."
"Ryder gets paid so of course, and Ryder has told me about your situation with Star Command. That is something that can be fixed."
Nos was surprised. "To be specific, it is about Zurg but you are correct. Star command will want me in prison the second they hear about me."
"They won't," Madam smiles and continues her explanation. "Nos, you will have a clean slate and will be known as whoever you choose to be."
Nos was quiet before he smiled. "I request a matter needed for this new identity…."
Nosfer was sitting at his chair with Vanet who was asleep in the other chair across from him. He insisted she should rest up in her room but she didn't want to until Nos returned. He thought reading would ease his mind from the troubles but he could not help but worry about his son. He sits back and looks at the fire and thinks back a small moment in time where things were simple. He was drifting to sleep when he heard the locks click and the door open. He stood up and hurried to see Nos, who was himself, entering and holding a folder of some kind and he was surprised to see Nos was happy.
"How did it go?" Nosfer was worried.
"It went well. I am officially an agent." He shows him the badge but he hands him a folder full of papers. "I also requested this, but it might be silly." Nos felt a bit embarrassed but giddy.
Nosfer opens it to see it was documentations of Nos origin and details but he saw there was "These are adoption papers and legal name change."
"It is a bit silly, but I requested that you be my father legally. I was able to get my original certifications by hacking into Zurgs mainframe unnoticed to get the original data of me and change it-" He stopped when Nosfer hugged him.
"Fiu, this is the greatest moment of my life." Nosfer cried and hurried to find a pen to sign it. It took him a few minutes to find a working pen but he found it and already signed it. "You are now legally my son."
"And you legally own the rights to my data source." Nos added. "And I am now the legal guardian to Vanet helsing." he sees Vanet asleep and walks over to her to carry her up.
Just as he stood close enough, she woke up and smiled to see him. "Nos *yawn* you're home."
Nos nodded and Vanet hugged him. "I apologize for coming home late." He was not uncomfortable but he was not a hugger, the exception was his father, but he patted her head. She however clings to him like a Mobian koala and lets her. "Time for bed, we have a new day to pick out things for your room and clothes too."
Vanet mumbles and nods, falling asleep again.