Into the Dark (Fox Storm and ab103 only)

"Commander, I'm going to request that you let me do a scan of the station so we can find and eradicate these spy-der cameras... And, while we're at it, I want to see about improving security around here. If you won't let me design it, at least let me help pay for it." That was his promise from little over two weeks ago. He was told to follow through and destroy the cameras and make their security better.

True to his word, he located and destroyed all of the spy-der cameras Zurg had placed on Star Command, with Pixel's help of course. As soon as that task was completed, the monocle, which he was using to find the tiny robots, was taken off, as per orders by Commander Nebula. The next week and a half was spent making designs to improve the security of Star Command, strengthening defenses and pretty much doing what should had been done ages ago. After finishing up the designs, he handed them over to the LGMs for review. They'd be the final judges of whether or not the security he designed would pass their standards before getting the official "OK" from Commander Nebula to install it. And, since he promised to pay for it, they were more likely to say yes by not having to worry about whether the designs fit the budget.

Of course, during the past two weeks, ever since he found out that Ty, after everything they've been through, still didn't trust him, he wasn't feeling at the top of his game. His own cousin hadn't believed that he was in fact trying to help him with his Wirewolf problem, and he, Alfred Cosmic, was even attacked because of that paranoid delusion.

So, now that Ty and Simone (the latter of whom Alfred considered Ty's girlfriend) were coming back after the small, forced vacation they were sent on, Alfred was not exactly excited about having to see them. In fact, they were going to arrive any minute now, and Pixel, Ty's pet Dustchaser was waiting close to the landing bay, ready for when their ship would come in. He, on the other hand, chose to hide in the cafeteria at a table by himself, sipping at tea and trying to remain relaxed about having to see his cousin again after two long weeks.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see someone hesitantly trying to approach him. He continued to stare at his tea, hoping that they would finally make their decision on whether or not to actually speak to him or not. Though, he couldn't imagine why anyone wanted to talk with him at that moment. Maybe they heard about the incident where Alfred was attacked by the Wirewolf and wanted to make sure he'd be alright with Ty returning...?

Heh, wishful thinking. He doubted anyone at Star Commander cared that much about him. Alfred was too much of a "jerk" for most people to want to be more than acquaintances with him. At least a majority didn't hate him, like certain others did.

ab103 wrote:
So, now that Ty and Simone (the latter of whom Alfred considered Ty's girlfriend) were coming back after the small, forced vacation they were sent on, Alfred was not exactly excited about having to see them. In fact, they were going to arrive any minute now, and Pixel, Ty's pet Dustchaser was waiting close to the landing bay, ready for when their ship would come in. He, on the other hand, chose to hide in the cafeteria at a table by himself, sipping at tea and trying to remain relaxed about having to see his cousin again after two long weeks.

Pixel waited patiently for Ty and Simone to return. These past few weeks have been more busy than ever with her helping out Alfred, and they seemed to last forever, mainly because whenever Pixel asked anything about Ty, Alfred immediately wanted to change the subject. She decided to never press him about that, and just did her work.

She hoped that Ty was going to come back feeling refreshed and back to his old self; his current state of mind was depressing even to her. She missed the Ty who could make a witty and sarcastic remark whenever she was acting up, and missed the Ty who didn't seem so defeated, like he could take on anything. Not to the same extent Buzz did, but she knew that his spirit was one to never give up so easily...it was like this Ty was the opposite of those things, and she missed them.

She heard the ship doors open, and she looked up to see a ship landing. Her ears perked up; this was the ship Ty and Simone left on. She got up from her sitting position and waited for when she'd see them come out.

They didn't disappoint. Out from the ship Ty and Simone came out and climbed down the stairs, wearing their Ranger suits. Ty looked a little better than he did when he and Simone left. Simone had remained close to Ty, as if protecting him from some outside evil. They walked across the bridge when they saw Pixel, whose tail began wagging really hard. They saw her, and they smiled. The Rangers and Pixel ran up to each other, Pixel jumping up onto Ty, and licking him on the cheek! Simone had to step back to keep from Pixel's wet tongue, but she smiled and hid a giggle.

"I'm so happy to see you! I missed you so much!" She yelled with excitement. Ty just laughed, trying to keep Pixel from licking his whole face. He missed her as well. Simone just looked on, happy to see owner and pet reunited. She missed Pixel too. Simone was a little tired from helping Ty get through his emotional trauma on some nights when he couldn't go to sleep; she sometimes needed to talk to him and try to break through his emotional distress whenever he felt it rise again. But she was glad that Ty seemed to slowly start to recover, especially after the Wirewolf incident with Alfred.

She frowned. Speaking of which..."Where is Alfred? He hasn't shown up at all."

Fox Storm wrote:
Pixel waited patiently for Ty and Simone to return. These past few weeks have been more busy than ever with her helping out Alfred, and they seemed to last forever, mainly because whenever Pixel asked anything about Ty, Alfred immediately wanted to change the subject. She decided to never press him about that, and just did her work.

She hoped that Ty was going to come back feeling refreshed and back to his old self; his current state of mind was depressing even to her. She missed the Ty who could make a witty and sarcastic remark whenever she was acting up, and missed the Ty who didn't seem so defeated, like he could take on anything. Not to the same extent Buzz did, but she knew that his spirit was one to never give up so easily...it was like this Ty was the opposite of those things, and she missed them.

She heard the ship doors open, and she looked up to see a ship landing. Her ears perked up; this was the ship Ty and Simone left on. She got up from her sitting position and waited for when she'd see them come out.

They didn't disappoint. Out from the ship Ty and Simone came out and climbed down the stairs, wearing their Ranger suits. Ty looked a little better than he did when he and Simone left. Simone had remained close to Ty, as if protecting him from some outside evil. They walked across the bridge when they saw Pixel, whose tail began wagging really hard. They saw her, and they smiled. The Rangers and Pixel ran up to each other, Pixel jumping up onto Ty, and licking him on the cheek! Simone had to step back to keep from Pixel's wet tongue, but she smiled and hid a giggle.

"I'm so happy to see you! I missed you so much!" She yelled with excitement. Ty just laughed, trying to keep Pixel from licking his whole face. He missed her as well. Simone just looked on, happy to see owner and pet reunited. She missed Pixel too. Simone was a little tired from helping Ty get through his emotional trauma on some nights when he couldn't go to sleep; she sometimes needed to talk to him and try to break through his emotional distress whenever he felt it rise again. But she was glad that Ty seemed to slowly start to recover, especially after the Wirewolf incident with Alfred.

She frowned. Speaking of which..."Where is Alfred? He hasn't shown up at all."

Alfred continued to sit at his table in the cafeteria. He considered going down to see if Ty and Simone had come back yet... They should have arrived by now, right? But, then again, maybe they didn't want to see him... Though, that whole trip Ty went on was to help clear up emotional fatigue, so perhaps his paranoia cleared up as well and Ty would actually be willing to see him. Or maybe not. It's not like Alfred would know.

Though, it probably would beat sitting by himself in the cafeteria, drinking tea. It was starting to get boring and that person that seemed to have wanted to talk with him still hadn't bother to approach him. Maybe they actually intended to talk with someone else.

He made his resolve and stood up. If there was nothing that anyone needed to address with him, then he would be better off going towards the landing bay. Not to specifically see Ty, of course... Not unless his cousin actually wanted to see him. ...Chyst, interaction with people was difficult.

ab103 wrote:

Alfred continued to sit at his table in the cafeteria. He considered going down to see if Ty and Simone had come back yet... They should have arrived by now, right? But, then again, maybe they didn't want to see him... Though, that whole trip Ty went on was to help clear up emotional fatigue, so perhaps his paranoia cleared up as well and Ty would actually be willing to see him. Or maybe not. It's not like Alfred would know.

Though, it probably would beat sitting by himself in the cafeteria, drinking tea. It was starting to get boring and that person that seemed to have wanted to talk with him still hadn't bother to approach him. Maybe they actually intended to talk with someone else.

He made his resolve and stood up. If there was nothing that anyone needed to address with him, then he would be better off going towards the landing bay. Not to specifically see Ty, of course... Not unless his cousin actually wanted to see him. ...Chyst, interaction with people was difficult.

Ty had gotten Pixel off of him before turning to Simone, who was looking away, frowning. It was like she was pondering something. "Sim? Is something wrong?"

That got her attention and she turned to him. "Hmm? Oh, no! I'm fine, I was just--never mind. Um...we'd better go ahead and meet up with Commander Nebula. He did send us a message to meet with him, you know." She answered that with a matter-of-fact tone.

Ty was about to press her, but Pixel interruped, "Yeah. And maybe we can meet up with Alfred while we're at it!" She went off ahead of them. Ty stiffened at the mention of Alfred's name. He may have been able to calm himself down for the most part on his vacation, but he still had yet to be rid of the paranoia he felt whenever he was near his cousin. He weakly let out, "Yeah...yeah, sure." Simone looked at him with concern, but she didn't press the matter. She knew something was up with him and Alfred, but for his sake, she kept quiet about it.

And so, the three Rangers made their way into the hallway.

Fox Storm wrote:
Ty had gotten Pixel off of him before turning to Simone, who was looking away, frowning. It was like she was pondering something. "Sim? Is something wrong?"

That got her attention and she turned to him. "Hmm? Oh, no! I'm fine, I was just--never mind. Um...we'd better go ahead and meet up with Commander Nebula. He did send us a message to meet with him, you know." She answered that with a matter-of-fact tone.

Ty was about to press her, but Pixel interruped, "Yeah. And maybe we can meet up with Alfred while we're at it!" She went off ahead of them. Ty stiffened at the mention of Alfred's name. He may have been able to calm himself down for the most part on his vacation, but he still had yet to be rid of the paranoia he felt whenever he was near his cousin. He weakly let out, "Yeah...yeah, sure." Simone looked at him with concern, but she didn't press the matter. She knew something was up with him and Alfred, but for his sake, she kept quiet about it.

And so, the three Rangers made their way into the hallway.

Alfred went through the halls, towards the landing bay, regretting the action and considering turning back with each and every step he took. At one point, he stopped, looking up to see Ty, Simone, and Pixel coming in his direction. He panicked slightly and looked around to see if there was anywhere he could hide, suddenly completely terrified at the idea of having to associate with Ty again.

But, it was too late. They already saw him.

ab103 wrote:

Alfred went through the halls, towards the landing bay, regretting the action and considering turning back with each and every step he took. At one point, he stopped, looking up to see Ty, Simone, and Pixel coming in his direction. He panicked slightly and looked around to see if there was anywhere he could hide, suddenly completely terrified at the idea of having to associate with Ty again.

But, it was too late. They already saw him.

Ty and the others saw Alfred. Pixel went to greet Alfred, and told him in an excited tone, "Isn't it awesome? They're back!" Alfred looked at her and grinned weakly, unsure of what to say.

Simone saw this and politely waved at Alfred. "Hi there, Alfred. It is good to see you again."

Fox Storm wrote:
Ty and the others saw Alfred. Pixel went to greet Alfred, and told him in an excited tone, "Isn't it awesome? They're back!" Alfred looked at her and grinned weakly, unsure of what to say.

Simone saw this and politely waved at Alfred. "Hi there, Alfred. It is good to see you again."

"Ah... Um... Yes... 'Awesome'..." Alfred looked up at Simon and nodded in greeting. "Hello, Simone... Ty." he briefly glanced to his cousin. ...Yep, Ty still didn't trust him. He looked away, feeling extremely awkward.

ab103 wrote:

"Ah... Um... Yes... 'Awesome'..." Alfred looked up at Simon and nodded in greeting. "Hello, Simone... Ty." he briefly glanced to his cousin. ...Yep, Ty still didn't trust him. He looked away, feeling extremely awkward.

Ty cringed inwardly at his cousin standing there. He too felt awkward; it wasn't that he wasn't happy to see him, but he still felt paranoid about his cousin. Simone noticed the awkwardness and decided to break it. She cleared her throat."Well, uh...we better go find the Commander, eh? I'm sure he's waiting for us in his office. Come on, Ty, Pixel; we don't want to keep him waiting."

She placed a hand on Ty's shoulder and started making her way to the Commander's office. Ty couldn't help but be grateful to her for breaking the awkwardness. He just followed her and looked down to avoid Alfred's gaze. Pixel stared after them, confused by what was going on. She looked at Alfred and asked, "Was it something I said?"

Fox Storm wrote:
Ty cringed inwardly at his cousin standing there. He too felt awkward; it wasn't that he wasn't happy to see him, but he still felt paranoid about his cousin. Simone noticed the awkwardness and decided to break it. She cleared her throat."Well, uh...we better go find the Commander, eh? I'm sure he's waiting for us in his office. Come on, Ty, Pixel; we don't want to keep him waiting."

She placed a hand on Ty's shoulder and started making her way to the Commander's office. Ty couldn't help but be grateful to her for breaking the awkwardness. He just followed her and looked down to avoid Alfred's gaze. Pixel stared after them, confused by what was going on. She looked at Alfred and asked, "Was it something I said?"

Alfred glanced down at Pixel and then shook his head. "No, nothing you did. Just... Ty and I aren't really seeing eye to eye at the moment." Well, that was one way to put it... "So... Were you planning on following them? Feel free to. I was just going to... Do... Something..." Okay, not really, but what else was he supposed to say?

ab103 wrote:

Alfred glanced down at Pixel and then shook his head. "No, nothing you did. Just... Ty and I aren't really seeing eye to eye at the moment." Well, that was one way to put it... "So... Were you planning on following them? Feel free to. I was just going to... Do... Something..." Okay, not really, but what else was he supposed to say?

Pixel tilted her head, confused by what he meant with him and Ty...is that why he changed the subject every time she brought up Ty? "What could have happened between him and Ty to make them seem so distant from each other?" But she could worry about that later; she DID have to go with them to await Nebula's orders. She started following after them before turning back to Alfred and asking,.."Will you be okay?" She sounded concerned for him.

Fox Storm wrote:
Pixel tilted her head, confused by what he meant with him and Ty...is that why he changed the subject every time she brought up Ty? "What could have happened between him and Ty to make them seem so distant from each other?" But she could worry about that later; she DID have to go with them to await Nebula's orders. She started following after them before turning back to Alfred and asking,.."Will you be okay?" She sounded concerned for him.

Alfred faked a grin and waved Pixel off. "Now, don't worry about me. You just get going, hmm?" Of course, he purposefully avoided answering the question. It wasn't like he was going to hold her up just because Ty was being an idiot and didn't trust him. Sure, he probably wasn't going to be okay at that particular moment, but he wasn't going to stop Pixel from doing her job for it.

After all, why should SHE be concerned over HIM just because one of the few people he actually considered a friend probably thought Alfred would murder him in his sleep?

So, he continued to grin.

ab103 wrote:

Alfred faked a grin and waved Pixel off. "Now, don't worry about me. You just get going, hmm?" Of course, he purposefully avoided answering the question. It wasn't like he was going to hold her up just because Ty was being an idiot and didn't trust him. Sure, he probably wasn't going to be okay at that particular moment, but he wasn't going to stop Pixel from doing her job for it.

After all, why should SHE be concerned over HIM just because one of the few people he actually considered a friend probably thought Alfred would murder him in his sleep?

So, he continued to grin.

Pixel gave him a raised eyebrow, but she didn't say anything. Instead she shrugged and said, "Okey-dokey. If ya need anything, we'll be in Nebula's office." She turned and started running to catch up with Ty and Simone, leaving Alfred alone with his thoughts.

Fox Storm wrote:
Pixel gave him a raised eyebrow, but she didn't say anything. Instead she shrugged and said, "Okey-dokey. If ya need anything, we'll be in Nebula's office." She turned and started running to catch up with Ty and Simone, leaving Alfred alone with his thoughts.

Alfred pulled out his pocket watch, checking the date and time. He frowned at the clock face, not realizing that it was already that day. He put the watch away and then hurried off to find a decent computer. He had business he needed to take care of. After all, even while in Gamma at Star Command, he had an entire business running through the entire Beta galaxy (and even some of Delta).

Meanwhile, in Commander Nebula's office...

ab103 wrote:
Alfred pulled out his pocket watch, checking the date and time. He frowned at the clock face, not realizing that it was already that day. He put the watch away and then hurried off to find a decent computer. He had business he needed to take care of. After all, even while in Gamma at Star Command, he had an entire business running through the entire Beta galaxy (and even some of Delta).

Meanwhile, in Commander Nebula's office...

"Well, Parsec. I've read Caldera's reports on your emotional progress, and I've gotta say, you've pulled through your vacation." Commander Nebula said with a stern tone.

Ty, Simone and Pixel all stood at attention at Nebula's desk, listening to him go on about Simone's reports on Ty. Ty just said, "Yes, sir. She made sure to report on me whenever she could." Simone did nothing but just nod.

Nebula stood up and said, "That's good, Parsec. Your emotional fatigue is fully cleared up then?"

Ty stiffened up a bit, but didn't show it. Pixel noticed a slight change in Ty's demeanor...."Man....is he still feeling a bit upset?" Before Pixel could say anything, Ty answered back with a calm tone, "As cleared up as I can be, sir." He hoped that Nebula would take his statement to heart.

It seemed to work because Nebula nodded affirmatively. "Good. Then you're ready for an assignment I have for you. Caldera and Pixel, too."

The three Rangers looked at each other. An assignment? Already?

"What IS the assignment, sir?" Simone asked, a bit unsure.

Nebula began to explain....

---------

Meanwhile, Alfred was at work....

Fox Storm wrote:
"Well, Parsec. I've read Caldera's reports on your emotional progress, and I've gotta say, you've pulled through your vacation." Commander Nebula said with a stern tone.

Ty, Simone and Pixel all stood at attention at Nebula's desk, listening to him go on about Simone's reports on Ty. Ty just said, "Yes, sir. She made sure to report on me whenever she could." Simone did nothing but just nod.

Nebula stood up and said, "That's good, Parsec. Your emotional fatigue is fully cleared up then?"

Ty stiffened up a bit, but didn't show it. Pixel noticed a slight change in Ty's demeanor...."Man....is he still feeling a bit upset?" Before Pixel could say anything, Ty answered back with a calm tone, "As cleared up as I can be, sir." He hoped that Nebula would take his statement to heart.

It seemed to work because Nebula nodded affirmatively. "Good. Then you're ready for an assignment I have for you. Caldera and Pixel, too."

The three Rangers looked at each other. An assignment? Already?

"What IS the assignment, sir?" Simone asked, a bit unsure.

Nebula began to explain....

---------

Meanwhile, Alfred was at work....

It was all routine. He was just checking to make sure products where being made and shipped properly. He also needed to see the current supply status at his different factories. His workers seemed to have everything well taken care of. Yes, he made sure to only hire competent workers, so they were doing very well without him in the same galaxy as them! Considering this was very similar to what he did when he WAS in Beta, it wasn't too surprising. Though his competitors seemed to be struggling, based on this news report from one of his workers. Ha, what nobody realized was they he NORMALLY gave anonymous help to his competitors just so he could play mind games with them. He made them believe they had a chance of beating him but always remained on top.

...Okay, maybe he WAS evil. Just a little. Though, it seemed more evil to let them fail and go out of business, but hey. That was just how the world worked, was it not?

"Hmm, I'll have to see about introducing a new product soon," Alfred muttered to himself. He had some inventions already made and patented, just not out on market yet. He'd have to figure which of those were the best to release at this point int time.

ab103 wrote:


It was all routine. He was just checking to make sure products where being made and shipped properly. He also needed to see the current supply status at his different factories. His workers seemed to have everything well taken care of. Yes, he made sure to only hire competent workers, so they were doing very well without him in the same galaxy as them! Considering this was very similar to what he did when he WAS in Beta, it wasn't too surprising. Though his competitors seemed to be struggling, based on this news report from one of his workers. Ha, what nobody realized was they he NORMALLY gave anonymous help to his competitors just so he could play mind games with them. He made them believe they had a chance of beating him but always remained on top.

...Okay, maybe he WAS evil. Just a little. Though, it seemed more evil to let them fail and go out of business, but hey. That was just how the world worked, was it not?

"Hmm, I'll have to see about introducing a new product soon," Alfred muttered to himself. He had some inventions already made and patented, just not out on market yet. He'd have to figure which of those were the best to release at this point int time.

He failed to notice that someone was coming up behind him, moving ever so silently, like a snake. Normally, that person didn't move so quietly. But that was because he had something to ask Alfred, and he was almost hesitant to ask him....but he had to know the truth....

He crept up on Alfred...tapped him on the shoulder, and Alfred just ignored him, trying to work.

The figure tapped his shoulder again, tapping him harder this time. Alfred started to get irritated; he didn't like being interrupted while he was checking up on his factories.

The figure tapped his shoulder one more time, and Alfred got severely annoyed. He turned to face the person to tell them off. But it wasn't a Ranger, or even a human he came face to face with...

It was XL, the photocopier/fax machine, looking worried and hesitant. "Do you think I can talk to ya for a minute?"

Fox Storm wrote:
He failed to notice that someone was coming up behind him, moving ever so silently, like a snake. Normally, that person didn't move so quietly. But that was because he had something to ask Alfred, and he was almost hesitant to ask him....but he had to know the truth....

He crept up on Alfred...tapped him on the shoulder, and Alfred just ignored him, trying to work.

The figure tapped his shoulder again, tapping him harder this time. Alfred started to get irritated; he didn't like being interrupted while he was checking up on his factories.

The figure tapped his shoulder one more time, and Alfred got severely annoyed. He turned to face the person to tell them off. But it wasn't a Ranger, or even a human he came face to face with...

It was XL, the photocopier/fax machine, looking worried and hesitant. "Do you think I can talk to ya for a minute?"

"Oh, XL. Sorry about that, I was just in the middle of some really important work..." Alfred smiled at his little brother. He was always happy to see his either of his little brothers. Partly because they were robots, PM robots at that, and partly because they annoyed Commander Nebula! "Actually, you came at a really good time! I have something I need to fax over to one of my factories, if you wouldn't mind, and..." He noticed the look on the robot's face. "Buuut, that can wait. What did you want to talk about?"

ab103 wrote:

"Oh, XL. Sorry about that, I was just in the middle of some really important work..." Alfred smiled at his little brother. He was always happy to see his either of his little brothers. Partly because they were robots, PM robots at that, and partly because they annoyed Commander Nebula! "Actually, you came at a really good time! I have something I need to fax over to one of my factories, if you wouldn't mind, and..." He noticed the look on the robot's face. "Buuut, that can wait. What did you want to talk about?"

XL blinked at Alfred's request. "Um...sure, if you want-No! No...I need to talk to ya about...umm...uh...well.." He pulled out a note from a small compartment. It was a pink sticky note, having some kind of writing on it.
"Can you tell me what you wrote here about NOS-4-A2?"

Fox Storm wrote:
XL blinked at Alfred's request. "Um...sure, if you want-No! No...I need to talk to ya about...umm...uh...well.." He pulled out a note from a small compartment. It was a pink sticky note, having some kind of writing on it.
"Can you tell me what you wrote here about NOS-4-A2?"

Alfred, despite having horribly pale skin already, whitened at the sight of the note. He hesitantly took it from XL and examined it. "So... What makes you think that I wrote this...?" Besides the fact that, as a fax machine/photocopier, XL had already SEEN his handwriting, multiple times. ...And the fact that his company logo seemed to be sketched into the corner of the note. Whoops.

"It's... Ah... It's just some notes on the monocle thing he had... I was working on some... Uh... Theories? Theories on how it worked. ...Yes." He grinned, hoping that XL would believe that horribly made lie.

ab103 wrote:

Alfred, despite having horribly pale skin already, whitened at the sight of the note. He hesitantly took it from XL and examined it. "So... What makes you think that I wrote this...?" Besides the fact that, as a fax machine/photocopier, XL had already SEEN his handwriting, multiple times. ...And the fact that his company logo seemed to be sketched into the corner of the note. Whoops.

"It's... Ah... It's just some notes on the monocle thing he had... I was working on some... Uh... Theories? Theories on how it worked. ...Yes." He grinned, hoping that XL would believe that horribly made lie.

"Are you sure that's what you were workin' on? And how did you know NOS-4-A2, anyway?" XL asked, rather naively.

Fox Storm wrote:
"Are you sure that's what you were workin' on? And how did you know NOS-4-A2, anyway?" XL asked, rather naively.

"Well, XL, I am a technology and robotics expert..." Alfred chuckled, though it was trying to hide his nervousness. Oh, he was so glad XL was so naive. "I've heard about quite a few robots, and NOS-4-A2 was one of the more interesting ones. I mean... He's a robotic energy vampire. That's not something you hear about every day..."

ab103 wrote:

"Well, XL, I am a technology and robotics expert..." Alfred chuckled, though it was trying to hide his nervousness. Oh, he was so glad XL was so naive. "I've heard about quite a few robots, and NOS-4-A2 was one of the more interesting ones. I mean... He's a robotic energy vampire. That's not something you hear about every day..."

XL tilted his tin can-shaped head. "But you wrote down notes about....his monocle." He dare not say the energy vampire's name. "It's like you wrote notes on how the monocle would work, and what it would be used for. Are you sure you didn't really know him, in person...or, face-to-robot?"

XL started feeling a little uneasy himself...he felt like there was something seriously up with Alfred and NOS-4-A2....his eyes widened.

"Alfred...did YOU build NOS-4-A2?"

Fox Storm wrote:
XL tilted his tin can-shaped head. "But you wrote down notes about....his monocle." He dare not say the energy vampire's name. "It's like you wrote notes on how the monocle would work, and what it would be used for. Are you sure you didn't really know him, in person...or, face-to-robot?"

XL started feeling a little uneasy himself...he felt like there was something seriously up with Alfred and NOS-4-A2....his eyes widened.

"Alfred...did YOU build NOS-4-A2?"

Alfred found himself completely cringing at the suspicion and question. How was he supposed to answer that? He couldn't keep lying to his little brother, now could he...? At least this one was XL. Perhaps he would understand? XL had been evil before, too, right? "Well... I didn't build him per se... Zurg's the one who made all- err, most of the pieces and put him together... I just..." He winced, worried about what the response to this would be. "I just happened to design and program him..."

"Please don't tell anyone..." he muttered as an afterthought.

ab103 wrote:

Alfred found himself completely cringing at the suspicion and question. How was he supposed to answer that? He couldn't keep lying to his little brother, now could he...? At least this one was XL. Perhaps he would understand? XL had been evil before, too, right? "Well... I didn't build him per se... Zurg's the one who made all- err, most of the pieces and put him together... I just..." He winced, worried about what the response to this would be. "I just happened to design and program him..."

XL tilted his head at Alfred again. He just did nothing more than look at him for a few minutes before sighing in relief and said, "Oh, man. I thought for a minute you were the one who built him. So does that mean you actually worked for him?"

ab103 wrote:
"Please don't tell anyone..." he muttered as an afterthought.

"I won't tell anyone, big brother! That's what brothers are for!" XL said in a cheerful tone.

Fox Storm wrote:

XL tilted his head at Alfred again. He just did nothing more than look at him for a few minutes before sighing in relief and said, "Oh, man. I thought for a minute you were the one who built him. So does that mean you actually worked for him?"

"For Zurg? Yeah. I've quit though. It was starting to not work out well..." Alfred pursed his lips for a moment and then shrugged. "So, I'm here now."

Fox Storm wrote:

"I won't tell anyone, big brother! That's what brothers are for!" XL said in a cheerful tone.

"What? Really?" XL's cheerful tone made Alfred smile. "Oh, thank goodness. You had NO idea how worried I was about that. If the others found out, I'd be ruined... Thanks SO much XL. I owe you one."