To Infinity and Beyond

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To Infinity and Beyond

Episode 05: The Challenge

© 22nd of April 2006 – Kitty Ocean for the story; Disney (Buzz Lightyear from Star Command) for the characters

This story is a Fan fiction, and only for free entertainment purposes.

 

Days come, days go. Nané’s week off from Star Command went by faster than she expected. However, Nané couldn’t wait to get back to Star Command, and it was no surprise she took the first shuttle back to the Space Station. And when I say the first one, I mean the first one. The darkness of the night already seemed like the darkness of the galaxy outside, and Nané wondered how on earth she had managed to survive a week without Star Command.

Commander Nebula awaited the Space Shuttle with a yawn, because he had an appointment with someone on that ship. “Good morning Commander!” Nané cheerfully saluted, and almost skipped through Star Command.

Commander Nebula was a bit surprised to see Nané this early, and couldn’t help but smile. Then his appointment showed up: “Ah, Mrs. Lunaris, welcome to our Space Station.”

The woman held a pad in her hands, and arranged her large hat. Her face was filled with elegance and a tad of nobility. “Good morning Commander.” She started. “I do hope my stay at this station will be less turbulent than my flight.”

“Any problems?” Commander Nebula inquired.

Mrs. Lunaris nodded. “There was a bird chirping next to me.” She explained in mystery. “One that didn’t seem to be able to wait to get back to Star Command… and kept on saying that the entire way!”

 

Nané soon realized that while she was at home and relaxing (because the Commander ordered her to), the Academy had went on. She had missed several tests and heard about a few essays that were due the next day. While she got the same amount of time as the others, the whole week Nané felt like she was running from one class to the other. While she was quite well at fighting, studying was one of her weaker points, which she once again realized when she got all her essays and exams back. She had passed them barely, and Nané decided to pay really good attention in all the classes. Maybe that would help her study.

But the only classes she passed without a drop of sweat, were the ones about combat skills. Those were the classes where she could finally relax, and enjoy her time at Star Command. And it was so obvious this was easy for her, as well as that she was enjoying herself, that more and more students became jealous of her. Rumors started to fill the hallways, but somehow they never reached Nané.

“I’m telling you, she is a robot!” A boy hissed.

“She’s not human, that’s for sure.” A girl added, and crossed her four arms. “A robot in disguise would make sense. Gargantuan?” She referred to the Rebels that used robotic disguises to infiltrate.

“Well, it would surely explain her rough manners.” A girl giggled. “I mean, just look at XR. He’s a robot and so… let’s just call it unique.”

The boy nodded again, and suddenly saw Nané coming out of the practice room. She took off her helmet, and shook her hair around. Then she looked into a mirror, and decided her hair would be absolutely hopeless today. The boy poked his fellow students, and walked at the human girl. “Hey, Nané.” He greeted her.

Nané turned around and looked at the boy. She never liked him that much. There was something about him that always bothered her. “Oh, hi Tei.” She greeted back. “Can I help you?”

“Only you can.” Tei winked. Ah, there was the reason why Nané disliked him. He thought all girls adored him. It was his ego-problem. “You see, I’m trying to convince the girls over there you are indeed better than Buzz Lightyear.”

Nané already knew where this was heading, and took her bag from her locker. “Oh, I see. You are trying to upset me so I will fall for some stupid challenge, aren’t you?” Nané walked away. “I am not better than Buzz Lightyear. He has all the experience, while I have none.” Tei started to sigh so dramatically, it reminded her of Zurg. “Are you by any change related to Zurg?” Nané mumbled as a response.

Luckily, Tei hadn’t heard it. “Oh Nané, how you disappoint me!” If dramatically and unbelievable acting was a class, Tei would get an A (Zurg would get an A+!).

“Well, that’s your problem.” Nané ignored him and waved good bye.

Tei tried to raise his grade for bad acting. “Now everyone will think you are a fraud! Someone who always bragged about being the best!”

“Well, I never bragged, plus, as long as Star Command won’t think that, I’m cool.”

“You are hard to persuade, aren’t you?” Tei mumbled annoyed, and Nané nodded. “Oh well, then I failed. Can’t have it all. Well girls, you were right, she wouldn’t fall for it. I just hope Zurg won’t use it.”

“Use what?” Nané asked, curious as she was.

“Oh, nothing.” Tei walked back at his groupies. “It wouldn’t interest you anyway.”

Nané suddenly grabbed his arm and looked into his eyes. “Hey, you are the one who made me curious, so now you are the one who’s going to spill it as well!”

“Fine, fine, but hands off.” Tei replied ticked off. “Only my girls are allowed to touch me.”

Nané started thinking. Was there a rule about not hurting fellow rookies? Ah, yes, there was. What was the punishment again? Oh wait, getting kicked from the Academy. Mm, Tei wasn’t worth risking that anyway.

“The girls and I heard about that new Space Ship Zurg has made.” Tei explained. “And Star Command wants to confiscate it before he can use it against us.”

“You mean stealing from Zurg?” Nané inquired.

“Confiscating.” Tei smiled. “Confiscating something that could destroy us.”

“It’s still stealing.” Nané said back.

“Bet you can’t steal it.”

Nané looked into Tei’s calm yet wicked eyes. “Oh, so that’s what this is all about.” Nané finally understood it. “You want me to steal that ship from under Zurg’s nose, is that it? As a challenge?”

Tei’s face remained the same, as he finished his statement: “Is there anyone more fit for the job?”

 

In his office, Commander Nebula sighed while looking at a high stack of forms. “I just can’t seem to escape it, can I?” He complained. The worst nightmare of Commander Nebula (asides losing the galaxy to Zurg most likely), was having to fill out forms for the rest of his days. Grunting he went to work, hoping it was indeed true that it would get faster if you started right away, instead of postponing it. “Huh?” He suddenly noticed. “Why is there so much fuel taken today?”

 

In space, you never know if it’s day or night. Either the world is pitch black, or the only light you get are from nearby stars and suns. Nané didn’t care. She felt at home while being in space. People would have probably called her crazy, but actually, she enjoyed the ride on the Space Scooter. Sure, it would mean things would be a lot slower, but eventually she would reach Zurg’s planet.

That is, if she managed to catch the ‘Bus Stop’ on time. That would surely speed things up, if she could take that one.

Suddenly, the scooter started sputtering and Nané cursed. “Craters.” She sighed, and replaced a small pack with a pack from her backpack. “This is the 7th time already. If I won’t catch that bus, I won’t have enough fuel with me.” She started the scooter again. “Heck, even if I make it to Zurg’s planet, I have no choice but to steal that ship; otherwise I’ll be stuck there!”

 

It took another hour (she almost missed the bus!), but then she finally reached Planet Z with her scooter. However, it started sputtering again, and Nané took the last fuel pack. “Okay, this is it.” She mumbled. “Stealing that ship, or being killed by Zurg. This is the last time I will allow myself to be challenged again. Unless I have a very big ship of my own, with a lot more fuel.” Nané looked at the planet, and realized she had no other choice but to go calmly through the atmosphere, unless she had the intention in being fried alive. “Well, here we go again…” Nané smiled. “I hope Warp is not working today. He’d so kick me if he knew this.”

 

It took Nané an hour more, but then she finally reached Zurg’s castle. Confidant, and even a tad arrogant, Nané smiled, and let the wind dance through her hair. “Ha, a single Space Ranger will always remain unnoticed!” She cheered for herself. “Eat that Tei! I’ll show you that I’m good enough to steal a ship from under Zurg’s nose.” Then she turned around, and accidentally tripped. Falling face forward, Nané immediately knew this was not a good sign. “Me and my big mouth…” She sighed.

 

Inside Castle Z, Grubs walked from one side to the other, carrying things, and sitting behind computers and controls. Zurg was sitting on his throne, looking evil while he was thinking.

“Excuse me… Evil Emperor Zurg?” One Grub carefully asked him.

“Not now.” Zurg replied ticked off. “I’m trying to figure out how it’s possible that I’m so diabolical.”

“But your most evilness?” The Grub tried again.

“WHAT?!” Zurg immediately lost his temper and grabbed the antennas of the poor green little Grub.

“But….but… but… we are almost done!” The Grub panicked. “And you asked me to inform you when we would be almost done!”

Zurg thought for a moment, and let go of the antennas. “I did? Ah, yes, I remember.” His mood had completely changed. He helped the Grub back up. “Are you all right? I didn’t scare you too much, did I?”

“No, not at all.” The Grub smiled back happily.

“Good, good.” Zurg played with his fingers. “Glad to see you are fine. How are you today? Aren’t we forgetting something?”

The Grub thought for a moment. “Mm… nope, nothing comes to mind.” He replied confident.

“Oh really?” Zurg started. “Then how about… TAKING ME TO MY NEW HYPER SHIP?!” The Grub almost flew away because of the scream Zurg had produced. Quickly he turned around, and ran at the new Hyper Ship. “Oh, it’s so hard to find decent help nowadays… WARP?!”

Warp was sitting on a sofa, watching some TV. “Yes, my Lord.” He said completely uninterested.

Zurg kindly aired his request towards Warp. “Could you please take a minute and walk with me to my new ship?”

“Sure.” Warp kept on looking. “Just a moment; the Evil Lord is about to blow up the place.” He was quite hooked on what was happening on the television.

In a sudden rage, Zurg grabbed the nearest laser and blew up the TV. “READY NOW?!” He bellowed, indicating this was not a question, but an order.

Warp peeked over the top of the couch. “I’m cool.” He only said, trying not to show his fear for the Evil Emperor.

 

A bit annoyed that his TV show was interrupted, Warp followed his employer through the corridors. “If he wouldn’t pay me this well…” He mumbled ticked off, while following his anxious and excited Lord. Suddenly he stopped, thinking he had heard something, but when he looked back, there was no one behind him. A feeling of impending doom suddenly shivered over his back, but then he recalled he was number one again; the feared Agent Z! No one here dared to hurt him!

Little did he know, was that a little human girl could just simply kill herself after seeing him walking through the corridors. Cursing at herself, and asking whatever deity that would listen why HE had to be here TODAY as well, Nané had never felt so stupid in her entire life.

She always said she kept business and pleasure separated… but this was certainly not business, and it was too dangerous to let it be called pleasure.

“Warp, move on!” Zurg ordered. “I want you to be the first test pilot for my new Hyper Ship.”

“Really?” Warp exclaimed happily. “I will get that new ship?” He had to agree; it was one heck of a ship!

“Of course not.” Zurg replied. “If it won’t blow up, it will be my ship.”

“Wow, I’m so honored…” Warp mumbled annoyed and disappointed. 

 

The doors slid open, and Warp was amazed. He had seen quite some ships in his life, but this one was very impressing! It was small and only had space for one person. However, the design showed it was built for speed and agility. Weapons on the side proved this was not a simply racing ship, but also fit for battle. Whoever would fly this ship, would probably have quite the advantage!

Nané agreed, while she hid on some sort of second floor. No wonder Tei wanted to have this ship stolen; he probably wanted to have it for himself! “I must agree Zurg…” Nané complimented him in silence. “This actually looks very impressive!” The Grubs and Brains in a Jar’s explained how the ship’s controls would work, and what each and every button would do. Soon Nané’s impressed awe got replaced by an uninterested and bored mood. “Wow, even I can steer that ship.” Nané mumbled. “No wonder he picked Warp. It surprised me he didn’t pick a Grub for a test spin.”

Because Nané had lost all her interest, she also lost her focus and stopped paying attention. She didn’t notice the Grub that was passing her until he spoke to her. “You don’t look like a Grub.” He noticed.

Nané turned around shocked. “That’s because I’m not a Grub…” She replied honestly.

The Grub thought for a moment. “Yes, that would explain a few things…” He mumbled, and walked on. Nané realized that staying there would NOT be a sane idea, and quickly hurried off to another hiding place. Alas, the Grub’s brain finally started working, as he realized what was going on: “INTRUDER!”

Immediately Zurg and Warp turned around, looking for the intruder. “What?!” Zurg called out. “Buzz Li-…” He expected, but then noticed a girl who was trying to run away from an overdoses of Grubs. “Nané?! Why Nané?!” He was confused and insulted it was not Buzz who was send to stop him. Little did he know, that Buzz did not even know about this new Hyper Ship, and that Nané was NOT send to stop him. But then the Emperor recovered, and turned at Warp. “GET HER!” He ordered him

Warp saw Nané jumping up when the Grubs dove at her. *What are you doing here?!* He yelled telepathically; showing he was not happy about this encounter either.

*Bit busy at the moment!* Nané replied, jumping up and climbing to a higher level.

“Why are you still here Warp?!” Zurg screamed in his ear. “Go get her!”

For a moment, Warp doubted about what he should do. If he would take her prisoner, he would obey his Lord, but Nané would probably see that as an act of betrayal. If he disobeyed his Lord, he would either get killed or fired. The first option was most likely what would happen. “Yes Zurg.” He then decided, and flew up using his Power Suit. It was her own fault for coming here, and besides, she was always the one who proclaimed to keep business and pleasure separated.

And Zurg was business.

 

Nané had been right that she was lacking experience to be actually called better than Buzz Lightyear. Captured by Warp, Nané was brought to Zurg, but the smirk on her face betrayed she didn’t really mind.

“Has Buzz Lightyear retired?” Zurg asked curious.

Nané looked up confused. “No.” She replied. “Why would he?”

“Because apparently they send a 1st year Rookie to stop me!” Zurg pointed at her angry. “I am so insulted!”

Nané smiled. “Oh, don’t be.” She started. “Just give me a minute. Then you’ll really be insulted.”

*What are you doing here?!* Warp send angrily. *Are you trying to get yourself killed or so?*

*If I wanted that, I would start insulting him, don’t you think?* Nané threw back a bit ticked off.

*You are insulting him!* Warp hissed. *AGAIN!*

*No, I am not.* Nané disagreed firmly.

*Look, I can’t help you.* Warp sighed. *If I do, then Zurg will kill me. And then kill you. And then kill me again.*

*Awe, me only once?* Nané grinned. *Don’t worry, I’ll get out myself. I can understand your actions; I would have done the same. Your secret is safe.*

*It’s your secret as well, remember?*

*Oh yeah, you’re right.* Nané thought, and noticed that the entire time she was talking to Warp, Zurg had kept a complete monologue about how evil he was and how everyone in the universe would be crushed. Good thing she wasn’t paying attention. Her brains would deteriorate.

“WARP!” Zurg finally called out when he saw Nané’s bored face. “Lock her up!”

“Yes Zurg.” Warp replied immediately. “And what shall we do with her?”

*How about playing tag?* Nané suggested to Warp.

*You’re such a kid.* Warp mumbled back.

*Awe, you’re so mean to me!*

“I don’t want to think about that now.” Zurg decided. “Right now it varies from destroying her, to using her as bait, to employing her and to brainwashing her.”

“May I suggest the brainwashing?” Nané called out giggling, while Warp brought her away. “We had so much fun when we played that game last time!”

*You absolutely have no idea what the word consequences mean, do you?* Warp asked her.

*Wow, mom said that once to me as well.*

 

While Warp brought Nané to a prison cell, Zurg was paying close attention to the final modifications of his new Hyper Ship. He started to think about what he would attack first. Okay, first he would let Warp take a test spin, and if Warp survived that, then he would use it as his own ship.

“Maybe I should use it to attack Star Command…” He mumbled. “Wait, Buzz Lightyear would stop me… hold on… how about we use Nané as a bait, lure Buzz Lightyear to here, destroy him with my ship, steal his ship, and use that to destroy Star Command!” Zurg started laughing. “The irony!” Suddenly he stopped. “Wait… this also means it could kill Nané. I can’t use her any more if she’s dead… then again, if Buzz Lightyear is gone, I don’t even need Nané any more. Bait it is!”

 

Warp opened the door to the cell. *So, what will you do now?*

*I told you, I won’t discuss work with you.* Nané sighed. *You just wait and see.* Warp was quite curious, and Nané could read that from his face. *Oh, and Warp?*

*Yes?* He replied. What would she want? It was not like he could give her anything; Zurg would surely know that!

*Don’t forget to sound the alarm.*

“Huh?”

Before Warp realized what had happened, Nané quickly used her skills to throw Warp into the jail, and locked the door before he could run back and stop her. “See you later Warp!” Nané giggled, and turned around.

“Nané!” Warp called out ticked off. She tricked him! She locked him up, instead of him locking her up! How evil of her! How demonic of her! How… stupid of him to not see that coming.

Grinding his teeth annoyed, Warp stepped back and aimed his mechanical arm at the door. He used his laser to blow the door out of its sockets, and quickly sounded the alarm. Just after he had done it, a sudden realization came to his mind. She expected him to do his job when they would meet. Fair enough; she would most likely do her job as well, when they would meet.

“Good luck Nané.” He couldn’t help but smile, as he went after her.

 

In the mean while Nané was on her way to Zurg’s new Hyper Ship. She jumped over the Grubs that blocked her way, and simply put the Hornets Zurg send at her out of commission after a few kicks and laser shots.

“Good bye Zurg!” Nané teased him, while leaping over him, supporting her hands on his head, and with legs spread as if she was doing a little kid’s game.

“Stop her!” Zurg immediately reacted, but Nané already reached the Hyper Ship.

“Let’s see…” Nané quickly looked around. “Red button, red button… ah, there it is!” Almost slamming the button through the panel, Nané enjoyed the sound of the engine getting ready.

Nané saluted Warp as he finally reached the room, and the mutual smile said enough to them both. Suddenly a shock filled Warp’s face and Nané noticed the ship was lifting off…going right at the wall! She would be crushed!

“Ack!” Nané cried. “I knew I forgot something!”

All gasped as the ship only did what it was ordered to do. Nané blocked her vision with her arms, and Warp’s heart skipped 7 beats, as Zurg cursed that his new ship would get crushed.

However, the ship was designed stronger than expected, as it burst right through the wall! Nané laughed and screamed relieved, Warp started breathing again and smiled, and Zurg screamed that his new ship was now stolen. But Nané didn’t care. She knew Zurg couldn’t stop her. Cheering she left Planet Z, and pushed the button for increasing the speed.

Soon she would be home at Star Command again. ‘Take that Tei!’ Nané cheered. ‘I did it! Woohoo!’

Zurg stood before the hole with his fist raised. “Curse you, Nané Sophia!” He called out. “Curse you! I’d rather have Buzz Lightyear!”

 

The speed of the ship surprised Nané most. She was home so fast, that she was actually disappointed. She wanted to dance in her happiness a while longer, but now that she was already home, she could show it to Tei and his groupie fan club.

Landing on a remote landing platform, Nané couldn’t help but calling Tei through a communicator with the words: “Honey, I’m home!”

Soon Tei and his groupies came to see. A part of them could not believe it; Nané had probably bought this ship somewhere. Or even borrowed it! But the sign on the side: ‘property of Zurg’ did look genuine.

“Wow…” Tei was impressed. “How did you do it?”

“That’s my little secret.” Nané winked. She was proud that she managed to do it all by herself as well. Warp didn’t even need to help her! Maybe the other students were right, and maybe she was indeed the best of – no, she shouldn’t think like that. That would only make her arrogant. No, she had to stay focused. Stealing a ship doesn’t prove a thing. Completing the Academy would. And to accomplish that, she needed to stay focused and pass all tests. She lacked experience; you can’t be better than the best if they have more experience.

“So, where will you hide it?” The four armed girl asked.

Nané thought for a moment, until a new voice filled the scene. “Now that’s something I’d like to know as well.”

All looked back and saw the stern face of Commander Nebula. How did he find out about this?! Then again, he was the head of this station, which would mean he would know about almost anything that would happen here.

Tei and his girls saluted embarrassed and knowing there was trouble ahead, and made sure they vanished as fast as they could from the scene. “Ehm, see you Nané!” Tei abandoned her.

Throwing a deadly glaze at him, Nané then heard Commander Nebula scraping his voice. She swallowed, and saluted. “Good day Sir.” She started uneasy. “What do you think of the weather today?” But the strict face of the Commander never changed. The silence was what she hated most. She started looking at the ground, feeling very small, and started mumbling. “Oh boy… I messed up again, didn’t I?”

“That is an understatement…” Was the only answer.

 

To be continued…

 

 

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