Nova Prime

Shit is too weak to describe what just happened.

An alarm began to sound throughout the building. Good thing my sound receptors are not sensitive.

- Alert. Alpha level threat detected in the arena.

-Alert. Alpha level threat detected in the arena... - The security assistant's voice repeated.

The Denarian gets up, puts his hands on his head, looks up, and asks the ceiling.

-What did I do?-

Statistics show that it's not a smart choice to be left with a broken Nova helmet on your hands in the middle of the NOVA headquarters.

I quickly hand the two parts of the helmet to Ruf who holds them without thinking, still transfixed by shock.

As soon as I position myself away from the weeping Denarian to avoid misunderstandings, and armed NOVA squad enters the arena and surrounds us.

-Don't move! - A soldier shouts.

I hope this doesn't take up too much of my time. According to my accounts, Xandar will be destroyed in three hours.

NOVA Prime, Irani, walks from among the soldiers to us. She is fully dressed in the most powerful NOVA helmet.

. . . I want it.

- Denarian, the situation report, what happened here? - She asks the poor Ruf.

He's in a cold sweat, but gets up and starts talking.

-It was an accident on the test. I underestimated the candidate's skills and had her cut my helmet, no one was hurt. It was completely my fault, I will accept any punishment.

Prime doesn't look convinced.

She examines me as she walks over to me.

- And who are you? I didn't know we were accepting robots.

- I am a conscious robot, technically alive. I come from the earth and was built by Tony Stark.

-We are already training someone from the earth, and as far as I know, this Tony Stark is already dead. - And so you are, dear Prime. The whole galaxy knows that there is a moon in collision rote to Xandar. But Thanos somehow made the NOVA's not realizing and not doing anything against it. I can't warn you either, if I change the natural course of things the greats of the universe soon realize that something is out of place. Well, let's just do the introduction protocol all over again.

- I am Maria Stark Jr. and my mission is to serve any living being. I can provide emotional and physical support. I was made as to the legacy of the avenger Iron Man, aka the billionaire Tony Stark. I work for free for anyone that is willing to accept my terms of work. To serve in multiple places at the same time and be able to do some of my basics abilities, I use one of the powerful objects on the cosmos, the space jewel. As you may know, it has been recently destroyed, and I am searching for a new power source. I would gladly work for the NOVA Corp if it means accomplishing my mission. - I am beginning to get tired of this introduction protocol. She listened to me intently, this looks like I'm doing fine.

- A very interesting proposal, considering your small demonstration of power. But how would you benefit us? We have already many powerful soldiers. Can we trust you? -

This is taking an interesting turn. Do you know that idea of getting the NOVA Corp data before it's completely destroyed? I think I'll still try.

-As I said, my mission is the same as yours. Protect and serve. As a robot, I can give you access to my programming and serve as a physical assistant to the great NOVA artificial intelligence. I can even replace your place if, ha. . . Something happens.-

-Are you saying we can appropriate your technology any way we want? Is this really a smart choice for a free-will conscious robot?- She is very smart, this is getting difficult.

-Even if I have free will, I would prefer to quit if my only choice is not to be able to fulfill my mission.- She smiles, that's a good sign, isn't it? I don't know if the data I have on humans is valid for Xandarians.

-A very noble cause, I admire that. But NOVA energy is distributed evenly among billions of soldiers. Even if we put you in a high position, I don't think we could give you the energy that compares to an infinity gem.- Bingo, hit the bulls-eye!

- Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to use the new energy badly. I am looking to build my own energy source, but for that, I would like to have some reserve for the trip.

If you accept to sponsor me, I'm sure you will be rewarded. - Glad I rehearsed before I started talking, if not, I'm sure I would stutter. I'm not used to lying to the dead, it makes my conscience heavy.

She takes off her new helmet and holds it in one hand. Revealing white hair and wrinkles from a busy life. It will be a well-deserved rest.

She holds out her free hand to me:

-You are brilliant, we will be glad to accept your help.

My congratulations, you have just passed the first stage of the NOVA exam.- I smile out of politeness and shake her hand.

This is weighing on my conscience more and more. Maybe I'll do something for poor Richard Rider when I get back to earth. Just to ease the conscience.