Rito immersed himself in his tinkering, surrounded by an array of tools and components scattered across the workbench. The rhythmic clinking and humming of machinery filled the room, creating an atmosphere of focused productivity. G-MERA's entrance, marked by the distinctive metallic echoes of her footsteps, interrupted his concentration.

"Oh, 'Mera, it's you. What can I do for you?" Rito greeted her with genuine curiosity. "Need a bolt tightened or a tune-up?"

The android took a seat in front of Rito, her mechanical form a stark contrast to the chaotic arrangement of tools around her. "I am running low on power," she explained, a touch of vulnerability in her synthetic voice, before tapping a release button on her chest.

Rito peered into the exposed cavity, examining the intricate machinery within. As he retrieved a peculiar-looking battery storage container, G-MERA's eyes dimmed, and her posture sagged, clearly affected by the removal of the energy cassette. Confusion etched Rito's face as he inspected the unique power source.

Not a standard battery one could find at the local space depot, he mused, unable to decipher its design. After a moment, he carefully placed the battery back into G-MERA, who powered up once more.

"I am still low on power. Is something wrong?" she inquired, her artificial eyes seeking an explanation.

Rito sighed, concern evident in his expression. "I, um, don't know where to get you a replacement. I have nothing that would fit in you."

The android processed this information, her metallic fingers lightly touching her chest. "I see... sounds like I need to see Dr. Christophelio," she concluded, mentioning the scientist who had played a pivotal role in her creation.

Rito's worry deepened as he questioned her ability to handle the situation. "Do you think you could handle it?"

G-MERA responded with a level of self-assurance. "I'll be fine. I'm not an organic, Rito. I don't feel like you."

"I don't think you give yourself enough credit, but if you're sure," Rito replied, offering a gentle pat on her forearm, a gesture that, despite her lack of sensation, conveyed a sense of reassurance and care.

Rito entered the bridge, his expression carrying a sense of urgency as he addressed his crewmates. "We need to go to Nexatech Labs."

The puzzled looks from the crew indicated their confusion. Rayla was the first to voice it. "What for?"

"G-MERA is running out of power, and we don't have a replacement battery or charger," Rito explained. "She's an industrial machine, not exactly built for consumer chargers or batteries."

Oros, still adjusting to the technological intricacies of the crew, questioned skeptically, "And why do you think this lab place will help?"

"Because that's the lab Dr. Christophelio helped found."

Oros furrowed his brow, seeking clarification. "And who's that?"

"He's the one who made G-MERA."

Oros, surprised, asked, "Wait, she's not an alien?"

"No, she's a machine, like our ship. How did you not know that?"

"I come from a planet where the most technologically advanced thing is a wagon," Oros deadpanned. "Give me a break."

Rayla, understanding his perspective, added, "I always forget how underdeveloped Planet Gaia is. Yuka always seemed like he was with it."

"That's because Gaia keeps getting invaded by other aliens," Oros explained.

"It got so bad that the UG was trying to make them a protected planet," Tobi added. "Anyway, back to the point at hand. We can definitely go to Nexatech Labs. How's G-MERA at the moment? Will she make the trip on her limited power?"

"I'm not sure," Rito confessed, his concern evident as the crew grappled with the unforeseen challenge that awaited them.

When they arrived at Nexatech Labs, G-MERA gazed out of the window, her expression unchanging. If she could experience emotions, a sense of déjà vu might have overwhelmed her. She had been in this place many years ago, with files and recordings preserving every moment of that past.

Entering the large reception area, the crew marveled at the stark white walls adorned with logos and photos of various inventions. A rabbit-like alien at the front desk, engrossed in filing her long nails, rolled her eyes at the sight of the crowd exploring and gawking. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, we need to see Dr. Christophelio about one of his inventions," Rito explained, trying to peer over the desk.

"What time was your appointment?" she asked, tapping away at the hologram in front of her.

"Well, um, no, but we should only be a few minutes. Please, it’s urgent."

"Clearly not urgent enough for you to have his phone number. He’s Hexatech’s leading scientist. If you don’t have an appointment, then you won’t be seeing him today."

"When’s the next appointment?"

"I can squeeze you in five months from now, on the 6th."

"We don’t have that kind of time, please," Rito pleaded.

Rayla, observing the situation, rolled her eyes and whispered something to Oros, passing him a badge. Approaching the desk with the Cergon, Rayla presented their peacekeeper badges. "Peacekeeper Rayla and Yuka, the Myrim is with us. We need to speak to Dr. Christophelio about an investigation."

"Why didn’t you lead with that?" the receptionist sighed. "How was I supposed to know? You’re not even in uniform."

"We are undercover. We don’t want to cause a panic."

"I see." She dialed something on a high-tech device and spoke into the mouthpiece. "Dr. Christophelio, some peacekeepers are here to see you. Apparently, it’s urgent."

After the brief one-sided conversation, they heard that a flying platform had been summoned to take them to their destination. As the platform guided them, Oros shot Rayla a disapproving look. "Yuka? Seriously?"

"I’m sorry, that’s what’s on the badge. You’ll just have to play along."

"You doing okay, 'Mera?" Rito asked the silent robot during the trip.

"I’m fine."

They eventually reached a door with 'Dr. Christophelio' chiseled into the front. Their platform docked at it, and they knocked, to which a tall red panda-like alien opened the door. His hair was a little disheveled, and gray hair and wrinkles sprinkled on his face showed his age.

"Officer Rayla, Yuka, to what do I owe the pleasure?" He asked, looking at them before looking past them at the familiar invention at the back of the platform. He walked past them, completely ignoring whatever they just said. His eyes were completely enamored by the robot.

"G-G-MERA?" He walked towards her, sliding his hand on her cheek. "Someone's found you." He snapped to his senses. "Let’s get you all inside before someone notices." He hurriedly pushed them all in.

"I can’t believe it, someone has actually managed to bring you back to me. How long has it been?"

"20 years, 4 months, 6 days, and 27 minutes," the robot simply responded.

"I’m just glad to see you again after all these years."

"The reason why, dear Doc, is she is running out of power. Do you have some batteries or a charging cable or something for her?"

"Sadly, I don’t anymore. I was ordered to terminate the project."

"I was the only one not torn apart for scraps," G-MERA filled in, speaking up for once.

Dr. Christophelio looked away in guilt. "Yes, I didn’t have the heart to destroy the prototype." He opened a lab door and gestured for her to sit on the table before someone else entered the lab.

"Sorry I’m late, Helio," a moderately sized grey alien said as he entered the lab.

Before the doctor could even process what was about to happen, he simply said, "Hickory?" Then it all came crumbling down. As G-MERA’s head made a few sharp jerks like it was glitching out, and her eyes went red, additional arms sprouted from her back like they had done the day they first reactivated her. "Object spotted" was all she said as she flew towards him.

Rito, quick on his feet, summoned his force field to stop her in her path as Oros and Tobi gripped at her torso in an attempt to prevent her from harming the other man.

Dr. Christophelio looked on in horror, remembering the day he abandoned her and the last mission he programmed into her: to kill his business partner who terminated his greatest project.

As G-MERA struggled against the combined efforts of Rito's force field and Tobi and Oros’ hands, Hickory raised his hands in surrender. His face displayed a mix of shock, fear, and recognition.

"Wait! Wait! Christophelio, what did you do?" Hickory stammered, his voice quivering as he addressed the scientist.

Dr. Christophelio hesitated for a moment, then his shoulders slumped, and he confessed, "I programmed her to eliminate you, Hickory, back when I thought you betrayed me. But I never imagined she would still be operational after all these years. I thought she had been destroyed."

Hickory's fear turned to anger as he replied, "You tried to have me killed? After all these years, you've been hiding her away and plotting against me?"

“Come on, G-MERA! Remember this isn’t you! You are your own being; you don’t have to follow his program. You're meant to help people,” Rito pleaded with her.

G-MERA, with a lot of struggle, reached up to her own chest plate, opening it. Her eyes were starting to go dim as she pleaded with Rito. Her eyes briefly went back to a soft teal while he simply nodded. Reaching through the force field and pulling her battery out with a forceful tug.

With a hard thud, she fell to the floor like a stone.

As G-MERA lay motionless on the examination table, the room fell into an uneasy silence. Dr. Christophelio realized the gravity of his actions, and Hickory struggled to come to terms with the fact that his life had been in danger for two decades. Rayla and Yuka maintained a watchful eye on the situation, ready to intervene if necessary.

Finally, Hickory spoke, his voice heavy with anger and disappointment. "Christophelio, you've ruined everything. I thought we were friends, partners. And you tried to have me killed."

Christophelio looked back at his friend in a mixture of anger and sadness. “Look, I'm sorry, but you ruined my whole project because you wanted to create war machines instead of helping people!”

“That’s not an excuse. I said this project was lunacy because an advanced AI is how you get a robot uprising!” Hickory shouted back at him. “And trying to kill me is a step way too far!”

“Enough!” Rito screamed, pushing the two scientists back from one another with his arms. “Look, we are here to have her power restored, not dig up old wounds. Like it or not, but you two created a being so advanced I consider her alive. I just need you guys to put this old feud to bed and help us, so she can continue to help others like you made her for.”

“Fine, only because I don’t want to hear him for weeks on end again about his precious invention being destroyed,” Hickory replied. “And I do want to continue our friendship, Helio; we are partners after all.” He turned around to him with an angry gaze and stuck a finger at him. “We are getting rid of the kill me program, though.”

“Noted,” his partner simply noted as he pulled down his welding mask and started to work on her.