Welcome to my new readers and welcome back to my returning. Are you all ready to start a new book with a new universe? I know I am. I hope that you all know the history of Ratchet and Clank, if not, I made a blog post that outlines the story and characters in the games. In terms of chronology, this takes place after the comic series. All 4 One and Full Frontal Assault (the two latest games) do not exist in this universe as they were side games not tied in with the story.

Chapter 1: The Signal

When we left off, Ratchet, Clank, and Sasha defeated Artimus Zogg. Just after the defeat, Talwyn, whom was presumed dead after a crash, met up with the three on the Apogee Space Station. Ratchet was thrilled that his best friend had survived and embraced her in a hug. Sasha debriefed the group along with the Galactic Rangers and left for Solana. Ratchet, Clank, and Talwyn were now left in Polaris to continue their lives. However, the entire Lombax fiasco still haunted Ratchet.

One year later…

Our heroes had been wandering the galaxy for some time. Every once in a while they would find a small job. Just recently, the two helped a group of Agorians fight off space bandits in the Korthos Sector. The duo was paid a hefty 7,500 bolts for their assistance. After that, Ratchet and Clank were at a loss of what to do. They had thought about returning to Solana and asking Sasha if any assistance was required, but Ratchet had Talwyn to take care of. The two had been together ever since Artimus attacked, so leaving the galaxy and Talwyn was out of the question. However, an option was thrown at them when one day they received something very unusual.

"I can't believe not a single person in this galaxy needs help." Ratchet said as he warped to the Cerullean Sector.

Aphelion replied, "I am currently scanning all available channels for any distress signals."

Clank added, "I understand your courage and need to protect these people Ratchet, but you must take a break some time. You cannot do these jobs nonstop."

Ratchet shook his head, "Clank, the last job we had was helping the Agorians. I contacted Mac to see if any new challenges opened in the Battleplex, but they hadn't added anything. I don't know- it's just been a while since we did something."

Clank nodded, "I agree, we have been dormant for some time. But you are doing more a job looking for one than doing one."

Ratchet shook his head, "It doesn't matter; we're going to the Apogee Station to rest anyway."

Clank nodded, "Thank you, Ratchet."

During the warp, Ratchet started to think about his past.

"Do you think joining the Lombax's was a better choice?" He asked.

Clank looked at him, "Why do you ask?"

Ratchet shrugged, "I don't know, it's been bugging me ever since Tachyon gave me the chance."

Clank shook his head, "Either choice would have been good. But I appreciate you choosing to stay and stopping Tachyon."

Ratchet looked troubled, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Clank spoke up after some silence, "Ratchet, you are a very lucky Lombax. Remember that Kaden sent you to Veldin to be saved from Tachyon- look at where you are now."

As the three came out of warp, Aphelion started to go haywire.

"Distress signal received. Repeat, distress signal received. Signature is of L…" Aphelion then went quiet.

Ratchet looked at the HUD, "What?" Aphelion didn't reply. "Aphelion?" There was still no response.

The ship was then rocked when several laser blasts hit the shields.

Clank was quick, "Bandits incoming."

"Hang on Clank" Ratchet said as he rolled to the left.

He quickly caught sight of the group of bandits. They were piloting ships that he had not seen.

"Whoever these guys are, they won't get far." Ratchet said, "Aphelion, switch to Proton Cutters."

Aphelion still wouldn't respond.

"Aphelion!" Ratchet yelled. The ship was rocked once more by more laser fire, "Damn it" Ratchet then manually activated the weapons. He fired at the small group in front of him and quickly destroyed them. The Proton Cutters were a very strong weapon granted to Aphelion from the Zoni. The weapon fired a stream of protons in a straight line and had a zero time interval between shots, therefore allowing for continuous fire. The two remaining bandits then came out in front from their attack run. Ratchet quickly destroyed one with the cutters. Suddenly, the Apogee Station cannons opened fire and destroyed the last fighter.

"Aphelion, respond" The ship AI stayed quiet, "Aphelion, what happened?"

Clank opened the on board computer, "It appears Aphelion was infected." He said, "According to the system check, a virus that restrains all communication was implanted on Aphelion."

Ratchet was confused, "How did a virus get on Aphelion? And why communication?"

Clank closed the computer, "One of the laser blasts must have been a device of some sort attaching to Aphelion. The virus could have uploaded from there. But you are right; a virus restraining communication is odd."

Ratchet shook his head, "What could have sent the signal?"

Clank shrugged, "I am not sure."

He then went over the downloaded file in his memory banks. To him it was a jumbled mess of code that he couldn't read. The most he was able to get out of it was that it was in fact a distress signal.

"Ratchet, I have thoroughly analyzed the file. It appears to be a distress signal. However, I am unable to read it." Clank said.

Ratchet then landed Aphelion inside the ship bay of the space station.

"That's odd; Aphelion was about to say what it was. How come you can't?" Ratchet asked as he jumped out of Aphelion.

Clank shrugged, "I am not sure."

Ratchet was a bit confused, "Do you think Tal has something to read it?"

Clank nodded, "I am sure she has something capable of determining the signal."

The two then entered the main bridge. Talwyn looked over at the two as they entered, "Hey you two." She said as she walked over.

Talwyn watched as Clank went over to the computer. "What's up with Clank?"

Ratchet shrugged, "Aphelion received a distress signal."

Talwyn looked confused, "What is it?"

Ratchet shook his head, "The bandits that were outside implanted some kind of virus on Aphelion. She couldn't tell us the signature before she went silent."

Talwyn and Ratchet then ran over to Clank, who had already uploaded the file to the computer. On the screen appeared several lines of code.

Talwyn looked at the lines, "What is this?"

Clank looked at the two, "It is the signature implanted on the distress signal."

Talwyn started to type, "Maybe the computer can decode it."

Ratchet watched as several command prompts opened up and scanned the file.

Suddenly, several lines of odd writing appeared over the code. Talwyn was shocked at the sight.

"That's… that's a Lombax signature." She said.

Ratchet was stunned, "What? That's impossible."

The language that the Lombax's used for writing started to replace the lines of code. Quickly, Talwyn stared to read it off.

"Need… assistance… unknown… discovered…" Talwyn stopped.

Ratchet was now worried, "What's discovered?"

Talwyn shook her head, "The rest of the code is corrupted. But whoever sent this is still alive and needs help."

Ratchet was now frantic, "Can you find the location?"

Talwyn started to type, "If we still have the signal…" She paused, "…almost."

Clank watched and suddenly found some code he could read.

"Greblin!" He said loudly.

Ratchet was a bit puzzled, "Greblin?"

Clank nodded, "Ratchet, it is Angela!"

To Be Continued…

Welcome to the end of Chapter one! I'm sorry it was a bit short; I didn't intend this one to be very long since it was the beginning. Anyway, I hope you like it so far, along with that little cliff hanger.

Leave a review and tell me what you thought. Be sure to follow the story if you enjoyed it and follow me if you like my work in general. Reviews always help, and followers just give me hope.

Until next time…