Author's note: The plot thickens.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ratchet & Clank. All characters regardless of their origin are of their respective owner(s).
Chapter III: Origins & Heritage
Ratchet tried to blink his eyes, a bright light shined into his eyes as his senses began to slowly but surely come back. He heard a small fire flicker and felt the warmth on his fur. It was the first time he felt warm again since that ordeal. Was it just all a dream then?
He tried to move up, but a jolt of pain in his arm quickly shook him from his dream. No this wasn't a dream, this had happened for real. The fight at the base, the Cragmite… Reticence.
As the brightness of the light finally began to fade away, Ratchet looked carefully around his environment. Another burst of pain reminded him to stay still, yet he was still curious. He looked around and noticed the earth walls and rooftop, a cave he assumed. The air was a little damp but not that it would soak him and the smell felt awfully familiar to him as if he had been here before.
"Uughhrrr.." he grumbled as he turned a bit more onto his side hoping to relief some of the pressure. The wound was bandaged yet one could see a small line of redness still, probably still some blood when the was fully open. It wasn't a large scratch per se, but it still hurt like hell. His fingers carefully brushed over the bandaged cloth as if he could find out who had helped him.
"Don't touch it too much, it wasn't easy bandaging you up… you know." A voice said from the shadowy part of the cave. The creature came forward as the light began to shine upon him. Ratchet's gaze froze when he saw the figure lid up. He gasped as he tried to speak "You are…a" "A Lombax?" the male spoke.
As he stepped closer to his 'guest', the Lombax odd features on his fur became noticeable. Ratchet had never seen this before not on anyone. The fur looked like his own and like Hobbes, only a tint more yellow with brown stripes on his ears. Yet between each two brown ones began a smaller bluish one. Even his face had several markings on them.
"It seems that my healing helped you a little. It was all I could do." Ratchet still couldn't believe it, were did these Lombaxes all came from? He was normally the last surviving one! And now there were several again? His mind began to spin before he yelled Hobbes her name. He tried to get up but the other Lombax stopped him gently.
"Don't worry she is still at the PMF base if you want to know. But you need to get rest first!"
"But but I need to see her! She needs to know I am safe. She's all I have!" he said with a trembling voice, yet beneath that fear lay the courage and will to find her and the other Lombax knew that.
He sighed knowing that Ratchet would do anything to get back to the one he loved and cared for. "So you are the famous Ratchet eh? What an odd name." the man said as he walked over to a small table, he grabbed several small items before going back to the small bed Ratchet was laying on. "Odd name? Huh… I don't even know yours!" Ratchet retaliated, as he began to be fed up with people finding his name 'odd'.
"Here lay still this will help combat the pain, poison and heal you." Poison? Ratchet didn't felt like he had poison in him, yet the pain was unmistaken.
The other man held forth a small glowing orb, it was blackish in colour and Ratchet would have sworn it was Nano-tech. Yet for some odd reason this wasn't the typical light blue normal orbs had, but black. "Is that Nano-tech?" he asked not knowing what it was the other held. "It is but not the kind you know." As he applied the orbs. Ratchet immediately felt a surge of energy as the orb was absorbed by his skin and the pain in his arm began to fade.
"Get some rest now first. We'll go after your pretty lass once it is day and your arm has been healed." As the Lombax went for the door he turned around and faced Ratchet "Oh and the name?... Abel." As he walked away letting Ratchet get his earned sleep.
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Away from Ratchet and 'Abel', Hobbes along with several Polaris military personal, Bova and his friend had all boarded a cruiser of the PMF. The base had been saved, well what was left of it anyway, and were making their way towards one of the last truly defend HQ's.
Especially Bova would be needed to provide his version of the attack, not only to provide the PMF's approval that Ratchet was not the culprit, but more so to warn that Polaris once again has Cragmites.
And how unfortunate it may be with the memory of Percival Tachyon still fresh in their memories they couldn't let this slip by. Even one Cragmite was mad, bloodthirsty enough to cause some damage, a fact that had been proven over the last year at almost all PMF bases.
"Do not worry about Ratchet miss Hobbes, he is resourceful and strong." Clank said as he patted Hobbes on the back. She looked back at the metal robot and hugged him tight. "I know Clank, I know." Sighing "It is just, what are those Cragmites going to do with him you know? I almost lost him once I cannot bear the thought of losing him again!" she practically yelled her fists ready to pounce on the closest person to even talk to her.
"Hey are you….ouch!" Bova yelled as Hobbes punched him straight in the face. The man quickly fell a little backwards as Hobbes looked up and shocked as she was ran opver to him. "Oh I am terribly sorry I didn't mean too." "Jesus woman, that's a fine right stroke you deliver." Shaking his head as he rubbed his face still recovering from the blow.
Bova sat down next to Hobbes placing an arm over her, "You know what missy? You need something to take your mind of things!" The female just looked at him with confused eyes, Bova gulped a bit as he saw the pain and anger in her eyes as if she would break into tears at any moment. "We'll find Ratchet, do not worry about that. The general has alerted the other bases and we'll be arriving shortly at the base… And then how about I buy you some dinner ok?" Bova smiled as he said that hoping it would cheer Hobbes up if by a little. Even Clank had patted her on the back and she could not help but show a small smile.
"Uherm… Sorry to interrupt luitenant, but the captain has ordered for everyone to strap in." a young man said. Bova nodded and gave Hobbes a small friendly push, "Cheer up lass. Once we have given HQ our findings his name will be cleared and we can go after him ok?" Hobbes just nodded in approving, her eyes being a bit more cheerful at the good news she heard.
As the craft began to approach the new planet the pilot adjusted the trusters for orbital enter. "Hold on to your bridges this is going to be a bumpy ride!" the pilot said to Zio. The latter who hated flying, well not the part within space he found that part the least annoying, but the take-off and landing was horrible to the man. "Just get us safely onto the ground will ya?" clamping tightly on his chair. Zio had even buckled himself twice if the first buckle would come loose. A paranoia he had about flying was commonly known by all, yet even after years of service the Rilgarian still preferred a raging battlefield over being stuck in one of those blasted spacecraft's.
As the ship descended into the planet's atmosphere, the ship glowing reddish from the heat it began to endure, looked as a burning star from the surface. Beautiful yet fragile, the immense heat and friction able to tare limb from limb, metal from hulls if given the chance.
The ship glided towards the planet with immense speed, the ship was being messaged by the PMF base below, as the pilot read the message. "Roger that command. We have a go to land at the B14 dock. Deploying thrusters…"
The cruiser began to cool off as it passed trough the thick fog of the planets coulds. Several thrusters were initiated to begin slowing down the massive ship. Bursts of heated air began to slowly but surely slow down the vessel as it reached the base below.
Hobbes was looking out of one of the windows as her mouth dropped in awe. She had seen bases before she was put into hibernation, but this base was like nothing she had seen before. The splendour and beauty of it was unparalleled.
It was not only the size of that stood out, but the base had been created to be like a modern city almost a utopia. The entire area was covered with trees and flowers, even several small fountains and canals had been created within the perimeter. Buildings that Hobbes thought were the barracks looked more like actual houses and sleeping quarters.
The place where the ship was landing also had been decorated lavishly. And within the center of the base a huge bastion of a complex around several high towers.
"Impressive no? The PMF's HQ, a sight of wonders for anyone actually… I remember the first time I saw it, the look on my face then was the same as yours now." Bova said to Hobbes, who couldn't do anything but gaze and wow at it all as the ship landed on solid ground.
She was awoken from her dream when Bova placed a hand on her back "I'm going to check on captain Zio, he'll be more then glad that this ride is over knowing him." The man chuckled knowing fully well that Zio was by far happy.
And by far happy he was when Bova saw the puking bag he was holding. Zio passed by Bova "NOT a word!" as he pointed towards the older man. Bova smirked a little as he saluted his superior.
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Hobbes and Clank both looked stunned with each turn they made, every corridor had guardsmen. And even the rooftops were being shielded with extra shielding technology. "Is this type of defence not too severe?" Clank asked curiously. Zio answered that with so many bases being destroyed and the ones he and Bova were stationed at was one of the few remaining ones, they couldn't risk losing the HQ.
"This base has state of the art defences, nothing can get in or out." Bova smirked as if he was content with how tight security was. "The most important thing for us now is to relay that we are talking about Cragmites now." Hobbes nodded as Clank bowed his head down a little. Even if one couldn't see it, the robot was equally worried for Ratchet's safety as Hobbes was.
"I take it that with this testimony, our friends name will be cleared of any charges?" Zio stopped and turned around to face the small robot. "Trust me, this will do more than just clear his name."
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Ratchet yawned as he opened his eyes, strangely he felt good. He would have expected his arm to hurt a lot more and longer. Yet he couldn't describe it but he felt super even. He began to ponder as he looked around remembering where he was and that 'Abel' fella he met before. "Riiight… The whole Cragmite thing!"
He brought his hand to touch the wounded arm and to his surprise he felt nothing. No scratch, no scar, no pain. Healed completely. His eyes went wide open to this. Not even normal nano-tech was able to heal a wound this severe not with the pain he was experiencing before. "Incredible" he whispered as he moved his arm out of the bandages and inspected it. The fur had already grown fully back. As his fingers glided trough the fur he stopped when he saw a small spot glow brightly yellow for a moment. He inspected it for a while, curious about how he could have been healed. But then he remembered "The black nano-tech."
He stood up from his bed and walked about, the place he was in still felt so familiar for some reason. His ears swooped up high when he heard water crashing down. His senses were coming back one by one, slowly but surely.
Moving across the cave like area he was in, the walls glowed with fungus and other small plants. Luminescent he expected. The only other light source was the small fire that was kept near him. He walked further down a hallway towards the sound he had picked up. It was no mistake to him this was a waterfall he heard.
Curious as he was he moved further and closer, he walked into an open spot where he saw the water crashing in front of him towards the river below. The smell of fresh air was heavenly, the song of birds and trees how he had missed it. It felt like an eternity to him.
"More like five days." A voice said behind him. Ratchet was startled a little, but he wondered when the other Lombax would show up. "You have healed well for such a small time. I am surprised and that is hard for me."
Ratchet was enjoying the view, yet he had many questions and most of all he wanted to get back to Hobbes.
The other Lombax gestured to come, Ratchet hesitated but followed. "You are on Ardolis. The pirate home base." That name shocked Ratchet, Ardolis? Where the space pirates lived? "This isn't good, no no no… Why of all places are we here? If Captain Slag finds out then." "He won't find out! Now keep quiet before they DO find you here." Abel said harshly. "Look if you want answers just follow me and I'll give them to you. There is more here at play then you can possibly think."
The blue striped Lombax pulled up a few items from behind a rock. "Here you'll need these. But use them wisely they pack a punch!" Ratchet looked curiously, "These are weapons. I haven't seen these before." "Lombax made weaponry, deadly, accurate and not cheap to fabricate."
Ratchet touched the side of the weapon, it looked his old combuster rifle, yet this one was different. It was a longer type of weapon having five muzzles at the end of the gun. The connected towards a large chamber in the centre of the barrel, where Ratchet presumed the bullets were located. The trigger itself was set at the back with a handle for firm grasping and placement against the shoulder.
" Sweet no? Fires plasma shells at increasing rates. The chamber houses the generating chamber. And a small attachment allows for bombing an area. Compare the firepower of this baby as a smaller version of the RYNO class family." And knowing fully well one RYNO has the firepower of an army, it was surprising to find almost the same firepower in a small handheld weapon!
"Now let's move, I do not want to talk too much. But I'll show you the rest of my men before we move out." Ratchet nodded as he was more than eager for payback.
The Lombax was true to his word as he and Ratchet moved away from the waterfall and deeper into the cave system. Ratchet noticed that this place had been used only recently, once in a while a saw several makeshift and quickly created beds. Or a small rock that was flattened to be allowed as a dining table.
Whoever these people were, they did not plan to staying one place for very long.
As Ratchet moved alongside the walls of the cave, he finally entered a large hall of some sorts. It looked as if it was carved right out of the stone yet he couldn't put his mind into what it was. He tried to think about it more before almost being knocked over.
"Oww!" he shouted as he tried to regain his footing. He looked at him and saw a small child looking at him from a few feet away. "Hey kid, watch it ok little bud?" he said in a soft voice towards the kid. "Prrr?" was the only response he got from the kid.
Ratchet had never seen that species before, but then again there were so many types of aliens in the universe, who could have seen them all.
The kid wore just a small trouser and a ripped shirt, he looked insect like with segments of armour plates on his head and back. A funny sight to behold as Ratchet was covered fully in fur the complete opposite of the child. The little one came forward and stood behind Abel as if alarmed by the new Lombax. Purring and making small noises, Ratchet found it cute yet there was a reason for it.
"PRRrrrirr!" the kid seemed to shout as a tall shadow casted over him. The Lombax looked up at which Abel snickered a little bit out of the fun he was getting from the scene. "Uuuh hi?" The Lombax said a little nervous when he saw the tall alien towering over his form. "The name is Raa…" before the Lombax could finish of his sentence the big alien took the kid with him on his shoulder and walked away. It must have been the father he thought.
Still Ratchet was stunned by what just happened. The other Lombax couldn't help but chuckle a little bit at the sight he had witnessed. "Come I'll show you to the others as well."
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"Cragmites?" asked one of the generals in the room. Bova was getting a bit irritated by the constant questioning of his superiors about the truthfulness of his story. Yet by luck, or divine intervention, he was able to keep his cool.
"Indeed, sir, we were being attacked by Cragmites. They had attacked the base and…"
"ENOUGH! I do not want to hear any more stories about this." The general yelled. Even so the other generals present looked at the man with confusion.
"This is just a story you made up, the last Cragmite was killed several years ago. And now you are suggesting we have an entire group on our hands? That is preposterous."
Both Hobbes and Clank had already been interrogated, just like with Zio and Bova however, the same general time and again waved off the story they told as make belief.
To Hobbes this began to become annoying, Clank noticed this as he had seen her get annoyed and angry at Ratchet on several occasions. And that was usually a start for trouble to start brewing.
Hobbes eventually stood up and left the room cursing softly at herself as Bova was trying to explain the situation even more. But to no avail.
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"Unbelievable!" she yelled in the hallway attracting the attention of several by passers. She slammed her fist into the wall, not even caring the small line of blood that came from her hand. Clank know she loved Ratchet much, but they both knew that they could not do anything at this time. Not yet anyway.
"Miss Hobbes, I do believe that something must be wrong." Hobbes turned around at the small companion, curious as always. Clank may be small and fragile, but whenever he spoke there was always wisdom or strength beneath his words. "The general was rather quick to assume that we were wrong." As Clank said this, Hobbes turned to see the chamber they had come from, it did make sense. More so, it made more sense when she thought about it. Was there foul play involved in this? "Maybe we should visit this general and get some proper answers out of him." The Lombax grabbed her weapon a bit tighter, Clank eyes went wide "Oh my." But he knew that in order to find out what was going on, he needed to find answers the same as Hobbes.
Both of them agreed to 'visit' the general later that night. And what would happen, they would get an answer one way or the other.
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In his room general Vito sighed as he placed his uniform onto the bed. "What have I done." Sighing as he thought about the day that had passed. He felt horrible, but what other choice did he have?
If anyone found out what was about to happen, he would condemn billions to their death over the freedom of one. "No this is the right way. Yet a bitter one." Vito could not have wanted more then to except the truth from his subordinates. "Perhaps I should have…" he said softly to himself. "Should have?... Dear Vito."
Vito was startled by the other voice. "You! I … I was not expecting you to be here for another week or so." The general stuttered a bit as the Cragmite came closer to him. "You havn't forgotten our arrangement did you?" as the Cragmite pulled out a small weapon. "One word about this and this agreement of ours is over. Rest assured that the Colonel would be so saddened if you decided to turn on him." Vito felt disgusted. How had he ever let it come to something like this. He felt a bit of anger at how the creature before him spoke, yet he knew one misstep would get him killed.
"Why are you here… Reticence." Vito snarled a bit. His fur starting to stand up a bit. "You are 'gracing' me with your presence." Reticence was amused. "Oh you know why I am here… You know very well." He said licking his lips, as he swirled his blade back and forth. "That girl and her companions."
"What about them?" Vito asked carefully yet a bit curious. "I have swayed their story off as you wanted too… There is nothing that…"
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Hobbes and Clank walked through the hallway towards the chamber of general Vito. They had been 'persuasive' with some of the guards to let them pass. And thanks to Clank his hacking skill, the entire day the cameras were relaying loops of empty hallways from the previous nights.
"Do you still think this is wise? Miss Hobbes, this may not be wise." Hobbes snarled at this a little "Do you want answer or not?" staring at Clank with angry eyes. The robot only sighed and followed. At times he wondered if Lombaxes didn't just want to find danger themselves.
As they moved towards the chamber of Vito, they heard the general talk.
"What about them?" Vito asked carefully yet a bit curious. "I have swayed their story off as you wanted too… There is nothing that they can do now. What more do you want?" Vito's voice was getting unstable. "What do you mean she is trouble? Her story is not even believed enough by the other generals!" "No I can't, I will NOT do that!"
Hobbes couldn't make out everything the general was saying, but unless someone was in that room then there was clearly something wrong. She ran towards the room barging in, guns pointing first out.
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The door smacked open as a yellow blur entered, before knowing fully well Vito was having a gun pointed at him from the side. He looked to where Reticence had been standing. "Gone…" he whispered.
He got his composure back " Hobbes was it?... May I ask as to why you broke down my door? And how did you get passed my guards!?" the general was all but happy at this point. But anyone would try to stay calm with a gun pointing at the them.
The female Lombax did not care for the attitude of the general pressing the gun harder at the males skull. "Answers… NOW." Her voice left nothing to be asked as to what she wanted to know.
"What is there to know? You want me to say that these stories of yours are true? Or you prefer something else? I can have you arrested for this!" "I don't care." Hobbes said, her voice snarling with anger and fury.
Vito closed his eyes. If he did say nothing to her, he would feel guilty for the rest of his life. Yet was the alternative better? "Answer me!" Clank looked at Hobbes, his eyes glowing with compassion for his friend, but even he knew that Hobbes was about to break her point of no return. Vito brabbled something to himself the female couldn't understand. "English general…" "My fate has been decided long ago… It does not matter to me what I say. But I pray for the universe at what is to come." The general sighed as Hobbes retracted her weapon confused by the sudden choice of words.
"I am not going to kill you! I want answers." Her anger was fading as she got more and more intrigued as to what was happening. How was this all related to Ratchet? And more so why wouldn't anyone see it the way she did?!
"What you spoke of was true… And I believe your stories. Here take this." As he gave Hobbes a piece of paper. The Lombax was confused, she did not understand. "My sins and pride have condemned this universe. But know that you were talking the truth. Zio and Bova are correct. Just know this there is more at stake then you know." The general said.
Hobbes and Clank did not understand anything as Vito turned around. "You here that Reticence?! I am tired of all the lies… Tired of the manipulating! Your existence will be shown to the world!" The general yelled in the room.
Reticence was boiling with anger. That fool! He was going to ruin all. He smiled, licking his lips for at the very least he was allowed to finally play. And maybe he could still settle things. "Vito, Vito, Vito… You wish to play the game then as more than a pawn?" The Cragmite said, his eyes glowing yellow reddish from the dark of the room.
Hobbes grabbed her weapon, "What is that!" Vito's only response was "Cragmite." Her eyes went wide, as she looked at the general. "YOU!" she snarled at Vito. But the general turned around and pushed her away as a blade struck forward almost piercing her. A sound of screams came from Vito as he looked at his arm.
Blood was pouring out of the newly made wound.
Reticence cocked his head "My my, general Vito… You are breaking… the rules. " he showed of his teeth as he swung his blade opening the wound more. Vito only cried out at Hobbes, "Go… NOW!" Both Clank and Hobbes ran as they ran towards the barracks were Bova and Zio were located. Behind them hearing only the screams and pain of the general.
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Vito cried it out as he looked at his wounds. "Aw poor little pawn, what's the matter?" Reticence moved forward again, each step scraping his sword over the ground. "I'll take pleasure in killing you and that bitch. She won't get far."
The wounded man smiled, grinning even. "Heh heh…aargh." He scolded as the cold blade pierced his shoulder.
Yet with all the pain he was having the man still smiled. "Heh... you know what… is funny Reticence?" The Cragmite looked down as he licked the tip of his small knife. "That girl you want to kill has the evidence she needs against you."
Reticence laughed back at this. "You think that matters VITO!" an agonising scream came from the man as the blade was twisted in his shoulder. "I'll indulge you with what is in store for the future." As the Cragmite planted his hand onto the forehead of Vito. The general looked in horror of the scenery he saw enveloping. "You were never nothing more than a pawn."
His eyes closed as the general expected his end to be soon. "My actions… condemned us all. But I can die in peace with the knowledge that she can expose you." He grinned soft as he felt the life dripping away from him with each passing second. "And I should thank you for one thing." The Cragmite looked confused "Oh? My little plaything?... *click click*" as he clicked with his tongue. "Haha… this…" Vito said as his body fell dead. His arm fell to the ground as from his hand rolled a small object. "Oh fuck this bull…"
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Hobbes and Clank ran out of the building as they were knocked over by an explosion. "Take cover!" Hobbes said as she grabbed Clank with her behind one of the concrete flower benches.
"What the hell happened back there!" Clank himself even did not know. It happened so fast for even him to process. "We must find safety first." The small robot said as a flaming rubble shot over there head straight into the street before them.
Sirens went off as the HQ of Polaris woke up. Those on patrol quickly tried to extinguish the flames. But thankfully unlike with the other bases, this explosion was limited to only one and the fire was put out.
Zio and Bova both came running to Hobbes. "Whoa what happened?!" Hobbes said nothing, but only looked at the piece of paper in her hand. She grabbed it tightly, swearing she would find out what happened this day and how it involved her and Ratchet.
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Ratchet followed his 'host' trough several caverns and tunnels. Each one held several people and all seemed to be heavily armed. The Lombax pondered as to who these people were. Most of them were unknown to him and the ones he did recognise a little, felt as if he knew them from his childhood.
As they entered a large cavern he noticed again more waterfalls, each covering en entrance to the lair he was in. It felt all too familiar, this entire place, he had been here before. He wanted to speak up as Abel placed a hand of his mouth before he could speak. "Quiet… We got company." Ratchet listened as his ears perked towards the sound of the waterfall, he only heard the ambient sounds of nature, nothing else. But the expression on the other Lombax his face showed that there was something indeed.
Suddenly he too heard it, a soft chit chat of some sorts. Yet he couldn't distinguish any of the words not until the origin of the sound came closer. His eyes widened as his ears picked up on the familiar voices. " *hic*… Aye capt'n! That was a good tune." A high pitched voice said yet the person sounded wobbly as if drunk. Ratchet knew however who this was, 'Rusty Pete' he thought to himself. It then hit him why everything felt so familiar. He was on Ardolis!
"You truly have the voice of an angeeel..*hic*" Pete said hiccing. "Aah shush Pete, you make an old robot blush!" "t'Is true capt'n! You should perform for the lads and lasses in concerts. Ooh the beauty." Pete said to his best friend and superior, Captain Romulus Slag "Scourge of Polaris!... Would be a fitting name wouldn't ya think, Pete?... Pete?... PETE! Stop drinking all the grog ya mangy rat! Leave some for me."
The two robots kept chatting to one another, Ratchet didn't try to move, nor did Abel. Whilst they could easily dispatch the drunken bots, they both knew that risking alarm was too great a risk. Ratchet for he had encountered the pirates several times before. And Abel knew it from personal experience.
"Ya know what Pete? I miss the good old times. When… when…" Slag began to cry as he remembered the memories he had. "I used to be a Scourge, a scourge! Now look at me." "Aw cheer up mate, how about some grog? Besides we can go pillage some planet this afternoon." Pete said trying to cheer Slag up.
"Ye always knew what to say, Pete. Even when we were chasing that mangy mongrel of a Ratchet. Aah the times we had." Ratchet began to get nervous and annoyed, he hoped that Slag would leave so he could finally get answers from Abel. But with both pirates just behind the waterfall, the risk would be a bit too great.
Slag turned his head around, "I still remember it as if it was yesterday. The smell of that fur ball, the sounds he always made. So squishy yet funny." "Oh COME ON!" Ratchet yelled, before quickly shutting himself up. "Hey you're right capt'n hahaa! *hic* It does sound as if he is still here."
Both pirates began to sing songs and cheers together, "Till fix me and plunder, tare your ship…"
Abel patted Ratchet whispering soft to him "Let's go before they sing an encore."
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"Ardolis?" Ratchet almost yelled. "Out of all places you brought me here?" The Lombax walked back and forth constantly. He barely had time to turn his tail around or he was moving in another direction.
The little kid from before had taken an interest in Ratchet's tail, trying to follow it as he walked behind the taller Lombax.
"Great! I get arrested, blown up, almost killed, judged on actions I did not do." Abel rolled his eyes, yet he was amused with the scene he saw. "Lombaxnapped sort to speak, I have no clue where Hobbes is, who you guys are or why there are Cragmites still alive!" Ratchet kept on blabbing to himself until the small kid finally was able to grab Ratchet's tail, shaking the man out of his daydream. "Ouch! Hey there kid, watch it. This isn't a toy." He said, the small creature backed away still holding on to its new toy. Ratchet melted as he saw those big yellow eyes stare at him. "Ok it's alright." He said with a grin. "Still, Abel was the name yea? I do want some answers."
Abel watched as the father of the small kid came in again and as quickly as he came, he was away with his son. Ratchet was kind of relieved, as he could now walk properly again.
Abel gestured him to a small room within the cave sitting down as Ratchet followed his gesture. "Ok so what is going on here? Who are you guys?"
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Bova placed a hand on Hobbes her shoulder startling her. She looked at him, Zio and Clank. The small robot only smiling back at her as she looked at the paper. "Huh." As her hand brushed over it. Could such a small piece of paper hold the answers she had been searching then? It could not be that simple. Her gaze fell upon the black cloud of smoke coming from the quarters she had just, left a reminder to her that whatever was happening, she and Ratchet were both involved into it.
"Miss Hobbes?" Clank's voice sounded with compassion as he tugged on her pants grabbing her attention. "Perhaps we should see what is on the piece of paper the general provided us no?... And I would also commend to move away from the streets and let the military clean up this mess." The female only agreed as she followed her smaller companion back to her own sleeping quarter. She was however apprehended by several security guards who immediately guided her towards one of the conference rooms where the remaining generals had gathered.
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Many military personal had already gotten into action trying to defuse the fires and clear some of smaller rubble by hand. The explosion was contained to Vito's personal building, yet some of the debris had fallen onto other places as well and the once pure, futuristic site of the PMF HQ now felt more like a warzone then a serine and calm military facility.
The other generals looked in horror at the sight of the carnage that had been created, all of them remembered the vicious fights against Percival Tachyon a few years ago, the memories still haunting them to this day.
Shaken from the ordeal one of the general faced Hobbes demanding what had happened. "I don't know myself honestly, all I can say is that general Vito gave me this." The paper was passed down to the other general without a moment of hesitation, it was only after she gave it that Hobbes quickly took it back. "Wait!" She almost yelled, even Clank was confused. "Vito gave me this, I should better read it." As she unfolded it. "Just numbers?" As she looked at the markings.
One of the older generals knew this code "That's Vito's personal code! I remember that from when he was a young lad first starting at the rank of general."
The general walked away, slowly yet firm even in his old age. Within several minutes, the man came back with a small box. Hobbes became more curious, as she began to enter the code. As the last number was entered, a small hissing sound came from the device, opening slowly as if it had been laying dormant for years.
However from the looks of the dust on it, one would think it indeed had.
"A recording? Oh great! Give answers already people!" Bova said, stunning Hobbes as she wanted to say the same thing giving Bova strange eye. "That is an old holovision recording, before we all went HHD and digital." Zio said.
Hobbes grabbed the small device and brought it to the nearest holovision player. She prayed to any deity well to everything she knew may or may not have existed that this would give answers.
The room darkened as the reader began to transmit the images to the device. Blue particles hovered and swirled around in the room as they began to form images. All gathered in the room wanting to know what Vito held so sacred for years. As the image began to take shape, all gasped but were not so surprised to see Vito's image appear.
"This is general Vito Decrota, leader of the 25th legion of the PMF forces in the Hydrula quadrant. Should this message be seen then I fear that my worst nightmare has come to creation."
It sounded cliché to most in the room, yet for all the lines the holovid was playing, it held some form of truth to it. This was real life after all and whatever the message was going to be forthem, it would not be pretty no matter what the message contained.
"I… have made grave errors in my life. Condemned my men to their deaths. Yet with this, I seek atonement for the mistakes I made whilst living. Seeking peace and justice within the death that has taken me."
"This sounds like a bad fanfiction if you ask me!" Bova whispered to Zio, the latter just shushed the man up wishing to hear the story rather than be interrupted by Bova. The other generals in the room whispered to one another not believing their eyes or their ears as they heard what their former friend was saying.
" This video has been recorded in the hopes that it may shed light onto recent events. Events that I helped put in motion. No, helped to create… It began not long after the Drophyd War had ended with Percival Tachyon being killed by the Lombax named Ratchet and his robotic friend Clank."
Both Clank and Hobbes felt deep pride as Ratchet and Clank both were named for the heroic deed they had accomplished. But feared what the rest of the message might have be.
"Not long after the war during a patrol mission on Reepor, my men were killed by an unknown force. Fearing for my own life I tried to send out a distress signal. But I was never given the opportunity… I was then approached by the being responsible for the chaos and destruction of my men. A Cragmite."
The room became more and more quiet and some might have even felt an eerie cold brushing over them. A chill of fear and despair.
"He called himself Reticence… He offered to me an agreement in exchange for my life. One that I was sadly forced to obey with. He called himself the 'Smitten'. For what reason I did not wish to know, yet he forced terms on me. In exchange for my life he only demanded my silence about his existence and that of his fellows still alive. Cowardly as I was, I accepted the offer."
Disgust, yet understanding came from some of the other generals. Yet the bitter taste of betrayal lingered with them all. "Why did he not just said anything? He could have-"
"Only after I came back towards the Hydrula sector did it became clear, when this Cragmite Reticence contacted me again, that the choice I made was the right one. Should I have broken our 'agreement', he would have activated several Cragmite Disturbers. Alas a risk that I could not take. And out of fear of him finding out my breaking of the agreement, I was forced to do his bidding against my own judgement and will. My cowardice saved millions of lives, but I condemned them all to their death.
Therefor in the event I would pass, this video would be able to be opened by my fellow generals, or to whoever I passed the code to.
"I hope and pray that my actions were in the best of my galaxy."
As the transmission ended, some were left with even more questions than before. Most of the general were more surprised than anything by the actions that Vito had undertaken, keeping a façade for all these years.
Zio broke the awkward silence however, even if there were superiors within the room he voiced his opinion. "Was I the only one that just heard that a group of Cragmites have bombs placed all over the galaxy?... And now that I think of it, the attacks on the base where Bova and I were stationed makes more sense." One of the older generals immediately got into action demanding various reports and field reports from the last few years.
"This may be even bigger than even Vito may have expected!" He commented, horror and fear showed on his face as numbers and reports began to appear on the Holovision.
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"Who are you then?" Ratchet asked to the man before him. The Lombax eyes were filled with tons of questions, Abel knew Ratchet better than Ratchet would know however. As such the famous hero of over three galaxy's wouldn't just back down.
"Tell me, what do you know of your past?" A curious look fell upon Ratchet, his eyes moving left and right at the odd question that was asked to him. " What does MY past have to do anything with this?"
The blue marked Lombax chuckled. "Everything!" Ratchet was not in the mood to play games as he grabbed his wrench pointing it at the other. "I want answers… NOW! And not this mysterious bogus everyone is forcing down my throat!"
Several of the other figures nearby had come down to see the commotion, noticing of the aggressive stance towards one of their members directly enforcing their strength and numbers should Ratchet decide to get more 'personal'.
The wrench was quickly placed back into its holding place. "You want to know the history then? Or the truth that lies behind it?... A web of intrigue, betrayal, murder, genocide."
Ratchet's eyes closed further, the look on his face would make even the most of sturdy men shake.
"I want to know the story, the whole story!"
Abel grinned a bit as he came closer towards Ratchet bringing his hand forward. "I better show you don't you think?" The other Lombax was confused and looked more so afraid of what was going to happen than anything else at this point. He wanted Hobbes safe and Clank back at his side. But for that he would go through fire and water, no trough even the Cragmite Empire himself!
"Show me!" As the mysterious Lombax placed his hand onto Ratchet's head as he held several items within his hand. Images began to form in his head, as if he was reading someone's else his mind, past, memories. His pupils dilated at the information that came to him as he felt reality slip away from himself. His knees began to shake as he fell down, the other one still keeping his hand onto his head. "You wanted to know the whole story? The Truth of the Lombaxes. Then experience it first hand!"
With those words said the Lombax fell into a deep sleep, almost coma like, his body limp on the ground. "You'll see the truth and the past. Of this there will be no doubt." Abel said.
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Ratchet woke up, his head felt like it had been pounded by a sledgehammer. He grabbed his forehead, remembering only that strange Lombax, energy something he couldn't describe.
"Oh you are finally awake? Ah you sleepy head!" Ratchet looked at the sound. "Nhgrr…" he said sheepishly before yawning feverously. "Yea, I know the work had kept me up yesterday. I feel like shit." The Lombax said as he stood up. Ratchet was confused, he did not say this nor did he knew why.
He looked at the Lombax in the doorway and then to the room. This wasn't Fastoon, nor Ardolis. I he didn't knew this place. Yet what was happening? As he walked over to a mirror, he shocked even himself. This wasn't Ratchet. He was someone else… But whome?!
"Tell Patrice, I'll be there shortly! Gods of all days to had a bad night sleep." The female at the door walked over and hugged the man from behind. "Awh you'll do fine! The whole nation is awaiting your invention honey. And later tonight I'll give you something nice for the work." As her hand grabbed the males crotch firmly.
Ratchet was shocked, ok this was getting too weird for him, yet he couldn't do much. As if he felt compulsive to move a certain path. "You always know how to make me smile don't you?" As his hands moved towards the female, but she quickly pushed them away. "Oh no hotshot, not yet! Later tonight you'll get these." Winking at Ratchet before going out of the room she came in.
The male went to a wardrobe as he grabbed some armour and clothes he had never seen before. The nametag on the breastplate told him he was either high-ranking in the military or scientifically department. His fingers traced the name "Maxxtivol Vondermans". Ratchet began to understand what was going on, although he couldn't grasp how. He was seeing through the eyes of another man. Whatever that Abel fella had done to him, he was now in body and flesh Maxxtivol Vondermans.
Ratchet moved out of the room within a large area, seeing all types of Lombaxes hard at work. Most were clad within white lab coats, others within army uniforms he suspected. His eyes immediately dropped to the many signs within the hallway. All of them were displacing what to him seemed propaganda. But for some reason to him it wasn't truly that. It felt more like nationalistic messages?
" Freedom, Brotherhood, Duty… Honour the Fallen, respect the Brave, accept your Destiny!"
The figure on the holoscreen repeated. That these people wouldn't get tired of it? But the Lombax did not think too much about it as his body moved towards another chamber. This one unlike the others he had seen thus far was much grander. A stage had been displaced before him with many Lombaxes both military, scientifically and other types of branches Ratchet could not figure out had gathered within the room. It felt as if they were waiting for something. Ratchet's body moved forward even against his protests as the Lombax began to give his speech.
"Fellow Lombaxes, elder council members, everyone…" Maxxtivol began. "We live in harsh times. The Cragmites are almost on our doorstep as we all know. Threatening our way of life, our freedom our future. They will expand wipe us all out for our own right of freedom from their rule."
Several nods and small agreements were made by the ones present at the gathering.
"They are now even using terrorist like attacks on us. Not only going out of the Polaris Code of Conduct, but also striking at those that can't defend themselves! Our children and families!... As such, the ALCAT branch of the military has been busy for the last three years to create a new weapon that will assist us in this war. And counter the imminent threat that the Cragmite Empire brings to us all!" The Lombax yelled out, as cheers and woo-hoops were heard across the room. "As such, the Advanced Lombax Center for Anti-Terrorism is proudly to bring forth to you all, Project 69!"
Several curtains fell downwards, as several stasis tubes were brought forward. Gasps and astonishment came from the older Lombaxes present, whilst the younger generations were more than excited to finally see the fruits of their labour.
"Three years of work have provided us with these soldiers. Genetically created and enhanced on all features by our scientists. Having been able to augment the natural Lombax ability, as well as providing each of these new warriors with unique abilities to use. Programmed to learn and adapt and serve the Lombaxes in this war!"
Ratchet stared at the tubes as he gazed upon the centre one. His gaze shafting slightly as he noticed a familiar like creature. It then finally came to him, the one naked creature in the centre tube was that Abel fella. But how was that possible? That would have meant him to be centuries old.
Maxxtivol was pleased with his work. Over three years of hard work and turmoil would finally pay off. They would push back the Cragmites with these new weapons.
After the presentation many questions were thrown towards him asking if these 'things' wouldn't turn on their creatures. They were assure that each of the 69 had been genetically altered as to allow their programming to come first. But be able to adapt towards what the Lombaxes needed. These were not soldiers just created in tubes, but living beings as well. And after the war they would be given their freedom and full status as citizen as well.
Some disagreed, but the creation of this project could finally mark the end of the war.
Ratchet's mind overflowed with the data and knowledge of Maxxtivol. How they were created, their purpose, their strengths and more. If this was all true then Ratchet was more horrified at the realism he was now undergoing then at what his ancestors had created.
Ratchet felt himself grow weak again, the similar feeling he had as before when Abel placed his hand on him. "Aggh…" was the only thing the Lombax could say before darkness once more took him over.
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"Sadly, as you may know yourself. Not everything went according to plan. Whilst me and my brethren were too much a match against the Cragmites in hand to hand, we were with too few too prevent the Cragmites from spreading further." A voice within Ratchet's head told him. Flashes of horrific battles on countless planets were shown.
The Lombax had seen wars before between small planets, but never this grand. Never of his own people. "Each planet was becoming a tomb. Fighting for the same rock each and every time. Project 69 was send in to the most hostile worlds. We fought the Cragmites at the front lines as well as working undercover preventing them from harming us from within."
Ratchet looked stunned, he was experiencing the Great War of his ancestors. He had only read several records, but never would he have thought about re-living this moment trough other Lombaxes their mind and soul.
"As the war began to get more and more into a stalemate, the Cragmites created their own answer to the Lombaxes their 69. Knowing that as long as we existed, they could not utilise their strongest assets… As such they themselves created copy's from the data they found on my brethren. You have met one of the fruits of the Cragmites labour." Ratchet moved his hand towards the wounds he still bore in his mind. "Reticence" his mind showed images of the twisted Cragmite laugh. "Yet for all the power they had, they were only bad copies. Never able to outmatch the Lombax technology. But what they lacked for in strength, the Cragmites always sought it in numbers… And with numbers they pushed us back … Rykan-V, Sargasso, Polaris… All of them were falling to the Cragmites. The war seemed to be theirs."
The male Lombax once again woke up, hard cold steel met with his forehead as he hit his head on a metal plate. "Gah… Can't you warn me to whom you send me?!" "Sir?" A young Lombax said. "Everything alright general?" Ratchet figured that this time he was within a military figure.
Ratchet looked at the young man with confusion in his eyes before glancing around. He was on some kind of battleship. He had never seen this type of technology before, yet he could not mistake the Lombaxes their icons on several control panels.
"General? Is everything alright?" Ratchet looked at the younger officer nodding to him before moving towards the windows of the room. Amazing he thought to himself, he was actually on a real Lombax vessel. He knew Aphelion, but she was a fighter type. Nothing as grand as this.
His eyes fell onto the many other vessels as he looked into the deep dark space.
"A fleet."
His words were not even cold as sirens began to go off. He sighed to himself knowing something special must have happened to this man or he would not be seeing his memories.
Red lights began to flash, sirens were howling in every corridor. Within minutes the entire ship came to life, men and women were running as if death was behind them. Quickly manning the posts and readying them for the upcoming danger. It went fast and flawless, showing the training of the Lombaxes in combat as well as their determination to assist their fellow brothers and sisters.
"General Rich Hsirieth, orders sir?" several of the military staff was now looking at the Lombax. The older Lombax looked at his crew, Ratchet knew he would not need to do anything his body would just react towards whatever happened in the past. "Prepare the fusion turrets and arm the missiles!" he yelled as if it was his nature to shout. The man checked out of the window again mumbling to himself that 'they' were coming.
The entire fleet was orbiting Fastoon, the homeworld of the Lombaxes. Ratchet was able to recognise the planet's surface and the memories were flowing in his head as if he had experienced them himself. It felt so real, yet it couldn't be! It did not matter to Ratchet, he would relive these memories or whatever that Abel fella had done to him.
Hsirieth sat within the captain's chair in the command centre. He overlooked the many Lombaxes that were under his command. All of them were fine men and women, Ratchet felt the confidence the general had within his ship. The Lombax did not had time to observe his environment very well before Hsirieth grabbed the COM-link in front of a huge holoboard.
"Alright Lombaxes, this is it!" as the holoboard came to life, showing Fastoon in the centre of the large board. Alongside the planet were several smaller dots shown within blue and one larger one in green all placed at several spots around the planet. "We all know what is at stake here. I need not remind anyone of the danger and consequences we are in here!" several others nodded their heads, yet they wished it wasn't so.
Ratchet fell a heavy sigh come from him as the general spoke again. He felt the passion in this man's heart, yet he also felt the fear and anger. A stunning pain of loved ones, of war and destruction.
"We are Fastoons… No Polaris their defense against the Cragmites!" the man said euphoric. "Time and again did we show these bastards what the Lombaxes Space Navy has been capable of doing." More approving came from the crew.
And one could notice that the other ships within the fleet had begun to prepare their cannons as well as rotating their vessels.
"We have reports that the Cragmites outnumber us easily twenty to one. Well that is going to be a very heavy fight… For them at least! Each of you have proven to be worth a hundred of those slimy bastards!"
The man took a deep breath, he knew that the odds were against them, but he needed to keep morale high. He once again addressed the entire fleet all the while rifts began to open several kilometres from their ships. Reddish spots began to show on the holoboard, first a few but with each passing more and more appeared. The crew that saw this were stunned. "There must be thousands." One of them mumbled as he began to shake a little.
"Friends, brothers, sisters! Before you now stand the Cragmites finest, their elite of the elite. They wish to destroy us to the last one. But we shall not give in, we shall not brake nor shake! We stare into the jaws of death itself!" as with each word the man said, the board began to turn reddish across the entire planet. As a swarm of locusts that had found a new field of crops threatening to devour everything within their path.
The unlucky ones that had view into space were indeed fearing that they had crossed over into another realm. Hyper windows kept opening yet nothing had come out just yet.
"This is our fight, our last stand! Make it memeorable, show your own courage, your bravery not for yourself but those you love. Show those Cragmites that this is Fastoon… We fight not for glory, for honour. We fight for our Freedom, Brotherhood, Duty… Honour the Fallen, respect the Brave, accept… your Destiny!" The man shouted as the crew cheered him on. He had done his task well thus far, but for how long would his speech hold effect once the battle truly began?
Ratchet turned away as he was addressed by one of his subordinates. "Sir, the enemy doesn't seem to be coming." The man looked at the younger Lombax one would not say he was older then seventeen, barely the age of being allowed into service. "They are testing us. The quiet before the storm."
The words of the man had not even left his mouth as another alarm sounded. This time not from the approaching danger, no this was a much graver one. And Ratchet saw why, hundreds upon hundreds of small reddish dots appeared near the open rifts. The enemy had arrived as a tidal wave they began to appear.
The sight was beautiful yet terrifying, as they approached the stationed fleet.
Both sides knew that the victor of this battle would determine the faith of their galaxy. And neither would back down no matter the cost.
As the Cragmites fighters appeared trough the rifts, so did their cruisers. Ratchet smirked, he knew these ships as did the person he was in. The Cragmites weaponry could not pierce the Lombaxes strong hull, it was only through sheer numbers that they were able to win from them.
But the smirk the man had made faded away as easily as it had appeared.
A huge vessel appeared from within the rifts, mighty and powerful. It's hull bearing the Cragmites imperial insignia. Compared to their cruisers, this was a monster to behold! The entire ship seemed more to be a floating fortress then anything. The many guns and canons that adorned the outer hull and just how the ship looked made it seem even more impressive.
"They are really throwing everything they got at us!" some said.
The massive ship closed the distance accompanied by fighters and several cruisers. As it began to charge its weaponry. "Heat signatures detected! Brace for impact!" one of the officers yelled. "Shield I want them up as of yesterday!" Hsirieth yelled.
The ship began to form a bluish glow as it enveloped the ship. Mere seconds afterwards it began to shake, sirens went off as the energy blast made contact with the hull of the ship. Several Lombaxes were thrown through the room, shaking their head from the impact.
"Damage report!" yelled the damage officer. "We have only slight wounded here and there. The shield held the attack, but was drained considerably."
Ratchet looked at the several monitors. This ship was not known by him. He had never read about it! Nor did Tachyon have any of these. Where did this thing came from he was thinking. The Lombax stood up "Men of the LSN, this is your general speaking. Return fire! Cruisers energy cannons first!" he said over the link. The man turned to view the young man from before, shaken by the attack. "Young lad, get a hold of yourself. Go to the communication room and contact the Lombaxian Council. Tell them we need the Athrilles gun fired." He said in a calm voice. The young lad nodded and ran off with lightning speed.
"Let us pray they get the message in time!"
Several of the cruisers nearby began to turn their engines on as trying to avoid the energy blasts. On the holomap Ratchet saw the enemy coming closer and closer with each passing second. He began to wonder how this part in history had gone… for good… or bad. He did not know. But he would do everything he could. "General orders?" Ratchet was pulled out of his little daydream. But how would he command an entire fleet? He had only ever given commands to a small squad of units never anything this size.
He stared at the field of battle before him as he tried to find out a good strategy. His eyebrow frowned a bit, he did not have the experience for this sure he fought some of Tachyon's forces and a few Cragmites, but this was different.
The male began to get desperate, he pondered that the person he was inhabiting had the same issue. But as he looked down he noticed several greyish dots on the map. "What are these over here?" he asked one of the subordinates. "Those are several clusters of asteroids. Wait you are not thinking off?" Ratchet began to smile as he nodded "Oh yea… Try and get one of the cruisers to place their walkers onto the asteroids sides." Several of them nodded and went to their assigned tasks notifying any ship able to carry out the task.
"Captain Grenoi here… They want me to do what?!" a hesitant voice asked. "I hope by the council Hsirieth is right about this move." The COM-link died off, as Ratchet began to instruct the other ships. " I want the ships double line formation, no transport gets on this planet! Focus the cruisers fire onto the enemy fighters and bombers. Keep our battleships out of their fire."
He was beginning to find his own strength back as the other captain's nodded in approval. And within minutes the fleet began to mobilise. All the while being under attack by the Cragmites flagship.
The sight was something to behold as the Cragmites fighters came into range of the Lombaxian cruiser ships. All the guns were focussed on the incoming enemy's as Ratchet called out for the suppressive fire. Each gun roared as they shot their weaponry at the enemy.
Several of the first shots connected immediately as the Cragmites began to disperse. The Cruisers heavily began to lock onto the enemy bombers.
"Keep those bombers away, launch the fighters as soon as their own capital ships are closeby. We'll enclose them and barrage from all sides. Is Grenoi ready?" Ratchet asked the communication centre. "His men are being deployed, the enemy thank heavens has not noticed him." "Good keep getting their attention… I want the battleships to focus on their flagship. All guns forward side!" the man bellowed.
His own ship's massive guns began to turn before unleashing volley after volley of heavy shells and laser blasts. Several of them connected letting out cheers from within the ship. But they were short-lived as they saw the enemy came out unscathed. "Shields?! Ooh fuck this!" Ratchet cursed. As the enemy mother ship kept on its course towards the planet.
Both sides closed to one another as shots were fired. Anyone caught within this battle would have thought it suicidal to fly through this. Yet for the Lombaxes this was more than just another skirmish, this was a fight for their own survival.
Waves of fighters tailed the enemy bombers in dogfights, avoiding the many blasts and shells locking onto them or stray bullets that would pierce one of the Lombaxian fighters in a single hit.
The Cragmite ships focussed their own fire onto the battleships, the shields glowing brightly as they were struck time and time again by enemy fire. Ratchet was warned that the fleet would not survive such an encounter for too long. The Lombax looked at the holovision on the bridge and sought a way to avoid this tragedy.
But with luck captain Grenoi's voice hit the communication. "I got the units ready general! Just give the signal… We'll show these fuckers hell!" The young man said with a very enthousiastic voice.
Hsirieth looked at where his plan would be fulfilled as he ordered the fleet to give ground. The engines of the mighty vessels turned towards the planet. Some of the officers began to question this move, but Ratchet assured them. "She'll hold! Now get us back to Fastoon!" the man yelled.
Within minutes the battleships had turned, their engines to full hoping to sustain the wave of enemy fighters and bombs for a little longer. Ratchet smirked as the ship was able to hold longer than he expected. A bold move he thought to himself, but the body he was inhabiting was at least showing that he knew military tactics.
The Cragmites bold as they were followed the Lombaxes their fleet right into the trap. The signal was given as from within the asteroid field several dozen heavy walker tanks began to fire on the unprotected belly and rear of the enemy ships.
Surrounded by the Lombaxes on all fronts, the Cragmite ships suffered heavy losses. Ships after ship of the enemy began to catch fire and explode in a great spectacle for the Lombaxes. Yet their enemy would not give up, not with what was at stake as the mother ship began to speed up all its engines.
On-board the ship Ratchet was stationed he wondered what would cause that move. The ship was surrounded, yet they would rather die than surrender? It was not until one of the officers on the bridge gave Ratchet a very horrified "Sir, the ship is on ramming course!" The other Lombax turned his head "Get this ship out of the way then! Fire at the engines…" "No sir we aren't the target!"
His eyes opened as he look towards the planet. They were really planning on ramming Fastoon?!
"This is general Hsirieth, focus all fire onto the enemy mothership." Yet to no avail as the Cragmites shields were holding up for too long. "If that ship hits the planet it will be the end of life on it!"
Ratchet felt the man's desperation trough whatever medium he was sharing this experience, but he knew and understood the action they would undertake to stop the Cragmites from reaching the planet. "Engines to full! … Set course for the enemy's ship. It may NOT reach the planet." He did not even need to clarify what action they would pull off as the men on the bridge began to sound the alarms.
All the guns were focussed on a small section of the enemy's hull, the shield being pounded by the Lombaxes their weapons.
Hsirieth got several incoming commands proclaiming he was insane with this. But the general dismissed them all.
As the Lombaxian ship coursed through the void of space it began to speed up its engines, pushing it over the limit. Several compartments began to shut down or explode by the massive bursts of energy being fed towards it. "This is Hsirieth, prepare for collision with the enemy!"
Hsirieth and Ratchet both looked at the enemy ship from the window. It's size creeping over them as they approached it, each second closing the gap between both ships. The Cragmites fired upon the incoming threat as the Lombaxes returned the fire. The shield began to fade as some of the blasts connected with the hull of the ship.
The onlookers could only gasp in horror and awe when both ships collided. The shield of the Cragmite ship shined before fading away as the hulls began to clash, sending both sides into conflict with one another.
Ratchet stared before him as the bridge of his ship closed towards the enemy. Fire and explosions bursting from the window and machinery as the Lombax closed his eyes. Knowing that his time here was at an end.
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He heard Abel's voice again, stronger this time. And he felt a very familiar presence, Hobbes? Was she here for him? Ratchet tried to open his eyes as he watched from above the event when he found her. That first time he had laid his eyes upon such a beautiful creature.
"It is because of you Ratchet, that we now have a goal once more." Ratchet was confused by what the males voice was saying, how did he have anything to do with the current events?
"Ok so you showed me two past lifes! What was so special about that? The battle was won by the Lombaxes and the Dimensionator eventually banished them all." The man yelled at the voice. "Only Tachyon remained! And now several others. But what has that to do with ME?! And why this vision?!" he said agitated he wanted clear answers and not this hocus pokus.
"The battle was won by your species, yet they suffered heavy losses." As Ratchet saw the destruction of parts of Fastoon. "The Lombaxes used the Dimensionator to slowly but surely cleanse the universe of the scourge from the Cragmites. And on the planet of Reepor they finally collided."
Ratchet had used the Dimensionator before, a hat like weapon that could open rifts in time and space itself. He knew it had banished the Cragmites to another dimension, but he would not have thought that the battles his ancestors fought were so bloody.
"Yet like with Tachyon, several others escaped… And in time forgotten by the Lombaxes." A view of triumph and feasts came to the mind of the Lombax. "We remained vigilant, tracking down the last of these stragglers. Yet even me and my brothers were fooled for some remained hidden waiting their time."
"Eventually Tachyon emerged taking all the Lombaxes by surprise and starting the first Drophyd war. And he succeeded where his ancestors did not, the destruction of the Lombaxes." The voice said almost monotone.
"However. You, discovered the only person that can restore what is broken." Ratchet still didn't understand until he looked back down at the scene he saw. He was pulling Hobbes out of the cryo chamber she was laid in to rest. "No way… Hobbes?!" The man felt sleepy and weary again. He began to fight it as for the last time the same cold darkness enveloped his mind, with the last thing he said 'Hobbes'.
"You found out the origins of your kind and the current events. Yet you saved for them the heritage they left behind."