Chapter 3: Beyond My Limits

"Today, I am going to be your training partner," Teacher announces, standing across from me in the virtual reality enclosure.

I laugh. "Good one. And if you really were going to be my partner, wouldn't you need more than whatever that thing is?"

He's holding a long metal stick. He swings it at me, smacking against my thigh heavily. "Ow!"

"I got it from one of the Rangers and he called it a baseball bat or whatever," Teacher answers in a no-nonsense tone. "I do have more for the demonstration, to answer your snide question. Now, pay attention because it's time to get serious. Question. What do you think the leading cause of death is in galactic force recruits?"

"If I were to say," I start, still rubbing at my thigh, "it's because of the circumstances where they're neutralized and are consequently overwhelmed by opposing forces."

"Astutely put, and correct!" Teacher says triumphantly, pointing the bat at me in glee. "They're no longer performing at their optimum potential. When you lose a weapon or a limb, even, that's arresting your functionality, correct?"

"Right," I say oddly, eyeing him. "And are you one of the ones who would know how relevant this topic has been to me recently?"

"I am," he says casually. "And I'm glad I was told, because that was when I finally began to visualize what exactly I wanted this project to do for you. Just out of curiosity, have you regained those skills you lost?"

"I have, yeah."

"Then, great! It really wouldn't change much if you hadn't, but I can rest easy knowing you can use everything I offer to you. But regardless of your recent incident and to go back to my overall point, had you ever been disarmed in an active environment before?"

"Yeah, here and there over the years," I answer.

"And yet, you're still here. Can you tell me why?"

I'm fidgeting by now, eager to get some exercise in, but manage to focus for a few moments since the question does make me think. "I've just always been quick to think in the heat of situations," I answer. "I know I've got to keep moving, or else I'll get hit. All it takes is one good one to bring a person down, after all. And I know I have to retaliate against the opposition somehow, so I find a way to make it happen. It's..."

"Always just been instinct, I'm sure you're going to say. You may be speaking in a general sense, but you clearly understand it. Your instinct creates a synergy between body, mind, and even spirit," says Teacher. "That relationship creates a wholesome force within you that can have the potential to outlast the most dire of situations. It's a good thing you listen to your gut feeling so well, especially when you're under pressure."

"So…what are we doing now? Are you going to—"

"We're going to capitalize on your gifts. I'm going to make sure there's a low, low chance, close to impossible, that you'll fall on Sentinus."

"Wow," I say. "What a way to set the tone, Teacher."

"Do you think it'll get any easier from this point on? I most certainly don't," he says shamelessly. "Not for you, not for I, not for anyone. With that in mind I have created something that is the first, and most certainly the last of its kind. It will assist you, and to an extension Clank, while you are on the planet's surface."

He sneers then adds, "I sent Apogee, and especially Phyronix away for a reason. I want no witnesses here other than the both of us, and I don't want her lawfulness to get any ideas about revolutionizing her defense force. This is my invention only, intended only for you, and I would be remissed if it were somehow mass-produced. Granted, I did make it so that it's nearly impossible to recreate at the same level functionality."

I'm even more excited now. "Whoa, what is it? Lemme see!"

"It's a new ensemble," he says proudly. "It's activated by neurological key, but you must be wearing the jumpsuit you have on now to engage it."

I guess he meant that I had to think about activating it or something, since he forgot to speak in big dummy terms. One tentative thought later I actually do feel another tingle at the base of my tail. The sensation spreads, trickling across my entire body. A helmet forms over my head. I can't make sense of the number on the visor's interface, but I hardly pay it attention now as I look over the suit I now wore.

It, like the jumpsuit, was a shade of creamy gold nearly indiscernible from my fur color, and shared the same affinity for black highlights. Its charcoal-colored chest plate holds a core unit within its center, which is also a glowing, vibrant gold. Teacher nods, looking me up and down.

"Right, you've got it. How does it feel? Not too tight or loose?"

"No, it feels perfect."

"Good, good. Now, the rundown. From the nano-syncing, you've already got increased biological strength and speed. While wearing this, this that I call the Meta Suit, all abilities are further enhanced by five percent at the outset."

"A five percent multiplier?" I ask, snapping my head to him. "I wasn't expecting to hear that as the first thing. So for example, if I could carry a hundred pounds on my own, with this on I could carry five hundred?"

"Correct. But don't expect that to be a reason the mission will be easy," he answers infallibly, successfully dampening my joy. "I don't want you wearing that thinking you absolutely must use force for every situation you encounter. I don't want you relying solely on the power and abilities I've given you. Your instincts are your strength. Use everything you possess conjunction, and that is what'll improve your function.

"And I'll tell you what I'm not going to do during our training together," he adds. "Since you will not be taking the Meta Suit home, you will have to learn your new natural strength by yourself. You saw what you effortlessly did to my equipment, my, ahem, very expensive equipment. We can't have you breaking things, alright? So, you must condition yourself in the days that come to prevent...future incidents."

"Alright, let's just get started already!" I exclaim.

Teacher reels back slightly. "Eugh. Just bear with me a little longer, alright?" He takes in a deep inhale, then lets it out. He holds the bat up, smacking it in his other hand like a ruler as he begins speaking.

"As stated, the Meta Suit increases physical capabilities. It's noteworthy that the suit itself steadily gains potential as the wearer pushes themselves to newer heights. It's a symbiotic relationship. The best of any kind," he adds, raising his brows. "On that note, we'll start with the basics—durability."

He tilts his head to the side, looking past me. "Oh hey, Clank. Did Al bore you too much?"

I spin around. No one's there. When I face Teacher again he's wearing a smug smile and is now, inexplicably, holding something else. It's a wrench and it looks like it's loosely modeled after my Millennium 12, though there's less blue on it, with white and silver being dominating colors. The head is curved in sharply, almost like a trident, and glowing lines run from it and down its entire length.

I want it.

"Ah-ah-ah," Teacher says with a grin, holding it away from me when I reach my hands out. "This is yet another present from yours truly, but you're not getting it now."

And the punk nerd swings at me with the bat he's still holding. I make the split-second decision to let him hit me, and when it crashes into my side, all I feel is the pressure.

"Oh ho ho," Teacher sasses, tossing the bat to the side with a clatter. He then double hands the shaft of the wrench. The teeth begin rippling with light. He takes several steps back from me, out of reaching distance, then swings as hard as he can.

I don't expect for a beam to form, firing off from the wrench's head. With all speed it collides with me, exploding in ribbons of arcane energy that make my fur stand on end. I get knocked back slightly, wincing at the now-sore spot on my stomach. Honestly? It still hurts a lot less than it looked like it would.

"Ah, caught you off guard that time, didn't I?" Teacher says, not moving from his stance. "Now, stand there and let the next attack hit you, but brace yourself this time. Brace hard."

He fires off, again, before I can object—and I just have enough time to tense up. The shot hits me in the chest but I don't feel it as much as the last, and I've kept my stance this time.

"Alright, fantastic," says Teacher, relaxing for the time being and letting me know it was alright to do the same. "Without factoring in self-improvement, or potential as I'll call it, the Meta Suit allows for fifty percent damage reduction. Whether if attacks are physical or energy-based, times when you raise your natural defenses by tensing will make damage reduction experience a temporary surge until you relax your muscles. It acts as a manner of endurance."

"You mean...I could potentially tank hits as long as I keep my guard up?"

"If the scenario arises, yes. It wouldn't help if you got beaten into a submission by trying to take on too much at once." Teacher adopts a sarcastic air. "It figures you're already asking questions like that. I may as well start elaborating on the potential factor now."

"Self-improvement?" I recant.

"Yes."

"So as I grow stronger, it does as well?"

"Correct."

"As in, a form of a positive feedback loop?!" I roar.

"Yes! You've got it!" Teacher applauds. Then, he deflates like a pink beach ball. "Oh, great…you've already got it…"

"Hey what are you all mopey for, you're the one who designed it that way!" I say, barely able to stand still at this point. "I mean, what, you think I'm gonna go wild and go on a rampage because I can keep getting stronger? Why would I do that? I'd never do that!"

I break into hysterical laughter, raising my clenched hands in the air.

Teacher grimaces, rolling his eyes. "You're doing a fantastic job of convincing me, Ratchet. Don't make me nervous and we just started. I know wearing something like that would make anyone ecstatic, but it can be dangerous if you're too reckless. I want you to push your limits, but that doesn't mean you be intentionally irresponsible because you're a one-man-army."

I crease the ends of my mouth. "You think Clank is going to let me go that far?"

Teacher considers for several long moments, then sniffs indignantly. "Hm. Point made…I think. When the Meta Suit gains potential it doesn't make large leaps in percentages. I wouldn't expect you to make it past a seven to eight percent increase by the time the mission is over."

He shoots me a look, like he's waiting for me to insist that I would and/or more, but I only gaze back innocently.

"Just don't kill yourself," Teacher says. "Remember, you're not going to the land of milk and honey. You'll be deep in enemy territory for an extended period of time, and your options of backing out during the mission are a million to one. If you push yourself too hard...you run the risk of burn out. It won't kill you, but with how helpless you'll be, it may as well."

"M'kay."

He looks almost frustrated for a moment, then just closes his eyes. "Alright. I've warned you. It's up to you to listen or not."

Teacher points the wrench, one handed, at my chest. This time I see his hand tighten on the shaft slightly. A small ball of white energy forms between the teeth, and he flicks the wrench up slightly to dislodge it. It explodes and I only feel a bit of tingling.

"Something you don't see in most conventional suits—an energy diffuser. It's located in the core. They're also in the palms of your gloves," Teacher says, pointing at the same general area and continuing to fire off small bursts. "One of the more trickier things to implement, since it involved the whole process of energy conversion and storing and making sure you didn't explode, yadda yadda. With said diffusers, you can be allowed to absorb or deflect some energy blasts. WEAK ONES," he barks, when he sees me open my mouth. "Don't try to test out what corresponds to weak and what doesn't on a whim."

"Wait, so, does that absorbed energy become my own?" I ask; Teacher motions for me for raise my hands.

"In a way, yes—it's stored in the suit's core battery. It can be seen as an alternate source of energy, but it's not the sort that'll biologically revitalize you." He fires two energy spheres at either of my palms. I feel their light touches as they bounce off harmlessly, flying back over Teacher's head as he ducks. They then lose form and dissipate.

"An alternate source…sounds specific," I note.

"It does hint at something," he says, trying to hide a smile. "The Meta Suit is like a sponge. While wearing it, it takes a fraction of the energy you expend and stores it. It's not taking it from you directly, as you've already expended it. But every little thing you do, every strenuous thing you do, the Meta Suit holds onto a part of the effort. It's similar with outward factors, such as you getting hit by energy blasts. They're factors that likely will inflict some sort of pain, but at the same time that'll be energy going in the tank."

"...How did you make something like this?" I want to know. Now I think I'm beginning to see why he wanted to keep this part of the process a bit of a secret. If I made something this awesome, I know I wouldn't want anyone taking the idea for themselves.

Teacher looks as though he wants to answer but pauses. "It...wasn't easy, especially doing most of it on my own," he says finally. "It's actually a re-imagining of a previous project of mine. It's always had...life since the beginning, but...studying the Pekengeri technology helped it gain character."

Clank always told me life and character were the main elements of a well-written novel, so it's nice to see I'm wearing a novel. If...that makes any sense. No, I'm in a novel. Yeah, that's it. Anyway.

"But there's a secret," I press eagerly. "What is it, Teacher?"

"I'll tell you later," he says truthfully. "It's a secret that separates the boys from the men, what separates the common things from the rarities. I mean, pfft, it's not like it's not called the Protosuit or anything. Could you imagine how lame that would be? For now, just be glad you can wear it and that it's only for you, promise?"

"Ah, alright. I can contend with that," I agree. "Maybe you can explain to me what happens when my energy reserves peak, then. Surely the suit can't store an infinite amount of energy."

"Ah heh heh heh," Teacher smirks, then points at the glowing core on my suit. "When you've built up enough, that will change from gold to something else."

"To what?" I ask, looking down at it. "Flower print or something?"

"Actually, it's..." he stops and just gives me a flat stare. "...no. It's not anything horrendous like a pattern. It's green. I wouldn't look for it any time early on in the mission, if at all, to be honest. It requires a colossal amount of energy to trigger."

"Yeah, but then what? You still haven't said."

Teacher bites his hand, and a snicker leaves him.

"Oh are you serious? Two secrets in a row?"

"You'll still find out about this one sooner than the other, probably."

"Still, dangling something that's likely awesome over my head?" I claim, crossing my arms. "What next? I find out that the nano-syncing will lead to infertility later on?"

"Okay first off, no it won't. Secondly, Al is hiding it from you too," Teacher says. "Thirdly, let's keep going so you'll eventually forget about it. If you want, we could sit here going back and forth all day, but I'm sure you'd want to hear more about the hovering function. Not only will it allow you to accelerate up to eighty eight miles per hour from the beginning, it—"

He falters and nearly drops the modified wrench when I rocket past him.

Boy, were these faster than my own pair, and I bet they could go even faster! Within seconds I'm shooting around the virtual reality encampment, coming close to crashing several times already. If these had accelerators, I'd need a lot more room than this to test them out fully. Still, it won't stop me from trying them out. I'd probably regret this in a moment, but whatever.

I approach the far wall then ease up on the speed, wheeling around and hovering in reverse. When my back touches the wall I push off again, leaning forward harder than before, trying to find a pressure point if there was any. To my shock I don't go faster, I ascend.

At the same speed. "Ah! No, no no no-!" I smack into the wall roughly, then snort in surpisre when I keep shooting upwards, scraping my front against the surface. I'm not giving any pressure, but they're not shutting off! I wince, seeing double when my head hits the ceiling.

"Hit the same pressure points again!" Teacher manages to shout, in midst of his laughing. "It-It works like an on-and-off switch!"

What the hell type of-? I hit the same pressure points in the toes of my boots, and they shut off. I tense to make my fall less painful. It doesn't make it any less embarrassing.

"Maybe you should have waiting for me to explain," Teacher says, still chuckling as he walks over. "Like I said...these don't function like Lombax-engineered hoverboots. As you unfortunately found out, simply releasing pressure after it's applied doesn't stop the effect. There are three settings-normal speed, then when the same pressure point is hit again, you engage the thrusters which allow for air travel. The third is the off setting, which I'm sure you're grateful for right now."

"Then what if i just want to go and stop after awhile, instead of flying?" I groan. "Would I really have to go up in the air first, then stop?"

"No. If you want to just go, and then stop...lean back," he says, doing so. "Lean back, and hit the pressure points there. They'll turn off the hovering function. That way you won't have to worry about hitting the primary points three times in a row. I've thought of everything, trust me. I don't think...you have, though."

Somewhere deep in me, I have the desire to drop kick him into a locker.

"I just figured it be easier to engineer them that way," Teacher says, shrugging. "You won't have to be applying constant pressure to hover or fly. One less of a distraction, right? It's like going from a stick shift to an automatic. Kind of. You'll get used to it, I'm sure."

"Yeah, I'm sure," I say, standing up. "I'm sure I need a lot more space than this to get it down pat."

"Nope! Learn to control yourself within the parameters you have now. You'll have all the space you'll need later on," says Teacher. "But let's move on. This is a crash course, then we'll review later."

"How many more training sessions am I going to be having?" I ask.

"Today and tomorrow."

"That's it?"

"You're a fast learner, I can tell. It's all you'll need," he says without hesitation. "However, since our superiors decided to push the mission forward it's forced me to take care of personal matters right away. Better now than later. It's why I'll be on Terachnos for the next several days, but I'll be back the day of the mission debrief. Everyone apart of the mission has to be there, you know—even those Pekengeri. They should be getting picked up soon."

"I'm running the assumption they've gotten their training on site at the rehabilitation center?" I say.

"Yep, during their first two weeks there. Eight hours a day, six out of the seven days of the week," says Teacher. "Now they're going through remedial studies and making sure their qualifications are nearly flawless."

"And…where are they being held, exactly?" I ask casually.

"Hm…The Happy Home Rehabilitation Center for Repressed People, if I remember correctly. It's on one of Igliak's moons, and has a four and a half star rating on Gelp."

"What's it like there, do you know?"

"I only visited the place to ask Eyesac several questions, and the whole time I was accompanied by two armed guards. Seems pretty reinforced and strict there. Gave me the willies, to be honest. I guarantee anyone walking out of there would think twice about repeat offenses."

Huh. Interesting.

I'm going to run through a field of possibilities, and none of them look good for any of the parties involved.

Someone at the center had to have noticed Eyesac was gone by now. Had to. Though I've been ready to defend our desc ion to have him stay with us, I was also expecting to have heard something about his escape by now.

That meant one of two things. Either his escape went unnoticed, or they hadn't reported it to galactic officials yet.

I really hope it's the former scenario, as foolish as it sounds, even despite what Teacher had just said about the state of security there.

It would be a huge mistake on their part if they knew Eyesac was gone but didn't report it. It doesn't give any good implication at all. Why would they not report that one of their patients is missing, especially when said patient is going to be apart of a massive bi-galactic mission?

I'd not know, but they're damn lucky he's somewhere safe now.

"Hey, don't be concerned with them. I'm sure they're fine," Teacher says. "They're being checked in on weekly by the Polaris Defense Force. Not that it means anything…"

I laugh brusquely. "Well, you're not wrong."

Then I let out a screech of pain, enough to startle Teacher into dropping the wrench out of his hands. He fumbles over to pick it up, exclaiming, "What is it? Where's the fire?"

"Something just…" I've got my right hand close to me, holding it tight as it throbs with piercing pain. It felt like something had stabbed me, but what could have?

"Oh, that's right," Teacher says suddenly. Oh, this'll be great, I'm sure. "You found the artificial claws. I actually implemented them as a tongue-in-cheek joke, but I'm sure you'll find them to your liking."

I look closer at my gloves. On the top of each of finger, I see a V-shaped notch. They're fairly large, and I can't believe I'd missed them until now.

"Due to how sharp they are, they extend on two simultaneous conditions—neurological focus, and clenching of the muscles in the hand. Did you prick yourself in your own palm?"

"Only a bit. I think I relaxed my hand before they got me good," I say carefully, holding my hand well from my face and clenching it inwards. Silvery daggers spill out into view, their mean and slightly curved tips gleaming. They're roughly two inches long.

"Be glad they didn't get in too deep. They're made of Raritanium. Cured, melded and sharpened to pins. You'll have blood on your hands before you know it," says Teacher.

"Oh, that is freaking awesome," I breathe.

"Yes, yes, but we're not quite done yet—let's get back on track before either of us gets sidetracked again," Teacher says. "There's only one last thing, actually. Stay put, I'll be right back with something."

"Do I shatter it?" I ask about ten minutes later, when Teacher warps back in carrying a mirror as tall as he is. He grunts as he sets it down. "No, caveman. You get to look at yourself." He says.

"I'd rather be burning off some steam," I mutter, scraping my claws against each other.

"We'll get to that. For now just sit down, and relax," he disappears behind the mirror. "Pretend I'm not here, but don't focus too hard on what you already see…"

I throw myself onto my back, crossing my legs and folding my arms behind my head. "Eh, if you say so. You might have to wake me up."

I already know a way to loosen myself up. I won't go into detail, but it has something to do with my last birthday and Clank's unparalleled abilities as a masseuse. Some things just shouldn't be out there.

After a while, Teacher makes a sound, like a barely withheld giggle. I open my eyes after a moment and sit up. He's peering out from behind the mirror…which has nothing in it.

I draw a blank, taking a moment to reconfirm—no, I had not moved at all, and was still in front of the reflective surface which…wasn't reflecting me for some reason.

And then I see myself bleeding back into reality, my own bewildered expression coming into focus. "Ah!" I yell, scooting back a bit. "Wait—" I hold up a hand. "Whoa...whoa."

Teacher cackles, standing next to the mirror's frame. "And that's the very last gem the Meta Suit possesses, not to mention the hardest one to perfect."

"Was I invisible?" I exclaim.

"The correct term is camouflage," he says. "It's why I had to talk to Eyesac. This is a stealth based mission, so I figured it would be a nice implement. Though, while his is natural and yours is not, they run by the same principals. Unlike some commercial methods of camouflage, yours can't be disengaged by outside forces. You can utilize it at will and never worry about it being unavailable."

"Oh, I'm so gonna try that again," I say, moving closer again. "What do I need to do—just relax?"

"Here's the gist of what Eyesac told me. If you can train yourself to a certain level of calmness, feel the environment and subsequently meld with it, it's a start. It's highly mental," Teacher says."I added several conditions into the Meta Suit. Namely, if the suit senses your innate desire, or instinct to hide, you may inadvertently camouflage yourself without realizing. There's numerous ways to make it work, Ratchet. You've got to find what's the most convenient method for yourself, and wonder—how can you master it? How can you make it work, for any scenario that comes to mind? It's not something easy. However, if you can manage to do that, you'll have yet another powerful tool on your side."

Training is basic, when I think about it. There wasn't much to the conditioning period—at is base, it was another suit of armor. I work on the application of tension, and let myself get bombarded by all types of shots to get a feel for its defenses. I already knew how to use Hoverboots. Not flying with them, yet—that I had to crash into a few more walls to get as comfortable as I wanted, but like Teacher said, I'd have more space later.

For most of practice I was working on the amazing capabilities the camouflage held. I did get a hang of it, yet it was the only thing that made me desire more than just two days of practice. With as much as I planned to use it during the mission, I wanted to make sure I could fall back on it for any situation.

Though, from experience I can say that most of my learning would come from the mission itself. It's nothing new to me, learning on the job. I'd just have to keep my head in the game from start to finish.

When training is over, I do have a fair level of encouragement. It was a good mental foundation.

"Your attitude will make a grand difference." Clank is saying, after I'd gotten back and told him everything. He'd been waiting in our old room, in the process of dusting every possible square inch. "This is still a lot to process, especially with what that nano-syncing has permanently done to you. However, all I can think about now is how you sleep. You already flop around in bed at night, and now you will be even rougher."

"Conk out on the dresser then, tinhead," I drawl.

"Or you could take up residence on the couch. Either is fine."

"Hey, I can't help it if I'm restless in bed. Not everyone is like you and sleeps like a bird most of the time."

"Well, at least I cannot wake the dead because I am kicking my legs about," he shoots back.

"That's your main concern? You're nowhere near the lower half of me in bed," I remind him. "How am I going to magically super kick you, Clank?"

"If only you knew how much you toss and turn. And you always, inexplicably, end up on your back come morning time," Clank insists. "It infinitely perplexes me. Let me not even speak of the mumbling you do in your sleep—gracious!"

I give a large sigh, leaning my head back onto the couch. "…are you gonna keep raggin' on my sleeping habits, or are you gonna tell me what went on with you?"

"Well, Al apparently upgraded me to be compatible with the Meta Suit," says Clank. "I have accessed and gone over the data already. I know how I will be able to be camouflaged as long as I am on your back, or how I can tap into your suit's frequency, out of other things. He claimed it would also physically change me, but I feel the same."

"I see a visible difference."

He rotates his head a hundred eighty degrees to me, taking his attention from the corner of the TV he's dusting. "You do?"

"Yeah. You're a millimeter taller. I could barely tell with that ladder you're standing on, but I promise it's a change." I crack up.

"To think I fell for that!" Clank exclaims, turning back around. "I also sensed that he was concealing something from me. Perhaps it is something he does not want to speak of yet?"

"Yeah, Teacher was the same way with me. Said something was up with the energy reserves in my suit and that something'll happen when they're filled."

"It must be something spectacular, but I suppose we should not be concerned with it. After all, I must focus on you not getting us both demolished," he says. "I can already tell you love that Meta Suit and what it brings, Ratchet."

"Look, I got it. I'll be careful, and besides, you're right—you're going to help me keep my head," I say. "We're a packaged deal, remember?"

"Heh heh heh. I know. You know I just like to remind you for my own comfort."

I bolt off the couch and grab the ladder, rattling it. He yells as he holds on for dear life.

"Yeah?" I shout. "I'm gonna remind you how long it's been since I smothered you in my affections!"

I mean, I don't know what it is. I've just been a bit more touchy-feely with him lately. I just need to take him in sometimes, damn it.

"Do stop, Ratchet! I am not finished with the holo-screen!"

"You've been over that spot like five times in the past ten minutes, I've watched you."

There's a crack and the wooden ladder gains a split down one of its side rails from how hard I'm handling it. "You are going to break it!" Clank cries.

"Then come down and I won't!"

"I would LOVE to, but I can hardly see with how hard you are shaking everything!"

We're so busy carrying on I almost don't hear the footsteps approaching. Someone clears their throat and I look over my shoulder. I turn around to see Sasha in the room, looking fairly unsurprised at what she had just walked in on.

"Uh…" I begin, as Clank promptly hovers down next to me. "We were just…building morale."

"Yes, I thought that might have been what was happening," she says, and her voice catches like she's trying not to laugh. "And sorry to interrupt this...touching moment, but I came by to tell you guys you're free to room here on the Phoenix until the mission.

"Actually, we cannot," says Clank without pause. "There is something we need to take care of back home. Remember, Ratchet?"

"…oh, yeah," I say, trying not to sound too obvious nor uncaring. "Yeah, see, our Starqwake's gotta be finished completely. The HoverDerby's not too far away, and we kinda want to relax after we come back from Sentinus."

"Ah yes, the HoverDerby," says Sasha, perking.

"You know about it?" Clank inquires.

"Yes! I'll be watching the event myself in person. Father will be too," she says. "After all, we did help fund the event, along with Qwark."

"Now it sounds like it's going to get more publicity than I first thought," I say, shocked.

"It will be broadcasted across three different galaxies, so it'll be something to look forward to after Sentinus. Well, I won't keep you guys. Hope you get your work done."

As soon as she leaves, I turn to Clank, lowering my voice. "I almost forgot Eyesac was at our place. I totally was going to take up her offer at first."

"We should probably go now and make sure we still have a house."

"Is that why you were dusting the eight corners of the room, just in case we didn't?"

He regards me wearily. "Ha, ha. Anyway, none of that coddling yet. I am sorry, but you are going to have to learn your new strength first. I may be made out of reinforced alloy, but—"

"—but you're still just another metal being that can easily give under enough pressure. Yeah, I've heard it before. I'll think of something to train myself. And when I do, you better get ready because I'll be coming onto you fast and hard."

Clank insists on flying us back home, and I somewhat agree. I didn't want to accidentally break Aphelion's steering, or else she'd find a way to break me.

Clank's concerns about us not having a house are dispelled when we get back. Eyesac hadn't disturbed anything but was practically stir-crazy from loneliness, tackling us both the moment we stepped inside.

After we calm him down, my next move was to go to the kitchen and grab something to eat. I can't fathom how many calories I burned today, let alone how much I'll have to be eating from now on. I guess being swole does that to a person.

Clank randomly slides in from nowhere like he's on ice, cutting me off right at the kitchen entrance. "What is it you want, Ratchet?"

"Some of that chocolate cake. I can get it myself, Clank."

"No, no, I do not want you handling any of the dishes yet. For the time being you will be using paper plates and plastic utensils."

"Won't those break easier?" I question.

"They may, but they are also more expendable."

"Alright, but don't skimp out on the slice. In fact, just let me show you how much I want, huh?"

He doesn't argue and I stalk closer to the cake, sitting on a covered platter. My face twists in confusion when I see the star-shaped chunk sliced out neatly from the side. Clank would never do something like that, and would probably flip his lid if he saw it. It only had to be Eyesac. How he did it I have no idea, but that doesn't stop it from being hilarious. I can't help but to envision him sticking a cookie cutter into the cake.

"What are you giggling about?" asks Clank.

"Nothing," I claim, placing my hands carefully on the platter and turning it so he wouldn't find out just yet. "Wow, nice and gentle, see that? How about...hm. How about I make it simple and eat the whole thing?"

"The whole thing?! There is roughly fifty nine percent of the cake left!"

"Look, nerd, I need more calories. I'm gonna go out in the morning and exercise anyway. If you don't hurry I'll stick my face into it and then smear chocolate onto every window in the house," I warn, and I'm not lying.

That gets him moving, quick. It takes two paper plates to fully load up the cake but I'm not any less discouraged. One last thing, though.

"Hey, Clank?"

"Let me guess, milk?"

"Yeah, but not in a cup. The whole gallon."

"...gracious. We will be spending more on groceries for the rest of our lives..."

Waking up early without the intent to hunt out Horny Toads feels weird to me. If any got in my way then I'd take them out, but they all seem rather shy this morning, only daring to peek their heads out of their burrows as I pass.

I start out at normal jog to wake myself up more, and it takes me about an hour to reach the abandoned district.

With how far it was from our house and taking the uneven terrain I'd crossed into account, I wasn't breathing hard yet. I hadn't stopped or slowed down, either. It's not until then I remember Teacher mentioning something about increased lung capacity during my nano-syncing.

That gives me a lot of encouragement to keep pushing myself forward. I was going to pause and do some strength training, but I decide to make a trip all the way out to our resident neighbor's house before turning around to test my mettle.

The morning air is temperate, the winds low, and the pressure just right. I feel good as I pick up the pace, lengthening my strides, pushing myself forward harder. My goal arrives sooner than I expect, and I come up to fringe of Gnorcin's property, turning to run along the fence line. The old man is sitting out on his porch with a plate of breakfast, squinting at me as I pass.

I wave. "Morning, Mr. Gnorcin!"

"You'd better keep your tail off my property unless'n I tell you to come. And put on a damn shirt on, boy!"

Well, he was in a good mood this morning!

I circle back around to the district, searching for a suitable area. I'm still breathing hard by now, but not gasping. I don't think I would have been able to do that run normally without several breaks and a generous amount of water. I crank to a halt at a particular spot where there were a lot of rocks and boulders lying about. It looks like the site of a rock slide, and it'd do fine.

As I catch my breath I formulate a simple training regimen. Thanks to Qwark's tales of when he did sports in high school, I knew the basics about shot-putting. That's what I'd do, except it'd be with much, much heavier weights.

Running, gliding, spinning—those were the three techniques I'd use. I start small, lifting stones the size of the head on my shoulders, and sling them at the nearest rock face several yards away. I go up to heavier ones, of course; I move about the area in my selection, going as far to return to the same throwing circle while lugging my choice back with me.

The area is nearly cleared of fallen rocks after thirty minutes, and my nose is full of rock dust, which hangs like a curtain in the area. Nearly breathless and straining a bit, I squat at the knees and pick up the biggest one thus far, roughly half my size. I feel my knees shaking, hesitant. I can't even see my target.

I push that to the side, spreading my stance, readjusting my grip. With a grunt I put all forward energy into the throw, nearly falling forward on my face. It flies in a low arc, landing and bouncing to the ground just short of the rock wall. Well, it was just one out of twenty-seven I missed.

I sit down for a moment to rest, absently picking up a piece of rock. I could see how much I could carry and even throw now, but I know what I really need to focus on. Delicacy. I tighten my grip on the rock slowly, my thought process moving at the same pace in my consideration.

Simple...if I went slow with how I expend my strength, wouldn't that be a start? Or, or...what if I imagined this was something else, like a glass?

"May I offer some assistance?"

Eyesac becomes visible on a rocky shelf not too far away, slinking down. He wraps his arm tentacles around his neck, lowering himself in a brief bow.

"Have you been here the whole time, Eyesac?" I ask, amused.

He shakes his head, rising once more. "I became curious to see what you were doing, and saw you in the middle of..." He looks around at the mess I've created, tongue between his teeth. "Erm...this. But I do believe I have some tools you would like to be aware of and use for yourself."

"Hey, I'm all up to learning," I say, taking the moment to hurtle the rock far into the distance, out of sight. "What's that you've got for me?"

"From my perspective, you are learning to be a creature whose movements and actions are deriving more from instinct. I have trained myself to move in ways just as similar," Eyesac lowers his stance, raising his tentacles out. "While moving surreptitiously, balance and calmness of the mind are needed. They are foundations. Without them, your postures slips and your cover will likely be blown. You must…"

He snaps up, making a variety of fluid motions, contortions, and loops with his body before ending in a resting position.

"Move like a shadow, yet have the blazing spirit of the sun. To do so…one must learn to find their center. Their natural stance. This does not mean it is your normal stance, as you are in now. It must feel right! I keep my body, long as it is, like such." He curves his upper half one way and lower half in the opposite way. He holds one of his arm tentacles farther out than the other, in a combat stance. I realize I've seen him in that particular posture a handful of times before.

"This compliments my body shape, clearly," he says, unmoving. "You must respect your own body, as well. What do you think your stance is?"

"Uh...I've never thought about it, really."

He shakes his head again. "Nothing to think about, nada. You must seek it by feeling it." Eyesac slithers over, circling around me. He looks me up and down, head bobbing back and forth and neck stretching. He stops, then positions himself, almost prone, on the ground. "Something similar to this, perhaps?"

I get down to my hands and knees to mimic him. After moment I turn it into a crouch, getting a feel for the position of my legs. I find myself in a posture that feels…well, somewhat right.

"Is that what you choose? Fair," say Eyesac. "Bipedalsim on its own is rather...unfit for missions of stealth and dexterity, in my opinion. If you adopt this here, as apart of your methodology…your senses will flow smoother. All is about the energy of your body, and how it mingles with the energy of the environment. It is not something you can master within a span of days, but it is a start. And may it aid you. For now...I suggest meditation. It will help you get used to the position..."

I close off to the outside world as all thoughts diminish, going back into the mode where I just feel. I let every breath I take fill me completely, and let my muscles relax. I fail to lose my stance at all, keeping myself rooted firmly to the ground.

"It is also worth mentioning," Eyesac's voice is quiet, drifting in the wind. "You have five appendages to use at your advantage. Not four. Remember it well…"

I only assume he leaves me there to find my own center. When I finally open my eyes and come back to the world, I'm alone. I start to get up, then hesitate and lower myself again. Maybe just a bit longer.

I didn't consciously realize it before, but I have been going down to all fours like that for a while now. I often did it while trying to be quieter to not alert targets to my position, i.e Horny Toads or sometimes Clank when I felt really daring.

But that was it. It did feel right, and now I accept that.

I would start practicing the stance more, starting with when I went back to Teacher today for my review training. It just may be what will help me use the camouflage ability to a more useful level. I couldn't wait to try it out and see.

Of course, I have got to get something to eat before I leave, and make my way back into the kitchen. Our refrigerator is an old piece of garbage and I've had to replace parts of it before, like the door and handle. The door itself is a lot heavier than the original one, and the handle is flimsier than Qwark's...antennae.

So when I, too deep into my thoughts to mind my strength, pull a little bit too hard...

Crrrak!

I curse under my breath. "What was that?" Clank asks instantly, already sticking his head into the kitchen. He was like a damn bloodhound sometimes. He sees me holding the handle, then looks at the spot where it should have been attached to the door.

"Oh, thank goodness, for a moment I believed you had ripped the entire door off. Thank goodness you did not. That is why I wanted you to tell me when you wanted something."

"I'd really have to try to break the door, Clank." He did give me an idea, though.

Clank folds his arms. "I see that look in your eyes. Do not even think about it."

"It's garbage!" I say convincingly. "It's the same one we moved in from the old place, remember? If you just let me, I don't know…take it apart…"

"I forbid it. It still works fine. You just want to be destructive," Clank briefly rolls his head back, his version of a eye roll. "And heavens knows that now, you do not even need to have a tool or a weapon to destroy things. "

"Huh, you dropped the f word on me. Someone's in a cranky mood right now." I turn to hide my grin, pretending to make an attempt to reattach the handle. "You want me to make you some waffles with syrup to cheer you up or something? Need me to massage you with a feather duster?"

Something then falls atop my head, and I can feel it shatter at the impact. I yelp and hold a hand to my head, backing away through shards of porcelain on the ground, looking up in shock.

It was a teapot that had fallen on me. I look at Clank, who seems just as startled as I am, if not a bit amused. He bursts into laughter.

"…what the hell was that?" I ask in disbelief.

"I would call it karma, in a sense." He tilts his head. "Odd...I do not remember buying this one, or going against safety protocols and putting it atop the refrigerator."

"Yeah, well, at least it wasn't one of your metal ones. That would've hurt...only a bit more," I say. "You probably paid a single bolt for that thing. Look how easy it broke."

"You just have a hard head."

"Yours is HARDER." I toss the refrigerator handle to the counter. "Look, I'm heading to Galaxy Burger instead so I can destroy some chicken tenders and fries. I'll reattach that when I get back."

"Do not bother, I will fix it. Just go on…a head."

I just look at him in flat disbelief and he goes right back into another fit of laughter.

"Everything you do can potentially complement another action, remember that. Don't think just because you're on the move you're limited. Use your instincts, and make sure they develop to another level while wearing the Meta Suit. Be creative! Be smart! Be willing to learn, and survive!"

We're only thirty minutes into my review training, and I'm already bored. In the span he'd just lectured me, I'd found my four-legged stance and was currently rendered nearly invisible to the naked eye.

Teacher finally takes note I've vanished, though that was his fault he decided to shut his eyes while speaking. He looks around, turning so that his back was to me. I'd been lying flat on my stomach but perk up instantly. I rise slowly, trying not to make a sound as I start to move.

"…wait, did he seriously leave?" he mutters to himself, as I start to creep up behind him. "...wow. Maybe I have been talking too much…"

He faces a different direction, and my eyes dilate. Back turned. Guard lowered. Unsuspecting.

I bite my bottom lip, running my tongue across my lips. He was the perfect target.

Teacher turns back around, searching, and his eyes gloss over me briefly. I freeze but he doesn't react to my presence. I tremble slightly in anticipation; I must still have the camouflage successfully in effect, then. This was awesome. I can't even fathom how much I could get away with this!

It's all too much! My camouflage drops as I rush him on all fours like a maniac, belting out a roar that comes deep from within. "RAWWRRRR!"

I get within three feet of him before he just about collapses, tears of fear springing up in his eyes.

Then he starts crying. Good going Ratchet, you asshat.

"Oh! Uh, geez…" I sputter, standing upright. "Teacher, it's me…sorry. I was just…well, you were talking and I still wanted to…you know…didn't think you'd…take it that hard."

My voice has gotten quieter through the apology, so I'm not sure if he hears it over his own sobbing. He gives a phlegmy snort, rubbing at his eyes.

"…that…that was great stealth," he whines. "But…I think I need to lie here for a moment…"

"Sorry," I repeat, feeling bad. I go and put myself in a corner. It's the least I deserve after scaring a nerd to tears.

It's about ten minutes later he finally musters up the strength to stand, though he holds his arms in tight to his body and looks around cautiously since it's clear I've disappeared again. I break my concentration on a more conscious level, making sure I'm visible again before speaking. "I'm over here. I'm in timeout."

He sees me in the corner, then marches over, now looking like he's stuck between wanting to scold me and congratulating me. He sucks in a deep breath. "You know, you're making my inventions work a little too well."

"How about...I don't scare the inventor, and we won't have to worry about that?" I say sheepishly.

"Happily agreed. Now, as I was saying earlier..." he stops, looking blank. "Uh…"

"Did I scare it out of you?"

His mouth quivers slightly. "Well…it certainly seems so. Alright, I tend to talk because I like to hear my own voice. Yes I admit it," he says dismissively. "Regardless, I've had the confidence that you'd learn quickly, which you have. Maybe that's grounds for me to stop yapping all the time, since you went and did your own thing. With success this time, let's not forget that hovering incident. I do admit, I didn't expect you to be that advanced with the camouflage yet. I heard you before I saw you, and the last thing I expected was to have you rushing out of nowhere...honestly, I' surprised I didn't have a heart attack..."

"Well, I learned how to have more mental temperance," I say. "A more natural feel, I should say. Posture and stance really go a long way for keeping mental faculties."

"Interesting...you know, that sounds like something Eyesac would say," Teacher says thoughtfully.

"Oh, well what a coincidence!" I say, laughing nervously.

"Coincidence or not, I'm frankly pleased with what I see already. As long as you're going in knowing your limits and using your instincts of survival, it's neigh impossible to be concerned with you fairing badly. Here's the last bit of the package, as promised."

He tosses me the wrench and I catch it. I feel a jolt run through my hands, holding it up. It's perfect.

"Do I...need to explain how it works?"

"No, I remember. I watched you," I say, holding it with one hand. "One handed and applying pressure to this point here generates a sphere of energy, and the harder the pressure, the larger the sphere's circumference. Discharged by the slightest flick of the wrist. Double handed is the same principal, except it generates the energy into a vectored format. Unlike the one handed execution, it grows stronger the longer pressure is held…"

I glance at him to make sure that was it, or if it had anything else hidden about it I needed to know about.

Teacher nods. "Mhm, that's it. Be warned—it can generate very powerful beams, and you wouldn't want them backfiring on you. Come—I'll set up some target practice to get you used to it."

I shouldn't have anything to worry about, you'd think.

From being equipped with something that takes my limits to a new level, to centering my mind, body and spirit, you'd think I have that small, small inkling of doubt gone.

Was I confident? Yes. Still, somewhere inside I can feel something that doesn't belong. It's doubt, but doubt for what? Our success? Or was it uncertainty of the unknown, knowing we were about to instigate what could turn out to be something more than what we thought?

Maybe it is the unknown. There's nothing that will get my heart racing faster than not knowing what exactly will happen, or if something went wrong, something we couldn't even see…

I'm not sure why I'm feeling this way. It's another impulse I've received but mistakenly dwelled on, making me reconsider everything—if I was truly ready. Doubt can be such a bitch, but at least I can say I'm trying to fight it.

I eventually gain a general sense of calm contentedness, though with me there's a fine line between that mood and brooding. Clank even asked me once if I was feeling alright, and I told that I was just fine. Just preparing myself.

Four days left. That's what Sasha told us. The next three days, I would continue to find my center, find time to train, and relax when need be. Then the fourth day was when we would go to the Phoenix, know what we were going to do for the mission, and jump right into it.

For now, I'll relax.

Because…if I told myself the honest truth from my heart, I don't know when the next time I'd be able to.

Knock knock knock.

I open my eyes when I heard the rapping at the bathroom door. "Ratchet, I have your clothes," Clank says, coming in. "Tell me if they are still too tight, and I will readjust them again."

"Thanks, pal. Just set 'em over on the counter," I say. "All those times I teased you about knitting, and it's helped in a way I didn't think possible."

"Yes, how lucky you are to have someone like myself around. Not to mention, we will have to speak with the representatives for the HoverDerby and tell them to alter your uniform before the event."

"Oh yeah, good point! I still can't believe they managed to make a uniform for you that's not a hologram. I didn't realize they could make sizes for midgets."

"Yes, I would say that for anyone under sixty two inches," Clank says, leering. "And when I was in the garage earlier, I saw your notes about your plans for the fuel type for my sidecar."

"They sound a-okay?"

"I would use methanol instead of diesel."

My head had been the only thing visibly sticking out the tub, but when he says that I lurch up to my feet, gaping at him. "What?!"

Clank squeals and covers his wide eyes with his hands.

"No way, Clank," I yell. "That's gonna be insane."

"Oh, must you get so excited, Ratchet?"

Oh, oops, didn't mean to give him a full frontal assault. I carefully seize the curtains and, careful not to rip them free, draw them over me without losing any of my indignation. "Okay, but what else did you expect? Do you know how bigger the payout's gonna be if we switch to that fuel type?"

"I do," he says, peeking first before uncovering his face. "I know what the risks are. But, I also want us to win. So what if we take a few leaps forward? We can do it."

"…okay, if you really want it," I say cautiously. "It's not difficult of a change, really, you just really surprised me with that. Well, you're the boss."

"Much obliged," Clank says, giving a dark chuckle as he leaves.

This was one of those moments where he'd successfully managed to freak me out. And I had thought I wanted to destroy our competition.

Not twenty minutes after I get out of the tub, I wander to the bedroom closet. I forget what I'm looking for as soon as I open it.

It's Alister.

"What are you waiting on, Ratchet?!"

I think my scream rattles the entire house.

Within an instant the door whips open and Eyesac bursts in, teeth bared and body arched in hostility. "Where is the danger?" he hisses, scowling about.

I fail to answer, hardly acknowledging him as I back away from the closet door. Clank comes running in a moment later, wearing oven mitts that are too big for his hands. "Ratchet, are you alright?"

"I-I-I…he…" I stammer, now having backed up into the wall. Eyesac slips over, and I flinch when he opens the closet door and sticks his head in. He of course doesn't see what had scared me, swiveling his head around to me with a peculiar expression.

"What is it, Ratchet?" Clank asks gently.

"I saw…saw...saw him." I manage to say.

"Who?"

"A…Alister…again," I mutter, and the name feels like bitter poison coming out through my lips, almost like he was an afterthought. He seemed to be coming back again and again to remind me he was anything but.

Clank is quiet, not looking particularly unsettled but bothered all the same, almost like he wasn't too shocked about what I had said. I guess he would understand about seeing things others couldn't.

"How long has it been, whence he first started to appear?" he asks.

"Several…several weeks ago. When we were at Talwyn's. Been appearing more ever since we came back," I say, trying to calm down. "Each time I see him, it…it's like he gets more real. I saw him standing there. Saw the look in his eyes. And this time…he spoke to me. I heard his voice, Clank. It's been so long. I never thought I'd hear it again, and…and it was so clear."

I think back to the other night when we were passing through the abandoned district, remembering the exact place where he'd been standing among the ruins. There was something about it now that vividly reminds me of when I'd first seen him, standing on the edge of his balcony.

I swallow a bit hard, slipping on the wall. I'd sat down and hadn't even noticed.

Go to Torren IV.

My ears give a harsh twitch, and shudder runs down my spine. I grip the floor tightly, making the wood creak. It feels like it's impossible for my chest to get any tighter, impossible for me to be so breathless…

Go to Torren IV.

That-that's not...

That's not my voice!

It's not my voice...but I can clealry, hear it. Nor Clank or Eyesac reacted to it. It was just me.

Why was I hearing it, and…why did it want me to go back to Torren IV? Was it my subconscious? Was I finally losing it?

Just go.

Trust yourself.

Something in me plummets. I almost feel light-headed for a moment. I hadn't taken another breath in a while now, and actually gasp a little trying to take in oxygen. Clank and Eyesac wander closer, concerned and I only stare back at them.

Go to Torren IV. The voice in my head said so. A voice that wasn't mine, yet seems familiar all the same. It doesn't sound male nor female. There is something about it that gives me give me the innate encouragement to obey it. I couldn't let myself become a slave to some voice...but, what it's saying right now is harmless.

Maybe I should listen to it. Just this...once.

"I…I-I, uh…" I stammer.

"Will you be okay, Ratchet?" asks Clank.

"I…think I need to go somewhere…" I say slowly. "Maybe…if I go back to Torren IV…that'll calm my mind a little."

"Curious…" he utters. "You think that may help?"

"I just…I don't know. It feels like it's something I have to do."

"Alright, then. If that is what your instincts are telling you, then trust them."

My instincts? Were they what was just talking to me? I don't...really think so. I'm not sure, even, what part of my mind that voice would come from. And I surely don't like not knowing.

"I just hope this does something for me. I don't like…seeing things," I say, speaking low to hide the tremor in my voice. "I'm sure it's a side effect of my…you know. Head problems. But I can't be bothered by this. I need to try to fix it before it gets worse…I can't have this distraction while we're on Sentinus. Can't. Can't."

I grind my teeth together, shaking my head. I'm so shaken that, just like that, I'd almost forgotten the effort I'd taken to calm myself before the mission.

Just like that, the darkness slips in.

"It could...this could ruin everything." I growl through bared teeth. "And I WON'T let that happen."

Clank gives me a sad look. Eyesac seems surprisingly bothered as well, but neither of them speak another word as I get up, leaving the room at a brisk walk. I don't blame them.

There's hardly anything to say about something like this.