Cry of Metal and Misery

by n0t0k

Tachyon intended to use the lombax pup as leverage over the Keeper of the Dimension and then kill them both. But then a more deliciously evil plan came to mind. He would raise the Lombax pup himself, but while Tachyon's life had been spared out of pity, the pups would be spared for revenge. This is an alternate dimension from the prime Ratchet and Clank. HAITUS

7. Chapter 7

Hey Everyone! I'm back (celebratory fist pump!).

Thanks for giving me the break and because everyones been so patient (and I couldn't wait any longer) here's the next chapter early!

(Sorry for not telling you Glow, but I wanted it to be a surprise. So- "Surprise!")

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5339.4.119.

Kaden stood on the brink of darkness.

Well, not really. There was a four cubit glass wall protecting him from the hostile atmosphere of space outside. But still, it felt awesome to look out almost unimpeded into the dark and star speckled space that made up most of the world Kaden lived in.

A strong kick in his back forced Kaden out of his gazing and he laughed as an impatient squeal from behind tried to get his attention. "Alright, alright. You can look too."

Turning around he allowed the small bundle on his back to see the breathtaking emptiness of the universe as it spread out endless miles into nothing but dark and light of space and star. The child in the pabus cooed and Kaden smiled warmly as he looked over his shoulder at the baby clapping its hands together in excitement. "That's just what I was thinking buddy."

"Kaden." The voice of Max Apogee called out as the large Markazian entered the room.

The Lombax immediately turned to face the his friend and a few soldiers who had joined him. Ever since two days ago, when one of Tachyons spies almost assassinated the rebel leader, security had cracked down hard and now the poor Markazian couldn't go anywhere without the armored and trigger happy soldiers following him. But Max wasn't the only one affected by the attack. Max had ordered Kaden and his son to remain hidden in a super secret room and no one to mention of the Lombaxes existence till Kaden was able to depart.

The super secret room wasn't actually super in that it had belonged to Max's daughter. It had bright pink walls and paintings of uni-mooses dancing and skipping on rainbow comet tails. The room, however, was secret and therefore safe. When Max had first started to turn his home into a battle ship he had erased his family's rooms from the blueprints and blocked of all entrances to the rooms so no one would stumble upon it and perhaps disrupt the privacy of what once had been home. Some part of Max must have hoped his family could one day return and life could go back to normal. That was a hope Kaden would never have.

But still, that room had been horrible. Ever since he was a child Kaden had hated small spaces and inactivity, so sitting doing nothing for 51 hours and thirty three minutes had been torture. Now, however, Kaden had discovered something he hated more: uni-mooses.

The overly large and goggly eyes, the fluffy fur, the disproportionate bodies, and the sparkling horns had been imprinted into his brain after staring at nothing but them for two days straight. They still haunted his sleep and he knew he could never be free of them.

"Hey Max." Kaden waved in greeting to his friend who was coming toward him. "I didn't think you'd show up."

"Of course I would. I wouldn't miss my own friends farewell, now would I?" Max smiled as he came to a stop in front of Kaden, casting the Lombax under his shadow.

"I don't know, I thought you might since you're the one kicking me out." Kaden spoke in a joking tone though he didn't try and hide the glint of slight anger in his eyes.

Max sighed, "Please Kaden, don't bring that up right now. This is the last time we will see each other for a while, so let's depart on a good note. After all, war brings death and you never know when it will be your last day."

"Wow, didn't know you could be so dark Max. Now I'm depressed."

Max gave a hearty laugh and shook his friends hand farewell. "Please say hello to my wife and kids if you see them. In fact," he rummaged around in his coat pocket before producing a letter, "could you give them this. I just want her to know I'm doing alright."

Kaden took the letter before giving Max a questioning look. "Wait... you haven't been in contact with her since she left?"

"Not exactly, I make sure she has funds and we give each other a note whenever we can, but with Tachyon out there I can't and won't risk him tapping into one of our calls and figuring out where my family is. She understands of course, we both agreed on this to keep the children safe."

Kaden nodded in understanding, but his brow furrowed as he wondered if this meant the Markazian was planning on cutting communications with Kaden as well.

If that was true it didn't matter, Kaden wasn't actually planning on staying put in Meridian anyway. There was a war out there and Kaden knew it was his responsibility to fix it. Tachyon was his people's mistake and that meant it was Kaden's job as one of the last Lombaxes in the galaxy to stop the monster his people had created. He wasn't going to flee like the other Lombax's had, he was the Keeper of the Lombax Secret and that tidal meant power as well as responsibility.

"I see, well just remember our deal. Anything big goes down with Tachyon, call me in right away." Kaden placed his hand between them to shake on it.

"Of course," Max smiled, a nervous glint flashed for a second in his eyes as he took the hand in his firm grip. Kaden knew his friend was lying, the Markazian had always been a bad liar. Though he knew Max did it out of a drive to protect him and his son, Kaden still felt hurt at the breaking of this trust.

Brabbing belongings, he really didn't have much, Kaden walked slowly to where his sentient ship, Aphelion, was waiting for him. He turned around to wave one more time at his friend before the bay doors closed when he suddenly realized something; the weight on his back was unusually light.

"Wait stop!" Kaden threw his hand out to stop the hatch from hissing shut as he looked wildly around the room.

"Whats wrong?"

"My son's missing! The little escape artist somehow slipped out!"

For a moment Max looked perplexed at the now empty paboos on Kaden's back before he burst out laughing. "Are you kidding? He escaped out of the prison you made for him?! I didn't even think it was possible you rigged the thing so tight."

"Stop laughing and start helping me," Kaden growled more in panic than anger as he got down on his hands and knees and started desperately looking under every piece of furniture in the room. "Aphelion! Scan the room for him!"

"Scanning," the female voice replied. A moment later there was a ping sound and the ship spoke again. "My scanners only located one Lombax in this room."

Kaden's eyes widened and he started to panic. "How did he get out of this room? Quick scan-"

"Already scanning the base, sir."

The Lombax was about to thank her when another ping sounded from her speakers. Kaden waited for Aphelion to speak, but she didn't.

"Aphelion? Did you finish your scan?"

"Yes sir. I am scanning again."

"Again! Why again?"

Another ping sounded. "I have scanned the entirety of this base twice and I only found one Lombax."

Kaden's heartbeat skipped a beat and Max gave his friend a worried look. "But that can't be! Aphelion, self check your systems. Your scanners must be damaged or something!"

Another ping. "All systems are operational, sir. Shall I scan the exterior of my surroundings again?"

Kaden was about to say yes when a giggle echoed around the room.

"Wait?" Max looked about in confusion. "He's still in the room?!"

"I don't understand," Aphelion stuttered. "My sensors only picked up you, sir."

Kaden strained his ears to hear his son's laugh again. He was rewarded as another fit of giggles and bounced off the walls. This time Kaden was ready and his ear's twitched as he attempted to pinpoint the location of the sound: Aphelion.

The father sighed with relief and frustration when he saw a little head poke out from behind the passenger seat of his ship and laugh at him again before ducking down behind the dashboard.

"Wait, I see him and I know why Aphelion couldn't find him."

"How? Why?" Both Max and Aphelion asked in surprise.

"Because he wasn't on this space base. He was in you, Aphelion." Kaden grinned as he hopped onto Aphelion and foundly looked down at his son who was happily bouncing on his knees in Aphelions cushiony chair, two little hands gripping an armrest as the baby laughed joyously.

"Of course. My apologies, I should have included myself in my scan."

"No worries." Kaden laughed as he scooped his son up in his arms and swung him in the air like a little plane. "It seems the little escape artist can't wait to leave."

"Well I am just hurt," Max feigned sadness. "You were going to leave your Uncle Max without even saying goodbye?"

The child scrunched up his nose and glared at Max as the large Markazian tickled the tip of the child's black leather nose in good fun. The baby was attempting to swat the huge hand away between giggles and growls when his attention was caught by a figure behind Max. Curiously the Markazian turned around and frowned to see one of his bodyguards standing behind him with a distraught look on his face.

"Eh-ehm. Sir, I… uh… I have some important news concerning Meridian."

The room had hushed and Kaden noted that all the other guards had their heads bowed in either what could be seen as shame or morning. Something bad was about to happen, Kaden knew it.

"Yes, what is it?"

"We have just received a report, sir," the soldier tapped the com in his ear. "At exactly 11:20, day 117 of the fourth month of year 5339 Meridian was attacked."

"What?!" Max voice rose in panic and surprise. "That would be two days ago. Who did this?"

"Emperor Tachyon, sir. Reports lead us to believe he was hunting a Lombax and randomly decided to attacked the entire planet. He was able to destroy three prominent cities including the capital Meridian City and there is an estimate of five thousand and nine hundred and ninety two deaths before the world's military and other allied forces were able to respond."

"That doesn't make sense." Kaden interjected. "How could the monster kill so many people in such a short time."

"It wasn't short. The military did not respond to the threat till three hours later after the initial attack."

Both Max and Kaden stared in horror at the bodyguard.

"Why?" They both asked.

"I…" the guard looked down for a moment. "I am unsure exactly but the report states that the military was stationed off world at the time and were unable to access their warp drive do to some malfunction."

Kaden clenched his hands into fists and growled. "Tachyon! One of his spies must have sabotaged their warp drive. And I'll bet he had something to do with the ENTIRE ARMY being stationed off world right as he decides to drop in."

"Foul play was stated as being a high suspicion." The guard agreed with Kaden.

"And what of my family and others of this base?" Max asked, concern plain on his face.

"Reports are still coming in, sir, but so far there is a confirmed of ninety six deaths of family members connected to your soldiers… including your own family."

Max's face went completely pale and his body rigid as the Markazian's world shattered like broken glass. "No..."

"Are you sure?" Kaden quickly asked the guard. "Are you sure that it is his family?"

The guard gulped. "Yes, the Tragedy Response Force were able to id them by their city key codes as well as facial recognition."

Max was still standing though it looked as if all life had drained out of him. Kaden had to do something.

"Exactly who is dead? General Apogee has two children and a wife. They can't all be gone?"

The guard shook his head sorrowfully as he turned to his general, "I am sorry, sir."

Max remained still, staring vacantly ahead as tears began to fall from his eyes. Kaden put a hand up to his friend to let Max know he was there, not that he could do much.

Time passed but no one said anything. The guards fidgeted uncomfortably as they watched their mighty leader become like stone. But Kaden remained as still as the Markazian, watching his friend with keene eyes that were accustomed to the tears of grief.

Then, slowly, Max turned his head down toward Kaden and locked eyes with the Lombax. "Now I know what it is like to have my entire world destroyed by that monster… just like you."

Kaden watched in horror as his friend shut down his own feelings, which at that moment needed to be shed or else would slowly consume him, and stiffened his posture.

"We are not the only ones, though." Max hardened his expression till it was unrecognizable yet nobel. "Others have also lost everything today. I must see to my men immediately. Call everyone who is off duty to assemble on the ground floor where I will make a speech. After that we will have a day of mourning and then we shall begin our work in earnest. Tachyon must learn that he cannot do as he wishes anymore. We are not rangers or a band of rebels, we are an army and this is war."

Kaden remained behind as he watched his friend walk out with his head high and eyes dry as he set his mind to distraction. The Lombax felt his empathy go out to the general, but Kaden knew that the journey Max was on was a lonely one in which he could not follow. At least he could be there for his friend and give Max the support he didn't have when his own world had fallen apart.

That thought suddenly hit Kaden with such force and he staggered backward. How could he support Max when his own pain was so fresh in his mind? Not a day went by that Kaden did not think of what he had lost.

The dark memories now swarmed his mind; the moment the Tachyon's force appeared in the sky and Kaden knew they had been betrayed, the moment he watched his friend banished for treason by the Lombax counsel, the moment his city caught flame and cries echoed like ghouls through the night, and worse of all was the last moments with his wife. A conversation he didn't even get the pleasure of having face to face as he sped to their home telling his wife he would be there soon. Promising he would save them.

A foot kicked Kaden, suddenly making him aware of the warm body squirming impatiently in his arms. Looking down Kaden managed to smile through his tears as he saw the bright green eyes of his son. The baby, unaware of his father's distress, babbled in child's talk to be let down so he could explore. Kaden ignored his son, much to the child's annoyance, and hugged the pup tightly to his chest.

"Max is wrong. I didn't lose my entire world."

---

5354.4.018

"Just look at it Clank, isn't it beautiful?" Ratchet said as he practically plastered his face against their ships windshield as if doing so would allow him to see more of the planet below him.

"I will look just as soon as you focus back on flying properly." Clank tried to keep his voice from panicking as he fought from his passenger seat to control the steering sticks that Ratchet had let go of to further press himself against the glass. "I know you are excited to enter this planet but I would prefer we land first."

"Fine, fine." The Lombax laughed as he peeled himself off the window and placed both hands back on the steering sticks much to Clanks relief.

Now that Clank was sure they were reasonably safe from an untimely death he stood up to peer out his own window at the world below. Unlike Ratchet, however, he was not pleased.

"This planet is almost exactly like the one we left! I calculate eighty-five percent of the world's terrain is desert with the other fifteen percent made of rivers, oasis's, and small oceans. How did you manage to find an almost exact replica of Percival, your home planet?"

"So it's not exactly a top ten tourist destination." Ratchet admitted with a shrug of his shoulders. "But look at the reading the ship is picking up. Barely anyone lives here. Imagine all the illegal hoverboard racing we could do, the vast air space we could fly through, and the freedom to be who we want to be without worrying about nosey (or noisy) neighbors. It's perfect!"

Clank had to agree that the desolate planet was perfect for hiding away if not the most desirable place to live.

"I am wondering," Clank spoke up again as the ship began to enter the planet's orbit, "How do you plan to become a citizen before the next recruitment in 16 days?"

Ratchet gave his friend a strange look. "What do you mean? I'm already a citizen of the Cragmite Empire?"

"Yes, but in order to enter the Veldin military sanction of the Cragmite Empire you must prove you are a citizen of Veldin."

Ratchet smacked his head against the dashboard and groaned. "I completely forgot. How are we…"

He cut himself off as he looked over at Clank's completely calm and slighty smug expression. "Wait a sec. You already have a plan, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Well, what is it?" Ratchet asked eagerly.

"Your dad is dead."

The ship unexpectedly swerved to the side as Ratchet fell into a fit of coughing.

"What?!" he finally managed to gasp out once he had finished choking on his own lungs. "When? How?!"

"Well," Clank spoke calmly which seemed to irk Ratchet greatly. "Living alone out in the desert is very dangerous and there are many unfortunate accidents that could occur. So after his untimely end you, his son, and I, your fathers invention, move to the city and enter the orphanage since we cannot survive alone. The planet is barren enough with countless caves and wilderness so I believe that the city people probably meet strangers who have lived their entire lives on the planet without anyone knowing it."

Ratchet a huge sigh of relief and even a nervous laugh, much to Clanks confusion. "Oh man. I thought for a moment you meant my real dad. Phew, you had me scared there a moment. Anyway, I like your plan."

Clank cocked his head to the side, "You said 'real father'. Am I correct?"

"Ya"

"I am confused. I thought your real father died a long ago?"

"Tachyon is my 'real' dad." Ratchet shot back, suddenly losing his easygoing smile. "At least, he is more of my real father than the biological one."

There was tense silence for a moment, Ratchet stared ahead to the earth below which was getting closer. Clank looked at his friend in confusion trying to understand why Ratchet hated his real father, and why he was so loyal to the Cragmite who seemed to hate him.

Finally, Clank spoke. "Why do you feel so strongly about your biological father? I presumed you never knew him?"

Ratchet sighed and looked at Clank who stared back patiently. The Lombax knew he shouldn't get so defencive against Clank. After all, the teeny robot had been 'born' like fourteen days ago and didn't seem to know much of the disgraceful history of Lombaxes. In fact, Ratchet was willing to bet that Clank didn't even know what a Lombax was and for that Ratchet was thankful. If the robot did know what he was, Ratchet was sure that Clank would have avoided or shun him when they first met, just like everyone else.

"You're right, I didn't know my dad. But I'm glad I never got the chance. That man was a selfish coward and murderer. He was the keeper of some kind of horrible weapon which he used to kill hundreds of Cragmites. Tachyon was able to survive and gather allies to save the rest of his people and stop my dad and his kind. When Tachyon finally was able to confront my father to end the bloodshed by imprisoning him, the coward fled leaving me behind to get killed by his enemies. But Tachyon didn't hold my father's sins against me and he saved me. Tachyon, the enemy of my race, loves me more than my own biological dad."

Clank sank back into his chair in worry as he processed all that Ratchet had said. To the little robot it didn't make sense. The creature he had seen exhibiting such malice toward Ratchet didn't fit with the hero that his friend had just describing.

Meanwhile, Ratchet was focusing on bringing the ship to a landing by maneuvering the craft into a dark cave where it would be protected from the elements and unfriendly eyes. After all, if they were going to claim having lived in the wilderness all their lives it would be counterintuitive to let someone find their space ship.

Once they landed, Ratchet leapt out with gusto, his tail swishing back and forth in excitement as he rushed to the opening to look out across the sun bakes scenery. Clank did not have the same look of pleasure when he saw the sanded dunes and desert outside. In fact, the more he scanned with his lenses the more sand he saw. Great.

"Hey buddy?" Ratchet called to him causing the robot to fix his optics on his friend. "I got something for you."

Clank examined the strange contraption which Ratchet proudly held up. He cocked his head and clipped his lenses twice over his green optics. It appeared to be some kind of leather strapping. Two straps where the arm's would go through were parallel to each other with another strap in the front and back holding the pieces together. The front had some kind of blue light/button shaped like an upside down elongated pentagon while the back had a strange looking medal knobby thing. The back also had two extra leather loops, one located at the left shoulder and the other down near the right hip.

"What is it?"

"Its for you. And I guess me too since I'll be wearing it. You see this part here," Ratchet pointed to the metal knob thing which was located at the back of the contraption. "With this blue button in the front I can magnetize the clamp on the back here."

"Interesting, what is it for?"

"You of course. Now, with this magnetized harness, you can just clamp on and off my back for easier travel." Ratchet beamed as he held the straps closer for Clank to look at.

There was a moment of silence, then, "But magnets only attract other objects with magnetic properties and I don't have a magnet on me? In order for the magnetic field to work on my metal its attraction would have to be very powerful. That… clamp does not appear to have what it takes to attract me."

Now it was Ratchet's turn to look at Clank strangely before giving an uncomfortable cough. "Well, that sentence sounded kind of weird, but we'll fix that later," he mumbled to himself before raised his voice for Clank to hear. "I don't understand what you mean. You have a magnet on your back. Actually it's more like a clamp on your back that can be magnetized. You never noticed?"

Clank strained to look behind him and managing to turn his head almost entirely around, but because of his short and stiff neck the robot was unable to look straight down. He tried reaching back with his hands to feel the so called knob, but it was no use. Everything about him was just too small. Except his head, and Clank didn't know if that was a good thing.

"Well it's there." Ratchet assured him. "I noticed the strange clamp when I was taking some sample of your macroscopic motor plate endings the first day we met. It didn't seem to have a purpose which was weird. Later I found a similar knob randomly lying about with my stuff which fit perfectly with your clamp. So with a bit of work and re-wiring I made this harness. Perfect huh. Almost as if someone else planned this when they made you."

Clank nodded as he felt a chill run through his metal. "Yes, almost."

For a moment Clank and Ratchet just stared at the magnetized clamp on the harness and then back at each other.

Ratchet looked seriously at Clank for a whole two seconds before bursting out laughing. "You should see your face! Ha! I was just joking with you. You accidentally crashed out in the desert. I happened to be outside right at that moment and see your pod fly past my house. Then I happened to have had just the right kind of day to make me want to go exploring and thus found you. Who would (or even could) have orchestrated this whole thing?"

Clank remained skeptical, "That's exactly what I want to know."

"Wait? You're not serious about this, are you?" Ratchet managed to stop laughing long enough look his friend skeptically in the optics.

"Well, we don't actually know what my purpose is. What if I was created to meet you and help you-"

"Stop." Ratchet voice commanded, stunning the robot. The teen cocked an eyebrow at the small robot as he folded his arms across his chest. "You're not a servant. You're not a tool. You're not just another machine. You are my best friend and I'm beginning to think it was a blessing you didn't have a purpose set in your programming. Because of this you probably have more freedom than any bot in the universe. You're free, buddy. Free to be whoever and whatever you want. Enjoy it."

Clank blinked in surprise as he processed what Ratchet was saying to him. Was he really so eager to be a machine with no freedom of will? Did he really want so badly to sell his freedom of choice? Clank filed away Ratchets words in his memory bank. His friend was right, he needed to stop thinking like a mindless kitchen machine and more like a complex artificial intelligence.

"Okay," Ratchet laughed, breaking the awkward silence that Clank had not realized had formed while he was thinking. "That's enough deep thinking for me today. My heads starting to hurt. You ready to go?"

With a nod Ratchet strapped the harness onto himself and he and Clank stood back to back. With dramatic flourish Ratchet raised his hand in the air and then pressed the blue button. Nothing happened.

"Mmmm… let me just…" Ratchet said as he pressed the button repeatedly.

"Perhaps the magnetic field is not strong enough and I should get closer." Clank said stepped closer. When nothing happened he decided to jump. If Ratchet had not been so busy pressing his button repeatedly and had just looked over his shoulder a moment he would probably have laughed to see the small robot try and leap into the air. It probably looked like what would happen if kitchen appliance suddenly became possessed and began hopping for no reason all around the countertop. It was really cute.

Right as Clank was jumping in the air (albeit not very high into the air) Ratchet pressed his button with immense force and the light sparked on. Suddenly an unexpected weight crashed into Ratchet from behind and he went sprawling face first into the sandy terrain.

Coughing and sputtering Ratchet pulled himself up and looked behind to see a bewildered Clank blinking back at him, his back securely fixed to Ratchets new invention.

"I am sorry." Clank cocked his head at his friend. "But the good news is your machine works"

Ratchet gave his friend a large grin as he stood up straight and dusted sand off his trousers. "Of course it does. I made it, remember? You didn't doubt me, did you?"

"Perhaps a change in subject would be best." Clank avoided the trick question.

"Oh, well now I'm hurt." Ratchet joked. "If you doubt my skill so much how about we test out the connection a little?"

Clank could hear the mischief in his friend's voice. "What are you-"

Suddenly the robot found himself being shaken violently back and forth which quickly changed to up and down as Ratchet jumped and rattled him about.

"Is- tHe- clAmP- hOlding?" Ratchet called back to Clank.

"YeS- now-pleA-Se- sTop."

Ratchet halted and smiled back at his friend. "Seems good, maybe we should try and see if it can hold against extreme speeds. I brought my hoverboard."

"If you do any such thing I promise I will leave you right here, right now." Clank quickly crushed whatever plan the furry creature was concocting.

"Fine, but you know how to spoil my fun, don't you?" Ratchet said as he stuck his socket wrench in his bolt filled belt and secured his omniwrench to his back using the two extra leather loops Clank had noticed earlier on the harness.

"As the smart and responsible one in our duo it is my job." Clank said matter-o-factly.

Ratchet began walking out onto the desert. "Ha! And I thought you didn't know how to joke."

"How is what I said a joke?"

"Well it's not, but when I said that you were joking about being the smart one I was implying that you actually aren't the smart one. Then you're supposed to react with something like... aw never mind. Jokes can't be explained. When you try they aren't funny anymore."

The sun was now baking them in its boiling embrace and Ratchet attempted to elude the omnipresent ball of fire by dashing from shadow to shadow made by the rock formations and pillars that jutted out of canyons and crevices of the desert landscape. Clank, safely under the shadow of Ratchets large cat like ears, noted that this world didn't seem to have as much sand as he had first thought and mostly consisted of a rocky terrain. Still, there was more sand than Clank would have liked, but at least this place wasn't as bad as Ratchets home. The air was definitely cleaner here too.

"Ratchet?" Clank asked. "Do you even know where you are going?"

"Ya." The Lombax panted in the heat. "My ships internal map said there was a town just north of here. We should see it any moment."

"Yes, I am sure we would… if we were heading north."

"What?" Ratchet stopped under the shadow of a large sandstone pillar that jutted out of a cliffside.

"You're heading west."

"Well, it's kind of hard to go in a straight line jumping from shadow to shadow." Ratchet shot back in agitation, though he was more irked at the possibly being lost than at Clank.

"Perhaps I should guide you."

"Wha'?"

"I have an internal map in my system and while we were at your house I connected to one of your holodisks and downloaded as much information on every planet that was available, including a map."

Ratchet gave his friend a side glare (unable to actually look at him anymore then from the side due to their position). "Why didn't you say so before?"

"I thought that you knew where you were going."

"Well I did… just not that well. Just tell me where to go before I turn to smoked ham out here."

That next shadow to your right should work and then down into that gully which will lead, according to the map, to the city."

"Perfect."

A few moments later Ratchet did not think Clank's map was so perfect as he and his buddy stared up at a dead end.

"Mmmm… perhaps the map I downloaded is outdated." Clank mused.

Ratchet kicked a mound of rocks right in front of them with a funny wooden plank sticking out the top like a gravestone. "Well that's just our luck. Dad's going to be so proud when he finds out I died heroically of heat stroke."

"Why would any father be proud of your death?" Clank asked in befuddlement.

"It's just a joke." Ratchet sighed as he began making his way back out of the canyon. "Dad wouldn't actually be proud. He would prefer a noble death by lasers or plasma guns."

"If that's so," A voice suddenly shocked Ratchet and Clank as the Lombax turned the corner and found himself face to face with the barrel of a gun. "Then I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I put a plasma ray right through your brain?"

---

5354.4.018

"Well, this is the most forsaken and dried hunk of rock I've ever seen." Cronk, a tall and old battle bot, said to his companion who stood vigilant by his side.

"Sure is," the other shorter bot, Zephyr, nodded. "All this sand is getting in my gears."

"They better pay us extra for this. Does miss Sasha even know how hard it is to get sand out of you're plating?" Cronk asked as he inspected the pile of rocks behind him which were erected like some sort of monument with a plank of wood stuck between two bolders.

Zephyr sighed and shook his head at his friend. "We don't get payed at all, remember?"

"Oh, ya. Well… then I want an apology or maybe a new coat of paint."

"You sure need it. You probably should get a new body while you're at it. You're practically all rust and dents."

"Excuse me, whippersnapper! I'll have you know I'm in top physical form, unlike you."

"Whats wrong with me?"

"Have you seen yer disgraceful hunch? Why, you could touch yer feet right now without even bending down."

"And of course you couldn't because you're so stiff."

"Stiff!"

"Shhh!"

"What! You dare shush me. I'm your-"

"I said Shhh!"

"That does it, I'm reporting you-"

"Cronk ya darn fool! Be quiet, I thought I heard something."

Both robots silenced themselves as the held up their blasters and listened. For a moment there was nothing, but then they heard a footstep and a young girl came into view. She was a small thing with mature eyes that spoke of the conflict and struggles it had seen. She wore green and had a red bandana holding back her tresses of dark chocolate hair. Her hands were in the air to show the empty palms and she carried no weapon or ammunition.

"Don't shoot." She spoke and the two robots lowered their weaponry.

For a moment there was silence as each person wondered if the other was actually the person they had come to see. But the robots could see the resemblance in the girl of the photo they had been shown before heading out to this meeting, and after their initial hesitation they both saluted her.

"Talwyn Azimuth I presume?" Cronk addressed her.

The girl nodded, "You're Galactic Rebel soldiers?"

"That we are little miss." Zephyr smiled as he proudly patted the insignia on his right shoulder.

Suddenly the cool and hard impression she had been giving them dropped away and she was beaming with an excited delight. "I can't believe I found you guys, and you actually want me for such an important mission."

"So you know what yer supposed to do?" The blue robot Cronk asked.

"Sort of, but not fully."

"Well that's good or we would'a come out here for nothin'. Ain't that right, Cronk?" Zephyr elbowed his friend.

"I have all the information on this chip," Cronk ignored his friend and handed Talwyn a small usb. "But me and Zephyr will explain it all to you anyway. First though, we must know that you are dedicated to this."

"I am." Talwyn nodded, her lips curving up in a grin but her eyes as deadly as could be.

"You sure?" Zephyr asked. "It means you will be alone for most of your mission, with almost no one knowing that you're on our side. And you'll probably have to eliminate your own alleys to keep your cover. Can you do that?"

Talwyn took a deep breath and then squared her shoulders. "I know the risks and I know the price. But Tachyon has to be stopped and if this is the only way then so be it."

"Well I sure wouldn't be able to do it." Zephyr admitted.

"I could." Cronk boasted, quick to try and up his friend.

"What? Some friend you are! After all we've been through you're willin' to shoot me in the back?"

"Are you questioning my honor?" the old robot shook his fist in Zephyr's face. "I'd never shoot you in the back. I'd shoot you in the front like any honest man."

"Or honest fool. Well, you know what. I'm reporting you to the authorities, you traitor!"

"Guys!" Talwyn quickly interrupted. She was seriously wondering if her job was this important if the Galactic Rebels had sent these two clowns. But still, they seemed nice. "We cannot stay here forever without risking discovery. Tell me my mission details and quickly."

"Oh, right." Cronk nodded and Zephyr rubbed the back of his neck apologetically.

"Sorry miss."

Cronk began, "Your objective is to-"

"Shhh." Zephyr tried to silence him.

Cronk turned on Zephyr with his blaster raised. "What are you shushing me again for?!"

"Someones a' commin'."

Everyone tensed and turned toward the only exit in the canyon which was behind Talwyn. Sure enough they began to hear voices echoing off the sandstone walls.

"Leave now!" Talwyn ordered urgently. "I have the chip so I can read it later. You guys get out of here and I'll distract whoever's coming."

"With what? You're unarmed?" Zephyr asked.

Talwyn's eyes flicked over to the heap of rocks behind them. "I have a plan."

"Alright young miss. Good luck." Cronk nodded and radioed in to base for teleport.

"And make sure to destroy the chip once you've memorized it." Zephyr called back before they disappeared in a flash of light.

As the base of their home began to materialize around them Cronk looked to his friend and commented, "She's a fighter that one. I see why Sasha chose her for the secret mission."

"We're never supposed to say that word out loud you darn fool." Zephyr slapped Clonk over the head.

Although, he had to agree with Cronk. That girl was a fighter.

---

5354.4.018

"Yikes!" Ratchet jumped back a few feet from the blaster pointing right at his nose and blinked in surprise when he saw who was attacking them. Before him stood a Markazian girl which he could tell by her light pinkish purple hued skin and small (in comparison to his) sharply pointed ears and tail. Ratchet had hadn't seen that many Markazian's at the planet Percival and those he did were all adult males. But the dangerous looking alien brandishing a blaster in his face was knew to him and he wondered if all Markazian females were this unfriendly or short.

Despite her size she looked the opposite of small with her fierce gaze and confident stance. She wore a green tunic and dark tight pants with a belt that could hold as much ammunition as any trigger crazy girl could want. A red bandana was tied over her forehead to keep her thick and long brown bangs out of her large emerald eyes. All the guys in her village probably thought she was hot with her high cheekbones and long dark lashes but all that Ratchet could think at that moment was how scary she looked as she tightened her finger on the trigger and how cool it was to be meeting a teen like him who wasn't Cragmite.

Ya, he thought she was scary and cool at the same time. Confusing, right?

"Put your hands in the air and no sudden moves or I'll fry you faster than a salted bog monster in a frying pan." The girl pushed the blasters nozzle against his nose.

"Woah, hey." Ratchet tried to calm her down. "We're unarmed. See. We didn't do it."

"Do what?" The girl drew back slightly, her left brow rose slightly in confusion though her voice was still threatening.

"Whatever you think we did. We're innocent."

"Innocent huh?" The young girl smirked while keeping her weapon raised. "How about this, I think you're trespassing on my property without permission. Still think you're innocent?"

"Okay," Ratchet said with a sheepish grin, "So maybe not completely innocent, but we didn't know this belonged to anyone. Promise."

"I'm the one who decides who's inno- wait?!" The Markazian girl stopped mid sentence as she realized just what Ratchet had said. Her body tensed. "Who's we?"

Ratchet was quick to answer by tapping the blue button on his chest. The magnetic field released and there was a gasp of surprise from the girl as Clank jumped to the ground and turned to face her, his friendly green optics looking at her with slight curiosity.

"This is my friend Clank. Clank, this is Hostile-female-with-gun."

"Seriously," the girl actually relaxed her gun and laughed. "I thought it was some kind of toaster oven strapped to your back."

"Ahem," Clank cleared his voice box in slight annoyance at what she said and ignored Ratchet's pointed I-told-you-so look. "I am not a toaster oven, thank you very much, and have nothing to do with cooking or preparing wheat products of any kind."

"Wow!" The girl took a step back in surprise. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you could talk?"

Ratchet elbowed his friend in good fun. "Ya, it's kind'a hard to tell when you first meet him, but you eventually get used to his silence."

"Excuse me, but I do speak and quite a lot." Clank frowned up at Ratchet and placed his hands on his hips (or sides since he doesn't actually have hips).

"Are you actually admitting to being a motor-mouth?" Ratchet smiled mischievously at his friend.

"I would think that is apparent since I am a robot." Clank retorted in all seriousness.

Ratchet face palmed and shook his head sadly. "No. You're not supposed to take that literally. It's an expression, it's meant as a joke."

"Excuse me?" The girl interrupted their argument causing both robot and Lombax to turn their attention back on her. Ratchet noticed she seemed slightly amused to see the two bickering. "I don't appreciate being ignored, especially since I'm the one with the dangerous weapon here."

"My apologies miss," Clank said politely. "Perhaps we should start introductions over. I am Clank, it is a pleasure to meet you." Clank offered her his hand to shake. Ratchet wasn't surprised that his friend was choosing to be friendly toward the stranger. Clank was definitely the negotiating type and if he could resolve their predicament without fighting he would.

"And you are?" The girl pointed her blaster back at Ratchet.

The Lombax pushed the barrel away from his face and crossed his hands over his chest. "First, tell us your name and then I'll tell mine."

"No." The girl whipped the blaster back into his face and this time when he tried to push it away she pressed lightly on the trigger causing the weapon to give off a glowing light from inside as its core was heated up and prepared to fire.

"My friend," Clank quickly interrupted, "is named Ratchet. Now that we have given you our names would you be so kind as to lower your weapon?"

"Ya, and tell us your name." Ratchet added causing Clank to give the Lombax a stern look. Ratchet knew he was pushing his luck but he was feeling tired of every teen or kid he ever met wanting to blow him up or tear him apart. For once it would be nice to just meet someone and have a nice exchange of names and friendly words. Ratchet supposed that Clank counted since their first meeting was extremely friendly without a threatening word or dangerous weapon in sight. But even then there had been an explosion that nearly singed his fur off.

"Only when I know you're not dangerous." The girl retorted, her green eyes hardening.

"How could you not know?!" Ratchet gestured to him and his friend's appearance. "He's a teeny robot that looks like a toaster" -Clank glared at Ratchet in objection- " and I'm a kid with only a socket and omniwrench to defend myself with. We aren't armed and if you're waiting for some sort of back up to come and ambush you I'd say they left us in the lurch because nobodies shown up yet. Not only that but you're the one with the blaster and the one that ambushed us!"

The girl huffed and holstered her weapon, though Ratchet noticed she kept her hand hovering near it for a quick draw. "Alright fine, I'll admit you look completely helpless-"

"Was that… humor?" Clank interrupted the girl to asked Ratchet his question.

"Sorta. It's more like a harsh comment poking fun at us to try and rile us up, but I think you're getting the idea." Ratchet answered, feeling almost proud of Clank's slight improvement.

"-BUT," the girl shouted at them both to get their attention. She obviously didn't like being interrupted. "You, Ratchet, are annoying so I'm going to keep demanding you tell me what you're doing here till you either fess up or I turn you into charcoal fuzz and fur. "

Even though the gun wasn't out anymore Ratchet was suddenly filled with fear and awe as the girl glared at him with her hands on her hips. A stray strand of hair fell over her face which she whipped back in place with a flick of her head, somehow managing to make even that motion look fierce.

"I'm sorry about all of this confusion," Clank began, taking a step forward. He turned around a moment to give Ratchet a hard stare. "Ratchet, please stay here a moment and don't say another word. I think you've done enough damage."

"Hey, I-" Ratchet started to argue but stopped when he thought he saw Clank give him a wink before turning around to face the Markazian girl again and ushering her a few feet away from the grumpy Lombax.

"You see," the robot stepped in closer as if he wished Ratchet not to hear (but the Lombax had large ears which gave him really, really good hearing). "It's about his father and my creator, Rolf Algeier. Rolf recently died do to an untimely accident for which Ratchet blames himself. Of course it had nothing to do with him, but he is still pretty bothered by it. Because Rolf was a nomad my ward has grown up outside of the company of others except for myself and Mr. Algeier. So naturally the two were extremely close. But now with Rolf gone it isn't good for him to be alone out there anymore and we cannot really take care of ourselves in such a harsh habitat. So, that is why I'm taking us to the city where there is an orphanage that can at least take proper care of him till Ratchet is old enough to look after himself. Also, I believe it will do him good to be around other people of his age."

The girl had seemed to twitch inwardly when Clank mentioned Ratchet and 'Rolfs' relationship as well as his death. Now she stared at Clank hard, her eyes flicked to Ratchet and he could see the doubt in them. They had to sell this story and fast. Thinking quick Ratchet decided to capitalize on her seeming dislike for him. He knew the type well and was sure that anything he said she would disagree with.

And that gave him an idea...

"Hey!" Ratchet called over to Clank so she could hear. "Whatever negotiations you're making I refuse. We're obviously not wanted so let's just go back. I can take care of myself out there."

The girl folded her arms across her chest and scowled, but for a moment he thought he saw empathy behind her long dark lashes.

Her mind made up, she marched over to Ratchet and poked him pointedly in the chest. "No you can't. Clank just got done telling me how helpless you are. You and your intelligent friend are coming back with me."

"What, why?" Ratchet asked as he pulled away from her. Clank, however, was looking hopeful.

"Because Clank told me you're looking for the orphanage and I know where it is."

"How about you just tell us where it is and we can all go our merry separate ways." Ratchet crossed his arms and glowered. He wanted as little as possible to do with this fiery girl since she obviously didn't like him and was no doubt only helping out of charity.

"One, I don't trust that you aren't stupid enough to go back into the desert by yourself. And two, I live at the orphanage so we're going the same way."

Both Clank and Ratchet looked up at her in surprise which caused the confident girl to act slightly uneasy.

"Really?" Ratchet asked. It didn't slip him that that meant she was alone and had lost her family. Suddenly he didn't hate her so much, though he still didn't exactly like her.

"Ya," She rubbed her arm slightly and looked down at her feet. Then she said in a whisper, "I was close with my dad too."

"I'm sorry." Ratchet found himself saying, though the words were delicate and small making it barely a whisper.

They both stared awkwardly at the sand beneath their feet, Ratchet thinking of his two fathers and the girl thinking of her dad, when Clank decided to step in again. "Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness."

"Ya, well. You and your bimbo over here are going to need all the help you can get." The girl casually gestured behind her back at Ratchet with her thumb, the sad and quiet person she had been a moment ago was completely gone.

"Ratchet?" Clank called to the Lombax when he didn't seem to move or even register their presence.

"Ya, what?" Ratchet's head snapped up and his attention refocused on them.

"We're leaving." Clank said.

"Oh, right." Ratchet smiled. He and Clank stood back to back and as Ratchet activated the clip on his back and flipped Clank into the air where the magnetic pull took over. Once secure they turned to the girl who was looking at them with interest.

"You're dad make that gizmo?" She asked curiously.

"No, I did." Ratchet answered as their company began heading out. She gave a humph but Ratchet could tell she was impressed. He smiled.

"By the way," Clank spoke from behind Ratchet, "You never told us you're name."

"It's Winnie." She smiled back at the robot.

"Winnie? Like 'neigh.'" Ratchet made a funny high pitched horse sound and grinned when she tensed and glared back at him.

"Oh, and your names aren't weird?" She retorted. "Jeez," Winnie turned to Clank rolling her eyes. "How do you put up with him?"

"I try my hardest but it isn't easy." Clank replied without missing a beat.

"Nice one Clank," Ratchet smiled at his friend's improvement in humor. "You're really starting to understand the… hey!"

Clank gave a triumphant laugh which caused Winnie to stop in her tracks and stare at the quirky little sound coming from Clank. She looked at Ratchet and he shrugged his shoulders. Clank just had one of those really unique laughs.

---

5354.4.017

Down deep under forgotten passages and rooms, in tunnels and halls long since abandoned in the darkness, a constant clicking could be heard slowly growing louder as it echoed through the tunnels. The clicking was soon accompanied by a light and a small shadow before the creature of the shadow appeared around the corner holding his lantern high above him.

Argocs, for that was who it was, scurried nervously down the stairs and through the corridors of what once had belonged to a proud civilization. When he had asked the secretary, Tori he believed her name was since the last one had been fired, where the emperor was she had said in his office but that he was in a very important meeting and not to be disturbed. Argocs, as Tachyon's advisor and right hand man, knew Tachyon's schedule fairly well (better than the emperor) and was certain that Tachyon was not in a meeting… At least, not the sort of meeting one generally thought of in the world of light.

Now Argocs was hurrying down the secret passages belonging to his master wondering how he would explain Ratchets disappearance.

Another source of light began to illuminate the hall up ahead and Argocs knew he was getting close to the end of the tunnel. He went down one more flight of stairs which opened out into a large and well lit room at the bottom. Argocs hesitated at the threshold of the room as his eyes swept the space, searching for his emperor.

"Why don't we destroy them now?!" Tachyon's shrill voice shattered the air like broken glass. "If you know where the insufferable worms' leaders are why not get rid of them?!"

Argocs found his mighty emperor in front of a wall of screens looking up and speaking to whoever was on the screens' face. The old Cragmite couldn't see who it was because of a glare from the lights but he knew the voice well.

"Patience," the deep voice from the screen replied coldly and calmly, "is something you are well acquainted with. Remember the days you waited to exact your revenge on your enemies till all was ready? And all went well. Did it not?"

"NO," Tachyon, obviously impatient, hissed, "It didn't. Despite all my 'patience' the stupid Keeper got in the way and nearly ruined everything. If not for me-"

"SILENCE-" the voice cut Tachyon off, it's tone ringing with authority. The emperor quickly shut his beak like mouth and coward ever so slightly in his throne. "It was because of your disobedience that the Keeper got away and ruined your plans. Do you wish to make the same mistake twice, because this time I will not be so forgiving. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Tachyon hissed as he lowered his gaze and bowed his head in submission to the figure on the screens, but Argocs could see the fury and disloyalty in his Emperor's eyes.

"Good." The voice spoke. "Now you must go and attend to an important matter."

Argocs suddenly felt the figure on the screen look at him even though he knew the camera lense was not so broad as to encompass the whole room. There was no way the voice could have known he was there.

The screen was turned off and Tachyon turned toward Argocs only to hiss in surprise at seeing the old Cragmite waiting for him.

"What is it?!" Tachyon demanded, what little patients he had before was now completely gone.

"Ractshet!" Argocs squeaked out. He was surprised by the octave he had managed to reach. He had not known his voice had such a high range.

"What is he doing now?!" Tachyon growled at his old and faithful follower.

"You were right, despite your warning he is going to join the army."

"Ah, good. Tomorrow's gladiator fight should be very interesting," Tachyon smiled gleefully.

"He's not going to the exam." the Old Cragmite said.

"What?" The miniscule emperor sat up in his throne. The robotic seat stomped back over to the wall of screens and he pushed a button on the keypad situated below the monitors which caused all of the screens to blip to life, each one showing a different view or room of the house Ractshet lived in.

"He's left." Argocs continued to explain.

"I can see that!" Tachyon spat back. "Where is he? In his garage like usual?" Tachyon focused his eyes on one screen that showed a view of the inside of Ractshets 'secret' workplace. The emperor's creased brow deepened when he saw the silent and perfectly still room.

"He-" Argocs took a deep breath to steady his nerves. "He left using his spaceship. He's gone to Veldin."

The emperor snapped his head around and stared at Argocs in complete befuddlement. "What the heck is Veldin?"

Things were not going as Tachyon had been planing and his son leaving was certainly unexpected.

"It's a small desert planet filled with-"

"I don't care what type of planet it is. Is it in my empire?"

"Yes."

Tachyon sat back and pondered things a moment. His eyes narrowed and Argocs waited for his lord to thrash out at him in anger. But Tachyon did not become furious. He actually smiled.

"So the big windbag was right," he flicked his eyes toward the monitors a moment before focusing back on Argocs. "Let me guess. Ractshet is going there to join the army and become a feared and ferocious soldier of the Cragmite Empire?"

"Well," Argocs reflected back on his conversation with the small naive Lombax. "He said he wanted to become a hero you'd be proud of."

"Oh, yes. I am very proud. Very proud indeed." Tachyon snuggled into his chair and tapped his fingers together as he giggled maniacally. "All of my hard work is starting to pay off, Argocs. Soon the plan will be ready and then Ractshet, because of the anger and hatred I have so carefully nurtured in his heart for his people, will be my perfect tool of misery."

"But," Argocs spoke up, "Ractshet is too weak. His hatred isn't that strong yet, and now that he is out of your influence how do you know he will become what we need?"

"You underestimate the drive that stupid oaf has to make me proud. Remember also the maddening power of combat, or did your senile brain forget from your glory days when blood of thousands of enemies dripped from your fingers, oh mighty Shredder of Souls?"

Argocs could not help but look down at his claws as red images of his past flashed through his mind. Inwardly he flinched at the sound of his former battle name, but the old Cragmite was careful not to let Tachyon see his 'weakness.'

"Don't worry," Tachyon continued. "The more the welp kills in my name the further he shall fall into my control. I do have one concern though. Tell me, did that sensible robot go with him?"

"Do you mean the little one Ractshet made?" Argocs asked.

"Yes, that thing. I still am surprised that the thick skulled plush-boy made such an advanced machine. Are you sure he is it's creator?" Tachyon looked suspiciously at Argocs.

"Yes," Argocs was quick to answer. "He told me he did."

"But that hardly seems possible."

"He is the Keeper's son," Argocs reminded. The mere mention of Tachyons rival made the Cragmite flinch. But Tachyon had to agree, the Keeper had been a brilliant engineer and so it made sense that the child would take after his father is some respect. Though hopefully not too much.

"That robot worries me though," the Cragmite emperor sat back in his chair, a look of displeasure curving his lips into a frown. "From what I've seen, the small machine has somehow been weakening the cursed child's anger. I believe it's because of the allusion of company and friendship the AI gives him."

Tachyon stopped to snort as he grinned wickedly, "To think he was so desperate as to create his own friend, it's almost as bad as an imaginary friend. However, because of the threat the robot has become toward my plan I was going to have you dispose of it. Now that Ractshet is gone… I must be sure. Did the fool take that robot with him?"

Argocs shook his head, not allowing a moment of doubt or hesitation to enter his voice. "No. He took it off line to use for spare parts for his ship."

Tachyon thought for a moment, then smiled. "Good. Then I have nothing to fear."