Sorry that I cut the last chapter before the actual attack. But I had severe time constraints and had no choice. I hope you all enjoy it nonetheless as it is my job to entertain you and give you what you all love.
Anyway, the new site is completed. It is the same name as the on under webstarts, but it is now under weebly. www. sciencefictionstories .weebly. com
Enjoy the new site, especially to those who don't know much of R&C or Star Fox.
On with the story…
Chapter 8: The Obani Moons Attack Pt. 2
As Ratchet was flying, he activated the cloaking system on Aphelion. Thankfully, Aphelion was far more advanced than most of the Paletan ships, so the cloaking worked like a charm.
"Sir," Aphelion said, "I'm detecting… detec…detecting major numbers in hostile forces."
Ratchet nodded, "I know, don't worry about them. They can't see us and we won't be fighting them just yet."
Three immense battleships hovered around the moon. Buildings and troopers also riddled the ground.
Ratchet decreased his speed greatly as he neared the moons. He then handed Dylan and Neal data chips.
Neal took it and examined it, "What is this?"
Ratchet replied, "Weapons; they are Constructo Pistols. We won't need big guns right now. Attach them to your suit and get em out."
The two complied and did so; pulling out the two pistols.
"They have a new modification that was recently added to GrummelNet's list." Ratchet said, "They are fitted with a beam firing system, rapid trigger, and silencing barrel. They sound like little puffs of air every time you shoot."
The two examined their new guns.
Ratchet then pointed to an opening, "There that looks like a good spot."
Neal brought up a map of the moon, "It says here that the base should be too far from there."
This moon was different from the others. This moon had vegetation with trees, plants, hills, and small mountains.
Ratchet then slowly landed in the opening. Surprisingly, no troops were in sight. The three silently exited Aphelion.
Ratchet, when he landed on the ground, activated his Trillium armor. He looked back at Dylan and Neal, who had their armor on as well, "Shh" Ratchet said quietly.
He then grabbed a GPS device. It had the base with the camouflage devices marked and had an approximate distance on it; 1 mile.
Ratchet then signaled for the two to follow him. The three started to walk slowly.
As they were walking, they heard a slight noise emitting from behind a bush. It sounded like a body hitting the floor.
Ratchet then signaled to drop down slowly. The three went to prone position and aimed their guns at the small bush. Ratchet then slowly got up and walked to the bush. When he reached it, he took a deep breath and jumped over. On the opposite side was a Paletan soldier laying down. Luckily, Ratchet didn't make any noise when he landed. The soldier seemed to be resting.
Ratchet then slowly walked backwards, aiming his pistol at the guard. He came back over the top and signaled for Dylan and Neal to continue, but at a faster pace. A few yards away were the edge of thick tree cover. The three ran for it and used it to quickly advance to the base without being detected.
As they were running through the trees, Sasha came over the comm line.
"Guys, the fleet is in position. The garrison is positioned far enough from the enemy ships and the original troops given to us are on standby for deployment." She said.
Ratchet nodded, "Great, we're almost to the building with the devices. I'll contact you when we have them." He then cut the transmission.
"Few hundred feet" Neal said as they continued running.
The moon they were on, the largest one, was big, but small enough to where you can see it curve slightly.
After a minute of running, they could start to see the building through the thick trees. The three stopped and made their way up the slope of a rather large hill that they had stopped near. At the top, there were some bushes and small plants. The hill was big enough that the three could see over the trees and have a clear view of the building. They went down into prone and hid amongst the bushes to keep cover.
"Dylan" Ratchet said, "Get out your Splitter Rifle. Scope out the entrance and see how much soldiers we have to get through."
Dylan did so and pulled out the sniper. He looked down the scope and quickly found a group of soldiers in front of a sliding door. He watched as they stood there motionless. After a few seconds passed, the doors opened. The guards all turned and stood at attention to the Paletan walking out.
Dylan let out a small sigh, "A group of guards at the door. Five of them. An unarmed Paletan in a suit just came out. He looks like he's of a higher rank."
Ratchet then grabbed the sniper and looked for himself.
"Damn, his suit looks like Delton's. Maybe he's one of the hunters that have the killing mission." He said.
Neal then grabbed the rifle and looked through the scope, "Dear god, it looks just like Delton's." he paused, "We're going to have to kill him and make sure he's dead once the attack here is done. If this man is left alive, then he'll just continue his mission. And seeing how Delton wasn't as skilled as the Paletans wanted, this man could be incredibly dangerous."
The man then walked back inside the building.
Ratchet and Dylan nodded in agreement.
Dylan pulled his pistol out, "Let's hope that when we get in there, he'll still be inside."
The three then got up and ran down the slope. They neared the end of the tree cover. A small road was in between them and the next tree cover.
Ratchet was breathing a bit deeply. He slowly poked his head out from behind the tree he was at. He saw the guards were still facing the door.
He put his head back, "Okay, they all have guns and they're just standing there." He whispered.
Neal readied his pistol, "Let's take them."
Dylan nodded, "Yeah, their armor can't be as strong since they're just grunts."
Ratchet shrugged, "Alright, on my count."
The three then ran across the road and into the other side of the tree cover. They then slowly made their way closer and closer to the base. The guards had no clue of the three Lombaxs hiding in the tree cover.
Ratchet and the others jumped from tree to tree and grew closer to the guards.
They stopped at the edge of the cover. The trees the three were hiding behind were mere feet away from the guards. They were positioned at the left of the guards.
Ratchet whispered, "I'll take the two left, Dylan takes the middle, and Neal takes the two on the right." He paused, "One… two…" he said silently, "Three."
The trio then jumped up from behind their trees.
The guards were quick to react, "INTRUDERS! GET THEM!" One guard yelled.
The trio then blasted their assigned guards; easily taking each of them down due to the weaker armor.
The five guards dropped to the ground dead. However, their cries were heard. Two more guards came out from the building. Ratchet quickly fired at them and took the two down before they could even fire a single bolt or let out a single breath.
Dylan sighed a sigh of relief, "Holy crap that was too close. Do you think anyone else heard?"
Ratchet shrugged, "I'm not sure, but let's get the bodies inside so no on sees them while we're in."
The three then put away their guns and headed for the door. Ratchet searched one of the guards and found a security pass. He grabbed it and swiped it on the control panel next to the entrance. The door slid open and revealed a room with a wall of monitors. Two guards sat in front of them and watched over the screens.
Neal and Dylan were already moving the bodies inside.
"Did you get them, Kelton?" One of the guards asked without looking back.
Ratchet was quick to answer and held up his pistol, "No" He then fired and downed the two guards.
He walked out and assisted Neal and Dylan with moving the bodies inside. When they finished, Ratchet closed the door and walked over to the wall of screens.
"It looks like they have this entire moon system under surveillance." He said.
Neal and Dylan walked up on either side of him.
Neal scanned over the screens, "Too bad they're about to go out."
Ratchet then looked around the room and found a door to the right of the wall of screens.
"That man we saw" he said, "He's through that door."
Dylan grabbed his pistol, "Where else would he be? Let's get him first so we don't have any trouble."
Neal looked around and found a chest-like container against the wall. He walked over and opened it up. Inside were small chips that had some symbols on them.
"Ratchet" he said, "Are these the disguises?"
Ratchet and Dylan walked over.
"Yes they are" Ratchet said with joy in his voice.
Dylan smiled, "So now we can easily take out this guy."
The three grabbed a small chip-device and attached it to their armors. Immediately they activated them and were scanned. After the scan completed, they were transformed into Paletan soldiers wielding grunt level armor, or so that's how they looked. They were slightly taller and looked identical to a Paletan.
Ratchet deactivated the helmet, "How do I look?"
Neal and Dylan looked at Ratchet's uncovered face. He looked exactly like a normal Paletan.
"Wow" Neal said, "This works pretty well. But since it's a hologram, try to keep from physical contact."
Dylan and Ratchet nodded.
The three then made their way to the side door, helmets deactivated, and weapons put away. Ratchet scanned the security card on the panel and opened the door. It opened to a stairwell that went down underground. The three walked down and found themselves in a much larger room. In it were ten times the monitors than in the upper room.
Ratchet whispered, "This must be the control center." He paused, "Split up and find the Anti-Air defenses, camera systems, and alarm systems."
Dylan and Neal nodded and split from Ratchet.
Ratchet walked straight and stood behind a Paletan trooper working on one of the screens in front of him.
He spoke up, "Excuse me" Ratchet said. The soldier turned around, "I'm a new guy here. I just arrived on the last transport vessel. Do you mind telling where I got myself to?"
The trooper turned around and looked at all the screens, then back at Ratchet, "Well, grunt, you're in the Central Control Center."
Ratchet nodded, "Thanks"
Neal was on the left end of the room. He overheard Ratchet and used the new knowledge to his advantage.
He walked up to a trooper, "Sir" he said, "I was sent to inform you that a full system reset is needed. Apparently a few glitches were discovered. They need you to shut off the alarm systems in order for the team to work on the server."
The trooper just looked at him.
Neal was quiet for a second, "Sir" he said once more, "DO you want me to inform the Commander that the moon base will be defenseless because you rejected orders?"
The trooper now looked a bit worried, "Oh, well if that's the case." He turned around and started to type several things. After a minute passed, the alarms were down.
Dylan was on the opposite end of the room from Neal. As he was looking at the screens, he spoke up.
"The Anti-Air Defenses" he said, "Are they any good?"
The trooper looked back at Dylan, "Excuse me?"
Dylan looked at the soldier, "You heard me. I'm new like the other one with me. I want to know if these defenses are as good as everyone says they are."
The soldier laughed, "Of course they are. Why would you think otherwise?"
Dylan shrugged.
Suddenly, the soldier's communicator started to bleep. He answered and spoke. After he got off, he walked over to Dylan.
"I have some business to attend to. Since there isn't anyone else here, I'll show you the basics to keeping the systems up." The soldier said, "You have major functions on this screen. Move cameras, scan screens, monitor AA systems and alarms. If anything happens, use override code 'Blanca'. That will give you access to all systems." The soldier then exited the room and up the stairs in a hurry.
Dylan thought, "That was too easy."
Nonetheless, he did what he had to do. He looked over at Ratchet and Neal. Dylan waved his arms and got both of their attention. Dylan then put his finger on his throat and pretended to cut it, signaling to end the troopers. Ratchet and Neal did so by shooting them.
Dylan then faced the computer and input the access code. Just as the soldier said, he was given access to the entire system. Dylan, seeing the AA defenses were already down, deactivated the alarm system. Once he did so, he called out, "We're done. Alarms and AA defenses are down. Call in the Rangers."
Ratchet nodded and called up the Phoenix.
Sasha answered, "Did you get everything done?" She asked.
Ratchet nodded, "Move in and start the attack immediately."
She was then heard in the background, "Order all troops to move in on the surface and the garrison to start the attack."
Ratchet then cut the transmission.
Neal looked at the two, whom were still in their places, "Let's head back up and shoot at anything that moves."
Ratchet nodded and Dylan got up from his seat. The three started to walk towards the door.
But, halfway to it, Dylan stopped dead in his tracks; a sudden realization that froze him in fear and stunned his entire body. He began to sweat from his sudden nervous and sick feeling. Ratchet and Neal did not notice until Dylan quickly pulled out his Pistol.
Ratchet turned around and saw Dylan pointing his gun back, "What's wrong?"
Dylan slowly looked back at him, "The soldier." He whispered.
Ratchet's eyes grew intensely wide as he realized exactly what Dylan was saying. Without missing a single beat, he pulled out his Dual Vipers; a dual automatic pistol weapon created by Vox Industries.
Neal realized it as well, "Oh shit" he said as he pulled out his Heavy Lancer.
The three scanned the room and found no doors except for the one behind them. Leaving only one possible solution to their fear; the high rank soldier was still present.
Suddenly, the trio heard a laugh. It wasn't a soft laugh out of joy, more it was a laugh of pure humor. Whomever was in the room found the three's cluelessness absolutely funny.
"What the hell is that?" Neal said worryingly.
Suddenly, a being materialized a few yards in front of them. It was the same man that they had seen at the entrance of the building.
He was laughing, "I cannot believe this." He said, "After we sent Delton to kill you, I find you here, alive. It's incredible how you three are even here to begin with."
The three all had their guns pointed at the Paletan.
Ratchet shook his head, "Delton was skilled, but he wasn't skilled enough."
The Paletan chuckled, "And I knew that very well. Commander Yun knew it very well too. Everyone knew exactly how damned and pathetic Delton was."
Dylan spoke up, "Then why the hell would you send him on a mission that is basically impossible for a single person?"
The man tilted his head, "I assume you killed him then, since you do not know of the reason for the mission."
Ratchet cut in, "No, we know exactly why."
The Paletan then smiled, "Well there you go. He was an abomination to our kind and had to prove himself otherwise." He paused, "Seeing as how he failed to do so, I will finish the job."
Ratchet shook his head, "I don't think so." He then deactivated the hologram disguise and activated the Trillium helmet. Dylan and Neal did so as well.
The Paletan smiled even more, "Feisty are we? No matter, you will all die anyway."
Ratchet then pulled both triggers and fired the stream of plasma at the Paletan. Dylan opened fire as well as Neal with his Heavy Lancer.
The Paletan was quick; flipping back repeatedly to dodge the plasma being fired at him. As he was doing this, Ratchet put away his Vipers and pulled out his Omni Wrench. He charged for the Paletan screaming.
When the Paletan stopped, he was caught off guard. Ratchet smashed his face with a mighty swing from the right. The Paletan nearly toppled over but caught himself. Ratchet then came back from the left and landed a direct hit on the Paletans face once more. Ratchet then used the momentum to spin around and land one more hit.
The Paletan fell to the floor but quickly jumped up, dodging the bolts from Neal and Dylan with mere inches to spare.
Ratchet ran for the Paletan once more. He jumped with his wrench above him. He slammed it down, but was shocked to see the Paletan jump out of the way and land a perfect spin kick. The kick was so powerful that Ratchet was thrown off his feet.
Dylan then ran for the Paletan. He threw several punches but was met with a counter of the final one. The Paletan grabbed Dylan's arm and threw him to the side. The man then grabbed Dylan and slammed his fist into Dylan's face. Dylan was thrown back from the force.
Neal then charged for the Paletan. Neal had his own melee weapon; a wrench with a sharp blade on one end. He sliced at the Paletan but missed each strike. The Paletan then lunged forward with a punch, but Neal jumped back, evading the punch.
Neal then jumped back once more and pulled out the Heavy Lancer once more. He held the trigger and fired relentlessly at the Paletan.
"DIE!" He yelled as he fired.
The Paletan then started to run sideways, leading the plasma at his quick and ninja-like movement. Neal tried to lead him, but every time he did so the Paletan would seamlessly change direction. The man was using Neal to his advantage. As Neal was shooting, the man was getting closer and closer to him. He ran, but slowly neared Neal.
The Paletan got within striking distance and landed a clean right hook. Neal fell to the floor. He grunted and looked up at the Paletan.
The skilled soldier was slowly walking towards him.
"You Lombaxs are pathetic. I find it extremely hard to believe that your race is what drove us from Fastoon so long ago. Really now, three of your kind can't even scratch me." The Paletan said as he was walking.
Neal coughed, "You're in over your head."
The Paletan burst into laughter, "You think we're cocky? You think we are reckless? We are the second most advanced race. The Lombaxs no longer exist here!"
Neal looked at him funny, "Second?"
The Paletan quickly lost his smile, "Perhaps I have said too much."
Suddenly, a dark blue beam of energy flew past the Paletans head. He stopped dead in his tracks and looked back. Dylan was on his feet with the Splitter Rifle in hand.
"You little nuisance!" yelled the Paletan.
Dylan aimed carefully and pulled the trigger once more, this time, landing a clean shot to the Paletans abdomen.
The Paletan was pushed back and hit the ground with great force. Dylan, without any concern of the Paletans condition, fired again, this time to the chest.
The Paletan lied on the ground in intense pain. He was breathing heavily as two large gashes were on his front. He held his hands over them and looked at Dylan.
He started to breathe slowly, and continued to go slower, "You…" he paused, "…will die…" the Paletans head then fell back on the floor. He now lied there, lifeless.
Ratchet got up to his feet and held his side. He walked over to Dylan and Neal.
"Are you okay?" Neal asked.
Ratchet nodded, "Yeah, we need to get back up and help the troopers."
Dylan just starred at the dead body that was in front of him. With the Splitter Rifle in his hand, he looked back at Ratchet and Neal.
"Let's get up there now. They should be well in the attack by now." Dylan said.
Ratchet and Neal nodded. The three then ran for the door and up the steps. Ratchet, still with some pain in his side, powered through and ignored the soreness. They had a new mission, shoot anything that moves.
To Be Continued
What a chapter. I'm very good with stealth, so I apologize for any rough edges.
So what'd you think? Leave a review and tell me your thoughts. Also tell me how you think of the new site. It's loaded with new stuff that will help the new Ratchet and Clank readers get up to date. It will also help those new to Star Fox.
I might as well address this now; I do NOT have a date as to when Chapter 9 will be posted. I am seriously having trouble concentrating on this, school, work, and life in general. Sometimes I work on the book, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I don't work on it for a whole week. Chapter 9 won't have a set date, but it may be next week or the week after.
Until next time…
