The Inhuman Race Chapter 5: Betrayed (Part 1), a ratchet and clank fanfic

I-I got it! I finally got it! (MedicineMan426 muttered, gasping for air).

Okay, all jokes aside. I finally finished this before the release of Rift Apart. Yep, I intended to release this before the game comes out. Because..of course, I'll be blowing the rest of June playing this game. Oh my god, I'M SO EXCITED! I haven't even watched spoiler-free reviews or anything of the sort. ABSOLUTELY NO SPOILERS! And I don't wanna hear anyone's opinions through reviews! At least, not till after I played the game.

Anyway, this will probably be the last chapter for June. And now that I have all of this free time, I'll fully write Chapter 2 to the One For All rewrite, and continue on two different drawings. One of them being a new profile picture, and the second one is related to this story, more specifically, next chapter.

And speaking of the rewrite. Well...I know I said I'd wait 'till the end of this story for my final decision. But ever since I've developed the joy for writing this one, and the potential for a rewrite of all three stories. Well...

CONFIRMED!

That's right, the rewrite of One For All, Worlds United, and Man Vs Machine. All confirmed. Of course, I will finish the Inhuman Race before I start, and I won't be rewriting this one only because I expect it to meet all my expectations in the end. I will rewrite all three stories though to fit perfectly with this one by the end of Man Vs Machine. It may also be the new Canon for this story. That being said, there are some things in this one that isn't mentioned or talked about clearly in the last three stories but will be in the rewrites. So Inhuman Race is..somewhat already Canon to the rewrites, but I'll clear any issues up once I'm done with them.

Sorry if my words confuse you.

(UPDATE: JUNE 17TH 2021): As a quick reminder. I recently updated the writing of this chapter as I forgot to add in a little scene regarding Jordan's jacket. I believe it will fit better with dialogue for the next chapter and decided to edit the text to make it work. Sorry if it's not well thought out.

Review Replies:

Guest (3):

-Thank you. I hope Jordan can fix his friendship with Sophia as well.

-My reaction to Jordan in the game. Well. I did have a few jokes in mind to get the point across that I wasn't dreaming. But they are bad and very sensitive matters. So to sum it up, I'd be making sure I wasn't dreaming. And if I was, I'd be on my knees praising to the lord above, kinda like how I got my Playstation 5.

-Yep. Percival Tachyon himself. And with the unstable nature of these portals, or the fact that there's a new Nefarious involved. I may have a few ideas for Insomniac. Or hey, maybe a new twist for my stories.

The Loyal Baphodevi:

-Thank you! It warms my heart to hear from previous readers of my past work. I would love to hear from more of them. I feel like my consistent writing style from the past began to turn readers away. And I think the rewrites are a perfect opportunity to redeem myself as an exceptional writer who can write enjoyable twists on all the games. Maybe even add some stories of my own. Your views for the game are completely understandable. Even I didn't care for the game much, along with most of the Ratchet and Clank community. But I believe the Inhuman Race is my chance to add my own little spin to the game and make it possibly more enjoyable than the original.

Yeah, I'm sorry to fuel jealousy for bragging about the PS5, as I knew would happen. If I had the money I would partake in a similar pursuit. However, I would sell the console online for MSRP, selling to honest gamers who are impacted by the bullshit that is the PS5 restocks. I wouldn't ask for profit, I'm after my own gains and morales. Kinda like a "Cyber Saint" so to speak. But thank you for your thoughts.

I would like to thank esines2017, and Saucys revenge, for favoriting and following me and my work. Your support means a lot. :D

I hope you're enjoying this story, even through these dark times. Fav, Follow or Review if you would like to show your support. I take everyone's enthusiasm and kindness to heart! Stay safe and have good health everyone :)

Disclaimer:

Ratchet and Clank, associated characters, locations, weapons, etc. belong to Insomniac Games. Some real-world companies and organizations belong to their respective owners. I only own the right to some characters, weapons, and events introduced in this story.

Thank you for reading.

Mechanoid Factory

Planet Kalidon

2:08 am local time

Betrayed (Part 1)

Two landing pads laid vacant next to the large factory, allowing the duo to park their ships. As Jordan opened the cockpit, the breeze was absent. And if the data giving to him by Lawrence was right, the atmosphere lacked most O2, but had enough for Ratchet and the rest to survive long enough to save the child. With one deep breath, he placed his helmet over his head, ready to make his way to Ratchet. "Alright, Sophie. Ready to go?" he asked.

"..." she was silent.

"Hey-" he turned his head, stopping at the sight of the young Lombax dedicating all her time and attention to the holo-screen in front of her face. Despite the feeling of disrespect for her ignorance, his thoughts lingered towards their previous adventures, pondering all the possible mental trauma brought onto the poor child. He wondered if her anger wasn't from him and instead, suffered similar inflictions as he did. He would have to talk to her about it later. But as long as she stayed on her phone, this was the perfect opportunity to keep her out of harm's way. He jumped out of the ship and closed the cockpit, contacting Lawrence on his E-Phone. "Take care of her Lawrence," he said.

"Yes, sir."

"Alright. Now to Ratchet." he followed the path east.

...

"This does not seem right. This has been too easy." Clank said, climbing out of the ship beside the Lombax.

"Easy?" Ratchet asked, climbing out of his vessel beside the Robot. "How's about I ride around on your back while you do all the fighting!?"

"I mean, that if the Technomites want to stay hidden, they are making it awfully easy for us to find them." Clank stopped as Jordan approach the duo. Ratchet turned to see a cosmetic feature the Human never told them about, the assault mask covering his face.

"Right. Well, I don't know what you two are involved in, but I'm sure we can handle any surprises they throw at us, right?"

"Right. Now let's get that kid!" Ratchet said.

The duo made their way towards the factory. They walked up a flight of stairs and onto a platform; A clear view of the factory was present. Jordan stared with intent, but Ratchet couldn't keep his eyes off the boy's attire. He was happy that the Human finally retired the black jacket, but at the same time, he questioned if a mask and helmet faired any better. He looked rather menacing, even for a soldier of this so called "U.N.E". He may be a battle hardened soldier, but deep down, the Lombax still knew the Human behind the mask; he just hoped the Human military hadn't changed him too much. Ratchet spotted a Gadgetron Vendor on the other side of the platform, rushing towards the device with delight. Once Ratchet restocked his ammunition, Jordan approached the machine with his SMG. Of course, the boy knew Gadgetron wasn't capable of producing bullets such as his, at least not yet. So, using the knowledge given to him by Colonel Brown, Jordan had a solution. He pulled the magazine out from the weapon and released a single round from the clip. If the knowledge proved true, all he had to do was provide the machine with a suitable "Donor". Then, the device could fabricate the ammo off of whatever cartridge he gives them, just as long as Gadgetron doesn't hunt him down for hacking and modifying a licensed Gadgetron Vendor. Ratchet and Clank saw the boy work his magic as he pried a small cover off the side, revealing a tiny compartment big enough to hold any bullet he fed it. Once he shoved the cartridge into the box, the entire machine went haywire. The churning of gears could be heard as the whole machine shook. Suddenly, the screen turned black.

"What did you just do?" Ratchet asked.

"..." the Human didn't respond. As expected, the machine slowly roared back to life, notifying the duo of a "Fresh" batch of new inventory. The ammunition Jordan desired could now be bought through most vendors within galactic boundaries. Now, he just had to wait to get his backpack back before acquiring ammo for his M249 SAW. Jordan placed the magazine on the small tray as he spent 1,000 bolts for 500 rounds. It was a steep price to pay, but it would all benefit the cause. Before leaving for the factory, Ratchet told Jordan about the new update to his Quick-Select, allowing him to carry three vials of Nanotech. The Human spent 500 bolts on 4 vials, injecting an extra into his body for future injuries. He walked over to a large trashcan beside the vendor, tossing the empty vial into the receptacle, only for the same bin to spit the glass out towards the boy. "What the-" he stopped as a pair of eyeballs peeked out from the peephole.

"I thought I'd find you two here." the voice was all too familiar to Ratchet and Jordan.

"Slim Cognito!" Ratchet exclaimed.

"I guess I'll give you two a minute," Jordan mumbled, giving Ratchet the eternal sun to buy and customize his Gadgetron weapons with helpful and illegal weapon modifications. After five minutes, Ratchet was more than satisfied with an Insta-Lock Module for his Lacerator, increasing his accuracy to a fule 100%, and a split barrel for his Concussion Gun, increasing Its range. With a happy Lombax, the duo was ready, but not before Slim Cognito himself eyeballed the elegant weapon in Jordan's hands. "That's quite a weapon you have there," he said.

"Wha-" Jordan said, looking down to his SMG. "Ooooh, no." he realized. "Sorry, but this gun's unique. I'm not interested."

"Actually, I may be able to help you out, so long as you let me scan those parts." a small table appeared in front of his station.

"Nah, that's okay, thanks." Jordan began to walk away.

"Jordan?" Ratchet pulled the boy by his shoulder.

"I don't need him scanning my gun. You know what this thing can do," he whispered to the Lombax.

"I know. But cmon, what harm can it really do?" Jordan wasn't convinced. "Think about it. New mods could come in handy." the boy knew his guns were more than capable of solving any problem that stands in their way. Still, maybe these mods could be helpful, but not in the way Ratchet intended. Acquiring a few foreign mods could give his guns some benefits. But, if he were to present these to the U.N.E for further investigation, this new knowledge could benefit the Human Race. These ideas were enough to swing his decision as he walked over to the vendor and placed his SMG on the table. Multiple arms held the gun in place as two lasers scanned the gun's body. Once his Vector was in Slim Cognito's databanks, Jordan placed his Light machine Gun on the table to scan it the same. Even when the being's emotions were hidden, Jordan knew he was more than satisfied with the information. It was only a shame he acquired no bolts from this. "So? Do I get anything outta this?" he asked.

"Hmm." he saw his eyes look towards the ground. "Well, I guess I can give you this, as a signing bonus." a small remote popped out of the machine. "I have no use for it, anyway."

"Uhhh, thanks, I guess." Jordan took the small device from the table as Slim Cognito closed his small peephole. Ratchet and Jordan walked away from the machine, inspecting the small device.

'So, you stole this from Jimmy Neutron, I presume?' he thought, staring at all the buttons and switches on the small remote, especially the giant satellite dish on top.

"What is it?" Ratchet asked.

"Don't know. Clank?" the Lombax turned around. Jordan held the device to Clank's optics as he scanned the body, simultaneously navigating through his databanks for an answer. "If my databanks serve me correctly, this is a rare Technomite Shrink Ray."

"Shrink Ray?" Jordan asked. What will Solana Galaxy think of next? "Ooookaaay. I'm sure that'll come in handy." he gave the remote to Ratchet, storing it in his Quick-Select.

With ammo, mods, and a new Gadget, Ratchet and Jordan walked down the stairs and towards the complex. They made their way around a bend and approached a long gap with a Versa-Target floating above. Jordan grabbed the Lombax out of pure instinct as he used the Swingshot to clear the gap. "Ya know, We really gotta get you your own." Ratchet muttered under the Humans tight grip.

"Shut up."

They approached another flight of stairs, only to gasp at the sight of two robotic heads crawling up the sides with metallic spider legs. Ratchet used his Concussion Shotgun to make quick work of them. At that moment, Ratchet's weapon hovered into the air, transforming into its level 2 superior. As they moved past the vessels and towards the staircase, Jordan caught a glimpse of their appearance, having the exact facial structure of the ones that stole his bag on Pokitaru. If these machines truly did belong to these so-called "Technomites", he wondered why such intelligent beings would target a worthless sack of Raritanium?

They approached the large doors. Both were locked down tight, but a large lock stood beside the gate. The mechanism in question had significant similarities to the same ones the Tresspassor could hack into. Unfortunately, Ratchet was no longer in possession of the device ever since he, Clank, and Sophia locked themselves out of the garage last fall. Ratchet knew nothing about security systems, and Clank lacked the means to hack the device. But Jordan, these locks were familiar to him thanks to his training back in Area 51. The boy approached the lock; he was optimistic, but he lacked the tools to access the sister board. "What are you thinking about?" Ratchet asked.

"I think I can hack this, but I'll need a way to reach the wires."

"Well, what about this?" Ratchet equipped the Shrink Ray, holding the device out in his right hand. Of course, the boy was unsure about using a strange device like this without a proper field test, preferably not himself. But if he had any chance of getting his Raritanium back, sometimes, he had to roll the dice.

"Alright." with one deep breath, Jordan took three steps away from the Lombax. "Just watch where you're pointing that thing. Don't shrink anything below here." he gestured towards the waist down.

"Oh, stand still, creep!" with Clank's help, Ratchet was able to configure the device to shrink the boy to a few nanometers, just enough for him to easily squeeze through the keyhole.

"Well, here goes nothing."

Ratchet aimed the device at Jordan and pushed the large red button on the center of the remote. Before their very eyes, the 5 foot 1 Human being was now ten nanometers high, a successful test. "Whoa." Ratchet said, kneeling down towards the tiny Human.

"Crazy," Jordan said, his voice higher than usual, thanks to the size of his Larnyx. Jordan stopped talking immediately, seeing the giant grin on Ratchet's face. "FOCUS!" he yelled.

Ratchet kept his smile as he brought his hand towards the ground. Jordan climbed onto his gloved appendage as he brought him over to the lock.

"Just be careful in there, buddy."

...

"Uhh, I wish I had Lawrence right now." the entire mechanism was pitch black, forcing the boy to search through his phone for any means of light. Unfortunately, no app existed. Instead, he stumbled upon an infrared feature on the camera, giving him enough vision to work his way through the dark. The quality was poor, and the holographic screen in front of his face was distracting, but what else could he do?

As he squeezed his way through the tiny cracks and crevasses, he finally reached the sister board. Four colored wires and sockets made up the locking mechanism. And from the knowledge he was given by the U.N.E, all basic security gates had red, green, blue, and orange wires. The training for hacking these doors cost him all senses in his left hand or a week, but taught him everything he knew about hacking these systems. He began to yank all four wires out of their sockets and slowly rearrange their sequence in a particular order. The red wire in the blue socket, the orange with the red, the yellow in green, and green into yellow.

...

Ratchet and Clank caught a spook as the door shot wide open. Ratchet kneeled by the lock to see his Human companion climb out of the mechanism unscathed. "Nice." he said, holding the boy in his hand. The Lombax moved a couple of feet away from the lock and placed Jordan on the ground. And thanks to Clank's databanks, they were able to enlarge the boy back to his original size. "Oooh." Jordan was lightheaded, but only a minor side effect to the process.

"You okay?" Ratchet asked.

"Yeah-I just...I just need a moment." after a minute or two, his senses were stable. He was ready for the dangers ahead.

Jordan and Ratchet entered the Complex with Lacerator and Vector drawn. They walked down a narrow hallway aligned with display cases on both sides. While Ratchet wreaked havoc on a few stray bolt crates, Jordan took the time to admire the red machines encased in the glass. He just hoped none of them would jump out to strangle him like some kind of demented Chucky doll. Once the furball was finished, the duo pushed on. They moved down another long hallway and around a left bend. There, four tiny drones could be seen moving down the corridor with spotlights attached to their optics. Jordan could quickly dispatch the small machines, but chose to let the Lombax enjoy his new weapon mods. With the Lacerator by his hip, Ratchet pointed the barrel towards their general direction. He pulled the trigger, watching the bullets shoot the tiny bots out of the air without needing to eyeball the sights. His glee could be seen from a light-year away.

They soon entered another ample space occupied by yellow worker bots, programmed to assemble their brothers on a single assembly line. A few guards on the other side spotted the duo and rushed towards them. Ratchet wasted no time equipping his Concussion Gun and mowing down the machines. However, Jordan failed to spot another pair of troopers rush from behind. "Behind you!" Ratchet yelled, bringing his gun up.

"What the-" Jordan turned towards the machines. Before he could react, they fired their cannons at the Human, striking him in the chest. He hit the ground hard.

"JORDAN!" Ratchet used his quick wits and outstanding agility to destroy the machines. Once the room was cleared, the Lombax ran to the Human's side with Nanotech in his hand. Clank hopped off Ratchet's back as they both kneeled by his side. "Uuuh." Jordan moaned, sitting up from his position.

"How bad is it, Clank?" Ratchet asked, unzipping the boy's jacket to expose his abdomen.

"It appears to be-" Clank stopped.

"Huh?" Ratchet was also stunned by the results.

"W-What?" Jordan looked down at his heart. If Clank's field experience was correct, a minor cavity would be formed into his chest from the impact. However, no such hole existed. The vital signs through his helmet were stable, and his jacket absorbed all impact from the projectile, leaving only a large burn mark in the center. A sigh of relief escaped the boy. "I-It works," he said to himself.

"Yeah, right." Ratchet placed the vial back in his Quick-Select and pulled him up. "Be more careful next time, alright?"

"Okay, mommy, whatever you say." Jordan teased, flicking his finger on the end of his fuzzy ears. Ratchet playfully shoved him back, and they both moved on. Before leaving, they both shared a bountiful cache of bolt crates scattered around the assembly room, each earning them five hundred bolts. They walked down another hallway, this time free of security drones, and into a circular space. Ratchet and Jordan spotted a Gadgetron Vendor right at the entrance, the Lombax running to top his blasters off. The duo moved towards the stairs on the other side. Ratchet cleared the large metallic floor in the center, and waited for Jordan, stepping over a large glass panel. What the Human failed to realize, the surface he stood on was actually a functioning elevator, taking the boy down with it. "Jordan!" Ratchet yelled, ready to jump down to his position.

"No!" he yelled. "Just..Just move on without me, okay?! I'll find you!"

"Shit." he muttered. As much as he wanted to stay by his side, he obeyed his wish as the elevator took him deep within the bowels of the facility. Ratchet had no choice now but to trust his instincts, but prayed nothing terrible would happen to him.

He just got him back, after all.

Before leaving, Ratchet eyeballed Gadgetrons current stock. There, he spent 10,000 bolts on a new weapon: the Pyrocitors infamous cousin, the Scorcher. The gun was of similar traits to the other in terms of a flamethrower. However, this particular weapon was forged from salvaged space cruiser engines thanks to Gadgetrons deal a few months prior, giving customers a 10% off vacation to Pokitaru for trading in their engines. It's astounding what people would do for a tropical paradise.

With his new Scorcher, Ratchet walked up a single flight of stairs and turned to the right. He was quick to spot four security drones, gunning them all down with his Lacerator. Another assembly line presented itself, this time over a large pool of acidic waste. Two Versa-Targets hung over the long gaps, along with multiple worker bots obstructing his path, forcing him to equip his Lacerator in one hand, and his Swingshot in the other. He swung across the gaps while blasting any bots in his way like a gun-toting Tarzan and made it to the other side unharmed. Ratchet made his way through another hallway and into the next area. More display cases held more robots in place. As he made his way to the other side, the sound of shattered glass could be heard. A single green robot jumped out from the case and grabbed the Lombax. He struggled to break free, but its grip was firm. With one arm free, he equipped his Lacerator and aimed the barrel behind his head.

BANG!

The deafening sound rang through the Lombax's eardrum. But thanks to his modifications, he successfully blew the robot's head off without any physical damage to himself or Clank. Ratchet felt disoriented, cupping his left ear. "Ratchet? Are you alright?" the robot asked.

"Yeah..never better!" he answered. "Nothing a little exercise won't help." The Lombax took a short break before moving, using the time to destroy all robots in the room with his Concussion gun, dead or alive. As he pushed forward, he thought about the Human's safety. He may be capable, but the boy was clueless about Solana's technology; and its dangers.

...

The elevator stopped. Once on solid ground, Jordan noticed a large console on the other side of the room. He searched through the console, identifying this area as a storage warehouse, keeping a long record of all materials and resources in the factory. To the right, a small window gave a clear view of the entire warehouse. Metallic crates aligned the walls endlessly with unknown cargo, and a few vehicles and ships could be seen. However, Jordan's eyes caught a glimpse of four robotic soldiers, all keeping watch of the warehouse. Through his peripheral vision, another entered, carrying a brown backpack in its robotic hands. At that moment, his eyes grew. "That's it!" he yelled. His pack, his Raritanium! The boy wasted no time in equipping his Vector and marching towards the squad.

Jordan walked down a small flight of stairs, seeing all five guards catch his presence. "Halt! Identify yourself!" one said, floating towards the boy. Without warning, the Human soldier unloaded one hundred bullets into the five machines, making sure none of them would ever touch his property ever again. He felt tranquil, but at the same time, questioned their choice of actions. They had the perfect opportunity to mow the boy down without conflict; instead, they gave him a choice like any other noble being. Very strange, considering his short and violent history with them. Whatever the case, the backpack was in his grasp as he made his way back to the control room. There, he placed the bag on a small table and revealed its contents. The Raritanium, his tools, everything was intact and unscathed.

The Human Race had hope again!

Whether it was out of anger or vengeance, Jordan scrolled through the console and engaged decontamination of the entire warehouse as a little parting gift. Through the small window, alarms blared as the storage room began to fill with corrosive acid. Jordan quickly threw the bag over his back and made his hasty retreat.

...

Ratchet positioned himself along a conveyor belt as he rode the line to the other side. Meanwhile, worker bots stood beside every inch of the line to assemble large shipping crates. Seeing as they were more focused on their duties than smashing the Lombax's brains in, all Ratchet had to do was stand in between the boxes and enjoy the ride. Once he hopped off the line unharmed, a small Gadgetron Vendor could be seen right before the entrance to a large arena. "Alright. Let's see what you want me to destroy next," he said, stocking his ammunition.

Ratchet walked towards the center of the area. There, a platform from below revealed the challenge. His determination was high, only to deteriorate just as quickly. He was prepared for anything, but somehow, his mind leaned more towards a towering mech. Instead, a giant purple beast, with rows of sharp teeth and scales along its backside, roared at the sight of the Lombax.

"Oh boy."

...

Down hallways and stairs alike, the Human ran, bolting past the entrance and towards his ship. The thought of losing his bag again plagued his mind so much, he placed the future of his own species above Ratchet's safety. As he hopped off the single flight of stairs, a loud roar stopped him in his tracks. He looked towards the sound, originating from a giant dome on the other side of the complex. He exhaled deeply, looking down towards his gun, then the facility. He had a job to do, but he couldn't leave the furball behind. His friend was in danger, but his future was at risk. "No! Not-again!" with one loud grunt, he pulled the bag off his back and grabbed a single 5.56x45mm from a small pouch, rushing towards the closest Gadgetron Vendor.

...

"C-Cmon! I-Is that all ya got!?" the Lombax was exhausted, ears bent, and struggling for energy. Even with his current arsenal of firepower, the furball might as well shoot spitballs at the creature. Its skin was hard enough to withstand most superheated slugs from his Lacerator and Shotgun, and the beast was too agile for the Scorcher and Acid Bomb Glove. The monster did nothing but play cat and mouse with the Lombax, dodging bullets and using pipes to strike the furball down. Cameras from around the room captured the display on a live video feed, and the creature even used a few as makeshift projectiles. Ratchet lacked the physique to survive another attack and thought desperately for a solution. Ratchet tried to run, but the beast cut him off, using the scaffolding above as monkey bars.

It grabbed the Lombax with one hand, holding him up to its gaping jaw. At this moment, Ratchet knew something unexpected had to happen. Maybe a gas main would break, or a platoon of security forces would rush in to end the beast. Unfortunately, none would come. The creature brought the Lombax closer and closer to its mouth; he was done for.

Suddenly, a hail of bullets appeared out of nowhere, striking the monster's torso. It roared in pain, dropping the Lombax to the ground. While Ratchet recovered, Clank caught a glimpse of their savior.

Jordan Thompson!

The boy arrived in the nick of time, spraying his M249 SAW at the beast. The bullets tore through its muscle and flesh like tissue paper, making Ratchet's guns look like happy meal toys. The creature tried to swing at the Human, but he bobbed and weaved around its body. Full of holes and outmatched, the beast screamed in agony, hitting the ground hard. Its corpse was mutilated, but the Lombax was safe.

Seeing the furball and Robot, Jordan walked over and kneeled by his side. "You guys okay?" he asked, turning Ratchet's body over.

"I am fine, Jordan." Clank answered.

"W-Where were you 5 minutes ago?!" he muttered.

The Human smirked, holding his hand out to the Lombax. Ratchet grabbed his open appendage as Jordan pulled him up. Once stable and on his own two feet, they made their way to the single door on the other side of the room. Ratchet slowed his pace, allowing the Human to pass him. His mind began to recollect on the obstacles before. The Versa-Targets, the assembly lines, and even the gravity wall. How did the boy manage to surpass all those challenges without the proper gear? Ratchet shook his head at the thought, he was here now, and that's all that mattered.

Jordan pushed the large red button beside the door, seeing the small child brush past his legs and embrace the Lombax's shins. "Thank you! Thank you! That was thso heroic!" she cheered.

"Anytime, kid." Ratchet said, patting the small girl on her head. Jordan, however, stayed out of their spotlight. This was Ratchet's victory, and he had his own.

"You know. I never got to introduthe mythelf. My name, Ith Luna."

"Well, Luna. We should move before any more bad guys show up." Clank said, following Ratchet and Jordan towards the exit.

"But wait," she said, standing in place. Jordan and the trio looked towards the child. "I.." she was hesitant. "I haven't got the chanth to tell all my friends, of all your heroic deeds." in that instant, her vocals changed. The tiny five year old now had the voice of a mature adult. Even her speech impediment was erased completely.

"Excuse me?" Jordan asked.

"They'll be surprised to hear how easy it was to capture such stupendous superheroes."

"Capture?" Ratchet asked. Suddenly, a platoon of guards stormed the arena, circling around the trio. This was no rescue operation;

It's a trap!

Jordan kept still, aiming his gun at every single robot while the guards kept their place. Ratchet was so overwhelmed by all the commotion that he failed to catch Luna pulling a small device from her pocket and zap Clank, shutting his entire body down. "Hey!" he yelled, leaping towards the child. Two robots were quick enough to pin the Lombax, holding him back by both of his arms.

"HEY!" Jordan was ready to pull the trigger, but two more guards snatched the gun and restained him the same way.

"Toss him in the trash compactor," Luna ordered, sending one of her guards away with the small robot in hands. Next, another held a small syringe of fluid, injecting the blue serum into the Lombax's neck. Jordan saw his friend hit the ground as two guards held him high. "Why are you doing this!?" he yelled.

"The better question is," Luna approached the Human. "What business do you have in this facility?"

"What?"

"You have no authority to trespass through our territory! Not you or any of your troops!"

"W-What!? What are you talking about?!"

"..." Luna turned her head at his response, turning away with a hand on her chin. "Interesting," she muttered. She gestured towards the troops, injecting the boy with the same serum. "Ready that thing for Outpost Omega." she pointed to the Lombax.

"What about the Human." a soldier asked.

"Put him in shackles and inform Otto Destruct." the robots carried both Ratchet and Jordan off.

"Colonel Brown owes us an explanation."

Uh-oh.

I can't help but admit that I listened to Betrayed by Avenged Sevenfold while writing this. I feel like I'm giving the tone of this story away by saying this. But some songs that could easily fit the vibe of the inhuman race (All Avenged Sevenfold), are Betrayed, M.I.A, and The Stage. Actually, the meaning of the songs make no sense with the context of this story, but what does make sense is how deep those songs are with their content, just like this one.

Yeah, it turns out there actually was dialogue for Luna that did include her impediment, so I'll make sure to correct that after I get this chapter up.

Also, as mentioned above. Something that does seem off is the Gadgetron Vendor and how it truly functions. Now, I never really explained this through the story and Authors notes alike. So here's how (this will also be how it works in the rewrites):

Ratchet and Jordan will both fill their ammo by placing their guns onto a small tray in front of the machine. There, the ammo will fill the gun once they bought it. And for purchasing weapons, tiny lasers will fabricate the gun onto the same tray that they both can then pick up and store in their Quick-Select. For Jordan's guns. All he has to do is place the magazine on the tray and it will fill automatically with ammunition. He just has to provide the vendors he comes across with the appropriate ammo in the case he acquires more in the future.

A very short summary, but it'll be explained more thoroughly in the rewrites.

I feel like this chapter isn't up to snuff with me in terms of the writing, but you guys can be the judge of that. I feel there are some inconsistencies I failed to mention or clear up but don't be afraid to shout any questions or concerns. I was actually supposed to add reasoning for Qwarks absence in this chapter, since I intended to give him the blatant truth that his parents are dead, and not fooled into thinking Otto Destruct is his father. But I left it out since I couldn't think of anything, and if I did, it would sound weird if added into the context of that particular scene. So, Qwark knows his parents are dead, and who knows, maybe in a fit of rage against the Technomites, Qwark may actually prove to be useful in combat, if they ever stumble across him again.

Lastly. To those who know the game. The shrink ray was supposed to be acquired by a hoverboard racer in the original, but I've decided to remove him since he's only used to acquire two gadgets, and unnecessary in this story. Of course, I have my ideas to work around that. (Agree or Disagree: Slim Cognito stole that shrink ray from Jimmy Neutron himself. It's there! I JUST KNOW IT! LOOK IT UP!)

Well. We'll wait and see what I have in store for Jordan in Betrayed Part 2. Now, I have to patiently wait for my Rift Apart to arrive.

Thank you for reading.