Wow...What a couple months this has been...
I guess the first thing on my agenda is the elephant in the room, or the A/N in this case; Rift Apart.
I got the game and placed it into my console with worries on how the series would handle the new fanbase to the old. I worried they would tarnish the legacy of the originals to fit with the new demographic. I of course ranted about this in the previous chapter, but still had my hopes up.
And I'm glad to be proven wrong! Very-wrong!
The game exceeded all of my expectations. Delivering (Almost) everything that makes a GREAT, Ratchet and Clank. To be honest, this game tugged at my heartstrings with immense strength. The story, the gameplay, the characters, the weapons! And the easter eggs..MY GOD, THE EASTER EGGS! It...It's an amazing game.
The Canon was nearly aligned with the original trilogy. And I really loved the characters of Rivet and Kit. I think Fanfiction did too ;)
Yeah, they did leave some major plot points out from the future series. But hey, you go too far and the young ones are gonna raise eyebrows, ya know. But the game overall has me at 10/10. and has just become my new favorite game in the saga.
I guess you know where this next part is going...
Rift Apart is officially CONFIRMED for this saga! I even have some ideas playing around in my head. I've already told a few readers who PM me. But I won't say it here only because it's very vague (Yeah we won't be coming around to this story for a very, VERY long time.) on top of that, I would leave out a lot of key factors from the Future series (Spoilers of course). So...It's confirmed, just gotta get through god knows how many more stories to reach it. To be honest with you, Rift-Apart may be one of the very last stories I write for this archive. I thought bout it being the Saga Finale, but I'm unsure about that now. To properly end this saga, there has to be room for everyone in the ending, and I just don't think Rift Apart will accomplish that. But I still have a long time to think about it.
Now onto related news.
I was rather shocked that Jim Ward did not voice Captain Qwark in Rift Apart. Seeing how he was only in the game for a few brief moments, I would understand the change in voice actor. But then...I did further research into the great man...and the tragic year he suffered in 2020-2021.
Covid...and the Alzheimers. Yeah to those who didn't know. Jim Ward contracted Covid-19 and got the sharp end of its sword. He survived, but he had to learn to eat and walk and...my eyes glistened at the news, especially now that he's officially hanging the green spandex..for good.
I don't think I could ever look at Qwark the same way again. Sure, actors change or get replaced. But Jim Ward deserved better than all of this shit. The new voice actor definitely has HUGE shoes to fill. And Jim Ward's legacy will live on.
:(
I'll try to draw a piece in the future with Jordan and Qwark. Just a little ditty to commemorate the great Jim Ward.
Now for Personal news.
With all the darkness out of the way. I've been monitoring the traffic on my stories and profile. I..I can't remember if my work has ever attracted this much attention! From the favorites and follows, to the views. And now the fact that OFA (Redux) has surpassed the original OFA in views.
My heart soars! Thank you. Thank you all!
I just hope my new literary mindset can attract new, and keep the current readers entertained throughout this saga.
I also hope an 11,000 word chapter can make up for the two month wait. Seriously, this chapter was MUCH longer than I have initially anticipated. And I'm not exactly 100% about the writing, especially for what happens. Criticism is highly appreciated, as this is also one of, if not, the most significant chapter in the entire story. I said I had plans for this story, and plans I do! I also have a drawing connected to this chapter and is nearly completed. It's one of my first drawings to deal with "Angles". It's not just a picture facing towards the front or the sides. It's at an angle, and I really like it so far. Hope you guys do too.
"Exhales Deeply". Alright. That should be everything I have to talk about. I now leave the rest to you guys.
Favorites: Spartan1203, ToastyGuy94, Christian98, thekillerclashes, MrMarioluigi1000, Kepnach, Rabidhucker, Yegik, nathan-hunt13, ATV123.
Followers: Cosmicsafe74, DJDragon12, Spartan1203, ToastyGuy94, Christian98, thekillerclashes, Kepnach, Yegik, ATV123
Thank you all for your passion for these stories! Your support means so much :D
Review Replies:
Guest (2):
-Marshmello-Silence? Haven't listened to it yet, but I'll surely take that suggestion.
-Hey, maybe you're right.
Redblackmark (2):
-Of course, Tachyon will be in this saga. I can't leave out one of my favorite villains in the series. And I may even have som twists of my own to the character.
-(Your second review is very hard to understand and I cannot reply and/or answer to it. I'm sorry to say it, but please make sure you are more clear in your review before you write it. I'd hate to leave reviews out from chapter to chapter. Thank you.)
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.
"This is an outrage!" Jordan's mind was bleak but conscious enough to hear a conversation between two individuals.
"You're far too cynical in this matter."
"You know this wasn't part of the agreement!"
"Our troops and their actions are merely a sign of good faith from our great Emperor Otto."
"Bullshit! You had a motive!"
"We would never impude Emperor Otto's honor, and neither should you, Colonel-Anthony-Brown!"
"Need I remind you the deal with-"
"The deal was! You build the weapons we desire, and we share our vast collection of knowledge with you and your people!"
"And I assume, this, is part of your "Deal"?"
"My soldiers only shot the boy as a means of a field test. Emperor Otto would never throw any of your brave men in harm's way. We're not savages Colonel."
"..."
"You should be proud of this momentous occasion. We got the creature unharmed, and you now have the Raritanium we need. You have high gratitude from Emperor Otto Destruct and the future of the Technomites."
"..."
"If it's any constellation, we'll personally send a team of our best doctors to assess the boy for any injuries."
"No! I-I'll take care of him. Just..just get outta my sight."
Meanwhile...
Clank's internal systems began to reboot. As he opened his eyes and got up from his place, hazardous waste and scrapped warbots filled his vision like a mechanical nightmare. What was this place? A graveyard?
"Oh my."
He shuffled away from a few heads and arms, climbing up a few corpses to reach higher ground. Once he sat down onto the cold metal, his emergency video feed replayed the events before his shutdown. Everything from Luna electrocuting him to Ratchet and Jordan getting captured. His suspicions with this child back on Pokitaru held true.
"I knew there was something off about that Luna girl," he mutters in anger, smacking a large gear off the mound. His optics slanted downwards, feeling responsible for all of this. If Ratchet would've listened to him, none of this would've happened. But he still had a chance to save him and Jordan. All he had to do was find the exit to this graveyard and plan his next course of action.
Suddenly, the sound of blaring alarms interrupted his train of thought. Flashing red lights could be seen on all four corners of the room.
"Warning! Warning! Compactor 2-7b engaged." the female voice confirmed his location. This was no graveyard.
It was a trash compactor!
"Oh, dear! I must move quickly!" Clank frantically scanned the room for an exit, the large metal plates beginning to compress the trash into one. The room was pitch black, and the only visible lights originated from the flashing alarm. With one blink of his optics, his vision changed to infrared. There, a small emergency hatch could be seen on the far northeast side of the ceiling. Clank used his agility and the convenient Heli-Pack, to jump and glide across small gaps and scrapped warbots to reach his destination. He made it to the hatch, using all of his strength to try and pull the lever. Unfortunately, the safety lock trapped him inside. He squeezed his whole body inside the frame and waited for the process to be complete. Once the trash was formed into one giant square, the lights turned green, and Clank opened the hatch to escape.
Even with the overwhelming security, Clank used his Heli-pack and sensors to navigate around the facility and towards the landing pads. He was still on Planet Kalidon, and Ratchet and Jordan's ships were still present. As long as he had a vehicle to reach them, he may still have a chance to save them. He ran to Lawrence, climbed on top of the ship, and opened the cockpit. He knew Ratchet will have him shut down for leaving his craft, but he was sure to understand the dire circumstance.
"Pardon me, miss Sophia, but I need your-"
He stopped; the entire vessel was empty. And judging by the sets of footprints beside the ship, the Technomites now had Ratchet, Jordan, and Sophia! He jumped into the pilot's seat and began to type on the small control panel. Sure, Ratchet and Jordan were hostile, but what would the Technomites want with an innocent child? The thought caused his lens to slant in anger. He would not rest until all three of them were safe and sound again. As the ship began to activate, Clank was immediately ejected from the vessel, hitting the ground with a loud clank. The craft hovered into the air and pointed its blasters at the Robot. "Lawrence! It is me, Clank! We were double-crossed by Luna. You must help me if we are going to save my friends!"
"..." the vessel was still, recognizing his vocal signature. Lawrence hovered back down to the ground, the lights on the inside of the cockpit glowing a bright blue. Clank quickly hopped on top of the ship and entered the cockpit, closing the hatch. "I am sorry, sir. It seems an Ion scrambler temporarily disabled by primary functions." his honesty would explain how Sophia was captured without any resistance from Lawrence.
"It is okay. But we must hurry if we are to make it in time. I am setting the coordinates to Outpost Omega." Clank began to type the sequence into the panel. It was a good thing he kept the record of that artifact inside his databanks.
"Yes, sir." Lawrence controlled the ship while Clank sat in the pilot's seat, fearing the worst for his dear friends.
Medial Outpost Omega
Local Time: N/A
Betrayed (Part 2)
"Mmmm." Jordan moaned. The drugs were potent, and it felt like a millennium since he's seen the light. He slowly sat up from his spot, feeling the onset of a massive headache. "Uh, my head." he massaged the sides of his temple, his brain throbbing from the anesthesia. Slowly, his eyes began to focus.
He laid in a single hospital bed, a white blanket over his body. The white fluorescent bulbs filled the room with light.
"W-Where the hell am I?" he looked around the enclosure; a small tray on the right side of his bed caught his attention. A small banquet was left for him, complete with a plate of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and a small bowl of ice cream. A few of his culinary favorites were enough to due him in. He pulled the tray closer and grabbed the fork. As he brought a piece of the succulent meat up to his mouth, he stopped.
"Wait a minute?" he threw the fork aside. "How dumb do you really think I am?" he shoved the tray away from his body. Flashbacks from the past made him quickly realize the pickle he was in. They captured Ratchet, threw Clank into a trash compactor, and knew surely he was next for any form of torture these "Technomites" were sure to administer. But without his weapons and armor, he knew that the only thing that could save him from imminent death was the crucial survival skills he's learned from the UNE. He got up from the bed and grabbed a silver spoon from the ground. If the UNE taught him anything, it was how lethal a spoon could be in the right hands.
"Alright. Now to find Ratchet."
With one deep breath, he walked towards the only exit on the other side of the room. He pushed a large red button on the side, a white robot with yellow optics waited for him. He gasped, tossing the Robot into the room. He quickly slammed the door and tackled the machine, ramming the utensil towards its lens. The Robot used both hands to resist, but the boy was stronger. He used all of his strength to destroy the machine, his hatred for them only growing stronger.
"WHERE IS HE!?" he screamed.
"JORDAN, STOP!" the door shot open, multiple entities entered the room, yanking the Human off the machine. Jordan fought against their grip, but another stepped in front of the boy, grasping his cheeks with both hands. "Hey, hey, it's okay," he spoke, his voice all too familiar. Jordan looked to his captors. There, he couldn't believe his eyes, the knights in shining armor.
Humans!
"Easy, kid. You're safe now." and along with them, Colonel Anthony Brown.
"..." Jordan was robbed of all words. How? He had to be dreaming. He would learn his true state for several minutes as the Colonel stayed beside the boy while he enjoyed his meal. This was all beyond belief, but it was joyful to see friendly faces save him from danger. During these moments, Brown sent his condolences on the harsh conditions he endured while retrieving the Raritanium. Before leaving the boy, he instructed him to meet him in his office once he was finished. Jordan would surely take him up on his offer, besides,
Colonel Brown owed him an explanation.
Once out of his bed and outside his room, a few soldiers guided the boy through the facility. They walked through a large hangar full of UNE ships, a design that stood out from the rest. Along the way, Jordan could see peaceful interactions between both UNE soldiers and scientists and Technomite doctors. "W-What?" he muttered. This couldn't be right. The Technomites captured Ratchet and are ravaging the galaxy as they speak. The UNE should be slaughtering all the guards and annihilating this outpost for the greater good of the galaxy. As much as Jordan wanted to raise fingers, he took a second to think. Humans were more intelligent than this. Whatever's going on here, it had to be a strategy in espionage. Get in good relations with the enemy and quickly strike them down at their weakest. It was the most logical course of action, easing the boy's nerves. As they walked down a long corridor, a set of scientists passed the Humans, with an unconscious Lombax in tow, strapped down to a hovering metal table. His mind wanted him to make a move towards the Lombax, but his legs said otherwise. Besides, he had to play along unless he wanted to blow the Human's operations here. He kept his mouth shut as they approached his office.
...
"We are arriving at the intended coordinates, sir," Lawrence said. Clank used his tiny feet to stand on top of the armrest and peer over the glass; the giant space station was evident through his optics. The entire outpost consisted of five substations around the perimeter and one superstition in the middle. Large hallways connected the structure, and all were perfectly formed in the shape of a star. Clank expected a Technomite complex to look more menacing than this but knew the real horrors lie within. "Lawrence, take me to the edge of the facility and wait for my signal." Clank said.
"As you wish, sir." Clank caught a glimpse of a small hatch that would lead him inside the facility. Clank opened the cockpit as the cold vacuum of space sucked him out of the vessel. He slowly transformed his body into his Thrusterpack form, using the small thrusters to guide him to the hatch. He grabbed the small lever as he positioned himself on the plating. He pulled the small lever and entered the facility, closing the hatch behind him.
...
"Have a seat," Brown said, closing the door behind him, the two escorts keeping watch. As he sat in front of the large wooden desk. He could see a large blue blueprint in the middle of the dest. Colonel Brown neatly folded the paper up, reaching beneath his desk to grab a long glass champagne bottle. Jordan gazed around the interior. Small beakers and test tubes filled the racks, along with a few trinkets the Colonel brought from home. It was clearly a storage room, but to the Human superior, it was his own slice of home. "It isn't much. But it still feels right." he noticed his curious eyes.
"Y-yes, yes it does, sir." Jordan addressed.
"Now-" he began to pour the liquid into two small glasses, one for himself and one for his brave soldier. "I hope those..things, didn't harm you in any way."
"No sir, they didn't." he was somewhat nervous about bringing up questions in front of a higher officer.
"You show too much heart and..and everyone just walks on you like grass, you know-"
"What's going on here?" he was quick to the point, fast enough to cause the Colonel to look up from the cups. "Y-You said we had no connections to this galaxy. And I was the only one capable of traveling here. Why did you lie to me?"
"..." he looked towards the blueprints by his feet, then towards Jordan. He was right, and after everything the boy has gone through to prove his loyalty, it was time to lose the curtains. "Look Thompson, I-I may have stretched the truth mildly-"
"Mildly!?" he motioned towards the door, towards his entire operation on the other side.
"The truth is, I had to make sure I could trust you, boy. A man of your talents could benefit us greatly."
"You could've sent anyone else to get your metal. Why me?"
"You know these creatures far greater than any other Human being. But I had to know you were dedicated to our cause." he placed the bottle back underneath the desk. "But the state you were in," he motioned to his chest. "And all the Raritanium you brought. You've done more than enough to earn our trust." The Colonel had enough faith in the boy to lay out his plans. He reached for the blueprints, unfolding the large sheet on the table. Jordan moved close as the Colonel layed everything out;
The truth.
His initial claim was honest. They needed Raritanium to finish the replicator. But why are the Technomites involved? Humans are intelligent beings. What benefits could they possibly bring to the UNE? It was right then and there, Jordan learned the true maestro responsible for his tech.
The Technomites!
This was no espionage. The UNE was helping the Technomites by producing weaponry capable of crippling the galaxy and its threats. In exchange, the acclaimed Emperor Otto Destruct would supply the Human race with knowledge beyond their comprehension, enough to launch the Human race into a new age and the bright Eden they long craved for. Jordan's weapons and tech were only a little throwback, but the door will be fully opened once the Technomites have complete control over Solana.
Jordan only questioned why the Human race would be concerned over another's maleficent endeavors? What did all of this have to do with uniting the world under one principle? The United States had a plan of its own. Brown knew Jordan was smart enough to see the truth; the Human race would never unite with an open hand! Countless groups and powers tried similar practices. Yet all it did was plant the seeds that would blossom into a gruesome war between races. Resistance is Human Nature, and war never changes. If the USA was gonna unite the world as one, they had to give them a reason to. And now they had the leverage they needed. Weapons millennia ahead of their time, enough to bring countries to their knees and unite the world under a new order. This was a glorious day for the UNE, and they never could've done it without that POD.
"Now you understand why I kept this under wrap?"
"..." Jordan was silent. Thoughts raced through his mind. "Do you disagree?" the Colonel asked; the boy stayed still. "You may speak freely."
"T-This isn't how you unite a world, sir," Jordan said. "War doesn't solve anything."
"Human's aren't like-minded, Thompson. How do you explain the American Revolution? The Civil War? World War 2? The Cold War? No matter what you preach, people would rather die than give up what they love. Understand?"
"Y-Yes. I do, sir."
"Good! Now for a drink, eh?" Colonel Brown moved a glass over to Jordan. There, both Humans raised their drinks for a well deserved toast. "To the United Nation of Earth." Brown said.
"..." Jordan only twirled the glass in front of his face, the liquid moving around the inside. Emotions took its toll. He trusted Colonel Brown; he believed in the UNE. Now, his mistakes would fuel the American conquest for world domination. And for what? The only things that fuel the United States of America;
Money and Power.
Jordan could associate those two words with two different identities from his harsh past. Two men fought to seek similar gains, but he and Ratchet put a stop to them. Now, Colonel Anthony Brown and the rest of the United States were no different than those evil heretics. "Wrong hands.." he muttered, the glass trembling in front of the Human's eyes.
"It already has."
Jordan threw the glass at the Colonel. He yelled in pain as shards of glass tore into his cheeks. Jordan threw the table aside and lunged for the officer. He climbed on top of his body and began to punch the Colonel repeatedly, Ravenous anger in his eyes. Soldiers outside heard the commotion, bashing the door open. They yanked the boy off their superior, wrapping their arms around his body. Jordan kicked and thrashed through their grip, a futile effort. A soldier rushed from behind and pointed his AR15 assault rife in his face. Jordan looked towards the barrel, freezing in place. Meanwhile, the Colonel pushed himself off the floor and began to pluck a few shards of glass from his face, blood oozing from the wounds. "Sir?" a soldier asked.
"So much for hospitality." the Colonel muttered. "Get him outta here, goddammit!" all three Human's dragged their captive towards incarceration. As the door closed, Colonel Brown grabbed a small rag from the drawers and treated his wounds. As he grabbed a chair from the left side of the room, his new E-Phone received a transmission back home. "Yeah?" he spoke.
"Sir, we've just finished building the fabricator and have officially begun production." a female spoke through the speaker.
"And? How are the results?"
"Better than we have initially expected, sir."
"Good. Report our success to the senate along with any future results."
"Yes, sir!"
"Also. I would like to arrange a meeting with the house and speak to them about the device."
"We'll try to get you in, sir."
"Excellent."
...
Clank crawled through the ventilation shafts of the facility on a frantic search and rescue for his friends. He was able to locate an empty storage room as he kicked the vent down. Once he was on the ground, he opened the large door and quietly walked through the complex to find clues. Various mechanical doctors would block his path and knew he lacked the strength to fight head-on. So like a robotic James Bond, he would stick to the shadows and use small spaces and crevasses to slip past them. He would wander through multiple examination rooms before he would find another air vent. As he crawled through the narrow passage, a bright light would appear from the darkness, leading him into a large Laboratory. He peeked out the small vent; a large Ion reactor would be visible in the very center. As he scanned the interior, a door right below his position would open. Clank crawled back into the shadows to avoid detection. Slowly, he would peek his optics out far enough to analyze the robotic threat. Only, the two lifeforms were not robotic whatsoever.
"I...I do not understand,"
There, two Human soldiers stood beside one another. They wore heavy black vests similar to Jordan's attire and had black helmets over their heads. They stood in front of the reactor with rifles in their hands. Clank identified them as M416 Assualt Rifles, thanks to his growing knowledge from the POD on Earth.
"Ya think he's gonna be okay?" the Human asked his partner.
"Who? The Colonel? Yeah, I'm sure it's nothing more than a few cuts and bruises." the second answered.
"Still, that kid did quite a number on him."
"Please, Colonel Brown's taken stronger ones than that fucking brat."
"What do ya think he's gonna do to him?"
"Why should I care? We're getting paid to keep watch."
"Yeah, I guess so." their conversation stopped.
"I do not understand." Clank repeated, crawling through the vents towards another route.
...
"LET ME GO!" Jordan screamed. He tried to resist, but the three UNE soldiers dragged the boy through the hallways and towards a set of holding cells. There, Jordan could see Sophia. She was on the floor with her knees brought to her head but unharmed. They threw him into the cell, quickly locking the door. Jordan rushed towards the bars; the soldiers kept their distance. He yanked on the metal with all his strength. He was locked up like a wild animal. Once he was calm, one of the soldiers gave another a green keycard. "Stay here and watch him." he said.
"Whatever." the two soldiers left their comrade behind as he stood in front of their cell with a rifle by his side.
Jordan turned his head to the younger Lombax, backing away from the bars and to her side. "You okay?" he whispered, assessing her furry flesh for any wounds or marks.
"I'm fine." she whispered back, keeping her head to the floor.
"Don't worry. I'll try to find a way out." Jordan sat on the floor next to her. Several minutes would pass as Jordan glanced around his cell and the facility around him for any weak points. As much as he promised the child a way out, without his guns, helmet, and armor to protect him. The only hope they had was the clothes on their backs. Unless a miracle were to drop from the ceiling,
They were trapped.
"Ya shoulda heed my warning, kid." a voice muttered from the cell next to his. Jordan moved closer, another Human being. The man beside him had solid black hair, an orange short-sleeved shirt, black denim jeans, and light black scruff along his face. The tone of his vocals rang through his mind, the exact same that Jordan encountered on Planet Ryllus. The only thing inconsistency was the fact that he was also trapped. He was a UNE Field Medic. Why is he in a cage beside him? Is he against the UNE as well?
"Y-You're the one that hung me from the rafters," Jordan said.
"And? You're point is?" he asked.
"I-" Jordan hesitated. He knew he had to keep his voice down unless he wanted to greet the butt end of a rifle across his teeth. Jordan crawled to his side of the cell, keeping his back to the bars. "You knew about him? Why didn't you say something?" he whispered, glancing over his shoulder.
"Why should I trust some child with my own words?" he whispered back.
"You didn't agree with his plans either?"
"I.." he hesitated. "N-no, I didn't-"
"HEY!" the guard banged his fist against Jordan's cell, rattling the metal bars. "Shut the fuck up!" both Humans kept silent; a set of footsteps could be heard. Jordan looked towards the guard, seeing a group of robotic doctors carrying the unconscious Lombax past his cell. Jordan rushed to the edge of the cell, grabbing the bars with both hands. Sophia was so caught up in her own emotions, she was utterly oblivious to the events around her. The machines stopped in front of his cell, Colonel Brown following behind them. He approached his prisoner. "I hope you're willing to cooperate. We could use a man of your skills."
"..." Jordan was silent, glancing towards a small table beside the Lombax, filled with surgical tools and a single spool of thread. "Why? Why are you doing this?" he plead.
"..." the Colonel stayed silent.
"Things don't have to go this way. There are other ways to unite the world; I just know it! I-I'll do anything you want me to do. Just don't hurt him! Any of them!" he gestured towards Ratchet and Sophia.
"Jordan, we-"
"Do you really think these things are gonna keep their word? Do you!?"
"..."
Jordan moved closer to the bars, "I-It's what you said, remember?" he whispered. "You show too much heart, and everyone walks on you like grass." the Colonel leaned closer to hear his words. "I..I've been in this galaxy long enough to know how this works. They're using us! They're just gonna get what they want and send their armies down to destroy us." Jordan could see his expression change. "We're smarter than this. Better than this." Jordan reached his right out through the bars. "Please?" his voice was soft. "Let's do the right thing."
The Colonel glanced at his appendage. He slowly reached his hands out and gripped the boy's open hand. A crooked smile crossed Jordan's face. He knew the UNE was better than this. "You have a lot of heart, Jordan." he gazed into his eyes.
"But you ask for the impossible." he finished.
He released his hands, walking away from the cell with the Lombax beside him. Jordan's joy vanished immediately, converting into blind fury. He thrashed his arms out to grab the Colonel. "DON'T LAY A FUCKING FINGER ON HIM! YOU HEAR ME?!"
SMACK!
"Jordan!" Sophia yelled. The metallic butt of an M416 assault rifle bashed his cheeks, forcing him to the ground. She used all of her strength to pull him upright. He sat in place, a red streak smeared across his wrist. "I'm okay. I-I just need a moment." Jordan would take a few minutes to recover, his anger diminishing by the second. Once calm, he looked to the guard, then to Sophia. "W-We need to get outta here." his voice was hindered by his swollen gums.
"Ya think?" she whispered. Jordan glanced to the imprisoned field medic, crawling to his side. "You. You seem like you know more about these guys than I do," he whispered.
"How'd ya guess?" he could sense the sarcasm.
"C'mon. My friend is in danger, and I need ideas."
"Why should I help ya? Besides, you seem capable."
"I can help you outta here, and you can, you know, help us escape and fill your own agenda afterward."
"..." he took a few seconds to think. "Look, kid, even if I do. What do ya propose we do? He's got the keycard, and I doubt he's willing to give it to ya."
"But you'll help me?"
"Yeah, sure, whatever. But ya gonna need a miracle to get us outta here." The boy moved away from the bars, pulling his shirt off his body. He knew he could strangle a Human being with the cloth. All he had to do was fix himself in the proper position and hope to god nowhere hears him.
CRASH!
The sound startles everyone as airvents above hit the ground. Jordan and Sophia looked to the cause; their miracle has just arrived.
"Clank!?" Jordan yelled.
"Hey!" the guard yelled, pointing his gun at the Robot. "Who the fuck are you!?" if there was any perfect opportunity to escape, it was now or never. Jordan's brain began calculating his actions by the nanosecond, rushing towards the guard and wrapping the shirt around his throat. The guard started to panic as Jordan used all of his strength to crush his throat, occasionally forcing his body into the bars. "Clank!? Clank, the key!" Jordan muttered. At that moment, the Human dropped his rifle and grabbed the cloth with both hands. Using his whole body as leverage, he slammed Jordan into the bars over and over again. He slowly lost his grip with the cloth, and with one last push, the guard freed himself from his grasp. Jordan fell to the ground as the Human grabbed his rifle. He turned to Jordan, aligning the barrel with his abdomen. As his finger squeezed the trigger,
BANG!
A large hole formed in the center of the guard's face. The soldier hit the ground hard; a small robot stood behind with a Lacerator in his hands. Jordan and Sophia were both in shock. Sophia was taken by the stress, but Jordan, taken at the sight of his robotic friend claiming his first Human. Clank could see the expression in his eyes, his optics slanting to the sides. Whatever emotions were running through his mind, he would have to fix it later, what he did was an act of defense, and Jordan shouldn't have to condemn him for that. He approached the corpse as he searched for a key. There, a green keycard was found in his right pocket. Clank walked to the boy, holding the card to him. Through his stress, he crawled over to the small Robot and grabbed the thin plastic card. He held the card next to the lock.
CLICK!
The door slowly opened, Clank ran inside to assess their wounds. "Are you alright?" he asked the boy.
"Y-Yes. I'm fine." Jordan answered.
"Me too." Sophia added.
Clank scanned the perimeter. "Where is Ratchet?"
Jordan stood up from his spot, walking out the door towards the corpse, grabbing his small radio. "H-He's gone. Colonel Brown took him."
"Who exactly is, Colonel Brown?"
"I'll tell you later, okay!" his outburst distressed the Robot. Jordan took a deep breath, pulling his shirt over his body. "Sorry. I'm just a little stressed out, ya know?"
"I understand."
"What do we do now?" Sophia asked, trying to keep her eyes away from the Human corpse.
"Let's just find Ratchet and get outta here."
"I have Lawrence on standby once we are ready."
"Good." he lifted the small Robot from the ground. "But, uh. Not sure how you're gonna keep up. Unless I hold you the whole time."
"I may have a solution to our dilemma." Clank reached into his compartment. A leather harness could be seen in both hands. It was a near copy of the same that Ratchet wore but of a size worthy of Sophia herself. "Wow." is all Jordan said. Sophia took the leather from his metal hands as she threads her arms through the small loops. Meanwhile, Jordan gazed towards the incarcerated Human, focusing on the wall and away from their actions. He approached the man. "Well, now that I'm out. You said you'd help us, right?"
"..." he stayed silent.
Jordan kneeled to meet his eyes. "What you said back there about brown's dirty work, what's the real reason you betrayed him?"
He slowly gazed towards the boy. "Well, for the same reasons as you, it seems."
"..." Jordan held the keycard in their hands. Brown was evil, and the UNE had to be stopped. But this man wasn't as brainwashed as the other mindless Humans of the UNE. He had morales and enough to go against a higher commanding officer. Jordan wasn't in the mood to form alliances with other Human beings, but if he really did know the UNE and their operations, he could be the key they needed to escape and potentially destroy the UNE for good.
CLICK!
Jordan opened the cell, holding his hand out to the man. He grabbed the boy's hand as they both left the cell. As the medic grabbed the assault rifle beside them, Clank was already on Sophia's back and ready to move. They all made their way down the hallway to their right to find their Lombax.
Meanwhile...
"I think you're going to need a bigger scalpel, doctor." a voice echoed through Ratchet's ears.
"Mm." Ratchet opened his eyes. "W-What? Jordan? Is that you?" he moaned. Unfortunately, the only beings visible in the room were four different doctors. Three of them wore white surgical scrubs and masks to cover their face. Despite their wear, Ratchet could spot the blue eyes and curved ears.
Humans!
Ratchet tried to move, but the beings held the Lombax down by his arms and legs, their strength outmatching his own. "Who are you!? Where's Jordan?!"
"Whoa there, little guy! We're just getting started." another walked from the shadows; its voice was all too familiar. It was Captain Qwark, wearing green scrubs, a blue cap, and a mask of his own. "Qwark? What are you doing here!?" Ratchet yelled, fighting against the grip.
"Now, if you don't like the sight of blood, you might wanna close your eyes." Qwark reached underneath the table to grab a giant chainsaw, pulling the chord. The blades spun at a rapid speed as he approached the Lombax. Ratchet's adrenaline shifted into overdrive, giving him the strength to free himself from their grip. A door appeared right in front of the exit as he bolted out the room and through the door. In an instant, the cold metallic floor instantly transformed into warm gritty sand. As he stood up from his place, the clear atmosphere of Jowaii Resort was present.
"What in the world?"
Everything from the lush palm trees to the straw-covered shacks was visible. Even a mild breeze could be felt along his golden fur. "What is all this? A-Am I dead?" suddenly, a white door appeared in front of him, giving him the answer he needed. "Nah. I can't be dead. Besides, it takes more than a little needle to kill me." Whether this was a dream or not, he to make it back to Jordan and the others, hoping they were still alive. He walked up to the door and pulled on the handle. The door vanished immediately. Another appeared a few feet away. He walked up to the door and pulled on the handle. Once again, nothing. He developed anger as a third appeared. He rushed towards the knob and yanked the door open with force.
"AH!"
He jumped back, landing in the sand. He looked up at the sight of Jordan Thompson himself. The mask and helmet covered his face. However, a chainsaw could be seen in his right hand, and his entire body was soaked in a red liquid from head to toe. Even through the horrific picture, he could even spot multiple bullet holes along his chest and shoulder. "Jordan?" he asked.
"Wrong hands?" a deep voice echoed from above, but his figure stood still.
"..." Ratchet was speechless.
"It already has." the door quickly shut in front of him, vanishing into a flock of butterflies. Suddenly, the earth around him began to rumble as a whirlpool formed from the water and rose to the skies like a magical water tornado. It began to pull the Lombax in; Ratchet dug his hands into the sand, fighting desperately to stay on land. But the monsoon was too strong, lifting the Lombax into the air and sucking him in. But instead of drowning, the Lombax fell into an endless black void. It felt like an eternity, darkness plaguing his vision.
"You ask for the impossible." a voice said.
"What-OOF!" The Lombax hit solid ground, knocking the air out of his lungs. He used both of his hands to push himself off the ground. "Uh, fuck." even with the strong impact, he felt little pain. What he did feel, however, was the onset of a sharp headache. He shook his head, placing his right hand on the side of his cranium. Once he stood up from his spot, the scenery caught his eyes. The blue skies of Poktaru were now a trippy green void. Through his vision, flashbacks of familiar characters appeared around him. Darla Gratch, Helga, Qwark, and Even Luna. He even caught glimpses of Sasha Phyronix and Chairman Drek. But the real faces that stood out were that of his three dear friends. He had to get back to them, walking down a floating gravel path.
"Look, Thompson, I-I may have stretched the truth mildly." a voice called through the void.
"Mildly!?" another said, a tone matching his best friends.
"What the?" Ratchet asked himself. Pondering the thoughts, he stumbled across a long gap with two floating umbrellas similar to the ones on Pokitaru. He jumped across the large parasols and onto the other side. There, two mimic plants could be seen, and another gap too far to jump across. After making the proper hand gesture, the gadget appeared right in his hands. Seems the Quick-Select even worked in his dreams.
"Sweet."
Ratchet used the water to guide the first plant to its home in the electrosoil. The plant began to grow, forming a gigantic smiling head of Captain Qwark himself. "Ah, geez." the smile was indeed disturbing and only raised his hatred for the alien. Ratchet moved away from the appendage to focus on the second mimic plant, forming the same creepy smile. However, after looking towards the gap, a sinister smile crossed the Lombax's face. Ratchet equipped his Omniwrench and prepared to check off his imaginary bucket list. He smacked the heads clean off the stem with both hands, sending them careening towards the gap. Instantly, the self-centered prick had transformed into a green Versa-Target. He did the same with the second and prepared to cross the gap. He equipped the Swingshot in his left hand and used the targets to swing across.
The rocky gravel road turned into a lush green valley. And farther ahead, the Lombax could see four more umbrellas to jump across.
"They're not gonna show the same mercy as you are." a voice said, different from the ones before.
"There doesn't have to be a war."
"We're smarter than this. Better than this."
"..." it sounded like Jordan conversing between multiple Human's, judging by the details he told him back on Kerwan. Ratchet tried to ignore them, jumping across the parasols. Besides, what harm could the UNE have on his best friend? They were the good guys after all. He remembered Gettsyburg, and Jordan was smart enough to believe in them and fight for their cause. They couldn't be after the wrong gains like Drek or Nefarious.
Could they?
Suddenly, multiple lasers appeared out of nowhere, catching the Lombax's movements. Ratchet stopped, looking frantically for the source, catching a glimpse of numerous sniper rifles. He searched for cover, a large rock appeared beside him. He dived for the stone.
POW!
The sound was nothing He's ever heard from Gadgetron firearms. The crack of the barrel, along with the impact of the bullet, brought back grim memories of Planet Earth. "The prisoners are in the Southeast corridor! 7th Infantry moving to engage!"
"No! I want them both alive!"
"Copy that, sir!"
"Both?" Ratchet asked. Suddenly, four entities rushed past the Lombax, mowing down all of his enemies. As he got up from his spot, he saw the group rush towards a door. Their features were absent and seemed to only consist of four black shadows. But through all the smoke and mirrors, their characteristics matched that of Jordan, Sophia, and Clank. "Hey!?" Ratchet sprinted towards them. "Jordan!? Clank!? WAIT?!" he dived towards the door, but it was too late. The door slammed behind the figures and vanished into thin air. He climbed up from his spot, staring into the bottomless void. He's reached a dead end; Now, what could he do? His question was answered as the green valley around him quickly transformed into an arid dune of sand that stretched for eternity. A loud hum from behind caught his attention. A giant fireball fell from the heavens, hitting the earth at incredible velocity.
BOOM!
The impact created an enormous mushroom cloud in the distance; a great wall of sand moved towards the Lombax. Ratchet ran for his life, the wall moving closer and closer. Suddenly, a white door appeared twenty meters away. He ran as fast as he could as the cloud nipped at his heels. As the sand was about to consume his entire body, he dived towards the door. His rapid breathing was intense, but he merely brushed the hand of death for the millionth time. He got up and looked around the perimeter. He was trapped in a long metallic hallway, ceiling lights guiding his way. He pushed forward, an object came into focus. He narrowed his eyes; it was Lawrence.
"Alright. Almost there."
"There they are!" a voice called from behind. Ratchet spotted a platoon of soldiers rush towards him with assault rifles in hand. However, instead of the average lot of robotic killers, these foes were different; Real Humans. They dressed in similar armor to Jordan but were solid black and looked just as menacing. They all brought their barrels up, raining hell on the defenseless Lombax. "Ah!" Ratchet pressed his entire body towards the walls, only a sliver of metal protecting him from hot lead. He equipped his Lacerator in his right hand, peering over cover to fight back. The beings, in response, took cover behind the ribbed hallway. However, even with his modification, the Humans would hug the walls tightly or weave their bodies around the projectiles. Ratchet has been through much, believing to have seen it all in combat. But this; How could anyone survive such chaos?
Suddenly, an unforeseen bullet grazed the thin column, piercing his right shoulder.
"AH!"
He slid his back down the wall and towards the ground, holding his hand over the wound. Even in a dream, the pain was unbearable, even worse than any blaster bolt he's taken. The Humans moved in on his position; all hope seemed lost. However, the beings vanished, transforming into the exact four figures from earlier. They all rushed down the hallway, Ratchet soon following, keeping his hand over the bloody wound.
"You think what you're doing is any different!?" he heard.
"You would throw your life away for these things?!"
"Your god, your country, YOUR OWN FUCKING KIND!?" Lawrence was only seconds away.
"THIS IS BILLIONS OF LIVES!"
SMACK!
A Human soldier slammed the butt of his rifle against the Lombax. He hit the ground hard, rolling along the cold metal. He equipped his Lacerator, but the man kicked the gun out of his hand, lunging towards the Lombax with a serrated knife. Ratchet grabbed his hands, wrestling with the blade. The man was muscular and strong, overpowering the alien. The blade drew closer and closer to his eyes, feeling the tip glance his left eyelash.
BAM!
At that moment, the Human's head exploded like a watermelon, sending blood and brain fragments across the floor, even on Ratchet's face. His breathing was heavy, frantically wiping any essence of gore off of his face and ears. He got up as he looked at the gruesome sight. "W-What the fuck?" his voice was distraught. For what felt like the first time, he was traumatized. Is this what Jordan has felt since the beginning? Since Chairman Drek, the Protopets, and Dr. Nefarious? Or is it the fact that Jordan must sacrifice his own honor just to keep the universe safe? He would have to discuss everything with him once he was awake.
He'll surely have the truth.
...
"There he is!" Jordan exclaimed the unconscious Lombax sprawled out onto a metallic surgical bed. Jordan, Sophia, and Clank rushed to his side. The alien was still, and the operation has robbed him of his blue pants, leaving only his white underwear to keep his vital area out of the public eye.
"It's not gonna take long for them to know we're gone!" the medic said, walking into the room with an M416 in his hands.
"Then get over here and help us!" Jordan brought his ears up to the alien's snout; a light puff of air brushed his right ear. "He's still breathing." Jordan and Sophia both checked for any cuts and bruises; His entire body was primarily unscathed. "Jordan?" Sophia spotted a small set of stitching along his right hip. Jordan caught her eyes.
'Why would he do this to you?' he thought, his expression stricken by the sight.
"He appears stable, Jordan." Clank concluded after assessing his pulse and heartbeat.
"Is he gonna be okay?" Sophia asked.
"I don't know, Sophie." he gazed towards the certified medic, moving towards the same tools he saw earlier. "Well? Is he!?" Jordan's patience was reaching its limits. The Human walked over with the gun at his side and a small syringe in his right hand. Jordan looked towards the label on the side of the glass. "Zenzufentae?" he read. It wasn't anything he's heard of back home.
"I've seen the UNE treat wounded men with this."
"But it won't kill him, will it?"
"It shouldn't, but your friend won't be waking up anytime soon."
"Christ," Jordan grunted, staring towards the still body. Hauling an unconscious Lombax across the facility won't be his cup of tea. He was confident he could pull it off, but he won't be much help to any of them with the furball on his shoulders. "Alright." he reached over the table and carried the Lombax over his left shoulder like a firefighter would carry his victim. "Sophie? Clank?" the weight was bearing. "You're gonna have to be my eyes and ears 'till we find Lawrence, okay?"
"If we are to escape, we must obtain a map for this facility." Clank said, climbing onto Sophia's back.
"He's got a point." the medic spoke.
"Then let's get moving-" suddenly, the door shot open, a single Human doctor saw the group. Without a single word, he began to rush for the exit. "Wait-"
BANG!
"AAH!" Sophia and the group stopped as the field medic planted four bullets into the doctor's back, cutting him down where he stood. The medic approached the body, checking for any signs of life. "YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO KILL HIM!" Jordan screamed.
He slowly turned to the boy. "Screaming will get us nowhere closer to your ship. Now let's go!" they rushed out of the door and around the facility. Clank told Jordan of a possible lead through his search but had no knowledge of its exact location. Either way, they would have to move and adapt if they were to escape the outpost alive. The group walked past the corpse and down the hallway, moving by four dead Technomite soldiers. Their search for the Lombax was far from quiet, but if it meant clearing lingering threats, none of them cared. They walked through an examination room and down a left bend, only to enter another examination room.
"Well, this seems a little excessive," Jordan commented.
After exiting through the sizeable metallic gate, they stopped before a three-way intersection; Two paths presented themselves. A hallway on the left housed all the makeshift cells, so they took the unknown path to the right. The medic led the way as Sophia and Jordan lingered behind. "You guys okay?" Jordan asked the Lombax and Robot.
"I-I guess so." Sophia said. Her voice was low, and her expressions were distraught, keeping her eyes to the front.
"Don't worry. We'll be outta here and at the nearest Galaxy Burger soon enough." his words gave little hope to the child. "How 'bout you Clank?" he glanced behind her shoulder.
"I am, curious," he said.
"About?"
"On Kerwan. You said you were the only Human present in the Solana Galaxy."
"..." Jordan stopped. Clank could see the expression in his eyes as he looked over Sophia's back. "Clank, I said we'll talk about it later, okay? I just wanna focus on keeping you guys safe. You understand, don't you?"
"Hm." a faint hum escaped his vocals. "Very well."
The medic opened a large door leading into a spacious storage bay, large metal crates scattered across the room. However, judging by the large shelves of exposed circuit boards, this room stored a lot more than extra firepower. A locked door on the other side was their next lead, but this specific mechanism relied on a small terminal. "Great. Now what?" Jordan asked, looking towards the keyboard, packed with symbols foreign to his knowledge. "Guess we'll have to find another way." Jordan, Sophia, and Clank were ready to leave the area. Their Human medic, on the other hand, had a different opinion. He looked towards the screen, then at the keyboard. "What are you thinking?" Jordan asked.
"I've dealt with worse," he answered.
"You can actually hack that?"
"There's more to my craft than just a field medic, kid." he began to work his fingers along the many keys. Jordan and Sophia stood watch in front of the man.
Meanwhile...
"COLONEL BROWN!?" a soldier rushed through the corridors and towards their leader; a few robotic doctors stood by his side. The robots caught the man before he could plow into his leader.
"Easy, private." he was panting frantically. "What's wrong?"
"I-It's Thompson, sir! He escaped along with Murphy!"
"What!?"
"A-And Anderson and Miller, they're both dead!"
"..." the Colonel stepped away from the doctors, taking this news with a grain of salt. "So. This is how you wanna leave your legacy?" he mumbled to himself.
"So be it, boy."
Without a second thought, he made his way towards the wall-mounted security system, slamming his fist against the large red button.
...
Suddenly, the ceiling lights began strobing dark red as a loud alarm blared through the facility. "Shit!" Jordan exclaimed.
"I told you they would find us!" the medic said.
"Just focus on that damn thing!"
"Then you better take this and cover me!" he kicked his assault rifle towards the boy. Jordan gently set the Lombax behind a large crate as he quickly grabbed the gun, kneeling beside his body, aiming his barrel towards the door. Clank offered his assistance by jumping off Sophia's back and aiming his Lacerator in the same direction. Through their preparation, Jordan held the small communicator towards his face, praying for anything besides Human soldiers.
"The prisoners are in the Southeast Corridor! 7th Infantry's moving to engage!" his prayers were never answered.
"No! Do not engage! I want them both alive!" Colonel Brown ordered.
"Copy that, sir!" if there was one thing Jordan would never prepare for in a million years, Fighting his own species was one of them. He pointed the rifle towards the open and peeked from behind the crate. Sophia kept her head down as Clank peered from the right side.
"Almost there!" the medic yelled. At that moment, loud footsteps could be heard. They were coming, a single platoon of UNE soldiers. Focused on the imminent threat, Jordan merely noticed his trembling hands. The last thing he wanted was more death. He's killed too many, and Colonel Brown was to blame for this. But these soldiers, they weren't enemies; they were innocent victims. Jordan made a vow to aim for nonvital spots of the body as they rushed through the hallway. They aimed their assault rifles at the group. "There they are!" one yelled.
PEW! PEW! PEW!
To Sophia's surprise, Jordan remained still, his finger never touch the trigger. Instead, Clank could be seen weaving around the large crates as he fired blindly towards the troops, trying desperately to keep the men off of the medics back.
Meanwhile, time seemed to slow down in Jordan's brain. Everything fell silent, from the medics frantic yells for cover to Sophia keeping her body close to the ground. So caught up in his own emotions, he failed to notice the medic grab him from behind and yank him and Clank into the large door. Jordan soon came to his senses as he locked the door shut. "It's locked!" they heard from behind the thick metal.
"Find another way, dammit!" they heard the footsteps fade. The medic walked away to focus on the holo-map while Jordan looked to Sophia, seeing the child drag the unconscious Lombax towards him. "You okay, Sophie?" he said, assessing her body for damage.
"Y-Yeah, I think so." she answered.
Jordan turned to the Robot, "What about you Cla-" the Human and younger Lombax stopped. A large hole could be seen where his left optic should be. The soldiers got one hit on the Robot through all of the crossfire, shattering his left eye on impact. "I am fine, Jordan."
"B-But your eye. It's..." he ran his finger along the inner rim. Clank failed to understand his concern, until he found a mirror on the other side of the room. Jordan brought the Robot up to the glass and immediately saw his expression change, his right optic slanting to the side. "Do not worry about me, Jordan. I am still fully operational."
"That's not the point, Clank."
"We must worry about Ratchet's safety, and how to escape."
"I..." as much as he wanted to help the Robot with his injuries, he was right. "You're right. Just stay on her back from now on, okay?" he gestured to Sophia, who stepped beside the Human.
"Very well." he climbed back onto Sophia's back as Jordan lifted Ratchet back onto his shoulders. Once ready, they walked over to the medic, typing a sequence of numbers onto the monitor. "So much for cover." he murmured.
"Excuse me?" Jordan said.
"Cut the shit, kid. I saw ya froze! How ya could've gotten through training is beyond me!"
"Hey! I tried my best!" the Humans voice was enough for Sophia to step back a few feet.
"Well your best nearly got us all killed!"
"I'm not just gonna kill these people! They're not the enemy!"
"Don't expect them to show the same mercy as you do!"
"..."
"I don't know what kind of morales ya have, but those guys are bound to shoot ya on sight no matter how innocent you look. If we're gonna get through this, ya have to set your faith aside to protect what truly matters." Jordan was silent through the entire sequence, especially at his words. It didn't take a second for him to know he was wrong. Even in war, you still had to have moral value. Or else, what makes a man better than the one he's fighting against?
The holographic display revealed the entire facility to them. Jordan held Clank up to eye level as he logged this discovery into his archives. "If this database is correct. Our best chance is to cut through the laboratory, here." Clank pointed to the area on the map.
"Then let's get moving." the medic said. Before leaving, Clank transmitted the number sequence to Lawrence. Once they opened the door and made their way down the long hallways, Jordan looked over his left shoulder towards the Lombax, hoping that whatever was happening in his subconscious was much more peaceful than this nightmare.
...
With dual Lacerators in hand, Ratchet fought off wave after wave of homicidal Humans throwing chainsaws at his face, war-torn and covered in blood. With every small moment the Lombax got, depictions would manifest in the void of a gruesome battle between two giant robots fighting hand to hand, one in dark green paint and another in beige. He saw one grab the other and whip it across the void. The imagery was faint, but their transparent domes had two Humans housed in both. The green mech held Jordan Thompson, and the second had another Human dressed in formal wear similar to what Sasha wore during his time with the Galactic Rangers. He saw the officer ram his hand through the glass dome and yank Jordan out from the vessel.
Suddenly, a Human appeared in front of the Lombax, swinging his chainsaw like a madman. Ratchet used his wrench to defend himself as the Human brought the blade over his head. Ratchet held his wrench horizontally in front of his head, the chain crashed down onto the metal. Sparks flew from the metal as the Lombax fought for his life. Meanwhile, through the corner of his eye, he could see the officer pin Jordan against a wall, ramming the barrel of his gold revolver towards his head.
"Jordan!" Ratchet yelled.
Suddenly, a gust of wind threw the Lombax and soldier off of the platform. The being vanished into thin air while Ratchet spun out of control into the endless void. Soon, he felt the brutal impact of concrete against his skin. He rolled along the ground, grunting in pain. Ratchet slowly pushed himself up; his vision was foggy. "Jordan!? Where are you?!"
BANG! BANG!
The two gunshots rang through his ears. He jerked his head towards its direction, seeing the Human commander on top of his friend, the revolver pressed against his chest. Just like before, his body was bloody and mangled. Ratchet ran full speed towards the two with his guns drawn. As he ran across the concrete center, a large warbot dropped from the skies in front of the Lombax. The impact threw the alien back a few feet. He jumped to his feet, seeing the machine have very similar features to the others. However, the paint was blood red, and the Human inside looked just like the others he fought. He saw the machine lift its two wrist rockets and point them at his figure.
"Where do all these guys come from?"
...
"Here it is!" Jordan exclaimed, running through the door with the rest of the group. As the medic closed the door behind them, Sophia, Jordan, and Clank eyeballed the large Ion Reactor in the middle. They looked to their left and walked down a small hallway. They entered a small room with a single 16-inch monitor and a few UNE armaments, with similar modifications to his own guns. There, Jordan spotted his helmet and jacket laid out on a long table, along with a second pair of armor that belonged to the medic "Ya find anything?" the medic said, entering the room with the group. His eyes shot towards the rack of firearms. "Perfect," he said. As Jordan laid the Lombax on the table and placed the helmet over his head, he saw the man grab a SPAS-12 shotgun off the racks, reminding Jordan to check his Quick-Select. His fears would quickly fade as he equipped his M249 SAW and KRISS Vector with no difficulties. While both Humans managed their equipment, Sophia and Clank wandered towards the small monitor. Through the screen, they could see an animation of Ratchet swinging his wrench. Sophia kept her eyes on the feed while Clank eyeballed the table beside them, seeing the many beakers with the furball's face on them. "Curious," Clank said.
"What?" both Humans walked towards the duo. Jordan gazed towards the beakers, then the video feed.
"This doesn't look good." the medic spoke, holding a folder of small documents in his hands. They all gathered around the fine print, revealing the Technomites true plans for Ratchet.
...
"How many bullets can you take!?" Ratchet yelled, shooting a constant barrage of blaster fire at the mech. The machine did nothing but chase him around the arena and use either its feet or rockets to destroy the Lombax. Even with the superior technology, the pistols did very little to its durable armor.
And he was running low on ammo!
...
"C-Clones?" Jordan read.
"What?" Sophia asked.
"What would the Technomites want with clones of Ratchet?" Clank asked.
"Beats me." the medic said.
"Jordan, look." Sophia spotted a clear disc on another table, along with a disc drive connected to a second monitor.
"Better see what it is," Jordan said. Sophia placed the disc into the drive and played the video from the beginning.
Before their very eyes was a report from Luna to Emperor Otto Destruct, the definitive Technomite leader. Their figures stood side by side, and Otto's pale skin and elongated head were disturbing, reminding him of Chairman Drek, and the small goatee and thin hairline only supported that statement. The alien was dressed in bright red robes with bright yellow shoulder guards, and his croaky voice truly cemented his place as a villain. "The tests are complete, Emperor Otto. I am headed to the city with the package now." Luna said.
"Excellent! Are you sure the contents are, perfect?"
"Quite sure. We created one subject, and it took twenty-six of our best warriors to destroy it."
"Splendid! Soon this galaxy will be ours for the taking!"
"Absolutely, sir."
"Hmmm." he pondered a thought. "And what about that, Human? He didn't present any trouble, did he?"
"Negative, sir. We delivered the Raritanium, and the UNE is currently constructing the technology as we speak."
"Let's just hope they're not as brainless as our research made them out to be."
"Affirmative. I will contact you when the delivery is complete. Luna, out!" the video cut to black.
"Guess you were right about one thing after all." the medic said to Jordan.
"I have the coordinates." Clank added. Jordan wasn't surprised; he knew the Technomites were playing the UNE for fools. A plan was formulated in his mind. If he could reveal this to Colonel Brown and the rest of the UNE, only then would they finally see the more significant threat. Jordan ejected the disc and held it in his hand. He rushed out the door and back the way they came. "Where the hell ya going!?" the medic yelled.
"He has to know!" Jordan exclaimed.
"Ya can't trust that man, boy! No matter how reasonable ya sound!" Jordan didn't listen, pressing the large red button. However, the UNE was already waiting as four men stood in the open. Before the boy could speak, multiple tiny prongs hit his chest, zapping him with a high voltage of electricity. His body stiffened as he hit the ground hard.
The platoon dragged the boy and his friends out of the room and near the large reactor, with a single soldier carrying the unconscious Lombax. There, the Colonel waited for them beside his whole platoon. The soldiers dropped the boy to his knees; Colonel Brown approached the young traitor. "Please, I-"
"I've heard enough from you!" he brought his hands from behind his back, a Beretta M9 in his right hand. He planted the barrel against his forehead. Jordan looked up from his spot and towards the Colonel. A soldier approached his commander with the disc in his hands. "This was in his hands, sir." he said.
"I-I was gonna bring that to you. The Technomites are using Ratchet for clones, and they're gonna use them to kill us all! You have to believe me!"
"..." he looked towards the disc, drifting his gun away from the boy. "Jones?" the man stepped out from the crowd. "Take this back to intelligence. We'll see if he's telling the truth."
"Yes sir." he took the disc from his officer and left the platoon. Colonel Brown focused his attention on Jordan, kneeling down to his height, trailing his pistol back to his head. "Even if you were honest. What makes you think I should let you go?"
"We have a common enemy."
"Don't play me for a fool, boy. Not only have you attacked a higher officer." he gestured towards the scars on his face. "But your escape, has ended the lives of TWO GOOD MEN!"
"He had nothing to do with it!" the medic stuck up for the boy.
"Bullshit, Murphy!" he shouted. "I don't take you for a killer." he gazed back towards Jordan. "But you. I've seen what you're capable of." He pulled the chamber of the pistol back, ready to blow the Human's brains out.
"They'll rip your badge right off your black heart if they know you-"
"As far as the United States of America is concerned!" he announced. "The honorable Jordan Thompson has tragically died in the line of duty. Serving his country for the greater good of Earth." he pushed the barrel into his skin. "If anyone is losing their badge tonight." he began to squeeze the trigger.
"It's you."
It felt like the end for all five of them. Clank only wished he wasn't the scrawny tin can he was. He just needed the perfect opportunity to distract the guards long enough to plan an escape route. But he knew how intelligent Humans could be with military strategy.
It would take a miracle to save them now.
Clank gazed towards the glass dome above. Lawrence could be seen within the panes. He saw the vessel aim its nose towards the Ion Reactor, charging his weapon systems. Without warning, Lawrence unleashed a barrage of missiles through the glass and into the reactor. The impact shook the whole facility, knocking the Colonel and his entire platoon off guard.
"Warning! Warning! Core Stabilizers offline!" a voice echoed.
With the soldiers distracted, Clank found the perfect opportunity to find an escape route. A small trash shoot was visible on the left side. Jordan grabbed Ratchet off the ground and followed the Robot along with the others. A Human tried to grab the boy by his arm, but he used his right foot to push him back. They piled into the small shoot as a few soldiers fired their rifles. They slid down the shaft and into a large waste container. They hit the ground but quickly recovered. "That was too close." Jordan said, lifting the Lombax off the ground.
"You can say that again," Murphy said.
"What do we do now?" Sophia asked.
"We must move quickly. The station is about to explode!" Clank exclaimed over the roar of the trembling complex.
"Over there!" Murphy pointed towards a single door. As they rushed for the exit, Jordan used his E-Phone to contact Lawrence. "I am at the requested coordinates, sir," Lawrence said.
"We're almost there! Be ready for a quick exit!" They all stepped onto the small elevator as it took them out of the waste dump and towards the higher levels. Once the door opened, they ran down a small hallway and around a corner. There, Lawrence could be seen down a long ribbed hallway. "There he is!" they all rushed down the long corridor as the pipes began to burst around them. It all felt like a race as they drew closer and closer to the ship.
SMACK!
Cold metal struck the side of Jordan's face, sending Ratchet down to the ground with him. An unforeseen UNE soldier jumped from the shadows and kicked the Human in the abdomen. He yelped as the bulky Human climbed on top of him, forcing a black KaBar knife down towards his eyes. Jordan used both hands to keep the blade back, but the soldier's strength outmatched his own. The blade drew closer and closer to his eyes, feeling the tip glance his left eyelash.
BAM!
Murphy shot the man in the head with mere seconds to spare, sending blood and brains across the boy's face. He shoved the corpse off of his body and held his hand out. "You okay, kid?"
"I...I..." the boy was in shock, tinnitus ravaging his eardrums. Murphy pulled Jordan upright and grabbed Ratchet. He led him towards the ship as they all squeezed their bodies into the small cockpit. Jordan climbed into the pilot seat and grabbed the steering wheel, guiding them out of the crumbling facility.
They were now safe in the deep vacuum of space as Sophia and Clank witnessed the carnage behind them. Bits and pieces of the outpost fell apart, a fleet of spacecraft could be seen leaving the destruction. "Oh my." Clank said.
"Yeah." Sophia added.
Jordan's mind began to recover from the traumatic event, recollecting on the events that transpired. Even with great technology and the chance for a new beginning, the only thing the USA valued was their own selfish needs. Give them the money and the power, and the rest of the world can suffer. Brown, the UNE, the dark future to come. Only one sentence rung in the boy's mind.
'Never-trust-Human's.'
He could run and hide, flee while the world destroys itself. But now, he wasn't gonna let that happen in a million years. The POD was all his doing, and feels fully responsible for the future horrors. He had to put an end to the UNE and expose Anthony Brown for the monster he really is. But how?
"Thank you." Murphy said to the boy.
"Hm?" Jordan was too focused on his thoughts to hear him clearly.
"Thank you for getting me out of that shitstorm."
"You're welcome...uh? Brown said your name was Murphy?"
"Michael David Murphy. But you can call me Michael if you like."
"Okay, Michael."
"What's gonna happen now?" Sophia spoke.
"Clank? You said you had some coordinates?" the Robot climbed to the monitor and began to type the sequence. "Oh, and this is Clank, and that's Sophia. If you didn't already know that." Jordan introduced the duo to Michael.
...
"You got lucky, boy. But your luck will soon run out." Brown growled, staring at the destruction from the windows of his cabin. Despite his men escaping alive and unharmed, he couldn't help but feel a metaphorical wound in their trust towards the Technomites. On his lap, a small laptop played the footage, confirming Jordan's claims. Even if he was true to his words, he was still a threat to the future of the UNE. He knows their plans and has their skills. He had to be careful where he stationed his men, raising his anxiety. However, he quickly realized that it was only one man. A single Human against an entire army of highly trained UNE soldiers. The boy didn't stand a chance, easing his tensions greatly. Suddenly, a notification appeared on his E-phone, a call from intelligence back home."This is Colonel Brown." he said.
"Sir!" a female voice called through the phone. "We heard the reports and-"
"Easy, now. It's nothing to worry about. This is only a minor setback." Brown said with confidence. "So? Did you arrange a meeting like I asked?"
"Actually, sir. The president himself has given you full permission to handle the project."
"That's wonderful news! I'll return to Area 52 to overlook construction immediately!"
"Yes, sir!" even with all the darkness around them, a glimmer of hope shined bright. The Colonel gazed out into space as he played with a small miniature in his hand. A toy replica of their newest project to come. The leverage they'll need to unite the world under their one and only cause. And most importantly, the tool to bend their enemies to their knees:
Project Thor!
Centuries passed and still the same
War in our blood, some things never change
Fighting for land and personal gain
Better your life, justify your pain
The end is knocking, the end is knocking!
Lost: Avenged Sevenfold
I sense an easter egg somewhere (Medicineman looked to the chapter, and slowly gazed towards the cover art)
Well...Um...What do you guys think? Were you shocked? Or did you smell the foul stench of betrayal before this? Well, I guess since I really want to...
Fade out
Insert title
THE INHUMAN RACE
But now they won't have to fight the nightmare alone. Michael David Murphy. Of course. I can't take full responsibility for his creation. Michael David Murphy is under the direct ownership of natethedragon75! He reached out to me during MVM and wondered if I ever had a spot for a new Human character? At the time, I told him no, but did tell him I had a place for this story. He pitched me his idea and now we're somewhat collaborating to make it all possible. I'm mostly doing all of the writing, but I send the final product before uploading so he can approve it. He's given me a lot of literary freedom with the character, and I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity. Also, I changed his dialogue back to a normal format since I feel as though it will be hard to understand if I kept the accent. I wonder if I should change it on Ryllus, but will more likely keep it so you understand what he sounds like. And yeah, the drawing I'm working on is a little piece with the two Humans. natethedragon has seen most of it already, and have full permission to upload once it's complete.
How about that dream with Ratchet, huh? Different than it was in the game, no doubt. But what do you think? You think there are any hints of foreshadowing in there?
I guess one last thing before I head off is: I'm sure you guys are smart enough to look past this but I just wanna say it anyways. I may get a little too political when it comes to the USA, or at least, Jordan's opinions and thoughts about it. Now, I feel like I shouldn't say this, but this story gets a little personal with me and my opinions about the world. Just wanted to say that this is a story, and I in no shape or form, condone horrific actions or ideas shown in the future or hold true to them. I did slap an M rating on this story and from the story genre, this may be the darkest adventure Jordan has to face. How fitting that it's the OFA series finale.
But I hope you still enjoy this story either way. Let's just hope Ratchet and Clank are okay.
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 :)
Thank you for reading.