The Only Liberator: Ah But Cliff hangers are how I keep you interested.
SneakyDude: I try to make it interesting, as the best stories are.
So, a quick apology to everyone expecting a long story. I honestly just had this much planned out, and I don't think any last minute additions will be good. Just something short and simple.
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The two young lombaxes tumbled over the small island that separated the two dried out river beds. Both injured and limping, but alive. Even as the shells whizzed past them, the two kept moving forward.
All they had to do was keep moving. Their wounds were pretty rough, however, and the orange lombax was slower his partner down, and getting colder. Not a good sign.
"Theh Wen dis weh." The shout was heard, and the sound of branches being moved. Still, there was a good bit of distance between the Lombaxes and their pursuers. That, being very small meant that they could probably get away.
The White Lombax loved that thought. The thought of a warm shower in the armory, and the pain stopping in her leg being treated. They'd be scolded probably, and probably get lashed or be forced to do clean up, but they'd be alive. All they had to do was-
The orange lombax tripped, whimpering. His partner turned around, and attempted to pull him up. He pushed her off, and shook his head. She finally got the message. It was pragmatic. He was far more injured than she was. He was slowing her down. If he stayed, it reduced the chance that both would be caught, and increased the chance that she would escape.
The White Lombax understood this, and the painful truth began to set in. Maybe the wound in his side was fatal, and if so, she would be dragging a corpse. That didn't make leaving him any easier. She look down at him. The conflicting feelings were being shoved away into a compartment in her heart. She could deal with them later.
She pressed her head against his apologetically. He felt better from that, knowing his sister was going to survive. Then she pulled away, practically vanishing over the next island. The Orange lombax never felt more alone in that moment. Still, He loaded his pistol, and prepared to fight. Part of him wondered what these people were like. If he had been born among them, would he have gotten to go to school, and play childishly without a care in the world?
The White Lombax pushed forward and… saw the Captian, right over the hill. If he could get down there, they could save her partner. The White Lombax ran up to him, ignoring the pain in her foot, and held out the documents and the drive. The Captian took the plans, and activated the Dimensionator, opening a portal back to the lombax dimension.
Still, she didn't dare leave yet, and Grabbed the Captain's arm, tugging him to get his attention. When he turned around, the White lombac pointed to the Island she had crossed, and hopped to show urgency. The Captain seemed to understand, and took a step forward, when a bullet whizzed through the trees. It missed, but the Captain pulled back, and turned back around to the portal.
The White Lombax knew what that meant. Her partner knew the risks, and knew protocol. He would have killed himself by now. But she didn't believe that.
The Captain took a step back into the dimension, when the White Lombax tugged his arm again, and hopped more.
The Captain shook his head, and continued to step forward. The White Lombax now had two choices: Go back and be assigned a new partner, or do something drastic. She was stupid. She ran up and bit the Captian's hand as hard as she could, causing him to drop the Dimensionator, and cry out in pain. While he was still in shock, she jumped and rammed her head into his stomach, pushing him back into the portal. She Grabbed the Dimensionator, and ran with the large mechanical-hat. She rose back over the Island, bullets whizzing over her head.
"Go'n geh em." The shout came as She dove back to where the Orange Lombax was hiding.
His pistol was out but of very little use as he was more horrified by the fact that she was coming back, after he had mentally prepared himself to buy her more than enough time by holding off the encroaching soldiers.
She slid down to where he was, and scooted next to him, holding up the Dimensionator triumphantly. She would definitely be lashed for this, but she would save her partner… If she could figure out how this thing worked. Dimensionator Training was reserved for Captians… but how hard could it be?
The Orange lombax didn't even bother asking questions. He just knew that if either of them were going to survive, He would have to keep her covered while she figured out what she was doing. He held up his pistol and braced for an attacker. The Soldier came over the hill, and the Orange lombax steadied his hand.
"Here dey ah." The Guard shouted as He saw the massive glowing purple item.
The White Lombax had to hurry. She made a critical calculation error, however, in assuming there were numbers or any kind of intel on the Dimensionator. However, in their current situation, Any dimension was better than this one. So she started pressing buttons.
The Orange Lombax fired his first disintegrator round, burning the guard to a crisp, before making him flake apart. The Orange Lombax heard the wind up of the Dimensionator, and fired again as another guard came over. This one hit, and burned away the body of the target.
The White lombax didn't know what exactly she was doing, but she kept pressing buttons. The Dimensionator began to glow pretty bright. The White Lombax picked it up, and aimed. Her partner struggled to his feet, and got ready to run through a portal. Then it happened. Right as She pulled the trigger, a bullet whizzed past her head, clipping her ear, and striking the Purple glowing panels. It knocked them off balance.
The White Lombax ignored the pain in her ear, and went for an off switch, but they both knew it was too late. The Dimensionator glowed to a shattering brightness, and exploded, several portals opening up, and pulling in different directions. The Orange lombax clung to his partner, never knowing what would happen if they got separated. She seemed to understand this as well, and they clung together for dear life.
Unfortunately, while their bond was strong, the pull of other dimensions was stronger. The Two Lombaxes felt their bodies scream as they were pulled apart by two different dimensions. One with a red, rocky background, the other, with a green lush forest. The Lombaxes only held on by their hands, but even was slipping. Their fingers dragged across each other's palms, and both squeaked in desperation, trying to cling to their only friendly face. But the Dimensional pulls were stronger.
The Orange Lombax was jerked away, and the two plummeted towards their new dimensions. The Orange Lombax fell down a Canyon, slamming his head against one, two, three, four, five rocks, tumbling down, falling unconscious along the way, oblivious to the shadow that stood over him.
The White Lombax fell through tree, snapping branches, before falling on her stomach, only be greeted by small, fuzzy creatures, "Is it alright." The little brown, fuzzy creatures seemed concerned with the small Lombax. These were called Morts, and they would be come her best friends.
So Rivet finished her account of the Events that happened, slumping down, ready for her fate. She Knew full and well that she was going to be severely punished, and probably executed for her part.
Ratchet was bewildered. She had done all of that, for him? He was flattered and pained. He wished he had remembered her, and that he might have gotten to stay with her when they were separated.
The Judge sat patiently. The Prosecution sat, a smug look on their face, and the main Prosecutor smiled, "I trust you have enough information to make a clear, and honorable judgement."
The judge nodded, "I am an arbitrator, I know more about just than you could ever know, but I will call for a remission, to make a sound and worthy judgement for this case. I thank you for your honesty, Rivet."
The Praetorians came over and dragged the two Lombaxes back through the dark halls to their cells. Again the two were thrown in, followed by their robotic partners.
"Well, that could have gone worse." Clank tried to lighten the mood.
Rivet slumped, "It could have gone better."
Ratchet sat next to her, "Hey… Um… I would go back for you… again I mean." He said awkwardly. Ratchet wasn't exactly a charismatic guy, he left that to clank.
Rivet smiled at him, "I would do the same for you." But she seemed so… Melancholic. Of Course, she had a reason why. She knew what was probably going to happen.
Ratchet decided now would be the best time for a joke, "So… I guess they should make a Secret Agent Ratchet movie, huh?"
"Stay off my turf, man." Clanks robot voice commanded.
Rivet snorted, That was a funny thought, "Do they actually have a Secret Agent Clank movie?"
"We actually it a trilogy." Clank explained, causing Rivet's eyes to bulge from both surprise and humor. That meant that they had to be good, though, so she'd have to pick one up… if she got out of here alive.
Ratchet smiled at her, and placed an Arm on her shoulder, "Hey, we are in this together. I'm kind of disappointed, but… I'm glad I met at least one Lombax who hasn't tried to kill me."
Rivet blinked, "Have you met other lombaxes?"
"A couple. One of them actually killed me, but Clank brought me back." Ratchet scratched his head awkwardly.
Rivet snorted, "Are you seriously telling me you're a zombie?"
"No! We just-" Ratchet was cut off by the doors opening, and the Praetorians Walking back in
"The Arbitrator has reached a decision." The Praetorian on the left stated, "Come with us."
The Two walked with the Praetorians, being followed by Kit carrying the broken down Clank. The Court room was still dark, and only the Prosecution was visible. They sat at the defense table, awaiting judgement.
Finally, the Judge came through the doorway, a stoic face designed to hide either sorrow, or build suspense for joy.
The Judge walked up to the stand, but instead of sitting down, He remained standing, "Before I continue this Arbitration, I would like to praise the Defense. Such acts as returning for a fellow man or woman, and defying orders to protects that which we care about, would be regarded not as good, but as mandatory where I come from. Should this have a been a trial of my people, you would be held the highest esteem, for being decent and pragmatic."
The judge paused for a moment before sitting down, "As the Arbitrator called up by Two Benefactors, I have reached two verdicts, for this case. No single judgement would befit any crime dictated by both defendants. Thus I have made two decisions."
The Prosecution shifted nervously, and Ratchet found himself smiling. Maybe things were going to great.
Rivet had given up hope, but a slight tingle of it appeared in her heart.
The Judge took a breath, and did a strange symbol over his heart, "Ratchet, I call you forward."
The Orange lombax inched up, standing in the center of the room. He cleared his throat, "Uh… Hi."
"Hello" The judge muttered, before adopting a light grin, "You are absolved of all charges. I have determined that you never once made a direct effort against your people's cause. I have determined that you have not acted in a reckless or dangerous way. You are innocent of all charges."
Ratchet breathed a sigh of relief, before a feeling a sense of dread. If there were two separate verdicts, then what would happen to Rivet? "Wait, What does that mean for Rivet?"
"Sit down." The arbitrator demanded. Ratchet walked back to the table, and Rivet smiled sadly at Ratchet. If he was innocent, then she knew that she was going to be guilty.
"Rivet, I call you forward." The Judge called.
Rivet walked up, her ears slumped and tail drooping. She had a feeling her story was not going to be so cheerful.
"I have evaluated your actions under the context of Lombax rules and laws. I have carefully examined your story with utmost integrity. Ultimately, You defied a superior officer, attacked him, and used a secret asset to escape. You did not return or seek instructions. Furthermore, you failed to justify yourself to the officer, only demanding his attention. It is with a heavy, but just, heart that I have determined the allegations against you are true. Thus, the only acceptable recourse for desertion, and active jeopardization, is death. You will be executed for your crimes."
Rivet remained frozen. Perhaps it hadn't hit yet, or perhaps she always knew it was coming. The claims were fair, and beyond the rose-tinted glasses that she viewed the lombaxes with, rules were a priority.
The judge stood up, "Does anyone object to the justice being done?"
Rivet sighed, and looked down. She knew-
"I object." Ratchet's voice echoed throughout the chamber.
The Judge seemed surprised, "Explain the fault."
Ratchet's heroic stance was suddenly lost, and he stumbled, "Well… Uh, she's done a lot of good. And I don't good people should be killed. I mean we are back now. I think she's a good person… so I'll stand in her place. Can I do that?"
"You would justify her? Very well. You have a good friend or mate Young Rivet Does anyone object-"
"I object" Rivet shouted, "You are not dying for me. I'll justify his justification." She was a little outraged, and a little sad that he would even consider it.
The Judge growled, "SHUT UP." He pointed at Ratchet, who sudden kept his protest inside, "Fine you can both die together. Does-"
Clank spoke up, "I object. It is not fair nor just to exact double the punishment for half the crime."
The Judge went dark in the face, "What do you know of justice. I am a chief in training. I have seen a village be executed for a village that was destroyed. My Grandfather sent me here to prove myself just. What can you know of Justice."
"I know that It would not be fair or proper to kill two people to simply save time." Clank expressed softly.
The Judge bore his teeth, before smiling, "Indeed. You have a fair point. Ratchet and Rivet. My justice dictates that you two are banished from Lombax Territory. If you should return, you may be killed as your elders see fit. I do not expect to have to return. Does anyone object to this justice."
A low voice muttered, "We object."
From the dark room emerge three old Lombaxes. Their hairs were grey, and eyes sagging.
The Judge maintained his his composure, but he was clearly annoyed by the objection, "Explain why you object."
The Old Lombax mutter, "It is proper that we hand improper protocol and rule violations with utmost severity. Simply banishing them is no more a punishment than ignoring their crimes."
"Well that is too bad." Spoke the judge in a firm voice, "Simply because tradition dictates it is not a valid claim for justice. Yes, protocols were not followed, and yes they are permitted to live, but they also sought out this land. Thus they sought to return to their people."
Ratchet looked down. Were these his people? They put him on trial for saving a friend's life. Did he want to be a lombax?
The Judge clarified, "My verdict stands."
The Elder growled, "Then I demand a retrial. With a proper judge."
The Judge froze. His anger flashed. The Crowd had gasped at the Elder's outburst.
The Judge snarled, baring his teeth and then… He smiled, "Very well. I shall return to my Grandfather, and tell him you do not recognize his justice or authority, and would like him to come in person. After all, He had so much time on his hands. I'm sure he'd love to come down here and deal with your problems."
The Elders shrunk down. What was going on. Rivet nervously shifted. If the Elders were afraid, who was this guy?
"And while I'm at it, I'll tell my grandfather's benefactor, who has graciously allowed your miserable, pond sucking, worthless race to exist in his dimension, and tell him that he has to come and fix your issues. I'm sure a guy who regularly kills gods for being lazy is going to take very kindly to you pushing his hospitality, and wasting his time by making me go back to him. Yes, I'm sure things will go quite well for you. I shall go right away." The Judge smugly stated, and stood up.
The Elder jumped, "Wait…. If banishment is an acceptable punishment. We validate it." He bowed his head.
Rivet blinked, and looked at Ratchet, "So we both live?" That was more than she thought would happen.
"If death should befall these two, or if they should be attacked by you, There will be hell to pay. If you two should return to Lombax territory, You will be killed. Do all parties understand?" The Judge demanded.
The elder's begrudgingly nodded, "We agree to your terms."
Ratchet blinked a couple times, and looked at Rivet, who smiled, "We agree to your terms."
"Then Justice has been done." The Judge stood up, and bowed, "You have twenty four hours to leave this land.
Ratchet looked at Rivet, who jumped in his arms, almost kissing him from how happy she was. She wasn't going to die, and while they wouldn't be staying in the lombax dimension, they could still go home and visit each other.
They walked out, retrieving their weapons, and found themselves back on the cliffside where the dimensional hole had dropped them at the beginning.
Ratchet smiled at Rivet, "So, what do you want to do, now that this pitstop is done?"
Rivet walked along side Ratchet, their two machine partners on their backs, "I don't know. How about a picnic, Or You want to go to Zurkies?"
Ratchet smiled, before spotting the judge, sitting outside, waiting for them.
Rivet stopped, along with Ratchet.
The Judge walked over to them, "I confess, I was expecting a quick execution and to go home. But I am glad I didn't have it. This has been a very insightful trip thanks to you two."
Rivet licked her lips, "You said they were going upset a "benefactor", what do you mean by that?"
"Nothing you need to worry about. They asked My grandfather's benefactor to come sort out justice. They wanted a quick execution. Turns out, the benefactor was busy, so he asked my Grandfather to go in his stead. My Grandfather didn't think it was worth the time, so he sent me. Don't worry about it. It's all sorted out." The Judge relaxed.
Before Ratchet could protest, The judge smiled again, "Don't worry about it. You can only control what you can control."
Ratchet slumped, "What do I do now? I honestly didn't plan for all of this."
"Isn't it fun. Just live your life, and take the good, have fun, have kids with a pretty girl." The judge nudged Ratchets arm, and Rivet did not look amused.
The Judge turned around, "Just don't make me come back here."
Ratchet looked down, "Well-"
"He's gone." Rivet muttered. The judge had left with out a trace.
Ratchet blinked at Rivet, "You know, I really miss grass. Let's go for a picnic." He still couldn't find the judge.
Rivet was looking around as well, "Alright, I know the perfect hill." She smiled, and the two walked off, and the Dimensionator graciously sent them home.