Hey, sorry, no update, just fixing some formatting issues and actually making a couple chapters readable instead of HTML nonsense. I didn't realize FF absolutely shit the bed when I posted this way too late at night, but now you can actually read them, so, yeah. Sorry about that!
Ratchet was sitting in front of the holovision, rolling his eyes at yet another documentary about Captain Qwark's life. He found it odd that with every documentary, mini-series, holofilm, biography, and autobiography, no one notices how the stories all change. Right now, he was saving puppies and kittens from a fire in an orphanage when he was seven, when last month it was from a flood. But he couldn't expect less. The type of people who still worshipped him even after all his betrayals will eat up anything he says.
He flipped through the channels once more and confirmed for the fourth time this hour that yes, this documentary was somehow the best thing playing right now. He'd probably watch another Secret Agent Clank rerun, but there wasn't an episode he hasn't seen a dozen times already. Plus, the magic wasn't quite there when you're actually in the show and get a look behind the scenes.
He groaned as he rubbed his face. Retirement was boring.
Sure, it beat almost dying every five minutes when he was stopping yet another galaxy-threatening wannabe, but at least it was exciting. He got to meet new people, visit new places, and most importantly, shoot all kinds of guns. But there haven't really been any threats for him to deal with that the Polaris Defense Force or Galactic Rangers can't handle, not since the Progs. It's a good thing the universe is in an era of peace, for however long it'll last, but he couldn't help but be disappointed in wanting something to do.
He did have his side-gig as a mechanic, though, but it really paled in comparison to being a hero. It was more thankless, and the hours weren't always great, but it was the only way to pass the time on a place like Veldin. But even despite his love in tinkering and fixing up ships, it was very monotonous when it was always the exact same models coming in, being basic hoverships that get Veldinites from point A to point B without getting too dusty. He swore he could build one from memory alone with how many times he's had to repair them.
It made him remember why he was so anxious in getting off this place before he met Clank. At least this time, he had a ship and some friends to visit every once in a while, but it's not like he could do that all the time. He may be retired, but no one else he knew was.
Talwyn is always on a mission with the Polaris Defense Force, which has admittedly put a small strain on their relationship, but nothing they can't handle. Al's too busy running his RoboShack and hosting his RoboWars show, Sasha's in the middle of a campaign for Galactic President, Helga's training (maiming) the Galactic Ranger recruits, and Qwark's…. Qwark. The only one he could reliably spend time with is Skidd, hosting hover board races all the time, but how can only race for so long before it got tiring.
If it wasn't for Clank, he swore he'd lose his mind and 'accidentally' instigate a riot in Zordoom just to give him someone to fight.
But as the narrator on the holovision began to elaborate on Qwark's twelfth birthday where he stopped a mugging, Clank walked into the room, making Ratchet smile in relief. Maybe he has an idea for something to do.
"Hey, whatcha doing, Clank?" He asks cheerily, surprising Clank with his eagerness.
"Oh, er, hello Ratchet." Clank returns the greeting. "I'm assuming that you're expecting me to provide a suggestion for a pastime?"
Ratchet nods. Clank knew him well.
He chuckles. "Well, I'm glad, because that's exactly what I was about to do."
"Really?" Ratchet's ears perk up as he sits up excitedly. "What is it?"
"It concerns a secret project that I've been working on for the past few months. I'm happy to say that I've finally completed it!" Clank says as he smiles proudly.
Ratchet raises an eyebrow. "Secret project? What is it?"
Clank waves his hand over his shoulder as he turns around towards the garage. "Come and see for yourself!"
Ratchet shrugs and turns off the holovision before hopping over the arm of his chair and following Clank back to the garage. They pass Ratchet's workshop area, filled with all sorts of miscellaneous projects in various states of completion, parts and tools spread all over the place. There is a large space in the center where a customer's ship would be parked, but Ratchet had no orders for the day. Or, week, even. It only added to his boredom.
But they move right along past it to the small corner where Ratchet designated as Clank's own small, personal workshop. You could clearly imagine a line to where it began from Ratchet's side with how clean and organized it was, looking like it's been dusted, too. But Ratchet tilted his head, as he didn't see anything resting on the counter.
"Erm… was your secret project cleaning your workbench?" Ratchet asks.
"I'm afraid not." Clank replies. "Besides, it's always this clean, Ratchet. Haven't you noticed, with how often you're in here since your retirement?"
He rolls his eyes. "Clank, I'm so used to working in my organized chaos that anything less looks brand new to me, so no, actually."
"I recommend you start working on that." Clank says as he starts rotating various tools on the wall. "It really is beneficial to have a clean workspace, as opposed to the confusing mess you exist in."
"Notice how I said organized chaos." Ratchet clarifies. "It makes sense to me. And also, what are you doing?"
Clank doesn't reply, instead continuing to place and rotate various tools in ways that don't make practical sense to Ratchet. But as he places a screwdriver and turns it ninety degrees, he suddenly hears a click, and the wall slides backwards before lowering, showing a ladder inside a small space.
Ratchet's jaw drops. "Wha—Since when did we have a secret entrance, Clank?!" He asks as he throws his hand towards the new opening. "Is this the secret project?"
Clank chuckles. "No. But, I did commission it to help protect my project, so I guess it's half the surprise." He steps aside and waves his arms towards the ladder. "After you."
"Just what did you make that requires a secret entrance?" Ratchet asks, putting his hands on his hips. "And you didn't answer me when I asked when this happened!"
"I had it installed months ago while you were visiting Ms. Apogee back in Polaris." Clank answers pointedly. "And for your first question, just see for yourself."
Ratchet looks at him suspiciously, then back at the ladder leading down to who knows where. He thought it was a little strange that Clank stayed behind during that trip to Talwyn's, but he dismissed it when Clank said it was to give them some more 'intimate time together'. But nope, looks like it was just so that he could build a bunker behind his back.
That made it all the stranger to Ratchet, though, because that sounded like something he would do, not Clank. And if whatever this was required Clank to go this far to protect it, then he was admittedly a little worried about what it could be.
But he shoves it all down as he walks past Clank and starts to descend the ladder, Clank following him from above. It wasn't a long a climb by any means, but it was longer than what Ratchet might've guessed just looking at the entrance.
"You didn't build some kind of second Great Clock that might destroy the universe or something, did you?" Ratchet asks.
"No, but if anything went wrong, I'm sure the consequences would have more or less the same degree of destruction."
"What kind of answer is that?!" Ratchet retorts as he stops climbing for a moment to look up at Clank, his green optics shining down on him in the dim shaft.
"Ratchet, I made sure the chances of that happening are absolutely minimal. And I once again assure you that it'll all make sense when you see it."
Ratchet sighs and resumes his descent. "This had better be good."
He eventually steps onto solid ground, being a concrete floor, and can see light shining onto the wall in front of him. He turns around and is face to face with a decent-sized room, looking much like Clank's workshop up the ladder, with various tools ands instruments hanging on the walls.
But unlike upstairs, this one actually had something sitting on a display in the center of the room. It was a gun of some sort, but instead of a typical barrel on the end, it terminated into a sphere, with purple lights glowing all over the gun. Ratchet wondered just what it could be, but as he inspected the end of it, he realized it kind of reminded him of the Dimensionator's form when it's opening a portal.
His eyes widen as it clicks into place, especially with the chunk of Phase Quartz he sees sticking out of the other end of it, something he's only seen in the Dimensionator. He hears Clank walk behind him, having dismounted the ladder, and looks down to him.
"Is… is that a Dimensionator?" Ratchet asks as he points to it.
Clank nods with a proud smile. "Indeed, it is. I'm sure you understand the need for all the security, now. We both have seen firsthand what happens when the wrong people get their hands on it, after all."
Ratchet looks back to the device, speechless. Clank takes the opportunity to walk up to it and takes it from off the pedestal. He turns around, and holds it up to Ratchet, who hesitantly takes it into his own hands before starting to inspect it.
"You… you built one from scratch?" Ratchet asks as he reads over the display on the back, along with the controls.
"I repaired it." Clank clarifies while holding up a metal finger. "It is the very same one we reclaimed from Tachyon and the Prog Twins. It looks so different now because the only schematics I could find of it were of this design, and it was the only way I could repair it. I believe the hat variant was in fact a modification, and this is the original, as this one lacks some functionality, like the voice commands."
Ratchet tears his gaze away from the Dimensionator and looks right to Clank. "Wait, but I saw the Dimensionator in the Galactic Museum just a few weeks ago! Didn't you say you've been working on this for months?"
"The one sitting in the museum right now is merely a replica." Clank explains. "And do not worry, Ms. Apogee was more than willing to give it to me, as she trusted that I would protect it as well as the museum would."
Wait, Tal knew about this? Ratchet made a mental note to ask her some questions next time he sees her, but that would have to wait. There was something more pressing he needed to know. He looks back to the device resting in his hands, recalling that certain day in the museum right after the Progs' arrest.
"Why?" He asks. There was no accusation or anger, just genuine pondering. "I… I told you I didn't want to see the Lombaxes back in the museum, so why did you go through all the trouble of repairing it?"
"Ratchet, do you remember back at the Great Clock, how I decided to join you instead of remaining there?" Clank asks in return.
Ratchet looks back to him with confusion, but nods.
"It's because I made a promise to myself that day." Clank says as he looks at his hand. "When I found out who my father was, and my origins with the Zoni, I felt a strange feeling. It was as if I felt complete, like a part of me was no longer missing, knowing my true family. It made me realize that you couldn't feel this way as well if you were trapped here, unable to meet the rest of your species, and I vowed that I would do anything I can to help you experience that."
He puts his hand down, and looks straight to Ratchet, who remains speechless in awe. "And I know that you have said you have no desire to do so, but I found it unacceptable to not at least give you a chance to visit the Lombaxes. There could have been a point where you could have changed your mind, after all. And so, I have dedicated these past months to researching and repairing the Dimensionator to allow you that chance, without worry of yet another supervillain interfering."
He walks up to Ratchet and rests his hand on top of the Dimensionator. "But I am aware of the possibility that you'll refuse the offer once more, and I will not judge you. As I said, I am merely offering the ability to reunite with the Lombaxes to you, and it is completely up to you to decide if you want to take it. If you say no, then we will simply keep the Dimensionator locked in this bunker, where it will be safe. I took great care in concealing its existence, so I assure you it will not be found, not for a long time at least. I leave it up to you, Ratchet."
Ratchet was speechless. He did ask Clank why he left the Great Clock for him, but he simply said it was because he would miss his friend. He didn't know it was because of this promise to help Ratchet find his species, and it made him grateful that he cared so much about him. Especially when it came to blatantly ignoring Ratchet in refusing repairing the Dimensionator.
Because Clank was right. Ratchet did change his mind in wanting to visit the Lombaxes. Sure, it might've mostly come from having nothing to do in retirement, but also because he wanted a sense of closure.
He might have said no in the first place because of his fear in them not being what he'd expect, and already having a life in this dimension. But as time went on, he realized that didn't mean it could stop him.
If they turned out to be horrible people, or just didn't like him, then no biggie. At least he got to see them for what they were and could go on with the rest of his life feeling glad he did. And if it turned out they were great, well, it's not like he was obligated to abandon his friends and live with them. With the universe in such a peaceful time, it'd be possible to visit them back and forth, and maybe with Tachyon gone, start having them return to Fastoon, so he wouldn't have to choose. Optimistic thinking, but it was plausible.
But, with the Dimensionator destroyed, all he could do was wonder, and tell himself that meeting Alister was all he needed.
Until now, at least.
He smiles at Clank, who still stands in front of him, expectantly waiting for an answer. "Thank you, Clank. But I have one more question to ask you."
"Of course, what is it?" Clank asks cheerily.
Ratchet then grabs onto the Dimensionator into a firing position, rather than simply holding it in his hands. He grins. "How do you work this thing?"
Clank smiles, happy that Ratchet has accepted the offer. But instead of answering, he walks past Ratchet confusing him.
"I would rather we fire it outside." Clank says as he starts to climb the ladder. "I just finished cleaning in here."
Ratchet chuckles and mounts the Dimensionator on his back as he follows Clank up the ladder. After the exit the shaft, Clank once again rearranges the tools on his workbench to close the entrance back up and leads Ratchet out of their garage and into the hot Veldin sun.
He gives Ratchet a quick overview of the controls and shows him how to select the coordinates for a dimension, and helps him input the Lombaxes' dimension, having taken it from the previous Dimensionator's memory.
"And there we are." Clank says, stepping back from Ratchet. "Now all you need to do is pull the trigger."
Ratchet nods and takes a deep breath as he aims it in front of him. Just one small pull of his finger, and he gets to see the rest of his species. Now that he's right here, the fears and doubts start crawling back into his mind. Maybe he didn't have to do this today? It was hot out, and who knows what the heat could do to the Dimensionator? Maybe he just needs to take a quick break and refresh himself. But he might be too tired from that, so a powernap would get him rearing to visit them. But what about dinner?
"Rachet?" Clank asks from beside him, making him snap out of his thoughts.
"Huh? What is it?" Ratchet asks, not noticing the nervousness in his voice.
Clank rests his hand on Ratchet's arm and gives him a reassuring smile. "I understand your anxiety, but don't worry. I'll be with you every step of the way, like always."
It wasn't much, but it was enough to calm Ratchet down as he returns the smile. "Thanks, pal."
He takes one more deep breath and readies the Dimensionator once more. This time, he doesn't give himself enough time to dwell on thoughts. He forces himself to pull the trigger, and he feels it vibrate as it opens a purple portal in front of him.
Beyond it, he could see a walled city, with buildings poking over the top and ships flying about. It was a little ways away from the portal's position, but even from here Ratchet could instantly recognize the similarity between them and the ruins on Fastoon, with the distinct curves and round shapes of the skyline.
A portal to a living Lombax city. But this time, there wasn't a Cragmite trying to get rid of him, leaving both dimensions in danger. Nothing was stopping him, except his own two feet.
"Are you ready?" Clank asks softly from beside him.
"Probably not." Ratchet says, mounting the Dimensionator once more. "But then again, I'll probably never be."
He looks down to Clank and gives him a nervous smile. "Ready to meet some Lombaxes, pal?"
Clank nods and mounts himself into his familiar position on Ratchet's back. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heartbeat.
He opens them, and starts to walk forward. "Let's go."
He steps through the portal, and it promptly closes behind him, leaving only a small cloud of dust from his lingering foot falls.
See, this is a better place to give your friend a device that's able to rip reality apart.
In private, with no one else.
Not at a parade where a supervillain could be hiding.
Who knew?