Talwyn gripped the steering wheel tensely. She had flown over as soon as Clank had given her the news. As she approached Ratchet and Clank's home, she kept replaying their short conversation in her head.
It had been late, she had already gone to sleep for the night when she'd received the call. The ring tone had roused her from a deep slumber. She'd rolled over in bed, groaning, still half asleep. Too warm and cozy to leave her bed, she slapped her hand on the bedside table, and waved it around to try and locate her communicator. Once finding it, she brought it back into her blanket cocoon. She hadn't looked at who it was; she couldn't be bothered to open her eyes. She just wondered who in their right mind would call at such an hour.
"Hello?" She muttered, lethargy and annoyance permeating her voice.
"Talwyn! Ratchet has been kidnapped!"
She jolted upright, her comforter swiftly tumbling from her form, exposing her to the outerworld.
"What...?! How? By who?!" She cried, instantly and utterly awake. The questions immediately tumbled from her.
"I do not know! I did not get a good look at the culprit." Never had she heard so much anxiety and urgency in the little robot's voice. She tossed off her comforter, shedding it completely.
"I'll be there as soon as I can!" She had replied, before running to rouse Cronk and Zephyr and pass on the news.
Now she descended upon the commode of her boyfriend and best friend. Parking in front of the garage, she spotted Clank just inside, the light of the garage causing his form to almost glow in the vast darkness of the night. As soon as she was close enough to Clank, she pulled him into a hug. She could feel how tense he was, but could feel him melt slightly as she held him.
"I am sorry. I saw them get away. I could not do anything but watch." Clank lamented quietly.
"It's alright. I'm just glad you weren't harmed. I don't know what I would do if you were both gone." She closed her eyes and gave the robot a small pat before letting him go.
"What happened exactly? Do you know anyone who would want to kidnap Ratchet?" Cronk asked.
"Unfortunately, in our travels we have garnered the ire of many villains. The one who took Ratchet was tall though, and most likely male. They also wore a wide brimmed hat. I can not think of anyone we have fought who matches this description." Clank explained.
"Maybe someone hired them to take Ratchet, maybe Dr. Nefarious?" Zephyr added.
"Let's not jump to conclusions," Talwyn stated. "First we should look for clues, fingerprints or anything the kidnapper might have left behind."
"And with a couple members of the Polaris defense force helping you, I'm sure we'll be able to find something." Cronk decreed.
The four split up, each taking a corner of the room and meticulously combing through their area. Clank discovered a bucket laying discarded by the wall. It sported a new, sizable dent in it, he had never seen prior. Speculating it may have been used as a weapon, they checked it for prints, but found none. As the search dragged on and very little else was found, hopelessness began to descend upon the group. Talwyn bit her lip, focusing hard on her task, making sure she left nothing unchecked, considering even the most minor of details. Her mind began to wander to Ratchet, to what his unknown kidnapper might be doing to him right now. Was he alright? Was he hurt? Was he already…? She promptly squelched that thought. She needed to focus. She knew if she succumbed to her growing anxiety and fear she'd never even have a chance of finding him. She needed to keep her head clear and impartial. She needed to be strong too for Clank. She couldn't imagine just how he must feel. Clank had known Ratchet his whole life, his first and best friend. The two had only recently been reunited, after Clank's own kidnapping at the hands of Dr. Nefarious. Ratchet had spent two long years searching for him. They were supposed to settle down, enjoy retirement, and try to live a somewhat quiet life. Then this had to happen. Taken suddenly, without a trace and with no idea why. If the universe had a sense of humour, it seemed cruel and ironic. A sudden holler from Zephyr quickly disrupted any further thoughts.
"Think I've found something!" He yelled from under Aphelion. Everyone crowded around as Zephyr popped out from underneath. He opened his hands to reveal his find.
"You got this excited over a damn feather?" Cronk berated.
"Well I don't see you finding anything." Zephyr snapped.
Talwyn plucked the feather from his grasp and inspected it. It was roughly the length of her palm and was a rich dark red that transitioned to a light yellow at the tip.
"A parrot feather?" Talwyn muttered quietly, thinking aloud.
At her utterance Clank's eyes lit up. It all suddenly clicked together in his brain. The tall lanky figure, the wide hat, the parrot feather. It even explained why he had thought he heard an extra third voice.
"I think I know who took Ratchet!" Clank exclaimed.
Chapter 4 image: i imgur com QPJ6b4f png