CH.3: Reunion pt 1

"He is here? Hold up, I thought you said his bodyguard did all the rough handling, so, why wouldn't he be here himself?" Ratchet hurries in after Grim.

"Oh he is here, something tells me that Mr. Stone doesn't travel far without him. That ship is Rex's special speedster for long distance travel, not really for racing, but sleek enough to lose the Rangers if they catch on to him. I haven't been able to keep up with the repairs on the racer and normally such a vehicle has a crew working on her."

"Grim you should have let me help, no matter, we still have a little time till they reach here so we just speed things up. Clank keep a look out-."

"I have no idea what is going on, but, if you need assistance with this racer then my guidance will be needed on it. Time is of the essence and judging by how far away they are landed it will take a bit for them to get here."

Ratchet shrugs some but motions for Grim to follow. The three of them certainly would have their hands full but perhaps they would finish it in record time.

The sound of heavy engines catches Ratchet's ears first and he wipes some sweat from his brow. Grim is placing the last of the pieces in and Clank is overseeing the repairs with a clipboard. The racer had a new touch of paint on it and given the horse power it had it would likely hold up against any racer no doubt.

"Moment of truth gentleman, and Clank," Grim says. Ratchet goes to stand beside Grim not backing away even as the vehicle draws nearer.

"Whatever happens Grim, I'm not leaving your side. You are more or less family to me and nobody is laying a finger on you." Ratchet had his wrench out, mostly cause since he wasn't with the Rangers right now he didn't have many of his other tools at his disposal.

"Do not forget me, I may not be much in a fight, but I do have a mean look." Ratchet wears a small smile glad to have his partner in crime with him. Clank had saved his butt countless times and was the best friend to pull him out of his funk of a mood, and he got them from time to time.

The vehicle pulls to a stop and as it opens up a muscular tall brooding alien steps out. He has talon like claws for feet and his chest strained against his red jacket. The pants he wore had holes in them looking like they fought against the material.

"I can't tell but is that Rex Stone or his bodyguard?" Ratchet intones in a half whisper. The thing looked prehistoric and those sharp red eyes looked like something that could eat one from far away, if that were possible.

"That is Rex's bodyguard, Barry Hamilton," Grim manages, it is clear he doesn't have fond memories of him.

"B-Barry?" Ratchet fought a giggle. Honestly guy didn't look like a Barry, but, hey one didn't judge what a parent named their child.

"I know, not really a name that gives goosebumps, but you do not want to be on the receiving end of those talons. Something tells me Rex won't take long once he knows it is safe."

The three of them stand perfectly still...and sure enough they aren't kept waiting long before he appears. Rex is tall in stature and blue in skin color. His blonde hair is slicked back and there are four fingers on each of his hands while his pants were lined with stripes on either side. He wasn't exactly muscular but he had resting along his waist some pistols, so even if he didn't fight with his hands he could defend himself from a distance.

"Grim...it has been so long since we last met. Ah...and that must be my racer. The vehicle looks ready to race, hmm, has it been tested yet though?" He strode over and his legs carried him close to them within a few strides.

"Well, we figured you would want the honor," Grim says. Ratchet nods his head and so does Clank. The guy didn't seem like much up close, in fact, Ratchet was sure he could take him in a fight. Still, given his main weapon was a wrench and even with Clank as backup that didn't account for his bodyguard who wouldn't let him get one lick in.

"I would, but, racing isn't really my thing. And you must be the famous Ratchet I have heard so much about. Your name carries quite the bit of weight to it and a Ranger nonetheless, you must be so proud."

Ratchet could feel him weighing him with his tone but also the way his eyes level down on him. Those eyes of his were like amber, set, and almost beady like. His hands rest behind his back and he has sort of this proud regal stance like he was above him.

"Yeah, I'm a Ranger, however my origin story lies here...Grim here taught me some of the best things in my life in this very garage. You can be sure that this vehicle is ready to go by how much work went into it."

Ratchet refused to back down from this man and he also felt the need to defend Grim. It took a lot just for him to not take a swing at him.

"You seem a bit testy there Ranger, it would do you unwell to leave that anger unchecked. I know, perhaps you would like to test your mettle against my bodyguard, hmm? What say you, Lombax, think you can handle yourself against the might of Barry?"

"Pfft, of course, that lizard is going down...or whatever he is," Ratchet rolled his neck but found Grim's powerful hand on his shoulder.

"Ratchet, hold up, you have no idea-." Ratchet shrugged his hand off as he stepped forward. He had fought meaner opponents in his past.

"C'mon Clank let us show him who is boss!" Ratchet gripped his wrench tightly but then he noticed something, and, that was Clank wasn't on his back. What gives?

"Sorry but your mechanical friend will have to sit this out. I know full well that with him in your corner you will be able to fly about or other Ranger stuff. Oh do not worry he is perfectly fine, just, unable to move at the moment."

"He is correct Ratchet, something is preventing me from moving, no doubt a device is used to impair my ability to render assistance. I feel like it is coming from his vehicle, there might be someone else inside it."

Ratchet narrows his eyes at that. "Who is in your vehicle Rex?" Ratchet didn't find this fair but given the distance to the vehicle he likely wouldn't make it in one piece.

"You will find out soon enough, for now, a fair little fight. Grim this will be your mechanic against my bodyguard. Let us even make a fair wager off it, if my fighter wins...you will be part of my pit crew. And, if your mechanic should win-."

"You don't involve any of us in your shady business ever again," Grim held out his hand. Ratchet found it a bold move.

"You hurt me with such words, but, I will uphold that bargain. Your hands are a bit dirty though so we'll just do a gentleman nod on it. Anything goes and first to immobolize his opponent wins. Fighters at your ready."

Ratchet looked to Grim, and, he could read the worry lining his wrinkled features. "Grim, I got this, he is going down!"

"Ratchet, this isn't a regular fight, and while I wish I could offer you some words of wisdom in this bout I can't, and, that is because in all my time working for Rex that creature has never once lost a fight." Ratchet shook it off as he fixed his green eyes on him.

"Eh, so what, not like I have lost...many fights," Ratchet kept his guard up though as he made his way over.

Authors note: Chapter went longer then expected so part two is next chapter as Ratchet faces off against Barry.