Return to Crusade
By Sarge11
Disclaimer:
I had a real hard time thinking up this chapter. And when I finally did have the idea, I went through a great many writer's blocks to bring you, the reader, the details. So you'd better appreciate this. And you can do that in a review. And so I say, if you are reading this, then review.
Chapter 5: Sabotage
Ratchet and the force have been on Crusade for several months, leading several coordinated attacks on small cells of Tyhrranoid forces for complete control of the planet. We join our hero at the turning point of the final battle for the planet, when Ratchet starts to feel funny.
"Oh, man," Ratchet burped and hiccupped at the same time, causing his stomach contents to come up to the top of his throat. He threw up all over a nearby Ranger. "I don't feel so good."
Ratchet fell to the ground, completely oblivious to the Ranger's screams next to him. The screams attracted other, nearby Rangers; they rushed over to him. "Medic! Sarge is down!"
"Which one?" asked the medic over the radio.
"The Lombax!" the Ranger replied. "Oh wait, no. I just received conformation from squad Charlie in Sector 3. Sarge11 is, apparently going insane."
"Abigail. Oh Abigail. My non-nagging Galactic Civil War wife," Sarge11's voice came over the speakers.
"The Rangers started laughing. "He's having delusions!" laughed the radioman from Charlie squad over the speaker.
Their laughter was cut short by the sound and vibrations of a series of explosions that rocked the plateau. "It's Inferno squadron! They're crashing for no apparent reason! We've lost all contact with the ones that are still flying."
The last thing Ratchet remembered was feeling very sick, very hot, very sweaty, and the screams of the Rangers as one of Inferno squadron's bombers headed for the trench they were in.
(Hmmm, let's see. Should I leave you hangin' with a seriously awesome cliffhanger, or should I be merciful and continue? Choices (taps chin five times). O.K. fine, I'll keep writing. It's too short so far anyway.)
Ratchet woke up in one of those hospital gowns that nobody likes because the back is open in one of those uncomfortable beds. And boy, did he have a nasty crick in the neck. He sat up and looked around, painfully cracking his neck in the process. He was in a massive sick bay, every bed filled with the sick and dying. He looked to the left of his bed, hoping to see Sasha, but was disappointed to see only Clank in a sleep cycle. To lighten his mood, he tried to dwell on the dream he had just had, which I will not describe due to the "T" rating.
"Oh, my stomach. It feels like I had one of those Nanofish bars I'm allergic to." Ratchet suddenly felt the need to empty his stomach. He leaned over the side of his bed and did what his instincts told him to.
The noise roused Clank. "Ratchet, you are up."
Ratchet groggily nodded and said, "Uh-hu. Sure. I'm hungry. I feel like steak," said Ratchet.
"It would not matter the taste Ratchet. We have detected an accelerated form of Nanotech in the food," said Clank.
(Authors note: For the benefit of the reader, I will describe what accelerated Nanotech is. It is basically Nanotech that has been reversed and used as food poisoning that is activated by saliva. The various side affects include: extreme vomiting, deliria, passing out, and high fever. Mostly, it's slow acting, but sometimes it acts fast. Remember the sick bomber pilot?)
"What?" Ratchet screamed, causing a stir in the sick bay. "We've been poisoned?"
"Yes," replied Clank.
"Oh my gosh! Inferno squadron! Is Angela alright?" Ratchet asked.
(Authors note: Ratchet's dream
was about Angela! I wonder what Sasha will think.)
Clank looked at him funny. "Yes. But she is in the emergency room."
Ratchet let out a sigh of relief, relieved that she was still alive. "What about Sarge11? I have too few friends left. I'd hate to loose such a good one."
"Though the symptoms would not be serious for any of us, his primitive body makes his state critical," Clank replied.
Suddenly, he threw up again.
When he was through, an alarm started screeching.
Clank activated his holo antenna and displayed a holographic image of what the base perimeter cameras were seeing. "We are under attack from the surviving Tyhrranoids of our last attack."
"Well, we have to go help the Rangers," said the stubborn Lombax.
"Ratchet, you are in no condition to fight," said Clank.
"So?" asked Ratchet. Those Rangers don't stand a chance without me."
"Yes, Ratchet. I realize that. However, I have called in a carrier battle group. They are headed here at flank speed but they are still a few hours away. The Rangers should be able to hold them off until they arrive," said Clank.
"But, all those Rangers-" argued Ratchet.
"Much must be sacrificed in war, soldier," interrupted Clank.
"You're right. It's not the 1960's. It's not the 1960's. It's not the 1960's," said Ratchet again and again while rocking back and forth.
"The first wave is coming in, now," said Clank. "Organize the Rangers.
Yes! Finally! A chapter that finally came out better than I had anticipated it! Those writer's blocks were worth it. Anyway, if you are reading this again, then review.
-Sarge11