Return to Crusade
By Sarge11
Disclaimer: I'm too busy.
jay.w.: Well, I can't really do both. My sequal won't include Crusade. I 'm just looking to see what the readers want.
Mr. D 91: I'll be looking forward to your vote.
Some Random Fanboy: To tell you the truth, I pretty much only have the first chapter planned out.
superdork398: Well, you know how I am. I live to break your booyah meter.Chapter 13: Training
On his way to Florana, Ratchet realized that he couldn't go one-hundred-percent stealth. He just never learned how. And since the mission required him to be stealthy, he needed to learn, and fast. He knew that Skidd certainly couldn't help, but he knew who could.
Ratchet's fighter descended through the clouds in Tyhrranosis' atmosphere and headed for the landing pad. There, he was greeted by Tomas, and another albino Tyhrranoid named Radim, who was similar to Tomas except he rolled his R's. They shook Ratchet's hand and asked him what he was doing on Tyhrranosis.
"I have orders to eliminate Dr. Nefarious. Unfortunately, his new base is too well defended for a head on assault. I need you to train me in the art of stealth," Ratchet explained.
Tomas grinned and said, "Well, my friend, you have come to the right place." He snapped and Radim came forward. "Radim, teach him what he needs."
"Yes, sir," he replied.
"So where are you going to train me?" asked Ratchet.
"We have a base on Crusade," he answered simply.
(On Crusade)
"What kind of weapons do you have?" asked Radim. Ratchet showed him his arsenal and he shook his head. "These weapons will have to go." He handed Ratchet a laser staff and said, "This will be your weapon from now on."
Ratchet just looked at it and back at Radim with big, pleading eyes.
Radim sighed and said, "All right, you can keep the Quantum Whip."
A satisfied Ratchet took back his favorite melee weapon.
"Now, show me your armor inventory." Ratchet turned on his Helpdesk watch and a holographic display of all the armor he had ever owned appeared. "Hmm." Radim touched the display of Ratchet's Carbonox armor and the holoprojector zoomed in on the suit. "This is the armor you will be wearing."
"Clank, bring the ship up here. I need the armor that I keep stored in there," Ratchet said into his wrist.
He made a lot of noise coming back because of his suit.
Radim slapped his…forehead? "There are many modifications we need to make to the suit, obviously."
Suddenly, Ratchet had an idea. "I know just where we can find it."
(Traveling across the landscape of Crusade)
They came in sight of a crashed Ranger Dropship.
"I hope he's still there," Ratchet whispered.
Ratchet disembarked from the Tyhrranoid speeder and climbed up to the hatch of the Dropship. He knocked on the hatch and waited. Finally, a slit opened up and two familiar eyes appeared.
"Well, well, well," said Slim Cognito. "What could you be visiting me out here for?"
"Cut the chat, Slim. I'm on a tight schedule. Show me what you've got in the stealth and sound muffler equipment," said Ratchet.
"I've got just the things you're looking for. The first is a pair of boots made of mutant Protopet hair… don't ask," he said.
"How much?" asked Ratchet.
"75 bolts," he simply said.
"I'll take it," Ratchet said.
"Thank you. Now, something you're really gonna' like, a personal gravity field. It keeps your armor from scraping against the ground when you crawl," said Slim.
"I'm interested. How much?" asked Ratchet.
"15,000 bolts," he said in pure business fashion.
"I'll take it," Ratchet said. "What else do you have?"
"It's called a Chameleon cloaking device. It makes you completely invisible. It's the first of its kind," bragged Slim.
"Oh, yeah. I'll definitely take that," said Ratchet excitedly.
"Hey, I didn't give you the price yet. I'm not too sure you can afford it," said Slim.
"Hit me," said Ratchet.
"1,500,000 bolts," said Slim.
"It's not too bad," said Ratchet. "I'll take it."
"How do you get all that money?" asked Slim.
"Trade secret," Ratchet smiled smugly.
"Thank you for your contribution," said Slim.
(Back at the base)
Now with all his equipment ready, Radim began the next phase of training: how to go through the movements.
"All you need to know is how to put your foot down," said Radim. "Basically, just put your toes or heel down first and slowly roll the rest of your foot down. Good. Also, when you are following someone, match their steps. When you are close to your target, walk on the sides of your feet."
"So, what now? I just go and attack?" asked Ratchet.
"No. You are lacking the proper equipment. Come," said Radim. "I have one more thing to give you." Radim handed Ratchet things that looked like sleeves that had hooks on them. "Wear these, and you can climb anything."
Ratchet put them on and thanked Radim for all he had done. Then he called his ship to him and shot up through the sky towards Florana.
Sorry this took so long. I guess I just lost my inspiration for a while.Well, that and a small, uh, ahem, "personal" matter. The story will end in one or two chapters.
-Sarge11