Before we get to this chapter, here's a brief Q and A.

Storyteller 42: Yes. I'm putting Brax Lectrus in this fic. In fact, this chapter is his debut. He'll get his action soon enough in Tyhrranosis.

Also, I am interested in doing a Ratchet x Angela x Sasha, if I am to be honest. As for if Angela is going to confess her love for Ratchet, well…

We're gonna have to wait and see.

Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit fan based what if story. Ratchet and Clank is created and owned by Insomniac games and Sony. Please support the official release.


Chapter 5: The Q-force is born. (Much to A certain member's dismay.)

There were times where Ratchet was wondering to himself 'what have I gotten myself into?'

Considering, back when he, and Clank first adventured together, he had to fight his way through the polluted Planet Orxon after getting his O2 mask, due to the creatures over there being dangerous, particularly the land lobsters, and the fact that he had to also fight the Blarg saucers with his devastator, or Visibomb, which were dangerous foes that he had to fight back there.

Or, Traveling through Gorda city, on the Planet Oltanis. Which was going through one hell of a storm, causing Clank to get struck by lightning. So, he was forced to wait back in the ship while Ratchet navigated the city alone. Which was dangerous due to not only the foes he had to beat, like those danged Plasma Bots, but there was a lot of sections where he could've fell and suffer plenty of high drops that could kill him, or break his femurs in several places. Which, had him wishing that he kept Clank with him through his little journey through that Planet.

Even fighting Drek himself was a bit of a challenge to him, considering that his mech that he was inside, took one heck of a beating from his other weapons, other than the R.Y.N.O I, (Which was an expensive buy back in Rilgar.) and because his shots were pretty hard to dodge unless he grinds on the rails just around the Deplanetizer's arena platform.

Then there was his adventure in the Bogon Galaxy, where during his time on the Planet Boldan, in the Silver City, he had to fight against the Thugs-4-Less. Which wasn't hard until that time, when those mercenaries were quite armed to the teeth, and elite in skill. Showing both Ratchet, and Clank that the Thugs-4-Less may be pretty dumb, but they were dangerous. And they don't mess around when it came to their job. And that would be before they took both of them to Angela's old flying lab on Aranos, as prisoners. Even though they later escaped.

Which was before their rescue of Angela, in their HQ on the Planet Snivelak. Where they continued their fight against the Thugs, who continued to show them that they won't be messed with, as they fought against the duo. There were some sections where they both thought that they could die there. But they won, against all odds against them, and fought against their leader, who was going all out against them, even piloting a Gigantic mech that held Angela prisoner in its torso. Whom they freed after their victory.

Then there was the aforementioned Yetis on Planet Grelbin, where they collected the Moonstones in the snow desert for a way to Angela's home, and a Hypno-matic part, which was where they fought those Yetis who were strong, came in packs, can take a beating while swinging back with equal strength, and they happened to be quite an aggressive bunch that they could've been clobbered by if their strong weapons, like the Bouncer, wasn't in their inventory.

All those times in their adventures, both Ratchet, and Clank, viewed, as possibly the hardest part of their journeys through the Solona, and the Bogon Galaxies. Worst even, at least on Grelbin, Oltanis, and Orxon.

And yet, the situation that they were currently in, was quickly outdoing those past moments as the worst situation that they got into, along with Angela, as they saw Captain Qwark marching back and forth across the giant black screen on the bridge of the Phoenix, in front of a line of people.

"Ladies, and Gentlemen! Oh, and Helga." He then said as a morbidly obese robot with Raven hair in pigtails, named Helga looked at him meanly, before smiling at him for acknowledging her too.

"Welcome to, THE Q-FORCE!" He then said to his members of the now made Q-Force, that he just formed.

Which consisted of Al, Helga, Skidd Mcmarxx, Skrunch, the monkey companion of Qwark's, Cora Veralux, Starlene, Elaris, Ratchet, Angela, Clank, and Sasha.

Not to mention another member of the Galactic Rangers, who was a top-heavy reptilian man, with tanned, and yellow scales, and spikes on the back of his head, and two purple spikes on each of his shoulders, (With an extra pair on his Proto-suit armor.) who happened to be around the height of Qwark, and even having a broad upper body comparable to his. And he wore a Proto-suit, that was darker blue cyan next to the bright cyan blue color of the uniform in the middle, with blue pants, metallic dark grey boots with glowing cyan lights on the front, and dark blue gauntlets that also had cyan blue lights, and gloves that covered his three fingered hands.

His name was Brax Lectrus. A field operative of the Galactic Rangers, as well as a soldier for them too, who was mentioned by Elaris, and Cora, as one of the more dangerous soldiers on the battlefield, who also fought in a Gladiatorial game that was said to be illegal, known as Dreadzone. Easily the most helpful on the battlefield against the Noids. He may not be as intelligent as both Cora, and Elaris, and he might not be well spoken, but he is loyal, and he is warm to his allies.

And he too is a member of the Q-force.

"Each of you were assembled here into this little crew, because of your mastery in your particular field." Qwark said, looking at all of his recruits, which also included Ratchet, Clank, Angela, and Sasha. The latter of whom, looked on in indifference, and boredom, alongside Ratchet, Angela, Clank, Cora, Elaris, and Starlene.

"From Al's and Elaris's mastery of Electronics, to Skidd's, and Brax's nerves of steel," He said, before Helga patted the former on the back, making him flinch, thus contradicting Qwark's statement about him. "To Helga's, and Starlene's sensual powers of seduction. Rrrawrr!" He then said making a growl at the end for them both, the former of whom was flattered. Even though Starlene wasn't amused about his description of her. Despite it being true in her case.

While Helga's obese looks, and aggressive aura, begged to differ, and contradict Qwark's statements of her.

"And then there's some great soldiers from the Galactic Rangers, like Cora Veralux, Brax Lectrus, Elaris again, due to her hacking skill, Captain Sasha who is a captain of this ship, and finally those three. One of whom… is known as one half of the saviors of the Solona, and Bogon galaxy. And is Secret Agent Clank's bumbling chauffer. " Qwark reluctantly said on the first part, then amused on the last part, referring to Ratchet.

Who was unamused at the jab that Qwark seems to have made towards him.

"Give it up for, Ratchet, Angela, and Clank!" Qwark then said.

The other members of the Q-force, including Brax, ended up clapping their hands for him, having known of him from the show. But they also know him as the hero of the Solona Galaxy, by defeating Drek, and as the hero of Bogon, for stopping the Protopet infestation alongside Angela. (After all, the infestation could've spread to the Solona Galaxy if it was unchecked.)

Whom was also being applauded for helping Ratchet in defeating the Protopet menace, as she decided to take a bow to them herself, alongside Ratchet, and Clank.

"Each of you have shown yourselves as worthy of wearing the Mighty Q! Years ago, I've saved this Galaxy, by singlehandedly defeating Dr. Nefarious. But like a rash on the Galaxy's backside, he's flared up again." He then said once the applause was done, as Al scratched his buttocks through his pants. Possibly inadvertently adding in a visual metaphor of what Qwark said.

"But no matter. Our first mission is to infiltrate the doctor's top-secret base, on the Planet Aquatos. Impossible you say? Well, perhaps for the lesser Strategerist." Qwark said, mispronouncing the last word.

Which wasn't a surprise to Ratchet, and Angela Cross, after the way he spoke as Fizzwidget. (And they were looking forward to having him never live that one down.)

"Behold! My! Brilliant Plan!" He then announced, gesturing to the black screen on the bridge.


Then it showed what looked like a child's crayon drawing of the ocean, complete with a fish, that connected to a long pipe that made a wide serpentine pattern, as it was colored green inside, likely to make a colored representation of sewer water.

"First, Ratchet, Angela, and Clank will descend to the sea floor, and wade through the series of tunnels filled with waist deep raw sewage." Qwark said.

"WHAT?!" Both Ratchet, and Angela said.

"Please wait until the end of the presentation, for the Q&A's." Qwark then said in a calm, yet firm manner.

"Next, once they get into the base, our agents will split up. Where Clank will enter the base's ventilation system where he will deploy this Banana-Guided Autonomous Monkey Device. Or BGAMD for short." He then said, showing another Crayon drawing, this one showing Clank going through another serpentine pipe, before then showing three things on the left, and two on the right, one of which showed a gun, Skrunch the monkey, and a banana set, that each made arrows that pointed to two signs that showed a figure of a monkey on the bottom sign, and a gun over a figure of bananas on the upper sign.

"Meanwhile, both Ratchet, and Angela will use their extensive knowledge of the Tyhrranoid language, and their behavior, to win the trust of those blood thirsty alien guards." He then said, showing a drawing of a bunch of Tyhrranoids that was on the paper, with a pair of Noids having arrows pointed at them, while the shorter one was cyan blue colored, while the taller one towered over the other Noids, just to have them represent Ratchet, and Angela, infiltrating the place, and to tell the pair apart from the actual Noids.

"And Finally, our agents shall make their way to Nefarious' office, steal every item that isn't nailed down, or too heavy to take, and exfiltrate the base, completely undetected!" He then said, showing the next drawing, which is of the pair of Lombaxes, being Ratchet and Angela, swimming through the river in a panic, with Clank on the former's back, as they swim away from a large alien fish. Possibly representing their escape attempt that they felt, could be full of trouble for them both.


Once the presentation was done, both Lombaxes were in shock, even though they felt that they should've expected that sort of plan from Qwark. At least it didn't seem like they were going to be sent to their deaths by facing impossible odds. (And they expected Qwark to do that to them, considering his past with them.)

But still. "That's Crazy!" Ratchet said.

"Not to mention, with all due respect, pretty stupid." Angela said, although she felt that she could be understating her view of that plan.

All while Qwark was unfazed by the last part as he held a crayon in his right hand. "But it just might work. Whenever you're both ready, I expect you both to be there, and in your positions. Do I make myself clear?" Qwark asked.

"Yes sir!" Both Lombaxes said, reluctantly saluting Qwark.

Even though they wished that the President made either of them Commanders, instead of Qwark. Oh how they'd be happy at how they'd be ordering him, among the other members of the Q-force, and the Galactic Rangers, around, for a change.

But still, it's the President's orders after all.

Once the meeting is dismissed, the members of the now made Q-force was chatting among themselves as they left the bridge. With Sasha also leaving the bridge herself, for now at least.

"Don't worry Ratchet. I'm in as much disbelief as you, and Angela could be, when he became the Commander of this new force." Cora said with Starlene, Sasha, and Elaris in agreement, shortly after they left the bridge with the Lombax duo.

Which did give comfort to both Angela, and Ratchet, since at least they weren't the only ones that seems to think that the idea of letting Qwark become Commander was the craziest idea that the President has ever had.

All while Brax merely looked indifferent to the news, almost like he still feels that Qwark could still surprise them all in what he can do, now that he's fighting Nefarious again. Which was a feeling echoed by Clank.

"That's Brax by the way. Brax Lectrus. He's one of our operatives, and a strong one at that." Starlene said.

"He looks like a tough guy." Ratchet said. With Angela in agreement.

"Thanks. I hope that I may be quite useful to you all in this battle against Nefarious." Brax said, giving Ratchet, and Angela a handshake.

Which both Lombaxes accepted, feeling that they could be good friends with Brax as they fight against the Tyhrannoids, and Nefarious.

"Anyways, I see that you have the Vid Comic from Annihilation Nation. Are you probably going to finish that thing after your assignment at Aquatos, or before?" Cora asked.

"Probably after Aquatos. He might need us to be there quickly, and this game isn't too important not to play right now." Ratchet said, continuing to speak with the other Q-force members.

All while they were in the hanger, on their way to the Star Explorer.

"Just in case our cover is blown, and we might need someone to help us bail out of there, we'll be sure to call you guys up." Angela said, on her way to the Star Explorer.

"Got it." Cora, Brax, Sasha, and Starlene said in unison as they saluted Ratchet, and Angela. They could've done this themselves, but they didn't have those Tyhrra-guises that Ratchet and Angela won from Annihilation Nation. And Ratchet, and Angela looked like they were competent at sneaking around, let alone infiltrating the place with the Tyhrra-guises helping them.

"Good luck, both of you. And be sure to use those Tyhrra-guises well. They should be of great help in infiltrating that place." Sasha said, waving at them as they got on the Star Explorer.

They made sure to keep that in mind as they waved back before departing on the Star Explorer towards Aquatos. Where their first mission as Q-force members was about to begin.


Ratchet, Angela, and Clank was prepping themselves for the trip to Aquatos, when they heard some noises from their ship's com. Which, told them, alongside Clank, that they were receiving an incoming call from somebody.

And when Ratchet saw that a certain other Planetoid on the screen, he knew that it was the Director of the Secret Agent Clank series, which had him inwardly face palm when he saw who it was that was on the screen. "Oh no." He quietly said.

"Claaank. Buddy, you're killing me here!" He said desperately.

"Excuse me?" Clank asked.

"I was just about to make the picture here, and the mister big shot star is nowhere to be found!" He then said, while glaring at Ratchet behind his shades.

Which was another reason why he wasn't fond of the show. Not only did he play the clumsy Chauffeur, whom he felt was a stain on his style of hero of the Solona, and Bogon Galaxy, but he didn't have much in a way of a friendship with the director of the Secret Agent Clank series. If anything, they get on each other's nerves.

Especially since Ratchet wasn't that good at acting himself. And his clumsiness as Jeeves was not acting. He really was clumsy when he played the Chauffeur, and those accidents that happens cause of Jeeves's clumsiness, really did happen. Which luckily for Clank, it made the show, in the opinions of the fans, and the director felt that his accidents on set was good slapstick comedy relief for the show. But there was moments, where the accidents also got under his skin, as much as it gets under Ratchet's.

Which did lead to some hostility on the set between him and Ratchet, and Ratchet felt that even though he didn't mind working with Clank on the show, especially since the pay was good, he did mind having that guy directing the show. And he did start to hope that he would either get fired, or if the director would get replaced. Either way, he'd be thankful that he wouldn't be working with him again.

Especially since even though Ratchet saved the Solona Galaxy from Drek, and the Bogon Galaxy from Qwark, and the Protopets, the director didn't seem to acknowledge him as a hero, let alone as the savior, and instead, he sees him as a moronic actor that can't follow directions, even though he was just starting out as an actor.

Which is a profession that he hopes to master someday. (He would like to show that he can do more than just the Galaxy saving business, after all.)

But for now though, he was just looking on in indifference and annoyance at the screen, since he had no time for this. Which was a feeling echoed by both Clank, and Angela.

The latter of whom, wasn't there, throughout their time of acting in the show, and instead she was just lazing about in her Apartment room back on Megapolis.

"We're currently occupied with a mission that is important for the sake of Galactic security." Clank replied.

"Right right. I get it. You want a bigger trailer? Done! You want a daily oil massage? Done! I just need my star on this set, ASAP, Capiche?" The director said.

"This mission we're on, is too important for us to ditch right now. You're gonna have to delay that shoot for a few days." Angela said, also knowing that they have no time for acting when they already have a mission to take. All while she too looked annoyed at him.

After all, she did hear about the director from Ratchet's complaining about how much of a jerk he was. And from what she was seeing, he looked like a jerk to her eyes too.

Even though he did notice her, and judging by his stare, she felt that he was thinking that she looked sexy, much to her chagrin.

"Weelll, I don't know who you are, but I'm sure that the show may have room for you as well, in case you're interested. Maybe as a background showgirl in another Casino that Agent Clank goes to, in this upcoming episode?" He asked Angela.

Much to Ratchet's chagrin, as he hoped she won't take his offer that seemed to be pretty… disgraceful. (Not to mention making him jealous of his attention towards Angela.)

Angela had to think about it for a minute, even though she was hiding her frown at what the director offered her. "Let me think about it for a minute. How about… NO!" She then said, before ending the transmission.

Which had Ratchet smiling at her for doing that to the director. He felt that he had it coming for that flirty question that he made.

All while Clank shook his head in disappointment. After all, he did love his acting job as Secret Agent Clank, and he did feel a little reluctant about telling the director to delay the shoot. But he knew that the job that they're taking, was too important to ditch, for that shoot.

"Ah, don't worry Clank, he'll figure something out. Remember, we've got work to do." Ratchet reassuringly said with Angela in agreement, as they all flew their way to Aquatos.


They thought that they might need a transformation mod for the Star Explorer, just in case they were going to a planet that was entirely covered in water. After all, they could need to have it turn into a sub in order for them to get into an undersea planet where they're gonna have to infiltrate it.

And yet, they didn't need to do that, since the Aquatos Planet had a large enough pipe that stuck out of the surface of the water, that was able to fit the Star Explorer inside, before they then saw that it was leading them down into an undersea room that was full of air, and had walls of glass that blocked off the water. It was like the Aquatos planet also had some surfaces of air to put some space ships in, for Nefarious to use to go to his HQ from.

And now they were using it to infiltrate that same HQ for Qwark. They just hoped that it won't end in a wild goose chase on Aquatos as they prepared to go to the platform elevator that lead down the glass pipe into the deeper levels of Aquatos, that they were sure lead to the sewer pipes like Qwark's plan said it would, after they saw that the sub that lead to the HQ of Nefarious', was blocked by a forcefield.

Before they entered the elevator, they saw that there was another ship that beat them there, which looked like Qwark's ship. Even though it looked a little smaller. But that wasn't an important matter. Instead, they wondered if there was another operative of the Q-force that was here, or Qwark himself, as they took the elevator through the glass pipe as they went deeper into Aquatos.

Once they got to the end of the pipe, they saw that they were in the sewer, which had a path over the green sewer water nearby. Which had both Lombaxes feeling grossed out at how rank the smell was for them. But they weren't surprised at the smell, considering that they were going to go through the sewer.

Instead, they were surprised that there was a pair of figures that was in the sewer with them. Both of which, were the two other members of the Q-force, Skidd, and Starlene.

"Skidd? Starlene? What are you both doing here?" Ratchet asked. Noticing the former looking around through his visor like he was in an Agent Clank movie, as a fellow agent. While Starlene was merely looking at him like a dismayed big sister figure would.

"The code name's 'Shadow-Dude' bro. Black ops is my es-speciality." He said, as Starlene rolled her eyes at him.

Before she then focused on Ratchet, and Angela. "We figured that you both might need some help with the sewer part of the mission, before the Infiltration section can begin." Starlene said.

"Well, thanks Shadow-Dude, and Starlene, but I think that Angela, and I have this one covered." Ratchet said with Clank, and Angela in agreement.

"You sure? Because there could be some things that even you guys may need help on. Especially with the locked doors that Skidd can hack into." Starlene said, as Skidd pulled out a gadget. "This Hacker can help bypass the electronic security defenses, and also allows operation of some machinery."

"Hacker?" Ratchet said, surprised. "You know, on second thought, I think we'd like for you both to join this mission."

"After all, if there are truly some locked doors ahead, then we'll take all the help we can get." Angela then said, much to Starlene's delight, and Skidd's excitement.

"Awesome, this is gonna be sick!" He said excitedly.

"Thank you both for this. We'll be great help to you guys." Starlene said, pulling out her constructo pistol, while Skidd pulled out his Agents of Doom glove. "We'll help you both to the other end of the sewer pipes. After that, you're both on your own from here, once your Tyhrra-guise infiltration objective begins." She then said

"Understood." Ratchet, Angela, and Clank said in unison, before they all marched forward with her, and Skidd by their sides, after their brief visit to the Gadgetron Vender.

Where Angela was able to buy a new gun, which was the Flux Rifle. Which she felt she might be a good shot with, like with Starlene, and Cora during the battle on Marcadia.

Especially while in the pipes, which even though they were open, they were linear, and didn't offer too much in the way of cover, and strafing inside. Which would be an advantage to snipers. Especially while their target was distracted with battling their allies.

But she felt that right now wasn't the situation for sniping, just yet.

For they were fighting with an Ameboid that came out of nowhere. Which was an irritating enemy to fight since every time they shoot one, it splits into a pair of smaller Ameboids, that then splits into another smaller pair, until they get shot when they're small enough. That's when they get killed.

And yet Skidd's Agents of Doom kept on destroying the large Ameboid, while Angela shot both the large, and the smaller ones, with the Spitting Hydra, to split them apart for Ratchet to finish off alongside Starlene, before they all ran forward through the pipe, while taking on the other Ameboids that popped out of the water.

Once they got to the end of the pipe, and was able to open the door, they saw some robot minions that was fighting the Ameboids, with their own Pyrociters, which felt like a situation for the Flux Rifle to shine, at least against those robots, as she shot the robots in their weak spots while they, as well as Ratchet, Skidd, and Starlene fought against the Ameboids. And she was proving herself to be a pretty good shot with it. Especially since the minion bots had little to no cover in the room.

But it was a double edged sword for them, since that was also their weakness if they battle some enemy snipers in the pipes, and a room like that. But they all know that risk, which is why they hope that there won't be any snipers on their side. Which they doubt that there could be, since the Noids weren't so good at accuracy, compared to the Lombaxes.

All while Skidd was cowardly keeping his distance from the fights, yet fighting pretty well with those Agents of Doom robots covering him, and his allies when they fight against the Ameboids in the sewer pipes. Ratchet had to admit, he was starting to make him proud.

Then they got to a bridge, that was currently out. "Piece of cake. I got this." Skidd said as he used his hacker gadget on the bridge controls. Causing the bridge to extend inside the pipe, which they all took to the other end while Skidd used another weapon, being his own mini turret gloves to take down the robot.

Now they were still on the move through the pipes as they continued to blast away the bot minions of the Noids. Until they came past the room with the floor button, which was after Skidd hacked a door to their left, which had an elevator ride that Ratchet decided to take to see if it lead somewhere. Only for it to just go to a room with a Titanium Bolt that he grabbed after riding through it.

Now they were in the room past it where they saw a large entrance to an underwater cave. Where Skidd was being skittish.

"Sorry dudes, I can't swim." He said nervously.

As much as they believed that it could be cowardice talking, they felt that he might be telling the truth that time. That, and there could be dangers down there, like either lurker sharks, or even mines. So neither of the Q-force members put it past him.

"Don't worry Skidd, we'll swim our way through there. And hopefully it could lead to the other end of that door." Ratchet said, looking at the door that was to their right as they stood near the entrance to the underwater section, which looked like it was outside of the base in Aquatos.

"Just be careful, and stay here, Skidd. If you find trouble, be sure to keep your weapons at the ready. We'll make sure to come back for you once we get that door open." Starlene said.

"I'll keep that in mind dudette." Skidd said, keeping his cool, despite being a bit nervous of the risk of the robots coming to ambush him while his four companions of this mission is gone.

While Ratchet, and Angela put on their oxygen helmets to help them remain underwater for hours, with Starlene doing the same herself with her own oxygen helmet designed for a Rilgarian. Before they all dived down underwater.

It wasn't a long dive, since they quickly saw the other end of the underwater room that they were in, which looked like it was surrounded by thick forests of Seaweed. Which they felt would keep them from exploring the rest of Aquatos, so they just got to the other end, that had them surfacing on the other side of the underwater room.

Where they then saw that they were near an entrance to a pipe that they felt, could lead back to the room where Skidd was. But when they got out of the water and entered it, they saw that the pipe was blocked by a buildup of dried slime. And there was some Ameboids that was nearby too.

"Ech. Those Tyhrannoids really need to clean up their sewers." Starlene said, fighting the Ameboids with the Lombaxes.

"I'm with you, Starlene. That thing really needs to go. I swear, it's like it's attracting those Ameboids." Angela said in agreement with Starlene, alongside Ratchet. "I'd rather not know what that wall is made of."

Either way, they all agreed, they need to get rid of it. So they prepared to blast it with their explosive weapons, when it suddenly shattered, showing what could be the largest Ameboid they've ever seen, behind it. It happened to have blank red eyes, sharp teeth, and shiny green skin that glistened in the light of the sewers. And it was trying to eat the Q-force members.

Even though they were surprised at that, they didn't get scared away as they fired their weapons at the King Ameboid, firing at it with everything they've got.

Luckily for them, their focused fire was able to take the King Ameboid down without too much trouble. Now there was nothing stopping them from taking the pipe that they hoped, would be a short walk through it to the path back to Skidd. (And they got some sort of green Crystal out of it when the Ameboid got taken down.)

Which, had their hopes answered as they ended up making it to a room out of the pipe. And they then noticed that the door to the room where Skidd was at was to their left. And they had a floor button to press to open it. Which they did.

"So, what'd I miss?" Skidd asked.

"Oh, we just fought against the largest Ameboid I've ever seen in the pipe behind us. Nothing special." Ratchet said casually, having fought against bigger before. Especially against the mech that he rescued Angela from.

All while in Angela's eyes, considering that she fought against the Protopets, as well as the Yeti's on Grelbin, a King Ameboid wasn't anything new, or too dangerous for her, either.

All while Starlene was humorously rolling her eyes at their casual attitude towards the fact that they just fought against the most dangrous Ameboid out there. At least in the eyes of the Rigarians.

"Whoa, really dudes? I wish I was there for a helping hand." Skidd said, wishing that he would end up fighting the monster alongside the hero of the Solona Galaxy. Even though he was relieved that he wasn't fighting the King Ameboid himself.

All while Ratchet hiddenly rolled his eyes at him. Feeling flattered that Skidd was trying to be brave, but he felt that, knowing Skidd, he would've retreated at the first sight of such an Ameboid if they were to meet another one in the pipes. But he was certain that Skidd might be getting a bit braver than last time he saw him. (Thinking about the Infobot broadcast that he saw on Novalis after paying the Plumber for it.)

Which is before they ended up in another yellow pipe together with Skidd. Where they fought against more of the robotic minions of the Noid's that was in there, and had Skidd extending another Bridge for them to cross it. (After gaining another Titanium Bolt.)

After that, they proceeded to another room with the underwater opening, causing them to dive down underwater till they reach the other end, got back up to the surface, got through another pipe with the King Ameboid in it, which they slayed, (Causing the Shock Cannon to evolve to the V4 form.) and got another Crystal from it as they opened another door to let Skidd through.

Where they fought against more of the minion bots while Skidd extended another bridge with his hacker, to let them through the pipe to the pipe elevator that took them to another room.

"Psst!" A mysterious noise was made, startling the members, especially Skidd.

Whom screamed a little in fear. "AHH!"

"SHH! Clank, Angela, Starlene, did you hear that?" Ratchet asked.

Clank nodded at him. "We're not alone." He said, noticing a cylinder in the middle of the room. Which seems to have eyes inside it. And familiar ones at that.

Something that Angela, Ratchet, and Starlene also noticed while Skidd continued to fearfully look around. "Hey, uh, Dudes? I… forgot to feed my fishes. We'll see you dudes back at the- WAHH!" He then screamed out after hearing another noise, causing him to dive into the teleportation podium, where he vanished.

Much to Starlene's dismay as she shook her head. "Listen guys, I'm going back there too. Just to make sure that 'Shadow-Dude' is able to make it back to the Phoenix safely. We'll meet you guys back there, once you're both done with the Infiltration mission objective."

"You can count on us." Ratchet, Clank, and Angela said.

Making her smile. "Good. Just be careful. And, good luck." She then said, before walking to the same teleportation podium, where she too vanished.

After that, they ended up looking at each other, bracing themselves for their next objective. "Well… if it ain't my two best customers. And I see that you've gotten ya'self a lady friend?" A familiar voice said as they then focused on the cylinder.

Where they noticed that indeed, there was familiar eyes inside it, which belonged to a familiar acquaintance, and ally to Ratchet, and Clank, back in Bogon.

"Slim Cognito?!" Ratchet asked in surprise.

"Wait! This is the guy that you told me about, that gave you some weapon mods, back in Bogon?" Angela asked in surprise.

"Ya know it, toots. I helped him out in exchange fawh some Platinum Bolts dat he found throughout Bogon's Planets." Slim said. "He paid well, and he was a good customuh, what wit' his pay in dose Platinum Bolts, and de Raritanium Gems, when I modded de Star Explorah."

"So that's how Ratchet got the shock mod, among the other mods that he used against the Thugs." Angela thought. "I don't know whether to thank him for the help, or throttle him for giving him those things, when he used them against me on Siberius. Probably the latter once he's out of that safe haven."

"Well why are you in here then?" Ratchet asked.

"Let's just say, I had a little run in wit' de cops, concernin' a Suck Cannon Upgrade dat I mistakenly sold tuh a Minor. I swear he looked eighteen." He said, as Clank glared annoyed at him while shaking his head.

All while neither Lombax felt curious enough to wonder what happened to the Minor when that happened.

"Anyways, I now needed a less conspicuous place to do business. I reckon you two are still in the Market? And may I guess that she's also buyin?" He asked.

Ratchet felt curious to see if he's still in business in the weapon modding business. "Well, let's see what you got." Ratchet said, before looking at the list of things that Slim Cognito was going to give them.

Which, much to his, and Angela's pleasant surprise, was a couple of the weapons from the Bogon Galaxy that was on sell. Especially the Bogon Mini-Turret glove, and the Lava Gun. As well as the Bouncer. Which was surprising to see for them.

"And dere's also good news. If either of ya's got some discount cards from Megacorp, den dese things are all yours. No paying necessary. Oh, and in case you're wondering, yes. I can still do some mods for ya weapons in exchange for some bigger Bolts. Except dis time, I can take da Titanium Bolts, not just the Platinum ones." Slim said.

Ratchet was pleased to hear such a thing from Slim, especially what he said for the latter, but unluckily for him, he knew he had none of the cards from Bogon. But luckily for him, Angela did.

"Don't worry Ratchet. I got this." She said, using her old Megacorp employee card.

Which, was the right card that they used, to regain the weapons that they accidentally left back in Bogon. Although much to Ratchet's dismay, they were new, and unevolved to where they were in their V1 forms. Which meant that he was going to level them up again. But at least he has them back again, and ready to reuse them, alongside Angela.

And then there was the mods that they exchanged the Titanium Bolts for.

Like the shock mod for the Shock Cannon, and the N60 storm. Or the lock-on mod again for the N60 storm. Which had Angela reconsidering the throttling that she had in store for Slim.

"Pleasure doin business wit you again. Come back to this room, Via that teleportation Podium, anytime." Slim said, sounding pleased with the exchange that they made as they were headed to the sub, that lead to the HQ.

Where they were a little dismayed to see that they aren't in a situation to take those Bogon weapons out for a spin on the Noids. Instead, they had to take only the Tyhrra-guise out for a spin as they began their infiltration of the HQ, by taking the sub to Nefarious' Base.

But they know that they have more opportunities to test them out in the future.


*Time Skip*

Once they were in the room after some sneaking, after getting out of the sub of Aquatos's, Ratchet, Clank, and Angela was looking around until Clank spotted something that gave him hope. "There's the ventilation shaft. We must split up here, now." Clank said.

All while Ratchet, and Angela was bracing themselves for the mission that they were going to partake in. They felt that they could've had another way to do this. But they felt that they might as well get it over with.

"Okay… Well, guess it's time to put on the Tyhrra-guise, and meet our new pals." Angela said as she and Ratchet prepared to push the button on their Tyhrra-guises.

"Good luck. I'm counting on both of you to make it through this place." Clank said before they turned into their Tyhrranoid forms.

Which had them speaking some Tyhrran-ese, that Clank was able to understand. "How do you work these things?"

"Perhaps you both should've read the instruction manuals." Clank said.

"What Instruction manuals? They didn't have them as prizes back in Annihilation Nation!" Angela said in Tyhrran-ese, annoyed.

Clank had to resist face palming at that as he decided to go on ahead. "It was nice knowing you guys." He said, much to their dismay.

"Oh, Son of a Qwark!" Ratchet said in Tyhrran-ese.

"Damn it." Angela also said in Tyhrran-ese, echoing Ratchet's chagrin at their language skills in their foe's tongue. Or lack there of due to their lack of a manual.

All while Clank went through the room when he got out of the Ventilation Shaft, where he had to avoid the lasers, and the flashlight guard bot, while pushing the floor button to deactivate the shield wall, for him to continue onwards. Where he immediately saw a case that was on the floor.

Which could be the BGAMD gadget that Qwark was deploying for him, as Clank opened it up. Where sure enough, there was the banana gun, and the banana ammo to shoot out, and then there was Skrunch the monkey, who was wearing a smaller version of the Qwark costume as he climbed out of the case. (Which Clank had to admit, he wondered how the monkey was able to fit inside it. It must be bigger on the inside, like that time machine that a certain alien from another Tv show likes to use.)

"No monkeying around." Clank said, making sure that Skrunch won't misbehave. Which had Clank starting to smile at that, feeling like he made an accidental pun. "Hmm… Monkeying…" He thought with a chuckle.

"Mk-Kwak!" Skrunch said, possibly amused at the pun himself.

Which had Clank reminding himself of the mission that they were both on. "We're on an important mission. Let's keep ourselves focused."

Skrunch didn't need to be told twice as he obediently waited for Clank to shoot out the banana out of the gun to the other end of the chasm. Which Clank did, as he shot the banana out to the other end of the chasm where the floor button was, which attracted Skrunch to that place where he climbed his way across the chasm to the banana via a yellow pipe that connected to the other end. Where he ended up pressing on it, causing the bridge to extend to there, luckily for Clank.

Now there was a flashlight guard bot that was in the way. And no matter where Clank could walk to, he'd get found by the light, and he'd get obliterated. So, he used the banana to provoke Skrunch into baiting the guard bot into focusing on him.

The guard's light covered Skrunch as he then shot at the monkey, causing him to run all over the place to avoid the shots, which, luckily for him, none of them were able to hit. All while Clank merely jogged by, undetected, and untouched.

Soon he was at the other end of the room, while Skrunch was following up behind him when the guard bot lost interest. Where Clank saw that a bridge to the other end of the room that he was now in, was down.

"Ratchet, Angela, I need both of you to extend the bridge, at junction G5." Clank said into his communicator to Ratchet, and Angela.

Whom were now in position to get past the other Noids, now that they were closer to G5 after some practice with their Tyhrran-ese. "We're on it." Ratchet said in Tyhrran-ese.

Before both of them jogged their way to the shield door with another Noid behind it. Where they flagged the Noid to get closer to the door. Where they put their practice to use, along with their previous successful attempt.

It took some time, (And some accidental, yet amusing insults that they found to be pretty funny. Like the "I emit a noxious effluvium in your general direction!" insult that they had to prevent themselves from chuckling at.) but they were able to talk to the Noid.

"We have a message to deliver to Dr. Nefarious." Angela said.

"You look suspicious. Who are you?" The other Noid said in his language.

"We both look alike. And I didn't do anything wrong yet. Why am I looking suspicious?" Ratchet thought to himself. Before he decided to just make up a lie on the spot.

Angela decided to beat him to the punch before he could say it. "We're definitely loyal servants to Nefarious. Not a pair of Lombaxes." Angela said.

After some thinking, and hesitation, the Noid on the other end of the shield door ended up shrugging. "Very well, one can't be too careful." The Noid said before opening the door.

Where Ratchet, and Angela entered the room, where they saw that a piece of the bridge was down to their level. And there was a Noid near it that could raise it up for them.

And Ratchet had an Idea on what he could tell the Noid as he approached him. "Don't tell anyone, but I hid a couple Bolts under that bridge." He said.

The Noid laughed at that. "Hehehe, sucker! They're mine now!" The Noid said after some laughing, before raising the Bridge piece for Clank to walk on. While both Ratchet, and Angela quickly passed by before the Noid could notice that he got tricked.

Now Clank was continuing onwards with Skrunch by his side. Where he had to avoid some floor lasers that moved around in circles. Then they were on the other side of the lasers, where Clank saw that there was a shield door that would open up when he's on the button, only for it to turn off when he steps off of it.

Which quickly gave him an idea, as he used his BGAMD to have Skrunch standing on the floor button, until Clank was able to get to the other side of the door, where luckily for Skrunch, Clank found another floor button to stand on to keep the shield door open. Now using another banana, he had Skrunch running to the other side of the shield door, before continuing onwards with the monkey by his side.

Only to come across another hazard, being a floor fan blade that could cut them both to ribbons if they weren't careful.

Before Clank could get dismayed though, he noticed a hall way that lead to a room, where he noticed some small briefcases that was his size. Which opened up near him to show a spawning pad for his familiar friends that helped him throughout his time of running solo through his journeys.

"Ah, am I glad to see you fellows again." He said with a smile to the Gadge-bots that spawned inside. All of whom were now following Clank as he lead them back to the main hall.

Skrunch was confused about where they came from, but he felt that they could be of assistance to them.

Which they were, as Clank ordered them to attack the fan, since they were tiny enough to go under the fan blades. Before they then broke the fan into pieces after it blew up, giving both Clank, and Skrunch a way forward.

Where they had another flashlight guard bot in their way. But Clank knew what to do, even if he felt a little bad for Skrunch. But he used him to distract the guard bots while he and the Gadge-bots kept on sneaking by without too much trouble.

Other than with the other flashlight guard bot, but it was patrolling left and right, so Clank lead the Gadge-bots around the bot when it moved to the left. Luckily, it wasn't joining in on the shooting of Skrunch, who continued to dodge the shots that the flashlight guard bot made.

Now it was only the fan that he had to deal with, which the Gadge-bots were able to demolish, before going into the other room, with Clank close behind, while Skrunch wasn't far behind him when the flashlight guard bot lost interest.

Now Clank used the elevator that raised itself up when Skrunch stepped on the button on the floor, where he had to make the Gadge-bots enter themselves into the little door near the shield door to deactivate it, leading to the hallway that they feel that it could lead to Nefarious' office.

Which both Skrunch, and Clank, took.

Back with Ratchet, and Angela, they both were continuing onwards through the place, making sure to remain inconspicuous in Aquatos, while they moved onwards.

Soon though, they were headed towards Nefarious' office that they were sure that he was at. While it was blocked off by some guard Noids.

They felt that their objective was close to ending, they just needed to get to the office without alerting the Noids, as they came to the one behind the shield.

Ratchet had an idea for what to say. "I'm here to repair the Holovid in the Break room."

It didn't take long for the Noid to respond. "It's about time! We missed yesterday's Secret Agent Clank episode!" It said, before opening the shield door.

Now it was just another Noid they needed to persuade, to extend the bridge for them to take. "Could you kindly extend this bridge sir?"

The next Noid wasn't so willing. "You have no clearance here. Why should I trust you?"

That was a pretty good question as Ratchet, and Angela had to think up another lie on the spot. But what could Ratchet say?

"Umm… I'll give you my sister's phone number… and I'm not a Lombax." Ratchet said.

"Ooh why didn't you say so? And I'm guessing that's your sis-"

"You better not be asking or a date, or I'll F#$!ing kill you!" Angela thought as she glared at the Noid at the bridge, making him very nervous.

"Nope! Not really!" Ratchet said quickly, noticing the glare that Angela was making, in her Noid form. "Are you gonna extend the bridge, or not?"

"No problem. Just tell her I said hi." The Noid said, extending the bridge for them both, while Angela was cooling down since she knew that the Noid wasn't gonna try to take her now, as they were now crossing the bridge together.

Which was good, since she was saving herself for Ratchet. (Or any other guy that she may fall in love with, in the future, should Ratchet find someone else to love. But she has doubts about that.)

Once they were sure that they were inside the office, and once they were sure that no Noid had their eye on them, they proceeded to deactivate their Tyhrra-guises, putting them back in their Lombax forms.

"Whew. That was easy." Ratchet softly said.

"You said it. I thought that those guys could've been very paranoid of us when we didn't do good on our language in Tyhrran-ese. It's a good thing they're pretty stupid." Angela said.

Now it was just them, and possibly Nefarious that was behind the large office chair that was turned towards the computer screens. They felt that they could end their mission on Aquatos in a Critical Mission Success, by taking Nefarious out, and ending the war against him early. So Ratchet had his wrench ready, with Angela having her Lava Gun at the ready too, just in case they'll have Nefarious covered in his office.

Only for the chair to turn, showing that Clank himself was in the chair, having beaten them to the room alongside Skrunch. Whom was sitting near a shelf, eating some bananas. "Heh heh heh heh, what took you both so long?" He asked.

"Clank?!" Both Ratchet, and Angela said, in unison.

"What are you doing here? I thought we agreed to meet each other on the surface." Ratchet asked.

Clank merely shrugged. "I thought I would help." He said.

Neither Lombax wanted to reject his help, since he did have the intelligence of a Genius. "Very well. You can give us a hand in searching this office." Ratchet said, looking around in the room alongside Angela.

Before he then noticed a shelf that looked like it was full of holovid DVDs. Not only that, but when they both got closer, they ended up noticing that those were Secret Agent Clank DVDs. "Whoa, look at this." He then took out one of the DVDs. "A complete collection of Secret Agent Clank holovids."

Angela was surprised at seeing that. "Wow. I didn't know that Nefarious was a huge fan of your series." Angela said, surprised.

"I didn't either. And that fact is rather disturbing." He said awkwardly, noticing the large shelf behind them that seems to house a huge collection of those holovid DVDs of his show.

Clank was pretty flattered nonetheless.

"Anyways, what else did you find here?" Ratchet asked.

That reminded Clank, as he typed on the computer. "I've downloaded an encrypted star map. Perhaps Al, or Elaris, can decode it." He said.

Angela, and Ratchet was pleased to hear that from Clank. "Great. Let's get back to the Phoenix."

"There's something else that I found." Clank said, before Ratchet could find a way out of the office. "I've just found out, that there is a prisoner that is in this base, who's being held here as we speak."

"There's a prisoner here?" Angela asked, wondering who it could be.

Clank nodded as he typed in the command to have the computer looking through the cameras in the cell block where the prisoner was being held. Then they flipped through the channels of the cameras to see which one was viewing the prisoner, and was showing what he/she looks like.

Soon, they saw who the prisoner was.

And it was a she, that was in the prison cell. Who had cyan blue skin, with darker blue hair in a ponytail, teal eye colors, and she happened to have a pair of Manta's tail-like antennae on the top of the front of her head. And she looked to be fishlike in looks due to the fins on the sides of her jaw, and her forearms, and she had three fingers on each other hands. Not to mention the fact that she happens to be pretty tall. Possibly as tall as Starlene. And she wore a violet one piece jumpsuit that covered almost all of her body, up to her head, while keeping her ponytail, her antennae, and her face uncovered, while she also happens to have some boots worn that connected to the suit. And she also had a metallic vest on her torso that happened to show her bust, and had what looked like a double hose regulator over it.

And she was inside the cell, glaring at the other Noids as she patiently waited for someone to either rescue her, or for the cell to be opened so that she may attempt to escape. And she happened to be determined to escape, regardless of her situation that would've left them nervous at what was going to happen to them, if they were in her shoes.

"According to the prisoner's log, this lady appears to be a native to this Planet." Clank said. "And she goes by the nickname, 'Hydro Girl.' Whom was captured, and sent here for fighting against the Tyrranoids, and Nefarious, to help in constructing a shelter for baby lunar seals injured in an interplanetary tanker accident." Clank said.

Angela had a soft spot for the baby lunar seals, and she was touched that Hydro Girl helped with the shelter building. And after what she heard, she found another reason to hate Nefarious.

Same could be said for Ratchet, who was also touched with the shelter building. And that's regardless of his indifference towards the seals.

"We need to save her. Can we let her out of that cell?" Angela asked with Ratchet in agreement.

Not to say that he wanted her for a girlfriend, as he felt that she's out of his league. Plus, he still had a crush on Angela.

"No problem. Let's just make sure that we're able to escape too." Clank said as he typed in on the computer, making sure to type in a command to turn off the cell, to free the Aquatosian, known as Hydro Girl.

As they expected, the force field keeping her inside fizzled out as one of the guard Noids that held another Constructo Pistol, had his back facing the cell. Hydro Girl was initially confused at what happened, but she then started to smirk when she realized that the cell was open, before sneakily getting behind the Noid, before dragging him back into her cell, where there was noises of the Noid getting clobbered being made.

The alarm ended up blaring however, which alerted the Noids of a prisoner getting out of the cell, as Hydro Girl got out of her cell, and was able to run with the Constructo Pistol in hand as she was able to take down more of the Noids that tried to take her down, before she got to the armory.

It was a moment, before she then got out of the armory, now armed with more weapons, like the Annihilator missile launcher, another Plasma whip, another Spitting Hydra, and a new weapon that was what Ratchet recognized was a Groovitron.

The latter of which she used to distract the Noids into dancing as she continued to run through the halls, trying to find a place to flee through, all while shooting the Noids that couldn't stop dancing around, due to the Groovitron's influence.

Pretty soon though, she found a pipe that looked like it led to the sewers. And after some hesitation, she jumped in, with no Noid being willing to follow her into the pipe.

Much to the trio's relief, as they then noticed another pipe that looked like it led downwards and could lead them to the sewers. Which they felt, could be the same one that Hydro Girl could be inside.

None of them knew another way out of the office, and back to the Star Explorer, and the Noids could be coming to their current location due to the alarm.

And hearing some footsteps that could be approaching the office, they felt that they're right. So, after putting Clank back on his back, both Lombaxes dashed to the pipe with Skrunch in tow, and proceeded to jump down into it as they heard the Noids entering.

The Noids ended up noticing the figures jumping into the pipe, as they ran to its edge. "Dang it! They jumped into the sewers." One Noid said.

"Then follow them into that place and kill them." The other Noid tried to command.

"Oh no. I don't do dirty places. And you do know why we put the bots, and the other soldiers down there, do you?"

"I thought you swallowed your fear of those Ameboids!" The other Noid said, considering that they were scared of the Ameboids, and didn't really see eye to eye with them, after Nefarious' defeat by Qwark's hands.

"What about you then? Have you swallowed your fear?" The first one asked.

After a shake of his head, both Noids ended up facepalming. "Our boss, is not going to be happy about this." The other Noid said, fearing Nefarious' wrath at how not only have they just lost the figures that Infiltrated the place, but also the fact that one of the Prisoners escaped as well.


It was a long dive through the pipe, feeling like an hour ended up passing, of them descending through the pipe that they guessed, lead to the sewers. It looked like it was long enough for an unlucky Noid to scream for minutes, before having to draw in a breath to scream again, before gasping in another breath to scream again, it was so long.

Not that either Lombax was screaming during their descent, even though they hoped that they won't end up landing in a place that would be packed to the brim with Ameboids, let alone landing on a patch of land in the Sewer that could cost them their ankles, or their shins from the high drop, if Clank wasn't there to help levitate both of them to the ground at a soft rate. (Skrunch was screaming like a little girl, as he descended with them, though.)

Eventually, they were in the sewer section of Aquatos, where they saw that they were going to land in a river of green water. Which, luckily for the Quartet, was deep enough to cushion their fall, and prevent them from hitting the bottom of the pipe. Before they were then pushed through the river that they were swimming in as they tried not to submerge themselves, due to how disgusting the water was being.

Which was why, both Lombaxes made an agreement that they're going to take a shower after they get out of Aquatos. Either in the Phoenix, or probably in a hotel room on Rilgar, Kerwan, Kalebo III, or even in Ratchet's home on Veldin, before reporting into the Phoenix afterwards.

After the current died down, they swam onwards until they were in a pipe, which wasn't a long swim until they found land in the sewer, causing them to climb out of the water.

Where in Ratchet's, and Clank's eyes, a familiar face was, as he was working on the pipes.

That face, being the Plumber that they met on Novalis, and on Aranos, in Angela's flying lab, who was currently bent over, showing them his backside.

"Whoa. Deja vu." Ratchet said, approaching the Plumber.

Whom hit his head on one of the other pipes after getting startled. "OW! Oh. It's you two again. Right on schedule." The Plumber said, recognizing Ratchet, and Clank from a year ago from Aranos. Before he then saw Angela. "And I reckon, that you might be his Mrs. by any chance?"

Both Ratchet, and Angela was blushing at what he asked. With the latter making a little giggle at that innocent question. "Not really. I'm Angela Cross by the way. I'm from the Bogon Galaxy."

"Ah yes, Bogon. I remember meeting those guys there while on Aranos. The ones in charge of that ship were good payers, but boy were they rude. And it's a good thing that I hightailed it out of that Galaxy, when the infestation hit. I could've been their dinner too, if I was slower in escaping. Oh, and I had to unblock a perfectly good Statuette of Captain Qwark out of one of the pipes, before givin it to them. Honestly, who would flush a Statuette like that down the toilet?" The Plumber said, annoyed at the memory.

"I've got no idea. Why not ask one of the thugs that? That is, if there's still some of them that's in my lab." Angela asked, annoyed at the memory of the Thugs taking over her flying lab.

"That ship was yours? Is it still operational?" He asked, which Angela didn't answer, since it was a little while since she was back there. So she didn't know for sure. In fact, she feels that Ratchet should go there back in Bogon for their aforementioned shower time. Just to make sure.

"Ah well, that's not important. This here, is one of the smelliest, nastiest, sewers in the Galaxy. Most people wouldn't dare set foot in a place like this, but me? *long sniff* Ah, I just can't get enough." He then said.

Neither Lombax wanted to know about his fixation in going into sewers like this one.

"Right… well, we're just passing through. You can get back to… whatever it is you're doing." Ratchet said as the Plumber scratched his buttocks through his overalls.

"As you wish. Oh, and if you guys have any time, can you folks get me some Sewer Crystals? I'll pay you guys for them in Bolts. I'm making something special for my Mrs." The plumber then said.

"Sewer Crystals… you mean like these ones?" Ratchet asked, showing a pair of Sewer Crystals to the Plumber.

Whom took them out of their hands, before sniffing on them. "Ahhh. Fresh from the bowels of the King Ameboid." He said, delighted, much to Ratchet's, and Angela's disgust at the description. "Here you folks go, as promised." he then said, giving them Four thousand Bolts for the Crystals. Which was a plus in their eyes.

"There are some more Crystals where that came from, in this pipe to my right. If you folks have the time, do you mind exploring that pipe for them?" He asked.

The Lombaxes were mixed about that. The sewer was Ameboid infested, and it was disgusting to go in there. But the pay in Bolts seemed beneficial for them. "We need to report to the Phoenix, so we don't have time. But once we do… We'll keep that in mind." Ratchet said, willing to go collect the Crystals for the bolts when the time comes. Which could be never.

"Oh, and if a girl that is native to this Planet comes through here, be sure to tell her that we've given her help towards freedom, and that we'll be sure to see if-" He tried to then say.

Only to then hear splashing sounds, like someone was running through the water. Which came from the pipe that the Plumber gestured to, as they suddenly saw a girl running out of it. And she happened to be the same girl that they freed from the prison cell, being Hydro Girl, who was now running out of the pipe.

"Whew. Good thing those Noids were scared of that place. And it's a good thing that the Ameboids were too slow to give chase." She said, exiting the pipe. Before she then laid eyes on the trio. "Oh, hey there! I'm Hydro girl. Who're- wait! Secret Agent Clank? Is that you?" She asked, surprised.

"That's me alright." Clank said. "Though you can just call me Clank."

"Ah, and I see that your cute Chauffeur is here too. Didn't I hear that he saved this Galaxy?" She then said.

"Indeed." He said, deadpan. Even though he blushed at what she said about him. "And my name is Ratchet. And I'm indeed the one that saved this Galaxy from Drek. And I'm only the Chauffeur in the series. That's all."

Hydro Girl was a little surprised that he was the one that saved the Solona Galaxy from Drek.

"And I'm Angela Cross. I'm a friend of his. I'm from Bogon." She then said.

"Bogon? You mean the Galaxy that got infested by those Protopets?" She asked.

"That's the one. It's a long story though, so do you mind if we tell you about it as we leave this Planet?" Angela asked.

"No problem." Hydro Girl said. "Mind if I come with you guys? I'll be your friend. That is, if you're fighting that Nefarious creep." She then said, hopeful that they aren't Nefarious' minions.

"Of course. And don't worry, we're fighting him too. So, you're safe with us." Ratchet said.

Much to Hydro Girl's joy, as she hugged them all, while showing them that she indeed was tall, to where even towered over Angela, to where she was up to Hydro Girl's chest in height. All while they were flattered by the hug, regardless of the sewer smell. Now they were exiting the sewer through the submarine, after giving their farewells to the Plumber, who saw the whole thing.

"Ah, I have a feeling that your friendship with each other is going to be quite strong in the future. Especially in your case with the tall catlike lady." The Plumber mused to himself on the last part as he saw them enter the sub.


The (Currently) Quintet was now in the room where the Star Explorer was, as they were prepared to leave the entire Planet for greener Pastures, and for a shower. They just needed to decide on which shower to use, whether on Rilgar, or the other Planets with cities inside, all of which should have hotels inside for them to use, or use Ratchet's home on Veldin that Ratchet knows has a shower, or go to Aranos, where Angela's flying lab should be intact, and may have a shower for them to take.

Even though they were leaning for Aranos. Despite the fact that it's in the Bogon Galaxy. And it might take another use of the Gravimetric Warp Drive to go to Bogon, for them to get to that place.

All while they were thinking about the mission that they went through, that Qwark had them take. And they were surprised at how they were able to live through it. And they were quite surprised that, true to what Qwark said, it worked. They were able to infiltrate the base, get the encrypted star map, that may get the dirt on Nefarious' plans, and be of use to the Q-force in their battle against him, and they got out of the base without too much trouble, thanks to the sewers. And they got another ally from the mission, being Hydro Girl.

Whom, they later heard, was another contestant in Dreadzone, alongside Brax. Which was said to be Illegal as was mentioned, but also dangerous, and full of the baddest of the bad Gladiators in it. And she was able to escape it alongside Brax, before her capture by the Noid's hands for Nefarious. Which did show them, that not only did she look pretty, (In Ratchet's eyes at least.) but she also happened to be a great fighter herself. Which in this case, makes her quite a great ally in their fight against Nefarious. Whom seemed like he was gonna give her back to the Dreadzone host, who was in charge of the game show. Which would mean death.

And both Lombaxes were inclined to invite her into the Q-force as their newest member. Regardless of her own dissappointment in the fact that Qwark was in charge.

But it seems to them, that he's trying to be a hero for once. And after the successful plan that they pulled off, it seemed that he has gained newfound respect from them. But they still haven't forgotten their history with Qwark. And they intend not to make Qwark forget it either.

But at least in terms of gaining their forgiveness for his past, it was a decent start.

"Are you ready to use the Gravimetric Warp Drive again? It should be quite a stable ride as it was the first time." Ratchet asked.

"Oh trust me, I feel that we could be safer in a hotel on Kerwan." Clank said nervously, with Angela in agreement. Even though she was gonna support the decision to go to Aranos again.

But Hydro Girl piped in. "Why don't we go to my place for showering? It's not too close to Aquatos, and we'll be safe there due to my home security."

Neither Lombax argued with that, as they decided to go with her idea. "We'll do that. What Planet is it on?"

"It's not on any Planet here. It's my personal spaceship that's also my home, complete with all the amenities." Hydro Girl said, smiling at them. "By the way though. Did any of you free me? The cell door couldn't have been on the fritz at the best moment for me to run." Hydro Girl asked.

"You can say that. I did tell Clank to hack into the security system of this place to free you, so- MMPH!"

Ratchet suddenly felt himself getting hugged by Hydro Girl, with Clank still on his back as he too got hugged. "Oh, thank you for rescuing me Ratchet. I knew you were a good hero." She said smiling, before kissing Ratchet, and Clank on their heads.

Much to Angela's envy. But she didn't show it. And she felt that it was just a thank you hug and kiss. And nothing more romantic than that. (At least, she hopes so.)

All while Ratchet felt that he might have a chance with Hydro Girl, if he was more inclined to be her boyfriend. But he was still hopeful to be Angela's boyfriend if he still has a chance with her first.

Either way, they were delighted to have her for an ally as they continue their fight against Nefarious, as they all proceeded to board the Star Explorer, and exit the Planet Aquatos, the same way they came in.

Nefarious was not gonna be happy about his base being infiltrated.


Speaking of whom, the doctor himself was in the middle of watching an episode of Secret Agent Clank, in his private space station's room, when he was approached by his Robot Butler.

"I'm terribly sorry to disturb your work sir, but you may want to know that your 'Impenetrable' secret base on Aquatos… has been penetrated." The Butler said.

Which had Nefarious both shocked and angry at the news. "WHAT?! IMPOSSIBLE!"

"If you say so, sir. They apparently stole some sort of datadisk, and one of your prisoners escaped from her cells." The Butler said. "Well, I must be off now, dirty laundry and whatnot…" He said.

Before he could leave, Nefarious had him stopping in his tracks by his command. "Hold it! First, tell me. Who is responsible for this outrage?" Nefarious asked angrily.

"I believe it was a Captain Qwark, or something." The butler responded casually.

Captain Qwark.

That name left Nefarious feeling quite agitated, and angrier when he remembered who the man was that had that name. That man being Captain Qwark himself, whom beaten him years ago. Which would be years before Drek came into power, and tried to destroy the Planets in the Solona Galaxy, only to be stopped by some sort of new hero, named Ratchet.

And Nefarious was going to become an ally to Drek himself, but two things stopped him from going through with it.

One: Drek destroyed, and polluted Planets, to create a new one, and then do the same thing after destroying some more of them, for Bolts, which contrasted with Nefarious' goals of merely conquering them, and turning all of their inhabitants into robots. (Even a villain like Nefarious had standards after all.)

And Two: Qwark worked for Drek as well, according to his spies, who spied on Qwark. Whom he hated since the day he first fought him, prior to becoming a robot himself.

And the fact that Qwark happened to have penetrated his base in Aquatos, was the news that left him to say the least, very unhappy.

"QWAAAAAAAAAA-"

"Oh Janice, you'll always be the love of my life. *Kissing*"

Nefarious suddenly glitched out as he stood, frozen in place as he sparked a bit near his head, while his head suddenly played a sample from a Soap Opera radio show that Nefarious either doesn't know about, or happens to be a fan of, alongside Agent Clank, the Butler didn't know.

All he knew, was what he usually had to do when Nefarious gets like this, as he walked forward to him, putting down the basket of clothes.

"You really should have that looked at." The Butler said, before slapping Nefarious upside his head.

"-AAAAAAAAARRRRK!" Nefarious finished saying, now that he was unfrozen.

"That loathsome moron could never hope to match wits with the likes of me!" Nefarious said.

"If anyone could beat a moron at his own game, it'd be you sir." The Butler said, subtly insulting Nefarious. Whom didn't even notice he's being insulted. "He did, however, assemble a group of Elite Agents, known as The Q-force. And it's said, that the one that saved the Solona, and Bogon Galaxies, is among them."

"WHAT?! This Q-force must be stopped! Especially that little savior of the Galaxies! Destroy them! Eradicate them! Annihilate them all!" He said before cackling evilly at the intention.

"That's on my to do list, after I fold your undergarments." The Butler then said, leaving Nefarious to his own devices as he let himself stew in his own excitement at the thought of the Q-force being destroyed.

The battle against him, for the fate of Solona, has just begun.


And done.

The Lombaxes has completed their mission without fail, regardless of it being made by Qwark. It seems that Qwark is getting better than last time.

And just in case you guys don't know, Hydro Girl was in Ratchet Deadlocked, (Or Ratchet Gladiator, if you're in Europe.) at the end, where she thanks Ratchet for the save, and to have him look her up when in Aquatos. In this though, lets just say that she's escaped early, and is now another ally for Ratchet, and another member of the Q-force. Before being sent back to the Dreadzone.

As for the Qwark Vid comic that they plan on playing, let's just say that they're gonna play it in a filler chapter.

Edit: And don't worry folks, even though I also ship Ratchet and Hydro Girl, in this, it's just Angela, and Ratchet, that's gonna be paired in this story.

Finally, one more thing.

I hope you enjoyed the Chapter,

do give constructive criticism, just don't be rude,

do not forget to read and review,

and once again, I do not own Ratchet and Clank. Ratchet and Clank is created and owned by Insomniac games and Sony. Please support the official release.

Theodore the Poet signing off.