The weapons room is just that: dedicated to the art of destruction. Every piece of equipment is carefully organized by size, type, and brand. Along the walls are bulletproof glass cases, keeping the weapons inside safe from the outside world. Or is it the other way around? A smaller glass case is about waist height to her, and it holds holo armor generators of many different shapes and colors. A filing cabinet in the corner of the room holds weapon schematics too dangerous to be kept on the top floor. Nova steps off of the lift and turns slowly, taking in the sheer spectacle of it all.

"This is…Wow."

"Impressive, is it not? It is a full collection of guns and gadgets from Gadgetron, Megacorp, and Grummelnet, carefully polished and left here for safe keeping."

Nova grips the crimson omniwrench like a crutch, doing the best she can to imagine how someone her size could even carry half of this stuff, much less use it effectively. "Yeah, it's incredible. Oh, what does this do?" Nova points to a small red button on the wall, not daring to actually touch anything. I'd rather not risk blowing a room of potentially loaded weapons to smithereens. Especially with me and Clank in it.

"This, Nova," Clank presses the button, and the organic's heart skips a beat at the action. She closes her eyes and retreats inward, leaning further into the wrench as she's unsure what to expect. "reveals the most powerful weapons in the known universe."

The ground shakes, throwing off Nova's balance, and an entirely new case of weapons rises from deeper underground. They vary in shape, and they're the largest she's ever seen in her life, even more impressive than the previous ones. The fact that they were originally hidden from view leads her to believe that Clank's words are no exaggeration.

"This is the entire collection of RYNOs, their name standing for 'Rip You A New One'. They are impossible to obtain legally, but they certainly get the job done."

"Whoa..."

Clank turns to Nova, and his wide grin and confident tone speaks volumes. "So, where would you like to begin?"

Nova gulps, a bit intimidated by the idea of a weapon being so overpowered that it's made illegal. And the fact that there's more in front of her than she can count on one hand. "Uh, let's start a bit smaller. Like a pistol. I've never shot a gun in my life."

"Of course."

Clank presses the button again, and the RYNOs retreat to their original space. Nova scans the room for an appropriate starting point. No, too big. Not that one, way too complex. She points to a simple blaster, earning Clank's nod of approval. "I'll try that one first."

"Very well. One moment, and we shall remove it." Clank pulls out a small device from his chest. A soft light emanates from the screen as Clank activates the object.

"How much stuff are you keeping in there, Clank?"

Clank navigates the menus, using one hand to click an option. After doing so, The light changes to a soft green. "There is a matter compression system in my body that allows me to store many items. I will give you one to access weapons. Put on this headset, and place your arms over this device."

Nova places the omniwrench against the wall, and Clank gives her a small earpiece. After clipping the device on, she hovers her hands over the screen's light. A wall of light scans them, and there's a sudden chill as fitted gloves appear on her arms. "Gloves? How do these store weapons?"

"The gloves themselves allow access to the quick select menu, which is a projection of your current inventory. Your personal inventory pulls from here, your weapons locker. There is a sensor embedded in the back of your hand. Press there."

She complies, and a small screen with eight slots appears above Nova's hand. The robot explains the interface. "This screen is not necessary to change your weapon, but it helps the user visualize what they have at the ready. It can also equip weapons manually, but it is much faster to tele-quip. Your quick select is currently empty, so for now, let us set two weapons. Use the neural sensor in your earpiece to summon your preferred melee weapon first. Imagine it in your hands, and it will appear."

"Uh, okay." With a deep breath, she imagines the texture of the handle, the weight of the wood. A flash of light teleports her staff into her hands. She lazily swings it, then taps it onto the ground. "I think I'll stick with this for now. The crystal pulse can be a good backup if I run out of ammo, and it's a weapon I already know how to use. We're gonna do the gun next, right?"

"That is correct. Use your thoughts to put the staff away, and equip the blaster."

The teen releases her grip on the staff, and it disappears. A glance at the quick select shows a symbol at the center of the circle, a line with a ball at the tip to represent her staff. She locks eyes with the blaster, and extends a hand forward. The gun is removed from the glass case, and is gripped firmly in her hand. She brings the object closer, careful not to point the barrel at her face or Clank. "Alright, let's get started. But first, it might be best to get some clothes better suited for the heat."

Nova puts the blaster away, noting the crosshair symbol now in her quick select, and Clank pulls out the PDA again. It's opened to a clothing store, and Nova purchases a new set. The box of goods appears in front of her as soon as the transaction is complete. Nova takes the package into another room, emerging in a thin white tee shirt, olive green pants, and a pair of rugged combat boots. Her makeup is applied, her hair bun is redone, and the hex mount is placed over her torso once more. "How do I look?"

"Like you are ready for your first lesson. Follow me outside." Clank leads the two of them into the front yard, closing the door behind them and holding a metal sphere in his hand. As he speaks, Nova places every ounce of attention on him, a bit nervous at the training becoming a reality instead of a promise.

"We have approximately four weeks until Nefarious attacks again. I believe that the best course of action would be six days of training, followed by a day of rest. For the first set, we shall focus on one-handed weapons and gadgets. Next, we move to heavier firepower. After weapons training is primarily finished, we will go over the increased maneuverability of working as a team. The final week will be review. At night, I will teach you how to build, repair, and modify weapons and ships if you so choose."

"Sounds like a plan. Start small, work our way up."

"To begin, the blaster is a short to medium range pistol with a high rate of fire. Being a small weapon, there is very little recoil to it. Aim for the bots that appear, and pull the trigger. The first few will be stationary."

The robot throws the object a few yards away, and it pops open to reveal three tiny round bots with large eyes. They sit where they land idly, as if waiting for an order. Nova points the barrel to the center bot, takes a deep breath, and fires. The bullets spray the air above the bots, and the gun nearly shakes out of her hands. "Sweet Zoni, that's 'not a lot of recoil'?"

"No, it is a very light weapon. Try again. Aim down the sights, and gently squeeze the trigger. If you pull it with force, you will be less accurate."

Nova shrugs with a worried hum, aiming for the bots again. This time, managing to char the ground around the bots. Their metal remains spotless. Her grip tightens, and her chagrin causes her mind to wander. I can't do this. Why me, instead of someone with experience? How can I be a hero if I can't even shoot straight? This thing is so tiny compared to the other guns, and I can't even hold it still. How can I protect Clank, and Saros, and the shop, and-

"Nova?" She's snapped back to reality with a start, looking to Clank's worried expression. "I believe I see your problem," he says. "Show me your grip, and I will correct it."

Nova swallows the lump in her throat, kneels down, and lets Clank adjusts her hands. Sticking with the position, Nova rises to try again. Recalling Aphelion's lesson, Clank hums as he makes a connection. If Nova can tie this to previous experience, it will seem less complex.

"You can do this, Nova. You have done so before."

Nova huffs at the comment, her voice grumbling with frustration. "You mean as Ratchet, right?"

Clank's no stranger to diffusing anger. After all, he had a century of practice. "No, as yourself, and I can prove it. Please swap to your staff."

Nova's grip loosens on the gun as she turns to Clank puzzled. My staff? "Huh? But I thought we were gonna start with this."

"We will, but you must trust me, Nova. Have I led you astray yet?"

The blaster is put away with a deep breath and a sigh. She equips the familiar staff, and grips it loosely. "I guess not."

Nova points the crystal at the left bot, closing one eye to aim. Her grip steadies, focusing the energy to the tip, and fires. The staff is deftly shifted to the middle, then the right target, and each one is reduced to scrap. She turns to Clank discouraged, holding the staff in front of her. "I can't defeat Nefarious with a light show. Does it really matter if I can use this thing if I can't aim with a gun?"

"Your fears are holding you back, not allowing you to realize the contradiction in your words and actions. You can aim, and well, because I just witnessed you do so."

Nova considers his words for a moment, putting the staff away. She can't really deny that he's technically right. She's used these staves for years, the fongoids having trained her with the spares in the barracks. She's blasted many a zyphoid, so why should she struggle now? The blaster appears in her hands again, and she uses the grip Clank showed her.

"How did your peers teach you before, Nova?"

"They told me that a weapon is an extension of the self. If I place my focus into it, it will allow me to strike whatever target I'm aiming at."

Clank nods, placing another group of bots onto the field. They chitter to themselves, but remain relatively still. "This is no different; the only thing that has changed is the tools used."

Nova aims for the bots, staring down the sights, and keeps the words in mind. The trigger is squeezed, a string of yellow lights rushes forward…

The bullets strike true, and the bots explode one by one. Clank gives a nod of approval, summoning another metal ball. "Well done, Nova. Now, let us try a moving target."

Her confidence restored, Nova looks to Clank with a smile. Maybe the universe isn't doomed after all.