ShellShock

by Omgwtfcouple

Everyone's nightmare is to wake up in a cold, dark place without a single clue where one is. Not that this would be this terrifying for us; the ones who live here are.

19. Calm before the Storm

Shell Shock

Writers: Denny and Leila
Rating: PG-RG
Warnings: Ratchet/Azimuth. Violence.
Disclaimer: We value our lives too much to even dare think about claiming Ratchet and Alister as our own. We borrow them for an RP, so don't worry. [Put the Wargroks back into your cage!]
Summary: Everyone's nightmare is to wake up in a cold, dark place without a clue where one is. Sadly, that's what's happened to us. What's even better, we have monsters and weird encounters to endure as well. And then there's them…
Lucky, right? If I ever get out of here, I will need some therapy sessions.

Chapter 19

-

"I am going to lead you to the instruction room where you will be prepared for today. Even though we don't have the perfect data stored for this, we do hope that it will provide you with enough information to carry out your duty."

"What does this preparation include? Simulations? Or only reading material?"

"Oh, several things. An orientation video, updates of your armors data-wise, and of course a few devices to give you at least a little safety while fighting." Lawrence looked at Ratchet. "Though I cannot assure that it will help too much when you are actually all out in their field."

"At least you're honest. Nefarious wouldn't bother with that." While slightly more bitter in tone, Ratchet still grinned at his companions. "Not that either of us has any illusions about the guards being easy opponents. One chased me through the facility, probably to test me, and it nearly got me several times."

"Oh?" Lawrence blinked. "They didn't get you? That is a surprise. I actually expected them to have captured you and then examined you. Perhaps they have been playing with you?"

"They captured me in the end, so I guess, yeah, they played with me." After he had walked into their trap - though even now he had a deeper insight about the guards, if it happened again, he still wouldn't run away if Alister was in danger.

Though, what Lawrence said...

"I thought you had seen me being examined by the guards? Didn't you see also the time before?"

"... No?" Lawrence frowned. "How could I have seen you? I wasn't even aware that you were in this facility until I discovered you two prying into our data banks in my conduction room." The butler sneered. "I wouldn't have let you leave such a terrible mess behind if I had known you were there."

"So you guessed the guards examined us because of the blood on the floor?"

"Actually not. It was the fact that you were so reluctant to speak - go left, by the way." Lawrence held the bathrobes with both hands now and walked a little faster. "Knowing that they tend to execute their examination by... interacting orally with their targets, should they have such an opening at all, I concluded that you have had the questionable pleasure."

"Questionable indeed." Azimuth shuddered slightly. "I would not want to go through this again."

"Odd as it sounds, I do sympathize. The doctor once filmed an examination up close, the poor victim being one of the workers." A shudder went through the butler that was so strong he actually had to stop, and the look of disgust was once not hidden at all.

Now that was an... unexpected sight. Lawrence actually shuddering because of the guards? Azimuth had not expected that. "I guess your guards are not as pleasant as employees should be."

"Anything but pleasant fellows, yes. And awfully hard to control. Even Nefarious is easier to direct- oh my, I did not say that now." The butler smirked faintly. "It certainly is favorable that you are getting rid of them for us."

"I wouldn't say 'favorable' yet, Lawrence." Ratchet smirked, but the grin falling away with the next words after a pause. "You know that wherever I get into fights, there are a lot of explosions. And fighting that Shapeshifter thing, we'll need all firepower we can get our hands on."

"Oh, I would kindly ask you to be a bit careful. We wouldn't want the facility to collapse, or, even worse, incite an even more worrisome reaction when you don't dispose of those guards appropriately. By the way, Ratchet, you are almost at the door." To show his point he gestured forward, and Ratchet actually did turn his head only as he had almost passed the entrance. He flailed a bit to a stop, circling on the heel of his boot and faced the door again.

A faint chuckle from the butler. "If you keep up this graceful way of moving, I am certain that the Shapeshifters will fall for you... or rather, over." Stepping beside the younger Lombax, he opened the door. Before them a rather plain room appeared, bluish in tone and equipped with a few shelves, machines and three chairs. There was a TV as well, most probably for the orientation video, and some puppets that seemed simply like empty shells.

"Please take a seat, we will begin with the video instruction."

Both Lombaxes followed the instruction, much to Lawrence's inner delight, as he set up the demonstration. The rolling table rattled over the tiles under its load - or rather, the load did. The sound made two pair of ears twitch before two equally befuddled faces followed, looking behind them while they kept sitting on the padded chairs.

As soon as the table was positioned, Lawrence turned to the organics. "Well then." The butler made a sound similar to clearing his throat before he continued. "Hello and welcome to the lovely team of Doctor Nefarious. We are more than glad to have you as a part in our staff and hope that your time with us will be just as enjoyable as your results are for Dr. Nefarious. Do not disappoint us and we shall provide lovely working conditions for you."

"God, if this is going to be one of those obnoxious introductory sessions..." Azimuth mumbled towards Ratchet.

"Before we commence further discussion concerning your safety, and even more so the safety of our facility when you fight the guards, we have prepared this introduction video. Yes, it is obligatory, Ratchet, please don't look at me like this - after that I will share with you as much data as I have stored about the guards, such as some patterns after which the guards move - may I say that despite how psychopathic they are combined with arrogance about their superior intellect, they are very predictable - or specific traits depending on which fracture you fight. Not that you should ever provoke them intentionally. Or maybe you should, given if the situation calls for suicidal actions by enraging them."

"Oh?" Azimuth's ears perked. "What do you mean?"

"Well, Azimuth..." Lawrence closed his optics. "Prideful creatures tend to become irrational, should their honor ever be slimmed. I am certain you could sing a song about it." Before the elder could reply, though, the butler turned around to the screen. "Either way, time's a wasting. Let's better start before we start to rust." And with that he pushed the play button.

The worst ten minutes of their lives ensued.

"... I have never seen something even remotely as embarrassing as this." Azimuth rubbed his temples, so grossed out that he had half slid out of his chair, one hand clawing into the arm rest.

"Oh that was just the beginning. There is more to come."

The elder groaned. The universe had to hate him.

Ratchet just looked contemplatively on the screen. "I admit, that was the worst introductory video I've ever seen. But not the worst video ever. The producers of Secret Agent Clank had ideas for such embarrassing flicks that Clank threatened to quit production instantly should they ever want to film that, lest show it in the movies."

"... You seem certainly resistant to it." Azimuth had a hard time getting back on his chair, but eventually succeeded in doing so. Just in time, too - the actually relevant part started in that moment.

Lawrence finally turned off that god-awful introductory video, pressing a button on his palmtop and thus having a white board slide down. The low humming of a beamer could be heard - and soon a chart, similar to a pyramid, was projected on the white surface. "Well, since we've all more or less survived this hideously clichéd video - circuits forbid that be not the last creation of Dr. Nefarious, the director - we shall now proceed to the actual instructions. Please direct your attention to the pyramid chart right here." A holo-pointer appeared in Lawrence's hand as he pinpointed the graph. "As you can see here, Shapeshifters are anything but a chaotic race- well, not race, rather kind. They do have a peculiar sense for hierarchy among them, each rank bearing certain… traits." The butler stopped for a moment. "Everything understandable until now?"

Ratchet leant forward with wide eyes, causing Lawrence to sigh. "Apparently there are already questions."

"No, no, I've understood that with the hierarchy, it just surprises me. When I met the guards, I didn't notice any distinguished groups among them. They all seemed the same to me - why would they have different traits if they are a collective mind?"

"Do you bear only one emotion in your mind?", the butler replied. "No, I believe you organics are even more prone to your different sentiments than us robots. Luckily, if I may say so, as I imagine your state of mind quite horrendous in certain situations." He paused for a moment. "Just as much as I believe you have been in an inner conflict quite often now." His gaze strafed Azimuth only occasionally. "Now, if you, as a single individual, encounter several conflicting moments in your mind during your life, how would it be with every single emotion being split on at least one entity?"

"... Oh fuck." Ratchet leant heavily back, shaking his head. The notion of his emotions and thoughts gaining physical shape at all was already hard to imagine - with his current feelings, however, it went from 'crazy' to terrifying. He peeked through his fingers at Alister who was sitting rigidly in his chair. "But... it can happen that one emotion overweighs and then every one of them 'feels' it? They were surely ecstatic as one of them tortured Alister..." The memory sent ice into his stomach and he unconsciously clutched into the edge of the chair.

"Of course. Do not regard their structure as completely black and white, please. Of course they are able to feel all the other emotions, and if one of them goes through an ecstatic situation, all of them will be happy to experience it. There are certain cases, though, where they divide in their pursuit of pleasure. I can't think of an example right now, but if one is enticed by something that opposes their desire too much, they will refrain from taking over the sensation." The butler paused for a moment. "Since we already arrived at this question, let me inform you about something else. There are certain fractures of their collective mind that resemble a complete set of mind more than the others. They bear a set of emotions and seem to be a little more calculating than the rest."

"These are the probably at the top of the hierarchy, aren't they?"

"Very much so." Lawrence nodded in approval. "Quite the dangerous fellows, if I may say so - when we first met, no, created the Shapeshifters, they weren't anything like that. Far more numerous too, mind you, and not even remotely as dangerous, if you count away their dreadful curiosity. After some time, however..." Something like worry was in the butler's voice. "Their numbers declined. Drastically. Coincidently with that, the remaining members developed certain... second emotions. When they started out as one emotion for one entity, it was now mixed up - and before we knew, we found that some possessed a bigger variety in emotions than the others. Of course, those claimed the position of the leaders which were the only ones to communicate with us. Not verbally, mind you, but they are quite creative to make their thoughts heard." A shudder went through the butler.

A gulp broke through the odd silence. Alister's fingers twitched. "… Their numbers declined?"

"Yes." Lawrence narrowed his optics as he looked aside. "They did. I do not know why, but I have a hypothesis as to why that happened."

"And… what would that hypothesis be?" Azimuth asked, uncomfortable with the question, but still asking.

"I can't prove it, but I…" The butler closed his optics and shook his head slightly. "I think some of the Shapeshifters took in the other fractures of mind in order to reach a state superior to the rest of their kind."

"You mean... they devoured them?" It was almost an inaudible whisper that left Ratchet's mouth, the ice gaining weight at the bottom of his stomach. The cold radiated into every part of his body, guided along his spine.

For first time since they met Lawrence, there was uncertainty in his voice. "I… am not sure. As I said, it's a hypothesis. It could be complete nonsense as I have no evidence for my claim, but…" He raised one hand, thumb stretched out and placed between the lips. Odd for the robot to do that as he had not displayed such behavior before. "Those creatures are anything but rational, or comprehensive. It could be that they did."

The elder frowned. He felt icy as the words evoked memories that he did not want to recall. "There might be more truth to your words than you think."

The butler blinked. "Oh? And how would you know?"

"One could describe it as 'first-rate demonstration'."

The robot stared at him. "Excuse me?"

"It was right before they gave up their hunt for us." The elder looked briefly at Ratchet. "You might not remember. You were out cold when it happened. But one of those creatures had been beheaded by the energy force field. I didn't expect that guard to dissolve all of a sudden, though - just before that I had blown up two of them, and the other entities had not reacted like that. And... well." Azimuth's fingers curled as he spoke on. "I could see them as they took in the still twitching body. It was like they were in a mad state, although not really content about what they had to do."

Turning slowly away, Lawrence rubbed over his chin. "... This is indeed unsettling," he mumbled, the quiver in his voice so low Ratchet couldn't be sure that he really heard it. In the next moment, the butler took a pointer and tipped it on the schematic pyramid, tone back to his cultured indifference that Ratchet now doubted fully he had ever heard the anxiety in there. "Back to our topic."

"So we know they have a hierarchy. How do we keep them apart? Since they can shift into any form it could be hard to get a hold of them." Azimuth rested his chin on his thumb, staring contemplatively at the chart.

"Through certain patterns, of course." Lawrence turned to the Lombax. "Most times their reactions are a real giveaway. And each emotion will have certain traits you will know well. For one, we have 'The Wrathful' who are the easiest to recognize. Loud, uncaring to their environment and easy to irritate with the most minor obnoxiousness in their view, upon which they attack with brute force. And just as easy they are to be tricked their anger clouds their judgment. They seem to be the only ones of the single-realized emotions whose minds, if truly enraged, might not be overruled by the complex leaders."

"So… They might be stronger than even the superiors?"

"I have to apologize for my wording, although I assumed you would look at the pyramid chart yourself." The butler pointed at the lowest part of the graph. "Two amendments I have to make. The first one is that they are not stronger than their superiors, just ridiculously violent and easily enraged. But that explains their small number, too. All of those that were too… ahem, rebellious seemed to have been extinguished." Lawrence sighed. "Secondly, there is not enough data to give definite information about them. Prepare yourself for delicious pieces of deduction. To console you: My deductions turn out correct most of the time."

"Oh. Joy." Ratchet said. "These deductions probably get more horrifying the higher we get in the hierarchy, am I right?"

"Not necessarily. While all of them are generally unpleasant, their patterns they follow due to the emotion they impersonate make the lower ranks quite predictable or easy to deal with. Let's repeat what I said about 'The Wrathful', as Doctor Nefarious has dubbed them." He paused shortly. "One of the occasions where even I admit that the idea, for the names, both is fitting and sounds well. In any way, as with organics and robots alike - their anger makes them stronger than most of their fellows. And short-sighted to the point that they fall for the most obvious traps. Strangely enough, they also tend to lock up on occasion before attacking - I wonder if they drew, in regards to feelings, on the doctor's 'moments' when they came into existence."

"... The mental image is appallingly amusing." Azimuth chuckled, as inappropriate it was.

"It certainly is. It was quite fun to observe them until recently." Lawrence sighed. "Either way, I suppose there are no more questions regarding them?"

"Not for the wrathful guys." Ratchet confirmed though that was hardly the truth. What really would help would be an effective way to kill them so they wouldn't regenerate, as Alister had told him he believed to have watched.

"Splendid. We are making considerable process." The butler seemed pleased. "Let me just finish elaborating on the remaining types." The pointer moved up a row, labeled The Prideful. "People say that the ones who cling to their pride at all costs are the ones who are the weakest."

Even if Lawrence hadn't been gazing at Alister during this part again, his tone made it clear he included the present persons. The elder recognized another jab to his person in any way and stood abruptly up - hadn't it been for a tug on his wrist.

Ratchet shook his head; unconsciously, Alister's ears drooped. Whether it had or did not have to do with the smile that was directed at him, he couldn't say.

Lawrence watched the course of events with indifferent curiosity, but refrained from remarking anything about it. "Pride is a wonderful thing - it makes us want to stand out, to exceed ourselves in order to indulge in our success. It gives us the strength to present our skills; but just as much as it enables us, it can hinder our actions to the point we lose sight of what is actually important." He halted. "Now, I am by no means giving you a lesson for life, nor do I intend to become philosophical. Of course all is related to the behavior of this peculiar type of Shapeshifters."

Ratchet refrained from both rolling his eyes and a snort. So far, this was the most civilized conversation he had ever held with one of his enemies - how such a situation would even work with Nefarious, though - and he wanted that to last. Contrary to popular view of him, he enjoyed it when he didn't have to fight for once. Lawrence's hidden jabs were maybe intended to be condescending, but the butler seemed to, in his parameters, quite glad to be once dealing with other persons beside the doctor, the workers, engineers and the occasional mooks.

Besides, Lawrence mocked everyone so it barely counted as anything special that he was doing it the same time while educating them on the guards.

"Don't keep us on our toes, please." The discontented grunt coming from the elder was more than obvious to hear. Not that the butler cared – it even made him smile the smallest of smiles.

"Fine! Fine." Lawrence's eyes narrowed slightly. "I see you have no appreciation for the art of speech, or at least no love for a decent and entertaining conversation. I suppose this is my fate to go without a suitable conversation partner forever and ever." He halted. "Then again, as a robot I should not even have the capacity to love someone or something, only to be entertained by it… but I digress." The robot folded his hands. "Well, The Prideful are, as their name suggests, easily provoked if their pride is hurt. A few spiteful words, a taunting or condescending action – and they forget their tactics."

"Is that really all that it would take to throw them off or do we need to pack out the heavy insults?"

"Mind you, crude insults will not work." Lawrence narrowed his optics at him. "They are smart enough to mock a direct insult and see it as a useless attempt to harm their pride, but not to ignore the stealth insults. Well, not stealthy per se. But insults like… ahem, excuse my language, 'You are the suckiest race in the entire universe!' will most likely result in mockery."

Ratchet turned with a dramatic sigh to Alister. "Maybe you should take over that part. My humor is pretty similar to Clank's, which consists mostly of silly puns."

"If you think that I'm more suitable for it, all right. I'll try." The elder nodded slightly before he turned to Lawrence again. "Is that everything we have to remember?"

"Not quite. You should be cautious as soon as you have enraged them."

"How come?"

"Well, you see…" The butler pointed at the chart again. "The Prideful are one step ahead of the Wrathful, aren't they? Well, this means that these have taken in some of the Wrathful in order to increase their own power. That, of course, resulted in taking over the personality traits of the consumed ones. So, in result, the Prideful will turn extremely violent and ruthless – as if they hadn't been already – as soon as they lose their reservations."

"... Ugh, I just had forgotten that about the devouring. Thanks for reminding me." Lips pursed and pulled up and back, with eyebrows knotted together, he looked as sick as he sounded with his slightly tense tone.

"My pleasure. If you kept from throwing up or at least hurried to the bathroom before it happens, I would have to add another positive point to my list for rethinking my views on organics."

"So… The farther we come with eliminating them, the more they will bear the traits of the predecessors?" Azimuth frowned. Wonderful. Just what they needed.

"Yes. We assume that the intelligence of these creatures is increasing with each level of this chart. Of course, there are still some we cannot categorize yet. Their… traits are differently to judge."

"I get what you mean - just because they're based on the respective 'lower levels', they aren't just an accumulation of them and their own traits." Ratchet rubbed his chin. "Could it be that there are other physical and mental traits that differ them - like that their endurance is also enhanced?"

"Not quite... Yes to all you say, but not quite." The butler folded his hands. "There are some that... are off the chart. For example these." He pointed at a small rectangle beside the upper third labeled The Loving. "They don't... really resemble an emotion. To claim that Shapeshifters could love in your sense would be ridiculous. But we realized that under certain circumstances they will display a peculiar pattern of habits that resembles intimate signs and actions common within your ranks. These expressions lack... any background, as you can guess. The same goes when the higher levels try to express such emotions." Six fingers clenched quickly, a shudder going through the butler before he spoke with a tense voice. "It cannot even be called acting. Some people are able to pretend feelings they don't understand, but watching the guards... It is simply wrong."

"So… They mimic the behavior of organic life forms for no apparent reason?" Azimuth frowned. "For example?"

"Well. They lead conversations even though they cannot speak. All you hear is inarticulate whispering and giggling. The actual conversation, I assume, happens in their minds." Lawrence paused. He gathered himself once more. "As for The Loving in particular, they… tend to share intimate situations from time to time. Embraces. Pecks on each other's lips. Stroking over each other's heads in a soothing manner. Holding onto each other and everything else."

"So, what is their weak point?" pushed Ratchet the discussion in hopefully more comfortable zones again.

Silence.

"I… am working on retrieving this part of data," was admitted under a mumble.

"Well, if we meet them, we can help gathering that data and give it to you afterwards - if we don't die, that is." Ratchet replied dryly. "What about things we should avoid at all costs to do when fighting them?"

"… It is painful to admit, but I am lacking more coherent information on them." Lawrence sounded a little frustrated as he answered, betraying his indifferent façade as a means of hiding the missing piece of data. "But as far as I know, just don't… Don't fall for their tranquil attitude. You will think that they are the only peaceful guards in the whole facility."

"You mean like wolves in sheep's clothing? Do they turn suddenly aggressive when you don't watch your back?"

"... No. They... simply take advantage. It depends on the individual they are targeting on." He looked at the Lombaxes and folded his hands. "It would be best if you did not meet them in the first place."

"... Since you neither said that about the Wrathful nor the Prideful, the Loving must be really nasty."

"Call it nasty, or call it precaution. You might be new staff here, staff that we would normally wish to dispose of – no offense, but this is the truth – I still have the duty to assure some safety." The butler paused. "… So at least wait with confronting them until I have enough information to actually improve your chances of success."

"… I wonder if we should thank you or be offended." Azimuth massaged the bridge of his nose. "All right. So we have… Three types. I see more categories, though. What about these?"

"Well. We don't have to discuss the pinnacle of this pyramid chart, now do we." The butler pointed down to the middle row. "Let's continue with The Jealous."

Ratchet lifted a hand. "Lemme guess - attention hogs to the max?"

"If that was only the case…" The robot sighed. "Attention seekers would be more pleasant than what the Jealous are. In fact, the name does not really do them justice." He paused. "They do not seek attention. If they have something they desire, but see that it is not theirs, they will do everything in their might to obtain it. They can be quite ferocious… Then again, it is not uncommon that they are quite prideful as well."

"I guess it was Nefarious then who came up with the name." The Lombax rubbed his chin. "Then 'jealous' fits creepily well. I've met enough wanna-be girlfriends AKA crazy stalkers of Clank to have been attacked by them, just because I'm his best friend."

"I suppose. Then again, I believe you will have no problems with that. I don't recall them being extremely interested in you, so you should actually be safer than others."

The elder winced, even if only faintly. If Lawrence only had known that they were actually the epitome of their desires, as odd as it sounded, perhaps he would have revised his remark. As things were now, though, he didn't know – and Azimuth saw no reason to tell him either.

"It is evident that the best tactic to fight this group is to distract them with something they want. Of course the problem is finding something they obsess over enough as not to care anymore that it is an obvious trap."

"… How ironic that we actually have something like this." Azimuth sighed. "Splendid. I cannot wait meeting them." The sarcasm in his voice was apparent. "Either way, what about the other categories?"

"Oh, these?" Lawrence paused. "Oh why, yes. These are some smaller groups that have vanished over time. Actually, I realized that the last Shapeshifter with irrational behavior has disappeared as of late. I need to readjust the chart, it seems."

"What irrational behavior did that one show?"

"Disregarding orders of all sorts. Going against the plans and such things. Trifling matters, normally, but the Superior could barely take it as far as I could judge."

"That more sounds like that guard was suicidal."

"It certainly does. But none of them wants to become irrational, you see, as this is a weakness to superior minds. Thus it is quite odd that Irrationality has vanished. I couldn't see a reason for them taking him in."

"Wait a second, you only said it he exhibited-" Urgh, it felt strange to use a personal pronoun for a guard as if they had gender, "irrational behavior. And several had this, as you also told. Why is he suddenly Irrationality now?"

"Because he accumulates most of said irrationality in one creature, of course." The butler sighed. "If you don't want the vegetables in your food, you would try to push all the vegetables onto someone else's plate before either of you has touched the plates yet, wouldn't you?"

"I don't think you intended it that way, but your analogy with the vegetable makes me think of them being big, 'stupid' brats. Who unfortunately have too much power at their hands."

A faint sigh. "If your metaphor wasn't so accurate, I would discard this remark as ridiculous." The butler paused. "What I should mention at this point, perhaps, is that the Shapeshifters are more than keen on keeping all emotions in them. Not in each individual, but in at least one of them so that their mental balance is given. Thus my deduction is that they have taken in Irrationality since I doubt that they would leave that part, as much as they hate it, to die."

"Of course it's ridiculous AND fitting." A shudder went through Ratchet. "With how dangerous they are now, I don't want to imagine what power they would have if they actually 'grew up'."

"Now please don't let us jump to one of the worst possible scenarios. Even I wouldn't find any amusement from this." The butler sighed. "But of course that is not the only reason why they protect all their emotions, even if only saved partially."

He was sure he seriously didn't want to know - but they were bound by the contract which was likely also their only ticket out. Without Nefarious and Lawrence's aid, they would err through the facility against the guards alone. "What is that other reason?"

"Let me ask you a question, Ratchet." Lawrence folded his hands and looked at the Lombax indifferently. "What do you fear most in regards of your mental stability?"

"... I'm sorry?" Ears flapped lightly. "I don't get what you mean."

"... Organics." The butler rolled his optics. "Let me put it in a more simple way: Would you fear losing your mind or losing emotion after emotion?"

"... I can't imagine either being worse than the other... And I have only a bit experience with the first, not the latter option." Ratchet faced away from Lawrence and Alister, head down and eyes somewhere pointed at a bare spot on the wall.

The elder looked at the other Lombax, worry in his gaze. What was he referring to?

"Hm, hm. Seems like we're making progress." The robot seemed pleased. "Now, would you please combine both forms of deterioration and tell me what outcome you expect."

"You would become empty?" Ratchet shrugged. "Without emotion you have no drive to do anything. But that can't be all or you wouldn't explicitly say to combine both. I guess, combined with losing your mind, you wouldn't be able to perceive the world at all anymore. Everything would be a chaotic mess you are trapped in and despite having lost your emotions, there's probably one thing left: agony."

"An almost perfect assumption. But sadly, it is but almost perfect." The butler paused. "Shapeshifters are keen on keeping all their emotions because they fear to lose the superiority over themselves. To lose superiority would mean becoming mentally unstable, and to become mentally unstable would lead to a complete loss of your self that would make you unpredictable, but also quite vulnerable."

"So we do all this to make them more vulnerable?", Azimuth asked which was replied with a nod.

"The more of their fractures we destroy, the easier will it be to take care of the Superior Fracture. This is the meaning behind all this planning. The best way to take care of them."

The idea behind the plan didn't make the guards any more sympathetic - they were simply beyond that, Ratchet knew - still, it gave him an icy knot in his chest.

"It is a dirty strategy we follow, yes - but the only one that will be effective until our counter-attack is ready."

"And what kind of counter-attack is that?"

"It is-" The butler stopped for a split-second. "It is eliminating the last piece of their mind. The Superior."

"... It sounds so easy." Azimuth frowned as he looked at the chart. "But like a lot of work... Say. What are those grey parts of the chart about?"

"These are the groups that have vanished over time. We assume the Superiors have taken them in. For instance, we have had once the Apathetic - it is pretty obvious why they were one of the first sub-groups to vanish. They disgusted their brethren and were seen as burdens."

"... Lovely," was the dry remark of the elder. "Please don't elaborate on that."

"How else shall you fight them the most effective way if you do not know all about them? Besides, as our temporary employees you have to expect to hear such unpleasantries."

"Excuse me, but I am not keen on hearing how they devour their kind." The elder's face twitched. "Especially since I've seen it myself."

"Guys." Lawrence looked slightly scandalized at the tone Ratchet used which made his words sound like admonishment. "What else is there, please?"

In fact, it was so scandalous that the butler actually felt offended. To be so disrespectful! Well, what to expect from a youngster with no lessons in manners? Not much, it seemed.
"Well. There is not much else to say." Lawrence turned away from the chart and shut down the hologram. "What I said is all you need to know. For the rest, rely on your fighting skills." He walked past them to a different display, typing in codes and passwords. "And the devices I am about to supply you with."

Two pairs of ears perked up in interest at that. For the first time since breakfast, a totally honest, excited grin overtook Ratchet's face and he rubbed his hands eagerly. Finally they were getting to the good stuff.

"Why am I not surprised to see you all excited?" The robot sighed. "Don't get your hopes too high up... The systems are a little overstrained, it seems, so I can only give you one device for the time being."

Ratchet just grinned more at the idea of a new device.

"Do not get so overly excited, Ratchet. It is only the most essential of tools." At each of the butler's side a light beam hit the surface, slowly materializing two bracelets that pulsated in a bluish tone. Taking both of them into his hands, Lawrence turned around and gave each Lombax one of these devices.

"What is this?" Azimuth eyed the bracelet, blinking confusedly.

"Put it on first, please."

They did. Ratchet fastened it on his left wrist, getting the silly thought that it would have looked better with his previous armor - the blue would clash awfully with his Thermaflux Armor when activated. He mentally slapped himself. Then he recognized the color.

"Do these have the same energy as in the force shield?"

"Yes, it does. A small amount." A pause. "Don't worry. Once you put on the device it will…" The blue hue slowly turned slightly purple. "… take on a color more suitable to the carrier's choice of clothing." The robot pulled up his sleeve and showed his bracelet. It was of a dark blue tone and a slightly different shape. "Before you think that this is a fashion quirk, rest assured it is not. It is to prevent Shapeshifters of recognizing the device."

"They shall think it's some sort of sign of affiliation though, right?" The differences were obvious, but he believed to see a theme in the shapes.

"Affiliation as in similarities or affiliation as in affinity?"

"As in membership to Nefarious, yeah." His expression soured shortly at his choice of words.

"Actually I meant affiliation as in affinity in the more intimate direction." The butler shook his head. "No, the Shapeshifters don't know that the doctor and I have such devices. While I can wear mine comfortably around my wrist, Nefarious had it integrated into his chest pad."

Ratchet blushed under his fur at the first sentence and stole a quick glance at Alister. The general jerked rigidly in his seat for a moment, then the elder relaxed again.

"... So..." Azimuth rubbed his neck. "What does this device do?"

"It protects you from the Shapeshifters for a limited, strongly limited time." Lawrence straightened his sleeve once more. "For about five seconds a force field of approximately two meters will materialize. Anyone within the shield is protected as long as the force field is kept up. Of course, you could hold it up longer, but... it would break the device. And then you would be at those creatures' mercy."

"... Although the idea makes me sick, could we kill a guard the same way as it accidently happened with 'Irrationality'?" It was odd. Using the title suddenly felt more like speaking about a normal person. It did nothing to ease the queasy feeling in his stomach.

"… If timed correctly, yes. But only if you break their collar and destroy the body. To have such luck, however, is nigh impossible." The butler sighed. "I would rather rely on destroying their molecular structure than that."

"That sounds actually more difficult than breaking their collar. How we shall do that?" He flipped his palms up in aggravation.

"... That... is up to you, seeing how you are the master of explosions, destruction, and collateral damage." The butler waved with his hand. "Just do your usual routine and you will be fine."

"Thaaaat sounds almost too easy."

"Of course. This was the brief summary."

"I knew it."

"Glad you did."

The elder shook his head. "Do we want to know the long, elaborate version?"

"No, you don't. I fear that it would crush your organic matter, should I give you all the theoretical approaches and tactics in my OS."

"So we are better off if we don't know the details?"

"Very much so."

"So, basically all we have to do is bomb, slice, stab, freeze, punch, kick, shoot, burn them, rip off parts until they're nothing but molecules?"

"This is the basic assumption, but yes." The butler nodded. "Of course, the actual situation is quite different from the theoretical one. You might have to slash too. Whoopsie. Fandom Pun."

"Mhm- wait what? Fandom pun? What is that?" Azimuth blinked and looked at Lawrence who then pointed at Ratchet.

"I WON'T EXPLAIN THAT!"

"Then shall I have the pleasure?" Lawrence folded his hands and closed his eyes. "Well, you see, if there is a series or characters from a video game a fan likes, and if he or she likes to see two characters of the same gender in a more romantic view..."

"STOP IT RIGHT THERE! What the fuck is wrong with you that you make such jokes?" A pained moan. "I still have nightmares from the pictures some fans sent of me as butler in S.A.C. and Clank being paired."

"I'm not making jokes." The butler raised his hand in objection. "I made a pun. This is a difference."

The only answer he got was gagging. "That you can make fun with this..."

"Wait... But this is ridiculous. We are not part of a series." Azimuth frowned. "So saying that would be improbable-"

"It might as well be. If you look at this universe as a game series... And had Ratchet as our shining protagonist… Oh my, I see it already before me." Lawrence paused. "Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time. The crack relating to your current situation, seeing how your friend is absent and how you have currently put the search for him on hold."

"No, I didn't." Ratchet crossed his arms, glaring at Lawrence. "We're gonna stay here just as long as it needs to get rid of the guards, and then we're off to finding the Great Clock again where Clank also currently is. And hope that Nefarious leaves him the hell alone or I may forget myself, ticket outta here or not. Besides, the 'crack' would rather fit with the messes of time anomalies still putting Polaris on its head."

"I beg to differ. The cracks have been taken care of already."

"Either way..." Azimuth massaged the bridge of his nose. "Is there anything else you need to tell us?"

"Actually, yes. Since you are inexperienced at fighting with the Shapeshifters, it would be smarter if you fought them following the chart. Luckily I have a map right here," he activated a holo-map in front of them, "with probability data. The probability refers to their presence."

"The different groups prefer own areas?" Ratchet checked curiously the map. "Well, at least that means we don't have to fight two groups at once. Adapting to more than one would really tear on us."

"Yes. Although there is still a chance you will encounter a completely different group in this area. For example here..." The butler pointed at a bigger hall. "The probability that you will encounter the Wrathful here is 60%, while the Prideful patrol this part of the facility in 25 of 100 cases. The rest of those times other groups appear there as well."

"Damn, that still leaves a chance of 15 % and more the risk to have those two at the same place." Fucking great. Ratchet massaged his temple.

"Well... You will have to rely on your luck for once then." The butler sighed. "I, too, hope that you will survive today. It would be so boring if you died on your first day in commission, you see. And if you survive, I'll have better weaponry for you as well."

"... Wait. This is not well enough thought through." Azimuth crossed his arms, staring at the map and the probability data. "There are too many unknown numbers in this."

"Oh my, is the general in you finally emerging? It was about time." Lawrence folded his hands and looked at him. "Do share your experience with us, seeing how you are the only one with outshining military and strategic expertise even entitled to their name."

"Can you somehow track in which pattern the Shapeshifters move? The data is only revealing how often they appear in one area, not when."

"Of course. A moment, please." Differently colored lines appeared on the map, each one representing one group. Alister stepped closer to the map, tapping his chin. At some points the lines crossed repeatedly, at some they met less often. "Hm. I see. I assume the dark red one represents the Wrathful?"

"I would assume so, yes."

Ratchet tipped an index finger on one of the cross points where many lines were meeting. "I guess these areas are important?" He followed several of the colored lines radiating from the point.

"As much as they're important, we will avoid them." Azimuth pointed at the areas where only single lines appeared. "If the confront them at spots that are frequented repeatedly by other groups, chances that we will be interrupted by unfavorable guests are high. Instead we should concentrate on areas like these." He trailed the single line over the map. "Little chance of interruption. The disadvantage is, of course, the narrow area. So hallways are already out of question… Which leaves these few areas open." He pointed at more spacious appearing areas. "Here we can fight in a decent manner. However…"

"However there are more places where they can transform and guise themselves as part of the area. In both cases, we would be surrounded instantly." That summed up their dilemma nicely.

The elder nodded. "Correct. So this crosses out even more options… Except for these three." He pointed at three wider areas. "And this will be narrowed down again."

"Let me guess…", the butler mused, "The escape routes."

"Of course - they would want to cut off our ways out should we be overpowered and wanting to retreat."

"Correct. Without any sufficient escape routes and safety areas around it, any spot will be a deadly trap." Azimuth turned to Lawrence. "Could you highlight the exits?"

"And I was already worried you would ask me to wait with a taxi each time." A few moments later and the exits blinked, just like the emergency paths and safety areas did. "Does this suffice?"

"It does. Thank you." The elder looked at the newly given data.

What else still? Ratchet inspected the map closely for any other situations, details and probable death threats. "How do we get Nanotech crates? I don't see any distribution panels for them."

"That is because of the guards' ability of using the Nanotech for their own purposes. I had them removed gradually so that they wouldn't notice and explained that we had a shortage of it."

"So that means that this area would be the smartest to confront them." Azimuth pointed at one circular spot. "It's closest to safety areas and has several exits. Now, only one thing is left to ask…"

"And that would be?"

"How many Shapeshifters can we expect to encounter?"

"… As far as I know, there should be no more than three Wrathful left and no more than six Prideful. I hear that sometimes a Prideful accompanies the Wrathful to aid them, however."

"If we have bad luck, we maybe meet more than one guard, whether they are two Wrathful or Prideful or one of each."

"I have to correct you." Lawrence folded his hands. "You will never encounter only one guard. They always flock together like birds of a feather."

"... Now that's peachy. Anything else we should know before we endanger ourselves?"

"Yes. There is a vendor right before you leave the secure area. Perhaps you would like to stock up." At the flick of Ratchet's ears Lawrence only sighed. "Yes, I hear he has stocked up on any weapons that you might lack."

He moved his head as if rolling his optics if he had been able to do that as Ratchet whooped. "Sometimes I believe you nurse a fetish for using your weapons in all the ways you counted up as means to destroy the guards."

"Glad I am not the only who noticed this little quirk." Alister chuckled. "Not that this makes him any less charming."

"I know right?" A faint smile appeared on Lawrence's lips. "I am almost certain that there is more than a simple fetish behind it. Perhaps a compensation for his peculiar size?"

The elder laughed. "I don't think so."

"Speaking of thinking… I have forgotten one more item for each of you." The butler took out two little devices and attached them by fastening a clip around their ears. "This is a communication device with which you can converse while fighting. And, since I have allegedly so much time besides cleaning the quarters and conducting the missions outside of this facility, I will be able to accompany you during your work. Of course, I will not interrupt most times, seeing how my allegedly free time is actually full with work."

Ratchet had rolled his eyes and scoffed at Lawrence's remark - really, that joke about his size was so old. His annoyance fell away to curiosity as Lawrence attached the clips to their ears, his own flicking a bit at the sudden pressure focused on a small spot. "Well, it wouldn't do good for the guards to know that you talk to us while we try to destroy them. So, these communication channels are absolutely safe?"

"As safe as you are trigger-happy."

"That will do then."

"How charming that you can converse so casually." Azimuth snorted. "That doesn't change the fact that we have to get going now."

"My my. For that you voice so much aversion to fighting the guards, you are surely hurrying now."

"Is it aversion or simply wishing to get over with it?" The elder shrugged. "The sooner we are done, the sooner we can leave."

"Ah, there he is again. The eager general." Lawrence chuckled. "Fine, fine – get to work. I will keep up the contact with you, should you wish to contact me." The door opened. "Have fun and good luck."