Chapter 2-Take Off

Ratchet, Angela, and Clank get in the ship and take off for Veldin. Now that they've got Angela, Ratchet can tell her what's been going on.

"Okay, Angela, here's what's been happening: I turned the news on this morning, and found out that the lombax population is sharply dropping, so far it's almost to the point of our extinction!"

It takes her a few seconds to absorb it, but when she does, she starts crying into Ratchet's shoulder. "Oh my God, Ratchet, what are we gonna do?" He holds her tight, letting Clank pilot the ship. She looks up to him, face full of worry and concern. He smiles and says, "I don't care if we're the last, because we can survive."

She smiles back, and they fall asleep holding each other.

--

Several hours later, they wake up, on Veldin. Ratchet and Angela get out and stretch their legs and take everything inside.

They set the weapons down in Ratchet's bedroom, as Clank turns the HV on. It's News Channel 6 again, on a special report. "It's noon, and we have an update on the lombax declination number. A supposed terrorist attack in Metropolis killed 5 lombaxes. This brings the unofficial number left to around 50 in the Solana Galaxy and the Bogon Galaxy."

Ratchet turns off the HV, knowing that it's either all over for Lombaxkind, or that they'll do it. He grabs a pen and paper, and begins to compile a list of people who can help.

Angela sees Ratchet with that paper, and looks at it. "Ratchet, what is that?" He replies, "It's a list of people I know who can help us out, but I don't have many people. Just Big Al, Sasha, Skidd, Helga, Qwark, and maybe Slim Cognito. And the Galactic Rangers."

And, compared to how it's been in the past, that's nothing. But, some help is better than none, and he decides to contact the Q-Force later and see if they can assist in any way possible. He also decides that Angela needs to learn about his weaponry some, so he calls her over.

"Follow me, Angela." She does, and enter his room. He pushes a button, and the floor opens to reveal a stairway. The two walk down for a little while, then enter a room with all of Ratchet's weapons, gadgets, armor suits, and items from over the years.

He goes over to a certain weapon-a weapon called the N-60 Storm. "Angela, this is the N-60 Storm. It has always been one of my favorite weapons, and I'd like for you to have it." Before she can say anything, he thrusts a larger weapon in her hands, along with an odd-shaped wrist device.

"Okay, the huge thing is called a Minirocket Tube, and the other thing is called a Swingshot. It's like a grappling hook device." She tries to take it all in, but before she can thank him, he gives her a grey and yellow armor suit. "That is the Duraplate Armor I got back in Bogon. It's got an extension so that it can fit you. I'll let you change."

Surprisingly, she says, "Just don't look at me, you can stay in the room." An odd urge forces the lombax to thrust his face in a pillow, but he glances at Angela while she's turned around. He is definitely aroused by the sight of Angela in only a bra and undergarments, but quickly turns his head back.

The armor shows off Angela's body very well, he thinks. "How do I look?" He stares at her for a few seconds, then critiques it. "You look very cute. I mean, like, you, umm..." She nods, understanding the poor boy's feelings now, "and, it umm, makes you look cute. Actually, beautiful."

The two blush deep shades of red, sharing an awkward moment. "Okay, Angela, let's go back up." The two head on up the stairs, then relax on the couch, watching The Rush Channel on HV.