Chapter V
As soon as the sun once again began to peak it's way back through Dayni, Soara and Clank made their way towards the Tachyon fortress, led by Rade. The air was chilly, but in a peaceful way that made Soara feel at ease. The sheep had averted back to their normal, peaceful forms, and had quietly resumed their grazing in the fields. Clank had once again attached himself to Soara's back. In honesty, he missed riding around on Ratchet's and preferred it over Soara. He of course did not say anything. Clank liked Soara, and admired her determination to help him rescue his best friend. But she could never replace the bond he had with Ratchet that had been built up over so many years. Rade was holding his spear in one hand, which he was currently using as a walking stick. He was walking slightly ahead of Soara. "I am going to take you through a secret entrance." He said, not looking at Soara or Clank. "Since Telther and Tachyon think you're both dead, we will be able to sneak in, and catch them by surprise."
"Best tactic there is." Soara agreed. They soon came to the start of a small mountain. Soara made to star climbing, but Rade took her arm to hold her back. "Not this way." He said. "That's the main path. They'll see us coming." He then walked over to large boulder leaning against the foot of the mountain. Using his spear to move the boulder, Rade revealed the opening of a dark cave. "You coming?" He asked, entering the cave. Before entering after him, Soara pulled a flashlight out of her utility belt that held her sword's sheath and her blaster's holder, lit it, and followed Rade inside.
The cave was pitch-black, apart from Soara's light. The ground which they walked on was soft and muddy, which grossed Soara out. The air wad humid, and had a musty smell. Of course Clank and Rade did not notice, since neither one of them needed to breath, but Soara thought the smell would make her sick. "Be on your guard." Rade advised. "Sometimes the guards patrol this area. They usually bypass it, but, you never know." Soara and Clank both nodded in acknowledgment. They walked in silence for a while. Soara tried not to complain about the smell, or the mud now covering her combat boots, she followed Rade further into the cave. The light around began to flicker, as Soara's flashlight suddenly started to loose power. "Damn it!' She said in a voice that echoed around the cave. She smacked the side of the light in an attempt to keep it from dying. "This is just our luck!" Soara growled as the light dyed out completely, causing Rade to vanish into the darkness. "Don't move!" Rade urged. Soara continued to smack she flashlight, mainly out of anger. "That is not going to do us any good." Said Clank, hoping off of Soara's back. "Well, what do YOU suggest?" Said Soara angrily. She felt the flashlight slide out of her hand as Clank took it from her. "Let me see what is wrong with it." Said Clank. "I am still able to see." Soara waited patiently while Clank examined the light. It flickered for a moment, then the light was restored. "Clank!" Said Soara happily, as Clank handed the flashlight back to her. "You're a lifesaver!" Clank smiled at her. "I have learned a thing or two from Ratchet." He said. Soara saw the smile fade from Clank's face, and knew what he was thinking. She bent down to Clank's level, and put her hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, pal." She said in a comforting voice. "He'll be alright. We'll get him back. You'll see." Clank smiled again, which Soara returned. He then hopped back onto Soara's back, an she continued to follow Rade. The cave seemed to be endless. Soara was beginning to get edgy and impatient. "How much further?" She asked, exasperated. Rad looked at her annoyed. "Patients." He said. "We'll get there soon." Soara rolled her eyes. She opened her mouth to argue, but quickly shut it again, for she had heard a rustling noise behind her. Clank and Rade obviously had not. "She quickly hid behind a rock, and drew her blaster. "What are you doing?!" Said Rade, when Soara's light left the trail in front of him. Soara shushed Rade, and gestured for him to follow. "We're not alone in here." She whispered. Rade joined Soara behind the rock, holding his spear ready to attack. "I don't hear anything." He whispered after a pause. "I do." said Soara, closing her eyes to concentrate. " About five- no. Six. From the sound of their steps, I'd say, robots. Fairly large."
"Impressive." Said Clank from behind. "Can you tell where they are coming from?" Soara paused for a moment to listen. "About half a mile behind us." She said. "But they're coming fast. I estimate we have five minutes."
"If they find us, we're done." Said Rade. "We're going to have to fight them."
"I agree." Soara whispered. "We'll take them by surprise." They waited patiently for the guards to come closer. Soon, Rade and Clank could hear them as well. The guards made loud thumping sounds with each step they took, and weren't exactly trying to keep their voices down, as they spoke to one another. Once the robots came into view, Soara extinguished her flashlight so as not to be seen. "Why do we have to patrol this pathetic area all the bloom'n time?" Said one of the robots in a rough, agitated voice. "No one knows of these caves. They're not going to come through here."
"We're just following orders." Replied one of his comrades. "Empress Tachyon wants the caves patrolled, so that's what we're gonna do."
"Well, yeah. I get it." Said the first guard. "But this humidity is gonna rust my bolts."
"You can get an oil bath when we're done here." Said another robot. "In the mean time, shut up, and finish your patrol!" The small group of robot guards walked on, until they were right in front of where Soara, Clank, and Rade were hiding. "Do yeh ever get the feeling you was be'n watched?" Said the first guard, stopping in front of Soara. His comrades laughed. "Your circuits are loose!" Said the third guard. "No! But, really!" Insisted the first. "It's like the holo-films, when the room is dark, and all you see are eyes, staring all around you."
"Well, if you would do your job, and patrol the perimeter with us more often, and not watch so much T.V, that wouldn't be a problem!" Barked the third robot, so his voice echoed around the cave. "I have a shot." Soara thought to herself, using the light from the torches that the guards were holding to aim her blaster. "And I'm taking it." She fired, taking out the third guard. As their comrade exploded, the five other yelled in both shock and anger. "SEE?! SEE!?" Shouted the first guard, hysterically jumping up and down. "I TOLD YOU!" Rade jumped out from behind the rock, and ran his spear through the first robot. The others drew out swords and advanced on Rade. Soara too jumped over the rock, and extension-side-kicked one of the others, knocking it over. While it was still down, she unsheathed her sword and sliced the guard in two. Rade used his spear to block another guards sword, then kicked him away. But another guard grabbed him from behind, holding down Rade's arms. The guard that Rade had kicked away lunged back at him brandishing his sword. Soara, who had just taken down a fourth guard, did not have time to react. "RADE!" She shouted. But it was too late. She watched in horror as Rade was sliced down by the remaining guards. Soara gave a terrifying roar of rage, and ran at the guards. She ran her sword through the one that was holding Rade, and made to do the same to the last, but he blocked the attack and punched Soara in the face. She fell over. Soara quickly kicked the guard, and jumped back to her feet, she swung her sword, decapitating the guard, who fell to the ground.
Dropping her sword, Soara ran over to Rade's remains. "Oh, no!" She said, holding back a sob. Clank hopped off of her back, and watched Soara pick up Rade's upper half. "We- we have to fix him!" She shouted. "There has to be-"
"It is to late, Soara." Said Clank, in a quiet voice. "There is nothing that can be done for him. He is gone." Soara bit her lip. "But- I-" She said. "We must keep going." Clank continued "If we get caught, his death will have been in vain. We must follow this path and find Ratchet. It is what Rade died for." Soara inhaled deeply, setting Rade's body down and getting to her feet. "You're right." She said in a horse voice. "But Telther is going to pay for this. I swear that!" Clank once again hopped back onto Soara's back. Turning her flashlight back on, Soara continued through the cave, now half running to get to the base as soon as possible.