Operation: Pirate booty
The silence was eerie towards Clank, as nothing made a sound, only once in a while could one hear the rubble of the wrecked ships clashing against one another. Ratchet began to open his eyes as his ears perked to the sound of the clashing once more above Aphelion. "Ratchet, I see you are awake… Good! I hope you are well rested." Clank said towards the Lombax, knowing that Ratchet would need all his strength and energy for this. A buzzing came from the COM link "Ratchet? Clank? Aaah you are awake good! I have been scanning the planet and it seems they have been fortifying there position since last time we checked." Qwark said a bit happy. Ratchet blinked his eyes, moving has hand over his eyes rubbing the last of the dust out of them. "What do you want Qwark?!" Ratchet said a bit annoyed as if someone had wakened him up in his sleep. "Oooh, I just thought you might want to have a look at what they have installed. It's some mighty fine anti air you know!" Both sighed at this, they didn't have time for this. But if Qwark had indeed captured the defences of Slag then Ratchet had ear towards it. Ratchet just put up his shoulders as his eyes rolled. "Alright Qwark let's see what you got." "You got it buddy… See here my strategeristical plan…" Qwark shouted out as the COM link turned black.
As the COM link lit up again, Ratchet slammed his hand against his face, Clank on the other hand just gazed in awe as they saw what Qwark had drawn. A crayon drawing of Ardolis from space. "Behold, Ardolis, a dastardly place full of lawbreaking villains, bent on stealing the cash from the hardworking people, yelling arrrr every minute of the day and wasting there time with grog, well let's just call them pirates… hehehe…. Yes that will work!" Qwark said a bit ashamed, as the next picture came into view.
"To get into the hart of this evil lair of pirates our agent, Agent Pirate Booty, needs to find a way past the Sky of Icky ness, then go over the Rails of Watery Doom and finally get past the Hall of Death." Qwark said in his usual monotone like voice. Clank couldn't help but chuckle a little, catching a somewhat angry look from Ratchet, who just watched Clank. "I'm sorry Ratchet, this just reminds me of some of our older times with Qwark." The little robot said. Ratchet sighed as he put up his shoulders, he was a little annoyed by this all. Always whenever there was something that needed to be done and Qwark was nearby Ratchet found himself a bit fixated by the bumbling hero, oh well it was better then having Qwark screw up Ratchet's plans that was a fact. "Aphelion, set course towards Ardolis! We are going on a rescue mission!" As the order was given Aphelions engine roared with delight as it set full throttle towards the planet leaving a stumbled Qwark behind. "Hey wait up!... What kind of a lousy production are you people doing here. I'm captain Qwark!!"
"… Not that place you bumbling buffoon!" Nefarious shouted out at several pirates, "Arrr I am surrounded by idiots here Lawrence!" the evil doctor said in a sad voice as he let himself fall onto the chair below him. A heard duf was heard when the metal connected with the wooden chair. As Lawrence came closer by he commented, "Well sir, idiots do tend to seek each other up." That brought a smile to Nefarious face, yet rather did he know that Lawrence had referred to him chuckling a little at the pun he made towards his master. Hobbes not far from there had trouble holding her laugh as she fully understood the joke. "Indeed they do don't they Lawrence?... Well that Lombax will be coming here soon it's only a matter of time. And when he does he will be in for a big surprise! No squishy will land while I am here.. Muhuhahahaaa." Nefarious laugh attracted the attention of some of the Thwogs flew towards the evil nefarious super villain called ummm Nefarious, attacking him by the high tone he had erupted bringing them out of there sleep. "Arrrr squishy's! get em of me Lawrence..; GET THEM OFF!!!" Nefarious was in a frenzy as he waved his hands back and forth trying to get rid of the darn bats. "Shoo, shoo, flee!" was a sound that came from behind them. It was Captain Slag, alongside with Rusty Pete and Sprocket. "Arr Capt'n, that be the finest tune I heard in a long while." Sprocket commented to his boss. "Aarrr yes, I didn't ended fifth in Zordooms singing contest for nothing lads!" Slag said very pleased of himself. "Well, are the preparations done?" Slag said a bit impatient towards the other robot. As they saluted Slag became a bit more jolly almost able to jump of his pillow.
Not far from them, Aphelion came into sight of the planet. Ratchet's eyes narrowed as he looked onto the radar. "There, that's the spot we need to land at!" his tail began swaying from left to right , as much as it could when the Lombax sat on a chair, by the cheer excitement of this mission. "Warning, warning, enemy missiles approaching." Aphelion said as several red dots came into view. Clank just shook his head "Not agaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaain…" Clank yelled as Ratchet turned his ship heavily, evading several of the rockets. Aphelions scanners began to siren even harder as several other projectiles of various things were launched at them. "But this is…"
"Arr, keep firing lads! Show that landlubber whose the master in the sky!" One of the pirates yelled at his comrades. Nefarious and Slag had been busy setting up several canons and other weaponry to give a warm welcome to the Lombax. "What are ya doing ya lardball?!" "Loading up the canon sir!" The pirate just slapped his face as the cannon fired again.
"Thwogs droppings?" Ratchet just stick out his tongue in disgust. "Off all my years I have never been so offended!" Aphelion said not knowing what to say. Ratchet pressed the command switch to open the hatch. "Come on Clank, let's rescue Hobbes. I've had enough of these damm pirates!" Ratchet grabbed Clank onto his back as he jumped from the ship. The wind blew through his face as he fell down towards the planet, in a way it gave the Lombax some peace the first few moments. Feeling the wind, the sun, hearing every animal and robot alike. But this peace was never to last for him, no long after he had jumped out missiles came flying by. As Ratchet forced his weight from left to right trying to avoid the incoming missiles and Thwogs droppings. By a few inches did one of the missiles miss. "Ratchet be careful! We have nanotech but not that much." Concerned about his friend Clank hoped that Ratchet would listen this one time. "Don't worry Clank" Ratchet said as he lifted his head a bit to face Clank "We've done this so many times. This is gonna be a peace of ca(splash)" Ratchet felt the warm sticky goo on his face. Clank having seen the spectacle was bazzled, now this must have been more disgusting then on Cobalia! "Ooh son of a Qwark!" Ratchet roared wiping a bit of the filth from his muzzle. As he reached from behind at Clank's stomach one of his weapons manifesting into his hands. "Ok that's it!... take some of your own medicine!" as the weapon fired several greenish blobs towards the ground. The pirates took cover as several small dots fell onto the ground fearing the worst but, nothing happened? "Arr arr aaaar… That didn't do a thing ya Lombax!" said one of the pirates at the Ratchet who had almost landed. As the pirate proudly stepped on one of the greenish blobs.
"This be nothing more then fodder shots lad! You should see a real weapon fiiiire?" The pirate said shrieking out as the earth began to rumble beneath his feet. Ratchet got a small smile on his face, showing his teeth even as he enjoyed what was going to happen next. As the ground burst open, several greenish blobs attacked the pirates, each enveloping there target until all the pirates were out cold. "You were saying?" Ratchet commented proudly towards the knockout pirates.
Not far from there, Hobbes had seen a bit what has happened, she knew that Ratchet was here, hence all the fighting. Her hart began to race at the knowledge of seeing him again. That face of his, it made her hope rise up towards the skies, she sighed in joy but that joy was soon replaced as Slag was dropped before her. "Aaah miss, let me assure you that that Lombax scoundrel of yours won't get passed my men." Nefarious said in a warm tone, disgusting Hobbes even more.
Slag was everything but happy, well when was he happy except when he had grog? "BAH! We shall see it then. Lads?! Throw her into the brig." The pirate captain ordered towards his underlings. "Aye aye capt'n (hic) putting er in the brig." Pete said as he grabbed Hobbes and took her of. Rather did the pirates know that Hobbes had almost finished cutting her ropes, something that would make the pirates regret taking her hostage.
As Clank dropped from Ratchet's back to asses the situation he could not help but giggle a bit. "Meh hehe heh heh… You do need to watch out Ratchet, you are getting a nasty habit of getting awfully dirty." Ratchet could not help but stick out his tongue, "Man but this really reeks! Really it's enough to even get the plumber throwing up." "It is fortunate then that robots do not have a sense of smell." Clank said joyfully, yet he was a bit worried for Ratchet. Being here in the open on Ardolis, a planet full of pirates ready to attack from anywhere. Ratchet on the other hand wasted no time. "Let's go Clank, we got bigger fish to fry then these guys here." Ratchet said as Clank looked back at how the robots were laying down beaten by the plasma beasts.
Ratchet could not believe what was happening, every time he had something wonderful happen to him he always found himself in danger or those he loved! When he met Clank he had that encounter with Drek, same for Angela and Sasha! Always when he got to know someone knew was it that something or someone would ruin it one way or another. He clenched his hands into fists as he began to snarl lowly. Clank did not notice it, but he knew well that Ratchet was disturbed, although he did not show it physically Clank knew that on the inside, Ratchet was struggling. Struggling with that which kept him puzzled. The new feelings he now had, the answer he seeked, answer he could not find but which he so wanted to know and have. "Poor Ratchet" Clank thought towards himself. "Do not worry, you will find out your answers soon." And as if by magic of what Clank was thinking Ratchet began to smile a little "You know Clank? I have a feeling everything will work out just fine." With that he grabbed Clank by the wrist and began to run, run as he had never done before. For he knew it now, he knew what would happen…
As Ratchet ran further down the slippery sloop of Ardolis, he began to realise what had happened to the planet. "Slag surely has been busy Clank!" ratchet shouted towards Clank whilst running, his ears and tail sweeping in the wind as he jumped into the air. "I am thinking ratchet that they for saw your coming." "Ya think?!" Ratchet said a bit sarcastically as a shot ran past the Lombax face mere inches. "Woooh!" he shouted. Ratchet ducked down evading the incoming blaster shots. "Get that Lombax lads! First one to kill em gets a party." As the pirates came closer Ratchet quickly grabbed his combustor "Have a taste of your own medicine!" as shots of flaming death rained down upon the unsuspecting pirates. Letting out a sigh, the Lombax fell on the rocks beneath him he was getting tired from this. Clank saw this and advised he took a rest, but the Lombax proved stubborn as he got back up his legs barely able to sustain his weight as he walked slowly further and further.
"Attention all pirates, that mangy cat and his toaster are still loose on the planet. Shoot first, ask questions later ye got it?!" Slag said via the loudspeakers, pleased of himself he nodded to Rusty Pete to put off the link. "And has the saucy wench been put in the brig?!" "Aye capt'n (hic) she won't be doing (hic) anything any longer!" Pete said as he poured some grog down his system. "Splendid mate!" Nefarious and Lawrence were only a few stones away from there. "Have the defences been activated Lawrence?!" Nefarious got a bit annoyed by the presence of Ratchet being nearby. "Yes sir, they have all been set and activated as you asked… but may I ask what you are planning, sir?" The evil doctor just turned around as he began rubbing his hands. "Patience Lawrence! All in duo time…"
As Clank surveyed the terrain around them, he could not help but feel compassion for Ratchet, he had been his friend for a long time and he knew what Hobbes meant to him. Perhaps even more then Ratchet himself knew. Clank looked around but he did not see any way over the water. "It seems that the recent storm around Ardolis have flooded this section ratchet. We can't get across it!" "Great, what are we going to now?!", the Lombax just sighed as he began to think about a way how to get further. The pirates used there ships, but he and Clank did not have a vessel. Well Aphelion yes, but she would be shot down immediately! As Ratchet began to search for a way to get across, he heard Clank call out for him. "Ratchet? Ratchet! I may have found our way across the water." As Clank pointed towards the metal bar before them. "Mhh the floods must have brought the water high enough for us to use this. But we must be careful!"
Clank opened his radiator core and took out the Grind boots for Ratchet. "Here you go Ratchet. But do be careful this time." Ratchet cocked an eyebrow towards his friend. Ratchet careful when railgrinding? As he put on the boots he grabbed Clank onto his back and jumped onto the rail. As the Lombax made contact with the rail, terror swept over them both, the rails began to sink into the icy water. "Woaaa! Clank watch it, this is going to be a rough ride!" As the Lombax tried to keep his balance, as more of the grind rail fell into the water. "Ratchet?!" Clank asked very concerned seeing the water and the sharks getting closer and closer to the Lombax's feet. "We will make it Clank trust me!" his weight shifted over the rail as he tried to gather speed, he fell the wind in his muzzle again, but he knew he had to stay focused there was no room for errors this time… He raced forward as water began touching his boots, "Come on just a bit further." He said almost angry his eyes narrowed as he saw the grindrail going up into the air. "YES!" he said cheerfully in joy as Clank and him both got away from the threatening water. But there joy did not last long as they saw what awaited them up ahead. "You got to be kidding me!"
"Aaah yes! Finally…" Hobbes said as the ropes around her wrists were cut. It took her a while but those damm ropes were now gone, yet a bigger challenge awaited her. "Mhhh how do I get out of this cell?!" she thought towards herself. She looked at her surroundings if there was not anything that she could do. As she began to feel at the bars for anything unusual she began to smile, almost laughing. "Pff these pirates are a joke!" she said as she pushed open the door. Hobbes looked around the corner, if there was not anything nearby. As she took a step forward she quickly fell back behind the wall as she heard footsteps coming her way.
"Aaarrr, it's not fair I tell ya. Why do we need to guard that Lombax?" "Aah who cares.. The capt'n is already in an angry mood. Just do as he tells ya!" Hobbes looked down thanking that the guards hadn't seen her. As quickly yet softly as she could she made her way trough the hall. She must have been somewhere underground as there were no windows, only torches that hang across the damp walls giving the place a very eerie look, as if she was back in the ship where Ratchet had found her.
Horror came over the Lombax his face as he quickly ducked for cover. "Slag surely issn't wasting any time here is he?" Ratchet said a bit annoyed, his body moving from left to right on the rail trying to avoid the shots as they came close by. He was thankful that the pirates were such bad aimers, well it did not surprise him one bit if they were so grogged up. "Ratchet, I hope I do not need to remind you that we do not have time for this?!" "I'm a little busy Clank!" shots came from every direction, each of them barely missing the Lombax by cubits. He couldn't change his weapon now he would loose his balance for sure and fall down from the rail.
He became tired from all the fighting he had done today but the ending was in sight. As they began to climb higher and higher he noticed the air began to get warmer and warmer. "This is it Clank hold on tight!" As the pirates from up the hill fired more blasts, Ratchet yelled out loudly towards his attackers as he finally jumped from the rail, his hand reaching near Clank as his weapon manifested into his hand sending bursts of fiery death on the unsuspecting pirates. Not as soon as the pirates were destroyed did he ran into the large tunnel before him. "This must be the tunnel Qwark told us about." Clank said as he inspected the design. "It clearly is made by the pirates." "Ya think?" a chuckle came from Ratchet for Clank had stated the obvious. "Well let's find out what's in there shall we?" he said as the Lombax took all of his strength and ran into the darkness that awaited him and Clank.
Not far from where Ratchet was, stood Nefarious along with Slag, Sprocket, Lawrence and Rusty Pete. "Aye! That be one tough Lombax I tell ye." Slag got a bit irritated by the persistence of the fur ball. Nefarious seemed rather calmly, which in a way made Lawrence think about what the evil doctor may have had in mind. It was nothing for Nefarious to be so calm, but then again he wasn't normal. As he looked at Sprocket then towards Slag he began to grin a bit. "Mhhh this guy here has a lot of irony muscles does he not?" "I believe he does, sir." Lawrence commented before Nefarious brought his hand into the air silencing Lawrence. "What ya have in mind then?" Slag asked. "We send this fella here to deal with that Lombax." Nefarious eyes began to sparkle at the idea he had in mind. "yes yes yees… Muhuhhahahaaa." "Aye that be a good idea indeed. Sprocket?!" Slag yelled at the large robot guardian. "Deal with that fur ball and his robotic toy!" "Aye aye capt'n" As the large robot began to move towards the Hall of Death, Rusty Pete went next to Lawrence whispering "He is gonna (hic) die." Lawrence just giggled at this a bit finding it funny how Rusty Pete was actually correct.
As Ratchet ran as fast as he could trough the tunnels he could see a light at the end of the tunnel. His nose smelling the fresh air that came from the other side. A cooling breeze of wind that gushed trough his fur. As muscles all working together to bring him ever so close to his goal… Saving Hobbes. "There it is Clank! Come on." He said in joy almost jumping. "Ratchet this seems to easy. Nothing has happened here so far!" "You worry to much there is nothiaaaah!" As Ratchet flew backwards landing on his back with a hard thud. "Aaah Lombax, so we meet again ey?!" Sprocket said as he hung from the ceiling of the hall. "Aau! That hurts you know." Ratchet said as he looked at his opponent with one eye closed, clapping the dust of from his suite. "Prepare to die Lombax…" Sprocket said as he blasted his weapon at the Lombax. Ratchet quickly jumped against the wall evading the large ball. "I defeated you once I can do it again!" Ratchet yelled as he took his wrench running towards the pirate. His hand held his wrench tightly as it swang across the hall, cutting the air in two. A large clinging sound gallowed trough the area as metal collided with each other. Sprocket yelled out loud as one of his arms lay on the floor sparkles of electricity coming forth from it.
"There! See I can beat you a second time even." The Lombax puffed from exhaustion as he walked past the once proud pirate. "You think you can defeat me a second time as well?!" Sprocket yelled at Ratchet, knowing that he would not loose again not this time. He grabbed a remote from his belt as he pressed the button, Clank swore his sensors picked something up but he could not figure what it was. Until Ratchet saw it, a dimm light, a light coming from the other side of the tunnel they had once entered. "What is that?!" he said as he narrowed his eyes. His body immediately reacted when it figured what it was. "Shit!" as he began to run for his life. The small explosions came closer and closer towards the poor Lombax, as earth and water began pouring down into the hall crushing everything in it's path. Sprocket began to laugh manically as Ratchet ran away from the evil laughter of how he would die alongside with the robot in this place of death. As the roof above Ratchet almost began to fall on top of him he spurted his way out of the hallway. A final jump as he got out of the hall landing on his stomach and side the rubble almost crushing him. "Wow that was too close Clank." Ratchet said as he stood up. Some of the nanotech in his storage came forward and healed the many cuts and bruises he had sustained in the small but hefty fight with Sprocket, not to mention the stones and various things that had cut into his skin. "Come on let's get Hobbes and get away from this place!" Clank nodded as they made there way ever so close towards Slag and Nefarious.