Chapter Fifteen
Femka's eyes flickered open suddenly the following morning. The light came through the window and invaded her dreams forcing her to wake. It felt warm. Her hands instinctively rubbed against her eyes and scratched away the sleep dust that gathered at their corners. Her mouth opened to a yawn and her legs stretched outward to bump gently into the person that was next to her. She was lying on her side and her head turned just slightly to catch Ratchet out of the corner of her eye. He was still sleeping and facing in her direction. She thought it was kind of funny how that she always seemed to have an opportunity to lie next to the person she liked and at the same time she couldn't force herself go any further. She sighed through her nose with the smallest bit of blush crossing her cheeks and she let her head rest on the pillow beneath her closing her eyes again. Everything was coming closer to the end now. Arlis agreed to help build the theoretical device that would get her home and soon she would see her friends and family again. Femka wondered what her friend Alexander was doing at the moment. Actually, she wondered that a lot before she went to bed or whenever she had a moment by herself to simply think. When she would get home, she would be wondering the same thing but this time with Ratchet and Clank. The urge to not go home was still pestering her mind. But plans had already come so far. Saying she wanted to stay would only cause more problems—at least that's what she felt. The woman tried to ignore her annoying and troublesome thoughts so that maybe she could get more sleep. But to no avail her mind was too persistent. Femka let her eyes stay open as she felt another yawn coming on. Her eyes perked toward the door of the guestroom when she heard a sound coming from the living room. Gallo was back and the door closed behind her tightly when she entered. It was still early in the morning but Gallo was out for the whole night. Femka had no idea about all the things that happened last night. She only assumed the person entering already was Gallo, because this was her home. After hearing some footsteps walking about and then another door open and close Femka slowly got up out of bed trying not to disturb Ratchet from his sleep. The Lombax seemed to be in a deep sleep twitching his nose once and lying there looking limp. Femka watched him for a second only realizing that she was staring at him. Her face was red again and she left the room in a hurry. All the doors were automatic—just like any other place the Earthling had seen so far—and when she left it closed behind her. She saw the living room light up as the early sun tried to penetrate through the deep forest and shine what light it could into the small apartment. Where Arlis once was on the couch was just a rough imprint of his existence. The cushions were in a different place and the blanket was bundled up to the end and falling slightly off of the sofa. Femka rubbed her eyes again and located the bathroom finally. She needed to get through her routine, though she forgot to take her backpack with her. The woman left the bathroom and returned with the things she needed that would help make her clean. She didn't want to intrude any further in Gallo's home but the urge to shower and brush her teeth were overpowering. It seemed like every planet—or city, or whatever—had their own ways of design and mechanics for their utilities; it never stopped Femka from figuring it out eventually. When she finished her duties in the bathroom, the young woman left feeling refreshed and carrying her things with her and wearing another outfit she brought with her. When she came back to the spare bedroom Ratchet was still asleep but the rest of the bed was now his domain. Femka smiled biting her bottom lip seeing him sprawled out like that. She checked her comm-link to see what time it was on the planet. It read: 7:30. Femka felt like she could get more sleep feeling the tiredness around her eyes. She found a spot that was free from Ratchet's body parts and sat down giving another yawn.
"Ratchet?" she quietly said turning her head back to the Lombax. "Move over." Her hand nudged his shoulder until he responded.
His eyes opened a small crack seeing a blurred vision and he closed them with a small grunt moving his arms and legs out of the way. Femka lifted her legs onto the bed and rested her body next to Ratchet. She closed her eyes after her damp head was placed on the pillow. She was out within a few minutes.
• • •
When the girl woke up again there was more light coming through the small room and she could hear voices from outside. She lifted up her tired head and looked around noticing that Ratchet was no longer there. She took her time getting out of bed and headed out of the room after taking her things with her. She saw Clank, Faas and Ratchet sitting around in the living room talking with each other. She wondered where Arlis and Gallo were when she didn't see them. All eyes went on her for a moment as she tried to fix her hair where she stood and put on her glasses to see the room better.
"…Hi," she said quietly.
"Greetings, Miss Femka."
"Where's Arlis?"
"He's in the bathroom," Faas answered directing his head with a tilt to the door. "Gallo came back this morning with some things for me. She left some clothes on the table out here with a note." He gestured to his new clothes as where he sat. "So, I gave him a pair of clothes to wear for now. Gallo's still sleeping, though. She was out the whole night."
"So, we haven't told her about the plan yet," Ratchet added.
"Oh…"
Femka sat down next to her admiration after he pat the seat next to him on the sofa.
"We've just been filling each other in since we woke up. Apparently we missed Faas forgive his uncle and then Faas missed our mission plan with him, Arlis that is."
"Everything's okay?" Femka asked looking at Faas apprehensively.
"Yeah." He nodded smiling slightly. "But I can't say the same for Gallo. I really don't think she'll ever forgive him. So, when she wakes up just try to be nice."
Arlis finally left the bathroom revealing him in his new attire. He seemed to look more pleasant compared to yesterday. Soap was a very difficult—impossible—thing to acquire back on Fortum. Though, he did bathe in the springs underground, a shower with actual cleansing products works much better. Arlis acknowledged Femka's presence as she did the same. Now, the only thing left to do was wait for Gallo to wake up. After all, she was the only person in that apartment with a ship. Arlis took a seat on the opposite end of the couch pushing his hair back behind him. The next thing he wanted to do was to get all that mess cut off properly. Meanwhile, in Gallo's room, the woman was already awake—or just waking, rather. She didn't sleep very long. Maybe about four or so hours. That's all she needed. When she opened her eyes she could hear the group talking outside the door. Last night gave her plenty of time to think about everything she said to Faas and what he said to her. Gallo really didn't know how to feel still. She got out of bed and looked at her face's bare reflection in the mirror. Her hand gently slid down the side of her scarred face. Looking at it was too much to bear. When the woman brushed back her short black hair she merely put the mask back on. She wasn't ready to face the world just yet without it. She replaced her garbs from yesterday with new ones and with the last touches of her outfit she stepped out into the living room where the others looked at her and quieted their voices. Faas smiled at her and stood up from the chair he was in to greet her.
"How do you feel today?"
"I'm alright."
"Gallo… I don't mean to bring this up so suddenly, but, Ratchet needs another favor from you."
Gallo looked at the Lombax who felt suddenly on the spot and stood up quickly as well.
"Uh, well," he scratched his head. "You're the only one with a ship, that we know, and we still need to get home…"
"You can borrow mine."
Ratchet paused with his mouth open not exactly expecting her to agree.
"Really?" his ears perked.
"Yeah. I'm done traveling for awhile," she said softly. "Anyway, you lost your ship rescuing Faas, so I owe you. I already said that would repay you somehow for getting him out of jail."
Faas looked at Gallo strangely with what she said. He watched her leave the area and enter another room.
"Whenever you're all ready…," she said while fixing some of the ornaments in the other room.
Faas looked at the others who all looked at him and then to one another. Femka stood up next picking up her things and throwing them over her back. Clank hopped off of his seat as well standing by Ratchet's feet. Arlis eventually stood up from off of the couch and glanced at his nephew. There was a strange expression on his face. He was thinking about something. Gallo finally came back into the room and stared at everyone. Her hands motioned to the door and ultimately they all left through it. It was just strange that Gallo didn't object but rather let them take her ship instead. Her generosity was making everyone cautious. When they reached the outside no one spoke and Gallo led the way. Faas followed next to her after some point glancing at her through the corner of his eye and back in front of him. Arlis's guilt was still prominent and he kept to himself the duration of the walk. As soon as they arrived to her ship Faas looked down at Gallo as she looked at everyone else.
"I know I said borrow, but don't count on me ever coming back for it."
"Why are you just giving us your ship?" Ratchet had to ask.
"I don't need it anymore." Gallo sighed quietly and looked at Faas. "I know you have forgiveness, but for me, it's a little too difficult…" She then looked to Arlis. "I can never forgive you for what you've done. But… it's necessary for Femka to get home. So help her."
Arlis looked down at his bare feet and then back to Gallo. He returned a small nod to her. What Clank said was right. He can't expect redemption from everyone. What he did will always haunt his soul.
"Faas," Gallo said almost in a whisper, "I want you to be safe…"
"I will be, but why are you saying that?"
"For your journey…" Her head stared down.
"I'm not going," he said picking her face back up with his hand. "I'm staying here."
"What?" Her voice was quiet yet surprised.
"I've had just about enough traveling for one day. I'd like to stay in one place for awhile. And I'd really like to stay there with you. The universe doesn't have much for me other than you, Gallo. So, what's the point of leaving? I don't want you to be alone."
She didn't know what to say. Gallo wasn't anticipating the words that came out of the Remilien's mouth. She stared up at him looking through the holes of her mask. Her heart felt light and heavy at the same time. She was used to being alone ever since she was a teenager but all this time she just wanted Faas by her side again. The feelings that they both shared for one another survived over the years. It was a miraculous thing.
"You really wish to stay…?"
"I do." Faas looked over to his uncle and took a few steps toward him until they were face to face. "Uncle Arlis. I don't think this'll be the last time I'll see you, but until then, please take care."
He extended his hand to shake with his uncle. It was the final part to their reconciliation. Arlis took his hand and shook it firmly. Both gave each other a small smile.
"You were always a good boy," Arlis praised.
"It helps to have a good mentor."
Faas let go of the old man's hand and walked over to Ratchet with the same smile only to have it turn quirky with furrowed brows.
"You broke me out of prison."
"I think that's really all you have to say." Ratchet jogged his head with his eyes looking off to the side and his shoulders shrugged.
Faas smiled normally again and shook the mechanic's hand as well.
"Well, thank you anyway, Ratchet."
"It was my pleasure."
Faas kneeled down to Clank's level offering him a shake of his hand as well. The small robot clasped the Remilien's hand and shook it with a smile of his own.
"Please take care, Faas."
"I will. Same goes to you too."
The red alien stood straight again and smiled to Femka next also taking her hand in a firm shake. The woman fixed her glasses smiling back and gripping his hand tightly.
"I'm sure my uncle will be able to get you home safely. Until then, enjoy your time with your friends."
"Thank you," Femka smiled kindly at him.
He returned to Gallo's side shortly after and looked at the others before him. Gallo looked up at her childhood friend and took a hold of his hand for strength and squeezed it tightly. Faas returned the action holding her hand just as tight. Gallo gave the others a nod that it was alright for them to enter her ship. Ratchet opened the side door with a press of the button outside of the ship and stepped inside. He helped Femka and Arlis up after Clank had hopped on board as well.
"Goodbye for now, Lomax. Good luck," Gallo said softly.
Ratchet nodded his head with clever smile and headed off to the front of the vessel as his partner followed him. Arlis and Faas made one final exchange and soon the old man was off to his seat. Femka looked at Gallo before the doors closed. The woman noted her linked hand only wishing the same could happen for the outsider. Somehow Femka knew what she meant and her face turned a nice shade of pink. The doors closed at that moment. Ratchet looked back to the end of the ship seeing Femka still standing there.
"You'd better sit down," he cautioned with a raise of his brows.
"I am, I am," the woman complied with a hurried inflection to her voice as she found her spot and sat there putting her backpack down on the floor and between her legs.
Ratchet turned his head back to the front of the ship and looked out the window. His fingers, swiftly as usual, pressed along the ship's consol to initiate the computer. The vessel's lights turned on and presently did the engine. Within no time the ship lifted off of the ground and from the outside Faas and Gallo watched as it carried up past the tall trees. Femka watched through the window like she always did and soon Yuli became a small spec. The young woman put her seatbelt on when things started to feel bumpy. The ship broke though the atmosphere of Vozik and the green planet became another glimmer in the background as the ship picked up speed.
"Shall I set the coordinates to Igliak?" Clank asked pressing some buttons on the holo-keyboard.
"Nah, I was thinking somewhere else."
Clank blinked his eyes at Ratchet with a tilt of his head.
"Put in the coordinates to Kerwan. I think Femka should see a little more than just Polaris before she leaves," he smiled.
Femka's head lifted up from her seat behind the two and Ratchet smiled noticing her behind him.
"Well, I promised I'd show you something. We might not make it to Veldin but Kerwan is the next best thing."
"Is it better than Igliak?" she smiled.
"There's no comparison," he boasted.
Femka giggled once maintaining her smile. She was excited to see more of their worlds.
"How long will it take us to get there?"
"Good question. I haven't been to this side of the universe before." Ratchet titled his head an inch to his friend. "Clank, got an estimate?"
"After downloading the coordinates and not including the distance from Solana to Kerwan, it should take us roughly twenty hours."
"These trips keep getting longer…" The mechanic sighed gripping at his controls.
"Mister Marlow, will you be alright traveling?" Clank asked looking at the researcher from over his seat.
The old man nodded sitting in one of the chairs near the back and off to the side.
"It'll help me think, if anything," he shrugged.
"And I might assume that you are used to this by now, Miss Femka?"
"Yep." Her head bobbed.
"Before we get to Solana we should stop somewhere in Bogon. And… probably before then." Ratchet scratched his chin. "I don't know if this ship has any provisions."
"I shall check," Clank volunteered hopping off of his seat and walking to the back past Arlis.
"Well, even if it does," he began and looked back to Femka, "maybe we can still stop somewhere anyway for more sightseeing."
"Makes me wish I had a camera with me."
"You can use your comm-link as one."
"I can?" Her brow rose and she took out the small round device to examine it.
"Yeah, sure. I'll show you."
Ratchet left his seat after engaging the autopilot function and sat in the seat next to Femka. She gave him the device when he put his hand out as to ask for it.
"See this button here? Press it and scroll through these options here. I know you can read it but just try to memorize it."
Femka nodded and watched carefully.
"Then scroll here, press the button again, then that's it. Take a picture with the same button and it'll show up as a hologram. Because I'm pretty sure you've noticed everything is holographic here."
She smiled staring at the device like she was a little kid.
"I wish I knew this earlier," she frowned. "I would've taken so many pictures."
"I'm sorry, I forgot to mention it. Well, it's never too late to start," he suggested with optimism.
"How am I supposed to hold it?"
She looked at the thing unsure of what part actually took the picture. She finally figured it out just looking at the holo-display on her communicator. Femka held up the device to Ratchet until his face was in the center of the shot and she pressed the button to the side. There was a small beeping sound followed by a very fast flash. The picture she took was already displayed as a hologram in the center of her comm-link. Femka smiled happily pleased with her accomplishment and proceeded to take pictures of everything. She undid her seatbelt and moved to the pilot's seat sitting on the chair for a moment to take pictures of the space that surrounded them. She was fascinated! Her head turned back to Ratchet with an exaggerated, happy grin. Naturally, she took another photo of him, too. Clank had finally returned as he was walking toward them and Femka found it necessary to capture him as well on her comm-link. The small robot blinked his big eyes and looked at his smiling friend who shrugged one shoulder.
"She's enjoying the camera function."
"Ah, yes, indeed."
"So, are there any rations onboard?"
"Yes. A few. But I believe it is more than plenty to last us until we reach the Solana galaxy." Clank climbed back into his chair.
Ratchet looked skeptically at his friend.
"What kind of rations? They weren't from Sepria, were they?"
"I am not certain, though I must assume that they probably are."
The Lombax gestured his upper lip outward in disgust and stuck out his tongue to which Femka took a picture of. She smiled brightly at him when he stared at her with a dry expression.
"We'll stop somewhere for food," he said looking at Clank. "In fact, I'd like to go somewhere now. I haven't eaten yet since I woke up."
"And I need to take more pictures," Femka declared.
"Exactly."
Clank looked down at the computer's display of information about the area they were traveling through.
"It seems like there are a few artificial planets that we will be approaching soon."
"Set the coordinates for the closest one and leave the autopilot on," Ratchet instructed.
"Affirmative."
• • •
Femka remained in Ratchet's seat until there was something coming closer to her view and the ship dramatically began to slow down. It was the artificial planet. It actually wasn't a planet, because it was much too small—even smaller than a dwarf planet. More like an artificial hub. It was about the size of a small city all around. Other ships were flying around it, leaving it or entering it. There wasn't much space given how small it was, so teleporting onto the sphere was the main method of entry via tele-station that extended externally from the artificial rock like a quayside. Around the artificial creation was its own steady supply of oxygen. There was a clear, yet visible shield that encircled the planet. When the micro-planet was up close Femka immediately took a picture. This quickly became her new hobby. She moved away from the pilot's position and let Ratchet guide the ship manually to the dock. The side of the ship hovered next to a port that would attach alongside the vessel.
"What're you gonna do about the ship when we leave it?" Femka asked watching Ratchet leave his seat.
"I'm just gonna leave it to orbit around on autopilot. It should be fine," he said walking over to the side door.
The woman followed to the back of the ship behind Clank and Arlis stood up as well.
"You can just do that?" she commented again on the subject still confused. "How do you know no one will run into it or something? Won't other people be doing the same thing with their ships?"
"Yeah, they will, but that's why spaceships are supposed to be smart. The computer will be aware of any actions outside, so it'll avoid any collisions."
Femka stood there confused yet bemused and watched the door open and Ratchet walk through it.
"Neat," she said quietly and amazed.
Arlis stood behind her as the other two left the ship to the tele-station.
"Your planet must be an interesting place without the things you've seen here," he guessed.
"Yeah, it is. It kind of makes me jealous. When I go back home the things I thought that were convenient will be extremely inopportune compared to the stuff here." She bit the inside of her mouth with a small grumble.
"It wasn't always like this. You should always keep in mind that everything starts as nothing in order to become something later."
Femka looked up at the wise man. He and Clank shared a lot of attributes. Her hair fell to the sides of her face as she mustered a reluctant smile. He was right.
"Are you guys coming, or not?" Ratchet said peeking his head back into the craft.
Arlis smiled at Femka who couldn't help but return the gesture and the two exited the small vessel and entered the platform at the tele-station. She watched from her position as some aliens walked into a chamber and vanished. It reminded Femka of the railcars on Meridian when they disappeared to another track or line. Teleportation still wasn't her thing. It felt funny. A weird tingling sensation went through her body the last time she teleported on the train. But this was official now. Ratchet pressed a button on his comm-link that closed the ship's side door and then another that gave a command to let the ship commence to autopilot. It flew away from the station when the platform's doors closed and went to orbit the populated sphere. Femka examined the teleporter. There was more than one. Her eyes shifted cautiously back to Ratchet who stood next to her.
"Well, ladies first," he chuckled out with a coy smile.
"Can't we all go together?"
"It's not advised that more than one person uses the same site." The mechanic cringed.
Femka was silent for a second and looked to the chamber again. Her head turned to another direction watching an alien use the device next to her. He just vanished after he pressed a few buttons. The teleporter would take the user to the bottom of the shaft. It was just easier than implementing an elevator or stairs considering how high it was from the actual sphere itself.
"I'll press the buttons for you," Ratchet offered. "And I'll follow right after."
Her nose scrunched and the woman fixed her glasses again slowly stepping onto the pad inside the chamber. Ratchet began pressing the buttons inside before the doors closed.
"I can't be in here with you, but you press this one, and then that green one. You'll have to press the last one yourself."
The mechanic quickly stepped out of the chamber and the doors closed leaving Femka in there alone. She stared at the green button and reached out to it with her quivering index finger. Her eyes shut tightly and she hastily pressed it with a jab. There was a loud sound around her and suddenly she was wrapped in a green and blue light. Her eyes opened a hair just to catch her own body dematerializing right before her in a flash. Her heart felt like it was going to explode out of her throat, that's how terrifying that moment was for her. But the room came back within a second. What seemed like minutes was actually barely a second long. The process was fast—very fast. The doors to the chamber were already right in front of her. They opened promptly, a voice following after.
"Please exit the chamber for next personnel," the female voice spoke.
Femka's eyes were widened and she hurried out of the chamber, the doors closing behind her already. She only could stand there with a disorientated visage as people passed her by. Within the same amount of time it took Femka to reach the ground Ratchet came out of the teleporter. He saw her a few feet away from the busy capsules and noticed her disturbed face. It made him laugh. Femka jolted her head at him presenting an angry pout.
"It's not funny…"
Ratchet dipped his head down but kept his eyes on her and smiled cutely. Oh, was he using his charm to get the best of her? Femka's eyes drifted away after she sucked the inside of her mouth inward. He chuckled again forcing her to look back at him with a grumpy exhale through her nostrils. Her cheeks were turning red again, though mostly out of embarrassment this time. Femka caught the sight of Arlis and Clank walking towards them and soon tried to dismiss her friend laughing at her. Clank was the first to speak again looking up at his companion in question.
"Our fist destination, Ratchet?"
"Any place with food."
The Lombax took out his nav-unit attempting to download a map of the area. It could easily be explored in a day or so given the size. After obtaining a digital map Ratchet tapped a single finger on his chin looking for a place that was decent enough. His head motioned away from his nav-unit trying to stare through all the aliens that were walking about. He let out a small hum with his mouth closed.
"Alright, this way," he said taking the lead.
The others whimsically followed. Femka took her comm-link back out and continued with her earlier-found hobby, taking pictures of all the things she thought were worth it. She was starting to fall behind every time she felt like she had to stop so she could get a good photo of something. Her pace would quicken and she would reunite with the small group. There was a thick, dense crowd forming about as they walked along the street. Femka stared up seeing a statue of something she thought as familiar. She stopped to look intently at the metal design. It was of Captain Qwark. Ah, now she remembered. She recalled Ratchet talking about him and how much he bothered the Lombax, also the conversation she overheard aboard Ratchet's other ship. She smiled and took a picture of the statue for the sake of memorabilia.
"Hey, Ratchet," she called out. "Did you miss this or… Ratchet?" her head turned about with her body.
Femka lost sight of her friends within the crowd. She bit her bottom lip in a worry the cluster of people became sparse. The girl swung herself around deciding to head in the direction she thought they had gone but only bumped into another alien who was in the middle of deep conversation with a few others like him.
"So, there I was, fighting on Aranos against this massive Guhltawk, and… hey!"
The big brute turned around seeing Femka looking back up at him with an apologetic face. His eye squinted and he growled.
"Watch where you're goin' you… wait a minute." He paused leaning into the woman's personal space with one bigger than the other still. "I remember you…" He snorted. "You're that girl that crazy man ordered us to go after."
"Uhh…" Femka's eyes swung back and forth as she took a step away from the alien.
"You know that man put me and my "associates" through hell, little girl." He grabbed her by the cuff of her shirt lifting her off of the ground. "So, where's your little Lombax boyfriend?"
Femka reached her hands to wrap around his larger hand to try and force herself free.
"Let go of me! I didn't do anything to you!"
The alien looked back at his friends with a sarcastic appearance and they all laughed at the gesticulation. His eyes glared at her again showing his ridged, sharp teeth. Femka's stare intensified and she struggled again. A small thought crossed over her mind. It had been awhile since she used her power. Now would be a good time to electrocute the thug holding onto her. Her hands began to glow like they would whenever she summoned her strength from within. The alien looked at her strangely seeing the glow on her hands and she grabbed onto his arm forcing a jolt of electricity unto him. He yelled in pain dropping her to the ground. Femka fell on her rear with a small grunt. Something was wrong. She felt strange. There wasn't a lot of energy flowing through her, not like how she remembered it. Maybe the need for it wasn't so strong? The thug rubbed his arm and growled back at Femka, his friends stood just as tall next to him and behind him giving the girl the same stare. Well, now she felt like panicking. Her fingers fumbled onto her comm-link trying to press the button that would call Ratchet. She continuously pressed it jumping to her feet and keeping her hands out letting the flow of Neroltrium spark of her finger tips. There it was again this strange feeling. The young woman looked at her hands and noticed the sparks getting smaller. Her expression appeared baffled and she stared up at the mean aliens that looked down on her.
"Are you done staring at your hands, pretty girl?" he cracked his knuckles within each hand.
Up ahead, Ratchet finally turned back noticing that Femka wasn't following them. His ears pushed upward and he stopped to look in all directions.
"Where's Fem?"
Clank and Arlis stopped as well to look about. They hadn't wandered too far from the statue the woman was still at but regardless, they had no idea she was there.
"Perhaps we lost her in that crowd a moment ago?" Clank proposed. "She was taking pictures."
Ratchet prepared a sigh but it was interrupted by his comm-link receiving the call that Femka sent out multiple times.
"Femka?" he answered it. "Where are you?" his tail wagged curiously.
"Ratchet, help!" her voice yelled. "I'm by the Qwark statue!"
His ears perked again when he heard another voice in the background making a crude comment. Without hesitation he ran toward the statue. The others could still see it from where they stood but they stuck closely behind Ratchet and hurried to Femka's location. The mechanic saw Femka who was once again being gripped onto.
"Hey!" he yelled out to the group of thugs.
"You!" the alien growled looking back at Ratchet. "I've got a bone to pick with you…"
"You can pick a fight with me after you get your hands off of her."
The alien snorted a laugh and tossed Femka down in front of him causing her to let out a sound of discomfort from hitting the ground so suddenly. Ratchet ran over to her and picked her up by her under arms until she stood on her feet.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" he asked examining her body.
Her head shook and she looked at her faintly glowing hands.
"Ratchet something weird is going on," she whispered. "I think I'm losing the effects of the Neroltrium…"
The mechanic squinted his eyes at her in contemplation but his thoughts were bothered by the aliens a few feet behind them.
"Let's go, rodent!" he said grinding his teeth.
Ratchet rolled his eyes and looked at Femka.
"Gimme a minute."
He patted her shoulder and proceeded to walk around her over to the group of smug aliens. Femka watched in concern but moved towards Arlis and Clank for a safe distance.
"Are you alright?" Arlis asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay."
"Your hands, is that the effect?"
The translator nodded and looked down at her hands again. The colors were fading still.
"Yeah, but I think it's leaving, though. I don't know why."
Arlis continued to stare at her hands quizzically, his expression deep and thoughtful. Seeing something like this in person was frankly pretty amazing to him. It fascinated him that this mysterious material had such immense powers and qualities. His mesmerized gaze was taken away by the sound of the big, heavy alien up ahead who laughed at Ratchet while he stood there with his hands on his hips. The other aliens laughed as well.
"Should he be doing something like this?" Arlis asked.
"Ratchet will be perfectly fine." Clank cleared all worries.
"Are you just gonna laugh at me or what?" Ratchet lifted his brows to compliment his mordant frown.
"Oh, we'll fight, hand to hand," he sniveled prepping his body to some fighting stance.
The people that were walking about took notice in the interesting display but didn't think of it as anything serious. Everyone basically kept at their easy pace until the angry alien decided to let out some loud war cry that shifted a few heads to his direction. The massive brute charged at Ratchet and threw a punch with his fist at him. The mechanic ducked—in sight of being short, he was hard to hit for a man who was too tall—and took a swing at the thug's stomach. His hand was shaken with a crack as the effect of the punch hardly did a thing to the tall alien. Ratchet inhaled with a gasp of air shaking his hand at the instant pain.
"Aaahhaah…," he sighed out deeply, rubbing his hand. "That didn't work…"
"You're gonna have to try better than that," the alien grinned wide.
His hand reached out and picked up the small Lombax by his collar letting his feet dangle off from the ground.
"You're not so tough without your wrench, are ya?" His grin beamed smugly.
"Well, my wrench isn't the only thing that I use for fighting."
The alien pulled the mechanic closer to his face with a deep growl as to attempt more intimidation. Ratchet was digging around his belt as his eyes were met directly with the monster that held him. He pulled out his comm-link and fumbled his fingers around the device until he found the button he was looking for. His arm quickly lifted up the device and red light point at the alien's eyes. Instinctively he stared right into it when it was positioned right in front of his face. His pupils went small and his eyes watered leaving Ratchet free from his grasp. The tall thug rubbed his eyes cursing at the Lombax and he took the opportunity to make his strike up-kicking the alien in his face and watching him stumbled backwards onto his bottom. He rubbed his face and glared at the mechanic as he stood back on his feet, a drip of blood moistened his hand.
"You cheated!"
"I didn't think a guy of your profession would really care." Ratchet shrugged casually.
"I take my job very seriously!" he snorted angrily reaching to the holster that was on the side of his belt.
Ratchet was wise to his action and brought out his trustworthy wrench, tossing it at the man's hand forcing him to retract it back upward. The mechanic's tool mystically wounded up back in his hand and he landed another strike to his stomach, this time being much more effective. The alien released his breath opening his mouth in the shape of an "o" and he held his stomach bending over and eventually falling to his knees. Ratchet's elbow came into collision with the base of his skull and the winded brute fell forward completely onto the ground. The accomplished Lombax tossed his wrench to the air with a pleased smile and looked over at the fallen alien's companions who stood there staring down at him. They turned their gaze over to Ratchet who caught his wrench and then again at each other. Some people or robots that were walking by kept their distance, some even stayed just to watch the fight; but it was over quick.
"Do you guys want a piece of me, too?" Ratchet frowned at the other brutes.
"Uuhhh…" One nearly drooled in thought.
"…No? No." The other scratched his head.
"Good."
A heavy sigh slipped through his opened mouth as Ratchet walked back to his friends. His eyes rolled up and his head shook.
"Fem," Ratchet began, putting his hands on the woman's shoulders when he approached her.
"…Yes?"
"Was taking a picture of a statue of Qwark really worth it? I mean, really?"
He gave her that same face like he made earlier when he laughed at her expression after she used the teleporter. Femka was silent but a smile slowly crept along the corners of her mouth and her eyes looked away.
"Nothing good ever comes from Qwark, even things Qwark-related, like a statue of Qwark. As a matter of fact," Ratchet turned to glance at the statue, "I don't even know why this place has that here anyway." He stared at Femka again in utter confusion and shook his head to regain his composure. "Do I have to hold your hand so you won't get lost and into trouble?"
"If you want to…"
Femka's face shyly looked away. That wasn't the answer Ratchet was expecting at all. He blinked several times confusedly at her taking his hands away from her shoulders. He said it as a joke but it made him instantly shy because of what she said. His thoughts resurfaced about his talk with Clank the other day when he made his conclusion concerning Femka's feelings toward him. Was she taking this as an opportunity? Or was he just thinking too deeply about it? In any case, her answer left him speechless only saying, "Um". When he fumbled with his words, Arlis smiled letting a tiny chuckle through his teeth making Ratchet turn his head in discomfort. Femka watched Ratchet as he gave her a quick, awkward smile that hastily went to a frown and he stepped around her to continue onward to their destination. The woman was consumed by a frown herself and a hint of anxiety crept over her shoulders.
"Did I… do something wrong?" she wondered like the paranoiac she was.
Now there was every unwanted thought invading her mind. Sure, what she did was indeed a trick to try and hold his hand. She saw the moment and took it. But did it turn him off? Was he wise to her actions? Did he even find her attractive then? If he didn't, then does that mean she shouldn't even seek him out as her companion? Femka's thoughts made her feel awkward the whole walk to their destination. Clank observed the whole thing carefully and as did Arlis. The robot and the researcher exchanged glances to one another along their walk. The old man knew the signs very well, which was why he couldn't help but chuckle moments ago. Femka walked behind them all, this time not taking any pictures. She just sort of stared at the ground until they made it to a place to eat. And even while there she continued her absentminded act.
"Would you care to eat something, Miss Femka?" Clank asked snapping the girl out of her daydream.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Thanks. I'm a little hungry."
When they sat somewhere to eat the meal Femka at first poked her food and then finally consumed it. Once again, she had no idea what she was eating and after this happening so much she just gave up. If she liked it, then that was all that was to it. If not, then oh well. But the whole time they were there to eat she was quiet. Infrequently she would momentarily look at Ratchet and then back at her food. There was a point that he caught her looking at him but his face turned away almost instantaneously. Femka frowned feeling like he was irritated with her or something. She finished her food soon but still kept quiet the remainder of the meal. When they left, Ratchet brought extras with him in a small package for the journey back home. Just like before, Femka was the one who was in the back of the group. The mechanic looked back just to make sure she was still there. And she was, she was just looking at her feet. They all finally arrived to the transporter station again. Femka wasn't anticipating this part again. She crossed her arms to comfort herself and to try and prep herself for another weird undertaking. Arlis was the first to go up followed by Clank. Ratchet would wait for Femka to go first so he knew she wouldn't be left behind. He nodded his head to the chamber telling her to, "Go ahead". The moment of truth came once again when she had to press that big green button and suffer through what seemed like she was being "deleted out of reality". Her heart pounded when she made it to the top and shook her shoulders, clenching her hands as well, and stepping out of the chamber to meet with Clank and Arlis who were making small conversation together. A few seconds later, Ratchet arrived with his tail swaying slowly behind him with the package in his hands. They waited atop the station platform a moment until their ship finally came back from floating directionless in around the planet. It was the same procedure as before: the ship docked to the side, the ship's side doors opened, a link was established between the port and the ship and then the doors to the port opened allowing the four to enter the ship at last. The side doors closed and Ratchet took the package of food to the storage room in the back and then proceeded to the front seat where his partner sat right to the side. Femka took her seat behind the two and Arlis did the same like before, sitting in the back in his own company. The ship soon blasted off from the artificial rock and in seconds it became a small speck in space. The young woman watched out through the window like she often did still took pictures when she would see something worth it—it all seemed worth it.
Twelve hours into their trip and two more meals eaten, there was still eight hours left and that didn't include the duration to get to Kerwan. That might take an hour or more longer. Femka was tired and on the verge of falling asleep in her chair. It was still hard thing to accomplish for her, though. She couldn't sleep sitting up, even though she had done it when they were traveling to Vozik. That time might have been an exception to her body's rules and regulations given who was sitting next to her. Femka finally left her seat and retreated to the back of the ship where the bed was. Her eyes were heavy and she was yawning every two minutes. On her way to the back she saw that Arlis was already asleep and lightly snoring. When the sleepy woman arrived at the bed she tumbled into it and took off her glasses keeping them in her hand. Almost like the turn of a switch she was off and out.
Up front Ratchet was carefully watching the space in front of him. He sighed when Femka was out of the room and the door to the resting quarters was shut. Clank looked up at his friend after the cat-like alien let out a yawn.
"Ratchet, is there something bothering you?" he questioned with a little blink of his eyes.
"Ah," Ratchet sighed out, "is it that obvious?"
"Yes. You have been sighing a lot for the past twelve hours and also twitching your ear."
Once again he sighed in near closeness to agitation. He kept his hands firm on the controls of the ship.
"It's…," he stopped and quieted his voice after looking behind him. "It's about Femka."
"What about her?"
"C'mon, Clank, you know already…" His nose twitched.
"About what you told me on Sepria?"
"Yeah, that."
"And that is what is bothering you?" Clank titled his head unsurely.
"Err, no… but…" The mechanic rubbed the base of his ear. "Okay, just bare with me for a minute. It's about what happened on that artificial planet and…"
"Oh, yes. I remember." Clank nodded his head recalling the small incident. "I noticed something was wrong then. Also, Miss Femka would not speak."
"Yeah…"
"Is her quiet behavior bothering you?"
"No, it's not that, it's the other thing that made her quiet."
"Which other thing?"
"Ah, Clank, you're killin' me…," he grumbled exhaling a deep sigh. "When I offered to hold her hand."
"Ah, yes, I recall this. Why did you not just say so?"
"That's what I was driving at. I said it as a joke. I know she likes me but after I said that I didn't expect her to say what she said. I know she's shy but now I'm shy." His upper lip rose to one corner.
"You are shy to talk to Miss Femka?"
"Yes."
"Because she agreed to hold your hand?"
"Yes, basically."
"I do not understand, Ratchet."
"Neither do I," the pilot sank back into his chair.
"I do think I see your problem, however." The little robot tapped the exterior of his metal chin pensively.
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yes. As it would turn out you have affection for Miss Femka. But you are bad with women."
"Thanks, Clank…"
"Ratchet, if you both hold the same fondness, then would it not make sense to share it with one another?"
"No, it makes perfect sense but it's not that easy…" He grumbled again. "I made it harder for myself. She probably thinks I'm angry at her because I won't talk to her or look at her. And now I have to explain myself inevitably telling her the truth."
"Hmm… You have dug your own grave, correct?"
"Uh-huh."
"Be confident, Ratchet. I am certain that you will think of something. After all, we can never let our feelings be without purpose. We all must express how we feel at some point."
The mechanic glanced over at his optimistic friend who stared back concerned. He smiled weakly and sighed deeply letting his chest rise and fall.
"Yeah, you're right." He stared off ahead silent for a moment. "I'd better start thinking."