Chapter 7: Taking Care of Contracts

Planet Evukar

The sun lazily rose through Evukar's sky as morning broke. For Talwyn, it was a strange, yet calming alternative to the harsh synthetic light of the station. Even the layers and layers of dust in Erus' lonely home had a comfortable, homey feel to them; even if it made her sneeze. She hopped up out of her bed, stretched, and got dressed. Today she and Ratchet would start their laborious search for a new power supply for Erus' elusive project. When he had shown up unexpectedly a few days ago, she was at first annoyed, but she relented after his apology and due to the fact that this was really more his forte.

The young markazian briskly made her way down the hall, which she was now able to get a better look at what with the morning sun being able to push through the dusty windows. Her host's home was in much worse shape than she had previously thought. It seemed to be built to replicate the antique, vintage style so commonly embraced by politicians and noble-like people. The metal walls were once covered with wallpaper and wainscoting, the light fixtures were all elegant chandeliers, and the windows were all large, grand, and framed by dramatic drapes. However, most of the décor was falling apart, showing just how much time had passed since Erus and his home were in their prime.

Talwyn made her way into the kitchen where she found Ratchet chowing down on a bowl of cereal at the breakfast bar while Clank stood on a chair next to him holding a stack of papers. The scene was both comical and familiar to Talwyn and it was times like these that she missed most when Ratchet left to live on Veldin after the Great Clock. But she couldn't think about the past, especially now that he was back and helping her on yet another adventure.

Ratchet had been a great help too. He and Clank were able to map the power signatures of the generators and record their power output with ease. The duo had been spending the last few days searching on the holo-net for any suitable matches. Even though Ratchet was sure that any new generator would work fine, she didn't want to cut any corners. It was a tricky especially with the Omega Corporation having gone out of business. Talwyn had the great idea of tracking any of Omega's lead engineers and seeing if any were still around and possibly working with other companies. Clank found three in his search. One was deceased, another retired, but the last one recently won a prize for 'Advancements in Energy Efficiency'. He was currently working for a company called Neutron Power Inc.

"According to my calculations Ratchet, the power output of the six Omega-fluxes would equal that of just two Neutron 3000s," Clank said as he read off the readings from one of the papers.

"Yeaff, buf fhat-" Ratchet started only to have Clank intercede.

"Ratchet, I cannot understand you with your mouth full," he said in a firm but friendly voice as it was a lecture he had often with the rough and tough lombax.

Talwyn leaned against the archway, smiling at the exchange between the two.

Ratchet gave a gulp as he swallowed all the cereal in his mouth. "Yeah, but what about the power signatures? Didn't you say that they were practically pre-historic?" he asked, worried that they wouldn't be able to finish this job. And Talwyn wouldn't get her bolts. He thought bitterly.

"I previously thought so. But it seems that Dr. Groya uses signatures very close to those of the Omega's. The Neutron 3000s are his latest work and what got him the award." Clank explained. Ratchet nodded his head in understanding.

"Well then, what are we waiting for? The sooner we go get them and get this done, the sooner Talwyn will get paid," he said as he stuffed his mouth with the last of the cereal.

Clank, having absorbed some of Ratchet's child-like antics over the years, thought it'd be a good time to rattle his friend a bit. "So, Ratchet, when are you going to discuss your feelings with Miss Apogee?" he said matter-of-factly. From her viewing spot, Talwyn's eyes went large. Ratchet coughed and spat out his cereal. Once he caught his breath, he looked at his metal friend with annoyance but then softened.

"I-I don't know Clank. I know I was a bit of a skirt-chaser in the past. But Talwyn...she's different. I wouldn't know what to say to her, or when. I think she still hasn't been able to grieve for Cronk and Zephyr." he said, looking down into his hands. Next to Clank, Talwyn was easily his best friend. They had so much in common and had grown close in a relatively short amount of time, Ratchet was afraid of losing such a good friendship to a failed romance. "Maybe once things settle down...and Tal and I have some free time...maybe I'll talk to her. But things like this really aren't my strong suit Clank." he finished.

"But what about all the women you dated in Solana after we defeated Drek?" Clank asked, his mechanical brain slightly confused as to how someone who had been on so many dates would not feel comfortable asking a friend on one. Talwyn herself didn't know whether to speak up or go back into the hall. But for the time being the conversation was very interesting to her.

"Like I said Clank...I was a skirt-chaser. All those girls, well they were just fans who pursued me for the fame. They didn't mean anything or cared about me. Tal...she means so much more." he said, thinking back to the adventures that they had. "Well come on Mr. Match-maker," Ratchet said jokingly. "We better go get her to pick up the generators." Talwyn sensed that the duo were about to turn around so she quickly retreated into the hallway so that they wouldn't know she had heard their conversation.

He spun around on the barstool to get up when he saw Talwyn walk in. "Oh, hey Tal," Ratchet said rubbing the back of his head. A small blush spread across his cheeks. "We found a good match on the generators, you ready to go?" he asked sheepishly. Even though Talwyn said that she forgave him, he knew that she didn't forget things so easily.

Talwyn smiled and walked across to him. Ratchet looked at her with a fading grin as he was afraid that she was about to do something painful to him. But she took her thumb and rubbed his cheek. "You got cereal on your face, hero," she said in a friendly tone. Ratchet nor Clank knew what to think of this action. Talwyn stared at him for a few seconds, and there was something about her look that both unnerved Ratchet and made his heart leap. But quick as it came, it was gone and she was back to her regular self as she started to leave the room. "Well come on you two. We don't have all day," she said in her usual commanding tone when the duo annoyed her.

The lombax and his metal friend exchanged confused looks before following her out of the room and to her ship. Ratchet touched his cheek where Talwyn had rubbed him, deep in thought. Does she…want us to be more? A small smirk graced his face. But then it fell as he realized that it wasn't fair for him to entertain such an idea. No, it's too risky. She wouldn't be safe.

Planet Shreii

Meanwhile, the thief had reached the rendezvous for his client. It was on a remote and long abandoned village on planet Shreii. He waited by what looked to be an old fountain when he saw a ship fly overhead and land nearby. The whole ride over, he swore that he had been hearing voices from the necklace, and was more than ready to be rid of it.

Maa'jer stepped out of his small, inconspicuous cruiser. He was of the same race as Erus, though that is where all similarities ended. His ideals were much more sinister and involved the destruction of several planets. He walked towards his hired hand, regal as ever. Even though he had stooped as low as to set foot on some backwater planet, he would not give up his noble air for even a second. Holding his head high in contempt to everything that wasn't him, he regarded the thief he had hired.

"Well? Do you have it?" the tall, thin figure asked. He had plans to set in motion; the sooner the better.

"Uh yes, here." the bulkier alien said in a gruff voice. "Ya'know. I ain't saying that there was any problems or nuthin', but you could probably find some nicer pieces on the black market. Cheaper too." he added. "I know a guy if ya think you're interested."

Maa'jer turned the necklace over in his hands, admiring it before he put the necklace around his neck, the only safe place where he'd be able to keep an eye on it. "No, no, I wouldn't dare disgrace my form with such inferior products. This is the Jewel of Fate. The last of its kind." he said haughtily.

"Yeeaah. Well, if that's i' then, I'll just take ma' bolts and head out." the thief replied. He could tell this guy had a superiority complex and didn't feel like talking to him any longer.

"Oh, but wait, Thrax," Maa'jer said. "I have another job for you if you're interested. If successful, your payment will be ten times what I'm giving you now," he said with a smirk. Lowlifes were so easy to tempt.

The thief named Thrax rubbed his chin in thought. "What kind of job?" he asked, curious.

"Well, you see my dear brute, this necklace only works for a certain kind of people. A people that had been thought to be all but wiped out. But chance has it that there's still one left." he brought his thin, jeweled hands together. "I need you to kidnap this person and bring her to me," he said, with a sinister grin.

Thrax thought for a moment, not enjoying the fact that this old creep wanted to steal some innocent person, but that wasn't his problem. "Consider it done," he said gruffly.

"Very good then," Maa'jer replied. He handed over a folder with the information on the job. "Contact me when it is done, I'll tell you where to meet up then." he handed Thrax his payment for the necklace, then watched as the rogue got back in his ship and sped off.

That fool Erus will finally get what's coming to him. The tall figure thought maliciously. Erus thought that he could change fate, and avoid the inevitable. But Maa'jer knew better. The Marukar thought that they could hide away their secrets, their power. But Maa'jer would use those very things to take back what was rightfully his. He walked back to his ship and flew off, awaiting the accumulation of years of planning.