Chapter 10: Get Ready for Science

Planet Auznath

Nebula-star's research facility was expectedly unassuming in nature. There was no one to impress in the jungle and so its structure resembled that of ancient industrial standards. Ratchet and Talwyn stepped up to the main entrance and typed in the coordinates that the clerk had given them. The heavy metal door slowly opened, revealing the low and cramped space inside. There was a single line of lights going down the hallway emitting a dull glow. Clank activated his light to give the trio a better look at the bleak walls.

"Well, ladies first," Ratchet said with a sweep of his arms. Talwyn rolled her eyes but still stepped into the space with a mix of eagerness and trepidation. Ratchet came in behind her and then the solid clunk of the door was heard as it closed. "Well, the clerk dude said just to go to the security room and do a diagnostic on the systems. There shouldn't be anyone else here as Nebula-star doesn't have any active experiments at this location." Ratchet said, breaking the eerie silence.

Talwyn forged ahead, going in what she hoped was the correct direction. Her mind was focused on one thing now, their mission so close to completion. The abandoned nature of the facility didn't faze her as she kept her eyes forward. Ratchet meanwhile tried his best to keep up behind her, pistol drawn just in case. Even though the structure was simple-looking, the equipment that furnished some of the rooms was top of the line. He didn't have much chance to stop and admire any of it though, as his visuals on Talwyn kept disappearing as she rounded corners or made a mad dash down a hallway. Emitting a sigh, he picked up his pace as well. Soon he was right behind her again.

"So...Nebula-Star...not the best decorators huh?" He joked, trying to lighten the heavy silence that seemed to envelope them. Talwyn only gave a non-committal nod in reply. Ratchet was about to say something else, but was interrupted when she suddenly stopped.

"We're here," she said with a hint of excitement. Talwyn stepped into the room and spun around. The walls were covered with screens and the main console in the middle had all manner of flashing lights adorning it. Clank jumped off of Ratchet's back and took in a quick assessment.

"I do believe that I can continue from here. You two can go do an area sweep if you'd like." Clank announced.

"Well do it quick Clank. I want to get this done and over with." Talywn said as she turned her back and Ratchet was to follow but Clank grabbed his arm and whispered to him.

"You need to tell her Ratchet. She needs someone close again to heal." Ratchet responded with an 'I-don't-know' face but Clank only replied with a stern look of his own before letting go of Ratchet. The lombax turned around, not sure if he would take Clank's advice, and followed behind the Markazian deeper into the facility.

They were coming up on what seemed to be maintenance rooms filled with generators, energy converters, and atmospheric regulators. As there were still no signs of life, Talwyn plopped down onto an old crate, taking a much-needed breather.

"I can't believe it...we're almost done." Talwyn seemed to say to no one in particular.

"Yeah, and then your Station will be secure once more. We'll only have to come up with a million or two bolts, and I hear a new fighting area is opening up soon." Ratchet replied. He stood awkwardly next to her for a few more moments before he sat down on the crate too, looking away from her. "Ummm, Talwyn..." he started. Talwyn angled her head in his direction, though his face was still obscured. "You know, after this...the mission...when we get back to Polaris..." he paused, not sure how to continue on.

"Yes, Ratchet?" she said, holding her breath as she had an idea of what he was going to say next. She wasn't yet sure how she felt about his confession that she overheard. But it was still exciting all the same. And besides, if she was being completely honest, she always felt that she could trust him. That was a good thing, right? "What is it?" she said, prompting him to continue.

"Well...I was thinking that maybe-" but he didn't get to finish as alarms started going off. Ratchet and Talwyn jumped up and got ready for a fight until they suddenly stopped and Clank's voice cut through the air.

"I apologize about that. I was making sure that the auditory alarm system worked. I am done now if you two would like to rejoin me." Clank's voice said.

Talwyn let out a small chuckle, and then turned to Ratchet. "So, what was it that you were asking me?" she said with a small smile on her face. Ratchet stared at her for a moment, wondering what it would be like for time to freeze right then and just stare into her face forever. But then reality set in and he shook himself out of his reverie. No use entertaining fantasies that will never happen.

"Oh, umm, nothing, really," he said before running off ahead of Talwyn. Talwyn chuckled as she rolled her eyes at her friend and set off after him. Soon she found herself back at the control room. Clank had just jumped up onto Ratchet's back.

"All systems are functional," Clank stated. "We can now give our report to the clerk." Ratchet or Talwyn didn't need to be told twice and soon they were making their way back through the jungle. It went a bit faster this time as they now knew of the places to avoid. The trio reached the ship in record time and Talwyn had them flying back to the main facility. Clank motioned to Ratchet and mouthed 'Did you tell her?' to which Ratchet shook his head and then promptly stared out the window. As Talwyn started to descend the ship, Clank mused that the courtship rituals of organisms were strange and complicated.

As the trio walked into the main facility, Xavier was once again asleep at his desk. Ratchet slapped the reception desk, waking him up.

"Well Xavier my man, that facility is A-OK! So how about those generators now?" he said in a loud, and hopefully intimidating, voice.

"Okay, okay. A deal's a deal. I be right back." he said as he left to what was most likely their warehouse. After several antagonizing minutes, Xavier came back pushing a cart that had four shiny new generators on it. "Here you go, now please go, you're interrupting my sleep schedule," he said as he walked off. Talwyn wasted no time and started pushing the cart to the ship. Ratchet noticed that there was more of a spring in her step and smiled.

The generators were heavy, but not unmanageable. Between the two of them, the duo was able to load them up with ease and soon be on their way back to Evukar. Light conversation filled the ship, as the biggest hurdle of the mission was over. All that was left was the installation, which Ratchet was confident that he and Clank could do, and then of course the payment.

However, Talwyn's mind was a jumble of emotions. She was saving her father's work. She felt closer to him now than she had in years. And yet, none of it could change the inevitable debate she would have with herself. Was her father still alive? Would it be cruel of her to think otherwise without any solid proof? Ever since Cronk and Zephyr were lost, a great emptiness was formed in her life. Sure, she had good friends, and her colleagues at the Polaris Defense Force, but it now meant that she had no more family. Even if she did hang onto the infetesimally small hope that he was out there, somewhere, the fact still remained that he wasn't here with her.

Then of course there was Ratchet. She and the lombax had become close over the years, especially when she helped him find the obsidian eye when looking for Clank. There were times when she thought that they were becoming more, but then Ratchet or her would be pulled away in opposite directions due to work or some other villain. However, the idea that he might have stronger feelings for the markazian didn't exactly make her feel better. He was the closest friend she had right now, which meant it would be that much harder for her grieve him whenever he too eventually met his fate. The young alien shook the thoughts from her head and decided that for now, she should just focus on the task at hand.

Planet Evukar: Erus's Home

Erus stared at the rough individual speaking before him on his holo-screen. He had no idea where Maa'jer had found Thraxx, though he didn't really care. But he did know that the next errand Maa'jer would need fulfilled would be to retrieve his daughter in order use her. Erus would make sure that would never happen. He listened intently to the other alien, as he explained to Erus that he couldn't help him.

"Look, I don't know what your beef is wit' tha' other guy, but I don't give up me customers." Thraxx finished. He might have been a lowlife, but he was a lowlife with standards.

"Oh, no, no, I'm not here to ask you for information." Erus said in his usual cordial manner, "Much to the opposite, I believe that I can help you."

"What do you mean?" Thraxx asked as he raised an eyebrow, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"I know that after you delivered the gem to your, employer, that he sent you on another errand. One to find an individual whom you must be finding quite elusive I imagine." Erus prompted. Another web, another catch. Thraxx's eyes flinched slightly, but he maintained his poker face. He didn't know much about Maa'jer or Erus, but was suspicious of Erus' spot on "prediction" of his current job.

"I'm not going ta' confirm that, nor ask why you would say that," Thraxx responded carefully. "But let's say if I were seeking such an individual, how would you 'elp me?"

"Why simple, I know where they live," Erus announced matter of factly. "I can guarantee that they will be…indisposed…at a certain time which would be most convenient for you I would imagine." He finished, with a wave of his hand.

"And what's innit for you?" Thraxx asked. No one ever gave up such valuable information so easily. There had to be a catch.

"I have my own personal business with your employer. Having this person transported to him takes me one step closer in finishing that business. Though, of course, after you've received your payment from him." Erus drummed his fingers patiently, not breaking eye contact with Thraxx.

"Well, like I said. I'll gladly take the info, but I can't make any promises."

"Perfect" Erus' face broke in a wide smile as he transferred the info to Thraxx. He knew that the thug's greed would win out over his caution in the end. Now all that needed done was to prepare the package.

"Well, that should do it," Ratchet said as he came upstairs. He and Clank were both covered in dust and rust from installing the generators. It was tricky business, but they still got it done.

"Oh splendid! And I saw from my control room that the signatures are matching within the parameters, and the energy output is stable!" Erus exclaimed. "Thank you both so much. Your father would be proud, Talwyn." Erus said. Ratchet cleared his throat, reminding Erus of the last detail. "Oh yes, yes! Your payment. Here." he said as he handed a card to Talwyn. "Ten Million Bolts, I added a little extra since I know these weren't easy to get," he said to her with a wink. Talwyn stared at the card dumbfounded. The rest of her debt...was in the card she held. Ratchet was about to ask her if she was okay, but then she jumped up and hugged Erus around the neck.

"Oh, thank you thank you thank you! This is all that I had left! Now my father's station can be funded again!" She replied enthusiastically. However, upon receiving weird looks from her friends, she let go of the elderly alien go.

"So will you and your friends be staying for a bit? I wouldn't mind sharing with you some of your father's earliest work." Erus proposed, sure that his web would ensnare the young alien. Talwyn's smile faded and she looked despondently at the ground.

"No, we can't. I have to get back to the station and get back to work." She said somewhat bitterly. She shook her head and cleared her throat before extending a hand to the older alien. "I guess, this is goodbye then. I have a lot to do back home and now that this is done..." she trailed off and Ratchet saw a sorrowful look on her face. Meeting this Erus meant so much to her and as much as he was going to hate himself for saying it, he knew he had to.

"You know Talwyn," Ratchet spoke up, "Clank and I could handle that last commission you had if you'd like to stay here for a little longer. Catch up with your dad's friend and all." he finished, carefully using the present tense when mentioning her father. Talwyn's face lit up and she looked to Erus who nodded in agreement. She then gave Ratchet another death-grip hug before releasing him before he passed out.

"I'll leave in a week, okay? I know it's not much," she said as she turned to Erus. "But it's still that much longer to learn about my father." Not only that, but Talwyn felt that she deserved a little vacation anyways.

Erus smiled and patted Talwyn on the back. "Oh, my dear, we'll have so much to talk about. I'll leave you two to pack for your friend's trip home, I must go check on my system. Old habits and all I guess." he said as he left the room. Too easy. He mused as he imagined the many strings of his web tightening, his plans falling into place perfectly.

Clank thought for a moment and then also started to make his leave, stating that he had to go calibrate Aphelion and make sure that she was ready for the intergalactic trip home. That left Talwyn and Ratchet to pack up the few things that Ratchet had brought with him. There was a comfortable silence between the two. However, both minds were busy thinking of something to say. Talwyn wondered if she should just ask Ratchet outright if he liked her, why couldn't it be straightforward like that? Ratchet as well was wondering if this was a good time to tell his friend that his feelings may be getting stronger.

"Ratchet-"

"Tal-"

"Oh sorry, you go first Talwyn," Ratchet said, a blush coming to his cheeks.

"Oh no it's okay, you go first," Talwyn replied, finding the bag that she was carrying suddenly interesting. Ratchet took a deep breath and decided that he wasn't going to let this turn into some silly game.

"Talwyn...you know you're one of my best friends, right?" he started, unsure of how he should go about this. Talwyn smiled and nodded in reply. "Well, we've been through a lot together, and if you don't feel the same way that's completely fine, I'll never mention it again. I-" Ratchet paused mid-sentence, his fear of losing a friend too great. "I…was thinking of moving back to Polaris, permanently." Ratchet finished, almost wincing at his own cowardice. At least it's not a total lie. Thought Ratchet. The idea of living closer to Talwyn was becoming more and more preferable to Veldin, even if it was his first home.

"Oh…really?" Talwyn asked, a bit confused as to all of the buildup over such a simple statement. "I mean, that's great! I'm sure I'll need more help around the station. But…" she trailed off, looking away. This startled Ratchet, did he say something wrong?

"But what?" he asked his friend, concern in his eyes.

"Well, are you sure that's what you want, Ratchet? I know that Polaris doesn't have the fondest memories for you, after everything's that happened." Talwyn finished, thinking back to when Ratchet first left for Veldin to be alone. As much as she wanted to be closer to her friends, especially Ratchet, she didn't want him to do it if it wouldn't make him unhappy.

Ratchet knew what she was talking about, their conversation they had right before he left a few years ago. "I know what I said before, Tal," Ratchet said, placing a hand on hers. "And a lot of that was because I was grieving Alister. But now…" he looked into her face, staring at her large, blue eyes. "I've realized it's more important than ever to be with friends." He said as they stared at each other for just a few seconds. But again, it felt like eternity for Ratchet.

"Just…friends?" Talwyn prompted, breaking the silence. She wasn't sure what sort of answer she would get, but felt she needed to ask the question regardless. Why'd she ask that!? Does she know somehow? Ratchet thought, his mind racing. He pulled his hand back and gave a sheepish smile.

"Well, yeah, all my friends like you, and Clank, and…Qwark" He responded as he counted on his fingers, not entirely certain he'd count Qwark as a friend. Stupid. Did I seriously just compare Tal to…Qwark?

"Oh…" Talwyn said softly, surprising herself that she almost seemed, sad, to hear it. As if she was expecting something else. This reaction brought a raised eyebrow from her friend, which prompted her to continue "…yeah, of course!" Talwyn said, trying to smile, but it just not happening for some reason. "Well, if that's what you want, Ratchet, I'm happy for you!" she continued to help Ratchet pack his bags for his trip back home, trying to take her mind off of what was left unsaid. Ratchet was mentally kicking himself over and over. You've fought countless enemies, but you can't tell one person how you feel?

"Oh, uh, what was it that you wanted to say, Tal?" Ratchet asked, remembering she had also started to talk earlier. Talwyn had been distracted, and just now remembered she was going to ask Ratchet about the conversation she overheard. But it didn't seem like he was willing to say now what he said then. Maybe I did hear him wrong…she thought, surprised at the fact that it made her a bit sad.

"I…was…just going to say to not burn down the station, if you can help it." She said, half-jokingly, but once again flashing an easy smile.

"Come on Tal, that was just one time!" Ratchet protested, "I promise to not test any new weapons without at least three- no FIVE fire extinguishers at the ready!" he finished, laughing. Talwyn gave him a playful punch to the shoulder in response, which he returned. Why can't it just be like this all the time? The small lombax thought.

"Okay Hot-Shot, enough distractions, let's get you packed already." She said, laughing as she helped him carry his luggage to Aphelion. Soon Clank emerged from the cockpit announcing that Aphelion was ready for the trip. Ratchet gave Talwyn one last hug before he reluctantly let go and climbed in. Talwyn waved them both goodbye as the ship climbed higher into the sky, and then zoomed towards the limitless space.