Clank: Kerwan


To say that Summer was impressed by Kerwan was…an understatement. An entire planet, just one big city. That was Metropolis. Going from the desert world of Veldin to a sprawling…metropolis (dear Brothers, it's like Tai all over again)-


"And, with that," Weiss deadpanned, "Any desire for me to visit your home has faded."

Ruby snorted in agreement, while Yang chuckled at the pun.


-was a bit jarring.

'Eat your heart out, Atlas.'

As they landed, the three exited their ship, heading into the city. However, they quickly found a crossroads. Ratchet requiped a Gadgetron map of the area.

"Okay," he exclaimed, looking over, "The right path takes us down to Al's Robo Shack."

"Then that is where we must go-" Clank replied, already beginning to walk.

"Hold on. On our left, it says that there is a Qwark Fitness course."

"Oh! Then Captain Qwark is likely there." Clank then began walking the other way. Summer held Clank's head in place.

"Hold on there, Speedy," she muttered, "Why don't we go for both of them."

"Great idea! I'll take Clank to Al, while you take the fitness course."

Summer looked at her son with confusion and worry. "Ratchet, dear, I know you want to see action, but-"

"I know you want to keep me safe. However, Clank here might be able to speak to Al better than I could. I mean, I'm not a nerd."

Clank crossed his arms in annoyance, while Summer sighed. She could have made the argument that she could take Clank, if not for two issues. One, she never got the magnetic attachment for her back and, two, she could tell Ratchet wasn't going to take no for an answer when logic was involved. It was one of his qualities that she found infuriating, but also comforting.

"Alright, I can't stop you this time. Just…" she turned to Clank, "Watch his back. He tends to forget his surroundings."

"Considering that I will always be on his back, that goes without saying."

Summer's eyes widened, and she was silent.

"Yeah," Ratchet deadpanned, but smirked, "You walked right into that one."

"What? Did she step in something?"

Summer, wanting to prevent further embarrassment, simply turned around. Ratchet snickered.

"I don't understand."

"Don't worry about it. Hop on."

Clank attached himself to Ratchet as he purchased a Pyrociter. The flamethrower would be valuable against groups of enemies. The duo went into the city, fighting through robot dogs, Blargian thugs, and Blargian attack choppers. It still impressed Clank how quickly he Ratchet can adapt to weaponry he never used before. He'd go from firing his blaster at a chopper, to his bomb glove on a thug, then back to the blaster to finish off the chopper. Even when Ratchet would get his, he'd take it in stride, almost like he was never hit at all. This 'Semblance' and 'Aura' of Ratchet's is certainly incredible.

'If someone like Captain Qwark were to have it…' Clank mused.

Eventually, they reached Al's Robo Shack, with Al himself behind the counter, looking over inventory.

"Ratchet," Clank exclaims, "That's the man we saw on the infobot. Remember? He knows Captain Qwark!"

"Hey, you're that robot guy, right?"

Al rolled his eyes. "No, actually, I build robots. I, myself, am not a robot guy, per se. Haha."

Ratchet was not amused by the joke. However, hearing Al's voice made him remember something from years ago. He could quite place it.

"So," Al commented, approaching the counter, "Now that we've cleared that up, what can I do for you?"

"Well," Clank responds, "We saw your infobot announcement. You were with Captain Qwark. We're trying to find Captain Qwark. We thought you could help us."

Al nodded his head in contemplation. "Your logic is commendable. However, I haven't seen Captain Qwark since we shot that commercial three months ago." Al leans in, getting a closer look at Clank as he brings down a glasses microscope (don't know the technical term).

"Say, do you run on standard XP-18 sisterboards?"

"Version 7.66."

"Back at ya! I may be able to help you out after all."

'Alright, that's it.' "Before you say anything else, I need to ask you something. Did you work at Gadgetron? Your voice sounds familiar."

"I did work with them in my teenage years. Left though when they wanted me to stop taking so much time to do important adjustments to each clint's requests. Those brainlets only want to streamline stuff instead of finer details."

"Did you work on something unusual, say, eight years ago?"

Al cupped his chin. "Hmmmm, there was one incident. Research department was having a meltdown on how to get a weapon to work. Pffft, it was such a stupid thing as well. They couldn't find a way to have two weapons combine into one, while still making both functional."

"Ratchet, I don't see-"

"Uupupupup," Ratchet interrupted Clank, "This weapon…was it an axe, by any chance."

Al's eyes widened as he leaned in, "...Yes, but how would you know that?"

Ratchet pulled out his Gadgetron device, and pulled up an image. "This axe, by any chance."

"Yes! Well, ain't this a small galaxy. I never did know who we were building it for. Glad to meet the customer. Though, and I don't want to assume, but, given the age you'd be at-"

"Oh, no no no, it wasn't for me. It was for my mom."

"Ah, that makes much more sense. I assume she found it exemplary."

"If that word means she found it good, then, yeah. Had to tweek it a couple of times, but she got it."

"Well, that only makes sense. Streamlined weapons never have the personal touch needed. I must say, I never seen a weapon that could alter itself like that, and I provided quite the challenge. Give my thanks to your mother for such an experience, will you."

"No problem."

"Well, with that stroll down memory lane, how about I give your friend here a helipack upgrade?"

"Upgrade? How much will it cost?"

"Natch. Since he's a seven-six-six, I could have the little guy up and flying in no time. As for the price, since your mother provided such a unique experience, I'll give you a 25% discount. 750 bolts."

Ratchet turned to Clank, "Well, you want it?"

"That would be excellent."

Ratchet transferred the bolts to Al.

"Okay," Al cheerfully exclaims, "This won't hurt a bit."

He reaches over the counter, about to grab Clank.

"Uh, wait! On second thought-!"

Al grabs Clank, pulling him over the counter and to his toolkits. Ratchet could hear wrench turning, screwdrivers, and what sounded like a chainsaw?! Eventually, Al turned back around, putting Clank on the counter.

"Ratchet," he mutters, revealing the three new helicopter extensions, "Am I cool now?"

Ratchet chuckled, "Sure, let's go with that."

"Say," Al states, "You guys are dealing with those Blargian soldiers running around, right?"

"Yeah, it's why we're looking for Qwark."

"Well," Al hit a button under the counter, "Head out the back way. There are a few patrols of them. Maybe you'll find some intel, and get some practice with the helipack."

"Thanks, Al."


Meanwhile

Summer briefly turned her head back as Ratchet pulled out a Pyrociter. Sometimes that boy of her's would drive her up the wall. She went through an archway, and approached a towering pillar of rock and metal. Clearly the start of the training course. Directly in front of her was a robot figure of Qwark…or, well, at least the top half. The bottom half was replaced with a bouncy spring coil, meant to keep him in place.

"Welcome to the Captain Qwark Fitness Course," the robot exclaimed, "If you're strong enough, fast enough, and clever enough to beat my fitness challenge, you will receive a reward from my head trainer," the robot gestured behind him, "Simply make your way to the third island to complete the course. Good luck!"

Then, very rapidly, he continued. "Qwark Enterprises is not responsible for sprains, broken bones, snapped tendons, bruised egos or accidental death incurred while taking the challenge."

Summer would've giggled at the robot, but, internally, she recognized that this trainer likely knew more about Qwark's position than most people in Solana. So she began climbing up the rocks. After the first hurdle were two walls of metal, for wall jumping. Luckily, her Huntsmen training more than prepared her for this. She was tempted to simply use Sundered and teleport up, but felt the trainer would be most…unhappy if she did that.

As she reached the top, she quickly took the zipline down to the second island, using her axe to help grind down. It led to the second island, which was a tower of moving platforms. Again, no real challenge for her. Even if a platform wasn't currently open, she'd simply run along the wall. Reaching the top, she mentally clocked in 70 seconds before she hit the zipline.

As she slid down, she could see someone doing jumping jacks at the bottom. Clearly a robot, she had blue sweatpants, and a black shirt with the Qwark logo on it. She landed, and the woman greeted her.

"Well, congratulations," she exclaimed, "That was mildly impressive. You could've done far better, but it wasn't the worst! You at least treated that obstacle course with the proper respect!"

For some odd reason, Summer was getting flashbacks to how aggressive Glynda would drill her own team.


"Ah, that brings me back." Oobleck commented, adjusting his glasses.

"Was Glynda that bad?"

"You didn't hear it from me, Miss Xiao Long, but Glynda was…demanding, when it came to her team."


"So," Summer commented, "I take it you approve."

"Of course not! I said it was decent, not GOOD! When I was competing, I would devour courses like that for breakfast."

Summer smirked, "No comment."

The trainer rolled her eyes. "If it were up to me, you would drill, drill, DRILL for the rest of the day!" she turns around in annoyance, "But, somehow, you managed to impress that fool Captain Qwark."

"First, kind of funny that you bash your boss like that, second, how does Qwark know about me?"

"FIRST," she exclaims back at Summer, "He isn't my 'boss'. That fool is more concerned with showmanship than actually doing his job."

"Ain't that the truth." Summer muttered. Also, it seems the loud noises of Metropolis were playing tricks on her, because she swore she heard the trainer snort.

"Ahem, as for the second, he's known about you and that little boy of yours for a few days. And, for that display, he wants me to give you a prize."

"Well, that's…interesting. What's the prize?"

The trainer pulled out an arm wrist grappling hook. "This here's a swingshot, which will let you sway to and fro like little insects."

"Well, Ratchet might like that-" Summer went to grab, but the trainer backed off.

"Not so fast! You may have done a decent job, but I expect more than 'decent'. So, complete the course again, until I find your time satisfactory!"

"Hold on! While I'm all for exercise, that swingshot was a gift from Qwark for completing the course, not doing it quickly. You changing the rules after we beat the game isn't exactly fair."

The trainer tut tut tut, "Too bad, life's not fair."

Summer narrowed her eyes, "What's your name."

"Helga von Streissenburger."

"Alright then. What would you say is adequate time to earn that swingshot?"

Helga tapped her chin. "I'll say…50 seconds."

"Alright, then."

Helga smirked. It was statistically impossible to do 50 seconds. Even herself only clocked it in 54.23522 seconds. However, she wasn't expecting this woman to do the impossible. Just do far better. If she got 65 seconds, she'd take 'pity' on her, and give her the swingshot for a measly 500 bolts.

Helga whistled, calling up a taxi. "Unless you can walk on air, I'd suggest you take this taxi back to the start."

"No need."

"Huh?"

Summer pulled out Sundered, and dropped below. She walked to the edge of the island, and aimed high.

"What are you-?"

Summer threw the axe as hard as she could. When it landed on the starting island, she turned back to Helga.

"Time starts," Summer looked at the axe, "Now!"

Summer teleported to the axe, surprising Helga. Helga watched as Summer threw the axe up to the top of the pillar, reaching it easily. Then she threw the axe to the second island. Again, she tossed the axe up, but only made it halfway. Helga's pride thought it had a little pity, knowing she couldn't throw it all the way up…

…Only for Summer to teleport to her axe mid flight, and throw it again, reaching the top. Then, possibly the longest throw yet, axe chucked the axe from the top of the second island tower, landing back on the third island platform. Teleporting to it, she gave an unamused look to Helga.

22.00359 seconds.

"I'll be taking that swingshot now."

"Hold on, there!" Helga roared, "That's cheating!"

"Yes, and notice how I didn't use it the first time?"

Helga flinched.

"Look, lady, I don't know if you noticed, but there's a genocidal madman running around, ripping planets apart because his people were stupid enough to poison their own planet. Not only that, but, if Qwark knows about us, then he also knows what's happening around Solana, and yet, instead of coming to us personally, he decides to have his trainer give us a swingshot, instead of, oh, I don't know, telling us where he is so that we can work together to save countless lives! So I'm not exactly in the best mood to be dealing with a gym instructor, who'd rather spend her time perfecting her sprint rather than helping save people. You don't like it?" Summer then tut tut tutted, "Life's not fair."


"Daaamn!" Yang and Ruby exclaimed through their laughter. Oobleck adjusted his glasses with a smirk.

"Yes, kindly ripping someone apart is definitely something she'd do. Though, knowing her, she'll likely take pity on them."

"She's almost," Blake added, "If you mixed Ruby's innocence with Yang sassiness."

"Yeah-wait! What do you mean by 'innocence'?"


Helga stared at her, slack jawed. If it was any time else, she'd have let them test this swingshot by chucking them off the platform. However, Summer did make a point. She had no idea that there were planets being attacked. She mainly spent her time training, and only recently was told by Qwark that three individuals were heading to Kerwan, and to give the one who passes the fitness course a swingshot. If she knew that Solana was in genuine danger, she might've found Qwark, and made him pass a fitness test to make sure he wasn't too rusted.

Helga tossed the swingshot to Summer, who, not expecting it, fumbled it in her hands for a couple seconds.

"If you don't mind," Helga declared softly, turning to the taxi, "I have an idiot to brush up on."

The complete contrast in Helga's tone admittedly made Summer wince. Sure, she needed to make a point, but it seems that Helga wasn't aware. "Hold on."

Helga turned.

"Pull out your Gadgetron device."

"I said you don't need to pay."

"You didn't say that at all, and I'm not paying, I'm giving."

Summer transferred 250 bolts.

"There. Figures you should get something after that embarrassment."

Helga, not wanting to shame herself even further, simply got on the taxi, and went off. Summer examined the swingshot, making sure there weren't any defects. She didn't take Helga as the deceptive type, but you never know. Testing it out, she lurched forward, and swung from one platform to another.

"Alright," she muttered, "Glad to know it works."

Making her way back, she reached the Gadgetron store. She was tempted to simply wait there, as it led back to their only way off Kerwan. However, the idea of Ratchet, alone, with Blargian mercenaries running around…Yeah, she's going after Ratchet. Heading into the city, she followed the trail of destruction, smiling at Ratchet's handiwork. Eventually, she reached Al's Robo Shack, and saw the namesake behind a counter.

"Hello?"

"Just a minute," he raised a hand, "Just calibrating a few loose things."

"Did you by chance have a furry young man, and his robot companion, come by here?"

Al jerked up, turning around.

"Ah, you must be the mother he talked about."

"So you met Ratchet?"

"Yes, and I see you're taking care of the Sundered Rose."

"Wait, why are you interested in my axe? Hell, how do you even know its name?"

Al then explained how he knew of its existence. Honestly, Summer did find it a little…convenient.

"Did Gadgetron ever try to patent my axe?"

"Oh," Al laughed, "Heavens, no. In their minds, transforming weapons would just mean less weapons they could see, which means less bolts. I mean, why sell one weapon with two functions for twenty bolts, when they can sell two weapons for fifteen bolts? Their words, not mine, though I do see the logic in it."

Summer groaned, "Tell me about it."

"Though," Al cupped his chin, "Now that you're here, mind if I take a look at the axe."

Summer's grip on Sundered tightened. Al could clearly see the distress on her face, and held up his hands.

"Now, now, I know when to stand back."

Summer nodded, "Thanks for understanding," Summer turned to head down the path, "Where does this go?"

"To one of Metropolis's metro trains. Though, if you want to try catching up to him, that's impossible."

"Why?"

"Well, first, you'd need a helipack to be able to traverse it easily. Either that or industrial grade climbing gear."

"I'm sure I can manage."

"I'm sure you can," he says sarcastically, "But, even if you did somehow get to the station, it wouldn't matter. I heard it depart minutes ago, followed by the sounds of blasters and explosions."

Summer groaned, "Which likely means the boy is on it."

"Luckily, one of its stops is back the way you came."

"Thanks for the tip. It was nice meeting you."

As Summer turned, the swingshot, attached to her hip, briefly swung, making it visible under the cloak.

"Heeeeeyy," Al adjusted his glasses, "That wouldn't be a Mark 3.24 Swingshot, wouldn't it?"

"Yeah. Unfortunately, it's only the one, and it's not even my size. Why is the model important?"

"Well, aside from the fact that few of them were ever made, they were built to be used by the Galactic Rangers, before the program was shut down."

"Why was it shut down?"

Al rubbed his chin, "Hmm, I'm not sure. Only that someone with a lot of economical and/or political pull could've gotten it shut down. Anyways, you say the swingshot isn't your size. I believe I can help with that."

"In what way?"

"If you allow me to take a look underneath Sundered Rose's 'hood', so to speak, I believe I can modify it to incorporate a swingshot function, while still keeping the original."

Summer bit her lip. On one hand, she didn't need a swingshot, since she can teleport. And she didn't want anyone tearing apart her axe for a second time. However, as the saying goes…

"Fine…but I watch the entire process."

"Splendid! And I won't even charge you for it."

Summer placed the axe on the counter as Al put on the microscope.

"Now, let's see what makes you tick."

For some time, the two tinkered with the axe, hoping to modify it as Al grabbed spare parts. After some time, Al held up the updated axe.

"And viola! Your new axe!"

Summer took it, and held it. It was barely heavier, but still heavier.

"Now, if you change it to rifle mode, there should be a small button on your…wait, are you left handed or right?"

Summer shifted the gun, and leveled it on her left shoulder. A tiny green button appeared on the right side of the gun, just above the trigger.

"I told you to put it on the right side, didn't I?"

"Yeah, well, sometimes people can be weird, saying cool stuff without understanding the ramifications."

"Ain't that the truth." Summer pressed the button, and four blades protruded from the barrel.

"Well now, don't forget to tell me how well it works. I'm good, but even I can fail on the first attempt."

The blades retracted as she placed it on her back.

"Thanks, Al. And, by the way, if you get a chance, could you possibly look into why the Ranger program was shut down."

"Eeeeh, I do have a few contacts back at Gadgetron. I could see what they know."

Summer nodded, and headed back. When she got to the Gadgetron store, she saw Ratchet and Clank waiting there, looking in the direction of the fitness course.

"Ratchet!"

Ratchet jumped, spinning around in shock.

"Mom?! I thought you were-"

"I finished it, but there wasn't much to learn. Catch!" Summer tossed the swingshot to him, which he easily caught.

"Sweet! And actual swingshot."

"Yeah, and there are a few…interesting details we should talk about on the way to Aridia."

"Actually," Clank retorted, "There's something we discovered along the way, an infobot containing information on Drek's forces."

"Guy's right hand man-er, robot, if attacking Eudora."

"Eudora…" Summer cupped her chin, "The population of Eudora is miniscule."

"Yeah, Drek's taking all the trees there. Luckily, since the population is so small, we don't have to worry about any cities being destroyed. And it looks like the bot's taking too long, so we should be able to help Skidd and still get there in time."

Summer nodded, "A good plan. Let's boogie."

"Mom." he said as the two ran to the ship.

"Yeah?"

"Please don't ever say that again. Or, if you do, don't say it where people can hear you."

Summer rolled her eyes. Who was he to tell her how to embarrass him?

As they entered the ship, Summer's scroll got a ping. Checking it, she saw it was a message from her business parter and-

"HOLY SHIT!"

"What, where, why?!" Ratchet, blaster out, was expecting an attack, but realized nothing was happening, "Mom?"

"Sorry, son, just...got the investment back ten fold."

"Investment?" Clank questioned.

"Yeah, remember Al's talking about patenting my mom's axe? Well, someone was willing, and so she made a...rather sizeable investment. Though, last I heard, they couldn't get work in Solana."

"Yeah, well, they were able to get work in a different galaxy, and, apparently, my transforming weapons are selling like crazy. He just got back to me on the bolts, as per our agreement."

"...I don't want to know how rich we are, do I?"

"...Just look at my scroll."

Ratchet leaned over to see.

255895 bolts transferred!

At that point, Ratchet feinted.

"Oh, dear." Clank exclaimed.

"Clank, help me move him. I'll need to take the cockpit and fly ourselves, at least until the boy wakes up."

After a couple minutes of rearranging, they began to take off.

"Miss Rose, what galaxy did your business partner take up in?"

"Uuuuh, not exactly sure, only that it's much closer to the Universal Core. I think it was Polaris. Why?"


Author's Notes: Well, I'm sure this conversation won't come back in any way shape or form. I also gave a much more detailed conversation with Al, forging an unintentional bond.

Looking back at the game, Qwark knowing of Ratchet and Clank should've been the first sign that something is wrong. Think about it, if he knows about our heroes, then he should also know about Drek's attacks on Novalis and Aridia (and possibly Eudora). And he wants to give us a swingshot instead of, oh, I don't know, coming to us himself, and joining forces?!

Anyways, for the next month I won't be doing anymore writing. My family will be moving, and things are slowly getting more and more empty in the house. Need to focus more on that than the writing. Hopefully I'll be able to get back to writing before April.

Until then, leave a review, fav/follow, and I'll see you all next time.