Here we go! Things are starting to happen in the dimension! :D Let me know what you think!
Hope you enjoy it. :)
It had been three days since the announcements and little has changed in Malea's world. Chatter amongst the clans hasn't stopped - especially about the current system and the fates of the smaller clans. Rumors abounded through the streets, even amongst her own clan, and her classmates have grown more restless with uncertainty for their futures.
She decided to spend today in the city - a rare day off for her. Cal was set to meet her at the hover boot rink so they could get some laps in before the races began that afternoon, then they were going to head to one of the city's many diners for lunch and hangout until home time. Maybe even play some arcade games and have a few drinks. Her boots hung over her shoulder as Malea made her way through the busy street. Ignoring the increasing number of inflammatory graffiti across the city sidewalks.Fuck the leadsandDie minersmade up most of the statements.
A sigh escaped her lips as she finally made it to the track. Cal's familiar brown fur standing out amongst the crowd at the entrance - and judging by her stance, she was pissed off more than usual.
"Cal!" she called, picking up speed and running over. "What's up? Big crowd here today."
Her friend looked over to her, eyes narrowed. "The rink is closed off. Apparently, a couple of leading clans have booked the place out..."
Leading clans?"Since when do they book out sporting rinks?"
"That's the thing! They won't even let us watch! I thought it might have been the Stanton clan, working on construction or something, but they are actuallyusingthe rink. You can hear boots against the railing when they hit a corner!"
As if on cue, the blissful sound of grinding screamed from the track, causing everyone out front to yell in objection. Malea looked around, noting how the only colours she could see amongst the crowd belonged to small clans. She gritted her teeth.
Cal growled, "I've had it! Come on," she grabbed Malea by her wrist and pulled her away from the crowd. "We are going to find out who is ruining our day off."
"Cal! Wait! Where are we going?" muttered Malea. "There are plenty of other places to gootherthan the track."
"I don't care," grumbled Cal. "First the leak this morning that the Dex clan have advanced their ships practically overnight, and nowthis..."
Malea pulled her hand free but continued to follow. "What are you talking about?"
"It was on the rebel forums," muttered Cal. "They haven't been wrong yet. There were photos posted and everything."
"Maybe they are prototypes?" said Malea, with a naïve shred of hope in her voice.
"But what if the other rumors are true, Malea! What if those dimensional anomalies are Forrestier experiments? To be used against the small clans if they complain about Lear in the upcoming clan conference? The Dex's would happily supply the extra firepower."
"I understand what you mean, but the anomalies were occurring before their arrival. I doubt they're connected."
They turned to the back of the building, unnaturally vacant compared to the front. Not surprising since there was nothing back here other than a dumpster filled with the leftover canteen food from the rink. Smelling like rotten chips and sour drinks. Malea didn't understand what was happening until Cal jumped onto a dumpster and started wrestling with the entrance of an air-vent above it.
"Cal!"
"Look, I'm just going to film the clans who are hogging the rink. I'll shame them on the rebel forums so everyone knows who is trying to spoil our fun. I need to get some revenge for the shitty week we've had!"
"I don't agree with this plan!"
"Just come along and make sure I don't die! Kay?" said Cal, looking back and wiggling her eyebrows.
Malea gritted her teeth. Thinking of the small clan members crowded at the front of the rink. "Fine, just don't do anything else! We have to go back to the HTA tomorrow and I want to enjoy my day off!"
...
It had been three days since Ratchet found the Lombax dimension.
Three days since the incredible encounter with his grandfather and the moment he accepted the heir claim from his father. Some would say that these few days were heaven, given the time he could spend with family in this new world. Learning some history, his language, his culture and everything in between. Especially about his family clans - there was so much knowledge. From the details of mining, to the complexities of the Lombax ship engine... Even talking with his grandfather about designing a modern space ship for the next fleet which, let's be honest, was Ratchet's forte.
Others would call these past days a living nightmare, because in the span of 72hrs, Ratchet wanted to bang his head against a wall and cry.
He couldn't go anywhere without the Forrestier Guard being at least 6ft away from him. A small army in tow watching his every move, making him like a trapped animal in a cage who couldn't even go to the bathroom without privacy. Now he understood all the stories Alister told him about his father escaping into battle arena's. On top of that, strangers constantly surrounded him, with Clank being the exception. Only getting to speak with Rivet once a day before bed.
The hover boot rink was his grandfather's idea after Rivet broke into Ratchet's room in the middle of the night in tears because she couldn't sleep. A place to hang out once a week where they could let off some steam and connect. Video calls couldn't replace physical contact, and their Ventore psychologists worried they had been separated too soon, citing 'traumatic bonding' as the cause of all the distress.
It was quiet for such a massive rink - making them both wonder why it was built if it was barely used - but neither complained. Doing a few flips and having an after rink drink was an ideal way to spend a morning before returning to their clan's facilities.
Ratchet hit the railing, relishing the screech under his boots, before jumping off and aiming for a ramp. Rivet was a few leaps in front of him. Letting out her frustrations in a triple flip. Ratchet did a double. Then continued at full speed before reaching the end of the track and stopping at the top of the ramp.
"Tired out already, Hotshot," said Rivet, poking out her tongue. Having stopped a few seconds before Ratchet. "Or do you think you can handle another round?"
"You know I can handle atleastanother three. Gotta keep the guard's heart pumping," he gestured to an armed group watching him tentatively at the edge of the rink.
"Yeah... mine aren't as worried. Still not happy with me though," Rivet gestured to her own guard, watching her near the entrance. "Especially after ditching them the other night. I'm surprisedyouhaven't done something stupid yet. Considering we can't just fly away from our problems like we usually do."
"Oh, it's come to mind. Why do you think the old man sent us here? Wants to tire me out before I get the chance."
A pleasant pressure tapped the back of his mind, causing him to spin his head round to the entrance. "Looks like Dad's come to visit. I'll be back for a few more laps in a sec."
"Alright. I'll continue on solo then," she waved him off.
He then sped up towards the entrance. Eagar to spend a few more moments with his father - who was the reason he was suffering through all these restrictions to begin with.
...
"Ouch! Cal, move over, I can barely breathe!" said Malea, pushing her friend over in the cramped space of the air vent.
"Youmove over! We're nearly there! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel... literally!" said Cal pushing Malea back as they continued to crawl forward.
Indeed, a beam of light shone just a few feet ahead of them. The sound of hoverboots at full speed growing louder with each step taken, providing the motivation to continue with their petty mission of online shame. Whether it was worth it depended solely on the current occupants of the rink and their reason for blocking off the smaller clans from using it. Not there was a good reason Malea could think of in that moment.
"Who was the genius who put ladders in here, anyway?" muttered Cal. "It's practically begging to be broken into."
"Thank them later," muttered Malea, finally getting close enough to see out into the rink below.
The air vents were designed to constantly emit air conditioning onto the rink floor. Dozens of Lombaxes hover booting across the metallic surface created heat, and Malea had to only hoverboot once with the air-con broken to know how hot it could get, and how dangerous it became, especially when flying at high speeds and balancing on grind rails. This vent was above the rink, looking down at the entire track. Giving them both a fantastic view.
And making them both growl out loud in frustration.
The rink had been closed off fortwoLombaxes. Both covered in expensive Trilium armor from head to toe - as if prepared for any accident or incident.
On the edge of the rink stood a select group of guards clad in black, one with a red sash on his right arm. Malea didn't recognize them from any clan. However, another group of female guards on the other side of the rink wore the distinctive green and yellow armor of the Azalea clan. What arseholes needed not only an entire hoverboot rink to themselves but a personal guard of at least ten Lombaxeseach?The fucking nerve of the elite class... showing off their resources like it was nothing. Malea gritted her teeth, and they wondered why the smaller clans were so restless.
Her eyes widened when the female figure bolted towards the ramp, hitting it at full speed and leaping almost as high as the rink walls - several times the height of the figure herself - then finished it with a graceful double flip. She then landed on the railing, creating the grinding sound they had heard when lining up outside.
"This is insane," muttered Cal. "They're jumping higher than the pros at the races. Are they athletes?"
As if to prove her point, the male figure hit the ramp at high speed, giving him time to do a triple flip as he reached the same height as the girl. His movements cut like butter through the air, as if there was no resistance between himself and the wind. Done with such confidence Malea wondered if he had any sense of fear at all. She hung out at the rink every chance she got, yet she had never seen movements so smooth and controlled.
"I don't know, but even the pros don't go that high," she muttered. "Way too dangerous."
The figures stopped at the top of a ramp to chat for a minute when the male quickly spun to face the entrance. He waved the girl away, then booted towards the ramp at a casual pace. No longer aiming to perform tricks.
"Okay," muttered Cal. "Time to name and shame this arse on his way out." Taking out her tablet and opening the camera.
Neither of them were prepared for what happened next.
Cal aimed her tablet, but nearly dropped it as the full figure of Lord Forrestier stepped forward in front of the entrance. He was calm, understandably since his own personal guard followed behind him- wearing the telltale navy blue and orange armor. He looked out over the rink, his affectionate gaze on the armored male figure zooming towards him. As soon as the figure reached the top of the ramp, the helmet phased away and the face behind it nearly toppled both Cal and Malea onto the rink.
The Lord shook his head with pure affection and cupped the face of an attractive green-eyed young Lombax sharing the Lord's sandy-orange colouring. The younger man leaned into the hands, eyes flashing as their minds made a brief connection and completely undeterred by the reputation and rank of the man in front of him. They laughed briefly after a gesture to the guards, as if they were sharing an inside joke.
"No way..." said Cal. Her tablet still recording. "Is that the Lear? He looks a-lot like his old man. With both his eyes, I mean."
"No wonder the rink is closed off to the public. The girl must be Aquila," whispered Malea, eyeing the female figure currently finishing a triple flip on a ramp. "They aren't half-bad booters."
"It's weird seeing the bonds in action, though. The kid didn't evenseehis dad before running over like a good pet. Old Forrestier must be keeping a grip on him. I mean, I would be too after finding my long-lost kid and all. But Lear doesn't seem to show even a mild resistance," muttered Cal. "Weird for a guy his age."
"Maybe after being apart so long he just likes the connection," shrugged Malea. "Probably hasn't had one before, or was brought up in a weird culture where grown men don't disobey their parents."
"Have any ofyourbonds been pleasant? For you or your dad?"
"...No."
"Then why are they both smiling?"
Lord Forrestier kissed Lear's forehead, a gesture that seemed welcome, before he patted Lear's back and let him go back on the rink. He watched as Lear followed Aquila into a jump on a rail, helmet back on. Lord Forrestier seemed to have come along to watch - maybe even to pick Lear up for Forrestier business once he was finished booting. Though a brief expression of concern flashed across his features the moment his son returned to the rink. His eyes never leaving Lear through another lap of high-stakes flips, jumps and rails.
Cal put her tablet away. "Thoughts, Mal? I'm still pissed."
"Me too, but I'm less pissed than I was ten minutes ago. Those two are under a-lot of pressure right now and there are worse ways to de-stress than to spend time at a closed off hoverboot rink when you can't show your face publicly. Now if it had been a bunch of arseholes from the Lombax Academy I would smash up the air vent."
"But did they have to close ittoday?"
"It's not like they have a choice in the matter. Which reminds me!You better not put that video online. The Forrestier guard will kill us in our sleep if their faces are leaked before their parents' say so."
"Do I look that stupid to you!"
"Stupid enough to come up with our current plan!"
They huffed at each other, then returned to watching the newcomers in the rink.
Lear and Aquila jumped back to the entrance. Their helmets phasing away as they gave each other a fist bump. The sight of Aquila's ash face and blue eyes, unique Azalea features, sent Malea's stomach into a nervous rush. Cal's eyes nearly popped out of her head as she stared at the girl who took the Azalea position and was now flicking her ash hair back with a confidence only known to the clan.
The two heirs gave each a quick hug before Lear waved her off and headed towards his father. Malea thought he walked like a military man, purposeful, with squared shoulders and a high head. It made himlooklike the heir to a dangerous clan. Though he seemed more approachable compared to his father. The black guard had already made their way over to Lord Forrestier while Lear was on the rink, and each of them had their heads fixated on Lear as he walked over. His father placed an arm around him and patted his back as they left. Must be taking a different exit from the one Malea and Cal tried to enter through.
Aquila ran over to the Azalea guard, waving and laughing at their tart expressions. Definitely not inheriting her mother's gentle demeanor. One guard, who Malea assumed was the head guard, shook her head as Aquila made her way over. Her armor phased out into the Azalea yellow and green day uniform - revealing a strong yellow prosthetic which froze Malea and Cal into position. Her other arm seemed muscular and Malea was certain Lear had the same muscle under his own armor. Such were the bodies the old dimension must have demanded.
"I have never seen a robotic arm before..." muttered Malea leaning closer. "At least, not attached to a live organism... And it moves like a normal arm! That is so weird! I wonder how she lost it?"
"It's unnatural. Hopefully, it doesn't become a trend... gross," shuddered Cal. "I wouldn't put it past any of the nerds in our class, either. They'll be all over her."
They continued to stare out the vent until Aquila left with her guard. Leaving the rink empty.
"We need to go before someone figures out we saw them," said Malea starting back down the ladder. "No one can know about what we just saw!"
...
Ratchet yawned. Trying his best not to fall asleep on the way back to the compound. Clank had sent him a few messages about a what he found on the Lombax holonet - which Ratchet only discovered ten minutes ago - and he was determined to stay awake until he saw whatever made his best friend so nervous.
"Youcanfall asleep on the ship, you know," said his father next to him. "We're just happy you're actually tired for a change. Hover booting do the trick?"
He could feel the concern emitting from the older Lombax. It wasn't unwarranted either. Ratchet had been averaging three hours of sleep a night since he arrived in the dimension. An improvement from 'zero', but not exactly 'good'. His old man had woken up this morning to Ratchet pulling apart a rejected model for a Forrestier toaster in his room. Because what else do you do at 3am? Apparently they were going to up his sleeping med dosage tonight because of it. Though it impressed his father when Ratchet figured out the fault of the toaster - a stray bolt in the heating component that wasn't listed in the report.
"Maybe. Exercise is rarely a bad thing. Clank wants to show me something though... said it was important. I'll nap afterwards."
"Promise me?"
Ratchet rolled his eyes. "I promise. The guards can even pester me about it if I get my nose into some tech and forget."
His father nodded. "Fair enough," His gaze then changed from concerned to intuitive. "How's Miss Aquila? Hondurea is fretting about her and she only really talks to you."
Ratchet should have expected this question. It was just how Rivet was, untrusting and weary until she got to know you. Once she knew you had her back, no matter how much shit she puts you through, then she was easier to read than a holo-net article. Only problem was her mother wasn't there yet - with the break in the other night being the first of many shit-tests that Rivet will put her through. So Ratchet gave a vague answer.
"Better than yesterday, that's for certain. Kit might even settle her tonight. She just needs time to open up. Took me a few months, and I was the first Lombax she ever met! Ms Azalea is actually dealing with Rivet pretty well, all things considered."
"I'll let her know you think that. She'll appreciate it."
"No worries."
The sound of large metal doors lifting over them indicated their arrival.Home, Ratchet reminded himself. Situated to the South East of the Lombax major city, far out near the edge of the border where the demands for the mines rested. And where, according to his father, the clan could work on their engineering projects in peace without prying eyes. The same eyes who didn't like individual clans owning or building spacecraft.
Ratchet did not know who the 'eyes' belonged to. Maybe the council? He couldn't imagine anyone else who had hurt his family. But how could he know? He's only been here three days and still couldn't sleep through the night. He yawned again.
Home.He repeated. Apparently repeating the word will help him associate with the meaning. Humali taught him this technique yesterday - according to her, it had helped many settle in after they moved into the new dimension. A sigh escaped his lips at the thought of the lovely Lombax. Already missing her incessant chatter and positivity.
The ship's doors released, and the guard stood outside, giving Ratchet the chance to follow his father to the compound. Which the sight of still sent Ratchet's brain into a clouded mess. It was several stories high... and low. Serving as the central point of Forrestier territory and the living quarters of the leading family - Ratchet's family.
Lombaxes of various colours and sizes were running about the floors above them. All united with the navy and orange uniform of the Forrestier clan and light blue circular symbol that made up the clan's crest. Some were on computers, others carrying files or ordering others around. Each, according to his father, the best the clan offers in their chosen field. Only they may work in the compound near the lead family.Hisfamily.
And each, apparently, had a duty to serve and protect Ratchet. A proposition he was still very much coming to terms with and could do nothing about.
The underground was almost twice as deep. It was where Ratchet's room was - literally one of the safest places in the whole territory - and also close to where all the major projects were being tested and built. He had learned that there were underground tunnels connected directly from the active mines to this facility to make construction easier. When Ratchet asked about it being a potential security risk - his father laughed. Showing him the plans.
Apparently Trillium is a toxic chemical to mine. "We don't just take the toxic dust and dispose of it, no we put it to use in the tunnels alongside Morcorian acid. Breaks down breathing equipment and armor, stopping all potential intruders in their tracks," his father had said, with a glint of mischief in his eye.
There was a small beat of silence among the busyness above as the workers glanced at Ratchet as he came out of thearmoredvehicle. He took a breath. Keeping his sight either on the exit in front of him or on his father who paid no attention to Lombaxes around them.
"Kan Lear. Dolekia nin Yuv," said a black guard's man with a red sash on his right arm. Signifying him as the captain of Ratchet's personal guard (or, as Ratchet liked to joke, his heavily armed babysitters). Ratchet had heard the phrase he had said enough over the past three days to know what it meant. 'Mr. Lear, Welcome Home.'
The captain was a talented Lombax in his early thirties named Kholavan. He stood to Ratchet's right, intending to follow through his duties and escort Ratchet to his room. A place he would be expected to stay - and nap - until dinner. Ratchet liked the guy. Only intervened when he needed to and gave Ratchet space the rest of the time. He even agreed with the babysitter reference.
Home.He thought to himself again. This massive place is where he sleeps, hangs with his father, works, studies, exercises...lives. It was even the only place he could hang out with Clank - as the little bot would not be popular outside the clan, as the reaction of his grandfather's guard proved when they first arrived. Though he had already made a heap of friends in the clan's robotic department.
Ratchet heard a beeping tone from his father's direction, watching as he picked up the call and, after a brief moment of ramblings on the other end, sighed before he even said anything. "Kieava... Nin mai."
He clipped the phone back to his belt with a heavy 'click'. An action that sent a pit of vipers into Ratchet's stomach. His father's brow furrowed over and his stance changed, becoming more stern and dominant to how Ratchet knew him. Whatever that phone call was about didn't impress his father. If anything, Ratchet got the impression it made him very,verymad.
Once they had made it to the privacy of a connecting hallway, his father faced him. Affection returning back to his gaze for a moment. "Lear, an emergency clan conference has been called. I need you to listen to me, son..."
"You know I'm listening," said Ratchet. The vipers started twisting out from his stomach into his nerves. He did everything he could to keep his outward demeanour collected.
"I'm going to be leaving Forrestier territory and I needyou,my dear boy -" he tapped a finger on Ratchet's chest. "To go into lockdown. Kholavan will take you to the correct facility and Clank will be with you for company... because I trust him if things go south."
"Lockdown.It's that serious!" said Ratchet, his face contorting in alarm.
"For you, yes," said his father with a sad smile. He ran his hand along Ratchet's face, a habit he had formed over the past couple of days. "Like I said, it's complicated.Verycomplicated. Unfortunately, there are a few Lombaxes who aren't keen on you at the moment. I just need to put them back in place before it gets out of hand."
"Whoarethese Lombaxes, exactly? You and the old man have yet to give me a straight answer."
"A bunch of selfish fools who think they can manipulate us. They've been trying underhanded tactics for years, but.. your arrival has given them a bit too much confidence."
Ratchet felt himself freeze. The vipers in his gut hissing out in anger as he finally understood the implication of what had just been said. "They threatened you, didn't they? Using me."
The lines around his father's scars hardened. "They're about too. I have inside sources, Lear. What's going to happen is they are going to come here, looking for you. Try and get you into combat to assess your strength. Maybe even attempt a kidnapping... either way, they will not find you. Cause you will not be here. Correct?"
A minor headache started forming in Ratchet's head. He shook it off.
"Of course. I'll use the opportunity to nap," said Ratchet trying to lightened the mood. "And I've seen your desk. Don't want to give you more paperwork than I have too."
The corners of his father's mouth twitched upwards and Ratchet could now feel the same pleasant pressure he felt at the hover boot rink. "How considerate..."
"Alright then," said Ratchet. He looked awkwardly up and down the hallway and then gestured to Kholovan. "Let's get Clank and go." He paused, then stared back at his father. "I know I don't have the full story but... stay safe. I just got you back."
"Oh, I'll be fine, son," said his father with a chuckle. "They know better than to targetme."
Whelp! There we go! Next Chapter is going to be a bit different. The conference from Kaden's perspective!
Feel free to let me know what you think of the story so far!