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"We are all the product of things we've never seen and people we never met. In fact, if just one little detail had been changed in their lives, we may not even exist!"

Melanie Johnston—

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"Hey Raiga, how do you think we were born?"

Raiga's ear twitched at the unexpected question posed by his twin sister. They were nestled in a small workshop built for them next to their Dad's garage, where they often spent their free time tinkering and working on various projects. They sat on opposite sides of a sturdy metal workbench that bore the marks of countless projects, its surface scratched and scuffed from years of use. Raiga glanced up at her, peering through his tinted orange safety glasses, their lenses reflecting the bright glow of fluorescent lights overhead.

"I dunno, Saarina," he replied with a casual shrug, his shoulders rising and falling in a nonchalant manner. "Why are you even asking about that all of a sudden?"

"It was a project in my class this marking period," Saarina explained, her focus unwavering as she continued to tweak the wiring inside a microchip she was meticulously assembling. Her hover boots will be totally kickass once she finishes this latest modification. "We were supposed to talk about how and where we were born, and about our species' gestation."

"Oh, I remember that project," Raiga said as he removed his goggles, setting them down with a soft clink on the workbench, revealing his bright ruby red eyes, which contrasted strikingly with his off-white fur and dark brown stripes. "Mrs. Tweeny, Molecular biology 102, right?"

Saarina paused her work, lifting her goggles in surprise to reveal her bright green eyes, which were a perfect match to their father's. "Yeah, how did you know?"

"I had her last semester. My class did the same project," he said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest.

"So how did you handle it?" she pressed, feeling curious. She set down her tools and gave him her full attention, eager to hear his response.

"She offered an alternative where we could do our presentation on our own species or choose another. I chose to do my report on Snugglegouts that originated from Planet Rilgar since Amoeboids was already taken. Did you know that female Snugglegouts are actually born pregnant? And that while they are still in the womb, their egg sacs are fertilized by their unborn brothers? The gestation period is only a few weeks too, so a single female can produce dozens of offspring in her short lifetime. It's a fascinating reproductive strategy, though pretty bizarre by our standards."

Saarina cringed back, her expression one of utter disgust. "Eww…gross!" She would have asked how that was even biologically possible, but the mere thought alone made her hesitate, fearing the mental scarring that could come from hearing such graphic anatomical details.

"My thoughts exactly!" Raiga laughed, clearly amused by his sister's reaction. "Never been happier to be born a Lombax! The mere thought of making babies with you while still in our mother's womb makes me want to hurl!" He mimed sticking a finger down his throat.

Normally, Saarina would have fired back with a sharp "shut up" or punched him in the arm, but in this particular instance, even she had to agree with her brother's sentiment. The Snugglegout reproductive cycle was too weird, even by alien standards.

"So, are you going to take the alternative assignment too?" Raiga asked, tilting his head slightly as he awaited her response.

Saarina's shoulders sagged as she let out a long sigh. "I really don't have a choice," she replied grudgingly, her voice barely above a whisper as their parents avoided talking about the day of their birth. "But the assignment got me thinking… that's all…" She trailed off.

This report was the perfect excuse to start digging for information, whether they liked it or not.

Raiga groaned inwardly as he put two and two together, knowing all too well how his sister's mind worked. "Saarina, we've asked them before," he reminded her. "And Mom and Dad wouldn't answer us. They said we were too young to understand the circumstances surrounding our birth-"

"But we should be old enough to understand now!" Saarina retorted. She despised it when Raiga spoke to her as if she were still a little kid, incapable of grasping adult concepts. "We're like thirteen years old! We're not babies anymore, Raiga. We deserve to know the truth about where we came from and who our real mother is!"

Raiga's long white ear twitched, and letting out an amused chuckle, he corrected her, "We just had a birthday, remember? We're more like twelve years, two months, and 3 days old—hardly teenagers yet, Saarina. Maybe we should trust that Mom and Dad will tell us when they feel we're ready."

"We are old enough, Raiga!" Saarina snarled, baring her fangs in frustration. "I love Mom, but she's a Markazian and we're Lombaxes! Purebred Lombaxes! There's no denying that fact. Just look at us - we have the distinct stripes, the large ears, the tails. We're undeniably Dad's species through and through!"

"And your point is?" Raiga questioned, his indifference evident in his tone. "Okay, yeah, Dad is a lombax and so are we. I don't see why that matters so much or why it means we have to bug our parents about it right this second."

"That is the whole point! Lombaxes and Markazians are not genetically compatible! That means our biological mother had to be a lombax too!" Saarina theorized. "I just don't understand how, though, since Dad is supposed to be the only Lombax left in this universe. I mean, we have Aunt Rivet, but she is in a different dimension, so I don't think that counts. There has to be more to the story that Mom and Dad aren't telling us. And I'm determined to find out what it is, with or without their help!"

"Maybe…" Raiga muttered. Some things were better left unknown, yet in this case, he found himself just as curious as Saarina to uncover the truth. "Alright, let's ask Mom and Dad about it again. But don't get your hopes up-"

"Or better yet, let's ask our extended family and friends since Mom and Dad aren't here at home right now!" Saarina leaped up from the bench. "Maybe they'll actually talk if our parents won't!"

Raiga watched as Saarina made a mad dash to the stairs that led back into the house, her bushy tail flowing behind her like a billowing banner caught in a swift wind. Why was she always in such a hurry to stir up trouble?

"There goes my peaceful, relaxing evening…" he lamented softly under his breath, shaking his head. When Raiga managed to catch up, he found Saarina standing at the holocaller. Her fingers flew across the keypad as she speed dialed a familiar number. "Who are you calling?" he asked.

"If there's anyone else who knows what is going on, it's Uncle Clank. He's always been there for us and has the inside scoop on everything, including sitcoms."

Raiga furrowed his brow, recalling their uncle's current whereabouts. "But wasn't he in the middle of filming a new series on planet Daxx?" he questioned. "I thought he wasn't supposed to be back or even available for at least another month."

Their beloved Uncle Clank had recently revised his role in the long-running Secret Agent Clank series, taking on the part of the newly appointed Head of the Secret Service, known simply as "Mr. C". In this new role, he guided the younger agents through their missions, drawing upon his vast expertise from his own time as a top agent. The series had become a smash hit, captivating audiences not only in the Solana Galaxy, where the series originated, but also in their own galaxy of Polaris.

"True, he might be busy shooting, but there's still a chance he may be free and able to talk," Saarina said, her eyes gleaming with hope as the holocall continued to ring.

Suddenly, a hologram of their diminutive mechanical uncle appeared, reclining comfortably in a director's chair with a towel draped around his neck. "Hello, this is Clank," he greeted warmly, his voice instantly bringing a sense of comfort to the twins.

Saarina and Raiga's faces lit up at the sight of their favorite uncle. "Hey Uncle Clank!" they exclaimed in unison, their hearts swelling with love for the wise and caring robot who had always been there for them. "We weren't sure if we'd be able to reach you! We miss you so much!"

Clank's vibrant green optics lit up like a dazzling Christmas tree, glowing with joy and warmth.

"Hello there! I've missed you both so much too!" Clank greeted them back cheerily, his robotic voice filled with genuine affection. "What a pleasant surprise! Luckily, you called during my break between filming scenes. How have you two been doing? I hope you've been keeping up diligently with your homework and studies? And Saarina, my dear, have you been on your best behavior lately? You aren't still sneaking out to the hover boot rink late at night, are you?" He raised a mechanical eyebrow suspiciously.

"Ah, um, hahaha…" Saarina chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of her neck. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Uncle Clank. Honestly! I would never-"

"Oh please, she totally snuck out again just last night," Raiga tattled with a snicker. "Saw her myself."

"Raiga! You little traitor! Oooh, just wait until I tell Dad you've been secretly collecting blacklisted tools and weapons!" Saarina whirled on him with a scowl, her green eyes flashing with anger and a hint of smug satisfaction.

"Oh, come on, Sis, you don't have to make up any lies to make yourself look better. How immature can you get?" Raiga retorted, crossing his arms defensively and trying to maintain an air of nonchalance.

"One safe in the lower rack with a lock, under our workbench in a hidden compartment, and two safes hidden under your bed. I even know the code number and password for all of them," Saarina smirked at his shell-shocked face, reveling in the way his composure crumbled. "Nice try, little brother, but you can't hide anything from me."

"Why do you always have to be like that? Such a killjoy…" Raiga grumbled, his ears drooping as he realized he'd been thoroughly caught and ratted out. He was more mad at how she had even managed to find out about his secret collection in the first place, let alone crack the damn password combination!

Clank sighed, shaking his head. He was clearly not amused by their bickering or misbehavior. "Now, now, you two. I have graciously turned a blind eye to both of your shenanigans for the peace and sanity of the household. But all I ask is that you don't cause your poor parents any unnecessary trouble or worry. Is that really so much?"

Both twins winced, looking down guiltily under their uncle's stern gaze and admonishing tone.

"Oh, please don't be like that," Clank said, expression softening as he tried to lighten the suddenly somber mood. He glanced around quickly, as if checking for eavesdroppers, before leaning forward conspiratorially. "Tell you what - I'll send you advance copies of the script for the upcoming season. Our little secret. Just please promise you won't share it until two days before the premiere. Hehehe!" His eyes twinkled with mirth.

The twins immediately perked up at that, faces brightening. "Spoilers! Heck yeah!" Raiga gave him an enthusiastic thumbs up. "You're seriously the best, Uncle Clank!"

Clank chuckled, looking quite pleased with himself. "Well, anything for my beloved godchildren," he remarked fondly. "Now then, since that matter is settled, what can I do for you two today?"

"Well…" Saarina hesitated, wringing her hands. "…Raiga and I actually had an important question. Since Mom's busy at work and Dad is currently off-world, we were wondering if maybe you could answer it? It's for, um, a school project…" she exaggerated.

"Ah, I see. In that case, I will certainly do my very best to assist you in their stead. What is this question of yours?"

Saarina shared an uncertain look with Raiga before finally blurting out: "Uncle Clank, how exactly were we born? Do you know the full story of how Raiga and I came to be?"

Clank stared at them in shock for a long moment, green optics wide like a weredeer caught in headlights. When he finally did regain his voice, he droned out cryptically, "That...is not something I can tell you, I'm afraid."

His uncharacteristic sternness caught the twins off guard. They gaped at him.

"Ahh, but why not?" Saarina whined petulantly. "If you know, why can't you just explain-"

"I apologize, but no," Clank cut her off, shaking his head. "You... ahem!" He cleared his throat reflexively out of nervousness, despite not actually needing to. "The two of you really need to ask your father about this yourselves. It's not my place. Now, was there anything else you wished to discuss?"

Normally, Saarina would have been happy to chit-chat much longer with her favorite uncle. But after that frustrating response, she found her enthusiasm had fizzled out. "No, I really should get going. I'll talk to you later, Uncle Clank. Thanks anyway!"

Clank studied them intently for a long moment before finally nodding. "Very well then. You two take care now."

With that, Saarina promptly hung up the holocaller. The hologram of Clank fizzled out, leaving the twins alone once more.

"...Well, that went about as well as I expected," Raiga remarked dryly. He turned to head back to their workshop, but Saarina's voice stopped him.

"Grab your hover boots, little bro. We're going to try hitting up our local sources instead!"

"Little?" Raiga bristled. "You are only rumored to be 48 seconds older than me, which may not be even true at this rate," he huffed.

"Even if it's not true, you're still two inches shorter than me, little bro!" Saarina retorted playfully as she ruffled the fur on the top of his head before running back to her room to retrieve her hover boots.

There was no room for argument in her bossy tone, and Raiga knew it. It was best to just go along with whatever scheme she had cooked up this time. "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming," he agreed grudgingly, smoothing down his messed-up fur as he trudged after her.


While ignoring the cacophony of angry horns blaring below their feet, the twins hovered booted over the rooftops of flying cars. Saarina led the way with Raiga following closely behind, his pulse racing as he tried to keep up with his daring sister.

It was nearing 1700 hours, and traffic in the bustling city of Meridian had reached a peak of chaos, with vehicles jostling for position in the congested skyways. The thought of becoming a splattered bug on a ship's windshield if he blinked or took a wrong turn sent a shiver of anxiety down Raiga's spine, causing his fur to stand on end momentarily. Yet Saarina remained fearless, or perhaps fearlessly reckless, in Raiga's opinion, as she navigated the perilous urban obstacle course with fluid grace and confidence.

On their tenth birthday, their father had gifted them two items that would shape their hobbies and interests for years to come. The first one being their very own OmniWrenches, sleek and perfectly sized for their small hands, with stern instructions that they were only to be strictly used for work-related and self-defense purposes. The other present was a pair of fitted hover boots.

Raiga found himself more captivated by the sheer usefulness and versatility of his OmniWrench, and wondered how did he live so long without one as he practiced swinging it and tightening bolts. Meanwhile, Saarina was utterly enamored with her hoverboots from the moment she slipped them on. She spent the next two years honing her skills, practicing whenever and wherever she could, often defying their parents' warnings about when and where they could use them. Raiga had to admit it had paid off for her—she had become practically a pro on those boots, executing tricks and aerial maneuvers that left him in awe.

Saarina had ambitious dreams of competing in official junior hover boot and hoverboard races, envisioning herself speeding to victory and basking in the cheers of the crowd. But their mother, ever cautious, refused to allow it until they turn fifteen years old. Their father had initially sided with her at home, but last month, he relented and allowed Saarina and Raiga to accompany him to a small league hoverboot race he was registered to attend in Blackwater City. Right before the race started, their father feigned trouble with his equipment, backing out at the last minute to give his spot to Saarina with a conspiratorial wink.

To everyone's surprise, including her own, Saarina won two first-place trophies and one third-place prize on her very first attempts. On the way home, after they had finished celebrating at a local Galaxy Burger, wolfing down deluxe meals and toasting to Saarina's victory with Blargian sodas, their father had advised them not to mention it to their mother if they wanted to avoid a lengthy lecture.

"We're here!" Saarina exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement, as she jumped down from the elevated highway onto a spacious landing platform. Raiga followed suit, landing gracefully beside her in front of a large city building, one of the most prestigious political offices on Igliak, its gleaming spires reaching towards the sky.

Raiga looked over at his sister with a puzzled look, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What do government authorities have to do with this? Mom won't spot us here, right?" he wondered aloud, glancing around nervously. He hoped they wouldn't run into her when they should be at home finishing their homework.

Saarina shook her head. "Mom's office is far to the northern part of the building, remember? And we are not visiting just any government official, but a very specific Senator…" she hinted, her voice trailing off suggestively.

There was only one Senator from Planet Igliak who represented them in the Intergalactic Senate and was-

"Qwark…" Raiga muttered in disbelief, his eyes widening as realization dawned on him. "Uncle Qwark is our source?"

"Got any better ideas, genius?" Saarina challenged, arching an eyebrow and placing a hand on her hip.

Raiga's tail twitched irritably as he racked his brain for an alternative. "No, not at the moment…" he admitted reluctantly, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

Just as they were about to enter the building, the man they sought strutted out, clad in a stylish suit that perfectly accentuated his muscular physique and carrying an expensive-looking briefcase that gleamed in the afternoon sun.

Raiga was willing to bet there was nothing work-related inside it, probably just hair gel and a mirror. Uncle Qwark might not have been the brightest glow-stick in the pack, but Raiga had to give him credit for his flair for fashion and self-promotion. His charm, good looks, and charisma were the only reasons he kept getting reelected term after term.

That, and the fact that their parents also lived and worked on Igliak, their reputations bolstering Qwark's by association. Their father, being a legendary Galactic Hero and their mother being the esteemed Commander of the Polaris Defense Force, ended up taking care of the planet's major troubles, causing Qwark's to get credit by default on the curtails of their competence and hard work. But since Qwark would help them in turn with off-the-record political favors, cool perks, and pardons whenever needed, it was a win-win situation that their parents had learned to leverage to their advantage on occasion.

The twins rushed up to him. "Hey, Uncle Qwark!" they called out in unison.

A brilliant smile lit up Qwark's face, his usual toothy grin transforming into a genuine, warm smile upon greeting them. "Well, well, if it isn't my favorite little niece and nephew! How've you two been?" He leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, and asked, "Did you pass out those 'Vote for Qwark' pins like I asked?"

"Yeah, I did…" Raiga said, averting his eyes and shuffling his feet awkwardly. He had indeed passed them out alright, straight into the nearest trash can when no one was looking.

"Um… I did too…" Saarina lied hesitantly, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. In truth, she would rather face the wrath of a mother grunthor protecting her young than distribute those obnoxious neon-green pins to her friends at school.

"Splendid!" Qwark beamed, clearly pleased by their apparent enthusiasm for his campaign. "I knew I could count on you two!"

"Um, Uncle Qwark, can I ask you something?" Saarina ventured, biting her lip nervously as she gathered her courage.

"Well, I am a very busy man, but I can always spare a few minutes for you two! What can I do for you, sweetheart?" Qwark replied, his tone shifting from jovial to a bit more serious as he regarded his honorary niece.

Saarina hesitated, trying to simplify her question into terms she knew Qwark's limited vocabulary and even more limited attention span could grasp. "…Do you know how we came into being? Do you know the circumstances around how we were born and who our biological, um, I mean, our real mother is?"

Qwark reared back with a loud, dramatic gasp, his eyes widening in shock. He gulped nervously, pulling at the collar of his expensive silk shirt as he stuttered, "N-Now that I think about it, I just remembered I have an extremely important meeting that started five minutes ago! S-So I really need to be going! Right now!" He frantically pressed a button on his wrist, hailing his assistant. "Joyce, I need the car pulled around, like noooow!" Qwark ordered urgently into the speaker on his wristband, his voice rising an octave.

"It will be just a moment, Senator Qwark—" his assistant's tinny voice began.

"MOVE FASTER!" Qwark whispered desperately into the communicator, glancing around as if afraid someone would overhear.

"Uncle Qwark, if you know something, anything at all, please tell us!" Saarina pleaded, her tone growing increasingly urgent as she sensed him trying to evade the question. "Please, we're begging you, tell us what you know about how we were born!"

Qwark cupped a hand around his ear, pretending to be confused. "Huuuuh? What was that? How to do what now?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

"I asked how we were born!" Saarina practically shouted, her patience wearing thin.

"OH!" Qwark exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as if he had finally grasped the meaning of her question. "You asked how my beloved ice cream parlor was born? Why didn't you say so!"

Raiga snorted a laugh, quickly disguising it as a sudden cough. It seemed Qwark was quite a bit smarter than either he or Saarina had initially credited him for.

Saarina's eye twitched in barely contained exasperation. "NO! I SAID—"

"Hahaha! Ah, you two kids!" Qwark chuckled, affectionately patting their furry heads. "Of course, your dear old Uncle Qwark can tell you the inspiring tale of how my ice cream parlor came to be!"

Saarina made a strangling motion with her gloved hands. "Grrrr… Qwark!" She growled through gritted teeth, barely restraining the urge to throttle him. "You know that's not what I—"

"Three years ago… I HAD A DREAM!" Qwark boomed dramatically, his voice echoing through the courtyard as he gestured expansively, becoming increasingly animated. "A beautiful dream that vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and every other delectable flavor imaginable in the galaxy would one day come together under one roof in the famed Captain Qwark's Ice Cream Parlor! Where no matter if your favorite is cherry vanilla or rocky road, all flavors could be combined in harmony and share the same spoon!"

Saarina gave Qwark a flat, disbelieving stare, while Raiga merely rolled his eyes at the overly dramatic speech.

By that time, Qwark's private luxury limo had finally arrived out front. "And to commemorate that momentous dream, I have two coupons for you, each good for one free Hero-stick Ice Cream!" Qwark fished into the pocket of his pressed slacks and pulled out two crumpled vouchers, shoving them into Saarina's gloved hands. "There you are, don't say your Uncle Qwark never did anything for you!"

Without waiting for the chauffeur to open the door, Qwark yanked open his own door and slid into the plush leather backseat in a flash. He hastily rolled down the window and yelled out, "Don't forget to vote for me in this fall's election and have a Qwarktastic day, kids!"

The sleek black limo took off into the sunset, leaving Saarina shaking her fist angrily at the retreating taillights. "LIKE HELL I WILL, YOU COWARD!" she shouted after him, her voice nearly drowned out by the wind noise.

"Ha," Raiga chuckled darkly beside her, a hint of bitterness lacing his own voice. "It's not like we can vote yet anyway…" He was already mentally counting down the days until they turned eighteen.

In the end, the two siblings ended up heading to the ice cream parlor anyway. It made little sense to turn down free food, even if it was in the shape of a certain annoying superhero's head. Saarina scowled distastefully at her Qwark-head-shaped frozen treat, her nose wrinkling in disgust. "Stupid Qwark!" she muttered venomously, pretending it was the real thing as she bit her sharp fangs into it ferociously.

Raiga, on the other hand, sucked idly on his ice-lolly, seemingly lost in thought as his mind swirled elsewhere. So far, everyone they had approached had avoided their questions or changed the subject abruptly. What was so secretive or terrible about their birth that everyone had refused to tell them, even those closest to them?

Saarina sighed heavily in defeat, her shoulders slumping. "What now?" she asked glumly, half-heartedly tossing aside her empty stick into a nearby trashcan with a dissatisfied flick of her wrist.

"Hmm…" Raiga tapped his furry chin thoughtfully. "There is one option left to try here in this city…" he mused cryptically.

Saarina's golden ears perked up instantly, her curiosity igniting like a spark to dry kindling. "And that is?" she pressed eagerly.

Raiga didn't answer directly, instead flashing her a sly, knowing grin. "…Follow me and you'll see."

It took twenty minutes of zipping through the bustling city streets on their hover boots, but the pair managed to arrive at their destination without too much trouble. Raiga wisely opted for the sidewalks instead of roof-hopping like Saarina had brazenly done earlier. They now stood before a large, egg-shaped building that loomed ominously over them. The entire imposing structure was painted a sickly shade of poisonous purple, with windows that gleamed in an unsettling acid green, as if warning all who approached to stay far away.

"This is our last stop. It's hard to get any information out of Uncle Nefarious, but we have to at least give it a shot," Raiga said.

"Actually, it depends on what kind of mood he's in," Saarina countered with a giggle. "He's always happy to tell us everything about Uncle Qwark, whether we ask for it or not!"

"You mean when he angrily vents about all the reasons he despises Uncle Qwark," Raiga laughed, shaking his head in amusement. "Okay then, let's go in and face the music." He removed his glove and used his bare, furry hand to push open the heavy metallic door. The high-tech door handle immediately recognized his unique DNA signature and granted them access without the need for a key card or passcode.

It was strangely dark inside the gloomy hallway. The only meager light came from the open doorway behind them, casting long shadows across the metal floor.

"Huh, that's weird…" Raiga muttered in confusion as he and his sister cautiously stepped inside, their footsteps echoing in the unnerving silence.

"Maybe he blew a circuit again," Saarina suggested with a shrug as she pulled out a small flashlight from her pocket. But even with the additional light, the inky darkness seemed to press in on them oppressively from all sides. "I think Uncle Nefarious was complaining the other day about the city putting an electricity limit on him after his last 'groundbreaking' experiment blew out an entire city block's power grid-"

"Who DARES to enter my lair uninvited?!" a cold, grating voice suddenly screeched, echoing ominously through the suffocating darkness. All at once, the overhead lights flickered on with a buzz, harshly illuminating the shadowy corners of the cavernous room. The infamous Doctor Nefarious loomed above them menacingly, his metal hand clutching a wicked-looking laser pistol, his skeletal metallic features glinting in the stark light. "Oh good, the backup power generators are finally back online now-"

"GAHHHHH!" both Raiga and Saarina instinctively reared back in shocked surprise, their eyes wide with primal fear at the alarming sight.

"Stop that infernal screaming this instant, you two small squishies," Doctor Nefarious remarked dismissively, deactivating his weapon with a casual wave of his clawed hand. "Especially when you two had the audacity to barge into my house completely uninvited and unannounced. Now, what do you want? Make it quick before I decide to violate the terms of my probation and disintegrate you!"

Raiga patted his heaving chest to calm his racing heart before forcing out a seemingly cheerful grin onto his face. "H-Hey there Uncle Nefarious! We were just in the neighborhood and decided to pay our favorite evil genius a friendly visit!" Raiga replied, injecting as much strained enthusiasm into his voice as he could muster. "And I also wanted to thank you for that awesome Decryptor 3000 you gave me for my birthday present last month. It's totally the coolest gift ever!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Nefarious's interest piqued slightly, his metal eyebrows arching upwards as he studied Raiga appraisingly. "But are you actually able to use such an advanced device, I wonder?" he taunted haughtily, a sly, wicked grin slowly creeping across his metallic face.

"I purposely gave it to you with an extra devious 13-class nebuflex scrambled encryption code already installed, just to make it even more challenging before you could even dream of using it! How else will I be able to relish in your pitiful anguish and tears of frustration when you inevitably find yourself unable to solve such a deceptively rudimentary problem?! Muwahahahaha!" His maniacal laughter echoed through the room, a sound both bone-chilling and theatrically over-the-top.

"Oh, it won't be much of a problem for too much longer," Raiga reassured him confidently with a good-natured laugh. "I am already over halfway through decoding the encrypted startup sequence. I probably would be done with it a lot sooner if I put in more time working on it during the weekdays instead of just tinkering with it on the weekends—"

"WHAAAT?! IMPOSSIBLE!" Nefarious demanded, his metal jaw dropping open in utter shock, the gears grinding together audibly. "Y-You actually were able to decode some of it already?! But I worked on perfecting that particular encryption for years!" His voice rose in pitch, colored by sheer disbelief, the very idea sending ripples of incredulity through his processors.

"A thousand squishies wouldn't even have enough collective brain cells to unlock it, even at the first basic step. And you claim to be over halfway through the entire thing?" He leaned in closer, his red optics narrowing as he scrutinized Raiga's face intently for any sign of deception or exaggeration.

"Sure am! I've already cleared up to 69 percent completion!" Raiga declared proudly, a triumphant grin spreading across his furry face.

Nefarious paused, his expression shifting into something resembling pride briefly flickering in his optics before he caught himself and quickly suppressed it. Leaning back, he scoffed derisively, "Bah! Completely ridiculous claim, I bet you probably cheated somehow!"

"Or maybe I just had an excellent teacher and learned from the very best," Raiga pointed out with a cheeky wink.

Nefarious regarded him thoughtfully, as if truly seeing Raiga for the first time. "Hmm... valid point, I suppose," he reluctantly conceded after a long moment, a conceited chuckle escaping him. Yet, growing serious again, he leaned forward, pointing a sharp metal finger at Raiga's forehead. "But mark my words, I won't go so easy on you again next time, kid!" he vowed ominously. "Next year's birthday gift will be even more deviously tougher to unlock than the last!" he promised with a sinister grin.

"Oooh, I'm quaking in my boots," Raiga replied sarcastically, smirking confidently back at the mad robot scientist, his bravado unwavering. "Bring it on then, Uncle Nefarious! I'll be ready for any challenge you can throw at me!"

"Ugh… such hopeless nerds, I swear…" Saarina groaned under her breath, rolling her eyes in exasperation as she watched their stupid, overly dramatic exchange, wanting to gag.

"LAWRENCE!" Nefarious yelled suddenly, his booming voice reverberating through the spacious chamber, bouncing off the metallic walls.

"Yes, sir?" A shimmering hologram of his butler materialized on a nearby projector, the image flickering to life. "Oh, children, welcome," he greeted both Raiga and Saarina upon noticing their presence, his tone shifting to one of warmth and sincerity. "I have not been expecting any guests here today. Did I perhaps miss a memo regarding your visitation?"

"No, they just showed up at my house uninvited like a pair of lost kittens I need to drop off at a shelter, and by that, I mean Ratchet's door!" Nefarious grumbled, his frustration evident as he gestured dismissively with a wave of his robotic hand.

"Oh, what a pity," Lawrence lamented, his holographic features displaying a hint of genuine remorse. "If I had known they would be visiting, I would have brought my son, Alfred, with me to work today. He has been wanting a rematch on that video game the three of them played together last time—"

"Too bad, too sad!" Nefarious droned out obnoxiously, his voice dripping with sarcasm and annoyance. "Just bring out some cookies and milk for them, and don't you dare serve those tacky tin cookies like last time—we're not that cheap—but the gourmet almond custard cookies from Starry Glaze Bakery. Then send them home once they finish eating!" His tone was final, leaving no room for argument or discussion.

"Right away, sir." Lawrence's hologram frizzled out, the image fading from view as he went to fulfill the order posthaste.

Nefarious turned his attention back to the small lombaxes, his red optics narrowing. "Take my generous offering and leave once you're done eating! And don't you dare drop any crumbs this time, or I swear I will annihilate you the next time I see even a single hair of you!"

As he turned away to return to his lab, his cape swishing behind him, Saarina called out to him before he could make his escape. "Wait, Uncle Nefarious!"

"And people ask why I never had kids! What is it now?" Nefarious rounded on her irritably, his patience wearing thin. "I am an incredibly busy man, and you both came here completely unannounced. I don't have time to waste on you two today! Come back another day, preferably on a Thursday after my soap operas have gone off!"

"I… I just have a quick question," Saarina stammered, her nerves evident as she fidgeted slightly, her tail twitching anxiously. "It's the real reason why Raiga and I came today: we wanted to ask you something…"

"Then spit it out already! What is it?" Nefarious demanded impatiently as he crossed his arms, awaiting her response with growing irritation.

Saarina took a deep breath to steady herself and asked, "Uncle Nefarious… do you know how we were born?"

Nefarious stood there, his optics going wide for nearly ten seconds before opening his mouth. "WHAAAAAAAAAA—Oh Lance, where are you? The space lilies are in bloom and ready to be picked! Come pick them. Come pick my lilies!"

Uncle Nefarious seemed to have shorted himself out again and was now lost in his own little world of soap opera reruns, his processors stuck in a loop.

Saarina let out an exasperated breath before nudging her brother's shoulder insistently. "It's your turn," she urged him, her voice tinged with frustration.

Raiga shot her a withering glare. "Wrong, it's yours!"

"But you're standing closest to him," Saarina reasoned, crossing her arms defiantly, her stance unwavering.

"Oh, for the love of the universe… fine!" Raiga snapped, stepping forward with great reluctance. He gave Nefarious's egg-shaped head a good, hard smack with his Omniwrench, the metallic clang echoing in the room.

"—AAAAAAAAAT?" Dr. Nefarious finished yelling, his tone shifting from confusion to annoyance in an instant. "W-Why would you even ask me that?!" he growled, glaring at them with barely contained rage.

"Um… because…?" Saarina replied innocently, her eyes wide and guileless.

"That's absolutely disgusting!" He shrieked, his voice rising to a fever pitch. "Why would I ever care to know how a squishy pops out more squishes!?"

"Say what now?" Lawrence asked in confusion as he caught the tail end of Nefarious's shout, entering the room. He sauntered into the room, his movements fluid and purposeful as he balanced a tray of freshly baked cookies and two frosty glasses of milk, the sweet aroma wafting through the air and filling the space.

"We just thought you would know because you, well… you know everything?" Saarina suggested, her voice dripping with nectar as she attempted to flatter him, hoping to appeal to his ego.

It seemed to work; Nefarious composed himself slightly, though the simmering anger still flickered like a spark beneath the surface of his egg-shaped head, threatening to ignite at any moment.

"As true as that might be-" In the background, Lawrence snorted, trying to suppress a chuckle that threatened to escape. Nefarious shot a withering glare at his butler, the look fierce enough to cut through steel, before continuing with his retort. "I never ventured to know the specific details! Nor did I have any pleasure whatsoever in being involved in the day of your births!"

Lawrence froze mid-motion, and so did the twins, their eyes widening in shock. The weight of Nefarious's words hung heavy in the air, and what he had just yelled was spoken in the past tense, indicating he had some knowledge of the event. Finally, they were getting somewhere, a glimmer of hope in their quest for answers!

"So… you were there the day we were born?" Raiga ventured hopefully. "That means you know what happened?"

"Yeah, unfortunately!" Nefarious scoffed, rolling his blood-red opticals in exasperation, as if the mere memory pained him. "I wish I could erase it from my memory banks to this very day! If I wasn't there, then Ratchet would've had to squeeze you two right out of his-"

"Y-You really must be going now!" Lawrence fretted, cutting off his boss with a note of urgency in his voice, his eyes darting nervously between the twins and Nefarious. He suddenly rushed to collect the two lombax kids, his mechanical hands guiding them firmly toward the exit, determined to usher them out before any more secrets could be revealed.

"Lawrence! Wait just a minute!" Raiga protested; he tried to shake free from the butler's grasp, unwilling to leave without answers.

"Hey, stop! What was Uncle trying to say just now?!" Saarina exclaimed as she attempted to dodge him, but Lawrence caught her by her bushy tail, holding her in place with a firm grip.

"Now, now, children, don't be rowdy like this!" Lawrence chided them gently, his tone placating. He opened the front door with a flourish, the cool air rushing in. "It's well past five now, and I am quite sure Mrs. Apogee is worried sick about you two!" He shoved them out of the building unceremoniously. "Please do visit another day, ta-ta!" he said, closing the door firmly behind them with a resounding thud.

Saarina scrambled to the door handles, her heart racing as she frantically threw off her gloves, desperate to pry them open, to get back inside and demand the truth. Yet, no matter how hard she pulled, they remained stubbornly closed, unyielding to her efforts.

"Error. Error. Cannot read DNA signature. Please try again." The computer's mechanical voice echoed.

Undeterred by the repeated failure, Saarina attempted again and again, each time met with the same frustrating message, the words taunting her. "Damn it all!" she cursed, slipping her gloves back on. "They all avoided us!" she wailed, throwing a fit that echoed in the space around them, her voice raw with emotion. "And worst of all, we've lost getting our cookies and milk too!"

Raiga, in stark contrast to his sister's emotional outburst, maintained a calm demeanor as his mind replayed their robotic uncle's words, analyzing every detail. Their birth seemed to have something directly related to their father only, with no mention of a biological mother at all. How is something like that even possible?

"Hmmm… What do you think Uncle Nefarious was talking about back there?" he pondered aloud.

"Who knows, but that was the closest we ever got to learning the truth! Uuugh…" Saarina sighed dramatically. "…Let's just go home. I am tired of this wild skreeduck chase."

"Me too…" Raiga agreed, falling into step beside her, his thoughts churning silently as they made their way back home, the mystery of their origins still unsolved.


The sun was starting to set as the trip home stretched on for another thirty minutes. By the time the twins arrived home, it was already dark. When they opened the back door, a whiff of something good came out.

"That's mom's hamburger steak!" Saarina proclaimed, her mouth already watering, her worries momentarily forgotten in the face of a delicious meal. Raiga inhaled deeply, savoring the mouthwatering aroma that permeated the air, his stomach growling in anticipation.

They followed their noses straight to the kitchen. They found their mother at the stove with her back to them. She had partially shed her commander's attire by taking off her jacket to reveal a dark, sleeveless top underneath, her hair gathered up in a messy bun as she busied herself at the stovetop, preparing the evening meal. The sizzling sound of the hamburger steaks filled the room, accompanied by the gentle clanging of pots and pans as Talwyn worked her culinary magic.

"Hi, mom!" the twins chimed in unison, their voices filled with excitement.

Talwyn turned to them with a happy smile to see her children. "Hey, you two! Welcome home!" she greeted them, her eyes sparkling with warmth and affection.

"Hey, mom, is dinner ready yet?" Saarina asked eagerly, bouncing on the balls of her feet, barely able to contain her enthusiasm.

"Just finished, actually. Help me set the table," Talwyn replied, gesturing towards the cupboards where the plates and utensils were stored.

"Okay!" the twins responded, quickly springing into action, gathering the necessary items and arranging them neatly on the dining table. As they worked, Talwyn struck up a conversation. "So, where exactly have you two been off to?"

"We just needed some fresh air, so Raiga and I decided to go hoverbooting in Meridian Fields and accidentally lost track of time," Saarina answered nonchalantly as she wiped a little drool from the corner of her mouth, only partially telling the truth. She glanced over at her brother, hoping he would play along.

Raiga wisely kept his mouth shut and nodded his head in agreement, knowing it was better if their mom remained none the wiser about what really happened today during their little outing.

"Well, I'm glad you two had fun and got some exercise, but next time, please shoot me a quick message to let me know where you are. When I came home to an empty house and realized you were nowhere to be found, I started to panic a bit and was on the verge of dispatching a search party to track you down," Talwyn chuckled, her tone playful yet dead serious.

The twins knew from experience that she wouldn't hesitate to dispatch a squad or two from the Defense Force to track them down, especially since that kidnapping attempt some years ago. Those doomed traffickers didn't even make it off-world before their father and mother came gunning after them with a vengeance.

Talwyn walked over to the table carrying several steaming serving dishes, carefully distributing the fragrant food across the table and making sure each plate had a hearty portion. The tantalizing aroma wafted through the room, making the twins' mouths water even more. "Especially since skipping dinner isn't exactly your usual habit when your favorite dish is on the menu-"

"And I'd never dare miss it either."

An older Lombax strode into the kitchen suddenly from the opposite side. He was still suited up in his armor. With a swift motion, he pressed a button on his breastplate, prompting his headgear to swiftly recede, revealing his face, which bore a warm, fond smile for his family.

He winked at his wife, "You're food is the best without a doubt, Tal."

Talwyn's eyes lit up with delight at the sight of her husband. "Ratchet! I'm glad to see you back home so early!" She quickly reached into the cabinet to pull out another plate, eager to include him in the family meal. "I thought that mission would have taken an extra day."

"Well, with Aphelion's new hyperdrive, the travel time from Kortog is cut down significantly so-" Ratchet began to explain, but was interrupted by the exuberant cries of his children.

"DAD!" Saarina and Raiga cheered, their voices filled with delight to see him again after his absence the past couple of days doing work offworld. In their excitement, they rushed toward him, colliding with him and sending him to the floor in a heap of laughter and limbs.

It was childish, but they couldn't help it. As furlings, they used to leap into Ratchet's arms without a second thought, and even now, standing at two-thirds his size and continuing to grow larger each day, they found it difficult to shake off those old habits.

Talwyn gasped in shock. "Be careful, you two! You're not small anymore! Ratchet, are you alright? That looked like it hurt!"

"Not to worry, I'm fine!" Ratchet chuckled heartily as he embraced Saarina and Raiga in return, nuzzling their foreheads together affectionately. The twins giggled, caught up in the joyful reunion moment with their father, but Talwyn could see a slight grimace behind her husband's warm smile.

"Though to tell the truth, I'm not as young as I used to be…" Ratchet admitted ruefully as they all clambered back to their feet, stretching out his back a bit. "C'mon, you two rascals, let's all eat together! I'm starving after that mission."

Just then, the holocaller rang sharply in the background, interrupting the family moment. "I'll get it," Ratchet volunteered with a sigh, rolling his eyes when he saw the caller ID flash before him. "It's Qwark… great. Just what I need right now. You all go have a seat at the table and start without me. I'll join you in a moment after dealing with this."

Ratchet had half a mind to just let the answering machine pick it up, but his conscience compelled him to answer anyway, figuring it might be important. "What's up, Qwark? Everything okay?"

A muffled voice crackled through the line, and that's when Ratchet's fur bristled in alarm, his eyes widening. "They asked you about what today?!" he exclaimed in disbelief, causing Saarina and Raiga's ears to perk up nervously from the dining room. "…They actually did that? I see…"

"Hang on, Qwark. Lawrence is calling on the other line. Oh, you're hanging up? Okay, bye then. Thanks for giving me the heads up about this at least."

"Hey, Lawrence," Ratchet said, his brow furrowing as he listened intently for a moment. His sandy blonde tail twitched agitatedly behind him. "…They visited you too, huh? Don't tell me they asked Nerfarious the same thing?"

Overhearing the conversations, Saarina cringed, her stomach churning itself into anxious knots. "…I'm not hungry anymore," she mumbled, pushing her plate away.

"Hold up, Lawrence, I have an incoming call from Clank on the other line. Let me call you back."

Raiga pushed his plate away too, mirroring his sister's sentiment. "Yeah, me neither…" he admitted, ears drooping.

Talwyn glanced over her shoulder at them, narrowing her eyes suspiciously at the two of them. "Hm? What's going on with you two?"

"Hey, pal," Ratchet answered, his tone shifting to one of resignation. "Let me guess, this is about Saarina and Raiga, isn't it? Well, let's just say they've been making the rounds today."

That's when the twins attempted to make their escape, darting toward the hallway.

"Oh no, you don't! You two, get back here right now!" Talwyn ordered firmly, crossing her arms with parental authority. The twins froze guiltily mid-step and turned around to face her, knowing that tone meant business. "What exactly did you ask Qwark about today?"

"Um… we just wanted to know more about his past careers, like his ice cream parlor?" Saarina replied innocently, though her eyes darted away guiltily, not quite able to meet her mother's stern gaze.

"Yeah, and Uncle Qwark was nice enough to even treat us to some ice cream earlier," Raiga added quickly, as if that would somehow absolve them of any wrongdoing. "So we're just not very hungry right now after that."

Talwyn raised an eyebrow, her suspicion only deepening at their flimsy excuses. "Uh-huh. And what did you ask Nefarious and Lawrence about then?" she queried pointedly, not letting them off the hook that easily.

"Oh, you know, just about the season finale of Lance and Janet in Galaxy Odyssey VII: Promise of the Space Lily," Saarina said breezily with a forced casualness. "We wanted to get their thoughts on it."

"But you guys hate sappy soap operas…" Talwyn reminded them, incredulity dripping from her tone. "You've never shown the slightest interest in that show."

Saarina pouted stubbornly, crossing her arms in a defiant pose. "Heeey, I can broaden my horizons and gain new interests like any soon-to-be adult, Mom! Don't put me in a box!"

Talwyn looked like she wanted to laugh out loud at the sheer absurdity of that statement. "Just last night you complained for a solid ten minutes about how corny and boring soap operas were before demanding I change the station to the Hoverboarding Finals!"

Saarina shrugged glibly, unwilling to concede the point. "Well, I can change my mind and refine my tastes in a day, can't I? Maybe Lance and Janet spoke to me on a deeper level!"

Talwyn merely rolled her eyes.

Ratchet reentered the kitchen, a serious expression etched across his face. His brows were furrowed, and his mouth was set in a firm line. "Saarina… Raiga…" he called their names in that stern, no-nonsense tone that meant they were definitely in for a reprimand, and quite possibly a hoverboot level worth of grounding.

Talwyn turned to him, immediately sensing the shift in the atmosphere, as she took in Ratchet's grave demeanor. "Ratchet, what's going on?" she asked.

"They were asking everyone about the 'You know what' Number 02," he replies.

Both Saarina and Raiga pouted. It seemed that every time they were on the verge of figuring out what their parents were referring to in code, they were thwarted at the last moment. It was just like Number 17, which they knew was their parents' code for the dreaded "birds and the bees" talk they had endured two years ago.

"Ah," Talwyn realized what he meant, her eyes widening in understanding as the pieces fell into place. "That one again…" she murmured.

Raiga dropped his eyes to the floor, unable to meet his parents' gazes, but Saarina returned their looks with a defiant glare, her chin jutting out stubbornly. "Oh, come on, really?" she grumbled unhappily. She couldn't understand how she and Raiga were in the wrong about this whole situation.

"Yes, really. Instead of asking others about this, you two should have asked your father first," Talwyn said, her voice firm and unyielding, her eyes narrowing as she looked at her children disapprovingly.

"Dad was off-world," Raiga pointed out smartly.

"You could have waited for me to come back," Ratchet countered, his arms crossed over his chest as he regarded his son with a raised eyebrow.

"But Dad, you never tell us anything!" Saarina cried out, her voice rising in exasperation, frustration bubbling over like a pot of boiling water. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides as she glared at her parents accusingly. "Neither do you, Mom!"

"It's…!" Talwyn caught herself mid-sentence, shaking her head as she turned away, glancing briefly at her husband with a conflicted expression. "…It's not my place to tell," she finished quietly, her shoulders slumping slightly in defeat.

"Tch," Saarina sneered, crossing her arms defiantly as she fixed her parents with a rebellious stare. "I'd figured as much."

"Saarina…" Ratchet began, his voice taking on a calmer yet insistent tone. Saarina hated the tone her father was using right now, as if he were addressing a clueless five-year-old who couldn't possibly comprehend the complexities of adult matters. "Sweetheart, please listen to me. You're too young to understand right now-"

"I can understand just fine! I'm not a little kid anymore! Stop treating me like one! " Saarina had all but shouted, her voice cracking with emotion as angry tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. "What are you so afaird of us knowing? Are you even my real Dad!?" she demanded.

Ratchet looked shocked and then slightly pained when she asked him that. "Of course, I am," he answered her firmly, but it was clear her outburst struck a tender nerve.

"Saarina! Don't talk to your father like that!" Talwyn snapped, deciding to intervene. Her tone was sharp and authoritative, cutting through the air like a knife. She fixed her daughter with a stern glare, her hands planted firmly on her hips. "Go to your room, now! We'll discuss this later when you've calmed down."

"This is so unfair!" Saarina shot them watery glares, her bottom lip trembling as she fought back tears. She whirled around and rushed out of the room, her footsteps echoing loudly as she fled down the hallway.

"I'll go join her," Raiga volunteered softly, wanting to offer his sister some comfort and support. He turned and headed back to the bedrooms.

"Good idea," Talwyn agreed, her voice softening as she watched her son go, feeling a pang of guilt in her chest. She sighed heavily, rubbing her forehead. "Being a parent is never easy…" she muttered.

"You are preaching to the choir on that one," Ratchet mutters as he sinks into a chair at the kitchen table. Talwyn placed her hand on top of Ratchet's, offering silent support and reassurance through her gentle touch.

"Ratchy-honey, we knew this day was coming…" She paused before adding, with a light-hearted attempt at levity, "Blame that Lombax inquisitive gene. Once they get something in their heads, they can't let it go until it's figured out." She sat down beside him, still holding his hand in a comforting gesture of solidarity.

"I know, Tal, it's just… It's embarrassing, ya know!" Ratchet groaned, blush creeping up the edges of his ears. "What if they think less of me? What about themselves? Wouldn't they think they are some kind of freaks or-"

"They are not freaks," Talwyn's calm but firm voice with unwavering conviction. "They are my children. I love them dearly, just as I love you. And they will always look up to you, just as I have and all your friends have!" she reassured him earnestly, her gaze steady and unwavering as she looked deep into Ratchet's eyes, willing him to believe her words with every fiber of her being.

Ratchet nudged his head against the crook of Talwyn's neck in an affectionate nuzzle, seeking comfort in her familiar warmth and scent. "Thanks, Tal, I needed to hear that."

Talwyn grinned, feeling warmth spread through her at the contact, her heart swelling with love for her partner. She always loved the feel of Ratchet's soft fur against her skin. Ratchet turned inward, beginning to place tender kisses along her exposed collarbone, moving upward and leaving a trail of gentle affection in his wake.

Talwyn moaned slightly, a pleasant shiver coursing through her when she felt his lips against her pointed ear, the intimate gesture sending sparks of desire through her body. "I love you," he whispers, his breath hot against her skin.

"I love you, too," Talwyn replies softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she loses herself in the moment, the rest of the world fading away until only she and Ratchet remain, two hearts beating as one.

After sitting together for several minutes, Ratchet finally found his resolve. Squaring his shoulders, he pulled away from his wife. He said, "We'll be settling this matter tonight, once and for all. They deserve to know, even if it won't be easy for me."

He gave Talwyn's hand a quick squeeze before striding out of the room to find the twins. Talwyn smiled as she watched him go.

"That's my Ratchet."


Saarina was sobbing uncontrollably into her pillow, her body shaking with each heaving breath. She didn't bother to look up when the bed sagged under additional weight, knowing from scent alone that it was Raiga who had come to comfort her.

"I didn't mean to snap at Dad or Mom like that…" she sniffled, her voice muffled by the damp fabric. "But I… I'm just so tired of all the secrecy!"

"…I know, I am too…" Raiga agreed sympathetically, scooting closer to his distraught sister. "…but we can't force them to tell us anything if they aren't ready."

He began to gently pet Saarina on the head, stroking her soft fur in a soothing gesture that had always seemed to calm them both down in moments of distress ever since they were little. And it appeared to be working now; Saarina's body gradually became less rigid, her sobs quieting, and at least she had stopped crying for the moment.

Ratchet stood frozen in the bedroom doorway, watching his kids with a heavy heart full of guilt and regret. He wondered if shielding them from the truth all these years had inadvertently caused them more harm than good, which was the complete opposite of his true intentions in keeping the secret of their origins. Taking a deep, steadying breath, he slowly walked into the room to join them.

Seeing him approach, Raiga shifted back from Saarina, allowing their father to sit closest to her on the bed. Ratchet sent Raiga an apologetic, appreciative look before gently pulling Saarina into a tight hug, cradling her against his chest. "…I'm not trying to keep anything from you guys out of spite, I hope you know that," he murmured softly.

Saarina melted further into his strong, protective hold, comforted by her father's warm presence surrounding her. "I'm sorry for yelling, Dad…" she mumbled, her hoarse voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean what I said before..."

Ratchet pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment as he tried to convey the depth of his love and remorse. "I'm sorry too…" he replied, his voice thick with emotion, the words catching in his throat. "I was hoping you two would be a little older when I told you guys the truth, but I guess it can't be helped…" He rested his chin atop Saarina's head, holding her gently, as if she were a delicate treasure he feared might shatter.

Saarina could sense the tension coursing through her father's body and, in turn, felt guilty for making him feel this way, for pushing him to reveal things he wasn't ready to share. Just as she was about to open her mouth to promise to never bring up this topic again for the sake of her father's peace of mind, Ratchet spoke again.

"How about you eat dinner first, then we talk. Not leaving a single detail out, deal?"

Saarina looked up at Ratchet, her big, watery green eyes reflecting a mixture of hope and disbelief, as if she couldn't quite dare to believe what she was hearing. "R-Really…?" she stuttered.

Raiga blinked in surprise, his own disbelief mirroring her reaction.

Ratchet nodded firmly. Breaking his gaze from Saarina, he turned to Raiga, looking straight into his son's crimson eyes, before confirming, "Really. I'll explain everything. No more secrets, no more half-truths. You deserve to know."

"It…it's a deal!" Saarina exclaimed, agreeing quickly, she threw her arms around Ratchet's neck and kissed his cheek, her fur tickling his nose. "Thank you, Daddy! You won't regret this, I promise!"

With that, she and Raiga sprang were all smiles as they darted out of the room, their tails swishing behind them. Ratchet remained on the bed. Doubt clouded his eyes.