Ratchet and Clank: Lifeforce: Chapter 1

Ratchet and Clank: Lifeforce

"If a man can bridge the gap between life and death, if he can live on after he's dead, then maybe he was a great man."

-James Dean

It's A Scheduled Annihilation

A true villain understands that virtues can be as powerful as sins. Twisted the right way, patience could destroy a galaxy. Even the cragmites, dumb as they were, understood that. They waited thousands of years after their empire's fall for their last egg to hatch.

It was funny, how botched attempts at hostile take-overs could stoke the fires of patience as much as they did vengence. Those philosophical blow-hards preaching that 'failure breeds experience, experience breeds skill' knew what they were talking about after all.

It wasn't crowded in this area of space. Blue-purple solar clouds were drifting past the rotating moons and planets in tranquil bliss. No ship trails, no asteroids. Anyone watching the sight would think it innocent and peaceful; The silence was coating the enormity and complexity that concocted within it.

Yet, in a this quiet area of space, a tall, a decidedly non- peaceful metallic figure stood in wait.

Dr Nefarious felt a power surge through his circuits; the robotic equivalent of adrenaline. He was excited, eager, even. Yet he had forced himself to be patient. Patience was a difficult virtue to master and he wouldn't call himself an expert just yet. Only the absolute promise of reward, and the delight of working to obtain it, granted him the will to keep still. He overlooked the quiet area of space with mock admiration. Nefarious had spent the last year carefully, as he always did when presumed dead or defeated. Authorities had obviously tried to locate him, but never came close to a gleam of his presence. They simply waited for him to return.

"Ah, the Universe. So quiet and peaceful... it makes me sick-" He arched a brow, speaking out loud; an odd habit that Lawrence, his butler, had yet to get him to stop. "Won't it be nice when it's filled with the death and destruction of those squishie vermin?...especially..."

His voice trailed off into a growl, and he paced away from the window. A certain green buffoon was responsible for that moodswing.

On the other side of the darkened office , Lawrence looked up from his dusting. "Musing the terrors of the Universe, sir?"

"More like the annoyances." Nefarious spat. He turned on his heel and stalked back to the window overlooking the Space Shuttle's linking platforms. Ships and robotic minions earound in preparation. "Though not for long, Lawrence."

His red eyes narrowed and the smirk grew more obvious on his robotic face. He spoke in a low, raucous voice. "Think of it, Lawrence...the power to defeat all of our enemies, for the taking, abandoned by that feeble race."

"Such a waste, sir." Lawrence remarked coolly,  continuing his dusting. Nefarious took absolutely no note of this.

"And when we have it, that green imbecile will never hinder my plans again." He rubbed his palms together, "And then my nemeses will pay for the humiliation they caused me!"

There was a pause. Nefarious looked over his shoulder and scowled at Lawrence, as if expecting some kind of response. Lawrence cocked his head to the side in response. "Sir?"

Nefarious's scowl deepened considerably. "Call up the parasite. I'm going ahead with Operation Alpha 1...In other words..."

He spun around and slammed a foot down, the resulting crash sending a thunderous ring through the immediate area. "Disrupt all possible peace and tranquility everywhere- especially that of our heroic pests!"

"My, My, disrupting peace is very refreshingly new for you, Sir..." The barely hidden hint of sarcasm in Lawrence's voice didn't seem reach Nefarious.

The robot felt restless and ready to go; as he did any time he started one of his ingenious plans. That was the problem with team-ups, when you had everything ready, your teammates didn't. But the look on Qwark's face when he showed up with his newly supplied minions and weapons would be to die for. Or him to die for...that sounded perfect.

Nefarious threw back his head and shrieked out a, ear-splitting laugh, one that tore throughout the base and beyond. The minions out on the landing docks and smaller ships ducked their heads.

Lawrence removed his hands from his robotic ears. "I'll get to that call, sir."

"Good. Victory..." Nefarious slapped his hands together with an audible clap, "Is nigh."

...

"Alright, Cadets!"

The Starship Phoenix was on its weekly patrol. The space around it was all but still; not an asteroid or ship blocking its way, not a gleam of trouble in its midst. In the gleaming light of the idle stars and planets, the sleek ship was no less magnificent in the eyes of the Solana Galaxy than it had been before its heroes left.

If only the self proclaimed 'Captain' of the ship was, too.

Inside the cockpit, adjacent to various beeping control panels, three mismatched figures were gathered. Two watched the third as he stood on a chair, large hands on his hips and his overly white teeth flashing at them like a row of paparazzi cameras. The annoying side-effect of such invasive people included.

Captain Qwark, so-called superhero and celebrity of Solana and (unfortunately) beyond, stood above Ratchet and Clank, his new suit as green as the envy he thought others held for him. His grin broadened and he boomed on:

"This is where the patrol gets interesting! We-"

"- Are just nearing Metropolis, Captain." Clank's informative voice remarked lightly with a head-tilt, "Nothing to be overly excited about."

The lombax beside him shook his head. They'd been back in Solana for months now, and already Qwark's presence with them on the job had worn his patience thinner than sweat. Though... It was nice to return to his foster Galaxy, especially after spending over two, ah, eventful years in Polaris.

He was finally back in touch with Al, Sasha and the others - and he'd missed the familiar planets like Veldin and Kerwan. He felt more at ease here, though he wasn't so sure why. He supposed the saying 'it's good to be home' had it grounds. Even if it was only...

Clank had no problem with returning, either; the Galaxy had been knee-meltingly gleeful to have Secret Agent Clank return. It hadn't been pretty when they found that mountain of fan-mail at their old apartment in Metropolis. He shuddered. But, Ratchet mused, it would've been better without Qwark bothering them, every minute of every waking hour. Monks wouldn't tolerate him for long.

The lombax glanced at Clank as Qwark started a looping lecture on the importance of weekly patrols. He dropped his voice to just above a whisper.

"Do ya think he's gonna keep this up, Clank? I was gonna work on some stuff later, and I'd rather not have a headache..."

Clank gave a short chortle, "I believe that may be difficult, Ratchet. We still have several planets to check in on today."

The yellow lombax suppressed a groan. Great...so much for a peaceful afternoon.

He'd been hoping to call Talwyn today. Maybe he'd try to convince her to transfer Qwark back to the Polaris Defense system...then again, she had even less tolerance than he did.

"Say, Ratchet!" Qwark called, "Where's that gizmo thing you use to hit bad guys?"

Ratchet lifted an awkward brow "...Why...?"

Qwark shrugged, "Oh, just wondering if I could try and fix my toaster with it..." He said this with a perfectly straight face.

Ratchet sighed, "Qwark, sometimes I'm worried about which direction your train of thought is going on..." He strode back to the steering console with a grimace. On autopilot for now. Nothing particularly dangerous had happened in Solana for almost a year. It had been...a lot easier to leave Polaris than it should have been. He could go back at any time, yeah, but...

It was boring standing around here when he'd much rather be fiddling with mechanics. He was sure Clank wouldn't to be able to take much more of Qwark-ness either. He knew better than to complain into much; he didn't need a lecture on the importance of more mediocre hero work like patrols and check-ins. Yes, the space field equivalent of paper work was always important.

"Ratchet, are you alright?" Clank was standing by his ankle and peering up at him. Ratchet grinned slightly.

"Yeah, pal. Just a lil' tired, that's all."

"This week is almost through, at least." Clank had a brighter note in his voice now, "It won't be too long."

Ratchet's look was deadpan. Qwark was sticking a fork into a toaster, having failed at locating the lombax's omniwrench. Clank's head dipped and he shook it left and right, wielding a passive look of despair. The expression didn't escape the lombax's notice and his grin relapsed. Guess Mr Patient was at his limits, too. Clank wandered towards Qwark, bent on stopping him before he fried himself. Ratchet wasn't that concerned; Qwark had done more absurdly dangerous things and lived...

Crack!

The entire ship jolted.

Ratchet's side slammed painfully into the control panel. The ship's lights went dark. Qwark's cowardly yelp followed suit. Clank's luminous teal eyes flickered his way. Luckily, the many windows provided nearby starlight. It didn't exactly reassure him. He surveyed the darkened cockpit and tensed. "Stay close guys...I think something's up." Understatement, yes, but all he could come up with.

"Perhaps it is a mere malfunction..." Clank didn't sound so sure. Qwark nibbled his large, gloved fingers. The sound put Ratchet even further on edge. He exhaled slowly. All right.

"Qwark, calm it." He stepped back to the controls, careful not to trip on Clank. He began fiddling with the back-up system. If Clank was right, the lights should have returned by now. Ratchet frowned, "C'mon..." The console didn't response. He tapped the 'escape' key several times. CTRL ALT DEL...nothing. The transition screen snapped on so suddenly that even Ratchet gave a start. All the other screens remained dysfunctional. A bright red orb was staring down at the three of them like a menacing spotlight, and at the sight of it Qwark promptly screeched like a girl and ducked behind the lombax and robot.

Hang on -

The red orb drew back from the screen, and grating voice was laughing maniacally. It wasn't an orb at all, but a red eye belonging to...oh no. Ratchet gritted his teeth and counted backwards from ten. "Nefarious, what are you doing here?"

The robot didn't answer, instead he cackled mockingly back at the lombax, "Scared you three twits, didn't I?"

Clank glanced up at Ratchet, a frown marred to his robotic features. Ratchet shrugged irritably. The smaller robot turned his head, straightened up and strode forward. Nefarious's gaze fell on him and with an authoritative voice he addressed Nefarious in an aloof, police-like manner.

"On behalf of Galactic Authorities, to whom you are wanted under the-"

"Blah, blah blah!" Nefarious barked, waving a hand dismissively to the side, "Enough of your 'Mister Cop' act! I'm trying to gloat here."

Ratchet smirked at him a little, "For what? scaring Qwark and turning the lights out? Isn't really impressive, Nefarious. What's the next step, jump-scare minigames?"

He used a deliberately bored note and grinned at the resulting fury on the robot's face. But instead of rocketing off into a rant, Nefarious merely leaned back and tapped his fingers together . "Funny. You must've practiced that one all night."

Clank cut in, "What is it that you are planning this time, Nefarious? Forgive us if we do not seem surprised."

"Oh, all in good time, my three nemeses. But now..." He paused for dramatic effect. Ratchet and Clank shared a glance. They'd lived this moment far too many times to even begin taking it seriously.

"Prepare to be ANNIHILATED!" The screeching laugh of the robot was like nails on a chalkboard, and Ratchet cringed -

The ship rocked again, a loud muffled boom sounding off in the distance. He spun around, and through the window of the ship he could see hundreds of little vessels spiraling towards them. "Clank, Qwark -" The little ships struck the sides, tipping the ship in an almost 90% turn. All rules of vertical and horizontal went out the airlock. Ratchet grabbed Clank's antenna and caught onto the control panel before he could slip. Qwark was not so lucky and burrowed right into the wall opposite with a winding slash.

The ship continued to tip until it was completely vertical, leaving Ratchet and Clank dangling dangerously in the air. The lombax tried to regain control of himself, but his hands were aching pain - but he held tight to the sparking control panel with all the strength he could muster. Ratchet gritted his teeth- darn it, his fingers were slipping!

The control panel spluttered, sparks showered onto his knuckles. Ratchet's skin seared with pain.

He lost his grip. They plummeted, both crying out - but the fall and yelp was broken when the lombax and his companion hit the solid wall below with a heavy thud. The lights of the controls above had faded completely. Ratchet felt the air being knocked clean out of his chest. He could barely get his next words out.

"W-what's going on? the power-"

Clank stood, swayed, before looking upwards. "Something must be draining the power from the ship. We must get to the engine room quickly!"

Ratchet rubbed his chin and looked upwards at the outlines of the bridge door. The ship was still shaking, but it was steadier - the only problem was that the door to the hall was now... above them. He took a step forward. His foot hit something thick and soft. The thick, soft something groaned.

"Whoa!"

Ratchet leaped back from Qwark, who had cushioned their fall. He gave a small twitch, only a breathless groan forcing its way through his teeth. Ratchet could barely see anything, but he knew he was awake. Clank's eyes shone through the darkness, making their way to Qwark.

"You alright, Qwark? Qwark!"

"J-just...fine...need...massage..."

"Qwark, stop fooling around, we gotta get up to the door and fix the ship!" Ratchet seized hold of Qwark's face, slapping his cheek, trying to get him to focus. Qwark's eyes rolled back.

"Uhhnnng..."

A sudden burst of light blazed above them. Qwark's eyes bulged and he screeched. Robotic minions were hovering above them, with luminous appendages. Without a moment's pause, they cocked their weapons at them. Ratchet didn't stop to think, he lifted his wrench and blocked the first shot, diving out of the way with Clank. Qwark rolled the other way; the plasma burnt a hole in the wall the size of his head. Ratchet tossed a grenade- but before it could touch the robots, a blue force field sprung out of thin air and blocked it. Ratchet's brow creased. Didn't that look familiar -?

The ship jostled again.

"Whoa!"

"AAAAAAH!"

The ship was struck from the other side this time, and it began tipping the other way. Ratchet dove for something to grab on, but another jolt beneath his feet sent him toppling painfully across the sloping floor, Clank and Qwark sliding into the wall nearby. Clank's voice rang out to him,

"Ratchet, look out!"

Ratchet twisted his neck around. He was skidding right down to towards the window! His hands lashed out and he managed to grab a loose cord hanging from the control panels, clinging on for dear life. The minions open fired at his hanging frame. THinking quickly, let go with one hand to pull out a blaster from his back. He'd dropped his wrench, an annoyed voice at the back of his mind said.

He shot two of them, and Clank tossed a grenade-like gizmo (courtesy of Grummelnet Industries) that shot a web-like net over the others. Ratchet watched them fall, still clinging to the control panel to avoid sailing through the glass below him.

Ratchet tried his best to think. Where had he seen those bot designs before? Bronze, orange-ish...round, smooth. Blue shields. Blue shields... Magnus. Spogg, and the minions- the collectors and guards they'd fought in Ephemeris.

What...? Why would Nefarious...have robots designed like the Loki's Before he could ponder further, the ship trembled violently again. Ratchet was thrown from the control panel. He screwed his eyes shut, his heart leaping in horror...but something grabbed him just before he smashed into oblivion. He cracked open an eye. Qwark was holding him up by the ankle and grinning widely. "No need to thank me." The green leotard-wearing man said, dropping Ratchet with a bonk, "I'm just being heroic."

Ratchet thought back to the screaming, but decided not to mention it. "Th-thanks, Qwark...Now c'mon, we have to fix the ship and find out what Nefarious is up to." He stopped again. "But why would he have minions designed like the ones in Ephemeris?"

Clank was standing beside one of the destroyed minions in question. He picked up a piece of their armour. "I recall seeing the shield technology, too." He lowered the scrap and his face morphed into a more inquisitive frown. "I have a bad feeling about this, Ratchet. We must contact the Miss Phyronix immediately."

Ratchet didn't know what other course of action to take, so he nodded. He felt a little ashamed for getting the ship into this state this early, that is, early since Nefarious showed up. He raised his head, and listened. He couldn't hear anything. It seemed the armada of smaller ships had stopped attacking. That unnerved him. "Where did they go?"

Clank glanced past the dark bridge. It was hard to see anything through a flipped-over window. "I am not sure...but we must hurry before they come back."

"Gotcha." Ratchet ran over to where the door was, above them. He looked over at the proudly flexing Qwark. "Qwark, give me a lift! We have to get out of here. Sometime this year...?"

Qwark's smile drooped and he trudged over. He lifted a hand and boosted Ratchet up.

The automatic door didn't open, even when Ratchet waved his hands above his head to try and alert it. Of course. It must had lost power, too. Clank, now sitting in the harness on his back, looked over his shoulder at an air vent. "Ratchet, If I can get up there, I'm sure I'll find a way through."

"Great." Ratchet said, a little breathless after he'd tried to pry the door open with his hands, "Your helicopter gadget working?"

Why he hadn't used it before, Ratchet couldn't remember. Then again, a mini helicopter flying about a ship that was tipping from side to side didn't sound like a good idea. Clank nodded once and activated the gizmo. He swooped up to the the vent, opened the shaft and disappeared inside.

Qwark, still holding Ratchet up to the door, spoke aloud."Hang on, how am I gonna get up?"

Ratchet hesitated and forced a smile, thinking fast, "Uuuh...I'll...think of something." He looked away from him. He'd have to leave Qwark here. Though, he mused, that wasn't exactly a bad thing... but he wouldn't be able to deal with the robots if they came back. Ratchet sighed. They'd be quick.

The door slid open from Clank peered down at them, giggling that signature laugh of his from above. Ratchet grinned back. "Nice work, Pal." He hoisted himself through, leaving Qwark twiddling his thumbs below. Ratchet bit his lip. "Uh, Qwark...maybe you should stay here."

"Oh C'mon, guys!" Qwark called, looking torn, "You can't leave me here to deal with the minions! Oh, and, uh, you'll need me there!"

Clank, always the thinker, smiled smoothly, "You can guard the bridge, Captain, and make sure to answer any calls. We will be back as soon as he have fixed the power problem."

Qwark brightened up, "Oh, okay. Happy journeys, Cadets!"

Ratchet turned around and surveyed the hall. The power was still flickering here, explaining how the door opened on this side. Sparks of electricity buzzed dangerously from cracks in the walls. "This is gonna get us in trouble later..." Clank hopped back onto his back. Ratchet pulled out his wrench, breaking into a jog along the hallway. He passed through some of the doors, which was a weird experience - since they were now lying horizontal. It was like going through a bunch of very large mail slot.

He and Clank were nearing the engine room when the ship suffered another jerk. Ratchet staggered to the wall and looked up - where the hall windows were now. His eyes widened. Oh, great.

More ships were heading their way. But wait - there were others, standing out from the blue-red vessels of Nefarious. He could just make out the Galactic Protectorate sigil on three of them. His pocket buzzed, and Clank pulled out his communicator for him. "We have a transmission from..."

"Al?!"

A holographic projection burst from the device, and Al's cyborg figure waved at them vigorously, "Greetings, you two! In need of assistance?"

Ratchet was astonished to say the least. "It's great to see you here, honestly- how'd find out about this so quickly?"

"There's a giant fleet attacking you and heading to Kerwan." He said. He must have seen Ratchet and Clank's horrified gape, as hastily added: "B-but Miss Sasha doesn't believe this attack is what is seems."

Ratchet stiffened. "...Whaddaya mean?"

Al rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding his eye. "The Polaris Defense Force contacted us shortly after you were hit, Ratchet - I don't know how to tell you this... but there's more attacks there than there than here. All heck is breaking loose!"

Ratchet's heart raced. Polaris. A sinking feeling came over him. "Al...whose attacking Polaris?"

Another Hologram appeared in Al's wake. Talwyn Apogee's features came into view. She looked grave, and something else in her face made his chest go cold.

"Ratchet. Tachyon's back."

...

Nefarious was watching several screens in his Space Shuttle, all detailing the happenings on Kerwan. He tapped his fingers together in giddy delight as he watched Metropolis in its terrified panic. "Look at those imbeciles, Lawrence. One little building - or a hundred - goes down and they're all running like cockroaches!"

He cackled loudly while his butler came to stand beside him. "Indeed, Sir."

"And that's not even the best part!" He exclaimed, spinning around and speed-walking across the office, running his mouth all the way, "Without the lombax and his backpack, Polaris didn't know what hit them. Everyone's going according to plan and schedule!"

He whipped a schedule clipboard into view with a swish of collective paper, holding it right against Lawrence's face with zeal. "HA!"

Lawrence leaned back an inch. "Most adequate of you, Sir. Some say it's unhealthy to focus on such tiny details, you know..." He noted the exact wording of one order bidding the minions to write the scientist's name in a special font on the Science Academy. Not that he'd attended that particular school. Being reminded of his education was enough for it to suffer his wrath, apparently.

Nefarious ignored him and turned back to the screens. Here he was, savoring the horror of those who had laughed in his face. They ran around like ants while the authorities tried frantically to counter his forces. Even if they won, he still would have accomplished his mission.

A screen displaying a radar bleeped. His gaze hardened and he pressed the screen irritably, enlarging the image. He didn't appreciate the sight that waited for him. Some galactic cruisers were heading towards the tipped Starship? Where Ratchet and his comrades were currently stranded and suffering?

Fury boiled inside him, "It's too early for them to organize themselves! LAWRENCE!"

"Sir?"

"Ready the back-up wave, make sure their heads spin long enough for the cragmite to get what he wants done!" He would keep this mission going steady. The last thing he wanted was for that- that parasite that had dared called himself superior laughing at his incompetence.

"Incompetence." Nefarious spat, glowering at the Starship's security cameras. He could see his enemies standing in the halls and he sneered. "I'll show that pet what incompetence is..."

The backpack was handing the lombax a communicator... and then that chubby friend of theirs appear. "LAWRENCE!"

"Sir? More orders?"

Nefarious ignored the slightly flustered note in his butler's voice, "While you're at it, ready the transmission disrupter. They aren't going anywhere."

"Right away sir. Though I do recommend keeping an eye on the invasion... to make sure not all of the forces are destroyed."

Nefarious twirled around, leaping to a spot on the floor right in front of him, "Who is in charge here, Lawrence?!"

Lawrence turned and trotted away placidly, "You of course, sir."

Nefarious watched him go venomously. Sometimes he felt like kicking Lawrence out the airlock, but if he did that, who would tape his favorite show and iron his socks when he was busy with evil work? Speaking of...

He turned to his desk and slammed a hand down on one of the buttons, almost crushing it beneath his fist. "Computer! Send a transmission to Polaris. I want to let those other two know what REAL villainy can do!"