PALE GREEN STARS (RATCHET X OC)

LOVED ONES

Chapter 25 ~ Loved Ones

Roslyn's POV

I recall when I first enlisted in the Praetorian Guard, at the age of fourteen. The guard required discipline, and of course, no small amount of patience, neither of which really were my forté back then. The endurance tests - and other trivial tasks we were assigned to complete - were taxing, but they couldn't compare to how long I spent waiting by the door for my acceptance letter; to hear whether or not I was going to be part of the guard, part of one of the very few traditions that survived Tachyon's assault, and to be trained for this very adventure, the exploration of the Lombax origin dimension.

Though I must confess, it feels more like a rescue mission than an adventure right now. The ultimate test for any warrior worth their salt.

The incident at the museum is now nearly a week ago. At this point, the media had spread the news like a wildfire in the universe's driest forest. Scratch that, a forest of dead, dried wood. From the involvement of Gears and Harlequinn, to the missing Dimensionator, the media covered it all as if there was nothing else to talk about. People were scared; after all, nobody knew what Gears and Harlequinn wanted exactly, or why. Though one thing was certain: time was running out. Not for Kathryn, no, but for the dimensionator. It was broken when it was stolen, but who knows how long it'll take for them to fix it, or worse, to improve it? Though I doubt that that ragtag group of perpetually drunk, walking scrap heaps that Harlequinn keeps as minions will be much help there.

But when they inevitably get the dimensionator to function, their true plans will be made clear, as well as who exactly is behind it. And yet, despite this imminent catastrophe, here I am, sitting in the Apogee Space Station, playing what I am convinced is the worst waiting game of my life.

Ultimately I just couldn't take it anymore. "I hate this!" I shouted, abruptly disturbing the peace and quiet of Ratchet and Flynn, who were sitting behind me, competing in some kind of holo-game. They both pretty much jumped, startled by my outburst.

"I mean, how hard is it to send coordinates? We need to save Kat, and to get back the dimensionator! It's not like those stupid pirates are going to stay loyal! After all, their captain left them! Left them!"

At this point, I had sprung up, and was pacing through the room. I then noticed Ratchet hand Flynn a couple of bolts. I'd be lying if I'd say that I wasn't surprised that they were betting on me, but it certainly didn't do well for my already sour mood. Although I felt the urge to shout their ears off, I ultimately decided to just let them, and stormed out of the room, grumbling under my breath.

"Where are you going?" I heard Flynn ask through his translator. "To go train, I need to hit something!" I shouted back at him. I could feel eyes drilling into my back as I got out of there.

Third-person POV

Although Ratchet waited until long after Roslyn had disappeared from view, he planned to go after her the second she stormed off. It'd mean losing to Flynn, but he cared as much about that right then as a Sandshark cares about lettuce. Flynn had been losing before Roslyn's outburst, but was now steadily gaining the upper hand, a consequence of Ratchet's sudden lack of focus.

Ultimately Ratchet cut the knot and paused the game. Flynn looked up at him in frustration. "What's the big idea, man? You don't get to pause the game just because you're getting your ass kicked for once!" Flynn yelled, although his expression turned from irritation to somberness when he realized that Ratchet wasn't even listening. He tapped on Ratchet's shoulder to get his attention.

"Dude, trust me on this: leave her alone and let her cool off for a bit. Come on, let's finish this game real quick," Flynn said, handing Ratchet his controller. Hesitantly, Ratchet took the controller, though he didn't unpause the game, instead casting glances over his shoulder at the hallway that Roslyn had disappeared into. Flynn sighed. "Ratchet, I'm serious. Don't go after her."