Next chapter!

So, here, the "drama" is starting to unfold, playing into some of the more emotional aspects. But not to worry-- I think the feel of the games are still in tact.

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Part 9 is here.

EXT. OBANI ASTEROID BELT – NIGHT

Massive asteroids glide in a circular motion through the deep blackness of space.

Of the trillions of rocks within the belt, an inconspicuous one houses a complex set of structures. They are shoddy looking but solid buildings where a number of extremely sketchy creatures work and shamble around.

Angela fiddles with repairs on the ship, cursing silently under her breath. Sasha sits alone on the hull of said ship, thinking. Captain Qwark plays cards with some of the ruffian aliens, actually winning a hand. The creatures clearly don't trust him, though.

Ratchet and Clank, meanwhile, wander over to a metal enclosure that's shaped like a small ship. The Lombax knocks on the side. The peephole opens up, and a pair of huge eyes peeks out. No other facial features are visible.

SLIM COGNITO speaks with a shady, 1920s accent.

SLIM COGNITO
Well, well, well, if it isn't the infamous Ratchet and his robot friend.

RATCHET
Hey, Slim. How's business out here on the Obani Asteroid Belt?

SLIM COGNITO
Can't complain. It's been harder, what with Megatron and Gadgetcorp coming back and ruining the black market trade.

CLANK
Actually, that should be Megacorp and Gadgetron.

SLIM COGNITO
Whatever. Point is I'd like to increase my profit margins again. My stockholders are getting restless and we had to make some cutbacks.

On one side of the rock, a few of the various aliens are literally attached to a giant rocket. The engines explode and the rocket shoots them off into the deep blackness of space.

CLANK
Oh, my.

SLIM COGNITO
It's business. Nothing personal. But I hated them anyway, so there's that.

RATCHET
Well, Slim, maybe we can help each other. I need a ship to get my crew and me to the Bogon Galaxy.

SLIM COGNITO
Oh, is that so? Famed Ratchet hero, turned criminal mastermind, heading to the MegaRumble Games? Gonna really stick it to the man, then?

RATCHET
Hey, I'm innocent, pal.

SLIM COGNITO
Look, I don't care either way. All I care about is payment.

CLANK
I can get you the bolts you require, Slim. You know I am good for it. My movie deals, and all.

RATCHET (whispering)
You know me, Slim. We worked together before. Besides, I can leave you Angela's ship as collateral.

ANGELA (O.S., screaming)
WHAT WAS THAT!?

Ratchet swallows hard, nervously.

RATCHET
We'll work out the details.

SLIM COGNITO
It's all good, my little Lombax fellow. I'll have you your ship in a few hours. I'm assuming you're gonna need a full fledged crew, too? Breaking into the MegaRumble Games ain't gonna be easy.

RATCHET
Huh? You have a crew ready for me?

SLIM COGNITO
In a way they were always ready for you.

From across the way walks BIG AL, a large-sized nerd android; HELGA, a robotic, overweight creature with an Eastern European accent, and Skidd, a skinny, green-skinned surfer dude.

Ratchet and Clank both look ecstatic to see them.

RATCHET
Al! Helga! Skidd!

Al and Helga arrive, holding hands. They lean over and give Clank and Ratchet hugs, Helga providing tighter ones.

RATCHET
What, did you two get hitched or something?

HELGA
Ya! We are now mister and misses Al and Helga! Athletes extraordinaire!

BIG AL (nerdy voice)
Yes, we have finally exchanged our prenuptials as required by the legal requirement intergalactic code one-three-eight-dot-four-one-B within the limits of legitimate matrimony.

RATCHET
Uh, well, sounds romantic. (aside to Clank) Nerd love.

Clank laughs his signature laugh.

CLANK
Congratulations, you two.

HELGA
Thank you! Now, let's kick some MegaRumble butt! I have one hundred different exercises that we can do on our way there. We must be ready to take on the toughest gladiators in the universe!

BIG AL
Now, honey, we can simply infiltrate MegaRumble's mainframe security by redirecting multiple patches through recursive proxies, breaking their pathetic excuse for an Omega one-hundred-twenty-eight bit encryption with ease, and then—

HELGA
Al, baby, you are a nerd.

BIG AL
And your weight doesn't exactly define you as capable of doling out exercises.

Ratchet and Clank walk away as they argue.

HELGA
What's that supposed to mean!?

BIG AL
It means what it means!

RATCHET (to Clank)
That's what we call love.

CLANK
Sure.

They move over near Skidd, who waves.

SKIDD
Hey, bros, long time no see!

RATCHET
Hey, Skidd! What're you doing around here?

SKIDD
I don't know. I was taking some recreational… uh… medicine. And, well, here I am!

There's an awkward silence.

RATCHET
Ooooookay… welcome aboard!

SKIDD
Alright! I'm gonna grab some nachos and met you on the ship!

He runs off, leaving Ratchet and Clank to look at each other confusedly.

EXT. OBANI ASTEROID BELT – LATER

On the horizon between rock and space is a massive, beautiful white ship, three times as big as Angela's ship.

The dock doors open slowly, lower itself to the ground. Sasha, carrying some metal cases and a rope, climbs on board. In the cockpit, Angela gets herself acquainted with the controls. Skidd is there, too, but he's just eating nachos. Al works diligently at one of the computer screens, while Helga inspects the sleeping quarters.

Ratchet and Clank stand outside next to slim, gazing up at the wonderful ship.

RATCHET
Wow, Slim, you freaking rock.

SLIM COGNITO
I provide the best for my customers. It's called "The Discovery".

CLANK
So I see. Well, I will go on board and input the coordinates for the Bogon Galaxy.

RATCHET
I will meet you on board, Clank.

Clank shuffles off up into the ship and disappears.

RATCHET
How'd you get something like this?

SLIM COGNITO
You'll be surprised what was left over after the Dreadzone incident.

Ratchet looks a bit flushed at that. He coughs and rubs the back of his head.

RATCHET
Well, thanks for helping all of us out, again.

SLIM COGNITO
Hey, it's always good to get more customers in this day and age.

RATCHET
Don't get it twisted, now. They aren't your customers. They're just helping me clear my name. For now.

SLIM COGNITO
Of course, Ratchet. I mean, any two-bit species can fall from grace, but it takes a particularly special someone to bring their friends down with them, know what I mean?

The line strikes a powerful cord with Ratchet, whose face signals a traumatized revelation.

HELGA (O.S.)
Let's go, Lombax!

The rockets on the ship power on, the aircraft ready to go. Ratchet walks towards the ship. He turns towards Slim, as if to get some sort of assurance from him, but only two blank, non-caring eyes stare back at him.

Reluctantly, the Lombax boards the ship. The bay door closes. The ship itself lifts off the ground, turns in space, and shoots off into the depths of blackened space.