Ratchet and Rivet

Kidnapping

In an unknown place in Corson V, two henchmen are talking in what appears to be a coffee shop. "So... nothing happened yet, right?" — asks the one with the eye patch.

The other, with his cap turned backwards, shakes his head. "No. Sometimes I doubt our boss, you know? I mean... Why the hell is he so eager to get this stupid shard?" he sighs as he leans across the table in front of them. "Is it that valuable? We could just rob a bank on another planet or something, but no... We need to wait to get this damn fragment."

"For sure." the one with the eye patch agrees. "Those Lombaxes are in our way, right? Why not blow up their house while they sleep?" he asks.

"Because you'd die trying." Laro suddenly says as he sits down next to them.

The cap wearing one frowns. "So... Do you think they would be able to kill us in our sleep?"

"Probably." Laro just says and shrugs. "Do you really think they didn't install some security measures?"

The two henchmen look at each other. "Oh." they both say.

"Yes... Ah..." Laro rolls his eyes. "We just need to wait until they are attracted."

"For this 'Hunter' right?" — asks the one with the eye patch. "Don't get me wrong, but he seems like an idiot. Look... Nothing's happened in six months."

Laro sighs. "I visited this... Lunatic. He seemed very interested in the idea of hunting two Lombaxes."

"And still nothing happened." says the one wearing the cap. "I think he's a fraud."

"You have no idea... Absolutely no idea." Laro says. "Rokah the Hunter... He who hunts everything. The day I went to see him, he invited me into his hideout. Even my blood ran cold at the sight of his trophies. Not just animals... But heads of other species are hanging in his walls. He even bought a rag made from Renox skin." he sighs again and leans back in his chair. "He asked for some time to prepare. I didn't think it would take so long. But the boss is patient. He just says we should expect change from him." he gets up again. "Listen... I don't like that idea either... But the boss trusts him to do his job. And so should we."

The one with the eye patch sighs. "What's he waiting for, anyway?"

"I don't know." Laro says and leaves, leaving the two to their thoughts.

Back to the Lombaxes' house. It's early in the morning and the two are still lying in bed, cuddling after a romantic night. It's Ratchet who wakes up first. With a slight yawn, he lifts his head to find Rivet still being petted by him. He smiles softly and gently strokes her left arm before silently standing up. He puts on his shorts after a quick shower before starting to leave the room. He smiles softly when he sees Rivet still sleeping with a peaceful expression on his face.

In the kitchen, the Lombax man remembers the time he met her. A Lombax rebel who fights to free her galaxy from a tyrant. Even at this moment she was able to smile. A smile so beautiful that it captured him immediately. She always stays tall. No matter what. A true hero and a true leader.

Suddenly, the coffee machine snaps him out of his thoughts. He sighs and pours two cups. Another thought makes him smile. This Lombax. This beautiful, heroic Lombax. She lives with him. She is his and he is hers.

"Good morning..." he hears her say behind him. He turns to look at this wonderful creature.

"Well-" he stops and your jaw drops. Rivet looked like he had spent a sleepless night. With big, dark circles under her eyes she walks towards the table. Her tail dragging on the ground and her posture slightly hunched over. She sits down and simply rests her chin on the table, looking at him tiredly.