The Wastelands… Full of sand and nothing else. We were forgotten. Nobody probably knew we were here in the first place. But we knew, and were thrown out of Haven… And we made a life here in this deserted place.

Spargus has been my home for as long as I could remember. The city is ruled by my father Damas and I was usually the peacemaker or any other job my father would give me. But usually, I was the mechanic on the desert vehicles.

We were definite believers of the Precursors. It's because of the churning sands that we had so many artifacts at our disposal. So much history laid at our feet and we had no idea how to use it. So much for civilization… Just kidding.

For awhile, I thought we were always going to be at peace. Until Jak came along.

Father left at almost sunset one day along with a few guards and Kleiver. All he told me was that he was picking up something in the desert. A beacon possibly. I was left here to take care of things. Of course…

Hours later they had finally come back. They were carrying someone and two animals. I ran over to Damas.

"What is this?" I asked. "What's going on?"

Damas tossed me a beacon. "This is what we found. And he-" He pointed to the guy one of the guards was carrying. "-was the one who had it."

I went to get a better look at him. His hair was a blazing blonde.

"I want you to nurse him back to health," Damas requested.

"May I remind you Father that I am a mechanic, not a doctor."

"You know the basics Eaves, and I'm sure that will be enough."

How I hated when he pulled that card on me. I really wasn't good at doctoring at all. Why he would put me in that position is… Baffling. But I went along with it.

I simply said, "Yes Father," and went with the guards.

As soon I was done with the boy and his ottsel, I went to my father.

"He should be fine. But I'm not sure."

"You did well. We'll just give him some time to come to and then we will get down to business."

"Sounds about right. And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to my garage. I have to fix some of the vehicles that Kleiver and the others broke."

"Very well. I will send the newcomer to you once he wakes up."

"What? Why?"

"So he can thank you. That's the least he can do for you."

"That really isn't necessary…"

He sighed. "Well, if that's how you want it. I'll send him to the arena to be tested."

I had to grin at that. The arena was tough. Even for me. I knew my way around weapons but, the arena was where you were tried for how well you could use them. I barely survived the second round.

"Just don't kill him too quickly Father. Besides, if anything he could be of some use to us. He seems like a strong kid."

"Seeming like he is strong and being strong are two totally different things. We'll see how he fares in the arena."

"Actually, I think I would like to see it for myself. How much do you want to bet?"

He smiled. "One light crystal says he'll lose."

"Alright. I bet one of my dark crystals for him winning the first round," I countered.

"You're on. I will send word once he is awake."

"Of course." I left him after that.

It didn't take long for a messenger to reach me. But by the time I had arrived, the games had already started. Apparently I had missed a lot. The boy was already against the living. I gave Damas a dirty look.

"That's cheating Father. You may have rigged it in your favor."

"Not a chance. That would be defiling the purity of the arena. For now, you are in the lead with our bet."

I had to admit, the boy was doing pretty well. He killed the warriors one by one with ease. I had also noticed my father's new friend. He was a cross between a parrot and a monkey. Not to mention annoying as hell.

Suddenly, the boy turned into something I had never seen before. He suddenly grew more violent and he wasn't using a gun anymore. When he was finished, he came back to stand before Damas.

"Is there something you're not telling us, Animal Man?" Damas questioned.

"He has been touched by Dark Eco, my Liege," the parrot replied.

I could tell my father was pleased to hear this.

"Yeah," the ottsel added in. "My boy here gets all mean and nasty when you piss him off. So don't piss him off. Word to the wise."

"Ah, so he is dangerous. And that can be useful. Your bravery has earned you your first battle amulet. If you are victorious in two more arena matches then you will have earned your citizenship to Spargus. Here is a gate pass that allows you to enter and leave the city." Damas tossed him the pass with little effort. "But beware, there is no true refuge outside these walls. The desert is less kind than I. And for your victory, a gun mod is your prize."

The ottsel was quite excited by this. The boy took it without hesitation. Damas and I left and went back to the throne room along with his pet.

"I believe you owe me a light crystal, father," I reminded him.

He handed the crystal to me. "I'll win the next bet." He grinned. "Count on it."

"We'll see. Now, I'll be going. I'll probably meet the newcomer sooner or later."

"You were right about one thing Eaves," Damas said. "He is strong. How did you know?"

I chuckled. "Woman's intuition. It just comes natural. See you later."

At that, I left for my garage again. Repairs were dull but it kept me busy. Kleiver came over to visit me for a few moments.

" 'Ello Poppet. What are you up to?"

"Repairs to the vehicles you and your buddies broke. Apparently I'm the only competent one around here that can fix them."

"No need to be that way Miss Eaves. I'm sure you'll get them all nice and prettied up for us. Fair warnin' though, the newcomer is gonna use the first one you built."

I was surprised by this. "You actually still use that one? And why give it to him? What is he going to do with that runt?"

"I'm gonna offer a race. Care to join us?"

"Hell no. I have too much work to do. And besides, racing isn't much my thing."

"I know bets are your thing."

"And your wager?"

"If he loses you get to have a whole day with me."

"And if he wins?"

"That's for you to decide."

Oh boy… Decisions decisions…

"Alright. If he wins, not only do you not get that day with me, but you'll have to keep your grubby hands away from me for as long as you live. And, you'll owe him a weapon upgrade. How's that?"

"That's a steep price."

"Well, I guess you didn't go steep enough, Kleiver."

He grinned. "We'll see. I'm gonna go wait for him. See you 'round."

He left my garage after that. I hated Kleiver with a deep, passionate loathing. It's just disgusting how he looks at me on a daily basis. There were even times that he would come out and try to woo me. He failed miserably every time. It was actually quite amusing.

In moments, I heard a different voice than Kleiver's. I peeked outside but kept hidden, and listened in on their conversation.

"Well, if it isn't the newbies," Kleiver greeted them.

"Keep yappin', Jelly boy," the ottsel snapped. "We'll see who-"

Kleiver grabbed the ottsel around his middle and brought him to his face. "Shut your bum, Rat Face. Or I'll pound ya."

The ottsel waved his hand in front of his nose. "Great stinking of the Precursors! I've got two words for you, tooth brush."

"Nice rides," the blonde guy said.

"Like what you see? We use these babies to make runs into the deep desert to retrieve artifacts. Tough wheels for tough work."

"You said we could use one."

"I did, didn't I? But not one of those. Those are for the big boys. You can use that one." He motioned to the little one. It was expected of him to try to get the advantage.

"Ha! What a runt!" the ottsel cried out.

"Seems to fit you."

"Get in, Dax. I'll drive." They ran over to the vehicle. I'm glad that they were so excited over a little thing. It made me kinda proud.

"Care to wager a little something on a race then?" came Kleiver's offer. Oh geez… Here we go again. "If you win, I'll let you keep that little vehicle for as long as you live. And if I win…"

"I don't have anything," the guy said.

"I'd say that yappy rodent of yours is a bit bony, but skinned and buttered, he would make a nice treat. My vehicle against him."

You have got to be kidding me… Of all things, he would want food. How pathetic.

"Forget it buddy!" objected the ottsel. "Jak would never-"

"Done."

Oh god… He actually accepted? This was worse than I thought.

"What?" the guy asked innocently. "If there's one thing I can do, it's race."

Then they went to it. I went back to repairs.

As usual, it didn't take long for one of them to come back. Damas was waiting for him. I ignored them and went on my way. After the newcomer had left again, Damas stayed with me.

"Have you even said hello to him yet?"

"Why should I? It seems to be none of my concern whether he lives or not."

"Now you're acting just like Seem."

"That is scary, isn't it? I'll be sure to talk to him later then about my behavior."

"Eaves, what has gotten into you?"

"Look, Father, I'm tired. But I have so much work to do. The storm that's coming isn't gonna help in any way. It's only going to put me further behind."

Suddenly, the sand vehicle came barreling in out of nowhere. I went back to work. Moments later, someone tapped my foot.

"What now?"

"Can we talk?" It was the new guy.