Chapter Two: Bloody Hands, Metal Heads

"Jak?"

Jak looked down at Daxter .For a second he had forgotten his small friend was there. He looked back at the old man, and the small kid who was hiding behind the man's robes. It was silent and then Kor finally spoke up. "I think we should move on, this way quickly." He said leading them away from the incident with a quick hobble. The kid behind him and Jak saw the boy stare at him in both awe and fear.

"Come on Jak." Daxter said hesitating for a moment but jumping on his friends shoulder. Jak flinched a bit the touch feeling once again strange before shakily following. Looking at his hands Jak quickly put them in his shirt pockets not wanting to look at them. He didn't want to look at the bodies either but found his eyes gazing at them for much longer than he should have. Finally he was forced to break contact with them when they turned a corner.

It was easy for them to get lost in the crowd and Jak watched as the other humans in all shapes, sizes, and dress walked by them or in the general direction. Above them were more in vehicles that Jak did not recognize along with ones that reminded him of Keira's A-grav zoomer.

Keira. The thought of her name and her face almost brought Jak to a stop but he forced himself to keep going. His eyes went up to Daxter before looking away, his desire to ask if Daxter had seen her draining from him when he realized that maybe was not the time to ask. One of them did have questions though and that was Daxter. "Soooo…that thing you did back there. You know with the guards..." Daxter said choosing his words carefully. "How did you do that? And can you do it again?"

"I don't know." Jak said keeping his eyes in front of him and Kor. "I just….snapped." Something was happening to him, the eco had blinded him made him temporarily lose his mind, kill each guard and to his horror he enjoyed it. The bloodshed filled him with glee and he shook a little as he felt the eco crave more. "I couldn't stop."

"What the hell did the Baron do to ya?"

The question made Jak's shoulders tense up and he shook his head trying to keep the images of torture out of his thoughts. He felt Daxter put pressure on his shoulder as though trying to assure him that everything would be okay. He winced but tried his best to ignore the small amount of pain coming from that spot. They continued to walk before eventually stopping near a small alleyway. Kor looked around and while there were a few Krimson Guards in the area they were far enough that they would not hear them speak.

"Young man what you did, was nothing I have ever seen." He said and Jak gave him a lopsided grin, not sure if that was a compliment or an insult. "Perhaps you can help me with something," He motioned for the boy, "this boy is important."

The boy poked his head out from behind Kor and Daxter hopped down to get a better look at him. "This kid? He looks kinda scruffy." He said poking the kid's nose making him jump and cover his hands with it. "Heh, reminds me of you Jak."

"No he doesn't." Jak said.

"Oh trust me he does. Except short and fat." Now it was the kids turn to frown at Daxter, his small hands tightening into two fists. "See you even have the same 'Daxter your pissing me off' face. Quiet one. Hey kid can you talk?"

"The boy cannot speak." Kor said some annoyance in his voice and Daxter gave Jak a smug know-it-all look which the human rolled his eyes too. Kor cleared his throat getting their attention again. "But he is very important. Baron Praxis took control of the city after the death of the last king, a benevolent man, may the Precursors rest his soul. This boy may be his heir and it is pertinent that he is protected."

"Yeah that's nice but I'm not babysitting." Jak said his mood becoming sour and trying to make his disinterest in what Kor was saying so far clear.

"I don't expect you to babysit." Kor said smiling, "But I'm sure you would like to get revenge on Baron Praxis." Jak did not answer but focused on Kor's words eyebrow raised in intrigue. "There is an underground movement working to overthrown Baron Praxis. Its leader The Shadow is looking for fighters. While I don't think your little friend would cut it," a low growl came from Daxter's throat, "you could do fine."

"'Little friend might not cut it' I'm the one that broke him out of prison!"

"Where can I find this Shadow?" Jak asked.

"I'm afraid I can't say, he's a very secretive man." And with that statement Jak's mood started going downhill. "But his second in command leads in his place. Go to the slums and find a dead end alley near the castle wall. Ask for Torn, I'll vouch for you if he asks any questions."

Jak considered Kor's proposal. He did not want to get involved in some underground movement. He looked at the small kid who looked up at him. The boy's eyes were huge and even from what he'd seen of the city innocent. He gave the boy a small smile before shaking his head. He should care less about the boy, what was most important was him getting back into the castle to tear the Baron's head off. Or even better strap him to the chair he had him in every day for two years and inject him with dark eco see how he liked it.

If this Underground was his best option he did not have any other options. He knew nothing about this city other than whatever Daxter learned in two years.

"Fine." Jak finally said and Kor gave him an approving nod before taking the child's hand.

"Then I will take my leave." Kor said, "Now come on young boy."

The small child stared at him, then Jak, then Daxter before pulling his hand out of Kor's and wrapping his arms around Daxter. The small furry animal froze in place, stared at the kid, and then his eyes went up to Jak.

"A little help here." Daxter said and Jak sighed kneeling down to the small child.

"Sorry kid, Daxter needs to come with me." He said putting a hand on the kids shoulder. The small boy looked up at him his eyes large and he took Jak's hand. The young man's eyes widened a little taken back. "No you can't come with me either, stay with Kor." The boy looked sad but let go of Daxter and took Kor's hand. Jak watched the kid for a moment before looking back down at Daxter.

"Come on Dax let's go." He said.

"Be careful." Kor warned taking the child's hand and once the street was clear of guards began walking down it as if nothing had happened. Daxter climbed back on Jak's shoulder the boy flinching in brief pain as he did so and turned to go the other way.

"You know where this place is?" He asked and Daxter sighed.

"Oh so I'm a tour guide now. Come on this way."

She took out a cigarette, lit it, and then put it in her mouth trying to keep her frustration in check. Tess was on guard duty today even though Torn had promised her the day off so she could go to the races. Almost seven days a week between him and Krew and she had been hoping to see the opening season with her friend. Didn't happen and now she still needed to pay her friend back for the unused ticket.

She made no secret that today she hated Torn for doing what he did, but understood his desperate decision to ask her. The Krimson Guard were on high alert, word from there mole was that it was because a violent prisoner escaped. With increased patrols, the Underground was in greater danger of being discovered. At least that's what Torn was convinced of and he needed Tess to keep an eye on the outside alley.

She had argued with him reminding him that the Underground was always in danger. "Besides what if this dangerous prisoner comes up to the alley and decides to do something to me? Get one of the guys to do it."

"Tess everyone has their own jobs today and you are one of the few people that I can get on short notice."

"But the race-"

"Forget about the race." Torn ordered and Tess rolled her eyes.

"You're the worst commander ever. I hate you!" Tess yelled at him, and while it had made the room tense between them deep down they both knew she did not mean it. They had known each other for too long to have that little respect for each other. Tess was one of only two people that could jokingly call Torn the worst commander ever and not get a black eye, broken nose, or a death threat. Instead he was more likely to lighten up and put on a weak tired smile.

Likewise Tess was one of only a very small number of people that Torn would openly trust with his life. Which was probably why Torn asked Tess to watch the alleyway in the first place.

"Besides if that prisoner shows up, I'd be more worried about the prisoner." Torn had told her.

Tess' job was simple; if anyone ended up in the alley just to keep an eye on them and only interact with them if they stayed for longer than she felt was comfortable. It was boring work. She mostly saw a few men sneaking into the alley to get a quick smoke or a young couple walking by seeing it was occupied and quickly taking off.

Then a member of the Krimson Guard entered the area. "What are you doing over here miss?"

Tess recognized the voice as a young guard, not yet completely hardened by the work he was doing. Good. "Just getting a quick smoke." Tess said.

"Shouldn't a girl like you be at work?"

"Got the day off." Tess said, "Lucky me, I get to enjoy the smell of car exhaust as I try to get to the market."

"Uh…yeah." The soldier said seeming to be unsure exactly how to respond to her. "Look have you seen a suspicious man in the area?"

Oh if he only knew. "Everyone in this city looks suspicious, especially if they are in body armor." The soldier looked like he was ready to restrain her, she needed to dial back the passive insults. "You'll have to be more specific. What does he look like?" She said putting the cigarette in her mouth, taking a breath, taking it out and breathing out the smoke.

"Uh crazy looking person." Tess stared at him making it clear that the description was extremely vague. For all she knew he was looking for Erol. "Probably in torn up prison clothes." He added, "Look I've been hearing that he's dangerous, some freak in a lab experiment. If you see him contact your nearest KG."

"Will do." Tess said pretending to show no interest. "Anything else?"

"Yeah…you see my wife has kinda been…well difficult and ..."

Tess glared at him and would have slapped him if he was not a helmet. "Yeah, I'm not that kinda of girl."

"Oh…." He sounded disappointed before partly regaining his composure. "Well, have a good day miss."

Another two hours passed after the soldier walked away and she stretched he eyes drooping a bit from boredom. As activity died down she found herself kicking rocks into the building and playing with a make shift hacky sack she had purchased on a whim in the market the other day. If there was any danger it had to have long passed by now. She reached for her radio to inform Torn that there were no issues and asking if she could possible see at least the last race of the day only to stop when she saw another man walk down the alley.

At first Tess guessed it was just another smoker, but something about him caught her eye. His greenish-blonde was long and unkempt; hands were in the pockets of a long sleeve blue shirt and a red scarf around his neck. The goggles on his head were probably the only thing that kept his hair out of his eyes.

To her curiosity a small cute animal was on his shoulder and to her amazement it was talking. But while the animal looked cute, the man looked like he had seen better days and could be a threat.

She put the radio back into the pocket of her short shorts and casually leaned against the wall pretending they were not there and watching them casually from the corner of her eye. Until that is that she saw him staring at her.

"I'm telling you that kid reminds me of you when we were kids." Daxter said as he lead Jak down the street they needed to go.

"I don't see it."

"What you don't remember how much of a sniveling baby you were when we first met? You cried for days after that wumbie nest fell on your head."

"One I was nine, two it's your fault that even happened. You knocked it down." Jak said his words cold and harsh. Daxter was taken back and crossed his arms looking away from his friend.

"You know I think I liked you better when you didn't talk." Daxter said and Jak stopped in his steps looking down at the ground.

"I'm sorry Daxter." He said, "I shouldn't be taking it out on you." His voice was quiet and he expected another smart remark from Daxter. Instead the small animal put a hand on his head almost like he was giving him a reassuring pat. The gentle gesture made him flinch a bit because he was expecting Daxter to hit him after. He didn't.

"Hey don't worry about it." Daxter said, "I get that you don't mean it and are trying to find your voice. But a quick word of advice," he said as they approached the alley, "This city does not like attitude and if you say the wrong thing you'll probably get yourself tossed back in jail or worse."

Or worse? Nothing could be worse than being Baron Praxis test subject to two years. Still Daxter was probably right. Jak nodded and Daxter gave him an affectionate tap on the shoulder. "Now don't worry if you have any problems I'll do all the talking and we'll get that Baron. He'll be yours before you know it."

Before he knew it. The words brought a smirk to Jak's face "Before I know it. Isn't that what you said about breaking me out of prison?"

"Hey you have no idea what I was doing during that time."

"Enlighten me." Jak said a grin on his face. "What were you doing for two years?"

"Working as an exterminator." Daxter said. Jak looked at him confused wanting him to elaborate but his attention shifted as he got to the alley. Sure enough it was a dead end alley and no one except for one young woman was present. The woman in question was in tight short shorts and a tight green jacket with yellow undershirt. Her boots reached her knees and beyond that she was probably the least dressed girl that Jak had ever seen. He found himself staring at her which the girl noticed.

"Why don't you take a picture it'll last longer." She said her voice sharp and cold and Jak frowned before looking away. He was about to speak but Daxter beat him to it.

"Oh baby!" He said jumping off Jak's shoulder and approaching her. "Girl, you are fine, why don't you help us out here and we'll be on our way. Or I could leave the kid and you and I could go to the port and enjoy a romantic dinner at the Hip Hog."

Jak rolled his eyes and he expected the woman in front of him to do the same and kick him aside. Instead to his shock and horror the girl giggled and kneeled down so that she was closer to Daxter's level. Which even then was still a good foot taller than his friend.

"Well aren't you a cutie." She said reaching a hand out and rubbing his chin. He saw Daxter protest at first not liking to be reminded that he was now a furry animal but that protest quickly changed to enjoyment.

"Oh yeah that feels good. Think you can get that itch behind the ears?" At the request the girl began scratching the ears. "Ooooh yeah, that's the spot." Daxter said clearly enjoying the scratching more than he should have, his leg began thumbing up and down on the dirt.

"Daxter focus." Jak said and his small friend jumped looked back at him then to the girl.

"Don't mind him he's just jealous." Daxter said a confident smirk on his face.

"Oh you're so adorable." The girl said and Jak glared at both of them. He saw the girl jump a little but hold herself together.

"Look we're looking for someone and were told we could find them here. Can you help us?" Jak said trying not to go after her the same way he did Kor.

"Depends who you're looking for and why." She said, "I know the city like the back of my hand but looking for the wrong person for the wrong reasons can be dangerous." Jak felt his hand ball into a fist but upon taking a deep breath he relaxed a little loosening his hand before he dug into his palm with his nails.

"We're looking for a guy named Torn." Jak said and he saw the girl's stance change slightly. She knew him.

"Why?"

"Kor sent us. Said The Shadow was looking for people" Jak said. The girl's curiosity had been piqued and a small smirk formed on her face. "Really now." She said taking a few steps back and Jak felt his body tense up as she reached behind her back. "What's your name kid?"

"Jak."

"And I'm Daxter. The leader. He's the sidekick." Daxter shouted and Jak saw the girl look down at him giving him a grin before pulling the item in question out from behind her. He was ready to lunge only to see that it was a radio.

"Give me just a minute boys." She said taking a few steps back and turning around. Jak saw she had a pistol strapped to her belt and wondered if that had been what she had originally been reaching for before getting the radio. He could feel his anger beginning to surface again. If that girl had done anything to Daxter he would rip her throat out.

She looked away for a few seconds before turning back putting the radio away and kneeling down to pet Daxter on the head. Another minute later the two jumped startled by the sudden nose of one of the walls moving revealing a corridor. A man stepped out and Jak stared at him. He was taller than him, his skin a strange grey color that only came from a lack of sunlight and he was wearing grey armor with a red scarf. His blue eyes were dark and cold, his face worn from years of experience. But what surprised Jak the most were the tattoos that were covering his face and ears. They did not seem like random tattoos that proved rebellion but some kind of ornate symbol of command that was only given to the best of soldiers.

Erol had similar tattoos.

He looked at Jak then looked around before looking down at Daxter and connecting the dots. He looked at the girl. "You gotta be kidding me." He said his voice hoarse and the girl straightened again.

"Kor?" She asked.

"Vouching for them. Or vouching for a guy named Jak." He said looking right at him, "I'm guessing that's you."

"Yeah." Jak said frowning as the older man looked him over. Torn's face scrunched up more with each passing second.

"Kor's saying that you slaughtered about a dozen Krimson guards with your bear hands. You'll have to forgive me if I was expecting a soldier and not some kid with a pet rat."

"Hey I happen to be an Ottsel! If you're going to insult me at least insult me correctly." Daxter protested but the two were not paying attention.

"What's your secret kid?"

"Ask the Baron, I'm sure he'd be happy to share." Jak said losing his patience. The man in front of him gave him an annoyed look before a smirk formed on his lips, he was understanding what Jak was implying.

"Well this is interesting. The Baron's dangerous escaped prisoner right here. What a coincidence." He said and Jak was not sure if he was mocking him or if he was being serious. "Course Kor would say it was fate." His smile was dark. "What do you think Tess? Should I give them a test?"

So that was the girl's name. She nodded, "Should I put the banner back up in Dead Town?"

"No." Torn said and Jak noticed out of the corner of his eye that Tess looked surprised. Getting a banner must have been a traditional test for these underground individuals. "That would be too easy so such a dangerous fugitive." His voice was sarcastic and Jak glared at him. "I have a real job for you.

"The Baron cut water off to the slums. There are innocent people whose lives are in danger just so that bastard can try and find a few underground fugitives. Go to the Pumping Station outside of the city and get the water back on. You do that and you're in."

"Fine." Jak said.

"Wait what?" Daxter spoke up. "No way! Do you have any idea what's out there? What do you we do about the Metal Heads?"

Metal Heads? That was a name Jak had only vague familiarity with. They had been mentioned a few times in his time in prison about how once there 'experiments' succeeded he would wipe out every single one. And that they were attacking the city, but he had never seen one and had no actual idea what they exactly were.

Torn snorted and pulled out a pistol similar to Tess'. "You get in trouble you use this." He said and Jak gave it a strange look. "What you never seen one before?"

"I've never used one." Jak said and Torn grumbled under his breath before giving him a few quick instructions.

"Safety is here. Keep it on so you don't shoot yourself. Turn it off when you need to use it. Aim with two hands at the yellow gems on the Metal Heads. Aim with one hand and you'll be writing your will. Don't lock your elbows, keep them loose or you'll break your arm."

"Got it."

"Jak I don't think this is a good idea." Daxter said and Jak could not help but notice how nervous he looked.

"We'll be fine." He said and he saw a smirk form on Torn's face.

"If you were smart you'd listen to your rat." He said and Daxter growled at him. "Head to the north wall and find a large drain pipe. It'll lead you right to where you need to go. Get to the main valve and turn it on. Simple. Probably. If you make it back I'll see what I can do for you."

"I'll be back." Jak said and the man smirk did not leave his face. Jak already knew he would not like this person. Hopefully he would not have to work with him long.

A set up chapter by any other name. I am fascinated with the characters of Jak II and would like an opportunity to play around with them more. I also wish I could add a third genre tag to this thing.