So here's the new chapter of Keeps Gettin' Better! I'm rather proud of this story, and while it might be boring now, it will certainly get more interesting with a little more time. Anyway, thanks for the reviews! This chapter is for you! My God, this chapter is late. ._.
Chapter 3: Michael Jackson Pepsi Commercial Crazy
Your POV:
"Nice guys finish last."
-Unknown
Heading back into the Underground hideout, the oracle's words still echoing in your brain, Jak keeps his hand on the wall, and you find Torn pacing back and forth. "The Slum's water is back on. I'd love to see the heads roll when the Baron finds out."
"Yeah," Jak says sarcastically. "I'm sure he's losing lots of sleep over this armpit of the city." Oh dear. Jak is angry. He's really not like how he was in the first game. He used to be so…happy and bright, and now he's just…angry. Then again, you're one to talk. "We've done what you asked," Jak snapped. "Now when do we see the Shadow?"
"When I say so, if I say so." Oh dear lord, is it gonna be like this every day? You know, Amy's mom is a psychiatrist, and Amy once talked to you about why sometimes guys are unfriendly to each other when usually it's girls that get all catty. She said something about guys feeling threatened by another male in their usual territory or something like that…you really weren't listening. You feel bad that you weren't now…you're probably never gonna see Amy ever again… "But before I even think about it, I want the two of you to take care of an ammo dump we've ID in the fortress. Lots of Krimzon Guards, constant patrols. We know it's vulnerable, and the Underground needs you to blow up all of the ammo you find inside. Get all of it, and we'll deal a body blow to the Baron."
"You're sending us in, tough guy," Daxter says. "So what's with this 'we'll deal a body blow' stuff?" Doesn't Daxter like to take credit for what others have done?
"That's fine," Jak says. "I want the Baron to know that it's me who's hurting him."
…
The Zoomer ride to the fortress is actually pretty short; just the usual ducking and avoiding guards and pedestrians. The fortress, however, is different. Just walking through the door, you can already tell this is going to be fun. There's something that looks like a steamroller, only it's red and has spikes. That must be the guard. Fuck.
"Careful," You say. You pass through the doorway, and an alarm goes off.
"Unauthorized use of fortress door. Activating security tank."
Oh, fuck you.
You, Jak and Daxter need to run like hell (well, you and Jak anyway) to avoid the missiles, lasers, whatever the fuck they are. It locks onto a position, but fortunately, it stops for a moment before it fires, giving you time to move. Security cameras that fire when you break the red laser they're emitting make things a little bit more difficult, and then you need to use a crate and a pipe to ascend to the next level. Just when you think you've gotten away, it breaks through the fucking wall.
You need to use rotating platforms and break those blue lights to get the access gate to go down. Man, this is getting sticky. You need to get out of here, but first, you need to get rid of that ammo. Getting to the ledge, two Krimzon Guard are waiting there.
"…Wanna kill that Shadow guy." One of them says. They're talking about the Underground.
"Don't forget about that traitor, Torn."
"Death's too good for him." Yikes. A lot of bad blood.
"Freeze!"
Well, they spotted you. Jak takes the one on the left, and you take the one on the right. So now, everyone knows you're here. Oh well, that means you get to crack some skulls. You cut through the guards, and proceed. You have to smash through the ground at the weak spot, but you're through. Getting down the conveyer belt, it's off another platform and then you find the ammo. There's a little chip looking thing on one of the containers. Jak picks it up.
Daxter smiles. "Cool, that's a security pass! We need those to get through city checkpoints." You examine it with a "hm".
You hear loud, heavy footsteps against the metal, and Jak gives a "shh" as the three of you look down through the vent. You see two Metal Heads, and two of the Krimzon Guard with barrels of eco. You raise an eyebrow, but you secretly hope that the Metal Heads take out the guards and then you can take out the Metal Heads. Four of your enemies out, when you only had to do half the work.
"These barrels are the latest shipment of eco." The first guard says. "The Baron says take them and get out." The Metal Heads bare teeth, and the guards aim their weapons.
"Metal Heads in the city?" Jak whispers. "Why are the guards giving them eco?"
Before you can respond, you hear the wurr sound of another security tank, which takes aim, and then you and Jak have to move. The ammo wasn't that far in front, and you moved so the ammo would take the damage from the security tank. When you hear the levels hit critical, you had to get out the now-open door, only the explosion's backlash sends you flying out of it…and right on your back.
You rub your aching skull, oh, and Jak landed right on Daxter. "This place has too much excitement." Daxter says. "We need to move back to the country."
"No, the country's a shithole." You whine.
-The Underground Hideout, 1:17, 30 minutes later-
After getting back to the hideout, you still don't know what's up with the guards and the eco. Don't Metal Heads need eco? Why would the guards be helping them? There's gotta be someone around here who knows. You and Jak head back into the hideout. Daxter hops onto the table. "The demolition duo-er, um, trio-has returned!" You chuckle and roll your eyes. "One BBQ ammo dump, served up hot!"
"We saw something odd while torching that ammo." Jak starts. "The Baron's guards were giving barrels filled with eco to a group of Metal Heads."
"Really?" From his tone and the look on his face, Torn looks like he almost doesn't believe Jak. "The Shadow will be very interested to hear that."
"You know, so far, your gigs have been easier than stealing grass from a sleeping yakow." You know, you didn't really realize what a big head Daxter has until now.
Jak shakes his head while you roll your eyes and Torn gives a little laugh. "You two and the rodent wanna start proving yourselves? One of our…'suppliers' needs his payment delivered-a bag of eco ore. Take the Zoomer parked out back and drive it to the Hip Hog Saloon in South Town. Ask for Krew. He'll be there, and don't let the Baron's patrols stop you." As if you would. "By the way, when you get there, pump Krew for information. He's wired into the city, and may know what the Baron is up to."
Daxter grins. "You can count on us."
"Are you still here?"
…
At first, it seemed pretty simple, and at first, it was easy. There's a meter on the front of the Zoomer that shows you how close you are to the saloon. It turns yellow as you get closer. A few minutes of driving with you holding onto Jak's waist (kind of awkward for you), and Daxter hanging onto Jak's shoulder. But after turning the corner, all hell broke loose. The Guard started shooting at you! What the fuck? Why? Just fucking why? You have to shift zones in order to avoid the vehicles and the guards on foot.
"Jak, the Guard set up a roadblock, get out of there." That's Torn through Jak's communicator thingy.
"Working on it," You snap.
All you hear is shots being fired and "I've got a visual" and "They've got a package!" What are they shooting you for? Hell, for all they know, it could be cookies for your grandma! What reason do they have for shooting at you?
Finally, after pulling up to the saloon, the guards seem to back off. Maybe it's because they're scared of this "Krew" guy. You head through the door. An eager Daxter leans on Jak's shoulder. "Let me handle this, guys. Watch my finesse and style."
"Don't forget to ask about-" Jak starts, but Dax cuts him off.
"Everything's cool. Nobody panic." He goes right past this big guy dressed all in armor, holding a weapon that looks like a Metal Head. He lost his eye, and now there's a piece of metal that's taken its place.
…And then you notice the really big guy floating around in a hoverchair. And by big, you mean giant. This guys has more fat rolls than Constance the Giantess! He's dressed in yellow and green, and he's got several rings on his hands, one that looks like a wedding ring. He's bald, and blind in one eye. And the weird thing is, his legs are literally like sticks, and he's hooked into a few tubes. They're probably life support. Man, Haven City really is a little freakshow.
"You Krew?" Daxter asks, you and Jak standing there, with you rather uneasy. "Well, we shook the heat, and your shipment's in primo condition."
"That's good, eh? 'Cause a cargo of rare eco ore is worth more than ten of your lives." He says. You see he's missing a lot of teeth. Somebody has not been taking very good care of himself. He gets way too close to you and Jak. "And of course, I'd be forced to collect…slowly." He chuckles. "The Underground will take anyone with a pulse these days." Daxter gets onto your shoulder. "And what's this? The Shadow's mascot of the month?" He touches Daxter's face and talks about soft it is. You sympathetically scratch his ear. "Sig, this fur would go well with my silk suits, eh?"
"Listen, uh, Tons of Fun," Daxter says uneasily from your shoulder. "Anyone can see that you and I have the real juice in this burg." …What? "We're both players, right?" Oh good lord. You put your hand to your forehead as Sig and Krew exchange weird looks. "We're both lookin' for a piece of the action, right? I think we can do business…right?"
"We did you a favor, now it's your turn." Jak says, thankfully cutting Daxter off. "Why is the Baron giving eco to Metal Heads?"
"Questions like that could get a person killed, eh!" Krew snapped back. "Sig, give 'el captain and his friends a bonus." Sig tosses you and Jak both guns, his black and red, and yours blue and red. Jak has this mischievous and pleased smirk on his face, which makes you want to giggle a bit. "Show me some skill with that hardware, and I'll hire you for a job or two, eh?"
…
Getting to the gun course, you know you should get back to Torn, but Krew wasn't really specific as to what he knew about the Baron and what he was doing giving eco to Metal Heads. But he does know why, and you can't leave until you know what he knows.
You aim your weapon at the Metal Head target, and fire. The pieces of cardboard go flying, and…you get kinda trigger happy. You shoot a couple of citizen targets by accident, which deducts your points, but you and Jak still pass the course. You smile upon reaching the exit.
"You're a good shot." Jak says approvingly.
"Thanks." You do a little bro-fist, and then head back to Krew.
…
"Great shooting," Krew says as the three of you reenter the saloon. "Ever thought about being a Wastelander, hm?"
"Can't say that I have." Jak says.
"I could, but then, I'd be lying." You smirk.
"Wastelanders find items for me outside the city walls, eh?" Krew explains. "Any artifact or weapon worth having comes through my hands. Work for me, and I'll throw some of the sweeter items your way, hm?"
Jak gives that smirk again. "Kill Metal Heads? Get toys? Sounds good to me." You know, something about Jak kinda worries you-and frankly, you really shouldn't talk, because you've got that same evil in you too.
"Slow down there, Jak and the Fat Man. You better run that by me again, 'cause there's no way I'm going outside the city to face more Metal Heads." Daxter yells in his shrill-y voice.
Krew flies away. "Sig will show you the ropes."
"So you wanna be Wastelanders, huh?" Sig says. "Well, we'll see what you're made of when we get out into the thick. Krew wants some new trophies to put butts in chairs at the Hip Hog, so I'm gonna back him five nasty Metal Heads at the pumping station." Daxter emits an audible "gulp" and Sig grins. "Don't wet your fur, chili pepper, 'cause we're rollin' with the Peace Maker."
Daxter smiles. "I need one of those! Where'd you get it?"
Krew shakes his head. "Don't ask. Sig needs someone to watch his back while he tracks the Metal Heads, eh?"
"No thanks." You deadpan, turning away.
"Why not?" Jak asks.
You roll your eyes and turn your head towards him. "Jak, I'd rather not get involved." You take a seat at the booth closest to the door. "I'll be right here when you get back."
Jak's POV:
Lea's…different. She seems so quiet and untrusting…not that you blame her. Someone must've sold her out to the Baron, and she's filled with Dark Eco, just like you. She was all you had for those two years you spent locked up in the Baron's prison. If there's anyone you can understand, it's her.
…
When you get back from protecting Sig, Lea's still there, and she looks like she's been glaring at Krew the entire time you were gone. You thought she would've let by now.
Your POV:
God, it's about time they got back! Jesus, you were waiting there forever! Well, at least they're back and so is your peace of mind. You can get what you need from Krew and then get back to Torn. Krew flies in circles around Jak and Daxter. "You boys are turning out to be quite useful, eh? I have another task for you." You get out of the booth and stand next to Jak. "The sewers used to be a fabulous smuggling route for me, before the Baron installed security devices."
"And before those late-night snack runs kept you from fittin' out the front door." Daxter says.
Jak glares. "I bet you've hatched another brilliant plan in that hungry little brain of yours. So, who or what, do we have to shake down, knock out, or blow up?"
"Well," Krew stresses the word. "I need someone to go down and shoot every sentry gun in the sewers. And I'll give you a sweet weapon upgrade if you succeed."
"Lemme guess," Daxter starts. "Dank, murky water?" Krew nods. "Reeks worse than your breath at an oyster fest?" Okay, ew. "Full-er Metal Heads than your plate at a one-pass buffet? And of course, weapons more lethal than your ever-so tighty-whiteys on a hot summer day." Okay, that's not funny, that's just gross. "Look doughnut hole, why don't we float around here lookin' hot and heavy, and you go roader-route the pipes!"
"We're not doing anything until you tell us why the Metal Heads are trading with the Baron's forces." Jak says, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I should've had the three of you knee-capped, eh?" Krew snaps. "All I know is the Baron cut a desperate deal with the Metal Head leader." He turns around. "Metal Heads need eco, so the Baron supplies them with regular shipments. In return, the Metal Heads agree to attack the city just enough to satisfy the Baron's continued rule."
Jak scoffs. "Yeah, but how long can that deal last?"
"Well, the Baron is running short on eco, eh? And the Metal Heads are short on patience. Baron Praxis needs this war to keep in power. Otherwise, the city would put the true ruler on the throne…wherever that little brat is."
"Daxter and I will clear your sewers," Jak says. "And we haven't forgotten about that weapons upgrade you promised in return."
"Bloodsuckers." Krew mutters.
"Jak, Dax," You whisper as Krew flies over near the bar. "I'll go tell Torn what we found out while you deal with this. Just be careful." You say. Jak nods. "See you soon."
-The Underground Hideout, 3:45, 15 minutes later-
The door slides open, and you head through the narrow hallway. Torn looks surprised to see you. Eh, maybe he thought you were gonna die or something. Doesn't really matter, does it? "Hey."
"Where's Jak?"
You shrug. "He and Daxter are doing something for Krew."
"And you?"
You scoff and say, "Would rather not have anything to do with him." You've seen what happens to people who get involved with crime bosses like Krew. Your life may be in danger no matter which side you work with, but at least you're doing something right if you work with the Underground. Jak's a big boy; he can take care of himself. It's actually Daxter you're worried about. "I'll deliver his payments, but that's about as close as I wanna get."
Torn nodded. "You did the smart thing."
"I always do." You say with a shrug. "Anyway, I got that info you wanted from Krew. Krew said that Praxis is giving the Metal Heads eco for a deal he made with the Metal Head leader. In return, the Metal Heads attack the city just enough to satisfy the Baron's continued rule." You repeat back Krew's words to Torn like a parrot. "Said Praxis needs this war to keep in power, and that the Baron is short on eco-like the Metal Heads are short on patience."
Torn nods. "Alright. Wait for Jak and Daxter to get back. I gotta another job, but you'll need Jak too." You nod.
"Got it."
Okay, so which pairings do you guys wanna see? Do you want Jak/You or Torn/You? If you guys want Torn, then it'll be Jak/Ashelin. I can tell you right now, it won't be Jak/Keira, because I hate her. So much. Ashelin rules! So yeah, leave a review or message me for what you want. I'll put up a poll on my profile. Keira won't be an option. Don't like, leave right now. And no hateful reviews, please.
Bye for now!
~Mimi
