Jak and Crash
ACT 2: The Journey
Chapter 6: The Talk or…Say It Ain't So

Air Razor Town
Month 1: Januria, Day 5
Year: 2 AOTN (Age of the Nations)
Time: Afternoon

"There it is…Air Razor Town."
As Jak finished his sentence, the rest of the heroes, mangled clothes, bruises and cuts shown, hair tangled, and generally a mess overall for having traveled some two weeks without making too many pit stops have finally reached Air Razor Town. It's just as the name implies; a giant airport of sorts with hundreds of planes, all in different sizes, shapes, and colors. It was a pilot's dream and they were finally here. With exception from Shuin and Jak, it seemed most of these guys haven't explored remote areas for two straight weeks.
"GREAT! Now we can finally buy an engine!" Cortex shouted loudly as his raised both his arms up. The happiest he felt since he met Shuin.
"Forget the engine! I want some decent food!" Daxter cried out, leaping out of Jak's shoulder and running towards the town, "Eggs, bacon, chocolates, the goods!" Ani followed close behind.
"For once, I agree with you!" Ani said, running besides him.
"Well, might as well book an inn for tonight." Jak sighed, smiling as he eyed the two animals shoving each other so one of them could be the first to the local diner.
"Might as I well, I need a drink." Shuin said, "Time to hit the bar."
"I'll go handle the inn right now. You guys should take this time to explore the place. We'll all meet back at the inn. Everyone by nightfall please."
Jak immediately left with a hasty Brutter following behind, leaving Shuin, Cortex, and Coco.
"Well, off I go." Shuin said as he started to walk away.
"Oh, Shuin." Cortex walked over to the tall Anthro, "I was…planning on shopping for engines…you don't wish to…join me?"
"Why?"
"Well, I might…umm…need someone from this planet to explain the engines of Precursia." Cortex said, putting on an innocent face. Shuin merely looked at him as if the short man was the most pathetic thing he's ever seen.

…………………

Zoomer Express, Mar's Memoral Stadium
Month 1: Januria, Day 5
Year: 2 AOTN (Age of the Nations)
Time: Afternoon

It took her some three days to finally find someone who had the mechanical skills and the responsibility to watch the shop…unfortunately they were the Hi-Jinx Squad.
"Don't worry, Kiera, your shop is in good hands." Came the shrill high voice of Jinx, the leader of his little group. He was an average sized man with smooth dirty blonde hair, greasy and tied back and a smug, confident appearance. He usually carried a cigar around his mouth, "I'll make sure nothing happens to it and—"

CRASH!

"Oops." Came the low, innocent voice of Mog, a giant hulk of a man.
"DAMN IT MOG, WHAT THE HELL DID YOU BREAK?" Jinx shouted to the biggest member from the background, "WHAT THE HELL HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT BEING NEXT TO VALUABLE MATERIALS?" Kiera groaned. Okay, so they weren't all that responsible, but she was desperate come the second day. Jinx turned to face Kiera again, but not before eyeing Grim, another average sized man, often covering his lower half of his face in a hood.
"Look, just make sure the Zoomer express is in one piece by the time I return." Kiera sighed, "My father is busy doing work in the palace and won't be home for a while, so I can hope I'll return by then, so until then, you CANNOT tell ANYONE I know, let along daddy that I left."
"Alright, alright already!" Jinx grinned, "We get it, princess. Our lips are sealed."

CRASH!

"Oops."
"DAMN IT, MOG!"
"Err…just to clarify, you guys ARE mechanics?" Kiera asked.
"And handy with explosives." Jinx smiled. Kiera made yet another uneasy look.
"Oh, don't worry, all our explosives aren't on right now." Grim reassured her, "Not to mention my obsession with fire has died down a little thanks to therapy." Kiera groaned again.
"You best me going on your way, little princess." Jinx said, "Before we change our mind." Kiera nodded, while muttering under her breath in that she hoped they would.
"Alright…I'll be going now…" Kiera said, laughing forcibly. Slinging her bag over her shoulders, she walked backwards to get one last glimpse of her home while the Hi-Jinx Squad waved back, saying their good-byes.

BOOM!

"MOG! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO NOW?"

………………

Haven Palace
Month 1: Januria, Day 5
Year: 2 AOTN (Age of the Nations)
Time: Afternoon

"It is time, my Queen."
"Time for what, Veger?"
"Those dark creatures are slowly gaining up on this planet and it's only a matter of time before we have to fend for ourselves." Veger started, "The other kingdoms are already planning to break off our alliances for their own selfish reasons. We cannot let that come to pass."
"And where on Precursia did you get this utterly ridiculous information?" Alexnadros said calmly while Walter gently slipped tea for her.
"My dear Queen, I cannot believe you would question the head of the royal councils as well as your personal royal advisor." Veger said, looking as though he was heartbroken. Walter merely gave off a stifled "hmph."
"Even if it were to be false, eventually the other kingdoms will do whatever it takes to charge and take over Haven. We cannot allow this to happen!"
"And what do you purpose we do, Count Veger?"
"Why, we simply fight first and quickly." Veger dramatically answered, "We start the invasion. Take over the small and weak kingdoms first, and then gradually work out way to the top."
"Now Veger, aren't we getting a little carried away?" Walter asked with a sly voice.
"I DON'T take advices from common servants!" Veger spat venomously, "Now GET OUT."
"As you wish." Walter said, again with a sly voice. As soon as Walter left, Veger crept close to Alexandros like a spider.
"We have only to fend for ourselves." Veger continued, "Why not now before they retaliate? Haven is a powerful kingdom. We can easily take out the other nations one by one."
"The decision sounds hasty and unnecessary. Very unbecoming of our kingdom."
"My Queen, in the end, we race for survival. That's how the world works. It's a crocadog-eat-crocadog world out there and if we do not fight back during these desperate times, there will be no Haven Kingdom." The Queen only reminded silent, keeping a largely blank face. It was hard to tell what she was thinking.
"Please my Queen, please consider it."

……………………

Air Razor Town
Month 1: Januria, Day 5
Year: 2 AOTN (Age of the Nations)
Time: Early Evening

"This engine can make the airship go a steady mach 3. Although I should warn you it's not recommended for larger flying vehicles, let alone should it be used often a day."
"MmHmm." Cortex nodded as he listened to the shopkeeper of the engine store, "Well, I prefer engines that are for airships about…this size." Cortex extended his arms while Coco watched from the background, occasionally eyeing the various engines neatly stacked in their own cubicle.
"You mean 3 feet wide?"
"What? No." Cortex shook his head. He dug inside his bag and fished out a photo of his airship, "This size."
"Hmm, this is a rather strangely designed airship." The shopkeeper said, taking the photo for a closer look, "Kinda looks like the one from the news I saw of the invasion in Haven."
"ERRR…must be…coincidence." Cortex nervously chuckled.
"It's as strange as your small shaped ears." The shopkeeper muttered, "Well, for ships that size (he handed the photo back)…" He stopped talking and ushered Cortex and Coco to a much larger room where engines as big as Cortex or half his size stood.
"Ooh." Cortex grinned. He was rather pleased that the engines looked quite similar to the ones down on Earth. The matter is rather it'll be compatible.
"Aren't they beauts?" The shopkeeper asked.
"It's the stuff dreams are made out of all." Cortex smiled.
"Oh, please." Coco muttered under her breath.

In another part of Air Razor Town, inside a lowly bar known as the "Flight's Crash", Shuin lazily sat on one of the stool, chatting up ever so slightly with the bartender.
"And then he claimed I looked like his kid or something." Shuin said. The barkeeper laughed while mixing drinks.
"And you've never seen him before then?"
"Hell no." Shuin said, smiling a bit, "Imagine a guy like him with an Anthro son. It's not possible. No Precursians wants to marry an Anthro and vice versa."
"But it sounds like this Cortex guy is a nice man in general."
"He is, he is. He's just occasionally trying to talk with me afterwards." Shuin said, playing with the glass, "Guess in his head, he's still convinced I'm his son or something." He made a hearty chuckle.
"Poor guy."
"To Cortex." Shuin said, raising his cup and sipping the last of the alcoholic beverage. At that point, Jak entered into the bar with Daxter on his shoulder as usual. The bar alone was a smelly, misty place as cigarettes from different directions entered into Jak's nose. He coughed immediately as he fought his way pass the smoke. Both Shuin and the bartender noticed him.

"Well, if my eyes ain't deceiving me, ain't ya Jak Bannon?" The bartender asked.
"Yes, I am." Jak said, walking over to Shuin, "Minus the Bannon."
"So what'll it be?"
"Nothing, I just came here to pick up Shuin. We are all supposed to be meeting at the inn by nightfall and I have yet to see a single one of you return." Jak said, placing his hands on his hips, sounding like a peeved parent.
"I'll take anything, I can handle it." Daxter said slyly as he slid from Jak's shoulder to the bar table. The bartender nodded and set to work.
"It's good of you to be caring, but I'm a big boy. I can take care of myself." Shuin said.
"I'd expect people to be a bit more responsible is all." Jak said, "We don't need anymore Daxters in the world." Shuin just made a small "heh".
"I'm serious. I even said "please" when I told everyone to meet at the inn." Jak said. A beverage was placed in front of Jak.
"Hey. I said I didn't want a drink, are you bloody deaf?"
"Hey, bar rules. You're here for over a minute, you buy something." The bartender said. Jak groaned.
"Oh, just take the drink, ya big baby!" Daxter grumbled, guzzling his beverage. Jak eyed the cup. Beer. He never drank beer. Jak was strictly a wine person, but he made a glaring face and quickly guzzled it down. Afterwards, he made a disgusted face.
"Ugh, and people are addicted to this how!" He cried out.
"It's one of the mysterious of this world." Shuin sarcastically said.

At that point, Cortex and Coco entered, each suffocating from the smoke.
"Oh, hello there." Jak waved, "How was your shopping?"
"Great, we found our engines." Cortex smiled a bit.
"And lugged those damn things all the way up our room in the inn." Coco groaned, sitting on one of the stools, "It's gonna be hell carrying those things back over to Haven Forest."
"We will manage." Cortex patted Coco's hand, "We tried to look for you Jak, but you weren't at the inn until Brutter told us you were heading to the bar to get Shuin."
"Brutter's not with you? That's surprising." Coco said.
"I convinced him long enough to let me go off on my own." Jak said. Two glasses filled with beer were placed in front of Cortex and Coco.
"Umm…"
"Stay for a minute and you're forced to buy a drink." Jak muttered, "Which reminds me." He dug into his pocket and placed the currency for the bartender.
"Well, I could use a drink, but I will not have Coco drinking." Cortex said sternly, pushing Coco's cup away, "She is underage."
"How old is she?" The bartender asked.
"None of your business." Coco muttered.
"16 is the starting age for legal drinking, Cortex." Jak whispered to Cortex.
"Not where I come from." Cortex said, eyeing Jak to indicate Coco will not drink, period.
"Daddy's little girl, ey?" Daxter grinned, "It's Samos and Kiera all over again."
"Cortex is not my father." Coco mumbled, "He's like a father."
"Well, technically since my son adopted you as his sister, I guess in a sense, you would be my daughter, so therefore—"
"Cortex, please shut up."
"Is she always this down?" The bartender asked.
"Yes." Everyone but Coco answered.
"That's it, I'm outta here." Coco said as she hastily left the stool and walked out.
"Wait, Coco!" Jak ran after her, "Are you upset…more so? We didn't mean to make you feel bad. We were just having a little bit of fun. COCO!"
"Well, I might as follow him; after all, Jak can't survive with me!" Daxter said the last few words out loud, but none of the customers, his friends, or the bartender cared, "Sheesh, tough crowd." He ran on all fours out of the bar.

Soon, it was just Cortex and Shuin.
An uneasy feeling built up inside Cortex's throat. Taking a big gulp, he endlessly started to tap on the table with his index finger as he tried to mutter a word out. Cortex slowly eyed Shuin. There he was, a tall figure gulping down his third cup of beer. He was so calm and at ease, as if nothing could faze him, no matter how big the danger was.
"So…" Cortex started. Shuin reminded silent, only occasionally eyeing his beer cup before gulping it down.
"So it's just the two of us…and the bartender…and a whole bunch of customers."
"Mmm." Shuin responded.
"It's pretty awkward right about now, you know…you…looking like…my son." Cortex said slowly and nervously. Shuin gave of an "I knew he would mention that again" face, but kept silent, giving the short scientist a chance to speak still.
"You know, my son was a very…excitable boy." He started, "Always had energy that one. Often crashes into things and made a mess of everything, but he's heart was good. It's why he…rebelled against me when I had that moment of…errr…darkness."
"Mmm."
"He was very optimistic, even in the worst of times."
"Mmm."
"Even when we were constantly fighting because of the path I took to darkness and insanity, he always believed I had the heart to change back."
"Mmm."
"After all, I have had plenty of time to kill him…" This time, a silence before Cortex spoke again, lost in his memories, "…But I didn't. In fact…it's true what he said…I would never change back…unless he died…" Cortex stopped and eyed the beer cup in front of him, still haven't been drunk out of (it seemingly irritated the bartender). Instead, Cortex covered the cup with his hands, holding onto it tightly like a wounded kitten.
"You do look so much like him."
"Coincidence." Shuin responded.
"Or maybe fate?"
"Scientists believe in that crap?"
"If it was some 20 plus years ago, no, I wouldn't have." Cortex said, speaking through a hopeful, yet sullen face, "But with the things I've seen…yes, I do believe in it. But not as much as hope."
"Mmm."
"You know, my son really enjoyed exploring and the outdoors like you. He likes to relax and take a nap on the beach."
"If I wanna relax, I'll get horribly drunk." Shuin said, "Which I'm pretty sure I want to at this point."
"He was very happy."
"I'm not Mr. Sunshines."
"And he loved everyone he cared about."
"I work alone. Being with you guys is strictly to get this voice out of my head."
"He was crazy, but unselfish and kind."
"Once the voice is out of my head, I'm outta here. I don't care how selfish that sounds; your life is not of any concern to me."
"I thought you were planning to help Jak with his fencing."
"Until I get the voice out of my head."
"Why do you have a voice in your head?" Cortex asked, "Is it fate that gave it to you? Is it why we are here right now?"
"Why the hell are we still talking about this?"
"Because this cannot be coincidence!" Cortex shouted. At this point, all the customers and the bartender eyed them. Cortex stood up from his stool as he faced down on Shuin, "You looking like my son CANNOT be coincidence! Granted, you're a bit taller and you look about at least a decade older, but there HAS to be a reason why I am with you now!"
"For crying out loud…"
"And I won't rest until I find out, Shuin!" Cortex said, his eyes nearly on the brink of tears, "This is something bigger then either of us can compensate and I want to know WHY! This crystal (he fished out the collar) lend me to this planet for a reason and I have to find out why! And you, so far, are the leading key to get there!"
"For Precursor's sakes, Cortex!" Shuin slammed his cup down, "Get it through that big cranium sized head! I. AM. NOT. YOUR. SON!" And with that Shuin immediately left the bar, leaving Cortex to wallow in his own self pity. He sat back down on the stool and lowered his head while everyone slowly returned to their own business. Stuck in his own little world…

…………………

Somewhere in Haven Forest
Month 1: Januria, Day 5
Year: 2 AOTN (Age of the Nations)
Time: Nighttime

"Well, Day One." Kiera said to herself as she poked the burning wood in the small bonfire she started. She wasn't the camping type, preferring to live in a cities and civilization. Unlike Jak, she had no dreams to explore remote and new locations, sleep on moss covered grounds, or navigate oceans for the sake of exploring and adventure. She was always content, but now, she had to utilize whatever skills she learned from him.
"I'm never going to make it." Kiera mumbled to herself. She buried her head to her knees. Only the sound of the fire crackling and the crickets chirping broke the relative silence. A gentle breezy wind blew. Snow was only about a few inches which more then said a lot for Haven weather. Snow was a common subject for Haven Kingdom during winter. Kiera groaned.
"I hate winter. I hate snow." She mumbled. Another set of fire crackle and cricket chirping. A few seconds afterwards, the bushes nearby Kiera started to rustle. Kiera immediately lifted up her head and stood up. Kiera's only main form of defense was her mechanical tools, so she took out a wrench and got into a battle position. She remained silent at first, thinking the rustling could be a small animal. The rustle got louder and louder. Kiera's eyes grew wider. She gripped her wrench up tight. Soon, the rustling stopped. Kiera remained in battle position for a while before relaxing.
Kiera started to head back to the tree stump she was sitting on when the rustle came again. She immediately turned around.
"Okay, who are youuuuuaaaAHHHHHHHH!"
To Be Continued…

…………………

NOTES:
1. The Hi-Jinx Squad is a name I thought of and not canonical to the games. Just to let you know. I know it's a very horrible pun, but I couldn't help it.

2. This chapter, despite getting the engine, felt more filler then anything, instead to expand a bit on the roles of the current cast. Actually, there's a lot of foreshadowing in this chapter, so maybe it really isn't filler. Heh. I like to think each chapter as an "episode" of a TV show. Generally.

3. Shuin refers to Cortex as a "precursian." It wasn't a mistake just to let you know. He knows he has to keep Cortex and Coco's true origin from another planet in disguise of course.

4. Most of what Cortex said during his talk with Shuin refers to several scenes in "Experiment Bandicoot" including Cortex basically quoting his son on how he would have to die first in order for Cortex to change.